The Sun - In this case The Sun represents the divine masculine element, that which is in charge and that which we see in the light of day. 

The Moon - The Moon represents the divine feminine and what lives in the mystery. As the moon eclipses the sun it brings to the light what has been hidden but perhaps what our intuition has known all along. Once the eclipse passes things return to their normal appearance but what has been seen cannot be unseen. 

​1. Death - Empty yourself. Go deep, release and let go of anything that is holding you back or that you know you need to bring to an end. From a place of emptiness and and clarity, you can rise up from the ashes and begin fresh and new. Replenish your depleted energy and generate a sense of optimism and new beginnings. 

2. The Tower - Represents a we're not in Kansas anymore Toto moment. Things feel like they're falling apart but truly what is collapsing are the false walls that have held you captive. It may be a bumpy ride but hang on and breathe. Sink into your core where the part of you who knows all of your answers lives. Find your own truth. The beliefs and structures that have been imposed on you no longer serve you. You can create something new. 

3. Eight of Swords - You are not as stuck as you feel. You are given the gift of stillness for a period of time to gain clarity. Time to make some adjustments in order to make your life fit your vision and align with your highest values. Revisit the life you have imagined for yourself. Does is ignite joy? Have you put yourself in the picture? When you imagine yourself living in that picture that is your dream life, what do you need to adjust in order to be happier and more comfortable? What do you need to care for yourself and your well being within your dream life. 

​In my spiritual studies, I have often heard that it is important to have a beginner's mind. It is important to be able to empty my cup of preconceptions and the belief that I already have things figured out, to replace judgement with curiosity.

"Learn new things." They say in studies of both happiness and brain health.

I believe the world is rich and fascinating things to explore and discover. I believe that curiosity and discovery are an important part of a happy and badass life.

But, holy cow! Have you tried doing something you haven't a clue how to do recently? We live in a world where children are asked what they want to do when they grow up long before they have the capacity to imagine what adult life entails. And we and they expect that they will have an answer. Our educational system rewards or punishes children for what they can show mastery over, not for their curiosity or their understanding of what helps them learn. 

I grew up in a family where mistakes were not allowed. Learning was not allowed. Only proficiency was allowed. 

I am learning how to play banjo, claw hammer style. This doesn't feel easy to me. I might spend an entire hour just hammering one string at a time and still not be able to hit each string accurately. I might spend a couple of hours playing one measure (non musicians, that's 4 beats. Yep, 4 whole beats, and never get it right.  

The thing about banjo is that anyone nearby can hear. Unlike knitting where the frustration of making mistakes or needing to repeat that one stitch thousands of times before you get it right can be a relatively private thing. But with the banjo, anyone within earshot can clearly hear that I suck, oh right, I'm working hard at learning.

As I practice with my teacher or when my sweetie is home, I am transported to the humiliation of my 3rd grade self trying to learn multiplication tables. 

Most of us avoid these feelings. It is easier to just do what you know or only learn new things that are similar enough to things what we already do well that we can avoid feeling so terribly incompetent.

But they say, "To have something you have never had you you have to do what you've never done" I believe this is true. I believe that in order to have a badass life and to achieve the things you have always dreamed of, you have to want it badly enough to throw yourself into new territory. Do the hard things. Give yourself permission to really suck as something and do it anyway. Do the thing badly and shamelessly until, eventually, you no longer suck. What an awesome feeling that is. To realize that you no longer suck at that thing that once seemed like an impossible ball of humiliation! 

So I encourage you. I encourage you to go for your dreams and do the things that you have always wanted to do. Even if you have no clue how. Read, explore, ask questions, hire a teacher or consultant, trial and error, whatever it takes. Do the thing, you just may find your life becoming more and more badass.

Here is a little inspiration for you. It isn't banjo but it's awesome:

Play Your Ukulele