FOR A NEW BEGINNING
by John O’Donohue
In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.
For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.
It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.
Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.
Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life’s desire.
Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.
For me, few words so eloquently capture the feeling of new beginnings as this poem by John O’Donohue. The question to ask this month as we embark on a new energetic year is, what beginning quietly forming in you is ready now to emerge?
This is a 7 year numerologically, a year of transformation and alchemy, a year of spiritual growth and cultivation. What are you willing to risk to allow yourself to unfurl and what new adventures await you in the rhythm of this new year?
Lunar New Year celebrations are now winding down and we enter the Solar New Year called the Li Chun or Coming of Spring on February 4. This date marks a cross quarter in the solar year, the mid point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox. A moment in the solar wheel of the year marked in many traditions, most notably as Imbolc in the Celtic wheel of the year.
Once upon a time the Chinese celebrated the new year at the winter solstice but celebrating it now in the season called the Coming of Spring feels appropriate as it is the time where new life begins anew. Animal babies are born and tiny sprouts and shoots begin to unfurl, and most gratefully the sun lasts a little bit longer each day.
This Wood Tiger month brings us the image of a mighty tree, like the Oak which is king of the forest. As this is a highly spiritual year the image of this pillar that best exemplifies this month’s energy is of the Oak being struck by lightning. Heavenly fire coming to Earth bringing the power of change and transformation, a highly spiritual metaphor. Lighning as a catalyst for growth is an important one in both Daoist and Celtic beliefs, a universal symbol of sudden illumination which necessitates radical change and generates new life. The power of heaven to catalyze change here on Earth.
As we start this new month and year with a bang so to speak. May divine illumination awaken your spirit to adventure and the path to travel a new path of gratitude that opens before you this year.
The hexagram for this month is #63 Accomplished, the penultimate hexagram of the I Ching. In this hexagram all lines are auspicious and in their correct positions. All is accomplished, everything is done, there is no more left to do. When a situation has reached its conclusion and all events have transpired there is really nothing left to do but to embark on something new. This hexagram reminds us that endings are always followed by new beginnings. When one phase of life is accomplished it is time for us to continue growing into new opportunities, new relationships, new projects and new adventures. Like this month, this hexagram heralds the threshold of the new, the world awaits, so hold nothing back!
PERSONALIZED ANNUAL FENG SHUI & ASTROLOGY SESSIONS
The end of the year is an ideal time to begin preparing for the new year and I am pleased to begin scheduling personalized, one-on-one sessions for those who have previously had an astrology reading or Feng Shui analysis who wish to find out how next year will impact your life and how to optimize your spaces. To book a session directly please visit the link below or email me for more information.
http:// https://app.squarespacescheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=24963388
WORKSHOP: FENG SHUI & ASTROLOGY FOR THE WATER RABBIT YEAR!
If you missed our January session there is one more opportunity for you to join me for a reprisal of my annual workshop. Saturday, February 11, 2023, 9 – 11 am EST live via Zoom we will kick off the New Year to see what the Water Rabbit year has in store for the world at large and how to make the most of the new year energy in both your space and in your life. To register please visit: https://app.squarespacescheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=24963388&appointmentType=29379834
SCOTLAND RETREAT!
You are cordially invited to a sacred journey to the Isle of Skye in Scotland June 25 – July 1. Special New Year Offer is still available, bring a friend and receive $700 off! Space is limited and we must have all registrations in soon so be sure to reserve your spot on this magical adventure as soon as possible!
For an itinerary and more information please visit my web page:
https://bethgracefengshui.com/retreats/ or email me at beth@bethgraceconsulting.com
