Embracing the Season of Expansion - Living in Alignment with the Seasons: summer

Written By Life Of Velvet

Overview

The weather is heating up which means summer is on the way! As we get closer to the solstice, we may begin to feel a surge of energy enticing us to get out, be in community, explore, and experience new things. This is the point in the astrological year where we are starting to gain our confidence and seeking to bask in our abundance and harvest blessings. This is the time of the year to start thinking about how we can MOVE and better position ourselves for MORE.

As spring comes to an end, it’s a great time to reflect on the meaning of living intentionally and in alignment with the Earth and her rhythm. Springtime is the time of the year where we got the chance to soak it all up! We planted the seeds. We tended the soil. We prepared the land. We planned the plot. We waited. We watched and we bloomed. Think of it as the moment where the rollercoaster is just inches from the top and we are preparing for the big drop!

The Expansion

While spring is the time for renewal and rebirth, summer is the time for expansion in all ways! This is the time for us to expand our network, expand ourselves, and be open to being in community with others. A few ways to approach your own season of expansion are:

Trying new things - the best way for us to expand our mind, have new experiences, meet new people, etc. is to live our lives! We can’t expect to learn anything new or find new communities to be in if we are not getting out there and seeking them out. Life doesn’t happen in a vacuum and we must be active participants in our lives to shape and mold them in a way that feels best for us. Here are some ideas to help you get started:

  • Participate in a new group activity: whether you decide to try a new gym, visit a new yoga studio, attend an event in your neighborhood, or sign up for that cooking class you’ve been thinking about, getting out of your comfort zone is a great way to challenge yourself to meet new people and simply have a new experience. Remember when trying something new, the goal isn’t to be perfect but to simply have a new experience that you can build off of over time. Growth comes with practice and time!

  • Cook a new recipe (bonus points if it’s from a different culture than yours!): cooking is a great way to challenge yourself and learn more about another culture or what you like. Whether you’re trying a family recipe for the first time, working on your sourdough starter, or trying to make your favorite fast food meal from scratch, cooking is a great way to challenge yourself and embrace a bit of whimsy in your day.

  • Find a new hobby: been wanting to pick up pottery? Feeling intrigued by rock climbing? Mesmerized by the strength and creativity of pole dancing? TRY IT OUT! The summer energy is on your side for having new experiences. Remember, the point of a hobby isn’t to be perfect at it or be a master at it. Hobbies are the things that help our lives feel more fulfilling and meaningful outside of the roles we play. The best hobbies are can have are the ones are do even when we’re not good at it!

Traveling - getting out of our neighborhood and normal hustle is a great way to expand our minds and experience other cultures/areas. Everything about the traveling process becomes a learning experience from navigating the airport or roadways to picking out activities to keep you entertained to people watching! Travel is one of the only times where we become newcomers and get the chance to look at things with fresh eyes and fresh perspective. Whether you decide to stay near or go far, consider enriching your travel with local favorites, historical sites, and nature walks/hikes to further immerse yourself in the area you’re visiting.

  • If you are located in California, consider supporting your local library and using the CA State Parks Pass for free admission to designated state parks in the state.

  • Are you a Costco member? Take advantage of their travel discounts and planning. You can even work with a travel agent to plan your entire trip without the hassle!

Taking a class or getting a new certification - you may be thinking, why would I want to spend my summer learning or being in school but this is actually one of the greatest times to take action on what will bring you closer to your purpose. If you have been considering getting a new certification, taking some continuing education units, or beginning the process to get a whole new degree, summer can be a great time to start to make forward progress toward that goal. As the expansive energy swirls around us, we are filled with an extra jolt to do more and go further!

The Astrology

Remember, summer starts in Cancer season and ends with the start of Libra season - think of it as the time of the year that represents the heart of who we are. As we transit through each zodiac sign, here are some of the things to keep in mind for each sign:

  • Cancer season (June 20th - July 22nd): Cancer is ruled by the moon and represents our home life, intuition, family dynamics, and emotionality. During the first part of summer you may consider focusing your energy toward spending time with family, coordinating get togethers at home, or spending more time communing under moon light to further connect with the lunar energy.

  • Leo Season (July 22nd - August 21st): Leo is ruled by the sun and is all about self-expression, creativity, the heart space, and bold action. This is the time to enroll in that class you found or fill your month with all of the fun events that you found this month. 

  • Virgo season (August 21st - September 22nd): Virgo is ruled by Mercury and is all about purification of practice, perfecting our routine, being of service to others, and creating systems of structure for our wellbeing. This is the time to focus on new health habits and recipes or traveling for the sake of learning or connecting with others.

Takeaways

Whether you’re focusing on soaking up the sun, trying to see as many places as possible, or simply just enjoying more time with friends and family, summer is one of the best seasons to fill us for the remaining year. Remember, we are given our longest amount of daylight on the solstice and it only decreases from there. So, by the energy of the sun, I hope you shine your brightest this season and fill your cup until it overflows.

Life Of Velvet
Next

Journal Prompts to Connect with Yourself