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Your November 2015 Newsletter From Dominique

This Month: Astrological Trends * Meditation * Recipe: “Microwave Cranberry Oat Bran Bowl”

November 2015 Astrological Trends

November is time to pick up the thing you have wanted to do for so long there’s probably an ache in your body because you’ve ignored it. Let the laundry sit a while, let the phone calls go to voicemail, don’t try to please anybody else with elaborate meals (unless cooking IS your thing), and relax into yourself maybe for the first time ever. Allow the Mars and Venus conjunction with the North node in Virgo to pivot you into a new level of self-actualization in an easy manner as you use the energy from the universe to manifest and bring into reality the still, silent dreams that lurk inside the quiet, sacred corners of your being. It will probably turn out to be what the world needs most.

The month opens with this influence and it lasts well into the first week of the month and beyond. For a lot of people this may represent a creative pursuit that has been on the back burner. (For others, it may bring a new love interest or rekindle the passion in a current relationship—the traditional Venus/Mars meaning.) Mars and Venus are moving through the final degrees of Virgo together. On November 7, Venus will conjunct the North Node, the point of destiny that helps us unlock and unfold our karma in this lifetime. It’s a window into our fate, a place where we can peer into what is called the “akashic records” in some circles. So what we feel compelled to do right now, with Mars in the mix, is likely a big part of our destiny. With the placements in Virgo, it’s nice to know our egos are probably not in charge. Because Virgo is a fairly humble placement for these energies, a placement that gives us earthly expression and attunement, we can channel destiny right down from the heavens, through our spines and knees and feet, and into our lives in a way that can benefit us. This is provided the energies are in the hands of fairly well-managed spiritual persons here on the planet, which my readers tend to be! Yay!

The beginning of November also brings a change of mental focus as Mercury changes signs from Libra to Scorpio, following the Sun to put focus on deeper, transformative thoughts and conversations. On November 6, Mercury will trine Neptune in Pisces, adding to the spiritual depth available the first week in November. During this time period, it is a fantastic time for the healing of the mind. Any kind of mental health practice is highly advised, from copious meditation to seeking therapies that help to relax your mind and nervous system. (Core synchronism which I recommend at the end of the newsletter each month is one method that I can personally recommend.) Simple writing, reading, listening to relaxing music, and tranquil walks or drives are also good methods to clear one’s mental state.

Furthermore, Venus is entering Libra on November 8, and Mars is entering its exact conjunction with the North Node on November 9-10. Mercury, then, sextiles Pluto on the 9-10 of November. This set up is seriously asking us to consider how we are dealing with our minds and how gentle we can be within ourselves in order to take depth of action. The HeartMath Institute teaches about the heart mind, with its electromagnetic field, being faster and smarter than the brain mind, in case you haven’t encountered them yet. We have many types of minds in our bodies—the brain mind, of course—the heart mind—and the gut mind. These three are major systems that “think” in us. We probably have more parts in our bodies that think differently and perhaps better than our highly-trained brains. We have a lot of places in us that could be trained—but our culture chooses not to train those parts of us as much as we train our intellectual brains. We have an opportunity in November to decide, with destiny’s help, which part of us truly SHOULD lead. That may be different for different folks—and it’s a wonderful world that this is true.

Destiny shows us each what we were made to do by what we love to do. We can look back to what we’ve always loved, since we were young—frollicking about with abandon—playfully. That’s a clue to our destiny on this planet. What do we like to do when we’re unselfconscious? Then from that point, how can it be made kind and contributing to a social circle? How can we fit into and become part of a society? How can we positively change and affect the culture around us once we gain insight and wisdom? These are lifetime questions I’m posing here—but what is destiny doing except processing our lives alongside us?

These are Virgo themes, North Node/Mars/Venus themes, and human themes.

On November 11, the New Moon in Scorpio then arrives. If you thought things were complex, we are just getting started! This New Moon conjuncts the Sun and Mercury in Scorpio. It trines Chiron in Pisces and sextiles Jupiter in Virgo. There is also a quincunx to Uranus in Aries, which sets up a Uranus/Jupiter/Sun Yod pattern (a strong destiny signal that it’s a good time to look at new philosophies). It sets off an arrangement for all these planets for three days, and the sun and Mercury stay in conjunction through November 23. In fact, they both switch signs from Scorpio to Sagittarius together on the 21-22 on November. At the same time, Venus sextiles Saturn and Mars enters the sign of Libra.

All very technical. But what does it mean?

I think it means you ought to let the deep integration happen to you and hold on to very little. Listen, there is an ocean happening all around us and we need to be buoyant enough to float to the top in order to breathe. As I’ve been walking around each day, doing things such as appreciation and meditation (the practices I’ve learned through the past decade) I notice people getting caught on things that I’m really grateful I can swim right past a lot of the time now. I can let go of much of the self-criticism, obsession, ambition, and other things that used to plague me. Now when these things come up for me I laugh or cry or sweat it out. I feel it and it’s moved through me and then it’s gone. Very seldom do I see myself hurt anyone else and sometimes I even handle relationships in ways that help others now. Wow, I’m really happy about that! It helps me to like myself a lot. There’s a broadness of being that’s very different from a decade ago that makes me very happy. It provides flexibility and is expanding even now. Personally, I have a lot more to learn. It’s exhilarating that what I have to learn involves helping others because I’m fairly comfortable in my own skin a majority of the time nowadays. I guess once I really explored the fact that there’s no such thing as “getting there,” like our culture teaches—when I debunked that myth—it was time to look around for what else there was to do worth doing in life. Learning to be buoyant enough to breathe and float to the top of the ocean of experience and then see who is drowning around me was the best I have come up with today. The elements we humans are made of allow us to float in the ocean.

What might your answer be for what is worth doing?

This new moon and all the planetary support energies in play are asking you to assess your strengths and the things you care about. Look at your journey up to now—your past wounds and also what you have built and where you’ve succeeded and dreamed your way into happiness and joy. What does your imagination tell you is the beautiful life? What are your secret dreams? What secret kindnesses make your heart thrum? That might be what life would like you to enact pretty soon. Mid-month is a deep contemplation and the new moon can be a day of prayer and asking for help from your higher source(s) to support you in your journey and process. With Uranus in Aries, the powerful warrior spirit is surprisingly helpful to us at this time to start new things and help us make adjustments in our lives based upon our dreams. Using the higher side of these energies is rather important; the lower side can be over-indulgence, aggression, etc. I say, just sidestep that stuff! (Unless the indulgence is a little bit of dark chocolate and tea! LOL!)

During the final third of November, I thought we might have some easy-peasy time… but alas, no. this is one intense month! So, as Venus squares Pluto on November 20 while quincunxing a moon/Chiron conjunction, it’s a good time to use its traditional meaning of being soothed by love. OK, really it’s a time when there’s powerful romantic connection… so it’s a great date night! If you feel any of the “stress” part of the aspect, immediately let that go and use it to “destress” and heal instead!! Let go of any conflicts that arise and find something else to do with that ego. Find something to agree on instead of disagreeing. It can be so healing to love on this day instead of fight.

On November 23, Mercury trades the Sun for Saturn as its companion and stays in conjunction to Saturn through the 28^th. The high side of this time is delving deeply into contemplation of Sagittarian themes such as freedom, travel, higher education, learning/teaching/mentoring, the big picture, animals, detoxification/cleansing, global ideas, and synthesis and integration of large questions.

Mercury / Saturn low side energies can cause depression, so if you feel yourself on the down side, exercise a bit, get some Vitamin D, and practice excellent self-care during this time. (Self-care and self-indulgence are two different things—a lesson that’s poignant for me since I have this aspect in my natal chart!) Make sure to enjoy your thoughts during the final third of this month—there is so much to enjoy about the planet earth, and this aspect is asking you to practice expanding your mind in order to enjoy seeing a bigger picture and identify how you can be flexible and free.

At the same time, Venus is opposing Uranus. This allows for an unexpected jolt of fire or experience of either the pioneer or the warrior archetype to enter our relationships, finances, or creativity in order to help us resolve something we have been struggling with in one of those areas, probably mentally. We may come to think about something in quite a new fashion, all of a sudden, or see ourselves in a new light. Sudden insight can be enjoyable.

The Full Moon in Gemini on November 25 is a time to write. Write all about the insights from the past few months. If you’ve not been writing all along, now is the time to get the thoughts down on paper. Perhaps you need to edit finally or just gather your journal, napkins, slips of paper in various places together. Bring together your efforts at communication in ways that make sense. You have been doing the footwork; now consolidate it. It may not be writing—this may look different for you. It could be a number of things. But something is coming to fruition at the full moon, to finish up in the next few weeks. The full moon is the time to organize and take the final lap on your project(s).

By the end of November, there are sure to be so many things to be thankful for—your basket of appreciation will be overflowing!

Meditation

Free this month:

Libra – Scorpio – Nurture Your Inner Child Guided Meditations!!
www.intuitivemoon.com – Check it out!

Scorpio and the Layers of the Onion Guided Meditation

Nurture Your Inner Child Guided Meditation

As we walk along through the autumn leaves, it is so fun to realize how connected we are to generations past and future. We have funny ideas in our culture, for example, that keep us falsely idealized as “better” than the forepersons who came previous to us. We might characterize it as psychological depression or schizophrenia and give it a diagnosis from a classification system that was set up so insurance companies will pay people who care for us. Other times throughout history, people have thought demons were possessing people who were experiencing disturbances. Shamans talk about the dysfunctional systems we have as “parasites” within us.

We think that in our times we have come up with an answer that is the one answer because it’s the currently used answer, and we’ve internalized it as “right.” However, I was listening to a lecture by Robert Sapolksy the other day, and he found there are viruses that actually take over the brains of animals and change their thinking—that control their actions and thoughts. This sounds very much like the ancient shamanistic “parasite” model of understanding and processing illness.

Before I believe what I’m taught by my culture, I like to think about things like this—what could I learn from ancient observations about the experience of living—without dismissing it just because we now have the scientific method. There are many methods of observation. The only smart humans aren’t the ones who are alive presently.

It also expands my mind to think that humans are not the only smart organisms, and that I’m not the only intelligent individual. Expansive thinking… right here as the leaves fall in the autumn and the colors change in preparation for a new season.

Want to read more? How about my article on Virgo at Kajama? “Lettuce Develop the Virgo Vibe” : Virgo is the mutable earth sign in the zodiac, ruled by the planet Mercury. Virgo rules the hands, and in Virgo, Mercury expresses itself as the alchemist and as the archetype of the Egyptian god Thoth, the mentor of Isis, who taught her healing arts. Virgo energy seeks to balance body, mind and spirit. With Virgo, get ready to DEVELOP…

Nourishment for the Body and Soul

A Fast-Food, Sugar-Free, Meal-For-One during Autumn’s busy season

Microwave Cranberry Oat Bran Bowl

Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:

½ Cup Oat Bran
¼ Cup Flax Seed or Flax Seed Meal
¼ Cup Wheat Germ
1 TBSP cold butter
1 Cup Sparkling Cranberry or Sparkling Blueberry Juice

Optional: Berries on top (fresh or frozen), whip cream on top

Directions:

Place dry ingredients in a microwaveable bowl. Stir together with a fork or whisk. Cut butter into small pieces and sprinkle over top of dry ingredients. Pour sparkling juice over top.

Microwave for 2-4 minutes, depending on your microwave. Most will take 3 minutes.

Let sit one minute, then enjoy!

Nourishing Recommendations

You can learn so much about Tarot from Susyn Blair-Hunt, my wonderful mentor, in her book, Tarot Prediction & Divination, Unveiling 3 Layers of Meaning.

