It’s an autumnal feeling day in San Diego. It’s so lovely on the equinox. I spent some time looking for a picture that “might” go along with what I want to write. In this picture, my mask just doesn’t quite fit. That’s a metaphor for this time period. We check in with our authenticity, perhaps. Maybe we need to adjust the mask, the clothing, the required cultural garments that keep us from being naked in public, for example. Although this picture is old (maybe 2014?) , I wanted to use the image to highlight what is special about the energies right now. I think it’s a little more about observing shadow. As we shift into the energies of the fall, we prepare to “go inside” and introvert a bit more into our routines while preparing for the shift in weather. We see things from a different vantage point. Libra tends to be about couples, relationships and coupling. It asks us about “other” about our shadow, and also brings up questions about equilibrium and balancing forces.

There’s more to it. Our relationships help us to see multiple sides of ourselves–especially long term relationships. We really get into a groove and an awareness of each other. At the equinox, we get a special “view” of everything.

Shadows:

“On the day of an equinox – and only on the day of an equinox – the tip of a shadow from an upright stick or “gnomon” traces a straight west-to-east path along the ground.“

Have you done your shadow work lately? I’ve just reached into my metaphorical bag of self-wonders and have asked for new sides of myself to become aware of, sides, angles and facets that I can smooth out and refine. It’s kind of exciting, and calming at the same time.

Also important windows to look into for wisdom into the Self:

Sunrise and Sunset. I believe that if you gaze into these doorways with consistency, especially during this transition into the end of the year and the last quarter of the year, in October, you will have more access to the worlds beyond here.

This will be the first year that I will be crafting and working in my Dreambook and Planner before the New Year, 2024. I’ve been eating apples and pears and appreciating my neighborhood squirrels who are building their livelihood and preparing for winter. I have magic cottages and gardens in so many different dimensions and with different groups of people. It’s safe to say that I am cozy, and ready for what’s next.

I didn’t share as many photos as I would have liked of the butterflies. Last New Moon in Leo I embarked on another journey, this one is 2 years within my apprenticeship of the sacred lineage of the bee under the guidance and instruction of Franchelle Ofsoske-Wyber. I have for years been so connected in my soul with the New Zealand First Light Essences and Polynesian aboriginal culture. This is one of my lineages but recently I was called into deeper discovery, so I am embarked and I am moving through my rituals and commitments, transforming dynamically all the while.

This New moon in Virgo I rededicated myself to the path of selfless service. A rededication is a most beautiful thing. It goes beyond words into ritual and deed, commitment and consciousness. The ripples are vast. All of this coming off of the intense transformational experiences of the Gate with Donny Epstein through AlchemE and with the book “The Seeker’s Code,” written by Epstein, is the development of an Energy Rich state of consciousness. Naturally we have to move out whatever is in the way on the path to these states of magic and miracle. This is the true work or the ancients would say, “The great work.” It is the work of transmutation which is that of alchemy—not the real gold of chemistry but the metaphysical gold of working through the crucible of forces which hone and process through our past lives, our shadows, and the limitations of our lower mind. It’s a path of reconfiguration and freedom. It is also known as the “Lightning Path.” There are many names for it across cultures.

It is with this sentiment that present more butterflies for your viewing pleasure. They are all from Colorado at the Butterfly Pavillion, which was nearby our transformational healing gate.

Our 2.5 week trip to Colorado began immediately with my initiation into my 2 year journey on my Shamanic path of rededication. It is all perfectly timed! I will be enjoying and sharing pictures for times to come. It all began with a hurricane that was pointed right at us. We got out of its path and immediately focused on transmuting it. There was virtually no rain and wind according to my neighbors. We were happy to discover that went we returned.

Leading up to the hurricane was a bout of Covid which I recovered from. We live in interesting times. This was right after the tragedy in Maui. Now I read about Libya and put my energies there. I do believe that we are spirits living in bodies that are our garments. I do believe that we transcend this visual or cloaked world. I am living a most Spiritual life in my physical body. I am blessed to know life in this way. Reach out if you want more information or to hear about how I can help assist you. I’m curious if you have any private questions and you would like to email me.

Being an observer, I’ve noted something important that I want to talk about. Absolutely essential to our long term well-being is living in ‘right’ relationship with authority. Here’s the catch: the authority begins outside of ourselves, projected out until we become self-actualized; and then eventually, if we are lucky, while growing up and taking on responsibility, authority begins to become mirrored as part of a system–which then is to blame for any problems or challenges, until ultimately one has to come up to the realization that one’s inner authority is thee check-point. Best to visit it throughout the day, and even in the beginning and the end of the day. One can even consider their own authority as a sobriety-check. Give yourself a breathalyzer test. Am I acting out of habit? Is there a lot of reactionary behavior? How am I contributing to the good of those around me? Do I consider the needs of others?

We often associate things like authority with other words like discipline. In the context of astrology, these words are very “Saturnine.” That means “no fun.” However, if one really looks more deeply into the way the reward system of the brain works, you can get to ironic HEART of the matter: your brain needs you to be a good horse-back rider. That’s right. You need to tame your brain, your sensory system, your self-regulation, or self-governance.

Isn’t interesting how this is a major societal problem right now? I read a study that found that the thing that parents are most worried about for their child, now-a-days, is their “mental health.” How interesting that mental health is something that can really, when properly channeled, and even disciplined, bolster a person into a position of making a positive impact in the world. Why? Because we don’t live only for ourselves. We are here for each other. That is the purpose of life.

Here’s another catch. There’s no real thing as external discipline. That’s authority! However, there is self-discipline. All our lives we must learn to negotiate the needs of the system, the external, with the needs of the inner, internal. One of the reasons I found buddhism and other spiritual ‘practices’ so appealing in my later 20s is that the spirituality is based on building an internal locus of control. That’s fancy-speak for self-determination.

Now, I’m not talking about manifestation here. I’m also not talking about magic. By the way, I love those two things. I believe in them wholly. But I have found that manifestation and magic does indeed involve right relationship with authority. Think on this. I want you to really examine it and see what is true for yourself. Can you trust yourself? Do you have a good enough relationship with yourself that you even give yourself responsibilities? Or, do you block your growth with fear? Be aware of what comes up for you when you consider these aspects of yourself. Is there a way that you can have a better relationship with authority? It might help to journal on this topic. You will learn very much from yourself if you let the words flow.

Butterflies don’t pee or poop

After caterpillar, they turn to goop

Keen on flutter,

They build a chrysalis within a shutter

Then break the mold

With colors bold

They pump their wings, and dry those things!