SMOKE AND MIRRORS

Key concepts: seeing through the lens of past conditioning, the inability to recognize the truth of what is being offered, healing from misguided perceptions, moving beyond the illusion of separation, being accountable for your biases and the way you view the world

We’re actually built to view the world inaccurately: Our five senses tell us we are separate from one another. We’re conditioned to see time as linear. This creates a consciousness of delineation, separation, and finality. We have an innate fear that what we see is all there is. Although we know deep down there is more, we are suspicious of it. Our fear of death results from this kind of perception.

The entire world is a construct of smoke and mirrors, and our job is to discover the truth that lies beyond this illusion. Discoveries at the frontiers of science align with what the ancients have known: At the atomic level, we are blinking lights and empty space. Consciousness is fundamental, time can be bent, and we are eternal.

Ask yourself if what you see is really just what you’re looking for. What do you sense beyond your intellectual assessment of what is? Can you drop into your heart and soul and call for a vision, a feeling, an awareness of the true and authentic? Every day, remind your- self that you are intrinsically connected to all life. The universe needs you to learn about it. You have within you extraordinary magic with which to co-create life beyond your wildest expectations.

Today trust the inner voice that reminds you that you truly will find what you seek and more, even if outer conditions appear to challenge that. It’s all smoke and mirrors. Things are not exactly as they seem.

THE ROSE'S KISS

Key concepts: joy, experiencing pleasure, deep satisfaction and enjoyment, desires acknowledged, five-sensory reality

Take a deep breath and center on the feeling of joy. Can you allow your senses to awaken, and connect with your innate desire to experience all life has to offer? Pleasure is part of life; let yourself surrender to it today.

Our modern times often present a false ideal of how we are meant to experience the world. Connections are lost and distorted by our overreliance on technology. Just look around and see how few people actually maintain eye contact or engage in conversation. Instead of tapping away at a screen, pause and consider how you can make more intimate contact.

Connecting with nature, enjoying the sensual pleasures of sex, and/or being aware of the sensations of taste, touch, smell, sight, and sound may be important right now. How do your sheets feel? Can you reach out and feel the heat and softness of your companion animal nestled beside you? Be present to another person, see them, and let yourself be seen.

Your five senses are aching to be engaged right now. This is an invitation to get out of your head and into your body. You may be a spiritual and intelligent being, but right now the emphasis should be on having a sensory experience. This is a sacred part of this gift of life. By being present to the sensual world, you invite an even deeper spiritual experience. Amazing, isn’t it? Perhaps it really is time to stop and kiss the roses.

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

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?

THE UNCHARTED SEA

Key concepts: stepping into the unknown without a map, moving beyond your comfort zone, choosing to do things differently, trusting in the ebb and flow of life, being in the dark and letting curiosity lead, the faith that all will be well

Your comfort zone is sometimes exactly that: a safe, familiar harbor you’ve finally come to in yourself. You have a sense that you don’t need more than what is available right where you’ve landed in life. Now, however, is not one of those times.

Like the archetypal hero’s journey, the universe is inviting you to step into uncharted waters. Something is stirring; adventure is calling. You may want to resist this urge because it will involve leaving your comfort zone, but embarking on this journey is essential for your well-being.

Navigating the uncharted aspects of your- self means you won’t have a map, because no one else has ever been here. On this journey, you cannot rely on the help you would typically expect from others who have gone before you. This new territory is yours to explore. You’re invited to be a pioneer, a path maker, a magical cartographer who draws your map with your own life force as the ink.

This is the day to dive into a novel experience and fully immerse yourself in the new. You don’t know what this sea of possibility has in store for you, so stay curious and refrain from judgment or the need to label. Give your- self the time and freedom to be curious, without the limitations and boundaries projected by your memories or expectations. You are in an amazing place right now, and you will never be the same for surveying these waters.

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.

SHINING THROUGH

Key concepts: self-expression without filters or masks, authentic communication, being proud of who you are, shining in the world, refusing to make yourself small just to belong

You are being called to step into your true power and essence. This is one of those times when you’re required to bring everything you are—all that you’ve learned, experienced, and integrated—and offer it up in service to the world.

When you take center stage, you will be noticed. Yes, as you shine brightly, you will naturally stand apart from others. This idea may bring up excitement and genuine pride or discomfort, but this is not the time to make yourself small to avoid the glare of the spotlight and potential punishment by others. It takes courage, but know that this is the right thing for you today.

