New Moon In Capricorn and our New Year's Resolutions

New Moon Blessings!  The moon entered it's New phase around 1:00 am Thursday morning, in the sign of Capricorn.  I made this graphic to show some highlights of the Moon Cycle we just entered. 

Time for dreaming and planning! Dream Big! This New Moon is a good one for your dreams & intentions for the whole year. Especially with things regarding your personal growth and pushing yourself to be your very best. You know that feeling of being motivated to change or better yourself that happens around New Year every year? It is largely from the Capricorn new Moon that happens right around our calendar new year. 

Capricorn energy is all about self improvement - pushing yourself to do better, achieve more, and improve your status in life.  Go ahead and dream big and set those lofty goals for the New Year!  Capricorn lets you see your ultimate potential.  However, it is good the remember the Capricorn method of achievement is not one of instant gratification.  "Slow and steady wins the race" seems like a very Capricornian phrase.  Build on your goals and habits slowly.  Perhaps think in terms of what small changes you can make, and then work on adding one small change or habit every couple of weeks.  Give yourself time to solidify one habit before jumping into the next. Saturn is the ruler of Capricorn and is known as the great tester or the lord of Karma, so don't expect these goals to go unchallenged!  Capricorn's lesson is often about flexibility and adaptability.  If one method isn't working, ditch it and try a new approach.  If one habit isn't sticking, change that up too.

January is named after the Roman God Janus, who is guardian of doorways. He has two faces - one looking back to the past, and one looking forward to the future. As we pass thru the door from one year to the next, we look back with a degree of honesty about what didn't work. And look forward and see potential within ourselves and want to push ourselves to be our very best. (a very Capricorn mode of thinking) 

But to use the adage "Rome wasn't built in a day" it is good to remember as we set goals that positive changes that stick are made slowly and gradually with great care.
Mercury is still retrograde, but will go direct again a few days before the full moon. That will be the perfect time to begin making changes or starting new things that relate to your goals.  From now until the January 9th, focus on pinning down exactly what your goals are.  Create some positive affirmations or a sankalpa to repeat daily to help you feel good about your goal.  You may even want to create a Vision Board or Dream Board... it's up to you.

Write down your goals and then write down a list of the small changes you can make to acheive this goal.  Don't try to jump in fully and make all these changes at once!  Just pick a starting point and be ready for it once Mercury goes direct!  Meanwhile your positive thinking and dreaming is planting the seeds during the new moon.  

I found this great graphic at Energy Muse showing how to follow your intention and goal setting process through the moon phase... starting at the new moon and ending at the dark moon (and then repeating again.  

Best Wishes for a lovely Moon Cylce and a Happy New Year!

Monday Musings - Astrology and Reiki

Students​ ​of​ ​my​ ​Usui​ ​Reiki​ ​online​ ​courses​ ​will​ ​notice​ ​that​ ​I​ ​share​ ​astrology​ ​articles​ ​frequently,​ ​as well​ ​as​ ​creating​ ​events​ ​that​ ​remind​ ​everyone​ ​of​ ​upcoming​ ​moon​ ​phases​ ​(Full​ ​Moon,​ ​New​ ​Moon, Eclipses,​ ​etc.)​ ​I​ ​will​ ​also​ ​share​ ​info​ ​on​ ​the​ ​solstices​ ​and​ ​equinoxes​ ​as​ ​those​ ​come​ ​up.

People​ ​who​ ​know​ ​me​ ​personally​ ​won’t​ ​find​ ​this​ ​odd​ ​and​ ​probably​ ​just​ ​assume​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​sharing​ ​a secondary​ ​passion​ ​in​ ​my​ ​Reiki​ ​Class.​ ​​ ​Actually,​ ​though​ ​-​ ​since​ ​practicing​ ​energy​ ​work​ ​and​ ​reiki healing,​ ​my​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​the​ ​energies​ ​of​ ​these​ ​natural​ ​cycles​ ​has​ ​deepened​ ​and​ ​expanded.

