Deep within Me!

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Day's details
At approximately 5:44am EST in the Northern Hemisphere on Wed. Dec. 21st we will experience the Solstice and enter Winter.  The Solstice is the longest night and shortest day and is a good time to do work related to retrospection, ancestors, family rituals, joy, and understanding nature's rhythms.

Decoration designed
Many of our standard Christmas season symbols are really that of the solstice and should also be lauded on this day. So hang your wreaths, put up your evergreen trees, light your candles, hang your lights for all to see, ring your bells, place your holly around the house and when you sit to light that warming and soothing fire, know that all of these are Solstice motifs and you're invoking the power of Sister Winter for your greatest and best good.

Delving to depths
This Solstice I am acknowledging the connection I have and searching inside to find new depths and boons for me and the universe. Just when I think I know where I am or what I think, I will pause, take a breath, and take one more last look. For in that brief moment I know I will find exactly what was waiting for me all the time. Patience, compassion, ease and confidence will be words I recite to myself over and over again. Yes, holidays, families, and lots of free time can often be a concoction for disaster, but this year, I will settle in and know that many gifts will be bestowed upon me and most of them will not be purchased.


Decide your destiny
Below are symbols, concepts, and words for you to use as a starting point on your own wintery journey.  Take all the time you need over the next few days, see what resonates with you. Whatever you try not to see, probably will be the very thing you MUST give light to during the Solstice. Happy Solstice, see all of you on the other side of all of this goodness!

Winter Totem - Moose

Meaning - Find New Life from my Depths

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Divine Feminine Connection

Water & Rhythms

Shapeshifting

Seek Herbal Alternatives

Maneuverability & Intuition

Winter Concept - Open to Sacred Energy

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Know my Contradictions

Make use of my Spiritual Territory

Embrace my Depth Perception

Trust my Knowing

Release my Past


Winter Affirmation

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On Winter's dawn I'm grateful to be all that I can be,

In a quiet time I know messages, magic, and love are overflowing,

Most importantly Sister Winter I am open to the sacred that is manifesting.

--Andrea

Relishing the Retrogrades

Dates defined

The planet mercury will go into a retrograde period December 19th and stay with us until January 8, 2017.  These dates are just an approximation and some of us have begun to feel the effects as early as December 12th. So to help us all be a bit more proactive this post includes retrograde dates for 2017 as well.

Some guidance
The retrogrades in the coming year are three times the opportunity to show ourselves, ya know what, we can do this.  Even as that God of Communication does his usual trickery, we can move forward, albeit at a totally different speed.  Remember retrogrades can be felt up to seven days before its onset and sometimes seven days after it goes direct.

Slowing it down
A retrograde is when the planet is supposed to move and what we see moving are different actions.  When this happens, all forms of communication are off kilter.  To say the least. snail mail, email, cell phone, home phone, speaking to others, speaking to yourself, and don't even think of signing a contract or wonder why negotiations are not going well...So if things seemed to be going oh so right, sit back, relax and let things ride over the next few weeks. Don't take things or people personally (especially yourself).  Most importantly remain open to the communication you have with yourself.  This relationship has the potential to grow at leaps and bounds during the retrograde.

  

Heed these things

Word to the wise, do not negotiate or sign anything, be it contract, big deals or heck even a napkin deal.  Why you ask, well because more than likely there will be miscommunication or misunderstanding.  And for all of us thinking about buying a new, "supadupa" tech gadget, please don't or if you must to get a holiday sale price, keep all receipts.  The return process or malfunction is basically inevitable.  

A possible gift
I personally see Mercury as that ever creative trickster that is out to have fun at my expense, but is never intentionally mean spirited. I also wonder sometimes if mercury wasn't in retrograde would I take the time I need for myself. So a retrograde so close to a holiday could be a challenge for us, but you know in advance so just prepare, sit back enjoy your folks, and LAUGH at all costs. Let me know how it goes.

Below some tips on how to survive this period. Forewarned is forearmed!

Mercury Retrograde Tips

Have more patience

Take more time to work internally on myself 

Revisit old, solid relationships 

Focus on things that will not waver 

---Andrea

Real release

Last, not too late
The moon has moved into her full state. Today, the last day of the full moon period, let us reflect on what we can gain from this period. We are half way through this lunar cycle and we must chart where we are and where we are headed.

