Living in the shadows can be cold and depressing,

so let’s all get out into the light together and shine, bitches

I recently went to a metaphysical bookshop and saw that there was a woman doing readings there. I felt an urge to do it and it had been a long time since I let someone sit across from me and give me some truth/advice. So I got one. At first, the reading wasn’t giving me all of my life. It felt a little general, and she sort of had me doing most of the work. But once we got into some specific questions, she really did hit on a few things that felt right on for me. More importantly, she just told me some things that regardless, I think I needed to hear. For one thing, she said that I had a problem with shining. “You keep yourself in the shadows so you don’t have to put yourself out there.” It’s true. I know that one of my greatest challenges comes with allowing the spotlight to shine on me. She also said that I had to stop hiding my truth, and that I would be best when I could just allow myself to say what I feel and not be passive aggressive about it. Something I know entirely too much about. “Be you”, she shouted. “People are gonna love you or they’re gonna hate you. So who gives a shit?”

Preach.

People are either going to love you or hate you. You can’t control that. So why go about modulating yourself to the point of submission in hopes that you won’t cause a scene. You will just end up stuck in the shadow of your thoughts, nodding yes or shaking your head no when really you just want to scream. It’s important that each of us be all of ourselves all of the time. Yes, we don’t want to hurt feelings. We don’t want to say something we’ll regret. But there is a thing called tact. It can be helpful when called upon. There is also a thing called indigestion. And when we continuously stifle our truths or our deepest emotions, we can cause ourselves a great indigestion of the soul. And both our spirits and our stomachs will suffer.

We can’t get by with just doing some yoga or watching some Oprah, thinking we are getting deep with ourselves

It’s time to forge a new, deeper relationship with your truer, unique self, and the Aquarius New Moon is here to help you see it through. Yes, you’ve been told before to just let go and be yourself. But do you really know who “yourself” is, or are you just playing along? Maybe you have a job working a 10-6 but really consider yourself an artist. But are you really an “artist”? What does that mean? I classify myself as a writer, but if I were not sitting here before this blog post, would I still be considered one? And how does that relate to the man I am with my family or my man or my best friends? Does it relate? Yes, this is some deeper psycho-spiritual shit, but if we are going to live a life of greater, deeper meaning, then we can’t get by with just doing some yoga or watching some Oprah, thinking we are getting deep with ourselves.

We have to ask ourselves the bigger questions so we can know ourselves in a bigger way. And in turn, we can then BE ourselves in a bigger way. We can better understand the unique definition of our spirit and live accordingly. We can do it loudly and proudly and in a way that feels truly authentic. For if we can’t be our most authentic self, then we are just too busy giving a shit about what others think of us. And let me tell you, living in the shadows can be cold and depressing, so let’s all get out into the light together and shine, bitches.

Let’s shine.

Here’s some more direct talk for each of the signs:

ARIES

You are usually a solo warrior, left to lead the charge and inspire others to follow. But right now, you are going through a bit of a metamorphosis that has left your typically strong ego a bit insecure. Well know that these changes are being dictated by a higher power and have your greater interests in mind. The Universe is just pushing you to clear out some of the karmic crap from your past, which is never an easy task. And it’s allowing for your uniqueness to truly shine through. Now this may irk some people in your life, as they thought they already knew you. Well surprise! You have some new, or more so, unearthed aspects of yourself to introduce the world to. So pay attention to those friends who can really help you to inspire this growth and spend more time with them. Find creative ways to align with them too, whether it’s taking a class or starting a group or project together. Anything that will help the true you emerge more.

TAURUS

The stars are currently shining a bright light on your destiny path. Maybe you’ve been placed in some unique situations that remind you who you really want to be. Or you’ve found yourself spending time with people who truly inspire the kinds of joyful energy you want to live in. Well, this is great because it’s easier to see now where you should be placing your energy. However, it also brings a great challenge. Because you don’t have it all just yet. It’s like being Dorothy in Munchkinland. You’re taking the first steps onto that yellow brick road but what the hell trouble could these little people be getting you into? And how the hell long will it take to get to this Emerald City? And in real terms, you have to now deal with the reality of your daily life after having glimpsed some of the extraordinary. The way to deal? Continue to exhibit the pieces of you that this brush with greatness inspired. Even if you’re just at the grocery store or with old friends, others will recognize that your energy has shifted and the Universe will rise again to greet you with experiences that suit this new you.

