INSIGHT IS NOT CHANGE
Insight is not change.
That’s worth repeating.
Insight is not change.
I heard this from my teacher a few weeks ago and it has been living in my mind rent free. Taking up space, connecting to ideas that were very much alive when I was a practicing psychotherapist.
Yet this lesson didn’t come from my study of psychology, but from the far out world of clairvoyance and energy work, which I have been studying quite seriously for nearly a year now. It is my absolute favorite thing when seemingly unrelated areas of interest collide to inform each other. And this gem from my teacher not only informed my learning going forward, but also illuminated quite a bit for me about my time as a psychotherapist. Turns out it all weaves together.
How cool is that?
There is a lot to be said for insight. It feels good. These ah-ha moments seem to settle something within us that has been working away looking for answers, sometimes for years. We are busy little problem solvers as humans and when confusion strikes we can unknowingly put a tremendous amount of energy into solving for something. This problem solving can occur consciously and unconsciously and I have found either way, we are usually unaware of the amount of energy consumed by seeking out some sort of understanding of the why or how of something. Human Design offers ideas as to how to move away from this constant problem solving, pushing and forcing by leaving our minds to problem solve for others and allow our bodies to guide us forward instead. I have found with myself and clients that this shift in focus from logic and mind to body and the sensory is really helpful. For many of us it can feel like putting down a 500 pound weight.
Insight can arrive with relief and also sharp edges. And even so, the underlying relief we experience either over time or in immediacy is what keeps us seeking it out. Sometimes the result of insight is feeling seen or heard is experienced in a tangible and very real and conscious way. Other times, unconscious. And both have tremendous clinical value. Insight, I’m here for it.
I’m also for acknowledging that it is different from change.
Insight can certainly be a catalyst for change. And even occur pressed right up against it. Absolutely. But insight is not an automatic pathway to change. And here is where we seem to experience a kind of amnesia. Yes, insight is helpful and can quiet and soothe something inside us that has been churning away for what may seem like forever. And also, insight does not erase the very real question we are always faced with. Will we ultimately decide to change or not?
What insight so brilliantly provides is an opportunity to change. A moment of presence where we can decide in a very sovereign way whether to act upon this new information. Because really, at its core, insight is new information. It’s usually a little bit sexy and profound, but really it’s information. And I think we know that not everyone chooses change when presented with new information.
In reflection upon my work as a psychotherapist, I hold evidence of the improvements experienced through insight. A very literal lifting of weight sometimes in an existential way other times in a very present and recognizable way. Insight makes a real difference for people and the outcomes of therapy. Also, though, the experience of insight without the desire to change is endlessly frustrating for a therapist to watch. Yeah, treatment is certainly a shared responsibility, but as professionals we can only lead a horse to water, not make them drink. Both insight and change are work. And I do believe reaching insight is indeed doing the work, but in my eyes insight is not whole.
I’ve written about the difference between content and context before and I think it is relevant here. We have become so inundated with content. And I’m okay with that really. As long as you know yourself and what you can handle, I’m not going to bash content. I actually think content can bring us sprinkles of insight, which is a good thing. Where it gets thorny though is that’s where it usually stops. There is very little content that actually encourages real change. And that’s okay. Content’s job is not to cause change. It’s just content. That’s where context comes in. But stats, particularly among Gen Z reveal that Gen Z uses content for context (especially on TikTok). Taking in insight without engaging with the work of change. And that's troubling and I'm also pretty sure not isolated to Gen Z, wink wink.
What I find so interesting about insight from an energy and clairvoyant perspective is that insight actually doesn’t matter. Helpful yes, relieving, sure. And definitely validating. But when it comes to changing and shifting energy, insight doesn’t influence whether change can occur. Moving energy is moving energy. There is energy that we handle which is what usually gets in the way of changes we want to make. In the energy realm, if you want to change, return to flow, or move stagnation, you just move the energy. Sometimes it happens quite effortlessly, other times it takes a long go around. There is work here too. But either way, to move the energy and change the flow of energy in your body, you do not need to know what the stagnation is about.
It took me a long time to understand this separation and for the first few months of my studies I was obsessed with knowing what energy I was handling that led to what stagnation and where. I held on very tight to this problem solving model that humans are so damn good at. If I know exactly what it is, then I can change it. Turns out with energy you actually do not need to know what it is. You can still move it. And this really changed my perspective.
Understanding, experiencing and also treating others by moving energy without getting into the constant search for meaning let go of a lot for me. I am a seeker by nature and permission to just move something without knowing every single little detail of it is honestly freeing for me. Permission for something to be enough of a burden to just move it without having to prove it is big enough to be worthy of change has been a big deal. Energetically speaking stagnation is not measured by the bigness, weight, trauma, or drama of a thing. Much like in skateboarding where the smallest pebble can take you down, the same is true for stagnation. We do not get to decide what is keeping us stuck.
