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An Excerpt from Sun Sign Karma by Bernie Ashman

Each of us comes into this life with memories from past lives, many of them hidden on an unconscious level. As we proceed on our journey, various life encounters activate these memories. It is true that we can make use of past-life talents. We may have a past-life memory bank full of positive skills we learned in past lives that can be tapped into, aiding us in maintaining balanced relationships in this incarnation. There are some past-life themes that can impede our growth and paths to greater fulfillment. A major focus of this book is to identify those past-life-relating patterns that correspond to each astrological sign. These energies don’t have to play a big role in our lives. The sign chapters in this book offer the keys to a roadmap that will unlock the paths to go beyond the pull of past- life patterns.

In my experience as an astrologer, it is a misconception to think of the astrological Sun sign that you were born into as giving you traits only developed in this life. There is an excellent chance you have past-life instincts that have carried over into this lifetime.

It is the karmic patterns that find us repeating behaviors that keep us stuck in limiting situations that we need to channel into more productive expressions. I think of these karmic patterns as energies that reside in the shadow part of our consciousness that need to be brought out into clearer light. Each of us has some of these karmic shadows following us into this life. Think of this as unfinished business for this incarnation that we can learn to master.

Much of my astrological counseling over the years has been helping people navigate through karmic patterns. Many of these karmic tendencies are linked to past-life relationships. What is interesting is that some people don’t know a karmic pattern was supposed to be already over in this life. Why do we keep repeating old, worn-out past-life behaviors? There can be an attachment to these shadowy influences because we get used to acting them out. It is as though they know our name and feel free to come calling. They can take on a life of their own. We do have the freedom to opt out of negative thoughts and actions. But it can take acknowledging these shadow energies exist in us. It is at this time we can begin to find the inner strength and clarity to walk away from karmic patterns. It might take some willpower and positive reinforcement, but we can divorce ourselves from these past patterns of thinking.

Karmic Pattern Recognition
Even in the best relationships a karmic pattern can show its face and try to weave its way into your thinking. A relationship might not be a karmic one but can still stir up past-life tendencies. Don’t panic. Sometimes it is in an emotional or angry reaction that each of us can fall victim to past-life behaviors. Our mind might be telling us we are acting out a learned behavior from this lifetime. There is an excellent chance the behavior and thoughts are carryovers from previous lifetimes. With some practice, you will get better at catching these past-life impulses. What is the payoff for doing this? You will feel empowered, and your relationships with lovers, friends, family, and business people will grow clearer and stronger.

Past-life patterns from previous incarnations can still be with us in the current incarnation. They are in our memory bank and can get activated in this lifetime. They can reside out of the awareness of our conscious mind on a subconscious level. The key thing to remember is that you can find a positive way to make use of this energy. The reward is enjoying greater harmony and fulfillment in your relationships.

How Does Your Current-Life Sun Sign Link with Your Past Incarnations?
In reading the past-life patterns in the sign chapters that correspond to your Sun sign, you will soon realize that there is another dimension contained within your sign. Your Sun sign is the portal through which you can identify past-life patterns. This is not saying you have always incarnated with the same Sun sign. Think of it as becoming more aware of the past-life patterns you have come into this life to gain clarity about through the Sun sign you have from birth. This Sun sign is only specific to this lifetime so you can get a better handle on past-life patterns from previous incarnations that you came here to better express productively. Your Sun sign is not causing these past-life patterns to occur again, but rather it is a vehicle through which to identify and heal these past-life patterns and bring yourself happier and balanced relationships. The powerful radiance of your own Sun sign can guide you to find the insight to find an alternative expression to heal a past-life pattern.

BERNIE ASHMAN (Durham, NC) is a highly respected professional astrologer who has been studying, practicing, and teaching for over thirty-five years. He is the author of several books and has contributed to the astrology magazines Dell Horoscope, Astro Signs, The Mountain Astrologer, and Welcome to Planet Earth. Bernie also gives personal readings, conducts lectures, and contributes to astrology software programs. For more visit www.BernieAshman.com.

Excerpt from Sun Sign Karma by Bernie Ashman © 2021 by Bernie Ashman. Used by permission from Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd.

