STRONG EYE ASTROLOGY OCTOBER 17—OCTOBER 23

A weekly horoscope for your sign, direct from the third eye of Sandra Sitron—a.k.a. Strong Eye Astrology

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Libra :: Libra Rising
A hearth fire burns brightly. The hearth fire represents the fire that burns deep inside of you. Your inner fire is your inner security. Your key word this week is Satisfied. Be deeply satisfied with yourself. Let this feeling resonate from deep inside of yourself. There may be a conflict this week that arises close to home. Something that can transform you inner world, your home or family. If so, respond from a feeling place of deep satisfaction and security. React with benevolence and grace. There is no room for pettiness. Be stable and secure. Be a leader.

Scorpio :: Scorpio Rising
A snake moving quickly across a field. A snake can be a symbol of healing powers or opportunities. Increased energy is manifesting for you. This week may bring an argument with someone in your inner circle. You may need to let go of ideas that are no longer serving you. Your greatest need right now is for Lightness. Meaning, allow yourself to take things lightly. Be flexible. Be able to move quickly to the next idea. Through this approach, you will find yourself feeling energized, rather than stuck. Allow yourself to transform and create new connections this week. Take the high road in any argument. Look for a broader perspective. Look for an opportunity that was not obvious before. Let conflict help you transform and heal your mind.

Sagittarius :: Sagittarius Rising
A zebra drinking water. Your uniqueness is your value. Your power is inherent. You don’t have to do anything or be anything or prove anything. You are full. You are enough. These are the whispers that the wind brings to you this week. There may be a conflict that shakes your finances or your sense of well being. If so, simply draw from your inner well of security. You are safe and strong. The zebra reminds you of unique solutions that allow you to survive in a harsh landscape. Your task right now is to remember your inherent worth. Encourage yourself to feel safe. You are.

Capricorn :: Capricorn Rising
Fireworks. You are fired up. Stay alert. This week reminds you that you have made progress and you need to celebrate. And, yet, you must still keep yourself on task. The explosions keep coming and you must keep responding. You must trust yourself that you are ready for the next step. You must stay focused and keep looking up. Keep looking at your goal. Don’t let anything turn your eyes away.

Aquarius :: Aquarius Rising
White-water rafting. Dissolve your assumptions. Put yourself in the flow of the river and go along for the ride. It might seem dangerous to let yourself go this way, but you are perfectly safe. The river represents non-reality. Your subconscious, your dreams, your spirituality. You must go along with the flow and allow yourself to trust. Let the river melt any ideas that you have that are too fixed. It’s time to open up to full faith.

Pisces :: Pisces Rising
Many sewing needles looped with thread. You are ready for a breakthrough. You may make new connections this week. These new ideas come from unexpected sources. There could be some conflict in your friend group or greater community. Try to see the big picture. The sewing needles are reminding you to piece together a philosophy that is inclusive. Now is not the time to be stuck in an antiquated idea.

Aries :: Aries Rising
A sunflower at full height. You are stepping into your full light. Trust that the career path you are forging is clear. Focus on your goals. Be careful not to be too impulsive if a career conflict arises. Stay the course. The growth that you are seeking is slow and cumulative. You are a sunflower growing tall and you don’t need to get caught up in every storm. Do you best to stay balanced and strong.

Taurus :: Taurus Rising
A hand-carved chess set. Let yourself start to see a few steps ahead. To do this you have to learn how to play the game and you have strategize. This week some of your philosophies may be called into question. If that happens, you may feel as if you don’t have the security that you need. You do, and your plan will give you comfort. Stick to your strategy. Don’t rush your next move. Stay calm and focused on your desired result.

Gemini :: Gemini Rising
Deep in the forest. The feeling that you need to keep coming back to this week is love. Be loving. Any emotional struggle that you have will be supported by remembering this focus. You may be pressured to let go of control this week. The Universe may be asking you to surrender. Keep filling your heart up with love and let that light lead you out of the forest.

Cancer :: Cancer Rising
A speckled sting-ray. You have everything in place. Stay on course and keep moving forward. If fear arises this week, especially around relationships, the sting-ray symbol can remind you not to be afraid. Sometimes fear is warranted, and sometimes it is habitual. Be very clear about which you are experiencing. Misplaced fear can block your growth and hinder your path. The sting-ray wants you to keep moving forward. Keep making yourself vulnerable with the people who are closest to you. Open your heart up to trust, if it is safe.

Leo :: Leo Rising
Batting cages. Keep hitting the ball one after another. Keep practicing. This symbol shows you the current benefit of healthy habits and practice. You may be feeling a little all over the place this week. Just keep stepping up to the plate. Keep your eye on the ball. Keep swinging. You need to define what makes you feel physically balanced. There may be a conflict this week that disrupts your rhythm, use it as an opportunity to define your healthiest habits and get yourself on track.

Virgo :: Virgo Rising
A symphony. There are many instruments in the symphony. This symbol reminds you that your unique voice is a very important part of the whole. The world needs your voice. The world needs you to express yourself. Without you, the symphony is incomplete. So be courageous and put yourself out there. Stay true to what you love. You may need to reinvigorate your sense of joy this week, so look around and see what parts of your life have shifted out of balance. You may need to make more time for joyful hobbies. Believe in yourself and believe in the importance of expressing yourself. Let your special spirit shine through.

WHO AM I? READING FOR THE 2016 ARIES FULL MOON

Allow opposition to bring awareness this Aries Full Moon, says Sandra SitronArtwork: Sara Shakeel

free aries full moon ritual 2016 The Numinous
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Full Moon at 23 degrees Aries :: October 16 2016 :: 12:23 am EDT

The Aries Full Moon is a time to break out into a fresh field of experience. To leave fear behind. To explore a higher octave of expansion. But to do so we will need to be open to new perspectives. We are being asked to boldly consider our relationships, our identity, and our openness to change.

Any Full Moon is a flowering. It’s a time to reap what you sowed at the New Moon two weeks ago. It’s also a time of all-out energy, and emotionally driven actions. The flower opens. The bees buzz. The allure is high. Action is high. Reaction is also high.

The Full Moon occurs when the Moon and Sun face-off. In Astrology, this aspect is called an Opposition. The Moon is in Aries and opposite the Sun in Libra.

Any Opposition bring our awareness to two sides of the same story. The Libra-Aries axis is the story of Relationship. Aries is relationship to oneself (identity). And Libra is relationship to another (partnership). Aries is “me” and Libra is “me and you.” Aries speaks to identity and individuality. The drive to push the ego identity forward into the world. The desire to be alive. Libra is balance and partnerships. Libra wants to objectively understand the self AND the perspective of the other person.

This Aries Full Moon offers a chance to step into a new relationship pattern. It is a time to upgrade your perspective through greater understanding of yourself and the people around you.

What is the lesson of the Aries-Libra axis? It teaches us to know ourselves well, but try to objectively understand the other person too. It teaches us to hold our boundaries. It reminds us that when we concede to another person habitually, we experience a build-up of resentment and self-victimization. It shows that when we lash out in anger, without awareness of how we influence those around us, we create pain and discord.

This axis can help us learn that anger (a trait ruled by Aries) is a powerful emotion for self-protection, and that it is productive as long as it is expressed responsibly. Ask, can you communicate your anger while still staying open to love? Or does your anger cause you to shut down? Alternatively, have you become so distanced from your anger, that it has been bottled up and transformed into resentment? (A good way to discover if you are denying your own anger is if you find yourself habitually surrounded by “angry” people).

Aries-Libra teaches how to say “Yes” to your own identity, while simultaneously acknowledging the other person’s “Yes.” To acknowledge what you need and what someone else needs. In conflict, know what you need and how you feel. Then ask the other person what they need and how they feel. Find solutions that enliven both of you. This is Aries-Libra at it’s best.

Join our FREE Aries Full Moon Ritual, Sunday Oct 16 at 5pm PST / 8pm EST. Sign up here!

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ARIES FULL MOON
Stepping onto a field of fresh, new daisies.

Sunday’s Aries Full Moon will open up the path to new understanding of self and other. Yet there is another dimension to this lunation that we haven’t discussed yet—the dimension of change. There is a major opportunity to change at play, because “The Great Awakener” Uranus is conjunct the Aries Full Moon.

Depending on how you orient yourself, this Moon can be shocking, or it can be fun. Where you are open, you will learn and grow. Where you are closed, you will find yourself in the same old shadow of your fears. The fresh field of daisies is there. It’s waiting for you to explore. It’s dewy. It’s alive. You planted the seeds at the last New Moon and they grew. They are beautiful. The field invites you to come out and play. As long as you are open, lively and flexible you will work well with this awakening energy. And wherever you are attached to a certain outcome, or operating from a fearful habit, you may encounter volatility.

Put yourself in a mindset that opens you up to be refreshed. Let yourself step into a new perspective. Certainly, there may be arguments and disagreements. Refine your approach to conflict so that it broadens your perspective instead of leaving you shut down. There is usually something to be learned from a disagreement. A shift in perspective can feel easy—if you are flexible and open to change. Or it can feel hard—if you remain attachment to a certain outcome.

You can use the energy of this lunation as an opportunity for some self-study in this area. During the 24 hours before or after the Full Moon, carve out some space and time for reflection. Journal freely or ask yourself the following questions. Remember that whatever arises is exactly what you are ready for:

– Have I been making time for the projects and activities that are truly important to me?
– What would I do today if I wasn’t worried about what anyone else thought?
– In what relationship(s) in my life do I feel stuck?
– How would I like it to feel instead?
– What do I need to do, feel, or think to make this shift happen?

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ARIES FULL MOON CONJUNCT URANUS
A ray of light cutting through clouds.

The Full Moon is conjunct Uranus. Uranus awakens us, shocks us, changes us. Uranus is the Magician, Inventor, and Rebel. He helps us break free from tradition and defy the establishment. He shows us a completely new idea. He opens us up to a new dimension.
However you experience this lunation will give you big clues about how you experience change in general. Notice this weekend when you tighten up with resistance. Keep pushing yourself to innovate. The sunlight cutting through the clouds symbolizes your true identity cutting through fear. Fear is just a story. Tell yourself a new story in which you are strong.
Your recipe for strength during this lunation is one part flexibility, one part self-understanding, and one part diplomatic grace.

***

ARIES FULL MOON :: SELF-INQUIRY BY SIGN

This lunation challenges you to adapt. Whatever area of your chart the Moon falls in is where your adaptation will be most apparent. If you know what house of your chart 23 degrees Aries is in, read for that house. Otherwise, read for your sign.

Aries or 1st House
Am I open to change with my identity? What happens emotionally when my identity is challenged?

Taurus or 12th House
Am I open to change with my spirituality? What happens emotionally when my spirituality is challenged?

Gemini or 11th House
Am I open to change with my hopes and dreams? What happens emotionally when my dreams are challenged?

Cancer or 10th House
Am I open to change with my career? What happens emotionally when my career is challenged?

Leo or 9th House
Am I open to change with my philosophical views? What happens emotionally when my core philosophies are challenged?

Virgo or 8th House
Am I open to change with my sexuality? What happens emotionally when my sexuality is challenged?

Libra or 7th House
Am I open to change with my relationships? What happens emotionally when my relationships are challenged?

Scorpio or 6th House
Am I open to change with my health and habits? What happens emotionally when my health and habits are challenged?

Sagittarius or 5th House
Am I open to change with my self-expression? What happens emotionally when my self-expression is challenged?

Capricorn or 4th House
Am I open to change with my home or family? What happens emotionally when my home or family relationships are challenged?

Aquarius or 3rd House
Am I open to change with my ideas? What happens emotionally when my ideas are challenged?

Pisces or 2nd House
Am I open to change with my money? What happens emotionally when my finances are challenged?

Join our FREE Aries Full Moon Ritual, Sunday Oct 16 at 5pm PST / 8pm EST. Sign up here!

TEMPLE OF VENUS: LEARNING TO BE LESS HARD ON MYSELF

In her latest Temple of Venus column, recovering over-achiever Elyssa Jakim asks: “How can I learn to be less hard on myself?”

Elyssa Jakim be less hard on myself on The Numinous
Impish Elyssa aged five

Flashback: The blizzard of 1996. Greater New York metropolitan area. I am eight years old. I’ve spent several days frolicking in the snow with friends. When school resumes session, a fight breaks out on the school bus because I kept a girl’s rainbow shoelace that I’d borrowed for snow stomping. She tells me she knows I stole it. I yell and scream and insult her in self-defense (even though I’d had no intention of returning the lace—it was so beautiful!)

Later, I will feel terrible about this. Forever.

Skip to fifth grade. Every day of fifth grade. I replay all the things I have done wrong socially. The rainbow laces incident. That time I said the wrong thing to the boy I had a crush on. Or said the right thing to the boy my friend had a crush on. And I berate myself.

