Michele Knight's Blog, page 149
February 6, 2016
February 4, 2016
Soul SOS: Forgiveness.
I want to talk about one of the most difficult and challenging soul tasks most of us at some time will face. The act of forgiveness. Understand I’m not going to enter into a moral/philosophical/spiritual debate about whether or not some acts perpetrated by human beings are in fact ‘unforgivable’. I like to leave those up to the more advanced souls such as the Dalai Lama for example. I am going to discuss the process itself and what we need to do if we arrive at a place where we feel we are unable to forgive the other party and also that we may never arrive at that place.
Many of us have experienced terrible acts committed against us. From childhood trauma and abuse, to being victims of domestic violence, crime, war, torture – the list is sadly endless. Perhaps it is not that dramatic but it is nonetheless traumatic. Perhaps we have encountered a persistent bully either at school or in the workplace who for no apparent reason, went out of their way to make our lives a misery for an extended period of time? Or perhaps someone close to us has been a victim of a crime and we not only feel their pain but also anger against the perpetrator?
Whatever the cause, any of these situations can leave us angry, traumatised, enraged, powerless and often mentally or even physically scarred. However, we are taught that forgiveness is a necessary stage for moving on. But what happens if we are unable to do this? Does this mean we are ‘stuck’ or that we are somehow just not spiritually ‘evolved’ enough to do this?
If you are in this situation let me put your mind at rest. Just because you are unable to forgive someone who has done you harm or wronged you, does not mean you are any less spiritually evolved than anyone else out there! So often people slap on smile of forgiveness saying they have ‘forgiven’ their abusive ex or toxic parent except deep down inside they are still seething with anger, pain or vulnerability and the hope that the person will suffer terrible karma. This is what Buddhists call the ‘false face’. In other words, the person is saying they forgive but does not feel any forgiveness.
It is better to be honest in this case and admit you don’t than continue to deny the feelings of anger that are still raging inside. Remember, there is nothing wrong with feeling anger. It is not a ‘higher’ or ‘lower’ emotion than any other. Feeling it does not mean you don’t ‘get’ a key spiritual lesson. Anger tells us our boundaries have been breached. It is only an emotion and it needs you to acknowledge it – not suppress it. By that I mean talk about your anger or act it out safely with a qualified therapist otherwise it will burst out in other areas that are completely unrelated! Anger can also be a dangerous cover for vulnerability and inadvertently harm those we love and be a toxic after effect of being hurt in the past that can wreak havoc in the present. Revenge, nomatter how tempting is also not a solution. There is a saying: If embarking on revenge first dig two graves. Your enemy’s – and yours.
Of course we do not need to forgive the person – ever, if we cannot do this. If we find ourself constantly reliving a trauma or past events, as well as talking to a therapist, one way to start to ‘move’ past it is to start focussing on YOU. Yes, that’s the big secret to moving towards if not exactly forgiveness, then living a life free of the prison of past events. Owning our feelings ‘I am angry and I cannot forgive you’ is a first step. Now, move forward by making your life as good as you possibly can in as many ways as you can think of. These can be small things – such as taking the time in the morning to make yourself one special cup of coffee or tea you love and relishing every sip, to investing in yourself in some way – taking a step towards that fabulous career, living the life you dreamed, taking that course, getting involved in that sport or pastime, finding an outlet for your creativity and finding people who love and support us. This stops the past robbing us of our present and future.
Now free of the pressure of the need to forgive and are living your life to the full, over time we may just find we can at least let go of the past and if we cannot forgive, at least wish the person who has done us harm, a life free of the trauma they put us through. This too is forgiveness.
Very often when we are traumatised, abused or taken advantage of in some way, we blame ourselves for this. If we cannot forgive the other party – forgive yourself. There is no ‘bad karma’ that brought this on you. You did not ‘ask for it’ or do something ‘wrong’ to attract the person or experience. Once we understand that and let go of any self-blame, we are on our way.
When and if you are ready to perhaps entertain the concept of forgiveness, why not try watching the film The Railway Man with Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman? This wonderful true story tells how someone can survive the most horrific abuse and torture imaginable – and then find it in their heart to forgive their abuser.
Know you are a brave soul who is entitled to their feelings and that the past is behind you and the future holds so much joy and happiness for you to live and discover.
February 2, 2016
Your Weekly Astro-Tarot Forecast February 1
Aries – 8 of Pentacles: You have the opportunity to up-skill or turn something you love to do into a vocation. Learning opportunities centered around work or attending a professional event add to your expertise. Adopt the mind of an apprentice no matter what your present level of experience. Those who claim to know everything cannot go any further.
Taurus – Ace of Cups: Fabulous new beginnings in love or even your career beckon as some kind of offer is made. It’s a new phase for you and your cup is literally overflowing now. After spinning your wheels for so long and feeling nothing was shifting, events suddenly have a momentum all their own and you wonder where all these opportunities have been hiding!
