Do the impossible with the New Moon Total Solar Eclipse in Pisces

It always seems impossible until it is done. Nelson Mandela

Today’s New Moon in Pisces is the first of 4 eclipses and first of 3 super moons for 2016. Yes, this is powerful stuff. A total eclipse of the the sun brings complete darkness before it heralds in new light. In other words, many doors will close so that a new chapter can start. In between the endings and beginnings, there will be some shaking up and clearing out. This spiritual Spring cleaning event begins today and move through September 2016 when we have another eclipse season.

What needs to end? Look at your life and notice what has run its course. Are relationships with lovers, friends, clients shifting or disappearing? Is progress in your career, at work, or with projects stalled or faltering? Are ideas about your image, your body, your health and your home in a state of flux or in the midst of transformation? If you said ‘yes’ to any of these questions or if any other area of your life appears to be unraveling, know that this is the Universe helping you to get clear about what must change.

What to do? Choose to embrace the victor or the victim. Why? The number 9 resonates with today’s moon (The year is 2016=9; the moon is in Pisces 18 degrees=9; Mar 9). If we consciously release habits, situation and ideas that burden us, then the energy of 9 gives a sense of completion and celebration Conversely, if we cling to spiritual clutter, then the 9 energy feels like the end of the road. In this place of powerlessness or panic, the victim emerges and asks ‘why me?’ They stop to search the past and instantly destroy progress. The victor instead sees beyond the darkness and asks ‘why not me?’ They revel in possibility.

What next? With an eclipse, an exact answer may not be clearly visible. Do not let that dissuade you. Listen to the still voice within. Trust that inner resolve. Stand in gratitude every minute of every day. Nothing is more energizing than proclaiming a deep appreciation for life. Rest. Relax. Rejuvenate. Make the most of living, and breathing and being. Cultivate creativity. Dream a new dream or a bigger one. No matter how crazy, unrealistic, far-fetched, improbable it might seem, it is in the realm of possibility. And like so many other things, your dream, your desire and your destiny is only impossible until it is done.

Happy New Moon,

Doing the impossible!

Monique

 

 

The World is Your Oyster with the New Moon in Aquarius

Never lose hope my heart, miracles dwell in the invisible. Rumi

Happy New Moon and Happy New Year! Today’s New Moon in Aquarius heralds in the Chinese Year of the Monkey. The Year of the Monkey promises to be filled with change and creativity. At times it may feel like we are flying by the seat of our pants. That is okay as long as we are moving forward and creating our unique destiny.

The message of the Aquarian Moon corresponds with the energy of the Monkey Year. It is time for a shift. It is time to shake up the status quo and take a quantum leap. Today, tap into the creative genius within. There is no need to dig deep, right the wrong or forage in the past. Instead take what life gives you and spin it into a new opportunity, a new push, a new path. The outside world mirrors our inner thoughts so on the truest level, the speck, the mole, the hill, the mountain is the gift we give ourselves.

The New Moon reminds us that the world is our oyster. This means we are in the perfect place to take advantage of what life has to offer. The pearl is created when a speck enters the oyster’s world and causes irritation. The oyster layers the speck with a substance called ‘nacre.’ This nacre is the same material that makes its shell. The oyster literally uses the stuff that it is made of to solve what aggravates it. Year after year, and layer after layer, and finally a beautiful pearl appears.

Today, look at what irritates you. Consider the area in life that challenges or frustrates you the most. Use the energy of the New Moon and choose not to get upset, annoyed or dissuaded. Instead, let it bring out the stuff that you are made of. Let it force you to channel your creativity and strengths in your own unique way. Soon, what started as an irritation, will have made you into a luminous and precious gem.

Making pearls,

Happy New Moon and Happy New Year!

Monique Blake

 

Your Cup Overflows with the Full Moon in Leo

Where must we go, we who wander this wasteland in search of our better selves?” The First History of Man. Mad Max

Today’s Full Moon in Leo is overflowing with energy. The Leo moon and the Aquarius sun creates this dynamic collaboration between the individual (Leo) and humanity (Aquarius). The questions to ask today and for the next few days are “How can I impact the world? “What can I contribute to the planet?” The answer is simple. Look to your passions. Look to your creativity. Look to what makes your heart overflow with desire and determination. These gifts and talents are how we change the world. Does that sound like a tall order? It is not. We are here to consciously uplift the planet.

