Moving into the Depths

Waking this morning to the river shrouded with fog, the ships' whistles blowing warnings of danger in the channel, reminded me of the different stages of life we live.  There are times when the stillness and lack of movement on the surface of our lives seems to hide the growth, transformation, and mystery brewing inside.  There are times when movement is not evident, when change seems distant, and when we seem so focused on one issue or situation or another that we can scarcely see beyond the moment.

Early today, the energy of Mars aspects the transformative nature of of Pluto, perhaps causing some to feel a sense of urgency to change, move on, or "do" something. On a day when many of us need to rest and refresh, we may sense a struggle within ourselves and between those with whom we live. Noticing that the nature of the urgency or frustration comes from planetary energetic shifts and reactions (as seen by the rash and emotional responses of people and the shaking up of the earth itself with the tidal shifts and earth movement), may help us channel the energy more positively than we might feel like.
Playing, exercising, sorting and shifting things around may be some of the ways to use the more frenetic energy apparent we might be feeling.  Often at this time of the year, we begin to feel the push-me, pull-me of the expectations of the lives we live. Well into a new school year, yet tired from having been on a treadmill for what may seem like an endless cycle of expectations, obligations, and keeping up. Time to get out of the rat race and onto the treadmill, bicycle, swimming pool, yoga mat, trail, or track to exert and expend some of the energy that has become trapped in places where we need to release.

Today the Sun moves into the constellation of Scorpio, the metaphoric symbol of the mysteries hidden in the depths of our subconscious or in the mysteries of the transcendence of the Universe. The interplay between what is brewing within our own being and how we are responding and reacting to the conditions, energies, and activities of the world in which we live, provide us with a constant series of stories that we live out. 

Something there is about the passage of the year and the changing of seasons, especially when we move from lightness to darkness, that calls our attention to our human mortality.  At its worse, some people trend into depression when the days grown darker. At best, we move into the cycles and activities of being present to each season and using the change as a way to deepen and use our energy to meet our immediate needs.  Time to pull out our warmer clothes, and arrange our homes, our wardrobe, our lives, and our thinking to appreciate the fruits of the harvest and to prepare ourselves for the winter season. Time to adjust our diet (something that often comes by a sudden change of tastes) and time to notice how our bodies are signaling us to slow down, to notice the shifts in temperature and the effect such shifts have on our movement and flexibility.  Living more intentionally because the call is stronger from within, and is unmistakable outside of ourselves.

Developing some practices that allow you to live more mindfully, move with more intention, and rest and nourish yourself and others with less need for structure and more need for creating a peaceful, calm, and enjoyable environment that nurtures everyone, allows for time for pleasure and fun, and allows everyone to let off steam without creating chaos in relationships. 

Sing and dance what you might not want to express out loud. Take your anxiety for a walk or burn off some anger by shouting out to the sea. Paint your expression, or write out thoughts that allow you to release feelings and irrational  desires in a safe and sane manner.  Allow yourself to view the shadow displays that come up from within or that are flying about in the environment like ghosts on All Hallow's Eve...and create a ritual or prayer, a story or creative display to put the expression of difficult energy and experiences in a form that helps change perspective and perception. Make someone laugh. Find the absurdity of a piece of your reactions, or learn how to forgive and release your spirit from the traps it might otherwise remain trapped in.  Mercury and Uranus aspect one another as the day ends, and we may find ourselves needing to communicate bursts of ideas, thoughts, or opinions. Find a peaceful way to channel those ideas into prayer, meditation, or a bedtime story. Nurture yourself and those you love. Allow yourself and others time, space, peace, and calm to tend to the care of the soul, the mind, and the body as live in awareness of that which we see and that which we sense. Listen for the messages of your dreams, your insight, your intuitive, as well as the messages you are receiving from those with whom you live, work, and interact.