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Sacred Self Care Guide for December 2018
Sacred Self Care Guide for December 2018 from Rising River Wisdom SchoolIn all the worlds’ mythology and culture, there have been wisdom keepers, those who looked to the natural and the hidden worlds as a guide for life on earth. Within these seekers are stargazers, who ascribe meaning to the “stars” and their movements through the solar system.
Though Earth’s Moon is no star, it reflects the brightest light we can see in the night sky. Its phases are a part of human consciousness, and its movements affect systems on earth and sea. When we align our activities to the Moon’s cycles we find a greater connection to both our bodies and intuitive wisdom. Read on for some self care wisdom inspired by the new moon.
Rising River Wisdom School is an immersive program for those looking to step into their own power and carry wisdom for themselves and the world around them. Below you will find some Sacred Self Care insight for December from Rising River Wisdom School’s incredible teachers – we’ve got you covered for setting intentions with the upcoming new moon, to seeking insight from animal guides to plant medicine, plus lots of guidance for mindfully navigating the world with your vibrant well-being in focus.
New Moon in Sagittarius December 6th 11:20pm PST By Michelle Prentiss
As our days in the Northern Hemisphere become shorter and the darkness rises up, we have the light of Sagittarius Season to guide, illuminate and inspire us to move forward, to progress and endure. The element of fire infuses this conjunction of the Sun and Moon, as does the overlay of Sagittarius’s ruling planet Jupiter, now powerfully at home and beaming expansive energy into the birthing of the new. This is the very last New Moon of the year and an especially magical time to perform any intention setting ritual that centers on expansion and positivity.
Magical, Mystical Neptune in Pisces also plays a strong part in the cosmic party. Riding alongside Mars and newly in direct motion, this planet sends a shimmering and compassionate beam of light directly into our hopes and dreams. Our imaginations are sparked and our intuitions can be extra sensitive now.
Mercury also stations direct earlier on the 6th, joining every planet in the solar system other than Uranus – in strong forward motion. Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune are also situated in their sign rulers. This can bring us an opening to personal and collective energetic re-birth- much needed after the deep soul searching and shadow work of the last year.
Optimism and Faith are key words of the lunation – along with Courage and Expansion. Take the time to step in to the potentials you have, believe, trust and step into the light of the season!
Here is a New Moon Ritual To do for this Month, to add to your intention setting. I was inspired by the Goddess Hekate in her aspect as a guide through darkness and a purifier of spirit. This is adapted from archetypalwitchcraft.wordpress In Antiquity Hekate was strongly connected with purification of persons or the household – and in this ritual we will address Hekate in her roles as a Goddess of purification- but also in her aspects as the Goddess who has powers over the spheres of earth, sea and sky and who is the ensouler of the cosmos and the shining guide.
Read on for this month’s New Moon Ritual along with plant medicine and power animal guidance for this New Moon in Sagittarius….
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Body Scan Meditation for Sleep
Get ready for some serious shut-eye with this 15-minute guided meditation for sleep. Meditation offers an effective, natural solution for anyone looking to get a more restful night’s sleep.
In this guided meditation for sleep you will utilize the breath and physical sensation in the body as an opportunity to let go of the day and soothe your body and your mind to help you drift off with ease into a peaceful slumber.
I hope we all know by now the incredible importance that sleep plays in our health, it’s just as important as our food and nutrition, movement and hydration. Prioritizing your sleep is crucial to living a vibrant, healthful life – but our busy minds and stress-filled days can make drifting off a challenge. If we can climb into bed without the stimulation of phones or laptops, if we can take the time to relax our busy, cluttered monkey minds, we are rewarded with a peaceful slumber that will rejuvenate our next days. Because when we settle the mind and rest the body, that restfulness is what makes it easier to wind down and drift off.
With 7-9 hours being the recommended duration for healthy, restful sleep, we have to actively work to prioritize our sleep and create habits and rituals that support a healthy sleep environment and encourage synchronization with our natural circadian rhythms.
Meditation has been shown to improve the quality and efficiency of sleep, how quickly you fall asleep, and how long you can stay awake during the day. Meditating just prior to bed can help you to fall asleep faster and once you are asleep, you’re likely to sleep much more soundly, too.
In addition to this nightly bedtime meditation, I suggest a daily meditation practice earlier in the day, as well, as this can continue to support mindfulness, stress management and create a more rested mind that is primed and set for a restful night’s sleep. Even just 5 or 10 minutes a day. You can also try a pre-bed daily gratitude practice. An attitude of gratitude promotes longer, sounder sleep 1https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/minding-the-body/201111/how-gratitude-helps-you-sleep-night.
For more on the Science of Sleep along with tips on improving your sleep, along with bedtime rituals, supplements, recommended approaches for managing insomnia and more, check out Episode 06 of the Between Meals Podcast with Dr. Param Dedhia.
Process and Progress NOT Perfection.
Remember, if this is a new practice for you, when it comes to meditation for sleep, the most important thing to get you started is making an effort to meditate and to get quiet before you try to sleep; like most things in life – practice, practice, practice. Getting comfortable with your meditation style, learning to silence the busy noise of our minds and breath work will happen the more you do it.
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References
1. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/minding-the-body/201111/how-gratitude-helps-you-sleep-night -
Sacred Self Care Guide for November 2018
Sacred Self Care Guide for November 2018 from Rising River Wisdom SchoolIn all the worlds’ mythology and culture, there have been wisdom keepers, those who looked to the natural and the hidden worlds as a guide for life on earth. Within these seekers are stargazers, who ascribe meaning to the “stars” and their movements through the solar system.
Though Earth’s Moon is no star, it reflects the brightest light we can see in the night sky. Its phases are a part of human consciousness, and its movements affect systems on earth and sea. When we align our activities to the Moon’s cycles we find a greater connection to both our bodies and intuitive wisdom. Read on for some self care wisdom inspired by the new moon.
Rising River Wisdom School is an immersive program for those looking to step into their own power and carry wisdom for themselves and the world around them. Below you will find some Sacred Self Care insight for November from Rising River Wisdom School’s incredible teachers – we’ve got you covered for setting intentions with the upcoming new moon, to seeking insight from animal guides to plant medicine, plus lots of guidance for mindfully navigating the world with your vibrant well-being in focus.
New Moon in Scorpio November 7th, 2018 8:02 am PST
Sabian Symbol: A Girl’s Face Breaking into a Smile – “Faith” By Michelle Prentiss
November’s New Moon of 2018 comes on the heels of Election Day, and is complex, surprising and powerfully regenerative. Strong feelings surround the lunation and the themes of faith, strength and the power and courage to move on in our lives, despite disappointments – are highlighted.
This Sun/Moon conjunction is in strong aspect to its planetary rulers Mars and Pluto – bringing a kind of stability to the unpredictable forces at work in the collective now, even in the face of the ongoing challenge of integrating and processing change.
Mars is also in a positive relationship to Venus Retrograde now in Libra, also supporting the energy of harmony.
Just prior to the lunation the revolutionary planet Uranus, (retrograde in Aries) squares the Nodal Axis of our Moon, moving now to Cancer/ Capricorn. Uranus is freedom loving- anything goes this week! The wild card energy of friction that we feel however, does point to a resolution from the trine from Neptune, actively beaming into the collective imaginative ways of creating our future.
The idea of blending opposing factors and creating something new is the key image of this Moon. An awareness of control in order to master our goals and objectives is also highlighted.
