Fully and Wholly Myself...
Fully and Wholly Myself...
Samhain // 10.31.22
Monday Mettā
A new + beautiful way to experience Mondays
I can be fully and wholly myself.
Take a look at where you are right now. Are you in a place where you feel, or know, that you can be you? Are you comfortable with how you are in your space?
As we go through our days, we bring different parts of ourselves to different environments. We leave bits of ourselves behind at home in order to do our best at work. We swallow difficult emotions in order to be our best for our families. We disconnect from what we really feel and want and need in order to “be good” or “do the right thing.” That’s OK! I certainly can’t bring my greasy-haired, pajama self to a meeting with my boss.
But we can practice being wholly who we are in every moment, even if the way we behave changes a little, depending on circumstance. Being wholly you, and fully yourself, is internal, not external. It means staying connected to your values in every situation, honoring what you need in different environments, and bringing your best nature to the surface as much as possible. You will find that as you connect to those things deliberately, they become a part of you naturally, and you don’t have to give up parts of yourself. Instead, you can practice being your whole self in a way that fits in with who you are with and where you are.
✨
So glad you’re here.
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.
Card 1: Carnelian Choose this card if you’re stressed and you need guidance.
Card 2: Jasper Choose this card if you’re having trouble accessing the truth.
Card 3: Peach Quartz Choose this card for a sense of calm.
Wait to scroll down to the bottom of the newsletter until you’ve chosen your card!
Yoga Class Schedule:
Interested in scheduling a private yoga class? Info is here or email me!
Online classes for any and all:
Tuesday: Noon // 45 minute flow
Wednesday: 5:30pm // 45 minute Yin Yoga
DM/email Rachel for the Zoom link and password. All times in Eastern.
Samhain
I’m having some fun exploring my ancestral religions, and as much as I connect with my Jewish background and culture, I also feel a deep pull to my other half: my Celtic roots. I have a lot of respect for sense of place; that feeling you get when you’re somewhere special and meaningful. When I stepped foot on Scottish soil for the first time, I was absolutely hooked. It felt, strangely, like home.
This was over a decade ago, before I had done any ancestry work. Now I know that I have a large amount of English and Scottish ancestry, and it makes sense that I would feel connected to the Isles. Thanks to Sarah Greenman’s Creative Alchemy Cycle, which I participated in last year, I became clued-in to the Celtic connection with nature, and the eight major seasonal celebrations my ancestors participated in. I’ve already started paying close attention to the solstices and equinoxes, taking time off during each to pay attention to the changes around me and how I am a part of those changes, and now I’m turning my attention to Samhain.
Growing up, I was obsessed with a beautifully illustrated book about the faeries and spirits that came out by the light of the Hallow’s Eve moon. It seemed more real to me than dressing up as a skeleton or a pumpkin, and had nothing to do with candy. Instead, it described Hallow’s Eve as the thinning veil between the spirit world and the physical world. I’ve since looked further back in time, to Samhain (SAH-win) and how it transformed, slowly, into the Halloween we know today.
Samhain takes place over two days, October 31-November 1, and was originally a chance to end the Harvest period and “usher in the dark half of the year.” Rituals and celebrations grew around that theme, in different parts of Celtic culture, and at different times and places. Original Celtic rituals of Samhain included carving turnips for spiritual protection, mandatory village wide three-day celebrations, and fire wheels, around which the community gathered to celebrate, each member bringing home a flame from the fire to light their hearth. Samhain was influenced by Christianity in the 5th century, and merged with the religion in the 9th century by the Pope’s declaration: November 1 and 2 became All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, respectively. The eve of All Saints’ Day, Hallow’s Eve, became Halloween.
Halloween was brought to the United States by Irish and Scottish immigrants in the 19th century, who kept the traditions of knocking on doors and singing songs to the dead. Treats were given as payment, and once the religion of consumerism got hold of the holiday, teachers and parents all over the United States brace themselves for the sugar crash of November 1st.
The veil between the physical world and the spirit world is thinner at this time. If you’re so inclined, take an evening walk tonight and feel the magic in the air, or curl up at home with a candle, a small reminder of the Celtic fire wheel and the ancient acknowledgement of the dark times to come.
We Support Each Other
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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.
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.
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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 share what came up from your card reading this week🔮
Your Tarot Reading, Revealed!
Card 1: Carnelian // Two of Pentacles
Lots of balance here in this card, which in general is a great reminder for any stressful situation. What do you need more or less of to feel some kind of equilibrium? Harmony within the demands of your daily life require both careful and spontaneous thinking. Look carefully at your stressors and strategize what you can let go of. At the same time, pay attention to your mind and body so you can spontaneously decide to say “yes” or “no” to something, choosing a different way to spend your time in the moment.
Card 2: Jasper // Four of Wands
At first glance, this card has nothing to do with truth-searching. It’s both a joyful and stable card, bringing in abundance and wealth, play and fun, and a sense of grounding. It’s a sign that you are on the right track. So that, in fact, is the truth you are looking for. Become mindful of your experiences. If they don’t seem in line with these values (joy and stability), this is your chance to really assess the situation. What do you value and prioritize? Are you acting in ways that live out those values?
Card 3: Peach Quartz // Eight of Pentacles
There’s a lot of action in this card that doesn’t immediately promote a sense of calm. But let’s look at it closer. The card shows the lunar cycles, a wheel of eight moons inside of the pentacles that define the suit. Healing hands frame the top half of the card, while spirit animals encircle the phases of the moon. As my Samhain essay reminds us, following the cycle of nature is a great way to connect with yourself and find a sense of calm. So, pay attention this week to how you experience the sun, moon, air, earth, day, and night. Perhaps even note down your observations. Bringing your mind back to your most basic self will help give you clarity on what feels most calming.
✨intuitive tarot inspired by Sarah Greenman, who was in turn inspired by Chris Corsini, because inspiration is contagious✨
This was such a good explanation of the holiday. My yoga class theme just changed bc if it-we’ll usher in the darkness. Thanks. You’re such a good writer.