“Reiki”​ ​means​ ​“Life​ ​Force​ ​Energy”​ ​or​ ​“Universal​ ​Life​ ​Force​ ​Energy”​ ​(from​ ​Rei,​ ​meaning​ ​ALL​ ​and Ki​ ​meaning​ ​ENERGY)​ ​​ ​and​ ​as​ ​we​ ​connect​ ​with​ ​this​ ​energy​ ​we​ ​begin​ ​a​ ​journey​ ​of​ ​connecting with​ ​all​ ​of​ ​life.​ ​​ ​As​ ​the​ ​Reiki​ ​practitioner​ ​begins​ ​to​ ​connect​ ​with​ ​All​ ​of​ ​Life​ ​on​ ​a​ ​daily​ ​basis,​ ​of course​ ​these​ ​energies​ ​of​ ​seasonal​ ​changes,​ ​moon​ ​phases,​ ​and​ ​planetary​ ​alignments​ ​become more​ ​relevant!

Paying​ ​attention​ ​to​ ​the​ ​astrological​ ​happenings​ ​and​ ​moon​ ​phases​ ​can​ ​help​ ​you​ ​on​ ​your​ ​Reiki journey​ ​in​ ​many​ ​ways.​ ​​ ​You’ll​ ​have​ ​a​ ​deeper​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​what​ ​kinds​ ​of​ ​energies​ ​are​ ​moving through​ ​the​ ​universe​ ​-​ ​which​ ​includes​ ​your​ ​own​ ​body​ ​and​ ​the​ ​bodies​ ​of​ ​your​ ​clients​ ​or​ ​friends. The​ ​Moon​ ​is​ ​in​ ​Aries?​ ​​ ​That​ ​can​ ​explain​ ​the​ ​vibrant,​ ​fiery​ ​and​ ​combative​ ​energy​ ​you​ ​find exploding​ ​like​ ​a​ ​bomb​ ​from​ ​your​ ​client’s​ ​Solar​ ​Plexus!​ ​​ ​Move​ ​that​ ​energy​ ​upward​ ​into​ ​the​ ​Heart and​ ​Upper​ ​chakras​ ​so​ ​it​ ​can​ ​be​ ​expressed,​ ​or​ ​move​ ​it​ ​down​ ​into​ ​the​ ​lower​ ​chakras​ ​for​ ​some grounding​ ​and​ ​cooling​ ​off.​ ​​ ​Venus​ ​is​ ​retrograde?​ ​​ ​No​ ​wonder​ ​you​ ​keep​ ​coming​ ​across​ ​blockages in​ ​client’s​ ​heart​ ​chakras​ ​and​ ​complaints​ ​of​ ​feeling​ ​that​ ​their​ ​relationships​ ​are​ ​all​ ​going​ ​bad!​ ​​ ​Send some​ ​extra​ ​healing​ ​to​ ​the​ ​heart​ ​chakra,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​sending​ ​some​ ​loving​ ​healing​ ​to​ ​the​ ​other chakras​ ​to​ ​help​ ​them​ ​feel​ ​more​ ​at​ ​ease​ ​and​ ​refocus​ ​away​ ​from​ ​relationships​ ​into​ ​areas​ ​of​ ​life that​ ​can​ ​be​ ​more​ ​fulfilling​ ​at​ ​this​ ​time.

