Ruby Warrington Archives - Page 29 of 60

THE 2017 CAPRICORN FULL MOON WANTS YOU TO TRUST IN YOUR PROGRESS

Posted on July 7, 2017 by Sandy Sitron

The 2017 Capricorn Full Moon is an opportunity to set loving boundaries, trust in our security, and celebrate just how far we have come, says Sandra Sitron.

Full Moon :: July 9th 2017 :: 12:08 am ET :: 17 degrees Capricorn

As the earthy 2017 Capricorn Full Moon faces off against the watery, sensitive Cancer Sun, this lunation is a rare opportunity to harness emotional compassion and logical detachment simultaneously. Move back and forth between these two opposites. Each one supports the other …

Systematic Capricorn wants you to know who you are, and set boundaries with integrity. The more that you know yourself, what you need, and what you will allow—the more you can feel safe to open your heart and be vulnerable.

Open-hearted Cancer wants you to soften and glow with love. The more you can trust that love flows to you from family, friends, and lovers, the more you can believe in your own inner strength.

Look up at the Sun and the Moon and see the archetypical Father and Mother. In the ancient understanding of these archetypes, Capricorn is Father—supporting and protecting. Cancer, the Mother, nurtures and loves. Imagine the Moon and the Sun surrounding you with motherly love and fatherly protection.

It will be helpful to feel supported by your luminary parents, because at this Full Moon the planets are arranged in a tense configuration …

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Pluto urges the Moon to step into the fire of transformation and let the past die away. Warrior Mars goads the Sun to get defensive. At the hub of all of this frenetic activity, happy-go-lucky Jupiter acts as coach and referee. He is optimistically convincing all the players to work together to find creative expansion and a new way forward.

Those defense systems have been created for different reasons. Your job now is to be very practical about how they are set up. Clean your weapons. Disassemble them. Put them in storage. Lay down your arms. Notice where your systems of defense are firing. Press the deactivation button.

There may be conflict at the 2017 Capricorn Full Moon. Knowing this, can you set up a post as an observer in your own mind? Can you watch yourself as you reach for a defensive word or attitude? Drop it. Find a different way to react.

Time is your friend in this endeavor. If a strong emotion comes up, take a time out and wait for emotion to subside so that logic can come forward. By giving yourself time to think, you are more likely to react in a way that feels productive.

And remember, despite the challenges, it’s still a time for jubilant celebration! The themes during this Cancer moon cycle have been about opening your heart, learning how to nurture yourself, and taking good care of your inner child.

Take this opportunity to celebrate any progress you’ve made around letting yourself be vulnerable, either in this moon cycle, or in the last year.

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Full Moon conjunct Pluto
Bees swarm the tallest daisy, overtaking it.
Birth. Sex. Death. Rebirth. The cycle continues. Every transition is a chance to let go of what you knew and make space for something new.

Pluto is urging you to let go of control but this is a tricky subject. Sometimes it’s obvious when someone is being controlling. But sometimes controlling behavior is cloaked as “advice.” Often, it can be hard for sensitive people to let other people have their own emotions. The hidden inner dialogue can sound like, “If I can make you feel better, I’ll feel better too.” So without knowing it, a sensitive, loving person can actually be trying to control the people around them by “helping” them feel better. And that takes up a ton of energy!

Every time you consciously let go of control this weekend, you create more space to grow. Even though giving up control may feel uncomfortable, in the long-run it will help you see yourself as an authority. It will help you flourish in integrity. It will help you stand up a little bit straighter, just like the tallest daisy.

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Full Moon opposite Mars
Lava flows from the opening of the volcano.
Eruption. Find a way to expand beyond your boundaries. Move forward with action. Feel the fire of creativity and self-expression. Flow freely, fueled by the force of your own motivation. Take on the challenges that you’ve been circling. Wherever there was hesitancy, there can be forward movement. But don’t forget about care, compassion and open-hearted love. Choose a path of heart-centered action, not a fire-river of destruction.

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Moon and Sun T-square Jupiter
Primary colors.
With the basic building blocks of color you can create any hue imaginable. By sticking with simple basic tools, a limitless myriad of expansion is possible. So if your goal is growth, find good tools and trust them. Gratitude is a tool that works. Asking for help works. Loving yourself works. These are your primary colors. Let them help you expand.

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Use the questions below to dive deeper into the lessons of the 2017 Capricorn Full Moon. For a more accurate reading, calculate your chart for free here and see which house holds 17 degrees Capricorn …

Aries or Full Moon in the 10th house
What new systems would support your productivity in your career, or your life in general?

Taurus or Full Moon in the 9th house
What is your mission statement? Why is this important to you—and to the world?

Gemini or Full Moon in the 8th house
What are you ready to let go of? What could be birthed in its place?

Cancer or Full Moon in the 7th house
Is there room to open your heart up more? How will letting others in help you?

Leo or Full Moon in the 6th house
Are you ready to create a healthy new habit? What impact would this have on your productivity?

Virgo or Full Moon in the 5th house
What area of your life would benefit from more joyfulness? Can you feel it already?

Libra or Full Moon in the 4th house
What does your inner child need today? What can you do to nurture yourself?

Scorpio or Full Moon in the 3rd house
If you let curiosity run wild, where would it lead you?

Sagittarius or Full Moon in the 2nd house
What can you do today that would help you feel more grounded and secure?

Capricorn or Full Moon in the 1st house
Confidence comes from within. Is anything blocking you from feeling fully confident?

Aquarius or Full Moon in the 12th house
Listen for the part of you that is the most hopeful. If this part could talk, what would Hope say to you?

Pisces or Full Moon in the 11th house
How can the input of your community help you solve a problem?

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here.

NUMINOUS WEEKLY TAROTSCOPE: JULY 6—12 2017

Posted on July 6, 2017November 6, 2018 by Lindsay Mack

The Nine of Cups invites us into expansion, says Lindsay Mack—it’s a week to wish upon a star!

DREAMING ABOUT SEX WITH STRAIGHT DUDES … WHEN YOU’RE QUEER AF

Posted on July 5, 2017November 5, 2018 by Wolf Medicine

She’s queer AF … so what are her dreams about having sex with straight men trying to tell Wolf Medicine Magic? Portraits: Sandra Hong

Wolf Medicine Magic queer af The Numinous Sandra Hong — *Photo: Sandra Hong*

It was around 2015 that the “man dreams” started. I don’t remember the details or the exact date, but basically for the past two years, and at this point on a weekly basis, I have had dreams about being attracted to, having sex with, seducing, pursuing and being good friends with straight men.

Probably not a big deal—except for the fact that I’m queer AF and haven’t slept with a straight man in years. More importantly, I’m not just a queer feminist. Calling myself a feminist seems like choosing Diet Coke. It’s kiddie stuff. Feminism light. It’s cute but it’s a label that cannot describe my deep, deep yearning to eradicate all traces of the patriarchy and toxic masculinity from this planet. If womyn’s separatist lands were more inclusive I’d sign-up in a minute.

