The Harvest Full Moon Lunar Eclipse

                                                                       sibylstar1September 25, 2015Astrology

 

Full Moon Lunar Eclipse September 27, 2015 at 7:55 pm PDT

This Full Moon Lunar Eclipse at Aries 5 degrees speaks to me of a crucible. The definition of a crucible is: “1) a pot in which metals or other substances are heated to a very high temperature or melted; 2) a difficult test or challenge; and 3) a place or situation that forces people to change or make difficult decisions.” We are being cooked in many ways, emotionally, spiritually and physically. It is a time when we are being challenged to face our fears, walk through the fires of transformation and surrender to the Mystery.

The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse is total lunar eclipse, also known as a Blood Moon. This will make four Blood Moons in a row over the last 2 years, so it is an energy that has been building. This eclipse is also a supermoon which means that the moon will be at its brightest and darkest in 2015 and will be the “closest full moon of the year.” The energy and effects of this eclipse last until the next lunar eclipse in six months.

As energy of the eclipse escalates, it can put us into emotional chaos. Lunar eclipses bring unconscious material to the surface and takes time to process it. This material needs to be released as it is often underlying many of our disempowering and self-destructive thoughts, behaviors and attitudes. A lot of this material is from our past and we need to make peace with our past. Let go that old stuff, it serves no one to hold onto it. And as we release the old pain, we heal our hearts. As Confucius said, “To put the world in order…, we must first set our hearts right.”

The Moon in Aries requires emotional honesty, being able to speak truthfully about how we feel and what we want. The Sun in Libra, which opposes this Full Moon, is seeking balance and harmony. Old unresolved conflicts may arise seeking the resolution which will actually bring us back into balance. There may be eruptions of intense emotions that have been buried or hidden. If these emotions arise, allow the tears to fall for it is those tears that will heal us.

Aries is the warrior spirit within each of each and asks for courage. Courage is not the lack of fear, it is being afraid but doing it anyway. We are being asked to follow what we know in our hearts to be true which can take courage and strength to align our will with our hearts. There is great strength in a person of heart. It takes courage to feel not only our own pain but that of others, to shed tears and make the necessary difficult decisions and actions that bring about change. But most of all, we are challenged to have the courage to let our hearts be our guide.

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and activates our right to be who we are and the will to live in integrity with our own truth. But the Sun in Libra brings with it collaboration, co-operation and empathy. So the challenge is staying true to ourselves while being engaged in collaborative efforts. We each have our own unique gifts, so how to do our own dance while dancing with others is a powerful teaching of this lunar eclipse.

Mercury retrograde is in Libra and interacting with Pluto, challenging us to speak to issues of injustice, inequality and disempowerment. It is interesting that Pope Francis is here in United States right now, speaking of these very issues. It is time to speak truth to power regarding social, economic and environmental justice. Have the courage to let your voice be heard regarding injustice.

The Divine Feminine is very active in this eclipse, with asteroid Vesta, the Priestess archetype, tightly conjunct the Moon. She brings in the concept of sacred work. The Sabian Symbol for this Moon is “A White Triangle is seen; it has Golden Wings.” This symbol aligned with Vesta and the eclipse is asking what our sacred work is, our own personal mission.

Another aspect is in play during this eclipse regarding our work in the world,  a Saturn/ Mars square. Saturn has just moved into Sagittarius, requiring focus, hard work and commitment to our mission, while Mars in Virgo asks for competency. So work hard, stay focused and plan carefully and methodically. This aspect is not about acting impulsively. If  you are able to  do this, your mission will come into manifestation.

As we are being “cooked” in this crucible of powerful energy, releasing the old fears and ways of disempowerment, we are giving birth to a new paradigm. When we have purified our hearts and surrendered to the mystery, the Blue Flame of awareness arises, sending us into more expanded states of consciousness and remembrance of the Unconditional Love of the Universe. That is when a new world is born!

“The present convergence of crises––in money, energy, education, health, water, soil, climate, politics, the environment, and more––is a birth crisis, expelling us from the old world into the new.”       Charles Eisenstein

Mindful Eating: What is it?

BREAKING THE CHAINS OF NEGATIVE SELF TALK

Written By

Candice White

Ever notice those stories that play in your head? Oh, I’ve got them too. They are those sneaky little whispers that sound like your best friend trying to protect you. They create stories and dramas that exaggerate what someone said. One statement about your clothing turned into a feeling and then a saga that you’re unlikable. What was meant as some passing comment has now turned into a story of how you’re out of style and gaining weight.

