Rebirth, Quarantine, and the Inner Spring

Wherever You Are, Is Perfect

A quote I've long appreciated, oft attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson is, “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.”

Yet these days I’ve decided to turn it on its ear. Let’s make it the following:

“The destination is the journey.” Meaning. Wherever you are, it’s perfect. You are perfection. You are that which you seek. You yourself are the destination.

I’ve noticed on the collective consciousness stage that folks are energetically leaving their quarantines even though the shelter in place hasn’t been lifted. People are wanting to travel more in their minds, and bodies, even locally. They are socializing more, trying to find new ways to fill up the space, to bring a sense of what used to be “normal” back into their lives. Perhaps it’s the spring weather; perhaps it’s boredom, a need for distraction. Perhaps it’s simply human nature.

However, many souls are not ready to focus on the outer world yet. You will know that you are in this group if you feel confused or garbled when you’re at the grocery store, when you’re trying to have too many virtual social gatherings, or neighborhood six-to-ten-feet away chit-chats. You might feel like you get clobbered by externalizing your energy. You might get easily fatigued. It might show up in your dreams, imploring you to pay attention.

Last week, I dreamed I was being pulled out of quarantine, and my soul balked. It wasn’t ready. I was attempting to secure a reservation for a weeklong silent retreat, to go back inside. Upon analyzing the dream, it became clear that, even though the earth is laughing in flowers right now, and coyotes are (literally) howling in North Beach SF, for us humans, it is an Inner Spring this year. A deepening connection to the Self, rather than the World, civilization, unnecessary activity. We are springing forth, from the inside first. The destination is us, and we ourselves are the journey.

Sheltering In Place

Time Out of Time

Many of us are in a gestation period, pregnant with something new. It needs a bit more time to cook – that symbolic bun in the oven. Some of us have already birthed a new idea, project, vision during quarantine, and that new baby needs a bit more protection before it is trotted around the neighborhood and exposed to all and sundry outside. Think of a snake that has shed its old skin, a death and rebirth process. It takes time for the new skin to grow, and the animal needs this coat to form before revealing itself to risky elements. Sensitivity is high. 

I find it notable that the animal associated with this pandemic (whether science or symbol) is a bat. In many indigenous traditions, Bat represents Rebirth, and the shamanic, symbolic death of the healer. Jamie Sams and David Carson write of Bat in Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals (Bear and Company, 1999), “If Bat has appeared in your cards today, it symbolizes the need for a ritualistic death of some way of life that no longer suits your new growth pattern. This can mean a time of letting go of old habits, and of assuming the position in life that prepares you for rebirth, or in some cases initiation. In every case, Bat signals rebirth of some part of yourself or the death of old patterns...”

 

These processes of rebirth constitute "time out of time," and take time. In the recent newsletter from the ashram of Sri Ramana Maharshi in Tiruvannamalai, India, the writers describe Ramana’s various retreats under massive epidemics of the first half of the 20^th Century, from cholera, typhoid, bubonic plague. The ashram was shut down to the bare minimum of activity during these times. The sage fondly remembers these months as some of the ashram community's happiest, most peaceful times. A time of deepening and lessening of distractions.

I know many of us absolutely need to get back to work in the world, financially and psychologically. I completely support this and hope this does happen as quickly as possible for folks. Yet, we can also keep in mind: This quarantine is going to pass quicker than we think, even if it chronologically and paradoxically lasts longer than initially thought. When we look back on 2020, and these inner months, we’ll realize that it was restful, healing, revealing. It is an opportunity, and it’s moving fast. We can make best use of the time, and not opt-out of the inner journey before the miracle occurs.

Erin Reese, M.S. is a contemporary intuitive, spiritual counselor, author and guide. A modern mystic with over thirty years of experience, Erin offers incisive, practical intuitive readings to her clients worldwide. She is a spiritual counselor, guide and mentor to those seeking an alternative to traditional psychotherapy or business coaching. For more information, visit erinreese.com.

