Seasons, Cycles and Sessions

Saturn in Libra

There are always common threads that weave through the sessions that I’m giving. As I work with people and begin to uncover the underlying forces that are helping to create the imbalance in their lives, I often find that similar stories are present in a number of my clients at the same time. My background in astrology is a  wonderful lens for deciphering some of the collective lessons we are all facing at any given time.

On October 29, 2009 Saturn entered the sign of Libra. Over the next two years it will be part of a cardinal T-square. Opposing Uranus/Jupiter in Aries and squaring Pluto in Capricorn. What does all of this mean?

In my practice there has been a need for people to shed a layer of who they think they should be in order to more fully embody who they truly are. As these energies continue to unfold within and around us over the next few years there can be a sense of fear around the disintegration of our culture, our established relationships and our sense of self. Even for those of us who are ready for change and hold a vision of a bright future, there is still the abyss of the unknown before us. There is a time of deconstruction that we must get through. Instead of falling into the fear and discomfort this time can bring we can use these energies to undergo some deep (pluto), structural (saturn) changes. We can begin to restructure, first ourselves, then our partnerships and finally our institutions, so that they embody a more conscious and authentic reflection of who we choose to be. 

Saturn in Libra is all about lessons in relationship. It asks us to be responsible and self disciplined (Saturn)  in order to maintain balance, integrity and fairness (Libra) in all of our interactions. During the next two years we are going to have to first, ask ourselves if we are in right relationship with ourselves.

Finding balance and compromise between the masculine and feminine aspects of our own nature is primary. Are we listening to our feelings and intuition (feminine) while also thinking rationally and taking appropriate action (masculine)?

In one on one relationships there will be no more room for blaming. Unconscious projections will become painfully clear under Saturns gaze. We will have to get in touch with what we really want out of our interactions. We need to sift through  the voices of our families and our culture, what we’ve been told to believe about relationship and love. We have to stop chasing the dream of romance that we’ve been fed and drop into what we truly need from our human connections. We must ask ourselves what helps us feel supported, empowered and loved as well as what helps those around us feel supported, empowered and loved. Saturn in Libra effects not only intimate relationships but all of our relationships; with friends, family, co-workers, enemies…

With saturn in libra we can spend our time asking ourselves the answers to lifes apparent imbalances, weighing out who is right and wrong, who gives more or less, trying to discern were the balance lies. Or we can take a step back and with impartiality attune to what is fair and right in any given situation and act in accordance with that knowing. We can choose to take time to hear and follow the small quiet voice that knows the middle path which is that of truth and balance. Saturn is exalted in Libra and in its highest expression it has the ability to disseminate justice through compassionate right action.

As we transform ourselves and our relationships with kindness and compassion, the seeds of change are scattered into our communties. Our instituitions are comprised of individuals making choices about who they are and how they choose to relate on a moment to moment basis. As we gain more awareness of what we know to be right and in alignment with our true nature we will ask for justice and equality from our institutions. We will ask that our cultural structures reflect our egalitarian values. As Saturn, Pluto and Uranus destroy outmoded constructs our conscious choices fill the chasm between who we are now and who we are becoming. Saturn moves out of Libra in October of 2012.

Central Channel Meditation

 

You Are Much More Than You Believe Yourself To Be:

A Meditation Practice To Cultivate Your True Nature

           

            Each and every one of us is an amazing and powerful being that is connected to a vast network of limitless energy and potential.

            I am going to outline a meditaion practice that can make you happier, healthier and wealthier. The time commitment is minimal. Fifteen to twenty minutes the first time and then a few minutes per day after that. It can be done when you wake up in the morning or as you fall asleep at night. You can use this practice in 30 second intervals as often as you like throughtout the day.

              Many cultures have an understanding of an unseen world that our western culture doesn’t directly acknowledge. In our truest nature we are energy. Our physical body is born out of an energetic blueprint or structure. If we take the time each day to reconnect with our energetic nature and allow our body and mind to realign with that truest aspect of who we are, then we are much more supported as we move through the world in our day to day life. 

            Along the center of our body there is a central channel. A column of energy and connectivity that is our center. In ancient China it was reffered to as the Taiji Pole. Different cultures had slight variations on how they interpreted the energy but ultimately if you look at the body with expanded sight you will see a fluid column of energy that runs from the perineum (the point between the sex organs and the anus on the pelvic floor) through the very center of the body and out of the crown of the head.  This conduit of energy also extends down from the perineum into the earth and up out of the crown of the head into the heavens.

In this meditation we are going to connect in with that central channel and tap into the limitless resource of energy that is all around us and always available to us.  Begin by reading through the entire nine step practice. Then read through Step 1, close your eyes and try it out. Walk through each step like that until you are comfortable with the flow of the entire meditation. It should only take a few times through for you to memorize it. It’s pretty intuitive in nature.

When working with energy we are working with mostly unseen aspects of being. In the beginning it takes a little faith and willingness to follow your imagination until your sensititvty and sensation catch up. Be patient and believe.

 

Central Channel Meditation

 

Step 1. Coming Into The Present Moment

Start in a seated position. In a chair with back straight, both feet resting firmly on the floor in front of you. Make sure that you are comfortable. Begin by becoming mindful of your breath, without moving to change it, fight it or fix it; simply breathe. Notice the rise and fall of your belly, the expansion in your chest. Then bring your awareness to your bodily sensations; the feel of your feet on the floor, your heart beat, the sounds in the room or environment, the feel of the air on your skin.  Feel the small dance of blood and tissues and muscles reorienting as you continuously miantain balance on your chair.