For realz, my feminism is intersectional, queer, gender fluid, anti-racist, anti-apartheid, pro-trans, and realizes that all lives won’t matter until we are all free. This means that the patriarchy and our currently fucked up notions of who “owns” masculinity (hint: what if we are all free to be masculine/men at any time and on any given day?) needs to end.

I have also spent the past several years carefully carving out a life for myself that doesn’t involve *men. I absolutely love female energy, and being around those who are tapped into both female and male energy in a harmonious balance. To me, being in environments dominated by straight men feels like being wrapped in a wet blanket in sub zero temperatures. I become exhausted from having to deflect misogyny, sexual objectification, and struggling to be heard and seen.

The walk to the subway can be a battle against misogyny for most women, trans, and queer folks. So I’ve taken great care to at least make my work and social life free from gender oppression, and it feels amazing. None of my employers or co-workers are men. I don’t have any men as friends.

Occasionally I’ll have a man in one of my yoga classes but for the most part my world is queer and female. To me, my trans/gender fluid friends exude a harmonious energy that is devoid of toxic masculine energy. Meaning I’m never interrupted, talked over, or forced to take up less space.

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In fact, the gender scales of my adult life have tipped so far towards the feminine, I really don’t know what it’s like to be masculine or have exchange with masculine energy anymore. And I used to be totally fine with this—but I’m beginning to see the negative impact of this imbalance on my life.

This is most evident when it comes to asking for what I want from people (and mostly when it comes to my career and work related situations). I’m so used to tapping into a soft and gentle way of being, I am terrified of seeming too aggressive, too entitled to take up a lot of space, or of being too demanding—since I’ve learned to see these as negative traits.

But I’ve realized that what I want so badly for this world is for ALL PEOPLE TO BE SOFT AND GENTLE AND AGGRESSIVE AND DEMANDING WHENEVER THEY WANT. For these qualities not to be deemed “male” or “female.” I mean, right now I can hear a voice in my head saying: “stay in your lane. You must ask gently and with kindness and not too loudly. If you demand things from people and don’t consider how this demand affects them then you are a mean, privileged, entitled MAN. And you don’t want to be like that.” The struggle. Is. Real.

And did I mention that my own philosophy around gender is that it’s fluid AF, and something to be played and experimented with? To clarify, I love masculinity—just not when it’s being projected at me in the name of protecting some dude’s fragile ego.

I don’t hate men. I repeat, I don’t hate men. What I hate is that our society has told us that men have more privileges than women, and that masculinity needs to be protected at all costs (because it is fragile, and women/feminine power will destroy it). And I know not all men are exercising their privilege and exerting a toxic masculinity onto the world. Many men are great people, who want better for the world—but it is a FACT that all men benefit from and can use their privilege at any time. Sometimes it’s handed to them, whether they ask for it or not. Thus, the phrase “male privilege.”

At a young age, men are also taught all the masculine tools they need in order to be men—i.e. be powerful, aggressive, strong, commanding. Take what you want, take up a lot of space, talk as much as you’d like, make people listen to you. Your opinion matters most, you’re smart and clever (even if you aren’t), and women don’t matter as much.

This is changing, thank Goddess, because I see the up and coming generations fucking shit up and challenging all notions of sex and gender. So there is hope, but things are slow to change. Down here in 2017, we’re still in the thick of it.

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My own gender representation is that of masculine sissy fag. I don’t wear dresses or skirts or shave my legs or underarms or any other body hair below my neck. I haven’t worn a pair of heels in who knows how long. On the surface one might think “oh there goes that soft butch.” But five minutes into knowing me you’ll clearly see a swishy, prissy teenage boy. Who wants to be a fabulous girl. Who wants to be a gay teenage boy.

I couldn’t be any farther from “butch.” I can’t even put together IKEA furniture, let alone chop wood, fix a leaky faucet, or start a fire. Or whatever else our society has deemed as “masculine.” I hate contact sports and could care less about watching them.

And yet my subconscious is evidently desperate for me to connect with my masculine side. Or as I like to think of it, my more aggressive, entitled, demanding, space-taking side. Why else am I dreaming about having sex with a dude? At the time of writing this, the dreams are happening at least three times a week.

So I have begun exploring ways to start integrating more masculine energy into my way of being. The first being to notice when I’m avoiding aggressive, demanding behavior—easiest to notice and correct when emailing and texting. Instead of “I’m just emailing to ask about my workshop proposal…” I correct myself and write: “When will my workshop proposal be processed?” To get right to the point. I’ve had a few opportunities to put this into practice in real time, too—and I find it to be so difficult. It just isn’t my natural way of being. But it IS helping me get what I want—and faster!

I’ve also tried to have more compassion and empathy towards straight, overtly masculine men. So, so difficult. I really do feel though, that evolving spiritually and getting where I want to be in life as I ease to the other side of 35, that this is a process I need to go through. I am receiving a very clear message from spirit to start being everything that I don’t like: meaning more aggressive, taking up more space, being demanding. But with compassion. These qualities aren’t always bad. In fact, less labels please; balance is the key.

I believe this is why the feminine IS rising. We. Are. Tired. Of. This. Shit. I’m ready for a gender fluid, queer, anything goes kind of world. It’s not girls to the front, or down with me. It’s folks to the front—and wave your gender representation freak flag high.

*For sake of space and to avoid repetition the use of the term man or men refers to cis-gendered, straight identified men. When referring to women I’m referring to cis-gendered and trans women unless otherwise noted.

WHAT’S YOUR “RICH WITCH” TYPE?

Posted on July 3, 2017 by Lara-Rose Duong

Summer is a super ripe moment for juicy manifestations. In her inaugural Rich Witch monthly column, Lara-Rose Duong teaches you how to discover your Rich Witch type … and get that money mojo moving!

You see an activated woman who lives a prosperous life by her own standards. She’s a magnetic beauty that has her inner frequency tuned to Rich Witch FM.

With total confidence, she calls all that her heart desires into her life while praying with her feet. Her relationship with money honey is one that brings value to both her life and those around her.

She’s a radiant Phoenix who gives into the cycles of life—knowing when to let herself fully die to come back in a new form. She is your cheerleader. She is your supporter.

She’s all these things and more, and she lives deep within the big fire in your soul.

Her mantra: “Love Is Money.”

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Doesn’t sound like you? Don’t fret if life isn’t checking all your Rich Witch boxes … yet. It’s never too late to dive into the abundance party!

For some, luxury may look like partying on a sailboat in the Caribbean, while for others it may look like tending plants in your magnificent backyard. So when discovering your Rich Witch type, first carve out some sacred time for yourself to listen in to what makes your heart feel wealthy.

