A SACRED SPACE RITUAL FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

Laurey Simmons of The Colourful Dot Boutique, shares a sacred space ritual to open your heart this Valentine’s Day…

Laurey Simmons sacred space ritual for Valentine's rose quartz the numinous

Beyond the chocolates and red roses, Valentines Day for me is a precious reminder to keep our hearts open. As psychotherapist and spiritual teacher John Welwood says, our heart’s true purpose is really: “to be an open channel through which great love flows into this world.”

One of my favorite ways of opening this channel is by spending time in my sacred space. A sacred space is simply one corner of our home environment where we keep beautiful objects that are special or sacred to us. The space can be as large or as small as you want. Even if you only have a small section of a shelf, this too can be a perfect place to make your sacred space.

Keeping a sacred space is a precious gift to our soul, a reminder of how we want to be in the world, a mirror reflecting back to us our Inner Beauty.

Read on for a sacred space ritual for an open heart…

Laurey Simmons sacred space ritual for Valentine's rose quartz the numinous

1. First thing to do is to cleanse the energy of your space. One of my favorite ways to cleanse is by burning Frankincense resin. Dropping a few pieces of the resin onto a burning charcoal disc allows for the heavenly smoke to rise and fill the surrounding air. Breathing in this aroma, I find my mind-chatter settles, my body relaxes, and my energies become grounded.

2. With the theme of Love in mind, I’ll be adding a few drops of Rose Oil into my diffuser. The combination of Frankincense and Rose Oil smells seriously divine! Rose of course exudes love and beauty, both visually and through her perfect scent. Did you know that Rose essential Oil has been proven in studies to reduce anxiety and produce deep levels of relaxation?

3. Now for some visual beauty. Nothing opens my heart more than beautiful objects from Mother Nature, especially crystals. Three pink, heart-centered stones I’m working with a lot at the moment are Rose Quartz, the mother of Love stones; Mangano Calcite, which radiates the energies of the heart in a very gentle, nurturing, and soothing way; and Pink Morganite, also known as the Pink Emerald, and a wonderful tool to help cultivate qualities of the heart, like compassion. I also love to add fresh flowers to my sacred space—in this case, either fresh pink roses or a bowl of dried pink roses.

4. The next step is to connect to the energy of those who radiate an open heart or Unconditional Love. It could be a spiritual teacher, a historical or mythical figure, a friend or family member. At the moment, the chosen beings of light in my sacred space are Ram Dass, Maya Aneglou, Thich Nhat Hann, Joni Mitchell, and Heqet (the Ancient Egyptian goddess and symbol of new life). Ideally, print off some small images of these people so they can beam their light right back at you from the heart of your sacred space.

5. An open heart is only truly open if we can keep it so in challenging situations. With this in mind, I like to have an object in my sacred space that symbolizes this challenging situation or person. This practice is taken from one of my spiritual teachers, Ram Dass, who spoke about his own puja table and how he’d have pictures of his teachers there, Buddha, Hanuman, Maharajah, Mary, and how every morning he would greet them with love. This included a picture of one of his most difficult people, Caspar Weinberger, President Reagan’s Secretary of Defense. An alternative to a picture of a specific person is simply to include a broken or damaged object. I sometimes use a decaying leaf to, reminding me of those spaces in my heart that sometimes struggle to stay open, allowing feelings of compassion towards that situation or person that challenges us.

6. To finish this ritual, I love to place my hand on my heart and set a little intention: to keep the people who inspire me and the beauty, especially the beauty of imperfection, in my heart throughout the day, so I can be a more compassionate and loving person in the world. I also recommend placing your hand on your heart throughout the day, especially if you ever feel it closing up. This simple gesture can bring you directly back to that inner space of Beauty and Love.

Discover more about Laurey and her work at The Colourful Dot Boutique, an online sanctuary for Inner Beauty. Pre-order her new book, The Inner Beauty Bible: Mindful rituals to nourish your soul, today. 

NUMINOUS WEEKLY HOROSCOPES: FEBRUARY 13—19

Your Numinous weekly horoscopes, direct from the third eye of Sandra Sitron—a.k.a. Strong Eye Astrology

Numinous weekly horoscopes Strong Eye Astrology The Numinous angels trumpets

Aquarius :: Aquarius Rising
The symphony plays. You have a chance to put all the different parts together in the right order. You’ve had a lot going on. Now it’s time to be gentle with yourself and decide which thing to do first, which to do second, etc. You get to decide when to rest and when to act. You’re ready bring it all together, like a conductor cueing the players. Try to go with the flow in this process. Follow the next clue. Watch your path light up ahead of you. Trust that you know what to do.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Pisces :: Pisces Rising
The fog lifts. You are ready to step forward into more clarity. The way through is by acknowledging your feelings and giving yourself lots of alone time. Don’t try to push too hard. You can let yourself drift in the fog and when the time is right for action, you will know. Watch for signs, symbols and synchronistic. These are messages from the other side of the fog.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Aries :: Aries Rising
A sharp breath in. Remember that you’re alive! You came here to define yourself and claim your individuality. Connect with excitement and openness. Practice happy baby pose and try to really see yourself as that happy baby. This liveliness will lead you on the right path to connect with like-minded folk. Communing with others who hold your values can help you stay in an enlivening frame of mind. Your positive energy is vital right now. It will help you spark a revolution.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Taurus :: Taurus Rising
A bird calls from way up in the tree tops. You have to align with your goals. Set your sights high. Find your orientation by creating more vision. Step back a little bit from busy-ness and find your perspective. This will help you with your attitude and your energy levels. You need to be able to use your energy in a focused way right now, and so direction is key— set goals. Your actions must be authentic and aligned. You’re extra visible right now, so let people see your dedication and integrity.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Gemini :: Gemini Rising
The palm tree bends in the wind. Let yourself drift. One way to be strong is to be flexible. Have a mission statement- something simple and concise. And then let everything else become an adaptation. Whatever project you’re working on, or whatever is on your mind, ignore the real-world details for a moment and just try to see the deeper purpose. Then allow the details to fall into place. The more flexibility and openness, the faster the solutions will flow. Explore. Feel expansive, generous and abundant and everything will line up just right.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Cancer :: Cancer Rising
Beans rattling inside maracas. Shake it up. Whatever is stuck and stagnant is ready to get shifted. It’s time for movement. Look at the things you are trying to control. Somewhere in there is a pattern or a deep emotion that may be ready to be unlocked. Be gentle but persistent. Examine the deeper feelings and motivations that are keeping you stuck in a pattern. Listen to yourself, give yourself empathy. Take time out to feel all of your feelings. Dance, play and sing your way into spiritual surrender. It’s time to break free.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Leo :: Leo Rising
A parrot’s beak. It’s time to assert yourself a bit more. Say what you need. Don’t hold back the words. Language helps you understand yourself and share yourself with another person. These boundaries and intersections of relationship are of heightened importance now. You need to feel safe to express yourself, so that you can open your heart. Get fully into the dance of giving and receiving. Communicate the steps you want to take.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Virgo :: Virgo Rising
Letting sand run through fingertips. Let yourself get into the details of your projects, your schedule, your health. You need the peace of mind that comes from feeling very organized. So take some time out from big-picture planning and get all of the little pieces in place. This will feel like high-level self care. Pay extra attention to your health and nutrition. Focus on feeling grounded. Practicality is your priority.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Libra :: Libra Rising
A rocket. Shoot yourself into outer space. Blast yourself open. The thing that matters right now is that you are living larger than life. In the full flower of your creativity. Be a light. Share your light. Don’t hold back. Make, create, laugh and have fun. Find new ways to let loose. Remind yourself that it doesn’t have to be so serious or logical all the time. Right now you need to feel carefree. And share your gifts with the world.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Scorpio :: Scorpio Rising
A red and white striped straw. Find ways to nurture yourself. It’s important that you feel rooted and grounded right now. Fed and well. You need extra alone time. Get cozy. Nestle into a cove at home. All of this will help you focus, which in turn will heighten your intuition. It’s no time to be scattered. Take good care of yourself and allow yourself to rest and restore. A well timed nap may offer many unexpected rewards. By allowing yourself to recuperate, you will be able to do some deep and needed healing. So start with self-care.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Sagittarius :: Sagittarius Rising
A player piano. You know all the songs by heart. It’s time to gather new information. Update your repertoire. Go digging into different belief systems. Ask others for advice on new ways of thinking about the matters at hand. Be careful not to let your search for information become habitual (like absently scrolling through social media). Be very present in your search for inspiration. Define what you would like to learn about and go after it. It’s time for new ideas.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Capricorn :: Capricorn Rising
Sitting on a blanket on a lawn. Connect with the ground. Remember that Earth energy is healing. You are able to expand the most when you start by being rooted. Check in by giving gratitude for all of your resources. Remind yourself of your abundance. Confirm that you are inherently worthy. You deserve to be here, you deserve to take up space, you deserve to be alive. Lean into the support of the Earth. Let yourself root down.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

ECLIPSE SEASON LESSONS: FEBRUARY 2017

In need of some serious cosmic schooling this February? Numi astro babes Sandra Sitron, Jennifer Racioppi, and Bess Matassa dish on this month’s key eclipse season lessons. Main Image: Eugenia Loli 

Eugenia Loli The Numinous Jennifer Racioppi Mojave Rising Sandra Sitron Strong Eye Astrology Eclipse Season Lessons Bess Matassa Cara George Ruby Warrington

Friday, February 10th :: Full Moon Penumbral Lunar Eclipse :: 22 Degrees of Leo                                                                           

Sunday, February 26th :: New Moon Annular Solar Eclipse :: 8 Degrees of Pisces 

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Sandra Sitron, a.k.a. Strong Eye Astrology 
“Shine bright, the world needs your light. Now is the time to show up!” purrs the Leo Lunar Eclipse.

