CHALLENGE ENTRY 3 - Celestial Exploration
TW: mentions death and suicide
I decided to use the reflection questions from my astrology book (Cosmic Curiosities 
) to reflect on how the planetsā influences are apparent in my own life:
The Sun 
Reflect on a time where you felt a strong sense of personal identity and self-expression. How did you embrace your individuality and showcase your unique qualities?
I class myself as Pagan, something that I never thought I would do. It is who I am and it a huge part of my daily life. I have my deities and I pray/chat to them every day. I have my rituals that I incorporate into my life (moon rituals, spells and even simple ones like journalling and stirring my coffee). I do not hide this from anyone, infact it is on display in my home on the pictures on my walls, throws on my sofa (Egyptian deities) and my altar. I even changed my religious beliefs status on my record at work as I have accepted it as part of who I am and I donāt mind who knows. I even have family and friends now asking me about things, how to create moon intentions, what essential oils to use for things or asking to pick a tarot card for them.
The Moon 
Think about an emotional experience or situation that deeply affected you. How did you respond to your emotions? How can you create a more nurturing and supportive environment for yourself?
An obvious situation for me is the loss of my brother when he took his own life. It affected me greatly to the point where my life was practically put on hold. I didnt want to socialise, didnāt want to exercise, didnāt even want to eat. I physically couldnāt go to work. Therefore, I probably ignored my emotions at first, instead living in a sense of numbness. However, it came to a point where I knew I couldnāt continue lime that. I let my emotions flow: I cried, I shouted, I lashed out, I questionedā¦then I accepted. I sought help to get me back on track and began to nurture myself once again by establishing a daily routine and gradually building in exercise, hobbies and time for reflection through journalling, tarot card etc. This routine has continued and has helped me to get into my new sense of normality.
Mercury 
Consider a recent communication or period of learning that you were involved in. Were you able to express your thoughts and ideas fully? Were there any challenges? How can you improve your communication skills?
Around my area at the moment, there are countless roadworks and temporary road closures. The council tends to do this in March as a way of spending the last of their budget prior to the new financial year. Last week, I woke up to find the road leading into town from my area would be closed for 2 weeks. Immediately my complaint hat went on and I wrote a strongly worded letter to the council. I spilled for several pages, highlighting the inconveniences causes to many people and the lack of prior warning. I really didnāt hold back but had to make sure I remained tactful (this wasnāt easy 
). I was pleased when I got a response but not so much with the bog standard responses. So I replied, challenging every point that was made in the response. I am still waiting on a reply. I liked the fact that I decided to do this and stand up to something rather than just accept it. I will aim to do this more often.
Venus 
How can you cultivate more love, harmony, and meaningful connections in your life?
I dont come from an overly lovey dovey family. We of course all love each other but donāt necessarily tell each other. Itās very much a sense of stiff upper lip and all that. Since the loss of my brother though, I do make a point of speaking to my mother daily and visiting her regularly. I always give her a kiss on the cheek and a hug before leaving. I contact my sister to make sure she is OK and speak to my dad regualrly too (he lives further away so visiting him is more difficult). This has been the result loss because it made me appreciate who I do have much more.
Mars 
Think about a recent situation that required assertiveness, courage or taking action. How did you approach challenges and overcome obstacles?
Returning to work required all of these. I am a school teacher and was absent from class for around 8 months. Going back to thar environment, where so many children rely on you means being at the top of your game, or appearing to be so even when you donāt feel it. Kids naturally chance their arm with someone ānewā. I wasnāt new but they were aware of my long absence and the possibility that I may be āout of touchā with my skills. I wasnāt going to let that happen. Straight away I put on my boss head and established who was in charge. This meant rhe children knew of what I was expecting from them and of the consequences for negative behaviours. ( I am not a tyrantā¦honestš).
Jupiter 
Consider recent opportunities for growth. How did you seize these opportunities and embrace new experiences? How can you continue to develop a positive and expansive mindset?
I looked at my knowledge of astrology and asked what I could do with it. I decided to write a book, something that I would never have thought I would have done. I had no clue where to start so I just started writing. Over time, it grew and grew. It also changed many times - bits taken out, bits added in, bits reworded. Now it is complete, thanks to the encouragement of friends, family and of course you guys. It has made me feel good in my abilities and I am already thinking about the sequelš. I was also asked to help create an astrology course for a certain website, which I jumped on the chance to do. Not only have these helped me to grow in terms of abilities and skills, but in confidence and beleif that I CAN do the things that others say I can but just canāt see in myself.
Saturn 
Reflect on recent responsibilities, commitments or challenges that required discipline and perseverance. How did you handle these responsibilities and stay committed to your goals?
