October 14th New Moon Intention & Affirmation
The new moon is upon us, so I have a new tarot curated intention and affirmation for us to work with. This moon cycle I used the Game of Thrones tarot deck, and we pulled the Four of Coins (pentacles), the Knight of Spears (wands), and the Five of Coins (pentacles). Let’s dive in.
Intention: Fear and hardship are two things we’ve all faced. Take a moment to reflect on times you’ve encountered each. How did you respond? What worked well? What didn’t? What would it look like to address fear, challenge, and hardship with confidence?
Affirmation: All is well, all will be well.
Over the years, I’ve discovered that challenges and failures (perceived or otherwise) are opportunities to learn and grow. I can see that much of my personal development is the result of encountering opposition and struggle. Nevertheless, I often find embracing change difficult.
Here are a few things I’ve found helpful.
Self-Compassion: Change consumes a lot of energy, so when I’m in the throes of it, I practice self-compassion. I try to treat myself the way I’d treat a loved one in a similar situation. The main way I do this is by acknowledging my feelings without judgement. I tell myself it’s okay to feel uncertain, anxious, stressed, and tense during times of change. I know I will experience a range of emotions during hard times, and each is valid. After all, they are a natural part of growing, learning, and facing the unknown.
Embrace the Unknown: Part of facing the unknown is learning to embrace it. When we get comfortable with uncertainty we invite magic, surprise, and curiosity to transitional times. A flexible and adaptable mindset tends to increase my sense of confidence and enhance my ability to handle unexpected situations. When I’m open to the unknown, unforeseen circumstances aren’t as likely to knock me off my axis.
Focus On What You Can Control: There’s a lot that’s out of our control. Focusing too much on these things generates stress and tension. Take time to identify things you can control and focus your energy there. I know when I do this, I feel an increased sense of calm. It also helps me manage my expectations and reminds me that change takes time and effort.
Look At the Big Picture: Do you ever step back to look at your progress? Celebrating victories, no matter how small they seem, is a great way to boost self-esteem. Acknowledging and rewarding progress is a way to practice self-care and compassion. When we take time to celebrate wins, it makes it easier to visualize a positive outcome. Do you see yourself as someone capable of navigating change while feeling confident and stable? If not, start by celebrating personal victories. When you do, notice if you begin to feel more confident and capable.
Celebrate Effort and Results: It takes perseverance and determination to navigate change. Even when things don’t turn out the way we want, or expect, there’s progress. Improvement comes with time, tending, and consistent effort. I always say that our greatest asset is our time and attention, how we spend it matters. Appreciate the process as much as the outcome. Cultivating a love for learning is helpful.
Lean Into Support Systems: Remember, you don’t have to do everything on your own. It’s good to tap into support systems. Reach out to friends, family, a therapist, or other support networks and share what you’re going through. Talking about your fears, concerns, and hardships can provide emotional relief. On top of that, if you’re open to it, you might receive valuable insight or advice that helps you see the light at the end of the tunnel. If you don’t want advice, make sure you let others know that. Sometimes, we just need someone to listen.
Nurture Yourself: Take some time to nurture yourself by spending time outside. Go for a walk, sit under a tree, bring your awareness to the rhythm of your breath. Make sure you’re getting enough water and sleep. Check on your self-talk. Does your inner dialogue reinforce limiting beliefs? Try saying “I can learn from this,” or “I’ll try a different approach” to shift your mindset in a positive direction. As I mentioned before, change takes a lot of energy, so it’s important to make sure your taking good care of yourself.
Celebrate Your Strength: When’s the last time you celebrated your strength? Reflect on past challenges you’ve overcome along with changes you’ve successfully navigated. Do you see how strong and resilient you are? Self-doubt often creeps in when we face challenges. Don’t forget to remind yourself of your abilities and past accomplishments.
Remember, confidence in the face of challenge is a skill that develops over time. It requires patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to learn from our experiences.
I rely on the practices I’ve outline here. But you know what? Just when I think I have them dialed in, a new challenge arises, giving me yet another opportunity to deepen my relationship to change and challenge.
How’s it going in your world? Do you have helpful tools or practices you’d like to share for times of hardship and change?
Do share, you know I love to hear from you.