You have come so far. You have been in the proverbial back of the room, in learning and gathering mode for so long, and this important time has served its purpose. You must now step into a new consciousness, seizing a new opportunity to share your wisdom. You will be like a lighthouse, shining through the dark, illuminating the way for others.

Be careful of the voices in your head that say You can’t or You don’t know enough or Who are you to shine? The better question is: Who are you not to shine? All you are and all you have become is by the grace of the Divine. Now it is your duty to share your gifts. Celebrate this!

A POWERFUL MOVE

Key concepts: action, movement with purpose, effort, putt ing into motion your intention, making choices from an empowered and thoughtful place, positive change

The time for rest is over—change is in the air. Th is is a powerful time when deliberate action is needed to move your intentions out of the realm of thought and into the material, from ideas into action. How do you approach your relationship to the invisible world, as it influences the visible? Do you see the relationship?
Do you recognize yourself as a unique, whole, and worthy being who has a special place in the world, whose offerings are valuable, and whose life has meaning? You are a mighty co-creator, so step into that power and
see your intentions manifest in the world. Real positive change is possible when you make choices from an authentic sense of self and take a conscious step toward your dreams.

To take steps toward your intended experience, start first with the way you think. Let curiosity be the focus now, and display a willingness to discover new things instead of confirming your past expectations. Be open,
be clear about your motives and desires, and set your intention. Then step into the magic just waiting for you to claim it! Traveling, moving, flowing, flying: whatever describes the changes in your life, know that these are
called for now. Act with thoughtfulness and awareness, and remember to be true to yourself. What is called for now is “doing the thing that needs to be done.” All will be better than well. What an exciting time indeed!

BEAUTIFUL UNCAGING

Key concepts: the prison of guilt, a need for self-inventory, rigorous honesty, accountability, making amends

At this time, you’re being called to assess where guilt is playing a part in your life, recognize how it’s affecting you and others, and address it so you can release yourself from its grip. Guilt is a powerful emotional state, capable of transforming difficult situations. It keeps you accountable for your actions when you’ve done something that causes harm. However, it can also feed a self-sabotaging cycle that fosters codependency and a distorted sense of personal power. Self-blame can lead to behaviors that perpetuate low self-worth.

Have you done or said something for which you need to make amends? Have you disregarded a boundary or broken a promise? Guilt can make you aware of potential ways you have given injury and show you how to
redress the transgression. When you sincerely admit you are wrong and begin the process to fix it, this is an act of accountability, responsibility, and liberation.

Take a moment now to consider when you have harmed others or yourself. This knowledge will free you from the story you tell about it so you’re able to connect with truthful remorse. Now is the time for rigorous honesty as you take a self-inventory with a neutral state of mind. A good question to ask yourself now is why the guilt is there. You might be taking on a burden that is not even yours to carry. Pay attention, take action, and uncage yourself from the prison of your own making.

WAKING THE LION

Key concepts: boldness, the courage to move forward even without knowing the way, facing that which is difficult or painful, the audacity to step into the unknown

Regardless of the outer conditions right now, you can’t wait for your fear to lessen before you move forward. In fact, despite the chaos and seeming disarray, you must be bold. Whatever your trepidation, act as if you have deep trust that all will be well.

Nothing is promised to you, but you will never truly see magic if you don’t take the risk, come to the edge of certainty in your life, and leap into the unknown. You have no guarantee of immediate success. Still, you must summon your bravery in the face of possible pain, failure, or even success, and own your power. The act of making this leap, no matter the final outcome, awakens the lion within. Be proud of who you are and who you are becoming. No one can take this away from you.

What type of courage is called for today? Only you know, and only you have the power to choose your path. Know that it takes just as much strength and bravery to love and be vulnerable as it does to confront a personal challenge or physical obstacle. So call on your strength and stand your ground . . . or consciously
temper your emotional reactions, do nothing, and trust in your partnership with the Divine. Whatever your choice, you will not fail as long as you act with courage and integrity.

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.

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.

A DEEP BREATH

Key concepts: a genuine expectation of danger, projection of a threat without substance, fight-or-flight mode, inability to focus, trusting in the universe as a way to release fear

Fear is asking for your attention—and healing—right now. You (or another) are operating from the position of fear. If you also see red flags, you might be headed toward genuine danger, perhaps repeating a lesson you don’t need to learn again. You can honor this kind of fear by saying “thank you” and protect yourself by choosing another path. In this moment, you have all it takes to make this shift.

