Because we do what we gotta do real well. And we've got the fever to tell--Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Tomorrow's New Moon in Aries is a time to rethink our triggers and watch what still has the power to send ego, mind or body into rage. This New Moon joins up with Uranus, the sign of breaking through or breaking down. The ruler of Aries, Mars is still retrograde in Libra (sign of partnerships, equality and justice) and opposing the waxing phase of the Aries Moon over the weekend. This is sure to bring some heated polarities to the table in our one-to-ones. Which side of the fence are you on? Compromising and working through.... or do you set fire to what's no longer working and run as fast as you can the other way screaming Eminem's lyrics to "That's just the way I am".. ?
This New Moon is also setting off the Grand Cardinal Cross energy which perfects on April 24th. We're literally on the cross, Hanged Man style..with no choice but to surrender to having the cardinal points in our chart stretched about as far as they will go.
Let's break down the cross: Imagine: Our most desperate longing for home and nurturing, to have our feelings heard and acknowledged (Jupiter in Cancer) opposing our need to build something lasting, with integrity, of good quality and structure or to destroy anything that isn't in alignment with our integrity (Pluto in Capricorn) ....squaring our need to run wild, remain primitive, daring, alive, physical and in touch with our most raw, core, infantile and rebellious self (Uranus in Aries) opposing our need for graceful partnering, companionship, collaboration, beauty, connection, justice, peace and harmony (Mars in Libra). Throw that in the alchemical alembic and watch it cook!
... And how to manage all of this while Mars is not only in his sign of detriment, but Retrograde until May 19th? This is our time to really get the Libra side of this volatile GCC (Grand Cardinal Cross) equation down. To master the art of relationships and the art of war with our own weaknesses.
Please take advantage of this powerful New Moon and join us for the next round of Project 40:::21: where we will be dedicating 40 days and 40 nights throughout this GCC to evolve into a more conscious relationship with Mars. We will be delving into all that triggers us, blocks our instincts, throws us off balance, weakens our resolve, damages our relationships and sets fire to our best intentions. Tomorrow is the last day to join: Project 40:::21: Mars & the Art of War
Mercury Conjuncts Neptune in Pisces March 22, 2014
"You're a dream. Like everything else."
-- Kelly Creagh
The communication planet links up with the dreamy and subliminal energy of Neptune on March 22. Without even trying, you may suddenly feel like a mind reader. Words may or may not be necessary under this very subtle and sensitive energy. More will be transmitted non-verbally and energetically so tune in. We are all a little more porous energetically as a result.
In fact, if you hear one thing and feel another, trust your feelings over logic this week. Just don't go off the deep end and let your imagination run so wild that it takes you to supremely delusional places. You won't need alcohol or mind-altering drugs to feel like you're totally tapped into another dimensions. You could easily think in colors and song lyrics today.
If you're a romantic, you’ll love the ability to speak to your beloved without words. If you're a realist or a skeptic, this mushy, merging influence will probably send you over the edge with disgust. Life and communication feels extremely cinematic and mystical at the moment. Music, dance, poetry and all influences of the divine and the sublime are what we most long for.
This is not the time for fact checking, mundane conversation or working on your taxes, to be sure. There is a deeply soulful quality to this influence that connects us to our imaginations, our dreams and our spiritual side. Now that Mercury has finally cleared his retrograde shadow in Pisces, we can get on to the sweet side of this dreamy influence!
If you're feeling blocked, frustrated, wishy-washy, commitment-phobic, weak or depressed... check out the next P40: check out the next P40 starting March 30th: P40:::21
"Rock is all about writing your own script; it's all about pioneering"-Courtney Love
Welcome the brand new, the fresh and the unchartered! When the Sun bursts into Aries on March 20 after a long, hard grueling winter, we're ready to jump! Aries is the sign of initiation and getting things started. It's time to reconnect with your inner pioneer. How can you take a brand-new approach to your work and see things with new eyes? (Aries rules our peepers by the way.)
The sign of the Ram is ruled by Mars, which is still out of phase (retrograde) in the sign of partnerships. Collaboration with the "right" people is key. It may still feel more like going backwards in order to spring forward until after May 19. Trust that all of the necessary backtracking, reworking and renegotiating is all part of the necessary process to move forward. Keep the faith because there is renewal happening despite the seeming setbacks or delays. Stay focused on how reworking your relationship patterns and teaming up will help you jet forward in the future.
