Return to Light's Philosophy is rooted in the most ancient of wisdoms - Nature. The movement of the solar seasons and their call to action on every cell in our being, to the lunar phases and their pull on our hearts & minds, calling us to look within and reflect.
The sun is the source of life here on earth, and dictates the seasons we move through. In this way, solar energy determines when nature takes action. Just like all things in nature responding to solar activity, so do we. Knowing when & how to embark on different parts of our self-realization journey for healing & wholeness is imperative for success. Looking to the solar season creates a compass for this journey! Below, I will map out the 4 seasons, their energetic intentions, and how we can work with them.
While the Sun’s energy has much to do about when to take action, the moon’s phases are more about reflection. When, what, and how to self-reflect is the moon’s influence. Observing when the moon is new or full, her astrological position, and what season we are in, are tools to help us gain deeper insights into our emotional & intuitive selves.
By observing this every month and recording our thoughts, feelings, and observations, we begin to collect more information on ourselves and our process. This is an integral part of awakening to our highest expression & magic, and reconnecting to nature as the Sacred. Honor all the sacred cycles of Mother Nature and attune more deeply to your intuition, wisdom, and collective consciousness.
read more about the seasons following core princples
My ideal clients are committed & curious to their highest potential + expression of their Mind-Body-Spirit
Principle 1: Trust in the Mystery
“First we have to trust and accept that the mind does not fully understand all that we are experiencing. Once that acceptance and trust is found, a whole other world of meaning, depth, and sensory experience becomes available to us.”
Though I do not remember where I found this quote, it sums up this principle perfectly! This type of work involves the Mystery Schools of Life. We simply do not have all the answers and cannot rationalize everything we are experiencing. When people ask me HOW is Reiki working and HOW do I do it, I don't have many answers for them. But we both know it IS in fact working! Any levels of doubt will inhibit alignment & healing. Trust in the mystery and trust in the process.
Principle 2: Explorative Curiosity
“‘Live the question’ and allow the answers to emerge over time. To ‘live the question’ is to fully engage with the uncertainties of life rather than simply seeking quick or easy answers. It invites us to be open to experience, to explore and reflect, and acknowledge that the journey itself can be just as valuable as any destination. In essence, it encourages a state of curiosity, wonder, and humility as we navigate the complexities of being human. When we live the question, we stop waiting for the answer and instead choose to live into it. We take baby steps and let life reveal itself to us through the living. We enter a co-creative dance with life. We merge with the sacred rather than separating ourselves from it. We enter a world of wonder and awe instead of expecting certainty every moment of every day.”
Now I do remember this one - it is Rebecca Campbell. And I couldn't have said it better myself! This encompasses the level of curiosity required when on the self-realization journey. We must remain wonderous and nonattached.
Principle 3: Commitment is Key
Spirit rewards those who commit to their highest healing, alignment, and expression. Your commitment tells your entire being that you are ready to receive, release, and transform for the better. Only through clear, decisive action will clear, decisive answers be available to you. When we come in with doubt or resistance, we block what is ready for us. We tell the best version of ourselves that we are in fact, not ready for it. And by not committing to our healing journey, we are acting in resistance, blockage, and doubt. In order for me to truly help someone, I need them to take full autonomous commitment and conviction for their highest healing journey.
Principle 4: Honesty is the Policy
A classic, is it not? When we are honest, our life comes into alignment. When we are not, we see how things become distorted, false, and imbalanced. When trekking on the path towards your highest expression & wellness, you have to be ready to be radically honest with yourself, and often with me. If you are working with me and are not in a place to fully accept responsibility, see things from new perspectives, or have a deep desire for self improvement - then now is not the time. Those who value above all else their Highest Self, value their Highest Truth. In order to get there, radical honesty needs to be a welcomed guest who becomes a long-term resident!
Principle 5: Patience is a Virtue
Yet another classic! And a very difficult one in our day and age. The process of alignment & enlightenment takes time. And time is different for everyone with this. Some phases & stages will go by rapidly for some, and at a snails pace for others. It depends what kind of processor you are, as there is much to process when embarking on a self-realization journey! We need to have a great level of patience, understanding, and compassion for ourselves during this commitment. Some things happen over night, some weeks, months, even years. And no one way is right or wrong, it just simply is. As long as we apply the first principle of trust, patience can more easily follow.
pring
S
seed + water
Spring is all about planting and watering new seeds of life. Excitation. Birthing something anew. This is a powerful time when we can begin to envision something different either for our current circumstance, situation, dream or goal. The sun is returning and thus creative solar energy ignites our minds and bodies to awaken to the new potentials awaiting us in the seasons ahead.
