Choose movement and growth.
–by Suzanne Wagner
Arthurian Tarot: Evalach's Shield, Wayland
Mayan Oracle: Measure, Dreamer and Dreamed
Aleister Crowley: Abundance, Peace, Pleasure
Medicine Cards: Butterfly, Fox
Osho Zen Tarot: The Source, The Fool
Healing Earth Tarot: Nine of Feathers, Empress
Ancient Egyptian Tarot: King of Wands, Five of Cups
Words of Truth: Humor, Decision, Form, Beginning
August offers choices that could change how you manifest your dreams and goals. With these changes comes an opportunity to let go of old disappointments in mates and family. Life is always about the decisions we make moment by moment. It takes only a moment to decide to forgive and to let past situations and mistakes go.
In life there is only choice and no choice. No choice means that you are unwilling to make a shift which, in itself, is a choice. When you refuse to choose, your inner core contracts and you feel empty, disoriented and panicky. You withdraw, using the old hurts as a weapon and shield to tell others you are wounded. This causes avoidance, self-pity, insecurity and rage. This energy says, "Stay away! I don't want anyone in my space!" Yet when others follow the advice you project, it fans the flames the anger. This pattern causes misery and self-hatred as well as feelings of unworthiness and despair.
The other option is to make a constructive choice. Choosing movement and growth is always preferable to contraction and stasis. The choice opens you to potential failure and the terrible experience of looking bad. But consciously choosing to give yourself an experience makes growth and healing possible. As soon as you choose, you feel freedom, expansion, curiosity and the desire to explore. Hope and passion are rekindled, and you feel your whole body let go. In that moment, we truly love ourselves. We are choosing to love ourselves enough to try new things and experience life as a grand adventure filled with no judgment but a willingness to find out what works and is true for us in that moment.
With our large brains, we humans love to be challenged. The brain does not always want to play it safe. It wants, needs and desires new experiences to create more potential for understanding the complex nature of existence. We have to learn through experiences rather than having someone tell us everything. When we are scared, we often seek information to give us courage and validate our perceptions in that moment. Receiving validation allows the left brain to stop arguing; as it calms down, we find the energy and drive to make informed choices.
If you are unwilling to choose and make changes this month, you will feel trapped, unmotivated and despondent. You may feel unfulfilled, exploited and less productive at work.
Instead, make a change. Begin a new creative endeavor. Allow modest attitudes to rule and enjoy each small accomplishment along the way. Begin a search for what expands ecstasy and gratitude in your life. Cultivate freedom and confidence. Enjoy the beauty all around you. Find new ways to enrich your spirit. Explore the inner balance between attainment and contentment. Above all, have a sense of humor about your own process. The reasons you deny yourself experiences can be quite funny if you listen to them with detachment. Would someone else take the advice your head is fabricating when you are scared? I didn't think so.
Breathe! Find your own center. Let the wildness within have a moment in the sun. That does not mean being irresponsible. It means finding and following the passion inside that wants to experience life to its fullest. If nothing else, you will have stories to tell when you are old. Your experiences will give others confidence to love themselves enough to also try. ®
Suzanne Wagner is the author of numerous books and CDs on the tarot. She lives in Salt Lake City.