New Moon Journal

2010 Lunar Calendars- time to order

Are you going to explore the mystery of you found in bits of paper and glue through the New Moon SoulColage® process in 2010? Then you'll want to get a lunar calendar that speaks the symbolic language.

Yes dear Moon Dancers it's time once again to order your astrology calendar for the coming year. My favorite is 2010 Celestial Influences Calendar by Jim Maynard.

Quicksilver Productions starts shipping the calendars later this week. Celestial Influences is a complete astro calendar with an ephemeris. For those who don’t have astrology software to run charts, this calendar is great tool to have.

The calendar hangs on the wall near my desk...so I can easily look up to see what phase the Moon is in, when the Sun enters a new sign. The calendar comes in a couple different sizes/formats and it’s been one of my reference manuals for the last decade.

SoulCollage® Tip:

If you enjoy doing SoulCollage® look for calendars that go on sale...you can cut up the images for cards.

We'Moon is a great resource for the Divine Feminine/Goddess imagery, I savor the pages of We'Moon to use in my SoulCollage® cards.

Moon Phase Schedules for Outlook

Do you use Microsoft Outlook? Then you may be interested in this helpful tool...Moon Phase schedules from Calendar-Updates shows the exact time the phase will occur and even when the full moon is considered a “Blue Moon”.

Eclipse schedules include the time the eclipse will begin, when it will reach its’ maximum, and the geographical location where it will be visible. The calendar also includes a brief description of the type of eclipse occurring.

For $4.99 you can order a lunar calendar file (pst) that integrates the moon phases and eclipses into yourOutlook calendar with your time zone- very cool tool.

In-depth detail of the Lunar Cycle

WHOO HOO this year I won a copy of Llywellyn's 2010 Moon Signs book "Plan you life by the Cycles of the Moon" from Astrologer extraordinaire April Kent.

April writes for this annual and this year I won a copy by posting a comment on FaceBook. FaceBook has been very, very good for me. *smile*

For those just learning astrology a calendar is a good resource to have in your library, tracking the Moon and her cycles is a way to tap into the energy of the moment and learn by osmosis.

Resources:

Celestial Influences 2010

Llewellyn's 2010 Astrological Calendar

 

Michele's Teaching at Sacred Space Conference in DC

Calling all New Moon Dancers in the Washington, DC area...I am heading North to teach at the Sacred Space Conference this February, 2010. Sign up for the 4-day session before December 21st to take advantage of the early bird discount; registration is open online at the Sacred Space Conference website.

Thursday I co-lead a shamanic healing ceremony with my good friends and shamanic teachers extraordinaire Caroline Kenner and Carol Tunney. Inviting you to step into your brilliance with love and laughter.

Heart Centered Healers ARE multi-sensory humans
at ease with sharing their gifts and talents
in a multi-sensory world...
As your mentor I teach you
how to safely step into the flow of this divine energy
with grace and ease
in service to your family and community.

Friday evening I teach how to Dance through the Doorway of the New Moon using the SoulCollage® process; exploring the mystery of you found in bits of paper and glue.

"Unbroken Wings Discovered"...discovering our own strength, trusting our wings, and knowing that we are all indeed whole even with our fragility and broken pieces =unbroken wings, discovered."-quote from artist and writer Kelly Rae Roberts

My heart-felt invitation is offered to come play, even if you have never collaged and don't know anything about astrology your heart's desire sets the stage for your brilliance to unfold in a delightful magical way.

Saturn in Libra, the new e-journal

A Critical Mass-the first insight… A new spiritual awakening is occurring in human culture, and awakening brought about by a critical mass of individuals who experience their lives as a spiritual unfolding, a journey in which we are led forward by mysterious coincidences.

This awakening, followed by a transformation, begins the First Insight which always surfaces unconsciously, as a profound sense of restlessness.-the Celestine Prophecy

On October 30th, 2009 for the first time in twenty-nine years Saturn [the archetype of right timing, new form/structure] entered the sign Libra; Saturn stays in Libra until late 2012.

