ASTROLOGY UPDATE 3RD to 17th  JUNE

The energy and focus  of our next lunar cycle is set up by New Moon on 3^rd June, with the Sun, Moon and Mercury all in the airy, communicative sign of Gemini. This means that the focus is on the words we speak. the thoughts we think and what we hear. This little cosmic group are all opposite Jupiter, the planet of expansion and the higher mind and square mystical, nebulous Neptune.

“When you recognize that there is a voice in your head that pretends to be you and never stops speaking, you are awakening out of your unconscious identification with the stream of thinking. When you notice that voice, you realize that who you are is not the voice (the thinker) but the one who is ‘aware’ of it. Knowing yourself as the awareness behind the voice is freedom. ~ Eckhart Tolle ~

Read that again and really absorb it. If you are truly able to understand this, it will change your life!

 WHAT ARE THE STORIES YOU ARE TELLING YOURSELF?

For the next  two weeks, see if you can really be present with how you communicate. Take a few moments during the day to check in with yourself, notice your thoughts and the feelings they evoke in you – and the other way around. Become aware of how you speak to yourself and ask whether you would speak to anyone else like that.

It often helps to journal our inner dialogues or to speak them out loud (when nobody’s listening :). Only when we are able to observe how we talk to ourselves, do we realise how often we repeat the same mantra’s. EG “

I’’ll never…….

I’m worried sick about….

I’m tired of….

What really worries me is….

I hate…

 I love…

I’m really bad at…..

This country/economy/ government is….

My child/partner/boss is….

I can’t take……

….and on it goes…. incessantly! 

Our thoughts and words are literally creating our reality and only when we take time to notice them, can we choose different ones. The moment we are able to observe  what we’re thinking, we become the witness and in the instant, we can start changing the script.

 DON’T THINK OF A WHITE BEAR

I read a really interesting article a while back  on the “ironic monitoring process”, where research studies have shown that our brains actually search for whatever thought or emotion we are trying to suppress.

In a series of experiments, a group of participants were told not to think of a white bear, while they performed other tasks. A second group was instructed to think of white bears and then not to think of them.

Interestingly, the people in the first group, who tried to keep the white bear at bay, thought about white bears more than once a minute!

The second group thought about them more when they were trying to suppress white-bear thoughts than when they were told to think about them.

Basically, when we try to suppress an intrusive uncomfortable thought or feeling, it’s as good as putting out a welcome sign for it.

The article suggested (and I find that it helps) that we invite the worrying or disturbing thought in. Say it out loud, write it down or talk to someone about it. Then, if you think there is something you can practically do about it, set 5 to 15 minutes where you commit to focussing on it  (or really worrying about it if you want to!).  I find that when I observe the thought or feeling, rather than suppress it, and then ask if its true,  it very quickly relaxes its hold on me and often disappears completely or a solution arises easily and effortlessly when I’m least expecting it.

The more I travel along this journey,  the more I realise that this human experience is  really about being fully present to what’s going on right now – whatever it is, … to feel into it, to dialogue with it with compassion and  from there to move forward.

HEAR YE, HEAR YE!

One of the greatest gifts I think we can give ourselves and others is that of listening, which is something we don’t do a lot of these days.   Try this. When someone you know is worried, stuck, fearful, confused, or just needs to talk,  just listen intently to what they are saying for 5 minutes or so, without interrupting, fixing, advising, prompting or finishing their sentences. If they are silent, let them be silent, even if it feels uncomfortable.   In my experience, when we’re able to let somebody just talk, after a while, answers and solutions start to drift into up into their consciousness… entirely without our help!

 The same applies if we listen to ourselves.  Whether you speak out loud, or journal what’s going on for you, when you put yourself into the position of the witness, you find clarity after a while.

WORK WITH ME

If you feel stuck in any area of your life, this is a good time astrologically to get to the bottom of whatever patterns or behaviours might be holding you back. If you would like to explore working with me to help you to navigate your life, you can read more here. The first step on our adventure together is usually a comprehensive astrology reading, which is often followed by an agreed number of personal navigational coaching sessions, to help steer  you back on course. These include Process Art, Neurolinguistic programming, Energy work and more.

WORKSHOPS/ RETREATS

Scroll down for INFO on my upcoming winter retreats

Drop me a line if you’d like to discuss the options.

In Life and Light

Michelle

Rest    Reflect    Reconnect     Restore

There is no better time than the dark of winter to step off the hamster wheel, slow down, and bring  your energy inward. Becoming more present with every breath, you drop into Source and  fully honour yourself and your true purpose of being here.

On this retreat you come home to yourself, by immersing yourself in the flow of your innate intuitive creativity. Guided meditations and heart opening music will lead you gently into your inner landscape, where you’ll rediscover your own deep wisdom and reveal the images and symbols that are part of your unique soul language.

ABSOLUTELY NO ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY

As a small group, with the focus on tending our inner fire,  we shall paint, make art in nature, play, journal, meditate, nurture ourselves with good wholesome food, cozy chats and long peaceful sleeps and then emerge…                          ……rested, replenished and ready to be all we are.

TIMES:      Saturday 8:30 to 5pm,   Sunday   8:30 to 5pm

COST:      R1600 (Non residential)

INCLUDES:

Art & Soul Workshop and materials
Art Demonstrations
Vegetarian Lunches
Teas, coffees, treats
Walks in Nature
Guided Meditations

RESIDENTIAL – Please contact Rest & Digest if you would like to make this a real RETREAT and stay over. Their  accommodation and hospitality is superb! 

TIMES:    Friday 5th July 5pm to Sunday 7th July  3:30pm 

COST:     

R3750 per person sharing  (EARLY BIRD – Book & Pay 50%  before 15 May and pay R3450

R3950 per person single    (EARLY BIRD – Book & Pay 50%  before 15 May and pay R3700       

 INCLUDES:

 Full Catering – all Meals, teas and coffees
Accommodation – single or sharing as above
Art & Soul Workshop and materials
Art Demonstrations
Guided Meditations
Walks in Nature (weather permitting)
Fire Ceremony (weather permitting)

Check out Hearth and Soul Here  

TIMES:     Friday 5pm to Sunday 3:30pm                       

COST EXCLUDING ACCOMMODATION  

R2850 per person   (EARLY BIRD – Book & Pay 50%  before 30 May and pay R2550

INCLUDES:

Full Catering – all Meals, teas and coffees
Art & Soul Workshop and materials
Intuitive Art Demonstrations
Guided Meditations

Weather Permitting:
Labyrinth Meditation
Visit to Eco Shrine
Walk to the Waterfall
Fire Ceremony 

ACCOMMODATION :

The Edge have offered us a wonderful special, where you pay for 2 nights and get your 3^rd night free.

Garden Rooms are R450 per person per night (single)

 There are, however, many different exquisite accommodation options available, so please check the website to decide which you would prefer. Self Catering options are  priced differently

Please contact The Edge reception to make your accommodation reservations and check for prices & availability and mention that you are booking for the workshop, so you can get a special rate.