My teacher’s comment came with a warning, you can reach a level of insight and know what is causing the stagnation, but remember, you still need to actually move it. Moving it is where the real change occurs. As a psychotherapist, insight is very bright and shiny. There is an intellectual element and sometimes the patient recognizing the insight is months or sometimes years in the making. We may see it and recognize it, but the patient doesn't, no matter how many different ways we try to illuminate it. They just aren’t ready. This deep work on behalf of both parties can make reaching insight seem like the real work. A celebration of recognition. Hooray! It feels really good. But the work extends far beyond insight. Helpful, yes. Relieving, yes. But it is taking action based on this insight that creates real change. Or as in energy work you have to remember to move it. Naming it helps, but moving it is what creates the change.
Both require action.
xxx
LAS
SOLAR TRANSIT
2-25-24
Gate 37
Gate of Friendship
On February 25, the sun gracefully moves through Gate 37, the Gate of Friendship.
This celestial transition beckons you to embark on a profound journey of self-exploration, focusing on the dynamics of friendships and the importance of setting healthy boundaries.
As the sun illuminates Gate 37, it shines a light on a path ripe for an exploration of the energies that shape your connections with friends and influence your approach to maintaining personal autonomy. This celestial journey serves as a gentle guide, prompting you to reflect on the essence of respect, communication, and individual worth within the realm of friendships.
Gate 37 inspires contemplation on the delicate balance between nurturing strong friendships and safeguarding your personal boundaries. It encourages you to view friendships not only as sources of support and connection but also as opportunities to assert your unique identity and uphold boundaries that honor your well-being.
Gate 37 may manifest as a tendency to prioritize friendships over self-care or projecting emotions onto others. This transit underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing your emotional needs while fostering healthy boundaries within your friendships.
Here are some journaling prompts to deepen your understanding and engagement with this transit:
1. Reflect on your experiences with friendships. How do you navigate the balance between fostering close connections and maintaining personal boundaries?
2. Explore instances where you may have compromised your well-being for the sake of friendship. How can you prioritize self-care while nurturing healthy relationships?
3. Consider the role of respect within your friendships. How can you ensure that each friend feels valued and respected while also honoring your own boundaries?
4. Reflect on your communication style within friendships. How can you enhance communication to promote understanding and mutual respect among friends?
Gate 37 offers a journey of self-discovery focused on understanding and navigating the dynamics of friendships while prioritizing personal boundaries. This transit encourages reflection on the importance of respect, communication, and self-care within the context of friendships, ensuring that each connection nurtures mutual growth and well-being.
NEW 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.
EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping Prompt for this transit.
“Even though I struggle to create balance between connection and autonomy in my life I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”
Have a great week exploring this transit! Ready to learn more about your Human Design? Hit the buttons below to schedule a reading with me and download the free Human Design information sheets to learn more!
SOLAR TRANSIT
3-01-24
Gate 63
Gate of Doubt
On March 1, the sun gracefully transverses Gate 63, also known as the Gate of Doubt. During this celestial shift, you are invited to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery. Gate 63 beckons, providing a unique opportunity to delve deep into your inner realm, with a specific focus on understanding how you approach self-doubt.
On March 1, the sun gracefully transverses Gate 63, also known as the Gate of Doubt. During this celestial shift, you are invited to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery. Gate 63 beckons, providing a unique opportunity to delve deep into your inner realm, with a specific focus on understanding how you approach self-doubt.
As the sun makes its way through Gate 63, it casts a luminous light upon a path ripe for exploration of navigating through uncertainty and skepticism to uncover deeper truths. This transit allows for the discernment of patterns and making sense of complex situations by confronting doubt head-on. Rather than viewing doubt as a hindrance, Gate 63 brings an opportunity for growth and revelation, prompting individuals to ask probing questions that lead to profound insights.
However, Gate 63 also encompasses the struggle with self-doubt and the tendency to instill unnecessary doubt in others. A paralysis of indecision and hesitation, attributing their lack of action to external factors and perpetuating a cycle of doubt and insecurity.
To reach expansion during this transit, become mindful of the questions we ask ourselves and the mental pathways they lead us down. Instead of dwelling on self-defeating inquiries, redirect mental energy towards more constructive questions that foster growth and empowerment.
Here are some journaling prompts to deepen your understanding and engagement with this transit:
1. Reflect on a recent experience where doubt hindered your ability to take action. What were the underlying beliefs or fears that contributed to this doubt?
2. Explore the patterns of thought that arise when you encounter uncertainty or skepticism. How can you reframe these patterns to cultivate a mindset of curiosity and possibility?
