It’s never really about a dollar amount, but about the energetic exchange. For example, let's say a client doesn't show up to her appointment with me. The question lingers: should I charge her, even if I know she might have limited funds? Some might say it is compassionate to do so — I can give her a warning, even though she was previously made aware of the cancellation policy. However, if I allow it to slide, she may believe I don't respect my own time, so why should she? Plus, what lesson am I offering her about respect and manners, not to mention her own worth?  Won't the message be that it is okay for people not to show up in life in general? Letting her “slide” might certainly allow me to feel like I am easy going, but what will it suggest about our own personal values and worth?

As a result, I have taken a few action steps I want to share with you that have helped me increase my own value: 

I make sure my wallet is orderly and I always know how much is in it.
• I am aware of how much I owe out each month.
• I pay people what they are worth, so I can easily expect the same from them.
• I honor everyone who helps to move me through the world: from the person who delivers our laundry, to my dentist, to the Reflections staff, etc.. I need them to know they are important and that helps me to understand how important I am to others.
• Last but not least, I make sure that all my exchanges feel good. They need to be honest and come from a high place of integrity. I don’t eat in places that feel bad, I don’t use the services of the people who feel "off" – remember, you get what you pay for! If something seems below value, it is. If it seems above value, it is. Both exchanges will bring you trouble down the line.

by Shirley Kali Johnson

"There are moments in moist love when heaven is jealous of what we on earth can do." -Hafiz

The month of May is ruled primarily by Taurus.  Taurus is the 2nd sign of the Zodiac and is represented by the Bull and is associated with the planet of Venus.  The identity of Taurus is, "I have" because Taurus is concerned with the earthly world. Taurean energy reminds and encourages to accept being human and of the world.

In a world where the news is more concerned with news that invokes fear, we have the energy of Taurus to remind us of all of the beautiful and delicious experiences we get to have as humans.  When constantly infused with fear, quite often humans begin to paralyze themselves.  We stop seeing the beautiful colors of flowers, we stop hearing the melodies of rain, birds and the ocean, we stop enjoying the tastes of our favorite delicacies, and we stop taking delight in the touch of another's skin touching our own skin.  When we paralyze ourselves because of fear, we stop feeling.  In fact we shut down out ability to feel and to let our senses be stimulated.

This month it is time to feel everything and find delight in it.  Take a break from worrying and avoiding life, and go out and take pleasure in it.  Find pleasure in each day – even in the smallest way.  Despite what much of modern media should have you believe, life is indeed very sweet and all it wants is for you to enjoy the sweetness.

Note: Planet Venus moves retrograde from May 15 – June 27, 2012 through the sign of Gemini.  These days for all signs may trigger challenges with beauty and looks, and is sometimes a period where astrologers advise folks to not do any drastic beauty or hair treatments or changes.  Additionally this may bring previous lovers or partners back into your life where you will receive closure 

Taurus:  It's the time when the Sun is in your sun sign, and just like the Sun, it is your time to SHINE!  Hold nothing back.  As you move forward through another solar cycle, get clear about what you want to represent in the world.  What do you want people to be attracted to within you?  Beauty?  Compassion?  Sense of adventure?  Now reflect on if you have been in fact being the person and energy that your heart and soul desires you to be.  Let this month be a time to experiment and be free.  Be who you were born to be.  There is no more time to play a small role in the play if you want to be the lead.  Audition for the lead role with confidence.  Jupiter, planet of optimism, internationalism and abundance, will align with the Sun in your first house giving you an EXTRA birthday brilliance and wish.  Wish big!

Gemini: May is a special month for you as well.  On May 20, we have the New Moon and Solar Eclipse in your sign of Gemini!  The Solar Eclipse will super charge the New Moon's energy in Gemini and give an extra streak of energy and life force to your life.  Most likely you are known for you ability to communicate, socialize, express yourself with charm and wit, and learn quickly.  You may find with the Solar Eclipse that these qualities are enhanced.  You may be more inspired, more witty, and more charming than ever.  Use the energy of this new moon for inspiration to commit to some new intentions and habits you would like to grow over the summer.