As the start of a two-year series in the signs of Leo and Aquarius, the February 2017 lunar eclipse season lessons are about stepping into our personal creative power (Leo), and connecting with our community in new ways (Aquarius).

With all this fiery, high energy, there can be a tendency to spin into burn-out mode. Instead, reset your level of receptivity. We need to give ourselves space, and lots of gentle love. What feels like the most easy and pleasing thing to make right now? What feels like the nicest way to connect to your tribe? Find ways to pack in joy and community. Tune into your intuition before you take an action or make a decision.

The Pisces Solar Eclipse is blinking out the message in celestial morse code: “Love is the answer, love is the answer…” As a two-year series of eclipses in Pisces and Virgo comes to a close, we’re asked to finish a cycle of connecting with hope, compassion, and intuition (Pisces), and learning how to take care of ourselves and others in practical ways (Virgo).

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

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Jennifer Racioppi
Be brave, be you, and accept change with grace! 

Without a lot of Earth energy in the sky, February’s eclipse season lessons focus on pacing ourselves and staying grounded in the midst of unexpected change.

The February 10 Full Moon Eclipse in Leo may find us feeling especially excited, even ballsy, as we make decisions that push us into the limelight. Eclipses always connote change and surprises, and this active full moon suggests that this is a change for the better. However, with the lack of earth emphasis, remember to also tread cautiously.

As we begin this new cycle of five regal Leo eclipses (the last on January 21, 2019), tune in closely to see how this first one is impacting your life—it will likely resonate with an aspect of your spiritual assignment for the next two years!

The February 26th New Moon Eclipse in Pisces happens in close contact with Neptune, Pisces’ ruler, making it an excellent moment to set intentions on behalf of your dreams and desires. Bring on the moon circles, crystals, and incense! All eclipses lack predictability, but especially this one. Allow Neptune to help keep you focused on the artistic and the spiritual, and cultivate grounded discipline through exercise, nutrition, and meditation.

As the fifth and final eclipse in a Pisces cycle that began March 20 2015, consider how you’ve revolutionized your relationship with your spirituality and intuition over the last two years. Honor the gifts you’ve cultivated within and step forward into oneness with others. 

** PRO TIP from Jennifer: The February 10 and 26 eclipses are part of Saros Series 114 and 140. The last time we had lunar and solar eclipses in these series was in 1999! We live our life forward to understand it backward—consider how the choices you made then are coming into full culmination in your life now.

For more Moon wisdom or to book a coaching session with Jennifer visit Jenniferracioppi.com

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Bess Matassa 
What does a Leo/Pisces party look like? Think of this first phase of Eclipse Season 2017 as the zodiac’s Studio 54 … 

You show up completely sequined and ready to shine in all your glorious distinction, but then you hit the floor and start to move in rhythm with all the pulsating bodies. You lose yourself amidst the strobe lights and find that you’ve really got nothing to lose at all; there’s nothing to prove and nothing more to become than the self you already are. You are pleasurably permeable—both letting yourself drink down every last sensation and generously flooding the world with a no-strings-attached love beam in return. You discover you can glow no matter what, even in the dark.

This February 2017 eclipse season lessons are all about the boundaries between self-expression and selflessness, grappling with fears about our own capacity to contribute, and learning to fully trust in our singular creative force, while also allowing the world to tenderize us.

Eclipse mantra: “I glow in the dark”
Theme song: Men at Work’s “Down Under”
Style: The Little Mermaid at the club—subtly sparkling highlighters and bronzers, glossy light pink lips, turquoise sequins, and waterproof plastic jellies for riding the emotional tide.
Flavors: Aquatically playful—Swedish fish, Clams Casino, salt-rimmed cocktails, and foams and whipped creams that dissolve in your mouth.

Want more juicy cosmic insights and sensory explorations? Arrange an astrology reading or private event with Bess here or follow her on Instagram

SHINE ON: READING FOR THE LEO FULL MOON ECLIPSE 2017

The Leo Full Moon Eclipse brings a re-set on how we show up as an individual in the name of the collective, says Sandra Sitron

Leo Full Moon Ritual Moon Club The Numinous
Join our Moon Club Leo Full Moon Ritual Saturday Feb 11 2017. Sign-up here!

Full Moon, Lunar Penumbral Eclipse :: February 10 2017 :: 7:33 pm EST :: 22 degrees Leo

The Leo Full Moon says: “Fill yourself up with vibrant color. Be creative without worrying about protecting yourself. Sharing doesn’t have to feel vulnerable. Use your body, mind and spirit to produce an explosion of creativity. Let yourself play and have fun. See where it leads.”

The Full Moon occurs when the Moon in Leo lines up exactly opposite the Sun in Aquarius. Every month, the Sun and the Moon face-off in opposite signs to help us build awareness of the big picture. This is always intense energy, and this time, it’s also a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse. What is the full story forming between these two opposite energies? On the Aquarius side of things, we must gather with like minded souls, connect with community, and dream up the future. On the Leo side of things, we are ready to shine as individuals.

We need to share our sacred unique spark with others, and be recognized for it. There is a back and forth happening between giving and receiving, the individual and the collective, personal power and a collective vision for the future.

Let’s connect the dots to how important this Leo Full Moon is now, at this exact moment in history. A couple of important themes come to mind…Hide your individual light and you deprive the world of meaning. Lose connection with the group and you float off untethered. Shine and connect. Honor your uniqueness and work together to build a vision for the future.

This Leo Full Moon is part of the kick-off to eclipse season. The 2017 and 2018 lunar eclipse pairs are in the signs of Leo and Aquarius. Think of an eclipse as unplugging your router to reset the internet. That moment of turning off and on lets you approach the situation in a whole new way. It’s a massive reset. Each eclipse will bring us new opportunities to reset how we share our individual creativity and how we commune with the collective. Leo and Aquarius are fixed signs. The fixed modality helps us slowly and persistently move forward. Constant small actions are required. Keep on pushing.

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The Moon and It’s Message
Batting baseballs out of the park.

It’s time to step up to the plate. This is full on, happening NOW, game time. There’s some burn-out energy to this Full Moon—she’s dancing in a Fire grand trine. Action is easy, but it’s also easy to take on too much. But aside from that, the energy is high, and the pitcher is ready to face-off.

The Full Moon is in a Fire grand trine aspect pattern with Uranus and Saturn.
Fire canons.

Action. Self-sufficiency. It’s go time. The energy is high and the instinct is to find something to “do.” That’s pretty much fine. It’s time to get some things done. Work within the existing structure to change it.
Can you see a limitation as an opportunity for innovation?
Can you choose your actions wisely to achieve massive results?
Can you actively connect with your intuition to avoid burn-out?

The Full Moon is in a yod aspect pattern with Jupiter, pointing to Chiron.
Feeding the fish.

The Leo Full Moon is actively directing us toward healing. Keep turning toward your emotions (Moon). Ask yourself how you feel, and then slow down enough to listen. This process helps with healing (Chiron), which in turn leads to growth and expansion (Jupiter).

The yod formation brings with it a heavy sense of expectancy. Maybe even some frustration. You’re being asked to stay present in the moment, even if it would seem easier to tune out. Swim deep into your emotion ocean. With love and attention, it might be time for some old feelings to emerge at the surface.

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Summary
Make, do, play. Connect with others. Get active! Find a way to push. Consistent action is good. Get curious about your feelings. Feeling equals healing equals expansion. It’s time to blossom in the full light of your creativity while connecting to your vision for the future.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

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The below study questions by sign are designed to help you journal on what’s coming up with this Leo Full Moon Eclipse. To get more specific, look at where 22 degrees Leo falls in your birth chart and also read for that house.

Aries or 5th house
What can I do today that’s creative? What does creativity mean to me?

Taurus or 4th house
How does creativity help my inner child feel more secure?

Gemini or 3rd house
What do I need to learn about now? Who is in my support system?

Cancer or 2nd house
What does self-worth mean to me?

Leo or 1st house
How you can I assert my individuality a little bit more? When do I need to “get out of my own way?”

Virgo or 12th house
What subconscious pattern needs to shift to give me more ease in my life right now?

Libra or 11th house
How do I want to connect with my greater community this year?

