Grandmother Knight Consulting: Wisdom for Life's Transitions
Contact Connie Hill at gmnite@gmail.com
Connie's FaceBook Pages: Connie or Money Stories or Grandmother Knight Consulting
Contact Connie Hill at gmnite@gmail.com
Connie's FaceBook Pages: Connie or Money Stories or Grandmother Knight Consulting
|
December 31, 2010 Thinking Back Over The Last Two Years!
Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way. - Edward de Bono Hi Friends At the end of each year I have a personal ritual I perform for and by myself. I spend time either on New Years Eve or New Years Day thinking back over the past year. What was the theme of the past year? What did I accomplish, and what did I want to accomplish that I didn't? I was planning to do the same thing this year. Then, I read an email from Jennifer Louden, suggesting we look back two years instead of one. What an interesting idea. Two years actually allows a person to see different things than one might see looking back just one year. At first, I wasn't sure I could remember back that far. But when I started thinking about it, I realized that I remembered much more than I had thought I would. Maybe that's because it has been two years of enormous change for me. But maybe it's because two years is not so difficult as we might think. For me, two years ago I started thinking about retiring and ended up leaving a company I'd worked at for 15 years. I began leading drumming circles and teaching astrology and have been finding myself in ways I never imagined I would. And some things I was positive I'd do after retiring, I've barely thought about. So what have I learned about myself? I'll look at that tonight and tomorrow. Can't wait to see what I find out! If you are interested in making a change in the way you end/ begin the year maybe you will join me and look back over your past two years instead of just one. Let me know what you discover. Happy New Years. May 2011 be a great year for each of you, and may our understanding of ourselves grow as we walk our paths. Connie November 3, 2010 Embracing the Darkness At night make me one with the darkness In the morning make me one with the light. Wendell Berry, Earth Prayers Hi Friends I can't help but notice that the sun is going down earlier and when I get up really early, it's still dark. Doesn't this make you want to hibernate or at least stay in bed longer in the morning? At this time of the year, I think and often hear from others, discomfort about the onset of winter and how dark it gets and how little light we see. On planet Earth we have day and night, and winter and summer. Both are really important. We need the rest we get, preferably when the sun is not visible. Our planet, as well as each of us, needs the rest and the death/decay cycle we get during winter so we can experience the rebirth of spring. I remember when I was younger I thought it was a good thing not to feel anger, sadness or unhappiness. But what really happened was that I stopped feeling anything. I had to feel some of the less than happy emotions to be able to feel the happy ones. Light and dark are feel the same to me. Dark is not bad, it's just the other side of light and is as necessary as light. This coming Sunday we will experience more darkness in the form of the end of Daylight Savings Time. Every year I bemoan the loss of light at this time of year and it takes several days to weeks to get comfortable with this change. This year I plan to do something about it. Sunday I'm planning a personal ceremony to welcome back Standard Time. Maybe I'll light some candles, do some writing or other creative work and cook a special healthy, nurturing meal for myself. I want to do things that help me feel comforted and help me embrace and honor this annual time change that always feels difficult. I invite each of you to join me in your own ceremony on Sunday to embrace the darkness. It can be as simple as a moment of silence to a full blown ceremony. May our understanding of the power in darkness increase as we walk on our paths. Connie October 2, 2010 Appreciating Your Own Astrology Openness doesn't come from resisting our fears but from getting to know them well. Pema Chodron, Comfortable with Uncertainty Hi Friends This week I spent time with my friend, Anakule. I love talking with her because she always gives me something new to think about. She told me that as she has gotten older she's grown to love and appreciate her astrological chart. Earlier in her life there were parts that she was uncomfortable with, but now, not only does she love her chart, she loves herself! As we talked I realized that I feel the same way. When I was younger I didn't like my Virgo ascendant. Astrology books seemed to focus on Virgo being overly critical, nit-picky and conventional. Now, I see that Virgo rising part of me with different eyes. It does encourages me to worry a bit, but