E is for Emotions

I wasn't going to write this blog with this subject's focus. I was going to tell you about Epictetus instead. 

But as I sat typing while listening to electronic ocean waves crashing, I decided to stick with my original plan. Please look Epictetus' work up though. It's good stuff!

Yesterday I was at BB&B perusing the shampoo and bubble bath aisles, opening bottles and sniffing happily as I went. After about the 5^th sampling, one of them smelled like him. The {gasp!} dreaded him. 

Mr. X.

In the span of a millisecond, I was verging on tears. 

There I was, not half an hour prior, thinking about how I am doing so well with this huge life change- without him. One smell, quasi-reminiscent of his natural smell- and I almost let myself slip into utter despair, stewing in those intensely charged thoughts.

But I didn't.

I knew in that teensy tiny fraction of time- if I let one entire minute go by emoting over that failed relationship, lingering on my feelings for him, I would undo some healthy healing progress.

I said STOP!

(To my thoughts, that is...)

What did I do then?

I opened up, bottle after bottle of yummy, cheery, high-noted fragrances, and brought my Self back to center. 

I repeated my mantra, whatever it was at that moment.

Mammalian's sense of smell is the deepest of all senses. It is the most developed (especially if you are a bear or a bloodhound!) and lasts far longer than sight or hearing. Scent therapy is even used with [human] geriatric patients in memory health.

So it is of no wonder that I almost descended into the abyss from a sniff or two.

 Duh! 

It is in the mind that the emotions develop into something positive or negative. 

Sure, a quick burst of volatile organic compounds meshed with a receptor neuron or two in my nasal cavity and my limbic system went on red alert! 

I “get” the science, but my reaction was so much more than what can be reduced to a laboratory and a white coat.

Other than from triggers like scent, sound and visuals, it is from deep within us that emotions begin. Both conscious and unconscious thoughts tumbling around in our heads become the basis of a complex emotional world. Like the enzymes which combine to form proteins, these thoughts are linked to bigger things than when they are solo. Thoughts can snowball into unmanageable messes which become emotional minefields. 

And unless you are a bliss addict, these may lean toward the neutral to icky emotions.

Each emotion serves a purpose. They inform us of our state of Be-ing. Both pleasant and unpleasant emotions help us grow as individuals and show us where we need to adapt and change. 

 You too can be the fearless brain-tamer! 

It is through intentionally monitoring my mind that I am getting a grip on my spectrum of emotions. 

I do not seek to control my having emotions, yet I seek to control my reactions to them. 

 Want to feel more peaceful? 

 Mind your mind,

all the time! 

D is for Divination

divination |ˌdivəˈnā sh ən|

noun

the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means.

DERIVATIVES

divinatory |diˈvinəˌtôrē| adjective

ORIGIN late Middle English : from Latin divinatio(n-), from divinare ‘predict’ (see ^{divine 2} ).

I am no stranger to divination. One could say it is in my ancient, earthy blood. I employ divination regularly, in a myriad of ways and for different reasons. 

From dowsing rods to pendulums, tarot cards to tea leaves - and beyond, I have used divination since I can remember.

When I look at “Divination” the word DIVINE stands out. Regardless of whether the online dictionary sites “Divine” as a root word or not, I know it is. To practice the art of divination, one must be in touch with the divine. At least that is how I approach it. As a vessel for the spiritual energy which animates us all, I feel drawn to tools of expressing that holy language. Divination is a means of sharing information.

Dowsing rods can be used to find water or gold. Both are equally precious.

Palmistry can be used to analyze longevity and health or love and marriage.

Tarot can tell the querent their past, present &/or future.

Crystal ball reading, candle/sun/moon/star/planet gazing, throwing dice or bones, scrying in a mirror or a water pool-

My Heart line indicates my having a myriad of deep loves, my head line breaks, indicating a split in education and intellectual endeavors- and my life line runs off the side of my palm. 

Perhaps I will live beyond my human years!?!?

No matter what the tool of intention/expectation related to the outcome, divination has been a solid basis of my expressed spirituality. I love using divination in my own life and the lives of others. It is as if I have been chosen to represent the voice of something bigger than myself*.

