Mercury Retrograde ‘101’

APRIL 1st to 25th

As we approach Mercury Retrograde, it's natural to feel a twinge of apprehension. However, let me assure you that the world will keep turning, and life will continue. Retrograde cycles, including Mercury's, invite us to delve inward and explore the themes these planetary movements present. Mercury governs communication, how we express ourselves, and how we translate our thoughts into language. It embodies curiosity and thrives in the uncomfortable spaces of the in-between, emphasising process over destination and expanding our consciousness.

Understanding your unique communication style is essential. You can do this by looking at your Human Design chart and finding the gate Mercury occupies. The chart has two sides: the Personality side (conscious/black) and the Design side (subconscious/red). Mercury's position on the Personality side shows what we need to communicate in this lifetime. On the Design side, we might share without fully understanding why. These Mercury gates give valuable insights into how we communicate and think.

During Mercury Retrograde, reflecting on how to better align ourselves for greater influence and impact is crucial. This involves carefully choosing your words and refraining from confrontations, major decisions, signing contracts, or significant purchases. Anticipate delays, technological glitches, and miscommunications, and practice patience during these challenging moments.

The retrograde theme encourages introspection into potential barriers holding you back. This moment of self-reflection, devoid of immediate action, serves as a catalyst for long-term expansion and growth. Take the opportunity to assess what aspects of your life are thriving and what requires healing, releasing, aligning, or concluding. Embrace this period to carve out space for future endeavours. Should challenging conversations arise, strategise your approach but delay initiation until after the retrograde to mitigate the risk of misunderstandings or exaggerated reactions.

While the energy may feel tense, there's no need for fear. Remember to practice active listening and embrace patience as you navigate through challenges. You have the power to revisit and address these obstacles when you feel more prepared. It's common to lose sight of oneself in the quest to satisfy others, but now is the perfect time to utilise this energy to strengthen your connection with yourself. Trust in this process and align with your inner self, as this will undoubtedly pave the way for remarkable growth and transformation in the future.

Working with your energy.

Human Design offers a profound insight into harnessing our energy effectively rather than working against it. It serves as a compass guiding us to tune into the subtle whispers of our body's consciousness. These messages, when ignored, amplify until they demand our attention. The Strategy in Human Design encourages us to pause, awaiting the right cues rather than rushing forward aimlessly.

The Human Design chart serves as a valuable tool for self-awareness. Despite years of practice, there are still moments when I find myself out of sync. Yet, this awareness allows me to recognise when I've veered off course and empowers me to realign.

Understanding my energy revealed a significant pattern of overextending myself. As a natural doer, I'd readily lend a hand, often neglecting my needs. It took time to realise how much I undervalued my energy, prioritising others' needs over mine. This habit stemmed from a deep-seated desire to please others, rooted in a lack of self-worth.

Identifying as a Generator, I've learned to trust my gut instincts, discerning between genuine enthusiasm and obligatory agreement. I thrive when I honour my inner guidance, yet I feel drained and frustrated when I overcommit out of guilt. Untangling a lifetime of people-pleasing is a journey I'm committed to for self-improvement.

Recently, I came across a podcast discussing reframing people-pleasing habits. The speaker, Natalie Lue, emphasised the importance of understanding our capacities and taking moments to assess our energy before agreeing to commitments. She advocated for setting firm boundaries and embracing simplicity to alleviate overwhelm. By reframing our fears and learning to say no, we open ourselves to opportunities that align more closely with our true desires.

Journal #25

With the theme of burnout in mind, I thought I would share the things on my radar to help nurture my physical, mental and spiritual self.

Emergence, 4-Day Byron Bay Artist Retreat
Going on a retreat sounds like heaven right now, and Rachael Sardelich’s 4-Day Retreat in the hinterlands of Byron Bay is definitely on my hit list for the year's second half.

Rachael is my creative mentor and meditation teacher; anything she creates is rich in magical insight and creativity. Rach describes this retreat as being a healing balm for the creative heart. Emergence is a full-body experience that calls upon the wisdom of healers, innovators and storytellers to nurture and upgrade your innovative architecture — the parts of you that dream of being more visible, more vibrant and more aligned with your truth.

