Full Moon Rising
Who or what do you have to forgive?
TAROT TODAY
With the full moon providing opportunity for release on May 23, there’s still time to let go of old beliefs and habits that no longer serve you and prepare for a new outlook.
Possible conversation here…
You: Ha, easier said than done.
Me: Ha, it’s easier than you think.
You: How so?
Me: Because everything is how you think it is. Hence the adage, Change your thinking, change your life.
You: Yeah, yeah. But it’s NOT easy.
Me: Only if you think it’s not.
You:
Okay, so this conversation is going nowhere. Let’s look at what the cards say.
Rhodonite. Find a way to forgive.
I admit, this can be a toughie… until you realize that forgiveness is a gift to yourself. When someone has done you wrong or a situation affects you unfairly, it’s normal (and healthy) to feel anger, resentment, or even rage. Go ahead, feel it, feel it deeply—and then release the energy. Forgiveness does not excuse or normalize bad behavior. Forgiving doesn’t mean you have to be friends or even associated. It simply relieves you of the negative emotions impacting your life, your body, your system. Since stress is the leading cause for disease and illness, practicing forgiveness can truly save your life.
Forgiveness is a huge topic and could possibly become the subject of a future post, but for the purposes of today’s reading, let’s focus on what you can do to let go of emotions that are making you sick in some way.
Don’t take anything personally. In his book The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz lists this as Agreement Number 2. His explanation includes the wise observation that nothing anyone does is ever about you; it’s always about them. He goes as far as to suggest that if someone walking down the street puts a gun to your head and threatens to shoot, it’s still not about you. Learning to adopt this agreement helps relieve a multitude of negative emotions: anger, resentment, guilt, and probably anything else that eats away at your core. Learning to integrate the practice of not taking anything personally is the equivalent to placing a protective shield around your body, keeping negativity out and only allowing positive vibes in.
Again, you may be saying, “Yeah, but it’s not easy to do.”
Again I reply, "It’s easier than you think. Keep reading, please.”
Ho’oponopono Prayer. (Hawaiian Healing Prayer). Whenever a card representing forgiveness appears in a reading, I always offer a copy of this prayer. And, without fail, each time I read the prayer aloud I see a wave of emotion cross the face of the person opposite me. Here’s the prayer:
I'm sorry Please forgive me Thank you I love you.
Why would you say this prayer if you feel you’re the recipient of someone else’s bad behavior?
At the core of this lesson is the understanding that all forgiveness is self-serving. Forgiveness is an act of self-empowerment. When you forgive, you empower yourself to release another person’s power over you.
So what if you are the person you need to forgive? Ultimately, this is the greatest gift you can give yourself. Using the mirror-work practice from Louise Hay’s classic You Can Heal Your Life, say this prayer to yourself while looking into your own eyes in a mirror. You will not understand the power of this practice until you do it. Just do it.
Pau d’Arco. Metamorphosis.
The Herbal Astrology Oracle is a new, and thus far, little-used deck for me. So I refer to the Guidebook for meanings and to learn about the historical uses of plants and astrology. Being I am only slightly versed in astrology and not all in herbology, I am going to present some of what the author has written about this card (with some edits for clarity).
“Key concepts: Discovery through darkness, transcendence of the known, unearthing fear, nonconformity, breaking cycles
“Astrological Ruler: Moon, Pluto
“Pau d’Arco is one of the most beautiful trees on Earth. With over 100 varieties, it has been used medicinally among many tribal peoples throughout Central and South America. Most commonly, the inner lining of the bark was boiled for a long period of time then consumed as a dark, coffee-like tea [known as lapacho].
“Guidance: Pau d’Arco embodies the archetype of The Dark Goddess in all her splendor. The Dark Goddess is multifaceted—challenging belief systems, frailties, weaknesses, and testing our strength. Like Pluto, Lapacho demands you rebel against the old self and learned paradigms that inhibit the splendor of your self-expression. Her mighty darkness provides the tools to rebuild yourself anew, triggering instant metamorphosis. Don’t fear the unknown nature of mystery. The cosmic womb, in its darkness, births all hidden potentials into existence. Trust and step in. You are being guided.”
My Interpretation
Release, letting go, and forgiveness are all spiritual practices designed to assist you on your journey to a soul-led life of connection to purpose. Throughout today’s message, I’ve suggested that contrary to popular belief, these practices are easy to do.
Here’s why: How difficult is it for you to hop out of bed when the day promises an event you look forward to (as opposed to something you resist)? How hard is it to get the kids dressed and ready to go somewhere when the first stop is their favorite ice cream shop?
What I’m suggesting is that it’s not the action that makes something easy or difficult; it’s the degree or intensity of desire you have for the resulting outcome.
I smoked cigarettes in college and continued that pack-a-day habit until I was 29 and became pregnant with my first child. I had tried quitting several times during the decade of my tobacco use to no avail. The moment I received confirmation of pregnancy I vowed to quit. It was as difficult as all my other prior attempts, but this time I had a highly motivating objective. It made those moments of overcoming the desire to light up easy to resist.
If feeling good and being healthy is at the top of your to-do list, then actions such as forgiveness are easy. Being easy doesn’t mean there isn’t work involved, which I suspect is the underlying reason most people say change is hard. (Not you, of course, but many people.)
The beauty of doing the work involved is the resulting Metamorphosis. The New You. The Happy You. The Healthy You. The Connected-to-Self You.
To assist you, I’ve created a crystal grid with the two cards separated by Malachite, the stone of transformation, and surrounded by various crystals helping to release negativity and supporting clarity of vision.
I hope this supports you on your journey.
Until next time… My best, Shelley
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