December’s Quiet Chaos: Embracing Gratitude, Loss, and Growth
The heaviness of endings and the promise of beginnings. A reflection on honoring what’s past, leaning into change, and exploring the creative shifts that shape what’s to come.
I can’t believe it’s December. This sentiment echoed all week. At the dentist, with clients, at the grocery store. December seems to have arrived unannounced, as if time decided to speed up all at once. Maybe this is how it always feels this time of year. A rush of growth and loss, everything pressed tightly together. Life, as I’m beginning to suspect, may always feel like this as we age. A perpetual everything all at once.
Chaos. But, I’ve come to welcome chaos. It’s a chaotic wonder to be here, in this body, on this earth. And it’s nothing short of a miracle that we’re here together. I often laugh to myself when I think of the people I love, the ones I connect with, “well, I could have been a dinosaur.” How strange it would have been to miss knowing you.
A calendar hangs on a door in my kitchen, its months spanning the size of posters. I hang two months at a time, moving the bottom month to the top as each poster ends. It’s a quiet ritual, usually on the first day of the month, sometimes shortly after. Over the weekend, I shifted November to December and unfurled January from the roll of what’s to come in 2025.
Pulling on January reminded me of this exact moment last year when I hesitated to take down December. Moving into January marked the end of the last year my friend Tree was alive. The ending of a space we shared. Photos dating to that year, text messages, voicemails. Time had pushed me out. It was a brutal truth, one that makes this time of year heavy for many of us. Gratitude and absence live side by side. Everything all at once.
In 2016, Tree encouraged me to start a practice of recording three things I learned each day. What began as a simple exercise soon turned into a larger project and, by 2018, a book. These Three Things was born out of Tree’s ever-present, and often not-so-gentle, push for me to make space for what was emerging. It’s no small feat to push someone who’s already in motion, Who tends to leap without looking, but Tree had a way of knowing when to push.
I miss that deeply.
The timing of These Three Things was eerily similar to where we are now.In 2016, we stood on the verge of an uncertain political landscape, grappling with fear and exhaustion. The project became more than a daily practice. It was a promise to my daughter to stay curious, even when I felt strongly drawn to scream into the wind.
It worked.
The project and the screaming ;)
I had plans to bring back These Three Things in 2025. If you’ve been following along, you might have noticed me mentioning it toward the end of recent newsletters.
Perhaps it was the timing, the current energy, or a desire to honor Tree that sparked the idea of revisiting the project. But as I sit with it now, I realize I’ve moved into a different space. And that kind of change is something to celebrate.
More than that, I no longer want to tether myself to the structure of an ongoing project. My vision for 2025 feels larger, more expansive. My clients are asking incredible questions right now. Questions about creativity, energy work, and how we engage with both in meaningful ways. Their questions are pushing me to think differently, explore broader themes, and dive deeper into curiosity. I want the time and freedom to meet these questions fully, to create learning opportunities that spark curiosity and foster growth, not only for my clients but for myself as well.
This shift is also an intentional choice. One I’m still learning to embrace. To choose less over more (thank you, Human Design). To allow for receivership and equity instead of overextending in hopes of creating something more in order to get more. What I offer here each week is already plenty.
And Muse isn’t going anywhere. I love this format, and I deeply value the connection we share in this space each week. We have fun, don’t we?
I’m simply shifting my focus. Instead of offering more here, I’m moving toward cultivating deeper, more meaningful growth, both personally and professionally with my clients. For my clients. Exploring creating live classes, developing innovative learning opportunities, and guiding them into new realms of creativity, leadership, and insight.
You are always invited to join this journey, and I hope one day you’ll take the leap with me.
xxx
LAS
NEW CUSTOM HUMAN DESIGN GUIDE BOOKS
I’m excited to announce the release of my updated New Custom Human Design Guide books, now over 80 pages, featuring fresh insights, alignment tips, practical exercises, and even more journal prompts to deepen your learning. Over the past few months, I’ve poured my energy into refining and expanding the content, and I can confidently say these are the most detailed and comprehensive Custom HD books available.