Cancer: The full moon in Scorpio on May 5 falls in your 5th house – house of creativity and self expression.  You may be experiencing an ending or a new cycle starting around this Full Moon time.  It might be a bit of a dramatic ending or beginning, but it will clear up the space in your mind to truly express yourself honestly and as the best version of yourself.  What have you been hiding from yourself?  Is there an area of your life that you refuse to talk about or expose?  Remember that exposing a wound allows it to heal, but keeping it covered and bandaged does not allow the wound to breathe and fully heal.  It is time to expose the wound(s) and learn to love yourself with these wounds.

Leo: The Sun and Jupiter are lined up in your 10th house for most of the month giving extra luck and perhaps some international influence on your career.  The 10th house is the house that rules your career, not your day to day work, but your career – what you aspire to do.  Jupiter is the biggest planet in the solar system, and with its presence in your 10th house, there is a possibility of good fotune regarding this area of your life.  Perhaps you may meet someone who wants to help you get where you are going or has a way to connect you to your dream job.  Stay optimistic and remember that everyone you meet is a potential friend!

Virgo: This month you have Mars going direct the whole month in your first house.  With Mars previously retrograding through Virgo during the bginning of 2012, you may have felt it was hard to get things started or to rev up your passion.  Now that it is direct again, you have an extra source of fire to ignite your dreams and personality.  Let your passion out in everything you do.  This may also be a great time to start a new and energizing workout routine or a diet that is going to give you more energy rather than make you feel sluggish.  Mars is the planet of passion, action and war.  It's energy is in motion, so you will need more stamina to be present in all the places that Mars wants to take you to.  Enjoy the ride.

Libra:  This month the Full Moon in Scorpio lands in your 2nd house of self worth and income.  This month it would be advantageous to seek some time to talk with a therapist, counselor, healer and release any of the frustration that you have around your self confidence and/or anything that makes you feel insecure and unsure around deserving money and income.  The Full Moon is helping to bring up some of these insecurities and emotions.  You might feel even somewhat sad around the Full Moon, but this is the celestial way of assisting you in releasing.  Nothing can be released to the ethers until you are aware that it is there.  You cannot release something that you in denial about.  This month, face the demons that you deny, and notice that they will shrink in their size.

Scorpio: Good news in the partnership area of your life.  This month you have Jupiter, planet of optimism, fortune and internationalism in your house of partnerships, relationships, and marriage.  If you are thinking what I am thinking, this could be a great month of meeting someone whom you will start a loving romantic relationship or business partnership.  It might even be someone from a different country, and also potentially someone tall or at least with  big presence!  Because this is going on in Taurus, please do not try to rush things.  You have to be patient with Taurus energy, trust that it will unfold things beautifully, but don't push at trying to make things happen in this relationship, know that it is there.

Sagittarius: Use the energy of the New Moon and Solar Eclipse of Gemini on May 20 to revive and begin to think about new business opportunities and partners regarding writing, publishing, teaching, and anything around community.  This New Moon and Solar Eclipse will most likely end some relationships (business, romantic, or other), but also encourage you to get clear about the kind of partnership that you want.  This time, choose the kind of situation that works for YOU!  No need to pick a circumstance that is convenient for others or because you want to help someone out.  Put yourself and your needs first.

Capricorn: This month starts with the Sun and Jupiter both in your house of expression and creativity.  If you have been working on anything related to art, theater or children, this can be a powerful month for taking a big step towards something that you have been working on for awhile.  Jupiter represents fortune, optimism and abundance.  Having this planet in the 5th house symbolizes largeness and suggests a large accomplishment or a goal that has large significance to you.  It is all happening for you, even if you cannot see it, be optimistic, and keeping working towards those goals.