Why is this Saturn transit important for you? There is a challenge happening between Saturn in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn called a square. Saturn rules right timing and the status quo. Saturn rules earthy Capricorn. Squares bring up a challenge and Pluto is all about transformation.

Saturn and Pluto

Twenty one years ago Saturn moved through the sign Capricorn [February 1988 through February 1991] and started shaking up the status quo. We witnessed George Bush elected president, the Berlin Wall fell and the Tiananmen Square protests.

Capricorn represents the structure, social security, the government.

In your body Saturn represents the bones- skeleton structure. Taking us to the core Saturn forces us to face our fears and still remain grounded; this calls for awareness of body, mind and spirit...

Saturn rules the 1st Chakra in the body. The ability to be grounded and stay present- 1st chakra energy is related to your tribal conditioning that may no longer serve you...

to read the rest of the story I invite you to order a copy of the 18 page Saturn in Libra Journal that explains:

• Why the alchemy of Saturn in your body is important for manifesting
• Transforming the energy through the chakras
• Read the energy by house for both Saturn in Libra and Pluto in Capricorn
• How to create SoulCollage® cards to work the energy of the moment and
• Help you manifest your dreams taking the work deeper at each lunation.

Cost for this 18-page pdf is only $12.99

Fall-time to harvest, Mercury goes direct

Yesterday the Sun moved into Libra signifying the shift from summer to fall, it's harvest time. Following the cycles and rhythm astrology offers during the fall months [Libra/Scorpio/Sagittarius] now is the time to gather seed thoughts for planting next spring.

• Libra-In Libra we seek a balance in our relationships-who am I in relationship to you? Do I merge too much, do I keep a distance? Look for the why? out of fear, lack of trust?
• Scorpio- After seeing what is out of whack in the way you relate there is an opportunity in Scorpio to face the death of the old way, let go and surrender what no longer works.
• Sagittarius- After the clearing- hopefully you did let go- by mid-November when the Sun moves through Sag we find new courage to expand into new territory-You are ready to take a risk. Fall is a time of dismemberment, of letting go and trusting the outcome as we head into the dark of winter.

Mercury Goes Direct Tuesday, September 29th:

To forge a new path [now and certainly next spring at the planting] we need clear thinking and focus. Mercury retrograding through Libra and Virgo [September 7-29] is spotlighting our fixed rigid beliefs that hold us back from living the dream.

When Mercury moved into it's shadow on August 17th my 'yes but thinking' came up for clearing. Angeles Arien in the Tarot Handbook talks about "the state of mind that produces futility, or a sense of helplessness, hopelessness or "what's the use". As Mercury moves through his final ta-dah I offer up her version of the six excuses or ways we self-sabotage related to the planetary signs:

• Saturn- look for "yes but" thinking- focusing on too much red tape or too many details.
• Mercury- "I can't...if only...someday I'll...wish I'd a..."
• Jupiter- "I'm not lucky...it's too constricted...too limiting for me."
• Mars- "I don't have enough energy, vitality and assertiveness." "I'm too tired, poor, unworthy."
• Venus- "I really don't care...it doesn't mean anything to me anyway."
• Sun/Moon- consciously and subconsciously sabotaging yourself out of doing what it is you long to do."

From mid-August to the New Moon in Virgo we encountered Mercury's do-over- maybe you encountered your own 'yes-but' thinking along the way.

If not, why not? If you're living and breathing you have a shadow... if you are acting as if every thing's okay- well it's either "good for you" or maybe you missed a fine opportunity to be rubbed raw to become real.

Next Tuesday September 29th Mercury turns direct at 22° Virgo and returns to 7° Libra on October 14th. Think of it this way- I go grocery shopping, drove home and then remembered I forgot a key ingredient at the store ...I put my car in reverse and drove backward. When Mercury goes direct next Tuesday I get to see all the sights again with a new attitude and fresh eyes. I arrive back home on the October 14th.

Mercury's spotlights the way we self-sabotage so we can move forward with a better mind-set.

