By Sarah Jane Grace | Source
In this busy life, it can be hard to find the quieter moments. Yet, when we take the time to pause, breathe, and observe, it’s amazing how much more we see, sense, hear and feel. It’s so easy to step on the treadmill of life, switching to autopilot to get from day to day. There’s a risk that we can become so caught up in the routine, that we rarely step back enough to be fully present. Over time, our connection to the world can diminish, leaving us feeling isolated and alone. At the same time, we can feel a deeper sense of disconnection to our hearts and souls, losing sight of the beauty and majesty of life, no longer seeing the universe as a place of magic and creation, just challenge, routine, and a layer of resistance.
Whilst how we see life can shape and define our experiences, when we’re entrenched in keeping on keeping on, it’s hard to shift our perspective to something more universal. It’s not as simple as ‘thinking positively’, it’s also not usually a question of sitting on the sidelines waiting for a better moment, as we need to participate in life to feel like a part of life. It’s therefore a fine balance, between perspective, action and being, which is incredibly hard to articulate, as it’s unique for every soul.
When life feels stagnant or challenging, it’s unquestionably hard to pause and find the joy in the simpler things, but this is usually the best place to start, as it’s easy to pause for a moment to listen to a bird in song, to watch the rain falling, or to connect to a majestic tree; just a moment here and there is enough to begin the process of re-connection. This isn’t about grand gestures or adding even more things to our ‘to do’ lists, this is about less. It’s simplicity, and it’s creating more space so life can answer back. This takes courage, but intuitively we know we’re ready to find a new way of living and being that cultivates joy, presence, and connection. The more we listen, the more we hear. The more present we become, the more we shift towards grace and wisdom.
Nature is a powerful healer, from the wind rustling through the leaves, to the inaudible sounds of the earth that we sense on other levels, nature brings us home. Nature encourages us into those quieter moments, reminding us of the spaces between spaces, of those gaps where we are in-between doing and being, where we are becoming. Perhaps ‘becoming’ is the key word over the weeks ahead, but it’s not something to do or get, it’s something to turn towards and allow. So, when we take a moment to connect to the bigger picture, we let go of the autopilot and begin to live more consciously once again.
From watching the stormy seas crashing over rocks, to listening to the trickle of a mountain stream meandering down the hillside, there are always moments to connect. When we breathe into these moments, we sense the power, the energy and the wisdom of that moment, and we begin to feel more whole. Watching a tree slowly change from season to season, seeing the blossoms and the buds, as well as the leaves and the bare branches, all invoke something deeper within. The natural world moves in cycles that many of us have forgotten, as we’ve become so disconnected from the earth. Yet, these cycles can help to nurture and nourish us, from resting in wintry slumber, to feeling the bounce of spring. Nature has the power to help each of us harness creativity, to live more consciously and to reconnect to life.
Life is an uncertain and unknowable experience that frequently changes the paths we walk, challenging our beliefs, as well as the things we thought we knew. There are times when it can feel overwhelming, and there are times when we don’t even notice that we’ve been knocked ‘off course’, but that’s how we grow and evolve. We are entering a chapter of life where living wholeheartedly is the key to living well.
It’s important to live life as consciously as possible, to listen to the quiet, and the spaces between the spaces in life; to reach out, to connect and to breathe deeply. In many ways, the quieter the body, the more we hear and the more we nourish ourselves (and each other). Quietness creeps in and touches the soul, reminding us to re-centre and re-balance, re-tune and re-think. It’s time to breathe, release and let go…
For now, and as always, I wish you all kinds of wonderful.
With love,
Sarah-Jane
Aries
As you continue to embrace the concept of acceptance in your life, you are beginning to see yourself and your life with greater clarity. In particular, you are beginning to see the many ways in which you have placed your own needs, hopes and dreams to one side, whilst tending to the needs, wants and whims of everyone else. This isn’t something you have consciously chosen; rather, it has become a habit and a familiar way of navigating the world. Yet, as your awareness grows, so too does your understanding that constantly putting yourself last has come at a cost to your own well-being, hopes and dreams. You have often allowed your sense of worth to be shaped by the expectations, opinions and approval of others, rather than by your own inner knowing, as a result, self-doubt has slowly overshadowed your natural gifts, leaving you questioning your abilities even when the evidence suggests otherwise. It’s as though you’ve become so accustomed to listening to everyone else’s voice, that you’ve forgotten the strength, wisdom and quiet certainty of your own.