Scorpio or 10th house
What associations do I have with the term, “showing-off?” What would it be like for me to show-off more?

Sagittarius or 9th house
Who inspires me right now? How can I bring new philosophies into my everyday life?

Capricorn or 8th house
Why do I feel the need for recognition? Why does this make me feel powerful?

Aquarius or 7th house
What questions can I ask to better understand another person’s perspective?

Pisces or 6th house
What small thing can I do each day to take care of my health?

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

ECLIPSE SEASON 2017: YOUR TOTAL GUIDE #1

They’re baaacckkk! Eclipse Season 2017 kicks off with a pair of potent cosmic events on February 10th and 26th. Danielle Paige gives us the low-down…

Ecipse season 2017 Danielle Paige The Numinous

 

February 2017 is the first of two pivotal months this year (August being the second) that will crack you wide open and bring sudden changes that realign you to your soul’s plan. Eclipse season 2017 is also doubly charged because 2017 is a “1” universal year in numerology, with a strong Uranus, Jupiter, and Saturn influence. The combination of all these elements is about sudden liberation and expansion in a karmic way.

Eclipses are game changers for the soul—they speed events up and re-route us if we are veering off track. This soul acceleration is equal parts exhilarating and challenging. They act as pendulums of fate and swing us in the right direction to keep us in line with our soul’s plan. The difficult part comes in because, as humans, we resist change (especially you lovelies with a lot of earth or fixed planets in your charts!) Eclipses have a tendency to touch on our tender spots, aka our pain points, because it often takes getting those tender places activated (again and again) for us to change our story.

Anything is possible during eclipse season 2017—a wildcard cosmic time—so remember that every soul’s story is different, and hang in there, no matter what you’re feeling! While some of us will experience rapid-fire change, others will experience a slower shift and unfolding over the next six months, which is when we enter a new energetic phase and a new round of eclipses in August.

Also, remember that this energy doesn’t have a precise on/off switch. Eclipse energy can start to boil up a month or more before the eclipse date, and the week leading up to an eclipse can be the peak emotional moment for some of us.

Most of all, don’t worry my dears—as an intuitive being, you’ve likely already got a sense of what’s coming. Which is where eclipses take care of business—they often come in and do the dirty work for us, because even if something feels confusing and scary right now, the cosmos knows these necessary changes are better for us in the long run. What you’re feeling is the shifting of your psyche’s tides. Remember that this energy, like all energy, shall pass!

Read on for some specifics about the two February events of eclipse season 2017—the February Leo Full Moon Lunar Eclipse, and the February 26 Pisces New Moon Solar Eclipse.

***PRO TIP: If you want to dive even deeper into the invitations below, look at your birth chart to see where 22 degrees of Leo and 8 degrees of Pisces fall. If you have a planet or angle within 5 degrees of this degree then that planet or angle will get “eclipsed.” When a planet gets “eclipsed “ it needs to start behaving differently—you can no longer continue to use it the way you were, and there is a new, evolved expression waiting to unfold.

Felipe Posada, Danielle Paige, Danielle Paige Astrology, The Numinous, Eclipse Season 2017
Collage: Felipe Posada

Full Moon Lunar Eclipse :: February 10 2017 :: 22 degrees Leo 

Eclipse season 2017 begins with a fiery Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Leo. No matter your personal astrology, this eclipse is reminding us all to create, live joyfully, be moved by our hearts, and express our creative gifts in a GRAND way! This is LEO we’re talking about, after all!

During a Lunar Eclipse, the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon and blocks the Sun’s light from reflecting on the Moon. The Moon rules our emotions, so when she’s eclipsed she temporarily has no mirror to reflect the Sun’s light. As energetic beings we are also synchronistically cut off from our “power supply” and reintroduced to our shadow side. The energy of a lunar eclipse can stir an internal crisis (that’s often brought about through external sources, especially relationships, which act as mirrors). This shadow work often brings confusion, doubt, and panic to its peak. Fear not: all of this is designed to spur a conclusion, culmination, ending, or decision about something in your life.

It’s a time to let your unconscious take center stage and tap into a side of yourself you’ve pushed down for some time—you’ll feel the shift with every ounce of your being, as if you’re being asked to find your way in the “dark.” Those suppressed emotions may come flooding back in a dramatic way because of the Leo energy. However, the saving grace for this eclipse is that with fire it comes in quickly, and then goes out just as fast!

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New Moon Solar Eclipse :: February 26 2017 :: 8 degrees Pisces 

New Moon Eclipses signal new beginnings, but because 2017’s eclipse happens in Pisces, we will be asked to let go of something as well. Pisces is a collective storage house of the past—old karma, old energy, old psychic junk that you’re carrying around in your energy field that is ready to be released with this New Moon.

This particular eclipse is a double whammy—Pisces is ruled by the emotional element of water and the eclipse adds an extra charge to this already sensitive situation. With one foot in the material world and one foot in the spiritual realm, Pisces feels it ALL! She pulls on our heartstrings and pain points like no other sign. Don’t be surprised if you’re feeling quite sensitive for about a week and half before this one as the energy builds.

The key to navigating this eclipse is to stay grounded in your body, no matter how much you feel like you want to escape. Pisces is a master escape artist but this will only compounds any problems later on. Focus on your root chakra and even your sacral—dance, do yoga, send down a grounding cord. Really commit to feeling the feels but letting it move through you without attachment. This will help you remain on the earth plane at all times.

This New Moon Solar Eclipse will act as both a release and the beginning of a new chapter in your soul’s story. You’re being given the opportunity to heal your past lives and psychic wounds so that you can move forward with a new perspective on life in 2017! Be sure to offer yourself as much compassion as you do to others during this intense transition.

I wish you all a beautiful adventure in 2017; one that’s filled with all the excitement and joy your heart can carry (Leo)—and one that connects you deeper to your true soul essence (Pisces).

With love and light,
Danielle

Danielle Paige, Danielle Paige Astrology, The Numinous, Eclipse Season 2017

For an invite to Danielle’s exclusive upcoming island retreat and to receive updates about all the energetic cycles, sign up for her newsletter here.

MOON TAROT: A CUSTOM SPREAD FOR EVERY PHASE

Just in time for Eclipse Season 2017, we’ve got your Moon Tarot guide to navigating each Moon phase—with customized card spreads. By Tina Gong.

Labyrinthos Academy Online Tarot School Luminous Spirit Tarot Tina Gong The Numinous Moon Tarot Golden Thread Tarot
Tina’s Luminous Spirit Tarot Deck

As a lifetime student of tarot, and a newer student of lunar cycles, I’ve started exploring the moon’s teachings by casting cards for each Moon phase. I call it Moon Tarot. For this workaholic Capricorn, connecting to the phases of the Moon has taught me that there are times to push forward and times to just chill out a little bit, and I seek the cards’ assistance in figuring out exactly how.

The Moon’s magical cycles invite us to sync our lives to universal rhythms. Through her expansions and contractions, each phase offers us a lesson to incorporate. Likewise, Tarot’s ability to tell stories, ask questions, illuminate answers, and bring fresh perspectives to challenges provides a concrete channel for adjusting to the moon’s timing.

Each spread below offers you the chance to explore challenges and lunar lessons and, like the moon, to incorporate times to push forward and times to reflect. Feel free to infuse your own rituals into these readings to create truly customized Moon Tarot magic!

*Editor’s note: Unsure when each Moon phase begins? We love the Luna Solaria app

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New Moons :: New Beginnings

This phase is all about gathering our energy, strength, and willpower, and finding ways to recharge as we prepare for the coming cycle. It’s a moment to think carefully about what we’d like to accomplish. Use this simple 3-card spread to kickstart your lunar month!

Card 1: Where you have been
Card 2: Where you are
Card 3: Where you want to be

Labyrinthos Academy Online Tarot School Luminous Spirit Tarot Tina Gong The Numinous Moon Tarot Golden Thread Tarot New Moon Tarot Spread
New Moon Spread

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Waxing Crescent :: Setting Foundations

During this phase, we’re ready to develop clear foundations. To break out our notebooks, markers, and post-its as we sketch outlines and create strategies for achieving our dreams. This spread is built to help you identify and utilize all your resources.

Card 1: Your source of energy & willpower
Card 2: Your talents
Card 3: The environment
Card 4: Your resources

Labyrinthos Academy Online Tarot School Luminous Spirit Tarot Tina Gong The Numinous Moon Tarot Golden Thread Tarot Waxing Crescent Tarot Spread
Waxing Crescent Spread

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First Quarter :: Actions & Obstacles

Armed with a vision, we’re ready to act with decisiveness and drive. This time is perfect for pushing forward with our plans and setting things in motion. As we shoot into the future, the First Quarter spread identifies any lingering doubts that might be holding us back.

Card 1: Your self-perception
Card 2: Your obstacle
Card 3: What will help you overcome
Card 4: What holds you back

Labyrinthos Academy Online Tarot School Luminous Spirit Tarot Tina Gong The Numinous Moon Tarot Golden Thread Tarot First Quarter Tarot Spread
First Quarter Spread

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Waxing Gibbous :: Pivot Point

To flow is to survive, to stay rigid is to break. After we’ve worked on our goals, this phase is a perfect time to take a more detailed look at our approach and to assess alternative pathways.

