The deeper astrological lesson of Venus Rx

As we currently venture through the Venus Retrograde (Rx) phase, which ends on the 29th January 2022, we will have had to deal with all things related to Venus. People often tend to think that a Venus Rx phase is all about love relationships and yes most often it is, but it’s also a time where we are all being called to reflect on our personal value system and the relationship we have with ourselves. Easier said than done! Venus astrologically is often linked to love and affection and due to its dual rulership of both the zodiacal signs of Taurus and Libra, it shows the relationship we have with ourselves (Taurus) and with others (Libra). However, Venus’s role in our lives is much deeper and more complicated than it appears. Let me explain.

In mythology, Venus was a Roman goddess who was associated with the principles of love, harmony, beauty and refinement. We can therefore see how these characteristics are often linked to Taurus and Libra. Taurus is the earthly yin energy that reflects the way we value ourselves and Libra is the airy yang energy that focuses on the partners we attract into our lives. The key word here is “attract”. Did you know, that we attract others who mirror back to us our own inner feelings?!

Think back to the key relationships you’ve had in your life. Often these are the romantic ones, but these can also be friends/work colleagues/others with whom we build a rapport and individuals with whom we enjoy spending time with. Also, think about those individuals with whom you’ve had conflict, tension and just a vibe that was literally off! We have all been there! Now, when I said you attract these relationships into your life, for your own Soul growth, can you step out of the drama and see what the key lesson may have been? The saying “like attracts like” is more true than “opposites attract” when it comes to Venus.

The key question which we should all be looking to answering before we blame others for any problems we experience is, why have I attracted this relationship into my life? Self-reflection is a powerful tool that can help us to navigate the terrain of our lives taking away the blame game. Therefore, the main intention of a Venus Rx phase isn’t just simply about waiting for old relationships to re-surface but rather look at who or what issues are brought into the forefront during this period and what lessons need to be reviewed.

With the current Venus Rx transit through Capricorn, the main intention is to get you into a state of self-reflection and analysis where you learn to take responsibility of the relationships you have attracted. Evolution is the journey that we are all on, whether you can see this or not. Every single relationship, romantic and non-romantic is related to Venus and the biggest lesson for us all is self-love and appreciation. With the Venus Rx ending soon, all that has been reflected to us for the last 6 weeks or so will be brought to the forefront once Venus goes direct.

A Christmas Story!

It’s Christmas Day 2021 and as the world celebrates one of the oldest traditions in the world, whether for religious or non-religious reasons, we cannot ignore one of the oldest stories linked to Christmas of the Three Wise Men/Kings visiting Jesus in Bethlehem. But did you know that this story is linked to astrology? Let me explain.

In the bible it is stated that the Three Wise Men said “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw is star in the east, and we have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-12). We know that these Three Kings have also been referred to as the Magi but did you know that the term ‘Magi’ derives from the Greek word ‘Magos’, which in English means ‘Magic’. Now if we go further back into history, the Greek term ‘Magos’ comes from the Persian word ‘Magupati’.

Now, the story gets interesting! Magupati was actually the title given to the Priests in the ancient Persian religion known as Zoroastrianism. And in today’s day and age we would refer to these individuals as Astrologers! During the ancient times, astrology and astronomy was considered a combined science (which is naturally is!) and one area would not be considered without the other.

I personally am not religious but I recall studying these passages of the bible and wondering how anyone could locate Jesus by just following a star. Only those who knew the coordinates of the night-sky would be able to locate Jesus and of course they were Astronomers/Astrologers! Therefore, when the Magi followed the “star in the east”, they were in fact Three Astrologers reading the map of the sky to locate Jesus.

I have researched the origins of Astrology and as you have read, there was a time when this science was considered a part of every day life and people would use it to navigate their life journeys. This hasn’t changed but what has changed is how people have divided these two approaches into separate arenas. Astrology/Astronomy is a wonderful form of science that has its origins dating by millions of years and it will inevitably continue once we have all long left this Earth. Now that’s something to think about!

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas!

Venus Retrograde in Capricorn 2021

Venus, the planet associated with love and relationships is turning Retrograde (Rx) from the 19th December 2021 until 29th January 2022 starting at around 25 degrees Capricorn and going back to 11 degrees before it begins its direct motion.

All Rx planets are about redoing, revisiting and repeating issues associated with the planet in question. So with a Venus Rx phase its all about how we relate to ourselves and others and in the sign of Capricorn, it’s about the structures we have built around those relationships, where the need is to now re-structure and re-build the foundations. As the seasons change, so do we and as life is therefore forever changing, we are never the same as we were yesterday. For example, our values change; what we once considered important can suddenly seem irrelevant to the new values that we put in place. This all leads to changing relationships, both with ourselves and with others.

Astrology in its simplest form can show us how we interpret and function in our daily lives and each sign of the zodiac has a deeper meaning and can help us to understand our core nature. Taurus shows us how we relate to ourselves and Libra is the sign that shows us how we relate to others. The Taurus side of Venus is the inner yin energy, whilst the Libra side is the outer yang energy. Therefore, the planet Venus has a dual rulership in the astrological world, where it is the ruler of both Taurus and Libra. Once these two energies are synthesised, we can see that we often end up attracting in others (Libra) how we feel about ourselves (Taurus).  

The reason why this particular Venus Rx is strong and it will link in with our personal karmic past is because it is sitting right next to Pluto in Capricorn when it turns Rx. Pluto is the power puncher of the astrological planets and Capricorn is the time-keeper and all about mastering self responsibility in the outer world and can also represent how we conform to societal expectations. Therefore, this Venus Rx in Capricorn transit will be focusing on the issue of where we are giving our power (Pluto) away to others (Venus) just so we can fit into what society (Capricorn) expects of us. But the real question underneath is; are we following our own internal value system (Venus/Taurus) or are we following what others expect from us (Venus/Libra)?

