As of today, when this blog post goes live, five planets are in retrograde (and have been for a while now). With Chiron, the wounded healer, now joining the backspin, it’s adding another layer of truth-telling and illusion-clearing energy into the mix. On top of that, we are in the middle of the Lion’s Gate Portal, which peaks on August 8th. This is one of my favourite times of the year - manifestation tends to speed up, so our thoughts really matter right now. It’s a powerful time to be mindful of how we focus our attention and where we channel our energy. If you are naturally sensitive or tend to carry other people’s emotional weight, this is where clear boundaries become essential.

In recent years, there has been a strong emphasis on living well. People are increasingly open to exploring ways to maintain their well-being and enhance their quality of life. This trend often prioritises physical fitness and health, sometimes at the expense of mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Additionally, there is a rigid interpretation of what it means to be "zen," raising the question of whether "zen" is even meant to be a constant state.