Season: Autumn
Element: Metal
Moon: Quarter
Zodiac: Leo
Happy Saturday!
The next Rest Event is coming up on Sunday, November 12, 2023, from 1:30pm to 3:00pm. There is one spot open, so if you are interested to join, please RVSP at abby@cascadefengshui.com.
For those of you who are new to this newsletter, at the Rest Event you are guided through a body scan, energy clearing, vagus nerve reset, yoga nidra exercise, rest / sleep, wake up, meditation, integration discussion, and affirmation over an hour and a half. All you need is a yoga mat, pillow, and blanket for the experience.
Tomorrow, in these early days of November, the quarter moon lands in expansive and creative Leo. There is a lot going on, so I wanted to share as succinctly as possible (thus bullet points) the themes that have been coming up for me this week:
The Chariot - 2023 is the year of The Chariot in the archetypes of the Tarot. It is a 7 year (2+0+2+3=7) and The Chariot is seventh card in the Major Arcana of the Tarot. It brings about movement and I know many of you are feeling this concerning your job, work, and/or life purpose. You are feeling a powerful need for change, which is not surprising since The Chariot is often interpreted as strong will. Realizing these big life changes may be daunting to some of you and if you are struggling here are 7 ways to embody The Chariot from Sarah Faith Gottesdiener to give some guidance.
Ikigai - “A reason for being” in Japanese. In Ikigai by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles, the authors explore the Japanese secret to a long and happy life. Dan Buettner also reflects on this in Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones on Netflix. Ikigai, or developing a sense of purpose, allows for a positive outlook on life that can improve your health and longevity. In this Chariot year, have thoughts of your purpose been swirling around your head? This is the time to think about what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life and embrace it.
Ardor - This word, which means enthusiasm or passion in the Oxford dictionary and a balanced and sustained application of energy from a Buddhist perspective, came up this week on the Ten Percent Happier podcast I listened to and was the Wordle word on Friday. To have it come up twice means it needs to be shared. I like the Buddhist interpretation of this word in relation to The Chariot and Ikigai points I reference above. To contemplate ardently the purpose of our lives is to, as Krista Tippett puts it in the podcast, “get my intentions straight, walk forward, and then let it go.” To me, ardor is the setting of the intention and walking forward, but we need to not hold it too tight. Letting it go allows for the most natural and best outcome to occur in the long run.
Career Gua - In feng shui, the Career / Path of Life gua usually corresponds with your front Entry door. Often times with Western architecture, there is a staircase near the Entry door. This is not the best positioning, since energy flows fast down the stairs and out the door. In feng shui, the best energy meanders — it does not rush. If you have a lot of Career / Path of Life questions currently, perhaps strengthen the energy of this gua by:
Adding a potted succulent or jade plant here – these hold onto water and are known for attracting good fortune and prosperity.
Bringing in items that emulate water like a water color painting, blue rug, or free flowing sculpture.
Hanging a faceted crystal ball (if your light fixture in this space does not have crystals) to stop the rushing energy and disperse it.
Note: Rest curations, products, and recordings are still in the works, but I am leaving the paid subscriber Rest Readings, Rest Recipes, and Rest Rituals on the newsletter for a month or so. If you want to contribute, consider becoming a paid subscriber through Substack:
REST READING
Simple Matters by Erin Boyle
Ikigai by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles
The Year of Cozy by Adrianna Adarme
How We Show Up by Mia Birdsong
Permission to Rest by Ashley Neese
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve by Stanley Rosenberg
The Art of Communicating by Thich Nhat Hahn
Burnout by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
Saving Time by Jenny Odell
The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer by Dan Buettner
The Moon Book by Sarah Faith Gottesdiener
Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
Essential Oils to Boost the Brain & Heal the Body by Jodi Cohen
In Praise of Wasting Time by Alan Lightman
The Power of Ritual by Casper ter Kuile
Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey
REST RECIPE
For several years now, I’ve been trying to find simple cleaning supplies. I’m very sensitive to smells these days and if there are strong aromas around, I don’t sleep well. Harsh cleaners also do not work well with my skin and I would prefer to use zero waste products for less trash and recycling. I’ve been able to source some I like, but the best dish soap I’ve found is based on this one from Remodelista. So, here is the recipe for Dish Soap*:
1-1/4 cup distilled, filtered, or boiled water
1-1/2 teaspoon washing soda
2/3 cup unscented castile soap
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
Heat water until it’s warm and add washing soda. Stir to dissolve. Add the soap, aloe, and glycerin and stir to incorporate. Funnel the liquid into a 16 ounce glass bottle with a pump. If you would like the dish soap to be scented, add 20 drops of any essential oil. Orange, grapefruit, peppermint, or lavender are always good, but perhaps try out palo santo, sandalwood, eucalyptus, clary sage, or cypress for these autumn months.
*If you are interested in other simple cleaning products you can make, check out Erin Boyle’s book Simple Matters.
REST RITUAL
I gave you a lot above so this Rest Ritual will be brief. It is Box Breathing, which some of you may already do. If you have not heard of this breathing technique before, give it a try since it is super simple and very effective.
Sit in a relaxed position and if you feel comfortable gently close your eyes. Breath in through your nose for 4 seconds, hold the breath for 4 seconds, breath out of through your mouth for 4 seconds, and hold for 4 seconds. Repeat until your shoulders relax and you feel a sense of calm.
If you need some assistance with your breath work, The Breathing App is free and can be downloaded onto smart phones. Eddie Stern, a yoga teacher, author, and lecturer from New York, created the concept, and drew the blueprint for the app. Moby, a musician, DJ, author, and photographer born in New York City, developed the breathing cue sounds.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope this has been enjoyable. May your weekend be relaxing.
One more reminder on the upcoming events:
What: Rest Event
Where: Liebestraum Chalet, 5505 Bancroft, Alto, Michigan 49302
When: Sunday, November 12th, 2023 from 1:30pm to 3:00pm
Why: Give yourself permission and come join me to REST
Who: Presented by Cascade Rest Curation in partnership with Cascade Feng Shui
How Many: Only 10 spots available, so please RSVP asap to abby@cascadefengshui.com if you would like to attend.
How Much: FREE!
If you cannot make the above date, again no worries. I will be holding the last Rest Event of 2023 on Sunday, December 10th from 1:30pm to 3:00pm.
Mark the date in your calendar and remember to RSVP me for the dates above.
And if you are interested in my feng shui services, please see my website at www.cascadefengshui.com and contact me at abby@cascadefengshui.com. I’m also on Instagram at cascade.feng.shui.