3. Consider a situation where you successfully navigated through doubt to uncover a deeper truth or insight. What strategies or approaches did you employ to overcome doubt in this instance?
4. Examine the impact of doubt on your decision-making process. How can you develop greater resilience in the face of uncertainty and trust in your ability to navigate through doubt?
Human Design Gate 63, the Gate of Doubt, invites individuals to confront and transcend uncertainty by embracing it as a pathway to deeper understanding and revelation. While this gate encompasses the struggle with self-doubt and hesitation, it also empowers individuals to harness the transformative potential of doubt by asking probing questions that lead to profound insights and personal growth. By reframing negative thought patterns and cultivating a mindset of curiosity and possibility, individuals can elevate the frequency of Gate 63 and unlock their true potential.
NEW 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.
EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping Prompt for this transit.
“Even though it is hard to let go of uncertainty, I choose to trust myself and lean into my powerful intuition, and I deeply and completely love, accept, and trust myself.”
Have a great week exploring this transit! Ready to learn more about your Human Design? Hit the buttons below to schedule a reading with me and download the free Human Design information sheets to learn more!
Q + A
Welcome to my exciting monthly feature: Q + A! I'm absolutely thrilled to be diving into your thought-provoking inquiries about Human Design, Astrology, creativity, and Energy Work. Your curiosity fuels my passion for sharing knowledge, and the process of answering your questions continually enriches my own understanding.
Consider this space a welcoming sanctuary for curiosity, self-discovery, and expanding your horizons. Here, you can explore the intricate world of Human Design, Astrology, and Energy Work, and discover how they can profoundly influence your creativity and success as a creative professional. It's a journey of enlightenment and empowerment, and I can't wait to embark on it with you.
Don't hesitate to send your questions my way by simply clicking the button below. I'll be selecting one or two to address in the upcoming first newsletter of each month. Your inquiries drive the conversation, and I'm eager to provide you with insightful answers.
Q: How can I stay focused with an Undefined Head?
This is a great question and a common concern among creatives without a defined head center in Human Design.
To review, Defined Centers are where we radiate energy out into the world and impact others. Defined Centers are where we experience the most consistent energy from within.
Undefined Centers are where we take in and amplify the energies of others, revealing our lifelong lessons. We are most sensitive and open in our Undefined Centers granting us the opportunity to gather wisdom and evolve into the highest frequency of our energy. Undefined Centers task us with the practice of understanding what energy is ours and what energy we are taking in and amplifying from others that needs to be let go.
The Head Center guides your experience of ideas, inspiration, and mental pressure to find meaning and make sense of the world. This center gives birth to the curiosities and epiphanies that prompt the desire within you to bring them into reality.
Those with an undefined Head welcome and amplify energy from the world around you. With an Undefined Head Center, you are designed to receive and amplify inspiration, curiosity, ideas, and mental pressure from your surroundings and relationships. You are likely easily inspired, full of ideas, questions, curiosities and insights regarding a wide range of topics and interests. Because you have the potential to be easily inspired, you may often experience confusion between what ideas and inspiration you are meant to follow and what ideas belong to someone else’s energy. This is why relying on your strategy and authority is valuable when it comes to commitments. Taking guidance from the rest of your chart can be really helpful.
In terms of actionable steps, I have found the most profound action is actually really, really simple. Make lists. With so much information coming in it is important to be able to distinguish what ideas are yours to act on and what ideas are meant for someone else. I recommend making a list of all your ideas, inspiration, and things that light you up as much as you need to. This could be once a day before bed, or cone a week, once a month. Whatever feels right to you is correct.
Once you make a list, let it breathe. Before you decide to take action on any one idea, review the list under the guidance of your authority. Does starting a birdwatching club still light you up? Or do you just want to take a walk outside or watch a nature documentary? Some may stay on the list for a few weeks. Those are the ones you want to run through your authority again and again to see if you still have the energy and interest in acting upon your inspiration. Most clients find that many of the items on the list are things that inspire but are not actionable items. Making lists can help distill where an inspiration may lead. Perhaps you are not meant to start a birdwatching club but the way birds behave provides insight into your current project or pursuit. List making can be particularly helpful for those with a 1 or a 5 in their profile as well, even if you have a defined Head. Being seen as problem solvers, teachers, and feeling secure with a depth of knowledge means that awareness around what problems, skills, and ideas are yours to solve, teach and share is really important in order to protect your precious energy and live in alignment.
For more insights on integrating Human Design into your marketing strategy, book a Reading to explore possibilities together.
Stay tuned for an upcoming Q&A session in a few weeks. Please send in your questions, and feel free to reach out by clicking the button below. I'm eagerly anticipating guiding you further on this fascinating journey!