Gemini – The Magician: As above, so below. The message of this card is that you can control events around you perhaps not in the way you originally thought but by understanding your choices in the past shaped what is happening today, you now see – and can work, that energy to your advantage.
Cancer – Queen of Wands: This Queen is asking you to be more assertive or else be unafraid to showcase your ideas or try something new. If you meet her in person, this fire sign lady will be fun to be around and on a professional level, may assist you. She’s all about sharing and helping others. But isn’t that a reflection of you too?
Leo – Four of Pentacles: The card of poverty mentality. This person hoards what they have instead of sharing because they feel they do not have enough. This is a card of fear. Is someone behaving in this way towards you or are you coming from a place of feeling you will lose everything? Let go and let the energy of giving and receiving flow once more.
Virgo – King of Swords: This man sees things in black and white terms but he has the ability to get straight to the point and doesn’t allow emotions to get in the way. You may need the advice of someone like this or else this card says to stay businesslike, stick to the facts and on this occasion – don’t let emotions cloud the issue!
Libra – Seven of Swords: Thinking outside the box and original solutions will be called for this week but this card carries a warning. While success is likely you may forget something as this card traditionally shows two swords left behind. Ensure your plan includes every possibility and don’t leave any loose ends.
Scorpio – The Sun: You step through a doorway – away from storm clouds and into a place where the Sun shines on your once against. You reconnect to the joyful child within again. In many ways this is a better card for romance than The Lovers as is promises that both parties are open and prepared to believe in love again.
Sagittarius – Eight of Cups: Time to walk away from something or someone – a situation or a person that has been holding you back or draining you. You are not walking away as such but walking TOWARDS something better so bear this in mind and do what the figure in the card does – don’t look back!
Capricorn – The Moon: Pay close attention to what your intuition is telling you, your dreams and also your gut feelings around people or situations. The Moon asks you to pay close attention to the wisdom of your physical and psychic bodies. You are being told something important by them now – so listen up!
Aquarius – Seven of Wands: You are prepared to defend your opinions, ideas and position if necessary. On some level you may be required to take a stand this week. Ask yourself if you are more prepared to jump in to defend a friend than you are to defend yourself? Then be your own best defender. Sometimes lines have to be drawn.
Pisces – The Star: Peace and renewal re-emerge back into your life as this is a card of hope and healing. You will see that you efforts and the outcome you hoped for were not wishful thinking or in vain. Maintain a positive outlook and if you do, the better your chances of that wishing on a star to come true!
January 30, 2016
March 2016 Monthly Astrology
Hello Gorgeous Soul,
March is rocking some pretty powerful astrology.With a slew of planets in Pisces this is a very emotional and intuitive month. On the 8th a New Super Moon has a total eclipse. This is a dawning of a new intuitive era for us. Our psychic antenna is on full force as we suddenly understand our emotions and our soul journey on a new level. The astrology of this month may feel a little intense as our feelings are raw and open. If you are already a sensitive person take time out to process what comes up for you. Mercury conjunct Neptune in Pisces on the 11th is a highly psychic time (look at your individual and moon sign video below to see where your intuition might be best used) where secrets may be revealed and on 12th we have a 5 planets stellium in Pisces bringing romance and a desire to escape. There are some dramatic romantic/emotional/sensual moments as Venus in Pisces squares Mars in wild Sagittarius bringing out our adventurous side but don’t use bravado to cover up vulnerability. Although, a Grand Earth Trine also on the 14th gives us the grounding to make the right decisions. Use this intuitive time to explore true desires. After the 20th things get a bit more fiery and our energy is leaning toward action and bringing a bit more spontaneity into our lives. For a more detailed reveal of what March has in store check out my astrology site.
Much love
Michele
January 26, 2016
Urban Shaman: Your Sacred Space
We all need a sacred ‘space’ – a space where we feel safe, blessed and able to connect to our inner wisdom. In the words of Jamiroquai: ‘This corner of the earth, it smiles at me’. Many of us associate the term ‘sacred space’ with places such as stone circles, woodlands, temples, cathedrals, ancient sites such as Machu Picchu or the pyramids – but the fact is a sacred space can be you soaking in a bubble bath! What matters is the feeling of connection to yourself and your connection to the universe, plus of course, the feeling of quietness and solitude that allows you to disconnect from our frantic world and tune in to inner wisdom which our busy lives often prevents us from doing.
If we live in the country, then obviously it is easier to find that sacred space outdoors where we won’t be disturbed. But going back to my earlier point that a sacred space can be created in your bathroom, for city dwellers, that sacred space can be in your own home or even in a public place with others but which is quiet and pervaded with a certain kind of spiritual energy or reverence. This can obviously be a church or a temple, but it can also be an art gallery in front of a painting you find particularly beautiful; it can be in a library amongst books, a public park overlooking a lake – really the choices are endless when you begin to look for them! Being a city dweller should not stop us from finding and connecting to our sacred space that boosts our intuition and allows us to re-charge.