Aries is not a sign or energy known for patience, and yet with Mars retrograding we must cultivate a more cautious approach. It's important to look twice before jumping head first, Aries style. In fact, this is an excellent time to look back over your past collaborations and review what worked and what was a disaster. Where could you be more compromising? Where in the past did you feel like a doormat? How could you find a more equal and harmonious balance in your work partnerships and teaming up in general? These are the kind of rewarding reflections that will pay off during this new phase.
Renewal is often simply about reworking the mistakes of the past. Now is your chance to manifest this rebirth!
To honor and work this Mars-fueled time: please join us for 40 days and 40 nights of intensive journaling, meditations and simple rituals to get you back in touch with your Mars mojo: creativity, sexuality and masculine spark! Starts March 30th on the New Moon: Project 40 Registration:
“The purification of the mind is very necessary. (72)” ― Swami Satchidananda
When the Moon peaks in the sign of neurosis (Virgo) on March 16, relationships could turn into anxiety-ridden critique fests. Mars is still out of phase in the sign ruling relationships (Libra), which certainly doesn't help the potential for negotiations. Why is Mars such an important player in this Full Moon? Here’s the quick version of the astrological tracing: Our Full Moon is in Virgo—ruled by Mercury—Mercury is Aquarius—ruled by Saturn which is in Scorpio ruled by… Mars.. which is in Libra ruled by Venus—- which is in Aquarius— ruled by Saturn which is in Scorpio which is ruled by… yes, Mars… so it all goes back to our beloved Mars! Personally I’ve experienced this particular Full Moon-Mars retrograde pairing like a 5-alarm fire going on in the nervous system. My head feels like the Tower card in the Tarot. Having Mars Retrograde moving in tandem with the North Node in Libra is a mandate: we must evolve in the world of relationships, justice and equality or there will be hell to pay. On a more personal level, it’s truly a wake up call to really look at our behaviors in relationships. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process. ― Elisabeth Elliot
Mars Retrograde in Libra (embedded in the ongoing cardinal crucifixion) is about breaking through any passive-aggressive, noncommittal, wishy-washy, narcissistic, people-pleasing, co-dependent patterns. Mars and North Node in Libra shine the light on all of the lovely ways we may still be acting perfectly dysfunctional in our relationships: i.e: refusing to compromise, insisting it’s our way or the highway, acting like three-year olds when we don’t get what we want, pitching fits, throwing tantrums and ultimatums instead of “working through” the discord, punishing, playing the lone wolf, silent treatments, failing in our ability to manage impulse control or refusing to realize the importance of delayed gratification and the list goes on. “Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.” ― George Carlin
There is a lot of discord in the air as we now move towards the New Moon in Aries on March 30th (ruled by the Mars retrograde). Many people in relationships seems to be retreating to their own corner of the boxing ring during this seeming Mars-induced “time-out”. Many have decided to retreat from relationships altogether to return to Self during this time. And then there are those rolling up their sleeves, in the trenches and ready to do the work it takes to keep the dance going with some modicum of equilibrium and harmony. Nobody said it was easy. My mentor, Art Robbins has said “people don’t change because of understanding, they change because of relationships.” I feel this is the gift of the current Aries-Libra polarity which is quickly racketing up as we move towards the firework eclipse season— and of course the culmination of grand cardinal cross of April.
In a way fighting was just like using magic. You said the words, and they altered the universe. By merely speaking you could create damage and pain, cause tears to fall, drive people away, make yourself feel better, make your life worse. ― Lev Grossman
Okay, back to the Full Moon in Virgo energy before we jump the gun (Mars style) into Aries season! The best way to work with this lunation is to consider it a time to purify our minds from the illusions and delusions of Pisces. Virgo asks us to take a critical and discriminating look at what works versus what's just a big mess when it comes to our partnerships. By paying closer attention to the details, we may be able to untangle and find new solutions to some of the more elusive patterns and problems.
Actually, the sign of Virgo has to do with reflecting back on Self. It's the sign of the Hermit (9th Trump in the Tarot) and more concerned with self-reflection and work than it is with getting lost in the needs of another person. We're now able to turn inward and trace the steps back to our inner home. Virgo likes to be of service, but in a practical and efficient way. There is a discerning eye to Virgo that prefers putting things in order rather than falling into the chaotic soup of illusion. On a very basic level we are balancing our need to work ourselves into oblivion with the need for the kind of sleep that puts you in a timeless coma. It’s all about finding the balance, purifying, recharging and returning back to Self. For those of us in the East, we’ve nearly survived the coldest winter of our lives. The Vernal Equinox is right around the corner. Rebirth is inevitable as hard as it may be to fathom after such a relentless freeze.