Again, this can relate to writing my book. This was not a quick project. It has taken over a year to put together. This has required both discipline and perseverance. It almost became part of me and took up a lot of my time. It probably unbalanced my life a bit as I neglected other leisure activities and hobbies at points. It became a bit of an obsession almost, which is not necessarily beneficial. Therefore, I created a weekly schedule and allocated certain times that I would work on it. I could not work on the book outwith these times. (Schedules and boundaries - how Saturnianš). This also helped to ensure that I didnāt experience burn out or apathy towards it, which was important for a long term project like this. I learned that little and often was just as, if not more, effective as all day every day.
Uranus 
Think about a recent time where you stepped outside of your comfort zone or embraced your individuality. How did you embrace it?
I have always had a fear of failing, especially in front of people. By this, I donāt necessarily mean big projects. It was little things too bit for me, I made them big. My cousin asked me to go clay pigeon shooting. Straight away I thought " I canāt do this" and āpeople will laugh at meā. This would be enough for me to say no. But I went. I have learned that life is too short to worry about things like this. When we got there, my cousin showed me how to do it and I had a go. I wasnāt great at it at first but I quickly got into it and turned out to be pretty good at it. I was too busy focusing on it that I had no time to worry about what others were thinking. When I looked around, I realised that everyone else was also too busy doing their own thing to be worried about what I was doing. This was well out of my comfort zone but I actually enjoyed it to the point Iām going back. This would have been a missed opportunity if I had just said ānoā like I have done to things on previous occasions.
Neptune 
Consider recent experiences that included your imagination, spirituality, or creativity. How did you connect with your intuition and tap into your dreams? How can you continue to explore your spirituality ?
As many of you know, my grandmother is approaching the end of her life. It is extremely saddening but she is suffering and I want her to be at peace. During a meditation, I found myself in a desert on a path with pillars at either end (Iāve been here a few times). At the end stands a man in flowing white robes and with a white crown (I consider it to be Osiris). He once told me I could not see my brother because he was not ready to be seen. This time he said āthey will unite on the day that they walked the aisleā. I took this to be my gran and grandpaās wedding anniversary. During the week, I woke up on different nights after hearing a song called āhappy anniversaryā. It was by a duo called Foster and Allen, who my grandparents listened to. I took it that my grandpa was going to come for my gran on their wedding anniversary. I was prepared for her to pass thenā¦but she didnāt. What did happen though was that on her wedding anniversary last week, she was lying in bed and looked around. Her eyes widened and she said āoh Tommyās hereā (my grandpa). She asked to sit up in her bed. She sat looking at the same spot, nodding her head, smiling, even laughing. She then said she wasnāt ready to go. I think my grandpa did come. They were reunited on the day they walked the aisle. Maybe my grandpa even sang that song. But he didnāt take her because she didnāt want to go. I think though that my signs were correct, I jist interested them wrong. I think though that I am certainly becoming more aware of the signs that come my way.
Pluto 
Reflect on transformative experiences or moments of personal empowerment. How did you navigate and embrace change? How can you continue to harness your inner strength to change your life?
I think one of my most transformative experiences was moving away from Christianity to my current path. I grew up in a protestant family. I attended Sunday school on a weekly basis with my gran and then continued attending church. This did stop but I still held Christian beliefs and attended on a Sunday sometimes. Too many things in my life happened though and it made me question the validity of Chrisitian beleifs and why they would permit such things to happen. Then came the deities of the past, specifically Egypt. They were always a part of me from.a historical interest perspective (or maybe it was always more than that). I didnt have the bravery to embrace it until my partner showed an interest in Wicca. I took a similar interest but adapted practices to suit me and the path I wanted to take. I then found Spells8 and have never looked back! My altar is in my living room and I donāt hide it. People ask about it when they visit and I donāt shy away from telling them. If they accept it, great! If not, thatās not my problem. It has helped to change me for the better. I am happy within myself and feel that it has made me a better, more confident and more accepting person.
Feel free to use these points to reflect on how the planets influence your life.
Blessed be
Alan
is one of my deities. Apparently sheās been part of my life as long as I can remember, but I didnāt realize it until very recently. When I was a kid I love to look at the clouds and stars and moon. I love to walk in the woods and try to climb the trees I was never very good at it by the way. I loved to walk barefoot in the grass. I also love to play in mud puddles and squish my toes in the mud. I also liked playing in the dirt I was a pretty messy kid and I was outside every chance I could get. Of course I still like most of these things except getting my feet dirty.
to aid my health!
Solar Eclipse Moon water with an elixer moon Water and crystals with botanicals!
Magick in the Dark 
