Stopping on a Dime or an Eclipse

An eclipse defined

So now let's do a bit of deciphering and figuring. Overall Eclipse energy is stronger because it is the alignment of three celestial bodies that affect us: the Sun, the Moon and the Earth.  An important property of a Solar Eclipse is it really can transform our material circumstances, such things as abundance, self identity, housing, employment, etc.  In order words all things that are focused outside ourselves.  Please note Eclipses always travel in pairs so this Solar one is the second part to the Lunar that occurred just a few weeks ago. When an eclipse occurs there is perfect alignment between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. In a solar eclipse the Moon falls in line between the Earth and the Sun and is a good time to focus on material circumstances such as location changes, self identity, or personal power.  Eclipses are gateways for great change and it's a time to use energy to discover the root causes of things.

Seen Alignment

On this day in places around the globe were blessed with this Solar Eclipse. Meaning that the Moon will move between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow and blocking out the Sun's light. Simple enough explanation, right? Well the spiritual implications could not be more fortuitous for us. Eclipses hold great power and knowing what is possible makes room for such great progress and evolution on just this one day.

Work near Solar Eclipse

Time of Great Change

During this brief time know that each second holds great possibility and if we use it then we have evolved just a bit more

Power Portal

Eclipses hold great spiritual power that we can access at this time, be ready to accept that which is for you and only you

Meditation & Reflection

Take moments to reflect and listen following this Solar Eclipse, take the next 2 to 3 weeks to see what manifests and reflect daily

Past Life/Soul Retrieval

An eclipse can reveal portions of ourselves that have been disconnected, use this time to welcome back portions of yourself that left due to trauma or pain, if need be seek professional assistance

Solar Eclipse Herbs/Flower Essences

Bay - Fire Element - Overcome Opposition

Honey - Earth Element - Calming

Marigold - Fire Element - Renewal

Solar Eclipse Affirmation

On this day allow all the shadows to appear so I may confront them, see them for what they are and move beyond them,

Blessed am I to encounter the power of the eclipse, I am open, I am clear, I am love,

May my ancestors and guides lead me to the truth that has been here all along.

--Andrea

Spring into Spring

Just the beginning

...Spring is here. As this day begins in the Northern Hemisphere we have passed another milestone in this year. The Spring Equinox is upon us and so are many new opportunities.  Be sure to mark this day, not only for the seasonal shift that is occurring in nature around us, but more importantly the spiritual spring board that is here for us to keep evolving.

Oh so new

Spring, a season associated with color, the return of the Sun and many beginnings must always be acknowledged as a time for growth. For us this growth has to be from the inside out or else we miss the things that are truly for us.  During this time of the year purposely be outside more, notice the growth of flora and fauna and tap into that action of renewal. The regenerative force that is Spring does NOT happen by osmosis, we must be willing to accept the gifts this season has for us. Are you ready? Am I?. Now that our days are longer and our nights are shorter, let's illuminate our love and compassion as we connect to other people, places, objects, beings, and nature.  We should give often and frequently.  Please understand that this is not about material giving this is about giving pieces of ourselves in small and large ways.  Remember when we share we are giving to ourselves through others. Think about that one for a moment.

Cues give clues

As we enter a new season I suggest we look to nature for cues and clues. Cues and clues can often be found in ideas like a totem, a concept or even a simple mantra. I have gathered a collection of these tools we can use as we navigate what we want to manifest in this new season. Review them and see if they provide you with insight and even if they do or do not let them be the springboard that catapults us all forward into the next iteration of ourselves. As we enter a time of rebirth of our natural world I ask us all to harness that same energy and dare to do something different this Spring!

Spring Animal Totem - Hippopotamus

Meaning - Power

Initiations & Apprenticeships

Let water heal and bless me

Begin a new life cycle

Immerse myself in art and healing

Spring Concept - Change

Change begins with a small, small seed

Have fear of Change and do it anyway

Change can be discomfort

The unknown is a part of Change

Change is the only constant

Spring Mantra

 Place on my path this Spring the power to see the change that is for me,

And with this Change I will challenge myself to evolve especially at times with it is NOT comfortable,

All the while knowing that the Change that I am forging at this time will bless me, those around me, and this planet

---Andrea

Mercury Retrogrades 2025 - Make a Strategy

Forewarned is Forearmed The planet mercury will go into a retrograde period March 15th and will stay that way until April 7th, 2025. These dates are just an approximation and some of us have begun to feel the effects as early as March 8th. So to help us all be a bit more proactive this post includes retrograde dates for all of 2025 as well.

