Transmutation

“Transmutation:

  • Grapes must be crushed to make wine
  • Diamonds form under pressure
  • Olives are pressed to release oil
  • Seeds grow in darkness

Whenever you feel crushed, under pressure, pressed, or in darkness, you’re in a powerful place of transformation/transmutation.”

~Lalah Delia~

Intense pressure is very powerful. Whether physical, emotional, psychological or intuitive, we are transformed by the challenges we face. Beautiful gifts await discovery; however, they can often be hard to recognize or understand while the transmutation is happening.

Fear not. Your soul knows exactly what it is doing. Your awareness is being tempered by the forces of nature. Approach the Now with an open heart and experience whatever the present moment brings while having faith in your ability to rise above.

You shine with the brilliance of a thousand suns and rainbows are reflected in your tears. A brilliant masterpiece is in progress – your efforts will not be in vain. The cycle of initiation is actively in play and it’s powerful to remember that nothing is ever lost, it merely changes form.

Trust yourself. You know more than you realize and are ready to explore new facets of strength, empowerment and awareness. The expansion of Consciousness is in process.

Transforming Darkness Into Light

“…the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.”
~Carl Jung~
Choose to see challenges as your vehicle to awakening.  The purpose behind emotional upset is two-fold: it shakes up your life, revealing the aspects that are insubstantial as well as those which provide a firm foundation for you and it helps begin the process of releasing patterns that no longer serve your growth.

In readings, the Tower represents the turmoil we encounter when dramatic change flows into our experience. Some may feel that the rug has unexpectedly been pulled out from under their feet. These upsets can come through illness, the loss of relationship, betrayal, or any myriad of things that causes us to feel adrift in overwhelming emotion.

Should you hear yourself saying, “I simply can’t take this anymore.” Stop, and recognize that something profound is at hand. The soul is ready to shift in a powerful way and what is lost often pivots you into a new direction or allows you to discover your strength and potential.

Often these challenges hit several areas of your life at once. If you can choose to walk through the fire with awareness, not judging the situations as wrong but finding a way to reside in the knowledge that you are being supported and guided through the process, the darkness can be transformed into light.

Inner Peace

Peace is inner joy, tranquility, nonjudgmental love and universal compassion.
~Debasish Mridha~
Life happens. The stillness of infinite potential resides beneath egoic judgments and interpretation of the world around us. As we release the need to create a running commentary of opinion, we discover the ability to consciously choose how to respond in alignment with our soul’s purpose rather than distracting from it.

You are here to awaken. Everything that you choose to do and all that unfolds in your experience simply provides the playground in which you explore. See how accepting and neutral you can remain within polarizing situations. Eventually, this sense of peace will become the bedrock of your life.

More and more you may notice yourself in the role of observer – untainted by reactivity and at ease within the present moment. When you do choose to take action, your approach will be clear and empowered. Awareness calls upon us to be consistently mindful. As you awaken, your movement through the world takes on a new quality.

Challenges provide an opportunity to rise above. How else will you cultivate and strengthen your best qualities? Honor those who play roles in the development of your emerging strength and self-mastery. Those who challenge you the most on the physical plane, love you the most on the spiritual plane. These amazing souls have agreed to assist your souls evolution and play their part to perfection.

 

Self-Knowledge

“The more you know yourself, the more clarity there is. Self-knowledge has no end – you don’t come to an achievement, you don’t come to a conclusion. It is an endless river.”
~Jiddu Krishnamurti~
The challenges that we face ultimately bring out the best in us. Through trial and error we learn to face our shadows and incrementally awaken. This is a never-ending process. The journey is not only long, but vast as we wander the playground of experience.
The point of power is always in the present moment. When we can consciously approach the Now with a sense of awareness and balance, we can trust that the future will tend to itself. Seeing yourself clearly, it becomes possible to combine the wisdom borne of experience with self-awareness and transcend the mundane. No one can walk this journey for you, it is personal and unique.
Everything offers an opportunity to awaken. Look into yourself with love and patience and know that there will be times when you miss the mark and others when you shine with the brilliance of a thousand suns. Trust the processes of your awakening. There is far more to life than meets the eye.

The Words We Speak

“The challenges in this place are real and sometimes very difficult, but I’ve learned to slow down and look for beauty in my days, for the mysteries and blessings woven into everything, into the very words we speak.”
~Kim Edwards~

Your words have power. They send energy outward and create the type of reality you experience. Observe your inner dialogue as well as the words that you choose to speak aloud. Are you supportive? Excited? Passionate? Optimistic? Kind?

Many have wonderful moments recognizing their infinite potential when focused upon gratitude or meditation, only to engage in self-sabotage later in the day with words of self deprecation. Your thoughts, words and beliefs are constantly setting the stage for what you experience; therefore, it’s important to purposefully consider what you send out in to the world so that you create movement and growth rather than reinforce any perceived negative aspects of the journey.

