CAPRICORN - The New Moon of Structured Ascent

Now is the time to start the climb: These next two weeks set up the whole year with the New Moon in Capricorn and the Hand Analysis skill set of Creating a Solid Foundation.

CAPRICORN -- The New Moon of Structured Ascent
Tuesday, January 8, 2008, 3:37 am PST

============================================

Brand New Year! We're one week into 2008. The parties are over and the decorations packed up for next year. You've cleaned the house, taken a trip to Goodwill and prepared the way for the new. It's begun.

The New Moon is a time for action. Now is the time to put your plan to work. Start the series of yoga classes, call old friends, sign up for that cooking workshop. Now is the time to the brightest light in your life with steadfast commitment. There are no more excuses. It's Nike time: Just do it.

And then, give yourself props for work well done.

In Hand Analysis, we offer the skill set to Create a Solid Foundation on which to build the rest of your year and to help achieve your new goals.

There are four components to setting yourself up well with your new commitments:

1) Create Your Timeline: Nothing helps you reach your goal like a solid deadline. Putting this in place creates structure that is there to support you.

- Break your timeline down into smaller goals.
- Give each goal its own deadline.
- Breathe!

2) Discipline Yourself: When you stick to your structure, and meet each deadline, your self worth grows. This is the momentum that will help carry you through to the end.

- Warning: Distractions will pop up and jump in the way of your diligent focus. It's gonna happen. Expect it. Your job is to notice when it's happening and get back on track as soon as you can. Don't beat yourself up! A little compassion can go a long way and help you stay on track. (Often times, you'll want to stop right at the point of breaking through to the next level of your commitment. Pesky distractions are a sign that you are on the right path -- all the more reason to work through them!)

3) Spread the Good News with trusted folks who will help cheer you on. It is a very common misconception that you have to rely solely on yourself to get ahead. Abandon this belief! Team up with your peeps and share your experiences and suggestions on a regular basis! The added energy will support you!

4) Celebrate Every Step: Each step -- no matter how seemingly small -- deserves acknowledgment! This prevents burnout. Taking on a new commitment is challenging to your current belief systems. Reward yourself when you meet each goal.

Here's the key:
Itineraries are made for changing. Always be willing to reassess and tweak your structure as you go along. The most important thing here is that you are able to grow from step to step. This is what builds success. The more realistic you are about achieving each step, the more likely you are to obtain the final goal.

Try this:

- Take a look at your list of New Year's resolutions... or... now's the time to write one down, if you haven't already.

- Close your eyes and take three deep, long breaths. Focus on your inhalation. Focus on your exhalation – making sure to fully empty your lungs before inhaling again.

- Now, open your eyes and see which item on your list speaks to you the loudest.

- Write down your resolution and the first deadline on post-its and place them in as many places that you can think of around your home, car, office.

- Every two weeks, replace them with new post-its of a different color -- keeping them current with your timeline.

For example:
If your resolution is to manage your money better, the first step would be to come up with a 2008 budget by, say, January 15th. Your post-its could read, "I am managing my money better. 2008 budget by 1/15."

Then, on 1/14 you reassess where you are and change the post-its with a new short term goal, or a new budget deadline, depending on how you did.

Take on as many resolutions that you can honestly do. Prioritize them by their deadlines. Maybe it's not realistic to start them all right away. Only take on what you can accomplish.

Creating a Solid Foundation is a skill set that will particularly resonate with people who have a break in their Life Line, or a short or damaged middle (Saturn) finger. Google is a good source for information on this aspect of palmistry. For more information about your own hands, contact Lynn at YourLifeIsInYourHands.com.

From an Astrological perspective, Capricorn is all about time. So, strike now and create that schedule. Make and show up for that appointment with yourself. Show up when you said you would. Buy yourself a datebook and pencil in your date with your raison d'etre.

It's very exhilarating to do the work you know you're meant to do. And such a relief! The energy of Capricorn is your best friend in this process.

      The ground's generosity takes in our compost
      And grows beauty. Try to be more
      Like the ground.

