Ashley, Author at Empowered Cardology

Feb 02 2016

8 Reasons To Awaken Your Venus

It’s February! We know what that means, right? The stores are exploding in red and pink and we are either dreading that middle of the month date, or trying to come up with a plan…

Whether we avoid, hate or love Valentine’s day, are single, married or it’s complicated, there is one topic that all of us are always focused on and that is our relationships.

That brings me to the topic of the planet Venus.

I’m going to be exploring the planet of love, beauty and art all month – and how she can help us with our relationships. All relationships – with ourselves, our friends, our family, co-workers and yes, even our lovers and spouses.

What about our relationship with our creativity? And with our fans/followers as a Creative? Yep, that too.

The reason I’m discussing the planet of Venus is because she is all about what we love, what we are attracted to, how we relate to others, what brings us joy and what turns us on.

Knowing our soul stats (I call all of the information that astrology, numerology and the cards gives us, our soul stats) – and in this case our Venus stats- (our Venus cards/sign and house) helps us not only with our relationships, but also with our creativity. She is what inspires us and what helps us attract those things we desire into our life.

We each have a Venus card in our birth card spread. That card lets us know more about ourselves in the area of love, attraction, our sociability, what gives us pleasure, what brings us joy and how we connect (or don’t connect) to all the people in our lives.

Relationships, our sensuality, our attraction, how we see beauty and art and all the feminine/receptive aspects of who we are is covered under Venus. We can learn a lot from her about ourselves and those we love by understanding and utilizing our Venus stats.

Instead of dreading this month, why not use it to discover more about yourself and those you love – how to relate to them better and how to enjoy your life more, because when you are enjoying life, more joy comes to you!

How connected are you to your Venus?

Are your passions lying under the weight of familial expectations?

Do you embrace what lights you up – or go along with the projections placed on you by those you love?

Our Venus is there to help us be authentic. To truly understand and embrace that which lets us shine.

There is a lot that She can help us with.

Here are 8 reason why you should awaken your Venus:

Understand, own and embrace your true beauty and genuinely let it show
Magnetizing yourself so you attract your true desires
Owning and enjoying your true erotic and sensual nature (and healing any wounds to those parts)
Know how to let others in your life understand and value what you need, want and desire
Seriously making your needs and pleasures a priority with no guilt attached
Waking up to what inspires you so you can play with and romance your creativity
Heal, restore and enhance all of your relationships
Own, use and be illuminated by your feminine nature

If you don’t know what sign your Venus is in, you can get a free astrological chart here.

If you don’t know your Venus card, you can get my free chart to see what the cards are in your birth card spread here.

I’ll be sharing more details in upcoming posts about each Venus sign and card – so stay tuned!

Dec 18 2015

Use Your Personal Year Number to Rock 2016

What if, at the beginning of each year, you got a hand-delivered message that said: Here is your mission for this year. Here is what to expect and here is the best way to get through it in the most natural way for YOU.

Nice huh?

Guess what? The Universe does exactly that for us. There are energetic roadmaps that shows our natural patterns for the year.

Got goals? Why not use your natural energetic patterns to help you get to those goals?

I say hell yeah!!

Here we are, about to start a new year. So, why not be better prepared?

When you’re working towards a particular goal, knowing what innate energies will be present in your life and what “cycles” you are in is very beneficial.

Your personal ‘numbers’ ( via Numerology) and the main cards of your current forecast reveal these energies.

Why not know and use the energies that will be present in your life to help you achieve your goals?

Before I talk about how to use this information, let me clarify:

The Cards in your forecast goes from your birthday to your next birthday. Your Personal Year number goes from the start of a new year, to the next new year.

Every one of us will have a new Personal year number once we are in 2016. As an example, my birthday is in July, so while I am still in the forecast (through the cards) until my next birthday in July, my personal year number will change on Jan 1st – thus having an influence on my forecast.

This sounds more confusing than it really is. 🙂

These logistics get easy to recall once you are tuned into knowing your personal cycles and current energies at play.

The point is in knowing how to benefit from them.

Being aware of the cycles is the first step in benefiting from it. This helps you to understand why the things that are happening are happening. It takes you out of any confusion or feelings of being a victim, or as some feel, that they’ve been cursed or did something bad. What an awful way to go through your days!

