ACCESSING THE WISDOM BENEATHE YOUR MIND
I’ve been coordinating these “Deb’s Picks” with the Full Moon for a few years now and love picking up clues for future themes in the many things I read every day.
One of my favorite sources are the powerful morning meditations from Richard Rohr and the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC). Sometimes one will just grab me, even if I have no idea exactly where I want to go with it!
This is what showed up a few months ago and I immeditately thought, “what a perfect idea to explore for the Sag/Gemini Full Moon”:
“Most people think they are their thinking; they don’t have a clue who they are apart from their thoughts. In contemplation, we move beneath thoughts and sensations to the level of pure being and naked awareness.”
So here we are with the Full Moon coming up on Wednesday, June 11th and I’ve been ruminating on what to say… and of course, would love to hear from you, too.
Diving from Gemini to Sagittarius
Remember, on the Full Moons, the Sun and Moon are in opposite signs so we have 2 different polarities to play with. This Sagittarius Moon is ruled by Jupiter and both cosmic energies coax us to expand our horizons, to search for deeper meaning and awareness. Sag urges us to clear away limitations and get unstuck to make room for new adventures. That can mean traveling to different, exotic places in the world, but also internal journeys of the deep soul-diving variety to access our own inner wisdom.
And with the Sun in Gemini from May 20 – June 20, we can tap into this air-y mental energy to learn new things, then communicate what we’ve learned through wriing, speaking and/or teaching.
Certainly a powerful way to integrate the Sag/Gemini combo on this Full Moon could be to to embark on your own “curriculum” of uplifting, spiritual exploration. Learn a new form of meditation or a healing modality. Read some ancient religious text or attend a lecture or workshop offered by a spiritual teacher.
But how about when we do lots of “book learning” about a topic in the more traditional sense of the word, then discover the deeper applications of that knowledge? That could happen spontaneously when you’re practicing a new skill and have a flash of inspiration that takes you to a whole different place. Or, you might intentionally explore ways to take that strong Gemini-driven knowledge to a new, more meaningful level of expression.
So, since reading that quote from CAC months ago, I’ve been curious to find examples of each of those types of journeys from knowledge to wisdom. That’s what you’ll see in the Picks below — some might be a bit of a stretch, but I had fun playing with the idea!
[And if you really want to dive deeper into that expressive Gemini vibe, definitely watch the recording of my virtual Gemini New Moon SisterCircle that I facilitated through the Wellness Universe on May 27th. Our theme was “Reconnecting with our Inner Muse” and I think you’ll enjoy tapping into your own creative wisdom!]
But before then, be sure to join us for my upcoming Sagittarius/Gemini Full Moon TeleMeditation on Wed., June 11th at Noon — click HERE for details on how to join us. Hope to “hear” you then! (And if you miss it, contact me and I’ll send you the recording, or look for it on Facebook & Instagram)
LOVE STACKING by Anna Pereira
Anna is the brilliant founder and CEO of The Wellness Universe where I’ve been blogging and leading my virtual New Moon SisterCircles for the past several years. She also happens to be a wonderful writer and I loved this latest article she posted on LinkedIn (yes, you can still access it even if you’re not on it).
She offers a simple structure and outline (very Gemini) to become more attuned, aligned, and alive. With steps like: “Gather Soulful Wisdom (Knowledge That Resonates)” and “Act from the Heart (Loving Implementation)“, I’d say it aligns beautifully with the upcoming Full Moon, wouldn’t you?! Click on the link and let me know what you think.
THE WISDOM OF TREES
If you’ve been in this community for awhile, or even just known me for a few hours, you know I’m a major tree lover — I even devoted a whole “Deb’s Picks” to “My Love Affair with Trees“ a few years ago! I’ve spent countless hours meditating under my favorite trees in the parks of NYC, and literally all over the world when we’re traveling. And over the years, I’ve been drawn to read about the science of trees and forests (that Gemini book-knowledge thing again!).
In particular, I’ve loved learning about the wisdom of trees and how they are connected through a vast, interconnected network called the mycorrhizal network, also known as the “wood-wide web.” They actually communicate with each other… how’s magical is that?! If that’s as fascinating foryou as it is for me, you can read that earlier Deb’s Picks to get some terrific, very readable adult books on the topic. Or you can click on the link above to explore some great children’s books — I can’t wait to read them to my grandcuties!
FROM TRAINING AND DEGREES TO INSPIRED EXPRESSION
Wow, I can think of sooo many examples of this… and since it’s my newsletter I’ll start with me! Bascially, what I’m talking about is how we can direct our very left-brained, linear (Gemini) credientials into areas that we never expected. For instance, when I graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a BA in Psychology, I moved right into the corporate world for 13 years. I never expected that would eventually lead me to get my Master’s degree in Psychology, specializing in Feminist Psychology and Women’s Spirituality.
That meaning-seeking (Sag) journey continues, maybe not so surprisingly since the origin of the word “psyche” is from the Greek word for “soul” (psukhē)! What’s your Gemini —> Sag story?? Reach out if you want to know more about mine… or just read the introduction to my book, “Circle of One: The Art of Becoming a SELF-Centered Woman”!
KRIPALU CENTER FOR YOGA & HEALTH
I’ve highlighted Kripalu in my Picks for years… it’s my go-to retreat destination and my dear friend Renee Trudeau has led Women’s Self-Renewal Retreats there for over 20 years… her next one is in October and you can register for it already on her website. But first click on the link aoove to take a look at ALL of Kripalu’s offerings… they really do fit into the knowledge –> wisdom theme of the upcoming Sag/Gemini Full Moon.
You can go straight to a deep wisdom dive and schedule a healing, self-guided mid-week “Retreat and Renewal” experience for yourself (my favorite). Or if you’re looking for a intensive program to increase your knowledge base in a specific area of wellness, check out their “schools” which focus on Ayudveda, Integrative Yoga Therapy, or Mindful Outdoor Leadership. It’s a very special place.
SALUT SALON QUARTET
I love that the performances of this wonderful group have been described as a “mix of virtuosity and whimsy”! Comprised of 2 violinists, a cellist, and a pianist, they present their formidable musical talent and knowledge in a completely joyful, creative way.
With a foundation of intense training and practice, it’s pretty amazing to see what they’ve created. I really do believe that deeper wisdom embodies all of that — joy, creativity, and playfulness, as well as all the spiritual and emotional components we’ve talked about. A pretty magical combination. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
I hope some of these Picks will inspire you to examine your own unique skill set and find new, soul-based ways to apply them. And as always, if you have any events or resources to share, I’d love to hear them.
With deep meaning-full blessings,
Deborah