With the ruler of this Venus Rx in Capricorn being Saturn in Aquarius, we are being directed to individuate and liberate ourselves from relationships patterns which don’t serve us, especially when we are giving our power away to people please! It is very likely that this Venus Rx transit will push us to our limits because with Pluto in the mix, it will transform the relationship we have with ourselves and with others to another level. Also, a Venus Rx phase can bring in people from our past and not just old relationships (friends and partners both) but also people from past lives where there is unfinished business. So even if you meet someone ‘new’ its very likely you will have connected with them before. A final point to note is that Venus is not just about ‘love’ but it also reflects ‘money’. So be careful of where you choose to spend money over the next few weeks and it’s a good idea to shop around rather than making expensive purchases until Venus goes direct at the end of January 2022.

The question, with any astrological transit, is how you choose to navigate the energies. Remember that astrology doesn’t cause events to happen, it merely reflects the energies in play. Free-will always exists. You can choose to be a victim to life’s events or decide to take control. The higher aspect of Pluto in Capricorn is taking responsibility in a powerful way that allows you to turn yourself from the caterpillar into a butterfly. We will be all be affected by this transit in one way or another, whether you believe in the power of astrology or not because you don’t need an astrologer to tell you how you feel, you just know! Those of you who believe yourselves to be more left-brain minded, will most likely justify the emotions to the events happening around you, but the truth is, there are higher forces in play.

So, let this Venus Rx phase help you to figure out what key relationships are helping you in your life and which ones have just evolved and now need to be let go off. Once Venus goes direct at the end of January 2022, you’ll be able to put into motion what you have decided. Even if you choose not to make any specific decisions, Venus will put your attention on all the relationships matters that need to be dealt with. And once Venus connects again with Pluto Rx in Capricorn at the beginning of March 2022 you may not be giving a choice. The key message of this transit is to first reevaluate the relationship you have with yourself and then to others, when we do it the other way around, we can feel like the victim. But if we master self-responsibility first, the relationships that just aren’t on our wave-length will naturally dissipate and pave the way for the more empowering and soul connected ones. And when we allow this to happen, life becomes more loving and that’s where Venus likes to shine.

Revolutionary times – an Astrological perspective.

Where did 2020 go? And how is it mid-March 2021 already?! Is it me, or does time feel like it’s accelerated? So 2020 hey…a year that will most likely go down in history as the year where life as we knew it came to a stand still. But underneath all the madness, can you feel the change that is in the air? Excuse the pun! We are experiencing an airborne virus that has the medical world baffled, but at the same time we are all experiencing our own personal challenges. For me, it’s been a time to really slow down and review my life and where I am heading. I’m sure that you will have experienced something similar. But overall, what I do feel is that there is a knowing that life as we have known it before the lockdown will never be the same. And this isn’t a bad thing at all.

The old way of operating has been coming to an end overt the past 3 years, since astrologically Pluto made it’s first conjunction with Saturn in its home sign of Capricorn. Capricorn as an archetype is about structure, the building blocks we create in society and how we navigate in the social world. But Capricorn is also about structuring life in a way that works best for us, and most often then not, many of us have operated in a way that meets other people’s expectations rather than our own. Just ask yourself, are you ticking the boxes society has set out (education, leading to a job, leading to buying a car and property, then getting married, having kids, retiring and then….) or are you someone who has truly lived your life from a place of ‘joy’?.

I have often wondered why we aren’t taught key ‘life’ skills in school. Like the heartbreak you will very likely experience, how to save money efficiently, how to follow your passion as opposed to the job that will bring status and money but kill our Souls. I have an MA in Research and I enjoyed the research side of my career but it was short lived because as I got older, I changed as my interests changed. For me it was focusing on a career that brings me joy, and that’s Evolutionary Astrology. I feel alive doing this work, I love connecting the dots for people and knowing that I have helped another Soul.

With the astrological planets Jupiter and Saturn, at the start of this year having moved out of the Capricorn energy, which links to our past and patriarchal ways of being, into the Aquarian energy of innovation and liberation, there is a revolution coming! A revolution around how we individually want to live our lives and this will link to wanting to help humanity as a whole. The Aquarian energy is dynamic, it likes to create shockwaves and sudden changes and the change that will be coming our way most likely involve breaking societal expectations. As long as it’s not harming another, this really is they way forward.

The planet of destruction and power, Pluto is in the latter stages of Capricorn and won’t be joining its colleagues in the airy sign of Aquarius until 2023/24, so there is time to close the doors on the old ways of operating. But once Pluto joins the rebellious and revolutionary sign, expect the unexpected! In short, we are collectively heading into a ‘new world’. We can all start the process now, by creating a vision of our world where unity and love for our fellow human beings overrides the need for power and control. Now wouldn’t that be an Aquarian breath of fresh air! Pun intended.

Current energetic map of the skies!

There is a heaviness in the skies…can you feel it? You are possibly feeling the burden of Saturn, the desire to metamorphose because of Pluto and the urge to growth because of Jupiter. The thing is, all these 3 heavy hitting planets are in a Retrograde (Rx) motion, which means all the energies are being felt within. Rx planets are always about re-doing and re-visiting matters which need to be reviewed again. And in the sign of Capricorn, the heaviness is emphasized as a Rx Capricorn seeks to liberate from any form of conditioning that no longer works. We are being asked to become our own authority and to learn to look within ourselves for the answers we seek. If there was ever a time to learn meditation, it’s now!

