Introducing Om Sweet Home in NYC!!! This Summer 2012!

Gemini New Moon + Meditation Links

Art by Orah-El

GEMINI NEW MOON
Sunday May 20, 2012 at 7:47pm EST/4:47p PT

Element: Air

Ruling Planet: Mercury

Associated Body Parts: Arms, Lungs

Rules Communication, Short Travel, Siblings, Neighborhoods, Schools, Learning

What does it mean for something to be good?  What does it mean for something to be bad?

I always loved the saying, “One woman’s poison, is another woman’s dessert” mainly because of its approach to duality.  One man’s loss becomes another man’s fortune.  One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.  

The difference between what is garbage to one woman and treasure to another all lies within perception.  It is our perception that makes us love something one day, and hate it the next day.  When our perception changes, often our feelings about what we are perceiving changes. 

This month’s new moon is in the sign of Gemini.  Gemini is ruled by the air element, and the element of air rules our mental facilities.  This is why people born under the Sun sign of Gemini or with heavy Gemini presence in their chart are known for being curious, thinkers, witty, quick learners, and social.  The Gemini energy is one that relies on the mind and it learns to know the mind.  In a sense, to know the mind is to know duality.  It is to know our opinions, our beliefs, and our thoughts so well that we feel confident in them.  It is not necessarily to know them to be creatures of habit, but to know them to be agents of change.

The word Gemini is a Latin word that means twins.  One of the most famous twins in our society are Cain and Abel, known from the Old Testament.  The depiction of these twins is that one was sinful and the other was not.  The story tells that Cain killed his brother and committed the first murder.  It depicts Abel as the prey and Cain is the predator.  These twins represent the two parts of us, or at least the two parts that we perceive as being different.  Within each of us is both the prey and the predator, and at different times we may see that one of those mentalities becomes dominant.  Perhaps growing up, we felt victimized in some way, so we got comfortable being the prey, and have a hard time asserting ourselves, or perhaps the opposite happened and we became very comfortable being the aggressor in order to feel protection. 

Duality exists in order to teach us balance.  Balancing our perceptions and our judgements around ideas helps to give us clarity.  This month’s New Moon in Gemini encourages us to see the 2 sides of the story and let go of  judgments.  It is time to let go of judging ourselves in ways that do not allow for our who self to shine.  It is time to embrace our duality and shine as whole beings, rather than fragmented pieces.

To know our duality is to love ourselves conditionally.  It is to love the wounds, the places that have been shattered, the areas that we are comfortable in – it is embracing every single piece of ourselves.  As we love ourselves in this way, life becomes whole and all those we encounter become beautiful teachers. 

Since I will not be able to hold a LIVE NEW MOON Call this month, here is a:

1) Gemini New Moon Talk

2) Gemini New Moon Meditation

Please enjoy!  If you find these helpful and would like to donate a contribution in gratitude, please click here.

Scorpio Full Moon :: May 2012

This Saturday, May 5 2012 at 11:35p EST the Full Moon in the sign of Scorpio occurs.  This full moon energy will fill up the week.  This is the BIGGEST full moon of the year!  This is what is called a Supermoon, meaning that its visibility to our eyes should be quite large.  This moon will shine in the sky an will be unavoidable.

by Corina Chirila

This Full Moon is asking us to face everything we have been avoiding, and the sweetness of the Sun in Taurus ensures us that by facing it, we are making ourselves more open, accessible and may even find some delight in the danger of facing these areas. 

Part of what I love about the image on the right is that here is this sultry woman almost fully nude (vulnerable and exposed, hiding nothing) and she is allowing the scorpion (danger, fear) to crawl on her fingers.  She looks at this scorpion right in the face without any judgement or hesitancy.


This is what I believe the Full Moon is encouraging us to do - expose ourselves, take off the masks, strip down to nudity (literally or figuratively) and look our fears right in the face.  In fact, maybe even make friends with our fears, create a new relationship with them - one where we embrace them rather than avoid them.


Often in our society, we are both attracted and repelled by danger.  We love the image of the dangerous man (dangerous in italics because it is simply perception, not truth).  I recently watched a documentary that said that when woman perceive a man is dangerous, it triggers her hormones to create a sensation of lust and attraction. The funny thing is that we love the dangerous man/bad boy archetype, but we tend to try to play it safe in all other aspects of our life.  We are repelled by the idea of leaving our safety zones.  We are addicted to safety in our culture, but safety is illusion, it is a concept that only needs to exist when there is a possibility of any threat.  Yet safety is what keeps the majority of the population working at their jobs, reading the newspapers they read, and paying the bills that they pay - they believe this will provide safety to them.  And they are frightened of a life with less safety.


