As an astrologer familiar with the astronomical meaning that we have “officially” entered into this new year, and as a positive neuroplasticity teacher familiar too with the power of noticing the ebbs and flows of our thinking, I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to regularly check-in with yourself after you have set goals for the year on January 1.
Check yourself before you wreck yourself is a real thang…
Globally we are also experiencing a huge change as the sun (as we see it from Earth) is transiting the zodiac sign of Aquarius. What’s been making big news is Pluto the dwarf planet associated with INTENSE CHANGES, is making its final move into Aquarius for the next two decades.
What does this mean for you?
We are moving from the Capricorn earth energy of hard work, discipline, purpose, and goal setting to now to an air sign energy of individuation, your genius, unique ideas, technology, future, and freedom. It’s a powerful time for you to notice when you get hit with your ideas that support your dreams and goals, in order to manifest that catchy phrase “new year, new you”, or as I love to say, your future self.
In this month’s musing I’d love to serve you with how you can sustain the momentum of what you began on January 1.
And because today as I write this, the sun is “on the porch” of the Aquarius door, I’m continuing to use the Capricorn earth energy and root more through sharing why discipline is so important. Specifically how you can think of discipline as as system that you can create uniquely for you!
This month’s Cosmic Espresso Shot:
Discipline does indeed come from the root word of discipulus, which is Latin for “learner” or “disciple.” But as our western world evolved through many philosophies passed down from Socrates to Plato, to Aristotle, and so on, discipline took on many meanings including rules, training, control, and self-control, which I’ll offer, offers a more restrictive tone, rather than thinking of discipline as
- learning
- a disciple to oneself to gain knowledge
- or the core concept of order
Hold up, pause..order feels expansive, am I right? Who wouldn’t like a well-ordered:
- Kitchen
- Sock drawer
- Email inbox
- Week
- And what about a vacation for some well “ordered” downtime
In the yoga tradition, Dharma is a word well known and is often translated here in Western culture as purpose. If you go deeper into the yoga roots, dharma is also defined as order, specifically right order. From the order of
- the Universe and how it impacts you
- your family system including your lineage
- to your current season of life
- and to your Essential Self
This “right thing” is unique to you, dependent on your personal obligations, purpose in life, gifts, privileges, and societal duties. Let’s dive a little deeper.
For example:
- RITA–DHARMA: Cosmic Order This governs the forces of the universe such as quantum physics and the divine order of the universe.-there is a universal intelligence that is precise and it’s up to us to learn about it. How is what’s happening currently impacting our globe and how is it influencing you? The macro to the micro.
- VARNA–DHARMA: Family Order – This governs our responsibilities to our lineage, community, family, and relationships. -What’s the family, the culture, your roots that you were born into impact you?
- ASHRAMA–DHARMA: Phase of Life Order – What phase of life are you currently in – Are you married, getting divorced, a new parent, or a student? How is this impacting you?
- SVA–DHARMA: Individual Order –How do you want to live out your life with your unique ideas and dreams?
For me, learning and getting clear on my own order shapes my vision of my future-self year after year. This system of discipline feels amazing because it’s of my right order.
I’ll share, that I am learning as a Capricorn rising, Cancer sun, Virgo moon about my need for the security of work and money to shine as a mom and partner. This realization has helped me stop complaining about work.
I am learning what being born into a family of immigrants and with a mom who lost her mom at a very young age means to me. I continue to try and understand my parent’s own experience and have learned to let go of my expectations of them and bring more sensitivity to their own desires while honoring mine.
I am learning at 50 with 3 kids and a brother who unexpectedly passed to cultivate more presence with our busy schedules. My oldest is leaving to go to college next year and there’s an underlying sense to slow down with my business because this is where I’m at right now.
I am learning more every day through breathwork, journaling, and connecting with nature, how to recognize my essential self. When I feel this peace (the green zone in positive neuroplastic language) I know I am honoring my purpose.
But what I also know to be true is life can get in the way and our sense of order feels hijacked.
I have good news for you! There is a powerful but gentle way to sustain discipline even when you feel like the universe is conspiring against you.