on the other hand it tones down my often wanna-be outrageous Aquarius Sun, softens the wanderlust of my Sagittarius Moon and makes me practical, thoughtful and organized. As well, I like my oppositions that can pull me between two ideas or directions and make decision difficult. But these oppositions also help me see both sides of situations. And at this time in my life I seem to come from the middle point of the oppositions rather than the opposing ends. Right now my chart is being activated by some major aspects that are increasing my natural inclination to worry. But these aspects are also helping me see more clearly some of the things I worry about and to eliminate the pow Do you want to understand and appreciate yourself better? Are you struggling right now? Or do you want change in your life? Maybe a reading could help. See the strengths in your chart. And if issues or worries are grabbing your attention a reading could help you see these from a different, clearer perspective. Email me if I can help you or if you have questions. And astrology readings make great gifts. May Spirit be with all of us on our paths. Connie July 28, 2010 Eating and Praying and Watching Movies on the Path Simply pushing harder within the old boundaries will not do. Karl Weick, Author Hi Friends How is your summer going? How has the astrology of the summer affected you? I finally finished reading the book Eat, Pray, Love. Everyone, including Oprah, had already read this book and had told me what I was missing. Usually, I'm put off by too many people loving something and raving about it. Several times since the book came out I've tried to read it but have not been able to get beyond the first few chapters. But I LOVE movies and the movie version will be out in the next few weeks. So, I decided it was time for me to read Eat, Pray, Love before the movie is out. So last week I got out my copy an did just that. Now that I've read the book I see that the first chapters are just "too close." I, also, get wimpy and whiny when life gets unpredictible and I have to surrender (as if I'm ever in control!). And eating has helped me through some big unpredictibilities. But, since I have a mild case of gluten sensitivity pizza and pasta are rarely my pick, salad rolls and Pad Thai, tacos or chocolate are. My favorite part was the "pray section." In this part Liz spends time at her guru's ashram. She goes in wimpy and ends up finding herself while cleaning the temple floor and hosting visitors. Funny how mundane work can often bring powerful insights. Since I'm on my own personal quest it felt comforting. I'm not heading off to India, but I'm finding a meditative quality in drumming and leading drumming circles. I'm also finding a new sense of spirit, when I'm teaching, and loving it. So what is happening for you? What have you done this summer that has changed your life or direction? 1. Are you more present? or opening to a new sense of spirituality? or are you perhaps wanting to add more fun? 2. Be sure to look at what is already around you. Sometimes, what we want to manifest is already there but we're just not seeing it because of our expectations. 3. What are the symbols that have "fallen" off the shelf into your life? What books are you reading or movies are you watching or what creativite projects are calling you? I'd love to hear what you find and what is manifesting in your life. May you easily manifest what you need to find the next step on your journey. May Spirit be with you on your path. Connie PS. And if you'd like to see how current astrology is impacting you personally, email me and we can set-up a time for a reading. Refer someone who gets a reading and receive $25 off a personal reading for you. Refer five people and get your reading free! See coupon at the bottom of this email. |
June 30, 2010 Lunar Eclipse Energy
We regard disappointment, embarrassment, irritation, jealousy, and fear as moments that show us where we're holding back, how we're shutting down. Such uncomfortable feelings are messages that tell us to perk up and lean into a situation when we'd rather cave in and back away. Pema Chodron, from Comfortable With Uncertainty Dear Friends Well, we just had our first of the two summer eclipses. This one a Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn. I'm seeing first hand what Capricorn energy is about: diligence, focus, and work, work, work. I spent some time today out in the yard doing yard work, using muscles that are way underused. I forgot that one of the things Capricorn rules is overworking! Capricorn scares me a little. It's not happy or fun-loving. It tends towards hard work and being tired from the hard work. But, it's also about manifesting by looking closely at what's always been there and now can be useful. Though Capricorn tends toward age this aspect has a "newness" about it and it helps us "Vision" the