It is from out of the darkness that light emerges.

All Signs

At this time it’s important to remember the difference between feeling or being impassioned about something, and emotion or emoting. We all want to create or be part of change; we see and experience chaos, injustice, indifference, and corruption happening all around us, both in the micro of our lives and the macro of the planet, and it’s easy to get caught up in our own emotions about these often horrific deeds. However, we need to stay balanced and keep our integrity in whatever action we decide to take.

Feeling and being impassioned about something means that we are being pro-active, we are approaching an issue from a balanced perspective that means we are participating in a cause from a logical and compassionate view. When we are emotional and we use this emotion to join a cause, we are usually doing so in reaction to something. We want the ‘evil’ to be destroyed, and we are lashing out because of our own pain.

I’m not saying don’t join a cause or get involved in something that impassions you. I’m saying that whether you have a boss who is being unfair to you or you are a feminist coming out of your shell and you want to be part of the movement for equality, or you want to save the planet and put an end to the destruction of our environment, you need to keep grounded in your integrity and remember to see things from all sides.

When we are so busy fighting against something, we forget to see the brilliance and beauty that also surrounds us, and often people get hurt because we have trampled all over that beauty or brilliance without meaning to.

As a species we need to learn to work together, that is true. But the energy that can be created by a group of people with a common cause can have blinders on because those participating are swept up in the emotion they feel. They are reacting from the pain the injustice has caused them, instead of being pro-active because it’s the right thing to do. This emotion can act like a bulldozer, demolishing everything in it’s path in order to achieve a goal. What about the tender shoots budding out of the earth? What about those who are too weak or who are unable to speak for themselves? What about the many other causes that also need our attention?

So before you get on your high-horse about anything, ask yourself these questions:

1. What is the big picture when it comes to this issue?
2. Why do I feel so much emotion around this issue? Or, why am I so impassioned about it?
3. Am I hurting anyone, or any thing, through the action I am taking to participate in this cause or issue?
4. And finally, is my involvement the result of a reaction to pain I have experienced? Or am I coming from a balanced place that is inclusive and compassionate?

Aries – Mar. 21 to Apr. 19

You’ve felt like your stumbling around with no real direction and that you have not been able to accomplish what you envision in terms of your goals. Right? This feeling or reality is creating anger within you, making you feel tired, overwhelmed, feeling worthless, and causing you to lash out at others. The thing is, Aries, you are learning to trust the universe. Your feet and knees know where you are going and the anger you feel is created by the fact that you second guess this intuitive knowing and the plan that your soul has for you. You are in charge of your destiny, that is true. You do have to saddle up and make things happen, that is also true. However, magic awaits on the horizon. And it can only find you if you follow your feet; follow that undefinable feeling or intuitive knowing that spontaneity can bring. In other words, follow your heart, not your head. Your head has no idea what the heck is going on and it keeps messing things up through creating anxiety and paranoia in the over thinking of things. If you follow your feet (as they are linked to the longings of your heart) you will find yourself placed at the crest of a wave, at the forefront of an idea, and in alignment with all that you are.

Taurus – Apr. 20 to May 20

Change is coming your way. You have been asking to find others who are more on your level, those with whom you can share ideas and feel a sense of kindred heart, and the universe is responding. The inner journey you are on, the self-reflectiveness, need for alone time, and the wandering through the halls of your creative mind, is attracting these kindred spirits to you. This connection could be in the form of a new romantic relationship, but more likely they are simply beings who are ready for the same adventure you are. They are willing to wander into the land of playfulness and spontaneity. They are willing to take risks and dive into the hard work that comes with trying to achieve a common goal. The only ‘negative’ you have to watch out for with these newly formed relationships, is the all-to-easy falling-in-love-too-fast syndrome. Don’t let your intuition or good judgement be clouded by infatuation. Keep grounded in your own dreams and goals and everyday reality so that you are more able to sort through which relationships are the ones you need to foster, and which ones you need to let go of.

Gemini – May 21 to Jun. 20

You are ripe for the picking, dear Gemini. The universe is thrusting up through your energy field in full force. You have tons of energy behind you, and alongside you, if you choose to engage with it. The choice is yours. Whatever decisions you are faced with, whatever projects you are thinking of taking on, you are ready. You have stumbled into the ability to do what makes you feel whole or complete. Life may have seemed like it was chaotic and that you have had no control over your current circumstances, but this was all part of the greater picture. It’s time to leap. It’s time to trust. It’s time to know that you are ready and not to question this knowing with the clouded and indecisive ramblings of your mind. A leap of faith and a little bit of courage are all that are needed. Change is your friend, and if you take the plunge, if you go for your heart’s desires and do what you know is right for you, the stress and maybe even depression that you have been feeling, will be lifted. Go forth and prosper, my friend.