No matter what kind of Rich Witch you want to embody this summer, you can start activating abundance right now with these simple, potent rituals. The most important element is to remain in a state of magical receiving. Let yourself mix, match, and be eclectic about your process.

Okay, now let’s get that Rich Witch mojo moving!

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:: THE RICH SEA WITCH ::

How to Spot Her:
She lives by the sea in real life or in spirit. She may think of herself as a mermaid. She loves being at the beach and in the sun. She draws on the energy of water to power up her own magick.

How to Call Her In:

Pour yourself a large glass of water and place it on your altar. With a clear vision of what you want to call in, place your hands around the jar and let yourself really go deep into a daydream state where you live your summer of abundance. Feel everything that is going to happen like it’s happening right now.
Once you feel completely charged up, say out loud or in your mind with total excitement and authority: I am a Rich Sea Witch. With this water, I am calling in my Summer of Abundance. With my own energy, I am calling in my Summer of Abundance. With all of me, I receive my Summer of Abundance. So mote it be.” And then, drink the sacred water that you created.
Moving forward, every time you interact with water, say out loud or in your mind: “Thank you for this Summer of Abundance.” A great time to do this would be in the bath, in the shower, or when you dive into the sea as part of your daily summer ritual. You will literally bathe yourself in your own magick.

lara-rose duong lara rose duong rich witch modern money witch rich witch type ruby warrington the numinous jordan sanchez — Rich Sea Witch // Photo: Jordan Sanchez

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:: THE RICH URBAN WITCH ::

How to Spot Her:
She rides the subway, the train, and elevators throughout her day. She thrives on city lights and that frenetic buzz in the air.

How to Call Her In:

Make an on-the-go abundance altar in your wallet. The key is to charge up the offering you place in your wallet with your current intention. If you take a twenty-dollar bill, for example, call in your vision of what your summer of abundance looks and feels like as you hold the bill in your hands so that your energy charges up the money.
Once you have the bill charged up with your energy, say out loud with intention and focus: I am a Rich Urban Witch. With this money, I am calling in my Summer of Abundance. With my own energy, I am calling in my Summer of Abundance. With all of me, I receive my Summer of Abundance. So mote it be.” Don’t actually spend that bill until the spell has been completed and totally manifested.
Every time you step on an elevator or walk up some stairs, you can say in your mind with total authority and excitement: “I am rising. I am climbing. I am prosperous. I am abundant. I am a Rich Witch.” As you speak those words, know that your life as a whole is elevating with your intentions.

lara-rose duong lara rose duong rich witch modern money witch rich witch type ruby warrington the numinous hernan sanchez — Rich Urban Witch // *Photo: Hernan Sanchez*

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:: THE RICH GREEN WITCH ::

How to Spot Her:
She communes with nature. She has plants a-plenty in her home. You can often find her in her garden. She always has an herbal remedy suggestion up her sleeve for your ailments.

How to Call Her In:

Grow a plant either indoors or outdoors. A perfect choice is a Money Tree, placed in the Southeast corner (the wealth corner) of your living room or office. For outdoors, cooking herbs can be particularly potent because you are receiving double magick as you take the energy into your body!
To activate your plant, first bring your energy and vision in alignment with your idea of an abundant summer. Then begin to repot the plant into a beautiful container.
Once you have finished repotting the plant, say out loud with excitement and intention: “I am a Rich Green Witch. With this Money Tree, I am calling in my Summer of Abundance. With my own energy, I am calling in my Summer of Abundance. With all of me, I receive my Summer of Abundance. So mote it be.”
Every time you water that plant, you can nourish it with your love and remember that with its growth, your abundance grows.

lara-rose duong lara rose duong rich witch modern money witch rich witch type ruby warrington the numinous brennan burling — Rich Green Witch // *Photo: Brennan Burling*

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:: THE RICH FASHION WITCH ::

How to Spot Her: She expresses herself through her adornments. She creates waves everywhere she goes with her statement pieces. This is not about being on trend. While she may have a keen sense of style, first and foremost she always dresses for herself and her energy.

How to Call Her In:

If you are a Rich Fashion Witch, you are creating magick every time you dress yourself. For your abundance activation, choose several pieces of jewelry that you know you will be working with this summer. Once you have them in front of you, give yourself space and time to really bring up your energy. See yourself being and doing all that you want to do this summer.
Once your energy is powered up and ready to burst, hover your hands over your chosen pieces, and say out loud: I am a Rich Fashion Witch. With these talismans, I am calling in my Summer of Abundance. With my own energy, I am calling in my Summer of Abundance. With all of me, I receive my Summer of Abundance. So mote it be.”
When you are not wearing the pieces, leave them on your altar or in a sacred space to honour the good juju that they now carry and to clear them of any negative energy they may have picked up throughout the day. This practice is especially potent on the Full Moon.
Every time you wear one of those pieces, you are sharing your magnetic energy with the world. Each time you choose to adorn your body with one of them, speak your personal mantra to feed the energy.

lara-rose duong lara rose duong rich witch modern money witch rich witch type ruby warrington the numinous brooke cagle — Rich Fashion Witch // *Photo: Brooke Cagle*

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:: THE RICH SEX WITCH ::

How to Spot Her:
She works with her sexual force to bring her intentions into the physical world. She embraces her sensuality. She embraces her body. She embraces her needs. She knows that her sexual energy is deeply potent.

How to Call Her In:

Choose whatever tools bring sensual pleasure into your world- anything from crystal sex wands to lovers. You may only need to bring yourself to the party. It’s up to you. As you build up the pleasure and the sexual energy in your body, have a clear vision of your summer of abundance. Get lost in the details. There is no rush.
As you begin to climax, you can scream this out loud or in your mind: I am a Rich Sex Witch. With my sexual force, I am calling in my Summer of Abundance. With my own energy, I am calling in my Summer of Abundance. With all of me, I receive my Summer of Abundance. So mote it be. **Note: This is potent magick. To protect yourself and make sure that you safely call in exactly what you want and are open to upgrades that you didn’t know you needed, you can add in the line: “This is for my highest good and I welcome loving surprises.”
You can use whatever spell works for you. The important part is that when you climax, you let the spell shoot through you whole body and out into the Universe through the crown of your head.
Moving forward, to nourish and honour the work that you have done, allow yourself to move and speak with sensuality. Let yourself glow wherever you go. You might also hold a crystal in your hand during your ritual and then carry it in your bra or elsewhere on your person as a talisman of your spell.

lara-rose duong lara rose duong rich witch modern money witch rich witch type ruby warrington the numinous rosie rees — Rich Sex Witch // *Photo: Rosie Rees*

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Let yourself be excited for what is coming and let yourself be surprised by how it will look. Trust that it’s coming for you and celebrate when you experience moments of it, no matter how small, so that the Universe knows to send you more. May your summer be alive, abundant, and prosperous!

