The Moon is Waning, it is the 14th week of the year, and it is the week of Passover, Easter, and Temperance. Temperance is the archetype of the 14th tarot card in the Major Arcana. By definition, Temperance is associated with moderation, a conscious effort to stay in balance, and one of the human virtues of self-restraint. As we look back at past civilizations on this planet, most of the humans in history destroyed themselves because they were not able to employ temperance. We see in our world overindulgences, overtaking natural resources, inhumane behaviors, unsustainable living, etc. How can we regulate, manage, and activate temperance in humanity? If the elders on the planet knew that answer, it would have already been done.
The act of restraint is the strengthening of self-control. Our impulses come from our thoughts and emotions concentrating on a desire. When we completely ignore that internal voice that speaks out to us when we need to practice restraint, we are making a decision away from temperance. Scientific research proves that those who practice self-control are more healthy and happy. Temperance develops in our behaviors between the ages of 3 and 4 years old. It is a virtue, but it can also be learned and practiced daily in order to strengthen. As we get older, this virtue of self-restraint develops into a regular practice of goal setting, greater discipline, and more endurance in everything we do.
Passover signifies liberation and the freedom from enslavement. Imbalances we accept in our lives tend to be the shackles we become enslaved to. Most people have known someone with an addiction to something on the physical plane - whether it be a food, substance, emotion, or lifestyle. This is one example of losing freedom from a lack of temperance. This week in the Christian tradition is the continuation of Lent until Easter Sunday. It signifies the sacrifice before the rebirth. When we finally let go of our imbalances, we set ourselves free to be reborn into a healthier and happier version of ourselves. The Waning Moon signifies the release of that which does not serve the highest good in order to make space for new blessings to manifest. All signs are pointing to this shift into the 4th month of the year - the month of healing changes.
As you walk around your neighborhood and look at the Spring flowers sprouting up and smiling, remember that you too can sprout up and out of any perceived obstacle. Do not let anything get you down. Life, like school on Earth, can be extremely challenging, but there are so many great things that happen along the way. What we choose to focus on becomes big in our minds and sometimes difficult to digest. Take a few steps back and look at the bigger picture. There is a hidden blessing in every challenge that is waiting to be revealed. Trust the process of life and stay in your center. There is a greater plan for the greater good. Collective consciousness binds us together. "I Am Because We Are", is a wise saying from an indigenous grandmother we were able to hear speak recently. This was a profound statement that sums it all up. We are together on this path, we can help each other stay in harmony, and we can only exist with the help of other life on Earth. The key is the word "us". It is not a "me" world, it is a world filled with all of us - the two legged, four legged, winged, swimmers, underground dwellers, crawlers, sprouters, and everything elsers that makes up this amazing reality we are so blessed to experience in this lifetime. It only takes stepping away from the "comfort zone" to see our interconnectedness and live for both ourselves and each other at the same time. Balance is the key to our healthy existence on the Earth. How can you personally restore balance by practicing Temperance in order to help the whole and yourself at the same time? This is a great week to start!