Cancer – Jun. 21 to Jul. 22

If you’re wondering why you have been experiencing what looks like setback, a streak of non-movement, a back road full of potholes, the answer is that it’s all in your head. The tendency to over-think, to analyze and speculate, is having the opposite effect than you intend. You have a lot on your plate and these multitude of things to do can make you feel like a) you are missing out on the fun things in  life, and b) you are overwhelmed and tired. This combination means that you, more often than not, decide that you deserve some time off because you “just can’t do it anymore.” This is the thinking that has to change. First, you have to let go and let be, to some extent. Then you must force yourself to keep your eye on the prize, the long-term goal you are working toward, and remind yourself that the intensity you are in the midst of will pass and you will move into a stage of balance and harmony. Make the best use of your time and remember you are not missing out on anything (life is not passing you by while you sweat and toil). Make lists, and stick to them. When friends call, politely decline their invites and finish the work that must be done in the moment. I promise, it will pay off.

Leo – Jul. 23 to Aug. 22

It is your task at this time to preserve and protect the life force within you. The source of your being, your soul, your spirit, the core of who you are between lifetimes, is fully present within you and is doing its best to bring you magic and send you messages. But it is fragile, like a seed that has just sprouted. You may feel that you can’t stand groups of people for very long, that what others say about you or your life can hit you pretty hard and make you feel emotional or even attacked. This is a new experience for you as you’re usually pretty good at letting what other’s think roll off you like water off a duck’s back. But what this says, what your source is trying to tell you, is that you are at a new phase in your life, and this phase is tender and needs you to treat it with the same mothering energy you would a newborn child. Be respectful of yourself, don’t move too fast, don’t take too much on, and spend lots of time alone and in your own imagination. And keep in mind that when this phase passes, you will shift into full-on building mode and life will once again become more external and busy.

Virgo – Aug. 23 to Sept. 22

Just focus on one problem at a time. Don’t get wrapped up or swept away by the grandiose stories of the big picture, you’ll only stress yourself out. Keep your focus narrowed on one project, thing, dilemma, conversation, or action. There is a big picture happening in your life, of course, but your job right now is to stay present with the now. In this way you are learning what it truly means to go moment-to-moment and to free up your perception of what should happen to allow for what is happening. Follow your feelings, they will guide you in the right direction. If you feel like moving in a particular direction, but you think you should be doing something else, then you only succeed in taking yourself off track and allowing your mind to shut you off from spontaneous magic; you are teaching yourself not to trust your instincts. Your instincts, or your soul, are trying to teach you that though it may feel chaotic, through living moment-to-moment without worrying about the big picture, that the big picture is in fact being taken care of in ways that you cannot currently understand or imagine.

Libra – Sept. 23 to Oct. 22

Do you know how to play? How to let go and just be in the moment and enjoy life and all it has to offer? Do you know how to set free your imagination without censoring the creative pulse in your heart? You might think you do, but I would beg to differ. It’s time to invent new ways to play, to learn to go with the flow and to follow your feelings. Sure, you know how to have fun, in a structured sort of way. You get bend out of shape when things get too outside your comfort zone and if you feel you have lost control in any way. So the universe is challenging you to open up and explore your playful and creative side, to loose the critic, to stop being analytical, and to set yourself free of the confines that this mind-over-matter mentality can create. If at first this practice leaves you feeling disappointed – in other words, if you thought that everything would immediately come up roses and it’s proving to be more difficult than that – have patience. Sometimes when we strip away old patterns they rear their ugly heads to stop us from moving on and learning new things. Don’t listen to their negative voices. A happier you is just around the corner, if you’d just allow it to be.