What we plant and nourish now will give way to how our year will unfold. This is a very important time to be incredibly conscious of what you wish to manifest. Hopefully some time has been taken over the winter months to release, reflect, and integrate so that there is fresh space upon the arrival of Spring. Here in this freshly tilled soil, we will plant a seed, water it, and watch it grow! So much magic happens in this stage even when we can't see it. But just be patient - by summer, you'll be seeing the blooms of your focused intentions!
ummer
S
sustain + maintain
Summer is wake it up and shake it up! Nothings asleep or dormant anymore. With solar energy at full blast, we know that energy is about to be buzzing all summer with so much more daylight. The sun is high and so are ambitions. But how do we keep up? We might have gotten a little comfortable in the slower seeds of spring, but now summer wants real movement & growth. We have to learn how to sustain what we are growing and maintain our energy all the while.
Lots of support, resourcing, and intentional downtime is needed during summer. It's a great time to let nature recharge you. Take a nap in the sun, ground in the forest, or hike a hilltop or mountain for clarity of mind. So much of nature's energy is available to us in summer, we ought to use it wisely! As long as we stay conscious in our next steps, summer's solar energy will propel the blooming of whatever seeds we planted.
utumn
A
refine + release
Autumn, or fall, can be a beautiful time of year for some, and a very challenging time of year for others. Transition seasons truly are the toughest to navigate because so much energy is required for both. So much has happened over Spring and Summer, we have created so much, watched so much come to fruition, played, experimented, created an abundance. And now it's time to recognize how much of what has come to fruition is ready to stay, and how much is ready to go.
This is a refinement process in order to release. Through great efforts and strides you've made it to Autumn, and now it asks you what still needs to shift in order to discover further alignment? What still needs to go in order to be well? How do you want to feel when you shift into the stillness of winter, and what do you want sticking with you? Not everything can come with you on the long journey of winter. Autumn asks you to let go.
inter
W
integrate + rest
Winter Part 1 //
The Winter exhale. The days are getting dark, solar energy has plummeted, and we are sitting with all that has come to be from the year past. We begin to reflect, slow down, and rest from all the energetically demanding seasons prior. A time of integration through stillness, a deep understanding about what we created, shifted, released. There's so much richness here and now it's time to let it all seep in.
Winter is a restful time, but it can be challenging for some to release the high octane energy expectations from Summer in order to slow down without judgment. Let yourself off the hook. You've done enough, and what you are meant to do is integrate all that has been done; become One with it, align with it, and notice if any last bits of refinement & release must be had. Let winter's invitation to rest resource you back to wholeness.
W
inter continued
re-wilding
Winter Part 2 //
This second stage of winter occurring shortly after the Winter Solstice is about letting go entirely. Everything you've spent all year on; every intentional season planting, watering, nurturing, cultivating, pruning, and integrating is now ready for release & re-wilding. This shedding process is far more vast & deep than the conscious and calculated release in Autumn. This is a time to allow instinct to take over, let time slip away, and agendas dissolve. A true mental power down is required. Reconnecting with nature and the animal within beckons.
January 16th - March 14th is a nebulous time ruled by the signs Aquarius and Pisces. In order to envision a future forward [Aquarius], we have to create space to imagine [Pisces]. Our imagination is what connects us to our creative life force, and imagination is the most rich when we feel free. Remember being a kid? When we were children is when we were the most connected to our inner animal, instincts, heart's desires, and imagination. That's when imagination is the most active - in our childlike state of innocence, wonder, and play.
How can you create spaces for this wonder & play? How could responsible you plan for this time to be irresponsible you; to be a kid, to be an animal?
When we connect to this part of ourselves, the deepest level of refinement, alignment, and healing happens for us. Whatever it is you have created in your life up to this point is about to get a massive upgrade if you can connect to this inner nature and surrender. If you would like a guide in this process, I will be hosting in state and out of state, potentially out of country, retreats during this time of year dedicated to this re-wilding process. You can always find that info here or under the Retreats in the drop down menu.
I look forward to seeing you in the wild!!