Since I was a child, I have loved to dream, because in my dreams, I could fly, and it was very real and vivid! As I got older, these dreams sadly became fewer and farther between. I'm now 37, and for the past four nights, I've been having the same dreams again but with a twist. I fly for a while, and then I feel hands on my shoulders, pushing me back down to earth! I look up, and there is a lovely lady with long hair smiling at me. I don't feel scared, but I want to go back up, and she won't let me - she keeps pushing me down. Why won't she let me up? I have never seen her before. What do you make of all of this?

- Darrell

Dreamchaser:

Darrell, what a clear-cut example of astral travel you have here! You also have a whole lot of lucid dreaming going on. Lucid dreaming is dreaming while fully aware that you are dreaming. Astral travel is traveling out of the body, either while asleep or while awake. You can learn to perfect either one of these methods. There are many books written on these subjects. Astral travel is a natural phenomenon: while we sleep, our souls leave our bodies to heal from today and prepare for tomorrow.

When we are children, we are not encumbered with grownup mentalities. We can fly free and play make-believe and tell wild tales and just be kids. When we grow up, we are expected to act more mature. Children experience both astral travel and lucid dreaming quite frequently because of their innocence and openness. As you grew, you shut it down and became more logical. You have already figured out that there is a reason for this phenomenon to be happening now.

First we have to deal with the lady. She's a spirit guide and a teaching guide. She governs your sleep time. When you are going into an area where you should not be going, so to speak, she is there to push you back onto the proper path. Apparently, you are easily swayed and distracted when you are astral traveling. You would run wild instead of dealing with the issues at hand if you were not monitored. Basically, that is her job.

She is also there to tell you when your time is up and it's time to go back to your body, as you have already learned. You woke up a few times as she was doing just that. The only time you will see her is if you happen to wake up during a dream again and she chooses to show herself to you.

The only question left here is why you are doing all this at this stage of your life. You have been going through some extremely trying times lately, Darrell. People you never thought would turn on you have stabbed you in the back. You are taking control back, but you have to work very hard on all four levels (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual) to make that happen. This woman is helping you work through the lessons attached to these very challenging times.

Things are going to bust wide open for you, Darrell, and you are going to be very happy with all the changes. Every area of your life will improve. Know that you will be rewarded in the long run for all the hard work you are doing now. I wish you many enjoyable flights!

*****

Astrea:

Dreams of flying are dreams of an Old Soul. You flew before in another incarnation a long time ago, so it's a memory you carry in your DNA. All of us who flew before dream of being able to do it again. One of my friends says that he'll be able to fly again here on Earth someday. It's all he dreams of at night. He says when he was a kid, he dreamed about it all the time too, but now, those dreams are fewer and farther apart.

This happens because when we're small fries, we have more past life recollections than we do as we get older, when our brains and psyches are cluttered up with all the things that we have to do just to live in the world and survive. The older we get, the more distance grows between us and our Before Times. Ask a five-year-old sometime what he or she remembers about before they got here. You'll get an earful!

The lady in your dream pulling you down to Earth is one of your guides who has been with you through many other incarnations. The reason she is trying to get you to stop flying is because there is something going on in your life NOW that you need to come back down to Earth to address.

If you have a house or a business for sale right now, that could be it. If you're having issues in your personal relationships, it could be that, too. If you're having money issues, that's another thing that would require you to come back down to Earth and quit flying around all night, having so much fun! The best way to find out just exactly why she's doing this in your happy flying dreams is to ask her the next time you see her. She wants you to ask! She will happily explain the situation in your life that you're not paying enough attention to.

Before you go to bed at night, take your shoes and put them under your bed, toes toward the foot of the bed. That will ensure that you'll dream of flying that night. When she comes to get you to come back down to Earth, put your hands on hers, while they're on your shoulders, and simply ask her why you have to stop flying right now. She'll answer you, but it might not be in words. Keep paper and a pen handy to write down her answer when you wake up. Write your message down right away. Three nights in a row should clarify whatever it is she wants you to stop avoiding.

Flying is fun. I miss it. I know you do, too. Maybe someday we'll all be able to do that again here instead of having to wait to do it together again in the spirit world.

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.