Showing posts with label courage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label courage. Show all posts

Monday, August 24, 2020

Wings of Change

I was so happy when I came across these iridescent, luminous cloud wings on my early evening walk yesterday, for several reasons.

First, the smoke has temporarily cleared enough to see them. (We were on advised evacuation for almost a week due to our massive regional forest fire which lapped up against our tiny little Sierra town.)

Second, these wings of change heralded a shift in heavy energies. Indeed, last night I was awakened by strong winds (and dangerous lightning once again! ⚡) At 2:00 a.m. I dashed outside in my bathrobe to pull laundry off the clothesline, wind howling and lightning surging. Lying in bed afterwards, hearing the pitter-patter of raindrops, I was thrilled for the (albeit temporary) cleansing energy of water finally gracing us with Her presence.
💧
Third, I had just completed another enneagram seminar weekend as part becoming a certified Enneagram counselor and practitioner. So, seeing these "wings" made me very happy to honor my wings of 5 and 7 which, for those who know the language, obviously reveals me as a Six (counterphobic).
😏
The enneagram is a powerful tool I use to assist my clients and students to understand and face their own ego fixation, moving toward freedom and liberation embodied. I am excited to share this with you all moving forward.

May you be sane, serene, courageous in this Great Unfolding. 

Love,

Erin

Erin Reese, M.S. is a contemporary spiritual teacher, author and guide. A modern mystic with over thirty years of experience, Erin Reese offers incisive, practical intuitive readings to her clients worldwide. She is a counselor, guide and mentor to those seeking an alternative to traditional psychotherapy or business coaching. Erin also offers non-dual meetings and retreats on embodied liberation and freedom from suffering. 


Tuesday, July 30, 2019

New Moon in Leo: Using Your Big Voice


Coming down off the eclipses earlier this month (read about them here), so many folks are scratching their heads, after major surprises have flown in the window early July.

Did you experience a tectonic shift? I sure did - and more than one. Surprises were being dealt from the cosmos like a high-stakes poker game. The whole time, I kept saying to myself, thank Goddess I know astrology. And, I know that none of this is personal. I know that this is cosmically necessary, because it is what is happening. I know this is Right. On. Time. And, most importantly, I know that none of this is in my control…

Now that we’ve moved out of the Cancer/Capricorn eclipses, we’ve shifted into Leo Season extraordinaire. Everyone wants to be heard, to be seen, to be acknowledged for their natural shine. This is healthy, even if it seems unfamiliar or out of character. We are tapping into our innate kingliness or queenliness. Royalty. It’s time to use our Big Voice.

Because so much on the playing field has shifted in the past few weeks, we are having to speak our truth and make major decisions involving other people. Leo is a relational sign, ruling the fifth house of love affairs, children, playtime, karma, and – to some extent – an extension of the fourth house of family (small kingdoms/queendoms).

Leo can be hugely loyal when the heart is engaged. We want to express our Love fully, and have it returned and recognized. When we trust and shine our heart-light brightly in relationship, in our personal or professional lives or the greater world stage, and we don’t have it returned, we get glum, feel unseen and ignored.

After the pouting is over, we can use the more evolved energy of Leo season to speak up for ourselves and, in a gentle, non-bullying fashion, explain our perspective and request the needed changes. Feeling the fire of anger or upset is not a bad thing. It’s arising for a reason: the energy needs to come up and out, consciously. Perhaps, take a few days to ride the wave before making a brusque action. You may find that you get the same results, but even better. The change can be made with grace and respect of self and other. (Caveat: if the action or declaration arises instantly, without waiting, that is just fine. No mistakes. Trust yourself.)

As of tomorrow’s New Moon on July 31/August 1, the Sun, Moon, Venus and Mars will all be in the sign of the Lion. This fiery pride of planets will be joined by Mercury in Leo as of August 11. Wherever Leo falls in your chart, this is the realm where you will be called to express your power, leadership and true self, from the heart.

 For example, having this stellium of planets transiting your third house, you will be called to literally speak, teach, or write your truth, interacting with your community in a new, vibrant way – even showy. If Leo falls in your fifth house of fun, put on your party shoes. Maybe you’re dating up a storm on OK Cupid, Bumble, or Tinder. You might be performing, literally, for others, or involved with kids who are self-expressing 24/7.

Leo Season inspires us to use our Big Voice. To feel our power fully, and creatively express it with Love. If you notice others are creatively tooting their own horns, don’t be put off too quickly – that’s healthy pride, self-love and self-respect they’re modeling! Be inspired, and let your own lion’s mane of hair down a little, too. All the world’s a stage, and we are players. You have a part to play, too. We need you, your role is vital and large, even if it’s a one-liner – it’s critical. Show us your stuff!
 