Card 1: The problem
Card 2: Our expectation
Card 3: The reality
Card 4: Guidance

Labyrinthos Academy Online Tarot School Luminous Spirit Tarot Tina Gong The Numinous Moon Tarot Golden Thread Tarot Waxing Gibbous Tarot Spread
Waxing Gibbous Spread

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The Full Moon :: Celebration!

The Full Moon is a time of harvest, self-love, and appreciation for all the things we’ve been given and have earned. Go hang with the people that make you happy and celebrate the joy with this spread!

Card 1: What gives you joy
Card 2: Your gifts to world
Card 3: Your unrecognized potential

Labyrinthos Academy Online Tarot School Luminous Spirit Tarot Tina Gong The Numinous Moon Tarot Golden Thread Tarot Full Moon Tarot Spread
Full Moon Spread

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Waning Gibbous :: Turning Inward

The world is a reflection of our inner selves and so sometimes, our greatest challenge is ourselves. This phase of the lunar cycle asks us to look at our shadows, and challenge our beliefs about who we are. This spread is perfect for drawing at night, complete with an altar of mirrors and candles.

Card 1: Fears
Card 2: Secrets
Card 3: Lies
Card 4: Regrets

Labyrinthos Academy Online Tarot School Luminous Spirit Tarot Tina Gong The Numinous Moon Tarot Golden Thread Tarot Waning Gibbous Tarot Spread
Waning Gibbous Spread

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Last Quarter :: Letting Go

After we acknowledge the shadow self, we must also learn to confront it, embrace it, and let it go. Break out the smudge sticks, and imagine yourself banishing all that burdens you. Each puff of smoke that vanishes in the air represents a piece of your suffering that’s dissolving.

Card 1: What to accept
Card 2: What to forgive
Card 3: What to learn

Labyrinthos Academy Online Tarot School Luminous Spirit Tarot Tina Gong The Numinous Moon Tarot Golden Thread Tarot Last Quarter Tarot Spread
Last Quarter Spread

 

Tina Gong is a self-taught illustrator, developer, and designer of both physical and digital things. She is also the creator of Labyrinthos Academy, an online tarot school taught by monsters and mythical creatures, as well as Golden Thread Tarot and Luminous Spirit Tarot. She resides in Bushwick, and in her own bizarre imagination, with her partner and several sassy stuffed alpacas.

Labyrinthos Academy Online Tarot School Luminous Spirit Tarot Tina Gong The Numinous Moon Tarot Golden Thread Tarot
Nina the Alpaca—Tina’s Alter Ego

NUMINOUS WEEKLY HOROSCOPES: FEBRUARY 6—12

A symbolic reading for your sign in our Numinous weekly horoscopes, direct from the third eye of Sandra Sitron—a.k.a. Strong Eye Astrology…

Numinous weekly horoscopes coral reef Strong Eye Astrology The Numinous

Aquarius :: Aquarius Rising
A coral reef. Relationships are big this week. You will be able to make careful, vibrant, loving boundaries that help you understand what you want out of your relationships. You may be working with some big emotions. Allow them to flow over, under, around and through you. The reef shows that you should be able to be strong, and that you can make the experience creative and fun. Say yes to what you want. Say no to what you don’t want. Create good foundations for communication in all of your relationships. Get ready to take action and free yourself from old patterns.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Pisces :: Pisces Rising
Paper lanterns. A paper lantern can symbolize hope and prosperity. This Full Moon reminds you to keep hope alive and to create a daily ritual that will help you remember your hopes and dreams. Meditating on a candle’s flame may help you feel centered. You are ready to get more grounded in your daily life. Find small ways to slow down and get perspective. Meanwhile, realize that all of your work is adding up to success. It’s incremental.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Aries :: Aries Rising
A pack of dogs running. Freedom. Joy. Sharing your true spirit with like-minded folks. This a social and creative week for you. You must take action with your pack. And you must shine bright. Share your unique and individual spirit. Let go and have fun. If you don’t fill your cup with social action and creativity, you will burn out. This is a good week for you to get fired up, your community will help. Follow your joy.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Taurus :: Taurus Rising
Covered trays of food being served. Find a nourishing and comfortable environment. You need to take good care of yourself. Prioritize this. Be a great mother to yourself. It’s time to restore and refuel. Remind yourself that you’re supported. If you can find true emotional security, you will be able to build from there. Get grounded so that you can expand. Rest now. Reflect. Give gratitude for all the love in your life.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Gemini :: Gemini Rising
A rainbow. Multicolored prism of light. You can focus your light in many different ways right now. You’re busy. This Full Moon hits right in your house of mental and social connections. It’s time for you to add new ideas to your repertoire. Connect with your crew. Make some new friends. Gather information. Keep reaching for the higher perspective. Don’t worry about trying to slow down your mind right now, instead practice reaching for the better feeling thought.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Cancer :: Cancer Rising
A fruit tree. This is a moment for you to shelter yourself in a cozy environment, surrounded by the things that you need. You need to remind yourself that you are safe and fed and well. This is vital to your well-being. You must center your attention on security and abundance. Imagine your life to be like a tree that is always providing fruit, quietly growing tall and strong. Stable and rooted. Meditate on these ideas so that you feel fulfilled.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Leo :: Leo Rising
A party on a pirate ship. It’s time to go a bit against the grain. Be totally yourself. Unexpected. Unsanctioned. A little wild. Have fun. Find ways to expand your creativity and individuality. You’ve been trying to balance a lot of different needs and expectations from the people around you. Shake it off now and let loose. Be careful not to ruffle anyone’s feathers in the process. But take the opportunity to find your freedom.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Virgo :: Virgo Rising
Light glimmers in the night sky. Focus a wish on a faraway star. You have everything you need. The only thing to expand is hope. Believe in your dream. Practice silence. Find your quiet inner stillness so that you can lean into trust and lean away from lack. The universe is vast. No need to get caught up in pesky details right now. Trust. Hope. Dream. It may sound trite. But it is actually the center of your power.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Libra :: Libra Rising
A glassy pool. The glassy pool provides you with meditative stillness. This week brings you a lot of mental activity. Find your balance between the two. You know that when you are out of balance you grow weary and uncomfortable. Take back control of your mind. Meditate on your reflection. See how it fragments and changes in the surface of the water. There are more options then what you see right now. Heighten your perspective so that you see the full picture more clearly. Balance it out.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Scorpio :: Scorpio Rising
A meeting of a secret society. It’s time to take on a leadership role. Find your group and get to work. Make plans. Organize. You are able to use your innate tools in new ways. This will help you expand your reputation and grow more confident. Don’t be afraid to work hard right now. Keep reminding yourself of the importance of your goals. Be committed. The work you can do is important and necessary.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Sagittarius :: Sagittarius Rising
Feathers dancing in the wind. You are as wild and free as you want to be. Dance lightly on the wind, travel and search. Connect to your highest philosophies. If it suits you- preach. Share your wisdom and truth with the world. You can remind others of what it is to be inspired, as long as you take this moment to inspire yourself. Don’t hold back any part of yourself now. Find your inner freedom and fly.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

Capricorn :: Capricorn Rising
Digging tunnels in the dirt. You’re on an exploratory mission. You have to uncover some emotions that got bypassed. Start digging. Don’t worry about feeling your feelings fully. They will come and they will pass. You need to excavate ancient feelings so that you can move forward unencumbered. It’s hard to grow when you are in denial. So dig. Feel. Allow. And then let go. Do it so that you can move forward on your path with more energy and integrity.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here or follow her on Instagram.

READING FOR THE TAURUS WAXING QUARTER MOON

The Taurus waxing quarter Moon asks you to tend to your innate need for material comfort and security, to gather strength to rocket into the future—says Jennifer Racioppi…Collage: Bethany Harper-Walsh

Taurus Waxing quarter moon Jennifer Racioppi The Numinous Moon Club

Waxing Quarter Moon :: Feb 3 2017 :: 11.18pm EST :: 15 Degrees Taurus

Following the last Aquarius New Moon, this Taurus Quarter Moon asks us to take a look where our rebellious nature conflicts with our desire for stability, pleasure, and security. This opening quarter moon also occurs one week before the upcoming lunar eclipse in Leo. Like furniture about to be rearranged, eclipses sweep through our lives with force, offering us new positions for the décor of our existence. So get ready, because this quarter moon prepares us for the sweeping change February 2017 (a month with two eclipses) will likely bring. Fortunately, the upcoming Full Moon Lunar Eclipse boasts some pretty bad-ass aspects. Nice.

But before we jump to the eclipses, let’s dig into to this opening square between two fixed signs: Aquarius and Taurus!

