Life Design
How To ‘Face Everything And Rise’ (F.E.A.R.)
It’s okay to feel afraid sometimes – some fear responses are a natural and vital part of our built-in self-protection system. Rooted in our primal survival instincts, fear helps us identify and respond to real threats, such as a raging fire or a dangerous wild animal.
Survival fear arises in response to immediate, tangible threats to our safety or well-being. It’s a necessary, life-preserving mechanism based on objective, real-world risks that ensure our survival. By activating the body’s fight-or-flight response, it enables us to act quickly and stay safe.
But not all fears are instinctual, nor do they serve our highest good. Irrational fears arise from societal conditioning, cultural expectations, false beliefs, past traumas, or imagined scenarios. These fears are learned or imagined, not instinctual.
Unlike survival fear, irrational fears reflect internalized doubts, imaginery threats and false narratives that serve no protective function at all. Instead, they just interfere with our personal growth, decision-making, and well-being.
Conditioned fears are typically exaggerated or irrational, existing more in the mind than in reality. Examples include fear of failure, fear of rejection, or fear of not living up to social standards. Self-limiting fears can trap us in cycles of self-doubt and hesitation, limiting our ability to take risks, grow, and live wholeheartedly.
To live our best lives, we must learn to recognize these irrational fears, challenge their validity, and prevent them from taking control of our life and well-being. By stepping back and evaluating the source of our fears, we can release what no longer serves us, reclaim our joy, and unlock our full potential.
Is It Time To Reset Your Life?
As the festivities fade and the hype of new year’s resolutions subsides, it’s natural to pause and truly reflect on the direction of your life.
Often idealized as a time of joy and connection, the holidays rarely leave room for true introspection. Instead, they bring a whirlwind of obligations — shopping, entertaining, traveling, and endless social engagements. In the rush to meet expectations, both our own and those of others, the peace and reflection we crave are often drowned out by the festive chaos.
But as the holidays end and life returns to its normal routine, many feel a spontaneous urge to make an honest assessment of where they are in life. What’s working? What isn’t? Where do adjustments need to be made?
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to lose sight of our true passions and purpose. Often we carry unnecessary burdens, cling to outdated habits, or stay in situations that no longer align with our higher selves.
Now is often the time of the year when your intuition may be whispering — or even screaming — that something needs to change. This inner knowing often manifests as dissatisfaction, a longing for something more, or a deep sense that you’re meant for greater things.
Recognizing the need to reset your life can be one of the most empowering decisions you’ll ever make. Letting go of what no longer serves you is not only a courageous act, but also a fundamental aspect of personal and spiritual growth.
Making The Most Of Void Of Course Moon
Did you know that the moon has an astrological “pause button”? Every once in a while, the Moon literally takes a celestial break. In astrology, this is known as the Void of Course (VOC).
During this time, the Moon is considered “void,” meaning that it is not forming significant aspects with other celestial bodies in its current sign, and it has not yet entered the next sign. It’s a brief pause, a momentary break in the Moon’s journey that invites us to take a time out to recalibrate, reflect, and reset.
The concept of the VOC Moon dates back to Hellenistic astrology in the first century BC. Ancient astrologers observed that activities initiated during this phase often produced unexpected or unfavorable results.
While its origins are ancient, its relevance remains, especially for those who seek to align their actions with cosmic rhythms. Traditionally, astrologers advise against making important decisions or starting new projects during this time due to the perceived unpredictability associated with this lunar phase.
The concept was popularized in the 1940s by American astrologer Al H. Morrison who spent decades researching and writing about this astrological phenomenon. He recommended using this time for subjective, spiritual, and non-material concerns such as prayer, meditation, or rest.
According to Chris Brennan, a prominent astrologer specializing in Hellenistic astrology, the term “void of course” comes from the Greek word kenodromía (κενοδρομία), which means “running in the void” or “running in emptiness.”
Shield Your Dreams From The Naysayers
I’m in the midst of a major shift in my life – a bold leap forward that promises transformative and exciting changes for me and my family.
It is taking a lot of my time and requires a lot of work and personal sacrifice, as there are many moving parts that need to align to make it all happen. However, I know it will work and I trust in spirit’s guidance and divine timing. I’ve successfully navigated similar situations before in my life, so I’m confident it can be done.
As is often the case in these situations, I find myself surrounded by people who are projecting their fears and limitations onto me and my goals. Based on conversations with friends and clients who are supportive and encouraging, this seems to be a common pattern. What is clear to me is that these are people who have chosen to live very different lives from mine.