The coming month offers an opportunity to re-discover your inner compass. It’s time to find ways to create the space to hear yourself again, as the more deeply you breathe into life, the more you will realise that less means more. There are moments when life can feel like a room filled with competing conversations, each one asking for your time, energy and attention; eventually it becomes difficult to know which direction is truly yours. Yet beneath all of the noise, your own wisdom has been patiently waiting, and it’s time now to listen to that voice within. The hopes and dreams you set aside were never lost; they have simply been waiting patiently for you to return. As you begin to honour your own life with the same kindness, attention and encouragement that you so readily offer to others, you may find yourself reaching for those dreams once more…
Taurus
As you continue to weigh up the ebb and flow of your life, it may feel as though two equally important parts of you are both asking to be heard. One is eager to move forwards, embracing new experiences, fresh ideas and endless possibilities. The other longs for stillness, breathing space and the chance simply to pause for a while. At times, these two aspects of your nature can seem to pull in opposite directions, leaving you unsure whether to keep moving or to stand still long enough to catch your breath. More often than not, it’s the busier side of your nature that wins, as there is always something to do, someone to help or somewhere to be. Yet the quieter part of you hasn’t disappeared, if anything, its voice has become steadier, gently reminding you that a meaningful life isn’t just about what you do, it’s also about how you live and how you feel. The need for breathing space is softly growing in stature, not seeking to replace your enthusiasm for life, but to stand alongside it. This isn’t about choosing one side or the other, nor is it about finding a perfect balance. This is a time to acknowledge that both have always belonged, as they both have something valuable to offer.
The coming month invites you to create more room. Sometimes life asks you to leap forwards; at other times it asks you simply to notice where you already are. The view isn’t always waiting at the next destination, occasionally it reveals itself the moment you stop searching for somewhere else to be. As you step beyond the constant pull of busyness, you may discover just how deep your well of creativity, intuition and insight actually is. Give yourself permission to wander inwards for a while, as the stillness you create isn’t empty at all, it’s where your truest ideas, your quietest wisdom and your most authentic self have been waiting patiently to meet you…
Gemini
As the kaleidoscopic, shimmering layers of your soul continue to reveal themselves, there is a sense that you are beginning to find a deeper sense of peace with your true nature. You have spent a great deal of your life trying to be the person you felt you ought to be, the person that others wanted you to be, and the person you believed society would find most pleasing. Yet the person you shaped and moulded was never truly the person you knew yourself to be, and this resulted in a deep level of disconnection over the years. However, you’ve never lost touch with your true essence, and it’s time now to wholeheartedly re-connect to your heart and soul in order to gain a new sense of purpose and direction in your life. You are deeply intuitive and extremely sensitive to the ebb and flow; and the myriad of emotions and experiences you’ve encountered have, at times, carved out beliefs that have overshadowed your wisdom and sense of destiny, making it challenging to see the bigger picture of your life.
Yet, the tides are shifting, and you are beginning to realise that the more you focus on the bigger picture, the more able you are to ride the ebb and flow with grace and serenity. Yes, the minutiae and finer details are important, but not at the expense of the bigger picture, otherwise how else can you get a sense of where you are going and why, if you can’t see the overall perspective? Like the kaleidoscope, each twist and turn reveals another aspect of your true nature; none is more authentic than another as together they create the whole. Take a deep breath and turn towards the essence of stillness as you allow the hustle and bustle of life to wash over you as you re-connect to your centre. You are finally beginning to see the beauty of who you’ve always been…
Cancer
July looks set to be an inspirational and creative month as you continue to re-shape and re-define your life from the inside, out. You have spent a great deal of time and energy keeping on keeping on, doing your best to get from a to b. You have worked hard with diligence and determination, but there is a sense that you haven’t really given much thought to ‘b’. It’s as though you have a vague idea of a ‘destination’ but you haven’t linked it with your hopes, dreams and gifts. You’re just plodding along on the treadmill of life, going from day to day, feeling rather pedestrian with the essence of your existence. However, the more you sense the shifts within your heart and soul, the more you are realising that life is so much more than keeping on keeping on, ‘b’ doesn’t have to be run-of-the-mill or pedestrian, it can be vibrant and exciting.