(Llewellyn also publishes the best selection of Tarot decks that I’ve discovered.)

Eva Lipton-Ormand, CHoM, CCSP – in Albuquerque, NM

Elizabeth Battarbee of Flourish, Doctor of Homeopathy – available via Skype everywhere and in-person in Louisiana!

Elise Hensley, LISW, an amazing healer, specializing in EMDR and Neurofeedback. Elise is one of only a few people trained in Neurofeedback in our area. She is someone who is a skilled and amazing mentor. Better yet, your insurance may cover your sessions.

Thank you for enjoying this month’s newsletter! You can contact me anytime via email: domikajama@gmail.com for consultations. Visit at Intuitivemoon.com.

Be well!

Blessings,
Dominique

Your October 2015 Newsletter From Dominique

This Month: Astrological Trends * Meditation * Recipe: “Fast-Food Fall Breakfast”

October 2015 Astrological Trends

Holy Toledo, get your service pants on this October! You may look around and start to see people over-giving and you can be giving, too, but make sure you practice self-care in an outstanding fashion, as well. Too much service and it can result in a Virgoan form of anxiety that one simply needn’t indulge in.

Virgo is an earth sign, and that means using our hands and hearts putting our intellect on hold a bit. As much as Virgo wants to analyze and criticize, it will always come back to just putting things into simple terms instead. Making the world a little better, a little brighter, and telling a better story right in the middle of the mess we are in. Developing an ability to just make one tiny corner better and stay humble about our humanity and our role in a vast universe, while still doing our part—getting comfortable within chaos—can be very healing. Getting comfortable with imperfection can be a spiritual undertaking in October as Venus conjuncts Jupiter (October 25), and Saturn in Sagittarius gets underway in its forward movement (started in September—this is long-term).

We will be blessed with opportunities to help others make this transition, because people’s imperfections will likely arise over and over until they can accept them, and even feel joyful within them. If they internalize, and have a history or pattern of self-criticizing and self-harm, help them be kinder to themselves. If they externalize, and have a pattern of judging those around them or perceiving themselves as a victim, soften with them and help them locate the locus of their pain. Just be with people as they work through this time, and perhaps we light-workers in service to spirit and who stay in touch with our higher purpose, our higher self, and channel the guidance of angels, spirits, and universal wisdom—can benefit from our service by basking in the glow of healing energy.

I am a little selfish in my joy, I admit. But this girl’s chart is Venus-ruled! The beauty of being on this earth aches within my heart almost every day when I admit the truth out loud…

So, a month of Venus focus sounds fairly good to me. Venus in Leo (until October 7) and then primarily in Virgo, dancing past her partners Jupiter (again, October 25) and then Mars (November 3), sounds pretty pleasant to me! Venus is also in mutual reception to the Sun while in Leo and then in mutual reception to Mercury once she moves into Virgo. This means she’ll be having “relations” with these heavenly bodies as well. Funny enough, on October 7, Mercury turns from retrograde to direct at the point when Venus goes into mutual reception with Mercury when she moves into Virgo. Sometimes the dance of the planets seems well-choreographed, indeed! It’s at that point we may find our heart and our minds feel they are in sync, well-lubricated, and singing in tune.

October 7—what a day…

It is around October 7 that we will be asked to take our “leap of faith,” or to take action on the internal struggles or questions we have about dissolving into the non-physical or transcendent or higher nature within ourselves, versus the thoughts and ideals we have about controlling our worlds, our thoughts, or even our personalities. Have you ever really let go to see what would happen? What if you didn’t know and you let life happen anyway? With Jupiter in the mix, it’s very likely life has some tangible gifts waiting in the wings if you can just surrender into your “better story,” too. There are many layers of acceptance. Acceptance of the service we have to give; acceptance of help we can receive; acceptance of just being without doing; acceptance of life as it is; acceptance of the oneness of life as we detach from our personal outcomes; acceptance of a higher calling or a larger platform; acceptance of humility and the equality of us all when our life microscopes instead of telescopes and enjoying our internal world as much as the external world; acceptance of others being as important as ourselves and vice versa—ourselves as important as others. Think of some of the things you have accepted over the years. Think of the next leap of faith in front of you. An action step is likely about to occur…

The New Moon in Libra on October 12 will occur directly opposite Uranus in Aries and would be a good time to call upon creativity in the visual arts, new ideas to move relationships forward, and mental energy. Allow for insights to come to you in a flash, allow for electrical type energy infusions. Use sound, drumming, fast-moving rituals. Air-related cleansing tools are indicated at this new moon—which are sound, feathers, drums, breath, movement and song.

The Full Moon in Taurus on October 27 occurs in the morning, and would be a wonderful time to connect with the mountains. Mars and Venus will be in opposition to Chiron, so it will be a time of healing of physical wounds, to use the energy for the highest good. Seeking out physical healing is definitely a nice idea for using these energies at the end of the month. Seek some massage or just take a nature walk. Allow the body some space to breathe. Cook healthy food. Comfort yourself deeply. Use your whole self, heart and feet and hands, to move and enjoy being alive. Most of all, just be on this day. Slow down and enjoy everything. Bathe yourself and everything around you in appreciation. How’s that for a full moon idea? Would something like that work for you? If not, make up your own plan. Make it something that appeals to you! That’s the important part of a Taurus Full Moon J

For Halloween, the Sun and Neptune will be in trine aspect, which means good things for costumes. There should be plenty of support for celebrating and using Neptune’s “deception” energies for the good—for dressing up in a costume and partying! Have fun and stay safe. This is a Halloween you can eagerly enjoy! (The Virgo and Libra energy means you should have an easy time staying healthy and keeping yourself from over-indulging in any substances.)

At the tail end of October, Mars and Venus are coming into conjunction aspect, which means they are at the same degree of Virgo. If you can get past the need for perfection, this is a time when people can find just the right partner, when methodical approaches in relationship activities (or financial and creative activities—also ruled by Venus—for that matter) can yield tremendous results, and when the quiet and internally focused amongst us can receive their rewards! The only hiccup is if you have a strong Chiron destiny aspect in your chart, as Chiron is the wounded healer teacher and is in mild opposition to these two—in Pisces. My interpretation would be that any past wounds are in the process of being dissolved through this Pisces energy, however, and through the Virgoan actions now occurring on earth. There is a lot of healing happening. Rock on, planet earth! Let’s keep our vision moving forward for a sustainable and wide-open future. Virgo is all about improvement.

Meditation

Free this month:

Virgo Lettuce

Virgo – Libra – Nurture Your Inner Child Guided Meditations!!
www.intuitivemoon.com – Check it out!

There’s a place one to two inches above your navel. In the center of your abdomen, in this place, is a bright little star of energy that is like a life force you can feel if you focus on it. It is a core energy within you, a powerful centering force that you can meditate with to help you during this electric month of October. Here’s how you can do it.

Plant your feet, either in a chair or on the ground in something like a yoga warrior pose. (you can also lay down and do this if you’d like.) Imagine earth energy rising up into you like the roots of trees in order to steady your body on the ground. You are linked to the soil, to the earth, and the earth loves you. Breathe in her love and experience the way earth time seems as slow as timelessness to us. She just moves at a slower rate, like we must move to a hummingbird. Her processes are slower than ours, her voice would sound different than ours if we could hear it, her heartbeat is slower than ours. But she has a body like we do. And she has a center like we do—the earth’s warm core. Now imagine the center of yourself 1-2 inches above your nave, like the earth’s core. Humans have an energetic core, like a light. How is our core right now? Notice how you are doing. Notice how if you pay attention to it, you can notice that your core is indestructible. It glows with a warmth that is comforting and secure. It anchors you and feels very good to notice this core of yourself. If you spend time noticing your core, you can begin to understand the state of yourself. Enjoy feeling warm for a few minutes and then put a hand on your belly and bring your attention back to physical reality. Proceed with wherever you are at in your life in a grounded, self-contained, relaxed fashion!

Well, there you go! An exercise to help bring your energy into alignment and focus if you get frazzled. Navel-gazing is not for the faint-of-heart, though, it’s serious healing—LOL!

Have a grand month and know I am with you out there—you doing your good works!

Nourishment for the Body and Soul

Sometimes, life gets busy and we need something fast and from the microwave. Here’s an idea to get you going on these busy October mornings.

Fast-Food Fall Breakfast

Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:

1 golden delicious or granny smith apple
1 cup fresh raspberries
½ to ¾ cup shelled pistachios
1 cup old-fashioned oats or oat bran
2.5 cups pear or apple juice or peach juice

Optional: brown sugar sprinkled on top. Not included or pictured here.

Directions:

In two large bowls, separate half the oatmeal and put half in each. Pour half the juice into one bowl, and the remaining half into the other. Microwave each bowl for about 3-4 minutes, covered, stirring halfway through.

In the mean time, core and slice you apple. Rinse and pat dry your berries on a paper towel.

Once the oatmeal is cooked, place half the apple slices into each bowl, distribute the berries evenly, and top off with the pistachios.

Serve immediately.

Nourishing Recommendations

You can learn so much about Tarot from Susyn Blair-Hunt, my wonderful mentor, in her book, Tarot Prediction & Divination, Unveiling 3 Layers of Meaning.

(Llewellyn also publishes the best selection of Tarot decks that I’ve discovered.)

Eva Lipton-Ormand, CHoM, CCSP – in Albuquerque, NM

Elizabeth Battarbee of Flourish, Doctor of Homeopathy – available via Skype everywhere and in-person in Louisiana!

Thank you for enjoying this month’s newsletter! You can contact me anytime via email: domikajama@gmail.com for consultations. Visit at Intuitivemoon.com.

Be well!

Blessings,
Dominique

Your September 2015 Newsletter From Dominique

This Month: Astrological Trends * Meditation * Recipe: “Black Bean Shrimp Poblano Salsa”

September 2015 Astrological Trends

Fun and creativity take center stage in our activities as September opens with an exact Venus-Mars conjunction in Leo on the first day of the month. After the full moon weekend, life is asking us to shed our inhibitions and let go a little as the week begins. Finding enjoyment is truly supported, so really follow your heart this first day of the month, and let yourself laugh, dance, and sing—celebrating true love and romance all around you. This means self-love and love of nature and every type of creature, as well. Every expression of the heart is supported. When you feel your heart whispering about what it enjoys, I am asking you to follow its voice on September 1^st, instead of keeping yourself in a cage.

I say this because a lot of the astrological conversation this month has to do with the axis of Virgo and Pisces, and the expansion of the discussion between diffuse and focused energies, as Jupiter in Virgo moves into exact opposition with Neptune in Pisces (about September 6 through about September 26) . Also, September 12, the Sun will enter exact opposition to Chiron, adding more emphasis to the Virgo/Pisces dialogue. Jupiter makes everything appear bigger, and Virgo energy is about attending to the smallest details, so it’s possible we could feel compelled to get the details right. Meanwhile, it will make us very tired. The truth is, we will be learning, and learning requires a dance between the two. In bringing something new into life, into memory, into consciousness, we need to focus for a while (Virgo), and then let our brains rest into a diffuse (Pisces) state such as sleeping or exercising. Then we continue with focus for a while and then sleep on it, etc. I used to wonder why I would fall asleep in the afternoon and why I couldn’t do the typical work schedule. Then I learned about learning and realized as we attempt these very intellectual jobs, our brains really need sleep after we think. When we fall into a stupor in the afternoon (and really we would be more productive if we listened to our bodies instead of our managers and current work systems), our bodies are trying to tell us it’s time to go into a diffuse state of consciousness to process all the information we’ve thrown at it all morning. A lot of the most brilliant thinkers try to catch their thoughts at the point when they’re just waking or just about to fall asleep because they solve problems at those points. Dreams, visions, meditations, times when we are walking or jogging or playing with our dog—these are moments of diffuse thinking and often moments when we get flashes of brilliance.