When you understand the energy of the cycle you’re in, you can take advantage of it to help you with your goal. As well, if you know the cycle of your spouse, kids or others you are close with, it helps with understanding where they are as well.

This is the beauty of knowing and understanding the tools we’ve been given. This information is what I call our ‘soul stats.’

We go through 9 year “cycles.” We begin anew in our personal 1 year, and each year’s energy after that helps us to move through that cycle towards the dreams and future we set at the beginning.

I was in a personal 1 year in 2015. I had wrapped up a nine year cycle in 2014 and in 2015, I was planting the seeds for a new cycle with new ideas, new ways of viewing my life and new desires. I’ll be in a 2 personal year in 2016 – where I’ll take my new ideas and what I planted and move into a year of collaborations, cooperation, forming relationships and learning about compromises. It is a time of building relationships so that those new ideas can grow and manifest.

What tends to happen – without us even realizing it – is that what is going on in our life will “fit” the cycle we’re in.

The experiences, people and your energy will fit the cycle you’re in.

What can happen if you don’t know the natural energy you’re in?

Things can feel as if you’re getting nowhere, or the same things keep happening over and over and they aren’t what you want happening.

If you’re in a 9 year and trying to launch a new business, things will seem stuck, clogged or as if you’re losing. You might face more losses than launches.

If you’re in a 7 year and you’re trying to network, socialize and expand your business, you might find yourself sick a lot or things happen that keep you out of the social situations you think you should be in because this energy is about time alone in reflection.

Yes, you can still proceed in your usual way without knowing. We have free will at all times to do what we want! But the natural energy or flow that allows us to live with ease might be one that conflicts with your plans.

Think of it like this: You decide you want to go to the lake. You put on your swimsuit, pack your sunscreen and head out there. But, it is December and there is a Lake Effect snow advisory. Snow showers are in the forecast and 3 to 6 inches are expected.

You could ignore the forecast and go. You might enjoy yourself…you could struggle through it. But, why go do something that is unpleasant or contradictory to the situation if you could instead, do something that goes with the situation? Maybe on that cold snowy day, you could build a fire and read a good book.

While that example might be very simple, the fact remains that when we go with the flow of the natural energies at play, things are easier, smoother and we actually get MORE accomplished! There is a reason for the cycles we have in nature and while our society puts non-stop ACTION on a pedestal, we must have time to ponder, time to sow ideas, time to clear clutter, time to hibernate and time to work with others.

And as always happens, my Forecast cards fit so beautifully in as well. I have Aces’s in prominent spots in my current forecast (new beginnings) and this year (as in birthday to birthday) is about the things I need to learn to help me with relationships (for when I go into my 2 personal year in 2016).

I know what is going on and what I need to do, and because I know….I understand how to plan.

I can plan accordingly and not get distressed when others say, this is what you should be doing. I knew the timing was exactly as it should be.

This is why knowing reduces anxiety and stress!

How friggin’ awesome is it to be clear on what is going on?!

I love working with a clients ‘soul stats’ – which is the information in their astrological chart, their numbers and their cards – so they can clearly know and plan for the things they truly desire!

Since every single one of us is going to have a NEW Personal Year Number for 2016, I’ve created a free cheat sheet you can download that shows you:

How to calculate what your personal year number will be for 2016
What key energy that number will give your year
How to use it to help achieve your goals for 2016

YES! I Want To Know What My Personal Year Number is for 2016!

Nov 23 2015

How To Get Started With A Creative Routine – Invest In Your Creativity

This is Step 4 in my How To Get Started With A Creative Routine Series

Invest in your creativity

What can you invest in that will give you the highest return for your creative work?

Investing doesn’t always mean money. It can be time, energy or focus.

When you commit to stepping from hobbyist to professional, you will increase that leap tremendously if you invest in your creative work.

That could mean hiring a babysitter so you have several uninterrupted hours to work.

You might take a course to hone your craft, find a mentor, a group to join, or books on your craft.

I experienced years of trying to do it alone and I’ve watched other creatives do the same. We think if we can just sneak off and get a bit done, then someday…someday…when we’re good enough…we’ll get it done and show others.

That is great when you’re enjoying it as a hobby.