Erin Reese is an author, spiritual guide, teacher, and modern psychic reader based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She works with clients all over the world. For readings and spiritual counseling by Skype, phone or email, contact her directly. She can be reached at erin@erinreese.com.

Friday, April 5, 2019

New Moon in Aries: Get Your Motor Running

Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure
And whatever comes our way.
~ Steppenwolf, “Born to Be Wild” (1969)
Ready for blast-off? Today we welcome the New Moon in Aries, cardinal fire sign of the Ram. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, the supersonic seed that bursts through the ground, proclaiming new life. While all new moons are ‘seed planting times’ for the next lunar cycle, April’s new moon packs extra punch. Think, bursting life, fresh DNA uncoiling out of the seed coat as it erupts into the soil. Think, raw potential, kinetic energy, creative life force. This. Is. Your. Life.

Get ready for a seed idea to be revealed, or your life to take up a new course in the area of your birth chart that Aries lights up. It is bound to be noticeable! This New Moon in Aries is about: risk, courage, and the reward of experiencing something ENTIRELY new and unknown. 


EXPRESS YOUR “I AM” FACTOR 

At this New Moon-time, we are called – nay, make that provoked – to be even more authentically ourselves, and to make that self even more known to the Other, to the world. If we try to hang on the bench, cling to the sidelines, then we’re bound to feel stifled, to crumple, to cave in. This could cause resentment, irritability, and – in the deepest cases of entrenchment – even illness.

And if we have this fore-knowledge, we can use it. That’s the gift of astrology. So, where are you holding back? Where are you playing it safe? Where are you afraid to ‘make yourself known’ to the world?
Like a true nature's child
We were born, born to be wild
We can climb so high
I never wanna die


This is important. We can pay attention to the temptation to lull for years at a stretch, to chunks of time where we may be trying to rest on our laurels, chilling out, cruising through life comfortably. But if we listen closely, we realize something is nagging. Something is pricking. We can’t sleep at night. We know we have more to offer, we know there's more to learn, to develop, to bring to the surface. This is indeed that Aries seed, poking through the soil. Your calling. It’s time to burst forth and climb higher. Is this the moment to actualize your potential? You must, for it is Who You Are.

MAKE IT HAPPEN

The competitive, driven, and willful tone of “Just Do It!” Aries urges us to get going NOW on new projects. We are spurred to initiate fresh ventures and embark on journeys of great significance. Something new wants to burst forth in our life; most of us already know what that “Something” is, for it’s been rumbling under the surface for several months.

Sun and New Moon in impatient, achievement-oriented Aries are urging us to keep our eyes on the prize, to go for the mighty goal that makes us quiver in our boots.  Aries provides us a phenomenal amount of courage. Aries hates boredom and stagnation, turning to adventure, risk, and change to keep life perpetually interesting.

You know you need to make that move, take that leap, quit that job, start that project – and even if you’re spooked, you know the adrenalin rush will carry you through. If you have doubts because facing the unknown is just plain scary, take comfort in one of my favorite quotes from William Hutchison Murray (oft attributed to Goethe): 

What you can do, or dream you can, begin it,
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”



That’s the way! So tap into your courage reserves, inhale a big breath of life-giving oxygen, and start climbing, steady as she goes. At this New Moon in Aries, bolstered by the raw energy of your wild man or woman spirit, you really can move those mountains.
 
Yeah Darlin' go make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space


Go make it happen!



Erin Reese is an author, spiritual guide, astrologer, and modern psychic reader based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She works with clients all over the world. For readings and spiritual counseling by Skype, phone or email, contact her directly. She can be reached at erin@erinreese.com.


Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Change at the Root Level: New Moon in Scorpio


On Wednesday, November 7, we welcome the New Moon in the fixed water sign of Scorpio. Scorpio is the sign of rebirth. The sign of the serpent eagle asks us to face the symbolic deaths in our lives that help us rise up, more powerful and clearer than ever, like the phoenix rises from the ashes. And, excitingly, this Friday, Jupiter, planet of sage wisdom and expansion, moves into Sagittarius. He's finally finished with his excavation and remodel in Scorpio - a year in which our most intimate lives have been scrubbed thoroughly! Now, with a cleaned out psyche, It's time to take a bigger leap! What have you been holding out on?


“Life shrinks or expands according to one’s courage.” ~ Anais Nin
Real growth is not for the meek of heart. Massive transformation requires massive courage. This lunation is about finding the strength to endure, and mustering the guts, grit and fortitude to grow. It is not just about self-willfulness, though. We don’t just ‘white-knuckle it’ to get through, and we don't make knee-jerk decisions; we approach change with a new wisdom – a Scorpionic tenacity, heartiness, and mastery.

Think back to all the times before that you’ve faced your darkest fears and – somehow, somewhere – you've been lifted to a higher level of awareness, a better position in life. What got you through?

