One of the most profound practices of my healing journey thus far has been connecting to nature. Surprisingly, that did not occur until nature was much harder for me to find, living in the concrete jungle. It was the absence of nature that revealed the importance of it for my optimal living. This insight was the catalyst for my study of shamanism which has melded beautifully with yoga therapy and ayurvedic philosophy and tools for wellbeing.
No matter where you live you can tap into nature’s cycles. The moon and sun are available everywhere and they greatly impact the collective energy if you practice mindfulness and awareness of your surroundings and the actions of humans and other than humans around you.
In Ayurveda, the fundamental forces of nature are described by the three Gunas -- tamas, rajas, and sattva. Tamas is a state of inaction, heaviness, dullness, Yin energy. Rajas is a state of action, doing, creating, Yang energy. Sattva is the balance of energy, harmony, or a state of purity. Nothing exists in nature without these three characteristics.
At the Vernal (Spring) Equinox or Ostara, the hours of night and day are equal. This is one of two sattvic phases in the wheel of the year. It is a pause before shifting out of the dark, introspective, restorative energies of the dark half of the year into the light half which is filled with activity, action, and outward transformation. In spring we enter a rajasic phase of energetic being. It becomes a time to actively seek change. To plant seeds that we hope to harvest come late summer and autumn. It is a time of new beginnings, birth, growth, shifting into a more active state. What has been dormant for you that feels it is ready to reawaken? Where or how do you want to grow for the next 6 months during the light side of the year?
Also occurring at the spring equinox is the sun’s arrival into Aries. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac which enhances that energy of beginnings. In addition to being the first sign of the zodiac, Aries is a Cardinal Fire Sign. The cardinality is yet another indicator of beginnings and the fiery energy of action or Yang energy. If you are familiar with tarot, we're talking about the Wand energies here. Aries also carries with it the archetype of the Leader or Warrior. Where are you leading or advocating in your life? Or where are you being called to do so?
If you, like me, have felt that you are not a leader (and I’m even an Aries sun sign) remember there are many different ways one leads. Within that archetype of leader, there are many facets as well. There is the servant leader, the trailblazer, the guru, the facilitator, the guide, and even the dictator. You may even identify with different aspects of the leader in different areas of your life. Where do you find the leader archetype in your life? What facet does it take, and would it benefit from a different one or a blending of them?
We will dive deeper into this energy and how it may personally impact you based upon your astrological chart in the coming weeks. For now, I encourage you to tap into your intuition and inner knowing to do a little self-study and see where you need to direct the fire of growth and change and leadership into your life. You can use the following questions for some freewriting sessions or for divination practices such as tarot and oracle cards or runes, etc.
1. Where am I currently showing up in life as a leader?
2. What type of leader am I?
3. Where else in life am I being called to show up as a leader?
4. What type of leader am I being called to show up as?
5. What seeds should I plant to help me step into this leadership role?
6. How can I best lead in this area?
7. What is the likely outcome if I step up my leadership?
8. Final message from your guides.
If using tarot, you might choose to only draw from the majors or majors and court cards for 2 and 4.
Once you have a clear idea of how to start moving into your natural leadership use that to guide your intentions each day. Whatever you uncover, action will be required on your part to create the change. Maybe you put an affirmation on your bathroom mirror or on your nightstand so it is the first and last thing you see each day. Or perhaps you make it into a wallpaper for your phone, tablet or computer to keep you motivated to take action. I also recommend thinking of a few actionable steps you can take through this Aries season to bring the best version of you to fruition.
If you are desiring to come into alignment with nature rather than fighting it and want some individualized guidance, please leave a comment below or check out my services page.
Please subscribe to catch more of this series as we look deeper into other resources that may help you refine your actions and goals this season and in the seasons to come.
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