The current Mars Retrograde is really asking us to step up and work consciously with our inner masculine energy between now and May 19th. Thus, I am devoting the next Project 40 (starting right on the New Moon in Aries) on March 30th to our warrior planet. We will be working with our inner masculine energy, the animus (male side of the psyche in Jungian terms) expressed through the Mars energy of our horoscopes in astrology. We will be working with this potent force for 40 days and 40 nights. This is an initiation into all things Mars: raw instinct, courage, discipline, anger, aggression, action, daring, restlessness, activation, movement, slaying, forging, hunting, fighting, battling, competition, drive, sexuality, confrontation, physicality, war, cutting, attacking, penetrating, pursuing etc. By making this energy conscious, we eliminate the potential for the more destructive, depressive or oppressive side of Mars when we repress instead of express our anger or more primal energy. “Build a temple to the god’s that oppressing you”—Caroline Casey…
By giving daily conscious expression and attention to this energy, we will experience a tremendous surge of vitality, initiation and creativity in our lives. Please join us: Project 40:::21: Mars & Integrating the Masculine.
Confronting the Madonna-Whore Complex that impacts and often destroys most relationships!
drawings by Hope Gangloff
First Let me ask You a few questions:
My Story of Self-Betrayal and Broken Promises:In my own life, I fell prey to the Madonna-Whore complex in an interesting way. I was with a man that started off for years as just a platonic friend and business partner.... but as I realized how devoted and dedicated he was, I decided to go beyond my instinctual truth and enter into a committed romantic relationship with him. He begged me to marry him for years and I finally thought it sounded like a good idea when I was on the verge of turning 40 and he promised me the world. This was after feeling so fed-up with trying to date rock stars or bad boys who clearly had no real ability to be there for me in a consistent or deep way. I thought I had to trade the fire and chemistry for someone I could count on. I was told it's best to marry your "best friend"--the one who loves you more--the one who will take care of you. It sounds like a cheap version of "The Bachelorette" I know! It's embarrassing to admit that even after all of the analysis and practice I had in my own life, I totally fell for the "knight and shining armor" delusion.
Selling Out and Settling For "The Daddy Husband"Little did I realize I was selling out! It's painful to admit that I was totally sacrificing a huge part of my own soul for security or some kind of collective ideal of "the daddy husband." I even went so far as to marry this man, only to find myself restless and battling against my soul screaming to me that I was living a lie. I was missing the bad boy energy of my ex-boyfriend with whom I could experience the dark goddess, sexual side of my energy that was totally missing with what I thought was my "steady Eddy" who adored me. Within six months of being married and the onset of starting my first Project 40, the illusion came crashing down and my unconscious behavior totally drove my husband into the arms of another woman. I had to own the fact that I truly had no one to blame for this disaster. As a Jungian, obviously I am a big believer in the whole we create and sustain our reality picture, and yet at this moment I so wanted to be the victim, the betrayed. The fact was I betrayed myself and this was all just some ugly fall-out of not listening hard enough to my inner voice, or drowning it in wine and extravagant vacations to the South of France.
Project 40 Saved my Life:Project 40 became my own healing path, truth serum and wake-up call! I remember many painful mornings after my divorce, waking up with that horrible pit in my stomach with that awful shattered dreams feeling.... like there was no point of even getting out of bed. The structure and sacred container of the magical 40 Day ritual of Project 40 saved my life and pulled me out of a dark pit of near suicidal depression. I turned my mid-life crisis into a 40-day challenge. I worked hard to bust through my own bullshit and confront the hard truths about life and love. This hard work of journaling every day payed off. Instead of reverting back to old patterns, my next relationship was unlike anything I had ever encountered and totally rocked my world. There I was in a relationship that set my soul on fire, something I nearly gave up on. One that profoundly threw me back on myself and opened up a whole new set of inner gods and demons that I had to face.... in a way that I had always been desperately searching for. I finally met a man who challenged me in a new way. When I let go of the "either-or" split of bad boy versus "daddy-husband" reflecting my own "Madonna-Whore" split, the gods led me to someone with whom I could experience the depths of the sacred in a profoundly healing sexual union. The relationship required facing a lot of my greatest fears, insecurities and blind spots. And of course the story doesn't stop here in some happily ever after fashion. The unconscious doesn't work that way. You simply go deeper and things actually get harder. The tension between opposing forces become stronger and yet more subtle. Figuring out what we really want versus what we really need becomes a deep and painful struggle but worth the fight for consciousness and evolution.