Aquarius: The Full Moon in Scorpio occurs in your 10th house this month on May 5.  Scorpio is the sign of transformation and the cycle of life including birth and death.  The 10th house is the house of career and reputation.  This month's full moon may challenge you to let of some of the attachment that you have around a certain reputation or career title.  You may be thinking that this is the best that you can "have", but in fact there may be something else that wants to come through you.  A job may end or perhaps you may come to terms that the dream that you had about what you want is not truly what your soul wants.  Applaud the courage it takes to change directions and live from the soul.

Pisces: Mars, planet of passion, fire, and war is moving direct in your 7th house, after retrograding over the last few earlier months of 2012.  With Mars moving direct through Virgo in your 7th house, you may notice that your dating life starts to rev up a little more.  Be clear about what you want.  Use the energy of Virgo to get clear and specific about what you want.  You may think that the reason that things have not been "working" for you in this area of your life previously is due to something physical, but it is actually all connected to your clarity and sending a clear signal to the Universe.  Be real with the Universe, and the Universe will be real with you.

Aries: With the month starting with the Sun and Jupiter and your 2nd house of self worth and income it would serve you to know that this month you could potentially expect some extra income come your way.  At the same time income is a reflection of your own self worth.  So, notice how much extra income comes to you and think about what you believe you deserve.  Do you believe that you deserve more money from the Universe or do you believe that only once you get another degree, weigh a certain amount, or have a certain kind of partner that you will be worthy?  This month is a powerful month to look at some of these limiting beliefs that you let control your life in some ways.  At any point you have the choice to stop believing them, will you stop now?

By Donation New Moon Call and Meditation.  This month, the New Moon falls into the sign of Gemini.  Gemini rules communication, learning, teaching, being a student and communities.  Taurus represents Mother Earth, practicality, grounding and sensuality.  Join me for a teleconference on May 20, 2012 to learn more about the energy of Gemini, how to use the New Moon, and for some meditation and journaling.  For more information, email info@soulisticwellness.com.

Shirley Kali Johnson, native New Yorker and Los Angeles-based, is a student of metaphysics. She has been studying astrology since the tender age of 5 years old and is thankful to share her love for the celestial bodies. She is available for Astrology Counseling, Reiki Healing, and Yoga.  For more info or to join her mailing list, please go to www.soulisticwellness.com

As Passover and Easter find alignment on the same weekend  I had a moment of pause: why do we think we are different at all? I have spent a good bit of time at the tables of many different cultures. In each home we break bread, talk about life, work, children and God. This is true no matter where I  visit.

 This week I will sit at a Passover Seder and our Muslim friends will have brunch with us for Easter. I'm excited to celebrate the cultural differences and chuckle as we all complain about paying too much in taxes.  Yoga shows us so tenderly that though there are many paths, there is but one truth. As this is my truth, while my Jewish friends celebrate the pilgrimage to the Temple of Jerusalem and my Catholic friends celebrate a spiritual rebirth, I will marvel at the tapestry that  weaves us all together. 

Happy Holiday!!

April is here, and it feels like just yesterday was January 1, 2012 and we were reflecting on 2011.  So how is 2012 going?  Is it everything you were hoping for?  Is it as full of potential as you thought it would be in the beginning of the year?

We start off April with the Sun in Aries.  In fact most of April is full of Aries Sun energy.  Mercury retrograde finishes up on April 4, and Mercury landing in Pisces and then will move into Aries through the month of April.  Of course we have Uranus in Aries.  And Mars (the ruling planet of Aries) completes its retrograde on April 13th.  While the beginning of April may feel like stop and go for some of us, but April 13th, we have completed 2 big retrogrades and should be ready to let ourselves get lost in the passion that is Aries.  Aries is the first sign of the Zodiac and it's key words are beginnings, childlike, passion, lust, fire, and courage!  This month, ask yourself where you could use an extra dosage of passion and courage in your life.  Your courage is a statement of confidence and trust.  Courage speaks to the Universe and it says, "Bring it on!"  Desire requires courage to make it a reality.  Step into your courage and do something you have never ever done before this month!

Remember to read the horoscope for both your Sun + Rising Signs!  

