AWAKENING GENIUS

Key concepts: the spirit of creative expression, bringing forth new information, birthing, knowing that your ideas matter

The ancient Greeks believed that each person had a specific genius that acted like a spirit guide, inspiring you with new ideas to further your evolution as an individual as well as the evolution of all humanity. You could say that genius is the spirit of creative expression, and when you tune in to it, amazing things happen. When your genius awakens, you realize you do not have to do everything yourself. You have an inspired, dedicated wise helper on your side.

Today, can you imagine cultivating a playful relationship with this extraordinary spirit? If you can, you’ll recognize that you don’t have to solve every problem with only the knowledge, memories, and experiences you already have accrued. Your intellect in this case serves as a channel for this spirit of genius, and it can filter in new information. How you forge this connection is to get out of your own way and simply allow it to work through you.

The word genius comes from the Latin gignere, meaning “to bring forth or birth,” and shares the same root as the word generate. You are at this moment about to give birth to a new mode of expression—and a powerful one, at that. Commit to partnering with your genius, and only deep satisfaction and success will result. Today is a day when your inspired ideas matter.

SPIRIT OF GRATITUDE

Key concepts: the prospering power of prayer, communion with the Divine, expressing deep gratitude as you move through the world, knowing that your prayers will be answered exactly as they are meant to be

In prayer, we connect directly to our Higher Power. It is a way for us to be in communion with the Divine, a reminder that our lives are a sacred conversation we are continuously engaged in. Prayer lets us know we are not alone. A power greater than us acts on our behalf and is activated through us, suffusing our hearts and minds with a faith that is life-affirming, loving, and compassionate. When we pray, we acknowledge that we are only part of the equation of life, that a spiritual aspect is always in operation. We engage in humility, knowing we are in a co-creative partnership and have so much to be grateful for.

Expressing gratitude and asking to be of service is the most powerful, prospering prayer of all. When you focus your attention on appreciation for even the smallest aspects of your life and what you have already experienced, it’s like waving a magic wand. Everything you need comes to you without effort. Obstacles fall away, and your purpose becomes ever clearer.

The kind of prayer that will prosper you and others today is one of deep, abiding gratitude. You become a magnet for miracles when you are grateful and ask to be a channel for Divine purpose, Divine abundance, love, and compassion. The power of Source is within you. Now is the time to awaken it.

SEEING BEYOND

Key concepts: vision; the capacity to imagine something, to look beyond the material, beyond the obvious; the realm of the transpersonal; options and possibilities; getting out of your own way and discarding your projected outcomes

Do you consider things only within the framework of what you already know? Or can you allow yourself to see beyond, into the vastness of potential? We are all gifted with the magical ability of imagination, and when we open to it, we become a conduit for a Divine vision greater than our own.

There are two ways to view the world and co-create with it: One is from a face-value perspective; what you see is what you get. The second is allowing your imagination to see beyond what something “is” right now and move into a place that doesn’t yet exist in the material world. In this cosmic playground. of possibilities, you see into a future where anything you imagine has the potential to become real.

If you use your imagination faithfully and consciously, avoiding the traps of fearful projection and drama, you can connect to any reality you truly want to experience. When you open yourself even further, you’re often gifted with a Divine vision. As a practice, you can reimagine that vision over and over to strengthen it. As you channel these visions through you, you become a superconductor for the world.

Today know that your vision, what you imagined forming in the invisible, will be delivered into the material world. Don’t worry about the timing of things; that is in the hands of the universe. Your job is to continue to imagine, take a few steps forward, then imagine some more. The universe’s job is to make it real. What a fabulous partnership

QUIETING THE MIND

Key concepts: meditation as a commitment, the need for silence, peace within despite chaotic outer conditions, letting go of the monkey mind, mindfulness

Life is chaotic, busy, loud, frenetic, and overwhelming. Some days all that noise is like the roar of thunder, echoing around you, and it feels as if you’re being pummeled by a rainstorm. Isn’t this why we take vacations—to get away to somewhere peaceful?