It won’t work if you want to take it seriously.

Someday doesn’t exist and there is nothing for your mind to focus on. It is the perpetual carrot in front of the donkey – it can never be grasped and eaten.

Every artist is a beginner and every artist has an area where they need some help and support.

Seek the counsel of those who’ve been where you are and have gone beyond.

I started by buying the Artists Way by Julia Cameron. I had no clue how to evoke my muse or build my confidence or even what the life of an artist looked or felt like. My next step was to find a group of other writers so I wouldn’t feel so alone.

Surround yourself with others who are creatives and who understand the stuff that creatives go through.

Invest in the knowledge and support that will help you expand and build your confidence and skills.

The longer you wait to do this, the more that ‘someday’ will rule your path.

Stop feeling overwhelmed at everything you need to do to have a prosperous career with your art/writing.
Join our Free group for Creatives to learn how to build your platform Click here to join!

Here is Step 3

Here is Step 2

Here is Step 1

Sep 25 2015

What Is It Like To Have A Writing Deadline?

Have you wondered what it’s like to be all in and working towards a deadline with your creative work?

I’m interrupting my series of Getting Started With a Creative Routine to interview Randi Janelle.

I think its better to talk to someone who is in the middle of it, than for me to yak on about what it takes to set boundaries and commit your time.

Randi’s goal is to finish her novel and release it on Halloween, 2015. That’s less than 5 months away.

For anyone who has spent years working on a novel, you know how scary a deadline for it being DONE can be.

For many creatives, getting started and building momentum can be easy, but getting to the finish successfully can be very hard…and scary.

I want to start off by saying thank you to Randi, because she took the time to answer my questions during her very committed time!

To Randi: You’re in the middle of a manic write to a deadline now–what has been the hardest change in your routine?

Sitting, eyes glued to the computer! Because I teach yoga twice a week, I’m getting out of the house and working at a coffee shop and the studio on those days, so at least I get out of the house a bit. Though I do like having my space, and there’s a little bit of making notes and transferring them at home once I have the whole of the novels laid out in front of me as usual.

How many hours a day are you writing?

12-14 hours

What have you done that has helped you?

Writing! I knew this would be the case, because it’s happened before. Truly, the hardest part is simply starting! Once I’ve dove into the story, the rest is easy. It comes and I’m thinking about it constantly and I want to get quickly into that desk chair when I wake up in the morning. Having the deadline and taking it seriously helps, because people understand that’s where I’m at and they rally along with me.

What helps you stay on track and motivated?

Cutting out other parts of my routine to clear space to write. The only reason I’m doing this interview is because my day started a little earlier than usual, so I’m taking that time to do this! Otherwise, my energy is generally LEAVE ME ALONE!! Haha. I do have this spacey quality to me now, nutty-professor-esque, and people are getting the vibe that I’m more into my book than listening to them. After some time, they give up.

I just keep thinking of the big, cold, bubbletastic bottle of champagne we will be drinking once this draft is done. It will be the first COMPLETED draft of a novel that I’ve ever had. I’ve written for many years, but with this project in particular, it keeps growing so the finish line has always extended out further. It will be a serious milestone for me, and the thought of completing a big first keeps me moving!

How do you stay out of becoming overwhelmed and stressing over the looming deadline?

It’s certainly happened. I’ve had days where I wake up and I prepare these monolgues…I’m sorry, but I just can’t make dinner at all this week, please forgive me, I can’t do chores neither…cue desperate hair-pulling whines. But then I get to work and the joy of the creative process relaxes me. By the simple act of it raising my energy, all the stress and worries about what others expect of me fall away. And then the writing is down and I get ever closer to finishing.

Again, the trick is simply to do what we’re so good at–creating!

How are those around you–family, roomies, friends–reacting to your schedule changes?

Instead of the dramatic monologue, I simply offered to have pizza delivered. My credit card company’s treat! Haha. At this point, time for me is the most precious.

I’m working to finish the first novel in a series of three. I’ll be releasing it on Halloween, so I am taking note that the release dates of the other novels will be early spring. So I can play in summer! I’ve had invites to go float on a river on an inflatable recliner, camping, free concerts downtown, general playing with my friends–all declined so I can finish this. It hasn’t been easy. Every time I hope that I’ll get to a certain point so I can play. But what do they say, genius takes time? Maybe that’s just what I tell myself.