Looking at the Virgo and Pisces opposition from this stand-point instead of from a stand-point that the perfectionist archetype will be battling the dreamer and integrator archetype—I think takes it to a higher level and allows us to even get beyond archetypes and into a place where the astrology of it becomes useful and practical this month. It’s a astrology we can use both at a spiritual level and at a real, everyday level. Because some might say that the low side usage of these energies would be to remain in anxiety and over-indulgence of substances and frustration.

Also, Mercury will be going retrograde in Libra September 17 through October 8, so finding methods to increase your personal, internal harmony will help you feel better. Reflecting on your abilities in the arena of making peace—internally and externally—would be a great use of the energies of Mercury. You might begin to see how to communicate more artfully, consider taking a class that helps you with social skills or helps you better put others at ease, or doing any activity that improves relationships in some way. Diplomacy is encouraged during September and October.

There is a New Moon Solar Eclipse in Virgo just after midnight on September 13. This works together with the solar opposition to Chiron mentioned previously. Chiron is actually at home in Virgo, so the fact that the Eclipse is calling out to Chiron is significant. This eclipse is focused on healing. It provides us resources to change direction and gives us help to change our lives in the most meaningful and impactful ways. We may be called upon to help others or to receive help. Allow the universe to lift you up into the light of healing, and allow yourself to be part of the stream of health on this beautiful eclipse. Plan your rituals around wherever and whatever needs to be healed in your body and mind and spirit.

The Aries Full Moon in September falls on September 27. It is a time to plan initiating rituals. While Mercury Retrograde is still occurring in Libra, I believe you can initiate things that have to do with things other than relationships. It is a good time to continue the thread of healing your body from the new moon in Virgo, as Aries rules sports and athleticism. Do something good for your body and health with this full moon! That is something that Aries and Virgo truly share in common.

Be good to yourself this month, and if you are also deeply, service-fully good to others—I think you’ll find it a transformational and inspiring time. Be well!

Meditation

Free this month:

Virgo Lettuce

Virgo – Libra – Nurture Your Inner Child Guided Meditations!!
www.intuitivemoon.com – Check it out!

We can get reconnected after any dispersion. Some of our fears of being exposed, losing control, being torn apart, being infected by physical or non-physical viruses can convince us that we’re fragile and that we need to control life and build protection around ourselves rather than surf through life’s ocean of experiences. We become more and more safety-oriented rather than risk-oriented.

The truth is that we will always change and emerge with new biology and new states of being, even overnight. After sleeping, we are not even the same person, because our brains clear out all sorts of toxins we have accumulated.

I think there is a ton of beauty in comfort and the feeling of safety, especially when we need some time out and rest. How wonderful, then, to have a place to heal body and soul. When we look to nature for our comfort, we find answers that work for the human condition. In chronic conditions, for example, when we have daily practices that help us build relationships with nature we can find bird songs, the smell of pine growing, the process of gardens through the seasons, the taste of a banana or pear or wild blueberries in the morning—the soothing and restoration is palpable.

After as much healing as we need, and rushing is not necessary and healing is ongoing, life will let us know when it’s time to reach out again like a plant reaches for the sun. We become more powerful than ever before after life has dispersed us. If you look back, you can see your resilience has brought you to new places time and time again.

That’s why we can rest assured that any difficulty we encounter will lead us unconditionally toward a broader human experience. Leaning into our healing process can help us grow strong through acceptance and becoming more and more willing to change and become new.

Nourishment for the Body and Soul

Salsa for dinner is not uncommon in our house! You can pair this with rice if you like, but it is also great on its own.

Black Bean Shrimp Poblano Salsa

Yield: about 8 servings

Ingredients:

16 oz frozen cooked shrimp (tails off)
2 15 oz cans organic black beans
3 large poblano peppers
1 cup grape and/or cherry tomatoes
4 green onions
2 TBSP fresh cilantro
¼ cup pomegranate vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
¼ cup olive oil
1.5 tsp cumin
¼ tsp salt

Directions:

Defrost shrimp in refrigerator or under cold tap water. Drain and chop in half.

Whisk vinegar, olive oil, cumin, and salt in a very large mixing bowl.

Add shrimp. Then add drained and rinsed black beans, chopped peppers, chopped onions, halved or chopped tomatoes, and chopped cilantro leaves.

Mix together with oil and vinegar from the bottom of the bowl and then serve immediately.

Serving suggestion: Serve with corn tortilla chips.

Nourishing Recommendations

You can learn so much about Tarot from Susyn Blair-Hunt, my wonderful mentor, in her book, Tarot Prediction & Divination, Unveiling 3 Layers of Meaning.

(Llewellyn also publishes the best selection of Tarot decks that I’ve discovered.)

Eva Lipton-Ormand, CHoM, CCSP – in Albuquerque, NM

Elizabeth Battarbee of Flourish, Doctor of Homeopathy – available via Skype everywhere and in-person in Louisiana!

Thank you for enjoying this month’s newsletter! You can contact me anytime via email: domikajama@gmail.com for consultations. Visit at Intuitivemoon.com.

Be well!

Blessings,
Dominique

Your August 2015 Newsletter From Dominique

This Month: Astrological Trends * Meditation * Recipe: “Basil Zucchini Potato Pancakes”

August 2015 Astrological Trends

It’s a great month to really get a handle on how to take good care of yourself and get things done.

Determination and resourcefulness take center stage in August as Saturn ushers in a very intense month with a square to Jupiter occurring immediately on August 1 (The exact square is August 2), just as Saturn turns from retrograde to direct—its most potent time of energy release—and in the sign of Scorpio—a fixed sign concerned with power and depth. It seems the July 31 Full Moon in Aquarius, which required us to finish up many things, does not carry with it a subsequent rest period this time. Saturn’s energy here asks us to pivot and continue our focus while maintaining healthy, productive habits. Jupiter in Leo at the start of the month is still focused on the self, in the sign of Leo. Plan to take care of yourself, Saturn says, in the middle of your good works and optimistic visions.

Not only is Saturn in a square aspect to Jupiter, but also to Venus (who is herself retrograde currently). Venus has us reviewing ourselves, our environments, our partners, our projections, our creativity, our budgets, and all that we deeply love and cherish. Saturn can help or hinder her progress—certainly we will be able to go deeper right about now. With Venus and Jupiter drawing close, and talking with Saturn—this review should expand and help us learn a great deal about our next choices.

These energies are active the whole first half of the month, which I find very exciting. Even though square aspects are challenging, the potential for learning is great. With Mercury conjunct Venus and Jupiter on August 6-7, there is also a lot of potential for creative, original thinking and sharing, also.

In case you thought Saturn was done, don’t worry. Saturn’s just getting started! Also in August, there’s a strong trine to Mars in late Cancer and then early Virgo from August 1 through August 11, with this being exact on August 5-6. Trines are available beneficent energy that can be used to support us and ease our way if we use it. In the case of Mars, this is taking action. Cancer is a cardinal sign, and Virgo is a mutable sign, so we can really start and continue something that will benefit us. Cancer is the sign of the home, the family, the mother or father, the nurturer, the heart of the chart, the basis of one’s life, one’s childhood, the bottom or cornerstone. So design projects at home, deeply emotional change and learning, going to the basis of anything going into the past to retell a better story—even past lives, nurturing anything you want, any parenting issues, self-care… This can go in many ways in order to enhance and empower your being. Also, just deepening your level of acceptance for life as it is–is an incredible process—and active acceptance is the opposite of passive.

Taking charge of a Mars-Saturn Trine can be wonderful and healing in a water element. It could be a great companion to the water-fire square between Saturn-Jupiter/Venus. Using these energies in an integrated capacity for me looks like some water rituals. From making sure I drink plenty of water each day as both self-care and in a nod to astrological happenings, to actually blessing holy water on an altar and lighting a 7-day candle each week with intention, I will be performing a few ceremonies. On the July 31 Full Moon, I’ll light a candle for a Cancer intention (more emotional and focused on the home).

On August 8, I will light a candle focused on personal health goals, which is a combination of Leo and Virgo intentions. On August 11, Jupiter moves into Virgo after spending 13 months in Leo. It follows Mercury, which enters Virgo on August 7. On August 8, Mars moves into Leo. Leo is a celebration of the self, and a focus on the self. Virgo is a celebration of health. The Sun and Venus are also traveling through Leo and Virgo this month, so I believe it’s a great time to solidify and really celebrate0, and perhaps even share with some friends, the great habits we have learned for self-care over the past several years. Whether it is taking a hike, having a healthy dinner party, or a really fun camping trip—whatever is entirely fun and playful and at the same time makes every cell in our bodies sing and our energy bodies shine—it’s a great time to engage in these activities.

In fact, we’re being set up for several months of physical activity and healthy engagement with our bodies. We can ignore it or we can embrace it, but I’d say embracing it will help us feel much better! This summer and fall, Venus and Mars are in a dancing relationship where they are pulling close and then pushing apart but not very far apart. So I think they are really in partnership throughout the rest of the year. Like dance partners, the beauty is in the spaces and pauses between the two.

From August 27 to September 6, we have a Leo Venus-Mars Conjunction, and they’re Quincunx Pluto. This means the focus of their conjunction at this time will be on our personal passions and we might be feeling emotionally activated by this touch of energy. Pluto generally asks us to make adjustments in this configuration. Are things fair? Are we assertive, or are we overly aggressive?

Personally, I’m looking at anger and the whole realm of anger in my life, from conception forward—and I think the Saturn discussion from earlier plays into this, as well. It’s my “learning.” How flexible can I be in my thinking? Can I look at anger from perspectives other than my own? Can I understand, with every cell of my being—not just conceptually—that others are different than I am—and allow them their human fallibility? Can I accept others on their terms instead of my own—with very little stress to myself—thereby accepting myself on my own terms—as well? Now I can do these things in my mind all day long. It’s a very different thing to do this on a body (somatic or unconscious or pre-cognitive) level. That’s what Mars/Venus/Pluto and a little Saturn (learning) thrown in can help us with.

Mars/Venus/Pluto is also the classic romance and sex combination, so feel free to use this time as a romance-enhancer J It’s a good time to meet someone if you’re single, also. You can be aware of its potential for a good partnership to arrive.

Venus is turning direct in September, so Mars and Venus will separate for a little while and then be loosely connected throughout the Fall until they conjunct again in Virgo for a strong mind-body connection with Chiron right at Halloween. We are really in a beautiful setup here!

The Sun will also square Saturn this month, from August 18 through August 23, with the exact square happening on August 21. This adds even more highlight to the Leo and Virgo energies and occurs just as the Sun exits Leo and moves into Virgo. The sun illuminates things. It shows us where we should focus our attention. This month it tells us to focus on Saturn’s story. As if we could help but do so.

Some great times to pause for meditation and ritual will be August 14 and August 29—the times of the new Moon and full Moon. On August 14, the New Moon in Leo at approximately 9 AM MDT will conjunct the retrograde Venus and trine Uranus in Aries. Use this to solidify intentions for personal self-care and things that you want for yourself.

The full Moon at 6 degrees Pisces on August 29 at 12:34 PM MDT is set up to offer your spiritual wishes in a more universal connection to the divine. This is a holy time when you can connect into the oneness of existence because the moon will be conjunct Neptune. The sun will also be conjunct Jupiter, the planet of expansion. Any prayers you send on this day appear to have extra universal power. On the other hand, if you focus on lower energies, it could be very likely to have trouble with over-indulgence.