 

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New Moon in Scorpio: The Hidden Gift of Resentment

On the horizon, this Sunday we have a New Moon in the fixed water sign of Scorpio, also appearing as the Serpent-Eagle or Phoenix emerging from the ashes. The Scorpion is a potent symbol of magic, transformation and metamorphosis, asking us to dig deep where we would often rather not go. We are reminded that power is often hidden as we experience the darker, shadowy emotions and states of being.

A pop astrology reference to intensity of Scorpio you will often hear is: “Scorpio holds grudges.” “To the day they die!” some folks insist. Now, is this true? Check it out, if you have a Scorpio Moon, Rising, or Sun – or if you have close friends or family in this camp. Certainly, it depends on the amount of work one has asked of themselves, for we know that built-up resentment in the body can lead to health crises, and an encrustation of deep-seated unhappiness.

We’ve all heard how important it is to “let go” of resentment, or to focus on forgiveness. The latter is a pet topic of mine. Forgiving others too quickly can simply be a “spiritual bypass,” in which we try to gloss over the pain to get to a happy ending. The result? The roots of the system are still rotten, and the disease agents continue to wreak havoc on our souls, our psyches.

Resentment feels different than the flash of rage, the rush of blood to the head or the hot immediacy of anger (another important indicator-emotion). Resentment seeps into the bones; some of us ruminate and savor our resentment – like a familiar old frenemy. But what about the gift of resentment?

I have learned to take IMMEDIATE notice when I become aware that I have a resentment toward someone, something, some situation. It doesn’t last too long, because the gift of emotion is a fast-acting one, sort of like ipecac, the substance formerly used to induce immediate vomiting to expel a poison. (The German word for poison is, literally, Gift.) The moment I am clear that I have a resentment, I know it’s time to set pen to paper, to work it through with a trusted advisor, or appeal to Self, to quickly understand where I – not the other – need to make a change.

Did you catch that? It is my own self, not the other – that person that seems to be disrupting our serenity – that needs to make a change.

We come out of victim mode, the “poor me,” the blame game. This may require us to stand up to another, even experience a very uncomfortable conversation, even (for shame!) raise our voice a tiny decibel. Of course, we can try to do it graciously, yet sometimes it gets sloppy. The important thing is this: a resentment is a sign that we need to take immediate steps to change something about our situation.

Let me repeat that:

A resentment is a sign that we need to take immediate steps to change our situation.

We may need to say no, to opt out, to quit something. We may need to request something from another, to ask for help, to speak up. We may need to stop provoking, or stop engaging with the person, or situation, that continues to get our goat.

We may need to cease having expectations about another person’s behavior, and that means letting go of hope that they are going to change. The short terminology for this, of course, is to stop shopping for bread at the hardware store.

Does this mean that we skulk away, and feel bereft, failed, empty, let down once again? No, for we learn to meet those needs in another fashion, perhaps by giving to ourselves what we are wishing for from another. We may start requesting things from another person or situation that is able to give us what we long for. And, it means that we may need to experience a spell of grieving when we are fully honest of the loss, that of another person not being who we hoped they would be. 

Resentment made conscious is so strong, so uncomfortable, that you can’t miss its cue. And it has a close cousin, called bitterness, who also bears gifts.

Bitterness: Resentment’s Tougher Cousin

Bitterness shows up like resentment but slightly colder; we now are on the verge of shutting down, closing the heart. It’s a big clue that we’ve got to go after something, to take a risk, to allow ourselves to be opened again by life. It’s a major toxin, but it doesn’t have to be – let it be a homeopathic to invoke healing. We hear of bitterness often when we hear of people shunted by love, let down by relationships, whether romantic or familial. If you notice that you’re bitter about the prospect of dating, or opening your heart in love, you may need to put yourself out there and allow yourself to go through the initiatory fires all over again – to be opened up again.