Angeles also shares the remedy- The next seven weeks [fall harvest] you are no longer willing to sabotage what it is that you want to manifest. Seven is the number of movement.

The self-sabotage energy may be related to the thinking set into motion at age seven, that may have surfaced seven months and even seven years ago. So I offer the from Chaos to Consciousness SoulCollage® card.

Make the Libra journey sacred:

• Move- get outside, take walks and look for acorns to place on your altar at home.
• Create a ritual to let go of prior relationships [look for chaos] that still holds you back- write or draw the energy and then release it in a fire ceremony.
• Take a business approach to the energy- Pam Slim has suggestions here.
• As you place the acorns (any seed will do) on your altar- what do these seeds do they represent? Hold them on you heart and invoke that intention.
• Create your Libra SoulCollage® card for this month's energy. Listen for how the number seven shows up in your life...

References: The Tarot Handbook: practical applications of ancient visual symbols by Angeles Arien pages 158-159

Virgo SoulCollage®

Friday we greet the New Moon in Virgo. This is the LAST time Saturn sits with the New Moon in Virgo until 2038. That's a long time. The Universe is clearly telling me don't drag your tired old @#$ Virgo issues into the next sign. It's funny and it's not- more to come but first digest this...

The last time Saturn moved through Virgo? August 1978 through September 1980- you can read more about this in the Saturn in Virgo pdf. Another good Saturn in Virgo post here and five alchemical steps for Saturn in Virgo.

Or if you are a glutton for Virgo energy all the Virgo posts are here.

While Saturn/Sun/Moon keep company in Virgo this week Mercury retrogrades back into the Virgo energies from Libra just before he turns direct on September 29. Libra is the sign of relationship, healthy balanced relating not from the 3rd chakra [force] but from your heart's energy [love]. Who am I in relationship to you? Do I have good boundaries? Do I merge too much? Put up walls?

The Flipping Out side of these Uranus in Pisces energies? Sticking your finger into a light socket, getting shocked and then yelling at the light socket. Okay I've done that...

Saturn/Sun/Moon/Mercury opposes Uranus in Pisces...Uranus is connected to intuition. In our bodies intuition sits in the 3rd (power) and 6th (intuition) chakras working in harmony and balance.

Uranus wakes us up suddenly- like a lightening bolt, it transforms. Uranus is traveling through watery Pisces- the home of the Muse, the Dreamer within who creates magic in this reality. The Flip Side of Virgo.

A true transfigured Magician is able to enter the collective unconsciousness within her Greater Self, create a matrix from the points of light and birth new forms that serve humanity.

The keyword for is renewal.

Mercury retrograde covers old territory to give us all a do-over. Mercury rules our thinking, speaking, the day-to-day thoughts that keep us separate...this week look for what's out of balance. You've had strong indicators since mid-August when Mercury moved into his shadow specifically in relationships and "truth-telling without blame or judgment". (Angeles Arien's Four Fold Way).

This week as we approach the New Moon in Virgo look for the aha's especially at the Mercury retrograde ten day mark - September 16 and 17.

Here are the basics of Virgo's energy relative to the New Moon SoulCollage® process. What you planted at the New Moon in Aries, those decrees and intentions set forth in vision boards earlier this year will have manifested. What were you wishing and dreaming of back in late March? It's harvest time!

How is the Universe responding to your quest? What needs attention? To be edited and sorted?

Here are some themes to Virgo's energy. Virgo is solid, grounded earth energy, the higher octave of Gemini. In Virgo I am the One who....

I am the One who brings you Order. I bring the ability to pay attention to the small details, getting my paperwork completed and showing up on time [punctuality].

I am the One who is clear thinking, I understand my black and white issues and safely navigate the emotional waters of telling my truth to others.

I am the One who is a workaholic. I miss the mystery in life because I am so focused on the mundane.

I am the One who is healthy. In order to create one needs a well body, physical well being. Health/diet/exercise, healers and healing.