Final note: The Moon’s North Node is in Libra at this time, asking us to engage and enjoy the arts in the highest and most noble ways! With the Venus energy underlining our inner worlds, it’s a great time to explore our creativity and appreciate the work of others, as well. During August and September, we may find art pieces that we dearly love and now is a great time to go ahead and indulge (within reason and budget) in some cherished and inspirational items.

Meditation

Free this month:
Cancer – Leo – Virgo Guided Meditations!! www.intuitivemoon.com – Check it out!

The Dimensions of Forgiveness and Letting Go

In cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, people learn to re-train their brains to think differently about a subject, based on research evidence. One of the books I’m reading about CBT addresses several subjects, including forgiveness. I was impressed by its summary of the aspects, or dimensions, of forgiveness and thought I would share what I learned with you this month.

See if you agree with these points about forgiveness:

Forgiveness might be done for others or for oneself. The need to forgive usually starts with a transgression, an emotional reaction (guilt, anger, thoughts of betrayal, disbelief). Behavior can follow which might include avoidance, ruminations, and social interactions. Then there are physiological effects from a transgression—sleep, appetite, depression/anger, and cardiovascular arousal & blood pressure.
Upon rationally determining they have been unfairly treated, people forgive when they willfully abandon resentment and related responses and endeavor to respond to the wrongdoer with beneficence, which may include compassion, unconditional worth, and generosity. [Enright and Fitzgibbons in 2000]
Forgiveness is not forgetting, resignation, or passivity.
Forgiveness is not necessarily reconciling.
It’s not excusing or condoning.
To forgive is not to “let time heal” or somehow balance the scales.
It is an active, ongoing process that may take years and starts with a decision, a desire to forgive, or at least to begin that process.
Forgiveness is done for the well-being of the person doing the forgiving.

A couple recent forgiveness studies gave some really interesting results! What do you think of these results?

Stanford forgiveness project [Harris & colleagues, 2006] taught forgiveness classes—somatic quieting, anger management, habits of mind, taught personal health consequences of holding a grudge, redirect attention elsewhere, build empathy skills, see situation from different perspectives, see that other individuals are fallible, make mistakes, and may do things that may hurt others. Then they were taken through small steps to do easy forgiveness—not tackling the big transgressions—start with something easier.
- The intervention reduced negative thoughts and feelings 2-3 times toward the target transgression and increased positive feelings toward the transgressor.
- Helped forgiveness self-efficacy, forgiveness generalized to new situations
- Decreased stress
- Reduced trait anger
- Stanford study was adapted to look at issues specific to older adults. Study conducted by Allemand 2013 looked at adults with an average age of 70. Results of interventions:
  - Found perceived reduction in transgression painfulness, cognitions, and emotions
  - Decreased negative emotions

What are the predictors of forgiveness, e.g., how do you know you’re getting there or “what can you do with your mind when you’re going nuts over a transgression?” A correlative study that reviewed 26,000 studies says:

Intention: having the intent to forgive
Receiving an apology is a predictor of forgiveness: having the person who hurt us acknowledge and regret the action goes a long way toward helping us forgive them.
The capacity for empathy: capacity to manage and control one’s own angry reaction.
Cognitive skills
- Able to inhibit rumination: often if we’ve been angry or hurt, we ruminate about it. An individual who is able to step outside those ruminations is more likely to be able to forgive.
- Task-switching: switch tracks completely when triggered into memories
- Flexibility: step back and revise or rewrite your story

Personally, having permission to make the world into a larger picture and stop spending valuable time on past events is great for my life. Everybody makes serious mistakes in life, and I have, too. I love the practicality of this information and I hope you will, too!

Nourishment for the Body and Soul

Here is an idea for the extra basil and zucchini growing in leaps and bounds in the garden right now! Instead of frying these, they are baked. Also, they are a no-salt alternative, but packed with flavor!

Basil Zucchini Potato Pancakes

Yield: about 20-24 pancakes

Ingredients:

3 white onions
3 peeled potatoes
3 small zucchini
1 bunch or 3-4 TBSP chopped fresh Basil
1 cup pistachio pieces
½ cup wheat germ
4 eggs
1-2 cups bread crumbs
About 6 TBSP of Grapeseed oil; 3 TBSP for each baking pan

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Chop onions into small pieces and place in large mixing bowl. Then, use a food processor to either shred or pulse the zucchini. Add into the mixing bowl. Peel the potatoes and shred or pulse them in the food processor as well. Add to mixture. Third, pulse the basil in the food processor and add into the mixing bowl as well.

Grind the nuts in a nut grinder and add into the mixture. Add wheat germ and eggs. Mix everything together with a big spoon. Then, add as many of the bread crumbs as needed until you can form the mixture into patties.

Put 3 TBSP of grapeseed oil into 2 each, 9 X 13 glass (Pyrex) baking dishes. Place 6 patties into each dish. Bake for approximately 15 minutes and then turn and bake for another 15-20 minutes.

Remove first batch onto a plate lined with a paper towel.

Bake the second batch.

These can be served immediately or warmed again as part of a feast!

Serving suggestion: Serve these with a flavorful chutney (I chose ginger-mango) and plain yogurt.
Nourishing Recommendations

You can learn so much about Tarot from Susyn Blair-Hunt, my wonderful mentor, in her book, Tarot Prediction & Divination, Unveiling 3 Layers of Meaning.

(Llewellyn also publishes the best selection of Tarot decks that I’ve discovered.)

Eva Lipton-Ormand, CHoM, CCSP – in Albuquerque, NM

Elizabeth Battarbee of Flourish, Doctor of Homeopathy – available via Skype everywhere and in-person in Louisiana!

Thank you for enjoying this month’s newsletter! You can contact me anytime via email: domikajama@gmail.com for consultations. Visit at Intuitivemoon.com.

Be well!

Blessings,
Dominique

Your July 2015 Newsletter From Dominique

This Month: Astrological Trends * Meditation * Recipe: “Summer Squash Superfood Stew”

July 2015 Astrological Trends

In July, get ready for some serious Cancer depths and a lot of Venus energy as well!

Now, Venus is the ruler of my chart and June proceeded and July opened with such a bang astrologically, that it hit me personally! There was simply no getting the newsletter finished until life allowed for it. The revolutionary changes are revolutionizing my life as well, suddenly letting me know it’s time to try a go at another degree (the last thing I thought I’d do—in fact had decided against it—we’ll see how it goes!). How is the revolution treating your life?

The decades-long Uranus-Pluto square is still brewing its effects, with the U.S. legalization of gay marriage being right in alignment with the Cancer energies of home, family, and the Pluto in Capricorn energies of structural transformation. (If you recall, in a previous newsletter, I said the Pluto-Uranus square would likely have its influence in the realm of gay marriage! Yay!)

July opened with a Capricorn full Moon on the 1^st with a Moon / Pluto conjunction in Capricorn to complete a transformation, a Venus / Jupiter conjunction to expand whatever energy was already present in you, Neptune trine the Sun in order to provide the choice for either intense spiritual connection or over-indulgence, and Mars in Cancer combining with the Sun and squaring the Nodes to make you wonder how much in alignment your actions are with your purpose for being on earth.

That’s just the highlights, and only day one.

As we move further into July, Mercury, Mars, and the Sun are traversing the sign of Cancer, which asks us to actively nurture ourselves and others. The themes of family, home, security, safety, the past, and what lies beneath everything are due to emerge. The extreme sensitivities of cancer mean it’s a good time to slow down after the extreme activity we’ve been experiencing recently. If there is any way to retreat or get lazy, please do so! Alternatively, a “house-cleaning” may be in order if relaxation is not an option at this time. Instead of focusing on people, focus on improving your environment and making it more comfortable and secure for yourself. Focus on doing the things that make a difference for your family or finding out what really matters to you. Mercury enters Cancer July 8, and Mars communicates with Neptune on the 8^th to make things relax a bit and help us all begin to relax and get into visualization and meditation more than we’ve been able to in the past month.

More evidence that our soul’s purpose is up for evaluation this month comes from the Venus – Saturn square on July 14. Saturn asks us to realistically examine the realm it’s traveling through, and Venus asks us to love everything about ourselves and our lives, our relationships and our creativity. It may be that we need to curb spending, need to pull back from over-giving, or set some limits in a relationship. However, that’s OK. That’s good stuff that helps us grow into even better partners overall. Mercury and Mars in Cancer may help to support us in saying what we need to say in the Saturn / Venus square. There’s also an aspect that shows… support for libidinous interaction on this day… so perhaps the two go hand-in-hand in some cases…? Set an emotional limit and also have a hot date! “You can’t do this but you can do that.” In relation to this relationship energy, watch out for the Mars-Pluto opposition on July 15, which can either add passion and personal power to your energy on the high side, or anger and explosive energy on the low side. (Use the force well, jedi!)

There will be some things we let go of when we claim our personal power and transform during cycles like this one. What is that like? In a water energy, it might be as follows:

There are things parts of us will want to cling to, but this is a time for us to let go. You can imagine floating in a tranquil lake, and as the waves slowly support you, you can simply open your hand and allow the thing you are clinging to so desperately to simply float away on the lip of the wave. Effortlessly and easily, you still have all that water surrounding your hand, you can more easily swim back to shore or you can rest there, floating, as before. You are safe, natural, and all is well.

The new moon in Cancer on July 15 is a cardinal new moon, so this means an opportunity for a new start in an area you would like to nurture—especially something around you home. If there’s a new home project you’re trying to get off the ground—I’m not sure there could be a better time to begin.

In fact, there’s a grand water trine from 7/13 to 8/6 that supports healing and mentoring. It may be that during July, we all end up focusing on something that needs to be healed within our environments. This also may be unexpected, as Uranus is thrown into the mix. We may not even know what will come up yet.

On July 25, Venus turns retrograde in Virgo. We will be enumerating the themes of relationships, creativity, and finances even further and deeper during Venus retrograde. Until September 6, when Venus turns direct again, it’s a fabulous time to meditate on how we are approaching these things. In the signs of Virgo and Leo, the themes of service, shamanism, hygiene, fairness, leadership, true love, self-actualization, children, and ego vs. higher calling may arise in your life. They are both personal signs where we can look at ourselves. Are you living your deepest nature?

Finally, the Aquarius July Full Moon on July 31 allows for an entirely unexpected and intuitive communion with our lunar sister in the sky. If you have the chance to plan a moon outing on this date, spend a ritual night with the moon because the Aquarius Full Moon can yield unexpected joy, release, and gifts that none of us can yet imagine! Aquarius allows us to realize our most original gifts and intuitive insights—so use this energy to your benefit!!

Meditation

Free this month:
Cancer – Leo – Virgo Guided Meditations!! www.intuitivemoon.com – Check it out!

“A great number of herbs that were once well known are less familiar today, and tend to be overlooked except by gardeners or serious cooks who are always searching for unusual ingredients. Occasionally, they are rediscovered and enjoy a resurgence of popularity; rocket (arugula) and coriander (cilantro) are typical. Pliny believed that rocket was ‘a great provocative of lust’ and recommended that it be combined with lettuce, so that ‘the excess of cold in the one [be] compensated by the equal degree of heat in the other.’ Rocket has been a popular salad green in Europe for ages but was rediscovered in American kitchens only in the last decade or so. Calamus, or sweet flag, was familiar to the ancient Egyptians, who used it medicinally, and as an aphrodisiac. Today, its essential oil is an ingredient in some teas and liquers: Altvater, Benedictine, Campari, some gins, vermouth, and both yellow and green Chartreuse.”

