Have you felt a little blue this last week or so? Maybe you felt antsy and find it hard to relax. There are profound shifts going on at a deep level. All you have to do is monitor the sizable earthquakes happening globally to see our mirror in the world’s energy at present. If you feel off or odd, you aren’t alone. Uranus moves direct and starts to shake new things up as it frees us from our comfortable normal in pursuit of a creative new.
This coming year is going to take each and every one of us into uncharted territory, both internally and externally. The landscape holds a power struggle. This Moon cycle brings our attention to the places where our actions are more in line with familiar patterns instead of what is the best response now. When we default to muscle memory and react the way we are used to reacting it can bring uncomfortable results. This negative incentive can be enough of a nudge to get us to do things a bit differently.
The Universe is nudging us to try new ways to respond, too, not just do what we know. Beliefs may crumble under the weight of new information. The more you try to stick with what you know, the more pressure builds up. When we maintain resistance long enough, the shake up intensifies into earthquakes or its emotional equivalent. One way or another we have to grow or we face smaller and smaller space in which to live and bigger eruptions to pry us out of there.
What’s required
The need for freedom squares off with security needs. Familiarity soothes our fear of the unknown. Except we’ve outgrown ‘what is’. Like a chick in a shell, we have to remove those obstacles to a bigger world one personal push at a time. So there will be obstacles. When you face those challenges you determine what you really love enough to power through. The battle is within you – between what was and what is yet to be. Before you act, what’s needed is healthy self inventory, which requires a pause or some reflection. Because when you put effort into something you tend to bond with it, want to see the effort pay off. It builds your confidence!
Be sure what you are efforting for is truly important to you now. Because daily activity threads together the edges of who you are. Action is where others observe us and take our measure. How well do your actions tell a true story of who you know yourself to be? There’s a sneaky twist to that question. It invites you to look at the difference between who you know yourself to be and how you demonstrate that.
For example, someone I know considers themself a kind and generous man. It is who I know him to be. Yet when I asked him to help me deliver food for the homeless encampment near us at the holidays, he was distinctly resistant. I can’t blame him. There has been real violence on the streets and he came from a childhood that was anything but safe. I didn’t want to go alone for a similar reason. My internal struggle was now playing out on his face. And my request made him confront his fears in order to be the man he saw himself being, just as I had to face my own before I asked him.
The battle was visible as he went from shocked to guilty, then to disgusted and stubbornly set in blaming them for the situation they ‘put themselves in now’. I let him off the hook, I knew how he felt. He swallowed hard. He chose to go with me after an uncomfortable few minutes of self realization. We both realized kindness is a choice, not a pure goodness that dwells naturally in us. The day was memorable for many reasons, not the least was the joy from the people we met. Change happens one choice at a time.
THe way ahead
Compassion and empathy for how shocking the world feels for most people these days adds a lovely standard for how we evolve. Layer compassion like bread slices on a sandwich, with empathy in the middle. That’s to keep from overwhelm when we ‘feel with’ others in empathetic distress. Compassion can hold whatever empathy you offer together with generosity for the challenge it may be to stay open to one another. It helps us be patient while we relearn how to feel safe and thriving in today’s world – especially when we can’t always fix the suffering around us. We react less and respond more when compassion rides along. Which makes it safer space for the inevitable mistakes, or slip ups on this learning curve. Hell, we are redesigning even the curve itself.
Find your inner observer and invite them to find their sense of humor, too. Apply the Mary Poppins principle and ‘find the fun’. Once you do that, the ‘job’s a breeze’. Because laughing at the absurdities within us and therefore in life can make the difficult so much more bearable. Those who are suffering aren’t improved by our suffering over their agony. Neither are we. So try an approach that includes a little light side, wherever you may find it. Which is why the one homeless man cracking wise that Santa was blonde and rode shotgun in a range rover made my day. If he can find laughter amidst his circumstances, I certainly can. Try it why don’t you? The Cards and Stars will help.