Mars in Aries is also playing a key role here, especially as it’s going to also go Rx from 9th September to 13th November 2020. Mars Rx is about re-directing the external action oriented energies to go within, where the energies are intensified for an internal review of where your life is headed. Literally the Soul is seeking to purge whatever is not serving its growth. The best way to navigate through this time will be by not reacting to others and not doing anything impulsive. With Mars Rx revisiting the same points of degrees it has moved through since the end of June 2020 to September 2020, anything you feel you may have dealt with may come back up for review. This time you’ll most likely be wearing a different hat when dealing with the issue, and that’s a good thing! If the first time around you felt the situation could have been handled differently, life will present another opportunity for you to do this.

This is why Rx’s can often be great! It’s a time for inner-reflection which is something we all need from time to time. So allow these energies to flow through. If you need time out, take that time out. If you feel that you maybe falling into depression, this is often a sign that an internal adjustment needs to be made. These planetary energies are giving us that time. If however you feel the depression is deeply affecting your life, please seek professional help. Astrology as a tool is a great way to understand and navigate through energetic waters but it’s always free will that dictates which way the energies flow. You are after all the one in the driving seat of life.

Taking Control Through Chaos

A few months into quarantine and it gets you thinking about all the information that we are being bombarded with on news channels, social media accounts and even through conversations with friends and family. I have to be honest, I stopped listening to the news quite early on because I was finding it quite negative. Not that I stopped listening to what ‘experts’ were talking about, but I decided I wanted to choose who to hear from, not dictated by the TV channels.

One of the most liberated philosophical thinkers in our times was Jiddu Krishnamurti and one of his books ‘Freedom from the Known’ is a must read for the times we find ourselves in. As we navigate our way through a ‘new world’ his words have brought me inner peace and an awareness to the fact that freedom really is “a state of mind”. As a collective race, we are here to help one another and to be of service to the whole of humanity. The fact is that we all have a choice to what information we take in,.So let that information, whether it is books/TV/podcasts etc, be empowering so it helps you to stay in control of your life.

There is so much information about this virus and its effects and you have to do what feels right to you. It always come back to the power you have and where you decide to use it. Astrologically there is a lot going on, and with a lot of planets in a retrograde motion (which means they have slowed down compared to their usual momentum) I truly believe we are also being called to SLOW down.

The planet Saturn, which symbolizes society/structures/governments entered the astrological sign of Aquarius briefly before it retrograded back into Capricorn. Aquarius is the planet linked to revolution/community/freedom and with Saturn dipping it’s toes into this sign we had a brief introduction as to where the world could be heading. And about time! We have lived in a patriarchal world for far too long and not years but centuries! It’s time for a new world to emerge.

The Pluto/Saturn conjunction in January 2020 was no coincidence to the world waking up to the news of the worldwide pandemic. For the first time in human history as we know it (It’s happened before in other civilizations and that topic is for another day!) we are as a collective human race in the same boat. Though we are all individuals living in a collective world, where there are so many different religions, philosophies, cultures, belief systems etc. This virus has united the world like never before. And there is a great opportunity presented, to unite as a global race – the highest vibration of Aquarius as a global community or will the world focus on their own individual desires leading to further separation?

Astrology is just another tool that can help you to take control as we are all born with the planets placed in a particular way. Your natal birth chart is a blueprint of your life. It;s a symbolic map showcasing your evolutionary journey as a Soul on earth. The past, present & future energetically linked to show your Soul’s evolutionary desire(s). The current planetary movements will be having a deeper effect in your life depending on where they are moving in your own birth chart. If you find yourself in a position where you’d like more clarity and guidance, then I’d love to help. A very simple fact we all naturally forget is that we are all Souls having a Human experience and by coming back to this, we can truly step back and see the bigger picture of life and its events.

A Changing World.

What a time we are living in at the moment. A time that will undoubtedly go down in history as a turning point. Astrologically this is also what the planetary alignments appear to be pointing us towards. The planet Saturn is heading towards the end of its cycle in the sign of Capricorn and will enter Aquarius in a few days time. Specifically on March 22nd before it will retrograde back into Capricorn for its final run from July 2nd 2020 until December 16th 2020. So what does this all mean? Simply put, an ending is coming. An end to how we have lived life on Earth for thousands of years. Expect a new normal to be birthed where there will be shifts in society and the way we live on a daily basis. And these changes can be linked to Saturn in Aquarius.

Saturn is the planet linked to the element of earth. It relates to the structures/boundaries/limits we have to abide by on Earth. Gravity is one rule we can’t defy. Try jumping off a cliff, the only way is down! The gravitational pull of Earth will make sure of that!! Aquarius is one of the signs related to air, it rules freedom from conventional thinking, spontaneity and being detached. Generally doing things differently from the expected societal norms. We are in the midst of change, changes in the lifestyle we have been accustomed to living.

Saturn in Aquarius will be pointing us towards new innovative ways to live and work in society. The old structures are being broken down so new structures can be built. The biggest change we are already experiencing, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is that people are being ‘forced’ to work from home, to rely on technology to do their jobs and to basically become more self-sufficient with their time. This is Saturn in Aquarius. We can even say that this could be the birthing of the Aquarian Age which has been talked about for quite some time in the world of Astrology.

Though it’s very likely we will be dealing with the current situation until the summer months, ‘normality’ for people will be changing. The planetary energies at the moment point to this change, especially with the South Nodes (past history) of Saturn, Jupiter and Pluto all in Capricorn being activated by the stellium of planets in Capricorn right now. Collectively, we are being asked to review the way we live, to let go of old thinking patterns and ways of working.

So what can we do in this current climate? With the planet of spirituality and oneness, Neptune in its home sign of Pisces, we are being called to collectively surrender. To surrender to what we cannot control. This includes being told to commit to social distancing, working from home, self-isolating as much as possible to help the medical professionals to be able to navigate through this time. We need to learn to help one another, where we don’t fall into the fear of running out of resources etc. If there was ever a time where we need to unite as Human Beings, it’s now.

