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4/26/2022 Transformational Weekend Have you been paying attention to the planets? We have some retrogrades coming up soon, so let’s discuss them here. I feel like we’ve almost been trained to think of retrogrades as super negative things and they don’t have to be. Retrogrades, like eclipses, tend to shine spotlights and focus onto things that need the attention. When used as that spotlight, they give us the opportunity to slow down, refine, realign, and sometimes re-do things we would like to revisit. Today, April 26, Mercury enters its pre-retrograde shadow. Between now and May 10, we have time to get our computers backed up, tend to our virus protection apps, and create some avenues for clear communication before retrograde starts. When Mercury stations retrograde on May 10, expect challenges and delays in travel and communication. On Friday, April 29, Pluto stations retrograde until 10/8. Pluto is the planet of regeneration, transformation, and rebirth. You can us this Pluto retrograde to create positive transformations. Reflect on the changes you would like to make and implement them during this retrograde. The energy of this retrograde will be supportive and personal transformation you would like to achieve. On Saturday, April 30, we have a New Moon in Taurus, coupled with a Solar Eclipse (that we will not see in North America). This may highlight some areas of personal power and creativity This Solar Eclipse is coupled with a Lunar Eclipse that will occur on May 15. During this time, reflect on what’s preventing your growth. Shine a light on it and you may find a way to convert it into a superpower! All in all, this weekend is a great time to set your intentions regarding any personal transformation you would like to make. The planets are supporting you! As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions at [email protected] 4/1/2022 Coming back to Practice Has it been a while since you attended a yoga class? If so, you’re not alone. For that last couple of years, everyone’s schedules and routines have been disrupted. Maybe you tried the virtual classes, and they weren’t for you – you didn’t have room or a quiet space at home; you didn’t like the “feel” of an online yoga class. Maybe you haven’t been comfortable with the idea of taking class in an indoor space. The next thing you know, it’s been months (or even years) and you haven’t practiced. Now you’re ready to head into the studio for a class and it feel a little intimidating. Here are some suggestions to transition back into class.
1. 1. Find a yoga class that fits your style. You may be looking for something completely different now. While most yoga classes are welcoming, be sure that you find one that offers what you’re looking for. Some classes are primarily posture oriented, others see the postures as an aid to meditation, philosophy, and spirituality, while others offer more meditation and philosophy than posture. 2. Take it slow. Start with a gentle or restorative class. It will give you time to evaluate your body and its response to the asanas (postures) and get you used the feel of being in the studio. Even if you’ve been physically active, often yoga postures use different muscles that you’re used to moving. 3. Privately let the instructor know that it’s been a while since you’ve practiced. That gives them an opportunity to offer you individual guidance and suggestions for what they have planned. 4. Pay attention to your body’s cues. Don’t move into pain. Ask for some props or alternative postures, if needed. If the instructor offers assists adjustments, never feel obligated to accept them If you feel you’re at your body’s limits, just say “no, thank you.” 5. Remember that the props are assistants. They can help you relax into, hold, achieve, or even deepen poses. 6. Make sure you stay for relaxation. We all need that bit of time to rest and renew at the end of every class. Get comfortable and make sure you’re warm. Don’t hesitate to ask for an extra blanket or prop if that will help you relax. 7. Feel free to ask questions. This can be before class or after, in person or via email. At Blue Moon Yoga, we offer intention setting sessions, with Eva (Premakashi) included with your introductory package, to discuss your goals/intentions or any concerns and find the class that works for you. 8. Take a few classes before deciding which one is right for you. One class or instructor may not be the only style offered. Try out different class times, teachers, and styles to see where you are right now. You may find several different styles that give you a great balance. Things will change as your practice moves forward! 9. BE KIND to yourself. Give your body, mind, and spirit a break for self-criticism. We look forward to meeting you where you are and moving forward from there! Image by reneebigelow from Pixabay 5/26/2020 Planets in Retrograde - Part 4 - Jupiter Retrograde Planets (Part 4 - Jupiter) – Tomorrow (5/14/2020), Jupiter joins in! Jupiter is another “outer” planet, moving slower and having its influence on the broader aspects of life patterns. In general, Jupiter is associated with growth, healing, and miracles. Institutions like higher education, religion, and “big business” also fall under Jupiter’s influence. Let’s see what all this means for us…