I want to know what kind of Rich Witch you are and what magic you’re weaving this summer. Join me in the Rich Witch Circle on Facebook!

HEALTHCARE VS. THE WELLNESS INDUSTRY

Posted on June 30, 2017 by Ruby Warrington

What’s worse, a broken healthcare system or the elitist wellness industry? One thing is clear—it’s time for a healthcare revolution, says Ruby Warrington …

Seeing these two articles next to each other in my news feed this week really struck a nerve. The wellness industry comes up for yet more criticism and ridicule in a lengthy article in New York magazine … while mainstream America continues to medicate itself to death over conditions that can very often be treated successfully with diet and lifestyle changes.

As reported by PBS Newshour, over 50% of opioid prescriptions go to people with depression and mood disorders—prescriptions which have contributed to the incidence of death from opioid overdose having quadrupled in the USA since 1999. Of the 33,000 who died from opioid overdose in 2015, nearly half involved an opioid prescription.

“We’re handing them out like candy,” says an MD in the PBS piece. Candy, or rather poor diet in general, being another leading contributor to chronic conditions in this country. Heart disease still kills more Americans than any other illness (1 in every 4 deaths). Worldwide, 350 million people now live with diabetes—with 1 in 10 healthcare dollars spent on managing the disease.

All particularly resonant RIGHT NOW, as this was also the week that the American Health Care Act was predicted to raise healthcare premiums for the most at risk populations—in the name of reducing taxes for the wealthiest few.

With this in mind, I can see why it still feels cool to take Amanda Chantal bacon to task for peddling extortionately-priced miracle wellness “dusts.” But beyond the OMG-she’s-peddling-snake-oil witch hunts, Amanda and wellness industry pioneers like her are actually the forerunners in what basically HAS to be a healthcare revolution.

After all, if those increased health insurance premiums are only going to cover yet more prescriptions, isn’t the real “solution” to work on providing alternative “wellness” options to America’s most vulnerable?

Yes, $65 is a lot of money for powdered mushrooms that may or may not make your hair shiner. The fact the Goop Summit in LA last month appeared to be attended exclusively by white women with expensive blonde highlights and time on their hands to get high on vitamin drips also leaves a nasty taste (kinda like Stevia).

These people are not necessarily “at risk” of developing the chronic conditions that keep millions of low-income Americans enslaved to a healthcare system that does not serve them. (Although, let’s also not forget that “depression and mood disorders” tend to be pretty indiscriminate when it comes to the size of your bank balance.)

But rather than waste more time, cynicism, and column inches decrying the “haves” for making choices that, frankly, a lot of us might make if we had the resources—the time is surely NOW to dedicate more of our precious life force energy to figuring out ways to make the conversation about wellness more accessible to all.
After all, if being “well” is all our birthright, then isn’t it also all our responsibility to contribute to the wellbeing of the collective? (Yes this includes you, cynical lifestyle editors.)

If you want to get inspired, check out what Numinous contributor Eddie Stern is doing bringing the tools of yoga and meditation to schools. Or my friend Jessica Murnane, on a one-woman mission to get America eating at least one plant-based meal a day.

And The David Lynch Foundation, who have taught transcendental meditation (proven to help with PTSD, for example) to hundreds of thousands of veterans, at risk kids, and women survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault. (The part that gets overlooked when they’re “accused” of ripping off rich white people by charging those who can afford it for tuition.)

But you don’t have to be a celebrity or have a million-dollar fund-raising operation to do your part.

On a peer-to-peer level, one reason Alexandra Roxo and I started Moon Club was to make the sisterly emotional support and self-healing tools we had found at moon circles and workshops in NYC and LA available to everybody, regardless of location.

Meanwhile, a lot of our members are also awakening to their own innate desire to work as healers within their local communities, and are using the group to support them as they build their own businesses and side projects to bring this work to life. So beautiful to witness!

Bottom line? Taking responsibility for your own wellbeing, and modeling the positive effects of whatever choices this means you end up making to your own family, friends and colleagues is really where it’s at. To quote Rha Goddess from Monday’s post on spiritpreneurs: “To tip the world, it will take all of us.” Same goes for healing the world, too.

THE LIBRA WAXING QUARTER MOON WANTS YOU TO FIND YOUR CENTER

Posted on June 29, 2017 by Jennifer Racioppi

With a pack of planets traveling through the super feely sign of Cancer, emotions are running high right now. The Libra Waxing Quarter Moon asks us to find our center and witness our needs from a place of higher vision, says Jennifer Racioppi … Artwork: Seana Gavin

:: Waxing Quarter Moon :: June 30 2017 :: 8:51 pm EST :: 9 degrees Libra

With the Sun, Mars, and Mercury traveling through the cardinal water sign of Cancer, emotions may get stirred up and complicated during this Libra Waxing Quarter Moon. Cancer, ruled by the Moon, desires safety and security. With a trio of planets passing through this complex sign, emotional needs trump logic right now.

Your job: take note of where insecurity is running the show, and swap immediate needs for a longer-term, higher vision of yourself and your life!

Since both Mars and Mercury will oppose Pluto—the planet of power and shadows—I encourage you to stay in the place of observation and witness your needs (and insecurities) without diving head first into defending them.

Despite the profound emotional challenges emerging, take the lead from the Libra moon and strive to find equanimity within …

:: The Sun ::
The Sun at 9 degrees of Cancer asks you to nurture your emotional world without surrendering your power to it.

Things might feel extremely touchy, emotional, and triggered. On a spiritual level, it’s so essential to tune into your intuition right now, particularly since the Sun forms an applying trine to the planet of spirituality—Neptune. In doing so, you open the potential for deep insight to pour through.

Feel the feelings without becoming the emotion, while simultaneously practicing great self-care.

:: The Moon ::
With Moon-ruled Cancer governing three of the planets right now, it’s important to be with your emotions, and to get to know where, when, and how your insecurities get triggered.

The Sun, Mars, and Mercury are asking you to understand where giving into insecurity undoes you. On a positive note, with the Moon at 9 degrees of Libra on her way to meet up with Jupiter—the planet of good luck and good fortune—the lunar influence suggests abundance.

:: The Square ::
With the Moon in cardinal Libra, an air sign, squaring the Sun in cardinal Cancer, a water sign, chances are you feel a polarization between what you think and feel. Subconscious needs butt up against the needs of the ego, asking you to reconcile any sense of inner conflict by acknowledging it. With Mercury AND Mars opposing Pluto, we’re asked to look at our shadow and face up to power struggles.

But this is not the time to succumb to drama …

We must work hard to dwell in equanimity. Nourish and nurture yourself and your needs without deviating from your higher self and sense of truth. Stay committed to seeing things for what they are and stay centered without overly indulging the dark.

