Astrology Basics

Have you ever wondered which of your personality traits might be holding you back? Maybe you are curious to know more about the qualities in yourself that make you a good friend...or maybe you want to understand more about the type of person who would make a good life partner for you. These are all questions that astrology can help answer!

Looking up into the infinite night’s sky may leave you with the realization that you’re part of something much, much bigger. That’s how the night sky makes me feel. The night sky, constellations, and astrology will forever be a part of me and I’m sure you have your own reasons for being attracted to astrology.

Modern astrology is more than your daily horoscope and zodiac sign. It’s a deep and rich spiritual practice that I want to share with you in a long, serious post. Today, I’m going to go over some basic terms, next week I’ll walk you through creating your own birth chart (there may be a free printable involved too)!

Astrology & Its Beginnings

First a little history! Astrology is the practice of using the study of the sky to associate meaning with life and events on Earth. Evidence of stargazing can be found as early as 25,000 years ago with lunar markings on cave walls and bones! Our attraction to the heavens really is ingrained in the fiber of our beings.

Civilizations during the 3rd millennium BC used astrology to determine how to align their temples and sacred spaces. Studies can be found in the 2nd millennium BC from Babylon when astrology was used to format our calendar and understand the seasonal shifts. Now a pseudoscience, the study of the heavens was long respected as a science that we can trace through cultures and their use of it in literature, medicine, and art.

Modern Astrology

Did you know that your zodiac sign is simply your sun sign? Your sun sign is one of many aspects that make up your personality, life experiences, and challenges.

Many things can be taken into account when you take a close look at your sign. One of the most basic things is understanding your birth chart. A birth chart takes into account several different astrological factors to give a complete look at you, your personality, and who you’re most compatible with.

Let’s jump into some basic terms so creating your birth chart will make more sense.

Astrology Terms

This chart to help make sense of where these terms will show up on a birth chart. Keep in mind on a real birth chart the locations of the planets and zodiac signs will vary, but the houses and Ascendant will always be in the same place.

Birth Chart

This is an astrological chart that is specific to your birth date, time and location. It is very specific! A birth chart will give you a detailed look at your personality and astrological traits. The following terms are in relation to how they’re used on a birth chart.

Planets

This term refers to not only the planets but also the sun and the moon. The planets represent different experiences we may encounter in this lifetime. The experiences your personality may come across are indicated by the position of the planets at your time of birth.

Zodiac

The zodiac is divided into 12 sections and are the signs that everyone is most familiar with, like Sagittarius and Cancer, for example. Your zodiac signs help determine your characteristics. Your sun sign is the most common of the zodiac signs and is determined by the placement of the sun at the time of your birth.

Houses

There are 12 houses situated on the wheel of a birth chart. Houses show the areas of the sky at the time you were born and represent areas of life that you will embark on in this lifetime.

Aspects

Aspects are the degrees of separation between planets. These can either be major aspects (planets separated by a degree of 0, 60, 90, 120, or 180), or minor aspects (all other degrees of separation) the aspect of a planet will determine whether it's energy is being presented in your life in a positive or negative way.

Rising Sign

Your rising sign, or ascendant sign, marks the zodiac sign that was rising on the Eastern horizon at the time of your birth. You’ll need an accurate time and place of birth in order to determine your rising sign. It’s often the traits of your ascendant sign that will show up first in your personality!

The Four Elements

The four elements are earth, water, fire, and air. Each zodiac sign falls into a category of one of these four elements. You can see which signs are which element by the chart above. You’ll be able to identify which elements are stronger for you by where your planets fall on your birth chart.

Understanding all of these terms can be a little tricky at first glance, if you want to reinforce these terms I found this thorough and helpful video on YouTube.

Did you know that in ancient times, birth charts were reserved for royalty? Lucky for you, you ARE royalty here in the ZO family! Check back next week and I'll help you to construct your very own birth chart!

Animal Guides // Are you missing out on an animal connection?