This full moon may help to bring to the surface any areas that we are avoiding.  Scorpio also is the sign that represents secrets.  So don't be surprised if over the weekend, secrets begin to arise and shift your perception.  Remember that these secrets are tools for growth.  They help to encourage us to say what we have been dying to say, kiss who we have been longing to kiss, and let go of everything we have been holding on for too long.


This weekend:
-Do something new!
-Dance!
-Sweat!
-Call an old friend!
-Make a bag of old stuff to donate to a local charity

Let go and make the ritual pleasurable and delightful!  Happy Full Moon!  

I always love to hear all things that are going on during the Full Moon - please email me at info@soulisticwellness.com to share your Full Moon story!

Peace + Bliss
 

May 2012 Astrological Asana

by: Corina Chirila

There are moments in moist love 

when heaven is jealous of what

we on earth can do.
-Hafiz

The month of May is ruled primarily by Taurus.  Taurus is the 2nd sign of the Zodiac and is represented by the Bull and is associated with the planet of Venus.  The identity of Taurus is, "I have" because Taurus is concerned with the earthly world.  Taurean energy reminds and encourages to accept being human and of the world.  In a world where the news is more concerned with news that invokes fear, we have the energy of Taurus to remind us of all of the beautiful and delicious experiences we get to have as humans.  When constantly infused with fear, quite often humans begin to paralyze themselves.  We stop seeing the beautiful colors of flowers, we stop hearing the melodies of rain, birds and the ocean, we stop enjoying the tastes of our favorite delicacies, and we stop taking delight in the touch of another's skin touching our own skin.  When we paralyze ourselves because of fear, we stop feeling.  In fact we shut down out ability to feel and to let our senses be stimulated.  This month it is time to feel everything and find delight in it.  Take a break from worrying and avoiding life, and go out and take pleasure in it.  Find pleasure in each day - even in the smallest way.  Despite what much of modern media should have you believe, life is indeed very sweet and all it wants is for you to enjoy the sweetness.

Note: Planet Venus moves retrograde from May 15 - June 27, 2012 through the sign of Gemini.  These days for all signs may trigger challenges with beauty and looks, and is sometimes a period where astrologers advise folks to not do any drastic beauty or hair treatments or changes.  Additionally this may bring previous lovers or partners back into your life where you will receive closure