I do it too. We go on and on telling others what our co-worker said to us. “Yeah, she thinks she’s better than everyone. Who is she to tell me that I’m lazy since I skipped yoga?” The reality: all she asked was, “Why did you skip yoga today?” We make up these stories and turn others against us, often creating problems that aren’t really there. But why?

We hear these tall tales and make them the truth. We turn what others do and say into something that feeds our inner victim. We often believe we know what others are thinking and interpret everything in a way that protects us. So often we are immune to these stories that we forget that they are just that: stories, theatrical soap operas, fables, made up dramas, internal dialogs. We believe it’s who we are, but it’s not. You are not your inner voice. You are the creator of the voice that has the power to shift those thoughts into a life you dream!

In my spiritual growth, I’ve discovered that early on in life, something happens that made us feel like the world was harmful and that people would destroy or harm us. Out of our own protection, we’ve assumed what others say means the same thing as what we interpret, and so we’ve created inner dialogs that exaggerate truth to make us feel safe. We gather enough info to support evidence that we’re “right” and they’re “wrong.”

Our little, bruised inner child holds onto old wounds of rejection, so when we hear something that feels like rejection or judgement, our child is triggered and the stories begin and tend to carry on.

As we become conscious of these inner tales, we can begin to watch them and ask if they are true. “Is it true that she said I was lazy? Am I making that up because I feel lazy?” We can begin to sort out the inner theatrical play and see that fewer people are out to get us then presumed. We may also discover that we can believe a lot of self sabotaging thoughts if we aren’t careful. We take lots of things personally that aren’t meant to be taken as such. But if we look closely, usually it’s us beating ourselves up.

Those stories can begin to quiet and silence as soon as we notice them. Just stop and see. When we look for truth in them, they start to lose their substance and power in our lives. As we replace victimizing thoughts and stories with conscious stories and look for our heroine, we use our power! When we see the mental soap opera for what it is—energy—we can shift its focus to create a future of possibilities! As we discover that we aren’t those thoughts after all, the stories lose their value and we can begin to become more present and craft the future we dream of!

By nurturing our wounded inner child and accepting and appreciating her, we see the world mirrors. As she heals, she strengthens and grows in her fierce power, maturing into a woman who accepts her authentic self. She knows she’s safe and doesn’t let the inner dramas dictate her life and well being. She stands up and listens closely and presently to what others say to discover what they are aiming to convey.

She stands for others, rising in their power by using their words to support their best lives. She creates opportunities for her growth and promotes harmony by changing that inner dialog to one that is loving and steadfast!

Above all, she creates who she is by letting go of past stories to design a masterpiece of a life!

The One Thing

There is only thing I think everyone should know about and use in their lives.

It’s not yoga or green smoothies or even a gratitude practice. Sure, All of these things are very powerful healing aids and I definitely recommend them; but they don’t stand a chance compared to the tool I am about to present to you.

When I discovered this, my life took a 180 degree turn—nothing was the same anymore.

I healed parts of myself I thought were going to be broken until the end of time, I grew my business more quickly than I had ever imagined and magical things started happening for me.

Everything got easier in a way. I started showing up on my yoga mat with more presence and devotion. I was able to lead my clients through deeper transformation and watch them create amazing freedom in their lives.

My body got healthier and my binging on sugar started to decline. I was still feeling sad and frustrated every now and then, but when I did, it didn’t last nearly as long as it used to.

The tool that I started using is not even very new or a secret. Many of us have used it before, but for me, it never yielded any results until now.

For years, I brushed past it, thinking that it’s not for me and that it doesn’t work anyway. Let me tell you about the catalyst to my success and how to effectively use it, so that you can see the results in your own life. Here it is—my secret potion to magic and flow in all areas of your life: prayer.

Yup, it’s that simple. Let me clarify though. In order for prayer to ‘work’ we have to stick to a couple of principles:

You are your questions.

Asking God/The Universe/Love, “What the fuck is going on, why am I always broke?” is not going to yield great results. Since questions are derived from answers, we can be sure that by asking negative questions, we will receive negative answers. If you keep asking why life sucks, you will be reminded at every corner of all the ways in which life sucks. If you ask how life can be more fulfilling, you will come across ways to live a more fulfilled life. These are some of my favorite questions to ask the Universe:

“How can I live in even more abundance?”

“What about this situation am I not seeing?”

“What else can I heal today?”

“How else can I love to my fullest possible capacity today?”

“What’s the next perfect step for me?”

