Friday 27 November 2009

Who Pressed Pause?

Whilst writing the horoscopes for the month ahead, it occurred to me that after a long phase of life being in ‘fast forward’, someone had kindly pressed the pause button, followed by the ‘slow play’ button, and life is now moving in slow motion – every action seems to take forever...

The planets have really given us all a lot of work to do this year, they have made us face our true Selves, made us deal with our anger and pain, made us face responsibility, made us own our power and made us pretty damn exhausted.

Of course, from a ‘higher’ perspective we know that all of this work has been necessary in order to progress along ‘the path’, but on a practical level it has been frustrating and draining.

Over the coming weeks, Uranus moves direct ‘encouraging’ us to express ourselves freely and openly, and not to be held back by the limiting beliefs or prejudices of others. Mars then moves retrograde and this will ’encourage’ each of us to truly stand in our power and acknowledge our strengths and potential.

I use the word ‘encourage’ lightly, as these days the planets seem to enforce such changes whether we want them to or not. It is all part of the path towards enlightenment, a raised consciousness or ascension.

I fondly look towards the end of 2009, ending with a Cancerian Full Moon, and lunar eclipse. It looks set to give us one last chance to fondly look back at the trials and tribulations of 2009, and then leave them there.

Moving forwards is about carrying less baggage on all levels, and letting go of the inessential. This is not callous or cold, but necessary if we are to travel lightly enough to reach our final destination.

So, whilst the pause and ‘slow-play’ buttons might seem frustrating at the moment, be thankful for them and get some rest, for it looks like we will be moving into 2010 clinging onto the back of a rocket aiming onwards and upwards...

...and remember the saying ‘reach for the moon, even if you miss you will land amongst the stars’...

Thursday 19 November 2009

It's Hello From Me...

Been a bit quiet lately – been dealing with the dreaded flu...

We are in a strange phase at the moment – a sense that it is time to let go of the inessential and a sense that a new chapter is just around the corner – but this is a challenging time, and many of us are struggling to keep focused and clear minded about the next step. Many of us (myself included) are being given one challenge after another.It is as though we know we need to trust that things are moving forwards, but at the same time there is not – as yet- anything concrete to cling onto in this new way of being. So, a kind of transition phase...

The Sacred Dance between Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron has created great change within us, yet this process is yet to be completed. At the same time, we will see the effects of a few other planets including Uranus moving direct, and Mars and Mercury both moving retrograde.
It seems that in the run up to the end of the year, we are facing yet more change, growth and letting go. I sense two key themes emerging:

• Acknowledging the power within.

• Embracing our individuality and not being afraid to be true to our selves.

I will go into both of these more over the coming weeks, but for now I just wanted to touch base, and let you know that I am still on terra firmer, stargazing as always...

Brightest Blessings,

Sarah
x

Wednesday 4 November 2009

Neptune Direct

Today (4th November), the last of the celestial trio in the Sacred Dance moves direct. Neptune is the most subtle and mysterious energy of the three and his effects may not seem very obvious to even the most sensitive souls amongst us.

Neptune has spent the last few months taking each of us on an inner journey, and this journey has been to the heights and depths within. Emotionally this has been challenging to say the least, but this has not just been a frivolous exercise as Neptune has been asking each of us to let go of those issues within that are holding us back.

In addition, he has asked us to honour our own unique connections to the Divine and to have trust and faith. This has not been easy through a time of turmoil, anger and uncertainty around every corner. Yet Neptune’s goal was to enable us to see that whatever might be happening in the physical world, within we have the power to stay calm and serene. How much we allow exterior forces to impact our inner world is up to us…

Of course, the reality of that is far easier to theorise about than to achieve. It is hard not to be affected by the turmoil, restriction and change all around us. But, the more we can focus on that peace within, the less this turmoil can eat away at our own beings.

As the last of this sacred trio to move direct, his subtle influence gently ‘pushes’ us towards taking some new steps in the world. Neptune wants each of us to go forth on our paths ahead safe in the knowledge that the Divine is with us, guiding us, and that there is nothing to fear but fear itself. It is time to believe in our own abilities to conquer fear and to stand in our Truths. This might sound a little clichéd, but we all know it to be true.

Neptune is the planet of the ethereal, and this fits in well with my blog the other week about Living Magically – seeing the magic in everyday life, and not being wedged firmly in the mundane.

So, take some time today to go within and to bathe in the stillness there. Try and do this everyday from now on, and see how it helps you to stand firm in the world and to carry on with your work with more ease, joy and contentment…

Sunday 1 November 2009

All Souls Day (El dia de los muertos)

Following on from the Pagan celebration of All Hallows Eve...

Many ancient and indigenous cultures throughout the world have honoured and worked with their ancestors for millennia. From the Native Americans to tribal Africans to pagan and Nordic cultures, the ancestors were just as important as the living. Try visiting ancient stone burial mounds – you can sense the voices from the past.

The Day of the Dead is celebrated on the 1st November at this time in Mexico – here, an altar is made for the ancestors – this is highly decorated with flowers (bright marigolds), photos and offerings such as tobacco, food and drink.

Requiem masses are said on the Feast of All Souls (1st Nov) asking for ancestors souls to be delivered from the ‘trials of purgatory’ asking for cleansing that will help them move on to heaven – or the Light. A procession then takes place from the church to the cemetery where fresh flowers and candles are laid as gifts.

In modern society, Constellation work and the Orders of Love are psychological techniques that allow an individual to facilitate deep healing within their family line.

Science (such as epigenetics) is starting to reveal evidence that the experiences of our forefathers have been passed down to us. For example, it is believed that the affect of war on the adrenal system can be passed down creating an effect on our endocrine system, affecting digestion, hormones and metabolism.

In many cultures the Shaman, medicine man or equivalent could step between the worlds and contact the dead to bring forth knowledge and healing. They believed that the ancestors held the knowledge that was the key to the present and future, and their wisdom was deeply honoured.

In Shamanic practice today, and in my own work, we look beyond the individual when seeking the resolution of problems and issues. We see an individual as part of an ancestral line, of those who are alive now, those who have died and those who have yet to be born. All of these individuals are inextricably linked in a soul group that expand through the eons of time. Many issues that first presented themselves long ago in the family bloodline, cascade down through the generations with an often discreet, yet profound impact.

When one individual in the ancestral line decides that they want to clear some of the issues or patterns from the past, they are actually able to facilitate this healing throughout the bloodline – for generations past, present and future.

Today is a great day for honouring your own ancestors and to send healing into the ancestral line to cure repeating or destructive patterns, and to gain wisdom from those who trod the earth before us. Make an offering to those who have passed – even planting some spring bulbs into the earth as a gift to the physical process of death and rebirth.