Have you ever had an experience with an animal that immediately brought you into the present moment? Maybe you’ve experienced the buzz of a hummingbird whizzing right by your head, or have made unexpected eye contact with a wild animal in nature, or maybe you’re visited in your dreams by a specific animal.

You might be thinking animal guides are a little too woo woo for you. I was definitely in the, “not for me” category, but then I had a couple experiences that changed my mind and it has been totally worth it.

So, what’s in it for you? Why do the work to connect with an animal and cultivate a relationship with it?

Here are a few reasons why connecting with an animal guide is a tool you don’t want to miss out on! An animal guide can:

• Provide you with a much-needed message or warning during a time of need

• Usher you along your path as you change your life’s course

• Remind you of your inner power and strength during difficult times

• Teach you lessons in areas of your life that need improvement to help you achieve positive changes

Why I’m not calling this a Spirit Animal

Mini PSA here. I got sucked into an internet black hole while researching this topic. Thank goodness I did, because the truth is, I’ve been using the term Spirit Animal, casually and seriously, for a long time.

Sadly, the term spirit Animal has been culturally appropriated and misused in hurtful ways, for example: so-and-so celebrity is my Spirit Animal. For people practicing the very sacred practice of Spirit Animals, this can be offensive, and perpetuate the oppression of Native American people.

I know that’s a lot to take in, but I felt obligated to share a different perspective. Take it or leave it, and share your thoughts in the comments if you’d like.

Why I started paying more attention to animals

Just like you, I’ve had some experiences with animals that have made me stop and wonder if something more than coincidence was at play. The day my grandmother left this plain, who spent more money feeding her birds than feeding herself, there was a small bird that spent the entire day on our back porch. Our feathered visitor had no friends with it and we had no bird food on the back porch. My husband even noticed and made reference to it. I knew that was the day I’d get the call that Grandma moved on.

After the passing of my Grandma and my Father last year I worked with a spiritual healer that specialized in finding animal guides for her clients. During her vision journey, she not only found my father represented as a bear but found an animal that wanted to help me through the grieving process, a playful monkey. The experience was a powerful one and the symbol of the bear and the monkey have been an integral part of my healing process.

Animals made by Emily Rose Thomson

Many believe that animal guides are provided to you for a reason, so you cannot choose which one you receive. Here are some ways that you can connect with an animal guide:

• Let your subconscious mind do the work. Intentional meditation and dreams allow you to keep your heart and mind open for your animal to reveal itself to you. Take note of the animal or animals that show up while your mind is at rest.

• Stay observant of your interactions with nature and animals. If you find you have multiple similar interactions with the same animal or felt connected to a certain animal as a child, chances are this is your guide.

• Be assigned one by a Shaman or spiritual guide.

• Connect your animal guide through a divination tool like oracle cards. I like this Secret Language of Animals oracle card deck.

4 ways to continually connect with your animal guide:

1. Learn more about the animal and the species. List all the characteristics you can think of that are associated with the animal. Be aware of which characteristics you identify with.

2. Wear a symbol of the animal on you as a wearable reminder, whether it be through a piece of clothing or a sacred piece of jewelry.

3. Decorate your space with symbols of the animal. I love the shop Periwinkle Nuthatch on Etsy. Emily can custom-make animals for you and they’re perfect for altars!

4. Be an advocate for protection of the environment your animal exists in. If your animal totem lives in the ocean, support organizations that are working to protect ocean life.

I hope you found some takeaway in this lengthy post! If you’ve got something you’d like to share in relation to animal guides I’d love to hear about it, please feel free to contact us.

6 Steps to Creating Positive Emotional Anchors

Have you ever wished that you could trigger a certain emotion at any given time? Sure, its healthy to move through uncomfortable emotions in order to heal. However, some negative emotions can become enslaving and stop serving a purpose.

Creating positive emotional anchors is a great tool for combatting your daily triggers. Bonus, it’s pretty easy, and you probably have everything you need (maybe even in your purse!).

