THE GOOD STUFF
Welcome back to The Good Stuff. I’m having a lot of fun pulling these together for you every few weeks! Keep sending me what’s lighting you up, let me know by hitting reply to this email. What's your winter pleasure?
Here’s what I’m into this month…
I've recently caught up with the HBO Max series, Sort Of, despite its already advanced into Season 3. However, as they say, better late than never. The series follows Sabi as they navigate significant life changes concerning work, family dynamics, and relationships. It's a captivating blend of stunning visuals and compelling storytelling, centering around the expression of identity through fashion. I find myself emotionally moved at the end of nearly every episode, not necessarily due to sadness in the storyline, but rather because of the profoundly human nature of the challenges and decisions faced by Sabi, their friends, and family.
I was overjoyed to receive this exquisite vase as a birthday present from a dear friend. As an avocado aficionado who incorporates this creamy fruit into my daily routine, the symbolism behind this gift truly resonates with me. Not only does it serve as a stunning piece of home decor, but it also offers a captivating opportunity to observe the growth journey of an avocado right in the comfort of my own home. With just a few straightforward steps to prepare the avocado pit for its new home in the vase, followed by the magic of natural light and water, I'm eagerly anticipating the beauty and wonder of witnessing nature's process unfold before my eyes. It's a delightful reminder of the simple joys and marvels that surround us every day.
I’m a total nerd when it comes to minimalist and industrial design. If it looks like it can be found at an Army Navy store or Auto Zone it’s likely I’m a fan. I was on the lookout for a roomy but light fanny pack that I can wear on beach hikes that would double as a place to strap my shoes when I hit the sand. This Baggu fanny pack is water resilient, just large enough for my wallet, phone, keys and a flat water bottle. My favorite feature is the extra long strap which can be made long enough to hook into the straps of my Birks or hold a jacket or sweater in place when the sun gets warm. It’s the perfect mix of form and function.
Purely Elizabeth Cookie Granola
Sometimes I want something sweet but not too sweet. Chocolatey but not chocolate and not a cookie. I can be a real Veruca Salt when it comes to food! I love this new granola from Purely Elizabeth. It is not too sweet, has a really nice texture and is the perfect thing to grab a little handful of when I want a late afternoon sweet pick me up. The chocolate flavor is deep and rich and really compliments the texture of the granola. Coconut sugar adds a little sweetness and chicory and chia seeds add a little goodness.
My husband gifted me this book as part of my birthday present. Either he really trusts me or is incredibly stupid. Time will tell. Ha! From Chronicle Books right here in San Francisco , this beautiful book offers stories of over 25 accused women poisoners arranged by their motives. The stories are fascinating and of course in true Chronicle fashion the book is absolutely gorgeous. A great gift for someone you love and also trust.
What are you loving this month? I'd love to give it a try!
xxx
LAS
SOLAR TRANSIT
3-18-24
Gate 25
Gate of the Spirit of Self
On March 18, the sun gracefully traverses Gate 25, known as the Gate of the Spirit of Self. During this celestial transit, you're invited to embark on a deeply introspective voyage of self-discovery. This celestial transit encourages a deep exploration of your inner realm, focusing particularly on the profound energy of unconditional love, a force that transcends boundaries and embraces every being with acceptance and compassion.
At its core, Gate 25 recognizes the divine essence of love, perceiving it as the very fabric of existence and affirming the inherent worthiness of every individual to receive it unconditionally.
This gate stands as a testament to the belief that love is the ultimate force that binds the universe together, capable of overcoming all obstacles and transforming even the darkest of circumstances. Gate 25 teaches us that the true path to experiencing unconditional love lies in accepting ourselves and others exactly as we are, without judgment or reservation.
Gate 25 also illuminates a tendency towards self-judgment and criticism. To feel trapped in cycles of self-rejection, self-hatred, and self-loathing, often stemming from past traumas that have left deep emotional wounds. In moments of profound pain or trauma, shutting down, retreating into a state of isolation and feeling unworthy of love.