Jupiter is known by many names – the Sage, the Wise One, the King of Gods, and even the bringer of jollity. Jupiter is responsible for mental and spiritual development. This retrograde begins 5/14/2020 and ends 9/12/2020 – approximately 4 months – in Capricorn and will have a positive influence on our situation. The energy of Capricorn is earthy, grounding and stabilizing. It’s about disciplined action helping make great feats possible. In other words, even small steps when strung together, will allow us to make great journeys. And small steps are the way to go right now. We will not personally be making giant leaps forward just yet. Jupiter is offering us good fortune, miracles, healing, happiness, and growth. All of this is available, however, not without work. Laziness will not bring benefit, nor will materialistically pushing and grasping. Jupiter is asking us to balance moral, ethical, and spiritual concerns through self-study to keep any good fortune or good luck from building the ego. No success, big or small, happens without the others. Choose to cooperate and to be a partner. We may be tested by Jupiter, too. We know Saturn is testing us to clean up our karma, but Jupiter is like a wise teacher or father. The test is not pass or fail, the results are based in merit – we receive based upon how much we put in, based on individual ability, not on comparison with others. We are being called to do our best, whatever that is in the moment, and when we are honest with ourselves, we know if we are doing that. Jupiter continues asking us to become more introspective and reflective, but about philosophy and spirituality. In yogic terms, swadhyaya, or self-study. One of the lessons is “Know thyself” to bring in the growth, healing and expansion that is available. Areas where you need growth will be shown to you, sometimes in ways that make you laugh. Discover your motivation – jealousy, greed, power, and revenge should not be your motivating factors (especially when we are sitting with Jupiter retrograde for 4 months at the same time as Saturn, the Lord of Karma). You may find that you are questioning your path. It’s not that Jupiter is asking you to change your path, just to find balance while on it. Have faith in yourself, in the Universe, and in the Creator, that you are exactly where you are supposed to be, but you may just need a slight correction in course. See the previous paragraph about discovering your motivation. When your motivations shift away from dharma and out of alignment, things often look like you are on the wrong path. HAVE FAITH! Jupiter explores and experiments and wants you to do the same. So, Jupiter brings in a little good feeling, and the possibility of good fortune and luck. Energy should begin to feel lighter soon. Remember that our journey right now is taken with small steps – to jump forward too quickly may force us into a further retreat! My resources: Chani Nicholas, Refinery29, Astrology King, Café Astrology, and my own wise teachers. Image by GustavoAckles from Pixabay. As always, it is my honor and pleasure to put together these posts. Please reach out with any questions. Blessings ~Eva 5/21/2020 0 Comments Retrograde planets Part 3 - Venus Retrograde Planets (Part 3 - Venus) – Venus jumps into the pool of retrograde plants tomorrow (5/13/2020)! So far, Pluto and Saturn are retrograde. (See previous posts for a little more detail about them.) Venus is and “inner” planet, so it will have an effect on a more specific and more personal level than an outer planet which affects the patterns in your life. Let’s welcome the Goddess of Love…
