Mercury goes direct 2025

Today, Mercury, the planet of communication, stations direct after being in retrograde since July 18th, allowing us to move forward without the heavy weight pulling us backward. This retrograde was no joke, as it pulled away at all the layers of our being and our relationships. By shedding light on our relationship dynamics, it exposed what (or who) we are no longer willing to move forward with.  As we continue to sink deeper into our power, we will attract only those who are willing to match our inner fire. We will attract only that which is in alignment with who we are right now. Today, as Mercury stations direct, set your intentions to allow yourself to integrate the harsh lessons that you may have been given. Set your intentions to let go of what or who you were shown that no longer serve any purpose in your life. Set your intentions to take it easy for the next week as you recover from the challenges you experienced. And set your intentions to not give in to self-pity or sentimentality about your past relationships. Today, accept where you are right now and trust that your challenges will move you forward on your journey.

Just for today, I am willing to learn my lessons. I am willing to change. I monitor my self-talk, making sure that it is positive and uplifting to myself and others.  I trust, even though it is hard, that everything will work out for my highest good. And so it is. 

It's okay to not be okay

This is a reminder that you don’t have to be positive all the time. It’s perfectly okay to feel sad, angry, annoyed, frustrated, scared, or anxious. Having feelings doesn’t make you a ‘negative person.’ It makes you human. So, today, set your intentions to be okay with not being okay, for a bit. It’s okay to cry for your losses. It’s okay to mourn the dreams that didn’t pan out. It’s okay to hurt and not have things figured out. For you see, through the events in our lives, good and bad, we learn who we are and what makes us tick. It’s not about creating a happily ever after—it’s about taking it one step at a time and accepting that we’ll go through times when we won’t feel happy. It's about accepting that joy cannot always be our constant state of being and feeling sad does not make you a negative or bad person. Today, set your intentions to accept where you are right now, even if you really don't like it.  Set your intentions to accept today and know that things will change even if they aren't changing fast enough for you. Today, choose to be patient in the present. Today, choose to get to know and express your full, perfectly imperfect self!

Just for today, I acknowledge that healing is accepting all parts of myself, not just the ones I like. I surrender to what is. I let go of what was and I have faith in what will be. And so it is. 

The Lion's Gate Portal 2025

Today, we will experience what is called the "Lion's Gate", when the star Sirius aligns with the Sun in Leo, which is believed to be an auspicious time to make our dreams come true. The cosmic event is believed to be an excellent time for manifesting, as the star Sirius is considered to be extremely lucky. In astrology, manifesting is all about making your visions a reality through affirmations or by setting intentions. This year, the Lion's Gate Portal will be unique as it will reach its pinnacle on Aug. 8 (88), a day of abundance and ripe for manifesting. And, it falls on the day before our monthly full moon. This alignment offers us a lot of opportunities to create the world we want to live in and make our dreams come true. So, today, set your intentions to stop fighting, wondering, worrying, and suffering and instead allow the Lion's Gate energy to help you to rise above your current uncertainties and fears.  Allow the energies to help you see beyond your current situation and allow yourself to begin to create a whole new way of being.  Allow the Lion's Gate to help you heal your heart. For you see, the Lion's Gate portal activates the heart chakra; therefore, old or even current wounds of the heart may rise up for healing. This Lion's Gate offers us the opportunity to finally feel free from any grief or sadness that has burdened our hearts. Today, allow the energy of the Lion's Gate to help you heal your heart, expand your spiritual wisdom, and help you awaken to your true potential.  Allow its energies to help you turn the page and begin a new chapter. 

Just for today, I am willing to see myself and my life in a whole new way. I am willing to let go of who I was to become someone new. I am willing to change, and out of this situation, only good will come, and so it is. 

Anger alert!

Yesterday, Mars, the god of war, moved into a new sign, and when that big gaseous planet moves, we usually feel its movement in the form of anger and irritation.  But most of us have been told that anger needs to be controlled or suppressed, and that it’s a negative emotion, leaving us mired in frustration and rage as we try to manage it. However,  anger can be the most honorable emotion you have, if you know what it is, why it appears, and how to work with it. For you see, anger comes from within you, and its job is to help you set and maintain effective boundaries around the things and ideas you value. At its core, anger is a reminder to set emotional boundaries. Boundaries define what's yours and what's not - your responsibilities, your control, your emotions. When we feel angry, it's often because we perceive a boundary violation. So today, set your intentions to get to know what's behind your anger. Do not avoid it, and do not use it as a weapon. Instead,  use your anger as a catalyst. Let it inform you, motivate you, but not control you. The goal isn't to become anger-free. It's about becoming anger-wise by listening to it and understanding what it is telling you. Your anger is not your enemy. It's a powerful ally in your journey towards personal growth and healthier relationships. Today, embrace it, learn from it, and let it guide you towards a more authentic and fulfilling life. 

