“In ignorance we strive to maintain the illusion. In innocence we let go.”
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New Moon Energy
This newsletter now coincides with the New Moon which means we focus in part, on beginnings. Lest I forget...That vital energy that moves and creates—perpetual spring—no matter what the month, we are setting our sights on alignment with the goal. The goal? What is the goal? Different for every individual.Every month, a silent ‘reset’. A moment of joy that widens the window of possibility. When all things are possible freedom from limiting conditioning is here, now. Truth is here, now.Our goal is simply to ignore what we think we know and listen. Listen less for what is familiar so that we may hear Truth, the deeper calling to Self. We are not seeking an answer but silence.In the silence there ‘it’ is—what we seek. Do not expect an answer. You will be disappointed. There is joy in absence. There is joy in not knowing. There is joy in perpetual unfolding deeper and deeper into what is very ancient—without beginning and without end—awareness.
Holding fast to the old Way,
We can live in the present.
Mindful of the ancient beginnings
We hold the thread of the Tao.
~Tao Te Ching, #14 U.K. Le Guin*
(Tao def.: the unconditional and unknowable sourceand guiding principle of all reality…)
Letting Go, to Live as your True Self
Often we hear that we need to Let Go! What does that mean? In innocence we are without story or conditioning. Without conditioning we have no beliefs that deny our true nature. Begin to know Self as that limitless, unconditioned, storyless, infinite and eternal Essence that is everything.Letting go is less about ‘doing’ anything as it is about simply not believing that thoughts are reality. That requires patient discrimination and a desire for freedom from a conditioned life.The ‘goal’ is less about letting go than it is about allowing. Allowing for what is, rather than about what we habitually identify with.It is about Being—there is nothing with which to identify. All that we identify with consists of thoughts from the past. If we put all of our memories in a box who am I? A place to begin an inquiry into that which has no Real existence. Eventually we arrive at the question for which there is but one answer and feel a deep, profound sense of relief. There is only “that”.
“When you are deprived of all your attributes, then His qualities become your qualities.”
~Al Hallaj from The Essence of Sufism by John Baldock*
Teaching Stories about the Power of Letting Go
There are many references to the letting go that opens us up throughout the teachings of the great masters...Here are two such powerful teaching stories.In one such story a man of means has gone to his ‘teacher’ seeking advice. He leaves little room for the advice of his master however, as he continues to inform the master of all he knows. As the master pours tea for the student he continues to pour even after the cup is full. “Wait! Stop!” the man exclaims. “My cup is already full!”
“Exactly,” says the master. “There is no room for anything else.”
Let go...
There is also the very well known story of the monk who carries a young lady across a puddle after a rain storm. The younger monk traveling with him is shocked at his fellow monk’s behavior, as touching a woman is forbidden.The younger monk objects to his fellows action for some time afterward. Until finally the elder monk responds, “ I put her down quite awhile ago but I see that you still carry her.”
So...What Does it Mean to Let Go?
Letting go is a matter of not being attached. Not being attached allows for that which occurs in the moment but does not interfere with or influence the next moment. That is when we know the freedom of experiencing every moment as it is. Letting go is a gift we give our selves to live life as Truth.There is an ease and joy to that which gives us a greater desire for clarity and simplicity. A gift we give ourselves coming from a place of LOVE and compassion. Not something to be demanded of the self or an expected accomplishment. If so we may end up disappointed and/or judging the self.It is not a goal to be achieved, letting go, it is what naturally occurs when I know what I am not. If we can put it into words, that I am not.
Astrology for Guidance
New Moon (Sun conjunct Moon) @ 4 degrees Aquarius 22 minutesThis New Moon is all about letting go. Particularly as applies to the notion of ‘individual’. Aquarius is the 11th sign of the zodiac; nearing completion of the journey and focused on community rather than personal.
“Aquarians tend to care very much for the welfare of others and society as a whole.
This means as humanitarians, you can usually see them fighting power structures and campaigning against oppression.”
~Labyrinthos.com
The other major players in this event are outer planets and the signs they rule. Uranus ruler of Aquarius. Neptune ruler of Pisces and Pluto ruler of Scorpio. These outer planets are beyond human emotional experience, ‘support’ the evolutionary process. They have little to do with personal agenda except to urge us to rise above and let go.New Moon: Is squared by Uranus at 2 deg. Taurus—flashes of insight! Collective vision that is rational and encompasses what serves the whole. Not focused on individual need.Venus 13 deg./Neptune 16 deg. conjunction in Pisces--eliminate boundaries, emotional distance and judgment. Compassion for human suffering. Less about the self. More about Self...beyond suffering.Mars is in Sagittarius. Has greater reach and wants to accomplish MORE. Mars in Sag is optimistic, enthusiastic and confident. Obstacle is not a word with which this Mars is familiar. It can take on grand scale issues without stress. In their haste to accomplish they do not heed warnings or rules and regulations but move straight toward the goal. An arrow loosed flies straight for the target.This Mars may be the energy needed to support the vision of both Sun/Moon in Aquarius and the awareness of Venus/Neptune in Pisces. For all of you that go with the flow this New Moon will be a moment of deepening and greater intimacy with Self and therefore ALL. A greater sensitivity to the collective journey.Mars is square to the Venus/Neptune conjunction and so prompts the duo to fly high rather than spiral into the depths of Neptunian illusion and confusion. Be prepared to be challenged! And to be highly motivated by that challenge!Can’t help but wonder what Jupiter ruler of Sagittarius is doing in this New Moon chart. At 12 degrees Capricorn Jupiter aspects both Mars and the Venus/Neptune conjunction. An added measure of energy to promote expansion. Greater wisdom in how we grow and extend the structure (the structure being that which supports humanity on the journey). Allowing the structure to move organically rather than based on old beliefs; that humanity continues to grow organically rather than confined by old beliefs.This New Moon sets a positive tone for this year to come...are we ready to make our next step the one that takes us beyond?The Saturn/Pluto conjunction in Capricorn is now separating as Saturn moves past Pluto. (23 deg. and 22 deg. respectively) This powerful aspect forces dissolution of old patterns that do not serve us, eliminating and transforming. It addresses issues of resistance and power. Right and might. For a detailed look at how these two planets effect us please see:mauricefernandez.com. Fernandez looks at the last three conjunctions (1914, 1947 and 1982) and how that manifested for the world.
Books Available at Paradise Found
*The Essence of Sufism, John Baldock
*Tao Te Ching, Ursula K. Le Guin
Empiness Dancing, Adyashanti
The Way Under the Way, Mark Nepo
Seven Thousand Ways to Listen, Mark Nepo
White Fire, Mooji
To ensure that a copy is available, call us before coming in!(805) 564-3573
About Anna
Readings that inspire!Allow your self to experience clarity that is beyond doubt, judgment and fear the products of thoughts that are habits. When we know what exists ‘when the smoke clears’ suddenly all aspects of life open up for us. We are free. Every step that we take toward liberation is a gift…View Profile