Repeating and repeating my wrongs in my mind. Every day.

To make amends, I grow up into a perfectionist. An intellectual, and a serious student. Someone who also takes up self-improvement projects a little too readily. Who always has a to do list that includes things like “have fun” or “breathe.”

But today I am a recovering over-achiever.

In fact, I am currently living in a college town…looking after babies for a living. Yes, I feel insecure about this as well; perhaps I have lost my intellect and let my critical thinking skills go. But here’s the thing: as fate would have it, I have stumbled upon the perfect teachers when it comes to the question I seem to have spent my whole life asking: How can I be less hard on myself?

Because in the room where I work, I am swaddled in literal softness of all kinds; soft rugs and pillows, soft baby hair and cheeks; warm hugs; the honey sweetness of baby laughter; the miracle of a sleeping baby in my arms.

And here’s what the babies have reminded me so far…

1. Trust your own innocence
I have noticed, unsurprisingly, that I am always pre-disposed to give the babies the benefit of the doubt. To see “the light of the child” as Maria Montessori puts it. Even when a fourteen-month old deliberately does something “wrong” or “bad,” I can see her full innocence and sweetness—the “wrong-doing” does not make her unworthy of love to me. And knowing myself as an essentially good person, why should I be unworthy of my own self-love when I make a mistake?

2. Be your own parent.
The biggest shift you can make in the direction of self-kindness, in my opinion, is one of self-talk. What if every time you notice yourself feeling anxious, hurt, or self-doubting, you take a big breath and imagine you are the nurturing parent of your self? What would you say to you? It would probably sound like: “It’s okay my darling. I love you and I see you. You’re doing so well. You’re working so hard. I think you’re wonderful.” In moments of self-criticism, a move toward self-compassion and self-softness is what the anxious heart truly needs. If you can remember to be gentle, sweet, and nurturing to yourself whenever you’re tempted to punish yourself, your whole inner landscape will shift.

3. Don’t take things personally.
Because most of the time, the mean things people say or “accuse” you of, aren’t really about you—they’re about them. Strive to shrug off criticism, and don’t hold yourself accountable for the feelings of others. When a baby is upset, I know that it’s not about me. It’s about that child expressing a need for something like hunger or nap or connection. It isn’t healthy for me to take up a baby’s emotions or sense of urgency if I’m helping him, it’s best if I remain calm. When facing tough interpersonal interactions, try to remain calm. I like to zoom out in this moment and remember that we’re all spiritual beings having a human experience. Tapped into this Universal truth, who really cares if someone didn’t like my skirt, or the way I handled a particular situation?

4. You’re exactly where you need to be.
Numinous tarot mistress Lindsay Mack often reminds me of this: “You are exactly where you need to be.” And these words are always a deep reminder straight to my heart space, which in turn relaxes my whole body. Nothing has gone wrong. There is no-one (especially not your self) to blame. In fact, here is an opportunity to accept. To find grace. Your situation isn’t your fault, it’s your opportunity. Your perfect situation for growth. It’s to show you what you’re supposed to be learning right now. Babies are always exactly where they are, in the present moment of being. We are born into raw presence, living one moment at a time. Isn’t that miraculous?

5. Laugh a lot more.
Laughter releases stress in the body. Period. If we can take the seriousness out of life, it frees up the part of us that takes things too seriously. It can also be empowering to laugh at life’s trials and tribulations, to see the humor in any situation. Yogananda tells us to find the company of those who make us laugh to release our worries. You can also watch or listen to things that are funny, or find a laughter yoga class (which NYC friends, Maha Rose Healing Center holds from time to time). Needless to say, baby giggles, cuddle puddles, and facial expressions always have me laughing.

***

So, how does all this baby talk connect to the goddess Venus? In the mythology of Venus, we are always asked to consider her birth—that moment she arrives on the shore, born of the sea, resplendent. It’s funny to me that Venus was not born as a baby, but as a total babe. She was born and exists as the fullest expression of her being. She exudes self-confidence, which comes from true self-kindness. She is not a goddess who typically represents nurturing or mothering such as Mother Mary or Quan Yin.

But, in her luminosity, she is a wonderful teacher of self-compassion. She helps us to find the wild and free and sensual within ourselves. Being with babies and with Venus teaches us that we can always begin again. We can always infuse our lives with freshness, sweetness, and softness. We can always rebirth ourselves to be more loving. See the sweet little babe in you, and know that you are always worthy of love and even rainbow shoelaces. Protect her and hold her like you would a treasured gem. Come back to the Venus in you, and know you are glorious. That should make it easier to be less hard on yourself.

Need more Venus inspiration? Check out Elyssa’s last Temple of Venus column on healing our money issues.

HEALING FROM ABUSE WITH TRUTH AND YOGA

“To me, yoga is about deep, honest listening and truth-telling,” says Nina Endrst…who shares her story of healing from abuse for the first time.

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I’m pretty fucking scared right now. I’ve never written about what I’m about to share, let alone shared these experiences with the world. It takes courage to be vulnerable and stand where we truly are, exposed. But it’s time to tell the Truth.

And the Truth is, I’m healing. Aren’t we all?

When I was nine years old, I was sexually abused by my babysitter’s son. I felt broken. Deeply ashamed and frightened. And for a long time, like many others, I remained silent, in fear. It took months for me muster the courage to even tell my parents—who were in the middle of a messy divorce at the time. Then I saw a Nick News segment on sexual abuse. Shit! What happened was really fucking bad, I thought.

And I felt even more guilty, the lump in my throat growing. I wanted to run as far and fast as humanly possible, but I was paralyzed. After what seemed like hours, I walked to my room, locked the door, and cried until I had nothing left. I was struggling with so many questions intertwined with intense emotions. Why did he do this to me? Why do they do this to us? I realized I had to talk.

I don’t remember much after that day, but I remember his parents called me a liar. After that, I just wanted stop talking about it, to forget it and go outside and play and try to reclaim everything I felt had been taken from me. So we back-tracked. Charges were never brought against him and I was once again, silent.

It took years to realize that this was not only the root of the profound anger and anxiety I have experienced in my adult life, but also would also prove to be the root of my subsequently developing Crohn’s disease. I can see now how my body and soul went into survival mode—how all the anger, sadness, and confusion went straight to my belly and rotted there, for years.

***

Nina earnst healing from abuse with truth and yoga on The Numinous

But in the beginning, I was a resilient kid and simply went on living my life. I had loving parents and an incredibly special group of friends (most of whom are still in my life) but deep down I remained a little girl, suffering in silence. I presented myself as tough and a little rough around the edges, when in fact I was incredibly sensitive and lost. When I got dressed in the morning, it was as if I put on an extra layer—a suit of armor to “protect myself.”

By 13, my hormones spun this carefully constructed regime out of control. My temper was explosive, and I made it my business to give my parents hell, regularly. It had all become too much to handle. One night, I took handfuls of pills and hoped that would be that. Thank god, it wasn’t. But the truth was, my soul knew I needed help and was screaming for it.

At 19 I had my first panic attack, on a plane. Everything, I’d spent my teenage years avoiding came rushing to the surface. My heart was racing, breath stuck in my chest, my belly as hard as a rock. Anybody who struggles with anxiety will know this feeling all too well.

Only, from the outside, my life looked pretty damn great by this point. I was attending college, I had amazing friends, and managed to maintain almost straight A’s alongside a busy social life. I was fucking happy! So where the hell was this coming from?

The Truth is, I had been avoiding my pain for so long, I didn’t even recognize that I had been living a lie.

***

At 21, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s (a chronic intestinal disease). I believe this was a direct result of the emotional and physical stress compacting in my stomach over the previous decade. I had tried to survive it. I had made it my mission to ignore the pain—to suppress it, push it down, deep into my belly. But here it had seeped into my cells, my tissues, my spirit.

No one knew the Truth about what had happened to me. My dearest friends only knew bits and pieces. I’m not sure I even knew the whole story, back then. Sometimes we have to make choices, and I had chosen over and over again not to acknowledge the shadows, leaving a patchwork of half-truths.

At 29 (my Saturn return) everything changed. I had a flare-up and became very ill, ultimately meaning I had to take medical leave from my job in fashion. I found myself facing some harsh realities that I couldn’t ignore any longer.

At this point, I’d been practicing yoga on and off for years, but it was in this moment that I started to live my yoga. To begin healing my body and spirit, by fully living my Truth. I left my job, signed up for yoga teacher training and took a huge leap of faith—inviting my heart to crack wide open.

The Truth is I gave myself ample time and space to be alone during that year. To cry uncontrollably. To talk, to listen, and to forgive. This is because, to me, yoga is and always will be so much more than back-bending and headstands. It is about deep, honest listening and truth-telling.

Through my practice, I learned that the way to the healing light is found when we sit quietly in darkness.

***

 

Nina earnst healing from abuse with truth and yoga on The Numinous

At age 31, I wake up every single day, grateful for my mind, body and spirit. The smile on my face is not permanent but it certainly is genuine. My mental and physical health are better than ever, as are my relationships with everyone—from my loved ones, to strangers I encounter on the street.

My story is that our stories do not define us. But I do believe everything we experience on our path—bright and shiny or painful as hell—is to lead us to where we are meant to be.

The Truth may not be easy to say, or to hear, but my god is it the only way to heal.

Nina Endrst is a yoga teacher based between Tulum and NYC. She creates a safe and nurturing environment for students to explore themselves honestly. Her vinyasa sequences are thoughtfully designed to strengthen and soften the mind, body, and spirit. She lives her yoga and is inspired by traveling to places outside her comfort zone both physically and emotionally. You can discover more about Nina and her work at Ninaendrstyoga.com, and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.

KARMIC PORTAL: THE NUMEROLOGY OF 10/10

The numerology of 10/10 brings a double dose of good karma—if we are brave enough to use it, says Felicia BenderArtwork: Eandaru Kusumaatmaja

numerology of 10/10 karma by Eandaru Kusumaatmaja The Numinous

In Numerology, the number 10 is a Karmic number.

Yet while the other Karmic numbers (13, 14, 16, and 19) indicate that there is a debt to be paid, the Karmic number 10 offers something different.

This number actually offers a burst of “good” karma.

And with a double dose of this energy available to us on 10/10, comes a fabulous opportunity to do some work around completing certain things in your life that need closure. To be kaput. Done. Finito.

As such, the numerology of 10/10 offers us a portal for rebirth. For here is an opportunity to identify and act upon our sense of individuality and assert our independence in a healthy and dynamic way. It is challenging us to step into our authentic and unique gifts.

For with the numerology of 10/10, we’re also offered an energetic opening that links with the valuable energies of the number 1—which are leadership, independence, individuality, creativity, and a pioneering spirit.

And so, if we are willing and ready, here is an invitation to take action to finish what is DONE in our lives, and then turn our focus and our talents to new beginnings.

This said, the numerology of 10/10 will take considerable courage and initiation for optimal results.

And as if it weren’t powerful enough on its own, this year 10/10 is happening in the number 9 Universal Year (2016 is a 9 Universal Year). So this day offers some added punch—IF you’re ready to surrender, and to let go of what is no longer serving you and opening yourself to making room to change to enter your life.

The Universal energy of the 9 has been plying all of us all year long with intense energies related to change, transformation, and letting go.

And, now that we’re readying for 2017—a 1 Universal Year—this collision of the 9 and the date 10/10 becomes super-powered.

Don’t miss out on setting the stage for stepping into the next big thing in your life.

:: TACTICS TO MAXIMIZE THE NUMEROLOGY OF 10/10 ::

Rethink your own thinking. Can you step back and see the ways in which you have perhaps been living with an outdated operating system? Working within limited beliefs and worn out memories that continue to hold you hostage in an unfulfilling or off-track life?

No more excuses. This one is self-explanatory. It’s time to take responsibility for where you find yourself right now—the good, bad, and the ugly. Step into where you are and make a plan for the change you want to see, whether it’s one small step or a monumental shift.

Lighten up. All of this change, transitional and momentum can feel unsettling and can tip into overwhelm, and a feeling of being heavy and “too much.” If this is the case, try to shift perspective and pace yourself. Find humor when you least expect it.

STRONG EYE ASTROLOGY OCTOBER 10—16

A weekly horoscope for your sign, direct from the third eye of Sandra Sitron—a.k.a. Strong Eye Astrology

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Libra :: Libra Rising
A jigsaw puzzle. Interlocking. Interconnected. Intertwined. Your mission this week is to feel supported. Can you lean in, but maintain the integrity of your own stance? Can you speak your truth to another person? Can you say the thing that you have avoided? Do you know what you need? Can you ask for what you need? This week, the Universe offers you a cosmic trust fall. Take it. Feel the fall, the unknowing, the surrender. Feel yourself being caught and held. You may have to imagine it before you can do it. You may have to make room for it. You may have to know yourself well, by knowing all of your feelings, your desires, and your needs. Know yourself so that when you allow yourself to fall, you have no fear of losing your direction.

