Maintaining our connection throughout the seasons

I am sitting here in early Sagittarius and wondering how I write about a time that hasn’t even occurred yet, about shifting into Capricorn and what it is to be in this time. Do I recite factual information gathered from articles and books or do I simply delve into my imagination about what I picture it might be a few weeks from now? Most of what I write about is from my direct experience with a mix of information posted on sites I follow. So, how do I write about a future that does not even exist?

Funny, but we seem to do that in our heads all the time. We “create” a future based on fantasies we have stirring around  in our heads. Fantasies about possible future outcomes. We make conclusions of what may occur if we do A,B and C and then we plan, categorize, systemize and beat the hell out of an idea until we decide it is the best path to follow.  We create images of what our life may look like in the future. We feel worry and fear based on these illusions, or alternatively we hold on to hope and expectation.

We choose paths based on stories we have constructed in our minds, often creating discordance in our lives as we frequently create these life stories from a place of complete unconsciousness. We develop beliefs about situations based on what we physically see happening in our external world, or from memories of how we experienced similar situations in the past.  We don’t even realize that most of the time our ego is the one in charge and our soul is so far in the corner we don’t even know it is speaking.

So, how can we create these stories differently? It is certainly the time. The beginning of a new year. The birth of a new cycle. The sun is slowly making its return. It is as if  we are all embryos in the womb waiting to be born…and... we are the pregnant woman waiting to give birth. We want so much for this year, this cycle to be different, to be more than or less than what we have previously experienced.

I could talk about resolutions, how to manifest what we want or what things we can do to stick to our goals. Yet, I feel a stirring, a different story emerging. A story that is about manifesting yet it is not. One that is about creating yet surrendering. About paradoxes. The power of “being with” the center of all things. Of choosing to be with the possibility of everything and doing nothing. 

I have been “fortunate” in gaining a very clear understanding of standing in the centre, getting out of the way and allowing Life to steer a course; rather than living a life that is directed by ego. It took me a long time to even recognize how often i (ego) was always trying to be in control and design a life that I truly believed would manifest my dreams and provide me with a life that was “totally awesome”. I would see something I desired and begin chasing it. Like a predator after a prey. A predator that did not tire, would not rest and would ruthlessly hunt until it got exactly what it was hunting for. Unfortunately, this predator tended to have a deep rooted pattern, a program within her brain telling her the most ‘nourishing’ prey were the ones that were dangerous and very toxic. “Fortunately”, we can only feed on toxic prey for so long before it starts to destroy us.….and all those within our tribe. We all have wake-up calls in one way or another. Sometimes we listen and other times not. I chose to listen…..eventually. It was that or slowly die.

After my last ingestion of toxins I made a commitment. I committed that from that moment forward I would listen very carefully to Life’s feedback and wisdom before I made any further choices. I would surrender my life to Her and trust that She knew much more than my little human mind. New life is now starting to emerge in ways that I never would have imagined.

So, how do we step aside? How do we create a future that is aligned with Life? How do we become co-creators focused on the good of all, instead of humans driven by self-centred needs and wants?

Very, very.... very carefully. With one foot in front of the other. We remain flexible. Unattached. Open. We create community. In a sense we let go of ‘hope’, as hope is based on expectations and clinging to an idea. Clinging to control, being attached to outcome.

 A friend of mine recently compared life a little bit to the game of snakes and ladders. We all love when we get big numbers and can move forward long distances or when we land on that square that takes us up the ladder. Its not very often we get excited by having to slide down the back of the snake and return to the beginning (or close to it anyway). Thing is thats life. Its full of ebbs and flows. Sometimes we need to return to old ground to finish….even if we have no idea why. There is no need to always be clear about what path to follow or how to get there.

It will unfold.

Recently I have received some amazing insights about the power of sitting with something before I make a move. Something I read really resounded within me - that once I choose one thing over another, the other gets cancelled out. It disappears into the ethers. In a sense it dies. That reality no longer exists. I wondered what would happen if I stayed with an idea and opened my mind to an alternate one and did not choose immediately which step to take? Not to move but instead, to sit and listen for the moment to move me. I would clearly ask for signs and symbols of what would be the next step to take. I would consciously let go of any preconceived notions about which path to follow. I must admit I have been very surprised with some of the choices I ultimately made. Sometimes I ended up doing exactly the opposite of what I “thought” was the best action to take. I am consistently guided every single time.

I have discovered first hand that out of the stillness, synchronicities happen, symbols repeat themselves or people say things that arouse my interest. Often something new arises that I would never have thought of on my own. Yes, I certainly had to address any resistance that arose. Resistance that is completely natural as the ego simply wants us to feel safe and secure, and this path is definitely not one of security. It is one of living on the edge. The unknown. Being the Fool as in the Tarot. Stepping forward off a cliff with complete and utter trust.

As Antonio Machado writes:

“Travellers,there is no path.Paths are made by walking.”

Walking this path takes time, practice and an immense amount of patience. We are so conditioned to make those resolutions, set those goals and go after them. From experience I can say that I truly believe this is not a sustainable way to live. Living in the moment, though, allowing one step to lead us to the next is not the norm in our society. Quite the opposite actually. Makes me think of a teacher I studied with years ago. She always said that the way of the patriarchy was to understand first and act later and the way of the Feminine was to go within, listen for insight, take the action and then understand. I get that now.

It is not an easy path and sometimes I think to myself it would be so much simpler if I just made those resolutions like everyone else. Then I remember. I remember the difference between living a life from ego and living the life I am living now.

I choose this one hands down.I encourage you to consider the idea as well.

Blessed be.

Ana Ravenstar

Intuitive Coaching, Herbal Living, Tarot Wisdom, Rituals and ceremonies
ana@theheartofthewitch.com
www.thehearthofthewitch.com