In spite of the surrounding din of the world, today you need to slow down and find a bit of peace. So go ahead and take a deep breath right now. Make a commitment to be still, if only for five minutes. Count your breaths, and be mindful of every one of them. Know that you have all the time in the world to do the things that need doing. Everything is perfect as it is.

Our core beliefs about the world originate in our thoughts and feelings, which then become our perceptions. If our thoughts are all over the place, that is how we will experience the outer world. But what if the outer world didn’t matter at all? What if at our center, there were a place that is always calm, where the mind doesn’t have a million things to say, where problems and challenges aren’t nearly as important as we think they are?

Today requires you to take an internal break and go to that silent space to regroup. Meditate on the stillness within; choose a peaceful mind and nothing else. You will be amazed by how easily everything falls into place once you do.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Key concepts: sharing, community, a sense of belonging, fellowship with like-hearted people, understanding the concept of “we” before “me”

Have you ever wondered how people naturally gravitate to one another and discover a surprising intimacy and connection? There is a kind of magnetic energy, like an invisible ray of light, that gently pulls people together to form something beautiful that can be shared. As in the saying “Birds of a feather flock together,”
it comes from an instinctual need for belonging, you might say. We need community to survive, to thrive and grow. We humans are social creatures, after all; none of us are meant to be alone.

The concept of belonging is playing an important role in your life currently. Perhaps you recently found yourself in a group where you knew you were in the right place. Trust those strands of connection, for now is the time to thrive in the community! What you will find is a deeper and more expansive way of looking at the world by baring yourself to others and sharing ideas, hopes, and dreams.

However long you stay here in this journey of becoming who you’re meant to be, connecting to community and participating in fellowship is the best thing for you right now. You will flourish as part of a network of
like-minded and like-hearted people. Stick to what feels good and resonates with your heart as true. When you understand the value of this community, you will discover everything you’re hoping for . . . and much more than you’re expecting.

TENDER EMBRACE

Key concepts: compassion, warmhearted care for self and others, sensitivity and empathy, benevolence, kindness

Put your hand on your heart and breathe deeply, inhaling a sense of gratitude. . . . Now how do you feel? Keep doing this, tuning in to the world around you—others you know and even those you don’t know. Can you feel compassion for them?

Compassion is an emotion of tenderness and sensitivity. It’s a feeling of benevolence and reverence as you stand witness to the suffering of the world. Now is the time to reduce that pain and focus on compassion in all areas of your life. Today do something deliberately kind for another. Even looking a stranger in the eye and smiling can make a world of difference.

The questions to ask now are: Where do I need to be kinder and gentler? How can I serve, and in what capacity can I be in alignment with the solution to the suffering of the world? Could it be that you need to be more compassionate toward yourself? If you spend all your time in service to others, it’s easy to forget about your own needs. When you accept yourself, you can bring more loving energy to others.

Today make a commitment to practice self-compassion. Release yourself from the burdens of perfectionism, allow yourself the grace to be human—and then do the same for others. It’s not your job to tell others how to
express themselves, even if you don’t like the way the world behaves. Today be kind for no reason at all, and watch miracles arise.

OPENING TO DISCOVERY

Key concepts: the small bits of data you collect from the world to form ideas, the transfer of vital information via the universe always speaking to you, the need to integrate information and be discerning about what you expose yourself to

We tune in to information from our outer environment, then assign meaning to it within our psyches. Every day, however, the amount of data we sort through exceeds what we’re capable of processing. Especially since the advent of the Internet, we have been bombarded with more than we could ever hope to absorb. Therefore it’s important to be mindful of what we expose ourselves to.