With Rachael’s infectious Generator energy, I can only guarantee that she will create a space for creative incubation and the regeneration of mind, body and spirit; your Emergence journey will enliven creator energy, renew your connection to nature, foster greater clarity, and reimagine a new way of being. The line-up of facilitators is remarkable—definitely, one to check out. Maybe I might see you there :)

The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
This book and Rick Rubin’s quotes from this book have been all over Instagram lately. It is one of those pieces of writing that will be on everyone’s bookshelves for life, as Rick’s wisdom around the ebb and flow of creativity is almost biblical. Having found myself in bouts of creative stickiness, it is nice to have this validated through Rick’s shared experiences written in this book. I highly recommend this one. So much gold, whether you are an artist or not.

Acupuncture with Tsering Gendun
I have always been a massive fan of Acupuncture, especially when I have niggling aches and pains. But recently, in my state of energy depletion, I reached out to Tsering (my go-to Northern Beaches Acupuncturist) to see if she can help me address my adrenal fatigue. This week's session discussed burnout and how Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture can help.

From Chinese Medicine’s perspective, burnout means you have depleted your energy to the point where it is tough to make more because it takes energy! Acupuncture is a great therapeutic tool to help nourish your nervous system and build your energy reserves up again. Tsering advises booking in before you hit peak burnout to avoid other issues, like my frozen shoulder. Tsering is a fantastic practitioner with a wealth of knowledge. If you are Sydney based and looking for treatment, do contact her. She is my saviour.

Tiny Beautiful Things Mini Series on Disney+
Based on the best-selling collection by Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things is about a woman, Clare, who becomes a revered advice columnist when her own life is falling apart. This beautiful limited mini-series sees Clare revisits the most pivotal moments of Clare’s life to inspire the advice she needs to give her letter writers. Through her writing, Clare can excavate her life's beauty, struggle and humour to show us that we are not beyond rescue. In fact, our stories can ultimately save us… and maybe even bring us back to our authentic selves. Warning… Get the tissues out, as you will feel a rollercoaster of emotions.

Heartbakes by Charlotte Ree
Charlotte Ree's Heartbake is a heartfelt memoir of food, love and self-discovery. Charlotte Ree, a devoted home cook, takes us along her journey of learning to cook in the wake of a divorce that left her feeling unsure of who she was and what she wanted at a time when the whole world was turned upside down. With each meal that she masters—a boiled egg, grilled cheese, lasagne, ricotta and pesto ravioli in a brown butter and sage sauce—you follow the story of Charlotte's search for love—in friendship, in family, in romance, and love in herself as she begins to heal from the narratives she'd been telling herself for years. This book is deeply personal and emotional, with a bonus of Charlotte’s favourite recipes at the end to inspire us to experience the meals that got her through this healing journey. Fun fact… Her Basque Cheesecake caused the Northern Beaches to sell out of cream cheese on Mother’s Day weekend. Wow, that is some influence!

Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater by Mario Badescu
If you are anything like me, my skin dries up when the colder weather hits, making it very uncomfortable. I am always searching for a product that can give me extreme moisture with the bonus of dewy skin. Insert Mario Badescu Facial Spray. I am generally not one for facial sprays, but I love this product, and it is under $20, which is unheard of. It is all the things it promises, refreshing, hydrating and calming. I use morning and night; honestly, my skin thanks me. I am also a sucker for anything that smells good, so adding rosewater, thyme and gardenia extract tantalises my most robust sense with every spray.

The Imperfects Podcast Live Show
The Imperfects Podcast is a show that I have mentioned a few times in my newsletter, and when they announced they were going on tour, I jumped at the chance to see Hugh, Ryan and Josh in real-life. A mix of comedy and vulnerability, this live show was everything I hoped it would be and more. If you are a fan, I would highly recommend booking a ticket. They have a couple more shows listed around Australia at the end of the year. You might also meet one of their favourite podcast guests if you are lucky.

The Numbersmiths
With selling and buying a house in Sydney, my husband and I have been knee-deep in our finances, ensuring all our ducks are in a row. Both being self-employed, managing things like cash flow, super, and the dreaded BAS and tax is not only painstaking but can also be very confusing. I am creative but weirdly love a spreadsheet and reconciling in Xero. The only issue I have is that I am not well-versed in accounting. With the drive to change this about myself, I recently contacted Mel from The Numbersmiths for some business and financial guidance.