Blogs & Posts

I have written a lot since I published my last post. And I seem to be getting into the habit (subconsciously) of writing during a Mercury Retrograde period! Go figure!! I have always been pulled towards writing & have done so since my teens. How I wish I kept those old journals but I know they would have been full of ‘drama’ and I guess it’s not a place I wish to revisit again.

So over the past few years I have become an avid user of Instagram and at first it was just about pictures and small descriptions but since I moved onto a business account with my coaching work, I have found that I am writing and publishing more on that network. Not that I don’t come back onto my web page and write. I have about 5 unpublished blogs which I haven’t released yet but as they haven’t been deleted, I guess they will be published on here rather than Instagram. Why? Because I find that Instagram is great for those short instant pieces, such as astrological transits and goings on and a blog page is more descriptive in nature and one can enjoy reading over a coffee (I am enjoying a chai latte whilst I write this!).

God I have missed this! Just sitting down, on my laptop in a cool coffee shop in London and just writing. I have a feeling I’ll be doing this a lot more going forward. It is a whole new decade and all! 🙂

Eclipse season!

This year August 2017 is an intense month astrologically because it’s eclipse season! Eclipses have traditionally been known as bringing on events that disrupt, magnify, accelerate and intensify life around us, both personally and on a global scale. The effects of eclipses can play up to six months after the event, so be prepared for changes to come into your life in the areas of your natal birth chart that are ruled by Aquarius and Leo.

It really is a sensitive time as people will be more prone to emotional reactions and this is especially the case when the moon is involved because the moon represents our emotions. So be aware of this and understand that with this highly charged energetic field right now, it’s best to stay active and release any emotions you’re feeling. Today we have a partial Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius and the New Moon total Solar Eclipse in Leo taking place on 21st August.

The Full Moon today is in the sign of Aquarius and this as an archetype is about individuality, rebellion, being different, objectivity and generally liberating yourself from societal pressures. Often we end up doing things because its just what society expects, be it having a 9-5 job, getting married then having kids and the list can go on and on! But what Aquarius does, is it gets you to look at things objectively and process what works for you and what doesn’t. So with this full moon, step back and process what is working in your life and what isn’t and make the necessary changes. Also with the intense energy flying around, find time to be in your own space. To do the things that you love and to process all that has come to culmination since the last New Moon took place two weeks ago.

Aquarius represents the energy of independence too, where we are truly being ourselves and letting life flow without trying to control or letting our egos get in the way! Knowing that when we follow our individual truth, life truly opens up doors and opportunities and things just fall into place. When we block this energy, this can then result in creating trauma and we can feel despondent, alone and fragmented. This Full Moon (especially with it being a lunar eclipse) is helping us to clear out parts of our lives that no longer work. It also marks the end of anything that began at the last New Moon lunar eclipse on February 10th, which no longer supports our highest good. Even if we don’t physically make any changes, knowing that some sudden endings may just happen in our lives (as Aquarius can bring about things suddenly), by flowing with the process, new things will eventually come in. It is only by removing old energy that we can make room for new energy to flow. Just think of this as a form of emotional spring cleaning!

Following on from the ‘Full Moon’ partial eclipse, we will have the Leo ‘New Moon’ solar eclipse taking place on 21st August and this is a big one! With the Sun and Moon both placed in the sign of Leo, there is a double energetic focus on the self, ego, purpose and having a child-like approach to life. Knowing that you are living each day as authentically as possible makes the journey of life more exciting and enjoyable.

The Sun’s astrological position is in the sign of Leo this month and Leo signifies creativity. Therefore this month also represents following the creative authenticity you desire even if it means being different and standing out from the crowd! It is all about being authentic to yourself and your journey. This could be anything from following that childhood dream of learning ballet or signing up to learning the piano! Anything that makes that inner-child within happy. Leo, in astrology, represents the child-within, so go fulfil those passions you’ve always dreamt of doing since childhood! Knowing that you’re following your own truth and you’re validating your authenticity, life becomes a lot more joyful and effortless. And isn’t that essentially why we are all here, to be happy individuals!

As I mentioned earlier, eclipses always bring external events be it on a global level or on a personal one so be conscious of this. There is a lot more going on with other planets too which will add to mix and the way this will play out depends on the placements in your own natal birth chart. I am available for readings should you wish to have a more in depth analysis. But for now all you need to do is validate your own experience and understand that no one else can make you feel anything, you are the creator of your reality and you hold the power to shine as bright as you want to! Here’s to being able to follow your truth and knowing that happiness truly comes from within.

If it feels right, it probably is!

It has been awhile since I last published a blog! And it’s not because I haven’t written anything because oh boy I have, a lot! So much so that I am seriously contemplating writing a book! Now that’s another story. The truth of the matter is that it just didn’t feel right publishing those writings at that time, more so because they are probably a lot more personal thoughts (about where I’ve been in the past year or so in my own journey) and I am not really ready to share those with the world…yet.

My main focus in my published writings is to highlight ways I can help others (and myself!) and to show that ultimately we are all connected on the grand scale. Our so-called problems are more often than not very similar or even in fact exactly the same and I find that if I can share this with others and help them along their own life journey, then I’ve done something useful and positive. I actually started writing this blog this morning and I am not going to put it to one side, because for whatever reason it feels right to publish it now. And I am going with that feeling.

The lesson in this I believe is that if something feels right to you then more often than not it’s the right thing to do. Whatever it is, no one else can tell you what to do. People  can offer their opinion or advise (me included here!) ultimately it is your journey and you are only really accountable to one person; yourself. So, if something just doesn’t feel right, then trust that feeling. Even if the thing you decide to do doesn’t end up working out in the way you expected, knowing you followed your gut instinct will help. At times it may not make sense at the time, but somewhere down the path it will all make sense and you’ll be able to join those dots together.

