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June 12 through June 18, 2023

Our creativity soars this week, as we thrive under the intellectual power of the Gemini Sun to revamp our outlook and surroundings. Monday and Tuesday we'll be brainstorming for new ideas under an Aries Moon, and by Wednesday, when the Moon moves into Taurus, we'll be able to take action on the things we want to change on a physical level. Whether we're ready to take on a home remodeling project, bring our wardrobe up to date or go for a completely new look, or create new spiritual practices to enhance our inner souls, this is the week to bring those to life! The Gemini new Moon on Saturday heralds a two-week cycle of new beginnings, so the preparations we make this week will quickly move us forward into enhanced levels of being. We can pause for a moment on Sunday as the Moon moves into Cancer, focusing on family, home, and the things that bring us comfort. Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

Are You the Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, or Metal Element? Introducing the Personality Test You Didn’t Know You Needed, by Tisha Morris

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

Personality tests are a multi-million-dollar industry with a continued growth rate of 10% to 15% annually. According to the Harvard Business Review, it's common for employers to require workers to take personality assessments to identify who to hire and how they can best collaborate and work as a team member. In the post-pandemic era, personality tests are likely to only increase as more workers move to remote working. In such work environments, a personality test may be the best indicator of one's personality and work style.

The Myers-Briggs test developed in the 1960s has continued to be the most popular personality assessment test in the workplace and for interpersonal use. Now, we have a multitude of personality systems with which to define ourselves, such as astrology, human design, and the enneagram. However, the Five Elements based in ancient Taoism is arguably the earliest of all personality indicators.

The Five Elements were first introduced in the ancient text, known as the I Ching, or Book of Changes, as the foundational building blocks of everything that exists. They were not originally viewed in terms of the individual until thousands of years later when Chinese Medicine applied the Five Elements for purposes of medical diagnoses. Chinese Medicine used the Five Elements to determine an imbalance in the organ systems, which we now know as Acupuncture.

It was after Chinese Medicine migrated to the West when the Five Elements were also used as a system for individual personality types. While there is no exact marker for when this evolution took place, it most likely occurred as a result of the depth psychology movement spearheaded by psychoanalyst Carl Jung. In fact, Carl Jung looked to the I Ching as a guide for the archetypes that became a significant part of his work.

Considering that the field of psychology was developed only 150 years ago and only became mainstream approximately fifty years ago, we've had a relatively short amount of time in our evolution to consider who we are, what we want, and what makes us happy. Until then, the individual ego that gives rise to one's personality was not examined to the extent it is today.

Perhaps our fascination with ourselves can be attributed to having more options than ever in choosing what career or relationship is best for us, particularly for women who were historically exempt from such choices. It's now rare to commit to one career or one person and stick with it for the rest of our life. The pursuit of what will make us happy is not as easy as it seems and takes self-inquiry to help find what will bring us satisfaction.

You may be wondering what makes The Five Elements different from the other personality systems. The Five Elements consist of Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal, which exist as the cycle of birth, growth, death, and rebirth in nature. According to Taoist philosophy, everything on the planet consists of the Five Elements, including us humans. It's the one system that doesn't separate us with all living or non-living beings. We are all a microcosm of the Universe, a mini-Universe, so to speak, and thus all connected. And yet we all have our unique concentration of the Five Elements.

At our base, we all share these core energies. Our individuality is expressed with each one of us having a slightly different concentration of each element. In other words, we all have the same recipe, just a different amount of each ingredient. For example, some people have more yang energy, meaning they embody more Wood or Fire elements, while others are naturally more yin and thus embody more Metal or Water elements. This individual makeup of energy will play a role in one's physical characteristics, energy level, and even personality traits. Some people may have a high concentration in one element, while someone else may be more evenly balanced among all five elements.

Not only do we each have our own Five Elements constitution that makes us unique, but your profile may change as you go through different phases and experiences in your life. Knowing that we fit into a category can be comforting, but it can also be limiting to the full breadth of who we are and who we can become. Instead of stuffing yourself in a box, you can truly be all categories by what you put your attention on. Thus, the Five Elements allows expansion of ourselves.

By reading the following elemental descriptions, you'll probably glean some insight as to which elements you are stronger and weaker in. Usually, there are one or two elements that feel natural to us and at least one element that feels foreign or challenging. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses can be an invaluable tool in understanding yourself in work and relationships. While the full characteristics of the elements are beyond the scope of this article, the following descriptions provide a quick look at each element as personality types.

Water Element: The Water Element is the Philosopher. They are quiet and typically introverted, and yet so unassuming. They hold a quiet strength. They may seem fragile at times, but they are anything but weak. They are deeply creative, contemplative, and introspective. They will most likely be the ones to figure out the key to world peace or an invention that saves climate change. It will be up to the other elements however to implement it.

Wood Element: The Wood Element is the Pioneer. They are the leaders, inventors, seekers, and visionaries. They will take the lead in groups and take action steps to create movement in projects. They can easily vacillate between being introverted and extroverted depending on what a situation calls for. For example, they can work solo on creating a new business or work well with groups. Wood elements keep things in forward motion and their challenge is to know when to contract their energy or take a step back.

Fire Element: The Fire Element is the Manifestor. They are high energy and generally extroverted. They are often the life of the party and enjoy life. Like a flame, they create the highest expression of energy in the form of enthusiasm and passion. Fire elements provide the fuel in projects in order that they manifest in its highest and truest form. While the idea may have been born with the Water element, and the Wood element provided forward motion, it is the Fire element that brings something to full culmination.