Moon hype
Myths and lore exist about the full moon but few indicate the power and climatic energy available at this time. In general a full moon is that time during the cycle when we check in or it can also be that time when we can reflect on intentions that were set during the new moon.

True focus
For me full moon time is a great place to get a snapshot of where I am, not where I think I am. At this time we can look for success in matters related to love, attraction, abundance, courage, and inner awakenings. These are not the only places to work during the full moon, but it is a starting point.

Issue be gone
During this time I suggest we embrace the concept of releasing that which has been the biggest challenge for us. Whether it be a personal flaw, a difficult relationship (of any kind), financial trouble, or blocked creativity, at this very moment we can drop that mic and walk away. And this time a walk away is not giving up, but rather giving in to the higher divine powers that can handle any and everything. Just think no more heartache, sleepless nights or stress. All of this talk of releasing that which plagues us is the complete opposite of how most of us are socialized, but I know with effort we all can embrace it. Let go in order to move on.

Full Moon Concept - Mantras

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I say yes to Healing

I have the Power to surpass Struggle

Cleansing is Healing

The Divine Mother wishes me healing

Candle Power

At the Full Moon there is an awesome amount of power available an a way to cement that power and your works is by burning candles.  Find yellow candles that are safe and burn them as long and as much as you like. Fire is a tool of creation and stands in the direction of the South.  Ignite your soul towards its power this Full Moon.

Yellow

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Joy of Spirit

Mental Clarity

Personal Agility

Smooth Transitions

--Andrea

A shot of Fire

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A marked difference
Feeling a bit different these days? You should cause we have sauntered into the Sagittarius lunar cycle and the energy shift has been noticeable.  And at this exact moment the moon has begun to grow (wax) towards its full self.  Waxing moon time is ripe for endeavors related to short term projects or immediate changes to circumstances. I suggest we all have our game plans ready to activate during this time with small, measurable accomplishments.

See beyond sight
A key part of this plan must be Sagittarius, the Sun Sign that dominates this lunar cycle. Often misunderstood or misused, Sagittarius (Centaur/The Archer) wields great power and judgement. But do not forget the fire like energy, dynamism, fun, and optimism that can arise at this time. This sign, related to the holiday season in the western world is here, at this time, for a reason. Be the archer, devise your goal, then go shoot for it.

The Gift Bringer
All of this information needs to be put together like a personal puzzle that helps us navigate to the next level of evolution. Next piece (and maybe most important piece) is to recognize the ruling planet of Sagittarius, Jupiter. Known as the Father or King this benevolent planet amplifies and challenges at the same time. This WILL NOT be that time of the year when you can just slide by on doing the least. No, no, no. Jupiter will require us to be our highest selves. In return we can expect financial prosperity, the ability to clear negativity from our paths, and expansions of our courage levels.

My first step
My journey this lunar cycle is about understanding and proceeding with the knowledge that all gifts from my ancestors await me, but I must take the step. I must release any fear, ego, or doubt brought on by society, family, or old wounds. My time is NOW and it will not be this time forever. By embracing the laser focus Sagittarius/Jupiter provide my archer shots will be spot on and much more than I can ever imagine, but I must take that first step towards everything.

Plan, then plan
Utilize your inner archer and figure what needs to be done.  Set up for yourself short term and long term goals.  Below are mere ideas or sparks what comes from this is totally up to you. Decide now what issue or situation, then use the tips below to guide the development and progress of that issue or situation. See your target, aim, and shoot for it.

Work in a Sagittarius Lunar Cycle

Determination

Profit Bringer

Revelation

Optimism

Sagittarius Lunar Cycle Concept - Cross My Threshold

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A threshold awaits me

Actively move to my next phase

I must accept the gifts that await me

I must Know, I must See, I must Be, I must Do

Sagittarius Lunar Cycle Herbs/Essences

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Cedarwood - Fire Element - Financial Prosperity

Nutmeg - Fire Element - Strength

Obeah - Fire Element - Break Negativity

Sagittarius Lunar Cycle Stone - Sapphire

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Clarity

Protection

Dispelling Negativity

Concentration

Sagittarius Lunar Cycle Affirmation

In a shifting world I bravely answer yes to Sagittarius' gifts,

These gifts await me just beyond this threshold,

I accept all and step into my new, true power, 

knowing I and the world will be better for it.

---Andrea