Consistent exposure to unhealthy messaging invites us into a cynical, fear-based worldview. On the other hand, conscious exposure to information supporting our well-being shifts us toward growth and expansion. The choice, though, is not always obviously ours, which is why we must be discerning on a daily basis.
The universe is always engaging us—we are part of it, after all—through synchronicity, omens, and other signs that point toward our best path. Our intuition helps us tune in and see our environment like an oracle. How- ever, this new information doesn’t always make sense right away, so being curious and nonresistant is key to learning.

Today be open to receiving important information that may come from an unusual source. The universe wants to help you, but recognizing the way this aid will arrive depends on your willingness to shut out superfluous noise. Maybe you need to take a break from social media, gossip, or the news. Don’t let yourself get distracted. Listen without attachment, and see what arises in your life. Expect a message from the universe and you shall have it.

EARTH MAGIC

Key concepts: being grounded in nature; the quiet, dark place where all things begin, where essence is first ignited before manifestation; knowing you are part of the earth, and she is part of you

Earth Magic speaks to the intrinsic relationship that you and all living things have with the consciousness of the Earth, also known as Gaia. Imagine the oak tree that begins its journey as an acorn gathering the life-force energy it needs from the earth so it can sprout up from the ground. Because you are part of nature, you follow the same cycle of manifestation. Everything you are, your evolution, and the successful manifestation of your dreams begin below the surface of consciousness until an idea comes, conviction takes hold, and something meaningful can be planted.

Be still for a moment. Quiet your thoughts and imagine anchoring your energy to the sacred quality of being part of this living earth. Do this mindfully to connect to this Divine intelligence with the power to create the perfect form from the essence of a tiny spark of life. Indeed, this is miraculous.

The message now is to trust that the seeds you’ve planted in your field of dreams are in good hands. The earth is a conscious, Divine Source of love that is doing its part on your behalf. Slow down, take in the beauty of your life now, and trust that what you are intending is being nourished and is growing. There will be plenty of time later to tend to your garden, to water it and weed it. Great magic is germinating underground, working its way to the surface to deliver more blessings than you could imagine. Let it.

THE STORYTELLER

Key concepts: identity, positive self-definition, teaching others how to treat you through the stories you tell about who you are

Do you know the story you tell others about who you are? You are a unique being with unique talents, and a story unique to you and your experience—in fact, your destiny—can be found in the way you weave together these threads of yourself in the world. If there’s anything in your life you want to change, then it’s time to adjust the story you tell about yourself. Perhaps you are too self-deprecating or apologetic about how you shine, minimizing your power so others will accept you. Perhaps the way you voice your expectations
diminishes your ability to succeed, or you are too willing to tolerate a less-than-supportive environment.

It’s easy to be in denial when it comes to others and their behavior toward you. Understand, however, that you teach people how to treat you through how you talk about yourself. Once you recognize what story you’re telling others about how to treat you, you can tell a different one.

What if you could connect to your true power as a co-creator of your reality? The story originates in your mind: how you think, your conditioning and past experiences, how you view the world, and what you expect to see in it. The truth is, you have everything you need to tell a new tale and weave more blessings into the world as your unique contribution. In fact, practice speaking of your amazing success, your overflowing abundance, and all the love that surrounds you. Soon, the outer world will tell the same story back to you!

GREAT AND FULL

Key concepts: the mindful practice of gratitude, knowing that you are enough, committing to your intentions, a sense of sufficiency, letting go of attachment to form

Before you can begin to understand the process of manifesting your desires, you need to practice deep gratitude and the willingness to share that with others. This is the true nature of prosperity. It’s not about the things you accumulate at all; it’s about how you feel.

You’re invited to surrender to an important truth: there is always enough for you. There is enough time to do the things you need and desire to do, enough opportunities to express your talents and connect to your purpose, and enough magic circulating through the invisible world into the visible.

Begin your day immersed in gratitude for everything you have and everything you can’t yet see: the unmanifest, which begins with every breath you take. Know that you are enough and all your needs are being fulfilled, even if you doubt this in some moments. No one’s success can make you feel small, and comparing yourself to others never works. Your life is brimming with unique potential—focus on that!

