SS E ON N SS E A SO
S PR I N G 2 01 8 S P R I N G 2 0 1 8
POSSIBILITY I N S P I R E D
B Y
S E A S O N
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INSPIRED BY SEASON
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S P R LIFE
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SEASONAL ECOLOGY
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Cosmic
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Nature
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Psyche
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Self-Care
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SEASONAL ENTERTAINING
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A Spring Equinox Dinner
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SEASONAL WELLNESS
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Body and Possibility of the Divine
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Compassionate Opportunity
I N G
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ILLUMINATION
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ART
THE VISIONARY
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As Above, So Below: Winter’s Astrology
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Spring Seasonal Astrology
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7 Year Guide to Uranus in Taurus
62 Ceres Conjunct the North Node
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STORY
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Radical Harmony
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ART AS A SYMBOL
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Awakening: Beautiful Metamorphosis
THE MYSTIC Spring Tarot: A Collective Question
74 THE HEALER 76
Ides of March
www.cosmomuse.com No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission from the publisher, including all photography, type element, layout, titles and graphic elements. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2018 Red Sofa Productions LLC Please contact info@cosmomuse.com
COSMOMUSE TEAM
PUBLISHER ALLIE COUCH
COVER PAGE
EDITOR IN CHIEF ANN WHITTAKER
PHOTOGRAPHY ANN WHITTAKER
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR DUSTIN COUCH
PICTURED RYAN MANNING
for permissions questions.
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“WITHOUT LEAPS OF IMAGINATION, OR DREAMING, WE LOSE THE EXCITEMENT OF POSSIBILITIES. DREAMING, AFTER ALL, IS A FORM OF PLANNING.” - GLORIA STEINEM
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SPRING 2018 POSSIBILITY
POSSIBILIT Y
L
ook around: up, down, side to side, inside. Spring is in the air and there is a spasm that is pushing on us to witness the new growth, fresh seeds, and possibilities embedded in the coding of everything we touch during this season. One minute cold, the next hot, and the next, just right. No other season holds such shifts that tease us into thinking about change. About what’s coming up. Out of the ground, out of the trees, out of ourselves.
WELCOME SPRING In this issue of Seasons, our Quarterly Journal, we channel Possibility as a way to explore and give ourselves permission to do things, even if they end up
being the wrong things. Our mistakes and missteps hold possibility: To know what doesn’t work so what might in the next try. There is no greater time than spring to test out new passions, to use our senses to come alive, and peddle our ideas around to see what connects after a little movement is asserted. We hope you find in these pages, some inspiration, stories, art, and illumination that will help you tap into your boldness and your willingness to take risks. Open yourself to all that can be imagined.
Allie Couch | Publisher
“In spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.“ —Margaret Atwood
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“The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” - Percy Bysshe Shelley
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“ Where flowers bloom so does hope.” - Lady Bird Johnson
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1
LIFE
SEASONAL ECOLOGY COSMOMUSE SPRING 2018
FROM MACRO TO MICRO, WE ARE REBORN IN THIS SEASON.
PHOTOGRAPH BY VASANTH 10 | COSMOMUSE SPRING 2018
PHOTOGRAPH BY JOSHUA NEWTON 12 | COSMOMUSE SPRING 2018
T HE ECOLOGY OF SPRING ECOLOGY: A BRIEF HISTORY The 19th century German biologist Ernst Haeckel devised the word and concept of ecology. He combined the Greek word for household––oikos––with his perception of nature. He observed that all the organisms in the world were like a family living within a home together. Haeckel was inspired by another famous naturalist, Alexander von Humboldt, who was the first explorer to see and document nature as a whole in the 18th century. Humboldt discovered a world with plants, animals, and humans that was interconnected and whole rather than individual and isolated.
COME WITH US AS WE EXPLORE THE ECOLOGY OF THE COSMOS The cosmic frontiers of spring’s new splashes.
- ANDREA WULF,
The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World
THE MIND On Earth, Everything Is Possible––Rite of Spring made new paths.
SEASONAL ECOLOGY: A COSMOMUSE APPROACH TO DAILY LIFE
H
ow can ecology, the relations of organisms to one another and to their surroundings, influence the way we orient our days, our lives? Whether we’re conscious of it or not, we live within the seasons of the earth and the cosmos, and our environment is subtly changing every day. Subtly, but profoundly. Every shift touches us. When the weather is warm, our daily tasks adjust. When the moon is full, our tides speed up, increasing the sea’s current velocity––almost as if it’s the final
push to see something come into its final form or to purge it from our system altogether. Often, we forget that we are made of the same bits that bring together an entire universe. The seasons affect us because we are the seasons. We warm, cool, age, evolve, and parts of us die––sometimes all within the same day. To know this, to see this, is to allow for all experience to saturate our lives, to dance with whatever comes our way, to slow down when we need to slow down, to work our fingers to the bone when we have the energy, and to love compassionately ourselves and all the things we touch.
NATURE Neuroscience of Creativity. Digging into the brainwaves of spring.
COMPASSION Tenderness––Humility to Build With the Group
BY ANNE MARIE VIVIENNE
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THE COSMOS
WORDS BY ANN MARIE VIVIENNE
ECOLOGY OF SPRING
Cosmos: The Arrival of Spring is a Transit-ion
S
pring is a transitional frontier: we inhabit a land of not quite cold, not quite warm; a place and time of first growth, first appearances, and first attempts. What we planted starts to show and we begin to get a sense for what might work and what might not make it through the summer. We hope. We observe. We move through transitional attempts and new paths. Spring’s blossoms are beautiful but fragile. Blossoms give way to leaves––a transformation that will enable trees and plants to thrive and provide.
“THE BEAUTY OF A LIVING THING IS NOT THE ATOMS THAT GO INTO IT, BUT THE WAY THOSE ATOMS ARE PUT TOGETHER.” - Carl Sagan
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PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT TUDOR COSMOMUSE SPRING 2018 | 15
PHOTOGRAPH BY WILL SWANN
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NATURE WORDS BY ANNE MARIE VIVIENNE
ECOLOGY OF SPRING
Nature: The Rite of Spring Can Be Tumultuous
I
n May of 1913, Stravinsky’s music and ballet Rite of Spring made its controversial debut. There are stories of the audience’s rioting over the unrecognizable rhythms, melodies, and choreography. It was scandalous. And now it is one of the 20th century’s most influential and meaningful pieces of classical music. Sometimes trying new things can unsettle and disturb those around us and even ourselves. New growth is unrecognizable, tumultuous, and risky.
Ne w g rowth is unrecognizable, tumultuous, and risk y.
You planted something in the dark of winter. Now it is coming to light. It might not be what you expected, but here it is, above ground. Nurture it no matter the disappointment of those around you. Trust what you planted. It may feel awkward and unnatural, but that’s because it’s new to you and your community. Trust that though these new endeavors feel awkward and might not receive initial praise, they will stand the test of time if you let them be.
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PSYCHE
WORDS BY ANN MARIE VIVIENNE
ECOLOGY OF SPRING
Mind: Syncing Systems in The Brain
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pring time is about organizing with what you have to work with. You may have planted a dozen seeds over the winter, but only a few are moving through the surface of the earth to be seen.
The brain has three distinct networks that are at work: The default network: daydreaming, social connections, and brainstorming The executive control network: focus, attention The salience network: detects environmental stimuli and switches between default and executive
As your dreams and plans come to light, your brain will be switching between all of these networks to engage your creative capabilities. Now that you’re seeing what has actually appeared you might need to get creative on how you can reorganize and pivot around what you thought would happen versus what actually came to be.
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PHOTOGRAPH BY PW Y
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ECOLOGY OF SPRING
Heart: Courage to be You
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W
e are all one seed in the forest–– an entire ecology of varied beauty and function. The health of our human and social ecologies depends upon our courage to be real, to be vulnerable, to be totally and completely and wholly ourselves. This season, find the courage to be you––even the weird and strange and silly parts––love what you love and give what you have to give. We need your heart. We need your love. So wear it on your sleeve. It’s the kind and generous thing to do.
SELF LOVE WORDS BY ANNE MARIE VIVIENNE
“AUTHENTICITY IS A COLLECTION OF CHOICES THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE EVERY DAY. IT’S ABOUT THE CHOICE TO SHOW UP AND BE REAL. THE CHOICE TO BE HONEST. THE CHOICE TO LET OUR TRUE SELVES BE SEEN.” - Brene Brown
PHOTOGRAPH BY WARREN WONG
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LIFE
SEASONAL ENTERTAINING COSMOMUSE WINTER 2018
AWAKEN WITH FRESH FOODS AS YOU GATHER AND ENLIVEN.