One of the main reasons we can seek out a sacred space aside from needing a little quiet time, is that in our sacred space we become open to the inner wisdom and answers we seek. When we are in our sacred space our connection to the universe is like an open link and information can come flooding through without us really trying! What all of us modern-day Shamans can discover is that if we take our psychic tools into our space with us, they can literally be turned into soul power tools! If you think about it, nobody would take any notice of you sitting in a park or a library and writing in your journal. Just relaxing in your space allows the ideas to flow. I have known people take their dowsing pendant into the cathedral that was their sacred space and while obviously in some sacred public spaces one cannot sit there with a Tarot spread laid out in front of you, you can before you go there shuffle your deck and ask your cards which one has a message for you today, and then take the one you draw with you to meditate on.
Walking the path of the Urban Shaman can stretch our creativity and imagination as we often have to think outside the square more than our country counterparts. But we can get just as many rewards from our quest as those who are lucky enough to say live on a beach do! And we can also say our work may be even more necessary for us as city dwellers as connecting on this kind of level is a soul-saving process!
Finding your sacred space wherever you live does not require you to travel far, or spend lots of money decorating your home with crystals etc. Your sacred space is where mind, body and spirit align and is calling to you no matter where you live.
Take Yourself Out of Your Comfort Zone in 2016
What’s outside your comfort zone? You may think ‘Here be dragons!’ but the reality is that outside your comfort zone is where the magic happens. Where our lives change, we new possibilities enter and where we can live the life of our dreams!. The thing is, most of us know all this and yet despite this, we hesitate or tie ourselves into knots of fear at the mere thought of leaving the safety of that comfort zone! This can be for many reasons. Perhaps we have been made to think we are not good enough, that we will fail, that we will look stupid, that we will meet with rejection, ridicule – the list goes on and on. But really, leaving your comfort zone isn’t that difficult.
The problem is that most of us associate stepping out of our zones with immediately entering the dragon’s den. We will be overwhelmed, scared and realise too late we have attempted too much. That’s because we are brought up to believe that outside our comfort zones is nothing else but a big, scary landscape full of unknowns. But the thing is, that’s just not true.
Think of your comfort zone as a circle. Make it any colour you want – let’s say it’s pink. You feel confident and safe in your comfort zone. You feel in control and that your abilities are not being challenged. The people who inhabit your comfort zone with you like and accept you. It’s safe in here. No wonder you’re comfortable. Now – imagine another circle and make this one as big as you like and imagine this contains everything you might want to attempt, create, try, do, learn or master. Your comfort zone probably looks like an island in the middle of a vast ocean, doesn’t it? It looks like you would be out of your depth pretty quickly out there, right? Maybe this zone is black or a dark shade to reflect its unknown quality. This is your fear zone and it is this zone that prevents us from trying out new things, new opportunities, meeting new people, learning new skills or applying for that dream job. No wonder we often don’t want to put a foot into these deep waters. We may drown.
But what if I told you there was a third zone out there? Imagine your two circles again – your comfort zone island and the vast fear zone beyond it and now imagine drawing another circle outside of your comfort zone – say double the size of your comfort zone but it doesn’t stretch all the way out into your fear zone. Think of your comfort zone as the Sun and this new circle you have drawn as the orbit of a planet. Make this new circle an inviting, warm colour – orange, coral, turquoise, yellow – whatever calls to you. This is your stretch zone and it is the place professional confidence coaches ask us to imagine when we are seeking the confidence to master new things and change our lives. It allows us to push through our barriers and begin to discover all we are capable of – but without making it too much of a big step – which is where so many of us fail.
So, break down your goals into stages and decide what is the first step that will take you out into your stretch zone. As you master that, your comfort zone expands and so does the stretch zone. In the end you’ll see that by stretching yourself a little at a time at a pace that seems safe for you, that fear zone is no longer a thing to be scared of – there’s too much magic happening for you to be held back now!
January 24, 2016
Astro Tarot Forecast January 25
Aries – Three of Wands: The adjustments you’ve made pay off and business and work-related ventures start to how the results you’ve hoped for. If you’ve been waiting for new these past few weeks it should now arrive. Don’t be afraid to reach out and get advice or help from others however. There’s no need to go it alone – and that includes celebrating a success!
Taurus – The Hanged Man: You’re waiting for something to shift or just feel as if you are spinning your wheels. If it’s someone else’s response that’s keeping you in limbo understand the way to move things forward is by shifting your focus elsewhere. When we bombard something with energy it often works against us. Go channel it into another avenue and let the universe do the rest.
