Tag: animal totems

---

Throughout much of late spring and summer, the I Ching energy flow for the United States was in a general state of DANGER, Hexagram #29. However, on July 21st, the full moon ushered in a surprisingly active flow pattern of CHANGING (Hexagram #49).

In almost every aspect of life, CHANGE is in the air and is likely to continue well into mid September, continuing with an abundance of external movement and changing circumstances. Whether we like it or not, a massive wave of collective karma has been activated. How we manage all these CHANGES will depend on how well we keep ourselves centered on the goal and what kind of energy we use.

Since we are no longer being governed by the Water based Element of the Piscean Age, a profusion of CHANGING life force no longer has the buffer of Water to smooth, soothe and slow down events. We are now in the Age of Aquarius where the primary movement comes through the Element of Air, which is much faster, lighter and quick to change.

This paradigm shift means our experience of CHANGE is, and will continue to be much more active and abrupt in the coming months.

Navigate Change with The Chinese Zodiac

2024 is the Year of the Yang Wood Dragon in the Chinese Zodiac.

Positive Qualities: Energetic. Confident. Ambitious. Intelligent. Generous.
Challenging Qualities: Unstable. Intolerant. Lack of persistence. Unrealistic.

The Dragon’s Feng Shui Mandala below can give you a sense of what the archetype of the Dragon is about and how it may influence you. If you’re interested, gently contemplate its center and relax. When you’re ready, ask yourself these questions and journal the answers that come:

“What is the most important thing I can focus my energy and effort on during this time in the Year of the Dragon?”

“What is the direction? Why is that important?
How can I utilize the energy of the Dragon to my best advantage?
Are there things I’m wasting time on? Something else I need to know?
Is there something important for me to do?
If so, can I tell what it is and how I would best go about doing it?”

Allow your intuition to come forward and bring guidance from your innermost Self. 

---

Did you know that Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Governor Tim Walz are both DRAGONS – born in 1964. They are both in their Sexegenary Cycle (60 years), which in Chinese Astrology is an important age of completion and coming together of life experiences. What new changes are they likely to inspire?

Invite the Dragon archetype and his dynamic energy to advise you as you navigate change in your own life. 

A) Circumstances have been changing so fast, you may be experiencing a rash of blind spots. To help you navigate more effectively, Explore the Intuitive Learning Circles.

B) There are lots of reasons why you might be getting off track with your true objectives. Call on the superior intelligence the Dragon to help you pull back from the dangers of a distracted mind with Clear Distractions.

C) The current high energy might encourage you to rush or take chances that aren’t in your best interests. Navigate change safely and stay out of trouble using your extra-intuitive senses with Develop Precognition.

D) Finally, there’s a strong possibility that you’ll come across others who might be threatened by your new sense of confidence. If you’re feeling as though someone is undermining you to throw you off your game, go through this exercise ASAP: Grounding in the Truth and Your Power.

---

Support for Changing with The I Ching

The purpose of studying the I Ching in the first place is to help us recognize different life flows, learn how to use them and plan appropriately, so that we may more easily manifest our goals. Hopefully, our study will help us adapt and make effective plans for navigating change. Here is a quote from the main text of CHANGING:

Hexagram #49 CHANGING (REVOLUTION), as translated by R.L. Wing:

“The forces at work in the situation are in conflict, leaving the path open to change. Yet the work of bringing about such a change is as difficult as it is important. People fear change because of its unknowable effect upon the future; so when a real need for CHANGING makes itself felt, it is a serious matter indeed. Clarity, forethought, and great devotion are now required to achieve your purpose. If correctly handled, however, the results can lead to a progressive new era…

… be certain to approach CHANGING with a correct and regulated attitude. The change should be gradual, improvement by improvement, so you may gauge the effect. Avoid haste and excessive behavior. This is not a violent revolution, it is a carefully calculated transformation. Keep an eye at all times to the bearing of the cosmic forces and be sure the proposed change is consonant with the times. It will require great perseverance to carry out this vital change, and therefore its correctness will be the leading factor leading both to success and your own continuing credibility.