PHOTOGRAPH BY ALLIE COUCH 22 | COSMOMUSE WINTER 2018
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STYLING, WORDS, & PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALLIE COUCH | FLORAL INSTALLATION BY SARAH WINWARD | BACKGROUND ARTWORK BY LISA OSTAPINSKI
A Spring Equinox Gathering
A
s the sun wakes us up to a new year, just as it does a new day, we find ourselves in the quiet centering of vernal equinox. And although, astrologically, this is a time to recenter the self, to spend time alone to awaken new passions and ground into your personal life, a gathering kept simple and straight forward is just the medicine needed. At our new CosmoMuse Headquarters in Salt Lake City, we inveted a few of our longest and most involved supporters to celebrate the season with us. Below is a guide to designing a similar event of your own.
CRAFT Out of the gate, smudge your guests to clear them of the residue of the day—a fresh slate to start a fresh year through your event. When gathering those unfamiliar to each other, it’s nice to have
an activity, a craft, to dive into so that no one is stading around awkward or bored. Being a seasonally based event, we took cues from nature and provided spring flowers and twigs to create head wreaths, or just a wreath to hang. It’s in these initial shared experiences that set up the tone, the juju of the night. Get people laughing at the obsurdity of doing soemthing that they are unfamiliar with and a bit frieghtened to dive into. Watch as bonding starts to take place once it’s recognized that most are in the same boat. Encourage those who konw what they are doing to help the others. Magically, even those who started inexperienced, start to share tips on what’s worked for them. The ice is broken, hands have gotten dirty with the scent of spring, and laughs lead into easier mingling.
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MUSIC WIth Spring being the season of rebirth, just like getting out of bed, you need a little liveiness. We started with some spritely classical music and weaved our way toward cheerful and folksy tunes. The perfect balance of not overwhelming the senses, but getting them stirring and ready to push into more life.
TABLE, DECOR, AND FOOD With spring vibrating with the energy of clarity, keep things simple. Fresh fruit, salads, tulips, light colors, and of curse candleight, always. Bringing all of the elements into the presence of the event grounds things and people. Flame adds the fire that we need to heat and get our souls in motion. Flowers add the lofe sustenance of the earth. Open doors, and our feather as we smudge gets the circulations flowing. Of course water and wine open those emotional pathways.
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THE MEDICINE Spring holds the enegy of the seed— the DNA of our year to come. With this in mind, little medicine bags for each guest as a favor are great ways to make each person feel special. Chose three types of seeds that all represent something differnt, add a small stone that supports the seed energy, and a little quote or summary of the medicine that bag carries. Let the guests energetically choose whichever speaks to them. After dinner, pull out your favorite oracle deck and let each person choose a card to give personalized medicine to what lay ahead on their spring path. In this instance, we pulled animal medicine cards and had each person’s be read to them by their neighbor in order to create the more air element, exchange, in the proccess. However you decide to honor your spring with gatherings and celebration, make sure it focuses on the clarity of life’s tresures.
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1
LIFE
SEASONAL WELLNESS FRESH POSSIBILITIES OF MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT.
PHOTOGRAPH BY JULIE JOHNSON 30 | COSMOMUSE SPRING 2018
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WELLNESS PRACTICE
INTERVIEW OF ERIN ROSE WARD BY ANNE MARIE VIVIENNE | PICTURED: ERIN ROSE WARD
Body & Possibility of the Divine
E
rin Rose Ward lives and practices in Los Angeles, California. What does she practice? She practices what she teaches: yoga, breathwork, meditation, disruption, creation, and is one of the pioneering teachers of The Class by Taryn Toomey. Her effortless optimism and kindness motivate her search for and embodiment of wisdom, compassion, and humanity. We were honored to have her answer a few of our questions about possibility and the self. 1. How can a return to authenticity and unconditional love expand our mind’s understanding of what is possible? When we open our hearts and minds to loving ourselves and others, do we become limitless?
INFINITE POSSIBILITY EXISTS IN THE REALM OF THE SPIRIT 32 | COSMOMUSE SPRING 2018
I do believe that unconditional love is a practice that is always available. In every moment, the way we treat ourselves is up to us. We have the power to decide how we want to interact with ourselves, our world, and the people in it. When we choose, in every moment, to live from a place of unconditional love, we are stepping into the most authentic piece of our self. Underneath all of the material of-the-world identity and stories is unconditional love. It is true for every human being. The authentic self is one of unconditional love. It is a force that is infinite, surpasses time, space, and physical boundaries––and so, in that regard, it is most certainly limitless. 2. How has your body surprised you? Are there things you thought you could never do? How has this affected your judgment and curiosity about yourself and what you’re capable of ?
My body is always surprising me by doing its very best to take care of me. Even when I find myself in moments of criticizing it––not giving it enough sleep, not nourishing it in the way that would be most supportive––I know that my body is still doing its very best to come back into balance.
When I first started my yoga practice, I wanted so badly to advance in the physical postures. Now, after 8 years of practicing there are plenty of things my body can do, and plenty of things I have not yet mastered. What has gleefully surprised me about the journey is the lack of attachment I once had to the mastering
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of physical postures. I will strive to advance in my body’s physical strength and vitality, but I am now more interested in the subtle body work––taking myself into meditation and working towards constant equanimity. It will always be a journey, but having my body as both a vessel and a best friend is turning into a fun ride. 3. How can choosing “responsive” instead of “reactive” thought patterns create more opportunities in our lives, rather than shutting down? I think it starts with a choice to be responsive rather than reactive. It sounds simple because it is, but that does not mean it is easy. If we’re aware of the possibility of being responsive rather than reactive, of taking a pause between a trigger and our reaction to it, we are halfway there. For many of us, once we notice that we are upset, that reflection takes some of the edge off. We distance ourselves from the trigger by acknowledging it. Like everything else, it’s a practice.
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Overtime and with conscious practice, the space between a trigger and a reaction will widen and we will have a greater capacity to remain equanimous even in the most trying of situations. During those moments when we find ourselves triggered, I find that after acknowledging the state we are in (without judgment––that is important) utilizing breath manipulation can be a powerful tool to bring us back to a peaceful place. I use a 5-count inhale, retaining the breath for 5 counts, exhaling for 5 counts and then holding the breath out for 5 counts. 4. What is the connection between body, mind, and possibility? The connection is that the physical body is the container, the vessel through which our divine self experiences the world. The body is the learning medium, the loyal steed, the finite companion that we walk this earth with. The mind, also sometimes called the ego or intellect, is the part of us that navigates the body through the world. It makes choi-
ces, it keeps us safe, it does whatever it can to keep us alive. I love this word possibility because it transcends, in my opinion, body and mind in their gross form. Infinite possibility exists in the realm of the spirit (divine, soul, Shakti, chi, God, whatever you want to call it). The spirit flows in and through every part of us and is the connective tissue of our imagination and our body.
Another relationship between these three concepts is the truth that we have physical limitations (ie we cannot fly). However, if we allow the mind to tap into our innate creativity, to go unbridled and inspired, the possibilities for dreaming and creating are endless.
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COMPASSIONATE WELLNESS
AN INTERVIEW OF ALI HOTMAER BY ANNE MARIE VIVIENNE | PICTURED: ALI HOTMER
Compassionate Opportunity
A
lexandria “Ali� Hotmer created Twin Tree Healing, a company focused on the utilization of mind, body, spirit modalities for daily living. For ten years she taught in-person and online workshops, yoga classes, and guided meditations with Reiki healing. You can learn more about her and her meaningful healing work at www.autumnandfig. com. We asked Ali a few questions about how compassion opens up possibilities. 1. How does developing more self-compassion enable people to open up to new possibilities and de-
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tach from old narratives that no longer serve them? In this sense, how is self-compassion a new way forward? With self-compassion, anything is possible. Self-compassion is the key to opening the doors to self-love, selfworth, and self-care. The discovery of self-compassion can take time, for we are not taught within our culture how to be compassionate towards self. Development of self-compassion takes small and mindful steps. I have found three ingredients that are essential in detaching from old narratives and stepping into a more compassionate life: patience, being gentle, and being kind to self.
Shifting from a critical mind towards more and more self-compassion takes patience, and in this space and within the process, kindness and being gentle with oneself are threads of the self-compassion tapestry. How does one begin to build self-compassion? Again start small, do one thing for you––something you love––and do this every week; with time it will grow. You will discover its benefits and be intuitively pulled to help this energy of compassion grow. Establishing more self-compassion can be seen as a new chapter, a new beginning, a new way forward in your life, for it is a new way of approaching how you speak with oneself. When you have more compassion for self, you are vibrating at a new frequency, and the energy of love, worth, and possibilities are boundless. 2. Based off of ideas in your Step Outside article, could you briefly talk about the grounding effects of nature and establishing a foundational relationship that enables us to pursue any adventure that comes our way?