Taurus:  It's the time when the Sun is in your sun sign, and just like the Sun, it is your time to SHINE!  Hold nothing back.  As you move forward through another solar cycle, get clear about what you want to represent in the world.  What do you want people to be attracted to within you?  Beauty?  Compassion?  Sense of adventure?  Now reflect on if you have been in fact being the person and energy that your heart and soul desires you to be.  Let this month be a time to experiment and be free.  Be who you were born to be.  There is no more time to play a small role in the play if you want to be the lead.  Audition for the lead role with confidence.  Jupiter, planet of optimism, internationalism and abundance, will align with the Sun in your first house giving you an EXTRA birthday brilliance and wish.  Wish big!
Gemini: May is a special month for you as well.  On May 20, we have the New Moon and Solar Eclipse in your sign of Gemini!  The Solar Eclipse will super charge the New Moon's energy in Gemini and give an extra streak of energy and life force to your life.  Most likely you are known for you ability to communicate, socialize, express yourself with charm and wit, and learn quickly.  You may find with the Solar Eclipse that these qualities are enhanced.  You may be more inspired, more witty, and more charming than ever.  Use the energy of this new moon for inspiration to commit to some new intentions and habits you would like to grow over the summer.
Cancer: The full moon in Scorpio on May 5 falls in your 5th house - house of creativity and self expression.  You may be experiencing an ending or a new cycle starting around this Full Moon time.  It might be a bit of a dramatic ending or beginning, but it will clear up the space in your mind to truly express yourself honestly and as the best version of yourself.  What have you been hiding from yourself?  Is there an area of your life that you refuse to talk about or expose?  Remember that exposing a wound allows it to heal, but keeping it covered and bandaged does not allow the wound to breathe and fully heal.  It is time to expose the wound(s) and learn to love yourself with these wounds.
Leo: The Sun and Jupiter are lined up in your 10th house for most of the month giving extra luck and perhaps some international influence on your career.  The 10th house is the house that rules your career, not your day to day work, but your career - what you aspire to do.  Jupiter is the biggest planet in the solar system, and with its presence in your 10th house, there is a possibility of good fotune regarding this area of your life.  Perhaps you may meet someone who wants to help you get where you are going or has a way to connect you to your dream job.  Stay optimistic and remember that everyone you meet is a potential friend!
Virgo: This month you have Mars going direct the whole month in your first house.  With Mars previously retrograding through Virgo during the bginning of 2012, you may have felt it was hard to get things started or to rev up your passion.  Now that it is direct again, you have an extra source of fire to ignite your dreams and personality.  Let your passion out in everything you do.  This may also be a great time to start a new and energizing workout routine or a diet that is going to give you more energy rather than make you feel sluggish.  Mars is the planet of passion, action and war.  It's energy is in motion, so you will need more stamina to be present in all the places that Mars wants to take you to.  Enjoy the ride.
Libra:  This month the Full Moon in Scorpio lands in your 2nd house of self worth and income.  This month it would be advantageous to seek some time to talk with a therapist, counselor, healer and release any of the frustration that you have around your self confidence and/or anything that makes you feel insecure and unsure around deserving money and income.  The Full Moon is helping to bring up some of these insecurities and emotions.  You might feel even somewhat sad around the Full Moon, but this is the celestial way of assisting you in releasing.  Nothing can be released to the ethers until you are aware that it is there.  You cannot release something that you in denial about.  This month, face the demons that you deny, and notice that they will shrink in their size.
Scorpio: Good news in the partnership area of your life.  This month you have Jupiter, planet of optimism, fortune and internationalism in your house of partnerships, relationships, and marriage.  If you are thinking what I am thinking, this could be a great month of meeting someone whom you will start a loving romantic relationship or business partnership.  It might even be someone from a different country, and also potentially someone tall or at least with  big presence!  Because this is going on in Taurus, please do not try to rush things.  You have to be patient with Taurus energy, trust that it will unfold things beautifully, but don't push at trying to make things happen in this relationship, know that it is there.
Sagittarius: Use the energy of the New Moon and Solar Eclipse of Gemini on May 20 to revive and begin to think about new business opportunities and partners regarding writing, publishing, teaching, and anything around community.  This New Moon and Solar Eclipse will most likely end some relationships (business, romantic, or other), but also encourage you to get clear about the kind of partnership that you want.  This time, choose the kind of situation that works for YOU!  No need to pick a circumstance that is convenient for others or because you want to help someone out.  Put yourself and your needs first.
Capricorn: This month starts with the Sun and Jupiter both in your house of expression and creativity.  If you have been working on anything related to art, theater or children, this can be a powerful month for taking a big step towards something that you have been working on for awhile.  Jupiter represents fortune, optimism and abundance.  Having this planet in the 5th house symbolizes largeness and suggests a large accomplishment or a goal that has large significance to you.  It is all happening for you, even if you cannot see it, be optimistic, and keeping working towards those goals.
Aquarius: The Full Moon in Scorpio occurs in your 10th house this month on May 5.  Scorpio is the sign of transformation and the cycle of life including birth and death.  The 10th house is the house of career and reputation.  This month's full moon may challenge you to let of some of the attachment that you have around a certain reputation or career title.  You may be thinking that this is the best that you can "have", but in fact there may be something else that wants to come through you.  A job may end or perhaps you may come to terms that the dream that you had about what you want is not truly what your soul wants.  Applaud the courage it takes to change directions and live from the soul.
Pisces: Mars, planet of passion, fire, and war is moving direct in your 7th house, after retrograding over the last few earlier months of 2012.  With Mars moving direct through Virgo in your 7th house, you may notice that your dating life starts to rev up a little more.  Be clear about what you want.  Use the energy of Virgo to get clear and specific about what you want.  You may think that the reason that things have not been "working" for you in this area of your life previously is due to something physical, but it is actually all connected to your clarity and sending a clear signal to the Universe.  Be real with the Universe, and the Universe will be real with you.
Aries: With the month starting with the Sun and Jupiter and your 2nd house of self worth and income it would serve you to know that this month you could potentially expect some extra income come your way.  At the same time income is a reflection of your own self worth.  So, notice how much extra income comes to you and think about what you believe you deserve.  Do you believe that you deserve more money from the Universe or do you believe that only once you get another degree, weigh a certain amount, or have a certain kind of partner that you will be worthy?  This month is a powerful month to look at some of these limiting beliefs that you let control your life in some ways.  At any point you have the choice to stop believing them, will you stop now?