Gary Allen, “Herbs: A global History”

In this month all about relationships, it is fun to focus on a few things as we meditate. Both the combination of hot and cold that has always run throughout history and throughout the balancing act of relating to one another—and the idea of searching for the unusual flavors in our lives that we have overlooked for a while—are themes that matter. It’s good enjoy our passions and laugh at ourselves like we can laugh at Pliny’s comment about arugula. In our times, and in our culture, we are used to strong flavors. They make us happy and we seek them out. In other cultures, strong flavors have not always been available.

Likewise, strong feelings and emotions may or may not be comfortable for everyone. Maybe we are someone who loves the roller coaster ride of ups and downs and that makes us happy and alive-feeling, but it causes anxiety for the energy system of the person sitting next to us. Are we aware of this? Perhaps we are expressing our dissatisfaction with an unfair situation in a public forum. Do we take responsibility for our electromagnetic heart energy as we emit wavelengths of rage and anger at those around us, even if to us that feels compelling? Maybe it causes a lot of harm that we’re unaware of even though we are excited in our righteousness of expression. Getting into a space where we understand the use of our energy can also be compelling. Learning how to express anger wisely instead of displace it onto unwilling bystanders is a nice skill to acquire.

Like serving hot and cool lettuces, there is a balance even in our time and our particular culture. There are shared themes that run amok in the U.S., too, such as people not knowing how to express any emotions except anger.

Also, it’s a very nice time to go inward and really ask spirit to bring us a new delight. Or an old delight we can re-remember. What can we enjoy or enjoy again that is exotic to us? It could be a food. It could be a romantic gesture, with all the Venusian and Mars energy this month. It could be an activity. Or a television show. Or a hobby. Or maybe a creative endeavor w liked long ago.

Maybe you can spend a little time in meditation or prayer recalling your young self. Recall what delighted you as a child when you were alone with your dreams. Did you love nature, singing, trucks, language, fabric, painting, butterflies, animals, cooking or games? What can you do to honor and spend time with that part of yourself who dreams and enjoys life to the fullest?

Nourishment for the Body and Soul

Summer Squash is in season, and this stew uses it in two ways—once in the soup itself and once as a delicious savory garnish that melts in your mouth!

Summer Squash Superfood Stew

Yield: Serves 8 or more. Leftovers are even better the next day.

Ingredients:

1 CUP dry quinoa
2 TBSP butter
3 Medium yellow summer squash, washed
1 Onion (preferably red), chopped
3 Carrots, peeled and washed
1 Bunch or 3 cups chopped kale (leaves only)
3 potatoes, peeled and washed
6 cups vegetable broth (low sodium preferred)
1 tsp cayenne
2 tsp paprika
3 tsp thyme
salt for the summer squash

Directions:

Prepare carrots by chopping in cross-sections. Prepare potatoes by chopping into half-inch pieces. Chop onion into small pieces if you have not already done so.

Chop kale leaves into pieces. If you haven’t done this before, fold each kale stalk in half and slice close to the stalk. Remove the stalk. Then chop the remaining leaf into generous pieces (they will reduce in the soup as it cooks).

Prepare 2 of the summer squash for the stew by chopping into small pieces to toss into the pot. Use the third squash for the garnish. Set it aside for the moment while the stew is assembled…

Heat butter until slightly melted in a large Dutch oven or soup pot. Sauté quinoa for 3 minutes, stirring almost constantly, over medium heat. Then add onion and stir. Wait about 2 minutes. Then add potatoes and carrots. Stir, then add squash and kale. Add cayenne, thyme, and paprika, stir, and then immediately add the vegetable broth to more than cover the vegetables if you can. The quinoa will cook and absorb a lot of the liquid.

Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for about 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, using a vegetable peeler, peel the remaining summer squash into a colander. When you get to the seeded center, stop and turn and peel the next side. (I generally turn the squash as I peel, peeling evenly all around until I reach the center.) You can chop the seeded center and add then rest of this squash to the soup, too if you like.

Once you have peeled squash in the colander, add about a tablespoon of sprinkled salt all over it, and rub it in / toss it. Let it sit for about half an hour in the colander. Before serving it atop the soup, rinse it off pretty well to get most of the salt off. However, the process allows the squash to bend like cooked noodles and taste very savory! They are delicious!

To serve: Ladle the stew from the pot into a bowl. Take a portion of salted summer squash and top each bowl with it. Enjoy!

Nourishing Recommendations

You can learn so much about Tarot from Susyn Blair-Hunt, my wonderful mentor, in her book, Tarot Prediction & Divination, Unveiling 3 Layers of Meaning.

(Llewellyn also publishes the best selection of Tarot decks that I’ve discovered.)

Eva Lipton-Ormand, CHoM, CCSP – in Albuquerque, NM

Elizabeth Battarbee of Flourish, Doctor of Homeopathy – available via Skype everywhere and in-person in Louisiana!

Thank you for enjoying this month’s newsletter! You can contact me anytime via email: domikajama@gmail.com for consultations. Visit at Intuitivemoon.com.

Be well!

Blessings,
Dominique

Your June 2015 Newsletter From Dominique

This Month: Astrological Trends * Meditation * Recipe: “Vegetarian Fajita Salad”

June 2015 Astrological Trends

The full moon on June 2 is in Sagittarius will give us a preview of all the “yes” answers we will be experiencing in June. While the first few days of the month will be slow, we will be catching fire this month, and the full moon will allow us to feel the first spark and intuitive flash. Use it to honestly assess our heart’s passions and embrace our freedoms and release rigidity.

The Sun, along with our infamous Mercury Retrograde, is configured in what’s known as a square aspect, or relationship, to Neptune on the first four to five days of June. On the high side, these two can be used to amp up our conscious contact with our higher selves or the divine. We can spend our time using this energy for artistic expression, meditation, inner focus, and dreaming. Get recharged, connect with nature, pray and meditate, love your loved ones, love YOURSELF!—these are some great ways to connect the divine energy to our physical world. Enjoy a music performance that inspires your spirit from your hairspray down to the tips of your boots. June 4 is the perfect astrological time to contact some old friends you haven’t talked to in a while if you feel inspired to do so.

On the low side, you may recognize this energy as lack of clarity, errors in judgement, sloppiness, and the urge to escape however escape is possible (addictions likely). If you recognize these things—it’s definitely time to pull back and take a walk in the woods, do something with your hands instead of your brain, enjoy some music, do some serious meditation, and get some help from someone with clear and happy energy to help pull you up to the positive side of what can be practical and lovely energy! If you see someone in a chaotic state, do your best to help them back to baseline. Simply breathing well while you are close to them can be the quiet coherent leadership they need to be steady again.

This is really setting us up for the rest of the month, however. On June 3-5, Mars will hit Jupiter in a way that sets off the air-and-fire energy for mid-to-late June that will make us feel like a fire has turned from a coal to a flame inside of us. Whatever tinder you have carefully been nurturing you will want to put flame to at this time.

(There are two fire grand trines. June 5-6: Venus is at 0 degrees Leo, Saturn is at 0 degrees Sagittarius and Vesta is at 0 degrees Aries almost… This is a fire trine… Plus, shortly thereafter, Jupiter at 17 degrees Leo along with Juno at 21 degrees Aries is in a grand trine with Pallas Athena in Sagittarius and Uranus in Aries.)

There’s a lot of benevolent fire energy sparking on these days…

However, the north node is in Libra, asking us to learn about cooperation despite a tendency to want our own way. It’s important not to force our opinion onto others at this time, and to remain sensitive to the needs of other people. Maybe take the puppy approach in all things. Just constantly remain glad to see and hear and sense the presence of others even though we ourselves are exploding with creativity at this time. Everyone will be anxious to share their creative impulses, so learning to be the receiver and hear others’ creative inputs will be just as important as developing our own. It is an act of love to say “yes” at this time instead of bombarding ourselves and others with the need to set our boundaries.

That’s not to say we keep ourselves from good nurturing and self-care. Saturn and harmonious Venus in the mix can help us set a good schedule so we keep ourselves fresh and clear with enough sleep, rest, and balanced energy. Instead of over-doing activity, let’s just consciously allow ourselves to embrace the hum of energy moving through us like electricity at the beginning of the month. It can be an exciting chapter, allowing us to perceive and share in revolutionary ways. Let’s move into the new with our eyes wide open and awaken to the possibilities as we choose and create our future as wisely as we know how to at this point in our development.

Basically, it’s a high point in the year, allowing us to really enjoy activity. Despite the end of mercury retrograde stuff (which on the high side can mean reconnecting with old friends!), this entire fire energy means sparkling business is about! Moving from the predominantly air element last month into the predominantly fire element this month is quite interesting, because air and fire are both action elements. They build upon one another, and fire is carried upon the air!

What was created, imagined, and started last month can really be carried forward this June. That’s some nice news, isn’t it? You have a lot of support headed your way from the invisible winds around you. This is spreading the embers through the tinder of your creativity.

The New Moon on June 16 provides the apex of the year for seeking psychic answers from the divine. If you wish to plan a time around asking and receiving guidance in some way such as automatic writing or downloading information from the divine in an intelligible way—asking at the new moon is an excellent time! Carpe Diem on June 16! You also have Mars lining up in Gemini so take ACTION! Ask and you shall receive. The divine wants to talk with you during this time frame.

Alternatively, it’s a good time to be assertive. Initiate ideas and spread information around the New Moon time period. Kick off any information campaigns, start a Web page, etc.

Mercury turns direct on the 10-11 and traces its way back toward the Sun and Mars in Gemini, all moving toward Cancer and the water element at the end of the month. Further, Saturn returns to Scorpio on June 15 (it is retrograde right now) until September. June 21, the Sun enters Cancer. This is followed on June 24 by Mars entering Cancer. Water energy will add intensity, resourcefulness, emotionality, family-focus, higher-purpose, sensitivity, and a sense of depth to the environment and to all activity.

It’s perfect because for the 4^th of July, for every firework—we need to enjoy the sparkler for a little while and then have a place to douse it. Enjoy your June—and make the most of it!

Meditation

The case of the emotional hail storm:

At times, we can nurture our emotional states like a garden until we are in nearly constant joy. Then a situation can come along like a hail storm in the Spring or Summer that summarily appears to wipe out our carefully tended crop of good work like a hail storm wipes out a farmer’s whole season of work in a few minutes.

Farmers say they simply bow to the power of Mother Nature, and I think we can humbly do the same. It’s simply a principle of nature that we are never so far along that we are beyond the place where a situation can wipe us out. We may have to rebuild ourselves by replanting the soil of our situations at any time a storm hits. It is simply the nature of the business of being human.

To observe this is to learn compassion for ourselves.

Self-compassion is important and crucial. Gentleness and introspection helps us to have understanding for ourselves at the ego-level of our personalities, as well as at other levels of our being. Experiencing self-compassion helps us to be strong in the face of any weather in life, whether skies be clear or stormy.

The more practice we have at bathing in gentle feelings when we are troubled emotionally, the stronger our seeds of compassion will grow. Not only will we feel strong in our own being, but others will begin to feel our strength as well. It will be a natural consequence of living in the state of compassion.

When the storms gather on the horizon and drop their hail on our garden (and sometimes they will no matter how advanced our methods or how wise we become), we can rely on compassion for ourselves and for others in our process and in our recovery.

Nourishment for the Body and Soul

One of my favorite staple dinners, this fajita salad can go atop the corn chips of your choice or enjoyed alone as-is. You can substitute the yogurt based dressing with the ranch dressing of your choice, mixed with salsa. It’s vegetarian, so enjoy!

Vegetarian Fajita Salad

Yield: Serves 3-4 for a full meal or 6-8 for a side salad.