Even​ ​in​ ​work​ ​on​ ​yourself​ ​you​ ​will​ ​notice​ ​your​ ​body,​ ​mind,​ ​and​ ​spirit​ ​going​ ​through​ ​some​ ​cycles and​ ​patterns​ ​that​ ​relate​ ​to​ ​moon​ ​phases,​ ​seasons,​ ​and​ ​other​ ​astrological​ ​occurrences.​ ​​ ​I​ ​was easily​ ​meditating​ ​for​ ​40​ ​to​ ​60​ ​minutes​ ​a​ ​day….​ ​20​ ​or​ ​more​ ​minutes​ ​every​ ​morning​ ​and​ ​evening​ ​- plus​ ​other​ ​random​ ​intervals.​ ​​ ​Then,​ ​Mercury​ ​went​ ​retrograde​ ​while​ ​the​ ​moon​ ​was​ ​also​ ​entering the​ ​waning​ ​phase.​ ​​ ​Suddenly,​ ​I​ ​was​ ​struggling​ ​to​ ​meditate​ ​even​ ​10​ ​minutes​ ​a​ ​day!​ ​​ ​Since​ ​I​ ​was paying​ ​attention​ ​to​ ​astrology​ ​and​ ​the​ ​moon​ ​phases,​ ​this​ ​didn’t​ ​surprise​ ​me​ ​-​ ​therefore​ ​I​ ​wasn’t hard​ ​on​ ​myself​ ​about​ ​it.​ ​​ ​Instead​ ​of​ ​feeling​ ​frustrated​ ​with​ ​my​ ​sudden​ ​change​ ​in​ ​how​ ​I​ ​felt​ ​during meditation,​ ​I​ ​just​ ​focused​ ​on​ ​allowing​ ​my​ ​thoughts​ ​to​ ​take​ ​me​ ​where​ ​they​ ​would.​ ​​ ​In​ ​this​ ​way,​ ​as​ ​I followed​ ​the​ ​thoughts​ ​I​ ​was​ ​able​ ​to​ ​see​ ​exactly​ ​what​ ​the​ ​retrograde​ ​was​ ​urging​ ​me​ ​to​ ​work​ ​on​ ​in myself​ ​and​ ​my​ ​outer​ ​life.​ ​​ ​I​ ​also​ ​saw​ ​in​ ​my​ ​thoughts​ ​the​ ​things​ ​I​ ​need​ ​to​ ​work​ ​on​ ​releasing​ ​and letting​ ​go​ ​of,​ ​simply​ ​by​ ​sitting​ ​on​ ​my​ ​meditation​ ​cushion​ ​and​ ​not​ ​forcing​ ​a​ ​meditation​ ​but​ ​just following​ ​my​ ​thoughts​ ​and​ ​feelings.​ ​​ ​Sure,​ ​my​ ​time​ ​on​ ​the​ ​cushion​ ​is​ ​shorter​ ​and​ ​feels​ ​less rewarding​ ​right​ ​now,​ ​but​ ​I​ ​have​ ​learned​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​and​ ​refocused​ ​my​ ​attention​ ​to​ ​other​ ​aspects​ ​of​ ​my life​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​worrying​ ​that​ ​I​ ​was​ ​“failing”​ ​after​ ​I​ ​had​ ​been​ ​doing​ ​so​ ​well.

Whatever​ ​your​ ​path​ ​or​ ​spiritual​ ​beliefs,​ ​and​ ​whatever​ ​form​ ​of​ ​energy​ ​work​ ​or​ ​healing​ ​you practice,​ ​we​ ​can​ ​all​ ​learn​ ​from​ ​the​ ​cycles,​ ​patterns,​ ​and​ ​shifts​ ​in​ ​energy​ ​that​ ​occur​ ​on​ ​astroogical levels​ ​and​ ​with​ ​the​ ​phases​ ​and​ ​signs​ ​of​ ​the​ ​moon.​ ​​ ​​ ​After​ ​all,​ ​we’re​ ​all​ ​one​ ​-​ ​residing​ ​on​ ​this​ ​same rock​ ​hurtling​ ​through​ ​the​ ​cosmos​ ​together.​ ​​ ​If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​studying​ ​Reiki​ ​and​ ​come​ ​across​ ​an​ ​article on​ ​the​ ​upcoming​ ​New​ ​Moon,​ ​or​ ​“Astrology​ ​This​ ​Week”,​ ​why​ ​not​ ​check​ ​it​ ​out?​ ​​ ​Reiki​ ​and​ ​astrology go​ ​hand​ ​in​ ​hand.​ ​​ ​And​ ​this​ ​can​ ​work​ ​the​ ​other​ ​way​ ​around​ ​too!​ ​​ ​If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​a​ ​student​ ​of​ ​astrology or​ ​a​ ​person​ ​who​ ​follows​ ​the​ ​phases​ ​of​ ​the​ ​moon​ ​and​ ​the​ ​seasons​ ​-​ ​why​ ​not​ ​check​ ​out​ ​Reiki? Energy​ ​healing​ ​can​ ​help​ ​you​ ​get​ ​through​ ​some​ ​of​ ​those​ ​rougher​ ​transitions,​ ​compliment​ ​the opening​ ​and​ ​expansion​ ​that​ ​occurs​ ​during​ ​positive​ ​aspects,​ ​and​ ​help​ ​you​ ​connect​ ​more​ ​fully​ ​with yourself​ ​as​ ​a​ ​part​ ​of​ ​this​ ​Divine​ ​Universe.

www.hestiasmuse.com ©​ ​Hestia’s​ ​Muse​ ​12/26/2016

2016 Review

Taking some time in this final week of 2016 to just review what has happened to me.  It's a good way to refine your goals and begin goal setting for next year - as you look back on what has changed you can clearly see how much potential exists in those 365 days!  We have collectively learned how much the world can change in just one year - from personal losses and changes to more global economic and political changes that made us all pause to reevaluate.