Scorpio :: Scorpio Rising
Drifting on a raft. Held afloat, moving in the ebb and flow. Allowing. This week you are creating space in your mind. Quiet your mind. Can you allow your subconscious thoughts to rise into your conscious mind? You can’t do this if you are running. Have you been slowing down enough lately? Can you take the time out that you need to process your feelings? To process what is not obvious? By making space in your life for contemplation and meditation, you can expand your consciousness. By making subconscious thoughts conscious, you can finally let them go. You must allow this process to happen. It won’t happen by force. It won’t happen by control. It must happen through spaciousness. Let yourself float and drift.

Sagittarius :: Sagittarius Rising
Peering through a telescope. Look! Push yourself into a new perspective. The old one is not working. Have you been dreaming big enough? This is your time to dream up your future. Don’t miss this opportunity to set into motion your future life. Set it into motion by intending it to be true and by believing that it is possible. Faith. Follow what you love to arrive at this vision. Can you imagine a life in which you are doing what you love? In which you are creative, joyful, and in love? A rich life? Look closely for your blocks. Peer through the telescope to see which part of your personality is afraid of being fulfilled. Is there a part of you that is holding onto the idea that “life is hard?” Investigate this part of you. Ask for her name. Talk to her. Find out if she is ready to be loved. Find out if she is ready to be taken care of. Convince her that she has better work to do. Let go of the burdens you don’t need to carry. Live the life of your dreams. Start by planning for them now. Plan for your joy.

Capricorn :: Capricorn Rising
Out of fertile soil a tall tree grows. Reaching your greatest heights. This week you find career expansion. You get to investigate your drive. What do you love? What are your greatest ambitions? What have you been putting off? Do you know what projects you are working on right now? Do you have a simple plan to see them through? At the same time that you grow your career, you can create awareness about your soil. Your “soil” is your emotional stability. In order to succeed in your career, you need to feel emotionally stable. You need to be nurtured, supported, loved and loving. Shine a light of awareness on your fertile soil. Is it nourishing enough to sustain you? It is your right to be loved. It is your right to be loving. Remind yourself over and over again that you are safe and supported all the way to your core.

Aquarius :: Aquarius Rising
Sunlight on water. The sunlight is representative of your intellect and your awareness of what is going on with you. This week you get clear about yourself and your own ideas. How do you think? What environmental and internal factors have contributed to your beliefs about life? How curious are you in your daily life? What part of your life are you refusing to question—your health? Your sexuality? Your emotions? Your relationship with money? Your relationships? Your fire this week falls in the realm of your philosophies. Shine a light here. This will help you formulate your path. A philosophy can be changed and adapted. What’s up for review? What is up for expansion? Most of all, where are you uncomfortable now? What framework are you holding on to that is keeping you stuck? So many questions, but this week is a chance for you to question. Do it boldly. You deserve to risk your comfort for the sake of your growth.

Pisces :: Pisces Rising
A shout through the darkness. Forgiveness. Holding on to old hurts can create an energy drain. It can stump you. Bind you. Keep you in one place longer than you want to be. But forgiveness is a long process. You can make a decision to set it in motion. Shout out through the darkness of the unexplored pains of your psyche. Take an inventory of your hurts. Bring them forward to be weighed objectively. Decide what you are ready to start forgiving– in yourself or in someone else. It won’t happen all at once. It might take decades. But right now you can decide if you are ready to begin. It’s time for you to flourish. It’s time for you to expand. It’s time for you move on to a greater purpose. Let go. Later in the week expect to build awareness around your self-worth. This is an opportunity to develop strength and confidence. The security that comes from this will help you find yourself in the darkness.

Aries :: Aries Rising
A game of poker. The focus is on relationship. The wisdom that is unfolding for you is that through partnership, you have a real opportunity to expand yourself. Can you bet on partnership? Can you put your chips all in for love? Can you trust the idea of togetherness so much that you lean in, even when it hurts? The message of the week is, if you know yourself, you won’t lose yourself. You are safe enough to merge.
During childhood, we all develop an idea of what the dance of partnership looks like. It’s usually based on what we see around us. This week offers a chance to decide what love looks like to you. And to ask yourself if that idea needs to be updated. If your relationship story doesn’t feel grand enough for you right now, this week offers you a chance to expand your beliefs. If the relationship area of your life is going good, it’s time to expand and refine. Come at this from a place of vision. What is your best vision of partnership? It’s time to speak this vision into life. Communicate. Ask. Show your cards. Don’t hold back. Share your desires with another person.

Taurus :: Taurus Rising
A beetle in a garden. The beetle represents hard work and clear planning, both of which are accented for you early in the week. The garden represents expression of your true feelings. Emotional flowering is what you are headed toward at week’s end. Hard work and emotions can feel disconnected from each other. Your task this week is to find out where they connect. Are you working hard in ways that don’t bring you emotional reward? Step back and asses how you’re spending your time during the day. Are you scurrying around and not feeling a sense of accomplishment, or are you building toward your dreams? Your tasks must be tied to an emotional necessity, or else you are living an empty life. Link every project you are working on to a deep and emotional desire that you have. Understand the value of what you are doing with your time. You may need to reprioritize. This week is your chance to zoom out of the daily grind and gain awareness of the bigger picture. Be the beetle, but know the garden.

Gemini :: Gemini Rising
A frog that wears pants and dances. Playfulness, joy and camaraderie. True playfulness is unburdened by self-consciousness. It is pure pleasure and lightness. It helps us adapt and learn. Playfulness communicates to others that we are safe to be around. It is unique to humans. This week, your focus is on lightness and love, for yourself and for your world. Think about your approach? Are you playful? Have you been making enough time for play? Do negative emotions about play keep you from letting go? Does your playtime feel truly playful? Don’t let these questions feel like more work! Let them open you up to unabashed, open-hearted, expansive, joy. Share your playful spirit. Let play help you adapt. Let play help you connect. Let play heal you. This is your birthright and you are meant to step into it now. But you must do it fully and by design.

Cancer :: Cancer Rising
Heart shapes falling from the sky. An imaginary symbol that speaks to your emotional wealth and abundance. You are unlocking your heart. You are opening. This week you flow deep down into your emotional truth. Honor your of feelings. They are your truth. You can always mother yourself more and this week is the time to give yourself the gift of high-level nurturance. You are really, really good at it this week. You are the most tender, the most thoughtful, the most kind. Empathize with yourself. Cradle and cosset yourself. Be the embodiment of warmth. And then, from this place of self-understanding, fly into the sky of your dreams like a heart-shaped rocket. Build up awareness of your ambitions. As you empathize with yourself, you gain emotional understanding of your priorities in life. And you can better define and structure them. This is alignment. This is what crafting a legacy looks like. First finding your emotional truth, then deciding how to build your desires into reality. This week you nurture and build.

Leo :: Leo Rising
Horses galloping across a field. You are expanding your mindset. Are you flexible enough to embrace a growth mindset? It’s a philosophy that holds that your abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. This week, your focus is on learning. Developing. Engaging. Your mind is clear and your outlook is expanding. Gallop forth. You are here to adapt and improve. You are here to move. Make sure that your most basic attitude– your mindset– allows for that kind of growth. What kind of energy are you showing up with? Are you dampening your surroundings with your mood? Or are you engaged? At the end of the week, you may feel an emotional need for heightened freedom. The awareness you will want to develop then is, where are you creating your own cage? Is it a cage of ideas? Can you set yourself free by letting go of attachment to an outcome? Adaptation and being free in the present moment are the places to focus your attention. Maintain a light touch. This approach is energizing and will provide you with plenty of horse-power.

Virgo :: Virgo Rising
A game of chess. The next move. How far into the future can you strategize? Your symbol and your astrology this week speak to strategy. Logistical and emotional strategy. First on your awareness will be expansion of logistical strategy. What are you building? Are you building a strong financial house? Any thoughts that come to mind that have to do with your “worth” (both financial and inherent, aka self-worth) need to be grabbed onto and examined. What do you really think about your worth? Whatever it is, it’s time to expand it. The Universe is whispering in your ear, “You deserve to have financial control over your life. You are worthy. You are safe.” At the weekend, your emotional strategies come under the microscope. Awareness is being called for around how you control and let go of your emotions. At every turn, you are asked to surrender. Your strategy is surrender.

MY MYSTICAL LIFE: SHARING MY “SOBER CURIOUS” STORY

WTF does “sober curious” mean anyway? Allow me to explain…

Pre-beers at Austin City Limits
Shiny sober people—pre-beers at Austin City Limits

:: MONDAY :: (and basically on my mind all week)
So the Pisces and I have embarked on a fuck-off road trip for the majority of October (planned very last minute, but totally fitting for my Aries Tarotscope this month)—and we kicked things off seeing LCD Soundsystem at the Austin City Limits festival last night. Coincidentally our favorite band just happened to be playing in the first city and on the first night of our trip. Thank you, Universe!

Those who follow me on social media will also know that I had a couple of beers at the festival (three, to be precise), which in turn led to a couple of comments from people asking “erm, what happened to #highsobriety?” Comments that were quite justified, since having begun hosting my Club SÖDA NYC events this year I have been talking a lot about my journey leading a more sober life.

These comments also made me realize I can’t then just randomly go drink a beer without properly explaining myself! As such, I have decided to share my sobriety story here this week—which I have done in person at my Club SÖDA NYC events (stands for Sober Or Debating Abstinence btw), but never in a post on this site. So here goes.

***

Having been a habitual binge drinker for the majority of my 20s and 30s, I have spent the past six years slowly but steadily unlearning the habit of reaching for a drink on autopilot in any and all social situations.

Why? Well firstly the hangovers had become pretty fucking unbearable as I entered my middle 30s, and never really worth the short-lived buzz of the night before. But on a more sinister note, I had also been able to pinpoint alcohol as, if not exactly the cause, then a major contributing factor to the daily anxiety and overall sense of doom that had begun to cloud my days.

I only made the connection recently, but this coincided with me first learning to meditate back in 2010—and subsequently having my first ideas about creating The Numinous. And stepping deeper onto my spiritual path over the following months and years, I began to question the nature of the “high” that I (we?) got from alcohol.

The more I worked on healing my emotional wounds (much of which is documented elsewhere on this site), and the deeper a connection I forged with what felt like my whole / true / spiritual self as a result, the more I began to feel naturally high a lot the time. The question became; why did I (we) even “need” alcohol, anyway?

But no way was this process proving to be a walk in the park. Booze was (is) everywhere, not to mention it being a highly addictive (in fact the most addictive) drug. They say the definition of madness is repeating the same behavior and expecting a different outcome—and considering I spent the next few years resolving not to drink, drinking anyway, then feeling like shit and hating myself for it, it could also be said that alcohol was beginning to drive me crazy.

So eventually, a little over a year ago, I asked a friend to bring me to a couple of AA meetings. By now I was only drinking maybe once or twice a month (versus what had been three or four times a week). But if I was still having a hard time saying “no” in certain situations—or else obsessing over the next time I would “allow” myself a drink—I must be in denial about a more serious drinking problem, right?

And while I could immediately see what an amazing source of support AA is to the people the program resonates with, sitting among these brave souls I felt like an imposter. When it came time to introduce myself with the classic: “hi, I’m Ruby and I’m an…” the word “alcoholic” stuck in my throat like a puke-inducing tequila slammer.

Some people might say I was (am?) simply in denial, but I had already made so much progress cutting back on my drinking by this point, it was hard to swallow the idea I was “powerless over alcohol” (the way they frame alcoholism in AA). I also knew from conversations I’d begun having with other friends that no way was I the only one who felt this way. And so I got a bunch of us together to talk about it over a pot-luck dinner at my apartment. Which was essentially the first Club SÖDA NYC meet-up.

We shared our stories, along with our conflicted feelings about booze (could be so much fun! but at such a high price…), and it felt good, and right, to shine a light on the shame and confusion most of us felt about this. Questions that came up were along the lines of: does continuing to drink even when life is generally better when you don’t make you an alcoholic? If so, does this mean total abstinence is the only answer? Or is it possible to be mostly sober, and still drink in a high-vibe way from time-to-time?

***

These questions are at the heart of a conversation I’ve since been having a lot, not to mention a subject I’ve been doing more and more research on. And besides plenty of soul-searching and at times painfully honest self-inquiry, discussions at Club SÖDA NYC events and a few great books (listed at the end of this post) have led me to draw the following conclusions:

1. Our brain chemistry is designed to a) seek pleasure and b) avoid pain, causing us to repeatedly seek out anything that ticks these boxes. And so, since alcohol is a substance that a) provides pleasure by b) numbing pain, human beings are essentially pre-disposed to become addicted to alcohol.