I feel like a school class president or travel agent to the heavens!

Lucky me!!!

Now I have met many folks who are either afraid of divination (because of religious/dogmatic beliefs and teachings- or otherwise,) insisting that it is a dark art or of “the devil.” I have met other people who snidely intellectually eschew divination as a silly parlor trick. 

That's fine. I do my thing, they do their thing. 

No harm, no foul. 

What do “they” say???

Live and let live.

Okay then.

Once I hit puberty, I relied on divination for guidance and grounding- regardless of any external ideas or influences. At the start of high school, I received a deck of Rider-Waite tarot cards and off I went! (I had used other tools of divination prior to that time period.) The deck was given to me by a friend who found them “creepy” and wanted them out of his possession. I was all too glad to give them a new home. I looked through the cards and read for him on the spot. Using intuition and past-life rememberings, I was able to click with the cards and we became instant friends! To this day, I can use that specific deck to read for anyone. Hence, tarot is my favorite tool of divination.

I pulled "The Vagabond" card for us tonight- 

from the Ship of Fools tarot by Brian Williams.

The Vagabond is also known as "The FOOL" card in traditional tarot, as Aries, as new projects/endeavors/ideas/experiences and more! Do not hesitate too long, but do not leap before you look!!! Notice how the figure is gazing behind, yet his dog yaps and nips at his clothing in warning to let him know he may just fall off a cliff! 

BE Fearless Yet MINDFUL!!!

We can all be or become instruments or voices of the divine. Perhaps you “read” the wind or animal songs. Maybe you too- are of gypsy descent and read coffee grinds, like your gran did... Have a set of familial “superstitions” that you don't think about, yet you observe them often without contemplation... OR

you find yourself drawn to these soulful arts and want to explore them more.

Follow that intuitive sense and seek the crevasses and untraveled paths- where it takes you.

I ensure you it will be worth the investigation.

Every time.

You cannot lose to learn more about YOU,

to learn more about LIFE,

to learn more about {your} SOUL.

WIN

~win~

Win!

~ I do readings for people, both planned and spontaneous! Using tools or purely intuitive/psychic, etc- I tap into whatever messages are for the person I am working with. 

Soo cool as a gift to me as well as the receiver!!!!

C is for Creativity

Enso Circle in guache. 

Enso is a Zen Buddhist symbol of infinity, of harmony, of the perfect void.

I am a believer in the fact that everyone is blessed with creativity. Some are obvious, such as with visual artists, musicians, or writers. Others are creative in their dress or home décor, their meal planning, or in problem solving. No matter how you look at creativity, it is a treasure to express.

In teaching visual art, I have come across many people who get stuck in the mindset of “I can't” when they are trying to express a thought or feeling. Frustration can bubble up to the surface, in an adult as easily as it can a child, and cause the inner brat to literally scream out in despair. But it doesn't have to ruin their day. Through gentle encouragement and patience, one can work past the block to a place of joyous expressing again, quickly too!

I have found that the mind is a bully, a narcissistic showoff, a demanding child. Our brains can insist we pay attention to the thoughts in our heads. Our thoughts can dictate our next emotion as well. Once the thoughts are in the naysayer mode, the emotional side usually follows close by.

So when I am frustrated with an art or writing project, I find it helps to stop the gears, switch up what I am doing, and move on to something different. If I over-ride the brainwaves of frustration and re-send them on a new path, I find that 99% of the time, it frees me up enough to get back to what I was struggling with initially, even more passionately and with more ideas of how to execute my intention. Other times, I find the “new” thing incredibly satisfying and may stick with that one instead, or do both!

The Chubaca-bank was not my "usual" forte, 

but I had a blast making it when my students were sculpting...

and what's better than fun?

It is helpful to have someone by your side, encouraging you to add more ochre yellow, take some clay off the right side, or put the pen down, but not everyone has that option. We have to do this for ourselves. We have to be our own cheering section, our own mentor, our own guide. We can also ask for assistance from the collective soup, deities, or whomever we believe in. We can also meditate to access our deepest spring of inspiration, our inner Godzilla*.