Stepping outside immediately opens one up to new perspectives. Stepping outside and observing the natural world brings many gifts, a new perspective, grounding and re-centering energy, as well as great wisdom of the seasons and the cycles of life. For example, a tree cannot move when surrounded by something unwanted or uncomfortable, instead it continues to grow stabilizing itself with its roots and reaching up towards the sky and the sun; it trusts the beautiful process, and all that each and every season brings. There is much we can learn from this––trusting that even in the cold wintery days of our life, the season of spring brings new adventures, which are just around the corner, filled with endless possibilities. 3. What’s a good mantra for people to access a sense of possibility and optimism? I am a lover of quotes. One look at my Instagram account and you will see this. When I contemplated this question I immediately heard this phrase,
“All is well. Everything’s occurring for my highest Since I can remember, I have had a good. love affair with nature. As a child, my And out of this situation only good can days were filled amongst the trees, flo- come. wers, and wildlife; my nights filled with I am safe.” – Lousie Hay endless wonder staring up at the starry skies. When I left for college, my father gave me the following food for thought: “Ali, when you feel sad, worrisome, tired, or uncertain about a decision, find a tree. Sit underneath the tree and lean up against it and you will find peace.” I have always carried this with me and use it often.
This is a longstanding favorite mantra of mine. It is reassuring, soothing, positive, and it brings a sense of ease. In our current world I think these are the energies we need more than ever. In moments of uncertainty and worry this phrase is incredibly beneficial, but it is also perfect in times of optimism, joy, and possibility.
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2
I L LU M I N AT I O N
THE VISIONARY COSMOMUSE SPRING 2018
SEED YOUR SPRING WITH THE HELP OF COSMIC GUIDANCE.
PHOTOGRAPH BY ALEKS DAHLBERG 38 | COSMOMUSE SPRING 2018
SPRING ASTROLOGY
BY ASH BONELLI | PHOTOGRAPHY JESSE SEWELL & NASA
As Above, So Below
WELCOME TO SPING, MUSES!
W
e are now three months into this new earth-infused year. By now you should be able to see your life taking a certain shape, or at least see what needs to be done for that shape to take form. Saturn has now had time to set up his new domain in Capricorn, lending a more serious tone to at least one area of our lives. Now that he has settled in and we see where we need to work extra hard, he will begin his retrograde process in April giving us a few months to review how far we’ve come. We will also see the second of three Jupiter sextile Pluto transits, Mercury stations direct after a fiery retrograde through Aries and Uranus moves into Taurus after being in Aries for the last seven years! I will also touch on the Mars retrograde happening at the very end of this three month period. Many shifts are ahead, so let’s dive in and see what the heavens have in store for us.
JUPITER SEXTILE PLUTO (PART 2) : INCOMING SOUL UPGRADE The plot thickens now that Jupiter has turned retrograde (back on March 8th). We had our first Jupiter sextile Pluto, a 60-degree and often harmonious aspect, back on January 15th. The energy was strongest until January 21st. Their first rendezvous was when the themes of the story were created. It was the opening act that now will be coming to a head. Think back to that week and take a peek at your chart. Which houses do Scorpio and Capricorn rule in your chart? The themes of each of those houses are the clues to your personal storyline re40 | COSMOMUSE SPRING 2018
garding this aspect. Jupiter is wanting to expand upon the understanding of your personal truths, your philosophies, and the stories you live with each day. A sextile to Pluto is an opportunity to shift those views, thoughts, beliefs and ideas in a radical new way if necessary. Pluto is bringing the powers of excavation to Jupiter’s mental attachments. All of our thoughts and feelings are attached to deeply held beliefs. Beliefs are extremely powerful but they are not facts. They shape how we see ourselves and our world view. This particular aspect is acting as a bridge from Jupiter to view our innermost selves with a brutally honest lens, courtesy of Pluto. Whatever started to develop back in January will be at a heightened intensity that will reach its final conclusions come September. So use what you learn in April throughout the summer (or even into the winter, depending on where you live) to reach an outcome you can feel at peace with. As I mentioned in my last article, Jupiter entered the deep waters of Scorpio back in October. We started to see nasty secrets (Scorpio’s specialty) revealed regarding the abuse of sexual and financial power toward women, especially in Hollywood. Now that the flip has been switched, women are banding together everywhere to make sure these issues are finally being addressed. Women won’t be backing down any longer so the movement is in full force really reflecting this mid-point in the Jupiter/Pluto transit that will result in a critical mass of change. This is a really
“Satur n has now had time to set up his ne w domain in Capricor n, lending a more serious tone to at least one area of our lives.”
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exciting shift that is beyond overdue. This ties in with the overarching theme of Pluto in Capricorn which is a massive transit (2008 - 2024), altering all things powerful in our world––especially those who abuse it.
MERCURY DIRECT IN ARIES - PAUSE TO THE PEOPLE! Mercury, the social butterfly of the skies, will station direct on April 15th. This spicy review through Aries kicked off on March 22nd, and has given us the opportunity to review where in our lives are we are the most intense. Aries is the first born within the zodiac so the energy around this sign is very independent, aggressive, fierce, opinionated and, at times, confrontational. We all have an Aries component heating up in some area of our charts. It’s just that some of us express it in stronger doses than others due to having potent points or planets residing in Aries. Back to the messenger. Mercury represents all forms of communication, verbal or not. When he turns retrograde, we all get to
Whatever sign the retrograde happens in casts the themes of his particular revision. This time around Mercury gets to go for a ride on the mighty Ram. review those inner and outer dialogues. Mercury in Aries can be quite the silver-tongued devil. Aries often speaks without thinking. Aries wants be first. Aries initiates. Aries is our inner warrior. It may
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sound like I’m picking on Aries, but I want to be honest about the sign which I too happen to have Venus and Mars residing in. These feisty qualities can be a blessing and a curse. They can inspire and invigorate, or they can alienate and anger––possibly all in the same day. So look to your chart to see where your Aries lives. This is an area of life where you may be a bit selfish, which may be highlighted by the Mercury Rx. Where do you need to put someone else first more often or where could simply include others more? For example, if you have Aries in the 3rd house, which is our house of communication, when might you opt to listen instead of talk? If you are an Aries in the 7th house, the house of love and marriage, maybe you are not communicating your needs in a way that invites your significant other to want to show you the love. Maybe you need to take a different approach and show rather than tell someone what you need. On the flip side, maybe your Aries side is a bit hindered due to other aspects in your chart and you could actually use a little fire under your arse to get things done. You can use this time to plan out how you can strengthen your backbone a bit more but wait until after the retrograde to actually take action. Mercury can be a bit of trickster, so acting out during a retrograde isn’t the most effective option. Remember, during the Rx, stop, drop, and reflect. It will save you wasted time and energy my friends.
SATURN RETROGRADE: FOUNDATIONS FIRST
Yeah, another retrograde. The planets do this because us humans would hardly ever choose this option if we didn’t have to. We don’t slow down easily, hence most of us are sweating it out on the hamster wheel of never-ending stress. We stress about our stress which just makes us stress even more. Vicious! Saturn, our cosmic life coach, made a grand move into Capricorn this year which has set a more stoic vibe amongst the collective. We are getting more serious about the fact that actions do have consequences and the law of karma is a very real thing. Where we have Capricorn in our charts is being asked to grow up and get real. Since the beginning of the year you’ve probably experienced some area of life that needs to be tended to in a very structured and responsible way. We are in the early phases of this Saturn transit so it may not have gone as well as you would have liked or this shift is still so fresh that you are just now beginning to figure it out. It all depends on how responsible you’ve been in that area of life leading up to Saturn moving into it. Now that he is stationing retrograde come April 17th, we get the chance to review how we can build our foundations more effectively. This was round one so we are just getting our hands in the soil. Now we get to plan out the garden of our lives with more accountability and dedication. When it comes to Saturn, where we work the hardest is where we get the biggest rewards when the transit is over. Lessons learned are like gold to Saturn. You will be wealthy in wisdom if you work your Saturn transits!