2. Since we are old enough to understand that certain behaviors lead to certain outcomes, we are conditioned to believe(by society, media, and relentless marketing) that drinking alcohol a) provides pleasure and b) numbs pain. Also, that it is a necessary component to any and all social situations, celebrations, dance parties and first dates, and that it makes miserable days feel more okay.

I’ve billed subsequent Club SÖDA NYC events as being for the “sober curious,” which basically sums up the way I feel about my journey with sobriety today—much of which has meant getting curious about the above findings, in both my thinking and my life choices.

It has meant questioning the nature of addiction, and the stigma we attach to alcohol addiction in particular. For example, you’d probably be happy telling people you’re addicted to coffee…but alcohol, not so much. But if evolution (not to mention a lifetime’s social conditioning) has pretty much set us up to believe alcohol is the answer to…let’s see…the existential crisis known as “being human,” then where’s the shame in simply acknowledging this?

After all, as Brené Brown teaches in Daring Greatly, shame-breeds-secrecy-breeds-stigma-breeds-shame—and shining a light on that shit is the only way to end the cycle, as any AA advocate will also tell you. (Despite the whole “anonymous” part kind of playing into the secrecy-stigma-shame game in my opinion…which is also NOT to dismiss how invaluable the support provided by AA is for many millions of people! Jeez. This can be such a slippery conversation.)

Living sober curious has also meant facing a lot of sober firsts. If my journey thus far had got me comfortable with sober dinners and sober networking events, say, now it was time to attempt my first sober wedding, first sober vacation, first sober nightclub, first sober family visit. A.k.a. the drinking occasions I had held onto as sacred (read: not going to be much fun / even doable without a drink).

And turns out that some of these things are amazing—if not waaaay better—sober, and that some are not as much fun / even worth doing without alcohol. Which I basically see as my soul telling me to a) either not do those things, or b) accept that life is simply not endlessly entertaining / enjoyable!

Because last but by no means least, living sober curious has meant getting super comfortable with the fact that being human is not—and is not supposed to be—comfortable. We are designed to experience a whole range of feelings on a daily basis, some “good,” some “bad,” and all in service of keeping us in alignment with the choices that are in our highest good. Feels good? Do more of it. Feels bad? Either don’t do it, or do something to make it feel better (like, maybe actually have that “difficult” conversation with your mom versus getting wasted on rosé next time you have to see her). Option three? Simply sit with it, feel it, and allow it to pass. (It will pass).

The way I see it, alcohol momentarily overrides the “feeling bad,” thus providing a fake “feeling good.” The problem being that we then never get around to addressing whatever it was that was making us feel like shit in the first place. And so another soul-destroying cycle is perpetuated.

And well, at this point on my sober curious journey, I can tell you that consistently choosing not to drink feels fucking GREAT. Feels confident, calm, safe, focussed, enthusiastic, engaged, and energized. And that it’s also great when it feels awkward, sad, angry, lost, or lonely—because it turns out all these feelings are just part of my human experience, and so choosing not to numb them out feels like choosing to be fully ME.

***

So then why drink those beers at ACL? Why not show up fully “conscious,” fully myself, to an experience I could pretty much guarantee would be awesome without alcohol?

The short answer is that dancing under the stars to my favorite music is still one of the very few (if not the only) drinking occasion I still hold sacred. Sacred as in…a way to connect to the undefinable, numinous, part of me that is pure sensation, pure experience. Yes, there are other (low and high-vibe) ways to attain this state—but as humans have known since the dawn of civilization, one other use for alcohol is to get there fast. Like, in the 90 minutes LCD Soundsystem are on stage. If (and it’s still an “if”) I choose to keep alcohol in my life at all going forward, it will be solely for…dancing under the stars to my favorite music. Like a Pagan.

Which is about where this becomes a tricky conversation again.

Because the sober stalwarts might say this is just my addiction talking…and to be fair, I might well agree with them. Is it fucked up that I’m also kind of okay with that? Yes…I guess…because they might also say that it’s irresponsible of me to be preaching the joys of #highsobriety, and then go drink a beer (or three)! Even if it’s only once or twice a year. And I take this on board whole-heartedly, since I know that my path to semi-sobriety is unique to me—and that, for many, alcohol poses more of a serious if not a deadly threat.

If this is you, then I bow to your sobriety, and to your spiritual resilience. You are an inspiration.

For now, this is who I am, and this where I’m at on my sober curious journey. I’d love to hear where any of you reading stand on the issues it’s brought up—since the more sharing, and the less shame, secrecy and stigma about alcohol and the slippery, slippery subject of alcohol addiction, the better.

FURTHER READING – 

The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction Is Not a Disease

This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol: Find Freedom, Rediscover Happiness & Change Your Life (Volume 1)

The Sober Revolution: Women Calling Time on Wine O’Clock (Volume 1)

The next Club SÖDA NYC event will be on December 1 2016 in NYC. Sign up for our newsletter for more details as they are announced.

THE LIFE CHANGING MAGIC OF CHOOSING THE RIGHT FRIENDSHIPS

What if you applied the life changing magic of Marie Kondo’s tidying methods to choosing the right friendships, asks Victoria CoxArtwork: Found on Pinterest

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Friendship is a constantly evolving thing. We have our inner circle of friends, our coven of trusted confidants. Then there is a secondary circle, comprising people we are friendly with but who are less likely to know our strange quirks and deepest desires; work colleagues, gym buddies or school friends.

Over time, lesser known friends move into the inner circle, whist others move out of the constellation entirely. The point being that our friendship circle is ever changing, as we mature and grow. It is not designed to be stagnant and fixed.

Some friendships gain strength year after year, reaching surprising levels of intimacy. Some fade away entirely either through neglect, distance or simply growing apart. Then there are others that come to an abrupt end, the flame of friendship extinguishing itself in a dramatic fashion.

I understand all of this. So why do I still find myself trying to maintain friendships that no longer serve me? The answer to this question can often be surmised in one word: obligation. After all, if we’ve spent years building up a friendship, investing our time and our hearts, it seems counter-intuitive to throw it all away.

But what if we could learn to accept that if things aren’t what they once were? Acknowledge that it’s time to move on, with no hard feelings?

After all, I’ve learned to do this is every other area of my life. I’ve walked away from dysfunctional relationships; shitty bosses and unfulfilling jobs without even looking back. Why not apply the same thought process to my friends?

And then I finally read Marie Kondo’s book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and a light-bulb went on in my head.

Kondo, a Japanese organizing expert, touts the virtues of tidying by asking of everything you own: “Does this spark joy?” and if not, thanking it for its service and getting rid of it. But instead of pondering whether inanimate objects in my apartment sparked joy, what if I applied this method to choosing the right friendships?

Admittedly my first thought was to question whether or not I would qualify as a sociopath in comparing my friendships to my heavily stained shower curtain.

But really, what if we were to scroll through every friend listed in our phone contacts and ask ourselves: “Does this person spark joy in my life?” I would hazard a guess there’s probably a good thirty percent of people about whom we would either answer with a long “hmmm…”—or else blurt out a “Hell No!”

And when you really think about it, why would we choose to spend our valuable time with friends that no longer spark joy in our life? It simply doesn’t make any sense. Until you factor in that godawful G word. Guilt.

So powerful is the G-word (evil twin of the that O-word again—obligation) that I recently found myself spending hours with a friend who I didn’t want to hang out with, doing things I had no interest in doing and wishing I was somewhere else. Talk about soul-destroying.

And so turned back to Kondo’s book, seeking more pearls of wisdom to apply to my friendship circle.

She also wisely counsels that nostalgia is not your friend when it comes to your closet—and it turns out it’s not much help when it comes to friends, either.

How many times had I continued to hang out with a friend based solely on memories of what fun we used to have together? As it turns out, way too many. Our conversations always took a detour back down memory lane, peppered with “Remember when’s?” rather than “I’m so excited for…”

Sadly, the past is the past and if the only connection is over what was instead of what will be, then it might be time to reassess what purpose that particular friendship is serving. Is this person invested in your future dreams? Do they relate to the person you are today, or only the person you used to be?

Friendships are unique. Unlike relationships with our family, we choose to enter into them. And unlike a marriage, there’s no piece of paper reminding us we’re obliged to try and make it work. We choose each other because the relationship means something to us, it brings us joy, makes us laugh, brings over pizza when we’re feeling down and out.

Whilst it may be incredibly sad to bid adieu to a friendship that just isn’t working for us in the same way—because we’ve changed, they’ve changed or it simply doesn’t jive the way it used to—it’s also freeing to remember that since we chose to get into it, we can also choose to get out.

CITY TOUR: A GUIDE TO SPIRITUAL CHICAGO

Forget everything you know about the Windy City—there are plenty of high-vibe happenings in Spiritual Chicago, says Andrea Kasprzak

guide to spiritual Chicago The Numinous

 

The Windy City may be better known for the Cubs than the cosmic, but it’s not all deep dish pizza and boozy baseball fans. When it comes to tapping spiritual Chicago, you just have to know where to look. Here’s our itinerary for a day of crystals, yoga, and high vibrational cuisine.

9AM :: Kundalini Yoga at Sat Nam Yoga
The second you step into this cozy, sanctuary-within-the-city you’ll want to curl up on a white sheepskin rug and never leave. Take a kundalini class in the sun drenched front room, shop for sage and crystals in the store, or book a treatment with some of the area’s most sought after healers. Not to be missed: lunar tune-ups in the outdoor courtyard during monthly new and full moon rituals and cosmic vinyasa (yoga and symphonic gong immersion under the projection of the stars).

sat nam studio spiritual chicago The Numinous
Sat Nam Yoga

11 AM :: Soak at Float Sixty
Whether you consider sensory deprivation tanks a spiritual experience or a just a slightly trippy way to spend an hour, you’ll never regret the experience. Head to this River North haven to soak in style. The industrial cool space features tons of tubs, a meditation room to hang out in post-soak, and a grooming area. Try the Samadhi Tank for a super cool intergalactic womb-like vibe.

1PM :: Juice and Crystals at Infiniteus
Kill two birds with one (high energy) stone at this Wicker Park rocks and juice shop. First, hydrate with a cold-pressed juice or purified alkaline water amidst massive amethysts and orange calcite covered tables in the cafe. Then, hit up the back room to shop for gems and crystals. Owner Alex Drummond is super knowledgable and on hand to help. Bonus: they’ll even deliver your gems and juices to your door.

2PM :: Gong Therapy with Mason Pain
Transportive, elevating, and a little bit other-worldly, getting gonged by sound therapist Mason Pain offers deep release on a higher level. Surrender to the healing vibrations of three gongs, as well as singing bowls and chimes. Sessions begin with Yoga Nidra to open you up to maximum receptivity.

mason pain gong spiritual chicago The Numinous
Maison Pain

3PM :: Nut Milk at Owen + Alchemy
Think you’re over juice after too many cleanses? This gothic cool Logan Square juice bar from Anne Owen and Jared Van Camp may change your mind. Try the nut milks. We suggest the dessert-y 54 (raw hazelnut, cacao, cinnamon, vanilla bean, raw local honey) or the fresh and creamy 59 (young raw coconut juice and young raw coconut meat).

4PM :: Tarot Reading with Laura Gonzalez
Laura, a self-described Mexican witch, has felt a true connection and psychic insights since childhood. Tarot card reading is her passion and it shows. Sessions are meant to offer guidance and clarity. Go deeper by asking specific questions. Laura’s hyper presence makes it easier to digest tough truths.

5PM :: Reiki with Jerry Mikutis
Clear energy blocks and connect with a like-minded sensi soul during a session with Reiki healer and yoga instructor Jerry Mikutis. Her warm personality and magic touch puts clients at instant ease.

6PM :: Vegetarian Dinner at Green Zebra
Bar and ballpark snacks may get first bill, but there’s still plenty of high vibe, creative and veggie-centric places to grab a bite. Case in point: Green Zebra. Fresh, local, and elevated, the West Town restaurant is a standout not to be missed. Small plate dishes like the Hen of the Woods mushroom pate and fermented beet tartare with borscht yogurt, candied pistachios, and dill pickles are plated to impress.

green zebra spiritual chicago The Numinous
Green Zebra

8PM :: Crystallsage Massage at Ruby Room
Cap off the night with a Crystallsage Massage at this Wicker Park healing hybrid space. Sessions start with a flower and gem essence spray and reading. Move into a treatment room for an intense 90-minute massage featuring Himalayan salt crystals for serious grounding. After, shop for crystals and spend the night in one of the upstairs rooms.

DREAM PROJECT: THE STORY OF THE DUST II ONYX TAROT

When Courtney Alexander couldn’t find a deck that spoke to her on a soul level, she decided to create her own… All images: the Dust II Onyx tarot

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I had been reading and learning about the tarot for around two years, when I pin-pointed an issue I hadn’t been able to put my finger on. I had a hard time finding a deck that really spoke to me. I’d discovered so many decks, my favorites being the Wild Unknown and Fountain Tarot. And although the art was beautiful, there was still a disconnect for me at soul level.