If you’ve had it with overriding emotions of fear, anxiety and depression, I invite you to add this to your enlightened tool belt. Having a go-to emotional anchor is kind of like having your favorite person on reserve for a hug anytime you need it. It may not be a cure-all, but it’s certainly lifted me out of some dark places on the spot.

What Is a Positive Emotional Anchor?

Anchors are what link us between our present emotional state and a more preferred one. You might already use an anchor without even knowing it. Take music, for example. Maybe you’re dreading going into work, your favorite song comes on in the car, BAM your mood is instantly lifted and you’re ready to take on the day.

Unfortunately, hearing a song that reminds you of someone that’s no longer in your life may take you in a fast downward spiral. Scents, sounds, tastes and imagery all have the power to swing you one way or the other.

So, how can you use these to your benefit?

How to Create Your Anchor

Forming an anchor can be simple, it just takes practice. The more you can reinforce your anchor with all of your senses the better. That’s right, pull out the big guns for this one, your favorite scent, mudra, imagery and mantra. Here are some steps to get you started:

1. What emotional state are you in need of most? Maybe it’s a feeling of safety, calm, happiness, or peace. We’ll build from the emotion you’d most like to bring into your life.

2. Pick a scent that matches your emotion. I use lavender for mine.

3. Choose a touch sensation that you can do while smelling your scent. This could be a simple mudra, maybe placing your hand over your heart, whatever feels right to you. Keep in mind you’ll need to be able to do it with one hand and you might need to use this tool in public so maybe don’t use placing your leg behind your head as your touch sensation ;)

4. Decide on imagery that brings about the emotion you’re aiming for. This could be imagining you’re in a calm forest or simply imagining an object. I use the image of a feather for mine.

5. Bring something auditory into the mix. This could be a favorite song, though you might not always have this available so a mantra is a great option. It can be something as simple as repeating, “I am safe”, “I choose peace”, or “so hum”.

6. Now bring all of your tools together for one superpower of an emotional anchor. The next time you start to feel your anxiety or sadness triggered and need a boost, find a few moments to implement all of these at once.

Tip: The more you do this the more ingrained it will become in you. Our negative triggers form over years and this positive one will need time too. Treat this like a mini-meditation practice, the more you use it the more powerful it will become.

The best part is, you don’t have to do all of these things at once. If I’m in a public space but need some calm I’ll hold my mudra and quietly say my mantra to myself for some quick relief.

No matter what emotion you are choosing to anchor, feel relief in knowing that you don’t have to be at the mercy of your negative emotions today. Find power in choice. You have options today.

DIY Crystal Infused Elixirs

I love discovering all the ways I can add a little more sparkle to my life! And let me just say, you are going to love my newest find! When it comes to beauty and wellness I'll take all the help I can get. Crystal elixirs are becoming the newest part of my regimen. I'm so happy to be letting you in on this little bit of magic that you can use to spark up your routine!

The Back Story

Crystal elixirs are no modern craze. In fact, they were all the rage in ancient cultures! Some crystals have long been esteemed as heavenly stones. They were put to use in Neolithic times for fashioning tools and weapons, by the Pharaohs and Indian culture for curing disease, and get this...Chinese emperors used to drink a powder form of crystals and herbs to achieve immortality!! Ummm, not sure if immortality is my aim, but wouldn't you love to add a little youth to your day!?

How it Works

Today, companies are selling crystal elixirs in the form of waters and beauty products. Here's a fun little tidbit. When evaluating the difference between tap water and water treated with crystals, Institute Hagalis (an international research company), determined that in the crystal treated water there was "a distinct improvement in water quality, neutralization of harmful substances, improvement of the pH-value and oxygen content, increase in bioavailability of minerals, and an increase in energy balance." Wow!

Also interesting is that the energy of the crystal can be transferred to the product it's being used in. KORA Organics beauty line uses crystal-infused water in their products. The process incorporates rose quartz "to give the vibration of self-love." Sounds amazing!