I am the One who is the Healer. I bring you the ability to bridge Spirit (Pisces) with Earth (Virgo). I am a bridge builder to Spirit.

I am the One who serves others. I bring a willingness to adapt-practical helpfulness with purity of intent.

I am the One who desires perfection. I process your clutter and bring order out of chaos.

I am the One who is the Critic. The inner critic seeks to focus your attention on worry, criticism, blame and judgment that creates barriers in your life. I seek control.

I am the One who Mentors. I rule all forms of mentorship related to the Ancestors, Aunts and Uncles. Who are you mentoring? Who mentors you?

I am the One who is the Goddess Vesta. I seek to infuse your life through sacred rituals and ceremonies that bestow magic.

I am the One who Restores. I bring up ways your hold yourself back up into your consciousness and out into the light of day for healing; I am the One who frees up your creative energy, the keyword is renewal.

Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever...-- Isak Dinesen

Power Animal TeleClass with Michele Lessirard

Last evening, just before dusk, I looked out the family room window to see two great horned owls dancing on the ground at the palm tree by the lake. Owls rarely come down out of the trees to such a vulnerable place.

What does the Owl dance mean?

How would you work with the Owl's message?

I am teaching a Power Animal TeleClass for my friend Anne Marie Bennett next Sunday, August 16th and I wanted to invite my readers to the session.

There are two main types of helping allies that shamans consult and work with in their journeys: power animals, also known as guardian spirits, and teachers in human form. In this teleclass we'll explore SoulCollage® and the relationship of power animals beyond the body chakras.

In building relationship with our helping allies we come to know our true essence; from this place of power we feel more connected and grounded, better able to move out into the world in service to our family and community. During the teleclass we'll explore Nature, power animals and the SoulCollage® process. Michele will talk about power loss, power animals and the soul retrieval process using your SoulCollage® cards.

Attend this Power Animal tele-class and you have a chance to win a copy of Sandra Ingerman’s book Shamanic Journeying: A Beginner's Guide, from Sounds True. The book includes a drumming CD for shamanic journeying.

This class is for both the curious and seasoned SoulCollagers alike. If you have any animal companion cards in your SoulCollage® Deck, please bring them with you to the call, along with a journal/paper and a pen.

Rev. Michele Lessirard, C.Ht. is a shamanic teacher/practitioner and SoulCollage® Facilitator providing healing, counseling and instruction since 1993.

Sandra Ingerman, author of Soul Retrieval and Medicine for the Earth writes-

"Michele Lessirard is truly a gifted teacher. Her commitment to the work combined with her depth of experience brings great compassion, deep wisdom, clarity, the ability to be innovative, and humor to her workshops. We need teachers who know how to address the needs of the present and the coming times. Michele is one of these brilliant and creative teachers who holds a light to help her students thrive and not just survive."

Power Animal TeleClass
with Michele Lessirard
sponsored by Anne Marie Bennett's KaleidoSoul

Date:  Sunday August 16, 2009

Time: 4:00 pm Eastern, 3:00 pm Central,
2:00 pm Mountain, 1:00 pm Pacific,
11 a.m. Hawaiian, 9 pm in London,
11 pm. in Rome, Monday 6 a.m. in Melbourne Australia
and Monday 8 a.m. in New Zealand

Register by paying with PayPal (see button below). When payment is finished, you will be directed to a page that gives you the phone number and access code to call.

$10.00

SPECIAL NOTE: This tele-class is FREE for KaleidoSoul Kindred Spirit Members! Click to learn how to become a Member now. If you are already a member of Anne Marie's KaleidoSoul, the phone number and access code to call will be specified in your member's newsletter, Soul Treasures.

Words on SoulCollage cards, yes or no?

Can I use words on my SoulCollage® cards? This question always comes up when playing with images and making cards.

"Invite Enchantment" Is a wonderful phrase I cut out last week while working on my cards for the Cancer New Moon Solar Eclipse...and I never glued the phrase down. Why?