Aries: Who do you want to be?  This month you are shaping your identity for the next 12 months.  The actions that you take this month will echo throughout for the upcoming year.  If you want to be fearless, take risks, if you want to be athletic, start working out.  You can be anything you want to be!  In fact, you already are everything you want to be, you must just realize it.  Let your actions reflect your highest desires!

Taurus: It's time to come out of the attic you have locked yourself in.  You may have been wallowing in your woes and fears.  We all have them, you are not alone.  Everyone has their issues, and it is when we share these issues and still come down to the dinner table even with our challenges that our wounds can heal.  Celebrate!  You have so much to contribute to the communities you belong to.

Gemini:  This is a great month for friendship – reconnecting with old friends and making new ones.  It may seem that you are always meeting new people.  You are a Gemini, so it is expected, but this month you are connecting on a deeper level with people and communities.  This is also an awesome month to start volunteering or rallying around a cause you believe in.  Put those communication skills into action for the people!

Cancer: It's time to do some meditating and reflecting on your career.  Perhaps you have lost focus with what it is that you actually love to do and give to the world.  Sometimes money, status, and titles can get in the way and make us forget what it is that we actually love doing.  What if there was not money at all involved in what you are doing, would you still be doing it?

Leo:  Mars goes direct in your 2nd house on April 13.  This is good news for your bank account and you may notice new opportunities coming up for work that could make things easier for you.  Simplify your life.  Not in the sense of giving away all of your stuff, but work smarter, not harder, so that you can enjoy some leisure and fun mixed in with the work and school.

Virgo: Let the Aries energy ignite your life Virgo.  LET GO!  You have been due for big transformations, but you are fearing them.  Get your courage up!  Pay attention to your solar plexus area – do breath of fire, hit the gym, do things that get your adrenaline up.  Use that adrenaline to fuel your courage.  Feel the fear and do it anyway.  You will feel lighter after some of those things, conversations, situations, jobs, etc have been released.

Libra: This month's Aries sun is in opposition to your natal Libra sun.  This is a time to comb through all the relationship kinks you have been having.  Perhaps you find yourself compromising parts of you for the sake of a relationship, and it is time to stop the compromising.  As you accept yourself for who you are, you will find that others do also.  Compromise is an area that you are pretty familiar with, become familiar with being yourself authentically.

Scorpio: How have you been letting a certain routine hold you back?  In life, routine can ground us, and it can also ground us so much that we become almost paralyzed by the routine and frightened to not be in certain routines.  This month, spice things up and take a break from your daily routines.  Spend time with new people, do things without any rational reason, and open up to new ways of taking care of yourself.

Sagittarius:  This is a great month to spend time with children.  As you spend time with youth, you spend time with your own inner child and are reminded of the essence of who you are.  Indeed in life, we change.  We grow, we shrink, we gain and we lose, but in essence we stay the same.  What is your essence?  What has been living within you since being a child that you are ready to share and show to the world?

Capricorn:  With Mars moving direct again in your house of higher learning and expansion, this is a great time to brainstorm applying to a new learning program and/or studying abroad or getting into business with international people.  Perhaps this may even change where you live and send you on a journey for a new home or living situation.  Get lost in wanderlust and expansion.

Aquarius: This month is a great time to reconnect with your immediate community.  You have so many ideas and you have a lot of knowledge that can benefit others.  Why shy away from leadership?  There are so many communities that you belong to that desire your wisdom.  Now is the time to release any fears of making mistakes and stepping up into the spotlights and into action for your beliefs and community.

Pisces:  The most powerful thing you can do in your life is to love yourself.  Whether you feel ways about your relationship, your jobs or any other areas, the solution to any of your problems is to love yourself unconditionally.  Take a moment each day to affirm your love and to match your actions and surroundings to the love that you have for yourself and the love that you are.

By Donation New Moon Call and Meditation.  This month, the New Moon falls into the sign of Taurus.  Taurus represents Mother Earth, practicality, grounding and sensuality.  Join me for a teleconference on April 21, 2012 to learn more about the energy of Taurus, how to use the New Moon, and for some meditation and journaling.  For more information, click HERE.