The development of a mature strength and faith in our ability to connect our wild and instinctual self with our civilized and cultured selves, to center our lives in love and trust learning to re-imagine and re-birth our lives graciously, to blend and harmonize is essential now. To do this we must be centered in what we appreciate in our lives, even as we wish for our ideals.
Here is a small New Moon Ritual To do for this Month, adapted from the Goddesscircle.net:
GIVE THANKS
As we open to the possibility of what is coming into our lives, this is a good time to offer thanks for all that has come in the last cycle. You can offer thanks to the Universe, to the deities or guides you work with, to your spirit animals, or anyone you want to give a special thanks to during this powerful time.
You can leave out an offering of your choosing somewhere outside like a piece of bread, some flowers, a crystal and say a few words of thanks such as:
“I give thanks with open arms For all that there has been
I open still for all that flows And comes from the unseen.” ~AraNew Moon affirmations are potent phrases of intent which you can use to anchor your work during the New Moon. You can light a candle before you say them and then speak ones that resonate with you or you can create your own as you are called. Here are some for Wednesday’s New Moon:
- “I am reborn with this New Moon”
- “I embrace the new beginnings opening to me this New Moon”
- “I am open to the unfolding path and synchronicity that flow into my world”
- “I let go of what is no longer serving me and open to what is”
- “I am open to receive”
- “I am wholly rooted in my truth”
You may write or speak wishes and goals. This lunation has the power to birth strong new life for many of our creative seeds. Blessed Be!
Read on for plant medicine and power animal guidance for this New Moon in Scorpio….
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Sacred Self Care Guide for October 2018
Sacred Self Care Guide for October 2018 from Rising River Wisdom SchoolIn all the worlds’ mythology and culture, there have been wisdom keepers, those who looked to the natural and the hidden worlds as a guide for life on earth. Within these seekers are stargazers, who ascribe meaning to the “stars” and their movements through the solar system.
Though Earth’s Moon is no star, it reflects the brightest light we can see in the night sky. Its phases are a part of human consciousness, and its movements affect systems on earth and sea. When we align our activities to the Moon’s cycles we find a greater connection to both our bodies and intuitive wisdom. Read on for some self care wisdom inspired by the new moon.
Rising River Wisdom School is an immersive program for those looking to step into their own power and carry wisdom for themselves and the world around them. Below you will find some Sacred Self Care insight for October from Rising River Wisdom School’s incredible teachers – we’ve got you covered for setting intentions with the upcoming new moon, to seeking insight from animal guides to plant medicine, plus lots of guidance for mindfully navigating the world with your vibrant well-being in focus.
New Moon in Libra October 8th 8:46pm PDT By Michelle Prentiss
All new Moons are times of beginnings and creating fresh starts in our lives.
This New Moon is in the airy; Venus ruled sign of Libra, which happens to be the only sign of the zodiac to be represented with an inanimate symbol. (the scales of justice). Libra has domain over the time of the year when the days and nights are of equal length and its energetic operation is to create balance and moderation wherever it is positioned.
Venus, the ruler of our lunation, has recently retrograded in Scorpio – pointing to a huge emphasis on the dance between our deep inner needs and the needs of others.
Mars, the warrior planet conjunct Black Moon Lilith in Aquarius creates friction with Venus, resulting in a collective and personal energetic imperative to acknowledge the depth of any hidden pain or trauma in our past experience. This expression is urgent and a necessity in moving forward healthily into the future. Neptune in Pisces helps the process by beaming down a light of empathy for ourselves and connection to others stories.
Make sure to let off steam safely and hold compassion for yourself and others while expressing yourself around this Moon. If any power struggles ensue, between our feminine “receptivity” and “masculine” activity, Libra’s message holds the key – there must be room for both.
Pluto in Capricorn steps in to the mix too, creating friction with the new Moon- but also stability. Pluto is invested in evolving us-often through the death/ re-birth process of growth. In Capricorn it’s evolving all of our structures, habits or authorities, demonstrating what need re-birthing.
Libra season points to peace, but in order to find it sometimes things in our lives need to be transformed before being brought into balance.
As in an alchemical process dissolution precedes coagulation.
Let the things go that need to be released before setting new plans in motion this New Moon. Take a deep dive into your thoughts and beliefs, wishes and dreams. If you do the work of exploring this terrain and balancing self-exploration with action intended to better your world, this can be a powerful time period of metamorphosis and manifestation!
Here is a small ritual for balance adapted from Thoughtco.com:
You’ll need a black candle and a white one of any size, although tealights probably work best. Make sure you have something safe to put them in, either a candleholder or a bowl of sand.
Light both candles, and say the following:
A balance of night and day, a balance of light and dark
Tonight I seek balance in my life
as it is found in the Universe.
A black candle for darkness and pain
and things I can eliminate from my life.
A white candle for the light, and for joy
and all the abundance I wish to bring forth.
At the time of the equinox,
there is harmony and balance in the Universe,
and so there shall be in my life.Meditate on the things you wish to change. Focus on eliminating the bad, and strengthening the good around you. Put toxic relationships into the past, where they belong, and welcome new positive relationships into your life. Let your baggage go, and take heart in knowing that for every dark night of the soul, there will be a sunrise the next morning.
Read on for plant medicine and power animal guidance for this New Moon in Libra….
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Sacred Self Care Guide for September 2018
Sacred Self Care Guide for August 2018 from Rising River Wisdom SchoolIn all the worlds’ mythology and culture, there have been wisdom keepers, those who looked to the natural and the hidden worlds as a guide for life on earth. Within these seekers are stargazers, who ascribe meaning to the “stars” and their movements through the solar system.
Though Earth’s Moon is no star, it reflects the brightest light we can see in the night sky. Its phases are a part of human consciousness, and its movements affect systems on earth and sea. When we align our activities to the Moon’s cycles we find a greater connection to both our bodies and intuitive wisdom. Read on for some self care wisdom inspired by the new moon.
Rising River Wisdom School is an immersive program for those looking to step into their own power and carry wisdom for themselves and the world around them. Below you will find some Sacred Self Care insight for September from Rising River Wisdom School’s incredible teachers – we’ve got you covered for setting intentions with the upcoming new moon, to seeking insight from animal guides to plant medicine, plus lots of guidance for mindfully navigating the world with your vibrant well-being in focus.
New Moon in Virgo Sunday 9.9.18 11:01 am PDT- By Michelle Prentiss
“Invention of the Future”
Happy New Moon!We are in Virgo season, a time to sort through our experiences, review, discriminate and improve ourselves. This New Moon compels us to organize, to ground ourselves in the details, to create lists and to form our next plan. This energy is very helpful and positive for laying some foundations to both envision and create the future you. The cosmic weather includes transiting Jupiter expanding Pluto’s power for transforming lives, Mercury in Virgo and Mars and Saturn now direct further fueling the urgent need for rebirths personally and collectively.
However, Before we all jump into getting busy with our external self improvement, Neptune opposing the Moon asks us to integrate the amorphous and add in time to balance duties and tasks with rest, meditation and prayer.
As many have experienced already, true wellness lies in the wholeness of balancing our active and receptive selves, which is really a dance between stillness and movement, inspiration and application. We can only fly when we mix desire, belief AND magical pixie dust!