Does this fill you with a sense of excitement? The Leo Full Moon is bubbling over with optimism. If this is not your perspective, then consider these questions: What rules you? Is it a distorted sense of happiness, perfection, social status, or drama? Are you the Queen of Novellas? Or the King of Vanity? Are these your realms? And are you ruling them or are they ruling your life? If you feel stuck in any way then you have strayed into the wasteland. So where must we go?

There is a royal path in the search for our better selves. The magnetic energy of the Leo Moon is here to help us. Optimize it. Today and for the next few days, we have a special opportunity release ideas, people, things and situations that limit us. Go outside and stand under the light of the Moon. Shout, scream, howl or whisper all that you will release from your life. Use the Ho’oponopono prayer and say with each item on your list, “I Love You. I Apologize. Forgive Me. Thank You.” Empty your cup of the drama and delusions. Let it spill out so that you can make space for your desires and dreams. Ask the Moon to fill your heart with renewed passion, joy and creativity. Let your cup runneth over and shower blessings onto the world.

Happy Full Moon in Leo

Monique, Queen of Joy

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Kapha Dosha

Congratulations! Your results indicate that you are most likely Kapha dosha.

Kapha: The Rock

You are solid like a rock. Kaphas tend to be dependable, steady and solid people. Kaphas are calm, patient and usually have a warm and sweet nature. You are the caregiver whether it is the office mom or the food pusher at family dinners. You are often caught doing random acts of kindness and are known for your great hugs. Kaphas excel at routine. You seldom have a problem driving the same car, wearing the same type of clothing or eating the same foods. Variety however is usually what is needed and missing in your life and diet.

Physically, Kapha are solid in built with a stockier, larger frames than most. Kaphas tend to have big, bright, eyes and big, white teeth with thick wavy hair. Kaphas usually have cool to cold hands and feet. It is usually difficulty to lose weight. Your appetite is sluggish and sometimes you eat more than you should or eat when you are not hungry. You tend to like sweets, and other heavy, rich foods like pastas, breads, diary, and meat. These types of foods are not the best for you and you would benefits more from lighter, fresher foods consumed in smaller portions.

When out of balance, Kaphas often experience lethargy, heaviness of the mind and body. Kaphas tend to get stuck, and weighed down.

For more information on your dosha, or to schedule a consultation, contact Monique Blake at 954.558.2002.

Pitta Dosha

Congratulations! Your results indicate that you are most likely Pitta dosha

Pitta: The Innovator

You are a dynamic force of nature. You are charismatic, passionate, and usually a powerful magnetic presence. Pittas are highly organized, focused and driven. You are natural born leaders. Pittas are competitive and perfectionists. This sometimes makes it difficult for you to play well with others. Pittas tend to be workaholics and need to be recognized and rewarded for hard work. Pittas value luxury and can be found wearing more classic designer pieces, doing a power lunch catered by a high-end restaurant or rewarding themselves with new luxury item.

Physically, you tend to be medium height with good muscle tone with thin or thinning hair or hair that is prematurely gray, especially at the temples. Pittas run hot and often have warm hands or give off a lot of body heat. Your appetite is strong and you are miserable and cranky when you have missed a meal or haven’t had your morning cup of Joe. You tend to like spicy, fried, processed or junk foods. Pittas are meat lovers and many pittas don’t consider a meal without meat a meal at all.  A more vegetarian focused diet would benefit many Pittas.

When out of balance, Pittas often experience irritation, inflammation and infections. Pittas tend to have sensitive skin and often experience acne or rashes or other skin irritations. . You are also prone to allergies that range from food sensitivities to seasonal hay fever. Pittas often experience diarrhea, heartburn/GERD, and fevers. You also tend to get emotionally irritated, jealous, overly competitive, aggressive and are often accused of having a sharp tongue.

For more information on your dosha, or to schedule a consultation, contact Monique Blake at 954.558.2002.

Vata: The Artist

Congratulations! Your results indicate that you are most likely Vata dosha.

You are a creative force. You are bubbly, active and usually the life of the party. Schedules or routines are not your strong suit. You prefer spontaneity and are often on the go. Vatas enjoy the newest trends and can be found wearing the latest fashions, eating out at the new it spot or hanging out at the coolest new art scene.

Physically, you tend to be tall and thin or petite and thin with course or frizzy dry darker hair. You usually have cold hands and feet. Usually you have difficulty gaining weight. Your appetite tends to be erratic and Vatas like to eat on the go.  You tend to like cold light dry foods. Many Vatas tend to be Kundalini practicing vegans. This may not be the ideal for Vata doshas.