Call upon whatever Muse you chose!

It is one of my callings to inspire creativity in others. To be the teacher/mentor I always wanted and needed. To help draw out in others what I see in them, the wealth of creativity and inspiration that lies within us all!

Kid-made Animal Banks... HOORAY!

If you are hesitant about drawing, because someone, 18 years ago, made a snarky comment about your art, let it go. Get the drawing pad out, and go at it. If you want to take a pottery class, but your family may laugh, don't mention it to them, but enroll. Whatever is holding you back from being creative, no matter how grand or menial- it can be a thing of the past...

But honor you exactly where you are at.

There was only one Michelangelo, one DaVinci, and

there is only one you.

*More about Godzilla soon!

B is for Be-ing

We live in such a fast-paced culture, it can be difficult to stop doing things. After all, the laundry will not wash itself, the cat will not shop for her own food and the paycheck does not come in without our showing up for work.

But aside from obligations related to survival, what do we really have to DO?

Fletcher knows

Would the planet stop spinning on it's axis if we didn't return a few phone calls? Would the sky cave in if we didn't buy new shoes before the sale was over? Would we stop being loved if we didn't show up to the “happy hour” as our friends wanted us to?

I doubt it.

So, why do we feel so utterly compelled to be involved in so many activities which separate us from our duty of Be-ing? Even a vacation is an excursion with planned relaxation itinerary. Couples have to schedule “date nights” because the spontaneity has escaped their intimate bedrooms.

DO do Do. GO go Go.

STOP!

If we tossed out the window:

our past habits, traditions, shoulds and expectations-

what would we have?

Just Be-ing.

Breathing, living, experiencing.

I pose these questions because I am a Do-er.

Even when I am sitting down, supposedly relaxing, my head is racing with thoughts about what I expect myself to be actively doing. Followed by pangs of guilt for not doing them. The cat and mouse game of shoulds and guilt are futile. They are based in a dualistic reality based on reward and punishment where we are the judges and jury. And we are always on trial.

It is Kafka-esque futile now that I think of it.

&

It is crazy-making at it's finest.

I am changing one outdated belief structure and useless re/action at a time.

I have started this blog recently in leu of my gentler experiences Be-ing.

Focusing on being present, coming back to my breath, meditating/mantras and being kind to myself [and others] are not new ideas to me, although they have not been consistently implemented in my life since I first met them many moons ago.

They were foster children until recently.

I decided to adopt them permanently.

Transitioning from a harsh to a clement reality is not “Voila!” an overnight change. It is riddled with many moments of frustrated patience, grumbling acceptance and self-forgiveness, for none of us are perfect! 

Isn't that perfect?

I could make lists of what I didn't DO today that I thought I would.

I could make a list of my accomplishments thus far, things I actually did accomplish.

But those lists only set me up for the either/or dynamic that feels icky.

Perhaps making a quick list of things I appreciate which I beam Love to would be a healthier, gentler idea.

Kitty snuggled up by my side.

Dear friends whom I adore.

Healthy foods to eat.

Great books.

Peace.

Remember- ALL you NEED to DO is Breathe and BE!

A is for Astrology

In the sphere of the heavens we are all stars!

What were the ancient peoples thinking when they looked up to the night sky? 

With no light pollution to obstruct their view of such a perfect vista,
they must have been in awe.

  I am in awe. 

I know you have seen them lately- 

all lined up in a row in the sky:

(Photo from an awesome science journal.)

Jupiter is the big guy. Venus is the tinier. Chilling out with sister Moon!

The night of the 15th of March, I received no less than 6 calls/texts telling me to go outside and look up. 

But I already was outside, looking up!

In astro terms, we call this planetary aspect a conjunction- when the planets line up close to one another, 0°-8° degrees apart.
Two weeks ago, they were aligned in exact degree, today they are about 14° apart,
yet still visible as a duo.

What conjunction means in is that the planets are strongly influencing one another. After all, the planets are merely magnets in the galaxy, attracting and repelling one another.
Conjunction is a power position! These two give one another an extra boost of energy. 

Jupiter wants us to expand, explore and improve our lives and the greater good using confident idealism and generosity.