:: The Message ::
Don’t let insecurity win. Utilize this Libra Waxing Quarter Moon to help you understand where insecurity throws you off rather than lifts you.

Things are intense. Mars opposite Pluto can get nasty. With so much water in the sky, this is a very delicate week and you need to let your emotions out. Yet with the moon in Libra, there’s a deep need (and desire) to keep the peace. Let the feeling flows, but then practice coming back to center.

This isn’t the time to give up, deviate from your intended course, or surrender into drama. Instead, it’s time to become even more devoted to your intended outcome …

For more Moon wisdom or to book a coaching session with Jennifer visit Jenniferracioppi.com. To learn more about how to work with each Moon phase, check out Moon Club, our community of cosmic creatives and lunar lovers!

HOW THESE TAROT CARDS EXPLAIN JULY 2017

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Melinda Lee Holm

This month we’re entering a period of independence, expansion, and major growth, says Melinda Lee Holm. Find out how these tarot cards explain July 2017 …

We’ve come to the long, hot days of Summer! After the fine-tuning inner work of June, which helped us gain clarity and perspective, July is set to help us move into the public realm.

We’re set for a month-long journey of independence, expansion, action, and collaboration. This can be a great period of growth, both personally and professionally, if we tune in to the energy and amplify the signal in our daily lives.

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:: 7/4 Independence Day- Ace of Swords ::

On July 4th, we celebrate the signing of the country’s Declaration of Independence, and it’s a great opportunity to declare our own personal independence. Let’s honor our chosen allegiances with all the bravado of a fireworks show – loud, beautiful, and unapologetically ostentatious.

The Ace of Swords has just the energy we need to pull off this grandiose project. As the symbol of the pure, primal power of the element of Air, the Ace of Swords promotes decisiveness, mental clarity and acuity, and effective communication – all incredibly powerful tools for gaining and lovingly asserting our independence.

Calling in the Ace of Swords:

Carry Aquamarine to promote clear communication of your needs and boundaries
Wear a Joan of Arc medal – the saint is not only a great representative of independent spirit, her coat of arms bears a single sword and crown
Eat garlic to strengthen the body’s physical and energetic immunity to sickness and negative energies
Listen to your favorite music while working or doing household tasks – create your own personal soundtrack!

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:: 7/10 Nikola Tesla Day- Hanged Man ::

Nikola Tesla was an incredibly gifted scientist who did not live to see his achievements recognized in profit or prestige. In many ways, he helped to expand our world, announcing proof of the possibility of wireless communication in 1893 and working for decades on a plan to supply power wirelessly – and free of charge – to the entire world.

His ideas were far ahead of his time. Some we have not caught up to even now. The world needed to wait and to slowly change its view of what is possible before it could understand Tesla’s gifts.

The Hanged Man carries the wisdom the world needs to catch up to those ahead of their time. Counterintuively, we don’t need to race to catch up, rather we need to slow down and shift our thinking so we can expand our realm of possibilities.

Like The World (that we looked to last month), this figure has its legs held in the shape of the symbol for Jupiter, planet of expansion. But the expansion here comes from a conscious shift in perspective and a major dose of patience.

Calling in The Hanged Man:

Rearrange the furniture in your home
Take a new – and longer – route to a familiar place
Sleep with selenite by your bedside to open up expanded consciousness in your dream state
Try a food you’ve never tasted

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:: 7/20 Mars in Leo- Knight of Wands ::

The entry of impulsive Mars into the fiery, confident sign of Leo can be extremely useful for pushing forward on big goals, especially those that have been delayed by overthinking or self-doubt.

Mars is the planetary keeper of elemental Fire energy – action based purely on intuition – and when coupled with Leo’s fearlessness, he can be an incredible ally in getting projects completed and promoted.

We have just over 6 weeks to harness this energy. To take full advantage of all it has to offer, we look to Fire of Fire, the Knight of Wands. Knights are the activators of the Tarot court. They seek to bring the energy of their element out into the world. The Kinght of Wands gallops boldly through life fueled by the pure conviction of his intuitive knowing and his unrelenting need for action.

Calling in the Knight of Wands:

Carry carnelian to promote the firey warrior spirit within
Eat spicy food
Go for a run or a brisk walk – get your blood pumping with forward motion
Wear warm colors to activate the lower chakras

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:: 7/30 International Day of Friendship- 3 of Cups ::

The International Day of Friendship was started in 2011 by the United Nations to promote peace and understanding between nations. This unifying intention can be honored in our personal lives as well by drawing our friends and collaborators near and expressing thanks for their presence in our lives.

The 3 of Cups is the perfect guide for this celebration of togetherness. We see 3 women dancing in a circle, holding their cups high, surrounded by the fruits of a bountiful harvest. It is a lesson in the abundance that comes from joyful collaboration.

Calling in the 3 of Cups:

Wear gardenia perfume – gardenias attract friendship
Give chrysanthemums – in Victorian flower language, mums say “You’re a wonderful friend”
Host a dinner party with your BFFs
Carry Rainbow Moonstone – it promotes harmony between people while protecting individuality

Want more tarot magic? Book a session with Melinda here, and make sure to follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

6 SIGNS YOU MIGHT BE A SECRET “SPIRITPRENEUR”

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Ruby Warrington

Feeling the call to put your heart and soul into work that makes a difference in the world? You may be a spiritpreneur in the making, says Ruby Warrington …

spiritpreneur the numinous gabby bernstein spirit junkie masterclass — *Photo: Jordan Whitfield*

“To tip the world, it will take all of us.”

Cut to three weekends ago and I’m sat in the audience of Gabrielle Bernstein’s Spirit Junkie Masterclass. On stage, Gabby’s long-time coach and mentor, the incomparable Rha Goddess. Riffing on concepts like “massive collaboration” and “prophecy + strategy” in a lecture titled How To Step Up As A Spiritual Activist, Saturday morning sermon is ON.

When Gabby invited me to come check out her weekend-long spiritual business coaching deep-dive, I decided I would give the timing of my drop-in over to the Divine. I would not rush to be there in line at 8am, I would not cherry-pick which sessions sounded the most interesting to my logical mind. I would take my chances and trust that whatever seminar I found myself in, would be the one for me.

And here I am, with the Goddess herself proclaiming: “We are living in the Age of the Citizen. This is a unique moment in history when we get to have a say on the kind of world we live in.” Telling us how she’s named a certain orange-hued politician “The Accelerator,” since she believes that events currently unfolding on the world stage are compelling a new generation to call themselves “spiritpreneur” to do their dharma, and fulfill their “sacred duty.”