Shirley Kali Johnson, native New Yorker and Los Angeles-based, is a student of metaphysics. She has been studying astrology since the tender age of 5 years old and is thankful to share her love for the celestial bodies. She is available for Astrology Counseling, Reiki Healing, and Yoga.  For more info or to join her mailing list, please go to www.soulisticwellness.com

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up 
like a raisin in the sun? 
Or fester like a sore– 
And then run? 
Does it stink like rotten meat? 
Or crust and sugar over– 
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags 
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
-Langston Hughes

We enter March with the Sun in the sign of Pisces.  Pisces is the ruler of intuition, charity, healing (and places where healing takes place), and dreams.  I learned that dreams had a special place in life as a child.  My mother kept a dream journal and in the morning would write her dreams, and would also record me and my younger brother’s dreams.  My mother created a space each morning to discuss dreams from the time I was a child, but somewhere around high school, I lost touch with my dreams.  It was at this same time that I was engulfed by academics and the confusion of being a teenager and trying so hard to fit in, to be liked, and to feel worthy. 

When we are in a constant state of trying to be a certain way, we lose sight that we are already Divine just as we are, and there is nothing to try to be or do.  Our dreams remind us of our Divinity.  Our dreams remind us of the force that is beyond what we may see within our physical reality, it reminds us of the many possibilities that already exist, even if we cannot see them.

This month, let us remind ourselves of our precious dreamworld – both the dreamworld we enter during slumber, and the dreamworld that holds our deepest passions and yearnings to express ourself. 

Pisces: We start off March with the Sun and Neptune in your first house.  Neptune is the natural ruling planet of Pisces, adding another layer of sensitivity to your personality.  This is the time to trust your intuition, even if this has been a challenge of the past.  Now is the time to address this, and to create space to be intuition-led.  You have all the answers within you.

Aries: With Mercury moving retrograde within your first house of ego an personality on March 12, the beginning of the month may feel like a test on your ego, and you might even feel slightly more irritable than usual.  You are not your ego, don’t take it personally.

Taurus: Venus moves into Taurus on March 5, where it will stay for about a month.  This means that March could be the kind of month that you as a Taurus dream of – full of harmony, beauty, and romance – even amidst the Mercury retrograde. Give thanks daily for your blessings.

Gemini: With planet Neptune in your 10th house of career and work, this is a good time to reflect on what you have dreamt of doing with your life.  Perhaps you might even find that you are living your dreams.  If you are unfulfilled within your work life, begin to create a new dream or revise the current dream to take into account all that you have learned over the last couple of years.

Cancer: Mercury retrogrades through your 10th house of career and professional aspects beginning on March 12.  This retrograde may feel like everything is moving backwards or like you are not making any progress in this area of your life.  Instead of getting stressed, use this time as retreat and relaxation.  Head to the spa, practice yoga, read all those books you have been wanting to read.  Let yourself.

Leo: With Neptune and the Sun in your 8th house of transformation this month, this month is a powerful one to step deeply into all the areas of your life that scare you or that carry stigma around them.  Bring light to the dark areas, rather than pretend that they are not dark.  Thank the people who help to bring you into the places that scare you.

Virgo: You may find that relationships with partners are taking up a lot of time in your energy and may even be quite emotional – perhaps eliciting emotion from you or for your partner.  Be present within the emotions, and share them – this is a powerful tool in creating intimacy and trust with your partners.

Libra: Starting on March 12, Mercury begins to move retrograde through your 7th house, the house of relationships.  You may find that your focus in moving more internal to yourself from outward.  This month, make the time to listen to your needs and say yes to yourself before saying yes to anyone else.

Scorpio: This is a great month to do a mental fast or a mental cleanse.  In these types of cleanses we commit to observing the mind and noticing each time we opt to judge or condemn ourselves or another.  And we pay attention to these occurrences, and challenge our self to release the thought as soon as we are conscious of it.  Cleanse our the subconscious mind, and create space for more optimism and joy.