Slowing it down A retrograde is when the planet is supposed to move in a certain direction and how we see it moving is a different direction.  When this happens to the planet Mercury, all forms of communication are off kilter.  So that means snail mail, email, cell phone, land lines, speaking to others, and speaking to yourself are just off. And don't even think of signing a contract or wonder why negotiations are not going well...Not to mention travel as well, so don’t be surprised about delays. If things seem to be going oh so wrong, sit back, relax and let things ride out over the next few weeks. Don't take things or people personally (especially yourself).  Most importantly, remain open to the communication you do have which is with yourself.  This relationship (the self one) has the potential to grow at leaps and bounds during the retrograde.

To Know Before The retrogrades in the coming year will happen three times and it's an opportunity to show ourselves, ya know what, we can do this.  Even as the God of Communication (the planet Mercury) 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.

• March 15–April 7: Mercury will be in retrograde in Aries and Pisces 

• July 18–August 11: Mercury will be in retrograde in Leo 

• November 9–29: Mercury will be in retrograde in Sagittarius and Scorpio 

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 get a sale price, and keep all receipts.  The return process or malfunction is basically inevitable.  Listed below are a few tips for dealing with retrogrades and you can also make up your own.

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

With just a small seed...

credit: Amanda Clark

Just the beginning
...Spring will begin. As this day begins in the Northern Hemisphere we have passed another milestone in this year. The Spring Equinox has come and so has many new opportunities.  Be sure to mark this day, not only for the seasonal shift that is occurring in nature around us, but more importantly the spiritual spring board that is here for us to keep evolving.

Oh so new
Spring, a season associated with color, the return of the Sun and many beginnings must always be acknowledged as a time for growth. For us personally this growth has to be from the inside out or else we miss the things that are truly for us.  During this time of the year purposely be outside more, notice the growth of flora and fauna and tap into that action of renewal. The regenerative force that is Spring does NOT happen by osmosis, we must be willing to accept the gifts this season has for us. Are you ready? Am I?

Working it out
This Spring for me is about actively building what I am to have in my life. In the past few months I have had many transitions and that has taken time to settle into it, but now that period is over. Before me lies all the tools, resources and others that I need, the missing part is me. The call has been given, I have heard it and answered. Work this Spring will be where I will dwell. No advertising, no selfies, no brainstorming. Plain and simple, work. And ya know what? I am so looking forward to it. Keep me focused y'all. And when you see me getting scared (as that has been known to happen) remind me this isn't that season!

Making it so
Take the time to think about what you want this season. Marking the beginning of a shift in energy is to your benefit. By saying to the spirit world I recognize the changes that are around me you open so much to you and others. Below are spiritual/guiding tools to use this Spring. They are sketches of a blueprint, please feel free to use them, not use them or spring board from them. Most importantly, be intentional about what you want this Spring. That intent will take you farther than you know.

Spring Animal Totem - Hippopotamus

Meaning - Power

www.awf.org

Initiations & Apprenticeships

Let water heal and bless me

Begin a new life cycle

Immerse myself in art and healing

Spring Concept - Change

credit: ibtimes.com

 

 Change begins with a small, small seed

Have fear of Change and do it anyway

Change can be discomfort

The unknown is a part of Change

Change is the only constant

Spring Mantra

credit: mamabluebird.com

 

Place on my path this Spring the power to see the change that is for me,

And with this Change I will challenge myself to evolve especiallly at times with it is NOT comfortable,

All the while knowing that the Change that I am forging at this time will bless me, those around me, and this planet

---Andrea

PS-Check out the next post as well "The Change Journal"

"Happy Spring"

A Spring of sharing

credit: fanpop.com

Spring has sprung
I am getting chills just thinking about all that is happening.  So the beautiful season of Spring has just peaked her head in the Northern Hemisphere and we are all the greater for it.
March 20th was the Spring Equinox on the Earth based Wheel of the Year and represents a time when we are clearing, planning, planting, and brewing.  Now is the time of activity, sunshine and wind. Since we have been more reclusive and contemplative in the Winter season, now the sun is ready to shine on our faces, are we ready?