Words are great when creating a vision board to set a strong intention; vision or dream boards are what we seek to manifest. I use the SoulCollage process in support of the vision and don't find cut out words useful on my SoulCollage cards.

Making a SoulCollage card honors the Greater Self and your inner voices-it may be a shadow piece that holds you back from living your dream, it may be a higher aspect of your radiant self that comes in support of your vision. It's not good, it's not bad, it just is...

You may or may not know what the image you select means at first. You may not know how you will use it and even if you will. What you feel is a power in this particular [image].

As you leaf through magazines, something stops and holds you, calls to you in a mysterious way. Something goes straight into your soul bypassing your mind. Something vital in your image stirs you, and your imagination becomes engaged. You tear it our and save it.- author Seena Frost from her book SoulCollage.

Yes, I used cut out words on my first couple SoulCollage cards, and today I wish the words weren't there. Words and phrases take us out of the creative side of the brain and into thinking and logic, words set a vibrational tone for the moment. Why limit the potential?

As I changed my relationship to the images on those early SoulCollage cards shifted...so while the words on the card may express a particular emotion at the time, the image can offer up a different perspective as I grow, my vibration shifts. I don't want words to block my path.

Words on the SoulCollage cards limit the possibilities of diving into something new. For today I share with students and clients try not to use words, just images cut from magazines. Expect the meaning on the card to shape-shift over time. Still drawn to words then ask yourself these questions-

• Can I find an image that speaks to these words?"
• Am I asking this card too much? Maybe I need to make a couple of cards to express the energy?
• Is this a vision board I'm trying to create?
• Does this word limit the card, is it really needed at this time?

Use the Words in your Journal: Scan a smaller copy of SoulCollage card and glue it down in your journal, then paste the words to help express the meaning of the moment.

You are on a quest to find the mystery of you in bits of paper and glue. Trust your own wisdom and invite the images on your SoulCollage® cards to speak...just listen.

 

Rev. Michele Lessirard, C.Ht. is an artist, inter-faith minister, shamanic practitioner and teacher. Since 1995 she has preformed hundreds of soul retrievals, teaches through out the United States and is recognized for her ability to communicate the visible elements with the invisible- the spiritual aspects of you that are mirrored through your day-to day relationships with family, home and work.

As a trained facilitator in the SoulCollage® process, Michele invites you to create twelve SoulCollage cards which represent the energy (archetypes) of astrology. Then by years end you’ll have deepened your own awareness of the zodiac and have twelve New Moon SoulCollage® cards to work with, journey to for guidance.

Leo SoulCollage®

Be Brilliant, step into your power, get into the Vortex...it's time to set a strong intention as the Sun enters Leo (July 22-Aug 22) each year. Leo's energy highlights your issues with creative self-expression by risk taking, being authentic and pursuing your creative dream- nay-sayers be gone!

It may be time to create or tweak your vision board...honor the Leo energies within by creating a Leo SoulCollage® card. Do something.

Where's your creative juice??? When the Sun moves into Leo, be bright, show your brilliance- even if you only show it to your cat- you've still shown up for yourself. How are you honoring your creative expression. How are you called to express this energy? In your birth chart what doorway does the Leo energy occupy? If you don't know then set up a session with me.

What you planted at the New Moon in Aries, those decrees and intentions are now showing up in your life. What were you wishing and dreaming of back in late March? How is the Universe responding to your quest?

Are you born with Pluto in Leo?

Pluto moved through Leo from 1939 - 1957. It's a generational energy- Depression Era through Baby Boomers, we are considered to be the generation of power. The first generation born after the atomic bomb was discovered and used...raised with the threat of annihilation.

Annihilation is defined as "total destruction" or "complete obliteration" of an object;[1] having its root in the Latin nihil (nothing). A literal translation is "to make into nothing".