It therefore seems clear that the process of re-shaping and re-defining your life involves a willingness to re-connect to your hopes and dreams, seeking out ways to bring them into being. Although you’re busy keeping on keeping on, try not to let your ‘I haven’t got time for this’ side take over as it often gets the final say in how you live. You have spent so much time on the treadmill, that it’s hard to contemplate stepping off and walking a new path, but the invitation is before you, and it’s now in your hands as to whether to explore new terrain or to stay where you are. There is no right or wrong, just a need for you to ‘own’ your decision and to acknowledge just how important it is to honour your own needs. Honouring yourself isn’t indulgent, it’s an essential part of life. So, the more you turn towards your inner world, the more you will see just how much joy resides within…
Leo
As you continue to seek out ways to express your creativity and passion in life, it seems you are beginning to evoke a myriad of different dreams, ideas and revelations as to your path ahead. You have spent a great deal of time trying to be everything to everyone around you, trying to be the person you’ve felt you ought to be, even though you’ve sensed that it’s time to let the power of ought fly free. Your heart and soul yearn for more space to discover more of those nooks and crannies you’ve yet to notice. It’s hard to articulate as it’s a state of being, rather than something to do, but you seem ready to feel more alive and more connected than ever before. Although you have often carried a sense of destiny, there have been times where you’ve felt in free fall, spinning without focus or clarity, wondering where you’re heading and why.
Of course, you’re wise enough to know that this is a part of life, but intuitively you sense that this freefall has the potential to awaken your creativity once again. Therefore, there’s a need to be more willing to go with the flow and to take the time to feel your way ahead. Trust your intuition and know that although the ride can be dizzying at times, the discombobulation you feel is only natural; try not to resist it, instead find the wisdom and strength within it. Change is a constant, and even those seemingly insignificant happenings, like a leaf falling from a tree or a bud blooming, all change the landscape. The cycle is fluid and free flowing, and it’s time now to step more consciously into this flow in order to find your sense of purpose once again, as you show yourself the love, compassion and understanding that you show to those around you. Take a deep breath of life and allow life to breathe into you…
Virgo
You have been in a state of flux over recent weeks, as though you are in-between here and there, not quite sure where you are, where you’ve been or where you’re going. Although this is understandable given the busy-ness of life, there is a sense that you have become quite disorientated as a result. Feeling in-between here and there doesn’t make a great deal of logical sense to you, as you are always somewhere, but this isn’t about common sense, it’s a state of being that is so hard to put into words. Take some time to feel the meaning behind the words and let your intuition shine a light illuminating your inner world as this will help to bring perspective. You spend a great deal of time thinking about, contemplating, and musing over the life you know you could be living. You have a vision of what could be, sensing that you can fulfil your hopes and dreams, living the life you know you were born to live. Yet, this vision feels ‘over there’, and you’re standing here, in this moment, not quite sure where you’re going or why.
It therefore seems important to explore the apparent disconnect between your vision and your reality. It seems you are so good at looking at both the bigger picture and the finer details that you’ve become a little lost in the process. Yet, why are you sensing this vision and not living it? Is it that it’s not truly what you want, or is it that you feel stuck where you are? Or are you feeling that you’re not quite ready, waiting for a better moment? Only you can answer these questions, but it seems important to take some time over the weeks ahead in order to step beyond the disconnect, and towards living a more wholehearted and enriching life. It’s time to believe that happiness comes from living in the moment, seeking joy where you can, and finding peace with being you…
Libra
When you pause, take a breath and look within, it’s easy to see the knots and tangles of a brain that moves at a million miles an hour. Your swirling maelstrom often feels rambunctious and chaotic, but you’ve always been that way, so it feels normal to you. Yet, to anyone else looking in, it can feel overwhelming and bamboozling! However, few, if any, ever get to look that closely into your inner depths as you’re simply not wired that way. You connect deeply with those around you, but you rarely let all of your barriers down to let your essence spill out freely. It’s not that you’re secretive or difficult, you just prefer to be a bit more contained. It’s as though you wear a veneer of calm tranquillity that masks the maelstrom of chaos! It’s hard to explain exactly why this is the case, but it’s important not to give yourself a hard time about it, after all, there are very few souls around that could actually cope with your full force. However, what is important is that you stop feeling as though your inner world isn’t as it should be, as your swirling, restless soul needs the movement for creativity and flow.