Ingredients:

Salad:
16 OZ. greens such as spinach, baby greens, arugula, or romaine lettuce
1 cup cheddar cheese
About 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1-2 avocadoes, sliced or chopped
2-3 TBSP olive oil or sunflower oil
2-3 yellow or red onions, sliced
4 red, orange or yellow bell peppers, sliced or chopped into half-inch pieces
1/2 TSP cumin
1 TSP paprika
2 Dashes cayenne pepper

Dressing: (You could also just mix together 1 cup of ranch dressing and 1 cup of salsa)
1 CUP plain yogurt
1 CUP fresh salsa
2 TBSP Mayonnaise
3 TBSP Milk

Directions:

Dressing:
Whisk together yogurt, salsa, mayonnaise, and milk. Set aside to dress the salad just prior to serving.

Salad:
Wash lettuce in a salad spinner and then spin to dry. Add tomatoes and cheddar cheese and toss.

In a large pan, sauté the sliced onions and peppers in the oil along with the cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper until the onions are translucent.

Toss the dressing into the lettuce mixture. Top with the sauté mixture and avocado pieces. Serve immediately.

Serving suggestion: Serve on a bed of corn chips.

Nourishing Recommendations

You can learn so much about Tarot from Susyn Blair-Hunt, my wonderful mentor, in her book, Tarot Prediction & Divination, Unveiling 3 Layers of Meaning.

(Llewellyn also publishes the best selection of Tarot decks that I’ve discovered.)

Eva Lipton-Ormand, CHoM, CCSP – in Albuquerque, NM

Elizabeth Battarbee of Flourish, Doctor of Homeopathy – available via Skype everywhere and in-person in Louisiana!

Thank you for enjoying this month’s newsletter! You can contact me anytime via email: domikajama@gmail.com for consultations. Visit at Intuitivemoon.com.

Be well!

Blessings,
Dominique

Your May 2015 Newsletter From Dominique

This Month: Astrological Trends * Meditation * Learn Astrology * Recipe: “The White Stuff”

May 2015 Astrological Trends

A good thing to do in May might be quality assurance, or QA. With the Full Moon in Scorpio on May 4 and Mercury Retrograde kicking off in Gemini on May 19, May’s highlights will sprinkle the middle of 2015 with tests and review tasks for all of us in several elements of life. The waters of Scorpio will allow us to get to the depths of the ocean of ourselves and the Gemini energy will allow us to get outside ourselves and get into communication and out into the world to review how we communicate and treat one another.

In fact, if we decide to be REALLY smart, we could use the time at the beginning of the month to set our intentions and gather our intuitive receipts to set out a plan for later in the month. We can do a lot of good when we meditate on being the highest and best channels we can be in the world. Then sit in the golden, protective glow of energy we have opened and allow life to work its synchronicities and angelic forces through our hands and heart. From what I know so far, being a good channel requires us to be genuinely heart-happy, or at the very least, neutral. This requires we maintain our hearts and health at our greatest capacity. (That capacity is not perfection and involves no comparison with others—it is just the best we can do within ourselves!)

The Scorpio Full Moon on May 4 will throw us some sort of test or situation to let us know how we are doing. Have faith! Scorpio’s job is to test us and then pivot to empower us. Allow this, and very much allow yourself to feel your own power and grace as you are given the gift of your self-knowledge.

These situations may revolve around a change in our finances, romance/relationships, or creative arenas as Venus changes into the more emotional sign of Cancer on May 7. Additionally, Mars shifts into Gemini on May 11, changing from a fixed energy into a mutable (changeable) and even more evasive energy. So where our actions have felt very stable, suddenly it may feel like, with Mars, anything goes for the next few months.

On the higher side, Mars in Gemini means more assertiveness and initiation in spreading and sharing information. The higher side of Venus in Cancer means a nurturing time and can lead to a rebirth in finance, creativity, and romance. I think an alternative view of these influences is really to get your artistic groove going at the beginning of May so you can share these pieces during the end of May and into June. There really could be no issues at all for many people, but just opportunities to create great art that you could share if you know you will have them.

Both planets changing signs may shake our confidence, and we will feel this in ourselves but in others as well. Knowing that our trust issues are just part of a larger cycle can help to view them in a larger picture and maybe help us calm down instead of take them too seriously. Whatever arises is just like a wave on the ocean and will rise and fall like a wave. The ocean is much larger than any single wave or situation.

This brings us back to the influence of the Full Moon. One of the secrets we all eventually get to with wherever Scorpio shows up in our chart is: there is no “there” there. In other words, ambition is a mirage in the place where we feel we should work really hard to pass and get an “A” grade. We will need to surrender and accept that today’s version of who we are is exactly where we need to be, and appreciate and enjoy it. The future does not hold anything better or worse to reach for. Each step along a path is equally as important as any other, and there is not any outcome that is any more important than a step along a journey. As Robert Ohotto says, “There is no more heroic version of you. You are enough.”

This attitude gives us the space to embrace the Taurus New Moon on the evening May 17. Taurus energy is about slowing down to see—really experience life—and all about appreciation. If there is art in you, by all means plan to let it out beginning mid-month. If there is love in you, express it. If you need nature, plan an excursion to allow it to nurture you. Let it all hang out and let your heart begin to be renewed in Mid-May. It’s been a busy and life-changing few months and finally, this new moon and then the Mercury retrograde following on the 19^th will allow some regeneration time. I think it will be quite beautiful, provided you allow yourself to rest and enter a receptive mode.

As Mercury retrograde comes into focus, instead of feeling like you need to be in control of life, allow yourself to become an observer and even write down your observations, reporter-style, if you wish. I think if you are in that receptive mode, you can live in the world of lots of synchronicities instead of the world of confusion, as folks talk about with Mercury retrogrades. Mercury is famous for an intellectual kind of psychic connection, and I think would like nothing better than to have a conversation with us. A conversation requires a language, however, so learn to speak Mercury in Gemini’s language, in terms of its energy, and you will really enjoy the retrograde energy. What could be more beautiful than a planet at home in its native sign? That is why writing down your synchronicities or interesting experiences pays homage to Mercury’s association with writing and communication and I believe is a good way to begin to speak Mercury in Gemini’s language. Keep a pen and paper handy by your side at all times between May 19 through June 10, the entire retrograde period.

The Sun entering Gemini on May 21 just adds more power to relaxing into communication in whatever form appeals to you for the end of May. That may be writing, contacting people you haven’t talked to in a while, or just reading your favorite authors. Whether it is music, poetry, prose, art or any other form of communication, enjoy the end of May.

(June looks to be a bit busier than May, so please rest and exercise in May if you are able!)

Meditation

This month, spirit moved me to create a meditation that nurtures our inner child. It is free on the intuitivemoon.com Web site for audio download. Re-parenting ourselves is something that we can constantly keep doing in order to soften the edges of our self-attitude. Somehow the unconscious attitudes we pick up from the world creep into our sense about ourselves and we realize we learned a lot of wrong—and this is a strong word, but yes—WRONG ideas about the fragile and beautiful little self inside us.

I think we become self-absorbed sometimes because we just need to be more tender with a part of ourselves that is calling out for nurturing. If we really saw ourselves and held ourselves as tenderly and sweetly as we would a newborn baby, the voices inside our heads would be so supportive. We would be nicer to the people around us because we would see they are as precious as we are. Those weird sharp thought viruses that have been carried around like badges or something would look silly to you like they do to me. The hard attitude that Americans have told the story of for a while loses its attractiveness when you get all the good chemicals coursing through you from the story that you are loved and protected and mothered and deserving of the best life has to offer. We don’t realize the only reason we feel bad is because we have spent so much time away from allowing ourselves to feel good—and often it’s because others have simply not taught us or transmitted to us that it’s possible to feel very good, indeed.

Now, I am not talking good/bad here in terms of value judgments. I’m only taking in terms of feelings! One feels sharp to me, tired and wrung out like a wet towel. The other feels like the golden glow of a warm fire, constantly regenerating itself and very awake and aware.

Learn Astrology

The Pisces Symbol

The Pisces symbol, or glyph represents two fish joined together by a cord. One fish represents the personality and the other represents the soul, or, as I like to call it, the higher self. The problem Pisces faces is that they are swimming in opposite directions. Pisces energy must decide which fish will lead. The other fish simply must surrender and follow if Pisces is to get anywhere at all. Otherwise, Pisces will recognize a stuck feeling of tug-of-war over a mud pit, or, more regrettably, a hole filled with quick-sand.

Pisces plays the role of mystic or martyr. They have extremely active minds, but this shows up as imagination and absorption. It’s not an intellectual type of activity—it’s more of an independent knowing and sensing of things around them. Piscean energy needs to be respected and given room for understanding. Imagination is the key into many layers and dimensions of being human, and we all benefit from allowing ourselves to dream and grow into our imaginative selves. It takes to a higher level of evolution. Where Pisces shows up in our charts, it’s really time to give ourselves some space and let go of insecurities (which are sure to crop up—it’s understandable when you are on the forefront of consciousness).

The martyr part occurs because Pisces is constitutionally almost incapable of confrontation. Instead, well-developed compassionate warriorship must be used to take a spiritual approach to problems with people in life. Confrontation is not always necessary to be assertive in life. It is possible to work on behalf of structuring life into a more fair and pleasant environment, taking the long-term view even in a society hell-bent on self-destruction through short-term actions.

Neptune is the planet that Pisces rules, and Neptune is now traveling through Pisces. It’s a powerful time for all of us to be experiencing these Mystical energies. Chiron is also traveling through Pisces. Chiron is associated with Virgo, the sign opposite of Pisces. There is a relationship between Neptune and Chiron traveling through Pisces that asks us to truly take the mystical journey through the wounds of our personality and use them to raise them up to a higher level to become the healer or artist or mentor we have the potential to become.

This is the one time in this life that we will all have access to such mystical powers. Every day for the next decade, it’s as if we have access to a spiritual ocean if we simply close our eyes. This is a gift that will not last forever, however. Let’s awaken to and enjoy the bliss while we have the opportunity! In order to swim around with the greatest awareness, we need to let our higher selves be the fish that has the lead, however.

Nourishment for the Body and Soul

Sometimes, it’s really fun to have a color theme for a dinner. This Recipe is a rebellion against a statement I heard once. “Avoid white foods.” Well, the outlaw in me became playful in the kitchen one day and I made a one-dish oven dinner with all white foods that no one could disagree with (potentially—there is some white wine it it!). Just call me rebel with a cutting board.

The White Stuff

Yield: 4-6 Servings

Ingredients:

16 oz. half-thawed chicken breasts or thighs (skinless/boneless)
1 Head Cauliflower
1 or 2 Heads Fennel
1 White Onion
1 cup dry white wine
3 TBSP Olive or Sunflower Oil
1.5 TSP White Pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cut cauliflower into approximately ½ inch pieces. Cut fennel and onion into ¼ inch by 1 inch slices, approximately. Mix vegetables with oil and white wine. Layer into bottom of baking dish.

Slice chicken into ½ inch bite size pieces layer on top of vegetables. Sprinkle pepper over top of chicken.

Bake for about 45 minutes to an hour, until cooked thoroughly. (If you don’t prefer crispy chicken, you can cover with tin foil while baking.)

Stir and then Serve immediately.

Nourishing Recommendations

You can learn so much about Tarot from Susyn Blair-Hunt, my wonderful mentor, in her book, Tarot Prediction & Divination, Unveiling 3 Layers of Meaning.

(Llewellyn also publishes the best selection of Tarot decks that I’ve discovered.)

Eva Lipton-Ormand, CHoM, CCSP – in Albuquerque, NM

Elizabeth Battarbee of Flourish, Doctor of Homeopathy – available via Skype everywhere and in-person in Louisiana!

Thank you for enjoying this month’s newsletter! You can contact me anytime via email: domikajama@gmail.com for consultations. Visit at Intuitivemoon.com.