We know Venus as the lover and the Goddess of Love and make no mistake, this is where Venus retrograde shows itself in your life – love, relationships, compassion, and affection. Venus will be retrograde from 5/13/2020 to 6/25/2020 – about 6 weeks. Its position in Gemini will place the emphasis on ideas and relationships. Don’t forget that Saturn, the Lord of Karma, is in retrograde, so you might find yourself dealing with relationship karma during the next 6 weeks. Venus retrograde often brings feelings of disillusionment, deceptions, and insecurity, and you may find yourself with an increased need/desire for tenderness and affection. However, the retrograde position of the planet might make harder for you to give and receive that love, tenderness, and affection. The Gemini aspect of this retrograde may find you dealing with some old gossip and two-facedness revisiting you. There’s karma there – what part might you have played in the “drama”? While dealing with karmic issues, you may find yourself saying to a loved one/family member, “we need to talk…” Try to do so with tenderness and compassion – remember, Saturn is in play and we are sowing the seeds of karma that we will eventually reap. You might find old relationships showing up in some way – memories, phone calls, or conversations. You might even find yourself being contacted by old friends and lovers. (These might prompt the “we have to talk” conversation…) All will be lessons to help you sort out your relationship karma. Take responsibility for what is yours, but don’t take on what is others. Remember your boundaries. Take time during this Venus retrograde to be tender and compassionate with yourself. Commit to something (or someone) of value that brings you pleasure and helps you maintain your center during this retrograde season. While the outer planets in retro give us subtle shifts in energy and work on life patterns, inner planets (like Venus) move more quickly, work more personally and bring the epiphanies and “a-ha” moments that we can use to create change more quickly. Become aware of who you value and spend more time with them during this retrograde in some way. It’s an opportunity to really slow down your outward movement of love and settle it into your own being! The final planet jumping into the retro pool this week will be Jupiter! I can’t wait to see what that brings into the mix. As always, I look forward to reading your comments and answering any questions! My resources: Chani Nicholas, Refinery29, Astrology King, Café Astrology, and my own wise teachers. Image by WikiImages from Pixabay. As always, it is my honor and pleasure to put together these posts. Blessings ~Eva 5/18/2020 0 Comments Retrograde Planets Part 2 - Saturn Retrograde Planets (Part 2) Saturn – The second planet in the retrograde party (Saturn) joins tomorrow! We dove in yesterday with Pluto (technically we dove in on 4/25) and now it’s time to get used to the water. Two posts to go after this one. Saturn is also an outer planet, so keep in mind this is a subtler energy shift, over a longer period of time., and generally working on larger patterns in your life rather than having a more direct effect on a specific area. So… Introducing Saturn!
Saturn – sometimes called the Lord of Karma will be retrograde in Aquarius from 5/11/2020 to 9/29/2020 (about 4 ½ months). Saturn is the teacher and the task master. -your homework has been assigned and is now being assessed. This is a period of karma being sorted out. ALL karma – yours, your family’s, and the collective’s. We will find lessons/karma from the past and the present all around us. And don’t forget, how we handle this karmic reckoning determines our lessons/karma in the future. We are being called to answer for our actions and our present actions are creating the future. We are calling into question our duties and responsibilities – are they appropriately placed? This is particularly about family and career. Make no mistake, we are being tested in order to be able to continue our chosen path in concert with dharma. As we feel limitation, restriction, and even anxiety and fear, do we use this as an excuse to abandon our dharma, or do we persevere through the challenges? (Many of you know one of my favorite metaphors…. If you have no food in the house and you encounter a detour on the way to the grocery store, do you say “I guess the universe doesn’t want me to eat today” and go hungry, or do you find another way?) I know this one sounds a little gloomy and doomy, but remember, these are lessons. We have created them ourselves. We are creating them now. If we have been responsible in the past, it will be smoother than if we haven’t. If we handle this with some modicum of grace and responsibility, we are setting up a lighter load for the future. Make sure everything is in order, don’t abandon your purpose and if you can maintain your focus during this karmic lesson, it will lead to productiveness! Venus is up next time! I look forward to reading your comments and answering any questions! My resources include Chani Nicholas, Refinery29, Astrology King, Café Astrology, and my own wise teachers. Image by WikiImages from Pixabay. As always, it is my honor and pleasure to put together these posts. Blessings ~Eva |