~*~ My take on being an Astrological guide ~*~

There is a synchronistic, extraordinary, meaning-filled relationship between the movement and placement of the planets to the energies happening here on planet Earth in our lives; As above so below. Astrologers use an astrology chart, which is a snap shot of the stars at a certain moment, to decipher archetypal symbolism related to the person/thing/matter. Astrologers can read a chart to discover one’s personality (character as fate), illuminating talents, hidden energies, and repeated patterns; thereby helping one to be more conscious of their life.

I love astrology as a practical tool for understanding the self, relationships, and archetypal energies of the signs, planets, and elements, and I approach the study of the stars with reverence, as a compassionate guide. I believe when we are ready, we learn the tools that will help us on the next step of our journey.  I have been interested in astrology since about age 12 and have been a devotee since 2007, when I became a student of energy, spirituality and healing. I have received training in the following energy systems: IET, Reiki (Level II), and Be Wild Woman’s Nine-Month Intensive: Psychology of the Chakras. I have also taken Antero Alli’s Astrology and 8-circuit brain courses. Since October 2010 I have been studying with a group of young astrologers in NYC, Nightlight Astrology.

~*~ I am an Aquarius Sun, Sagittarius Rising and Pisces Moon ~*~

Being highly sensitive and empathic and I can honor these traits in others as well as bring out emotional capabilities in those who are looking to be connected with their sensitivity. As a visionary thinker and creative idealist who will energize you to attain your dreams. We will work together to reveal the flow of creativity, emotion, stability and relationship in your life. My dragonfly energy will remind you to sift through illusion and that everything you dream of is possible! Things become more possible as we learn to understand ourselves, our beliefs, and how our past has created the present. Our life journey is integrating all of the pieces in our life.

The Dragonfly Spirit is the keeper of our dreams, seeing out true potential and ability, giving us the capability to fulfill our birthright.

~*~ My life experiences ~*~

I was born highly sensitive, which has been accentuated by my being separated from my mother soon following my birth, placed in foster care and being adopted at 11 months old. I include this personal information, which you can read more about on my blog, because our stories are who we are, but also to share that by working on healing from our pain we uncover great treasures and freedom in our lives.

I grew up in the suburbs of NYC as an artist and critical-thinker, curious about spiritual studies, I went on to attain BAs at Drew University in Sociology and Visual Art, and an MA in Contemporary and Modern Art History from SUNY Purchase. I have lived in Brooklyn, NY for 9 years, curating transformative art exhibitions and writing about art from a psychological and spiritual view. I have organized art events as a platform where artists can experiment, and where viewer/participants create meaning and relationships. I have assisted artists within site-specific art exhibitions, and with their business goals, grad school applications & recommendations, and finding creative opportunities.

~*~ Why the Willow? ~*~

I fell down the rabbit hole in early 2007, beginning a conscious healing journey by questioning astrology, which then led to yoga, changing my diet and exploring chakras. Eventually, like dominoes, most of my life fell away and new life sprung up as I explored faith, healing and metaphysics. Now I see I was always involved and interested in the work of spirit. My personal journey involves exploring my sensitivity, self-acceptance and shining who I really am. I am in touch with my birth trauma, relationship and identity issues. I need to focus at being connected, both to people and the earth. Drawing on the grounding work with healer Kiana Love, I  embrace the Weeping Willow tree as a my personal connection to safe, cathartic, calming nature. We can look at being human as bringing down heaven to earth– and we need to be rooted in order to make all of our divining inspired dreams come true.

Willows are mythologized greatly: various cultures have used them in burial rituals and to quell pain (Native Americans brewed a tea from its bark to relieve pain and fevers as Willows contain salicylic acid, the great-grandaddy of what we call aspirin); the lore of their mystical qualities (pagans see them as liminal markers  that guide the dead to the afterlife or The Summerland); and popular songs of willows weeping for the lonely– not surprisingly strong in blues and country music. Visiting with a Willow one can feel that the trees’ wisdom (they whisper), goes even beyond their beauty, melancholy, sympathy, and mysticism. One can feel a cathartic release around these thirsty trees that love water and are connected to the emotional realm of imagination, dreams and psychic understanding. The willow tree can thrive in the most difficult growing conditions.

The Willow is the tree most associated with the moon, water, the Goddess and all that is feminine. It is the tree of dreaming, intuition and deep emotions. Symbolically it belongs to the beginning of spring, when all of life is stirring in the depths and begins to shoot outwards once again. In the ogham alphabet, the willow is Saille which became anglicised to “sally” which means a sudden outburst of emotions, action or expression (to “sally forth”). The Old French “saille” also means to rush out suddenly and the Latin “salire” means to leap. This is the underlying energy of the willow, and the key to understanding the powerful spirit of this beautiful tree.

Willow wands are used for any ritual associated with the moon and as a protection on deep journeys into the underworld and the unconscious. The willow will always enhance inspired leaps of the imagination and is recommended to be used when seeking to assimilate the teachings of a wise woman or master, because understanding another person’s enlightened place is made easier. Also when seeking to understand ancient ways, so that you can assimilate these past levels of information, and quickly move through the underlying emotions, to appreciate humankind’s patterns and utilize this information for change.

By working with the moon and the cycles of the moon, we reconnect to the duality of the light (waxing) and the dark (waning) and the tides, the seas, water and the qualities of water which include flowing, surrender, harmonizing and accepting. Moon magic puts us in touch with our emotions and unconscious, which balances out our solar rational conscious views. The moon represents the Goddess and everything which reflects and suggests the power of women.

Culpeper says in his Complete Herbal, “The moon owns the willow.”

Source: http://www.whitedragon.org.uk/articles/willow.ht