Because, being a fat/black/queer woman there wasn’t a deck I saw myself in. I agonized for months over how to express the depth and diversity I wanted to see, and the idea to create my own deck—Dust II Onyx—began rolling around in my head.

Then life happened. I lost my job and found myself spiraling into anxiety and depression. This directly following an intense nocturnal vision. I had gone to bed as normal, but woke in the middle of the night thinking someone was in my apartment. Once I realized there was no one there, I attempted to go back to sleep.

At this point I slipped into a lucid dream. I heard noises again and when I got up to investigate, a shadow figure appeared in front of me—who I read as being my six-year-old nephew. When I went to turn on a light, I felt an intense sensation hit my belly, and I woke up with a yell.

tower

The following morning, I went to work completely shaken and lacking sleep, as well as still feeling the strange sensation in my stomach. I tried to go about my day as normal, although something felt different. That evening I received a phone call telling me not to come back in.

Although losing my job was stressful, I saw it as an opportunity to visit family. So I made a trip to my hometown and saw my nephew while I was there. We shared a moment, where we were dancing and singing together. Then he laid his head on my belly, and he turned his face towards mine with his eyes closed. His face had the most blissful look I had ever seen.

In the moment, I actually wondered if I could be physically pregnant—because of the dream and this experience with my nephew. But looking back I truly believe that my dream had been the moment of conception of the Dust II Onyx tarot.

By now, I had been mulling over art for my deck for a few months, and still hadn’t got a clear vision of how I wanted it to look. Then another dream came to me, twice! And in this dream I saw an intensely gorgeous black portrait, which has gone on to become the chief inspiration behind my deck.

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I began the work using my current knowledge of tarot and plenty of my own intuition. The imagery that comes forth is as new to me as it is for the readers who will use this deck, and it is coming from a place that feels far beyond my conscious mind.

Dust II Onyx was created from my desire to make artwork that resonated with my soul, and has become a work I want to share with others. I consider it an honor to create this deck and I look forward it being a tool for beautiful and transformative experiences for each and every reader.

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To fund the production of this deep and powerful multi-media collage collector’s tarot, Courtney is running a Kickstarter campaign through October 17 2016. 

For more information visit Dust2onyx.com and facebook.com/dust2onyx. You can also preorder your deck on Kickstarter

 

STRONG EYE ASTROLOGY OCTOBER 3—OCTOBER 9

A weekly horoscope for your sign, direct from the third eye of Sandra Sitron—a.k.a. Strong Eye Astrology

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Libra :: Libra Rising
A rabbit hopping toward a rabbit hole. Who will you find yourself to be when you are put to the test like Alice in Wonderland? Dear Libra, you are coming to new clarity. You are understanding more about yourself now. This information will be conscious and you will be able to make changes in your life. The fog lifts this week. The subconscious processing you’ve been doing comes to an end. And now it’s game time. You will be able to make the plans that are in alignment with who you are. You will be able to identify what you want and make key decisions. You may have to make choices that are abrupt. Some things must die away. There must be some sacrifice. But you can move forward unencumbered. You can play by your own rules. You can step into your birthright. Stand by your word. Don’t waver. Don’t let the creatures in Wonderland trick you with their swirly-whirly mind games. Know yourself, be clear, and be strong. You’ve gotten this far and you know something now. Trust in that and love yourself for it.

Scorpio :: Scorpio Rising
Crossing the river in a boat. You are going into netherworlds. All is not as it seems. Trust all of your senses. Trust your intuition. This week your focus is on your dreams, your emotions and your intuition. You may have to heighten your use of your right brain and ignore your left brain for awhile here. Depending on your personality, this may be more or less uncomfortable for you. Focus on how you feel. And don’t judge yourself for how you feel. All of your feelings are valid. Learning new things might seem difficult for you now, so just go easy on yourself. You might even have to unlearn something. You might have to admit you are wrong. Surrender your ego so that you can do this easily. Let boundaries dissolve. Ignore your own rules. Use this week as a time to reflect. Journal, pay attention to your dreams, and notice how you feel about things. Don’t try to make big decisions or get into any major conflicts. Let yourself be. You may even decide to retreat from the world a bit so that you can process. Allow yourself lots of time to do nothing. See what comes up.

Sagittarius :: Sagittarius Rising
Blowing dandelion seeds and making a wish. How many wishes have you been making lately? Maybe not enough. You get no limit on wishes. You get no limit on dreams. You can’t over-aspire. This week, get down to some serious planning and praying. You can even get your friends involved and make this a group activity if you like. Think of all of things that you want out of your life. Start with the big thing. Craft a statement that defines your purpose in the world. What kind of impact do you want to make? Who do you want to impact? This statement is powerful and there are no wrong answers.  You can change it later, sure. But not knowing your purpose is not good reason to ignore this advice. You know something. And if you aren’t sure exactly, then focus in on how you want tofeel. Craft the feeling into your purpose. After you have crafted your purpose, make more wishes about your daily life. Where do you want to live, what do you want to eat, who do you want in your support system, who do you want to influence, who do you want to partner, how do you want to feel? You don’t have to limit your wishes. The Universe wants you to dream as big as you can.

Capricorn :: Capricorn Rising
Eating cotton candy. You are experiencing joy, but you aren’t sure what is solid. This week you might be worried about standing on shaky ground. This symbol asks you to enjoy things, even if you aren’t totally sure. You need to remember that there is joy in the journey. If you don’t enjoy the journey, you won’t know how to celebrate when you reach your destination. The whole endeavor will feel empty. So, slow down. Have fun. You are entering a time when success comes naturally to you, but you may also have to let go of something critical too. Don’t hold on too tightly. Allow. Your biggest gift this week is that people will easily see your career potential. You may make some advancements. Remember that one of your greatest career strengths is your ability to compromise. Use your diplomacy skills. If everyone wins, you win. Have fun this week and take the time to help someone else out if the opportunity arises. This is how you will make great strides in your career.

Aquarius :: Aquarius Rising
A cobbler making leather shoes. A shoe-maker can symbolize travel or exploration. It’s time for you to make sturdy shoes for yourself, figuratively speaking, so that you can reach greater heights and take on new adventures. Are you prepared to explore? You may need to get outside of your usual surroundings, or you may need to explore new ideas and philosophies. Heed this call so that you can get serious about what you desire for your life. You need to know more about the world. You need to know more about how you fit in. You need to know so that you can fulfill your purpose. Go exploring and come back refreshed with higher understanding.

Pisces :: Pisces Rising
Swimming underwater. To be submerged in water shows that you may have emotions you wish to discover. This week, validate your feelings. Be open to the changes that may come when you recognize how you feel. If you’re in denial about your feelings, you won’t change anything. If you’re clear about your feelings, you’re empowered. Are you someone who is really in touch with their feelings? If so, great! Sit in the emotional waters and notice how the tides ebb and flow. If you could use some help in this area, start by noticing what you’re reaching for. Compulsions like disordered eating, sex addiction, drugs, alcohol, over-work, or over-exercise are great clues that can show when you’re ignoring your feelings. The trick to understanding what feelings you are covering up is to slooooow down. Reflect. You can’t see what is really going on if you are going at top speed.  Make an effort this week to comfort yourself. Allow yourself to know that you belong. You belong to the world. You are allowed. You are loved. You are stable. Tell yourself this every night before you go to sleep. You don’t have to be anyone else. You are enough.

Aries :: Aries Rising
Two matching butterfly wings. Duplicates. Two of a kind. A pair. Your symbol and your current astrology speak to partnership. You’re a partnership expert. Sometimes you find yourself off-center as you figure out how to navigate the Giving and the Taking of relationship. You give too much or you take too much. Here’s a clue that can really help you this week, notice where you are holding onto control. And let it go. Chances are high that whatever you are trying to control is not going to matter in the end. Just breathe out and let it go. This practice is going to give you so much space to play! Let go of the squabbles and the outcomes and the little ideas that you have about who’s safe, what’s right, and how to get ahead. Then watch as your energy sky-rockets. This week you are going to want to start some fresh new relationship dynamics. Start new patterns with a partner. Or see who enters your life now. You thrive when you are initiating. And lately you may have been feeling bogged down with old patterns. So be brave enough to let go of what is no longer serving you. This doesn’t mean that you have to let go of the people in your life. You might. But it does mean that you have to let go of unhealthy dynamics. Be a loving warrior. Machete chop your ego. Look at your relationships from a higher perspective and see how you’re interacting with other people. Take 100% responsibility for your part.  Transition out of the old and into the new. Let what you don’t need to control fall away. And move like a butterfly out of the cocoon.

Taurus :: Taurus Rising
Going down a slide on a playground. Your current focus in on hard work. You are climbing the ladder. This week you need to go over all of the details in your life. What are you skimming over or “sliding past?” Use this time to it’s best advantage by taking it step by step. Look at your calendar. Are you working on the projects that are important to you? Have you blocked off time for them in your calendar? Are you taking care of your body? Do you have a morning ritual? Are you in a rhythm that feels good? There is obviously some fun in this symbol too, “going down a slide” is about the joy that follows the hard climb. This week, you’re balancing both the climb to the top and the exhilarating ride to the bottom. Get into a rhythm of work and play, exertion and rest. Focus your energy and master your levels of productivity. To be a high performer you have to fine-tune your physicality so that you have enough energy to succeed, you have to mentally focus yourself on your goals, you must create a good support system, and you need healthy habits. Get to work climbing that ladder so that you can fully enjoy the ride.

Gemini :: Gemini Rising
Taking flight. You are achieving creative lift-off. Harness all of your intelligence and mental energy into self-expression. No more hiding in the shadows. This week, step out into the light and be seen. Don’t deprive the world of your light. We need your special brand of genius. Take flight. Make it fun. If it’s not fun, it’s not worth it. Remind yourself that you are worthy, you are special, you are bright. Notice flying creatures around you— birds and insects. Meditate on how free they seem to be. How light and unencumbered. Bring that energy inward and let go of any beliefs that are holding you back from creative expression. Just fly. You don’t have to think about it from every angle, because guess what? It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you are sharing your light with the world.

Cancer :: Cancer Rising
Head bowed in sacred prayer. You need to let go of your worries and trust that things will work out best in the end. Seek help with your responsibilities. You are not alone! You’ve spent a lifetime creating a support system. Call on them. Ask for help. This practice will help you feel nurtured and nourished and loved. It’s so reassuring to have help. You may come to a point this week where a relationship causes you to question something. If a situation like this arises, the answer will have to do with trust and letting go of attachment. You are such a lover and you give so much. This week, find little ways to remind yourself that you’re supported too. You are loved and held. You are safe. The energy of prayer is the energy of trust, gratitude and connection. Hold this sacred space.

Leo :: Leo Rising
Steam engine. You are finding your speed and revving your engines. This week, raise your level of mental focus. Pique your interest. Learn about something new. Stay energized, alert, and present. Keep a fast pace and don’t get caught up in mental quicksand, aka worry. It’s time for you to be in love with life. It’s time for you to go. And not look back. And not get stuck. Follow your fascination. Follow what is interesting, exciting and alluring. Follow it with all your heart. When you’re interested, you’re shining bright. And we need you to be bright. We need you to be alive. We need you to be present. Stay in love with the moment. Stay curious. Be filled with the passion that drives you forward.

Virgo or Virgo Rising
A bull fight. It may be time for you to take a stand. Especially around either your finances or your self-worth. Do you need to dig in your heels a little bit and stand your ground? Do you need to ask for a raise, or charge more for your services? Be compensated for all of your extra work. You are worthy. You are safe. You are secure. You deserve to be alive. You deserve to be a part of the abundance that is existence on Mother Earth. Feel the strength of belonging. Feel the power of saying Yes to your worth. Fight for it if you must. But fight with grace and love. Do good and get paid.

GABBY BERNSTEIN: “SOBRIETY STARTED MY SPIRITUAL AWAKENING”

For Gabby Bernstein sobriety played an important role in her spiritual awakening. Ruby Warrington asks her, could we all benefit from a more sober life?

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I received my copy of Gabby Bernstein’s new book, The Universe Has Your Back, right when I was in the middle of organizing our #TuneInPeaceOut initiative for World Peace Day. Translation: I had zero time to sit down and read it. But an interesting thing happened.

Flicking through the pages, every time I stopped Gabby was riffing on how her sobriety had played such an important part in her spiritual journey. And experimenting with a sober life myself right now (check out my Club SÖDA NYC project here) the message that this is exactly the right path for me came through loud and clear (thank you, Universe!)