This wishing Moon, take the time to sketch your desires, and take steps to improvement, but do remember that the extra magical ingredient in manifestation is imagination, that special spark that comes from our connection to the mystery of life and truly is the invention of all our future.
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Sacred Self Care Guide for August 2018
Sacred Self Care Guide for August 2018 from Rising River Wisdom SchoolIn all the worlds’ mythology and culture, there have been wisdom keepers, those who looked to the natural and the hidden worlds as a guide for life on earth. Within these seekers are stargazers, who ascribe meaning to the “stars” and their movements through the solar system.
Though Earth’s Moon is no star, it reflects the brightest light we can see in the night sky. Its phases are a part of human consciousness, and its movements affect systems on earth and sea. When we align our activities to the Moon’s cycles we find a greater connection to both our bodies and intuitive wisdom. Read on for some self care wisdom inspired by the new moon.
Rising River Wisdom School is an immersive program for those looking to step into their own power and carry wisdom for themselves and the world around them. Below you will find some Sacred Self Care insight for August from Rising River Wisdom School’s incredible teachers – we’ve got you covered for setting intentions with the upcoming new moon, to seeking insight from animal guides, plant medicine to oracle readings, plus lots of guidance for mindfully navigating the world with your vibrant well-being in focus.
New Moon/Solar Eclipse in Leo August 11th 2018 2:57am PDT- By Michelle Prentiss
“ Eclipse of The Heart”
Recently I had a vivid dream that I was dreaming- and I was speaking aloud in the dream about all the planetary retrogrades- and how they are a necessary part of the magical mix of expanded self-awareness, which can be accessed now, at the portal that is the Solar Eclipse in Leo.
We have had a very bumpy ride energetically this eclipse season and though, there is one more Eclipse left in the Leo/Aquarius cycle (in January 2019), this Saturday is very much a culmination of the themes started last year.
The Leo/ Aquarius polarity has given us much of their shadow recently. We have seen mis-use of power, arrogance and rampant egoism as well as alienation in groups and communities, chaos, fear and lack of empathy. Experiencing these themes in our lives personally and collectively has given us pause, asking us to heal ourselves and our world by illuminating that which needs to be brought into balance and integrated with love.
This Leo New Moon is conjunct Retrograde Mercury asking us to re-consider the connections we have made recently – Is there a way to review our thoughts or beliefs about themes in our lives? Can we bring heart into Judgment? Can we see how our thoughts and communication can hurt both others and ourselves?
Can we give ourselves the love and acceptance we need?
Jupiter squaring the lunation compels us by stating, “ Expand your Awareness and find your TRUTH”
Asteroid Pallas Athena is also conjunct this New Moon. Considered to have rulership over feminine wisdom, strategy, the ability to perceive over-arching patterns and creative intelligence, her energy bridges the Leo/ Aquarius polarity with a wholistic view and observes the parts of it that do not fit.
This New Moon there is a tremendous sense of us all on an energetic, internal plateau, which exists in a space between the past and future – as issues/memories/ situations rise up from our personal and collective unconscious and need to be processed. As you experience this, The KEY to healing/integrating is first bringing your awareness to the present moment and holding space for your heart’s intelligence combined with a wholistic view and flexible mindset. If we don’t see that which we DO NOT want in our lives, we won’t know how/ where to eliminate it from our structures.
The Solar Eclipse is partial and functions a bit like a re-boot on a computer. As we see, through the friction of opposition that we which we do and do not want in our lives, we can have the opportunity for a new start which becomes much more integrated and compassionate, inclusive rather than exclusive, creative and loving – embodying the most evolved aspects of our Leo Archetype.
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Sacred Self Care Guide for July 2018
Sacred Self Care Guide for July 2018 from Rising River Wisdom SchoolIn all the worlds’ mythology and culture, there have been wisdom keepers, those who looked to the natural and the hidden worlds as a guide for life on earth. Within these seekers are stargazers, who ascribe meaning to the “stars” and their movements through the solar system.
Though Earth’s Moon is no star, it reflects the brightest light we can see in the night sky. Its phases are a part of human consciousness, and its movements affect systems on earth and sea. When we align our activities to the Moon’s cycles we find a greater connection to both our bodies and intuitive wisdom. Read on for some self care wisdom inspired by the new moon.
Rising River Wisdom School is an immersive program for those looking to step into their own power and carry wisdom for themselves and the world around them. Below you will find some Sacred Self Care insight for July from Rising River Wisdom School’s incredible teachers – we’ve got you covered for setting intentions with the upcoming new moon, to seeking insight from animal guides, plant medicine to oracle readings, plus lots of guidance for mindfully navigating the world with your vibrant well-being in focus.
New Moon/Partial Solar Eclipse in Cancer Thursday 7/12/18 7:47 PDT By Michelle Prentiss
Happy New Moon!
Eclipse season is upon us as this New Moon/ Solar Eclipse will be followed by a Lunar Eclipse July 27th and another Solar (Full) on August 11th.
Eclipses symbolically correspond to a portal or threshold space for significant internal or external events. Solar Eclipses are when the Moon’s position obstructs the Sun’s solar rays on earth. This New Moon also happens to be in the sign of Cancer, ruled by the Moon, making this even more potent. With a Solar Eclipse, expect that events of the future (Sun) will be impacted by our instinctual or emotional self/past (Moon). There are notes of destiny and purpose revealed too. Prepare for both endings AND re-births as new information and feelings are brought to light. Cancer’s karmic focus is illuminated. Families, our foundation and security both personally and collectively- there is a sense of deep purpose as we are witnessing something greatly important along these themes.
The Chart of our New Moon Solar Eclipse is exactly opposite Pluto, too.
The dwarf planet Pluto in Astrology represents evolution through any means necessary, and Pluto in Capricorn has been destroying authoritarian structures (Capricorn) since 2008. This week something comes to a head in a long process of breakthroughs and fresh starts through loss.
Although we have an opposition, Both Cancer and Capricorn are the Zodiac’s “cosmic parents” and crave security and stability. Though many long-term structures may be changing now – in a long pattern of natural evolution, there is a feeling of nostalgia and longing regarding the stability of the past. Another interesting element in the chart of the eclipse is two Grand Trines, one in water and one in earth element. Trines are called “easy” planetary aspects. This mean the planets are in a supportive position to each other and essentially “ get along”.
Grand Trines can often function like a closed circuit, plugging away without any effort. They bring an element of helping energy to allow us to possibly see a “way out” of our dilemmas. However, Astrologer David Arner adds, “they can act like whirlpools. It is easy to get drawn into their energies and find yourself in patterns you did not necessarily plan to be in and thus cannot get out so easily.”
This New Moon try NOT to be complacent if you see a pattern of dysfunction in your life. Call upon your perceptive, intuitive and feeling nature (this is different to your instinctive emotional response) to inform your habits or disciplines that can evolve situations you may feel stuck in or want to change.
We also have many planets in retrograde this summer. Remember that retrograde periods CAN bring us the wonderful perspective of re-alignment with our inner self.
Rest and review how your thoughts become beliefs and these beliefs become habits – which then become your life!
This eclipse cycle we have a tremendous opportunity to begin to evolve by reviewing and potentially re-wiring our thoughts and responses to life’s challenges.