future into being. I've spent the last week working on my vision. When I used this techniques a number of years ago I was getting ready to move to the beach. I wrote about the house I would live in, the view from the front window, how it all felt, and a day in my life. Amazingly, when I found my first apartment, I opened the front curtains and the view I had written about was there! The apartment had a cabin like feeling which is what I had asked for in my writing. What do you want in your life? Maybe it's time to use this Capricorn energy to help you focus. * Make a list of what you want. * Be really descriptive and colorful as you list each item. * See yourself having that item in your hands. How does it smell or how it feels when you touch it. *Write about how it feel to have this/these things. My present list has 11 items on it. Now comes the time of writing them into being. Let me know how this process goes for you. I know this is a great time for me to do this process because the eclipse was less than a degree from my Saturn. It makes me work for what I want, but also have to the focus and diligence I need. I wish that both you and I get everything on our vision lists. May this time of power bring the next step on your journey. And may Spirit be with you on your path. Connie PS. And if you'd like to see how these eclipses are impacting you personally, email me and we can set-up a time for a reading. Refer someone who gets a reading and receive $25 off a personal reading for you. Refer five people and get your reading free! See the coupon at the bottom of this email. May 31, 2010 Lunar Eclipse/Full Moon on June 26... Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. Quote from Helen Keller Dear Friends On June 26th there will be a lunar eclipse. It's the first lunar eclipse this year (the second will be on the winter solstice in December). For those of you who are wondering, a lunar eclipse is a much more powerful full moon. My first astrology teacher always said an eclipse magnifies the power of a full or new moon by 100. Full moons tend to be intense times, so expect extremes, passion, force, hysteria and intolerance (especially on TV news!). Also, this can be a time to manifest powerful and positive changes in your life. I always think of full moons/lunar eclipses as a time to let go. But it's more than that. It's also about creating the space for something new to come into our lives. So, from the intense side, this Capricorn eclipse might bring pessimism, fears about security, a wish/need to contract in all areas. But, from the power side, you might also realize that you are responsible for your life and you might begin to take steps toward ambitions you've had for a life time. Capricorn and Saturn aspects are great for manifesting. Capricorn does not bring a quick fix, but with diligence it's energy can be steady, and like the tortoise, a winner. I'm spending time with a friend a couple of days before the eclipse. We will be doing some ceremony to encourage and invite new energies into our lives. If you are interested in tapping the eclipse energy I'll be leading a drumming circle at New Renaissance Bookshop on July 26th. Drumming is a fabulous full moon and eclipse endeavor which can help lighten and clear out lots of unnecessary stuff! Please join me at 7 pm; call 503-224-4929 to hold your space. Bring a drum or rattle if you have one. May this time of power bring out the next step on your journey. And may Spirit be with you on your path. Connie May 3, 2010 One More Week of Mercury Retrograde! There's no sin in failing. The sin is never trying. Quote from Paula Dean on Oprah Dear Friends So how has this Mercury retrograde been for you? I've had many people say they have been impacted by weirdness. Things not moving as they should, the hurry up and waits, loosing things, obstacles keeping them from doing what needed to get done, leaving things home that were needed, saying the wrong thing, sending emails to the wrong person... I've had most of these things happen to/for me in the past few weeks. But I have found that I've accomplished many of the things that are easier during Mercury retrograde: reviewing, revising, reconsidering, checking facts, repairing, taking care of tasks I've been postponing and especially revisiting the past. We have one more week to breathe deeply and do the"re" things best done when Mercury is retrograde. Next week we'll be back and ready to begin new things, buy something big (I wish), sign contracts and expect things to go smoothly. I hope you'll spend the next week with me resting and getting ready for the push forward beginning May 11. May Spirit be with you and me on our path. Connie March 28, 2010 Embracing What Makes Us Uncomfortable When an old culture is dying, the new culture is created by those people who are not afraid to be insecure. Quote by Rudolph Bahro from