 

Step 2. Deepening Breath

Once you have arrived in the present moment begin to slow down and deepen your breath. After you complete an exhale, pause, then push out a litlle more air using your abdominal muscles to help you completely empty all three chambers of your lungs. Then slowly, audibly, inhale deeply. At the end of the inhale pause, and sip in a little more air. Hold your breath for just a second, relaxing your body, droppinng your shoulders, unclenching your muscles. Then exhale slowly, audibly through your mouth. Take a few normal breathes. Do this three times and then allow your breathing to relax again. Notice how your belly extends out on the inhale and pulls in on the exhale.

 

Step 3. Connecting With The Earth 

Bring your awareness to your feet and  imagine energy extending down, like thick tree roots or vines. Imagine those roots extending down through the layers of building, rock, earth, water and magma into the core and center of the earth. Imagine the core of our earth star as thick and warm, and glowing with nourishment that your body, that is made of earth, needs.

 

Step 4. Get Nourished By The Earth

Feel your energetic connection to the earth clearly and then feel that core earth energy pouring back up through the root sytem. Imagine it coming up through all the layers of magma, rock, water, and earth. Up through all the layers of the bulding, foundation, sub-floor, carpet… into you through the bottoms of your feet. Feel it warming, softening and nourishing every part of your body as it feeds you from toes to head. In the beginning allow this step to take it’s time. Allow the earth energy to pool and flood your feet and ankles, like a golden liquid light, like honey. Allow it to soften and nurture the long bones of your legs, spilling over into the muscles, nourishing your skin from the inside out. Let it rise up into your pelvis, up through the spine, flooding the abdominal cavity, nourishing each and every organ, feeeding them just what they need to carry out the countless jobs they do. Imagine that warm golden light softening the muscles of the back, the shoulder and the jaw. Imagine it loosening the muscles of the arms and hands, realeasing the neck. As it makes it’s way into the head feel your scalp relaxing, your tongue and eyes softening, your face melting. Imaine that golden liquid all the way out to the tips of every hair on your head. Fill your entire body, your every cell with this golden liquid light. Take a moment to rest in it’s nourishing warmth.

 

Step 5. Connect To The Heavens

With your awareness imagine a beautiful rose coming into full bloom at the very top center of your head. Imagine it’s thousands of petals gently unfurling. Now extend out through that rose, out through the crown of  your head.  Move out through the layers of the building, sky, clouds, atmosphere, past the familiar planets of our solar system and out into the cosmos. As you evtend out touch upon your higher self ( an angelic self or glowing orb that represents your individualized soul essencs), and finally connect to source energy (which I percieve as brilliant, golden white light).

 

Step 6. Get Inspired By The Heavens

Once connected to source energy, stream that energy back down through your higher self (an angelic self or glowing orb)  back into your body and being. Allow it to enter through the crown of your head showering you with golden/white flecks of dancing light. Viscerally feel it awaken, enlighten and enliven every cell of your body as the light glimmers in and around you. Take a moment to steep in the limiltless possibilites you contain.

 

Step 7. Mix and Meld

Feel the heavenly energy from above and the earth energy from below mixing and melding in you. Imagine a glowing ball of the mixed and concentrated heavenly/earth energy resting just below your belly button and just in front of your spine. This is a reserve of your very own life force energy.

 

Step 8. Fill Your Field

Take some of the energy that you concentrated in your belly and imagine it  rising up into the middle of your chest, into your heart center. Split the energy into two streams, one going down each arm and hand. Imagine that heavenly/earth energy that you made into your own unique blend, pouring out of the center of your palms. Allow the energy pouring out of you hands to fill the space around you. You can do that purely with your minds eye or by actually moving your hands around you. Allow that energy to create an egg shape that extends out about two feet around you in every direction, including above and below. Allow yourself to move through the world basking in your own nourishing glow.

 

Step 9. Check In

Now take a moment to see how different you feel. Has your breathing changed? How about your thoughts or your physical sensations? Are you more comfortable, relaxed?

 

           The first few times you practice this meditation take your time, a good fifteen to twenty minutes. Then for maintenance a few minutes a day is enough. If you keep up with the practice regularly you can call upon it in a few seconds in moments of weakness or need.

            We all have many moments of weakness and need during the course of a day. I’m sure you know your own. Depending on your history your triggers will be unique. Maybe it’s when you’re signing the check for a bill you don’t have the money for, or maybe it’s in the moment you go to grab that etxtra snack you don’t need. Maybe it’s when your in the middle of an argument or you hear a song on the radio that reminds you of the person you’re trying to forget. In any case at these critical moments, in the middle of your real life, this practice can be done in three quick breaths.

            The first breath connecting to earth, the second connecting to the heavens and the last centering in self and surrounding yourself with your own loving energy. Doing this can help you stay centered; keeping you stronger, healthier and more full of life. For this to be effective it helps to have spent the time grounding the meditation into your being through longer practices at other times.

            If you integrate this practice into your life you will change. Patterns will shift. Things that upset you in the past won’t anymore. You will either not be effected by them any longer or they will fall away. Some issues will need deeper work but many will not.

This practice is not merely a mental exercise. If you acknowledge the limitless aspects of yourself they become stronger. In working with the magic of the universe you become an active participant in creating the magic of  your own life. Tapping into all the resources that are available to you keeps you from living in a state of need. You are a bridge between heaven and earth. You are the meeting place were divine energy from the cosmos enlivens matter. You are much more than you believe yourself to be.