The Numbersmiths, by trade, are bookkeepers, but when meeting Mel (the founder), I instantly knew they are more than that. I signed up for their Arrive mentorship consisting of three monthly sessions. Each session is carefully planned so Mel can identify my financial woes and then build a financial strategy to help me overcome the contributing factors holding my business back.

I particularly loved the Money Mindset Map, an exercise that clarified where and what I spend my money on. We then took a deep dive into Xero to tidy up all the loose ends (lots of loose ends) to ensure that I am using the software correctly and can truly benefit from everything it offers. I have one more session to go, and I am most looking forward to this one. This is the session where Mel will teach me about the valuable course of action for my business and exactly what I need to do to see it grow.

What I love about Mel and The Numbersmiths is their holistic approach to bookkeeping and money management. I have always struggled to find an accountant or financial planner that understands the creative mind, and honestly, with Mel, it feels like two creatives meeting together; just one is more financially savvy than the other… hehe :) Investing in mentorship can be a hard financial pill to swallow at times, but I also see the immense value in it, especially in my time with Mel. I see it as an investment in the future of my business, so if you feel the same, I encourage you to reach out to Mel for a free chat.

Journal #24

Today marks my 42nd lap around the sun. It is also the day my house goes up for auction and my 10-week sobriety experiment is complete. I am feeling a mix of emotions. The lead-up to today has been a rollercoaster. Bouts of anxiety interweaved with unusual calmness. 

As I write this in the pitch black at 5.30 am, I reflect on the last ten weeks. Giving up alcohol was an interesting experiment. I have always read that it takes eight weeks to change a habit, and with my birthday in sight, I thought ten weeks was a good goal. I have only ever had one break from alcohol, and it was for four weeks. The other times' social things got in the way, and I would cave. So ten weeks was a fantastic achievement.

This experiment's first reason was to see if I could do it. To test my willpower, strength and motivation. Something I have always struggled with, thanks to my undefined heart, not just with alcohol but with anything. But what surprised me was that I smashed it, and with ease. I put myself in many tempting situations: nice dinners, birthday parties, and catch-ups at the pub, and not once did I waiver. The thought of drinking never really crossed my mind. And that shocked me. It got me thinking, what was the motivating factor here? What was keeping my mind strong? When I thought about it, I discovered I liked how I felt. I liked the energy and clarity that it gave me. The consistency of knowing just how I would feel on the weekend. Rested, energised, present and with no hangover in sight. That felt bloody good.

My second reason was to give my body a reset. Behind the scenes, I have been suffering from a hormone imbalance. I was diagnosed with PCOS many moons ago and am borderline insulin resistant. Without boring you with the details, I struggle with my weight. No matter how healthy I am and how much exercise I do, weight is one thing I cannot shed, and when I relax and let go, it is the one thing I can put on in a flash. My body is working against me. This is my Achilles heel and one thing I have been going to the depths of to discover the cause. I am on a mission. Giving up drinking has helped fix a few key factors, but weight loss was not one of them. I didn't replace alcohol with sugar, but I know now that my alcohol intake before was not the problem. I can scrap that off the list. Taking it out has made me feel better, though. My sinuses have cleared up. My skin is glowing. My sleep is a thousand times better, and my menstrual cycle has gone from 32 to 29 days, which is huge for me. So in my eyes, they are big wins.

The last ten weeks haven't been smooth sailing. My husband and I decided to put our house on the market to embark on an exciting move back to the Inner West. This is the second time we have sold a property together, but never a house with two kids, a dog and a cat and never one with a garden as big as ours. It has been HUGE, to say the least. Burnout has been rearing its ugly head in many ways, from weird body aches to extreme tiredness and anxiety. Even with my knowledge of myself and my energy, burnout is always a possibility when you push yourself too hard. We took on a massive physical and mental load, and this is just stage 1 of the whole process. Thankfully after today or the next week, I can hopefully tick that box, done. 

