Life Design
Why Some Souls Depart This Life Early
In over 15 years of doing spiritual readings, I’ve had to deal with some very difficult questions from clients who have suffered extreme loss or trauma.
One of the most heartbreaking, however, is making sense of the death of an infant, child, or young adult, sometimes after a cruel and very unpredictable death.
Grieving the death of a young person can bring up some of the most profound and challenging emotions. While it is never easy to address this kind of loss with grieving parents and relatives, Spirit has been consistent in its guidance over the years.
Although I have been spared the loss of someone so young in my own life, I am no stranger to it. I have supported many families in this regard over the years, both professionally and in my personal life.
The first time I realized how fragile life really is, was when I was only 12 years old. I was looking forward to the summer vacation from school. One of my classmates who lived down the street and her family had relatives visiting for the summer. Two of the visiting cousins were more or less our age, so I had a nice group of girl playmates for the season!
There was also the younger brother of the visiting cousins, who was only six years old. He was an adorable child with blond hair, bright blue eyes, and a freckled face full of mischief. He followed his two sisters, my girlfriend, and me wherever we went during those carefree days. I did not mind having him around and even encouraged the others to let him play hide-and-seek and many other childhood games with us.
Revitalize Your Life With A Spiritual Spring Clean
The spring season is upon us and with it comes a fresh energy of renewal and rebirth.
Very often at this time of year people do a “spring cleaning” of their homes and workspaces, and for good reason. On a spiritual level, we have been moved by the powerful influence of this vibrant seasonal energy since the beginning of time.
As the light of the sun returns and the air begins to warm, we feel on a deep level the cycle of rebirth and the return of fertility to the earth that sustains us, just as our ancestors did through the ages. It inspires us to make room in our lives for this invigorating energy of renewal.
The ancients held the spring in high regard, attributing significant spiritual and symbolic meanings to the season. Although beliefs varied across different cultures, they mostly centered around themes of renewal, fertility, rebirth, and celebration.
In Ancient Egypt, for example, spring was closely associated with the annual flooding of the Nile, which brought fertile silt to the fields. The Egyptians celebrated the festival of Sham el-Nessim, marking the beginning of spring, which was believed to bring rejuvenation and health.
Astrology Forecast April 8 -14, 2024
The week begins with a New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aries today, marking the beginning of a six-month cycle of renewed focus.
The second of two eclipses this year (the first occurred on March 25th with the full moon), it promises potential breakthroughs and advanced movement.
This eclipse also occurs closely conjunct Chiron and the Moon’s North Node, creating a profound opportunity for healing, introspection, and focusing on emotional wounds in order to move forward toward our soul purpose without repeating the past.
Chiron’s influence offers us a unique opportunity to confront and work through personal and collective pain, potentially leading to profound healing and a renewed sense of purpose.
Chiron, also known as the Wounded Healer, embodies the archetype of healing through overcoming personal traumas and challenges. This aspect encourages us to embark on a healing journey and take bold steps toward manifesting our true self and purpose.
The energy of today’s eclipse is also an opportunity for reevaluation of both personal and professional goals, especially as they relate to the Aries-ruled areas of your chart. As the first sign of the zodiac, Aries carries the energy of new beginnings, leadership, and pioneering action. We’ll feel renewed sense of innovation and determination.
Spiritual Maturity Is A Lifelong Journey
What does spiritual maturity mean to you? Every time I ask someone this question, I get all kinds of different answers.
A Baby Boomer I asked said it meant going to church, donating to charities, studying the Bible, and following the Ten Commandments.
When I asked a Gen Z client, she said it meant minding your own business and not caring what others think of you because it is none of your business what they think. She also said she was a Wiccan and didn’t believe in wishing negative energy on others, because she knew it would only come back to her if she did.
I recently asked four people at a social gathering, and they had different opinions on the subject. They were in their 30s and 40s and had a young teenager with them. Interestingly, one thing they all agreed on was that it is spiritually mature to create healthy boundaries with family and friends for your own mental and spiritual well-being. One woman shared, for exxample, that if she hadn’t stopped hanging out with one of her friends, she would have hit rock bottom emotionally.
“I just could not put up with the way she treated me. I used to spend a lot of time stressing about the things she would say and do. I was always overthinking every toxic interaction with her, and our so-called friendship was not good for my mental state,” she explained. “So, for me, spiritual maturity is walking away from those who bring you down.”
The Wonderful Ways We Receive Messages From Spirit
As spiritual beings on a human journey, we are constantly guided in our daily lives by the spirit realm and the divine to assist us with life decisions, karmic choices, spiritual growth, fulfillment of our purpose, and prophetic insights into the future.
Our deceased loved ones, ancestors, spirit guides, angels and the divine communicate with us constantly to provide comfort and reassurance during difficult times, to remind us that we are never alone, and that we are loved and watched over.
Spirit also imparts wisdom and knowledge to help us find closure, forgiveness, and healing. However, in order to clearly receive, interpret, and apply the wisdom of these messages, we must be mindful and cultivate a heightened spiritual awareness.
Messages from the other side also serve as a reminder of the continuity of existence beyond physical life. Our deceased loved ones want to assure us that we will be reunited with them in the afterlife and that there is an ongoing connection between that spirit realm and the physical world.
Sometimes spirit simply communicates with us to remind us that the spirit realm is all around us and easily accessible, and to encourage an open and spiritually aware life. Our ancestors and guides also aim to assist us in our spiritual journey and soul evolution. In some circumstances, spirit will also communicate with us as an act of divine intervention or intercession, to warn us of impending dangers or negative influences, and to help protect us from harm.
Monthly Tarot Forecast: April 2024
This month the Queen of Wands, a figure of authority and natural leadership, brings confidence, determination, and the ability to charm and inspire those around us. She is the Queen of Fire, symbolizing creativity, vitality and passion.
In the coming month we should be attuned to our ambitions as they may be strengthened. We may feel inspired to set new goals and make firmer decisions. There will be new motivational energies in our careers or businesses that will make it easier to keep our work goals and projects on track. This same energy will push us to get things done and take us to the next step.
The energy of the Queen of Wands calls us to tap into our inner self with instinct and confidence. As we face challenges in our professional or personal lives, our greatest asset this month is our self-awareness and ability to lead with confidence. Her energy will allow us to take control of situations that require a bold approach.
The Queen advises us to maintain our ideas and visions, especially in environments where our charisma can help others toward a common goal. Remember, to share is to care, so don’t hold back your gifts.
Astrology Forecast April 1 – 7, 2024
The month begins on a fiery note with Mercury going retrograde today until April 25th. This Mercury retrograde may have a greater impact than usual as it occurs in the ardent sign of Aries.
Expect heightened frustration and impatience over the next three weeks as tensions could ignite quickly. The energy of Aries amplifies impulsiveness and assertiveness, which can lead to rash decisions and thoughtless actions or words.
It will be important to practice patience, exercise caution with technology, back up important files, and avoid initiating new projects or making important decisions if possible. Watch out for electronic glitches, last-minute cancellations, and having to start things over at least twice before they stick!
Miscommunications and misunderstandings are also likely to be more common, especially in close relationships where there may be a tendency toward more self-centered or combative interactions.
To mitigate potential conflict, think carefully about how you phrase things and strive for clarity before you react. During this time, focus on listening and reflecting before speaking, as knee-jerk reactions could lead to unnecessary complications!