URANUS MOVES IN TAURUS: THE SLOW-MOVING REBEL HAS ARRIVED The biggest news of this article is the highly anticipated Uranus moving into Taurus on May 15th. This is a big deal and I will tell you why: The outer planets move much slower than our inner friends such as the Moon or Mercury which zip through signs rather quickly. So when an outer planet reaches a new sign it has a much deeper and long-standing impact. Uranus hasn’t been in Taurus for 84 years. His last jaunt was from 1934 to 1942. Those were historically powerful times that we will see echos of during this upcoming transit. Uranus likes to change up the status quo. He likes to shake us out of comfort zones. I don’t see Uranus as symbolizing chaos itself, but his insatiable need for change creates a level of instability that can be hard to roll with. I think practicing the stoic art of resiliency while remaining open can be the best medicine for dealing with Uranus. Since 2011, Uranus has been working his magic in the sign of Aries. As discussed earlier, Aries is the first sign, the sign of the self. Aries represents independence and being your own warrior. Uranus in Aries has taught us all in some way how to best individuate. Look to your Aries house to see where you struck out on your own over these last seven years. As for you personally, you of course will be affected by these collective changes. This may be a time where you get more serious about your financial habits because when the world gets nervous they don’t
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spend money. If you work in an industry that is dependent upon clients/customers then your paycheck could feel the impact. I could also see it going in the opposite extreme direction as well because Taurus likes nice things, beautiful possessions that make a person feel luxurious. That being said, the gap between the uber rich and everyone else will be more noticeable than ever before. You may also become more actively involved in protecting the planet. There could be a charity that strikes a chord with you that you never considered before. The last time we had this transit, America went through The Great Depression and Victory Gardens (also known as Depression Relief Gardens) were the norm . Let’s hope that isn’t the case this time around, but you may find you want create your own little corner grocery store right in your own backyard or simply a windowsill filled with herbs. You may start to care more about where your food comes from and the impact that has on our society. Eat local could take on a whole new attitude. It’s hard to predict what exactly will happen because there is so much free will at the helm, but we can take lessons from previous transits. Our attitudes around money, our bodies and our stances around how we move through the world as a human being, the space we take up and our views on all things sensual will get be getting a major shake-up, so buckle up! The phrase “united we stand, divided we fall” will be the theme song to this transit. We learned about autonomy with Uranus in Aries, now we must learn to work together for the greater good.
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MARS RETROGRADE: INWARD ACTION Lastly, I wanted to touch on the Mars retrograde. Clearly this is the retrograde article. We must collectively need some major review sessions. I will delve deeper into this particular transit as it mainly plays out in July and August, but lets dip a toe in. Mars is the ruler of war, passion, drive, ego, aggression, and assertion. We need Mars energy to go after the things in life we want and to fight for what’s right. It’s our drive to create. How we go about getting what we want in life is Mars in action. Mars will station retrograde on June 26th and stations direct on August 27th. That is a two month review period regarding our abilities to go after the things in life we want. Saturn will also be retrograde during this entire time, so I suspect the two will tie into one another’s stories. Mars will begin his retrograde in Aquarius but will trek back into Capricorn where Saturn will also be in review mode. Your Capricorn house will be under major renovation at this time. These two planets will be offering you a chance to not only review the blueprint of this area of your life but the actions you can take to make it happen. Come the fall there will a ton of forward motion. Use the mid-year as a retreat to prep, renew, and organize. Happy Spring, Muses. Xx
THE GAP BETWEEN THE UBER RICH AND EVERYONE ELSE WILL BE MORE NOTICEABLE THAN EVER BEFORE. YOU MAY ALSO BECOME MORE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN PROTECTING THE PLANET.
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SPRING MESSAGES
BY ALLIE COUCH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY RODOLFO SANCHES CARVALHO
Spring’s Seasonal Themes THE SEASONAL ASTROLOGY OF SPRING
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n spring we actively move through the first three astrological solar seasons: Aries, Taurus, and Gemini. It’s after winter’s slumber when we’ve stepped back, shattered, and released things no longer working, that we find greater life meaning through the big picture. As we leap head first into the season of the rising sun, we take that big picture and create brand new paths and personal pursuits. This spring, amidst all of the possibility at our fingertips, we have quite a few run-ins with either Capricorn or its ruling planet, Saturn. It seems great responsibility and a desire for a life of more integrity are at the heart of many of our new paths this coming year.
ARIES SEASON (MARCH 20TH - APRIL 20TH): As we wake to newly pulsing energy at Spring Equinox, fresh seeds form in our lives. It’s in this season that we create the DNA for what our passions and personal agendas will be for the coming turn around the sun. Being the first placement of the sun in this pioneering fire sign, we initiate, act impulsively, and get our system moving. This is a season of self, a season to reignite personal wants, and of cracking open with assertive aggression.
TAURUS SEASON (APRIL 20TH - MAY 20TH): Mid-spring arrives, and with it so do our senses. We become more embodied, working the land to plant and sprout the seeds we formed under Aries’ bold breaths. We always slow down at the mid-season of each quarter, feeling solidly in place in a transition that now makes sense. With Taurus being our first earth sign, we connect to our most basic and essential nature, to the
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material realm, and we use our senses to discover how we want to mold and embody ourselves and our lives over the astrological year.
GEMINI SEASON (MAY 21ST - JUNE 20TH): Late spring pushes on us to get a move-on through Gemini’s airy and witty intellect. We sense that a more fruitful cycle is approaching with summer, so we need to connect to things around us to see how all the pieces of everyones new dreams fit together. We need to know how our dreams fit into the picture too, hence how we are even connecting within—with our own dual natures. It’s a busy time of pollinating things including ourselves. Flirt, communicate, find a sense of belonging through your communities, and learn new things in order to make your spring ideas find movement and traction.
“TAPPING INTO THE UNSEEN WILL FEEL POTENT AS WE EXPAND INTO MYSTERY AND THE POWER DYNAMICS IN OUR WORLD”
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BY ALLIE COUCH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY RODOLFO SANCHES CARVALHO
COSMIC TRANSITS
7-Year Guide to Uranus in Taurus TAURUS AWAKENING
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ince 2011, Uranus, the planet that creates big changes, that breaks us free from old ways, and brings surprise, shock, and awakening, has been in the sign of Aries. This has brought much progress, disruption, and group movement in the way of identity and getting centered. It brought the selfie into mainstream popularity, social media has become a platform to express who you are and to share that with potency and influence. It broke the mold in terms of only having a choice to identify as male of female. Wherever Aries sits in your chart will show where life has likely been filled with collaboration, innovation, erratic movement, and surprising twists. On May 15th, this slow moving planet changed signs, now nestled into Taurus until 2026 (minus a short retrograde back to Aries for a recap in the fall). In Taurus, issues around finances, banks, income, currency, ownership, our earth’s resources and how we work land will be susceptible to powerful group discord, upheaval, and innovation. Uranus was in Taurus during the great depression, and although there were other signifiers that paved the way for those conditions, it is a time that we may need to brace for a bit of upset in the markets, due to the fed up awareness of the growing class gaps and a dwindling middle class. This can actually be an exciting time if you stay positive and move with the changes at hand. Greater fiscal and material equality between groups is on the docket, as is new technology around values and finances. We can only wait and see how it all plays out.
A LITTLE HISTORY: Uranus was our first planet that was discovered by telescope in 1781. He rotates on his side more than any other planet in our solar system and altered how we understood our universe. He is the great awakener, the planet that breaks us out of our limiting concepts of self, and pushes us to think in new and progressive ways. He likes experimentation, science, collaboration, and thinking about the future. He’s been connected to hallucinogenic drugs, groups, friendships, rebellion, and movements. Although he is guaranteed to bring change, which can also mean upset, he makes us see with new and more open-minded eyes. With an orbit of 84 years, 1934 was the last time Uranus was in Taurus. Uranus also rules over the field of astrology, making this a time when a shift in how you connect to this subject will unfold. There may be more value and essence found through this science in everyone’s lives. It may see a surge of usefulness in connection to material life, the earth, and nature. The following is your signs guide to where you likely felt Uranus in Aries, and how you may newly begin to feel it in Taurus. Read for both your sun sign and rising sign to get a broad picture of layered areas that it may show up in your life.
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“You may feel both stimulated and challenged around material things in life.”
around your trajectory and passions.
ARIES URANUS TRANSIT This could be a big relief. Since 2011, the planet of the unexpected has been in your own sign. He’s likely made you rethink a lot around who you are, what you are passionate about, as well as made friendships an agenda in your life. Somehow this pushed your buttons and had you rewiring your path. Unexpected things have probably consumed your focus over the past seven years. Although this brings excitement and pushes you to progress and think about self in new ways, it takes a lot out of a person to have so much excitement. It’s time to pass the torch and regain some calm clarity
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As Uranus steps into Taurus, your second house of finance, material comfort, and possessions, is up for some big shifts. A bit of upheaval and erratic energy could see you putting a lot more collaborative energy into how you own things and find self-worth, income, and value. You may feel both stimulated and challenged around material things in life. Technology may be an avenue that proves valuable, but whatever the circumstance, getting progressive and taking material risks are where the growing edges are going to come with this new shift.
