July is here and the solar month of the Goat begins on Sunday, July 7 which will bring us to the final month of the fire season, and its conclusion will also complete the first half of the year. Time certainly is flying in Period 9, and this is a great month to pause and take stock of how the year is going so far and contemplate what you would like to focus on for the remainder of the year.
The theme of this Metal Goat month is communication as this pillar can represent electricity running through communication wires. As we are in Period 9, the age of fire and technology, electronic communication most definitely rules the day. Sending correspondence via pen and paper might be the norm on Bridgerton but no longer for us in this digital era of lightning speed connections. In fact you might say communication and connectivity is everything in this day and age. While we may be able to connect and communicate more quickly we are not necessarily communicating more effectively or clearly, so we run a much greater risk of being misunderstood or having our words misconstrued. It may be much easier to fire off a text but there still is no substitute for in-person connection which fosters greater understanding than a digital message ever could.
This month is an ideal time to focus on communication. How do you communicate, what methods or modalities are you using? How much do you communicate, would you benefit from more or less? Do you feel heard or understood, is there a better way for you to communicate? Are there important conversations you have been putting off? Is there something you really need to say to someone? Use this month to dial in and re-evaluate your modes of communication, take the initiative, and make adjustments where needed.
Communication goes both ways of course and we as a society are on the receiving end of a lot of communication from others, emails, media, marketing and more. This is also a great month to cut back on the noise and perhaps go on a communication diet. Getting still and quiet is a great way to communicate more clearly with yourself. Turn down the dial on the noise and turn up the volume on what your soul is saying to you.
The I Ching hexagram of this month is #6 called Contention or Litigation. This hexagram describes a situation in which disharmony has developed between two parties, it might even be a situation where the disagreement has progressed to the point of legal action. Of course there are situations where in-court litigation is necessary to settle a dispute, but the ancient texts advise that it is better to intervene before a situation becomes contentious or gets to the point of litigation if possible. As any lawyer will tell you most cases are solved through negotiation or mediation, and deescalation is usually best for everyone – except maybe the lawyer. In short, diplomacy and communication are the antidote to disagreements and this month that is exactly what is advised. When there is hurt or anger between two people good communication can go a long way to solving many if not most problems. This month lean in to those difficult conversations, get together and talk it out. Don’t leave things unsaid, share what is in your heart and be willing to really listen as well. It’s amazing what can happen when you get people into a room to really communicate – not only can contention be diffused but peace can also be created.
The second half of this spiritual Wood Dragon year I am excited to offer both in-person and online courses for greater self awareness and to help you understand others as well. Find out more below!
Kripalu Experience Program:
On-Campus July 26-29
Everyone has intuition. However, we seldom rely upon this superpower because we have not yet learned to trust our own knowing.
Join Kripalu faculty member Beth Grace, and intuitive reader Cynthia Papa-Lentini, for a program that guides you through the doorway of liminal space to cultivate your own awareness. Beth and Cynthia offer a nurturing environment so you can tune in and activate your intuitive skills—and confidently rely upon your own inner guidance system to navigate your life.
To Register Please visit: https://www.kripalu.org/presenters-programs/practical-magic-real-life-activating-your-intuition
Four Pillars of Destiny, Foundations in Chinese Astrology:Online: 4 Days over 2 Weekends: October 5-6 & October 19 -20
Everything we do in life involves human interaction, whether its friends, family, clients or co-workers. Join me to learn the ancient wisdom of 4 Pillars of Destiny also called BaZi Chinese Astrology, to gain insight into all of your interactions with others. 4 Pillars Chinese Astrology decoding is a critical skill for Feng Shui applications, Auspicious Date Selection, and an incredibly useful tool to understand others in any profession. This course will offer the foundation you need whether you want to use it personally or to become a professional astrologer. This course is also a pre-requisite for advanced 4 Pillars Astrology which will be offered in 2025!
For more information or to register please visit: https://bethgracefengshui.com/aaom/
or email me: beth@bethgraceconsulting.com