It was also clear that for Gabby Bernstein sobriety had played an important part in her spiritual awakening. I decided to sit down with her, to talk about the link between sobriety and spirituality, and get her advice on living sober.

(And p.s. the day I’m running this post—October 02 2016—is her 11 years’ sober anniversary!)

Ruby Warrington: So the reason I’m trying to be sober is because the way I feel when there’s no alcohol in my system is like, “Fuck, this is who I AM.” And honestly, I no longer feel like I can show up and properly serve on my mission these days unless I’m 100% myself.

Gabrielle Bernstein: I love that, and I think you should be sober then. That’s part of the reason I’m sober. This is the only consciousness I want to have. Although of course sometimes I’m like, ‘bye bye, get me the hell out of here’!

RW: That’s the thing, sometimes that still sounds nice! Especially when, and I know you’ve had issues with this too because you’ve written about it, I end up replacing alcohol with work. I fucking love what I do, so that’s okay. But then, where’s the release, where’s the escape?

GB: I have had to find that in the last five or six months. I realized I had become severely addicted to work, because I’ve been running for so long from these fears that I didn’t want to see. In the beginning stages of healing from this, I would find myself going to my desk and sitting down and literally numbing out with work. I was like, “Oh my God, that’s how I’ve been hiding.”

RW: I do that too. There’s a sense of relief when I can say, “Oh good, I’ve got like three hours of solid emails now and I can’t think about anything else.”

GB: Exactly. So what I’ve done is freed up a lot of that space for meditation. I meditate a lot longer.

RW: More meditation than your two TM sessions?

GB: I’m doing this Doreen Virtue chord cutting meditation in the morning, and then a TM meditation in the afternoon. It’s super good, I’m going to send it to you. As a result, I’ve been feeling more connected than ever. It also has to do with not playing into the word addiction, and being willing to heal.

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Carrot juice on our interview date

RW: So on the sobriety thing, one reason I created Club SÖDA NYC is because I don’t feel like I identify the word “alcoholic.” As somebody in recovery, do you believe there is a middle ground when it comes to alcohol addiction?

GB: Absolutely. And it’s so good that you’re doing that. There’s some people that don’t find their way to AA but they want to have a way to get out of alcohol.

RW: When do you remember first finding an escape with alcohol and drugs?

GB: I guess in college, when it was uppers that I liked. I didn’t really even like alcohol that much, it was more like the snorting things.

RW: You mean uppers like Adderall?

GB: Yeah that’s what I was in to. I never liked alcohol, I just needed it to balance myself out. But by the time I hit my rock bottom in 2005 I was doing drugs and drinking every day.

RW: Were you fully aware of that being a problem?

GB: Yeah everyday I’d be like, “Shouldn’t do that again.” And then do it again. It was probably only seven months that it was really bad. The really bad didn’t last that long.

RW: So how did you seek help?

GB: I went to an addiction specialist who helped me understand that I was an alcoholic, because at the time I thought that I was just a drug addict. He was like, “No, you have an alcohol problem.” And I was like, “what do you mean?” He’s like, “Well what do you do every time you have a drink?” I was like, “I do drugs.” He showed me how this meant I was drinking unmanageably.

RW: I recently read an amazing book on alcohol addiction called “This Naked Mind.” And based on the teachings of this, plus my personal observations, I feel like a lot more people than will ever admit—even to themselves—are in a similar situation with alcohol and drugs. Do you believe this to be the case?

GB: I think that people definitely struggle…but it’s hard for me to comment because most of my friends today are sober. Well not “sober,” they just don’t really drink because they’re really health conscious. So I don’t see that much abuse of substances in my day to day. A lot of people come up to me and say, “Oh I got sober because of Spirit Junkie.” I hear people’s sobriety stories, but I don’t see people in their addiction anymore. But overall, I think it’s an epidemic. I mean addiction is an epidemic.

RW: And actually alcohol still kills more people than all prescription and all illegal drugs put together…

GB: Even more heroin?

RW: Insane, right? And in tests it’s the only drug that falls into the “extreme risk” category for addiction. Yet it’s the one that’s pushed on you from every direction the minute you’re old enough.

GB: Right. And I do think that from a spiritual perspective, if you want to have a closer connection with God then you can’t be muddying your consciousness.

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RW: Which leads me to my next question. Do you believe that anyone who identifies as being on a spiritual path or who is seeking in that way, would benefit from at least trying an extended period of sobriety?

GB: Absolutely. I don’t want to say that if you’re on a spiritual path, you have to be sober. There are plenty of people that I know that are fine with a glass of wine. They have it once a week and they’re fucking fine. But I do think that it will only benefit you spiritually to have a sober life.

RW: My experience of this has been feeling truly “whole.” I think this is because as much as alcohol is about numbing out from fear, it’s also about hiding the parts of yourself that you don’t necessarily understand. That you find it hard to love and accept.

GB: Yes, that you don’t want to admit to, and you don’t want to feel.

RW: Totally. So I think for me, that sense of wholeness has been about accepting that even if I don’t really like myself today, that’s still me. It’s all part of myself. You know? So what about the plant medicines that everybody’s doing now, like ayahuasca?

GB: Well, I think sober is sober, and that’s a mind altering substance. You know my spiritual teachers do it and I’m not going to judge anybody, but I would definitely say that’s a relapse if you think you’re sober. Most sober people wouldn’t even take NyQuil!

RW: I hear you! So I’m kind of at this point where I’m experimenting with trying to experience each situation I would normally associate with drinking sober…

GB: You want to know how you quit drinking? You no longer give yourself permission. We all have permission giving thoughts—and, for example, I’ve been off sugar for three years now because I no longer give myself permission to have sugar. if you were like, “I’m no longer giving myself permission, any more, to have alcohol,” then interesting things could happen.

RW: Vacation are the really tough one for me…

GB: I feel like that’s okay! I think you can maybe not give yourself permission unless its a vacation. Except you have to be really strong, like, “When I come back I have to stop this.” Because even eating things on vacation that I wouldn’t normally eat, like cheese or bread. I come home and I want those things!

RW: Well I’m ready, because the more I commit to not drinking, the more I feel like this is a part of the consciousness shift that’s occurring right now. Like people are really invested in the idea that you can get high by tuning in, not numbing out. I think you’ve helped to spearhead this, and it’s actually been a really important part of your story, you know?

GB: There’s no doubt that getting sober was the catalyst for my spiritual awakening. I’ve had many, many more since that day, but that was the turning point for me. It was when I chose a life of deep connection rather than a life of numbing out. It was when I chose to wake up.

Gabrielle Bernstein’s new book, The Universe Has Your Back, is out now on Hay House. And we’re giving away one signed copy!

To win, tag your next Instagram post with #NumiUniverse. Make sure to follow and tag @The_Numinous and be sure to add the hashtag #NumiUniverse—otherwise we won’t see your post! Winners will be picked at random and notified via direct Instagram message.

Deadline for entries: 1 p.m. (EST) October 5, 2016.

MY MYSTICAL LIFE: THE SCIENCE BEHIND MOON MAGIC

More evidence of real Moon magic, the argument for “oracle abuse,” and why there is no 13th zodiac sign…

 

moon magic full moon ruby warrington the numinous

:: MONDAY ::
Fittingly for Moon day (yes, Monday is named after the moon—which, in my opinion, is why/because Mondays are often so moody…nothing to do with the post-weekend blues) I found myself reading an article on new scientific research that showed how the phases of the Moon are linked to major earthquakes and tsunamis. This after Japanese scientists analyzed more than 10,000 earthquakes, and found they were more likely to occur during Full or New Moons.

It’s all linked to the tides, which are controlled by the Moon, since even the teeniest extra water pressure on the earth’s tectonic plates can be enough to trigger a major quake-causing shift. Which I read as yet another example of the scientific and the mystical coming (back) into alignment! Think about it. In astrology, the Moon is said to govern our emotions—which, in turn, are represented by the element of water. And if fluctuations in the ocean’s tides (as dictated by the Moon) are behind tectonic shifts in the natural world—then it is swings in our emotional states that often lead to the big evolutionary shifts in our lives.

Which is why I’m soooooo into Moon sign astrology. For me, our Moon sign is the one to pay attention to when it comes to connecting to our most deeply-rooted (like core-of-the-earth deep) human needs. Plus, if we want to surf the waves—opposed to being dragged down and under by emotions that can feel like a tsunami sometimes—here’s yet more (scientific!) evidence that it pays to pay attention to the phases of the Moon.

gabby bernstein the universe has your back book launch nyc 2016 moon magic the numinous

:: TUESDAY ::
Book launch for Gabrielle Bernstein’s The Universe Has Your Back, where Gabby shared how while writing it she had actually been feeling utterly disconnected from spirit. Her answer—spoken like a true #spiritjunkie—was to go deeper into her spiritual practice. Which got me thinking, since earlier today I also heard the term “oracle abuse” for the first time—meaning an over-reliance on messages from “the other side,” versus trusting our own voice and intuition.

It’s a subject Numi contributor Victoria Cox covered brilliantly in this article, and for me, there’s a fine line between tapping IN, and using spiritual tools to “escape” from what’s going on in the here and now of our human existence. And…you can read more from Gabby on the subject of tuning in vs. numbing out in an interview I’m running with her this Sunday—which also happens to be her 11-year sober anniversary…

:: WEDNESDAY ::
Since the whole world is freaking out about NASA and the 13th zodiac sign, I commissioned this excellent piece which explains the whole sitch perfectly. PLUS will make you lol HARD over just how accurate regular ol’ astrology really is!

ruby warrington the ash center vitamin drip moon magic the numinous

:: THURSDAY ::
First ever vitamin drip at the Ash Center in Manhattan—an upscale functional wellness clinic that is emerging with a new-found optimism following the tragic passing of founder Dr. Richard Ash. What struck me as I sat with the IV feeding me a mega-dose of vitamins B and C, new MD-in-Chief Anthony Lyon’s little dog Champagne on my lap and sipping from a cup of green tea, was the family vibe of the place. It’s a huge testament to how loved Dr. Ash was that his former colleagues have banded together to continue in his name. And honestly, the atmosphere up here is a panacea in itself. As for the drip? I walked out SO. BUZZED. Favorite new healthy treat.

:: FRIDAY ::
Prepping for a ROAD TRIP!!! The Pisces (husband Simon) has wound up with a whole month off in between jobs, and so we’re heading South to tick a few Numinous must-see travel boxes. Here’s where we’re headed—please comment below with any sights, studios, esoteric stores, and mystics we should try to visit! And follow along on IG for adventures from on the road…

AUSTIN
MARFA
ROSWELL (for the aliens, lol)
SANTA FE
SEDONA
GRAND CANYON
JOSHUA TREE
LA
BIG SUR
SAN FRAN

WTF IS UP WITH NASA AND THE 13th ZODIAC SIGN?!

That whole drama about NASA and the 13th zodiac sign explained. PLUS what astrology will forever tell me about you and your sign, says Danielle PaigeArtwork: Kate Philipson

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I don’t know what’s worse. Waking up in the morning without your coffee…or waking up and finding out yesterday you were one zodiac sign, and today you’re another!

Yesterday Libra, today a Scorpio; one day a Gemini, and next a Cancer. Which is kind of what’s been going on since an article surfaced a few days days ago claiming that NASA had done some calculations and “changed” astrology by adding a 13th zodiac sign—Ophiuchus—somewhere between Scorpio and Sag.

Cue identity crisis #949349

But you can breathe easy, dear ones, for nothing has changed (except the fact that…everything is always changing, lol).

Before I explain in detail let me assure you that your Sun sign (aka what you know as your zodiac sign) has not changed—you’re still very much identified with the Sun sign you were born under. Which is good, since most of us are pretty comfortable with our sign and would much rather change the color of our hair!

So allow me to explain what’s really up with NASA and the 13th zodiac sign…

Every so often, an article comes out and the media jumps on this. Editors love to “shock!” You’d think they’d be focused on the violence in the world, and that little thing called the Presidential debate. But, lo and behold, like a moth to a flame we’ve all jumped on the hysteria band wagon.

I know, I know, it’s addicting. We crave drama. But this one almost had people removing tattoos. “Ummmm hi, mom, you’re right. I should have gotten a tattoo that said I love you instead of the Pisces symbol I got backpacking through Thailand in my 20’s…”

And yes, there is a wobble on the earth’s axis due to the moon’s gravitational pull. And it’s true that this has created a shift which means the sun doesn’t align exactly with the constellations as it did when astrology, as we know it, was discovered/defined. Turns out our universe expands, just like we do.

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However, the type of astrology that we use (as in the majority of the Western world, and what you find in most mainstream magazines and articles) refers to what’s called the “tropical zodiac.”

This zodiac “system” does not take the minute shifts in the earth’s axis into consideration, since it is more symbolic and archetypal in nature, and it is also linked to the seasons (equinoxes and solstices) as a measure of time.