If, on the other hand, the fear surrounds the idea of taking a risk, be mindful. Radical trust and accepting the discomfort of the new is called for as you move out of your comfort zone. Ask for courage to take a leap into the unknown, and know that all will be well. (But know that “all will be well” doesn’t mean all you have come to expect.)

Stories from the past may be molding your expectations right now and causing fear based on anticipated hurt. Don’t isolate yourself or fall for the false idea that life is too painful and engaging with it should be avoided.

How about loving that side of you that is afraid, acting out, and causing all this unnecessary commotion? You will never be happy if this small part of you controls your life, as it will if you allow it. However, remember to be gentle with yourself and others. Once you let go and relax into your life, everything looks brighter and friendlier.

Today, choose love over fear. You’ll be amazed when you do.

SACRED REVERENCE

Key concepts: awe for the truth that Spirit is everywhere, inspiration coming through you as a result of reverence, joyful living, exploring possibilities with curiosity, spiritual passion, manifesting from the starting point of the realm of Spirit

Looking at the world, do you see all of life or only a limited part? When you look at a blade of grass, do you see just a plant? When you encounter a puppy, do you see just an animal? While this categorizing is one way of viewing the world, it is only a fraction of the truth. It isn’t enough. Look closer, and you’ll observe the luminosity immanent in these living, sentient beings. If you can allow yourself to take in all the world, including its spirit, then you see the whole.

Reverence is an act of deep witnessing, respect, and awe. You experience it when you perceive every being and everything—every plant, rock, and tree—as sacred and alive. You naturally lean into a state of bliss and harmony, and a profound sense of well-being.

Whatever your dilemma or question, try to reframe your perspective to acknowledge the spiritual. If everything has value, including your most frustrating challenges, would you still ask your question from the same place? Can you regard the “other” as sacred, thereby erasing the separation between you? Embracing the perfection of how you came together is real magic, and you are tapping into this unity right now. No matter who or what is in front of you, see that person or thing as luminous and your interaction as holy. Then you will know what to do for the highest good of all.

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.

BROKEN OPEN

Key concepts: the gift of grief, being shattered as a result of loss, the potential inherent in failure

There are situations in life when you see the value of loss, grief, and a broken heart. Yet it’s not the pain or loss itself that must be the focus of your attention here. No, not even the story of what happened, the details surrounding what has brought you to your knees, is as important as what results from the experience.

Can you see that this situation has broken you wide open, enabling you to have an even greater capacity for love, compassion, empathy, and understanding? You cannot be the same person as before. The only way forward is to move through it—without resistance or manipulation, without attempting to bargain with unseen forces—because none of your usual callbacks can put you back together again.

If you do fall prey to self-absorption or self-pity, it will just make it harder to get to the next gradual phase leading to relief. Yet even if you are prolonging the inevitable, you will get there eventually. The gift is in accepting who you’ve become as a consequence of integrating this difficult experience and allowing yourself to be more than you were. This wisdom comes at a high price, but the value of your experience of moving through and to the other side is unsurpassed. Love the you that is the result of being broken open by life’s challenges and lessons.

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!

A MERRY MOTIVE

Key concepts: knowing your own motives, understanding what drives you to meet your goals, the momentum your attention creates, the wisdom behind your intentions

You’ve chosen a path, you’ve set an intention, and you’ve begun to move toward a goal. You feel compelled to keep going, but do you know the “why” behind this drive? Do you truly want what you’re pursuing, or are you
chasing a destination with the anticipation of how it will make others feel about you (or you feel about yourself)?

You must choose to be in the flow of the experience, relishing the moment. Surrender your expectations to a Higher Power rather than being guided by your limited self. The most important aspect to consider now is where you place your focus, because that’s where energy will flow. If you are resentful, the outer world will show you more opportunities to be resentful. If you are envious of others, competitive, and overly ambitious, you will always feel as if you are not enough. If you focus on gratitude and compassion for others, you will see even more reasons to be grateful and loving. When you look for abundance, it has an uncanny way of multiplying in your life.

So if you’re unsure about your motives, the results will be just as unclear. Dig deep to understand your “why.” If your true desire is to experience X, let go of your attachment to the form that X is supposed to come in. Make sure your motive is merry and joyful, clear and honest, and aim true.

Trust that the universe will provide the outcome that is a perfect match for your intention. . . It always does.

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.