Balance beyond belief

What we lived
2020 has already been one for the books, but we are all charged with completing this mammoth year. I know we have a bit of trepidation with elections, a second virus wave, and possible shut downs ahead. I felt like it only makes sense to try to decipher what is ahead. Of course this is not looking into a crystal ball trickery, but rather ancestral wisdom looms over my head just as it does over yours. In this post I will lay out one way to view all of this and suggest a way to decode what lies ahead.

What we do

Navigating the remainder of this year is about knowing what type of energy has already been put out into the world with COVID, injustice and large amounts of global deaths. Once we know we must accept all that transpired thus far and digest it in order to transmute this surge of negative and positive experiences. Even as I write this I too struggle with parts of this prescriptive plan of moving from this moment.

What we need

Ok let's chunk this into smaller parts. Simply stated the pandemic has changed our lives in an instant and spiritually this has been a huge undertaking to pivot, adjust, protect, root and ground ourselves. Having said that I personally felt that leaning into my ancestors and their experiences and ways of living is one of the things that really got me through the darkest days (since I live in North New Jersey which was a part of the eye of the virus initially). Once I was able to identify that this wasn't new and that there was a blueprint of some sort acceptance became an option for me. Now digestion, well that one was a bit more difficult.

What we know

Digesting all of this comes with such grave aspects of knowing that there really is meaning in ignorance is bliss, but since I lean towards learning every time, I had to just take whatever came with the knowing. Again my ancestors provided me with insight that what we are experiencing is not new and is a pattern of human behavior when there is lack, inferiority, and emptiness in their souls. Also the ancestors taught me that there was nothing anyone did to deserve this fate and that somehow calmed me in the harshest of the storm.

What we will
Lastly, (and where I currently find myself) is the place of transmutation. The phenomenon associated with taking the horrible and making it useable is a tall order on any given day, but during or after a pandemic is quite heroic humanity and spiritual might. So I will say this, ancestrally speaking, this is where our greatest and best good lives dwell and if we swim through all of our spiritual muck to reach the point of peace, understanding and balance what we access is much like that of walking a tight rope with a monkey on our heads. PURE BALANCE.

What we are

Now many of you may ask how do I lean into, reach out to, or even access my ancestors. Well it is much simpler than you think. For me, a practitioner of an earth based spirituality, I believe our ancestors are always around us we just block ourselves from seeing them.

But for a beginner or even a naysayer here are a few things that help me access them.

Ancestor Connection

Make their favorite food and eat it, you can even have a small spirit plate that you leave for them while eating

Set up an ancestral altar with pictures, objects they like and candles to light the way for them (be careful, use safe candles or faux candles)

Do a meditation on them and really concentrate on connecting to them in order to receive messages they have for you

Engage a family member in a conversation about the ancestor so you can remember their personality, traits, wit, and wisdom

Go to a favorite place of theirs and spend some time there just being there and staying open to any understanding that you may receive

Celebrate a holiday or favorite time of the year that your ancestor liked, you can do it like they did it or add something new to it that is your own flavor

The focus of Fall

credit: saintmarkschurch.net

Fall is here
As the days shorten and the nights grow longer all of us see the musings and machinations of Autumn.  I suggest we harbor this magical time of year that is like no other.  Although the sun shines brightly in summer, the sparseness of winter wonders, and the newness of spring is a spark, fall is a time of great harvest and therefore a space for us to leap forward more than any other time during our year, at least I think so :)

Resistance is futile
I have had some personal resistance to actually posting this time, but as usual great resistance is always due to a message that is so timely and needed.  So, to this fall I say to us all be open to the true harmony that is available.  Harmony? Balance? What am I speaking of, well, ponder on these following thoughts.

To be or not to be Harmony
Harmony has always seemed to me like that see saw fluctuation that could be swung in either direction at almost anytime.  I can't say I have been a real fan or a success at reaching it either.  I, like most of you, have felt like I was either doing too much or too little. Or perhaps you have had some major set back and thought, okay, after this it will all be good when I do ____.  Yeah, neither of these scenarios ever seem to equal harmony.  I could go on, but I think we all know what I am talking about.

credit: instituteforchronicpain.org

True Harmony is...
After receiving this message back to back I realized spirit was speaking softly and starting to raise her voice.  So I acquiesced and began writing.  Harmony is a choice we make each and everyday.  At the core of Harmony is acceptance of self, at this exact moment.  Not tomorrow or when you are a certain size, or even when your bank account has a certain balance. Right now!  And when we embrace Harmony, truly and completely, we are taking many steps on our paths to greatness. 

There will be work
Now don't get it twisted, Harmony does require work and is an active concept, but for each of us that first baby step of saying "I am okay just as a I am" is huge. And just think if we possess this energy and go out into the world and spread it, what a difference we can make.  So, dust off that courage, love up on who you are, and spread those arms and hug (metaphorically and literally) yourself, cause that is what will truly bring Harmony actively into your daily life.

Tools for the journey
Below are just a few tools and entities to call upon during your walk this fall with Harmony, if you are moved to focus on other things, do just that.  I find it is helpful to have guides on any path we choose to take, these are the ones I will call upon, use this or others, but definitely give yourself signposts along the way.

Fall Animal Totem - Turtle

Concept - Mother Earth

credit: dreamstime.com

Longevity and Grounding

My relationship with Time

Use my Head to redirect my Path

Attune to Opportunities

Acknowledge my Connection to all

Fall Goddess - Ostara 

Concept - Fertility

credit: lightworkersworld.com

Lift myself with new intentions

Let the light into my Soul

Use flowers for Encouragement

Embrace power in my Inner & Outer worlds 

Begin Anew

Fall Affirmation

With self and guides I step on the path

and accept me just as I am

no change is necessary

The harmony I achieve drives me

to create a new beginning that

is full of positivity, light, and love

As I move this fall I know that

my success is destined, protected and totally 

up to me; I choose acceptance 

and so it is

--Andrea