Not drinking, even with burnout, has saved me. Yes, in the more stressful moments, I would have killed for a cold beer or wine as relief or to unwind, but I didn't. My newfound willpower stopped me. This brings me to my final reason, to change my drinking behaviour. It wasn't so much an intention I started with but one that came to my attention throughout the ten weeks. Last year I would have said that I had a rubber arm. I was always happy to bend it at the right moment and then regretted it the next day when I wasn't feeling great. The older I get, the worse alcohol makes me feel. Being someone who needs to show up midweek for people and hold space for them, having energy keeps me going, so I needed to change my bendy arm behaviour. Perhaps it stems from FOMO, but if I am to be completely honest with myself, it comes mostly from people pleasing. The underlining need to prove my loyalty, to show I am a good friend so that I will join in. Sounds crazy right, but the mind does crazy things. The ten weeks had shown me I am still the same Billie without it. I can still join in and be fun. I wasn't missing out on anything. People were happy to accept that I was not drinking. It wasn't a problem at all. And that felt good. 

So here I am; today is the deadline, my birthday. And what a great birthday present I gave myself. I finally finished something and gained so much newfound wisdom along the way. I will have champagne today to celebrate all the hard work I have put in with the house, surrounded by friends. It will be top shelf because I bloody deserve it, but I will treat it like a piece of cake or special dessert and treasure it. 

I feel like a different person today. My overall outlook has changed. I have become more connected to myself than I ever have before. My intuition is strong. I have let go of old destructive behaviours and welcomed newer, healthier ones. I look at myself in a new light. I don't let my judgements about who I am or what I look like get the better of me. This is me. A woman in her 40s, and I love that. I am more sure of myself than I have ever been. I have wisdom on my side, but with more to learn, and I am excited. 

Journal #23

Reconnection – The act or result of restoring a connection.

I wasn't sure whether I should tell this story, as I am very much still at the beginning of my journey of exploration. But after some encouragement from a friend, and with everything going on, it feels like it might be the right time to share.

I, like most people, love a social event or friendly catch-up. Often over a nice wine and some delicious food. However, I had started noticing that even though it felt good and fun at the time, the aftermath always left me feeling tired and cloudy, which often led to a string of bad habits and a lack of motivation. I didn't feel good, yet as the weekends rolled by week after week, I would repeat the same vicious cycle. 

My sister courageously decided to take a year off drinking in early October. Seeing how she operated during the silly season with no care in the world about what was happening around her, never once needing to justify her decision to try to please others, was truly inspiring. I think there is a lot of generational conditioning around social drinking and that need to fit in, which is why I have consistently failed these tasks. The FOMO you feel, or the social awkwardness you fear, takes precedence over the satisfied feeling you get not waking with yet another hangover. Which is crazy, right??

But this last year felt different. My relationship with alcohol and its social use was starting to change. My body was telling me it was time for a break. Rather than disconnecting from the craziness of life, I craved reconnection. Reconnection to self, to my energy, to my creativity, without all the outside noise and distraction. So on January 2, I started my sober curious journey with the intention to last until my birthday, March 18 or beyond, who knows.

Week 1 felt terrific. The surge of energy I had was one I hadn't felt in a while. I was sleeping better; my sinuses had cleared up, and I was starting to feel more like myself again. I remember calling my sister and asking her how long this feeling lasts. She was three months in on her journey. And she said it comes in an ebb and flow. Some weeks you feel good, but there are weeks where the frustrations of life, the tiredness of being a working parent, and the stress of deadlines creep back in, and you don't feel as good. But you learn to deal with those moments differently. Rather than washing those feelings away with a glass of Rose, you have other tricks up your sleeve. You go for a walk or have an early night. You vent to a friend or read a book. You learn different ways to nurture yourself in that moment of need.

So in week 2, the normalcy of life started. Work calls began. The stress of the next couple of months ahead was building. Then I pulled a ligament in my toe and ankle, and suddenly, I went from elation to feeling quite shit. I was drowning in self-pity. Yet, I noticed one thing: I did not think or crave having a drink. I was shocked. I swore that would be the clincher where I would fail, but I didn't. Instead, I listened to what my body needed and the self-awareness of what it didn't. And that felt bloody good. 