Thank you,
Lisa Greenfield
1/31/22 Nine of wands, New Moon
Nines highlight where a level of mastery has been reached or where it is needed. This Moon Cycle holds both, no doubt. Mercury locks step with Pluto, so don’t be surprised at some of the Truth spilling out of the underground. We can feel the push/pull of the stars. Where do we belong and at what price? What do we value and do we still value it the same now as we once did? What is the quality of our belonging? That last one is an especially good place to spend a time the next two weeks. This Nine is in the element of fire, which requires fuel. Time to give yourself recognition for all kinds of things.
Mars is in friendly aspect to Uranus so we can more easily see how to do things differently. Even small shifts can pay big dividends over the long run. What matters is that you choose to respond rather than react. Vesta is squared off to Chiron so we can stop letting our wounds dictate what matters to us. Fear would have us defend when it isn’t necessary anymore.
But it takes discipline to reinforce better choices, bigger pictures, greater understanding and more balanced give and take. Relationships of all kinds were on deck during the 40 day Venus Retrograde. As we begin to move forward shed those places, people and beliefs that no longer harmonize with who you are now. No need to slash and burn, just re evaluate so you ask for what you want and need in a way that attracts those who can help you meet those needs.
Stay open to innovation. Fear would have us rigid in how we get our needs met as we take new risks. This Nine reminds us to be open to it being more than we asked. Rituals, meditation, breathing, yoga. Any of these options or some not mentioned may help you anchor in time each day to be receptive to intuitive guidance beyond the familiar patterns you are used to doing. It helps us hold the timeline lightly and enjoy the process along the way.
2/1/22 Prince of wands
This bravest of Knights rides impatiently into a day filled with opportunities to resolve the tensions yesterday’s New Moon introduced. Courage is necessary, speed is not. When you are tempted to rush to a decision, honor the impulse, just don’t let it reign. The Moon cozies up to Saturn and assist us as it grounds needless worry with a little reflection and some honest self examination. Don’t overthink things. When you hear hoof beats, think horses not zebras. Take a good look at yourself, no matter what the circumstances, then boil it down to ‘what do I feel and what does that feeling need from me’. Be sure to add in respect for others process and see any friction as a chance to better define what you feel and what you need. It’s a winning combo, given a little time.
2/2/22 three of pentacles
Oh what good insight is available today! This solid three promises that when you tell yourself a better story you are going to enjoy the results. It’s also a good day to try a little muscle testing. When you have decisions to make, be sure to invite your body into the conversation. When you are in alignment with whatever you decide, your body feels more relaxed, open and welcoming for the next step. If you feel tension, constriction or curl in on yourself that’s a ‘no’ or ‘not yet’.
Why not get in the habit of checking with your body as you stretch into new territory this year. It has fine instincts and is the slowest to change. So the better you are at including it in any choice you make, the more lightly that choice sits. Which also means you get the benefit of gut level insight because it isn’t tightened in resistance because you rushed a decision before your body was ready. Rushing in is a self limiting behavior to take a small bite now instead of a big bite later. Practice patience by filling the time with some body checks and hear what your body has to offer on when the time is best for that next step.
2/3/22 Prince of cups
Mercury heads direct today, although it still moves slowly for Mercury. As it moves through the last degrees of Capricorn and into Aquarius it covers territory it has passed through twice before. So this charming Prince prompts us to bring our heart along while we ‘re-view’ what matters to us and what we are going to do about it. This is a call to let our heart dictate the goal and let our mind figure out how to achieve it. Our mind is not the decision-maker, it is the strategist. Heart first, follow Rumi’s advice. “Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray”.
2/4/22 The sun
Small steps forward in pursuit of what you love and long for is good today. The Sun promises good progress and reminds us that the days get longer just a minute or two at a time. Bring courage along, your patience with the process and why not add a good dose of anticipation in there to sweeten the journey. What you long for matters. How you go after it is important. Because this is where you get to express who you are to the world. Elizabeth Gilbert speaks of entitlement as the fierce knowledge you belong. Who you are matters, what you want is part of your unique contribution to this world.