Practicing Peace in Times of War by Pema Chodron Dear Friends Do you ever find yourself feeling insecure? I do. Lots. I always think I should be able to be calm and not bothered by what is going on around me, and sometimes it's not even apparent what is causing the insecurity. It seems that at least a time or two each month I find myself flailing around trying to not feel the feelings of discomfort that show themselves to me with this "disorder!" (Right now I have lots on my plate: classes, circles, work, getting ready for two trips, needing to rest...) At these times my shoulders and neck get tense. I want to order all parts of my life (and of course nothing can be ordered at these times!). I want to be able to know what's coming next. I want to be able to predict the unpredictible. I crave calm. And at these times things just don't fit nicely into peace, calm and predictability. Last night I started listening to a set of CD's of a 6-week course taught by Pema Chodron. First, I never knew she was so funny! Second, she talks about compassion and love and how many of us don't know what love is except the Hollywood kind that wants something and shuts others out. She talks about how one way of thinking about love is that caring feeling many have for their pets or babies. Listening to Pema talk helps me, for a few minutes, forget about the insecurity I'm feeling. And for just a bit I am calm and peaceful. Isn't it amazing how that works? I know that allowing the insecurity to be there and just being with it is important. To be a change maker one has to be comfortable with insecurity. Sometimes I can be with it and sometimes I just can't. And according to Pema the best place to be is accepting whatever is happening. I'm working on it. Wish me luck. And may Spirit be with you and me on our paths. Connie February 24 2010 What We Do Best We are often blind to the things we ourselves are best at doing in life. It is not that we're overly modest or that we have a self-esteem issue or that we don't want to draw attention to ourselves by owning our accomplishments or skills; it's more a matter of taking what we do for granted. It's just something we do... From Write Starts by Hal Zina Bennett Dear Friends My long-time friend, Hal Zina Bennett, sent me a copy of his new book Write Starts and when I first flipped through, the chapter that opened to me was Chapter 4, You Do It So Well. I used part of that chapter at a ceremony I had for my birthday (and a friend's) last weekend. At the end of the ceremony one person who attended asked me what I do best. I can't remember what I said, but I have been asking myself that question all week. What is so easy for me that I take it for granted? Some of my first thoughts were mother, astrologer, writer, organizer. All of those are things I do and some I do better than others. But what finally came to me that is one of the things I do best is teacher. Not teacher in a conventional way, but almost everything I do involves teaching. This process of looking at what I do best was quite an eye-opener. And very rewarding. I also realized that teaching is one thing I want to continue and encourage in my life. What do you do best in your life? You might spend some time thinking about how you'd answer this question. But know that it's not necessarily the first things that comes to mind. You usually have to distill it down, look at each point that comes up and see what's "underneath" that. And if you're like me that exploration and realization will help you move to your next step. May you enjoy the process and your discoveries. And may Spirit be with you on your path. Connie January 31 2010 Busy, Busy January Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion. Thich Nhat Hanh Hi Friends Has your January been as busy as mine has? I'm used to the first month of the year being quiet and full of time for being internal and thinking of what the new year will be about. This January has been so utterly busy, and tremendously good. I've taught several classes, have read several people's astrology for them and have new work that I'm doing. In past years I've liked spending lots of January time alone. But I'm finding that lots of wonderful people have come into my life in the last six months and I'm having so much fun doing my work. Thanks all of you who have been coming to my classes and coming to me for readings. And I especially want to thank those who are coming to the full moon drumming circles. In these drumming circles we drum to heal ourselves and to send out energy to people we know who want healing. We also drum to help heal the planet. If you know anyone who needs healing energy sent their way, please feel free to email me with your request and we will drum for them. And please join us if you can. You'll find the drumming circles are really magical. May spirit be with you on your path. Take care Connie |