The real work begins.. and I will share the tools I learned through the process of finding my way "home" to myself (which has taken place in great depth over the course of seventeen 40-Day journeys) in greater detail in this Project 40. (the 18th incarnation) starting on September 5th.
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Project 40. 18 Registration:Option #1 - $220
________________________________________Option #2 - 99$40 Days of Journaling:
My Value and My Vision - Extended to You.
I conceived of Project 40 as a way to help those who could not afford to come for regular therapy sessions. I also wanted to find a way to leverage the daily experiential tools and rituals we can all use. The Internet allows me to do this and I invest a great deal of time and energy in order to make each Project 40 journey a highly personal and "of the moment" journey. Nothing cookie-cutter or generic like you might expect with many Internet packages and programs. Project 40 is extremely unique and will take you just as deep as very intensive one-on-one Jungian psychoanalytic work. If you were to actually pay my going hourly rate, for the amount of time you get in this program, it would be very costly. At 200.00 / hour and approximately 20-30 hours per person per P40 session, we would be into the thousands of dollars.
So I am happy and grateful for the Internet, as it allows us to connect in a way that is affordable for you and allows us to be engaged on a daily basis.
Project 40 has healed me and so I have decided to share it as a service to the world under the blessing of my Guru, Mata Amritanandamayi who blessed it in Amritapuri in 2009.
A Necessary Rant:
As a diehard, classically -trained Jungian with seventeen years of analysis and supervision from some of the best Jungian analysts in Zurich, NYC and now San Francisco, it's painful for me to see how so much of the elegance and depth of Jung's work is lost and misused by those with very little if any actual experience or training (not to mention their own analytic process). Jung says that the unconscious is both beautiful and terrible but not something to "play around with" or take lightly by any means. Would you throw yourself out into the middle of a dark ocean without a reliable person at the helm... or worse, without a boat or a paddle? Unless you're trying to live the life of Pi, this is probably not wise. The danger of superficial systems that I have seen claiming to explore "shadow work" is frankly downright disturbing when you realize how tricky it is to navigate the depths of one's unconscious without the proper clinical training, supervision and experience. This is another reason why I am trying to make this work more pervasive as a way to undo some of the damage that has been done to Jung's work and credibility in so many "new age" and "self-help" circles that have sadly cheapened the work. A complex is something that must be worked at daily and consistently and with a skilled analyst to help you unravel the many layers. It is not something that can be magically "fixed" in one weekend, covered up with medication or removed with a juice cleanse.
You Get:
*Daily personal emails that I create on that particular day itself (nothing is pre-baked, half-baked or it would lose the essence of tapping into the powerful messages of that particular space and time--and thus lose the power of synchronicity so fundamental to the magic of Jungian therapy).
*A system designed to bust through any laziness, blocks, and other BS that keep you from going beyond the normal 10% of mediocre consciousness and self-awareness.
*Daily probing questions that make you stop and reflect in ways that create lasting transformation.
*A powerful collective of kindred souls seeking radical transformation and willing to do the hard work in order to uncover the limitless potential and authenticity buried in the unconscious.
*Accountability partners on a daily basis to keep you inspired and staying on top of your inner work.
*Stopping and expanding time instead of the feeling that another month just flew by without any noticeable change in your life.
*A sacred container built on seventeen years of research and private practice with a classically trained Jungian therapist and astrologer.
*40 Days of powerful tools you can use and re-use for the rest of your life that will totally transform your sexuality, your relationships and most importantly your Self.
*Daily astrological guidance and reflection on the collective unconscious influences as revealed by the current astrological weather.
I am thrilled to see how much Project 40 has grown and expanded over the past three years, and thus in order to keep up with the demand this will be the last round of Project 40 where I can offer such a low price. I am also keeping the groups down to only 13 people in order to be able to respond to everyone more individually, so don't wait to register if you want to do this! I know you're going to love how powerful and unique this 40 Day paradigm is, but if for any reason you're not totally in love with P40, you get your investment back, 100%.