When you hold this feeling of gratitude, it acts as a magical “open sesame” to the floodgates of abundance. Couple that with a playful sense of detachment, and you’ll find that miracles have an uncanny way of showing up in your life. Your intentions burst forth into reality with little effort on your part. There is hope brimming with potentiality. It’s okay that you don’t always trust this. You are not alone in holding the candle high for transformation.

Right now, contemplate how being in the energy of “enough” makes you feel. Eventually, you will have no attachment to what you do or do not manifest in the material world, what you do or do not have. Then, like magic, you have more than enough. What a fascinating universe we live in!

BEARING FRUIT

Key concepts: birthing, the results of hard work, an idea or consistent thought manifesting into form, the relationship between the external world and the internal world of feelings and beliefs

If your life were a tree, what fruit would it bear? Envision the results of the efforts you put into achieving your dreams and desires in partnership with the Divine. Can you see the way you think, feel, and believe reflected in the material world? Th ere is always a correlation between what you see, what you expect to see, what you intend consciously, and what you project unconsciously.

Everything is intrinsically connected. Magic flows through you from the unseen world into the world you perceive. Moving from the realm of nonordinary reality to ordinary reality, you birth ideas and thoughts into form and bring your most cherished desires to fruition. Not all ideas will bear sweet fruit; sometimes you will reap a sour and bitter harvest based on your sense of your personal narrative and your assumptions about others.

You are in a powerful and fertile season of your life, when you’re particularly good at making things happen with very little effort. Pay close attention to what you’re manifesting now. From your career to your personal relationships, your influence is strong at this time. If you don’t like what your life is yielding, prune the proverbial tree and get into alignment with what genuinely lights you up.

Remember you birth into the world that which you pay most attention to and consistently hold within as your truth. Be clear about what you intend. Can you make this commitment?

A BURST OF MAGIC

Key concepts: an epiphany, a sudden higher knowing, a sense that everything has a purpose, your purpose as a gift bestowed upon you, cultivating conscious contact with a Higher Power, coming to know what calls to you and lights you up

Sometimes, you may find that something you’d been pondering or a dilemma you’d let go of revisits you without warning. It may hit you while you’re thinking about nothing, or the trigger may be just the right words arising in a conversation, book, or blog. An epiphany strikes like a lightning bolt, waking you up to a truth that has previously eluded you. It’s as if the whole world stops in that moment as you integrate the missing pieces of the puzzle you were meant to solve all along.

This is such a time for you now. Answers are coming directly from Source and being downloaded into you with such force of conviction that you cannot be the same again. Be grateful for this beautiful burst of magic; it is not an everyday gift.

Inherent in this is the knowledge that Spirit is always listening to you. Spirit is your loving partner, reminding you that you are not alone. Even when it appears that you are trapped, you always have a key to unlock the solution if you cultivate the willingness to be open to and in tune with Source. The answers you seek come when you stop looking for them.

Be mindful today. When information pops up out of the blue, pay attention. The action you need to take will become obvious as you integrate this magical wisdom. Regardless of the subject of your inquiry, you will be transformed. Only good will come of this.

WILLING RELEASE

Key concepts: yielding to a Divine plan; releasing attachment to form, especially if something isn’t what you expected or wanted; leaving room for serendipity

Some days, you have to let go of your struggle to find an answer, and focus on other things for a while. This doesn’t mean giving up altogether or losing anything. Remember that in our co-creative partnership with the Divine, give-and-take is necessary. You do your part by setting your intentions and taking any necessary actions, but you must then surrender the form, the timing, and the “how” to your Higher Power.

There is a Divine plan for each of us. When acting on this faith, you may find that your intense desire for something translates into a feeling of attachment and entitlement. Right now, can you immerse yourself in this experience and allow the Divine plan to unfold as it will on your behalf, without interference? Can you be open to receiving what is yours, even if it is not packaged in the form you thought you wanted? Perhaps if you look deeper, you will see that you’ve received the perfect vibrational match to your most authentic wants and needs.

