Summer Greetings from Jill!

Is it really June? What? Wow! Yay! I hope this newsletter finds you all well. It is has been an intense time to say the least... more changes, endings, breakthroughs, transitions... we are all probably all very aware that we are alive and life is happening. We have been cycling though a very transformative retrograde cycle astrologically speaking. Without going into too much detail, this is a time of reflection, redoing, reviewing and basically realigning ourselves with what is true while detangling from habit or outdated ways of being. I don't know about you, but waiting, pausing, resting and being open to new directions is not the easiest for me to digest. I have seen many of the projects on my to do list come to a halt, some to be erased and some to be moved into the maybe later category and very few making their debut. This has made me feel emotions ranging from frustated to free to confused. After a very busy winter and spring, I decided to take a vacation to Sedona. I have been drawn to the desert for some time now and was eager to experience the medicine that only the desert can offer. I was hoping for some alone time, some quiet, some rest and some vision. Well, although my trip was quite amazing in many ways, I did not come home feeling like any of my intentions were satiated. At the top of the hikes there was noise..people talking, dogs barking, you name it..not meditative material. There was traffic. There were travel delays and unexpected events. I was so busy trying to see it all and take it all in that there was no time for rest. In fact I was up before 7am most days and out the door. Although this trip didn't offer me what I asked for, it offered me the wisdom that my peace and my vision is not at the top of a rock or in an energy vortex or beside a cactus. It is within me. I need to create more inner space and quiet to listen and hear it. The noise and busyness I was sensing in the desert was just a reflection of the busyness and noise within me. 

Fast forward a month later, I was unexpectedly gifted a weekend at the coast in the most magical and nurturing home. I went without any expectations, there was simply no time to prep. Just gratitude for time to get to the ocean. I didn't bring an agenda. I didn't bring my laptop, a book, or anything "to do". I napped. I watched the stars. I walked on the beach. I did simple, slow and healing yoga that my body craved.  I had deep conversations with myself and I listened more than I spoke. I received.. so much that I did not ask for and more than I could have thought of requesting. My point in sharing this is that often times I think we have to "do" to receive. That we have to find the answer, the peace, the truth and we are looking for it everywhere but where it is..inside. It takes discipline and effort to create time and space for "nothing" time and for resting and listening. I am the first to admit I am not the best at scheduling and allowing it to happen. But, that weekend reinforced that I have to get past the feeling of boredom, past the guilt that I should be "doing something productive", that I "need" to do what I said I would or would I normally would do when space offers itself. I encourage you to create and accept some time to do nothing; take a nap, sit in the park, watch the ocean, listen to the birds, be open and without an agenda. Put your cell phone away. Don't even try to be meditative. Allow in the boredom, the judgements, the questions, the discomfort of just being. Allow the creative forces space to come in. Rest and receive your own inner stillness and harmony and tap into the deep well of your truth. It is bigger than an answer to a problem. It is bigger than your next project. Often I have found to go forward, you must first sit down and rest. You must allow the changing and the blossoming that is happening inside to catch up with the physical energy and momentum in which we assert ourselves into the world so that it can shift with us. Life will not stop when you rest but you will catch up with the part of you that is connected with the essence of what makes life possible. 

Many blessings and wishes of rest and rejuvenation to all of you!

Here are some times we can share space together this summer:

Full Moon & Summer Solstice Nature Walk and Yoga: Monday, June 20th 7-9pm @ Gabriel Park

Enjoy being in nature as we celebrate the element of fire, the full moon and the longest day of the year! Meet at Gabriel park for a nature walk through this beautiful park then practice saluting the sun and moon with all levels yoga practice outdoors and end with a short talk about the astrology of the times and a meditation on what the full moon and solstice are lighting up within you!

Cost: $20, Email me to register!

More details here. 

Astrology Series: Discovering your Truth

Tuesdays: June 28th, July 5th & July 12th from 7:15-9:15pm @ Tanner Springs Park

Cost: $20 per class, Email me to register. 

Come join me on Tuesday nights for a series on discovering your truth through the lens of astrology. Learn how astrology can be used as a tool for your self-discovery and growth! No astrology experience necessary! Topics include: My Astrological/Elemental Make-up, My Soul Purpose, Weaving astrology into your daily life. 

More information here. 

Full Moon Hike+ Yoga @ Council Crest: Sunday, July 31st @1pm

Celebrate the full moon with a fun and beautiful hike up to our city's highest point, Council Crest! We will enjoy a nature inspired yoga practice at the top and before hiking back down! The hike is 1.7 miles each way. Bring your mat or practice in the grass! All levels welcome. If you don't want to hike you can drive to the top and practice yoga only.

Cost: $25

More details here.  Email me to register. 

Moonwatchers Community Gatherings

Come gather, enjoy community, learn, ask questions and listen to what the moon is illuminating for you! This group gathers monthly to explore how the moon cycles can help us navigate through the curves of life through the lens of astrology. No experience needed. Just an open mind and a curiosity! We will talk about the astrology of the times and the new moons and how to work with this in your own life! 

Dates: Tuesdays, July 5th (abbreviated), August 2nd 7:15p @ Tanner Springs Park

More information here.

Full Moon Hike+Yoga @ Tryon Creek State Park: Wednesday, August 31st at 6pm

Experience the Aquarius Full Moon energy in the woods outside the city. We will take a short walk/hike around the magical land at Tryon Creek State Park and then enjoy an outdoor yoga class in their pavilion. Astrology + Nature + Yoga = medicine for the soul.  All levels welcome. 

Cost: $20, Email me to register

More details here. 

Cannon Beach Yoga Retreat: September 23-25

More details on my website! 

"Behind every problem, there's a question trying to ask itself. . . . Behind every question, there's an answer trying to reveal itself. Behind every answer, there's an action trying to take place. And behind every action, there's a way of life trying to be born. . ."

- Michael Beckwith

Love to you all,

Jill Case