To all of these questions, the Universe can respond in a variety of ways. Take a deep breath in, open your hands to the sky and ask a question you really want answered.

Hand it over.

Tell the Universe exactly what is going on, how you are feeling and ask for it to be lifted up into divine hands. Hand all of your talents, knowledge, money, thoughts, beliefs and body over and ask to be guided. Close your eyes, open your heart and lift your face to the sky. Whatever is going on, allow it to be elevated and transformed in divine light.

“I am handing all of my confusion and pain over to you. May everything that I have and am be lifted into divine hands and be used for the highest good of all. May I be a vessel of light, I am open to your guidance and healing power. I hand this conflict over to you, because by myself I cannot heal this. Please pave the way for my success, I am open to be a servant of the truth.”

Basically, what you are doing is surrendering your human experience and asking to be lifted to a higher state of consciousness which allows you to see more opportunities and call more love into your life.

Open, open, open.

One part of the equation is learning to ask the Universe for what we want and the other is toreceive it. Oftentimes, the reason why prayer doesn’t work isn’t because the prayer sucked but because when the prayer was answered, we were too occupied and closed off to invite the answer into our lives.

Consciously opening up and receiving the gifts we asked for is crucial here.

Remember that whatever comes to you after you’ve prayed can be used as divine medicine. The job loss, the job offer, the unlimited supply of kale—all of these are answers. The more that we can be flexible and see everything that comes into our live as a divine blessing, the faster we will move on to a higher state of consciousness.

May you co-create in awareness and may all the beauty in the world unfold in your life.

image credit: Svetography/shutterstock

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Hanna Bier

Hi, I am Hanna! I am a transformational life coach helping creatives and artists design lives that help them fully come alive and that enable them to bring their greatest work into the world. FreeSpirited Life Coaching stands for deep soul healing and exquisite inner game refinement that awakens the true potential of my clients. Are you feeling called to burn more brightly? Start your journey at www.freespirited.co

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Dear Diets,

Today I write to you on behalf of the amazing women in my life & myself.

I write to let you know: We are taking back our power. Do you know what that means? It means that your lies will no longer be heard as truth.

For so long your lies were the loudest.

Your lies that say only the skinniest women, only the airbrushed super models, only the impossible-to-achieve body perfection can be defined as success. Your lies that say only the thinnest women deserve to have pleasure, feel confident and find love. Your lies that use fear & threats of incompleteness to get women to buy more and more products, potions, containers and pills. Your lies that hold women back from living fully because they are afraid of what “others” will think/say/believe. Your lies that claim only one body type is beautiful. Your lies that use the word “healthy” when you really mean “skinny, no matter what it takes.”

Your lies that trick women into ignoring their body’s own voice so they will pay to hear your voice instead. Your lies that promote deprivation over nourishment. Your lies that make women hate and distrust themselves. Your lies that teach women that until they reach your definition of “pretty,” they shouldn’t have sex with the lights on, wear bikinis, eat a piece of cake, exercise for fun, go after the promotion at work, or flirt with the cute guy at the bar.

NOT ANY MORE.

We are taking back our power and calling BS on your lies.

No longer will we hold back from doing the fun thing, the fulfilling thing, the adventurous thing, the scary thing, or the sexy thing until we lose X pounds, weight X amount, or wear X size.

You can’t sell us happiness, success and perfection wrapped up in a box of deprivation, self-loathing and Photoshop anymore. It took a little while but we are on to you and we are telling our friends.

We are telling them to wear the jean shorts, to go skinny-dipping, to be vulnerable, to rock red lipstick, to take a dance class, to run successful businesses, to raise self-aware kiddos and to LOVE exactly who they are—today, right now, whatever their shape or size. And we are committing to doing all of that too.

Because unlike what your lies tell us, happiness isn’t reserved for later. It is available to anyone who believes she is worthy of it and who has the courage to make it happen NOW.

We know we are worthy. We know we are courageous.

XO,

Taylor Swift

Just kidding! But I figured if Taylor signed it, maybe the diet industry would take note just like iTunes did…

XO,

Sim

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Simi Botic

Simi Botic is a corporate attorney turned holistic health coach, helping women reach their healthiest weight so they can feel happy, sexy, & free - without diet rules or deprivation! Simi is the blogger behind The Micro Harvest, co-creator of Finally Free Program, co-host of The Boss Babe's Guide, & a barre instructor. She loves 90’s television, beach vacations, morning time, strong coffee, and crop tops. Don't miss her custom guide to foods that help you feel happy, sexy, & free!(you can get it for free when you sign-up for The Monday Antidote here). Hang with her daily by following along below:

The 8 Best Summer Fruits and Vegetables

E

Summertime is officially here and that means lots of new, fresh, bright produce options for our kitchen counters!