Thanks to your requests, I’ll be offering Custom HD books for sale separately from readings starting in early 2025. As the length and depth of the books have increased, the prices for Human Design readings will also adjust. To learn more about HD readings with me visit here.
To thank you for being a loyal Muse reader, I’m offering a special opportunity to book a Custom HD Reading at the current rate of $378 before the price increases to $450 on January 1st. Simply book your appointment within January or February 2025, and do so before 1/1/2025, to lock in the lower price. You can book here, or reply to this email if you do not see a time available that works for you. I’m so excited to guide you on this journey!
THE CREATIVE
Welcome to The Creative. Twice a month I share quotes from the books, Art is the Highest Form of Hope and The Creative Act. I find perspectives on the creative process to be so meta when it comes to life. We are a creative process and everything we do is subject to the same rules. Creation is non-linear. It's messy. It moves forward and backward. And also gets stuck. Oftentimes we do not realize the purpose of a singular creative process until years later. Creativity likes to surprise us.
“The artist must have the patience of water that eats away at the rock drop by drop.” - Auguste Rodin
As artists, we often feel the urgency to make, share, and succeed in leaps and bounds. The drive for immediacy in our culture makes it tempting to believe that our creative journey should be swift and our achievements, monumental. But Rodin reminds us that life’s greatest transformations are born of persistence and steady dedication.
Water, though soft and fluid, is POWERFUL. It has the capacity to shape landscapes. Water doesn’t rush; it simply continues. Day by day, drop by drop, it carves through the seemingly immovable. This is the artist’s challenge. Not to rush the process, but to show up consistently, trusting that our steady efforts will leave an indelible mark.
For those of us grappling with creative burnout or blocks, this perspective can be liberating. It’s not about the single, mind bending masterpiece but about the body of work we create over time. Each sketch, line of dialogue, brushstroke, or melody is a drop of water. Small on its own, but powerful in its accumulation.
Patience is found in todays’ small but steady action. In the small act that moves that larger body. Progress isn’t always visible in the moment, but patience and persistence craft the change.
Little by little we build something extraordinary.
SOLAR TRANSIT
In Human Design, a solar transit shifts our energy as the Sun moves through Gates; use it to tap into fresh creative inspiration.
12-9-24
Gate 26
The Gate of the Egoist
On December 9, the sun transits Gate 26, a celestial waypoint often known as the Gate of the Egoist. This celestial journey extends an invitation, urging you to embark on a profound exploration of self-discovery, placing a deliberate focus on shaping a future that radiates abundance for the collective good.
Within the intricate framework of Human Design, Gate 26 embodies the essence of a dream champion, driven by an unwavering trust in the abundance of life. This energy empowers individuals to authentically champion a brighter future, acting as advocates with integrity, and skillfully selling a positive vision to their community.
However, Gate 26 reveals a duality. On one end of the spectrum, it can manifest as an energy that artfully manipulates or controls others for personal gain. This darker side emerges when trust in life's abundance wavers, leading to unconscious, ego-driven actions rooted in the belief that life is a solitary pursuit – a zero-sum game where one must fend for themselves.
To elevate and transform the energy of Gate 26, fostering an abundance mindset becomes paramount. This mindset serves as a shield against the inclination to manipulate or control others to achieve desired outcomes. Central to this shift is the recognition and valuing of your inherent worth, acting as if you are precious and deserving of positive outcomes.
The healing journey involves addressing past traumas, a crucial step in enhancing self-worth and paving the way for a more empowered existence. Trusting in the support available allows for the courage to do what's right, navigating a path that transcends the ego's unconscious impulses.
