Compassion...
Monday Mettā
A new + beautiful way to experience Mondays.
May I find compassion for myself and all beings.
I’ve had a week of extremes. I spent this past week in Colorado, at the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Words program, where I workshopped a book I’m writing. I connected with and was taught by thoughtful writers and authors, and was uplifted by a week full of creativity and support.
I also got Covid, and was horrified by the decision making of our nation’s leaders. Finding myself sick and devastated felt like the exact opposite of the buzzing excitement and beauty of Aspen Words.
But meditation and yoga teaches not to be taken in by extremes. I am never completely sick or completely well: my body is always running smoothly in one way and working hard in another. I am never completely amazed and completely horrified- I am capable of simultaneous and often opposing emotions. Mindfulness helps me come to a place of balance and perspective and of gratitude for the systems that keep me feeling, breathing, observing, and existing.
I have been able, over the past 48 hours, to put myself into a few yin yoga poses. Sitting in Buddha Konasana (butterfly pose) has been both challenging and a welcome relief to the body aches I’m experiencing. A reminder that there’s always a little something we can do even when feeling bad. Compassion for oneself looks different for everyone. For me, it’s been slow yoga poses and a takeout pizza.
May we find it in our hearts to find compassion for ourselves and all beings.
✨
So glad you’re here.
PS: If you’re interested in some wisdom and reflection, about humanhood and the United States, I recommend a short collection of poetry by Aspen Words mentor Terrance Hayes: American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin.
Intuitive Tarot Card Reading
Use your intuition to guide you to a specific card below. Choose the card with the crystal on it that calls to you.
At the end of this newsletter, you’ll see the cards flipped over, with a reading for each one. The card that you choose here will have your reading for the week.
Wait to scroll down to the bottom until you’ve chosen your card!
Card 1: Smokey Quartz Choose this card if you’re looking to transmute something negative into something positive.
Card 2: Clear Quartz Choose this card if you don’t have a specific message you’re looking for—anything will do.
Card 3: Green Quartz Choose this card if you’re looking to up your compassion (for yourself or others).
Yoga Schedule This Week:
I had hoped to resume regularly scheduled programming but am going to take this week off to get well ❤️
We Support Each Other
There are three beautiful ways you can support my work writing and teaching!
Make a micro-donation, either through Buy Me a Coffee (or in my case, a love note), or after you’ve listened to one of my meditations on Insight Timer. Thank you to Ellen, who bought me a love note last week.
Book a class or an intuitive reading! Come to one of my online yoga classes, schedule a private yoga class, or contact me for a Tarot or Akashic Records reading.
Forward this newsletter on to anyone who might want a little love! Ask them to subscribe! Tell them you love them!
Thank you thank you!
Much love and gratitude,
Rachel
xo
PS- I love hearing about the cards you pick and your related experiences! Please email me or comment below to let me know what comes up from your card reading this week! 🔮
Your Tarot Reading, Revealed!
Card 1: Smokey Quartz // Three of Swords
Yep, this card confirms you’ve just had a major negative experience. It’s OK, and necessary, to have a big cry, to scream, to let it out. After processing for a few days, it’s time to act. This card lets us know that the negative experience won’t actually change, but you can. How you choose to move forward and deal with this is what will eventually become positive. Pain and sorrow exist in life, sometimes every day. How will you balance out the “bad”? How will you accept what has happened, and move forward? Because you must and you will, because life is a series of ups and downs, of trying to find the balance.
Card 2: Clear Quartz // Death
You weren’t sure of your message but you got a clear one! Something big is about to change in your life. Fear not: the Death card is not literal (none of this stuff is!), but instead represents massive transformation. You are leaving behind something that is not helpful to you and moving forward (notice the sun rising—this is your consciousness coming into light). Pay attention to what you can give up or change, and know that today you got the message to do so.
Card 3: Green Quartz // Seven of Wands
It’s hard to find compassion for people or situations that don’t make sense to us, or that upset us. This card acknowledges that, and is letting you know that you have some hard work ahead of you. It’s a reminder that to truly find compassion you must be unafraid of the work of examination. Can you conclude that all people, deep down, just want to be loved? Even you? Can you find a small way to accept this fact and release a little compassion for it? The number seven is also a very spiritual number, so perhaps some meditation or prayer will be of assistance here.
✨intuitive tarot inspired by Sarah Greenman, who was in turn inspired by Chris Corsini, because inspiration is contagious✨