I get chillz even writing this now, because hell YES. Spreading this message has also become the bigger mission of this platform. It’s there in articles on How To Be A Spiritual Activist. It’s a guiding principal behind the teachings and community Alexandra Roxo and I have created with Moon Club. And it’s the golden thread running through my book, Material Girl, Mystical World—the chapter titled “Do Your Dharma, Fix Your Karma,” the one people tell me has impacted them the most.

*Gabby and Rha Goddess at the Spirit Junkie Masterclass*

In the words of all-time #basicwitch classic, The Craft: “Now is the time; This is the hour; Ours is the magic; Ours is the power.”

Feeling the call? Then read on for 6 signs you may be a spiritpreneur in the making …

1) You suspect there might be more to life than playing company politics in the name of climbing the corporate ladder. (Hint: THERE IS.)

2) You strongly believe that you have something very, very important to contribute to society. Even if this “something” is simply being the happiest, healthiest version of you—and in doing so inspiring others to be the happiest, healthiest versions of them, too.

3) You secretly want to become known (okay, “famous”) for the incredible work you do in the world. Even if this work is simply BEING THE MOTHERF*CKING LIGHT.

4) Your diet and workout regime is less about looking and feeling great, more about having the energy and motivation to make your dreams for a better world a reality.

5) Your main motivation for seeking financial abundance is … so you can hire an army to work on making your dreams for a better world a reality.

6) “Success” for you is a multi-dimensional concept, including, but by no means limited to: expressing your creativity; making your own schedule; working with people who feel like friends; making your family proud; financial abundance (so that you can hire an army to work on making your dreams for a better world a reality); having a voice; your work having a positive impact on the lives of others; being the mother*cking light.

Sound like you?

So here’s the thing. In my experience, stepping onto the spiritpreneur path has felt so so right … but is by no means easy. It might / will very likely mean a period of financial uncertainty (FYI, I’m still navigating this 4 years into starting The Numinous). It may mean pissing some people off (i.e. your parents, your partner, your boss). And it will most definitely require you to seriously up the stakes in the “self-belief” and “abilty-to-multitask-and-fake-it-til-I-make-it” categories.

Which is why, if you’re committed to making it as a spiritpreneur / making your dreams for a better world a reality, it makes sense to seek all the help you can get.

Which is where Gabby’s online Spirit Junkie Masterclass comes in—a digital training + business community based of her annual live event that you can access from anywhere, and that’s specifically designed to support you on your mission!

Gabby has been a HUGE supporter of The Numinous from the very beginning. She was one of the first people to befriend me when I moved to NYC, and was THE first person to tell me I should write a book. Thank you Gabby!!

Curious? Click HERE to find out more. PLUS, if you sign up via The Numinous using this link, you will also receive:

1 x signed copy of by book Material Girl, Mystical World
1 x hour-long “Dharma School” webinar with me
1 x “Activated” tee from our collection with KE7H3R

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*And a disclaimer: Hell yes, The Numinous will receive a financial kick-back for every sale via this channel. I’m putting this out there in the name of transparency—AND ALSO to let you know that signing on to Gabby’s affiliate program this year is part of my own journey in overcoming blocks to being rewarded financially for my “soul work.” Supporting each other in this mission is an essential truth of the spiritpreneur—and Gabby, bless her badass-business-leader soul, knows it! See you out there on the road less travelled …

5 WAYS TO CELEBRATE SUMMER SOLSTICE 2017

Posted on June 20, 2017 by The Numinous

The longest day of the cosmic year, Summer Solstice 2017 is your time to strip it down and skinny dip straight back to your roots, say our resident Numi astro babes Danielle Paige, Jennifer Racioppi, and Bess Matassa …

summer solstice 2017 ruby warrington the numinous jennifer racioppi danielle paige bess matassa mojave rising — Photo: Jerry Kiesewetter

5 Ways to Activate the Summer Solstice 2017 Energy Right Now!
*And make sure to read on for our resident astro babes’ full breakdown of this cosmic event …

1/Go Skinny Dipping: This Solstice asks us to get deliciously stripped down and dip into our private lives. Whether you choose to risk taking the plunge at midday with friends or go solo at midnight, celebrate slipping back into your own skin and connecting with your internal world.

2/Throw a Slumber Party: Celebrate the longest day of the year by pulling an old-school all nighter. Break out the hot rollers and face masks, and channel those nostalgic Cancer Season vibes with Old Hollywood classics, high school yearbooks, and prom pop.

3/Spend a Spa Day with Your Patron Saints: Ruled by the Moon, the Solstice asks us to connect to our feminine progenitors, whomever this means to you. Who has held you close? Who has tenderized your heart? Who have you bowed down at the altar of as a f-ing serious force of nature? Honor those people, whether it’s with an elaborate spa day or a simple, home-cooked brunch.

4/Become Your Own Summer Lover: Light the candles, let the R&B jams play, and deck yourself out in a luscious romper and sky-high wedges. Get nocturnal with yourself- figure out exactly what turns you on in your most private moments and romance yourself with that.

5/Refuel Your Fantasy Life with a Blockbuster: The Solstice marks the Sun’s entry into the sign of Cancer and this little mermaid’s energy is all about the creative force of our fantasies. Whether it’s Wonder Woman or a juicy, romantic beach read, celebrate the unbridled potential of your inner visions by getting whisked away by fantastically real tales of heroism.

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Danielle Paige
More light means more consciousness

The Solstice helps us to define time and get in touch with the sacred rhythm of the Universe. It marks a point of transition from one energetic phase to another and as this is the longest day of the year, more light means more consciousness.

You’ve spent the last 6 months (since the Winter Solstice) in a yin state … lots of rejuvenation, inward processing, and clearing. Now, it’s time to open up and shine your light!

Visualize a seed being planted at the Winter Solstice. After the fertilization process, it grows into a beautiful flower and opens its petals …. THIS is the energy in the air …. Ahhh yes, well hello there!

Moving forward, honor the fullness and richness of life that is tangible to you right now. The more you can honor this, the more you move into your heart space, which is how you attract your desires to you.

To find out more about attracting your desires and working with your karmic energy to find your purpose, you can connect with Danielle here.

summer solstice 2017 the numinous ruby warrington jennifer racioppi danielle paige mojave rising bess matassa — Photo: Pineapple Supply Co.

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Jennifer Racioppi
Get grounded, connected, and clear

With Eclipse Season just around the corner in August, use the Solstice and Cancer season to get grounded, connected, and clear. The New Moon in Cancer will follow this the Solstice by just two days, and it’s time to initiate new intentions, have fun, and enjoy those summertime vibes!

At the exact moment when the Sun enters Cancer, the Waning Crescent Balsamic Moon in Taurus connects with Venus in Taurus. This fortuitous and auspicious alignment in the Solstice chart indicates that the seasonal shift bestows gifts of bounty. The Moon rules Cancer, is exalted in Taurus, and Venus, Taurus’ ruler, is dignified in this position! To compliment this even more, the Moon forms an exact trine, a supportive angle of manifestation, to powerhouse Pluto.