TAURUS URANUS TRANSIT You are in for a wild ride over the next seven years. Since 2011, Uranus, the planet of friendships, shakeups, and innovation, has been in your 12th house, your shadow house. It’s likely that you’ve had some odd shadows to contend with in your friendships for some time. On the other hand, you may have used this energy to collaborate artistically in ways that pushed your life progress, or found technology connected to art or mysticism that brought innovative synergy into your life. Things are about to shake and rattle in your life with Uranus newly moved into your own sign. Expect to experience more urges for freedom and find that friendships and groups become central to your
agendas and passions in life. Sometime things need to break in order to see that they were actually shackles holding you back from being your unique, authentic self. If you do experience some upsets, in the end, they are leading you to a more free expression of your core self. Lean on friends, take risks, experiment more, and find new and progressive ways to cultivate stability in your life that better suits you. Over the next seven years, it’s likely that you are going to be reinventing yourself, so give yourself freedom from committing to things in permanent ways. Keep your options open and surprise yourself with exciting adventures. In a subtle way, this may bring your career into focus and into your personal agendas.
“EXPECT TO EXPERIENCE MORE URGES FOR FREEDOM ”
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GEMINI URANUS TRANSIT Groups, friendships, exciting adventures that shook your view of life and your future. The past seven years has likely seen you taking a lot of initiative in groups and collaborative pioneering. It’s also possible that you’ve had a hand in activism, movements, or bold sciences and technologies. Whatever it’s been, much excitement has surrounded you around breaking barriers in group involvements. Uranus newly in Taurus will occupy your 12th house of shadows, arts,
and mystical connections. You could potentially experience some shadowy feelings in the realm of friendships, but on the other hand, you could also find new breakthroughs and awakenings— things that connect you in unique and progressive ways to your worth. Art and Spirituality could feel collaborative, friendly, and surprising as out of the blue scenarios pop into the inspired areas of your life. In a subtle way, this may bring new energy around pushing your boundaries in spirituality and compassion.
“CONNECT YOU IN UNIQUE AND PROGRESSIVE WAYS TO YOUR WORTH ”
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“start to make money through technolog y and collaborative participation”
CANCER URANUS TRANSIT Has your career felt erratic, collaborative, and progressive over the past several years? With Uranus having been in your 10th house of reputation and aspirations since 2011, it’s likely that you’ve felt the stirring and pushing of groups or technology into your typically independent pursuits. Now that your alignments and integrity has been pushed to evolve through this, you can return to more solitary, entrepreneurial ways of functioning. Uranus’ move to Taurus and your 11th house will bring you new worth and exciting connectivity through groups and collaborations. You may feel interested in industries that are
exciting and push you to think outside of the box. You may start to make money through technology and collaborative participation. It’s likely that you will start to stand out as an original and progressive against the backdrop of group affairs. Friendships could become more valuable to you as could your interest in the future and movements that are focused on preserving the earth, land, or that question the material and fiscal discords of the world. In a subtle way, this may see you accessing groups in powerful ways to either help you process psychological blocks or tap into financial powers that they hold.
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“you are likely going to be in collaboration regarding your aspirations”
LEO URANUS TRANSIT It’s been seven years now that you’ve had some erratic energies flowing through your 9th house of pushing boundaries, beliefs, and philosophies on life. It’s possible that through friends or exposure to sciences or other progressive systems, you’ve changed you religious, cultural, or ideological affiliations. Out of the blue opportunities may have helped you to expand your perspectives and travel may have opened your eyes to other ways of living and growing into a bigger life.
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Now, as Uranus, rebel planet, moves into Taurus and your 10th house of career, you are likely going to be in collaboration regarding your aspirations. Technology, groups, movements, friendships: these are all areas that could bring greater value to how you are reaching for position and responsibility over the next seven years. In a subtle way, partnerships or spouses may begin to have a connection to what you are doing in the public eye or professionally.
VIRGO URANUS TRANSIT Since 2011, you’ve had a lot of group synergy, collaboration, or technological interaction in how you’ve pushed through blocks and found new empowerment. Astrology, other sciences, groups, or friendships have likely brought a lot of erratic things to your surface that had been blocked and needed to be dealt with. Empowerment found through the deep work of sharing inner and outer resources with friends and groups or through collaboration, allowing old baggage to die away, has probably made you more precise and controlled over the years. You likely have a better grasp on how to hold power in groups and collaborations as well, in the way that you have learned to share. It’s possible that resources have come through innovative means.
With Uranus now in Taurus and your 9th house, expect a lot of out of the blue happenings around foreign anything (travel, culture, religion, philosophy…), higher education, publishing, or business expansion and enterprises. One of the aforementioned could also connect you to new groups, friendships, or technologies. It’s likely that you will want to break barriers and tip things upside down in how you are expanding your perspective on life. Owning land abroad or things you deeply value from new places could also pop up unexpectedly, as could income through a global source. In a subtle way, the innovative work you do and purpose you serve, could find new paths in publishing or on bigger platforms.
“expect a lot of out of the blue happenings around foreign anything”
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LIBRA URANUS TRANSIT Reflect back on the past seven years, since 2011. What about your relationships, partnerships, equanimity, and sense of harmony have been tipped on their sides? With Uranus, planet of surprises and awakening, having toured this part of your chart, it’s likely that your felt pushed to see and experience agreements in new and progressive ways. This could have either felt exciting or created much discord in your life. As this transit has come to an end, you can expect greater balance to start settling in, as well as a better defined ability to find unique solutions to discord with friends.
With Uranus now moved into your 8th house and the sign of Taurus, your sense of value will push you to purge blocks around friendships, groups, and collaborations. Technology could also prove to be an avenue that helps you to purge things and brings you new precision and control. As you go through the work, you will feel how group connections can help connect you to greater empowerment. Astrology is ruled by Uranus, and can be used as a tool to help you source your powers. In a subtle way, your need to lead and be in the limelight in detached ways will be connected to mystery, power, and control over the next seven years.
“GROUP CONNECTIONS CAN HELP CONNECT YOU TO GREATER EMPOWERMENT”
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“new partnership opportunities will arise with friends”
SCORPIO URANUS TRANSIT Over the past 7 years as Uranus has moved through your 6th house of work, health and lifestyle, it’s likely that you’ve had your fair share of erratic scheduling, collaborative projects, and pushed your life purpose in innovative ways. As exciting as Uranus in a house can be, it can be just as nice to say goodbye to his upheaval and unexpected disruptions. You are likely better equipped to question the rules and see a brighter future ahead in terms of wellness and work through his presence. Having moved into your 7th house of relationships, partnerships, balance, and justice, you may encounter the unexpected in all of these things. And while Uranus can help unshackle you
from outmoded chains, he can also create some problems in his wake. Be sure you are very careful with any legal agreements. Read fine print, cover your bases, and be more open minded in the kinds of agreements you enter into with partners. You may find that new partnership opportunities arise with friends, even finding love and marriage with someone who’s previously only been a good friend. The point is, Uranus wants you to wake up and try new things when it come to how you give and receive and dance harmoniously in the world. In a subtle way, your home and family life could become more elegant with an emphasis on finding diplomacy and harmony in your private life and security.
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“Working more holistically and supportively with groups may become a priority.”
SAGITTARIUS URANUS TRANSIT Since 2011, it’s likely that you’ve been taking the lead in many a collaborative creation. With a bit of eccentricity on your side, it’s possible that you’ve been totally unafraid of flashing your unique self around with confidence and style. Having experimented a fair amount around what your leadership and style is, you may have found an affinity for leading groups and friends, as well as found yourself as the star of certain groups. As fun and exciting as this has likely been, you’ve also probably craved more freedom to express yourself and found yourself in many an unexpected drama. If you have kids or have wanted kids, this transit may have thrown a wrench or two in your ideal picture. At its roots, you may have carved freedom from having to parent or found yourself forming friendships with your kids rather than normal parental boundaries.
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With the shift that just took place of Uranus now in your 6th house of Taurus, it’s time to find more purpose for the collaborative creating you’ve been engaged in. Working more holistically and supportively with groups may become a priority. You may find that your work and other daily routines break apart in order for you to have more dayto-day freedom and ability to get progressive and innovative with your processes. Value can be found in working with groups, technology, think tanks, and humanity. Astrology may creep into your work in subtle, or not so subtle ways, as well. Keep an open mind and find pleasure in the unexpected things that start trickling into your work and wellness efforts. In a subtle way, your sense of belonging as well as how you communicate and connect, may feel more useful and bring value into your life.
