December 2016: Tune into Your Inner Knowing

December coaxes us to go deep within, connect to our intuition, and trust and follow its guidance. We're reminded that all of the answers we need already lie within us. Sensitivity and emotions continue to be heightened all month long; extra diligence in our spiritual practice (particularly meditation and prayer) will be required. We're going to need to be extra gentle and patient with ourselves. 

The need for rest and retreat that was felt in the later half of November carries over well into this month, and is particularly strong in the first half. But the overall themes of reflection and contemplation will be with us all month long. Keep your eyes on the long-term prize—this is a time for preparation, laying the groundwork, and making feasible plans towards our ultimate, long-term goals and dreams. The task we're being asked to step up to is no simple one—to align our minds, hearts and actions with our inner truth.

Watch out for attachment issues that may flare up this month. Whether it's the impulse to control everything, or the tendency to become overly wrapped up in the concerns of the material world, the solution is to turn within. This month will not let us get away with seeking anything outside us to fulfill us. 

Regardless of whatever challenges or uncertainties we may face, we are urged to not get caught in worry and fear. We are reassured that we are taken care of and can trust in the universe. Some new information or revelations will arrive in the second half of the month—whether this news is of a positive or negative nature, the importance of choosing trust over fear cannot be overstated. The potential for inner healing is tremendous this month, so make the most if it! 

All that we seek is already within us. 

November 2016: Love, Trust & Express Yourself

November shines a big, bright spotlight on YOU. This month is all about loving, accepting, trusting and expressing our authentic selves. And it calls for a heaping dose of self-care. The resounding message this month brings is: YES, your intuition is correct. Now, trust it and follow it!

The cycles of birth and death (quite fitting for Scorpio season)/beginnings and endings will be in focus. For some, this can mean literal births of children, pregnancies or important birthday celebrations. For many, this will mean the birthing of new projects or ways of being/relating to others. Conversely, November will also be a time of completions; as the new emerges, the old continues to fade away.

As always, don't expect these endings and beginnings to be neat and clear-cut. Many of us may find these transitions occurring in the opposite order we'd expect. The first half of the month looks like a stronger time for beginnings, while completions will be emphasized more in the later half...and don't be surprised if there's also a little of both going on at the same time.

Prepare for some positive (though not necessarily easy) shifts in our finances too. Many of us won't be able to deny it any longer—the time has come to get serious about freeing ourselves from the burden and habit of debt. Once we make the commitment to do so, we can trust that we'll be guided towards the best ways to reduce our debt and spending.

Overall, the first half of November will be a joyous, celebratory time—and the lighthearted energy will be more than welcome as the extremely intense, dark United States presidential election comes to a close. The forward motion of October will continue well into this month. It continues to be a time for forging ahead after our heart's desires. And, lucky for us, the steps we need to take will be crystal clear...so long as way pay attention to our inner guidance. 

Inspiration abound, the beginning and middle of the month will be perfect for expressing ourselves (creatively or otherwise). "Follow your bliss" will be an easier adage to live by than usual, so make the most of it! But remember, even amidst all the excitement, don't forget to take care of yourself.

As the moon wanes and we slip into winter, the final half of the month is a time for going within. Rest, retreat and some possible regrouping may be in order. While we should expect our sensitivity to be heightened all month, this will particularly true in the last half. Remember to honor and embrace your sensitivity as a precious part of who you are. Being intently present with our feelings and thoughts will help us to distinguish between what's ours and what we may be absorbing from others.

As a time of reflection and release, clearing rituals can be deeply healing (and likely necessary) during this period—clearing our own energy, as well as that of our homes and work spaces. Ask yourself, what do I need to let go of in order to better care for myself and closer align my life with what's most important to me? Be gentle, loving and honest with yourself. Many may come to the realization that we need help and will be called to face any fear or guilt we have about asking for it.

Honor your needs and be true to who you really are.