      Give back better, as rough clods return
      An ear of corn, a tassel, a barley
      Awn, this sleek handful of oats.

      ~ Rumi

Coming up on the Horizon:
Developing family and community with the Full Moon in Aquarius and the Hand Analysis skill set of Being Yourself within the Context of Family.

Let us know what you are doing -– we would love to hear from you! If you try any of our suggestions, please tell us about your experience. Just email us or leave us a comment here on this blog!

CAPRICORN - The Full Moon of Structured Ascent

Go tell it on the Mountain: Now is the time to focus in on your goals with the Full Moon in Capricorn and the Hand Analysis skill set of Self Worth through Discipline.

CAPRICORN -- The Full Moon of Structured Ascent
Sunday, December 23, 2007, 5:15 pm PST

============================================

The Full Moon in Capricorn asks you to identify the mountain in your life that you must climb. It is a mountain of achievement. It's a very specific mountain, a mountain you have chosen, a mountain that is your ultimate test.

You may have known this mountain for years already. You may be well on your way to the top. Or you may have just arrived at its base. In either case, the only way to reach the summit is through steady, practical, sober steps towards the light at the top.

The New Year ushers in a new refreshing energy. You reaffirm the presence of the great mountain in your life. You recommit to the mountain ascent. But too often, the reaffirmation, recommitment or resolution is not grounded. Your well-intentioned resolutions fall by the wayside because you overlook the small, grounded steps that it takes to reach the summit goal.

Hand Analysis to the rescue! Now is the time to focus your excited new energy on a single point -- and with the Hand Analysis skill set of Self Worth through Discipline, you'll have greater momentum to reach your goals.

Your Self Discipline is directly proportional to your Self Worth. It's not fun. It's not sexy. But it's true.

Lynn is taking six months to train for the Los Angeles marathon. (March 2, 2008!) She has never run before in her life... and she's on the other side of 40-years-old. By participating in a structured marathon-training program, she is incrementally building up her endurance and mileage. Last weekend, she ran 20 miles! She follows strict pacing guidelines and has incurred no blisters or injuries... although the lactic acid build up in her legs was excruciating. Amazingly, two days later, she was completely recovered from her 20-mile run.

Already, Lynn has exceeded her expectations of her own physical capabilities. Through weekly runs in a supportive and structured environment, she has surpassed her own perceived physical limitations. She feels triumphant. (If you would like to support her in her efforts of raising funds for the Aids Project, Los Angeles, please click here.)

Here's the key to making your resolutions stick:

● Break it down. How long do you have to complete your goal? Create your time frame. Then break down the big picture into little pieces. What are you doing this week... next week...

● Take Human Bites. Take steps that are actually achievable. Your self worth grows with the success of each step.

● Share your progress with your friends. It is with support and a cheering section that you will break through to the next phase.

From an Astrological perspective, Capricorn energy is steady and diligent, if you are willing, and it offers you a promise of extraordinary light when you achieve your goal.

The planet Saturn rules Capricorn. Saturn offers structure and discipline. It rules work. It rules time, mortality and the energy of the father.

If Saturn were to speak at the time of the full moon, it would say, "I am here so that you may learn to be the true parent of your life. I am here to remind you that you have work to do and that you are fully capable of doing it, if you choose to address each task systematically and with great patience and discipline. I am here to truly set you free by insisting you do the work you are here to do."

At this Full Moon, be your own kind Saturn. Say to yourself, "I am here to be the parent in my life. I am here to remind myself that I am fully capable of doing whatever I set out to do."

Realize that you and only you can achieve unimaginable success (spiritual or material) by doing the work, day by day, that is before you.

So, Yes -– set that goal, and Yes -– make those New Year's resolutions. In the next LUNAPHASES, we will take the one that speaks to you the loudest and offer support in making it happen.

Coming up on the Horizon:
Making your New Year's resolution concrete with the New Moon in Capricorn and the Hand Analysis Skill set of Creating a Solid Foundation.

Let us know what you are doing -– we would love to hear from you! If you try any of our suggestions, please tell us about your experience. Just email us or leave us a comment here on this blog!