“TAKE THE LEAD TO MOLD THINGS MATERIAL INTO BEING”
CAPRICORNURANUS TRANSIT Has home felt a little erratic and unpredictable over the past seven years? Possibly some eccentricity and surprising events with family? With Uranus having transited your 4th house since 2011, it’s likely that you’ve felt more friendly with family, or, on the flipside, behavior that’s been discordant. It’s possible that you’ve questioned things outdated about your home and the kind of security you’ve been programed to believe you need. Maybe some chains needed to be rattled in order to see that updates were needed around how you view your life security. Maybe the universe made you more vulnerable to show you how independant and strong you are.
With Uranus now moved into your 5th house of Taurus, it’s time to show what you’re made of around taking the lead with groups and collaborative creativity. Your style and way of presenting and shining is up for a bit of excitement and open minded awakenings. It’s a great time to experiment with friends and other groups, taking the lead to mold things material into being. Put yourself in the spotlight and watch how others start gathering around you to join in for some friendly co creating fun. In a subtle way, your values and material life are ready to be seen by the world for just how unique and synergistic they are.
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“expect to feel more focused on the simple pleasures of life”
AQUARIUS URANUS TRANSIT This Uranus transit is more connected to your sign than any other. This is your ruler, the planet that determines your outlook, your assertion, and what you are focused on. Since 2011 it’s been in the sign of Aries making you a bit more aggressive, independant, and wanting clear and direct simplicity in your life. In your 3rd house, this has likely created a lot of movement in your life, a lot of communication, busy-ness, and learning opportunities. It’s possible that you’ve been more plugged into community and found lots of variety and excitement in how you’ve felt a sense of belonging, yet maintained a strong sense of independence.
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As this planet of awakening moves into Taurus, expect to feel more focused on the simple pleasures of life, of the material realm, and questioning the values in your life. Taurus will want you to slow way down, to use your senses more and indulge in nature and form. In your 4th house, this brings an emphasis to cultivating greater, deeper security in life. Home and family could feel very enriching after you rattle a few chains to make sure where the updates need to take place in how you think about security.
Since 2011, you’ve had a lot of erratic energy coursing through your life around value, income, and worth with Uranus in your 2nd house. It’s likely that you’ve experimented a fair bit in order to awaken to what your unique essence is about. Getting more clear after some shakeup, you’ve probably done a 160 or two around how you bring income and pleasure in your life.
les your 3rd house, so the value emphasis will be more geared toward how you communicate, connect, and create community and belonging in your life. Have fun, experiment with technology, collaboration, and friendships as you speak, learn, and write your way into some exciting new ways of feeling flirtatious and vivacious. Much value could be found in your life through the community engagement that you pursue, but expect some chains to rattle as you shake free from some outdated ideas, first.
With Uranus now moved into Taurus, there’s still a tone present around value as Taurus naturally rules the 2nd house. In your chart though, this sign ru-
In a subtle way, your artistic and mystical side may find new ways of expressing itself through words and movement.
PISCES URANUS TRANSIT
“value could be found in your life through the community engagement that you pursue”
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CERES INFLUENCING SPRING
WORDS BY JULIANA MCCARTHY
Ceres Conjunct the North Node: The Grieving Mother Leads the Way
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eres, the dwarf planet and goddess of grain, has been showing up as an important player in recent times. She first formed an opposition with Pluto during the Great American Eclipse last August, then danced around the North Node in December and January, and finally formed a conjunction with the Leo Lunar Eclipse on January 31st. She is working to make sure that we enter the next age in humanity with deeper reverence for the feminine and Mother Earth.
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“As a dwarf planet, Ceres holds the same ranks as Pluto.” She represents nurturing, motherhood, nourishment, food, and agriculture. Going deeper, she also represents homeopathy, organic food, returning to what’s natural, and standing up for women and the underdog. Because of this, the aftermath was no surprise when Ceres in Cancer opposed Pluto in Capricorn—the protector of the feminine in the sign of the mother, facing off with the planet of abuse in the sign of the father and the patriarchy. In the wake of this opposition, the women’s movement soon became the powerful #MeToo movement, and great progress has been made in rectifying and bringing awareness to sexual abuse, misogyny, and imbalances of power. In ancient mythology, Ceres (the Roman equivalent of Demeter) was the mother of Persephone, who was raped and kidnapped by Pluto and taken to Hades. After Pluto abducted Persephone, Ceres experienced so much grief and anger that the Earth became winter. When Persephone would return from the underworld each year, Ceres would once again set the Earth abloom, thus beginning spring. A formidable and significant presence, Ceres was the first goddess to have her own planet. Both nurturing and strong, she isn’t afraid to take on the masculine planets of Jupiter (greed) or Pluto (power). She is the wise elder woman who protects younger generations, and teaches us how to heal
with support from the Earth, and how to heal the Earth itself. Ceres conjunct the North Node has meant that the defender of the feminine is leading the way forward. In Leo, the North Node has been helping us to take care of ourselves, develop healthier selfesteem, and express our unique talents to the world with creativity, pleasure, and joy. As the North Node has worked together with Ceres, we’ve found that to be authentic, we must work to repair our childhood wounds, purify our parental roots, and allow ourselves to feel our grief and heartbreak without shame. As we do this, Ceres points to nature, reminding us to tune into the seasons, allowing nature to provide healing and nourishment along our spiritual paths. The Great American Eclipse in August 2017, along with the Leo Lunar Eclipse six months later, has begun leading us to the next Aquarian Age. Ceres was in significant placements during both, her energies and interests highlighted for the coming paradigm. We are taking down imbalances of power, and fighting against political forces that are harmful to the Earth. Not only are we emphasizing organic and sustainable farming and practices more and more in mainstream culture, we’re also increasingly learning to heal our bodies and minds through plant medicines, homeopathy, herbalism, mushrooms, and nutritional therapy. January’s Lunar Eclipse also encouraged us to find inner resolution by going
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deep and letting go of habitual patterns and attachments that no longer serve us. Touched by Ceres, this lunar eclipse was defined by the grieving mother who doesn’t shy away from her pain and emotions. It has helped us come to terms with our sadness and loss, while encouraging us to never give up. With the support of Ceres, we’re now beginning to feel our anger and grief fully, particularly around traumas that arose during the Great American Eclipse—when Ceres opposed Pluto. We’re learning to emulate the universal mother and Earth goddess, balancing our strength and resilience with the depths of our emotion, tenderness, and heartbreak. It is key to remember that Ceres, the unconditionally loving mother, does not hold onto vengeance. She restores the Earth and begins spring each time her daughter returns from Hades. We can learn from Ceres, allowing ourselves to feel our pain and trauma as we break our unhealthy conditioning—drawing on our tenacity while releasing our bitterness. We can still surround the toxic lover or parent with love as we let them go, clearing our personal space so that healthier roots can take hold and grow. Because Ceres wants so much for us to grow strong roots, she is one of astrology’s great peacemakers. In times of peace, we can remain in one place, establishing farms, and growing food to nurture and nourish ourselves. We cannot be successful agrarians in the midst of
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chaos and strife. Because of this, Ceres urges us to be still and find ground, to feel what we feel, practice self-care, and release old karma. This way, we can build peaceful kingdoms with pure roots, forming a beautiful symbiosis with nature. With Ceres in command, the strong feminine has been fighting for the underdog and caring for the Earth. She is firmly taking our hand and making sure that anyone who is oppressed is released from the underworld—from the abusive and controlling hands of Pluto and the destructive masculine. Ceres conjunct the North Node has heralded a time when all women are being called to stand up for what is natural and loving—never backing down until all bondages have been released. At the same time, she is showing us how to retain our unconditional love, opening to the compassion, empathy, and embrace of the universal mother and Mother Earth. In doing so, Ceres is powerfully clearing the way for the Aquarian age—a new paradigm based on egalitarianism, freedom, love, and, above all, a strong and healthy relationship to the collective feminine and the natural world. To book an astrology reading with Juliana, visit her website, etherealculture.com, or send her a message: info@ etherealculture.com. Her book, The Stars Within You: A Modern Guide to Astrology, is now available for presale on amazon.com: bit.ly/starswithinyou. You can follow her on Instagram here: intagram. com/etherealculture, and Facebook here:
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I L LU M I N AT I O N
COSMOMUSE SPRING 2018
THE MYSTIC SPRING POSSIBILITIES ABOUND WITH GUIDANCE THROUGH THE CARDS
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WINTER’S TAROT
BY HERA BOSLEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANN WHITTAKER | STYLING BY ALLIE COUCH
COLLECTIVE SPRING READING
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he New Birth of Spring 2018 feels more important and weightier than ever with changes in our current society as the feminine voice rises. Astrologically, with many Saturn and Capricorn threads woven into New Moons, it seems there are new possibilities arising that will be most beneficial if we tap into authority from our wise elders to learn how they forged new frontiers. Below we ask Hera of Mindful Euphria a question to tkae us through the spring seasons. How can we utilize the experience and wisdom of those who have gone before us while simultaneously carving out our own path and writing our own unique stories?