To cultivate a deeper sense of unconditional love and elevate the frequency of Gate 25, it is essential to embark on a journey of healing and self-discovery. Seeking support from trusted individuals or professionals to address and heal past traumas can be instrumental in releasing the burdens of self-judgment and embracing a more compassionate view of oneself and others. Additionally, practices such as Metta meditation, which involves directing loving-kindness and compassion towards oneself and others, can help to expand the heart's capacity for unconditional love and acceptance.
Here are some journaling prompts to deepen your understanding and engagement with this transit:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a profound sense of unconditional love in your life. What were the circumstances, and how did it impact your perception of yourself and others?
2. Explore any patterns of self-judgment or self-criticism that you may have noticed in your life. What underlying beliefs or past experiences contribute to these patterns, and how do they influence your relationship with yourself and others?
3. Consider any past traumas or emotional wounds that may be affecting your ability to fully embrace unconditional love. How have these experiences shaped your view of yourself, and what steps can you take to begin the healing process?
4. Experiment with meditation as a practice for cultivating unconditional love and compassion. How does directing loving-kindness towards yourself and others shift your perspective and deepen your capacity for acceptance?
Gate 25 in Human Design represents the energy of unconditional love, affirming the inherent worthiness of every individual to receive love without judgment or reservation. While embodying the transformative power of love, Gate 25 also grapples with its shadow side, manifesting as self-judgment and self-rejection stemming from past traumas. By embarking on a journey of healing and self-discovery, and embracing practices such as Metta meditation, we can elevate the frequency of Gate 25 and cultivate a deeper sense of unconditional love and acceptance within ourselves and towards others.
Gate 55 urges contemplation on the strength of our creative vision and the profound trust needed to bring it to life. This cosmic passage encourages a deep exploration of faith, prompting reflection on our trust in ourselves, the collective, and the divine forces that shape the manifestation of our creative endeavors.
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 bellow.
EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping Prompt for this transit.
“Even though in the past I was afraid to follow my heart, I now choose what is right for me and know that I am fully supported by the universe and Source, and I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”
Have a great week exploring these transits! 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!
THE CREATIVE
Welcome to a new little Newsletter feature. Twice a month I will be sharing 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. Often times we do not realize the purpose of a singular creative process until years later. Creativity likes to surprise us.
“Sometimes you may not know the essence when you’re engaged in a work.”
- Rick Rubin
When working with Mentorship clients certain themes seem to emerge. Ideas that carry in the ether and are contemplated as part of the artist's role of being the great reflector of society. Currently with the professionals I support, there has been a great deal of musing about essence. Rick Rubin uses that word and I think it is right on. Often though essence comes through as the word meaning, subject matter, point of view, perspective, what the thing we are creating is about. And often this essence changes during the creative process, which can be both liberating and completely terrifying. I argue that the essence should change during the process and that shift is a sign that you are doing it right. And yeah, I am a believer in the science and mathematical aspects of the creative process. I am not one to say there are no mistakes in art. If you are a creative professional you know this perspective can feel laughable when you add up all the skill building training, and simply the hours you have completed to refine your craft, view it with a critical eye and measure its impact. There are indeed mistakes in art. A lot of them. A shift in perspective or subject matter is not one of them.
A shift in essence is a result of being in the process. Letting go, allowing the materials to take over, moving energy, being in flow. Where our art can get lost is when we hold fast to an idea that becomes opposed to where the process wants to take us. Yes, have design guidelines and objectives, but do not become indentured to them. If all goes right, the process shifts both the work and the expected results.
When concerned about the essence of your work, what it means, what is interpreted, I argue that it might not be your job alone to determine. Intention matters and of course, yes, create with intention. Yet, isn’t the final act of our work a collaboration? When it leaves our hands, whether three dimensional or digital, in song, or on screen, your creation will be met by many. I believe that in this collision between the work and the world the true essence is found. This perspective may be important to consider when you encounter the part of your process that is ripe for distraction. It is during these times where we often ask, “what the fuck does this even mean?”
That’s your sign to just keep going.