So yes, I’ve had to combat peer pressure in a way I haven’t experienced since high school. But it helps me stay resolute: this is important to me; this is my purpose; this is worthwhile. I would not be enjoying the play, having the deadline poking me with a disapproving frown, anyway.

And, being a dramatic writer, I think… This book, the work that I’m doing right now will last for years, centuries! I can always float down the river later when the book is in the hands of my editor. 🙂

Thank you Randi!

Besides being a writer with a deadline looming, she is also a performance poet, a photographer

and a yoga instructor at Weaverville Yoga. Check out her website and sign up to get in on all the exciting (and non-traditional) goodies she has for her followers as we all wait in anticipatory glee for the release of her first book, The Story on October 31, 2015.

Sep 03 2015

How To Get Started With A Creative Routine – Step 3

Welcome back to my series on how to get started with a creative routine.

In step 1, I mentioned the illusion of time.

I’m going to expand on that because it is SO very important when you’re getting started.

Think back on a time when you met someone new and had a crush, or started dating.

If you were really interested, it began taking up a lot of your time and thought, right?

Because you met them, did it give you more time? No, but somehow you made time for them, even if you were already super busy.

You probably had to give up something else in your life in order to make room for them.

Less time with your besties, or less time watching TV, or less time getting your work done.

We always make time for what we love, want and are excited about!

At some point, when you make the decision to get serious about your art, you will need to place your creative time in a high priority slot.

It will need to go from playing with the paints when the mood strikes you, to spending time each day painting.

There is something in your life that you’ll need to give less attention to in order to give more attention to your creativity.

What will it be?

This is your first phase of discipline and responsibility to your work. When you commit to this, things have to change.

It’s like starting a new job. You have to be there at 8 a.m. You can’t stay up until 3 a.m. anymore. You have to rearrange your schedule.

Just as you need to put in the effort to keep a relationship going, you will need to put in the effort to stay focused on your creative work.

Because it is ‘creative’ work and it seems to bubble up whenever it wants to, doesn’t mean that you only wait to be inspired to work.

This is why training your brain to be productive at the very beginning is so important. When you sit at your desk to write, or get out your paints or sit in your favorite chair with special music on to write a poem, you set the intention to be productive – even if you don’t feel inspired beforehand. You’re telling your creative muse that you’re ready.

One of the difficult things you might experience once you begin a routine is in setting boundaries with those you live with and are close to.

Unless you go somewhere to work, you’re probably going to be working from home.

Those you live with are going to need to know that your time “working” is just the same as if you were in an office or workplace somewhere else. It can be hard for them to take your time seriously, when you’re sitting on the couch, or in your bedroom or at the kitchen table. Interruptions and expectations for your time might be frequent because others don’t realize that this is serious work for you – especially if you work in the evenings, or on the weekends.

This means you’ll need to clearly communicate to others that when you are working, you need that time to be respected and not interrupted unless… (and you need to set the parameter for what interruptions are OK).

As with any commitment to a new dream, if others don’t know about it or understand it, they won’t see it as having the importance that you know it has.

You might need help from a spouse or kids in order to carve out some extra time in your day.

I’ve experienced and seen this part of setting up a routine hi-jack a commitment to serious creative work.

Why?

Because we’re afraid to tell those we love that we’ve decided to go for it. We don’t want to rock the boat or seem as if we’re being rude when we can’t go out with friends or we ask a spouse to cook dinner or we tell our kids to leave us alone. Sadly, it can turn into battles we’d rather not deal with, so we put it off.

Don’t wait until you have time to get serious, because trust me, it will never show up.

You have to make the time, and clearly communicate to those around you what you are doing, what you need and to honor the time you will be spending.

If YOU aren’t serious and respecting the time, no one else will either.

This doesn’t mean you become a hermit!

As a creative, you need time to relax, to have fun, to be inspired and to refill your creative juices.

What needs to change in your schedule?
What do you need to let those around you know?
What boundaries do you need to set in order to not be interrupted when you are working?
What do you need to let go of in order to create a ‘space’ energetically, time-wise and physically, so you can get serious about your work?

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