By Donation New Moon Call and Meditation.  This month, the New Moon falls into the sign of Gemini.  Gemini rules communication, learning, teaching, being a student and communities.  Taurus represents Mother Earth, practicality, grounding and sensuality.  Join me for a teleconference on May 20, 2012 to learn more about the energy of Gemini, how to use the New Moon, and for some meditation and journaling.  For more information, email info@soulisticwellness.com.

Shirley Kali Johnson, native New Yorker and Los Angeles-based, is a student of metaphysics. She has been studying astrology since the tender age of 5 years old and is thankful to share her love for the celestial bodies. She is available for Astrology Counseling, Reiki Healing, and Yoga.  For more info or to join her mailing list, please go to www.soulisticwellness.com

journey to 30 || day 29: I am beyond beautiful

day 29

first off, THANK you to all the folks who read my post yesterday and shared their support with me.  i am so inspired to be as raw and honest as possible.  this journey for me is both cathartic and a way to bring light to all areas of me and to practice true honesty and satya (truthfullness).

that being said day 29 was/is awesome!!!  I attended The Tadasana Festival  today in Santa Monica.  i was not exactly sure what to expect and went by myself, but i had a blast and had so many pleasurable experiences.  i found so much pleasure talking to people and meeting new people.  I loved chatting with other yogis, vendors and folks working.  people are yummy.

one of the highlights of talking to people was stopping by the Beyond Yoga Clothing tent.  i really like their clothes and i wanted to just peek in, see the gear and say hi.  the women in the booth were so sweet and cool and just delightful!  they were doing a little photo shoot and invited me to take part. 

in looking through the flashcards, i immediately chose to hold up beautiful.  i don't know why, but it jumped out at me.  the women at the booth were so encouraging and we talked about how so many people were hesitant to choose that card, and felt unworthy of it.

let me keep it real - me choosing this card was a statement and affirmation.  i do not always feel beautiful.  i live in a society where i often feel very ridiculous for thinking i might be beautiful.  i am not a size 2 (or 4 or 6), i get pimples, my hair gets frizzy, my thighs are meaty, blah blah blah.  for a long time (and some of these beliefs are still in my system and surface frequently when triggered) i thought i had to work to beautiful - go to the gym, get my hair straightened, wear certain clothes, etc etc.  i thought that because i was not achieving a certain look that i associated with beauty, that that was the reason for all the unhappiness and fulfillment in my life.  it was the reason i was single, the reason no guys were asking me out, the reason i didn't have tons of money in the bank.  i thought my life would be different once i acquired this supposed perception of beauty.

luckily i have had teachers, friends, and family who kept seeing the beauty in me, even when i didn't.  and finally i feel i am beginning to accept who i am as beautiful.  not the me who has to work to be beautiful, but the me that is, that is right now.

all of these thoughts of beautiful are quite frankly bullshit.  they are lies we feed ourselves to feel normal.  it has become more normalized to hate yourself than to love yourself - and that is bullshit.  everyone is born beautiful.  and no body shape, skin color or hair cut makes someone "more" beautiful.  what makes someone beautiful is their belief in their own beauty.  that is the most revolutionary thing we can do - love ourselves.  fuck voting for obama, doing the peacecorps or raising money for a charity, love yourself and believe in yourself.

funny how life works.  i practiced yoga for about 4 hours today.  was sweaty, was having major crying breakdowns in class (love those), no makeup on, and all i kept receiving from men were affirmations of my beauty.  "you are beautiful."  "you are cute" and just looks of appreciation for my beauty. 

the best part was not shying away from any of this, but receiving it and taking pleasure in it!! i love it! i love men! and i take pleasure in a man who can recognize beauty and call it out as he sees it - that is delightful to my soul!

the journey to thirty

30 days till I turn 30...

my goal is to create and enjoy pleasure each day.  life is supposed to be sweet and juicy, and i believe that creating and receiving pleasure each day, i open myself to more and more pleasure.

this morning I lead a new moon call + meditation ( to listen click HERE).  One of the things that came up was the theme of being afraid of pleasure.  i know there are times i have avoided or turned down pleasure simply because I felt 1) unworthy 2) afraid to be so vulnerable 3) ashamed 4) like a heathen.  I could go on but I will stop there.

i believe this is a huge reason why there is so much fear around sex and orgasm. i know this is part of my own issues with being intimate, with enjoying orgasm freely, and with making time to partake in delight.  it is all connected.  so over the next 30 days - join me if you wish for the journey of creating time for PLEASURE!