Gemini – King of Pentacles: An existing contact is in a position to help you with business or career matters so look to your current address book if you need assistance. The fact is there is a bigger and better deal out there for you but your challenge is to set the wheels in motion to find it. You’re only one degree of separation from it however.
Cancer – Two of Swords: Some see this card as difficult but I don’t. This card is all about the peace and balance within that must be attained before you can tackle any outer problems. In fact, in most instances, if you achieve that inner balance then you will suddenly see the problem is resolved or just no longer exists. Now you know what to do.
Leo – Temperance: Someone born under the sign of Sagittarius or who has Sag qualities may feature or be extremely helpful. There’s a fabulous two-way flow of feeling between you and someone else. This time whatever is being felt is mutual along with the give and take.
Virgo – Judgement: You’ve finally had closure or been able to put the past into perspective. It’s now time to leave the past where it belongs – behind you, and start a new chapter. Chances are the way is about to be illuminated thanks to a green light you’re being given. Head in that direction now and don’t look back.
Libra – Strength: You know that it’s going to be up to you to make the changes you desire in your life. That first step leads to the next and then the universe moves with you. Gentle persuasion and just being yourself is what wins you supporters – and possibly someone’s heart as well.
Scorpio – Ten of Cups: Once again the cards say something good is headed your way, Scorpio. There’s someone around you or who is about to appear with whom you feel totally secure and at ease. Just remember this card may not refer to a lover – although that is one possibility. But soul mates come in many forms and it’s the way someone makes you feel that counts.
Sagittarius – Queen of Swords: Either a woman is incredibly helpful and has your back – or you are dealing with a real bitch! Your own inner goddess could surface and you’re Pallas Athena if so: courageous, tactical and creative and you’ll bring these qualities to bear on a specific area this week.
Capricorn – Eight of Wands: After weeks of spinning your wheels or waiting, suddenly events take on a Fast & Furious quality as everything starts happening at once! Expect a quick resolution now or speedy answer. If you’ve been waiting for a romance to kick into high gear – start your engines!
Aquarius – Queen of Wands: A fire sign woman – Aries, Leo or Sag, could feature. You are feeling out-going yourself and this may manifest in a desire to spend money. Try to resist the temptation and instead channel your energy into one of your ideas as finances may be in a state of flux. Travel could bring excitement and a dash of romance.
Pisces – Four of Swords: You may need to down-shift this week or carve out some additional ‘me’ time. Chances are you need to re-charge and if you carry on, the universe may impose a time-out on you anyway – whether you like it or not. Don’t allow things to get to that stage. Take some voluntary R&R. You need it.
January 23, 2016
Your Dance With Life Tarot Spread!
Is life feeling a little lacklustre? Do you feel like you are carrying a burden or just that you are trying as hard as you can but nothing is shifting for you? Perhaps you need to remind yourself that life isn’t meant to be a constant struggle and in fact, we are here to dance with it. Sometimes we lead and sometimes life leads us. The Tarot isn’t just for predicting the future, it is there to provide soul guidance and also to help us reconnect to our true path which is when we dance with life instead of being out-of-step with it.
So, if you are currently struggling with an issue or you just feel you life lacks that passion and soul sparkle that you need just the way you need air to breathe and water to drink, here is my Dance with Life Tarot spread that can help you uncover what you need to do to set the dance in motion again!
As usual with any psychic and soul work, ensure you will not be disturbed during your process. Turn off your phone. This is your sacred time and important for your overall wellbeing. You can light candles or put on ambient music if this helps you. Have your Tarot journal handy so you can write down the answers you receive. When you are ready, take up your Tarot cards and shuffle them thinking either about the specific issue you feel is holding you can or else asking what steps you can take to enter back into the Dance with Life. When you are ready, cut the deck into three with your dominant hand and then put it back together any way you want. Now, lay out the cards like this:
Card 1: Upper Left: Where you are in your situation right now.
Card 2: Upper Right: What you need to do in order to dance.
Card 3: Middle Left: Where you are in terms of relationship satisfaction.
Card 4: Middle Right: What you need to do in order to dance.
Card 5: Bottom Left: Where you are in terms of overall happiness.
Card 6: Bottom Right: What you need to do in order to dance.
Once you have laid out your cards, spend some time with them. Write down all your impressions especially on the dance solution cards. All the Tarot cards have a number of meanings and often it is only when we truly look into them that this is revealed. Remember that what your intuition is telling you is most probably correct so don’t worry if this is going against the traditional interpretation of the card. This is YOUR situation and your dance and the steps will be different for everyone. You will however be given information on what steps you do need to take in order to let joy and passion back in and resolve any difficulties.
Remember, we are here to dance with life, not stand on the sidelines like a wallflower! You already know the steps you need to take but thanks to the healing power of the Tarot, this spread can remind you that dancing in your destiny and life is your partner in it.