Venus wants us to attract, appreciate and value the physical attributes of this world using beauty and Love.

And the two are in the sign of Taurus, the grounded, productive bull of patience, resources and practicality using manifestation with ease and grace.

Perhaps you were drawn to reading about Buddhist philosophy or feng shui lately, and are planing to set up an altar or rock garden in your yard. 

That would be the kind of influence these gorgeous glowing orbs could have on us.

So regardless of whether you subscribe to Astrology like I do- 
or not, 

finding beauty and meaning is always wonderful! 

I ask you to join me tonight in looking up at the heavens in appreciation of the divine map of stars and glowing planets that connect us through time, geography, and culture-

reminding us all how close to one another we truly are!

Vernal Equinox and the Darkening of the Moon

Happy Passages Evolving Revolutionaries! 

Spring is upon us just as the Sun moved into Aries in perfect conjunction with the darkening of the Moon.

With lunar, solar and seasonal phases evolving simultaneously we cannot help feeling a surge of great power. Power to transform by turning within and experiencing the buzzing vibrancy of growth resulting from the seeds of change which we planted for and inside of ourselves many moons ago. 

What desires did you wish to fulfill last Autumn? Did you want to change careers? Did you plan a belief-altering vacation? Perhaps you conceived or birthed a baby? Did you wish for a new push in a more self-affirming direction? How do those wishes feel to you now? I bet you are seeing the in fruition, or at least budding, no?

Spring is in the air, and it is of no coincidence that this time of year sparks a little pep in many a'foot. Seeing the colorful flowers and plants as they start their sprouting and blooming cycle while hearing the animals jabber away chipperly is hard not to smile at. Even in a city, life is making good on it's promises of renewal. No wonder I feel so hopeful... I am also a sucker for seeing chubby robin red-breasts hopping gingerly across the street, which I have witnessed oodles of. 

As today brought the Sun out of watery Pisces, [i.e.: dreamy, intuitive, social, compassionate, "I Sense" - ruled by Neptune] and into firey Aries [i.e.: action, initiation, drive, force, "I AM"- ruled by Mars] did you find yourself feeling a little boost of confidence, willingness to let go, or even in a more playful, carefree mood? I did, in spite of the seemingly negative occurrences beyond my control which reared their groggy heads today. I literally feel lighter, as if a link in my chain broke, the chain which holds me to limitations based in the past. I know I can step beyond that chain.

Hmmm... nice!

Don't get me wrong, I adore Sun in Pisces time of the year, as it gifts me a space to reconnect with any mystical elements I wish to strengthen within myself. Piscean energy is soulful and very deep, like unchartered waters, many leagues deep down under the surface. Going within, embracing our dark periphery or shadow side is necessary for endurance and growth. Just ask a bear. Epic tales of Father Neptune with his trident have been told about the unknown seas and many more will been written based on theories about under-water civilizations. 

I love that with Pisces, what you see is not always what you get. 

Then straight forward, head-first blasting into Aries!!! 

Q: Do the flowers ask permission to bloom? Neither does Aries. 

Aries asks nothing, it just IS. 

Sunny, daring, bold Aries does not hold back. Aries is the un-numbered first in the deck- tarot card- often called the vagabond, more known as: the Fool. Forever leaping, rarely looking. We could all use that type of zest sometimes... I know I can! 

Aries encourages us to be courageous and even a bit impulsive. 

How does this tie into the Moon?

The Moon reflects the Sun. If the Sun is the beacon of our core selves, the Moon is the receptive receiver. If the Sun is the assertion of character and intent, the Moon is where the emotive rhythm generates. 

To those who think they are not effected by the basic Sun or Moon astrological concepts, 

I say: 

Think what you will. 

But the effects of these huge magnetic forces cannot be overpowered by our mere mortal minds. 

When the moon is in Pisces as it is now, many dream prophetically. Perhaps they are even sleepier than usual, or more restless and cannot sleep. 

It can be an intense night with a Pisces Moon hovering in the sky. 

Tomorrow, she will be completely Dark, in Aries. 