Bitterness can be used sparingly. It is a sign that something is OFF, out of kilter, incorrect or incongruent in your life. Use it, not as a resolve to stay stuck in the muck, but rather as a motivator to change your state, and do it as soon as possible. You might be scared, terrified even, but you will most certainly be brought back to life, resurrected like the phoenix, our Scorpio serpent-eagle rising from the ashes once again.

Need Spiritual Support? How to Work with Erin

As most of you know, I am a spiritual counselor, intuitive consultant, and teacher. I currently have space in my practice for two or three new clients. I am open to ongoing work with individuals, or couples, and I work via Zoom or Skype or phone with folks all over the world in several time zones. The rates are affordable when you purchase a 4-pack series of 4 hours at just $450 for 4 sessions. {This will be increasing soon so it’s a good time to get started – you can purchase as many packages as you like.} 

Frequency: I like to work with folks on average every two weeks, sometimes less, sometimes more; clearly, regular sessions seem to have the most benefit. We will usually spend ample time in a spiritual/psychological counseling capacity; I utilize the tool of tarot and intuitive readings as needed. It’s always helpful for me to know when you would like a reading, so let me know and we’ll work that into the session!

If you have any questions about my work, please email me here. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to support and guide my clients, and hope that this work benefits you, strengthens you, reassures and aids you in your blossoming and unfolding. With love, Erin

Erin Reese, M.S. 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.

It's High-Scorpio Season: Plunge the Depths and Commit

We are knee-deep in Scorpio, fixed water sign of the serpent eagle, the phoenix, the scorpion. Even folks who are used to living with intensity find that high Scorpio-season stirs up the deepest, often the darkest emotions to be dealt with. It is a time to fear not. Face the shadows. Trust the transformation that wants – needs – to happen in your world. It’s time to plunge the depths.

I know it is scary. I know that Scorpio time can bring us to our knees. We want to hold onto the old way, the way that feels safe. But “safe” eventually turns on us. If we do not allow Consciousness to unfold in our bodies, minds, hearts, souls, it stagnates and becomes toxic. Scorpio wants us to transform poison into nectar. We face our demons, our bugaboos, the things we dread. We must actualize our potential. And at this time, this more than likely involves INTIMACY.

This means, we have to go deeper into “you and me,” and how we affect each other on core, survival levels. We may have to talk about finances (big money!). We may have to reveal - to ourselves and another - our sexual edges, taboos, the ‘verboten.’ We may have to commit to difficult actions that require self-sacrifice. We plunge deeper in order to fulfill our need for deep psychological development and growth.

In short, we may have to GO THERE.

As we gear up for the Scorpio New Moon (Saturday, November 18), we are also building on a very special conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in Scorpio, exact on Monday November 13. I believe the joining of these two benefactors, Jupiter-Zeus and Venus-Aphrodite, is bringing us each a new superpower. Ultimately, this cosmic meeting is revealing a deeper power of LOVE. Love that goes beyond culture, beyond conditions, beyond what we thought was possible.

In order to realize this superpower, however, we must COMMIT.

What do you need to commit to at this time, with not only your heart and mind, but with your BODY and BEING? Going into the grit now reveals that the power of love and commitment is a major transformational force. It will give you bravery, a strength beyond that which you’ve ever known. You will have a fierceness and resolve to do that which must be done, to realize your greatest potential. You may have to become more responsible to your self, your profession, your child, your partner, your bank account, your body. You will have to tolerate and work with more intensity in this area of life than you previously knew was possible. And as a result, this area of life will be completely empowered. GO THERE.

Let’s see what you’ve got.

Where are the Jupiter-Venus conjunction and New Moon occurring in your personal chart? Check to see which houses! The Jupiter-Venus conjunction November 13, 3:15 a.m. is at 7 degrees Scorpio, and the New Moon in Scorpio November 18, 3:42 a.m. PT is at 26 degrees Scorpio. Contact Erin directly here for a personal consultation and astro-intuitive guidance.

 

Namaste

Erin Reese, Master of Science in Counseling is an author, spiritual 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 at erin@erinreese.com.