Here are some suggestions to transform around our eclipse from Shawn Achor’s The Happiness Advantage (via the Buffer Blog):
Scan daily for 3 positives. At the end of each day, make a list of three specific good things that happened that day and reflect on what caused them to happen. The good things could be anything — bumping into an old friend, a positive remark from someone at work, a pretty sunset. Celebrating small wins also has a proven effect of powering motivation and igniting joy. As you record your good things daily, the better you will get and feel.
Give one shout-out to someone (daily). Take the positive things you’re getting better at recognizing and let people know you’ve noticed! Take a minute to say thanks or recognize someone for their efforts, from friends and family to people at work. A great way to go about this is by sending 1 daily email to someone. It can be your old school teacher, whose advice you are now appreciating every day, a co-worker or someone you’ve only met. Show courage and say thanks,
I love doing this and just checking in with a nice note.
Do something nice. Acts of kindness boost happiness levels. Something as small and simple as making someone smile works. Pausing to do something thoughtful has the power to get you out of that negativity loop. You can do something that is small and concrete like buying someone a coffee. Put this on your to do list – have you done anything nice for someone today? I love this technique and it’s one of the most amazing ways to feel happier.
Let’s be the change we want to see in the world. Let this new moon show you the way!
New Moon in Cancer Plant Spirit Advice with Jacqueline Zajdman:
The summer season in Los Angeles has turned up the heat. With temperatures reaching 109 degrees in my own neighborhood this past weekend, I have been reminded to “keep calm, and carry on.” I’m resigning, chilling out, moving slowly, and getting into receptive mode. Summers are usually very leonine and fiery for me, and yet something is very different this time around. With the Cancer new moon and the first solar eclipse of the summer, there is a call to step into this lunation with a sense of watery environment; going with the flow, tapping into your emotions, and acting like a chalice for the future transformational waters to fill your cup with metamorphic wine.
Cancer being a water element sign speaks to the sacral chakra; an energy channel in the pelvic region that governs movement and flow. This is a space of intuition, sentimentality, emotional intelligence and boundaries. While it’s zodiacal opposite, Capricorn can be very realistic and goal oriented, Capricorn also inspires rooting and staying grounded, calling in the energies of root chakra medicine. The axis of opposites can be extremely complimentary in inspiring balance through plant medicine. Working with plants that can support both feeling grounded in the physical body while staying receptive and flowing in the emotional body is the perfect combination to beating the heat and staying calm during these intense cosmic changes.
I have been recommending a beautiful mix of Stinging Nettles and Red Raspberry to my students at the RRW School this month. Both plants hold me in such a mothering and nurturing way – while grounding and keeping me feeling a balance of masculine/feminine energies; not too passive or aggressive. I’m hydrated, rooted, but still feeling soft and trusting in this energy I can’t see, but feel. Whatever comes, I’m open and know it will be for my greatest good and growth. Raspberry leaf speaks to the idea of “boundary medicine,” as the thorns on the red raspberry bush create a healthy space around volatile energies. It is astringent, cooling, chalk full of vitamin C, and very nourishing to the womb space that calls in a feminine receptivity. Nettles also have a protective sting but are extremely mineral rich, grounding, and aid fatigued adrenals. Nettles bring in the earth element; being here, now. The two create a beautiful dance of protection and guidance. Brew a hot infusion by filling your quart of water with a handful of blended herbs. Let sit over night, or 8-12 hours. You can drink it cold in the morning or iced throughout these scorching days. The magick is in the medicine.
New Moon Animal Guide – By Brook AlbrigoThis next cycle brings in the energy of White Dove. Wings spread, riding on a sunbeam, wrapping you in her wings of Love and Grace. Like a beacon of Hope, the Dove comes at times of grief, fear and to ease troubled minds. Dove has been associated with many Goddesses throughout history due to her maternal and feminine strength. She is symbolic of Mother Earth and all that needs nurturing and what more do we need in the world right now? Love, compassion, forgiveness, hope, understanding. Dove is the medicine we are being given, but will we allow ourselves to receive it? In what ways are you attached to your suffering that keeps you from accepting this gracious gift Dove brings.
The Dove’s mournful cooing at dawn and dusk, the hours when the veil between worlds is thinnest, asks us to release our emotions like a beautiful song paying tribute to our grief. For only when we let go of these unprocessed emotions can we make room for new life, birth new projects, partners and aspects of ourselves. Dove brings a message of prophecy so pay attention to signs, synchronicity, and dreams during this cycle, as they will be extremely informative.
When your external world is in such turmoil, it is important to remember there is a peaceful place that resides in all of you that can never be lost. It may get buried a bit but it’s there with you always and you need to tap into this place as much as necessary this month whether through meditation, deep breathing, music- how ever you can sink into that inner peace. Remember to nurture yourself and one another and find appreciation for the simple things in life. Dove brings in a burst of light. A healing balm for your wounds. All you have to do is let her in!
We will be in this Dove energy for a one month cycle until the next New Moon in August, another eclipse! If you would like to connect with Dove on a more personal level, feel free to do a meditation inviting her in and ask what specific medicine she brings you at this time. You can also keep an image or small statue around or even watch nature documentaries with Dove and pay attention to how they move and act.
New Moon Tarot Wisdom from Kristi Prokopiak
I see you! You have been doing your work and loving on yourself and trying your best to do all the self care care you can think of. All the mindfulness and growth and shadow work and self love… Yet somehow the pesky habits, the tricky thought patterns and the old ways of thinking almost always creep back in. The Eight of Swords is no joke! It can feel really frustrating when you know you are doing the work but somehow you find yourself caught in the stories that no longer serve you. All these retrogrades and Cancer feels are surely causing you to revisit and relive some things you thought you had laid to rest. Never fear though, because the Sun is here to shine light on all the good things that are working for you.
Allow yourself to spend just as much time thinking about the things that are flowing smoothly, that bring you joy, and generally make your world light up. Whenever we get snagged, we have to allow that emotion to come up, feel what we are feeling, and then take some inventory. Fear can sneak up at any time, but you have the power to put it in it’s place. Sure, things may feel frustrating at times, but there is ALWAYS something good that’s going on. Let that give you the courage, strength and stamina to keep going. And don’t forget to have some patience. Your work is not for nothing, and even if you can’t immediately see results, it doesn’t mean amazing things aren’t happening. Our culture wants the quick fix, the avoidance, the denial and the bypass. None of that actually works for the deep, sustained, beautiful soul growth that is self love and acceptance. Keep doing your thing, stay grateful and trust that all of the work you’ve been doing is making a difference, even if it can’t be measured in the ways you’re used to measuring it.
Cards used: The Illest Tarot by Kristi Prokopiak
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Sacred Self Care Guide for June 2018
Sacred Self Care Guide for June 2018 from Rising River Wisdom SchoolIn all the worlds’ mythology and culture, there have been wisdom keepers, those who looked to the natural and the hidden worlds as a guide for life on earth. Within these seekers are stargazers, who ascribe meaning to the “stars” and their movements through the solar system.
Though Earth’s Moon is no star, it reflects the brightest light we can see in the night sky. Its phases are a part of human consciousness, and its movements affect systems on earth and sea. When we align our activities to the Moon’s cycles we find a greater connection to both our bodies and intuitive wisdom. Read on for some self care wisdom inspired by the new moon.
Rising River Wisdom School is an immersive program for those looking to step into their own power and carry wisdom for themselves and the world around them. Below you will find some Sacred Self Care insight for June from Rising River Wisdom School’s incredible teachers – we’ve got you covered for setting intentions with the upcoming new moon, to seeking insight from animal guides, plant medicine to oracle readings, plus lots of guidance for mindfully navigating the world with your vibrant well-being in focus.