You have put in the work, defined your desires and felt them deeply, and engaged your Higher Power. Now you must let go and see what transpires. This isn’t always easy; impatience erodes the foundations of your trust in the Divine. Surrendering truly will serve your highest good. Knowing this truth in your heart—can that really be so difficult?

BEYOND THE ORDINARY

Key concepts: the mystical, ineffable part of life; trusting in the invisible world without understanding it; recognizing that some things cannot be known in advance and are not meant to be grasped intellectually; the awareness that everything is as it should be even if it doesn’t make sense

Beyond our ordinary worlds defined by our memory, our intellect, and our five senses is a mystical realm of beauty, magic, and extraordinary potential. This is the spiritual realm, the quantum reality, called by some the “Great Mystery.” This place doesn’t operate under the same laws we’re used to but rather has its own way of working that is perfect, though hard for us to understand.

When you want to know what is to come, the nature of something, or where you’re heading, it’s natural to turn to a trusted oracle and expect some kind of answer that will inform your view of how things are, might be, or should be. Sometimes this is not possible, because the elements cannot be named or are not yet in place. Things may be still in flux, so you cannot know and may never be meant to know.

No matter how hard you try to understand why something happened or how or when it will happen, now is the time to surrender to not knowing. The Mystery is a mystery because it is at present unknowable and as yet unmade. Even its potential is impossible to understand. What is waiting for you lies beyond the ordinary, but it has not yet chosen its shape, its path, and the manner by which it will be delivered. Your job is to stay the course, allowing whatever comes to be exactly as it will, without trying to ascertain anything in advance.

A TALL TALE

Key concepts: denial, concealing the truth so you can manipulate and control a situation, fear-based communication, creating a narrative to hide behind, not allowing the fear of what others will think to influence your words, learning to communicate from a place of authenticity

You or someone else is telling a tall tale right now. You always know if a falsehood is spoken because it doesn’t feel grounded. When you lie, you get high on an illusory sense of power that is doomed to fail at some point. You feel driven by the fear of exposure, but something makes you stick to your story even though you know it has no substance.

Whatever lie we are caught up in isn’t as important as the motive for it. Why does anyone lie? Perhaps we don’t believe the truth is good enough, or we want to keep doing what we know we shouldn’t be doing. Then there is the lie put forth while in denial, such as hiding an active addiction. In this scenario, we may believe our own lies. The tall tale, the white lie, the stretching of the truth, and the blatant fabrication are all about control: the desire for it, the lack of it, the need to maintain it so we can manipulate the outer world and hide our inner one.

Today ask for the truth. Be willing to pay the price and be okay with the vulnerability your lie is exposing in yourself and others. Transparency is required to get to where you need to go, to be truly empowered, to reveal the strength of what is true and authentic. Any other path leads to a dead end.

Remember the saying “The truth will set you free”—and get ready to fly unfettered.

INTO ME I SEE

Key concepts: intimacy, trust in another, dropping shields and rigid boundaries to allow
connection, the willingness to be vulnerable

At certain precious moments, you’re called into a deep and meaningful connection with the world or another person. A magical affinity arises, with the kind of intimacy that in turn encourages a greater understanding of yourself. The relationship acts as a mirror, helping you see your own patterns. What it reflects about you can further your own personal evolution.

Now is the time to take a risk by connecting with another. Can you see how far you’ve come? Can you see what is still active within you that needs to change or heal? You will discover more about who you are as you discover more about another. Even if you cannot possibly know what it’s truly like to be in someone else’s shoes, you can listen and learn. This is a magical gift being offered to you right now.

This concept applies beyond romantic connection. What do the dynamics in your closest friendships, work relationships, and family say about you? Relationships are extraordinary opportunities for healing. When predicated on honesty and caring, they have a great impact on how you contribute to the world.