Sagittarius: The sector of your chart ruling the home and domestic life this month has both the Sun and Neptune within it.  Dedicate some time to creating a home that is nurturing to your soul, not just your logic.  Incorporate magical colors, intriguing smells, and romantic textures within your home.  You may even find yourself with increased inspiration and creativity because of it.

Capricorn: Your house of creativity and expression has both Venus (beauty, attraction) and Jupiter (optimism, expansion) within it.  You can use these 2 planets together for the benefit of any musical, artistic, or performative endeavors.  Let go of the inhibitions, and let yourself get free in creating!

Aquarius: March starts off with the Sun and Neptune in your 2nd house of worth, confidence, and income.  This is a powerful time to imagine and dream of what you desire your bank account and salary to look like and begin to notice what it will have to feel like within yourself to feel deserving and worthy of your desires.

By Donation New Moon Call and Meditation.  This month, the New Moon falls into the sign of Aries.  Aries is the leader of the Zodiac, and helps us create new beginnings with clarity and passion.  Join me for a teleconference on March 22, 2012 to learn more about the energy of Aries, how to use the New Moon, and for some meditation and journaling.  For more information, please email: info@soulisticwellness.com

Shirley Kali Johnson, native New Yorker and Los Angeles-based, is a student of metaphysics. She has been studying astrology since the tender age of 5 years old and is thankful to share her love for the celestial bodies. She is available for Astrology Counseling, Reiki Healing, and Yoga.  For more info or to join her mailing list, please go to www.soulisticwellness.com

The 1970’s social psychologist Eric Fromm posited that our first relationship is with the world – it is at the point of entry that success or struggle is decided.

Other experts tell us that self-love is often referenced by who loves us and what we love or don't love about another. These are conditions – is love mostly about conditions and attributes then? If that is true, I can't help but feel we are cutting love short. Isn't there more to this powerful emotion? Isn’t love  “all we need”, in the words of John Lennon?

Recently, I was speaking to a dear friend, discussing how I saw him and what I thought he might do as an occupation. I was explaining what I thought were his talents and strengths. I saw many he had never considered or perhaps was too afraid think possible. I mentioned that others see us so clearly, much clearer than we can hope to see ourselves. His reply struck me. He said "But it matters how people see you". That sent my mind going.

I thought of times that a true love had looked at me and saw deep beauty. With that one look I felt more beautiful than Aphrodite & Laksmi combined. Then I remembered how ugly I felt in the eyes of another. I thought of the times teachers and mentors believed in me and their confidence became my own.

I wondered why we spend time reflecting anything other than what is beautiful in a person? What in us makes us say things that hurt or make it harder for the people we reflect to be other than radiant? Why are we so afraid to tell another that we love them or that they are wonderful, even if they might not say it in return?

With all these questions reeling in my head I turned to the law of karma for some guidance. Karma tells us that when we speak the words of love we hear them first. On an energetic level we reap the benefits of these words, perhaps stronger than the person they were meant for. It tells us the opposite is true as well. 

Stop for a second and drop into your heart after you have said something hurtful. If you’re honest, you would have to confess that it feels like a kick to the stomach. You are feeling the energy of negative karma. If this is true then why not use every word to lift and honor a person. What we see in them is really what we see in ourselves. I don't know if it is true, but I don't want to be bound by the success or struggle of my "point of entry". When we choose the beauty we are consciously making our karma here and now. That makes our words — and more importantly, our love — powerful beyond our knowing! 

It is the childlike mind that finds the kingdom. - Charles Fillmore

Last week my cousin gave birth to a daughter.  While we all knew that she was pregnant and was scheduled to give birth at anytime, receiving the news made me giddy with excitement.  I am so excited to meet this new little person, and I am so excited to see her grow along the way.  Each time I see a baby, I wonder about what it's like to have all these new experiences.  Babies and young children just take it all in.  Every single moment is new and even the littlest of things can be fascinating to kids.