“Harm none” is more than approaching life in a mindful and magical way. It calls upon us to be aware not only of our actions, but also of the words we speak, where we allow our minds to dwell and ultimately, how we express ourselves in the world.

Creating Joy

“The root of joy is gratefulness…It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.”
~Brother David Steindl-Rast~
Joy is an expression of empowerment. It is a choice that we make again and again that creates an unshakable foundation. Obviously, those who reside in joy still face challenges and encounter hardship, but joy always comes along for the journey.
It is absolutely possible to feel empathy and desire change, yet still be able to consistently create moments of gratitude, joy and celebration. When you honor your path as sacred, beauty emanates from you.
Don’t wait for life to fall into place before you choose to be joyful. Know that your life will fall into place because you are joyful. You are a powerful co-creator within your own experience.
Take time to enjoy the flowers in bloom and watch how they open to the sun. Appreciate the clouds as they form living art on gentle breezes. Dance to birdsong, kiss your dog and slow down the fast pace of your mind. These things and more await your loving attention and the universe supports your endeavor.

Wisdom

“Turn your wounds into wisdom.”
~Oprah Winfrey~

Challenges are a necessary aspect of enlightenment. They allow us to cultivate the tools of trust, patience, insight and empowerment. Don’t shy away from these moments of apparent darkness; instead, turn and shine the light of consciousness upon them.

Shamanic traditions utilize the energy and lessons of Jaguar to assist with transformation. This power animal represents sudden and intense change. When we call upon her for guidance, inspiration or assistance, she walks by our side and helps us find the strength to address adversity in such a way that we are changed by the experience. Having faced the dark night of the soul, we emerge transformed.

You can face any interaction consciously. Even those who are challenging may be bearers of wisdom, bringing messages from the Divine. Seek to examine your own shadow when confronted with unconscious behavior. Every encounter you face brings greater understanding and plays a specific role in your development.

Life will always provide the perfect circumstances to facilitate your evolution. You have the tools to navigate whatever unfolds in your experience and when you recognize these moments as opportunities, you will discover your true sacred nature.

Challenges

“Awakening is not changing who you are, but discarding who you are not.”
~Deepak Chopra~
Challenges help us to discover aspects of ourselves that are ready to emerge. They often act as catalysts that prompt relationships to deepen into something beautiful, unique and full of love. When faced with hardship, be willing to receive support from those who offer it. We are not meant to be separate from one another. Our shared humanity creates ever-evolving connections that strengthen compassion, enlightenment and empowerment.
Know that your soul has agreed to participate in hardship because you are ready to release old energies and step into the fullness of who you are. We can choose to turn toward our challenges and shine the light of consciousness upon them. Awareness begins the process of transformation.
Above all else, accept what is with the realization that life is here to support your awakening. Create a foundation built upon the knowledge that you are right where you need to be in this moment. Choose to consciously walk forward and the way will make itself known. Something beautiful is ready to be discovered.

Expanding Consciousness

“Mind is consciousness which has put on limitations. You are originally unlimited and perfect. Later you take on limitations and become the mind.”
~Ramana Maharshi~
All limitations are self-imposed. When we hold a limiting belief, fear can block the exploration into anything that challenges that belief. The ego is terrified of losing control; therefore, it seeks to keep the illusions in place. Inner resistance is a wonderful indicator that you are moving in a direction that will ultimately bring freedom from the illusion.
As we awaken, the world becomes full of promise and potential. Our passions ignite a journey inward that is limitless. Life then becomes a canvas where we can see these new insights demonstrated in the world of form. There is nothing more important than your state of consciousness in this moment.
In stillness we can discover the fullness of being. Observe the mind and it’s antics while allowing your awareness to transform all that it sees. You are on a journey of awakening, of expansion, of joy. Honor the process by actively and consciously participating in a way that feels liberating. The seeds of infinite possibility lie dormant in the midst of your awareness. Nurture them well.

 

Soul Connections

“We all are so deeply interconnected; we have no option but to love all. Be kind and do good for any one and that will be reflected. The ripples of the kind heart are the highest blessings of the Universe.”
~Amit Ray~

When we meet someone with whom our soul has shared history, there’s a powerful moment of recognition and attraction. There is an immediate response and we feel the need to interact with one another.  Pay attention to these soul connections – they often portend the beginning of a karmic contract.

Love resides at the core of the relationships, dramas and stories that we experience, though at times it can be hard to recognize. When someone is excessively challenging, when you’re engaged in loss or struggle, the immediate visceral response feels much stronger than a loving soul connection, but it is there nonetheless. As we process the lesson and discover our strengths, we will have a better understanding of the roles played by those who have challenged us and a greater appreciation for the nuances and beauty of our unique journey.

Those who challenge you the most on the physical plane love you the most on a soul level. They are willing to risk losing your affection and goodwill in this lifetime in order to spark expanded consciousness and awareness.