 

Endings & Beginnings!

2015 is coming to a close and like most people I’ve been reflecting on the year that is ending. In short, 2015 didn’t end the way I expected when it began!

A lot of changes have taken place in my life and one thing I know for sure is that every single person I have connected with this year has contributed to making me who I am today. In hindsight, I’ve realised everything that was happening was to help lead me to understand myself better. Even though this clarity was rarely there when the events were enfolding, I do recall embracing any fear I had and just going with what life was literally throwing my way. The end result was actually liberation and a better understanding of what I wanted out of my own life.

The one thing this year has taught me is that at times we will question and fight against things not going the way we expect, but the truth of the matter is that everything that happens serves us in the best way possible. The negative or bad experiences we believe that we are going through, are in fact there to help us understand our own nature and exactly what we want to achieve in our own lives.

I don’t recall starting 2015 with any particular resolutions as I believe each day is a new day and we are always in a way starting afresh. But if you are someone who likes to keep resolutions, then make sure that one of them is to enjoy each day as it comes because it’s this time, the now, that is the only time we really have. No amount of worrying about the future will change what is destined to come your way. My work with astrology has proven that!

Before I finish this post, I also wanted to make a dedication to Dr Wayne Dyer who passed away in August this year. His work and teachings have helped me enormously in my own life especially when it came to following my own passion of helping people in overcoming life problems and following a career path that many people don’t consider a career. One of my favourite quotes is taken from his first book, which has gone onto be one of the best-selling books of all time “Your Erroneous Zones” first published in 1976:

“Have you really lived 10,000 or more days or have you lived one day, 10,000 or more times”

Just something for you all to ponder. 🙂

My wish for you all is to have a great 2016 where you follow your dreams embracing and enjoying life every step of the way!

Re-writing again during Mercury Retrograde!

It’s Mercury Retrograde (Rx) and I decide to publish another blog again! How very apt, considering Mercury rules writing and communication. Now for those of you who don’t know what Mercury Rx is, in a nut shell, it’s when the planet associated with communication, transport and linear thinking slows down in the skies and hence has an energetic effect on how we think and communicate. Though planets don’t cause things to happen, they do reflect energy. So during phases of Mercury Rx it’s not a good idea to start new things/projects but it is a good time to RE-do things. So if there’s anything you’ve been putting off for the past few months or things you’ve tried to do but never got around to completing, this is the perfect time to re-do those things. You’ll be amazed at how effortlessly things get done!

Some of the things that you’ll notice during this phase are travel delays, miscommunication between people, technology breakdowns, basically anything linked to transport and communication goes a bit haywire! Another common aspect associated with phases of Mercury Rx is re-communication from people from your past whom you haven’t heard from in a while or thought you’d never hear from again.

Mercury will be Rx until 10th October 2015. So just make a note of what happens during this time, you’ll most definitely see the effects of Mercury Rx in play in some form or another. Astrology is after all an art of observation and correlation.

Are you following your passion?

It’s been a long time since I published something, it’s not because I haven’t written anything (and I’ve written a lot!) It’s just that they’ve been more private and personal thoughts and I’ve been trying to figure out a lot in my own journey.

Over the last 3 years, I feel like I’ve come along way, more than in my twenties and that period was challenging enough! But one thing I’ve come to realize is that no matter how much we resist or try to follow life the way we are ‘told’ we should, there will come a time in your own journey where you will literally be forced to change paths, especially if you’re not being authentic to yourself. At that time it can seem daunting but honesty the worst thing that can happen is never following your dreams or passion, whether that’s to be a writer, painter, musician or even a parent! Just look at someone like J K Rowling, whose book ‘Harry Potter’ was rejected by at least a dozen publishers! Had she given up on her passion, we’d never have read such an iconic book.

Nothing is ever right or wrong; what’s right for one person is someone else’s wrong. That’s what makes us all unique. I’m personally also still learning, one step at a time, but knowing that I get up each day and enjoy what I am doing has made a great difference in my own life.

Try it. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Planetary Energies

From my own studies in Evolutionary Astrology (EA) and reading other astrological books and materials, I’ve come to understand that astrology can provide a great insight into our lives. A natal birth chart is essentially a snap-shot of the way the planets were located at the moment a person was born. I once read that a birth chart can be seen as our own personal business card, now that’s an interesting way to look at it!

The birth chart is basically split into 12 different houses (western astrology). Each house is ruled and governed by particular star signs and planets, i.e. the 1st house is traditionally ruled by Aries and the planet Mars and the 10th house by Capricorn and the planet Saturn.  I won’t go into the description of each house as this will be a whole book in itself! There are many websites and books in the public domain which cover this area. All you need to know here is that each house in a birth chart relates to different areas of life such as the self, family, work and relationships amongst others.

I’m finding that life isn’t just a random journey and more importantly planetary energies play a part in determining the direction we take, albeit this often happens unconsciously. It’s important to note here that these energies don’t cause things to happen, they just reflect energy. Every one of us handles life in very different ways and what I’ve found from studying my own chart and charts of others, is that there appears to be a pattern in where the various planets are located and how life is experienced.

Take the moon for example. In astrology the moon relates to one’s emotional reality (though it is also associated with the mother, family life and childhood). But did you know that depending on where your moon sign is located in your birth chart and in which star sign; this can show you more about your emotional character and how you handle life?

Let me give you a simple example. If someone’s moon sign is found in the sign of Pisces and is located in the 12th house, this then shows me that this is an individual who is quite sensitive emotionally and others may not see this. But if this moon sign was located in the 1st house then the story changes. This placement would show me that this is someone who is again sensitive but their emotions will be out there for all to see, they just won’t be able to hide their feelings.  This is just a small example and other factors in the birth chart also need to be taken into consideration to gain an overall picture.