Did you know that seasonal fruit is picked at the peak of freshness? You can probably tell, since fruits and vegetables are extraordinarily juicy tasty and fresh when they're in season. It's the same reason you don't buy fresh pumpkin in July or fresh watermelon in December! If they're not growing at a particular time, that means the versions they have in the store have been manipulated to stay fresh as long as possible - for months, even - depleting the natural nutrient stores that makes them good for you.

Well, lucky for you, each season brings with it a wealth of new fruits and vegetables that you can Blast in a snap. Summer has lots to offer, so get your grocery list ready and let's go!

What are YOU Blasting with?

1. Arugula

Arugula grows best from the spring through the early summer, so now is an excellent time to load up on this peppery green. Aside from its fresh, zippy flavor, arugula offers a hearty dose folate, as well as vitamins A, C, and K.

With its bold flavor, arugula pairs nicely with strong, sweet fruits like pineapple and mango in NutriBlasts.

2. Basil

This aromatic herb adds a fresh bite to any dish, and a surprising, sophisticated twist to your NutriBlasts. Though basil is available throughout the year, this plant flourishes in warm, sunny months, and pairs beautifully with other summer stunners like tomato, watermelon, and summer berries.

Basil also ranks high on the health charts, providing vitamin K, flavonoids, and special volatile oils found to have antibacterial properties!

3. Summer squashes (zucchini, yellow squash, etc.)

As their name specifies, summer squashes flourish in the hottest months of the year, providing a light, delicate presence amidst the powerful flavors of the season. Summer squashes contain powerful carotenoid antioxidants and should be eaten with their outer skin to reap the most of these benefits.

Summer squashes add bulk to NutriBlasts without adding much distinctive flavor, so they mix well with most flavors. To prepare for blasting, simply rinse and dry the squash, cut off the woodsy stem, and cut into chunks for easy distribution. If you prefer to cook your squash, opt for steaming over boiling, roasting, or sautéing; it will better preserve the nutrients contained within.

4. Bell Peppers

These bright, punchy veggies hit their prime from July through November, making them an excellent addition to your late summer diet. Filled with vitamin C, beta carotene, and lycopene, bell peppers are also excellent in savory NutriBlasts, pairing nicely with greens and spices like turmeric and cumin.

5. Berries

Though new farming methods make them available year-round, berries flourish during the warmer months of the year, providing exceptional nutritional value in tiny, delicious packages. While different types of berries have unique nutritional profiles, all are high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, and contain relatively low amounts of sugar.

Blackberries: June-October; Peak: August

Blueberries: May-September; Peak: late June/early July

Raspberries: June-October; Peaks: June-July and September

Strawberries: May – September; Peak: late June/early July

6. Stone fruits (apricots, peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries)

Named for the hard pit at the center of their tender flesh, stone fruits hit their peak during the summer. Loaded with antioxidants, fiber, and nutrients like vitamin C and K, these hot weather favorites bring nourishment and hydration along with their delicious flavor. As with berries, their harvest season varies depending on fruit type, variety, and region, but their prime availability generally ranges as follows:

Apricots: May-July

Cherries: June-August

Nectarines: August-September

Peaches: June-August

Plums: May-September

7. Melon

Cool, sweet, and juicy melon is one of summer’s star produce players. Read on for a more in-depth look at your favorite varieties:

Cantaloupe

This silky-sweet melon is high in vitamins A & C, and helpful in fighting chronic inflammation. Cantaloupe is available year-round, but the sweetest, juiciest melons can be found in the summer months, from June through September.

Honeydew

Load up on fiber and water with the sweet, delicate honeydew melon. Like cantaloupe, honeydew is available year-round, but is best served from June through September.

Watermelon

Aside from its distinctive crispness and juicy finish, watermelon is known for its exceptional lycopene content—an antioxidant found to play a role in cardiovascular, bone, and prostate health. Peak watermelon season lasts from late May through early September.

8. Tomatoes

Filled with lycopene, vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber, succulent tomatoes make an excellent addition to your summertime diet. While some tomato varieties are available year round, summer brings the best and brightest varieties out to play—from massive lumpy heirlooms to jewel-sized grape tomatoes.

