Failing to look behind blocks the path ahead
I’ve included a voiceover for those who prefer to listen.
The image symbol for the week of 4.14.25 follows.
An army general leads riderless horses into battle.
And the words:
Hollow victories.
The significance of what we don’t see behind us.
Changes in strategy.
I will start by sharing that I discovered a bald spot on the crown of my head over the weekend, when my intuition told me to use a handheld mirror to take a peek. If I am honest, I had this niggling feeling that something was not right back there for several weeks. For a Leo Sun, this discovery could have been devastating, because we tend to have a thing about our hair - our crowning glory.
But you know what? It simply wasn’t. I had a moment of shock, which was quickly replaced with the thought, “what herb could help me?” So, I made some horsetail tea and put some horsetail oil I had made for someone else on the bare spot.
I also can’t help but think there is a spiritual meaning… does it signify a transition to monkhood (after all, I have made 2 solo retreats to a monastery this year)? Or a physical manifestation of my crown chakra? I haven’t checked in with spirit as to the meaning yet, so stay tuned.
The bald spot did serve as a sign that the image symbol I received was real, though. I sometimes doubt my abilities, and look for signs in the material world and in the Oracle cards I pull afterward, and literally not knowing what was behind my own darn head sure seemed like a sign.
The image symbol was striking. I kept wondering what happened to the riders, and how the general could fail to notice their absence. His facial expression was one of sheer determination and focus on whatever was in front of him. Gulp. Haven’t we all been there? Clinging so tightly to what we want (or think we do), that we don’t realize what we may be losing in the process?
And often, too, when we fail, rather than examine those losses and the failed strategy, we instead double down and turn our frustration outward. And we repeat the pattern again. Maybe not in exactly the same circumstance, but with an equally frustrating outcome. Or, perhaps we get lucky and we are successful. We get what we want, only to find it hasn’t scratched the itch we thought it would. And rather than examine why that is, we set the bar higher, or blame the prize for not meeting our expectations.
This sounds a bit nuts, right? Yet, we are seeing all of this being played out on a large scale. While we may not be able to solve the world’s problems, we can at least begin with the back of our own heads. Be brave, hold up a mirror to yourself.
Oracle Card Spread for the Week
This week, inspired by the Full Moon, I used a spread from 111 Oracle Spreads for Every Day by Krystal Banner. It is called the Phoenix Rising spread.
Card 1. Old self: Elder Bluejay. Speak up. (#6 of Animal Elders Oracle by Asha Frost, artwork by Hawaii Pichette)
The Libra Full Moon harkened back to when the lunar nodes were in the signs of Aries and Libra, mid 2023 - Jan 2025, as well as focusing on the Venus retrograde through Aries. Both call for a review of how one advocates for oneself in relationship. Silence is not always peaceful. Sometimes biting one’s tongue or “suffering in silence” just delays a difficult conversation or decision.
From the guidebook:
“People may turn away from your truth, but your words will land for them when they are ready… Once you know in your heart that you must speak, there is no going back.”
If there is a relationship in which you feel your truth will not be accepted, reflect on how this is impacting your life. Do you still accept its impact?
Card 2. New self: Hummingbird. Reflection. (from Fauna Inspiration by Avec La Vie).
From the guidebook: “With such excessive activity, she tires quickly. To recover, she settles into her favorite perching place and falls into a deep sleep.”
Hummingbird shows it is possible to be both highly active and contemplative, just not at once. I used to subconsciously believe we are meant to cram as much into life as possible. I would listen to podcasts on every walk. If I had 15 minutes before I had to leave for yoga, I would zoom around vacuuming. Then I realized I was missing the opportunity to be open, receptive, agenda-less. Low and behold, I started having profound insights more regularly. And when I am in active mode, I am less distracted.
Card 3. How to bridge the gap between the two: Serapis Bey. Paradigm Shift. Activation. To grow, make the necessary change. (The Divine Masters Oracle by Kyle Gray, Artwork by Jennifer Hawkyard).
Serapis Bey “…is the divine master who is responsible for helping those on Earth move through the process of ascension, which isn’t about transcending the body, but fully aligning soul, mind, and body to transcend all earthly limitations.”
This card talks about this energy rising to the surface, and that old ideas and beliefs are in the process of changing, which will in turn change the trajectory of life. It is natural to feel resistance to leaving the known behind, however, to focus on the known rather than where you wish to go will be to allow fear to control you.
As I practice meditation more regularly, and follow guidance from my higher self as I move through my day, I am noticing how my old self told stories about virtually everything. Waking up the story would be: “I am going to get up, make coffee, do the tarot card haiku, take Rei outside”, etc. on and on throughout the day. Maybe it’s just me, but see if you do this, and instead, try to simply see what your plan is as images rather than layering on a story. It removes any judgments, stories, or burdens, and allows for new experiences of the mundane to happen.
Card 4. The challenges of this transition. Meditation. Skullcap. (#27 of Magickal Herb Oracle by Cheralyn Darcey, illustrated by Deer Dandy).
Speaking of meditation! I can hear the groans and stories, such as “I can’t meditate”. It’s okay. Have compassion for yourself AND be open to erasing your stories about yourself.
I see this more about accepting what is and as a first step to mindfulness, just relaxing. Skullcap is a wonderfully friendly herb who invites us to release tension. And I think it is impossible to feel aligned on the soul, mind, and body level while we hold tension.
From the guidebook: “Goals are also highlighted, so now is a good time to check in with old and current ones and give some deeper thought to how you are going and what you could do about it.”
Card 5. The rewards awaiting you. The Sorcerer. #48 of The Mystical Shaman Pocket Oracle, by Villoldo, Baron-Reid, and Lobos, illustrated by DellaGrottaglia).
This card speaks to times when we may have pushed through to our goals without integrity. If we refuse to look at the shadow from those behaviors, we will likely continue to confront them on our path in the form of other people and situations.
From the guidebook: “The Sorcerer arrives you to challenge you to change your thinking. You’re given a second chance. Correct your course and practice not blaming others for the darkness that lives inside you. Make peace with it and choose another way.”
The reward is the growth and easeful flow on your path once you have made yourself aware of areas where you feel a lack of integrity and then doing something about it.
I would like to give a shout out to my paid subscribers for joining my first Substack Live on Saturday! It was a joyful exploration of Moon signs and much more. I really loved the flow of interacting with people in real time.
Remember, you can become a paid subscriber for just $5/month to have access to the monthly gatherings on Substack live, with the recording available to you afterward.
Find some time for yourself this week!
Love,
Maria Luz
Great reading. This was very helpful.
You said “I am noticing how my old self told stories about virtually everything. Waking up the story would be: “I am going to get up, make coffee, do the tarot card haiku, take Rei outside”, etc. on and on throughout the day. Maybe it’s just me, but see if you do this, and instead, try to simply see what your plan is as images rather than layering on a story. It removes any judgments, stories, or burdens, and allows for new experiences of the mundane to happen.”
I could definitely work on the story telling. I feel like I've become a little better over time. I could see how regular meditation would help me. My brain tends to be anxious in anticipation, conditioned because of PTSD. I'm used to keeping a running dialogue in the back of my head all day long as you suggested — get up! take supplements! make coffee! And, so many to do lists! Planning through imagery might help create more flow so I am not anticipating the next thing. What a great idea. I could try to create a hypnosis script. Maybe that would help.
That was a beautiful message to me and spoke directly to me, thank you for sharing, loved it.