BODY THE DEVIL The first reaction when people see the Devil card emerge in a spread is usually rooted in fear, but I promise you, this card is the medicine you need right now. The Devil card is showing up in this placement so you can look at the ways in which you are treating your body. This card is here to converse with you about exactly where your impulses and addictions lie. The Devil is showing you just how destructive your bad habits can be-
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come over time. Spring is about renewal. It is an awakening from the darkness of Winter. When I look at it in relation to the question that was posed, the word that keeps coming through is: simplify. If you have been struggling with the way you fuel your body or the way you move your body the answer that is coming forward is to slow down and make it simple. You can do that through your connection to nature, just as your ancestors did. What is the medicine that grows closest to you, and how can you connect to it? How can you get your bare feet on the earth more? Let go of the bikini body programs, the bootcamps, the 30 days to a new you and look no further than your front door. Get outside. Start where you are. Walk around the block. Eat real food. Food that doesn’t come in plastic containers, but from the earth. Simplify your life by getting grounded and back in sync with nature. I feel compelled to add that because this is a major arcana card, this is more than just a gentle nudge. If you read the Winter edition, the Queen of Swords came through with a strong message. The Devil card is coming through even stronger. This is representative of the need for a big shift. The way you’ve
YOUR OFFERINGS, YOUR ART, YOUR BEAUTIFUL MIND, AND YOUR SERVICE ARE DEEPLY NEEDED HERE ON THIS EARTH.
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been operating is not working and if you continue to push through, put yourself last, rush through lunch at your desk in between meetings you will inevitably hit a wall. Big sweeping change can feel overwhelming and so it will be important to take small steps. Take inventory and begin to replace one bad habit for a better one. The Devil card is ruled by Capricorn so creating structure and routine can support you in these small changes and before you know it, you will look back and see just how far you’ve come.
MIND EIGHT OF SWORDS In Tarot, the eights are always about cycles. If you visualize the number eight, and turn it on it’s side it makes the infinity symbol. I believe that life is cyclical, lessons always looping back around inviting you to go deeper. There is an inherent rhythm and season to the experiences that your spirit chose for your journey here in this realm. You can’t ignore the lessons, you have to drop into them. I keep hearing: if you only knew. If you only knew just how powerful you actually are. Imagine what you could accomplish.Imagine where this life could take you. Your thoughts are a hugely po-
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werful force that contribute to the reality you see before you. In no way are they the only thing creating your reality, but they play a big role. They feed into the resonance and the frequency that you project outward. This card in particular speaks to your limiting beliefs. The stories that you hold about who you are, what you are capable of and what is within your reach are just that: stories. The good part about it is that you can always change the story. The eight of swords has arrived in this reading asking you to be mindful of the stories you are perpetuating in your mind. How many times have these stories been circulating for you? Perhaps you can even trace them back beyond you to your parents or grandparents. When you really get still and quiet, do those stories still resonate? Or is it time to transcend that book and create a new one? As you do that, can you find thestories and the wisdom that inspires you? The ones that empower you? Spring is about setting your intentions and planting the seed. Building upon the last card, when you can simplify your life and clean up your physical vessel the better you can hear the quiet whispers of your higher self.
SOUL PAGE OF WANDS What a beautiful card and energy to pull for the soul card in this reading. The Page of Wands is a mixture of earth (page) and fire (wands). Sometimes your creative passions and that fire you feel deep within to bring it to life can burn you out. You push past your limits, you ignore the signals of your body and spirit and keep going. You’ve learned that lesson before though, and so with this card, you are taking a moment to pause. You are taking a moment to get grounded. Feet on the earth. I believe this is a card of receptivity. It is that moment you stop to check in and be sure that whatever is showing up on your path is a full on fuck YES! Why is this so important? It’s because you’ve been burned in this way before. You’ve said yes when you meant no. You’ve agreed to do something that didn’t feel right but you cared more about what people would think or their feelings than you did about honoring your intuition. This card is a beautiful teacher. It’s a life lesson that we often have to be reminded of. You must pause before you stoke that fire. It’s important the energy that you use to stoke that fire comes from pas-
sion and not anger or frustration. This card has a beautiful way of tying in all the lessons that we’ve touched upon in this reading. When you can simplify life down to the things that matter most you can strengthen your intuition and relationship with yourself, your guides and your ancestors. The more you honor that connection, the more prevalent it becomes in your life. The more in sync and in tune you become. All of your decision making, all of your actions begin to fall into alignment with your deepest truth. And that is what is being required of you right now. Listening to yourself and finding your clarity. So much of what you see around you is being commodified and marketed to you. It can be alluring to purchase a formula for success, however, when you are in alignment: body, mind and soul, you know that you don’t need those formulas. You are creating your own. One that can’t be replicated. One that is a unique blend of who you are today, as well as the cumulation of all your past lives. All that you are in this moment, is all that you need to find your magic and share it with the world.
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I L LU M I N AT I O N
THE HEALER COSMOMUSE SPRING 2018
TAPPING INTO SEASON—RITUALS SYNCH OUR HARMONIES
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SPRING SYNCHING
WORDS, FLORAL & PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE CHIRGOTIS
SEASON OF POSSIBILITY
Ides of March
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n like a Lion, out like a Lamb. April showers bring May flowers. Colloquialism abounds in reference to the arrival of Spring, but this mutable season can be tricky. The Vernal Equinox is rarely heralded by warm sunshine and fluttering butterflies. In many parts of the northern hemisphere, we’re knee-deep in snow or putting on shorts way WAY before any sensible person should. In all honesty, no one is ready to see your legs yet. Or even if the sun is on our pale skin, we sneeze and suffer as pollen floats in a fog around our heads.
more exciting produce, get out for a run. Commit to the notion that you are renewed and re-born, and it can happen every day with the rise of the sun.
Yet is there ever a more welcome moment then when we see those first blades of green push up from the warming soil? When the birds return to the trees, calling out from newly budding branches? When we can fling open our windows and put all the laundry out to dry? We all feel the pulsating energy of something new: creativity, possibility, fertility, sensuality. We wake up in parallel with the Earth.
The first time you do this, pour purified water into a bowl. Add an array of flowers or herbs that feel beautiful and cleansing to you. Rose buds, rose petals, mint, verbena, eucalyptus, whatever feels right. Scoop the water into your hands and bring it up to your face to “ground” then follow with five more splashes and the following incantations:
Many of us set resolutions on January 1 which, according to the Gregorian calendar, marks the beginning of a new year. It’s certainly a shift neurologically, but change really fires up as Aries rotates into the sky above us––followed by Taurus and Gemini. Now would be the time to break patterns, set resolutions, do that cleanse with the much
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I’d like to offer a ritual and meditation––may they be strong allies as you come into yourself anew.
RITUAL It’s a near cliché to splash cold water on our faces when we first wake up. Up-level this by taking that practice and blessing yourself every morning.
“Blessed I am that I may Hear.” Bring the water up to your ears, pull on your ear lobes, think about the richness of the sound you navigate. “Blessed I am that I may See.” Bring the water up to your closed eyes, consider the beauty you get to witness today, yesterday, and onwards.
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“Blessed I am that I may Smell.” Bring the water up to your nose and perhaps take a shallow inhalation, thinking about all the wonderful correlation and memories scent can bring. “Blessed I am that I may Taste.” Bring the water to your mouth and touch it with the tip of your tongue. How lucky are you to be able to eat delicious food and kiss the ones you love. “Blessed I am that I may Touch.” Fully splash your face with water and revel in being able to feel it’s coolness, your hands, your presence in the world.
After this Initiation, you can just use the water running from the tap as you do your morning routine. I guarantee that, in a month’s time, you will get compliments on your face and brightness. That’s what happens when you’re blessed!
MEDITATION The three cards in the tarot that correlate to our zodiacal Spring season are The Emperor (Aries), The Empress (Taurus) and The Lovers (Gemini). It’s a powerful opportunity to get to know these archetypes while their
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THE EMPEROR
THE EMPRESS
THE LOVERS
(BEST UTILIZED MARCH 21-APRIL 19)
(BEST UTILIZED APRIL 20-MAY 21)
(BEST UTILIZED MAY 22-JUNE 21)
The energy you are offering the earth is taken up by the roots of strong, tall trees. The Redwood of California, Sequoia of the Pacific Northwest, Live Oak of the South, Sycamore of New England. This energy travels up and into their systems, swelling the trunks and expanding the bark. These tall, strong trees begin to take up more space in the forest––spreading wide their canopy to the open sky; providing safe refuge for forest animals, and deep shade for the humans that walk beneath them. Now put your hands on either side of your ribs to feel yourself expand with every breath. Visualize yourself taking up space, becoming strong, standing in your truth, being a leader and guide for others.