Enjoy their powerful flavor by making a Bloody Mary-inspired NutriBlast! Mix your favorite tomato variety with romaine, celery, carrot, a sliver of avocado, lemon juice, and a little pinch of sea salt in the NutriBullet and enjoy a savory and oh-so-healthy summertime treat.

Healthy Tips for the Summer Months

During the hot months of the summer many of us spend our time outdoors being more active and enjoying water sports as well as the beach and pool.  It is important to protect our skin with sunscreen and to keep hydrated while the temperatures soar in California.  Many of the typical sunscreens that are available today have an array of harmful chemicals and ingredients. I have included a list from the Environmental Working Groups with the 15 Best Natural Sunscreens to use.

Happy applying!

Environmental Working Groups with the 15 Best Natural Sunscreens

1. Tropical Sands All Natural Biodegradable Sunscreen, Coconut Scent, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $18.99 for 8 oz.)

2. Loving Naturals Clear Body Sunscreen, SPF 30+ (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $14.99 for 2.5 oz.)

3. Goddess Garden Everyday Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30, (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $16.90 for 6 oz.)

4. All Terrain TerraSport Lotion, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $16.90 for 6 oz.)

5. Vanicream Sunscreen, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $14.39 for 4 oz.)

6. Badger Sunscreen Cream, Unscented, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $13.43 for 2.9 oz.)

7. Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Sensitive Skin, SPF 30+ (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $16.69 for 5 oz.)

8. BurnOut Ocean Tested Physical Sunscreen, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $15.50 for 3.4 oz.)

9. TruBaby Everyday Play Sunscreen, SPF 30+ (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $13.99 for 2 oz.)

10. Butterbean Original Sunscreen, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $12 for 3 oz.)

11. Derma e Antioxidant Natural Sunscreen, Body, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $15.26 for 4 oz.)

12. Raw Elements USA Eco Formula, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $16.25 for 3 oz.)

13. Juice Beauty Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $16 for 3.75 oz.)

14. The Honest Company Honest Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $15.45 for 3 oz.)

15. Block Island Organics Natural Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $16.99 for 3.4 oz.)

One of America’s favorite summer pastimes are pool parties and BBQ’s.  Some of my fondest memories of summer include steaks on the grill and corn on the cobb, with that being said there are a few precautions that I’d like to address before you start up the grill for your next pool party.  Grilling meats can lead to the production of carcinogenic (potentially cancer-causing) chemicals called heterocyclic amines (HAs) as well as unhealthy PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). The good news is it simple to reduce these risks by following these healthy Grilling tips will make the food you BBQ healthier and just as delicious for you and your guests.

 A Guide to Healthy Grilling

-Pre-cook your foods in the oven or on the stovetop and finish them off outdoors - less grill time means fewer carcinogens.

-Marinate your meats. Marinade may help reduce HA formation, especially if it's made with spices such as ginger, rosemary and turmeric.

-Avoid charcoal lighter fluid or self-starting packages of briquettes in a charcoal grill - they will leave residues of toxic chemicals in your food. A healthy alternative is an inexpensive chimney lighter      that uses a small amount of newspaper to ignite a mass of charcoal in a large metal cylinder. Gas grills are good alternatives to those that use charcoal.

-Limit the quantity of meat you grill, and make grilled vegetables the main course.

Healthy Vegetarian BBQ Side Dish

Super Simple Salad Recipe: Tomato + Avocado Caprese

Summer is the season of overflowing bushels of tomatoes and avocado trees. But what do we do with an abundance of these great ingredients? Make Tomato Avocado Caprese Salad, of course.

This caprese is perfect for any dairy-free foodie. The avocado takes a bold stand as a substitute for mozzarella, and still satisfies with it’s creamy and “buttery” taste. Serve this at your next picnic or barbecue.

Tomato + Avocado Caprese

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 1 large avocado
• 1 large (or 2 small) tomatoes
• 8-12 large basil leaves
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• sea salt + fresh ground pepper

Preparation

1. Slice avocado and tomato thinly.

2. On a large plate, begin to layer your ingredients: avocado, basil, tomato. Repeat until all avocado, tomato, and basil are used.

3. Drizzle with olive oil and season with sea salt and fresh ground pepper. Enjoy immediately.

References

http://www.ewg.org/2015sunscreen/

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ALB00038/A-Guide-to-Healthy-Grilling.html

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-20783/super-simple-salad-recipe-tomato-avocado-caprese.html?utm_source=mbg&utm_medium=email&utm_content=daily&utm_campaign=150722-how-to-grow-as-a-person-no-matter-what-youre-going-through