The articles that you’ve been reading which tell you about a change in your zodiac sign are referring to “sidereal zodiac”—a different system that does take into account the wobble/shift of the earth’s axis, since it’s measured against the fixed stars and constellations (vs. the seasons).

The sidereal zodiac is more often used by astronomers (not astrologers) who, if you ask any of them, will adamantly tell you that astrology is not a science. My response to this is that “science” is just a word, a label. It doesn’t even really matter. After all, the beauty of being a human equipped with free will, is that there’s always more than one way to see things…

As a professional astrologer, I use the tropical zodiac since over the years I’ve seen how accurate it is to help understand someone on an emotional level. It is also strongly based on cycles, patterns, archetypes, energy, and vibration. When we have dreams or get information from spirit it often comes through in archetypes, patterns, symbols etc. This is the language of the Universe.

I believe that since we have free will, astrology was never meant to be used as a tool for prediction. And so it’s the meanings implied by the aspects described by an individual birth chart that I focus on—for it’s this information that can be used to track cycles and phases that your soul is evolving under.

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All of that was a fancy way for saying, you don’t have to worry, nothing has changed…yet, everything has changed! I know, it’s ironic, but such is the magick of life.

So for now, let’s have some fun. Here’s a reminder of what the tropical zodiac will always and forever tell me about you…

:: ARIES :: You still have no patience and already skipping to the end of this post to save time. Don’t worry; no one beat you to it but we thank you for being the bravest one around!

:: TAURUS :: You’re still stubborn, (but ohhhh so freakin’ loyal which is overkill at times!) and bounce between being a workaholic and lazy AF while your cabana boy feeds you good food, wine, and surrounds you with expensive shit (hi!)

:: GEMINI :: You’re still wanting to know the answers to EVVVVVVERYTHING and then sharing the info with all of us. (Social media was created for you Gemini’s!). Say hi to the twins for me, if they’re not too busy bickering about their opinion on something right now! You know how that goes.

:: CANCER :: You’re still very much an empath and self-protective because of it. Did I mention emotional? Don’t get mad. We see your soft heart underneath your tough shell. Thank you for taking care of all of us, we need you mama/papa bear!

:: LEO :: You’re still the life of the party and the best looking. Did I mention your mane is fab?! Okay for reals though, you’re super creative and a great leader…just need to get over that ego of yours and you can move mountains. (Did someone say ego? cough cough)

:: VIRGO :: You’re still analyzing the F out of this entire post and seeing if the data is accurate. You’ll get back to us on this after you think it through some more. Gotta make sure it all fits into some kind of compartment in your life…like the container store in your brain! Ty for your service…with everything!

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:: LIBRA  :: You’re still dreaming about your perfect, balanced, harmonious, romantic relationship and yes still going back and forth trying to make a decision. Make it already! Newsflash…You can’t always be so “pc” but the Aries energy in me appreciates you trying.

:: SCORPIO :: You’re still seductive, mysterious, and obsessed with sex. (Drops mic…and pants!). And your poker face, yeah it’s a good one. We will never know what is brewing underneath but I can tell it’s a lot. Sorry for outing you but we can’t see you from behind the tinted windows so my Venus in Gemini had to relay the message.

:: SAGITTARIUS :: You’re still a freedom loving, travel/adventure junkie and definitely always right (I’ll let you have it this time…not gonna fight you right now, dear son of a preacher man). Btw do you know the point’s guy? He may just be your spirit animal.

:: CAPRICORN :: You’re still concerned with your reputation and rising to the top in business. Glass ceilings? Nah, there are none because you’ll take your sweet ass time but will devise a grand master plan to manage everyone from the ground up. Btw: how’s your new designer suit? Make sure we see the label.

:: AQUARIUS :: You’re still genius and eclectic AF (thank you for that!) Can you slow down though? Your time machine is a little too advanced for us mere mortals.

:: PISCES :: Well….you’re still zoning out somewhere dreaming of being anywhere but here. But don’t worry, we’ll rub your feet and allow you to cry a little. But seriously, thank you for having more compassion in your little finger than most do in their entire body! We heart you!

To learn more about your soul and make energetic changes in your life…this time I mean REAL changes, click here. To find out more about Danielle and her particular brand of astrology click here.

TAROTSCOPES: OCTOBER 2016

Cast by Lindsay Mack, using The Starchild Tarot.

 

LIBRA :: LIBRA RISING – Awakening/Judgment, reversed

Happy birthday, dear Libra! The medicine of the Awakening, or Judgment card, is extremely advanced—the reversal even more so. The focus of October for you will be deep inner looking, particularly around the areas of self judgment, self loathing, and self doubt. When reversed, as it is for you this month, this card can feel like a hamster wheel of old patterns, particularly of the mind: the same setbacks, issues and problems can present themselves again and again.

But all of this negativity is coming to the forefront to be released, Libra. This particular karmic cycle of self-judgment is ready to be transformed into self acceptance, self love, and inner wisdom. You have all the tools within you to do this already, you just need to get curious. Ask questions of yourself. Look at your family lineage; the way they spoke to one another and themselves. It will be important for you to investigate why you get caught in these tough places, and how you can wake up from the patterns that keep you locked in pain and self-doubt.

This card is here this month because you’re ready for it. You asked for it. It’s not here as a punishment; it’s doing the most important, nitty-gritty work imaginable, clearing out the dustiest corners, the darkest rooms within you. You’re ready to live in your full truth, and this is only possible when we choose to see beyond our fear-based patterning. Which is really tough, but worth it. And really, October isn’t going to be bad; it’s here to make your life easier, shifting the patterns that have made life tough in the past.

Part of the awakening that is possible in this card’s energy is the willingness to see that these patterns and cycles of self-sabotage and judgment are simply a misguided form of self-protection. Your brain and body think they are keeping you safe, in a frequency that you are familiar with. That’s why it is important to review karmic family stuff when this card comes up, to identify what you were shown by example so you can consciously re-write the script, choosing a higher option for yourself. This is the awakening and the transformation that is possible for you, Libra. To become a loving observer of your thoughts, non-identified and free, eyes open to the untapped wonders within yourself.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

SCORPIO :: SCORPIO RISING – Seven of Cups

October offers you the opportunity to get some much needed grounding, Scorpio—to hit pause on the thinking and get back to the present moment. This is all in service of taking an inventory of your life: what you want to accomplish, how you want to do it, and where you might be drifting off your present course. Seven of Cups often comes to us when we are experiencing some form of distraction…that we may not immediately feel is a distraction. A perfect example is shirking a deadline because you feel you absolutely had to clean the house before you sat down to write. I know that feels like a legitimate requirement, but in truth, you just have to write—messy house or not.

The impulse to clean before we write is a lure, one that is so sly we might not immediately see how it is tricking us out of the one thing we really need to focus on. This usually happens because there is a web of discomfort and insecurity about how to actually focus on the issue at hand, the next most important step. Your job this month will be to face your resistance so you can move through it. This is certainly not difficult, and is very easily shifted!

The point is to get present, clear and curious—to catch yourself in those little impulses and when you do, hang out with them. Ask questions. Consider why they might be here. Deal with the discomfort and resistance at hand, and you will move mountains. This is about how to infuse your dreams with empowerment, bringing you from thought to action. Seven of Cups is inviting you to snap out of a fantasy you might be keeping yourself in so you don’t have to deal with the fact that you’re stuck on how to move forward.

The benefit to popping this daydream bubble for yourself, Scorpio, is to deal with the resistance and move from there. So be really honest with yourself. Make sure your actions and next steps are rooted in truth—and are what you really wanted in the first place. This sounds simple, but it wouldn’t be coming up for you if it wasn’t something to think about. If you want change, progress and expansion in your life this month, keep your feet on the ground and less in the clouds. More here, and less there.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

SAGITTARIUS :: SAGITTARIUS RISING – Five of Cups, reversed

To truly appreciate what’s in store for you this month, Sagittarius, we have to consider the imagery in the traditional Five of Cups tarot card: A man, brokenhearted and robed in black, is mourning three spilled and scattered cups in front of him. He is deeply lost in his story, his heartache, his darkness. He feels, as Five of Cups can often feel, like nothing will ever be okay again, he will never be happy. This card can truly feel like a hole of grief.

However—behind this grieving man, are two full, standing cups. We can see them, but he cannot. He must turn around, leaving his story, to see what the treasure might be on the other side of his pain. The medicine and the invitation of Five of Cups is life-altering; to come out of our grief long enough to consider this turn of the spirit, turn of the heart—to see that we stand to gain everything we believe we’d lost, and more. This is a very powerful experience, one that heals regret, helps us trust ourselves, and brings us into the next steps of our lives, full and abundant. It’s a heart healer. This is the soul of the Five of Cups, the teaching that it brings.

But, of course, you have the Five of Cups reversed this month, Sagittarius, which is wonderful news, actually! The reversal, in fact, IS the turn of the head toward what is full, and away from what is empty. It is the leap of faith that comes when we move and seek in a way we never have before, bringing us into great joy and surprises. The moment we wake up and our pain dissolves. You are going to be seeing the two full cups everywhere in October; it is a very emotionally abundant time for you, indeed. Personal transformation is possible, and it is a time of new beginnings.

Dive deeply into the blessings at hand, courageously turn away from what does not fill you up—what has been lost, scattered, is no more. Bow to it, grieve it, bless it for what it brought, and truly move on. Create space for what you want to nurture in your life. Deep and powerful insights can be gained this month. It might feel more quiet, and that’s appropriate. The more you turn from pain, the more fullness you will see.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

CAPRICORN :: CAPRICORN – Five of Swords

This month is very important for you, Capricorn. You get to do a lot of really important work on the art of re-centering after a disappointment, especially one you thought would work in your favor. Doing so will help you to see the wisdom in your choices, and learn how to be lighter on yourself. It will also help you learn how to be more present and responsible for your actions.

Before you get bummed out: everyone on the planet needs to learn this at some point. It is absolutely a part of the human experience to make choices and have some of them burn—the genius in this, is that we get to learn how wisely respond with ease and grace.

No story. No victimhood, guilt, shame or fear. If you flush your medication down the toilet and start to feel really off, call your doctor and explain. If you ghosted someone and it makes you feel terrible, email them and apologize. If you GOT ghosted by someone who you were really excited by, mourn it, feel the loss of it—but don’t take it personally. While these can be painful emotional experiences, they do not get to drive the car, so to speak. If you can remember this, and have compassion for yourself, there will be the opportunity for major personal expansion this month.

The key to the energy you are in this month, Capricorn, is to investigate the source of these choices. It’s never just self sabotage, being unlucky, or being unable to commit. That’s lazy, and you’re worthy of more than this kind of emotional write off. That is why this card demands that we release our “story” about the situation, and get back to empowered action. There’s a reason why you made the choices that you did. Your opportunity is to dive deep and ask yourself why.

Were you looking for something external to fill an internal void? Is a certain amount of happiness and stability really frightening to you? If the answer is yes, it’s not a problem—it just makes you human. Shining, glorious, perfect in your imperfection. This re-centering is how people change, Capricorn. It is how people TRULY grow, genuinely evolve. This is how we can learn to forgive ourselves, and to forgive others. Drop the story, investigate, and gain softness in the face of your humanness.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

AQUARIUS :: AQUARIUS RISING – Six of Wands, reversed

Six of Wands reversed offers you the opportunity to look deeply at where you resist being seen, Aquarius—for your gifts and talents, by your family of origin, or with a lover. Wherever you shrink. This month’s energy is really acting like a cleansing wave for your fears, insecurities and old stories, all in service of expanding the soul rather than the primal brain, the latter of which is the part of you that wants to stay hidden. Check out where these cycles unfold within yourself, face your fears, and step forward: ready and willing to share your gifts, publicly or privately, on a new level.

This process will unfold really subtly. There are no big shocks, internal or external. It is really about you investigating where you keep yourself in hiding due to an old belief or story, pure and simple. The important thing to understand is that as this internal work is unfolding, life is going to be handing you bigger gigs, so to speak. A real love. The chance to be really honest with a more difficult person. A chance to shine brighter, to share your knowledge with others in a new way, in a way that is deeply fulfilling and exciting for you.

The potential opportunities that come in will be illuminating the evolution that is possible, so you won’t just be working on these internal issues in a vacuum. You are absolutely going to be in the hot seat at certain moments this month, where you’ll have to make a choice: staying small out of an old story, or expanding from your soul. Say yes to anything that makes you a little uncomfortable, that stretches you out of your comfort zone, intimately, publicly, or personally.