The energy you are offering the earth is filling the cups of new blooms. Visualize your favorite flower, its form, color, shape. This energy fills the fertile buds with a glowing magic––so full to the point that the petals begin to unfurl. With each petal’s graceful release beauty, peace and positivity floats out into the air––filling it like the light of fireflies. This light swirls and dances with the warm wind, its touch light yet powerful.
The energy you are offering the earth travels to the place where land meets the sea. This marriage is a sacred one––each relies on the other to be balanced, to exist. Visualize where the water washes onto the shore, and how its sand slides beneath the water’s surface. Like two hands rubbing together to create friction, the wash up of waves cleanses, renews––and the sand that pulls back solidifies, strengthens.
Now put your hands on either side of your face to feel the warmth of your skin. Visualize your complexion glowing with this rosy firefly light, full of beauty and purpose––you ready to share this abundance with others.
Keeping your eyes closed, raise your hands in front of your chest and do the same. Quickly rub your hands together until heat is created. Still your hands and just barely pull them apart. Can you feel that hum of energy that you created, zapping between your two palms?
presence is at its most heightened. If you’ve already got a meditation practice in place, that’s amazing––fold this in. If you do not, why not take the fresh-start energy of Spring to get one rooted? Take the ten morning minutes spent watching Instagram stories and rededicate that attention making some space in your busy mind. For each of the archetypes, begin with the following set-up: Find yourself in a comfortable, seated position. Shoulders relaxed down the back, top of the head drawn towards the ceiling, palms down on knees, eyes gently closed. Begin by taking five deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. Relax into a natural breathing rhythm, but with each inhalation vi-
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sualize light, white energy washing through your body. Filling your lungs, bloodstream, skin cells. With each exhalation, visualize dense, murky energy pouring out of your body and into the Earth. No need for judgement or attachment. The Earth is happy to receive this used-up matter; think of it as fertilizer to be recycled back into the greater system. Think about the roots of flowers and trees, twining down through the soil, soaking up what you are releasing to feed the fresh green shoots and leaves that climb toward the sunlight. You are contributing to new life, the turn of the season. As you focus on this reciprocal energy exchange, allow the mind to quiet. You can then call in your correlating archetype.
Close your meditation with hands back down to knees. Offer gratitude for this opportunity to reset, both in body and mind.
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STORY FINDING POOSIBILITY THROUGH
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THE MYTHS OF TIME
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANN WHITTAKER | WORDS BY CHERISE LILY NANA
MYTH STORIES
Radical Harmony: The Fight of the Female Warrior
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n a time far from now, there once existed an all-female society; a group of women who were known for their fierce courage, their unsurpassable skills in fighting and horse riding, and their loyalty to each other and their community. These women came to be known as the Amazons, an invented word meaning “without breast”, called so because legend has it they removed their right breasts in order to better shoot an arrow in combat. While these fantastical details formed a mythic story created by the ancient Greeks, it is believed that it was founded upon a real group of women called Scythians, a nomadic tribe who migrated from Iran to Russia and Ukraine in the 8th Century BC. On a different continent, more than 2000 years later, another group of warring women were coined by the French as the “Dahomey Amazons”. The Dahomey tribe lived in what is now the Republic of Benin, and these women- called N’Nonmiton (meaning “our mothers”)- were employed as an elite military force for the king, and ferociously defended their kingdom against the French colonisers until their death.
Both of these societies of women embody what we might think of as a female warrior archetype. These women fought for not just their survival but also for what they believed in: for justice, for their kingdom, for their community. But at what cost? While these historical figures have been acknowledged for their ability to live and fight like a man,
“In the moment of crisis, the wise build bridges and the foolish build dams.” - Nigerian Proverb
is that really the future we want to create? We want to be recognized as equal in our worth, value, and capabilities, but what does that actually look like? What do strength and power mean beyond the spaces of aggression and destruction, and what is the female warrior fighting for now? We can explore these questions by looking at some of the current pop culture representations of the female warrior archetype. The Dahomey militia are said
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“THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN AND AMONG WOMEN ARE THE MOST FEARED, THE MOST PROBLEMATIC, AND THE MOST POTENTIALLY TRANSFORMING FORCE ON THE PLANET.” — ADRIENNE RICH
to have inspired the all-female military group, Dora Milaje, in the latest Marvel superhero movie, Black Panther. The Dora Milaje are assigned to protect the King of Wakanda, a fictional land within the African continent. Violence aside, the key female characters are constantly in communication with each other when defending their kingdom. At any point, it is clear to see that their mission could not be completed without the unique skills that each woman brought to the table. This example of collaboration and cooperation is an attribute of the feminine- whatever we are fighting for, we are stronger when we combine forces, and we are already witnessing the power of this in the worldwide protests for justice like the Women’s March and the #metoo movement.
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Another aspect of female warriorhood is in redefining our approach to winning. At one stage in the film Black Panther, the central female characters step out beyond their home borders to enlist help from M’Baku, the leader of the Jabari tribe, an outlying group who are antagonistic. This took not only courage but a willingness to drop a sense of pride, as the Jabari tribe were staunchly unsupportive of their beloved king. This speaks to a strength found in knowing when to ask for help; when to reach out to those who have turned their back on us. This scene shows us that “winning” is not about coming out on top or defeating all of our enemies. We gain when we focus on the good of all, which means acknowledging that we are all in this together and need to find ways to cooperate with those who don’t share our values or way of life. Wonder Woman is also a superhero film that explores the themes around the female warrior archetype. Diana (Wonder Woman) was raised in an all-female society of warriors who are said to be inspired by the Amazons, but her character specifically is based on the Roman mythic figure Diana (or Artemis in Greek myth). Diana is the fiery Goddess of the hunt and of wild animals, and is often depicted with her bow and arrow. She is a free-spirited, independent woman who is entirely competent in the art hunting and therefore providing for herself and others. More than this though, Diana is also a patron of the slaves, and would take them in to her shelter. She has a compassionate heart, and despite her skills in combat, this is actually
“WHY DO WE KILL PEOPLE WHO ARE KILLING PEOPLE TO SHOW THAT KILLING PEOPLE IS WRONG?” — HOLLY NEAR
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the weapon that prevailed in her fight against the Greek God of war, Ares, in the Wonder Woman film. The plot follows Ares using the human race as a puppet to feed his powers, and he succeeded in his plans by turning people against one another and seeding hatred in their souls (during World War I). In a momentous final action scene, it was in Diana’s remembering of her intense feelings of love for leading man, Steve Trevor, that she actually found her power to diffuse Ares’ hypnotic grip on humanity. This begs the question of whether the female warrior archetype uses tactics that are more gentle or non-violent. Interestingly, if we look at the physiology of the female body and what it’s capable of, there is much blood and pain. Women shed blood every month, and the art of birthing is known to be one of the greatest pains a human can physically experience. To endure this takes a considerable amount of warrior-like strength. But in both processes, no harm is inflic-
ted on another individual. The female warrior is by no means serene, but does promote the life-affirming values of love, creativity and protection of the vulnerable, in ways that are surely more powerful than those strategies used to perpetuate destruction. Perhaps what we’re ultimately fighting for is wholeness: to be recognized as a key component of the mission that is humanity striving for a more balanced world. To some extent the feminine element is attuned to the cycles and rhythms of the planet we live on because our own bodies mirror these cycles. What if our power lies here- in our embodied understanding that we need to create more sustainable ways of living in harmony with ourselves, each other and the environment that we rely upon. The core wisdom of the female warrior archetype is in knowing that we simply cannot continue to charge ahead blindly killing everything in our path because when we do this, we are also killing ourselves.
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ART AS A SYMBOL BREATH AND MOVEMENT AS
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REFLECTIONS
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ART IN MOVEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY BY MINDY JOHNSON
Awakening: Beautiful Metamorphosis BY MINDY JOHNSON
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pring brings an awakening of self and of the world around us––a season that allows rediscovery of bits and pieces of ourselves we
have kept in the dark. It opens up breath by breath, movement by movement, and moves us from dark to light. What we feel inside is reflected in the world around us, or, perhaps, it is the world that is reflected in us? Either way, it gives us a different per-
spective that initiates a beautiful metamorphosis.
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