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::THE SUN::
With the Sun in Aquarius, the sign of the water bearer, rousing our progressive spirits, and the sky temporarily free of retrograde planets, we are pushed to align with our values. While Jupiter, the planet of luck and expansion stations to go retrograde on Feb 5th, and Venus, who will go retrograde next month in Aries, already in her shadow, this Taurus waxing quarter moon emphasizes a moment where we can reflect on our gains so far in 2017. Thanks to the upcoming eclipses and pending Venus retrograde cycle, our values (and our truth) will push us to transcend the surface, reaching for greater depths within. Fortunately, the Sun in courageous Aquarius supports us nicely as we prep for the winds of change ahead! Allow the Sun in Aquarius to guide you in the direction of your progressive ideals.

::THE MOON::
Yet, the Taurus waxing quarter moon at 15 degrees (halfway through the second decant of this fixed Earth sign) resists change, instead clinging to what feels comfortable. Taurus, known for having a stubborn state of mind, helps us to tend to the practical details of our life, and can’t be forced into change. So while the Moon moves through this fixed Earth sign our emotional needs may require some pampering and deep soul nurturing. A craving for routine and luxury may stall us taking a risk on behalf of our progressive ideals. With so much upheaval happening in the political landscape, take the time to tend to your inner needs at this time.

::THE SQUARE::
With the sun in rebellious Aquarius, a fixed air sign, squaring the Moon in security-driven Taurus, progressive forces conflict with the desire for stability. The Taurus moon prompts us towards safety, security, and luxury, yet the sun in Aquarius pushes us to reject routine, the status quo and take a risk. Like a rubber band stretched to its max in two directions, this Taurus waxing quarter Moon we are asked to reconcile our desire for safety, security, and luxury, in the context of our changing ideals and progressive needs. This clash between the desire for comfort and the need for change forces us to take a deeper look at our values (something we’ll be doing a lot of when the ruler of Taurus, Venus, goes retrograde on March 4th for almost six weeks).

::THE MESSAGE::
As we find ourselves amidst eclipse season things may swiftly change. The spirit of the sun in Aquarius prompts us to follow our progressive inclinations, yet the moon in Taurus wants us to nourish our inner, emotional needs. The Moon deserves our quiet attention. Take some time this Taurus waxing quarter Moon to give it just that—tender loving care of it’s emotional needs. With the full moon lunar eclipse right around the corner (occurring in the sign of Leo—ruled by the Sun), and having just acclimated to 2017 (a Universal 1 year in numerology) we stand on the precipice of receiving our new marching orders. With change happening at the speed of light, don’t override your emotional needs. Stay grounded, stay nourished and tend to your comfort. This will help to bolster our resilience: our secret weapon during tenuous political times and eclipse season!

For more Moon wisdom or to book a coaching session with from Jennifer visit Jenniferracioppi.com

HOLY F*CK: IN CONVERSATION WITH DANIEL PINCHBECK

Alexandra Roxo meets radical thought leader Daniel Pinchbeck, to talk spiritual materialism, future planetary solutions, and the rise of the extreme right…

Alexandra Roxo Holy Fuck Daniel Pinchbeck How Soon Is Now The Numinous Moon Club
Photo: Alexandra Herstik

Daniel Pinchbeck is a writer, thought leader, speaker, and one of few modern radical voices that come from a grounded, realistic, and holistic perspective. Today we are in dire need of leaders and thinkers who can articulate and envision a path towards union and healing that includes our political, environmental, cultural, AND our spiritual state. Daniel speaks of the whole picture, with a balance of right/left, masculine/feminine, science/art.

His new book How Soon is Now REALLY resonated with feelings I’ve been having for years about the nature of the world we live in, which I have explored in my own writing here on The Numinous and in some of my films. This includes the need to make a shift from focusing on the personal, to focusing on the global. To overcoming spiritual materialism. To escaping hyper-individualism and coming together.

Also, how plants may be aiding in our evolution on multiple levels. How our approach to love and sex is so heavily politically guided and conditioned. The need for rites of passage and the need for ecstatic connections to the cosmos and to each other, through experiences like Burning Man, with psychedelic experiences, and a reconnection to the Earth.

Beyond all this, Daniel’s book reveals to us how we can engage with the planetary shift and initiation that we all know at soul level is in progress, and in doing so be a part of the healing of our planet.

Even better, Daniel is going to be LIVE with us for Moon Club this Sunday Feb 5, which means you can join and ask him questions too! Click here to sign up.

I sat down with him for a little prelude to Sunday’s talk…

ALEXANDRA ROXO: So you’re an author, a TED speaker, a radical thinker, a writer. You wear a lot of hats in terms of your work. What’s the common thread?
DANIEL PINCHBECK: I think that the core of my work is a philosophical quest for the nature of reality.

AR: Word. Was there was a clear point at which this search began?
DP: I had a major spiritual crisis in my mid to late 20’s. I’d been writing for magazines, and it just began to feel very nihilistic. I felt this kind of total emptiness. I also realized ultimately that when people believe conscientiousness is only based in the physical hardware of the brain, then life has no particular meaning. I was like, ‘okay, how can I actually inquire into this?’ I remembered my psychedelic experiences in college as having suggested that there were these other layers of psychic reality that I didn’t really understand.

So I went back to them and went to West Africa, to do Iboga and I went to the Amazon to work with a tribe in Ecuador with ayuasca and so on. These travels informed my first book Breaking Open the Head, and then new questions kept opening up—because these experiences had completely transformed my world view.

AR: The subtitle of How Soon Is Now? is: “From personal initiation to global transformation.” To me it feels like that is what we’re all being called to now, on a micro and a macro level.
DP: I came from a leftist background, and I always had this uneasy feeling about our culture and the direction our society was headed. And then when I looked more into the ecological disaster that we’ve constructed and the amount of poverty and inequality that the system creates, I also saw this whole “new age” spirituality thing, with the meditation and the yoga, as kind of like a trap—because I felt that people were using it as just another distraction, getting so obsessed with their own little healing journeys.

Daniel Pinchbeck How Soon Is Now? Moon Club The Numinous

AR: There is definitely the idea of: “I’m entitled to my healing and my enlightenment and I gotta just focus on that.” Healing individually is very necessary too—but how do you see us then finding a way to integrate this into healing the Earth?
DP: It would require for those of us who’ve been on this evolutionary initiation path to reach another level of our capacity to…hold a new frequency, to express it to people who are out of the loop. One thing that really began to upset me overtime was Burning Man. When I first went I was like ‘oh of course, this is the model for this new society. The point is to now bring this out into the world.’ But overtime I saw it become more like another entertainment complex. I saw the people who run Burning Man being really kind of pleased with themselves because all these rich people wanted to hang out with them.

But I think a shift is actually happening, because of this geopolitical emergency that we’ve unleashed. For example, I saw a really good thing on Facebook—this guy wrote that he used to have three different groups of friends that didn’t really integrate very well. One was artists, one was meditators, and the other was activists, and he was, like, thanking Donald Trump because now they’re all in the same group. We’re basically confronting a very, very severe existential emergency with this situation, that I think people are beginning to comprehend in kind of waves.

AR: In the book you use Burning Man as an example to show how if society praises you for good behavior, like cleaning up your own trash for example, and if we praise each other for good behavior, we can start to rewire the conditioning that says it’s somebody else’s responsibility to ‘do the right thing.’
DP: I feel that what Burning Man reveals and why it was such an ‘aha’ moment for me is that our social nature is extremely malleable and changeable, and humans will conform like putty to whatever reward system presents itself. So, say you get laid by becoming a Neo-Nazi and hating on the Jews, a bunch of people will do that. If you have lots of lovers or one lover or whatever you need, as a result of being generous, altruistic, and sharing your gifts open heartedly, you’ll do more of that that.

AR: So how did things tilt so far to the extreme right?
DP: Unfortunately, the extreme right has managed to marshal a lot of collective intelligence by expert use the media system, whereas the progressive community has been much more slow and much less strategic and tactical.

There’s actually been a phenomenon of people on the coasts in LA and New York having greater freedoms, better lives, more opportunities, but we haven’t really taken care to transmit these benefits to the rest of society. And, rightfully in a sense, the rest of society realized they were just being shafted and got extremely angry. I think that theoretically, the more conscious we are of this, we have to bear the blame when things go this wrong.

AR: That’s a tough wake up call for people. If you’re living in light and love all the time, you don’t want to hear “hey, this is your fault, take responsibility, step up to the plate.”
DP: But this awareness is spreading rapidly right now. In a sense, what I am trying to show with the book is that the progressive mystical counter culture hasn’t done a good job of articulating the world that we want to bring into manifestation, beyond our individual process.

For example, let’s take The Beatles at their word: “All you need is love.” But how do you actually create a society centered around altruism and sharing and empathy, what does that look like? In the book I am pretty rigorous looking at this in terms of love and relationships, in terms of monetary systems, even questioning whether private property is good for us. I’m sure many people will disagree with some or many of my conclusions but that’s good. At least we have something to disagree about, which can lead to debate and innovation.