Often when I start getting really pessimistic, I notice it is because I have banished my childlike mind.  I have gotten so wrapped up in routine and clinging to certain patterns that I forget to lighten up.  I forget to embrace that childlike mind and allow each moment to be brand new.  

Here is the task for February – to stay brand new, fresh, open and excited…even about things that don't seem exciting, and even when things seem  to be not going the way you wished for.  Stay open.  Even if things have gone a certain way for most of your life and you have been disappointed by certain outcomes in the past, let go.  Let go of how you think it is going to be, and just surrender to how it is.  It's much easier to write it than practice it, but it's worth a try.

Remember to read the horoscope for your Sun sign and your Rising sign!

Aquarius: Starting off February with the Sun, Mercury and Neptune in your house of self.  Neptune is finishing its tour of your 1st house and will move into your 2nd house of self worth.  Over the last couple of years, you may have felt as though you have become more sensitive or connected to the metaphysical.  Now it is time to integrate all you have learned.  Trust your instincts and intuition and share with others!

Pisces: Planet Neptune is shifting into your sign.  The good news is that Neptune is the natural ruler of your sign, so it will be back in its home position.  However since it has not been there for a long time, you may have some adjusting to do.  You may feel less grounded than usual.  Use the power of Neptune to guide you and let your imagination loose, you may surprise yourself with what comes out of your imagination.

Aries: On February 8th, Venus moves into the sign of Aries and into your first house of self.  This creates a lot of magnetism around you and your personality.  This is a good time to ask for what you want, as you may very well likely receive it.  Focus on receiving more and allowing others to share with you.  Mars is retrograding through your 6th house, allow for lots of rest.

Taurus: With Neptune entering your 11th house, there is a likelihood that you may feel attracted to a new group of friends.  It is important that you set healthy boundaries between you and others as you will be pulled towards different social outings and opportunities.  It is likely that you may find yourself hanging with a more eclectic and spiritual group.  Emerge yourself.  

Gemini: With Mars moving retrograde, plans you had to change your living situation may seem to not be moving with ease.  Be patient and go with the flow, something unexpectedly awesome may present itself instead.  In the middle of the month, get out and meet new people. Go to events that you usually don't go to, and exchange numbers with new people!

Cancer:  This is a great month to get your taxes done.  Don't wait till the last minute!  Also with the Sun in your 8th house, this is a time of natural transformation.  The old must die to give way to the new.  Let the transformation occur, stop hiding from it and accept it.  

Leo: Relationships are at the center of your world in the beginning of the month.  Issues with a sibling or father may be lighting up your world.  Use this time to practice conscious dialogue and nonviolent communication techniques.  If you can practice them in the most difficult of times, then you will master it!

Virgo: Mars is retrograding through your first house.  This may seem annoying since it may seem like you have a drop in energy or like it is taking a lot to get things going.  Use this time to renew and reflect on your values.  Take some time this month to journal – who are you?  what Divine purpose do you have here on earth?  Get reacquainted with your Highest self.

Libra: February starts off with your 5th house of self expression lit up.  There is a story you are yearning to tell!  Tell it – write it, sing it, draw it! Express it!  Let the energy of the beginning of the month help you flush out your story and feel motivated about sharing it.  You have the spotlight, so use it!

Scorpio: The beginning of the month is about your home.  This month calls for you to pay attention and care to your home; both the house you live in and your physical body.  Give extra self care, and treat yourself to some spa time.  As February ends, life will be moving quickly and calling or lots of your energy.  So use the beginning of the month to fill up your tank.

Sagittarius: There may be some focus on siblings this month.  As you move through the month, try to be compassionate for those in need and practice mindful support.  Later in February, you may want to give some attention to the idea of a new home.  This is a good time to start envisioning and creating loose plans around the kind of house and home situation you desire.  

Capricorn:   The beginning of the month will have some focus on income.  This month may present new ways to gather income perhaps by humanitarian efforts or with your communication skills.  Think outside the box, and don't be afraid to share those thoughts.  You might just be rewarded for being unique.  