New Moon Wisdom from Michelle Prentiss:
New Moon in Gemini Wednesday June 13th 12:43 PM PDT
The Sign Gemini’s “Ruling“ planet is Mercury- so named after the Roman God of Messages, Communication, Commerce, and Travelers. The energetic style of Gemini seeks to make connections and values information and movement, variety and experience. Our New Moon this month is an interesting lunation in that it makes no “important” aspects to planets this time. Instead, we have the New Moon / Sun’s ruler Mercury doing all the “ interacting”. The fast moving planet is out of bounds in its orbit, too. This is telling and puts EXTRA emphasis on new and innovate ways of “connecting the dots” between our thoughts and ideas, data and hypothesis, our opinions and others.
Mercury is currently in the watery and emotional sign of Cancer, bringing an overall cast of nostalgia, sensitivity and compassion to the week. We also have a tight and friction filled connection to the “ wounded healer” Chiron in Aries and stern taskmaster Saturn in Capricorn. Fortunately, there’s also a positive beam from Mercury to Uranus in Taurus. It’s possible we may not want to speak our truth for fear of being hurt; but communicating carefully and sensitively is key to expressing ourselves as well as receiving another’s expression.
Try not to take things personally and attempt to see from a new perspective now – this will help mitigate misunderstandings. Don’t retreat either, another common defense when things get sensitive, you can have a breakthrough this week if you allow space for your pain to be healed with understanding. On June 15th, Mercury opposes Saturn. Again, it’s essential to take responsibility for our decisions and get realistic about the plans we make. Try to avoid being overly critical- all the facts aren’t really in yet.
Typically on a New Moon we sow the seeds for new ventures and external manifestation of our dreams and ideas. This New Moon however is surrounded by outer planets in retrograde motion including Saturn, Jupiter, and Pluto with Neptune retrograde June 18th and Mars June 26th (both are now in their shadow retrograde period) Retrograde periods give an internal focus to our manifestations. Our minds, thoughts, emotions and communications are open for new understanding and insights, on this New Moon it’s time to bring these tools inward and perform a personal housecleaning of any thoughts, emotions or communications that you wish to purge.
Now is the time to integrate what you “know and think” with what you “feel and see”. Breakthroughs in awareness and insight occur and new ways of being can be born when we make these connections within and dream a new dream for ourselves. Make New Moon Wishes on Wednesday around releasing hurt or miscommunications and gaining insight in the area where you have Gemini in your chart.
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10-Minute Grounding Meditation
This 10-Minute Grounding meditation is a guided practice incorporating a combination of breath, awareness, and visualization to connect you to the battery pack of the earth. Grounding allows you to draw up prana, energy, or life-force from Earth in order to become rejuvenated, revitalized, and restored. This is a great practice to use anytime you are experiencing times of stress, overwhelm or if you feel out of focus. Get comfortable and get grounded.
10-Minute Grounding Meditation
Meditation is an excellent way to reduce stress, reconnect with your body, mind and spirit and improve your health and well-being in a variety of ways.
When we meditate we rest the mind and attain a state of consciousness unlike our typical wakeful state. Rather than being focused on the external world or events taking place around us, we instead allow the mind space to become relaxed, clear and focused inward. Meditation gives us an opportunity to slow down and focus on self-awareness.
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Grounding
Grounding is the physical connection between the electrical frequencies of the human body with Earth’s. Practicing a guided grounded meditation will allow you to focus your mind on the present and learn to feel more balanced and aware. Grounding reconnects us with that felt sense of stability that resides within us all, it connects us to a foundation and roots us in stability and firmness.
When your mind is unfocused, you can feel uneasy, restless, and uncomfortable. Often just from the daily stresses of life we can feel scattered, overwhelmed, disconnected and spacey.
Grounding yourself can help you feel calm, peaceful and centered. This guided grounding meditation brings the opportunity for you to connect with the earth and experience a transfer of energy. By plugging into the Earth’s energy this helps to bring us back to our natural electrical state which is vital to our health as we are electrical beings.
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Sacred Self Care Guide for May 2018
Sacred Self Care Guide for April 2018 from Rising River Wisdom SchoolIn all the worlds’ mythology and culture, there have been wisdom keepers, those who looked to the natural and the hidden worlds as a guide for life on earth. Within these seekers are stargazers, who ascribe meaning to the “stars” and their movements through the solar system.
Though Earth’s Moon is no star, it reflects the brightest light we can see in the night sky. Its phases are a part of human consciousness, and its movements affect systems on earth and sea. When we align our activities to the Moon’s cycles we find a greater connection to both our bodies and intuitive wisdom. Read on for some self care wisdom inspired by the new moon.
Rising River Wisdom School is an immersive program for those looking to step into their own power and carry wisdom for themselves and the world around them. Below you will find some Sacred Self Care insight for May from Rising River Wisdom School’s incredible teachers – we’ve got you covered for setting intentions with the upcoming new moon, to seeking insight from animal guides and plant medicine plus lots of guidance for mindfully navigating the world with your vibrant well-being in focus.
New Moon Wisdom from Michelle Prentiss:
Taurus New Moon 5/15/18 6:47 AM PDT
“Tending our Garden”
A NEW MOON is when the Sun and Moon are co-joined. This month our lunation is in the sign of Taurus and will be joined later in the day by rebel planet Uranus, who will stay in the sign for almost 8 years! This brings extra emphasis to the new moon’s power in the manifestation process. Expect possible signs of what will be revolutionized collectively and personally over the next years.
Taurus is the sign most closely connected to Earth and it’s resources. It is “the container that allows energy to manifest on the physical plane; it draws the creative spark of Aries into form. It submits instead of subdues, it favors nurturing over destruction and harmonizes with the greater whole.”*
Taurus is our sensual world, it’s smells, tastes, and it’s products.
It is the “green world”, our planet’s gifts and resources. Taurus is the ecological steward!
Earth Moons always put us in touch with our physical and sensual body. Going slow, we can experience how our body feels, which may not have been the same as yesterday or how it will be tomorrow. This gives us receptivity to our changing experience and prompts grounded growth through awareness.
Though we are slow and sensual in this Moon time – we have friction between Mars and Uranus at 29 degrees Capricorn/ Aries.
The 29th or last degree of any sign is considered to be the critical one – it’s unstable as it changes into a new form. Themes of volatility are present in the flux.
Mercury is conjunct Uranus too – Money and communications may be affected. This could be in shocking and revealing ways. Venus is strong though-and we can look to her for a key to getting the most out of the intensity.
To begin, we plant the seed of intention for everything we want to manifest by getting grounded. Stop and Breathe! Venus essentially represents the law of attraction and one’s personal pleasure in BEING. Taurus and Venus are very much about feeling, balance and centering as well as contact with our earthy reality.
In a Manifestation practice (a VERY Taurean activity) we first pay attention to what we desire, from there we put our will into motion in a step-by-step way, with ritual and activity.
Delve into what you personally need for peace and stability this week – for some it is action and variety and for others quiet harmony. Go within and listen to your body’s wisdom to the find your center. No matter the changing in our collective (and it will be changing quite a bit more!) this will provide the most sustainable resource of all – a deep well of inner guidance and a foundation of healthy connection to your personal source of equanimity and security.