The Cost of Luxury

While I wish I could just add all of these products to my shopping cart with the click of a mouse, they'll cost you a pretty penny.

You can find Vitajuwel's Gem Water on Amazon for $87, which is a steal compared to some of their other products. Over $340 for their Golden Moments Crystal edition water, or a whopping $624 for the GranFontana Sunny Morning Set! Vitajuwel's products are utterly delectable though, so maybe jot down one of their Gem Wands onto your holiday wish list this year!

DIY Solutions

Budget worthy DIYs are definitely the way to go with crystal elixirs. You can tailor them to your exact needs, and incorporate your current stash.

Crystal Infused Water

1. Select a crystal that speaks to your needs. We’ll be using amethyst for this DIY.

2. Cleanse the amethyst with warm filtered water and incorporate any other cleansing routine that works for you, such as smoke cleansing.

3. Put the amethyst in a glass bowl and cover them with filtered water.

4. Charge your water in the sunlight or moonlight.

5. Enjoy your amethyst infused water!

Amethyst relieves headaches, as well as promotes good dreams and healthy skin. Add some lavender to your water and use it as a nighttime foot soak as you wind down from a long day!

Crystal Infused Face Mist

Instead of adding lavender to your crystal infused water, take advantage of amethyst’s properties for healthy skin by making this moisturizing facial mist!

1. Add your amethyst infused water to a 4 oz. glass spray bottle.

2. Add ¼ tsp of argan oil.

3. Add 12 drops of rose oil.

4. Add some rinsed amethysts directly into your bottle (optional).

5. Shake well.

6. Mist cleanse your face while repeating affirmations of self-love!

My skin has been loving me for this new elixir plus it smells like fresh roses. Rose and Argan oil offer a host of healing benefits for your skin including helping with acne, dry skin, and skin permeability.

Have a favorite crystal blend that you use? I’d love to hear about it!

How to Celebrate The Autumn Equinox

All year long you’ve been cultivating your spiritual toolbox! With the coming darkness of the Autumn Equinox, this is the time to reflect on the things you’ve been working on and maybe even transfer some of your good jujus to your surrounding community.September 22nd of this year will mark the equinox. Use this time to honor the changing of the seasons. You can do this by commemorating Mabon!

What is Mabon?

Mabon is the Pagan/Wiccan celebration of the Autumn Equinox. It was used as a time to pause and celebrate the second harvest of the season. It is still celebrated today but more often as a time to have gratitude and share abundance with others.I've gathered some celebratory tips that will get you in the mood for fall and leave your heart feeling full and grateful.

Find Balance

The Autumn Equinox brings us back to a time of equal darkness and light. Interestingly enough, this is the day that the sun moves into Libra! And guess what?! Yep, Libra’s symbol is the all too familiar balancing scales.

Creating balance within yourself is a way to feed your soul that will undoubtedly have a ripple effect on the people surrounding you. By keeping yourself in balance you shed positive light and energy...and hopefully, a little bit of good karma will come back around your way, too!

Some tips for bringing balance into your day:

• Disconnect! Make a plan to build in some tech-free downtime into your day.

• Balance your energy by taking a long walk (without your phone!)

• Invite a friend over for tea, and enjoy the lost art of conversation over tea and scones.

• Skip your vinyasa yoga class for a restorative one.

• Do an energy reset meditation.

Apple Picking

While most other fields are bare by now, this is apple picking season! Frolic through an orchard and reap the benefits. Apples are thought to be magical and are even used in some forms of divination!

A delicious tip for bringing apples into your home:

• Fill your home with the magic of apples by creating a stovetop potpourri! Anyone who you have over will be tricked into thinking there’s a yummy apple pie hiding somewhere!

• Ingredients: 3 cups water, 1 apple, 3 cinnamon sticks, ½ tsp nutmeg, 15 whole cloves.