Now this can also be done with the other planets found in a birth chart; Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. All the planets describe different personality traits such as Venus relates to feelings and Mars relates to assertiveness.  It’s interesting to see where the planets are located and how they play a role in our lives. If you feel that I could help you in a particular area of your life where you need guidance, then I can take a look at your birth chart and provide a Life/Soul Coaching session. Please note this is not a full astrological reading but a session where I take a look at your natal chart and help see what energies govern a particular area of your life, how you are using these energies and how to overcome any problems.  If this interests you, then I’d love to hear from you.

Where has 2012 gone?!

Time seems to have accelerated! We’re already more than half way through the year and I feel like it’s gone in a blink of an eye!  My last blog was towards the start of the year, and I’ve spent most part of this year studying to add a new element to my coaching work and though the new aspect can be described as a form of ‘life’ coaching, I personally like the word ‘soul’ coaching better.

The course I am doing is called Evolutionary Astrology and as the name suggests it’s all linked to the world of astrology. I have found that there is more to a person than just looking at their respective sun signs. Yes they play a very big part, but did you know that your moon sign adds more oomph to your personality, especially when it comes to your emotions? And going one step further, the nodes of the moon can provide you with information about the life journey you’re on? I will explain more of what this all involves another time. For now lets’ just say the course is keeping me very busy and extremely fascinated by the world and the universe.

In the meantime if anyone would like any guidance in their life, then I am available for coaching sessions.  I hope the year so far has been good to you all.

It’s all in the writing!

I’ve been thinking about what topic I wanted to write about and have had a few ideas and started to work on a piece over the past couple of months. But throughout writing that piece, I kept getting the feeling that I should focus my next blog on the the joys of writing a journal. Then the other morning as I was going through my emails, I got a newsletter with the heading ‘the importance of journaling’ and reading that newsletter highlighted to me how much I enjoy writing in my journal and the benefits it has brought me. Hence the focus of this blog is all about journaling.

I have been writing journals since my teens and have always found it a great way to relax and off-load any issues that were on my mind. And over time when I’ve looked back at what I have  previously written, I can see the growth I have made in my own life. Growth from the perspective of how I have moved from ‘drama’ to ‘acceptance’ of where life has taken me (or you could say where I have ended up!). That’s what life will do to you. It will take you through events and experiences which will ultimately grow your soul.

Therefore if you start to write a journal it will help you to see over time how much in control you actually are to the events in your life. I personally can see where I have at times over-reacted to certain events and at a later date realised that I had nothing to worry about! But life will throw these types of events our way, the challenge is not to get drawn into the drama it can often create.

Also by re-reading your own journals at a later date, you will be able to see the ‘drama’ periods in your life from a different perspective and possibly even laugh back at those events. This is because you will suddenly become the observer to what you had previously written. The saying that the act of observation changes that which is being observed is very true! By re-reading those past entries you will notice the times you were complaining or moaning about a person or situation and then in hindsight look back and see how everything at that time was exactly how it was meant to be.

For those of you who haven’t written a journal before I really do suggest you give it a try. You don’t even need to sit down and write into a book, you can type onto a memo tab on your mobile phones! My Blackberry is full of notes I have written on the go. A personal favourite of mine is when I wrote a note back in 2010 when I was visiting Oslo. It was such a beautiful day that I had the urge to write what I was experiencing. And today by re-reading that particular entry I can go back in time and re-experience that day. It’s a lovely feeling. Your journal will have both highlights and low-points of your life, but this is what will show you how far you have come.

Journaling is also a great way to meditate. If you’re someone who can’t keep their mind still whilst being in a quiet space, then try writing your thoughts down instead. By creating a clear space to sit and write it will help you to quieten your mind and seek inner guidance which can be invaluable. Remember the journey of life is about growth and what better way to keep a track of your own growth than through your own personal journals.

Decondition those conditioned beliefs!

Life is always in a constant state of evolution; nothing ever stays the same. This principle got me thinking about why so many people today are still conditioned in following beliefs and ways of life that no longer work for them. Even the Royal family have had to change their ways. It’s only this year that the first ever Royal member married a ‘commoner’ (if that’s what you can call Kate Middleton!) and the rule about the first born being a Son to be King has also been abolished. Now if Kate has a baby girl first, she will automatically be the next Queen. It’s nice to see even the Royal family adapting and deconditioning their old beliefs and traditions that no longer work in today’s society.

We are all conditioned to believe life needs to be lived in a particular way, especially those individuals who have had a religious or cultural upbringing. Ultimately every human being is conditioned in one way or another and when we’re young it’s an integral part of our lives. But as adults some of the conditions we’ve grown up around no longer work. So why do we blindly follow the herd?

It’s only in hindsight that we realise that our elders only did what they knew best at a particular time. But for some of us now as adults, we are realising that their way of life doesn’t work for us. Happiness for us may not come through their models of life and we need to be allowed to adopt a lifestyle that makes us rather than others happy.

For example, there’s a common belief in all cultures that a woman should be married by a particular age and have kids by a certain age. But what if a woman or a man chooses to follow a different path? Let’s outline some other possibilities in life; what if a married couple decide never to have kids? What if that single woman/man chooses to never marry? What if a person decides to follow his/her passion and gives up a corporate career? These are all new concepts for the traditional person out there. But this doesn’t mean it’s a wrong way to live.

So ask yourself; what beliefs and traditions are you holding onto that no longer work for you? And do you have the power to decondition those beliefs? By deconditioning I am referring to following conditions set by yourself for what works for you today. Remember, even these conditions will most likely change in the future. As I said earlier nothing ever stays the same.