The Pleasure Principle by fellow Taurus, Janet Jackson

todays pleasure was receiving a haircut and deep conditioner.  i was way overdue.  it felt so good to sit on that chair.  i said to my lovely stylist, "wow! I feel so tired sitting on this chair", she replied, "yes, because it is relaxing."  i realized sitting on that stylist's chair and receiving beauty, pleasure and ease helped release oxytocin and the parasympathetic system.  my hair looks and feels healthy, and i feel thankful for making time to create beauty rituals today.

Taurus New Moon 2012: Ripe, Juicy, Sweet

Tomorrow is the New Moon in the sign of TAURUS!

This might be my FAVORITE New Moon of the year!

WHY?

Because TAURUS is an extremely fertile sign and the new moon is a very fertile moon phase making this all about fertility.  Fertility comes from a Latin word that meant fruitfulness.

What is the first word you think of when you think of fruit?

I think: RIPE, JUICY, SWEET

What's the first word you think of when you think of life?

I am going to keep it real - the words I thought of for fruit did NOT make it to the top 3 words that first popped into my mind for life.

Why is that?  Hmmm.  There has to be a way to bridge that gap, to make the experience of life as pleasurable, sweet and delicious as a yummy peach, or a luscious nectarine, or a refreshing pineapple.  That is what TAURUS is here to remind us.  Every moment is one full of that sweetness, but are we taking the time to notice and acknowledge it? 

TAURUS also reminds us of the idea of self worth.  Do you believe you are worthy of a sweet, luscious, and yummy life?  Is that triggering you in some way?  It triggers me.  This is a huge conversation I have with myself daily.  This new moon call will work with some meditation and writing prompts to dig a bit deeper into our ideas about deserving and being worthy and perhaps untangle some of the cords there.

This new moon is inviting us to plant seeds that we believe in and want to cultivate over time.  TAURUS is not a fast moving sign, in fact she takes her sweet time (anyone who knows a TAURUS woman knows that *wink wink).  Even though she may not always be moving super quickly, she is loyal to her word and if she says she is going to do something she will!  So what you plant during this new moon may or may not come into your physical reality in immediate clock time.  However you can have faith that it will emerge when you are ready. 

NEW MOON PREP:

* Drink lots of water today Friday 4/20 and tomorrow 4/21.  The moon affects water, and our bodies are about 70-90% water.  Drinking the water deepens your connection to the Moon and receiving her movement.

* Today, Friday - try to get some sleep or do some relaxing at night time before bed - meditation, yoga, stretching.

* Before you go to bed, think about one thing you are ready to release.  Write it a thank you note to it and appreciate all that it has taught you, and place that note under your pillow or bed.  As you sleep, have faith that the note will be received and you will be releasing and allowing yourself to be released as well.

NEW MOON WISHES + RITUAL:

WISHES
As mentioned, the New Moon is a powerful time to set intention and wishes.  According to the amazing astrologer Jan Spiller, this is a powerful time to set intention around:

. Perseverance
. Tactile enjoyment
. Being comfortable
. Money
. Appreciation
. Boundaries
. Self-reliance

NEW MOON ABUNDANCE CHECKS

I also  love the idea of the New Moon abundance check.  In this ritual, you write a check to yourself that says you have everything you need.  Here is a good source for doing this, click HERE

BATH

I find that baths are always powerful in re-energizing and balancing not only the physical body, but the auric body.  Spend some time in the tub today with some sea salts or epsom salts, a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and make the water nice and warm.  Sit and soak.  If you can, meditate in the bath or use the time to watch the thoughts and clear them.

For more info or questions: info@soulisticwellness.com

 

Happy New Moon!


By Donation NEW MOON CALL + MEDITATION on Saturday 4/21 @ 10am PT||1pm EST - there is still time to participate - please email info@soulisticwellness.com for call info!!