As I read the philosophy of the esteemed teacher, Mr. Glenn Black, whose classes I have had the privilege of taking, I am confused and I must say disheartened. I too have been walking the path of Yoga for over 25 years. I, luckily, have had a much different experience. I have been fortunate to have very wise and skilled teachers, starting my practice at Integral Yoga with Swami Ramanda, then Amy Mathews, Richard Freeman and onto my greatest teacher Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen. I believe these teachers helped me to see the true form of Yoga and though, I will admit, I have found myself in the presence of teachers who taught a more western version of the practice, my body has always asked me to leave and I quickly found my way back home. For me, and I hope for my students, Yoga is lens we use to look deeply inside to see what we really need - whether those needs are physical, emotional or spiritual. I have walked along my life path with Yoga by my side. It has been my greatest companion and so, it has held me, educated me, challenged me, employed me, it has been where I have found my closest friends and has been my guide through the most difficult times in my life.

On a nuts and bolts level Yoga is about re-patterning and that occurs in the nervous system. Whether we are discussing muscle tissue or emotions. It is wise in that way. We as humans are not so wise. We push, pull and grasp just as it asks us not to do and then we blame Yoga. It has been my experience that in those moments we aren’t really doing Yoga but just using the asanas to live our lives they way we always have, in arrogance. Yoga is a way to see things differently, to find peace of mind and true grace. It asks us clearly to stop pretending and start accepting what is, to listen instead o demand. This could be getting real about our flexibility in our bodies or in our lives. What is the real truth of the matter and can we stop pretending that it is something different. These of course are the harder lessons that only a true friend can offer.

Bonnie my teacher has always explained to us that we must listen to the lessons the body is teaching. So, it is the deepest meditation where I am asked to stay present and keep my ego in check. I must wait patiently for an asana to blossom inside of me. When I do I am in true ecstasy and when I don’t…well Mr. Black has already covered that. The asanas unfold, they present themselves to us, and we find we are in them without ever knowing we were going there, very much like life. If an injury comes, and I won’t lie I have had mine, it has shown me my own arrogance not a flaw in the teachings but in my ability to listen to their wisdom. Each asana holds a lesson so we move slowly and with reverence through our practice, as it is truly sacred.

As a teacher I am in service. I have come to own my own studio and so I am in service of many. I must maintain my clear mind so I can see the movements in each of my students. This comes with time and skill. So I have had to get that much more honest about what I am doing. Teaching has required me to rise to a higher form of myself. It has demanded a deep understanding of myself so that I can serve others. Oddly, teaching is typically less about knowledge, though incredibly important, and more about presence. If the room is crowded we don’t move faster but deeper more slowly, we use the power of the group to hold the meditation we are all there to find…teacher included. It is the job of the teacher to empower the student to listen to their body and not to become dependent. Though this can feel good, as we all want to feel important and needed, it is an extreme disservice to our students. If they alone trust us how do they learn to walk alone to find the self-practice we are grooming them for?

I have worked privately most of my 25 years, typically with people who suffer from some type of physical malady. I have seen this sage practice heal so many and not only heal but deliver them to a place where they were better then where they were before they were injured. I have been with most of my clients for 7 plus years. So we can see Yoga is not a fad nor is it a religion. What it is-is an awakening. It demands that we stay conscious at all times and so it is a very challenging and perhaps not right for those who want to dabble. It is clearly not whether I can do a fancy arm balance..that is an insult to its wisdom, but instead whether we can listen deeply to ourselves and others. In the light of Yoga we find, as we get older we get better. We are more alive, more compassionate, more humble. We realize we  will never know anything and so we get to maintain our curosity about everything.

I will agree that yoga as a competition or for athletic advancement is a bastardization of this wise and golden practice. Yoga has never been that for me, or for my students. We have taken a far less popular road to a place to where we are sure we will never arrive… But we are so enjoying the journey.. Freedom!

Click Here for the NY Times Article about Glenn Black

And explore other opinions on the topic: 

Yoga Journal's Blog

Daily Beast with perspective from Pure Yoga teacher