[Moon and Sun are in the same sign when she is dark, and in opposing signs when she is full.] 

New Moon, Full Moon, ra ra ra! 

What happens when your cup is empty? You fill it up. But like any vessel, over-fill it, and it's contents spill out. Such is with the phases of the Moon. During Dark (or New) Moon phase, it is a good time to fill'er up- plan or initiate a new project, diet, job, etc. Perfect for Aries! 

During Full Moon phase, it is a good time to release the overflow, the un-needed un-wanted or out-dated habits and beliefs (or clean the closet and donate those dust-collectors!) 

So I invite you to join me in welcoming the Spring, as do the enterprising Aries' Sun and Moon encouraging you to start anew! 

BE exactly as you dreamed to see yourself.

  

For you are the reflection you project!!!

The above is the Astrological chart for this exact moment, at the exact longitude and latitude where I am typing this from. 

Looks like a boat. Come and sail away with me on the bubbling blue seas!

Happy Equinox ALL!!!

In the time since I began typing this, the Moon has moved an entire degree. 

Traveling at 13.2° a day, she's a quick mover!  

  

The Power of Words

As I type this, I am steeping in a bath tinged with sea and epsom salts also sprinkled with eucalyptus oil.

Ginger Lemon Tea- for one

Verdict: I am a warrior on the germy front lines.
Pathogens have shot blazing arrows at the fortress of my immune system. Yowch! 

But it's okay. 

When I feel under the proverbial weather, I see it as a time to gently heed the messages my body is trying to tell me. 

Message received: Mind your Words, Violet.

We all know there is great power in words. Think about how you felt when you were last praised for doing a job well done. You can probably reflect on the exact moment, maybe even picture the exact scenario and conjure up some good feelings about it. Now think about how you felt when you last said something you regret saying. Perhaps you were not kind- to yourself or another. Feels pretty icky, huh? (Don't dwell on that though.)

Words can be healing or damaging, soothing or exciting, loving or violent and everything in between. Being a chatty type, I tend to prattle on ad nauseum. Sometimes I am having a "good" day and I naturally say loving, kind things, generally informative or pontificating things, or make idle chit-chat. On a "bad" day, I can be seething, acidic, judgey and worse- 99% of it to myself. 

When we make statements like "it IS a beautiful day" more often than not, it IS. We may have a spring in our step, let stuff slide that we may otherwise take personally, and see the positive more easily. Same is true of days we proclaim negative statements. The car at the light cuts you off, the cashier charges you double, you break your favorite mug... you get the picture.

What it comes down to is magnetizing with words which you put out there.
Garbage out, garbage in, as my family elders said.
They didn't know the half of it. 

I have been taking a step back from certain people in my life who use words harshly on a regular basis. It just made me feel bad being around them. Their abrasive ways were rubbing off on me. I noticed my heart rate going up, my muscles tightening, and my desire to run. Whether someone is blaming you for some nasty, unrealistic whatever, or harshly putting themselves down, it is sending out a negative vibration.
Like a boomerang, it always returns. It may come in a different form, but it comes back. 

Saying statements like "I hate this ___(job, town, event, etc.)___" are telling the Universe to send us some hatred back.
Statements like "I am stupid for not knowing ____" or "I will never understand____" only set you out on a CAN'T path. 

Roadblock up! Forget being an obstacle, it is a great wall!

Folks in the know know this is true, so it is obvious sometimes when the "I hate/ I can't" energy knocks at the door. But do we even notice we are doing it? I know I was sometimes noticing, but mostly, I was planning a self-pity party for one. Victim mentality (and pompous pragmatism is another offender, more devious and sneakier than negativity) and subservience to "Murphy's Law" are futile. 

Standing in your power always wins. 

So, I can replace words like always, never, can't and hate.
I shall use: now, sometimes, won't/am not and dislike. Soften the blow a bit. Because if you are a hard-hitter, like I am, the boomerang punch-back is a doozy. Living and speaking with intention is a kinder way to be anyhow.
Only with awareness, patience and practice will the words change. 

What does this have to do with my sore throat? Everything.