In physics, the word is used to denote the process that occurs when a subatomic particle collides with its respective antiparticle.[2] Since energy and momentum must be conserved, the particles are not actually made into nothing, but rather into new particles [shape-shifters].- wikipedia definition

The keyword for Pluto in Leo is Shape-Shifter. People of this generation have the ability to use power both positively and negatively. World power and leadership are important issues for those with Pluto in Leo. When the Sun moves through Leo it highlights our collective issues of power. Saturn moved through Leo (1975-78 and again July '05-Sep '07) bringing up Leo issues for healing and empowerment. A new structure was created.

2009 Chiron/Jupiter/Neptune

Aquarius Awakening- currently there is a planetary line-up of great importance in the Aquarius area of your chart. These planets will oppose the next Leo new moon on August 20th. Leo and Aquarius work in sacred partnership. Leo is the action energy of manifesting your creative gifts with authenticity and then using those gifts in service to humanity. If you are caught by the emotions or the timing of something the answers may be found in your Aquarius house. In any case work with the energies whether you understand the astrology or not. Trust your higher self to step forward. It's time to trust and do something!

Chiron = Blessed Wound
Jupiter = Teacher
Neptune = Addiction
Aquarius = Stepping outside the box, being okay with being weird because you are not the norm.

In the Body- the Sun in Leo informs your High Heart chakra, the place between your heart and throat (see the intersection). The color is a beautiful turquoise, it is considered the seat of your soul energy. Here you'll find your soul's longing.

Allow your hands to naturally go to that place on your body. Tap it gently with both hands. Does this place on your body feel clear, does the area feel sore? If sore so open your mouth, give it a sound with the intention of being clear. Practice this affirmation:

"I create magic when I use my inherent gifts and talents, I manifest my joy now."

If you have been following the New Moon SoulCollage® process then you may want to gather your cards around you. Randomly pick one SoulCollage® card and ask is it time to explore this theme further? Leo rules the creative spark, the fire and joy you came to share. Here are some ideas to work with the Leo energy. It's good to find out where Leo sits, and what your soul call is for the New Moon in Leo.

In Leo I am the One who....

• I am the One who seeks personal heart connections- romance, children, dating, intense love relationships, giving and seeking approval. All things of the 5th House.
• I am the One who honors the Sun and all life. The Sun illuminates, gives life, elevates and reshapes one's past life personalities with new qualities. I am humble.
• I am the One who embraces my artist within. Leo rules all forms of creativity including enthusiasm, artistic expression, total subjective involvement, self-actualization, passion.
• I am the One who gives over to the power of love through loyalty, generosity, bringing joy, encouragement, kindness.
• I am the One who seeks pleasure and celebration- fun, play, games, parties, vacations, recreational sports and taking risks for excitement.
• I am the One who expresses dignity. I desire recognition, being the center of attention, self-confidence, powerful individual expression, radiance, benevolence.
• I am the One who leads. I exude determination, leadership, concentrated focus, follow through, strength of purpose, resoluteness and stamina. Through the power of my presence I inspire others with goodwill.
• I am the One who restores health to your back and spine.
• Flowers of Leo- gladiolus, marigold and zinnias.
• Colors- Fire colors, bright orange, bright yellow and gold. Metal is gold.

Shadow Issues of Leo- shadows issues are grist for the mill, there is great power in working with your shadow, the dark side of our nature that we want to hide. By releasing and healing your shadow, you have more juice to create with...

• I am the One who shouts "look at me!"
• I am the One who gambles too much, seeking thrills outside of self.
• I am the shadow side of your Leo energy, look for issues of being boastful, arrogant, prideful, overly dramatic, self-centered, extravagant, bossy.
• I am the One who creates exhaustion, heart inflammation by not following my inner joy.

Not convinced? then I invite you to read Deirdre Tanton's Leo Season, Initiating Fearless Action Now for Mars Retrograde.

You don't have to be an astrologer or an artist to work with the New Moon SoulCollage® process. Get a couple of magazines, a glue stick and some blank paper. Create a card. If you have any questions please use the comment form below. Learn more on how to create a SoulCollage® card for this month's energy. If you'd like to share your Leo SoulCollage® cards there's a place to upload the card here. Let me know how this practice is working for you. Thanks so much!