Know that you are a magical manifestor! Cultivate the concept, work with law of attraction and watch your garden grow!
Here is a little ritual for connecting to your body on the moon from The Chopra Center:
Exercise: Get Grounded
One powerful way to expand your awareness is to ground yourself in your body. Whenever you feel distracted or triggered by a situation or event, tune into the feelings in your body. For instance, if you receive an unexpected bill and your normal reaction would be to feel angry or anxious, try this simple yoga pose known as Tadasana or Standing Mountain.
1. Begin by standing* with your feet hips width apart, the big toes slightly turned in. Engage your thigh muscles and lift the knee caps.
2. Align your body by having the knees above the ankles, the hips above the knees, the shoulders above the hips, the ears above the shoulders. The crown of your head is reaching up toward the sky.
3. Lengthen your tailbone toward the floor. Lift your ribs up from the waist. Your feet are firmly rooted on the ground. As you feel your connection to the earth beneath you, you become as steady as a mountain. Slowly lower your hands to your sides.
4. Now take a deep breath, close your eyes, and let yourself feel the sensations in your body. Focus your attention on the waves of sensation until they disappear.
By pausing and becoming aware of your body and the present moment, you’re breaking a conditioned pattern of stimulus-response. As you breathe, your body is reminded of its natural state of harmony and self-regulation, and this grounds you.
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Sacred Self Care Guide for April 2018
Sacred Self Care Guide for April 2018 from Rising River Wisdom SchoolIn all the worlds’ mythology and culture, there have been wisdom keepers, those who looked to the natural and the hidden worlds as a guide for life on earth. Within these seekers are stargazers, who ascribe meaning to the “stars” and their movements through the solar system.
Though Earth’s Moon is no star, it reflects the brightest light we can see in the night sky. Its phases are a part of human consciousness, and its movements affect systems on earth and sea. When we align our activities to the Moon’s cycles we find a greater connection to both our bodies and intuitive wisdom. Read on for some self care wisdom inspired by the new moon.
Rising River Wisdom School is an immersive program for those looking to step into their own power and carry wisdom for themselves and the world around them. Below you will find some Sacred Self Care insight for April from Rising River Wisdom School’s incredible teachers – we’ve got you covered for setting intentions with the upcoming new moon, to seeking insight from animal guides and plant medicine plus lots of guidance for mindfully navigating the world with your vibrant well-being in focus.
New Moon Wisdom from Michelle Prentiss:
Aries New Moon 4/15/18 6:57pm PDT
Sabian Symbol for Aries Moon: “Through Imagination a Lost Opportunity is Regained”
A NEW MOON is when the Sun and Moon are co-joined (conjunct). April’s New Moon is currently hanging out with communication planet Mercury in Aries, the sign representing the start of Nature and Astrology’s growth cycle. Aries keyword is “I AM” and within Aries season is the energy of commencement – we feel the need to get things done NOW!
Added to the Sun and Moon is the planet of Revolution Uranus – hand in hand with Dwarf Planet Eris (named after the Goddess of Discord). Eris was only discovered in 2005 and is actually bigger than Pluto! Eris represents how going against the “powers that be” can produce something magnificent in our life. Friction can create the “ pearl beyond measure”, deeper self-knowledge, accomplishment of goals, creativity, cohesion.
Here we have quite a line up of electric energy in the sky and the best way to take advantage of this power is to assert ourselves – by following our passions, moving our bodies in healthy ways, being flexible with change and knowing that sometimes in strife and definitely through striving we grow, we evolve and we triumph.
Mercury in Retrograde goes direct prior to the full moon. As it does it conjuncts Chiron in Pisces which is getting ready to move to Aries on the 17th.
The Wounded Healer/Teacher archetype is coming to the Warrior, integrating the two, putting awareness into how we can transform our hurt into help, it’s really showing us how our compassion which is borne of pain – can catalyze us into progressive action.
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Sacred Self Care Guide for March 2018
Sacred Self Care Guide for March 2018 from Rising River Wisdom SchoolIn all the worlds’ mythology and culture, there have been wisdom keepers, those who looked to the natural and the hidden worlds as a guide for life on earth. Within these seekers are stargazers, who ascribe meaning to the “stars” and their movements through the solar system.
Though Earth’s Moon is no star, it reflects the brightest light we can see in the night sky. Its phases are a part of human consciousness, and its movements affect systems on earth and sea. When we align our activities to the Moon’s cycles we find a greater connection to both our bodies and intuitive wisdom. Read on for some self care wisdom inspired by the new moon.
Rising River Wisdom School is an immersive program for those looking to step into their own power and carry wisdom for themselves and the world around them. Below you will find some Sacred Self Care insight for March from Rising River Wisdom School’s incredible teachers – we’ve got you covered for setting intentions with the upcoming new moon, to seeking insight from animal guides, tarot card reading and plant medicine plus lots of guidance for mindfully navigating the world with your vibrant well-being in focus.
New Moon Wisdom from Michelle Prentiss
New Moon in Pisces- March 17th 6:12am PST
So it’s Pisces season – the time of year where we float a little bit, are sensitive and touchy and our New Moon in Pisces on March 17th asks us to seek out where our vulnerabilities can be transformed into understanding. As we work on ourselves, both inner and outer, we become our own healer and in doing so – we automatically radiate this healing to everyone whose lives we touch.
Our pain and fears can be the greatest teachers as they hold the key to our individual wounds, which often is our life’s work!
All this energy is working in harmony with the planet Jupiter; currently retrograde in Scorpio. Expanding beams of deep inner work are rewarded. You may have epiphanies as you dig into yourself, creating the opportunity for re- birth in places where you may have been stuck.
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Sacred Self Care Guide for February 2018
Sacred Self Care Guide for February 2018 from Rising River Wisdom SchoolIn all the worlds’ mythology and culture, there have been wisdom keepers, those who looked to the natural and the hidden worlds as a guide for life on earth. Within these seekers are stargazers, who ascribe meaning to the “stars” and their movements through the solar system.
Though Earth’s Moon is no star, it reflects the brightest light we can see in the night sky. Its phases are a part of human consciousness, and its movements affect systems on earth and sea. When we align our activities to the Moon’s cycles we find a greater connection to both our bodies and intuitive wisdom. Read on for some self care wisdom inspired by the new moon.
Rising River Wisdom School is an immersive program for those looking to step into their own power and carry wisdom for themselves and the world around them. Below you will find some Sacred Self Care insight for February from Rising River Wisdom School’s incredible teachers – we’ve got you covered for setting intentions with the upcoming new moon, to seeking insight from animal guides, tarot card reading and plant medicine plus lots of guidance for mindfully navigating the world with your vibrant well-being in focus.
New Moon Wisdom from Michelle Prentiss
New Moon in Aquarius / Solar Eclipse February 15, 2018 2:06pm PST
The New Moon Cycle is ideal for setting intentions and planting the “ seeds” of magic in your life by utilizing your higher mind. This New Moon is in the sign of Aquarius – the sign that embodies the idea of a higher conscious awareness. As the 11th sign in a 12 sign cycle, Aquarius integrates the lessons of the previous 10 signs into visionary actions designed for the collective. The Planets Uranus (Illumination and Insight) and Saturn (Mastery of Matter) co-rule Aquarius and serve as themes for this lunation. The Solar eclipse adds power to this opportunity for breakthroughs in challenging patterns we may have in our lives. By paying attention to our mindset, and exercising the idea of releasing thoughts that drain and negate our sense of an expansive self – we can take quantum leaps in the perception of our challenges. This eclipse is all about the power of manifesting our future, by opening our minds to new possibilities.
