Embracing Joy as a Spiritual Practice
I know... it feels like I've been preaching joy a LOT lately, but I promise it's really in alignment with the upcoming Sagittarius Full Moon (more about that later)!
At the same time, I also acknowledge that it kinda feels like a defense mechanism -- hopefully a positive one-- to counteract some of the chaos and polarization out there right now.
And while my own little world is pretty stable, I'm still shaken by the health challenges that some dear friends are managing, as well as navigating what my own life will look like going forward without the big time and energy space that 4thU Artivists has occupied for the last 15 years. (Remember, we launched our final benefit production a month ago.)
As one friend put it, we all seem to be in overwhelm, whether it's issues with work, kids, aging parents, relationships, health issues, or some combination thereof. There are definitely many different "flavors" of anxiety and stress, so it's important to remember we may not be the only ones feeling fragile right now and to give each other some slack.
Which brings me back to JOY. Even before I
introduced you to the Chair of Joy in the Fall, I've highlighted joy in these Deb's Picks several times over the years (
here's just one).
And, hey -- even Brene Brown agrees that we should make Joy a Spiritual Practice (see the above quote!)
So, it makes perfect sense to totally embrace the expansive, optimistic, adventurous energy of the Sagittarius Full Moon coming up on Thursday, May 23rd. Frankly, I think it's the only way to stay sane in these crazy times.
New Moons occur when the Sun and Moon are in the same zodiac sign. You get an idea of how you can capitalize on that vibe when I send out the notices for my New Moon SisterCircles each month and offer a theme for the circle.
On the Full Moons, the Sun and Moon are in opposite signs so we have two cosmic energies to play with. Sag is all about clearing away limitations, stagnation and pessimism to make room for new adventures. That can mean traveling to different, exotic places in the world, but also inner journeys of the deep soul-diving variety. And with the Sun moving through Gemini's air-y, mental energy from May 20th to June 20th, you can follow the urge to learn new spiritual practices, then communicate what you've learned.
So a powerful way to integrate the Sag/Gemini combo on this Full Moon is literally to embark on your own "curriculum" of uplifting, spiritual exploration. Sounds pretty yummy to me right now, how about you?
What do you need to excavate within yourself to transmute overwhelm to calm, pain into power, anxiety into acceptance?
[And if you really want to dive into that Gemini vibe, definitely tune into my virtual Gemini New Moon SisterCircle on Thursday, June 6th that I'll be facilitating through the Wellness Universe. Our theme will be "Celebrating Siblings", another aspect of Gemini energy, and we'll be examining our relationships with our biological sibs or our sisters/ brothers "of the heart".
But before then, be sure to join us for my upcoming Sag/Gemini Full Moon TeleMeditation on Thursday, May 23rd at Noon -- click HERE for details on how to join us. Hope to “hear” you then! (And if you miss it, contact me and I'll send you the recording, or look for it on Facebook & Instagram)
So, as always, my Deb’s Picks this month are a creative mix of all of the above, sprinkled with a few random offerings, all designed to infuse your life with a an extra dose of JOY.