Namaste,

Rev. Michele Lessirard, C.Ht. is an artist, inter-faith minister, shamanic practitioner and teacher. Since 1995 she has preformed hundreds of Soul Retrievals, teaches through out the United States and is recognized for her ability to communicate the visible elements with the invisible- the spiritual aspects that are mirrored through one’s day-to day relationships with family, home and work.

Chakra Image by Francene Hart, visionary artist.

Smell the roses

Who in your life was born under the sign of Taurus? At this New Moon in Taurus what lessons does that person have to share? How have they inspired you, tweaked you, challenged you? I wonder...

My Nana, still going strong, is 101 years young in a couple of days. Today I made a SoulCollage® card to honor her birth (1908 what was life like back then?) and presence in my life. Over a decade ago while in BB school of healing I needed family members to practice on between sessions; Nana was the first one to volunteer. *smile*

In this healing method, of laying on of hands, one starts at the feet and moves sequentially up the body...it's intimate, it's awkward for a newbie who has to take notes. At some point we both merged, the room became infused with the scent of roses and in that sacred moment I woke up to the wisdom my Nana's body and spirit held; a gift that even now remembering leaves me humbled. She healed, I healed as the Ancestors sang.

A SoulCollage® Card to honor Nana

I am the One who is strong and stands proud.
I am Grace, affectionately known as Nana and Nanny
As a daughter I was deeply loved
Today I am surrounded by the love of family…
my children, my grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren.

Born April 27, 1908, I am 101 years young,
I once dreamed of being a teacher.
Then fell in love, married at sixteen
and birthed three sweet babies
In a time when young women were told
To stay home, to keep quiet,
To just put up with the things men did,
I didn’t. Why should I?
Strong willed... I do things my way.

Though divorce took my children;
another sweet baby came my way.
I am forever a Mother of four ~
Carl, Betty Anne, Myrna and Janie.

In the world
I worked    I played   I loved.
I traveled   I dined    I wined   I shopped    I lived.

As young adults my sweet babes came back.
Making up for time lost, we mended wounds,
forgave and loved each other even more.
So while I endured great sorrows, I found great joy.
My presence in your life teaches many things...

Life gives you a bit of everything,
I leave a legacy of strength,
determination and faith
to persevere in times of trouble
Keep your head held high,
things will turn around.
You’ll see.

While the earth shall soon dissolve for me,
As an Ancestor remember my legacy
I am the One who is Amazing Grace,
with you always in heart and spirit.
Smell the roses as you carry on.

Taurus New Moon SoulCollage®

The Sun enters the sign Taurus on April 19. If you are facing issues with finances and money this is good information to read whether you follow astrology or not. It's your opportunity step into the energy and step up to the plate so you can shape-shift negative thinking no matter what is going on in the outer world. When the Sun enters the sign Taurus each April we face issues with abundance, resources related to self-worth and self-esteem. How do I value me?

Create a New Moon SoulCollage®:

Earthy Taurus is ruled by the sign Venus. The key phrase for Taurus is "What do I have?" Money, personal resources, security, survival skills and self-esteem.

In Taurus we like to have things around us that give us comfort and reflect who we are. We are concerned with getting results. This signs builds. In order to build one must have a firm foundation.

It's hard to build a dream on a garbage pile of low self worth.

Shadow dance- it's time to look for hidden pockets of Shame. How do you chase money? Do you catch it? Can't hold onto it? In your birth chart this sign's energy brings up your sense of value, self-esteem and of course self-worth issues. Yee Ha!

Taurus and the 2nd house represents our early childhood experiences/programing. Keys to unlocking the Taurus door may be related to the energies of SHAME:

• Holding in from shame and humiliation. (I won’t be seen)
• Holding back from lack of trust/safety. (I won’t surrender)
• Holding up from being told to submit. (I won’t submit).