AR: I write about sexual healing quite a bit and you share an anecdote about the community, Tamera, in Portugal, that’s so moving—how a young man’s first lovemaking happens with all the group gathered around the house, celebrating and holding space for him. I cried. There is so much internalized sexual shame in our society. I grew up in Georgia in a very, very Christian space and I was totally shamed from a very young age. When I heard that story, I was able to envision people not “losing” their virginity, but embracing this as a rite of passage—leading to us totally flipping the way that we approach love and sex.
DP: One of the founders of Tamera in Portugal said that sexuality is a superpower that radiates throughout all different facets of society, and we can totally see that with this last election. We saw it with Trump and the grabbing of the pussy, Hillary and Bill Clinton, Roger Ailes who was the Fox News head who was taken down in a big sex scandal, and all of their connection to Jeffrey Epstein, the pedophile…

In a system where sexuality is oppressed, alpha male types seek power and wealth (versus creating a system that spreads wealth evenly) so they can have sexual access, you know? Since the sexual revolution of the 1960s, society is more open about sexuality, but it’s actually been reintegrated into a system of domination and control. So it becomes MTV Spring Break or Sex in The City, that type of vibe.

AR: Yes, those pop culture markers reveal that on one level we can “have sex” and “be sexy” but on another level it’s absolutely not okay as a culture to accept our sexual nature. 
DP: Rupert Sheldrake writes about the idea of “morphogenic fields” or “morphic resonance”—that actually, when a small number of a species is able to fully discover or integrate something new it can become generally available to the collective sort of non-locally. So if there’s a small number of communities that have shifted into this different frequency of collective care and responsibility and kind of a truly liberated Eros,  or attitude to love and sexuality, then that could really propagate quite quickly. I mean Neo-Nazism didn’t seem to exist two years ago…and now it’s all over the place. Or look at something like Facebook, and how quickly everybody began using it. Ultimately, I think it’s fully possible that positive shifts towards empathic and responsible social system could also happen rapidly.

Discover more about Daniel and his work at Pinchbeck.io. His new book, How Soon is Now: From Personal Initiation to Global Transformation, is out February 20 2017.

NUMINOUS WEEKLY TAROTSCOPE: FEBRUARY 3—7

The Judgement card is “the reason for the season.” This week, it is an invitation to understand that there is no “other,” says Lindsay Mack

NUMINOUS TAROTSCOPES: FEBRUARY 2017

Cast by Lindsay Mack using the Starchild Tarot

AQUARIUS :: AQUARIUS RISING
Five of Swords

It will be very important not to make too many big decisions this month, Aquarius. Your whole sign is on the verge of a HUGE expansion. Before a big expansion, we contract, and the brain tries to pull us into safer territory. It does this, largely, by playing tricks on us. It can invite us into erratic behavior, poor decisions, old fears, self sabotage, all in the name of so-called intuition. There’s nothing to fear from this. In fact, it’s a great thing! Pausing and doing deep inquiry on these types of invitations is how we continue evolving on an aligned path. It’s also a very good and exciting sign. For the brain to pull up these big, potentially sabotaging behaviors, means it’s scared. It means your soul is edging on a cliff of destiny, poised to leap off into something new. Accepting the brain’s invitation will stall the jump. Declining the invitation(s) promises a soul evolution.

Your job this month will be two fold, Aquarius: to pause and inquire before you accept an invitation from the brain, and to recenter if you do/did accept such an invitation, and are left with the consequences of a decision made in that energy. Either way, it’s a teaching. No big deal. We learn a great deal from contrast in this life, so even if you made/make a big decision that you now realize wasn’t in your highest and best, that’s great. This card, and this month is all about the term above: re-centering. This is the essence of the Five of Swords. When we recenter and take responsibility for our actions, even just to ourselves, there is a transformation that is possible. When we recenter, we choose empowered action instead of self loathing. We choose the master’s path, rather than one of victimhood.

Walk gently through life this month, Aquarius. Pause before you say yes. Sit on things for a few days before you agree to them. Trust yourself. If you have an impulse, journal about it, nurture it, consider it, share it with others, and be genuinely open to the opinions of trusted allies. The mental invitations in Five of Swords can be very sly, and one of the ways to rewire it is to fold others in, so you are not an island. Again, your whole sign is on the verge of a big expansion; make fewer big decisions, inquire and pause more.

Cast by Lindsay Mack using the Starchild Tarot. Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

PISCES :: PISCES RISING
Page of Cups, Rx

Take a look around you, Pisces: is it all work and no play these days? Are you feeling disconnected from your true self? If so, it will be vitally important for you to commit to reconnecting to imagination, creativity and whimsy (yes, whimsy!) on a regular basis, beginning in February. Why? Play is the lifeblood of your sign on a whole, my loves. You dive deeper and arguably feel more than any other sign in the zodiac. It is the mastery of Pisces to find a way to feel all that you feel in a usable and creative way, and play is the glue that holds it all together. Play can direct the flow of your feelings, emotions, thoughts and experiences so they don’t stay stagnant within you, creating anxiety or overwhelm.

In fact, much of your soul dharma is to take your inner experiences and share them through creative expression; it’s part of the healing your sign brings to the planet. Page of Cups reversed is really just a reminder of that truth. You will have to be diligent about this practice, Pisces, for larger reasons than you might immediately think. Service and self care will be a massive part of not only your month, but of the years to come. You will not be able to do either of these things effectively without a healthy relationship with play, creativity and imagination. It is not silly, useless or unimportant. Truly, nothing could be more important. It is an essential part of the frequency you are bringing to the planet—it is very important that you cultivate a consistent practice of diving back into your inner world this month.

Page of Cups is the magical, imaginative, intuitive feeler of the deck; the purest essence of a child. A child plays without looking up at the clock. A child drops into a place of creativity that is pure channeling. A child can communicate with the world around them, with trees, flowers, animals, and the unseen. This card is an invitation to come back to these sources of energetic restoration, to connect back to these parts of ourselves. We can forget how vital it is to play, how crucial it is to refill our well with uninterrupted creative or meditative time so we can be truly available as present, supportive allies. It is essential that you come back home to this invitation, Pisces, not just for you, but for the world around you.

Cast by Lindsay Mack using the Starchild TarotWant more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

ARIES :: ARIES RISING
The Sun, Rx

The Sun reversed is bringing a truly beautiful invitation for you this month, Aries, one that will ask you to strengthen and deepen your trust in the flow of life. This kind of inner work cannot be overemphasized in it’s value to your inner growth and evolution. The Sun card is a potent medicine that helps us to get very clear; when we are in the energy of this card, illumination, insight, rebirth and joy are available to us. The Sun rx can help us to remember that, even though the skies might be momentarily dark, the sun is still shining just beyond the clouds. The light, the truth, the clarity and the medicine are all still there, even if we cannot immediately feel or see them. Eventually, the skies do part, and the sun beams it’s rays on us once more. The opportunity for you this month will be to develop and strengthen your faith in this idea, to trust in the ever flowing spiral of life. This is a very deep teaching for you this month, Aries. The ultimate goal, so to speak, of work like this, is to develop an unshakable trust and oneness with ourselves, Nature, the Universe, and life itself. It is a deep remembering of the soul.

We are microcosms of nature, and to live in true peace is to remember this. The ego forgets, and as a result, we can experience suffering. We forget that, layers above any inner storm of anxiety, depression, jealousy or insecurity, the skies are eternally clear. We can access this clarity at any time by remembering that we are inextricably linked to something larger. The ego may forget, but the soul always knows the way home. The trees, the weather, the changing seasons, the phases of the moon—all quiet, constant reminders to remember our true nature.

Forgetting this link with nature is synonymous with a separation, which can lead to us believe, when skies are dark and stormy, that the sun will might never shine again. In fact, the sun IS shining; just because we cannot see or feel it doesn’t mean it’s not true. No thing is permanent. The light is always there, the skies always part, the flowers always bloom open. This is true for you, too, Aries. Now you get to work on knowing it, believing it, trusting it from your very soul. If you ever forget, just look up.

Cast by Lindsay Mack using the Starchild TarotWant more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

TAURUS :: TAURUS RISING
Queen of Crystals

February brings with it some deep medicine for your growth and evolution, Taurus. It will be very important for you to connect to the feminine this month, (think Yin, rather than a gendered sense of feminine). You can do this effortlessly by living seasonally — emphasizing self care, grounding and deepening your alignment with nature, eating foods that nourish you. It doesn’t need to be complex, so keep it as simple as you wish. Queen of Pentacles is the caretaker of the body, so emphasizing tangible things for your physical vessel are important. Above all, this is a time of restoration and reconnection for you.

Your sign on a whole is going to be called to tread gently this month. Hibernate more than you go out, and focus on small, intimate ways to be of service. Commit to caring for your body, heart and soul before you lend a hand to others. If you are deep in active service, there is a greater importance on adding in a higher level of self care. A lot of this is important because your inner energetic flow will shift: in weeks and months upcoming, you’ll have a spark of energy, a burst of fire, and you’ll be called to come out of your cave a lot more. Now is the time to embrace the internal view, to call upon Bear medicine for the month ahead.