Just for today, I respect my boundaries and I insist others do too. I am a master at setting healthy boundaries that protect my time, energy, creativity and emotional well being. I recognize that the only people who get upset with me setting healthy boundaries are the ones who are benefiting the most from me having none. I am safe. I love, honor, and respect myself. All is truly well in my world. And so it is.

Pick your battles wisely!

Life teaches us many lessons, but one of the biggest and most important is to learn when to fight and when to walk away. And that's what the Universe wants us to consider today-to choose our battles wisely! In truth, there is great strength in picking your battles, in knowing when to fight and when to back down. It's not giving up; it's preserving your peace. And, some battles are better left unfought. It does not mean you are weak; it means you hold your peace more valuable than driving an argument. It's recognizing that some fights simply aren't worth the emotional toll. Today, when triggered or challenged, pause and discern whether it's worth fighting for. Life is far too short to spend arguing every point. There's a time to hold your ground and a time to back off and let things be. By picking and choosing your battles carefully, you save your strength for the big ones that truly make a difference. In the end, life will be more peaceful, relationships stronger, and you'll have increased energy to invest in those activities that are truly important. The battles worth fighting are those that bring us eventually to peace, not those that take us farther away. Today, remember that in silence, we often find the answers we seek, and in walking away, we discover the true path to peace. Just for today, I choose to be at peace rather than be right. I choose to speak my truth with love and understanding. It does not matter what other people say or do. What matters is how I choose to react and what I choose to believe about myself. And so it is.Life teaches us many lessons, but one of the biggest and most important is to learn when to fight and when to walk away. And that's what the Universe wants us to consider today-to choose our battles wisely! In truth, there is great strength in picking your battles, in knowing when to fight and when to back down. It's not giving up; it's preserving your peace. And, some battles are better left unfought. It does not mean you are weak; it means you hold your peace more valuable than driving an argument. It's recognizing that some fights simply aren't worth the emotional toll. Today, when triggered or challenged, pause and discern whether it's worth fighting for. Life is far too short to spend arguing every point. There's a time to hold your ground and a time to back off and let things be. By picking and choosing your battles carefully, you save your strength for the big ones that truly make a difference. In the end, life will be more peaceful, relationships stronger, and you'll have increased energy to invest in those activities that are truly important. The battles worth fighting are those that bring us eventually to peace, not those that take us farther away. Today, remember that in silence, we often find the answers we seek, and in walking away, we discover the true path to peace.

Just for today, I choose to be at peace rather than be right. I choose to speak my truth with love and understanding. It does not matter what other people say or do. What matters is how I choose to react and what I choose to believe about myself. And so it is.

Celebrate small wins!

In a world that often only celebrates grand achievements, it’s easy to overlook the small victories that pave the way to lasting change. And in truth,  if we want to develop big habits, we must celebrate all the small changes we make along the way! For you see, celebrating our small wins is what wires the new habit into our brain. When we celebrate even the most minor victory, it triggers a release of dopamine. This not only feels rewarding in the moment but also reinforces the behavior on a neurochemical level, helping to embed the new habit into our neural pathways.  So, today set your intentions to not wait for big achievements to celebrate. Today, recognize and celebrate the small wins along the way. These small moments of victory build momentum and keep you motivated. We all want to reach the top of the mountain and feel that we’ve achieved something. We want to be finished, but that’s never going to happen; our lives are a constant work in progress. Today, whatever you are working toward, and however far you still have to go, take the time to bask in everything you’ve achieved thus far. It doesn’t matter if you are moving fast or slow, only that you keep moving! And the best way to ensure that you keep doing that is to cherish each step along the way. Today, set your intentions to celebrate what you want to see more of! 

Just for today, I celebrate all my small wins. I am making positive changes in every area of my life. I accept all parts of myself, not just the ones I like. I am safe and out of this situation, only good will come. And so it is. 

Kintsugi-celebrate your imperfections

Life is fragile, and sometimes our lives and dreams are shattered by unexpected events, leaving indelible marks or cracks in our facades. So, the question becomes: How do we find a way towards hope and healing? How do we embrace ourselves with our warts, cracks, and all our damaged parts? Today, you can begin to view your damages in a new light, through the lens of the Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi. 

