Shifts and Changes

“Sooner or later everything slips away, or we slip away from it…” –Joan Bunning, Learning the Tarot

I have gathered a great many insights from reading my Tarot each day.  The quote above, connecting to the 8 of Cups,  has stayed in my mind for a few years now.

Noticing when change is happening and adjusting where needed to bring about a peaceful existence.   Making a big change, because something is just not serving your purpose anymore, gives us all pause for reflection.  Then, knowing how to take care of ourselves in order to move through the inevitable change is so important.

In our lives, there comes a time (actually many times) when we notice a subtle shift in relationship, group activities and changes and in our own work or job.  There is less communication, more distraction a sort of restlessness.

Have you ever noticed this?

It is like the group as a whole –and you as a part of it-knows it’s time to move on, but it may take a while to work up to that final step.

Signs it might be time to make a change or shift from a current job, group or relationship:

1. Less communication-At this time, we may just begin to notice that the members of the group or the people in our relationships are not connecting as seamlessly as usual.  There are missed appointments, misunderstandings, common area of interest and topics are few and far between.
2. Distraction-Members of the group or partners are not as attentive, there may be more wistful time looking off and not focusing on the topic at hand.
3. Restlessness-The body language is fidgety, the other person or people (or you!) are fiddling with cell phones, or writing something, tapping feet during a conversations or meetings

Remembering that nothing is permanent we begin to realize that the past is gone.  What what was true is no longer true in the workings of the group or relationship.   The signs of change are right in front of us and we must accept them and recognize that it is time to move on.

How can we support ourselves while this is happening?  

1. Create your self-care routine now or if you have a routine in place, stick to it.  You will need its stability at times like these.  Even a few minutes at the start and end of each day that are just for your own self-care will be invaluable.
2. Take 15 minutes each day to do something that you love.  Put this into your schedule and hold it as sacred time!
3. Continue on with your healthy diet-stave off fatigue and mild melancholy by eating healthy food and drinking plenty of water.
4. Take a few minutes at the beginning and end of each day to meditate-find quiet time to go within and check in with your inner voice.
5. Touch the earth-center and ground yourself in nature.

It is important to have your self-care routine in place.  This will help you when you are just noticing the beginnings of change, you are in the middle of change or if you are ready to take that leap into change.

Consistency and inner practice give you the strength you will need for whenever these subtle or grand changes occur… and they will.  Sometimes you will be aware of when they are happening other times you may not.

However, if you have your plan in place to center yourself daily, you will be able to move through these life changes with ease.

Always know that the world is evolving.  Groups, relationships and work keep us moving on.  We can create a routine that will support our ability to be flexible as change occurs.  Remember to be gentle with yourself.    Create your routine of self-care.  Prepare yourself for the changes that will come.

Below is my image from the Mandala Magic course I am taking with Julie Gibbons.  Stage 10, The Gates of Death is represented in this session by the Kali Yantra.  Lots of vibrant energy was placed in this image as I pass into the unknown and have a container for the "changes" and mini-deaths that are occurring all around me each day.

What is the vessel you use to hold in the shifts and changes that are constantly happening in your life?