My 2016 has been an eventful year of self growth and outward expansion.  I have made great strides in moving towards my goals in my career!  I wish I had blogged more during the year to record some of the strides I have taken, but I will do my best to share some of these with you now!

In 2015 I had gotten my Reiki 1 degree and began exploring energy work.  I also had taken the Certified Angel Card Reader course, though I hadn't competed the final exam to get my certification!  I had a lot of goals involving starting a business as a Tarot Card reader and Reiki healer, but those goals seemed so unattainable and far away!  

Then 2016 happened and if I had one word to define this year it would be "Opportunity".  I completed the CARC course and could finally officially add Certified Angel Card Reader to my 15 plus years of tarot reading experience.  I had to opportunity to get my Reiki 2 and Reiki 3 Certifications - which I DID and am now a Reiki Master Teacher.  I had an opportunity to begin doing readings in person once a month at a shop down town and I took it, thus expanding my experience into the professional realm and readings in person  (Previously had done most of my readings online).  I also had the opportunity to create my official website... thanks to randomly meeting a new friend at the Olympia Dance Co-Op and finding he was a web designer!  So I ventured forth with an official domain of www.Hestiasmuse.com  (which links back to this blog).

Creating a website further pushed me to redefine my goals in the forms of mission statements, pricing, and creative descriptions of my services.  This process in itself was like a crucible, forcing me to really deeply define what I wanted to do and then put it in paragraph form for others to read.  I came out of the end of that experience feeling more whole - and more nervous - than ever before!  

I also spent a lot of time in 2016 working on my etsy shop and creating more of my spiritual mala necklaces and bracelets - and establishing myself as a regular presence at a local Maker's Market (craft fair).  Learning more of the ins and outs of selling at vending events and how to market myself, both online and in person.  

THEN I had another unexpected thing happen in the realm of business.  My oldest child and I had the opportunity to join Perfectly Posh - a direct sales company selling Pampering products like vegan soaps and lotions and naturally based face wash and masks.  At first we thought it would just be something fun to do on the side and occasionally get discounts on our own orders.  But things took off... before we knew it we were earning bonuses and had a team of people signed up as consultants under us!  I gave it my all and found it very satisfying and rewarding!  Though it did take some focus away from my other business of Reiki and Readings.... but eventually I learned how to better balance the two and even how they work together!  

I learned better methods of self care  and how to try and keep my life in balance between home, work, family, and spirituality.  I still need to work on this!  But 2016 showed me that I CAN find this balance, whereas before I may have felt I was too busy, too unprepared, or not organized enough to even TRY going after "crazy dreams".

Looking back, I see how 2016 was about laying the groundwork and building foundations for the work that is yet to come!  I am looking forward to where this all will go in 2017, and how I can be of service to others in many ways, as a Healer, an Artist, a Card Reader, and even as a Pampering Consultant!  I do plan on blogging more, and I got a new laptop as a Yule gift from my husband so I think that blogging will be easier and more attainable than it was this past year!  

I used this tarot spread to help me evaluate my past year and think about what goals I want to set for the new year.  You might find it useful as well! Take your time with it and journal about what you see in the cards!  If you want help or an outside perspective, (or don't read cards for yourself) I am offering this reading for $28.  You can email me at hestiasmuse@gmail.com to order this Reading and I will email you the results! 

Happy New Year, and may you be blessed and find many opportunities in 2017!

Happy Holidays!

Stopping in to wish everyone Happy Holidays!  I have not had much access to my blog the past few months, and I apologize for not really being here!  I would love to hear how everyone is doing!
We had a big morning here exchanging Yule gifts in front of the tree,  My husband got me a new laptop, so YAY I can easily write blog posts whenever I want to!  My children are happily playing with new toys, the classic movie "A Christmas Story" is on TV, we are snacking on leftover ham from last night's dinner (and cookies) and all of just enjoying a relaxing day.  I'm so grateful for all this year has brought me!

Thanks for reading, leave a comment and tell me how your holiday is going!