GEMINI

You’re currently in the midst of a greater shift in your relationship to your career, which stems from this deeper sense of “Something’s gotta give or I’m gonna go postal on someone.” And it’s fine to feel this sense of “Ugh.” But you’re not going to make any real breakthroughs and rise to the surface if you’re just spinning in circles underwater. So you must get out into the world so you can shift your perspective of it. See, some of your current problem comes from this sense of “The world is against me.” But this is based on an old worldview that you’ve been carrying around like a far too ripe banana in your backpack on a hike. You are never gonna eat it. It’s just there in case as a safety, but you know it’s old and nasty and won’t ultimately do you any good. So toss that shit. Go do something incredibly unique. Something you may even think would be stupid. I’m talking pottery classes, a trip to Death Valley stupid. You need to get out of your box so you can basically get out of your way. When you forcefully shift yourself, you will be surprised by its helpful reverb.

CANCER

If anyone in the Zodiac is in a good place, it’s you Cancer. Sure, some pieces of your life may not feel perfectly intact, but you are finding yourself better able to handle any sort of instability than you may have in the past. And, between now and the summer, things are actually going to get better for you. You’re going to see some recognition in an area of your life where you’ve been craving it. However, you have to be willing to allow it in, which means allowing change to come in as well. Sure, you can be adaptable but clinging to the past can be a bit of a crutch. That can also be said for clinging to people. So, it may be time to let go of some people from your past, or at least to allow your relationship with them to transform, so that you can move forward into the unique light that is meant for only you. It doesn’t make you a bad person for moving on, if you can communicate it. And if what you’re doing is for your personal greater good and you approach that with integrity, then others will see that and admire it. So there will be no hard feelings whatsoever.

LEO

When it comes to relationships, and especially trouble or challenge in relationships, you Leo’s can tend to look at it from a place of personal attack. “Why is my partner tripping on me?” Therefore, you aren’t entirely able to stand back and see the situation from a teaching standpoint. Well know that you have called in your partner, or not called in a partner at all, for very specific reason. There is a mirror there, somehow shedding truth on an aspect of you that needs attention. So if you’re in a relationship and something about your partner is irking you, turn it around. Or better yet, use it as a platform to be even more yourself in the relationship. Are you feeling a wane in his or her commitment? Well then, how can you more greatly demonstrate the committed fool that you can be? Does your partner seem uninspired? Then, how can you use your life to show the purpose and excitement of passion? Yes, it can be hard to be so selfless. But be a greater partner and you will feel the reward of it shine through.

VIRGO

It’s time to fully commit to that something new in your daily routine. This means you have to let go of something old. I know, you were just getting it down to a science, but trust that when things get comfortable, a shake-up must occur. It not only helps you get a new excitement into your life, but it also inspires those around you to be more fluid with their lives. And you love to help others. So lead by example. Let go of that responsibility that really isn’t yours anymore. Whether it was taking care of someone who can now or should take care of him or herself, or that Zumba class that is feeling stale, mix it around. And don’t just add something new in for the sake of it. Find something that ties in more closely to those hopes and dreams you’ve been hiding under your pillow. Whether it’s taking up an art class to get closer to your creativity or starting a hiking group to become more in tune with nature, it should be something that will only ignite your inner fire. And then allow others to bask in that light and feel the heat of truth for themselves.

LIBRA

You have the energy of action on your side right now, so you aren’t even really feeling the urge to be motivated – you’re just doing. Everything that you’re taking on right now is somehow meant to bring that greater balance into your life, which is a larger piece of your inherent purpose. So know that every challenge you’re taking on, as well as every pleasure, is urging you toward establishing that calm place in the middle. If you’ve been working too much, then make the time to be more playful and creative. Take on a new artistic venture or go a romantic date with someone who gets your blood boiling, in a good way. If the converse is true and you’ve been having too much fun time, then you should focus on how to create a more stable environment for yourself to accomplish the work that you need to. Everything you do right now will be infused with a powerful energy and can give you the sense that anything can happen. So use it wisely.

