Inner-Standing

I like the energy of this new moon. As someone with a Virgo rising, list making (and then checking off the boxes as things are done) gives me a specific type of satisfaction. This new moon in Virgo beckons us to set goals, clean closets, sort and yes, make lists. 

Virgo is a master organizer. Virgo is order, discipline and routine.

This sign knows how to view systems of operation with scrutiny, optimize efficiency and peer into blind spots unseen by others. Virgo can also be the white gloved hand that checks the corners and says, “You missed a spot.” It’s not always a welcome guest, as the shadow of this sign is perfectionism. 

Perfectionism urges us to achieve and do well, but is usually accompanied by a big scoop of judgment and a harsh tone. How often has perfectionism kept you frozen or unable to try for what you want? Has there been a time that perfectionism denied you the grace of being a beginner or kept you from enjoying an accomplishment? What is the antonym for perfectionism? What do we call in to help balance this energy? 

Let me introduce our guest of honor; Understanding.

If understanding had parents, I believe they would be knowledge and compassion. Feet grounded in comprehension, head up tall seeking a higher perspective; understanding is embodied by our friend the giraffe. 

In order to be good teachers, we have to understand the different ways that people learn. In a similar way, when we are able to look at the how and why of our patterns/behaviors, we can then adjust and find equity within ourselves. 

What would it feel like to sit with our undesired qualities/thoughts and ask what they’re trying to do for us?

Perhaps they’re just as tired of feeding us the same old lines as we are of hearing them. Maybe witnessing, holding conversation with and even thanking these energies would allow room for a more easeful transformation. 

If we remember to call upon understanding we have the ability to step back, analyze and proceed from a new angle. This allows us to approach our dreams and aspirations from a place of being fully informed, free of judgement. In this place, knowing how and when to move comes naturally. We ebb and flow with our own cycles of growth in full acceptance of our multidimensionality. Light and dark bring depth and beauty into this realm. May we learn to recognize this beauty within ourselves as well. 

It is time to stop denying parts of ourselves because we have deemed them bad or undesirable. Let us instead invite understanding to head the table as we sit down with these parts and welcome considerate conversation over tea. 

Embodied Practice; Tea time with Understanding (and guests)

For this practice you will need a journal, pen and tea (or beverage of choice). 

If you like, set your space by using a smoke cleanse, room spray or lighting a candle. Make yourself comfortable where you can write easily. 

Begin by grounding yourself. Hold your tea cup in your hands and notice the temperature. Take a few deep breaths, inhaling the smell of the tea. Each exhale softening the body. 

Connect with your guides and energetic support. If it feels right, ask the energy of giraffe to join you as well. Ask for assistance in gaining a new perspective. 

Journal prompts:

1. What are 3 goals I would like accomplish (or start and stick with) by the time 2024 is complete? 

2. What are potential barriers to these goals being achieved? 

3. What energies are present when I think about these barriers? *Example; Perfectionism, procrastination, or lack are all potential visitors when setting goals.      

Now invite the energy of understanding to come sit with you. Imagine what understanding as a being FEELS like. Does understanding have a color, texture or temperature? Do you imagine understanding to look like a familiar object, animal or person? Let your imagination expand with who/what understanding is. 

Once understanding has fully joined you, invite the challenging energies from your journal prompts to join you as well. How do they present? What do they feel like? Do they have a color, texture or temperature? Do they look familiar? Are they hard to be with? 

Once you’re all gathered together, follow these prompts with each of the challenging energies:

Hello ______. I would like to understand you better. How old was I when you first joined me? 

_____ what do you tell me?

____ what is your job? 

Thank you ______for trying to help me. You’ve done a good job. I need to be helped in a different way now. 

From here, allow your conversation to flow naturally. Notice if the energies shift once you’ve talked to them. You can ask if they want to help you in a new/different way. Maybe they want to retire if they’ve been with you a long time! 

Ask understanding to give you some insight with how to accomplish your goals. How do you operate best? What do you need to be set up for success? 

Once complete, thank all the energies present and release them. You can call upon understanding anytime to assist you in making room for conversation with challenging energies. Thank your guides and yourself for taking the time to do this practice. Speak your goals into your tea as if they’ve already happened and then finish your tea.

And so it is!