Death, Rebirth, and the Full Moon

Last night we had a full moon in Scorpio and woohoo wasn’t the moon a beaut the last couple nights?! And as you know, I like to send out newsletters a couple times a month around the moon phases, so earlier in the week I pulled a card on what myself and my community needed to hear: Death/Rebirth card reversed! The Death card is ruled by Scorpio, so how apropos.

This card is about transformation.

About endings and beginnings. A reminder that with each death comes rebirth. At the bottom of each exhale is the opportunity for a new inhale. My tarot teacher Lindsay Mack says “In the Death card, nothing dies. Things just change form.” And this is what we are going through right now, yes? Life as we once knew it is changing form.

In the reversal, the Death card is inviting inquiry around where we might be resisting this change.

Where are we feeling fear of change or needing the space to mourn the losses? Where are we attached to the past in a way that doesn’t allow us to see the potential possibilities? Where are we resisting our own transformation? Where are we needed to help change the systems and workings of our country so we are all taken care of?

”After decay, the ground is abundantly fertile.” - Chris-Anne Donnelly

I feel this myself. Recently, I read a post by Portia Richardson who wrote, “I don’t want to go back to the old mode of operation. I don’t know if my body will allow it.” I really feel that! When I pulled a card for myself, I got the 3 of pentacles reversed which feels like it’s asking me to do some reflection on my soul work right now. I know the way I’ve been working and living will need to transform moving forward, but I’m not yet sure what that looks like. I’m open to what that looks like, so I’ll let go of the expectations my mental brain has and be willing to sit in the unknown until clarity shows up.

And so here we are: living breathing moving changing through the uncomfortable unknown of the death rebirth death rebirth cycle. Thankfully we have the natural world around us to show us that it’s a totally normal process!

In case you’re needing support during this time of metamorphosis, I’m holding breathwork for the full moon tonight (Friday 5/8) virtually (with a recording for those who can’t make it live). It’s my favorite tool for times like these, so please join us if you feel called!

In the meantime, my full moon wish for you is time spent going inward to the depths of your heart, to release what’s ready to be let go of, and for the courage to take up space in your new way of being.

Fighting Monsters and Other Dog Park Musings

I was walking along the shore at the dog park today and I noticed a girl with her adult human and her dog coming in the opposite direction. She was wearing a sweatshirt with the hood up that had either a unicorn horn or dragon scales on it, a yellow eye mask, and carrying a small blue lightsaber toy.

Girl: hiiii!

Me: hello! You look like a superhero.

Girl: I am!!! *throws both arms in the air*

Me: hooray! You look great. What’s your dog’s name?

Girl: Willy. I was tired of fighting monsters so I wanted to come here.

Me: you needed a break from fighting monsters?

Girl: yup!

Me too, superhero, me too! Despite not going to as many places as I used to now that we are staying at home, I often find myself more tired lately and, at the same time, so grateful to have my daily dose of nature. So whether you are fighting monsters, exploring your shadows, befriending parts of yourself, resisting viruses, burning it down to rebuild back up, steering your ships during these choppy waters, here’s your reminder to take a break when you need it. Go to your happy place, chase your joy, ask for help, bask in the sun for a few secs, rest. It’s okay to be tired and it’s okay to take a break!

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All spring, I’ve been fascinated by this enchanting pair of trees at the dog park. I wonder what type of vortex caused it to grow in spirals. And isn’t that kind of what this time is doing to us? Causing us to twist, change, adapt, innovate? Sometimes our journey feels like we are going two steps forwards and one step backwards. But really, there is no back or forward when it comes to our growth. Only upwards on the spiral of our life curriculum. We might feel like we are right back where we were before, but we are actually up a few rungs on the spiral- always carrying with us the lessons from our experience: the pain of our process and the joy of our existence (and everything in between).

May this time (and image) remind you of the twisty spiraly resiliency dance you are capable of making in times of transition, change, and unknown. Like these trees, find ways to stay grounded and rooted. Find ways to stay connected to your community and support networks.