Of course, life can often feel easier when you fit in and become a part of the flock, but you are unique, and intuitively you know that fitting in just isn’t right for you. Be proud of your uniqueness and know that when you become one with your swirling inner world, it has the power to catapult you forwards in life, towards your hopes and dreams. Try not to over-think this, feel it and become it. It’s time to celebrate your gifts with courage and confidence, and when you feel more settled with your true nature, you will discover that some of those barriers will gently unfurl, bringing you a deeper sense of connection to your life…
Scorpio
There are many times in your life that feel mundane and ‘everyday’, yet there are other times that feel magical, amazing and extraordinary. Although the mundane times occupy about 99% of your life, that 1% of magic can energise your heart and soul, reminding you of your hopes and dreams. It can feel frustrating that there aren’t more magical times, but intuitively you know that if there were more, you would notice them less. You also know that their presence in your life inspires you to embrace the infinity of your inner world. However, at the same time, there is a sense that your perspective has shrunk as you have felt trapped in the mundane, and this has tethered you to a sense of disconnection that has been hard to shake loose. It’s important to acknowledge that you are far more than the sum of your experiences, and even though 1% of magic doesn’t feel like much, it acts as your North Star, guiding you towards your hopes and dreams.
This is a complex dynamic, but the more you embrace the magic, and the more you let go of the frustration, the more this magic will filter into every aspect of your life. When you let go, the magic has a chance to grow and evolve, shifting you from the mundane towards a more enriching life. Of course, this doesn’t change the day-to-day reality of life, it simply alters your perspective, bringing hope and the potential for happiness in the places you never dreamed possible. Your inner world may be mysterious and infinite, and it can feel confusing when everything within you is clashing and colliding together but let your intuition show you that this is the force that carries you from where you are to where you want to be. It’s that magic, the essence of your heart and soul. Have the courage to be yourself and turn the page towards a new way of living and being…
Sagittarius
As you continue to grow more aware of yourself and the paths you walk in life, you are also realising just how out of balance you’ve been over recent weeks and months. It’s almost as though you have been on a spinning wheel, moving incredibly fast but mostly staying on the same spot. It’s hard to add more detail as it’s more of a state of being, but you have given so much of yourself to others and also given so much energy to your ‘to do’ list, that there’s not much left for yourself. This might sound odd as your ‘to do’ list is for you, but is it really? How much on that list is connected to your hopes and dreams? How much on that list is there because you feel it ought to be or should be? How much really ignites the fires within your heart and soul? It seems there is a great deal on this list that has been there for a very long time; is it that you simply haven’t got around to it, or is it more that you simply don’t feel inspired to anymore?
Only you can answer these questions, but it seems important to take some time over the weeks ahead in order to re-shape your ‘to do’ list and focus on your true priorities once again. Of course, there are always things to do that are necessary, but when you let go of the rest, you give space for your spark to burn brightly as your creativity and innovation come to life. Sometimes life goes beyond ‘to do’ lists, sometimes life is about spontaneity, going with the flow, and letting go of ‘ought’. Let your intuition guide you and know that your self-worth isn’t connected to ticking off your ‘to do’ list, it’s about living your best life and being your true self. What you do doesn’t define you, how you live, breathe and experience life does…
Capricorn
You’ve been on something of a quest for peace and breathing space in your life recently, a mission to create more room to rest, reflect and become. Yet, you have met one challenge after another, meaning that busy-ness has become the dominant force once again. However, just because life has been busy doesn’t mean that you need to stop cultivating peace and space. In fact, quite the opposite, as you need more room to breathe in order to find your balance once again. Although you enjoy having things to do, your desire for quiet is significant, and it’s a sign that your life has grown out of kilter, leaving you feeling depleted and out of sorts. Listen to your inner world and try to find even little moments to breathe, pause and reflect as these will help you to regain perspective.