Finally, your timing in this matter is crucial. Because the results of a CHANGING situation are not evident until the change has already occurred, it is very difficult to demonstrate the reason for change. In order to gain support from others, you must carefully time your efforts. Remove discordant elements as they appear, throw out outmoded or stifling policies when they once again create problems, and establish far-reaching clarity about the future whenever the opportunity presents itself. As the constructive aspects of your activities come to light, you will gain the trust of others. Your self-image will improve, and your influence will spread…

… You may be in the midst of a revolutionary change in your overall point of view. It will take time and effort to bring all the external elements of your life into accord with this new outlook, but success is definitely assured.
~ Hexagram #49 CHANGING, The I Ching Workbook by R. L. Wing, Random House, NYC, NY, 1979

What kind of positive support for CHANGING is recommended?

As always, Kuan Yin has offered her assistance through a specially chosen collection of Transformation Games, Mind Exercises and Self-care Formulas. During this time she is advising us to keep an eye on our mental and physical health with the help of several Plant and Animal Totems from Gifts from the Rainforest.

She says, “It is much easier to do the right thing when you are in good company. Following good examples will lead you to success.”

Gaze softly at the SOS symbol and ask for a number between 1 – 9.

Scroll down to that number in the list of games and exercises below and check out what that process has to offer you.

---

Transformation Games and Mind Exercises ~

1. How to Retrain Your Mind to Go For Joy – Rather than Perfection.

Transforming change has inspired us to refocus on Joy instead of fear and dread. That’s a wonderful thing, however Snake would like to share some important insights about how to prevent Joy from getting hijacked by your own mind! It’s far too easy for old habits and conditioning to sneak back in and mess things up.

Shed the some old conditioning with help from the Snake Guide.

2. Limit Extremes and Follow Your Inner Guidance.

During times of radical change, it’s easy to take off into different extremes and unpreferred directions. Tending to your own karma, rather than someone else’s can be a challenge and yet it’s absolutely necessary if you want to keep your life and health in balance. This long time favorite from Kuan Yin is an essential exercise to keep your karma clear and follow your inner guidance.

Stay on your own path with the Jaguar Guide.

3. Gracefully Change with the Changes.

How well are you keeping up with change and would you have it work for you rather than against you? There very well could be something you need to change about how you’re dealing with your situation. Play this Transformation Game to help you slow down and gain a deeper understanding of what’s really needed.

Embrace freedom with the Condor Guide.

4. Keep Clear Boundaries for Your Busy Mind.

You may be feeling scattered, anxious or unable to focus on the project right in front of you. Going through this a quick mind exercise calms the emotional centers of your brain and opens up new neural pathways for self-awareness and clear boundaries, which significantly reduces stress and increases clarity.

Decide to get back on track with the Llama Guide.

5. How Well Are You Taking Care of Yourself?

In fast moving times of stress, illness or imbalance can sneak up on you. Internal communication can get blocked from your conscious awareness, making it hard to hear what your body is trying to tell you. Take some time to clear out unwanted energies and give yourself an energy boost with this Transformation Game.

Increase your ability to NOURISH yourself with the Plant Spirits Guide.

---

SOS Help for Navigating Change ~

Remember that your mind and body can experience high levels of stress, even when the changes are good. the Fifth Line of the text states:
“A radical change is at hand. If your position is correct, your motives worthwhile and you are properly prepared, the new situation will bring great good fortune.” ~ Hexagram #49 CHANGING, The I Ching Workbook by R. L. Wing

SOS Self-care Formulas and Mind Exercises can help you stay in balance and hone your true guidance in chaotic times:

6. Stay On Top of Shock and Confusion. Things have been happening so quickly, you may be experiencing a lot of shock. Remember, you can be shocked by “good” things just as well as “bad”. After a shock of any kind, it’s important take some time to process, get back into your body and ground yourself. Do yourself a favor by going through this exercise regularly.

7. Clear Your Overwhelmed Mind Regularly. Many of us are completely exhausted by the relentless change of the past ten years – and it just doesn’t seem to stop! If you are experiencing overwhelm, exhaustion or collapse, this is a quick way to keep yourself in balance.

8. Use Clear Perception and Your Gut Instincts. With so much going on, staying on top of what you need to do is much easier when you follow direction from your gut instincts. This exercise works incredibly well to help you tune into your inner guidance system – warning you to slow down and stay on track.

---