Kintsugi is an ancient Japanese art form that involves repairing broken pottery pieces with lacquer mixed with precious metals, such as gold, silver, or platinum. If an object of pottery is broken, rather than discarding it, the pieces are painstakingly put together over months. Instead of trying to hide the damage, the cracks are highlighted in precious metal. For the Japanese, kintsugi is part of a philosophy of embracing our human flaws and life’s fragility. It is about celebrating imperfections. It offers an approach to life. Kintsugi teaches us that in life, we can transform adversity into something beautiful and resilient. Kintsugi shows us that in time, we can heal from our wounds, embrace our imperfections, and become stronger. Kintsugi reminds us that no matter our difficulties, we can find a way to reframe and find meaning in life. When things fall apart in our fragile lives, there is a path forward. There is a way to find peace with our imperfections and our lives. Today, allow yourself to continue to heal and know that you can emerge from your wounds stronger than before and better than new.

Just for today, I love and accept myself, no matter what. I accept all parts of myself. I know that all my mistakes and missteps are only stepping stones on my path forward. My goodness cannot be stopped. I am perfect just the way I am. And so it is. 

The inside creates the outside, always!

Our world is noisy, and there is no other way to describe it. Yet, we’ve become so accustomed to the cacophony of our environment that we have seemingly become immune to noticing how that constant chaos negatively impacts us physically and spiritually. It is that continuous noise that distracts us from the peace that is always available to us, if we clear away the clutter and allow ourselves some quiet time. So, today, consciously create some time alone, detached from your phone or any other screen, so you can begin to find the peace you seek within yourself. Our culture perpetuates trepidation around quiet, often wanting to fill every pause with some sort of sound effect or looping video. Therefore, it’s essential for us, as we pursue a slower lifestyle, to create a space in our lives that is free from distractions. Today, find a way to bring calm and quiet into your life, whether it comes through a daily meditation practice, a walk through the silence of nature, or a peaceful moment spent in bed before you close your eyes to rest. Today, set your intentions to pursue peace with the vigor that you pursue your career or any other goal you have set for yourself.  Today,  allow you to grow in your understanding of what it means to be truly present because that is where you will find the peace you seek.

Just for today, I recognize that peace begins within me.  The more peaceful I am inside the more peace I will find on the outside. The inner creates the outer, always. And so it is.

New Moon in Leo

We have a New Moon in Leo, and it is calling for us all to begin an entirely new chapter in our lives. It is an invitation to stop overcomplicating things. With the Lion as our spirit guide, we’re being called back to simplicity.  But this New Moon isn’t just about fresh starts. It’s about profound truths and bright sparks. It is asking us to stop dimming our lights and stop playing it small.  Adding some heat to this New Moon is Pluto, the planet of transformation, power, and rebirth, which will be active during this New Moon. Pluto doesn’t mess around. It digs deep, bringing up what’s been buried - the feelings you’ve avoided and the power you forgot you had. This tension may feel intense, but it’s clearing the way for a more authentic, radiant you. Today, set your New Moon intentions to stop playing it small. Permit yourself to take up space. To lead with love. To shine without apology. This is a time to come home to yourself—to the version of you that exists beneath all the roles, patterns, and expectations. Today, allow yourself to begin to reset, realign and rebuild. Remember that everything that's falling away is making space for what's meant to last. Today, stop clinging to what once made you happy and powerful. Today, allow the New Moon energy to guide you in becoming reborn.

Just for today, I am willing to begin anew.  I release all that no longer serves me, making room for the new to enter my life. I am willing to change and all my changes are easy to make. And so it is. 

A Leo season like no other!

Today, the Sun moves into the fire sign of Leo, bringing an end to watery Cancer Season. Leo season usually brings some heat, drama but also courage and confidence. However, this Leo season may look very different because of the influence of the major planets that are stationed retrograde right now. No matter what happens during this Leo season, we would all benefit by setting the intention of making self-love the center of our focus. Regardless of the path you take, the most important thing to remember during this Leo season is that you are worthy of respect, kindness, and empathy. Receiving is just as important as giving, and this Leo season is urging us to strive for this balance. Today, begin Leo season by setting your intentions to be kind to yourself and by accepting your intrinsic messy humanness. Don’t overextend yourself too much to make someone else happy. The person in need of TLC is you. When you honor and respect yourself, others will do the same. So, today let the lion infuse you with the strength, resilience, and openness to learn new things about yourself.  Today, let your heart lead you and allow the sign of Leo to show you how to love yourself and your life more.

