Jumping for Jupiter!

Wahoo!!! I am celebrating #Jupiter turning direct!!! It's been a long four months of retrograde in Scorpio, forcing deep introspection into our exchange of energetic resources and how this exchange serves each of our own spiritual or philosophical paths. 

Jupiter represents insight and the seeking of truth, which is relative to each one of us and the unique lesson(s) we are learning this rotation around the sun. During the retrograde, we were forced to confront truths that were hidden or repressed. We may have taken a closer look in the mirror and seen the "ugly" sides of ourselves in which we were not acting in accordance with our belief systems. At this time in Scorpio, we were also assessing the exchange of our personal resources with other(s), especially in regards to sexuality, emotional growth/transformation and all plays of power. We were asked to examine these exchanges in order to fine tune them to better serve our purpose and power.

For me this Jupiter retrograde was a murky time where I felt "out of tune" with the "work" I'd been doing around my own intellectual and spiritual development. The writing of my spi-fi novel, as well as my meditation and yoga practice essentially stalled during this time, and issues of excess (also a Jupiter thing) with food and indulgence also resurfaced. 

It's funny, with astrology it is oftentimes hard to see the forest for the trees, that is, when you're in the midst of the transit, you're so caught up in it that you can't really see outside of it to the bigger picture. Now that the veil of retrograde confusion has lifted, we will all be gaining the clarity and perspective needed to move forward. Imagine the north star hiding behind the night clouds and then the sky clears to reveal your compass. I know a lot of people have been feeling the emotions of Cancer season and the Capricorn Full Moon purge of the patriarchy and our broken systems, so I hope that the knowingness of coming into clarity with Jupiter will provide a lot of comfort and ease this month!! 

Give thanks to Jupiter and the power of insight, wisdom and intuition tonight at dusk. Look out to the Southwest and you will see him shining there! Jupiter will not turn retrograde again until April 2019. That will take place in Jupiter's ruling sign of Sagittarius. Eeeeep! I am not even going to think about that double whammy right now, and instead stay mindful and present in this moment. Jupiter is the planet of expansiveness, growth and reaching new heights, so you may also feel called to do a celebratory Jump for Jupiter!

Our Nature: A Meditation on Source

For the last several months, I've been taking a class to study the book Science of Mind by Ernest Holmes. (I've also been very remiss in fulfilling my blog duties!) I wanted to share a short meditation video I created as my final class project. If you already use the great outdoors as a source of healing and strength, this will probably be up your ally! First, it may be helpful to understand some of the philosophical viewpoints expressed in Science of Mind.

Here is what I've gathered from my studies:

• We are all one; all made of the source energy; all vibrations of the cosmic ohm
• We are at the same time individualized expressions of this source energy
• The source energy (God, light, love) is by nature infinitely creative, abundant and good
• We know this by observing nature on Earth, and the expansive behavior of the Cosmos
• As expressions of source energy (to quote Neil Degrasse Tyson, "We are made of star stuff."), we too are infinite creators
• We each have infinite potential to create our reality through mindful intention and action
• Mind becomes matter and thoughts become things 

If you're interested in learning more about Science of Mind, pick up the book! I'd also suggest Ralph Waldo Emerson and Thomas Troward (who I'm in the process of reading now). 

And without further ado, the video... I promise my voice overs will get better if I try this again! Enjoy :)

The Planets Our Guides

Astrology is not a belief system. It's a language. Quite simply, it's tool for processing our experience on Earth (a tool that happens to be over 4,000 years old!). When you first see your natal chart, it can look a bit overwhelming -- like your high school geometry and foreign language classes combined into one course of study! But don't worry, it's easy to read this language with a little help!  

The planets and zodiac signs are represented by glyphs, or symbols. Each planet and sign carry a specific energetic focus. After my first year of astro study, I put together a short animation to describe the planetary powers at an introductory level. I also timed the voice over to match the glyphs, so you can visually connect each planet to it's symbol and story.

I thought this would be a fun addition to the blog, and a helpful tool for anyone new to the language of astrology. Shout out to Forest Veil for her beautiful interpretation of Yael Naim's A New Soul on the video soundtrack. Such a perfect song to illuminate these concepts. I hope you enjoy this blast from the past! 

