Today is my 'Personal New Year' otherwise known as my 'birthday' - here are some gifts for YOU! #MondayMotivation

I am fascinated by astrology. Years ago I read that our Birthday's are really the start of our year - yes, our astrological year, but our personal year as well.

It resonated.

New Year's Eve never really resonated as a beginning to me, and in 2011 the night lost it's 'joy' for me, some of you will know what I mean by that, others won't. It's a long story and my archives are certainly searchable if you are curious.

Today is my birthday, making 4/4 the start of my year - astrologically and personally.

Here is what I've learned so far:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I can't make everyone happy. - I am not telling you not to try, but I can tell you to work on making YOURSELF happy - and not just once and awhile. Do one thing each and every single day that brings you joy. For me, it's music, photography and travel. I can't travel everyday (although that would make me super happy) but I can listen to music. So I do.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I can't keep every ball in the air. - I am not a juggler. I am a multi-tasker, but I am not a juggler, some days a ball or two will fall. It's OK.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Clothes and Shoes aren't the only things you will outgrow. - We outgrow people, relationships, situations, jobs, as we ascend different things will suit us, others won't. It's OK to Spring Clean your life. Sweep out the relationships that fill you with dread, the people who make you cringe, the ones you send to voicemail when they call you, the ones on Facebook that annoy the hell out of you - use the unfriend button. It's OK. The world and your world won't crumble. Just remember, disagreements are not cause to automatically let go, you aren't always going to see eye to eye with someone no matter how much you love them and how much they mean to you, it's not about seeing eye to eye all the time, it's just knowing when to agree to disagree!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Love the person - Remember what I just wrote above - don't sweep someone out of your life because you don't see eye to eye on sex or politics. Love the person not their politics. Love the person, not who they worship. Love the person, don't worry about what goes on in their bedroom. (unless it's the person you are actually in a relationship with, then you should totally know what's going on in the bedroom).

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You know nothing about yourself - Ever. You are a constantly changing, ever transforming work in progress. What you feel about politics, sex and religion will change throughout the years. oh, did I say that's OK yet? Because it is. If you can admit you don't always have it all together: (a) you are doing great and (b) be more compassionate of the person across from you (they are juggling shit too).

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Loss - Loss will hit us all eventually. - There is no right way to handle it. There is no wrong way to handle it. And even in cases where you know it's coming, trust me when I tell you that you still won't expect it.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Turn your mess into your miracle - You know that annoying saying 'You can't get rainbows without the rain'? - Sorry to tell you but it's true. Diamonds are formed via High Pressure (um, not from a lump of coal), and that is exactly what life does to you, puts you through high pressure, if you ride through the waves of pressure you come out polished not demolished! My biggest mess: I'm an insomniac - it's hard to turn my brain off - but I realize I've made really good use of the extra time and that my insomnia is probably why I love to read, research, and write.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - And if you can only remember one golden nugget? - JUST SAY NO! - The more you learn to say it, the happier you will be!

I'm off to make a New Year's Wish List just in time for the New Moon on the 7th! Happy Birthday to my fellow Aries peeps!

Readers Sound Off/Your Take: What Day is your personal new year? What is the most important thing you have learned so far?

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

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{#MotivationMonday} The #SuperBloodMoon shines brightly across the world, what does that mean for YOU?

Super Blood Moon, Lunar Eclipse, Harvest Moon and Motivation Monday:

Last night the Twitterverse was following @SuperBloodMoon (this twitter handle outlining the events of September 27th with the support of NASA) and it's corresponding hashtag #SuperBloodMoon with baited breath. Folks either had their heads out their windows or hopped in their cars and tried to find the Super Blood Moon to take photos. NASA was live streaming it!

I was also following this fun Huffington Post article which I shared on Ascending Butterfly's Facebook Page as well as my personal one with this wish:

These ‪#‎SuperBloodMoon‬ photos are awesome! ‪#‎LunarEclipse‬ ‪#‎FullMoon‬‪ #‎HarvestMoon‬ - Make a moon wish tonight butterflies, and let the Universe Whisper an answer in your dreams

The photos on social, and shared in this Huff Po article (they were live streaming NASA's video feed most of the night) are absolutely stunning, but after the rush of the photos died down, there was a collective question, what does this mean?

I'm certainly not an astrologer, but I have followed it for years (and I do mean a bit more than passively reading my daily horoscope), and there is a collective theme that I felt was fodder for a Motivation Monday.

This is not only a 'Blood Moon' butterflies, but also a 'Harvest Moon' - now what we harvest in life all depends on our individual Karma, but the doom and gloom associated with a Blood Moon is sort of leveled by the fact it is also a Harvest Moon, if you have been planting positive seeds and working ethically, diligently and with persistence, how beautiful it is to expect to reap what you have sown.

This is also a Lunar Eclipse - yes Eclipses do signify things 'coming to an end' in some way, but remember that doesn't have to be 'bad'. Blood is sometimes associated with atonement - forgiveness or a clean slate, releasing of old Karma and attachments can all be things coming to an end - which is NOT necessarily bad.