Be well!

Blessings,
Dominique

Your April 2015 Newsletter From Dominique

This Month: Astrological Trends * Meditation * Spring Cleaning Secret Recipes

April 2015 Astrological Trends

April ought to open with one of those comic book bubbles reading “POW!” on April 4 with the Lunar Eclipse stirring up major sensitive points that have occurred recently. After April 4, everything will change, in essence. Look for big things to occur and then for things to quiet down again.

So if you are thinking of aligning yourself to anything that has to do with something like your life’s purpose or a revolution of everything… Here you go! And then the fallout will keep you busy for a while. Eclipses generally have an effect that lasts about six months, according to Susyn Blair-Hunt.

Things will happen fast. They are rather destined. Meant-to-be. I guess we can relax within the shift. You may already have a sense of what the shift will look like in your life, since the Uranus-Pluto square has been occurring for the past few weeks. It could be that things you have planned simply come to pass. You may find things you have been waiting on will get the go ahead.

If you find yourself encountering anything that looks like a challenge or an obstacle, I think you can be assured it is simply a step along a path to a greater outcome in the future. It’s a calling to a new level of understanding in its disguise as a setback. Instead, it simply means you’re on a new level of operating and have gone to the next set of lesson plans after mastering the last level. You need new tools for this job—the old tools won’t be appropriate any longer. So what worked once may not work anymore. It’s time for new skills. It’s a kind of spiritual and experiential Spring cleaning and clearing. You are being shown and led to what you can let go of.

On April 18, the new Moon in Aries offers us the chance to activate new beginnings. Use the time from April 18 onward to make a shift into your dream life. You have lots of power to manifest with the Sun moving into Taurus on April 20, just a few days later.

Allow yourself the gift of envisioning the world you wish to inhabit, and use the latter half of April to put the pieces into place.

Meditation

As long as we are alive, learning, and experiencing new things, we can get ready to encounter situations that kick off waterfalls of emotions inside us. Sometimes these emotions veer into territory that requires our attention, such as sadness, hurt, anger, confusion, worry, or fear. For those of us who carry empathic qualities, it’s even more critical to develop methods of processing emotional energies.

One thing to know about emotional energy is that there can be a constant stream of emotions running through your system / body just like there can be a constant stream of thoughts running through some people’s brains. The world has developed the term “mindfulness” to describe the management of a busy or chaotic mind. What is the term to describe the much more powerful electromagnetic effect of a well-managed heart?

Various people may use the same term to describe the fact that they have gone into their feeling-state to calm their hearts and feelings, as well. It’s important to know that until we shift into FEELING calm and neutral, we haven’t really shifted into a new place. It’s not enough to change what we’re thinking about and/or distract ourselves.

It takes some time and internal focus to change how we are feeling. Here is one method to manage a return to a neutral state of being after experiencing and emotional firestorm.

“Don’t Feed The Animals”

Like with wild animals, it’s important to avoid offering our wild emotions any further energy, or “food,” than they already have. Otherwise, they will be encouraged to stick around for more!

Step 1: Take time out to name what you are experiencing / feeling. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve glossed over or ignored or deferred my feelings in favor of getting through the day, or being nice, or putting the other person first. We needn’t take any immediate or uncomfortable action or share our feelings, but naming them for ourselves is a crucial step in self-regulation. I failed to do this for so many years, in fact, that for a long time I could not even recognize that I could feel angry anymore! This resulted in my body holding the anger because my consciousness could not name it. Here is a list of some of the uncomfortable feelings that come around from time to time that might help you when you are at the point when you need to name one of them:

Afraid
Numb
Resistant
Tense
Worried
Sad
Angry
Depressed
Resentful
Guilty
Anxious
Overwhelmed
Guilty
Bored
Blocked

Step 2: Breathe through your heart. With your eyes open or closed, imagine your inhale and exhale happening through your heart. For as long as it takes. With some practice, you may be able to slip into heart-breathing more quickly. Listen, it takes as long as it takes for me. Generally, when I am truly disrupted, I need about ten minutes at least.

The heart brings rhythm to our entire being. Its magnetic field is something like 5000 times stronger than that of the brain. The heart beat’s electrical amplitude is 50 times greater than the brain’s. So your heart can change your mind. When you bring your heart into alignment and harmony through focusing your breath and attention, the other systems in your body follow suit. I also believe the non-physical parts of you become aligned as well. Studies show that positive emotions—love, compassion, appreciation, caring—bring quick coherence to heart rhythms and improve cognitive performance. The key seems to be to feel these things and not just to have ideas about them. They need to saturate you.

Feeling them requires this quiet time of simply breathing in and breathing out. Allowing our attention to be funneled through our hearts allows a doorway into our bodies and beings that changes us so that we can begin to experience ourselves on an extra-intellectual level and perceive some new wisdom.

Step 3: Close the Emotional Energy Holes. Once we are able to establish breathing, we can scan our bodies from our feet up to the top of our heads to see where the pain exists. Emotional pain often manifests in our bodies. If we catch it early, we can neutralize and release it.

This is what I am labeling “closing the holes.” It’s the kind of language that ancient spiritual leaders and healers might have used to describe how they were healing an illness. They may have envisioned power being lost from us as energy holes were created in our spirit-bodies. I’ve actually learned a lot from ancient practices as compared to modern society when it comes to talking about emotions. However we want to envision emotional energy, it’s very important to manage it.

Continue breathing and imagining closing holes any place(s) where you feel pain, tightness, a difference in temperature, sensitivity, or any odd or uncomfortable sensation. When you find that you feel fairly comfortable, warm, safe, loved, cozy, and/or neutral—you know you are at a stopping point.

Step 4: Lock-in change with a quick flush of appreciation. Say thank you to whatever you believe in, or simply thank yourself for putting in this effort toward your better day.

There. You’re finished. Energy shifted and released. (This was likely more complex to describe than it will be for you to practice.)

Also, even doing a little bit is good. Life can move quickly and sometimes we do what we are able in the moment. This sort of practice can be done a little at a time. You can practice Don’t Feed The Animals repeatedly if you’re busy. Even if you release a portion of your emotional charge, you’ve done a lot for yourself and for others.

The point is to gain a sense of freedom, flexibility, and power over time. Since we know we all will encounter things that challenge us, it’s great to have a method to work it out.

You can practice these steps when you feel good so that when you’re in a charged situation, you have built up the knowledge to fall into heart-breathing and closing up energy gaps easily.

Namaste!

Nourishment for the Body and Soul

This month we have a few Spring Cleaning Recipes! You may have used these ideas before, but perhaps they are new to you. These are the real-life cleaning solutions that have vexed me over the years. If you are tackling your Spring cleaning like we are, I thought you might like to know about them. I wish you all happy, shiny households this April!

Clearing out the mold from your pipes

Important: DO NOT mix ingredients beforehand! LOL!

Ingredients:

½ Cup baking soda
about 1 Cup white vinegar

A funnel, if you like. I used a glass measuring cup with a pour spout. Vinegar can eat through plastics.

Directions:

Place baking soda down sink pipe slowly. Then slowly pour in vinegar. You will see a bubbling reaction! Don’t worry; it’s supposed to be this way! Let sit for about 15 minutes.

Next, run hot water for approximately 5 minutes. Then switch to cold water and run for a minute or two.

Repeat for each sink / tub / shower drain that you’d like to clean. I do this about once a year to scour and remove the mildew and mold from the drains around each sink, shower, and tub in the house as part of spring cleaning.

Garbage Disposal Sanitization

Ingredients: 3 TBSP Borax

Directions: Put borax down the drain of garbage disposal. Let it sit for an hour. Flush with warm water for 5 minutes.

Clean and Inhibit Mold in Corner of Ceramic Tiles

We have natural ceramic tiles around our shower, and every once in a while we need to watch out for mildew and a bit of mold developing around the caulking at the floor. If you have this problem, too, here is what I’ve learned to do periodically.

Make a thick paste with borax and water. Smear into moldy area. Let sit until dry, which could be overnight or even longer. Sweep up the powder and rinse off the rest with paper towels or disposable cloths. Dispose of paper towels/cloths.

Nourishing Recommendations

You can learn so much about Tarot from Susyn Blair-Hunt, my wonderful mentor, in her book, Tarot Prediction & Divination, Unveiling 3 Layers of Meaning.

(Llewellyn also publishes the best selection of Tarot decks that I’ve discovered.)

Eva Lipton-Ormand, CHoM, CCSP – in Albuquerque, NM

Elizabeth Battarbee of Flourish, Doctor of Homeopathy – available via Skype everywhere and in-person in Louisiana!

Thank you for enjoying this month’s newsletter! You can contact me anytime via email: domikajama@gmail.com for consultations. Visit at Intuitivemoon.com.

Be well!

Blessings,
Dominique

Your March 2015 Newsletter From Dominique

This Month: Astrological Trends * Meditation * Chia Berry Smoothie Recipe

March 2015 Astrological Trends

Although each Astrological New Year (when the Sun moves from 29 degrees Pisces to 0 degrees Aries on the Spring Equinox) brings with it new beginnings and the corollary endings, this year has some major influences that make it rather epic. 2015 feels as though we are waking up from a long sleep, allowing us to flex our fingers and toes, open our eyes, and start a new day in our lives.

On March 20, we not only have the Spring Equinox, we also have a solar eclipse. This adds mega-juice to the new moon, allowing for our new starts, dreams, wishes upon stars, rituals and energy work to be imbued with power and support. Spirit really wants us to start something new that will benefit our lives and the lives of others this year, whether it be healthy, wise, or beautiful. Whatever you choose, as long as it is positive, will take off like a star formation—fusion and all. So start planning now!

But let’s get back to the beginning…

As March opens, we already have the great benefactor, Jupiter, in elegant conversation with Uranus. It reaches its exact trine this month, although this aspect’s sphere of influence runs from January through August of this year, energetically speaking. We have a time of surprise gifts for several months, but now may be the time when that is most active. We may find ourselves surprised by our motivations toward our own health, our vitality, or our abilities. We could receive surprise abundance from outside that expands our capabilities. We may find ourselves unexpectedly protected when we thought we were vulnerable. Our faith could be restored and could expand in unexpected ways. We may meet our own Chiron, our own mentor, who allows us to see beyond our limited understanding into a world way beyond what we’ve previously known and accepted. (I ask now that we all expand our awareness to our next great and beautiful level. May this be so!)

On March 4, Venus, the lesser benefactor joins this conversation by sidling up next to Uranus. This adds even more power to the energy of receiving expansive gifts. Let’s practice loving-kindness toward ourselves and others especially on March 3-5, to support these energies.

Speaking of March 5, the full moon in Virgo occurs mid-day. In addition to loving-kindness, a Virgo full moon is a lovely time to meditate on space clearing principles, from Feng Shui to clutter clearing. Find 5 things you no longer need, for example, and pass them along, dispose of them, recycle them, etc. Clean your house, paint your toenails, get a massage, shower and wash your hair… Simply do anything that makes you feel “clear!”

On March 11, Mars follows Venus in meeting with Uranus in Aries. Mars is at home in Aries. When it meets Uranus there, it can impart unexpected wisdom about the upcoming new moon. It may provide insight (even impulse, as Mars is the action planet) about the changes we are ready to make. Allow the insight to be received and also take any actions that seem appropriate. Be aware that we are not in charge of divine timing, however, and allow life to patiently unfold–in case impatience arises inside you during this particular week.

The week of March 20 is the better week for new beginnings, and planning is better than impulses. However, the insights you gain can be put to excellent use with some planning and forethought—so make your “action” the action of planning! And use the insight for the highest and best purposes as opposed to reacting to anything around you.