Additionally, prioritizing self-nurturing becomes a cornerstone, amplifying your capacity for contribution. As you embrace these shifts, the energy of Gate 26 undergoes a profound transformation. It evolves into a force for positive personal growth, becoming a beacon for collective impact that ripples through the interconnected web of human experience. This transit becomes not just a celestial event but a catalyst for a holistic metamorphosis, aligning your energies with the harmonious symphony of a more abundant future for all.
Here are some journaling prompts to deepen your understanding and engagement with this transit:
Where in your life do you trust abundance, and where do you feel scarcity holding you back?
What is one step you can take today to authentically inspire others toward a shared vision?
What past experience has shaped your self-worth, and how can you begin to release its hold?
How can you ensure your actions reflect purpose and integrity rather than ego-driven control?
TAPPING PROMPT
Do you know about Tapping? It can be an effective addition to energy work and nervous system regulation. Many of my Mentorship clients include Tapping as part of their daily ritual. You can learn more about Tapping and how to do it by hitting the button below.
And of course comment below with your questions!
EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping Prompt for this transit.
“Even though I am afraid to lead with optimism, I now choose to trust in my sense of abundance, and I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”
SOLAR TRANSIT
In Human Design, a solar transit shifts our energy as the Sun moves through Gates; use it to tap into fresh creative inspiration.
12-14-24
Gate 11
The Gate of Ideas
On December 14, the sun transits Gate 11,
known as the Gate of Ideas. During this celestial transit, you're invited to embark on a deeply introspective voyage of self-discovery. Gate 11 offers a profound opportunity to delve into your inner realm, particularly focusing on creating space to nurture your imagination and contemplation.
Gate 11 channels energy into inner contemplation through visualization, serving as a catalyst for self-reflection. It introduces both itself and others to profound ideas, recognizing the crucial role of timing in delivering powerful insights.
Conversely, Gate 11 may manifest as an energy fostering an overactive imagination, leading to heightened anxiety and fear. Additionally, there's a tendency to experience burnout from attempting to act on every idea that arises.
A key strategy for raising the frequency of Gate 11 involves creating ample time and space for active imagination and contemplation. This intentional approach is crucial for fostering a positive and balanced expression of the energy associated with this gate.
This transit encourages you to engage in the process of organizing and overseeing the myriad ideas and inspiration you possess. To cultivate trust in the notion that your authentic ideas will manifest in actionable ways. Gate 11 asks that you recognize your self-worth, appreciating both yourself and the ideas you harbor, and patiently await the opportune moment to share these ideas with the right individuals.
Here are some journaling prompts to deepen your understanding and engagement with this transit:
1. Reflect on the current state of your creative ideas and inspirations. What methods or systems can you implement to effectively organize and manage the multitude of thoughts you possess?
2. Delve into the theme of self-worth. In what ways can you deepen your appreciation for your own value? Consider how acknowledging your self-worth impacts your creative ideas and their potential impact.
3. Take stock of the ideas you currently hold. Are there specific ideas that resonate strongly with you? How can you honor and prioritize these ideas in your creative pursuits?
4. Visualize the ideal scenario for sharing your ideas with the right individuals. What kind of impact do you envision your ideas having on others? Explore ways to align your intentions with the potential outcomes of sharing your creative insights.
During this transit, focus on organizing and managing your abundant ideas while fostering trust in their potential manifestation. Recognize and amplify your self-worth, valuing both yourself and the creative insights you hold. Practice patience as you await the opportune moment to share these ideas, envisioning their positive impact on the right individuals.
TAPPING PROMPT
Do you know about Tapping? It can be an effective addition to energy work and nervous system regulation. Many of my Mentorship clients include Tapping as part of their daily ritual. You can learn more about Tapping and how to do it by hitting the button below.
And of course comment below with your questions!
EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping Prompt for this transit:
“Even though I have so many ideas, I now trust that I will know exactly what action to take and when to take it, and I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”
Ready to explore more about your unique cosmic influences and Human Design? Schedule a reading with me to uncover deeper insights into your personal journey and potential.