For many of us 'endings' and a 'new start' is exactly what we need right now.

One of the most amazing things I read about this Full Moon Lunar Eclipse Super Blood/Harvest Moon was this:

What really needs to happen is we need to stop with our differences, accusations, judgments of one another and start thinking more about the effects we are having on our own lives and the lives of others that know us and the world we live in and our contribution. Life is short, what do you want to be remembered for?

We should focus on becoming better people so that the future of our world as we know it can have a real chance to live in peace and harmony with one another, the human family. 

Until each of us focus on becoming the best version of ourselves as an individual and each of us does so,  and to realize we are all human and one brotherhood that needs to work together, respect one another and love one another, then the change we want to see may never come. ~ILLUME ASTROLOGY

Another worthy read in it's entirety and it's beautiful accompanying photo is from Moonology:

I would have to quote their whole page it is so well written, but I found it interesting that if you are an Aries or Libra (or for those who know their natal charts well those with Aries or Libra Rising), this is going to be a potentially STAND OUT time for you, she wrote "You're being singled out by the Universe as among the people most likely to take some kind of quantum leap into the future" - if you guessed I'm an Aries, you would be correct. (Additional Note for Aries: You have Mars (your ruling planet) on your side for the next seven weeks until November 12, to help you improve your eating habits or update your excercise schedule - make good use of it!)

For my fellow numerology lovers the eclipse was a 1 hour and 11 minute occurence! (For me the number 222 tends to follow me daily - I tend to look at the clock at that hour, see buses or subway cars with that number etc).

MY TAKE:

I have been feeling impending change for a long time now. My soul/spirit is pretty much YELLING at me to try something new, to make needed changes and release not only old habits, but to also find fulfillment - spiritually, emotionally as well as professionally in brand new ways.

I also find it interesting that my name 'Tracy' means 'the Harvester' and this is a Harvest Moon. I personally looking forward to Karmic Rewards for having planted positive seeds and I wish the very same for ALL of my butterflies as well!

This is a rare occurrence, one that won't cycle around again for another 18 years.  Use this rare energy, let it be a spark that propels your life positively forward.

As for the phrase 'Blood Moon' Jonathan Cainer described it best by saying:

There is nothing sinister in this phrase, it merely suggests a time for outgrowing a fear.

Call to Action/Readers Sound Off:

Did you see the Blood Moon? Were you able to capture a photo of it? What are you hoping to change, release or embrace for this last half of the year?

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post. All opinions are 100% MY OWN. this post is NOT compensated. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

How has this Mercury Retrograde Wreaked Havoc on YOUR life so far?

Great Advice from Spiritual Spew - Practicing Patience and the art of 'non-reaction' is still something I am working on!

For those of you who are not clear what a Mercury Retrograde means, it is when the Planet Mercury slows down and appears to 'stop' (or station) and move 'backwards' (retrograde), this happens three to four times per year.

I found the graphic I used above via websearch on a blog called Spiritual Spew, you should check out the original article this photo is attributed to HERE. And no, I don't know her and this is NOT a sponsored post or plug in any way for anyone, just real talk.

They say during a Mercury Retrograde that you should NOT engage in any binding contracts (you are to postpone signing any contracts until after the Retrograde period is over), expect delays while travelling, don't buy electronic equipment or a new car, and do not go in surgery that is avoidable. You should also take caution while speaking (or in a writers case while writing) as your words may come out in a way you didn't intend them to. During this time period many people experience computer problems or phone lines going down. (This has definitely been happening to me!)

Interesting also to note, a lost idea or person can come back into your life, sometimes someone with a mysterious 'pull' on your psyche. We are to draw hope that this retro back in air signs (those born under the zodiac signs of Libra, Aquarius and Gemini) is allowing us to take a mental review of our mind and it's patterns and what conclusion we draw from our experiences. The positive of this particular retrograde is that it is supposed to be allowing us to see our past from a different angle or perspective.

Great Advice from the folks at Illuminating Souls!

I personally don't remember any retrograde period that I have seen referenced so much as I have this one. Apparently this one is hitting many hard.

For me so far, people from my past have in fact re-surfaced, people who were absolute back-stabbers and sneaky snakes who took way more from my time and energy than they ever added to it and I have refused to re-connect with any of them on any level.

At the end of the day a Mercury Retrograde is also considered a time of 'fated' events. I for one, feel very much like I am at a crossroads in my life. Personally, Professionally, and Spiritually. I feel this retrograde while almost nearing its completion, will reveal a lot more.

This is the last retro for 2014, a fact for which I for one am very much grateful! Take note of any major themes that occur for you during this retrograde period. If you are prone to keeping a journal, this time period will probably offer you some very interesting reads when you look back at this time in your life!

Butterflies how has this Mercury Retrograde Period affected your life? 

(and it is so sad I need to add this, but bible thumpers do NOT try to comment about the evils of astrology, I am just plain not the one, I moderate all comments and will not only delete them but I will block you also, no trolls allowed! Engagement and Conversation always welcome, negativity however is NOT!)

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.