For example, I have a relative who has always lived in fear and has repeatedly tried to discourage me from every endeavor I’ve ever pursued — almost all of which have been successful. The few that have not worked out for the best I consider valuable life lessons.
I started my first business when I was 26 years old. This family member scoffed at me, saying it was too risky and that I was wasting my time and money. Well, that business ended up paying more than just my bills for over a decade, while many of my peers spent the best years of their lives in soul-destroying dead-end jobs. It allowed me, for example, to buy two houses and several new cars, and best of all, I loved what I was doing!
Abundance Rituals For A Prosperous 2025
The universal energy of renewal and infinite possibility beckons as we enter the year 2025. The beginning of a new year is a great time to release old energies that no longer serve us and to invite a new wave of abundance, prosperity and fulfillment into our lives.
New Year’s manifestation practices not only clarify and align our intentions from the start, but also release energetic blockages, allowing prosperity and well-being to flourish. Releasing the old creates space for new possibilities and opportunities to flow into our lives.
The modern idea of setting intentions or “New Year’s resolutions” has its roots in various traditions. For centuries, cultures around the world have marked the transition to a new year with spiritual, esoteric, and religious practices and ceremonies.
In Mesopotamia, for example, the Akitu festival celebrated the Spring Equinox as the beginning of a new year and included rituals to honor the gods and ensure a bountiful harvest.
In Babylonia, at the beginning of each year, people made promises to their deities to return borrowed items and pay their debts. These promises were a way to start the year fresh and in good standing with the higher realms.
The ancient Romans perpetuated the tradition by dedicating the month of January to Janus, the two-faced god who looked both backward and forward to symbolize “looking back” on the past year and “looking forward” to the New Year, making it a time for personal reflection and new beginnings.
New Year, New Habits, And A New You!
Many people make resolutions every year that are never kept. They make a sincere effort for a month or so, and then it just slips here and there until whatever they decided to do just falls by the wayside. This is normal, and you should never beat yourself up if you make a resolution or promise and don’t follow through. Growth is a process, not a straight line.
When I decide to do something, the first thing I do is meditate on it. I ask my guides and angels, “Is this right for me? Will this improve my life? If I don’t do this, will it hurt me or someone else? If the answers are yes, yes, and no, then I know it’s the right thing for me to do.
I do not reserve this for New Year’s resolutions. I do this throughout the year whenever I feel spiritual growth within myself or experience something that sparks change, whether positive or negative. A new year can begin any day you decide to change some aspect of your life. It doesn’t have to be January 1st; it can be any day.
Personally, I make a new “resolution” each month. At the end of each month, I reflect and ask myself if I’ve accomplished what I set out to do. If not, I set it aside and move on to something new. Eventually, I return to the unfulfilled goal, knowing that the timing wasn’t right. I don’t beat myself up about unfinished goals; instead, I send them love and leave them for later.
My most important resolution is to get closer to Spirit. I strive to understand what Spirit has in store for me and to guide me to become the best version of myself from the inside out. The outward appearance can be dressed up or down, but the true self must be healed, clear, and joyful. That joy doesn’t come from another person or thing – it comes from loving myself as it should be for you. Love yourself as you are in this moment, and nurture the new version of yourself with daily love, meditation, and surrender to your higher self.
Tarot Forecast January 2025: Two Of Swords
This month the energy of the Two of Swords takes center stage. It is a card of indecision, stalemate, reflection, and difficult choices, potentially predicting that we may face uncertainty, difficult decisions and the need for introspection as we move into the New Year.
The Two of Swords represents moments in life when we find ourselves at a crossroads, weighing options and feeling the need to pause before making an important decision. It often comes up in readings when there is a stalemate or dead-end situation where no progress can be made until a decision is made or some action is taken.
The Two of Swords depicts a blindfolded figure sitting by a still body of water holding two crossed swords. The blindfold symbolizes the inability or unwillingness to see the whole picture or face a choice. The crossed swords signify inner conflict or conflicting choices, while the water in the background suggests the emotional undercurrents influencing the situation.
Traditionally, the Moon also appears in the card, representing uncertainty, mystery, and the unknown. Together, these symbols paint a picture of introspection, duality, and the need to find clarity and balance.
The card signifies the need to balance opposing forces or ideas. It emphasizes the importance of finding balance in a challenging situation. It can also represent emotional turmoil or an inability to reconcile conflicting aspects of a situation.
The Two of Swords encourages us to seek clarity, face challenges head-on, and strive for balance in our choices and decisions. It reminds us that avoiding a problem won’t make it go away; instead, it’s important to face it with a clear mind and an open heart.