SCORPIO

So much change going on in your mind and your life. As we’ve discussed, this past year has been a real challenging one as it has pushed you to be more responsible in various areas of your life. But know that without a firm foundation, you will just flail about and get lost in the confusion. So what can you do to better ground in the new structures you are trying to build for yourself? Start with your home life, which is always a reflection of your inner self. If your surroundings are a mess, sure you can call a housekeeper. But will he or she clean up the mess in your head? I don’t think so. But it’s a start. So put some real focus into getting your home life in order. If you’re trying to make some big changes there, then think outside the box on how to accomplish them. Or assert yourself in your own unique way to get what you want. Others will respond. Then apply that same innovative thinking to other areas of your life. Perhaps you may need to try some interesting ideas when it comes to helping clean up your work or financial life as well.

SAGITTARIUS

Have you ever said something in conversation and then muttered, “I don’t know why I just said that”? This week, I would like you to have that kind of moment, but with a bit more intention. There are some real deep changes afoot within you, yet you may have to get some of them out into the surface more so others can help you actualize them. If you’re just sitting inside yourself dreaming of what you want to be, you will only succeed at having a fantastical internal life. So put yourself in some situations where you can have a real dialogue about what you have been wanting with your life, but make sure it is with people who have the potential to help you do something about it. If it’s a change in your relationship life you crave, let it slip out to that friend who has helped set up seventeen of your other friends. If your job is the thing that needs some work, have it come out over drinks with that person who has your dream job. When you speak things out loud, you never know what realness the Universe will serve you.

CAPRICORN

It is time for you to have a much more serious relationship with yourself. Okay, so you’re always kind of serious – that is your nature. But now you have to actually turn that outer world seriousness inward. It’s a process that already started a while back, but there is a real sense now that you have no choice but to commit to some piece of yourself that you may have been ignoring or putting off. And this piece, in a way, is where your greatest joy lives, as well as the most unique version of you. And that is what you should be moving toward at this time. Maybe it’s a relationship or spending time with your friends or even your work that helps you put the harder demeanor down. Whatever the case, be a more determined participant in this part of your life. Don’t take it for granted. If you can dive headfirst into the thing that has secretly excited you more than anything, you will see a better version of your life unfold. You just have to be okay with placing greater value on something you may have undervalued in the past, which also means admitting that you were wrong.

AQUARIUS

So you Aquarians are all feeling a bit challenged by your career life and may be wondering whether you’re actually doing the work you should be doing in the best way possible. In actuality, this is just the fear of manifesting your purpose talking. When you boil it down, you know the things that get you most excited. You’re just having a deep, transformative experience when it comes to how you relate to those desires. And the Universe is forcing you to get real intimate and deep with yourself, which means shaking hands with your greatest fears around insecurity and failure. But the boogeyman was and always will be a figment of the young imagination. So if you can get pure with yourself and become removed from that dance of uncertainty, you will actually see that your daily life is offering you clues and opportunities toward solving the conundrum of living your best life. You just have to remember that you are an Aquarius – the optimistic dreamer who wants to inspire this world and see it become a better place for everyone. Connect back to that truth, approach each day with that instead of your own issues in mind, and the Universe will provide a clear map to the destiny you know is yours.

PISCES

Don’t beat yourself up. You’re a sensitive one, so if you turn on yourself then a feeling that the whole world is against you only amplifies by a thousand. And the whole world is not against you right now. You’re just being challenged to take your connection to the world more seriously. And with that comes taking your hopes and dreams more seriously, since why would you live in this world if you weren’t here to pursue those. So let go of the idea that what you really want in this life is stupid or childish. And concurrently, use this week to get real quiet with yourself and get centered on what it is you really want. What you think that is and what it actually is may not be connected. In fact, you may be operating from an old plan. So invite clarity in and don’t judge the outcome. Allow yourself to meditate on your truth and be excited for the crazy ideas the Universe has in store for you and your life. If you can be open to them, then this year will allow you to begin some new adventures you never even imagined were possible for little old you.