Earth Element: The Earth Element is the Stabilizer. They are the grounding force that keeps the status quo maintained so that change doesn't happen too quickly. The Earth element is the container or stage on which we all get to play. They are highly supportive people that bring harmony to groups and help maintain the peace. Think of the Earth element as the parent that keeps harmony among the children when bickering ensues. They go out of their way to not ruffle feathers. Worry is their default emotion, especially when something seems out of their control that could lead to possible change.

Metal Element: The Metal Element is the Organizer. They are natural organizers and keep things in check and on schedule. They make great accountants, engineers, scientists, editors, architects, personal assistants, and professional organizers. They are guaranteed to be detail-oriented, focused, and precise in anything they do. They tend to cut to the chase in conversation without the need for embellishments. They also love an orderly environment with even their storage items labeled appropriately.

For a deeper dive into identifying your primary element and your missing element, you can take the Five Elements Quiz in the book, Missing Element, Hidden Strength. Once you determine your missing element, you can learn how to integrate it into your everyday life, along with all Five Elements. You'll likely find that your missing element is what has kept you from starting projects, finishing tasks, or even sticking with relationships. Once you identify it, embrace it, and embody your missing element, it will soon become your hidden strength to unlocking your full creative potential.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2022. All rights reserved.

I have had a fascination with all things paranormal since I was 14 years old, and I am now a member of a development circle for mediumship. After circle we always take photos while the room is still dark, and therefore the flash always goes off. One night when the flash went off, I very clearly saw a man standing behind a chair that a friend was sitting on. After describing this person, I was told that it was his brother who had gone to Spirit just over a year prior. I have had this happen once since then. Can you tell me if I can develop this ability to see spirits, or will I only be able to see them under those conditions? What do you make of this? I did originally think that it was my eyes playing tricks on me, but I have been told by those present that it wasn't. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

Love and Light to you all,

Clare

Dreamchaser:

Clare, thank you so much for asking this question. When we are around like-minded people, we soak up the energy in the room and become even MORE than when we are alone. Think of a sponge: if there is one drop of water, the sponge will soak it up but not become saturated, but if there is a puddle, the sponge will soak up that liquid and become full.

This is similar to how we soak up the energy of those around us. The Christian Bible says "when two or more are gathered in my name..." I believe that when you saw this man, you were "wide open" spiritually from the circle. Your logic was asleep and your spirit was in control. Do you THINK your eyes played tricks on you? Is that how you justify all the things you have seen throughout your life? As long as you do not believe your own eyes, you will not be able to see.

You see things all the time! You just don't believe in your own abilities, so you find a way to rationalize EVERY sighting away, like you have always done. This one in particular is hard to rationalize away, since you know who you saw, and you have other witnesses to that fact. I repeat, Clare, you have ALWAYS seen. You just have to trust in your own power.

I suggest that in your next prayer/ meditation session, you speak to your higher power about this issue. Ask for guidance and trust. You must also consider that some beings do not wish to be seen, or like to play a game of paranormal "hide and seek."

I have mentioned many times that my house is extremely haunted. I do not, however, see any of these beings with my own eyes. (I have also mentioned that I really do not wish to see said beings.) One night as I was just getting settled into bed, however, I heard a noise in the kitchen. My bedroom is a loft that overlooks the house. I sat up and saw a man in a fedora hat walking through the kitchen. I lay down quickly and rubbed my eyes. When I sat back up, of course he was "gone." I am sure he showed himself to me that night. I do not know why, I just know he did. It was HIS choice to be seen, not MY choice to see him - a game of "hide and seek."

Another way spirits show themselves to us is on film. So many people see shadows, lights or orbs in their photos, but explain them away as "glare." Next time you get a picture with "glare" in it, look more closely. If an orb is floating against a flat wall, where can the "glare" come from?

Open your mind and your soul to your own gifts. I wish you 20/20 psychic vision.

*****

Astrea:

Any kind of mediumship takes practice, and validation is important to a person's progress. I'm tickled pink that you have a group who can do that for you! Obviously, your eyes weren't playing tricks on you there!

You ask if you can develop the ability to see spirits. By that I assume you mean spirits of Departed People (the Dead). You are already accomplishing that, with witnesses no less, which is very important. While taking photographs is a very good idea for keeping records of what happens in situations like this, you don't need the spirits to show up on the film to feel validated. The other people present can confirm details about the loved ones you're able to see.

Communicating with the Dead is always hard work. Over the years, I've found that there are several common threads that lead to success in such practices. While it's possible to see and communicate with spirits in several venues and in many personal ways, finding someone who can mentor you in the process of learning how to do that would be very helpful to you. The circle is fine for experimentation, but you will find if you have an actual personal TEACHER, the process will go more swiftly.

Here are a few pointers that always help me. Use what you like and discard what you don't!

I find that it's almost impossible to "speak" to someone before they have been departed for at least a year. That first "Celestial" year, a person has to face a lot of what they did that THEY felt was wrong during their Earthy Incarnation. After the first year has passed, usually people become more settled and ready to talk with loved ones or with channels who can relay messages to loved ones.

As you're beginning, try NOT to talk to people who have died violently, whether in an accident or by their own hand. Sometimes suicides come through almost immediately, as they aren't convinced that they are dead. Try NOT to see suicides before a year is up if you can help it. (Very unhappy, dissatisfied bunch, in my experience).

Women and men are equally interested in "coming through." So are animals. Try not to limit yourself to human spirits. We miss a lot when we do that.

Above all, take your time discovering what works best for you, and be patient with yourself as you discard the techniques that don't prove helpful. As a young person, you're still getting all kinds of impressions coming into your brain. Sorting it all is difficult, but with lots of patience and practice, you will be able to turn it on when you need it. Turning it OFF - now that's another matter! 🙂

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.