On March 16, one of the endings I mentioned occurs. The last of the great Uranus-Pluto squares occurs. These have been happening for several years and have been the defining and most powerful aspects of this decade. Not since the 1960s has something like this occurred. Now, we are seeing social reforms such as Marriage Equality and social media as a major communication method in the United States. After these aspects, certain changes in our culture and institutions are becoming evident. It will take some time for it all to shake out, but they are major shifts in both group and individual consciousness.

And when the New Moon at 29 degrees Pisces rolls in on March 20, it will be time for a real celebration. If you are not planning a new moon party with some friends, by all means, have one all by yourself! This is a time to celebrate the transition time when dreams turn into reality. When we awaken, it is one of the most invigorating and joyous moments of living. Everything having to do with waking up involves consciousness and awareness, energy and movement. From music and dance to creativity and enjoyment, spend the rest of March moving your body and your soul to the rhythm of your own drum.

It is time to feel your body move and your spirit as well! Your independence and freedom await!

Meditation

My mother and grandparents tell me that at three months old I was touched by a sunburn so bad after a trip up a mountain during a camp-out that they had me in an ice-bath to soothe the burns and almost rushed me to the emergency room 20 miles away. It’s one of the epic stories of my life. Also having been born in a desert, and married to a Leo (the astrological sign ruled by the sun), it seems hilarious that whenever we travel the sky most often opens up into bright sunshine. Last week, we were in the Northwestern United States in the middle of winter, known for its constant downpours, and, sure enough, we found ourselves traveling through constant sunlight. All we could do was smile to each other. The sun is a trusted and valued companion element for us, and when I look closely, it always has been—it began its dialogue with me at three months of age!

Sometimes, there are natural elements and spirit guides who have been talking to us all our lives. They are powerful allies who want to be our conscious friends if we open ourselves to interacting with the spiritual side of nature. Denise Linn taught me the term “oversoul.” Each plant and animal has an oversoul we humans can connect to—an energy that encompasses all the members of that plant or animal instead of an individual plant or animal. So we can connect to the oversoul of sage, or the oversoul of elk, etc., in our meditations.

In this morning’s meditation (or journey, as it was), I ended up connecting with the oversoul of light. Light is so much faster than a human being, and I could hardly comprehend it at all. I found myself wanting to apologize because I didn’t even recognize it as any sort of meditation guide. Generally, guides have been animals or plants or water or something of this earth! But as light approached me in my vision or imagination and I quietly breathed in and out, I finally got through my brain-thoughts and emotions, became neutral, and just quietly allowed light to interact with my being. What light had to say was that it had been there all along as a companion, integrated and ready, a friend.

When you sit quietly, still, breathing in and out, envisioning the most safe place in nature for you (perhaps a spring or waterfall or cave)… What companion, friend, or ally appears for you? It can help to listen to drumming, flute music, or classical music while you do this to get beyond your thinking mind. Take between 5-15 minutes, depending on your level of comfort with being quiet and still. It doesn’t need to take long! (You can do this more than once and identify more than one companion—it is not a once-and-for-all deal.)

Remember to honor your imagination, as you meditate and envision, because imagination is the language that spirit uses to begin to dialogue with us. Imagination expands out into experience as our faith solidifies, but the spark in our heart starts with honoring our sacred imagination.

Sometimes, we say to ourselves, I don’t know if this is just my imagination… And I encourage you to just let that thought go by and not concern yourself with that line of reasoning. It just doesn’t matter if it is our imagination or a vision or what it is. It is our dialogue with life occurring however it is occurring.

You may be able to connect your spiritual ally and companion with your experience after your meditation. Often, the things that empower us start out with shocking experiences or even experiences that require us to be heroic. My sunburn experience is an example.

In shamanism, when a person is bitten by an animal, they are said to contain the medicine of that animal. So if they are bitten by a black widow, they then have black widow medicine, which is very strong medicine. Some of the things that seem difficult turn into the things that are the most powerful tools at our disposal.

It is through our own internal processing of the elements of our lives that we become aware enough to allow the coherent unfolding of our unique and important story. The key for me has been sufficient meditation and internal work, dialogue with nature / life, and spiritual abundance.

Nourishment for the Body and Soul

What better way to wake up or go to sleep (dessert) than a smoothie with berries? This is sugar-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and packs in some greens, as well!

Chia Berry Smoothie

Yield: 3-4 Servings

Ingredients:

4 Cups Spinach
4 Cups Almond Milk
1 Cup Frozen Blueberries
1 Cup Frozen Strawberries
¼ – ½ Cup Chia Seeds

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a large blender that can handle frozen items / ice and set to “smoothie” setting. Blend. (Alternatively, blend for about 20 seconds and then pulse for another 40 seconds if your blender doesn’t have a smoothie setting.)

Serve immediately.

Nourishing Recommendations

You can learn so much about Tarot from Susyn Blair-Hunt, my wonderful mentor, in her book, Tarot Prediction & Divination, Unveiling 3 Layers of Meaning.

(Llewellyn also publishes the best selection of Tarot decks that I’ve discovered.)

Eva Lipton-Ormand, CHoM, CCSP – in Albuquerque, NM

Elizabeth Battarbee of Flourish, Doctor of Homeopathy – available via Skype everywhere and in-person in Louisiana!

Thank you for enjoying this month’s newsletter! You can contact me anytime via email: domikajama@gmail.com for consultations. Visit at Intuitivemoon.com.

Be well!

Blessings,
Dominique

Your February 2015 Newsletter From Dominique

This Month: Astrological Trends * Meditation * Cayenne Mushroom Kale Soup

February 2015 Astrological Trends

The full moon in Leo On February 3 asks us all to let go of those things keeping us from honoring our true selves. If we wish to use these energies for their highest purpose, we can learn a pretty penny about self-authority and become a role-model for those who are in our care and who look up to us. We don’t need to hold on to things that leave us feeling bereft and unhappy. We can reach for a fulfilling and healed life, now stepping through doorways that make possible the next act in the drama unfolding in our lives.

If we yield to the lower energies of the Leo full moon, we may fall prey to flattery and people pleasing, getting caught up in dramas of other people’s making. Make sure to stay focused on your own unique desires and life story and stay out of other people’s business. You can relax if people around you seem upset—all will be well. Just do you.

Jupiter’s influence should lead you to a place where you can expand your situation (a joyous one, we hope) into the first few weeks of February as Mercury retrograde finishes on February 11. The beginning of February will see the most intense Mercury energies. If things seem to be moving fast or intensifying, it’s to be expected.

After the Aquarius new moon on February 18, things should slow down. All month long, intuition should be in full force, and this new moon is no exception. Being on the cusp of Pisces, it is an especially nice time to practice spirituality, compassion, and seek breakthroughs and insights. Let the love and awakening move to and through you.

Venus and Mars meet up in a Pisces conjunction aspect on February 22, so if you wish to delay your valentine’s plans you would have a lot of romantic energy on this weekend! Pisces is the sign where two can certainly become one, and lovers and others may find themselves awash in divine love for the end of February.

Saturn moves into a trine aspect the next day, February 23, adding structure to the romance. Weddings and commitments performed on this day and the days surrounding it are blessed.

However, it is not only romantic relationships that Saturn, Venus, and Mars supports. The easing of many relationships that stand on solid ground will occur. Those relationships that are in need of a better support system will likely be tested, however, as Saturn is the teaching planet. Saturn brings its red pen along sometimes, to give us a grade and report on how we are faring. Our egos are no match for Saturn energy.

Cleaning up our side of street can be done early in the month to enjoy the benefits later in the month—if there are any conflicts currently simmering in our relations. The nice things we do now will pay dividends within 28 days!

Meditation

Emotional pain requires that our egos have a place to be acknowledged if we are to move forward. Often we hold back our tears and our realizations as we fulfill the needs of our day and force ourselves to function forward.

At some point, hopefully close to the point of our pain’s ignition, we need to sit down and write out our grievances and our hurt feelings. It can be so revealing to see that we have been touched by an experience in a place that brought us back to a state where we are responding as if we are a child seeking approval. Or we need to shed tears because a situation is so unfair. Or we simply need to defuse our emotions before we can see how to heal our hearts.

We may feel ashamed of our inability to be more skillful in a situation. We may wish we had acted differently. Writing out our egoic wishes is an important step so that we can release our need to rehash the past in our mind’s eye.

It is ultimately unnecessary to defend ourselves, and that is a humble truth to acknowledge. If we need to defend ourselves, we have already entered a battle and anytime a sense of “battle” exists, we have already lost. The wisdom moments occur when we realize we have avoided a battle and created a life where conflicts cease to occur. The deeper WIN is to address the core of the pain, not to have said the right things to defend ourselves in any particular situation or to be smooth about reacting to people. It’s great if we gain verbal skill—nothing at all wrong or right in that—it can be supportive of ourselves and others so I’m all for it—but if you are like me and you might walk away realizing you should have said something differently… It is also OK to attend to the larger picture and be at peace with it.

In meditation, quieting the mind, relaxing the body and releasing the stress that occurs in the nervous system after an unfair encounter, it can be quite freeing to realize that we have nothing to prove to anyone else. We can get back to the place where we feel we have choices in this world. It is a powerful transition to go from feeling victimized to realizing we have choices and options and that each of us matters to ourselves and to the world, no matter how others are acting at the moment. We may become entangled for a moment but we have the strength, skills, and wisdom to untie any knots that we accidentally find wrapped around us.

I wish you all the internal power and ability to transform pain through writing, being kind with your pain as you see others behaving badly sometimes, and allowing yourself the peace of choosing an open mind and a healing heart.

Nourishment for the Body and Soul

Cayenne Mushroom Kale Soup

This soup is warm in the winter and chock full of nutrients! It is vegetarian to boot.

Yield: 8 Servings with leftovers

Ingredients:

2 Yellow or red onions, diced
2 Portabella mushrooms, diced
3 TBSP Butter or olive oil
3 Carrots, sliced
3 Potatoes, small to medium
6-8 Cups Vegetable stock
1 TBSP Paprika
Up to 1 TSP Cayenne (to taste)
6 cups kale leaves, chopped

Directions:

Melt butter on stovetop in a large stock pot or Dutch oven. Saute’ onions and mushrooms over medium heat for about 5 minutes until onions are translucent.

Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a low boil. Reduce heat to medium low. Simmer for 30 minutes.

Garnish with plain yogurt (or sour cream) on top if you like, and serve with your favorite toast.

Nourishing Recommendations

You can learn so much about Tarot from Susyn Blair-Hunt, my wonderful mentor, in her book, Tarot Prediction & Divination, Unveiling 3 Layers of Meaning.

(Llewellyn also publishes the best selection of Tarot decks that I’ve discovered.)

Homeopathy and Core Synchronism have changed my life. First, I was immediately able to breathe after experiencing asthma-like symptoms for years. Many other improvements followed. Elizabeth Battarbee is available via Skype everywhere and in-person in Louisiana!
Elizabeth Battarbee of Flourish, Doctor of Homeopathy

Elise Hensley, LISW, an amazing healer, offers unique psychotherapy services in the Albuquerque and Los Lunas areas at an unparalleled level. EMDR helps with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and anxiety of all types. Neurofeedback is a therapy that helps reconnect and enhance your brainpower in all sort of ways to maximize your mental functioning in this complex world of ours. Elise is one of only a few people trained in Neurofeedback in our area. She is someone who is a skilled and amazing mentor. Better yet, your insurance may cover your sessions.

Thank you for enjoying this month’s newsletter! You can contact me anytime via email: domikajama@gmail.com for consultations. Visit at Intuitivemoon.com.

Be well!

Blessings,
Dominique