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This past Wednesday was a New Moon AND Earth Day. It was sunny and warm here in MN and the day felt special. While I celebrate Earth Day EVERY day, I wrote a little gratitude list in the evening to honor how nature inspired me that day:

Grateful today for the smell of fresh grass
sunny blue cloud-filled morning sky
snake crossing my path
dog park mornings with my boy
slow changes from winter spring summer
green shoots and fresh buds
birds, bees, squirrels, trees
wise river movement
spider medicine
sun rays, moon beams, star lights
my muscles, bones, tissues
sweat, tears, rain, snow, sleet
breath inhaling and exhaling
heart beating and earth turning

Grateful for the earth, my home
my body, my home

/ / / / / / / / / /

And I’m grateful to have you here. I hope, if you’re able, that you’ll find some time to be outside this weekend. For me, the trees and the birds’ songs and the sun’s rays have been a balm for my spirit and body this spring.

Healing Hands

If you’re reading this, I’m honored that you felt called to read this note as I know we are all receiving so many emails and opportunities these days. While the creativity is inspiring, the options can feel overwhelming if we don’t have the bandwidth to take in information. So thank you for being here!

(And if you’re not reading this, I trust we’ll connect sometime in the future when the timing is right! :) )

Early last week, my husband asked if I could give him some reiki and lead him through a meditation. OF COURSE, I said yes, because it’s my favorite way to support people and, frankly, I have missed being able to touch. While I was resting my hands on his chest, I wished I could still offer this way of healing to you.

And also, I had this thought:

YOUR hands are healing hands.

You are actually your own healer. Use your hands!

Now, I do want to say that this doesn’t take the place of getting some training in energy work because there is a code of ethics when it comes to working with other people and their energy (ps: they need to give you permission first!), but just because you aren’t attuned in a particular lineage doesn’t mean you can’t use the natural healing ability you have within you to support yourself.

Touch can be soothing. It can be a way of anchoring us into our bodies during uncertain times of change and transition. A nurturing, trusting, consensual touch can help relax the nervous system and can help us to feel safe. Our bodies can relax and unwind when we experience being held. And you have the ability to give this to yourself.

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Here’s one way you can do it: feel your feet on the floor. Take some deep breaths. Feel the crown of your head reaching for the sky and invite in the expansive light from the cosmos to come down through the crown of your head. Bring your focus to your heart. Take some more deep breaths. With your imagination, allow the warmth of your heart to extend down your arms and into your hands. Now place your hands on your heart and feel the warmth and weight of your hands here. When you’re ready, move your hands to other places on your body that could use a little softening or holding. Your forehead, the back of your neck, the curve of your cheek, on your diaphragm right below your ribcage, your hips, your feet, etc!

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After I was attuned in Reiki, I’d find myself waking up in the morning with one hand on my heart and one hand on my solar plexus. It has become my favorite way to give myself a little extra love when I need it in the morning.

You can also use this technique to send your plants some love, to infuse your drinking water with intention, or bless the nutrients in your food before you eat. You just need the intention of your focus and the goodness in your heart!

Tomorrow is a FULL MOON, so I hope you find a moment to go outside and gaze at the big brightness in the sky (fingers crossed for no clouds!).

Sending lots of love to you from my warm hands to your warm heart!

March New Moon Check In

On Tuesday, we had a new moon and sloooooowly it’s becoming more of a crescent in the sky as the days pass by.

While this time feels surreal and I keep riding the waves of feeling super grounded and inspired to feeling stressed and anxious, it’s still new moon time. It’s still the beginning of spring. And with all that’s going on, I’m also aware of the abundance of HUGE creative energy surrounding us. I see how folks are adapting, helping, re-working, connecting, and creating despite all the limitations upon us. People making masks, playing music, donating offerings/healing/time, sharing resources, even the hilarious memes and videos that have me cracking up.

This isn’t to discount how really hard this situation is for a lot of people. To be out of work, away from their loved ones, not being able to have that human touch. AND we get to see what new things and ways of being will come forward.

My gratitude for this new moon time is for the creativity and kindness of humans. For the technology that keeps us connected. For nature that keeps us grounded. And for our big hearts that hope, grieve, dream, and love.

There are a lot of amazing resources out there on the interwebs to help you navigate this time (workouts, meditations, breathwork, group hang-outs, virtual craft dates, etc), so I hope you find some things that support you and keep you feeling connected.