• Directions: Cut apple and add all ingredients to small saucepan. Cover all ingredients with water. Keep the potpourri on low heat to fill your home with a sweet fragrance! (Be sure to turn off the heat when you are asleep or away from your home.)

Feel the Gratitude & Share the Abundance

During times when the well-being of a family rested solely on their farm’s harvest, people knew the importance of helping out their neighbors who did not have a good year in the fields. Whether it be spiritually or physically, perhaps this season has gifted you with an abundance.

Some tips for feeling the love and sharing it with others:

• First, you’ll want to get into the right frame of mind. The best way to do this is to have a gratitude ritual. Find some quiet time, grab your favorite crystals, incense, and maybe some fall-inspired bits and pieces. Lay out your items, arrange them in a grid or any way that feels right to you, and meditate on things you’re grateful for. This activity is intuitive and open, make it what you want, the most important thing is to focus on what you’re grateful for.

• Donate towels, sheets, and newspapers to animal shelters. If you have the extra time in your schedule, sign up to take your animal friends for a special walk while they wait to meet their furever family.

• Host a dinner for your friends and family. Invite some new friends, too!

Do you have a favorite Mabon or Autumn Equinox ritual that I didn’t cover? I’d love to hear about it. I hope these tips will come in handy, now go out and spread the love, happy Mabon! Find more rituals for Mabon here and meditations for the Wheel of the Year here.

5 Simple Full Moon Rituals

Here we are, at the culmination of everything you set out to manifest with the new moon. You planted seeds of goals and intentions with all of your best effort and resources, and you have finally arrived at the full moon.On the 16th of this month, the moon will shine in all of her full-bodied glory. The full moon will be at her peak of life and power, and I'm going to share with you a few ways to tap into this power!

Burn a Habit

It's been said that the light of the full moon illuminates the things that no longer serve us. Take advantage of this by releasing fears, bad habits, and negative self-talk. How, you ask? Burn them to the ground! (With caution of course.) This ritual will serve you best if performed on the waning moon side of the full moon, which is usually the second day of the full moon.

Under the light of the full moon write down these items on little slips of paper. Add them to a mason jar with a lit candle in it (OR if you are super rad and have a cauldron handy, then use that instead). As you see, these “bad habits” go up in smoke. Send them up to the moon!

Gratitude List

Since the new moon, you have been manifesting your intentions and surely you have experienced some success! Begin a list that includes all you have to be grateful for. Don't forget to include the items you perceive as failures. There are lessons to be learned there! When you’ve completed your list, give a gift back to the moon for all she’s given you! Try an offering of dried flower petals.

Smoke Cleansing

The energy of the full moon is extremely purifying, couple this with your favorite cleansing smoke for a powerful combo! There are a variety of herbs to choose from for this purpose. Fallen cedar, lavender, mugwort, and desert sage are all great options! Waft the smoke around yourself and your space while visualizing any negative energy floating away with the smoke, then visualize purifying light from the moon filling in the place of any negative energy.

Ask for More

Float your desires in water to ask for an increase of something in your life. The moon has a special relationship with water. The energy of the earth and the moon pull at each other, but the earth just can’t hold onto its water. During a full moon, the Earth’s tides are amplified. So, to amplify results for your desires, float them in water in a glass bowl under the light of a full moon. This ritual will serve you best if performed on the waxing moon side of the full moon, which will be the first day of the full moon.

Moon Bath

Use the full moon’s detoxifying properties to draw out mental, emotional and physical toxins. If possible, add Himalayan salt crystals to your bath during the full moon. Himalayan salt crystals are a super pure mineral-rich salt that is mined from ancient sea beds. It has a number of detoxifying benefits...balancing pH, reducing inflammation...and when mixed with water this crystal's energy can be felt in full force! Dissolve 1-2 cups of Himalayan salt in warm water for your cleansing moon bath!

I hope you enjoy these tips and make it a regular practice to honor the moon’s cycle. By doing so you will align yourself with the rhythms of Mother Moon and feel more in sync with Divine Feminine energy.