Start/Stop/Yes and....

Last night's new moon in Taurus energy awakened and enlivened the senses. Perhaps you were deeply breathing into your body with yoga...or felt a sense of gratitude expanding your heart...or maybe a connection with Earth's frequency and pulse. Enjoying life's pleasures is Taurus's specialty. New moons are for beginnings. A good time to start something!  However, I would suggest that there may some false starts due to other planetary energies. Saturn opposing the moon last night indicates a foot on the brakes. Shortly after the new moon, the moon quickly entered A.D.D. multi-tasker Gemini. Gemini wants everything all at once and then forgets about all of it with the next distraction. Scattered? Yes (no!) What's more, the dreaded Mercury retrograde begins tonight, through Jun 11th. Did I mention false starts?

Key to Mercury retrograde: take your time. Leave earlier for appointments. Expect delays. Allow miscommunication to bring you back to the present moment. The beauty of this new moon is that it grounded us into our physical bodies. I personally took a barefooted walk, got comfy in the bed, took an extended epsom salt bath, and ate dessert (Coconut milk popsicle). Slowing down is almost always a good practice for me, since I was a born multi-tasker. There will still be mistakes. Make them your wake up call, your moving meditation, your conversation with spirit!

I sense the changes. It's not quite Summer, but I feel the transition. Though it's still Spring, we've had a few cloudy L.A. days. I am personally closer to the end of a project than at the beginning, but now is the time to rework, reframe, review, and revamp the book I am working on. That is exactly what Mercury retrograde is good for. So revise! and any work you can think of that starts with "re-" (relate? reveal? renegotiate? respond?)

In honor of the Taurus New Moon from last night, (I'm already looking back) I share with you a Rolling Stones video, HEAVEN that will bring you to your senses:


Smell of you baby, my senses, my senses be praised
Smell of you baby, my senses, my senses be praised
Kissing and running, kissing and running away
Kissing and running, kissing and running away
Senses be praised
Senses be praised
Your my saving grace, saving grace
Nothing will harm you
Nothing will stand in your way
Nothing, Nothing
Nothing will stop you
And nothing will stand in your way
No one will harm you
No one will stand in your way
No one will bar you
Nothing will stand in your way
Nothing
There's nothing~ The Rolling Stones

Bloom Like a Lotus Flower

Mother Nature can be so delicate and so powerfully fierce. The recent tragedy in Nepal shows us the power of Earth itself and that there is no solid ground. Our hearts have gone out to those who suffer the loss of their loved ones, belongings, and stability, yet it is a reminder to ground and earth ourselves securely in the moment. Today and this moment is what you have. With your body exactly as it is right now. Life is both tenuous and resilient.  Nature provides us with opportunities to grow and shows us that all that is physical is temporary. Each day is a gift, and it is good to remember this, by going with the forces of nature as best we can. For today, you can rejoice in the body that you have and take in all the beauty of the physical world. Today you can see nature's rainbow of colors, swim in the crashing waves of the ocean, walk barefooted on her sandy beaches. Today you can taste Mother Nature’s juicy sweetness in a bowl of blueberries, lay down in the grass and look at the starry night sky. Today you can deep deep breaths and move as best you can, celebrating all you have, while knowing it is impermanent.

The Sun is currently in the sign of Taurus, which is a sign of nature, comforts, stability and value. Last night we saw the Buddha Full Moon, wherein the Buddha auspiciously attained enlightenment. Each Full Moon brings to light the opposite sign, which indicates the pull that we feel between the conscious and sub-conscious. The polarity is represented by the sign Scorpio, the sign of deep transformation, power and desire. Scorpio energy requires the Taurus bull to awaken out of his comfortable slumber and make some changes. We have faced a lot of change over these past several years and especially the recent months. Now it is time to transform old habits, and rouse ourselves from the comfort zone. Taurus energy has the ability to keep it simple, and I suggest you do so by being out in nature. The best work outs for now are long hikes, beach walks and slow yoga. Take your time to connect with the natural elements, and stay open to change for it will be valuable to your internal stability. Graze on plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables this month!

In terms of the world at large: Be generous and give where you can. Maybe it is financial, or in prayer. Maybe you can give your time and physical effort. Or perhaps you are an observer holding space. Know your value and give from that place. Sending love and prayers to those who suffer, and celebrating those who are content.