The throat chakra, Vishuddha, is where our energetic voice resides. It is the Gemini-ish hub for communication. When we speak too much, perhaps in vain, or too little, as when we do not speak up for ourselves, Vishuddha becomes out of balance. It may be of no surprise, but not of no consequence, that I have not been using my words and communication to serve my highest power. 

Lesson: Quiet down. Listen to the words and hear what is said behind them. Speak only when it is necessary, and do so intelligently, with Love and kindness. Talking can be a giving away of ideas and energy and I have been running on back-up recently. 

I could use the peace and quiet. 

Perfect time to listen... Mercury (the great communicator) went into retrograde today and he will be that way for 3 weeks.  Great time to restart that meditation practice...


{Chakra LINK for more info.}

Challenge: 30 Days of Evolving Through Writing

Al at Penwasser Place inspired me to take part in an alphabetically-inspired blog writing challenge coming up in April. 

I love a good challenge and thought it would be a great time for me to get more involved in posting here about my Revolution of Evolution.

Who knows, perhaps it will even encourage me to Evolve more. 

I recently watched this video on TED Talks:

  Matt Cutts' "Try Something New For 30 Days"

 which sparked my intellectual interest, but I did not actually start a 30 day challenge. 

  The website has a selection of fun banners to choose from.  

  I liked that.  

I LOVE writing. 

I Love growing. 

Why not do both?

Being a HUGE fan of signs in my life, I knew this blog challenge would be my challenge. 

Stay tuned all one of you, my dear evolving readers, for in April I will deliver 26 more blogs here at Revolution ~ Evolution!

INTERESTED in learning more or even Joining ME?

CLICK HERE

Heart's Gentle Compass

A loving, nomadic friend has a blog called Honeyriot Love and Peace* where he posts quotes and musings in the Buddhist vein. On occasion, I check in there to see what's on his mind or inspiring his awesomeness. He posted the following quote this week: 

 “ Whatever your difficulties—a devastated heart, financial loss, feeling assaulted by the conflicts around you, or a seemingly hopeless illness—you can always remember that you are free in every moment to set the compass of your heart to your highest intentions. In fact, the two things that you are always free to do—despite your circumstances—are to be present and to be willing to love." 

 ~ Jack Kornfield 

Perfect, that was just what I needed to read. 

Do I set my heart's compass to my highest intention? Why and when or why not?

Yes and No.

There are certain times or ways when I am open, willing and actively operating in and with Love. Those times, life literally opens up for me and the right people and opportunities flow to me like water down a hill. It is incredibly powerful. 

Yet, when fear-based issues challenge me and my faith is shaken, I easily fall into a deep depression and become immobilized. Stopping it is like asking an ant to stop a runaway train. Useless and silly, yet maybe not as impossible as we may think. 

When I am in negative mode, racing thoughts and intense physical reactions take over, as I willingly let them or even encourage them to by wallowing in the panic and feeding the monkey. I have been given a wealth of tools for survival and even excellence, yet struggle with my sense of value related to a perceived goal resulting from false lack of worthiness. 

Not so Zen, huh? 

It is true that our foundations and upbringing effect us, but inspiring stories about Amma* or even Oprah remind me that our pasts guide us yet do not define us. We possess the power to turn the compass arrow towards beautiful, loving, successful lives where we enrich others and therefor the world at large. 

My highest intention.

My friends have been my lifeline recently. For the most part, it has been a nurturing experience. One amazing woman friend keeps reminding me to be gentle with myself. I can be rough on myself [surprise, surprise, surprise... we have a perfectionist in the room!] and she knows just how damaging this can be. Aside from the havoc I can do in my own life, roughness causes me to be harsh in my viewing of others' lives. Owch x2! 

"V, be gentle with yourself " 

she says to me every time we talk. 

"Gosh, I could use that suggestion as a sign wherever I go." 

She suggested I actually make a sign to hang up in my room. 

So I did just that- right now:

My little origami paper reminder.

My Heart's Compass is pointing inward to a new space, a gentle landscape including emotions. There it is okay to feel feelings and know I am safe and loved, no matter what. Life indeed can be robust with harsh realities. 

This is the best time to Be Gentle.

* LINKS.