Let obstacles, reroutes and even discouragement be opportunities to bond with what matters to you. When you find something worth risking for, you are living a fuller life. Isn’t that a worthy goal? Then manage the stories you tell yourself about what the journey reveals. Disappointment can teach you resilience. Roadblocks can inspire innovation. The Sun is the most positive card in the entire deck and reminds us that the darkest night still sees dawn the next day. Watch out for excessive ego, as it is just a fear mask. Flexibility, willingness to learn through your mistakes and courage to try again will yield the best results. Take it one day at a time.
2/5/22 king of wands
Early risers may find themselves craving sweets as the Moon squares off with Venus. It helps push a fresh perspective on what feels good and is still good for us. The Moon is in easy aspect to both Saturn and the Sun as this fiery King works out seemingly impossible situations. Give your intuitive knowing its proper respect today, as fire requires fuel. What helps resolve any tension is unexpected and possibly even unexplainable.
Celebrate the aha and don’t waste too much time dissecting how you got there. Your attention is better focused on imaginative possibilities for any challenge you face. Sometimes a linear path ahead, clearly spelled out by logic can be short-cutted by the right intuitive sideways step. Have some fun with it today and be careful thinking you have to do it the same way again. Repetition may not be possible, but trusting your intuitive guidance is. So don’t focus on each step, train your eye on what cues you got from your wise self and the Universe. That’s not a one time thing, it can and will keep happening.
2/6/22 the chariot
Time to tame your temper today with feisty aspects loaded up this morning only to ease by afternoon. This card heralds success while it cautions you not to rush or jump to conclusions. Remember anger is a way to consolidate your strength to face hard truths or make tough decisions. No need to unleash it on people. Use it to be brave and take risks appropriate to who you are now. Rage comes from a helpless place and is the opposite of empowered. Anger is empowering when it helps you draw or hold healthy boundaries. When you know how to work with this emotional response better, the sky is the limit. Well used anger fuels great strides as opposed to unleashed rage which burns down the house. Get to know yours better today, any effort is guaranteed success.
2/7/22 Ace of wands
You get to choose today, whether you operate at the mercy of life itself or whether you feel inspired by it. You may start out feeling a bit underwhelmed by what is on offer and then move into your ‘dare to be great’ moment. It’s normal to feel disappointed when things aren’t looking as you wished they would. Allow yourself whatever you feel. This perky Ace helps lighten the mood with an invitation to add your part to the mix and take a lackluster situation and make it shine.
You have the ability to do that, did you know? This way you don’t have fear a bad thought that brings your mood down. You can bring it back up the same way it came down. Aces always announce a fresh start. Find yours today, no matter what the circumstances. It improves with a little inspired effort from you and you may be delighted at how innovative you can be.
2/8/22 princess of swords
Oh do we have a lot of support for creative thinking and story telling today! The most important thing today is to realize our inner critic will pick on our greatest strength, not our greatest weakness. Because it’s our strength that helps us grow and take risks. So wherever your judgmental mind focuses, there is your untapped potential for change. For example, one client was terrified she would fail at her public speaking. What is so funny about that is she has loads of natural talent, professional experience and training. It was her fear brain that knew she could change her life dramatically with a bigger audience and a little more confidence. Sure enough, that was what happened.
So tune in to those critical little tapes in your head today, especially about you. Because they reveal where you expansion treasure chest sits. I call my inner critic my ‘good to know’ voice. All I have to do is go the opposite direction of what you fear to find where you can tap into potential your judge may be sitting on, for your own good. At least that’s what fear thinks. Time to pull the plug on underestimating your and overestimating the threat. Or at least, it’s time to bring it in to healthier balance. It’s a perfect day for it.
2/9/22 The fool
Did you know that the brain goes into overwhelm with too many choices? You may find yourself feeling just that way today. Breathe, feel your feet and square your shoulders. The view expands in front of you today, especially if you have kept up with your learning curve. Suddenly you can see how very abundant life is, right there in front of you. Don’t worry, you’ve been preparing for this moment for quite a while.
Look for green lights from your heart, body and intuition before you bring your mind in to the picture. Your mind helps you figure out how, it is not a good decision maker. You need your heart and intuition for the decisions. Then be sure your body is on board and ready for the next step. Do break things down into steps for your body. Breathe. Your body loves it when you do that. Well, actually, it loves it when you breathe and break things into steps. Great. Now go ahead and smile, your life is getting richer by the moment, one big choice at a time. You can’t get this wrong. So have fun and see what’s down the Yellow Brick Road for you.