When out of balance, Vatas often experience dryness of hair, skin, and mucus membranes. They also tend to bloat and have gas. Vatas may also experience constipation, arthritis, pain that moves, and nervous conditions. Vatas also tend to become forgetful, anxious, nervous and fearful when out of balance.

For more information on your dosha, or to schedule a consultation, contact Monique Blake at 954.558.2002.

SPIRITUAL LIFE LESSONS FROM LAWYERS

Great article. It does not matter if you view this as a wake call or a gentle reminder. Either way, read it!

Anonymous Souls

Let’s start with a joke…

A lawyer died and arrived at the pearly gates. To his dismay, there were thousands of people ahead of him in line to see St. Peter. But, to his surprise, St. Peter left his desk at the gate and came down the long line to where the lawyer was standing. St. Peter greeted him warmly. Then St. Peter and one of his assistants took the lawyer by the hands and guided him up to the front of the line into a comfortable chair by his desk.
The lawyer said, “I don’t mind all this attention, but what makes me so special?”

St. Peter replied, “Well, I’ve added up all the hours for which you billed your clients, and by my calculation you must be about 193 years old!”

Let me preface this by saying I dislike lawyers a lot! Sorry to my family (many of…

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New Country of…..YOU!

Frances, this blog is perfectly timed. Wonderful!

Anonymous Souls

How many of you are trying to take control of your lives but old relationships, family quarrels or past behaviors sabotage your efforts? I see many clients that want to rip themselves away from old patterns especially with relationships but can’t. So it’s time to emancipate  yourself! When you go back to old habits and old ways of thinking you’re relinquishing power to that person, idea or thing. It’s time you take charge and become an immigrant of a new land…your own!

Immigrants struggle with leaving everything behind, customs, family, clothing, home,  yet they’re on a search for a new life. If you truly want a new life you need to do the same thing. Go onto any nation’s government website and print out the application for citizenship/visa for that new country. Cross out the name of the country and put your name there instead! When it asks what citizenship…

View original post 150 more words

Be the Light on the Summer Solstice

“I can see clearly now the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind. It’s gonna be a bright (bright) bright (bright) sunshiny day. It’s gonna be a bright (bright) bright (bright) sunshiny day.”  Johnny Nash

Today is the Summer Solstice and  marks the first day of summer.  The Sun appears to stand still on this, the longest day of the year. The Summer Solstice is a celebration of Light. Let us give thanks for the sunshine. Today spend time in Nature. Sit in your garden, go to the beach, hug a tree. Do one thing that connects you to the all the goodness the Sun Star provides for us. This hot beautiful ball of fire is the heart and soul of our solar system and therefore the center of our lives. We do not exist without its nurturing warmth.

Today as we celebrate the Sun, take time to consider how we show up as the Light in the world. My teachers remind me that life is not about attaining enlightenment. To spend time on a path to spiritual enlightenment is nonsense. We miss the point when we think that enlightenment is something that we have to gain, or there is some high almost impossible bar that we have to reach, or that there is great suffering that we have to get beyond in order to achieve the highest spiritual expression.

We are Beings of Light. We are of the purest vibration. We are perfect and whole. We are and have always been enlightened. Our spiritual journey is not to strive for what we already are, but rather to remove, dismantle and abandon any obstacle that we have created that blocks our Light. Today, consider how we show up as the Sun in our world. Consider how we nurture and touch all the lives in our personal solar system. Today, remember our enLIGHTened self and Be the Light. Shine brightly. Shine boldly.

Happy Summer Solstice.

Monique

“Look all around, there’s nothing but blue skies. Look straight ahead, there’s nothing but blue skies. It’s gonna be a bright (bright) bright (bright) sunshiny day.”

The Ayurvedic Path

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Ayurvedic Path

The Ayurvedic Path

My Ayurveda journey began 20 years ago at the Aroga Ashram in Kathmandu, Nepal. I really don’t remember much about the course except for the acrid smell of the neem oil. It was still hot in October and the space was small with no ventilation. The thickness of the neem descended like a heavy cloud to slowly suffocate me. My more pleasant memories of Nepal centered on visiting Pashupatinath, one of the most sacred Hindu temples. I witnessed the Teej ceremony there. This is a festival when women dressed in red and bright pink saris go to the temple to pray for a long life for their husbands. I remember walking against the tide of red. It was amazing to be engulfed by this sea of bright energy. By the way, there is no corresponding ceremony where husbands pray for their wives. I also traveled to Pokhara to see the Himalayas. I was told it was too late in the year to see them but they made an appearance just for me. And there are no words to describe the breathtaking magnificence of these mountains. These were just a few of my highlights in Nepal so it is understandable why I tucked the Ayurveda experience far into the recesses of my mind.