These early childhood lessons are tied to self-esteem, self-worth, and value. Energetically stubborn we carry this wounded child energy into adulthood, unconsciously. Asleep at the wheel we don’t surrender thus we sabotage our dreams.

My response? Engage in the positive aspect of what the Taurus energy offers...trust me the shadow stuff holding you back/up/in will quickly surface, embody the Light and the dark shadows are revealed. It's a dance between both/and...not either/or thinking. Do so consciously and by the New Moon you'll be digging deep. Be Luscious! Sprout.

Prior to the New Moon in Taurus on April 24th you'll begin to see glimpses of how you manage your Taurus energies. It's the best time to create a SoulCollage® card. See How to create a New Moon SoulCollage® card for this month's energy

Here are some themes then for your Taurus SoulCollage® Card:

• I am the One who Attracts and Magnetizes. When we are in harmony and balance with our self (Venus in Taurus) we create from deep love for self and nature- we are able to give and receive. We plant a tree when we cut one down. We recycle. We create seeds of intention and plant our gifts in the world. We open our mouths and gloriously sing our song.As the archetypal force of Venus I come from the heart-center. Keynote- Inner beauty, friendliness, sensuality, love, earthy Goddess energy.
• I am the One who is Somebody. I recognize my No-body issues and bust through them. In the news Susan Boyle's YouTube video is a fine example of this nobody to somebody energy. Read this New Moon in Taurus post for more explanation, when you step fully into your talent it doesn't matter what the naysayers think.
• I am the One who is Worthy and Self-assured. Relates to self-esteem and Self-Worth issues. In your Taurus house and energy you are keenly aware and meet your own personal needs, setting appropriate boundaries, strong values, determination and self-acceptance.
• I am the One who is Reliable. I am resourceful and comfortable with my abundance. Represents the energy of accumulation such as wealth, material comforts, ownership, possessions.
• I am the One who Creates Art. In the sign Taurus we develop the physical arts (sculpture, pottery), singing (Taurus rules the throat), and art appreciation.
• I am the One who is Sensual. Energy related to the senses- Sensuality, massage, physical comfort, aromas, taste.
• I am the One who is the Earth Goddess. Grounded and connected to all things of the earth. Enjoyment of Life on Earth-contentment, appreciation, gratitude, simple pleasures, rapport with nature, satisfaction.
• I am the One who Builds. Through my resourcefulness I create a solid foundation, persistence, progressing step-by-step, thoroughness, perseverance.
• I am the One who is reliable- patience, dependable, trustworthy and steadfast.
• I am the One who Speaks. Taurus in the body relates to 3rd, 4th and 5th chakra. Solar plexus= power, heart= love and throat= will, speaking truth. If I know who I am with a healthy sense of self, then I can clearly speak my truth without harm.  In this sign you face issues with restoring health- look to the chakras. coughs, throat, chin and neck, thyroid gland, voice and vocal cords.

Shadow Issues of Taurus

• I am the One who Hoards. I hold a "just-in-case" mind-set of there is never enough______. I am the One who Obsesses.
• I am the One who Posses in relationship. Again a hoarding mentality with jealousy Issues of possession and lack of trust in relationships and material wealth. Issues of control.
• I am the One who is stubborn, fixated and rigid in my thinking. Look for patterns of Inflexibility- stubbornness, attachment, resistance to change, possessiveness, holding dogmatic opinions, stagnation.

You don't have to be an astrologer or an artist to work with the New Moon SoulCollage® process. Get a couple of magazines, a glue stick and some blank paper. Create a card. If you have any questions please use the comment form below. Let me know how this practice is working for you. Thanks so much!

Namaste,

Rev. Michele Lessirard, C.Ht. is an artist, inter-faith minister, shamanic practitioner and teacher. Since 1995 she has preformed hundreds of Soul Retrievals, teaches through out the United States and is recognized for her ability to communicate the visible elements with the invisible- the spiritual aspects that are mirrored through one’s day-to day relationships with family, home and work. She holds degrees in transpersonal psychology and interior design; is a Florida licensed interior designer (fl id4753).