Queen of Pentacles is a walking blend of water and earth. She is who we call upon when we want to flow, cleanse and ground down. She is a deeply feminine, earthy presence, and likes to connect with nature at the very root. This is the frequency you will be invited into this month, Taurus, and it will be vital that you say yes and honor that. If you resist it, you risk the chance of getting sick or run down. The key will be for you to nurture simple practices that help keep you tied to an energy like Queen of Pentacles. The totem of Bear is intimately connected to Queen of Pentacles, and lives in the West gate of the Medicine Wheel. Bear helps us to be introspective, to hibernate, to live in alignment with Mother Earth. This is an intuitive power all on its own. To live seasonally is to live in alignment, with what is in highest and best for all. Keep it very simple this month, Taurus. Connect back to the world around you, and nurture a practice of restorative love that starts with the temple you live in.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

GEMINI :: GEMINI RISING
The Empress

Here you are in The Empress once again, Gemini—two months in a row. It’s exciting to get a repeat card! No card ever shows up more than once (no matter how thoroughly we shuffle the deck) unless it still has lessons to offer us. Repeat cards are a sign from the Universe, gently giving you a heads up to pay closer attention to the medicine that it is offering. Your invitation in The Empress is to practice receiving more than giving, to listen more than you speak, and to nourish an inner practice of self care, beauty and sensuality above all else. This advice might seem impossible—maybe even selfish and irresponsible—in these present times.

It is the opposite, in fact. You are not good to anyone unless you are taking care of yourself, Gemini. None of us are. Each one of us has a role to play in life, one that is shifting constantly. Right now, it is a time to emphasize art, creativity, beauty, and receiving. In time, it might be to focus on a deep activism, or to serve others. You have to be aware of scattering your energy to the point of overwhelm. If you don’t bring the incredible amount of mental energy down into your body, you (like Scorpio) won’t have enough to use it when you are actually called to. Be willing to start a revolution of self care—begin with your own mental and emotional state.

The Empress is almost universally considered to be an amazing and beautiful card, which makes sense—she is ruled by Venus, after all. She also comes with a challenge to practice receiving, something that can be excruciating in moments. Have you ever tried to receive a compliment? Money? Someone wanting to help you out of the goodness of their heart without anything in return? Maybe someone helped you when you were sick, or has seen you in a deeply vulnerable state with eyes of love. Was it easy to receive it? Many of us desire some measure of these things, yet when we are confronted with the moment, receiving can feel impossible and deeply uncomfortable. This sweet spot of discomfort is what you are working on this month, Gemini. Let this whole month be an offering to stepping out of your comfort zone; when someone offers you love, help, assistance, say a grateful yes.

Cast by Lindsay Mack using the Starchild Tarot. Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

CANCER :: CANCER RISING
The Lovers

Balance is the key word for you this month, Cancer. You will be invited to do DEEP inner work over the course of February to unify any dualities within your body, heart, mind and soul. A duality is an indication of contrasting aspects of the self. Your job this month will be to isolate where these contrasts exist within you, and embrace them fully. The Lovers asks us to become our own lover, in many ways. It asks us to become yin and yang, rather than wait for another person to complete that other half. If we are solid and unified within, it will be much easier to attract and receive what we desire, whether it be a relationship, a baby, a new living space, or an amazing job.

The Lovers helps to pave the way there. This month will be a beautiful opportunity to practice loving yourselves and inviting more love into your lives, not to mention the gifts of solidifying your internal landscape from within. Remember: intuition is synonymous with self love. If you are honoring your intuition, you are healing dualities within and living in a way that promotes radical self love. This month, commit to making choices from a soul place, a place of truth. The more you practice this kind of radical decision making, Cancer, the more balanced you will be internally. The other people in your life might not get it, but if it is a yes for you, it’s all that matters.

Speaking of other people: The Lovers card in your spread for the month is largely focused on you, rather than being a harbinger of romance to come. However, if you currently have a partner in your life, the inner work of this card will strengthen that relationship, making it even more whole and supportive. If you are meant to spark up a new love with someone during this next cycle, the deep work you’re doing will influence it greatly, bringing nothing but goodness to it. No matter what shakes out, this is about you, allowing the deep work of self love and inner unity to unfurl within you. No one can receive love from another without receiving it from themselves first. You must see yourself, know yourself, trust yourself; travel more deeply into your own heart than ever before. The treasure you will find there will be beautiful.

Cast by Lindsay Mack using the Starchild Tarot. Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

LEO :: LEO RISING
Seven of Cups

It will be important for you to take a chill pill this month, Leo. I say this with love! It doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t honor a true call to action in February, or that you resist creating something when inspiration strikes. If you have a vision, and if things are flowing in alignment, then by all means, make magic in your life. What I am saying is that February might be a month with a lot of emotional smoke and mirrors, a time when there might be a million seemingly perfect options in front of you, and not one of them truly aligned. Seven of Cups often shows up this way. It’s typically a time when we can tell ourselves a story about getting disillusioned with our present situation — we won’t like our living situation, our partner, our friends, and we can feel stuck with our career.

We will see other people traveling, having babies, moving to Costa Rica, and we will think, “maybe if I do that, I’ll be happier; I’ll have what they have.” The first impulse might be to take your momentary dissatisfaction with life to an external, actionable place. This is where the chill pill comes in, Leo. Whatever you are seeking externally in this energy can only be resolved internally. It is greatly advised to do nothing when you have the impulse to cut and run—to hang out, let the funkiness pass, and to stay the current course. Seven of Cups can be so tricky. It can really make you feel like if you just moved, broke up with your partner/met someone special, changed careers, shaved your head, everything would be okay. Normally, I would say go for all of those things 1000 percent, but not in this card, or in this energy.

Seven of Cups is an indicator that we need to come back home to our inner world, and perhaps, face something head on within ourselves that is painful. Byron Katie says, “reality is always kinder than the story we tell about it”—a perfect medicine for the true work of this card. Whatever you might be seeking to avoid within yourselves, even totally subconsciously, is just a part of you that is longing for your attention. If you can redirect the brain’s strong invitation to make a big external shift this month, you can heal the root of your wound.

Cast by Lindsay Mack using the Starchild Tarot. Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

VIRGO :: VIRGO RISING
Ace of Wands

Ace of Wands will be moving through your life this month, Virgo, lighting a flame and re-igniting a spark of creativity, sexuality, and excitement in your soul. This card is amazing, feels amazing, and I encourage you to embrace it completely. Feel yourself, drop into your sexuality, come out of your shell, let yourself be seen — have fun! Ace of Wands is just as much a personal expansion as it is a creative one. The key will be to ground the energy and use it in a meaningful way. It is understandably tempting to either divert Ace energy into overwhelm, or into less important tasks, so it will be vitally important for you to keep your gaze focused on what you desire to manifest this month.

There is most definitely something that wants to be birthed from you through this frequency, Virgo — something tangible and creative that you can share with others. Whatever this thing is feels like a deep healing, both for you and for the people receiving it. The presence of Ace of Wands is an indication that all of the potent, challenging work you did in 2016 is coming to a head—it was all for this moment, and the energy shifting is evidence of that. You moved through the contractions presented to you so you could share them with others through a lens of service. Whenever there is an experience of suffering in our lives, we have a choice: we can either stay frozen, trapped in victimhood and rage, or we can heal, and by doing so, extend a hand to help others up out of that darkness. You gained a lot of wisdom through your experiences, and now you get to be of service through inclusive, creative sharing.

Aces are a gift from Divine. They come from nothing, seemingly, and invite us to receive their magic with an open hand and an open heart. The main teaching of any Ace is receiving the gift that they are offering—which might sound deceptively easy at first glance. We all know someone who has been given a precious seed of advice or abundance time and time again, who cannot quite make the connection that they must plant the seed themselves. Pay attention this month, Virgo. Be present and proactive. Plant these seeds of fire, of creation, of birth. Wonderful, beautiful, expansive and exciting things will grow from your efforts.

Cast by Lindsay Mack using the Starchild Tarot. Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

LIBRA :: LIBRA RISING
Justice

Everything happening in your life is supposed to be happening, Libra. Really take that in. Whatever is happening is meant to be happening—even the difficult stuff. Inhale this idea, pause with it, consider it deeply. You are already free, life is already balanced; justice has already been served, whether you are aware of it or not. Any current imbalances in your life are already being energetically corrected. The right medication, doctor, teacher, mentor, book, healer, auto mechanic, contractor is already on it’s way to you. Whatever you need is on it’s way. The ONLY thing that blocks what you need is if you believe that there is a problem in your life that only you can solve. Be willing to drop that notion, and open your arms to divine support.

If you’re bemoaning the hard work that this mental shift requires, remember that this is your mastery as Libras. Who better than you to move through this AP level course in trusting that Divine’s got your back? Justice will offer you a chance to see life from this holographic perspective—the benefits that come from meditating on this card’s energy cannot be overemphasized. The aforementioned benefits to honoring the universal wisdom of the Justice card, Libra, are that you will be able to release the existential dread, sadness, fear, and pressure to balance yourself/figure out your life. You will be able to be at peace with whatever comes and goes in this life, even if it is uncomfortable. If things are going spectacularly well for you, there might still be the terror that it’ll all go away.