Fast-forward 15 years; I was the program director and professor of a massage therapy program. One of my students came to me with an ad for a local Ayurveda college. She wanted me to call and get information for her. Well, I did. She never attended a single class but I spent the next three years learning about this amazing path to health and balance. Recently, while sorting through paperwork, I found my Ayurveda certificate from Aroga Ashram and realized that the seed of Ayurveda that was planted so many years ago had now made a major impact on my life professionally and personally. And yes, since then I have even grown used to the smell of neem.

What is Ayurveda?

What is this path that piqued my curiosity 20 years ago and has now commanded my respect and dedication? The word, Ayurveda, comes from the Sanskrit ‘ayus’ (life) and ‘veda’ (science or knowledge) and translates to the Science of Life. Ayurveda is tried and true for over 5000 years thus making it the oldest continuous medical healthcare system in the world.

It accounts for every detail of wellness at every stage of life. Ayurvedic branches include internal medicine; aphrodisiac, fertility and pediatrics; ears, nose and throat; toxicology; psychology; surgery and geriatrics/anti-aging. Pancha Karma, a detoxification program, is another major cornerstone of this healing system. Pancha Karma is both preventive and curative and is renowned for its anti-aging results. Yoga, Pranayama, Jyotish (astrology), and Vastu Shastra (Indian Feng Shui) are all sciences that come out of Ayurveda. When it comes to health and balance Ayurveda covers all ground. This makes it impossible to really do it justice in one blog entry. Nevertheless, here are some foundational concepts.

The Foundation

Ayurveda’s basic philosophy centers on the 5-element theory and the Tridosha system. At its core, Ayurveda explains our interconnectedness with Nature. The universe is made up of 5 primary elements: ether (space), air, fire, water and earth. These substances make up everything on the planet including you and me.

These five elements converge to express three fundamental energies: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These three energies are expressed in Nature, in the seasons, in the time of day, in the stages of life as well as the state of health/imbalance of our mind, body and spirit. In other words, each of us embodies the five elements and three doshas. However, we each have a predominant individual expression of one or two of the doshas called our prakruti or nature (personal constitution). Whenever we move away from our nature, we move towards imbalance (vikruti), which is also expressed through Vata, Pitta and/or Kapha doshas.

How does Ayurveda work for you?

Ayurveda works by nurturing our true nature or prakruti and balancing areas that deviate from our true nature. In a nutshell, Ayurveda strives to spark our body’s natural healing potential and bring us back in alignment with who we really are. The true beauty of Ayurveda is that there is no cookie cutter approach. If there were three people with the same condition, each would receive their own personalized protocols. For example, people who wish to lose weight sometimes get discouraged because they take on the cookie cutter approach by eating salads and skipping meals. In Ayurveda, eating a cold salad as a meal might only work for one dosha type so 2 out of the 3 might fail because this single approach does not speak to their true nature. Additionally, if those same three people come to you during the spring, summer, fall or winter then adjustments will have to be made to accommodate the impact of each season.

How do you find out your constitution and imbalance?

The first place to start is with a visit to a certified Ayurvedic practitioner (CAP). What should you expect during a consultation? The CAP will determine your constitution and imbalance through a basic exam that includes a pulse assessment, tongue assessment, questionnaire and the observation of the skin, eyes, voice and general built. Recommendations are then made for diet, herbs and lifestyle. Lifestyle tips includes yoga exercises, pranayama (breathing) and meditation practices as well as color and gem therapy. A follow up visit is recommended every three months in order to re-evaluate and adjust for the impact of the season on our health.

There is so much more to share. Join me for the Ayurveda Path blog series and let’s journey to health and wellness together. The next Ayurveda Path segment will focus on the three doshas and answer the question ‘What’s my dosha?’

To begin your Ayurvedic Path to Health and Wellness, contact me to schedule your consultation.

Disclaimer:

The content of this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Therefore, the information does not replace the recommendations made by your doctor or primary healthcare professional.

Resources:

Lad, V. (1984). Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing. Twin Lakes, WI: Lotus Press.

Tirtha, S. (2007). The Ayurveda Encyclopedia: Natural Secrets to Healing,  Prevention and Longevity. Unadilla, NY: Ayurveda Holistic Center Press.