New Moon in Capricorn: Love in the time of responsibility

The New Moon in Capricorn tonight hits us like a ton of bricks as we also kick off the real start of the New Year. It’s as if the planets are saying, “Wake up, sleepyhead! It’s 2018 already. People, we’ve got work to do!”

So many persistent planets are pounding on the door – Sun, Moon, Pluto, and Venus all teamed up in Capricorn, clamoring for us to get a move on. It’s like a parent trying to wake up the sleepy teenager after winter break. Pillow over head. Shades drawn. Mom raps on the door… “Time to get up. Go back to school. There’s homework. And don’t forget your chores. And your extracurricular activities. And don’t forget, next weekend we’re going to visit Aunt Sally and we need to go buy a new shirt. Dad’s birthday is tomorrow. Feed the dog.” And, and, and…

How do we handle this push, especially if we are highly sensitive individuals or introverts and require far more than average amount of down time?

Long-Term Priorities

Capricorn is a cardinal earth sign, reminding us that we need and desire long-term stability, safety, security - and we must take the initiative to get it. Capricorn is a practical sign, asking us to work toward “things that last.” It’s about leaving our legacy. What will we leave behind? What will live on long after we’ve left the planet? What will future generations say about us?

We review our priorities. We focus on things that are not necessarily urgent but are vital - over time. This helps us to chunk down larger projects, where we do not see results right away but in perhaps two years, three years, ten years – we will see how our experience and efforts will benefit others.

This in itself is fulfilling. It’s the timeless Zen teaching, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step (Lao Tzu).” We start where we are, and we do not get overwhelmed. The peak of Everest is far too difficult to imagine. But we can muster putting one foot in front of the other. Slowly, we see the crest come into sight.

Delegate, and Teach Others to "Adult"

It's very important to delegate at this time. With the New Moon conjunct Venus, the Goddess of Love, as well as Pluto, Lord of Raw and Primal Power, Capricornian responsibilities are bound to be tied up with others in intimate ways. How well are you asking for help? Are you starting to get resentful? Do you need more downtime, alone-time, flex-time? Do you need help with chores around the house? Can someone else handle that task at work?

If we don't start speaking up, clearly, with those we love and those we share close quarters with, we will become crushed and dismayed with the weight of the world, growing resentful and irritable. Capricorn loves hard work and achieving, but sometimes the adult thing to do, is to ask for help. Be confident in your ability to be a friendly leader and request others to do their part. Sometimes, growing up means directing others toward taking responsibility themselves.

Yes, it’s an overwhelming New Moon with everything happening at once. It’s as if 2018 shot out of the “work and leadership” cannon, and we have more responsibilities and projects than we know what to do with. Hang in there. By the Full Moon in Leo on January 31, we likely will have something to show for it -  the first tiny glimpse that the way is being cleared and our efforts are bearing fruit. By the end of January, when Capricorn gives way to Aquarius, perhaps we will feel more playful and energized by the projects that are currently overwhelming us.

But for the next few days and perhaps the next week or two, we have to trudge and slog and keep our noses to the grindstone. Think hard about the long-term goals you are striving toward on your mountaintop. Remind yourself why you’re doing it. Find meaning in your efforts. Take lots of rest breaks. Get outside and breathe fresh air. Cook yummy meals, laugh with friends. Zone out with a movie or novel for a couple hours. And plan a spring or summer getaway to keep you inspired through the hard work ahead. The seeds that you are sowing in January will pay off for many moons to come. For many, 2018 is going to be a year of moving mountains. Remember, think long-term. 

"Don't be a horse race. Be a marathon.

And don't fear the long road,

because on the long road you got time

to sing a simple song."

~ Michael Franti, "Never Too Late"

Erin Reese is an author, spiritual teacher, counselor, 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: erin@erinreese.com

Clearing Creative Blocks

The Constellation

Last weekend, I experienced a remote constellation clearing session with Barbara Eggenberger of Innate Movements of the Soul. Family constellations plunge into the roots of your history and clear past traumas in your lineage.

Constellation facilitators can also clear specific issues from your present. The constellation counselor moves between standing in the position of each person, or element, emotion, or concept, and facilitates the release of blocked energy. I asked Barbara to focus on removal of the writer’s block in the way of completing my second book.

Barbara called me after the session to explain how the showdown occurred between “Erin” and “The Book.” This face-off between me and my creative baby involved release of a flurry, a tirade and a final healing expansion of the Kundalini energy uncoiling and expanding. The Kundalini shakti flowed, finally, into ever-expanding Spaciousness that went on and on and on, explained Barbara, and then the same flowed out through The Book.

Gateway to India: The Fence Post

Toward the end of the constellation clearing, the energies of Erin and The Book were both entranced in focusing on a single fence post outside Barbara’s window while she stood on the spots representing the two of us. We were enraptured in The Ordinary. We both had exquisite, perfect reverence for a plain, ordinary fence post. Though this post was, at first glance, like all the other fence posts, this particular one was standing out magnificently.

After this long communion of Oneness with the fence post, Erin and The Book went into a rapture of deep, solemn peace and joy for sheer existence. After all the fear and rage and ‘shoulds’ and ‘ought tos’ had been released from the roots, only pure bliss remained.

I reflected later on the meaning of the fence post: why would Erin and The Book be so entranced by a fence?

A fence post can be part of a gate. I realized that my sequel in progress (Bindi Girl II: Surrendering to the Soul of India) is a gateway book, a middle child of a trilogy. BG 2 is a stopping point, a pause and preparation for the third and final book. It is an opening into vast inner – and outer – realms. BG 2 is a stepping stone to BG 3, which will be a compilation of short stories and teachings of spiritual mastery and travel.

Horse Sense: Patience

Digging deeper, I noodled around a bit on the Internet to look for any spiritual teachings on fence posts. I like the symbolism of patience, which I found in Zen Mind, Zen Horse: The Science and Spirituality of Working with Horses, a spiritual horse whisperer series which you can view on YouTube:

We use the symbol of the fence post as one of perfect patience. When the horse pulls back and resists, the fence post exerts equal pressure. When the horse yields, the fence post yields with impeccable timing. Learning from the example of the fence post, we can see that patience, pressure and impeccable release produce astounding results with our horse.

(If you’re a horse lover, Zen lover, or in need of Patience Wisdom, give a quick listen to the 3 minute YouTube lesson from Zen Mind, Zen Horse here.)

And so, with "patience, pressure, and impeccable release," work on my second book continues.

Hi-Yo Silver, Away!

Erin Reese is a freelance writer and astro-intuitive psychic healer. She works via phone, Skype and email.

For sessions and more information, visit her website at erinreese.com.