This is an introductory astrology video explaining the different planet energies.

The Wheel of Development

In astrology, the natal chart is divided into 12 houses. At the time you are born, each planet occupies a house, which is the setting or area of life where that planetary energy is focused. I like to think of the houses advancing in the same way as an infant comes to being in the world.

First and foremost, there is a "knowing" that one exists. Then, in finding purpose and activity in the world, a sense of "belonging". In sharing experience with others, there is a sense of "relating". And in the ability to give of the self to a higher purpose, there is an experience of "becoming" something greater than one was before.

Zodiac Houses as Self Development Quadrants

Knowing Quadrant

When an infant is born, they know only one thing: I exist. This is the setting of the 1st house, the house of self, and the unique qualities each self possesses. The next thing an infant comes to know is that they need things. Milk, touch, rest. This the setting of the 2nd house, which governs values and resources. Soon after, this infant understands that their cries help them to accrue resources. And this is the 3rd house: thinking and communication.

I like to think of this first quadrant as the process of "knowing". Before a person can experience belonging, sharing or becoming, one must know that one exists, has needs, and has a mind that plays a role in actualizing those needs.

Belonging Quadrant

As the child develops, their home life and family, the 4th house, is the next place of impact. In the 5th house, they experience the creative process and play. In the 6th house, they experience responsibility in maintaining their health, and creating livelihood through work and service. I think of this second quadrant as "belonging" because it involves the interplay of self and the material world. At the stage of belonging, the child understands that they are a powerful creator existing in a creative world. 

In the first and second quadrant, a person is aware of, and focused on, their experience as an individual. During these stages of development, it may be difficult to understand that other individuals are at the same time experiencing the world through their own unique lenses. This brings us to the third quadrant of "relating".

Relating Quadrant

As we all remember from childhood and raising our children, friendship and sharing is not always an easy endeavor for a developing child. As we enter the "relating" quadrant, an adolescent has now embodied their sense of self and is able to share meaningful experience with another. The 7th house pertains to relationships between friends, lovers and business partners. The 8th house relates to shared resources and experiences of intimacy, that which we may create with another. Finally, the 9th house pertains to one's worldview, which is generally formed and influenced through one's relationships.

To be successful in relationship, it is essential to understand that others are processing the world as a result of their own experience of knowing and belonging. Each person's  experience of "reality" is truly subjective. Through effective communication  and our inborn ability to empathize, we seek to see through the eyes of another, deepening the bonds of relationship and broadening our perspective at the same time.

Becoming Quadrant

In the final quadrant of development, "becoming" is the ability to give of oneself to impact humanity and life. Our infant, now an adult, has developed the progressive skills of knowing, belonging and relating in order to fully become. The 10th house pertains to one's career, passion project and work's purpose. In the 11th house, we experience involvement and activity in community. And in the 12th house, we experience harmony with spirit and fluidity with collective consciousness.

In traditional astrology, the 12th house is associated with death. This can be thought of as the ultimate becoming. Transcending this life to become another form. In the cycle of life, the process then continues with knowing, belonging, relating, and becoming again! 

Summary

While the zodiac houses and quadrants can be considered as a full wheel of life, the process is happening in microcosm on a daily basis. Any new idea, skill or feeling takes root in our selves through this same cycle.

In Cosmic Coaching, we look at the different areas of your life and the development stages you are being asked to focus on at any given time. Knowing where you are in your cycle can be a tremendous unburdening or responsibility. If you feel like you are pushing the river, you may be skipping over a very necessary stage of development.

Now that you know the quadrants, consider where you may be with a particular situation in your life. Always practice patience and allow yourself the gift to move at your own pace.

Recap of the Zodiac Houses

• 1st house - Self 
• 2nd house - Values & Resources
• 3rd house - Communication
• 4th house - Home & Family
• 5th house - Creativity & Play
• 6th house - Health & Work
• 7th house - Relationship
• 8th house - Shared Resources
• 9th house - Worldview
• 10th house - Career
• 11th house - Community
• 12th house - Spirituality