Intimate relationships hold up a mirror of truth and reveal more treasures than you might ever expect. If you can look into it, take a risk and see everything as beautiful, even in its imperfections, imagine how deep you could go.

THE LAND BETWEEN

Key concepts: being between worlds, learning to be okay while at the threshold of what was and what will be, a time of waiting and evolving gray areas, something essential yet still in development, metamorphosis

You’re in a process of change. You know that you were called to it and can no longer be who you were, but you aren’t sure what the next experience of your life will be. You are in between what was and what could be, in a “pupal” stage, like during the metamorphosis of the caterpillar into the butterfly. However, you can’t just skip the messy parts; you have to endure the unknown and uncomfortable as you reinvent yourself.

The thing is, you’re not quite there yet. You have one foot in the past, even if you’re ready to shed that version of yourself and become something new. You must start redefining who you are in the context of your question. What do you believe is possible when you get to the next place? Can you explore this stage of your evolution to get to know yourself better?

The process in between worlds is where things get really interesting. You learn how to manage your fear, how to stay present in the now, how to see in the dark. You absorb the lessons offered to you with grace, because you can’t go any faster. This is a real test of emotional fortitude, patience, trust, and humility. Once you have made this no-man’s-land your home, it will be part of you. Then whatever was set in motion comes to life. This is what you’ve been waiting for. When you look back, you will grow to love the place “in between,” for that is where you were reborn.

FEELING THE WORLD

Key concepts: sensitivity to the feelings of others, awareness of the whole world and a broader perception, empathy overload and overwhelm

Empathy reminds you that you are not alone. It is a beautiful capacity to feel the connectivity all around you, giving you a profound sense of belonging, a broader experience of being part of the larger whole. That said,
it can also be overwhelming, especially when you don’t know where you end and the rest of the world begins. Now is the time to be clear about your boundaries. Ask yourself whose energy you’ve tuned in to; you might find it’s not even yours!

If you are feeling “off ” or drained when you’re with someone, they may be siphoning your energy. In such an instance, this connection is not good for you, no matter how charismatic the person is or how attracted to them you feel. Do not mistake codependency for closeness or allow your boundaries to become too porous. Trust your instincts and take care of you. Practice saying no. Avoid the temptation to turn off and go numb; instead be present. Somewhere in the middle of this “feeling spectrum” is where the magic is.

You’re also being asked now to be aware of how your words and actions may affect others. While it’s not your job to determine how someone will respond to you, discernment is necessary. Be firm yet kind. Keep in mind that people-pleasing will not give you what you truly need. That said, your empathy is beautiful and important. It just has to be balanced in order for you to access its wondrous gifts. Today, celebrate the beauty of your sensitivity, and that of others.

IN PERFECT HARMONY

Key concepts: togetherness, healthy and harmonious partnerships, commitment to a relationship, collaboration with others, interdependence

You’re entering a time of healthy, harmonious partnerships. Collaboration is key here as you’re invited to
explore the potential inherent in making a commitment to another person, a group, or even yourself.

Know that you’re bringing different gifts to the table; you don’t have to be in exact lockstep with everyone else. Being your authentic self actually brings you into alignment with others. You are a note in a harmony that neither overpowers nor is overpowered by any other. Your beautiful interdependence allows you all to shine.

Just keep an eye out for a sign that your subconscious, which has been conditioned by your previous hurts and experiences, is working in a way not in accord with what your healthy self intends. For example, you may
desire a relationship but expect to be betrayed, so you unconsciously sabotage it. You say you want to lose weight but continue to eat compulsively and avoid exercise. In these moments, you are not attuned with yourself, and this disharmony spills out into all other parts of your life. If this is happening, you might want to
take a hard look at yourself, do a self-inventory, forgive yourself, and then start singing a new song of self-love and acceptance. What’s really great about this is how quickly you are now able to turn this around. Have no fear: it is so easy to get back in tune. All it takes is self-honesty and a willingness to heal. You can do it!
This really is such a fortunate time.