October 2016: Taking Heart & Pressing Forward

October will be a month of healing and forward motion. While the momentum has certainly increased, we may encounter some situations this month that appear to be challenges at first. But these seeming challenges will actually lead to deeper, more rapid inner healing. Family will be a central theme for many this month as well—visiting and spending time with family, welcoming new additions to the family, but also healing of deep-rooted issues related to family.

We are ready; the time has come for moving forward and getting out there. For most, this will mean venturing outside of our comfort zones. For some, this could mean literally traveling to a new destination where important growth and learning will take place. As always, faith and trust will be of paramount importance this month; trust that there are gifts hidden within challenges you may face, trust enough to let go of the need to control and predict outcomes, trust that you are on the right path and all is unfolding as it's meant to.

Health will be a major theme of October too. For many, emotional detoxification will also require physical detoxification. Eating more healthily (more fruits and vegetables, staying away from chemicals and processed foods, etc.), getting plenty of exercise and spending time in nature will be crucial for all of us this month. Get out there and enjoy the beautiful Autumn weather!

The forward momentum will be particularly strong in the first half of October, which is quite fitting as we make our way towards a full moon in the strong, assertive sign of Aries on October 16th. This is a time for taking action, making decisions and going for it. We're reminded that this is our life and it's up to us to take initiative and to set our own course. You know what you need and want to do, so do it! This will also be a time of heightened manifestation, so be extra careful of your thoughts and attitude—we have the power to create messes or masterpieces of our lives. We create the latter by staying centered in faith, gratitude and love. 

Circling back to the nature theme of this month, many will find flower essences particularly helpful in their healing work, such as lavender oil for relaxation or rose oil for heart opening. While still a strong time for taking action, the second half of October will have a noticeably gentler energy to it, where we'll be reaping benefits of what we sowed earlier in the month. For many, soulmate relationships will blossom or come into focus during this period as well.

Go fearlessly forward where you know you need to go, trusting in the divine guidance and protection that envelops you. 

August 2016: Staying in the Flow of Love & Trust

Many of us will start August on a hopeful, if not exciting, note, with new ideas or projects that we are excited to jump right into! And how fitting for the new moon in the exuberant sign of of Leo on Tuesday, August 2nd. One important thing to keep in mind is to make sure any action we take is from a mindset of abundance, rather than scarcity; in other words, from a place of love, rather than fear. Don't get sidetracked by worries about your life purpose or fixate on how you'll make money doing what you love. Instead, trust that the universe supports you fully. Ask, how can I serve? How can my natural talents and passions be used in the loving service of others? 

Being gentle with ourselves continues to be of particular importance these days. Take a moment to reflect—where have you been straining and striving? Where have you been harsh with yourself? This month invites us to prioritize self-love. It's time to make a commitment to see everything—ourselves, other people, all situations—through the lens of love. And in order to stay centered in love, we need to trust. We must trust that we, ourselves, are loved unconditionally and that all is happening for our highest good. We must trust that it is safe to love and to be loved. We must trust ourselves.

The interplay between action and rest, giving and receiving, contraction and expansion, will be at the forefront this month. It will be important to routinely check in with ourselves to discern what is being required of us in any given circumstance. If we're out of sync with "the flow," we'll know. We can count on resistance if we're swimming upstream.

There's the feeling that we're finally turning a corner, but the details of what's ahead aren't exactly clear yet. There may be a compulsion to rush ahead, taking action for action's sake. It’s important to distinguish between inspired action and compulsive action. Don’t be hasty—again, you can trust your intuition and your gut to let you know when it’s time to move forward.

The second half of August, in particular, will be a time for reaping what we have sown and collecting the fruits of our hard labor—so open your arms wide to receive, trusting that wonderful things are in store for you. In the coming days, connecting with nature and spending time outside will be especially restorative for us, so get out there as much as you can. It’s a great time to air things out—both literally and figuratively—clearing out the old to make room for the new and improved.

Stay in the flow of life.