We can expect this piercing and luxurious alignment to ground us as the Sun reaches his zenith, and we prepare to enter the season of Cancer. Cancer, a sign that loves to connect deeply with those it loves, opens the doorway to nourishing our connection to close friends and family as we reach into our roots for more safety, security, and abundance.

For more Moon wisdom or to book a coaching session with Jennifer visit Jenniferracioppi.com

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Bess Matassa
Skinny dip straight into your own heart

What does midnight feel like in your soul? This Summer Solstice, it’s time to dim all the lights, strip it down to bare, beautifully bio-luminescent skin, and take a naked plunge into your heart’s most private spaces …

With Neptune Rx and the Sun and Mercury entering little mermy Cancer on the same day, this Solstice is a water queen’s dream. But this isn’t the treacherous undertow of Scorpionic and Plutonian storm surges. This salt-kissed Solstice is a homecoming invitation to wash gently, yet fiercely, back onto our own shores, to remember where we’ve been, and to let everything that’s lived in our heart-shaped lockets and treasure chests give us the strength to jet-ski into the future.

So burn out the bulbs and turn on the sea sparkles. Click your heels three times and bring it all the way back home. And trust that you carry your home on your back, nomadic hermit-crab style, because you belong absolutely everywhere and always, to yourself …

Summer Solstice Mantra: I bow at the altar of my most tender night moves.
Theme Song: The Commodores’ Nightshift
Style: Bond Girl Ursula Andress meets Dorothy on her way back to Kansas. Sweetheart necklined one-pieces, gingham print hot shorts, tan halters, stacked raffia wedges, coral and emeralds.
Flavors: Nocturnal snacks and homecoming helpings. Think nightshade fruits and veggies, cardamom-infused milks, and hearty, family-style pasta dishes.

Want more juicy cosmic insights and sensory explorations? Arrange an astrology reading or private event with Bess here or follow her on Instagram.

THE PISCES WANING QUARTER MOON WANTS YOU TO KNOW YOUR POWER + YOUR PURPOSE

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Jennifer Racioppi

Since 2012, we’ve been in it for the cosmic long haul. The Pisces Waning Quarter Moon wants you to acknowledge the end of this cycle of soul-shaking change, and to courageously meet your life exactly where it is, says Jennifer Racioppi. Collage: Seana Gavin

Waning Quarter Moon :: June 17 2017 :: 7:32 am EST :: 26 degrees Pisces

It’s been a tumultuous cosmic time, moon beams. And this latest lunation marks the culmination of some serious soul work …

In the midst of June 15’s Saturn-Sun opposition (a.k.a. one of the toughest days of the year), and just before Saturn’s June 18 opposition to Mercury (ouch o’rama), the Waning Quarter Moon in Pisces offers both a call to action, a clearing, and a point of culmination after a two-plus year cycle …

Think back to March 20, 2015, when we experienced a solar eclipse at 29 degrees of Pisces—the last degree of the last sign of the zodiac. This eclipse occurred on the heels of the final of 7 exact squares between Uranus, who represents change and revolution, and Pluto, who represents power.

The Uranus-Pluto Square took place between 2012-2015, representing one of the most tumultuous astrological events of our entire generation.

These seven squares rocked life dramatically for all of us, regardless of our sign …

And the final one of these squares happened just days before 2015’s Pisces Solar Eclipse, which opened up the Lunar Gestation Cycle that this current Waning Quarter Moon closes. The 7 Uranus-Pluto squares signify so much of what this decade represents: large-scale sociopolitical and religious change.

Now, this Pisces Waning Quarter Moon asks us to acknowledge the significance of this MASSIVE change on a global and personal level!

:: The Sun ::
With the Sun at 26 degrees of Gemini opposing Saturn in Sagittarius, and simultaneously squaring the Moon and Chiron (the wounded healers), our issues are up for examination.

In astrology, the Sun represents our identity and vitality. When the Sun opposes Saturn, as he did on June 15, we can expect to possibly feel under the weather, under pressure, or consequently extremely focused. When the Sun squares Chiron as he will on Monday June 19, our wound steps forward as a massive teaching!

Be bold. This is the time to meet life exactly as it is so that you can integrate and rise. If you do, you can make huge gains.

:: The Moon ::
Between now and the initiation into a new cycle that comes with the upcoming Cancer New Moon on June 23, we have some serious work to do.

Even though the Moon is in Pisces, a sign that loves to escape, it’s time to to conjure the courage to face everything and see it for what it is.

In doing so, you’ll reap the benefits of the seeds you planted in March 2015, and uncover new marching orders as they relate to your life purpose.

:: The Square ::
This Waning Quarter Moon packs a punch. It reveals both our wounding and our purpose, while simultaneously shining a light on karma set in place two-and-a-quarter years ago. Since this cycle corresponds with the ending of the Pluto square Uranus epoch, it’s been heavy to say the least!

But here’s the good news: we also stand to reap massive rewards right now, as a very potent Lunar Gestation Cycle comes to a close. The karmic lessons of the past two years have strengthened us and shown us how to step into our power in radical new ways.

:: The Message ::
With pure chaos unfolding around the globe right now, many shades of sadness are present. Simultaneously, on an individual level we need to reconcile personal pain to step more fully into our power, passion, and purpose.

On this extremely potent Waning Quarter Moon don’t write anything off as coincidence. Instead, look backward and unravel the patterns unfolding in your life. Stand in your strength and commitment to the light. The world needs you more than ever, especially as our societal pain feels so razor sharp.

Don’t run and hide. Instead, be brave and look your pain in the eye. Next week, we move into an entirely new cycle. In the meanwhile, a new iteration of your life purpose reveals itself. Do NOT miss the significant power of this moment!

For more Moon wisdom or to book a coaching session with Jennifer visit Jenniferracioppi.com. To learn more about how to work with each Moon phase, join our community of lunar lovers at Moon Club!

START WORKING WITH YOUR SPIRIT ANIMALS TODAY

Posted on June 15, 2017 by The Numinous

Whether it’s a beloved pet, a fluffy social media meme, or even a lowly housefly, animals are reaching out to you constantly to offer their assistance. Aria Mae shares how to work with your spirit animals and start receiving their medicine. Main Image: Mathilde Aubier

It’s the third raven you’ve seen this week. Or, your friend mentions otters just moments before you notice a billboard featuring their fuzzy faces …

Are these coincidences, or something more? Serendipitous events are actually the language of animal medicine. Animal totems can come to us in many ways—you simply need to open wide to receive the magic! It’s easy to forget that we, too, are part of the animal kingdom, and that out furry, scaly, and feathered friends are asking to communicate with us all the time!

