New Moon – Assessing Goals and Recognising Opportunities.

The Moon – Archeon Tarot

This month’s new moon is on Saturday the 8th of June, 2013

The new moon is an ideal time to set new goals or to start afresh; in this post, however, I want to talk a little about attachment and what happens when we just can’t let go of what we think we want in order to see what we need.

Occasionally it happens that we become all wrapped up in ‘shoulds’ – things we think should happen, because we hold the belief that if X happens, then Y will follow.  Perhaps it’s a case of thinking: “I should train to be a doctor because then I will be happy!”  This, of course, is interchangeable with all goals and outcomes.  Now, don’t get me wrong – I am all about aspirations and dreams: I personally work best when I’m working towards something.  However, what happens when we set our hearts on something and march doggedly towards it, never checking if we still want it or even if we want it for the right reasons?

This new moon, rather than setting a half dozen new goals we will half heartedly pursue, I want us to assess the goals we already have.  You know the ones: they pop up on every bucket list and in conversations with strangers.  The ones that are poised on the tip of your tongue perpetually, ready to skip out into the world without you even having to think about them.  I want you to really look at them and ask yourself why you want them, when you set them and how you feel about them.  Pay attention to how your body reacts while you’re examining your goals: is your breath quick with excitement, or does your chest feel heavy with obligation?  Are your hands tense and closed, or open and relaxed?

When we hold on to dreams out of habit or fear, we are closing ourselves off from a world of opportunity that would be available to us if only we were brave enough to let go of outdated aspirations and strong enough to redefine ourself and the path we’re taking through the world.

Now, this wouldn’t be a Tarot blog if  I didn’t share some spreads with you to help you to do this!

Tarot Spread: Assessing Goals

1. Who you are now.
2. What you don’t realise about yourself.
3. The goal you want.
4. Why you think you want it.
5. Why you actually want it.
6. What you can achieve.

Tarot Spread: Recognising Opportunity.

1. Inner truth about what you want.
2. What’s holding you back.
3. An opportunity you’re unaware of.
4. Why you are unaware of the opportunity.
5. How to move forwards.

The Fool – Art Nouveau Tarot

I know that change can be scary; it can be terrifying to realise that the old way in which you lived your life is no longer valid, and that it’s time to move on.  Oh believe me, I know that fear well!  However, change can also be incredibly liberating: once you decide to change, you’re offering yourself the opportunity to re-examine who you have been and to explore who you want to become.  You can cherry pick what you like about yourself and nurture those characteristics at the same time as letting go of the aspects you don’t care for, or that no longer serve you.  Be brave and remember that the life half lived is hardly worth living!

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

~ Anaïs Nin

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