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Sacred Self Care Guide for January 2018
Sacred Self Care Guide for January 2018 from Rising River Wisdom School
In all the worlds’ mythology and culture, there have been wisdom keepers, those who looked to the natural and the hidden worlds as a guide for life on earth. Within these seekers are stargazers, who ascribe meaning to the “stars” and their movements through the solar system.
Though Earth’s Moon is no star, it reflects the brightest light we can see in the night sky. Its phases are a part of human consciousness, and its movements affect systems on earth and sea. When we align our activities to the Moon’s cycles we find a greater connection to both our bodies and intuitive wisdom. Read on for some self care wisdom inspired by the new moon.
Rising River Wisdom School is an immersive program for those looking to step into their own power and carry wisdom for themselves and the world around them. Below you will find some Sacred Self Care insight for January from some of Rising River Wisdom School’s incredible teachers – we’ve got you covered for setting intentions with the upcoming new moon, to seeking insight from animal guides, card reading and plant medicine plus lots of guidance for mindfully entering 2018 with your vibrant well-being in focus.
New Moon Wisdom from Michelle Prentiss
New Year, New Moon in Capricorn January 16th 2018 6:17pm PST
There is a lot of powerful manifestation energy in this moon!
Capricorn is the last of the earth signs, the 10th of 12 planetary energy modes, and is concerned with mastery.
At its most “evolved” Capricorn symbolically integrates the spiritual with the material-taking trans-personal energies and making them “useful” in the world.
Where you find this sign in your astrological chart you may be practical and ambitious, grounded and extremely hardworking. This is also the place where you must take responsibility for yourself and become your own authority. Capricorn will always force us to learn to trust ourselves as we work toward our goals.
The cosmic energy of the week connects with an ongoing theme of destruction and re-creation (Sun, Pluto and Venus in Capricorn conjunct the Moon).
What is being transformed in your life? Take some time to think about what you want to leave behind. This Moon can be the catalyst for a powerful new start and the understanding that you are the creative artist “behind the curtain”.
The planet Uranus squares our New Moon; you may be inspired, illuminated or exasperated. Either way, it’s energy to make you want the change that is coming. Mars and Jupiter in Scorpio support the Moon, Mercury, Venus and Pluto in Capricorn- providing both the desire and fulfillment of well-deserved optimism and faith in our future.
Scorpio and Capricorn have a harmonious and supportive relationship, fueled by a mutual “passion” for self-improvement and hard work.
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Sacred Self Care Guide for December 2017
Sacred Self Care Guide for December 2017 from Rising River Wisdom School
In all the world’s’ mythology and culture, there have been wisdom keepers, those who looked to the natural and the hidden worlds as a guide for life on earth. Rising River Wisdom School is an immersive program for those looking to step into their own power and carry wisdom for themselves and the world around them. Below you will find some Sacred Self Care insight for December from some of Rising River Wisdom School’s incredible teachers – we’ve got you covered for setting intentions with the upcoming new moon, to seeking insight from animal guides, card reading and plant medicine plus lots of guidance for mindfully closing out 2017 and entering 2018 with your vibrant well-being in focus.
New Moon Wishing for December by Michelle Prentiss
Our Earth’s Moon is no star, but it does reflect the brightest light we can see in the night sky. Its phases are a part of human consciousness, and its movements affect systems on earth and sea. When we align our activities to the Moon’s cycles we find a greater connection to both our bodies and intuitive wisdom.
A powerful way to become aware of Moon energy is to utilize it for your own personal growth. As Biodynamic farmers do, track the moon cycles with an ephemeris or almanac. Use the New Moon time period to plant the seeds of wishes and desires, and the Full Moon to culminate and release them.
For example, say you want to begin a new nutrition and movement program. The few days just before the New Moon are perfect for crystallizing your thoughts here.
Ask yourself – What do I really want? What Do I Need? How do I Feel? (new moons can begin a new emotional/feeling cycle)
On the day of the New Moon use the energy of new beginnings to create a ritual around your desires. You can write down your wishes on paper or in a journal, light a candle as you hold these wishes in your mind, or join with others to create a ceremony around it.
We first sow the seeds of our intentions internally, then cultivate them with action as they are revealed with the Full Moon.
December’s New Moon is at 12/17-18 10:30pm PST
The New Moon for December is in the sign of Sagittarius, a fire element sign that represents the inner light of spiritual truth, that which keeps us going through the dark of winter. Sagittarius symbol is the Archer and she is concerned with finding meaning and direction on our journey.
This is a perfect New Moon for setting intentions regarding what you want to attract in your life – as well as creating Sacred Self Care habits and rituals that empower by integrating our bodies needs with the needs of our souls.
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The Power of Gratitude + FREE Gratitude Journal Download
Gratitude is an immensely powerful force that we can use in the most simple of ways to expand our happiness and cultivate loving relationships, it can even improve our health, both mental and physical.
I am so excited to share the Power of Gratitude. The very many powerful health benefits to a regular gratitude practice along with some tips and thoughts on how to cultivate a grateful heart, plus if you scroll to further down, I’m even offering a free download of a Gratitude Journal worksheet you can use daily, as part of your practice.
I invite you to explore ways to support living gratefully as a way of life, not simply something we celebrate once a year.
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The Healing Practice of Pratipaksha Bhavanam
Our thoughts have the power to transform our reality.
The Healing Practice of Pratipaksha Bhavanam
Vitarka badhane pratipaksha bhavanam – Respond to negative thoughts and patterns by thinking and doing the opposite.
If you’ve followed Tasty Yummies for sometime, you are aware that my yoga practice has played a very integral role in my healing and my health, along with my journey toward self-love and self-confidence. I jokingly say that yoga is the gateway drug that came into my life, rocked me and changed me forever – the “drug” that got me on the path to healing. But in full honesty it truly was the stepping stone that brought me to a place where I could finally prioritize my health and from a totally non-ego centered approach, it allowed me to place ME and my happiness above all else. Yoga was the first introduction I had to learning to love and celebrate my body, to trusting myself and most importantly, to knowing that I was actually worthy of being happy, vibrant and well.
It was sometime in 2006 that I first stepped onto my yoga mat, and while I didn’t know this at that time, it was that first unrolling of my mat that fully changed the trajectory of my life moving forward. It was the first time that I made a choice to prioritize my self-care above all else, to give myself permission to fully love myself and to trust that what lied ahead, while intensely challenging, would make for a better version of me.
My yoga practice has evolved greatly over the years. From a daily, rigid, before dawn, self-led mysore practice, to group ashtanga practice, to sweaty vinyasa classes anywhere and everywhere I could take them in, from coast to coast. A few years ago my personal practice eventually reached a place that I was yearning for more and it was then that I received my 200-hour and then 500-hour certification to teach, which I used to host retreats and teach regular classes, publicly and privately. These days, my personal yoga practice is much more private and intimate, with a far less stringent, regimented approach.