If you have a specific animal that you feel wants to work with you, read more about how to work with your spirit animal here.

If you’re new to working with spirit animals, here are five ways to start working with their medicine right now …

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1/Pay attention
You could have an animal dream, vision, shamanic journey, or an encounter in nature … but there are also reminders for us in magazine ads and funny videos posted on Facebook. Yes—spirit animals are responding to technology by being present in virtual spaces!

Notice what element(s) the species is associated with, what the archetypal characteristics of this animal are, both in our culture and in other societies, and what kinds of messages you receive when you tune in to this species.

When you track your spirit animals moments, you will see the patterns and signs of species reaching out to you.

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2/Ask for Visions
Remember that you can ask your animal animals specific questions too. Seeking guidance for a big decision? Request their assistance!

While riding a bus on one of the most dangerous mountain passes in northern India, I asked my spirit animals for help. Immediately I had a funny vision—in my mind’s eye, I saw a tiger hopping around inside the bus, totally enjoying the harrowing adventure. It reminded me to let go in that moment and to enjoy the ride!

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3/Build Uncommon Altars
There are so many species we don’t think of as “power” animals, and yet they contain huge medicine for our lives—think insects, worms, or other creepy-crawlies, predators we don’t romanticize, like hyenas, and birds we love to hate like starlings and vultures.

Pick something that really bothers you about these creatures, and ask: what are these spirit animals messages for me? Create an altar with images of them, a love poem, and something to represent their favorite foods as an offering.

As you pass your altar daily, feel gratitude for the role this animal plays in their ecosystem, and remember your own importance in nature, too.

4/Cast Spells, in Love
Writing poems is a beautiful way to draw boundaries with spirit animals while also honoring them. I use this often for so-called “pests” like mosquitoes and ticks when I’m out in the woods. If you live near the ocean, you could do this for sharks or jellyfish …

For example: Ticks I love you/But I don’t need you/Find your food another way/Leave me in peace on this glorious day!

The trick is to hold the poem spell in love, not fear. Be grateful for your ability to enter the spirit animals’ homes, as you practice holding boundaries.

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5/Own YOUR Animal Medicine
A beautiful thing about our relationship with other species is realizing we can give our own animal medicine back … We are spirit animals, too!

What does your unique medicine look like? Do you want to donate your time to a farm sanctuary? Can you organize a fundraiser or give cash to a well-researched wildlife fund? Is it time to adopt a rabbit, rat, or donkey from a shelter?

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And most importantly, have fun with it! Let yourself be in awe of the inchworm that somehow landed on your sandwich. Smile and wink at the ducks in the pond at the park. Surrender to the beauty of the housefly before you open the window to let it outside.

Keep this attitude of joy at the forefront of your journey with animal guides, and you will receive more than you imagined possible …

Aria Mae is an Ancestral Healer, Priestess, and Spiritual Heart Surgeon. She creates heart-awakening medicinal experiences through her Magical Monday private retreats, three-month AWAKEN program, and group gatherings. Using a medley of family constellation therapy, shadow work, sociology, animal communication, tantra, mindfulness and love, Aria helps others mend what may have been deemed “broken” by life’s trials – forever activating the vibrancy of their heart’s intuitive abilities.

GYNOSTEMMA ICED TEA WILL MAKE YOU FEEL IMMORTAL

Posted on June 14, 2017 by Ysanne Spevack

The perfect drink pairing for summer in the city? Adaptogenic Gynostemma, a.k.a. The Tea of Immortality, will help you burn the candle at both ends for those long summer nights, says Ysanne Spevack.

Want a beverage that helps you burn your candle at both ends? Just say no to coffee, and “Oh hi!” to gynostemma tea!

Known as Jiao-Gu-Lan (the Tea of Immortality) in parts of Southern China, gynostemma is a green leafy adaptogenic plant that’s the go-to for busy urbanites in the know. It’s especially well suited to help us surf summer life in the city, with its fluctuations in the weather (especially this year, what happened, NYC?!) and June’s dawn-to-dusk increased outdoors time.

With the most adaptogenic saponins of any wild-crafted plant in the world (four times the amount of ginseng), this stuff strengthens your natural ability to stabilize blood sugar, supports your immune function, and enhances endurance. And it doesn’t speed you out or crash and burn. It’s all about balancing the nervous system—as with all adaptogens, by definition gynostemma can energize you when you need it, yet help you to relax and sleep at night.

But the real reason it’s known as “The Tea of Immortality” is because of its benefits to liver and cardio function. It supports the body’s production of superoxide dismutase, an antioxidant that protects the liver from free radicals. And it helps arteries, veins, and capillaries release nitric oxide, which helps them to relax.

The taste is a little like the stevia herb, but less sweet—not at all bitter, but an unusual green herby flavor that makes a fantastic base for other drinks and a pleasant iced tea.

And get this … it’s also a beautiful cascading plant that you can grow in a city apartment as a decorative house plant, so long as you have a sunny window. Alternatively, it’s easy to find at stores like Kamwo Meridian Herbs on Grand Street in NYC or in their online shop, which is my go-to for anything to do with Chinese medicine.

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June Gynostemma, Shiso, and Goji Ice Tea
Don’t smirk at the gojis!!! This is what you’ve been missing all these years. Dry gojis are nasty—but gojis in tea are FABULOUS. And they’re a natural partner to gynostemma, the strange flavors of both combining into a perfect sweet herby balance. And then basil, or if you’re super lucky and can find it, fresh shiso herb. Oh. My. Gosh.

Recipe
Makes 1 cup

Ingredients:
1 gynostemma tea bag OR 1 teaspoon dried gynostemma herb
1-2 fresh shies leaves**
10-20 dried goji berries

**Shiso is a kind of basil, so it’s totally possible to switch out shiso for regular Genovese or another type of basil. That said, shiso has flavor magic—it’s the third leg on the stool for this recipe to really stabilize and pop. Find it in Japanese stores, or grow it yourself. It’s easy to grow during summer in New York.

Method:
Bring some water to a rolling boil—not in a microwave, please!

Put the herbs and gojis in a coffee mug.

Pour the freshly boiled water into the mug.

Leave on the counter to steep and cool naturally.

Drink as it is, or if preferred, transfer to a tall glass and add ice.

Discover more about Ysanne Spevack HERE.

NUMINOUS WEEKLY HOROSCOPES JUNE 12-18 2017

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Sandy Sitron

Get this week’s symbol for your sign with the Numinous Weekly Horoscopes from Sandra Sitron, a.k.a. Strong Eye Astrology …

Gemini :: Gemini Rising
Sharing a meal. Show true hospitality to the people or situations that are challenging you. Whatever you are struggling with, throw the door wide open to receive the lesson. Show it a seat at the table. Welcome the experience.