2/10/22 three of wands
This is the second three in the Moon Cycle. Two threes remind us we have choices. We may be well aware of that after yesterday. But just in case your brain tried to drag you back into overly structured territory, this three and the aspects keep nudging you down the path of feeling a new direction. The Moon and Neptune have a pushing match that can dial up the need to find healthy boundaries.
Use your communication skills to check that what you think is happening is actually clear to others. Confusion is simply a chance to map out better edges on anything that unfolds. So don’t get upset if you find that what you knew to be true isn’t the same thing as those you are collaborating with while you expand. Who knows, clearing the confusion may surprise everyone with more good aha material and potential treasure. At the very least, it’s good practice for any miscommunication protocol. You can choose to see it as an opportunity or a threat. I recommend the first…
2/11/22 seven of pentacles
Mercury meets up with Pluto for the third and final time in Capricorn as it heads back over the territory it covered in retrograde motion. Those unpleasant truths that showed up need a gardeners approach as indicated by this Seven. You are meant to do your part and only your part. Wherever those revelations appear, you tend what you think and how you see yourself in the story. Every body has their personal responsibility. It is not your job to do everything to ‘fix’ whatever problems, snags or ugly bits are there.
Weed out what doesn’t serve. Water the situation with compassion and possibly empathy. Healthy boundaries protect against pests. Then let the Sun, soil and plants all do their part. Give it time. Plants bloom with a healthy environment and time. You provide the good space, you allow for time to do the rest. Spring is not far away.
2/12/22 two of cups
Gentleness and compassion are your best friends today. The aspects show feelings of insecurity and insignificance can well up. This happens so we can make a kinder choice than to believe our worst fears. In the absence of proof that we are loved and lovable, do we give that to ourselves? You may rage that you need it from others. But i have a secret to share with you. That rage is linked to our infant brain that fears a loss of love (parent) means life or death. You aren’t unloved and you still may not get the proof you want right now to prove otherwise.
This is so you learn to soothe yourself, love yourself, tell yourself a kinder story. This two stands for gentleness and compassion. It reminds us the tend and befriend impulse is what brings anxiety down. If you yourself aren’t triggered, you may want to remember this for those around you. Wherever you are, whatever crosses your path today, be kind.
2/14/22 Ace of cups
This is the second Ace in the Moon Cycle and stands for union. What a sweet card for Valentine’s Day, right? We have a mix of aspects today that continue the theme of self care and sweetness from yesterday. There is a chance for new romance anytime the Ace and Two of Cups show up together. What I love about the celestial soup of today is we have innovative ideas on how to interpret anything that happens.
Instead of pulling from the past and trying to defend yourself from old wounds, you can be excited by what’s possible now. You are equal to a fresh start filled with inspirational and creative contributions from you. Let what you survived in the past contribute to the resilient, courageous individual you are now. Love how strong you have been to live what you did and come through. Imagine what all that strength can create next. You deserve loving care, so be sure to give yourself some. It shows the world how you want to be treated.
2/15/22 four of cups
Okay, after the expansion of the last couple weeks this card comes in and says, ground yourself. Please note, that doesn’t mean wall yourself inside, please. This four can be solid emotional foundation that follows defensive first reaction. You will likely be triggered today. When you are, reassure yourself this is a normal pull back after expanding. Acknowledge that it helps to feel like you are standing firm in spite of unfamiliar territory.
A little quality time on your emotional state is a good investment today. Watch for projection. Are you reading too much into what someone else says or does? Are they doing that to you? Try a little lightness instead of thorny discussions. It helps to call out the elephant in the room. Saying you feel a bit sensitive without apologizing for how you feel is a good practice, if you do feel that way. Locate what you feel, what it needs and do your best to give it to yourself. Once you’ve got your oxygen mask on, you can help another, if it feels welcome. It’s another powerhouse Full Moon tomorrow. Breathe and be kind to you.