If things are tough right now, or if you’re unhappy in some way, there IS a reason for it—there is a medicine in the midst of it. It might even be simple. Perhaps you are being called to see how you might be in resistance, or that there is inner work that needs to be done. Whatever it is, trust where you are at. Justice is not the call to action and the call to arms that we might believe it to be at first glance. It’s actually a sign that action is unnecessary, that an important part of our karma is unfolding in some way. Whatever is here for you is what’s supposed to be here, Libra. If you can embrace that idea, trust, support, abundance and evolution can flow in and take root.

Cast by Lindsay Mack using the Starchild Tarot. Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

SCORPIO :: SCORPIO RISING
The Emperor, Rx

February is bringing a potent and complex medicine to you in the form of The Emperor reversed, Scorpio. It will be vital for you to pay a lot of attention to your Solar Plexus chakra this month. This chakra is the “sun” of the body, and our seat of power, confidence, leadership and authority. The following words could be used to describe The Emperor, too, and when this energy is reversed, it almost always is a sign that we must look at our third chakra. The solar plexus can be out of balance when we feel lost, hopeless and powerless. It can also be out of balance when we feel tyrannical; everything is a mirror. Bring no judgement to this inquiry. Really dive deep and focus on this part of the body, and of your emotional experience. The more you rebalance when the scales get tipped, the more peaceful and powerful you will feel.

It goes without saying, but these collective times are deep, and as a result, they are arousing major emotions in your sign as a whole. We could argue that this is a great thing that you are experiencing a lot. Old emotion is coming up to be dealt with, fresh anger is coming up to be released. Whatever  emotional experience you happen to be in, it can be a healthy and vital part of speaking your truth in a way that is important. The key for you in February will be to deeply commit to clarifying your feelings, and channeling your anger and activism in an empowered way, so it doesn’t implode inside you. That is the red flag of the month for you, Scorpio.

It’s not a problem for you to feel deeply, but it is a problem if it calcified and withers inside of you. It will be CRUCIAL for you to develop a practice of pausing and inquiring before you look at social media or the news. An Emperor in alignment is clear on his relative service at any given moment — sometimes it will be important to offer that attention to yourself. Make art, stay present with people you love, keep a practice of joy and creativity, and, when you feel anything hugely explosive, channel it in an appropriate, useful way. If you don’t, you’ll leak energy in a misaligned way, and won’t have enough for anyone around you, not to mention yourself.

Cast by Lindsay Mack using the Starchild Tarot. Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

SAGITTARIUS :: SAGITTARIUS RISING
The Chariot, Rx

The medicine for you this month is pure and simple, Sagittarius: to enjoy the ride to your next destination. Your whole sign is most certainly on a journey, and you are so close to the start of something new, collectively and personally. It might be tempting to get impatient this month, to tantrum, to let this last leg get almost torturous. Indeed, you have worked very hard—it is totally normal to feel anxious and excited to receive what you’ve been wishing for. But, if you can remember to enjoy the feel of the grass on your bare feet, the air in your lungs, the beauty of a sunset, the time will fly. Practicing presence is the key to moving through this final part of your karmic journey. Will you receive what you desire? 100 percent. Is enjoying the journey to what you desire part of the lesson? 1000 percent.

Allow whatever arises this month in the way of resistance, anger, fear, impatience and grief to be the great teaching that helps you through the last lap. It is helping you to release whatever you are not going to take with you in this new cycle. Welcome it, and trust in whatever arises this month. Indeed, whatever comes up is not an obstacle to the path—it IS the path. The Chariot is truly an omen of greatness, victory and success. It’s imbued with the totem medicine of the Horse—the balance, power, grace and speed of this sacred animal are synonymous with The Chariot. When we are in this card, it aligns us with these qualities, priming us for a kind of graduation of achievement. We work our asses off in The Chariot, and it pays off.

We get what we’ve been working for, and everything in life lines up to ensure that we receive it. When this card shows up reversed, all of the above aspects are still accounted for. It is still an omen of victory, and still a sign that wonderful, hard earned things are to come. The reversal is really a medicine that teaches us to trust in the divine timing of things, helps us to rest in the shade of a proverbial tree when we need to restore. Connect with the medicine of horse this month; rest when you need to, run when you need to, play when you need to. Before you know it, your wish will be a reality.

Cast by Lindsay Mack using the Starchild Tarot. Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

CAPRICORN :: CAPRICORN RISING
Two of Cups

February will be a kind of mini soul retrieval of the heart for you, Capricorn. A Soul Retrieval is a shamanic ceremony that returns any fragmented parts of the soul back to the body, helping to heal trauma, release wounding, and embrace the parts of us that have been separated from the whole. It is a true homecoming for the spirit. Two of Cups will be offering you a gentle opportunity to heal those forgotten, discarded aspects of yourself, to bring them into the light and love them up. It is time to open your arms and embrace even the darkest aspects of your shadow, Capricorn. Once you commit to this process, there will be a powerful awakening within you, and a deep liberation of those suppressed aspects. The shadow contains valuable information, and often holds vital medicine for our journey with intimacy and vulnerability. If you can’t embrace these parts of yourself, Capricorn, it will be very difficult to allow anyone else to do so. Trust this process.

Any duality that exists within you is going to come up to be healed this month, and you are encouraged to embrace it. The more you lean into the energetic invitation of Two of Cups, the more clear and aligned you will be. This will open the heart, helping you to be available both to give and receive more in all ways. This is essential for the arc of your year, and all the lessons and medicine 2017 will bestow upon you. It will allow you to be seen more, to let love in, to go deeper. It might be intense, but it is bringing huge gifts.

Two of Cups is often associated with romantic love, and coming together with another. This month, the card has more to do with a unity and love of the self. However, bowing to and embracing all of your shadow aspects will enable you to be more available than ever before to romantic love and intimacy. February will be a month of deep inner work, inviting you to open the whole heart and become one with yourself — all so you can be more available to others and to the abundance of the Universe. There is much to forgive, embrace, love, accept and receive from your sweet being. It will be vitally important to focus on this practice, and doing so will help clear up old patterns that you are ready to release.

Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Lindsay here and follow her on Instagram.

USE THE NUMEROLOGY OF 2/2 TO SPREAD LOVE

The numerology of 2/2 is a launchpad for love—but it also asks that we be patient, and put what “we” need first, says Felicia BenderArtwork: Marietta Varga

numerology of 2/2 felicia bender The Numinous

Be careful what you wish for because the power resides in connection and there is no better time than now—the first few weeks of the Trump Presidency—to take advantage of the energy that 2/2 is throwing down for all of us.

The numerology of 2/2 can serve as an energetic launching pad for all things LOVE. On the microcosmic realm this includes friendships, partnerships, family love, and intimate partnerships. And on the macrocosmic realm this encompasses our relationship to each other on a Universal and soul level—through our connected consciousness and core desire to “love and be loved in return.”

As a repeating number, this holds particular resonance. On this day, if you choose (and often even if you don’t consciously choose!) to be open and receptive, the energy here supports the revealing, or establishment, of soul connections and/or “contracts” that are initiating and being played out.

This is also a message that we are supported by more than we can see or comprehend while here on terra firma. The numerology of 2/2 offers an opportunity to open the heart, discipline the emotions, and opt for diplomacy over a win-lose scenario.

Overall, the message for us on February 2 (in 2017 and every year) is a reassurance that even though it may look at though we’re all going to Hell in a handcart, the chaos is necessary for whatever restructuring is taking place. It is hard. It is uncomfortable. Some might say it’s devastating and appalling. Yet the energy here is all about patience and right timing. Be patient and the timing will reveal itself.

3 Ways To Keep Use The Numerology of 2/2 To Be A Compassionate Rebel

  • Remember there’s power in numbers. (And I don’t mean just Numerology!) If this election has taught us anything—no matter how you voted—it has put us on the fast track to understanding that we can’t exist as “an island.” We need each other. We are imminently more powerful when we work together for a common cause, no matter what that cause might be. This isn’t the time for the “lone wolf.” When two or more people meet for a common goal, the influence and power rises exponentially.
  • LOVE is love is love is love. Lin-Manuel Miranda sets the tone and the theme for 2/2 and beyond.
  • Patience, like it or not, is a virtue. The energy of the number 2 is all about right timing. It’s emotionally         attuned. It’s far more concerned with what’s right for “us” versus “me.” Its energy supports mediation, diplomacy, and loving kindness. It allows and nurtures process. And while there is a certain “fire” burning politically throughout the world right now, the numerology of 2/2 reminds us there is much going on “behind the scenes,” so to speak.

The power resides in coming together and standing strong and peacefully in solidarity. The key is in taking concerted action in tandem with a diplomatic approach to formulating real solutions to the myriad issues at hand—with the clear understanding that these solutions and their implementation will take time, thought, diligence, and cooperation.