Another way to put this is to ask yourself; whose life script are you following? It’s a sad fact that we’ve been conditioned to believe life needs to follow a particular route, when in fact, life is an experience and most often will lead us down paths that may even surprise us! But that’s where the magic is. Life’s a journey of exploration and growth. We will encounter a lot of changes along the way because we will grow as individuals. Our goal posts will change, and if we’re flexible enough to adapt to the conditions then the journey can be enjoyed rather than endured.

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like” (Lao-Tzu).

So, what are you conditioned to in your life and resisting to change?

Acceptance and Surrender to ‘What Is’.

It’s been over a year since my last blog. A lot has happened this year that right now I have to ask myself; where did the time go?!

One notable change in my life has been being made redundant. In today’s economic climate it really shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, but it was a shock at the time because I somehow had this belief that the job would always be there! It’s amazing how accustomed we can become to things we actually have no control over. If I am truly honest, the actual job loss was a good kick up the backside I needed to get my priorities right in my working life. But the fact it happened just after I returned from an amazing trip to Australia wasn’t great! But what can you do in life when things like this happen, but to venture forwards.

Therefore, since leaving the corporate world in April I have had time to reflect on my life in general and where I am going. This time has allowed me to get some priorities in order and to take time out and take each day as it comes.

Over the past few months I have been reading, studying and learning so much more that it’s now in hindsight that I can see the redundancy as a blessing in disguise. I suddenly had time to focus on myself and my business (which I set up over a year ago in Life Coaching). I was ultimately led to some new areas of self-development which has given me a greater understanding as to how I can help people via my coaching work.

What I am working on at the moment is around the idea of ‘Soul Coaching’. I came across this principle a few months ago whilst reading about Astrology. Carl Jung was definitely onto something when he said that there was more to Astrology than just mere planets and stars in the sky! So watch this space (no pun intended!) as I am introducing an element to my coaching work which may be of interest to you.

Overall, this whole experience of being made redundant provided me with the opportunity to just accept and surrender to what was happening in my life. If I had chosen to be a ‘victim’ in all this and dwell on not having a job, then I really would just have been making myself miserable. But I chose to see the job loss as a blessing and an opportunity to follow what my heart wanted to do professionally. Ultimately this has led me on a path of more self-discovery and realisation that where I was in the past wasn’t where I really wanted to be.

We all have to remember that life will throw us into situations we don’t anticipate, but really these obstacles and challenges are very often exactly what we need to grow. We forget this is a soul journey where we grow as individuals. Through my own experience I have come to understand that by holding an attitude of acceptance and surrender to ‘what is’ happening, life can be enjoyed one step at a time. It’s only when we argue against what life is throwing our way that the journey can seem like a challenge.

It’s good to remember it’s often our attitude and reaction to the events in our life which determines our experience of it. Therefore, if like me you’ve gone through changes this year which you didn’t anticipate, have faith that they happened for a reason. And better still; why don’t you hold the belief that these changes are leading you on a journey that will be more rewarding than you ever could have imagined.

De-clutter

I’ve been stuck looking for a topic to focus on and I decided to blog about what has made me feel really good this month. In one word it is ‘de-cluttering’.

I decided that I was going to take some time to de-clutter my life. I didn’t want to rush anything and just wanted to take time out to enjoy life at a slower pace. And I think I have managed to do just that. London has been absolutely gorgeous for the past month or so and I love it when the weather is this hot. Life just seems a lot more effortless and even when things don’t appear to be going right; they don’t seem as bad when the sun is shining through your window. The sun’s energy is very healing.

Another healing energy I have found is in de-cluttering. I said to a friend recently that in order to attract new energy you have to get rid of old energy and one of the best ways to do this is to de-clutter. So I have spent this past month clearing out my cupboards, selling things on e-bay and taking stuff to the charity shop. And boy does it feel good!

If you feel your life is stuck and nothing seems to be moving, then try this simple little exercise. I really do believe in the saying – out with the old and in with the new. Trust me, you will feel great afterwards.

What is real?

The world around us is made up of the way we think and what we feel. It’s all energy. When something is old and worn out it is often thrown away and replaced with something new. The same principle applies to our lives and the way we think. The Dalai Lama recently tweeted “the key to transforming our hearts and minds is to have an understanding of how our thoughts and emotions work”.

Releasing old energy makes room for new and fresh things to come into our lives. This principle is also valid when it comes to things which don’t seem to be working for us. When our lives become stagnant, the energy has become old and no longer works. The first and important step here is to realise what isn’t working and once this has been achieved, then you can do something about it. Just like ‘spring cleaning’ your home, it’s important to look at what thought patterns no longer work for you. Your thoughts create your reality and therefore they can be very powerful.

Reality is ultimately the perception of one person. In other words what is ‘real’ to you may not be ‘real’ to another person. One example here is that of religion. Depending on your religious faith you will either believe in one ‘God’ as opposed to another. Therefore in your world view that ‘God’ is real but to the person who is of another religious background this will not be ‘real’. We are all individuals, living individual beliefs. Our energies are always focussed in different directions but our ultimate goal remains the same; one of happiness.

Therefore to ensure your ‘reality’ is exactly what you want it to be; be mindful of your thoughts. Do your thoughts reflect positivity? Like attracts like, so think positivity and attract positivity.

Free Spirit

I’ve had some people ask me why I decided to call my life coaching company ‘free spirit’. I believe we are all born as ‘free spirits’, we are all unique and have the right to live life the way we choose to. The name of my business promotes living life on your terms and they way in which you want to. As a life coach, I aim to assist people in achieving this goal, this may be following a change of career, being more healthy, achieving a work/life balance to name but a few areas.