This card will be focused on clearing out what whatever isn’t true so that you can take up space in a renewed way—sure of yourself, secure in your gifts, and free of the voices within you that tell you to play it smaller. Your soul wants more than that, is ready for bigger than that. October’s energy will present the chance to release what stands in your way so you can expand, liberating your soul in a way that it is yearning for. You might experience some fear around this, but there’s no other way but up and out for you, Aquarius. You might as well get used to it.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

PISCES :: PISCES RISING – Transformation/Death, reversed

The Death card has graced you with its presence, Pisces: you are ready to move through a cycle of rebirth and renewal. This is amazing news, and always comes bearing a positive and wonderful outcome. The Death card is never anything to be scared of. It is, as the Starchild Tarot calls it, a transformation—an alchemical expansion of the soul, the voluntary sloughing off of some aspect of ego in favor of a deeper alignment with one’s self. Everything that dies off in the Death card becomes wisdom, food that nourishes whatever is ready to take root and grow in its absence. It brings nothing but goodness—even if it can be a little intense to move through.

The reversal of the Death card simply indicates a resistance to letting go. Why do we resist Death—and the resulting rebirth? There are a seemingly infinite number of reasons: the unknown, loss of control, fear that we will never have a better situation than the one we currently do. These are all things to question this month. The reasons we fear and resist the initiation of Death is always egoic, always brain chemistry—it is only these parts of us that fear the unknown, never the soul.

This is important for you to understand, so you can choose compassion for yourself as you explore why you might be less inclined to move through this cycle in certain areas of your life. Pour your attention and focus into the intention to surrender and trust. Surrender to the life/death/life cycle, remembering that there is no Death, no letting go, without rebirth. It is only a new beginning, never an ending.

The new beginning is here for you because you’ve worked for it! You’ve manifested, prayed, released, called in—now you’re ready to actually let go, and free fall into the Void. Whatever is leaving your life this month, Pisces—be it a job, a way of living, a relationship, an old pattern, a belief system—it is being replaced with something better and seriously upgraded. Period. Your job will be to foster the willingness to trust this, even if you cannot immediately see it. October will invite you to work on building this trust. In focusing on this, you will allow and make space for an easier death cycle, and a much more fruitful rebirth, transforming you in a way you never thought possible.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

ARIES :: ARIES RISING – Serenity/The Hermit, reversed

Allow this month to be an exercise in empowered solitary time, Aries. Take gentle space from social activities, carving out spiritually nourishing alone time. Go within, spend tons of time outside, connect with nature, up your meditation practice; get back to basics with food, ritual, and self-care. Take a vacation and turn your phone off. It’s very important to not assume that swaths of time will just present themselves for this level of personal practice—for you, there’s always something to do, and to focus on. And so you must maintain excellent boundaries this month, letting there be ample time for reconnection and just be-ing.

No accomplishing, no strategizing, just being with and by yourself in a deep way for moments at a time. October will offer you the opportunity, no matter how full or busy your schedule might be, to take gentle action on behalf of your spiritual serenity. Doing so, honoring that this is the most important thing for you to focus on, will greatly improve your overall quality of life, and will deepen your connection to yourself and the world around you.

Serenity, or The Hermit is the Tarot’s “sacred pause” card. There is truly nothing to do other than to go within when we are in this card—time almost energetically curves to support that. There is no booking of flights, no big movements, no huge decisions in this energy, and that’s totally aligned. The focus is always drawn within, to “chop wood and carry water,” as the saying goes. The Hermit is so important because it offers us a time to not only refresh, but to temper the ego and brain down so that we get the chance to stop taking action in a harried, desperate way. We can come to understand in this card that there is no rush—that everything happens exactly when it is supposed to.

The reversal of The Hermit indicates that you’re leaking energy, allowing your time and thoughts to be taken up with stuff that isn’t filling you up and serving you. It’s also why you’ve been asked to be very empowered and thorough with your personal boundaries—to practice pausing and tuning in before you say yes to anything this month. I mean ANYTHING. The more you speak and honor your truth, the more spiritually nourishing space you will have for yourself. Your time is deeply sacred; start treating it that way.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

TAURUS :: TAURUS RISING – The Empress, reversed

October promises to be a month of beautiful regeneration for you, Taurus. In general, most of your gas tanks are a bit low, and rather than continuing to push yourselves, it’s important to emphasize ease and grace in the upcoming month. During this time, you will be energetically encouraged to do anything that feels delicious to you: spending more time outdoors, getting away for the weekend, going out with friends, going out on dates, meditating, self-pleasuring, moving your body in a way that makes you feel fantastic—the sky is truly the limit.

The Empress reversed is asking you to remember who you are, Taurus: a sensual being, a lover of beauty, a seeker of alignment, ruled by Venus. You can’t be working 80 hour weeks without honoring those qualities in yourself on a regular basis! It just doesn’t work for you anymore. It never did. This month will offer you the opportunity to see how much more abundant, easy, peaceful and satisfying your life can be when you value self care over the grind. It is time to review your priorities.

The Empress is the embodiment of the sacred feminine; she is the divine mother, goddess, creator of all, and master of receptivity. She teaches us to remember that we are one with her in every way; she often comes to us reversed, as she is for you this month, when we forget this. You can reconnect with her through creativity and a gentle reevaluation of your self-care. Don’t be afraid to take this space, to be very clear with your boundaries this month, to go out of your way to make life a little more beautiful for yourself every day.

The other way back into The Empress is to dive deeply into any lingering issues around taking this sacred space—are you uncomfortable with too much goodness? Too much receiving? Has your heart been feeling more closed as of late? If so, what might be the reason? Many times, we can keep ourselves busy out of the unconscious desire to avoid some kind of worry, grief or anxiety. Is your busy lifestyle masking an emotional wound, or have you just gotten so busy that you’ve surrendered some of your sacred time to the grind? It is time to allow your life to be infused with just as much beauty, alignment and abundance as it is hustle and work. Ask the right questions, then take the first steps.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

GEMINI :: GEMINI RISING – Ace of Swords

Remember when I mentioned in your September Tarotscope that October would be a wild month for you? Well, I hope you took the invitation of Queen of Pentacles and rested a bit—for as predicted, you are in for quite a ride! Power, potential and prosperity are all beautiful descriptions of this upcoming month for you, Gemini. Ace of Swords is bringing a ton of good energy your way! Think new ideas, new projects, and amazing collaborations. This kind of mental space will be ideal for getting things off the ground, moving with your inspiration and taking action as desired.

This is exactly the kind of frequency that you organically thrive in, Gemini, so be prepared to really be in your element and zone of genius for the entire month. Don’t be afraid to be bold as you move in the direction of your dreams. Any Ace card is extremely powerful, as Aces are essentially divine gifts in whatever element they present themselves in. In the case of the Ace of Swords, this energy is centered in the brilliance, alignment and perfection of the mind’s capabilities.

When we are in this card, we become a kind of divining rod for intuitive receiving; ideas flow to us organically, we understand things we couldn’t before, the next steps reveal themselves, and we become unafraid to make our visions a reality. When balanced and primed, the mind is the most magnificent tool we have available to us. When unfettered by worries and fears, we become clear, able to sense and see the next steps of our path. This kind of perceptive power is where the Ace of Swords is going to live for you this month, Gemini—in this realm of new beginnings and potent visions. October will feel like, as the Starchild Tarot says, “a heightened state of spiritual and mental clarity.”

It is also worthy of repeating that this is an action-oriented card, just as it is a card of inspiration. Apply your focus to planting your brilliant ideas and helping them take root in the world around you. Anything you work on during this month will have absolutely incredible impacts on your world and those around you—all for the good. Be willing to be less social if that calls to you, and say no to whatever doesn’t excite you. This is such a special, potent month; make sure you are fully available for wherever your intuition takes you.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

CANCER :: CANCER RISING – Starseed, reversed

It is time, Cancer. Steel yourself, honor your fear, bow to your resistance, and leap into the great unknown. Jump, eyes wide open, into your next cycle of expansion. You know exactly what I am talking about—every one of you! You know the area in your life, the place in which you’ve been stalling on the edge of that cliff for too long. Well, there’s a “let go, or be dragged” kind of energy this month. Don’t wait to be thrown off the cliff—choose the voluntary jump. The leap is so much less uncomfortable than the resistance. So say yes, put your fear in the backseat, and just do it.

Are you tricking yourself into a kind of waiting game, Cancer? Are you taking your uneasiness, discomfort and fear as evidence that you shouldn’t jump into this next stage? If so, I’m here to shut that down for you completely. Anytime we experience profound uneasiness or extreme resistance toward an invitation to jump into our lives, assume that leaping is exactly the right thing to do. That kind of dance between brain chemistry and soul expansion is what we are talking about here, Cancer. The brain will do everything it can to keep you on the edge of that cliff—the soul is always ready to leap.

So, you must ask yourself: in which frequency would you like to live? Scared and stuck, or scared and willing? The answer to this is extremely important for you on all levels—karmically, energetically, spiritually and practically. Starseed, or The Fool, is a divine invitation to leap into the unknown. The Fool’s call is always a wonderful one, and there is never anything to fear from this card. The very essence of The Fool is magical; we are always in the right place at the right time with this card.

When The Fool is reversed, as it is for you this month, Cancer, it does not mean that the leap is ill-timed or unwise. It means that you may be afraid to look foolish—to fail or to regret your decision. It means that there is some divide between brain and soul, between fear and instinct. Remember that fear doesn’t equal truth. You cannot fail in The Fool. You’ve stood at the edge long enough—the only way out is forward. Take a breath and just leap.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

LEO :: LEO RISING – Knight of Cups

This month is full of amazing potential for you, Leo, especially in the area of creative expansion. Knight of Cups is a truly beautiful, heart-centered energy, and I encourage you to let it be your totem and North star this month. Do everything you can to make room for new levels of beauty, alignment and abundance in your life; open the doors to your heart and invite it in.

How do you want your life to feel? This is the million-dollar question. Whether it be romantic partnership, a greater quality of life with yourself, more nourishing friendships or more satisfaction with your creative pursuits, questioning how you want your life to feel will shift your day-to-day tremendously. Be willing to consider that this alchemical shift will be easier than you ever imagined it could be. Let alignment in, and let pushing and forcing go. Allow the more effortful parts of your life to be replaced with a surrender and a trust.

This trust will be challenging, Leo, there’s no doubt about it—but it’s a challenge that will pay off if you’re consistent. Be willing to dream a little bigger and aim a little higher. Look with a patient eye at the places in yourself that are stuck, scared or hopeless. This month’s energy will offer a healing, restorative balm to those spots. Knight of Cups is a truly lovely frequency. It is going to bring so much magic to your October. Romantic, sweet and clarifying, the energy of the card brings with him a kind of activism borne of beauty and clarity. He balances the heart and mind so we can be available for new opportunities, new expansions and new steps.

And those things are coming for you, Leo; Knight of Cups is showing you how to be available for it. The invitation of the month will be to allow this marriage of the heart and head to infuse into everything you do. Your life has the potential to change this month—all for the better. It has the potential to become easier, more aligned and more abundant. This is the time to take stock of what you’ve built around you, and ask yourself if it’s serving you. Either way, Knight of Cups is the perfect ally. Dream big, invite in more sweetness, and the next direction of your life will reveal itself.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

VIRGO :: VIRGO RISING – Strength, reversed

The Strength card is a spiritual, intuitive, psychological game changer. When it graces us with its presence in a reading, it is bringing an invitation to transform on a cellular level. Strength asks us to face something, in our internal or external world, that scares us. It asks us to choose to walk up to this thing willingly, rather than run away. The act of regarding our fears with such bravery, courage, and willingness is a quantum shift.

We begin to see that what we were afraid of isn’t anywhere near as terrifying as we thought it would be—the proverbial monster melts the beam of our truth, and we gain a level of self-awareness that is invaluable. We begin to trust ourselves at a level that is unshakeable—how could we not? The brain told us to run, but the heart and intuition told us to walk forward. When we honor this channel in a moment of such intense, primal conditioning, evolution occurs at soul level. We enter a new realm of intimacy with ourselves; life transforms.

Arguably the most famous image of this Tarot card is from the Smith-Rider-Waite deck: a soft, gentle woman dressed in white and draped in flowers has tamed a lion. She is regarding it with so much love and kindness, and it, in turn, is letting her pet him, tame as a kitten. This is what is possible in this card. The more we regard our fears with gentleness and love, the more they stop trying to hound us. We don’t need to muscle through our anxieties, trying to push them away. Our fears are not wrested by feats of strength like that. In fact, the more open and unarmed we are, the more powerful the loosening of our anxieties.

This is true strength. The wisdom to know that what we are afraid of is only a lost, broken, neglected part of ourselves, crying for our attention. This is going to be a powerful, powerful month for you, Virgo. Strength has truly blessed you with it’s presence, helping you to loosen the ties to whatever binds you. It is time to look at some part of your life squarely; it is time to be free from the prison of your fear. You already have everything you need in order to do this. The more you step forward into your fears with courage, the more your life will transform.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.