It’s unquestionably hard to let go of the weight of the challenges you’ve faced, but instead of carrying them all, let them go and set yourself free. This doesn’t mean you’re walking away or not dealing with those challenges, it’s more of a willingness to not let them weigh you down quite so much as the heaviness can become stifling and restrictive, tethering you and leaving you uncertain as to where you’re heading or why. Of course, you know that because you feel the heaviness, everything feels heavier, and you also know that life isn’t quite as simple as ‘shift your perspective and all will be well’ as there are many layers to the complexity of it all. It does seem important to stop seeking out ‘more’ in life and to start cultivating less as this will naturally allow breathing space the room to flourish and thrive. Breathing space isn’t an interruption to the flow of your life, it is the flow of your life; listen to your intuition and it will show you. It’s time to feel your way ahead now, to trust the process and to become free…
Aquarius
You have always been an extraordinary soul and extraordinarily complex: the depths of you are infinite and beyond words, and your consciousness spans space and time, reflecting the enormity of your vision and wisdom. Of course, none of this is news to you, but it seems apt to remind you as you appear to have become quite caught up in the process of keeping on keeping on. It’s as though you have lost yourself in the rhythm of the everyday, feeling caught up in the lives of everyone around you, losing sight of your true essence in the process. As a deep thinking and creative soul, you need the space and freedom to step beyond the everyday, and towards the unexplainable, incomprehensible aspects of life. In short, you flourish when you’re riding on the crests of the waves of life, less so when you’re paddling around a puddle (but what fun!). It’s not that there’s no magic in the latter, but it’s the unknown and exhilaration that truly brings you to life.
Of course, it’s not possible to constantly ride the crests of the waves. Or is it? Have you decided it’s not possible and thereby made it not possible? Whilst there will always be things to do, people to see and places to go, try not to let this shape and define how you live your life, let it be a part of you, but let the rest fly free. Intuitively you can sense the meaning, as it’s an opportunity for you to find ways for your essence to flow, and for your creativity to flourish. Feel it, sense it, become it. As you look beyond the boundaries of your life, new terrain will appear, and whilst it’s up to you if you explore it or not, you seem ready for something different. It’s time now to let go of the incongruence between the way you’re living your life and the way you long to live your life…
Pisces
After many months of busy-ness and almost bewildering confusion, there is a sense that you are finally beginning to steady the boat of your life as you enter calmer seas. You have experienced a vast array of emotions throughout this time, often more than one, sometimes all at once. Although you are an emotional being, even you have your limits! Of course, the tides of life always ebb and flow, but the seas have been stormy and a little unpredictable, making it hard to go with the flow as the eddy’s and undercurrents have pulled you off course. However, as an intuitive soul, you know that there really is no such thing as ‘off course’ and the path of your life is, well, the path of your life! So, whatever route you take is the route you’re on. This is trying to simplify something that can’t truly be simplified, but hopefully you get the gist, as whatever path you walk is the reality of the moment.
Whilst you are used to navigating the currents in life, there is a part of you longing for land for an opportunity to rest, reflect and restore, as you sense a layer of depletion within you that’s hard to ignore. You spend so much of your time giving so much of yourself to others, that you so often forget about your own needs in the process. As the calmer seas approach, you are beginning to breathe more deeply and feel a sense of peace rising up which is shining a light on your hopes and dreams once again. There is an almost wistful energy in the air as you think about having some time to re-balance and re-plenish, but you also sense a need to contemplate what inspires you and what nourishes you, as well as what depletes you. You seem ready now to restore the foundations of your life, so let your wisdom and intuition guide you. Be bold, be brave and, most importantly, be you.