Share and share alike
This Spring I say let's share, in a way that maybe we haven't before.  Not sharing in the basic mode of giving of what you have to another. Sharing in a larger, more meta way.  Now that our days are longer and our nights are shorter, let's illuminate our love and compassion as we connect to other people,

credit: ashtarcommandcrew.net

places, objects, beings, and nature.  We should give often and frequently.  Please understand that this is not about material giving this is about giving pieces of ourselves in small and large ways.  Remember when we share we are giving to ourselves through others.  Think about that one for a moment.

Let them see it all
My mission this Spring is to be more open to sharing my successes. As one raised as an only child and a person whose core was built on self sufficiency I now know that to evolve I need to embrace the communality of sharing my experiences with others.  Now I am not going to go hog wild and put everything that happens up on social media (cause there are enough folks in that lane), but I am going to be more mindful about letting folks tap me on the back and say "well done" cause I am convinced that is the universe speaking through them and am I sooooo arrogant as to not welcome the voice of the universe? No, I am not.

What's it gonna be?
Take time to think what you may want to share this season.  Below are tools to assist in that process and be a step to help you develop the course your Spring will take.  Be open, be mindful, and share!

Spring Animal Totem - Crow

Concept - Sacred Law

credit: pinterest.com

Personal Integrity

Mindful Opinions and Actions

The Omen of Change

Convergence of Past, Present, Future

 Spring Concept - Sharing

credit: sharing.org

Love and Compassion are Tools

Give to those who are open

See the crossroads of connections

Spring Mantra

credit: saltspringmalas.com

This Spring I give to others, myself, and this earth

*** Try saying the mantra to yourself 108 times at each sitting the mala above can be useful and meditative.

 --Andrea

Full Moon + Virgo + Mercury = ?

credit: blog.ishafoundation.org

Wrapped in the fullness
As this full moon wraps its essence around us let us bask in the gifts it can bestow upon us. More and more I choose to walk into the expansion of me and doing work during the full moon definitely aids in that endeavor.

Marking magic
The full moon lays at our feet energy, power and opportunity.  As I have stated before, when the full moon comes around make your own rituals more formalized; be it light candles, recite positive intentions to yourself, or just take time to meditate, mark this magical time and then wait for the results to show themselves for they will come.

Very Virgo like
This particular full moon is in the sign of Virgo, one I am personally affiliated with (it's the Astrological sign I was born under).  Virgo time is great for directing purpose, becoming more organized, and cleaning house.  I am focused this full moon  on intuition.  Yes, that deep down, in our guts feeling/s we get and sometimes talk ourselves out of.  Hearing that quiet inner voice is the universe speaking with and to you be grateful and pay attention.

Power behind Virgo
Virgo is only backed by its ruling sign Mercury.  Yes, that frenzy inducing planet when in retrograde can also be a great ally.  Likened to the benevolent Ganesh in Indian cosmology, Mercury is all about travel, communication and movement so we have at hand a simple equation.  Grab this Virgoan energy to make nice with our intuition and ride it til the wheels fall off, LOL.  Start small, trust your hunches and then cut and paste those successes with larger things in your life.  I know that's what I am going to do.

 Note the Now
My journey this full moon is rooted in acknowledging exactly where I am and noticing instead of judging that place.  All of this sounds nice but, what does that look like in practice?  Well this full moon will teach me that and much more I am sure.  My particular place on this life journey was destined and is in divine order with who I am becoming and more importantly who I presently am.  When I notice (things about myself) I am able to pick up my soul's patterns, which will lead to even more life successes.

Tools of the trade
Below tools to assist you in honoring the full moon.  I have given an affirmation that can be recited or meditated or as well as instructions on candle work that can be done.  Use these tools as a guide but, expand and forge ahead in what feels right to you.  Your power, your practice!

Full Moon Affirmation

Place in my soul recognition of where I am in my life cycle,

Translate to my core the rhythmic patterns that beat within me,

Increase my self love, acceptance and peace along this path

Candle Power

At the Full Moon there is an awesome amount of power available and a way to cement that power and your works is by burning candles.  Below is information on the color Yellow that is associated with the planet Mercury.  Find Yellow candles that are safe and burn them as long and as much as you like.  Fire is a tool of creation that can ignite you towards your goals this Full Moon.

Yellow

Joy

Manifestation of Change

Mental Clarity

--Andrea