Scorpio – Oct. 23 to Nov. 21

You are the fool. You are the one who keeps trusting, despite all the crap the world tries to throw your way. This can be a little hard on both heart and mind, but don’t let yourself get discouraged. Trust that everything will come together in synthesis and that the universe is on your side. Whatever you are working toward, and however hard it may seem, however many road blocks you may run into, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Most of these road blocks are merely politics anyway. They are the result of petty arguments and distractions created by others to throw you off track. These politics also serve the function of oppressing you, making you feel as though you have no freedom, cannot move in any direction, and that your thoughts and actions are censored. The minute you participate, or buy into this perception, you will close the door to the synthesis that is trying to come your way. Don’t believe the propaganda that tells you that you are not worthy.

Sagittarius – Nov. 22 to Dec. 21

I know you can be a loner, that you find more comfort in the gallery of your own thoughts than in the cacophony of a crowd, but right now you need to step out of your own head and engage with others. Through sharing with kindred-heart and those who are like-minded you will find a sense of reward. What does this reward look like, you ask? Well, you are searching for something, are you not? With your mind and your intellect you have been sending feelers out into the world seeking for a spark of brilliance. To you brilliance means anyone who think outside the box, who is not trapped by social or cultural conditioning. And you’ve been getting frustrated because no matter how hard you search, you haven’t been able to find these kinds of people. Well, it’s time to get creative and get off the computer/internet. Try getting out and meeting people in person, sharing ideas while at the same time enjoying the physical company of others. There is something to be said for the exchange of energy that happens when people are in the same room as opposed to isolated behind screens.

Capricorn – Dec. 22 to Jan. 19

I know you are prone to bouts of black moods brought on by existential wonderings. I also know that you often speculate about whether the universe is on your side or just shitting on you. But I also know something you don’t (or that you are not allowing yourself to know at this time): the universe is on your side. In fact, there is nothing in your way but your mind. The creator being that is you, that decided to seed itself on this planet, wants you to learn how to celebrate your own existence. Yes, this world we were born into, this messed up place that humanity is quickly doing its best to destroy, can cause a lot of heartache and make the best of us feel defeated before we have even begun. But that’s not the whole story. We are each like a grain of sand on the beach. The tide goes in and out and we are forced to move with its ebb and flow. Sometimes we find ourselves nestled up against a clam shell, other times we are accidentally ingested by a crab, digested, and deposited far from home. Yet still the sea keeps churning and the cycle of life keeps adapting. The point of the metaphor is to say that you can’t know, with any certainty, the greater story that is taking place, either for your life, or the planet. It’s okay to just live once in a while, it’s okay to follow your heart, it’s okay to trust and let go, and it’s okay to be happy and pull your head out of the chasm of darkness that can so easily surround you. By doing so, you are doing nothing wrong.

Aquarius – Jan. 20 to Feb. 18

If it feels like you are moving beyond friends or loved ones in terms of your perception and growth, it’s because you are. You are learning about bringing balance into your life and while you are doing this you are able to more clearly see how those around you are not. You can see how they are not listening to their calling, how they are throwing themselves off track through mindless distraction, and how they are causing themselves sorrow by repeating negative patterns that they refuse to let go of. And even though you can see this, you carry around a lot of guilt about the fact that you are able to move forward and they are not. You feel guilty for leaving them behind, like you should be saving them somehow. Well, my advice is to let this guilt go. The process of rebirth that you are experiencing needs your full and undivided attention, and if you try to turn around and pull others out of the quagmire of stupidity, you will only be causing yourself to once again shut down and become stagnant. Once you have gone through this process and you get through to the other side and once again find your strength, then perhaps you will be able to pass on the knowledge you have gained and help those you care about. Remember that each of us has our own story, our own destiny, and you are not responsible for the choices that others make. Be proud of yourself and keep on truckin’!

Pisces – Feb. 19 to Mar. 20

Have courage, Pisces. You might feel like curling up in a ball and hiding from the world over the next couple of weeks, but you must keep going. The tender valleys of your heart and the vulnerable sparks of your solar plexus are flowering and this means that your soul is working toward the housing of your totality within your flesh. You feel scared and overwhelmed by this. You see the multitude of things to be done and your daydreamy self says, “wait a second, I don’t know if I can do all of this.” Well you can, and you will. But don’t worry about that so much right now. What you need to worry about is protecting that vulnerable flower. To do this, take baby steps in the direction of your dreams. It doesn’t matter how much you get done in a day, it just matters that you do something. It matters that you keep believing in you dream and not allowing the opinions of others to demolish your self-esteem. And it matters that you gather what you need from around you and learn to receive the energy that is directed your way. And don’t waste this energy with petty distractions. Hoard it and store it for later, because you are going to need it.