For some, it’s the support of community or family; for others, it’s the belief in a higher power – the faith that we’re being looked after by the greater good in Life. Some folks pray or meditate; others dig in their heels and take action, compartmentalizing emotions and soldiering through. For most of us, it’s a combination. But no matter what area needs bolstering, it must go deep, to the quick. This is because Scorpionic change occurs at the root level, the core of existence. There is nothing superficial about it.
“Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke
At this New Moon, we thrive when we ask ourselves the difficult questions: what do we need in order to thrive in the long-term? We may have to defer short-term comforts when we realize that what will truly help us soar requires a greater vision. We may have to hold out a bit longer for the gold; we may have to dig a bit deeper – but we will hit pay dirt so long as we don’t give up. Scorpio is the ultimate survivor, giving us the steadfastness to hang in there as long as we need.


Remember: massive change requires equally huge helpings of patience, fortitude, and courage. Gather and draw on all that you need. As a result, at the absolutely perfect time, you will rise up, stronger and wiser than ever before.

On the Edge... Grand Canyon, AZ
Erin Reese is an author, spiritual guide, astrologer, and modern psychic reader based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She works with clients all over the world. For readings and spiritual counseling by Skype, phone or email, contact her directly. She can be reached at erin@erinreese.com.

Check it out! I've been memed! My first time... from my travel memoir The Adventures of Bindi Girl: Diving Deep into the Heart of India (sequel coming in 2019!) @ morefamousquotes.com


Monday, April 10, 2017

Full Moon in Libra: Individual Social Justice


Liz Greene's Mythic Tarot

Tonight we have a Full Moon in the cardinal air sign of Libra, the Scales of Equality and Justice. Beyond the limited reach of "political correctness" lies the realm of social justice.

The term social justice means different things to different people: some balk at the concept or are tired of hearing about it; some welcome it and dedicate their lives to the matter. Whatever your personal position, a good discussion of social justice is going to raise some eyebrows, or at the very minimum raise some intriguing points of view. This is Libra’s pet terrain – the perspective of self meeting other, where we discover if ever the twain shall meet.

INDIVIDUAL SOCIAL JUSTICE

We don’t often hear the term “individual social justice.” Heck, I may be one of the first people to coin the phrase, for all I know. Maybe the words ‘individual’ and ‘social’ technically cancel each other out; perhaps it's a complete oxymoron. But I’m going to turn grammar on its ear and do it anyway. Since I’m an artist, writer and free-thinker, I reserve the right to play with these terms and do so in public.


To me, individual social justice is an act that involves standing up for oneself individually, yet has a far reaching impact on the culture as a whole. That culture may be a society, family, organization, institution, or partnership. As a humanitarian-minded Aquarius, I do think about my greater brotherhood and sisterhood and all-genders-in-between-hood. I see how standing on the sidelines and being abused, or discounted, or harmed by another person’s actions or non-actions has a much more far-reaching effect than JUST ME. The world is watching; we are all connected. The elders, the children and the neighbors are observing our behavior. Do we stand up and advocate for what we feel to be fair and just, honest and healthy?

I know it’s downright scary, even terrifying, to stand up to a bully, whether that person be a playground chump, a politician, a boss, professor, or a misguided partner.  Perhaps you are afraid of being exposed by speaking up, that you might experience a counter-attack or receive undermining that’s worse than what you’re putting up with now; however, if you get the right support (hint, hint) and you muster your courage – no matter if it takes days, weeks, months or years – you will find the power to speak up skillfully. You will reclaim what is rightfully yours: your dignity, your serenity, and your peace of mind. 

At this Full Moon in Libra, we are experiencing a cardinal t-square involving the Sun and Uranus in Aries, opposing Jupiter and the Moon in Libra, all square Pluto in Capricorn. A need for freeing oneself from shackles and chains is arising, and there is tension that must be worked through in order to gain that liberation. Pluto's potent presence makes sure the lesson is bone-deep – we are not playing small. Our actions will have consequences for the greater culture and for past souls and future folks. Uranus opposing Jupiter shakes the ground, changes the playing field significantly. The cosmic pot is being stirred in order to propel us forth in our personal and collective evolution.

Yes, we need to tread carefully with thoughts, words and actions as Mercury and Venus are both retrograde and wires are easily crossed, things feel messy, toes are stubbed. But, the theme is clear: In order to experience the healthy Libran gifts of harmony and balance, we need to stand up for Individual Social Justice. If you need support to find the right strategy, reach out for a helping hand. Your trusted guides and loving mentors - seen and unseen - will be more than happy to be there for you. How do you think they got where they are today? They walked through the fire with courage and faith, just like you are doing right now. For all of us. Thank you.

Erin Reese is an author, spiritual guide, astrologer, and modern psychic reader based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She works with clients all over the world.
For readings and spiritual counseling by Skype, phone or email, contact her directly at erin@erinreese.com.