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Project 40. 18 Registration: Option #1 - $220
_______________________________________Option #2 - 99$40 Days of Journaling:
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Every desire of your body is holy; Every desire of your body is Holy. –Hafiz
Sherene Schostak, M.A. is a Jungian psychoanalyst and metaphysicianwho specializes in helping creative artists transform their addictionsand blocks. She has been in private practice in New York City for thepast sixteen years consulting, writing and teaching and is now based in San Francisco, CA in Russian Hill. She is the co-author of Surviving Saturn's Return: Overcoming the most tumultuous time of your life (McGrawHill) as well as the The Fate of Your Date (Chronicle Books.) She holds a Master's Degree from New York University in Clinical Psychology, a Master's in Developmental Psychology from Pace University, NYC and advanced graduate work in the former Psychoanalytic Studies program at The New School For Social Research. She is currently the resident astrologer at Elle UK magazine and Elleuk.com; and formerly wrote the astrology column for Teen Vogue.
Her work has been featured on writing credits/features include: The Benjamin Moore Aurascope Campaign; Pottery Barn astrology calendar; "Star Signs" for NBC/iVillage; Astrology.com, Bravotv.comLifescript; and reviews in The Mountain Astrologer. Sherene teaches classes and workshops internationally on Astrology, Archetypal Psychology, Eastern Philosophy and Authentic Movement.
Check out this interview from Time Out New York magazine on Project 40! Click Here to Read.
Testimonials:
Since I found out about the concept last year (from you), I have done 3 rounds.
The first time, on day 36 I found love after a very painful period of relationship upheaval and 3 years of being single just recovering from it.
The second time, on day 37, on a whim I sent out a resume which landed me a wonderful new career.
The third time, on day 40 (today), I was offered a big promotion in the aforementioned new career. Suffice it to say, my project 40s have *completely* changed the direction of my life, for the better. I feel like I have found my mate for life, and I now have work I love so much I can stand to work into the wee hours and defend it even though it doesn't pay very well... yet! So, if anyone has any doubts about the power of this technique, you are welcome to send them my way! Project 40 has changed my life; I can't thank you and the universe enough for sending it to me!! -Anne
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I just wanted you to know how much I have appreciated and learned from the Project 40, and your caring support, wisdom and guidance has been immeasurable. Your Project 40 Rounds have shown me that I can commit to a regular practice of Introspection/Contemplation...and that has been a very big Gift to me – because I have doubted that I had a “disciplined bone in my body” and your Inspiration has shown me “I can do it!” Jai Ma! Thank you immensely. I may not have done every day, but I learned over time to keep the questions in mind and not give up and return to the Project.--SB
I was just briefly reading my journaling from some past P40s and I'm amazed. I end the 40 days always " ok that's done what next" knowing something or things have changed and shifted but not really able to put it into words or even describe in feelings what has happened is happening. Then I look back and say woooooo, as I read though the pastP40s and think I know this person, she is familiar but I don't fully relate to her any longer. I know it's me just that those issues feelings thought are of someone so lost confused desperate to belong, be accepted, understand.I feel so much stronger in who I am what my choices and decisions are. What my priorities are, how I want to live my life. I still don't know how it's all going up happen or when. I do know it all will at the perfect time. I am here to witness and experience the journey. P40 is a great venue for growth, and digging in to the places that may have been " saved for last" or later. Later is now. -T.W.Thank you so much Sherene. I have evolved so much through this process. The real me is back.
Project 40 was an amazing prescription for me. My relationships are better – me and my mum are so much more expressive of our love together. I have been honest when things aren’t going well in my new relationship and he has listened and responded to my needs. No tit-for-tat love in any of these relationships. I feel closer to my girlfriends. My self-worth – I know I’m good enough, pretty enough as is the next girl on the street. I know that I’m also responsible for bringing love and happy times into other peoples lives and I can orchestrate events too. I feel alive, burning through old shell, full of love and ready to give the world my best.-Kam
I read each email on the train and really appreciate your sharing and your guided questions like arrows piercing the truth.Thank you. You are such a major part of my healing. Even my physical therapist notes the improvement, it's on a cellular level.Yes, your way of journaling is inspiring and you ask the 'right' questions to help me really think about my self and gain insight. Grateful. --L.R.