It can be frustrating to see individuals being bound down by other people’s rules and expectations when deciding how to live their lives. Cultural aspects are thrown into the midst when we are young; one example is when Asian families push their kids into professions they would like them to be in rather than looking at what their child would like to do. Another element associated with a few cultures around the world is that of an arranged or introduced marriage. Partners are sought for people based on certain criteria’s such as caste, religion, social status etc. But are these really the most important attributes? Surely a parent would want their child to be happy irrespective of whether the person in question meets the man-made chosen criteria?!

Intuitively we know all what ‘feels’ right. Be it a chosen career path or a partner we choose to spend our life with. The ‘spirit’ in each one of us knows and feels the truth, but many of us have repressed these feelings to possibly follow the path chosen by someone else. You’ve all heard of the saying ‘life is too short’ and life truly is too short to spend living someone else’s dream.

We all know someone (or this could be you) who wishes life could be more fulfilling. I’ve been there myself and I am proud to say I’ve been given the freedom and choice to follow my path (though after a few hurdles!). Yes there will be challenges along the way, that’s just life. You can’t have the good without the bad, polarity exists in everything. Being true to your spirit is being authentic to yourself and your dreams. I hope nothing is stopping you from being a ‘free spirit’.

‘Work’ and ‘Time’ go hand-in-hand

”Let each of us consider our talents, and imagine what would happen if they could be transformed into jobs” (Roman Krznaric)

I recently read two short but interesting books called ‘Work and the Art of Living’ and ‘Time and the Art of Living’ by Roman Krznaric and it got me thinking about both these areas. Work is something which is inevitable in our lives, without work, we can’t make money and without money we can’t survive. It really is that simple.

Time surrounds us 24/7. We can’t imagine life without ‘time’. I am sure you can all relate to the ‘time of the day’ when you work best. We spend most of our life working; therefore most of our time is largely spent at ‘work’. So, do you love the work you do?

I don’t know the number, but I suspect not many would say that they ‘love’ their day job, so much in fact that it seems like a hobby. Most people would fall under the category of ‘liking’ their job or ‘being good’ at their job. But can you say that you love your job so much that it doesn’t feel like working? Doing what you love should feel effortless, shouldn’t it?

I love helping people (I’ve completed a Diploma in Life Coaching, have recently set up my own business and am working towards being accredited), I love writing (hence my blogs), I love reading (you will never see me without a book in my bag), I love watching movies (I hold a monthly unlimited Cineworld cinema pass), and I love watching and playing (I try!) tennis (I’ve been to Wimbledon on a few occasions and one of my dreams is to do the grand slam visit one year soon!). When I make time to do all of these things, it really does feel effortless.

We can all love the work we do. We can work part time at weekends or better still, do two part time jobs. To make life meaningful we all need to do something which makes us feel worthwhile and alive, and as Krznaric states “another route to a purposeful working life is to feel that you are using your talents”.

Therefore, if you are currently in a job which doesn’t bring you any joy, then a choice needs to be made. Either you accept the job you’re in and start to see the positives, or you change things. Only you can do this. The first step is always about making the decision and then putting it into action. At the end of the day, the only person’s time that is being taken up is yours. The following quote I feel sums this all up in one sentence:

“Let each of us invent our own rhythms, and walk to the beat of our own drummers” (Roman Krznaric)

Finally, in honour of officially setting up my own life coaching business this week, I feel the slogan I have devised for my business ‘Free Spirit Life Coaching’ concludes this piece rather aptly – Become the spirit you were born to be.

Life’s Too Short

I went to meet a friend today in central London and as I was standing at Angel underground station, my focus went to the notice-board which has the travel updates on. Today there were no travel updates but there was a short message: “:) life is too short”.  I couldn’t help but smile at this, and I looked around to see who else had seen this. I wasn’t surprised to see that no one had paid any notice and walked straight past the board. It’s life I guess, we get consumed by our daily activities and in this case, getting from A to B.

As I waited, I then got thinking about how we can let opportunities in life pass us by. Life presents many paths and it’s up to us to decide which path to take. Life will offer each one of us many opportunities to follow the herd or to follow what feels right to us alone. I’m at this stage in my life and in more ways than one! And what have I decided to do about this? I’m taking the path that ‘feels’ right to me rather than what ‘feels’ right to other people. And if it all goes wrong, then oh well…life’s too short not to take some risks 🙂

Life and Death – two sides of the same coin

I found out this week that my father’s half brother passed away in India. I never met my eldest Uncle but I still felt a loss. I guess death can do that to you. I also listened to Boyzone’s new single ‘gave it all away’ which has the vocals of the late Stephen Gately at the start of the song. Just listening to the first line sent shivers down my spine…”I will learn to live before I die”…even writing this sentence has given me goose bumps.

Life is something we take for granted and we forget this journey is not forever. I know it’s a clique but the saying that we should live each day as our last is very true. We don’t know if tomorrow will really come. We only have this moment.

This whole area of life and death got me thinking about the work we all do on a daily basis. Many of us are on auto-pilot when we go to work and Monday’s often start with the thought “I can’t wait until Friday!”  Just take a look at the words below of the late singer and actress Aaliyah, who tragically died at the age of 21 on August 26th 2001:

“You have to enjoy your job; you should wake up every day and love what you do… I honestly do…From the bottom of my heart to the depths of my soul. I’m truly happy.”
–Aaliyah 2001

How many of you out there can say that what Aaliyah said rings true for you?  If it doesn’t then maybe you need to do something about it.  Life is to be enjoyed and not endured, if Monday morning’s don’t make you feel alive then only you can change this. We only have today to make tomorrow better.  Instead of complaining about what you don’t like, do something about it.  I am not saying you should go out there and quit your jobs, far from it. Maybe doing something you’re passionate about on the side will help make Monday mornings enjoyable.