Just for today, I love myself even when I am not perfect. I love and approve of myself no matter what. I am willing to see where and how I need change and all my changes are easy to make. And so it is.

Mercury Retrograde in Leo

Yep, it's that time of the year again! Mercury, the planet of communication, travel, technology, is turning retrograde until August 11 in the fire sign, Leo. For the next several weeks, we will experience issues in many realms of our lives, particularly in the way we express ourselves and the way we love, express love and experience love in all of our relationships. Furthermore, it is not a time to dread! In truth, Mercury Retrograde gives us a much needed break in the action so we can review where we are going. It is a time to listen to your inner world and to clear the noises and opinions of others. Sometimes it can be hard to listen to ourselves when we are bombarded with stimuli from our screens, the world around us, and those closest to us. Mercury Retrograde is a good time to go within and to really figure out what we wish to communicate and express to ourselves and the world around us. Even though Mercury Retrograde tends to have a negative reputation, it is important to remember that everything is neutral in astrology. It’s what we make of the energy and how we choose to use it. So, today, set your intentions to slow down, to review where you are and where you are headed and then to make any revisions you feel are necessary. Today, let  this retrograde be a reminder to shower yourself with self-compassion when you deal with self-doubt, insecurity, and timidness. Today, and for the next three weeks, remind yourself that you’re only human, so give yourself grace. 

Just for today, I forgive myself for not being perfect. I am doing the best I can with the knowledge, understanding and awareness that I have right now. I am safe and I choose to make the rest of my life the best of my life. And so it is. 

Does your outward persona align with your inner self?

We all have a side of ourselves that we show to the world, and then there’s the part that we keep hidden – our inner world. Sometimes, these two selves don’t quite match up, usually resulting in us feeling isolated, disconnected, and inauthentic. Today, the Universe wants us to begin aligning the two sides of ourselves, because that alignment is the key to a harmonious life. To align the two sides of you, you will need to be brutally honest with yourself. This means acknowledging your fears, insecurities, hopes, and dreams. It can be tough to face these truths, but it’s an essential step towards living an authentic life. When you’re honest with yourself about who you are and what you want, you’ll find it much easier to present this genuine self to others. When what you post on your social media account truly matches who you genuinely are, you will feel more whole and connected to the world around you. And, during these times of self-examination, it’s crucial to be kind to yourself. Beating yourself up over these missteps won’t help. In fact, it often pushes us further away from our true selves. The truth is, authenticity is not a destination but a journey – a continuous process of self-discovery and growth. And while this journey may look different for everyone, one thing remains constant – the profound sense of peace and fulfillment that comes from living in alignment with your true self. So, today, create some time to look within and you’ll discover a world within you that’s waiting to be shared with the world outside. 

Just for today, I am willing to share my inner self with the world. I am gentle, kind and comforting to my inner child as I uncover and release old negative messages within me. I am safe and I am willing to change. And so it is. 

The normalization of bad behavior

In this age of 24 hr news cycles, which contain countless tragedies and endless social media scrolling, it's easy to become desensitized to awful events. Furthermore, that same process of becoming desensitized to the world at large can play out in our friendships and other relationships. In truth, as much as we would like to pretend otherwise, who your friends choose to hang out with and how they act is who they are. You may want to make excuses for their behavior or blame it on the people they are choosing to hang out with, but in the end, you will awaken to the fact that every one of us is responsible for our own behavior. That behavior may be a result of circumstances in each one of our lives, but ultimately, we get to set our standards that should remain constant. This is sometimes called our moral code. Today, it is time to surrender to the fact that who you hang out with is a reflection of who you are. If you know that the behavior of others is not in alignment with yours, it is imperative that you maintain your boundaries and walk away when your boundaries have been crossed. We have all been gaslighted on time in our lives. However, we may not have accepted responsibility for allowing ourselves to remain in the situation. Today, do not be afraid to walk away even if you feel like you are losing your life. In reality, you are regaining and reclaiming your power. Today, create your own normal and surrender to what you know to be true for you. Just for today, it does not matter what other people say or do. What does matter is how you choose to react and what you choose to believe about myself. I respect my boundaries and insist others do too. I am safe. I love myself enough to walk away from all the people who no longer serve any purpose in my life. And so it is.