We all have the need for belonging, to feel part of a tribe or family, to feel loved. It is a natural inclination of being human. We crave connection, intimacy, and a sense of togetherness. From a Cosmic perspective, one could see that this is so because—from the largest vantage point—we really are One. We come from One energy, One Source, One Life.
Pisces New Moon – March 17, 2018
A New Moon is a time to set intentions for what we’d like to see come to fruition by the time of the Full Moon. Having a better understanding of the luminary and planetary energies allows us to make better choices and helps ensure that our actions will provide the positive results we are looking for.
Walking up to the woman on the street I gave her a couple of blankets and a few loaves of bread. It was what I had in my car, and she needed them. Driving off, a smile came over my face. I never spoke of it until now, but it changed my life forever. Something happens when you serve another human with no intention for gain. It liberates you; it connects you with a force greater than yourself. It expands your path and lights the way home. It rights your karma.
I feel I have always been a tantrika by nature. I often imagine lifetimes where I must have danced in the ancient temples of India with other women who remembered this Divine truth. How we, as the tantrikas, must have been the souls to which one turned when they were unable to contact the holy within them—whether out of guilt, shame, or fear from what horrors or traumas they had experienced.
Even with the vast social networks and instant communication we have available to us, many of us feel alone.
We feel separate and isolated from others. Our longing for deep and meaningful connection is tangled up in the facades that we carry and try to match to another’s. And we think we are alone in this.
Lighting the candle and stick of jasmine incense, I arrange the multi-colored stones into a pattern to reflect the harmony and depth I seek. In the corners of the table, set aside just for such a daily ritual, I place one pinecone, one feather, one small bowl of water and one tea light—each representing one of the four directions and corresponding elements. In the center, the original candle burns, standing in as me—the light of consciousness aware of this life.
Never had your astrological chart read? Always wanted to know what it's like? Tune in here for Basmati Editor Ursula Squire getting her September Soul Chart read!
Recently, I learned of the unexpected death of a colleague. In addition to grieving, I’m learning a lot about intimacy.
So often when I think about intimacy, it’s in the context of a romantic relationship, but the truth is, intimacy is not confined to a romantic partner. Real intimacy is like unzipping yourself and displaying your insides, and that can be done with anyone, something I’ve witnessed in this process.
If you’ve ever found yourself watching Tiny House Nation with a trace of envy, you may be wondering if tiny house living is right for your family. Although tiny houses may seem like practical dwellings for only singles or couples, there are growing numbers of families living in tiny houses with children. Ours is one of them.
Astrologer Andrea Bryant reads Basmati Editor Ursula Squire's August Astrology Chart! Tune in for the themes present in this eclipse-rich month!