While I don’t have a scheduled 90 minute practice daily anymore, yoga still seeps into every single one of my days, even if just by way of the philosophies and methodologies inspiring my approach to daily living. Often it’s the practice of conscious breath work in a stressful moment, or quite literally physical stretches prior to or just after lifting heavy weights or having a rigorous workout of some kind. Some days I make my way to the beach to flow. Often I don’t. I find myself, most days, without consciousness, creating a symphony of breath and movement when I need it most or finding that beautiful balance between effort and steadiness in all aspects of my living. There may not be any greater constant in my life than the practices I have cultivated through yoga.
Throughout my yoga teacher training in 2014, I had a great many lightbulb moments. Literally open mouth “Aha!” moments. Realizations not just in what my body and mind were capable of, but rather in recognizing the control that I had unknowingly harnessed through my practice over the years up to that point. The control of creating my own happiness on the mat and in my life. There were beautiful practices that I had cultivated, unconsciously, which greatly contributed to changing me and much of it finally had explanation with these teachings. I could finally put words and thoughts to them and almost tangibly hold them in my hands so that I could study, cultivate, practice and share them with others.
Studying the yoga sutras and more specifically, Pratipaksha Bhavanam, were probably the most eye-opening aspects of my teacher training and to this day, despite my practice and my teaching career having changed drastically than what I ever could have imagined, they continue to provide daily practices and inspiration for a better life.
Yoga at 8,839 feet?
It was at the very top of Half Dome mountain on a trip to Yosemite last week, at the end of the most intense and rigorous hike (and experience) of my life, after facing my biggest fears and heading head on into place of great discomfort – that I had a great moment of true revelation! It was on top of that mountain, while sobbing in pure pride for what I had just accomplished, that I had the great realization that it was my yoga and the practice of Pratipaksha Bhavanam that got me through and to the top of that mountain that day! Both literally in the actual hike to the peak, but also the years of healing and transformation that led me to even being able to take that journey to be there, in the first place.
In every moment of self-doubt on the journey that day, in every intense thought of great fear, in every question of “But, what if I fall?” I had the unconscious ability to tap into this important practice and change both the dialogue and the outcome. I wouldn’t allow it to continue, I honored it in the moment, I expressed gratitude for it’s teachings and it’s purpose, then I shut that shit down and then literally heard the words – “Oh, my darling, but what if you fly?” (Erin Hanson)
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New Year Release Ritual
2016 will go down in the books as an intensely challenging and pivotal year for a great deal of us. If you too are counting down the days to starting over in 2017 with a vow to change and have a better year, let’s reflect on these resolutions and how to make them last. Mentally we need that idea of pressing a magic reset button in hope that we can leave our baggage behind in a four digit number and wash our hands of it. By the end of the year it’s as if our candle has been burned at both ends and we grasp at the belief of starting over at the stroke of midnight.
I have learned through my own ritual work with the moon and seasons that everything is on a cycle and having our own practice to mark the beginning and end of them can help you manifest things you want to attract and release that which no longer serves you. The moon expands, gets full and bright and then retracts until its dark only to start the cycle again. In the fall, the leaves die and fall off of the trees, everything retreats and goes within for Winter and emerges with new life and birth in Spring. We are not immune to these natural cycles. It’s why we focus so much on the New Year! But before we can make room to bring new things into our lives, we must release the old and clear out the clutter. I am going to help you set this intention for release through a simple ritual I have experienced results with.
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Meet Brook: Shamanic Reiki Master
I am so excited to introduce you all to Brook Albrigo, a very dear friend of mine. You have heard me speak previously about the very important roles that reiki and the subtle body have played in my healing journey, I have also shared very specific details of healing sessions with Brook. I am very honored to announce that Brook will be joining us here monthly to share more about reiki and the strong influence in which energetics can play in healing, including simple tips to restore balance and promote vitality and wellness.
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If someone had told me 6 years ago that I would become a Shamanic Reiki Master I would’ve laughed in their face and told them to get their head checked. Those words just didn’t exist in my vocabulary until the day, immobile and injured, I sought physical pain relief and found healing on an extraordinary level.
The path that followed was one I never for one moment felt that I chose, but rather that it chose me. I had to surrender to it or be dragged kicking and screaming. Either way, THIS was happening!Before I discovered healing through energy work, I was completely comfortable in my routine of self destructive and toxic co-dependent ways. I was living in New York City, working in the beauty industry, sometimes working weeks without a day off. I was convinced all the sacrifice would pay off – it’s all part of the ‘city hustle’ and you can sleep when you’re dead, right? The stress and disregard for self care was so out of control that I had developed insomnia, digestive issues, a constant eye twitch and I couldn’t calm my nerves enough to take the subway home without at least two drinks in my system.
Looking back and knowing what I know now, this was all just a major distraction. A diversion I had unknowingly created to avoid the real issues underneath the surface. I was more willing to sacrifice my health, happiness and overall well-being than face the hard truth – I simply did not love myself. Even worse, I hated myself. I had been on antidepressants for years trying to numb this feeling of never being enough or worthy. I was adept at smiling and pretending that I had it all together, but deep down was this great deal of self loathing and suffering. While initially antidepressants did help me get through a tough time, I had come to rely on them for too long and wanted to eventually come off, but did not think I was capable. All of these circumstances combined with my Saturn Return (an event that happens to all of us about every 28—30 years which brings about major change), the perfect storm was created.
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GATHER // Women’s Empowerment Retreat // Southern California
This Spring, Wild Spirit Retreats hosted RISE, our first women’s retreat of it’s kind. We were blessed with an incredible group of women who came together to cultivate a magical weekend of healing and deep connection. We moved together, we created, we feasted, we laughed those incredible heart-warming belly laughs that can fuel you for months and there were many tears shed as we dove deep into our souls, hand-in-hand with each other. I am honored to have been able to share my passions, to have nourished and shared space with those 23 beautiful souls. As a teacher, I found myself learning from my students, so much about myself and this journey we are all on together and I am still swelling with gratitude for the lifelong friendships that were formed during our gathering.
I am so excited to announce our next Women’s Empowerment Retreat, GATHER, a sacred, women’s-only gathering in Southern California, October 2-5, 2015.
G A T H E R is a harvest for the soul.
A journey into the abundance of the Earth.A place to forage for light,
to explore the field of the spirit,
to discover the wonders around and within us.This is an exploration of your wild heart.
An offering to your highest self.
A place to find your tribe.This is a celebration of the Earth goddess within.
What is GATHER?
GATHER is a 4-day Women’s Empowerment Retreat combining yoga, meditation, ceremony, cooking and connection. GATHER will take place in Southern California, being held at the Akashas Vedanta Ashram in Ramona, CA, in San Diego County, October 2-5, 2015. The entire retreat is 100% gluten-free.
We will be offering multiple daily yoga classes, guided meditation and ceremony sessions, various cooking workshops and demos, creative workshops and more. You can see the sample schedule here.
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Wanderlust 108 West Coast Giveaway
For many of my readers that are yogis, I am sure you have heard of the Wanderlust events. These incredible, full-on celebrations of all things mindful, combine yoga, meditation, hiking, music, incredible speakers, farm-to-table dinners and so much more – all in beautiful, inspiring locations.
But, have you heard of their one-day events, Wanderlust 108 – “The world’s kindest triathlon”. These events are unlike the traditional triathlon’s you are likely familiar with, rather Wanderlust 108 is a day of running, yoga and meditation to bring out your best. This “mindful triathlon” combines a 5k run, an outdoor yoga experience, and a guided meditation in your local park.