Week 3 is where I am currently sitting. School holidays are almost over, and I am ready to return to work. Over the past couple of weeks, I have also noticed the influx of ideas I have. It is like my creativity has gone through an upgrade. My mind has switched on, and I am back to writing again. This is a game-changer. It feels less like a chore and more like a satisfying pleasure. I am a creative person, and I need an outlet. It is part of who I am and very much part of my authenticity. I hope to go deeper with this reconnection in the coming weeks. So will keep you posted.

I suppose I am sharing my experience not to preach about not drinking but more to explain the importance of connecting to self. Everyone has their journey and vices to work through, and for me, not drinking is one of the ways I have chosen to reconnect with my energy. As I mentioned, this is only the start of my journey, a tune-up of sorts. Without the cloudiness, it will bring a new sense of clarity. I hope to learn new things about myself and how I am energetically wired. Or perhaps I will rediscover who I have always been. That is the beauty of understanding your design on a deeper level. Being a Generator, I know I have access to consistent energy, especially when doing the work I love. So my intention for this year is to take better care of it and put it to good use. I want to experience things that bring more satisfaction (my energetic signature) than frustration. This feeling will be my inner gage to know when I am living according to my Energy Type, Strategy and Authority.

Journal #22

Guys, I know it has been a while between go-to's. But now, as I gear up for the Xmas and my Summer holidays, I thought I should share my list of things that I would like to treat myself with or gift my nearest and dearest—focusing on things that appeal to the senses to uplift my energy and the energy of others. So here is what is on my radar at the moment.

Fix Dining
One of the best things that came out of Covid isolation was all the different at-home dining offerings from some of our favourite food haunts. Sadly most have reverted to pre-covid dining-in, but Fix Dining, new to the game this year, has created many must-have at-home menus using some of the finest producers from around the country. The FIX. team, the guys from Stix Marrickville (the caterers of my next Energy Exchange), prepare your meals, package them sustainably and ship them to your front door, ready for you to enjoy in the comfort of your own home. They help you enjoy your restaurant FIX. in fours ways:

FIX Chef Dining Menus. A chef-quality restaurant experience in the comfort of your home. All you'll need to do is pour yourself a glass of something delicious, put your dishes together, and enjoy!

Quick FIX. Chef quality-made meals to fill your freezer. Perfect for when you want something fancy but can't be bothered to do more than turn the oven on.

The FIX Store. Gives you the keys to their chefs' pantries. From secret ingredients to produce customarily sold by the pallet to their handmade condiments that will step your cooking up a notch or five.

Mini FIX. Meals designed to feed the little people in our lives the FIX way. Ready to simply be heated and enjoyed at home. An idea that I feel is brilliant and needed this time of year.

This offering would be a great present idea for a loved one or your go-to to elevate your Xmas lunch with the fam this year. I know I will be perusing closer to Xmas day.

Handwoven Picnic Rug by Peek Neek
Hopefully, with the rain behind us and warmer weather on the horizon, I am keen to up my picnic game this year. I came across these gorgeous, brightly coloured gingham rugs on The Design Files recently and absolutely fell in love. I am SUCH a sucker for gingham, especially when the colour combo is called 'Orange wine and lavender. What sealed the deal for me was that these rugs are generous in size and are made from recycled plastic bottles. Win-Win.

Catherine called Birdy – Amazon Prime
On a lazy Sunday rainy day, I finally sat down to watch this movie on Amazon Prime and loved it. How could I not as it was written and directed by the genius Lena Dunham, creator of 'Girls'. Catherine called Birdy is based on the 1994 novel of the same name by Karen Cushman. Set in medieval England, the story is about the daughter of a financially destitute Lord and how she navigates her father's plans to marry her off to a wealthy suitor. When the vilest suitor arrives, her parent's love for her is tested. This coming-of-age film is a fun and vibrant showcase of a 14-year-old girl's fight for freedom and the right to self-determination in a time when a woman's role was to be seen and not heard.

This movie had me feeling all sorts of feelings the whole way through. There was not one character I disliked. Even though it is classified as a 'period' movie, Lena weaved her creative, stylish and uber-cool edge the whole way through it, which is quintessentially her and probably why I am always such a massive fan of hers. 

The book is also just as gorgeous and will be in my daughter's Xmas stocking this year. If my daughter (or son, for that matter) could grow up as strong and courageous as 'Birdy', I would be one happy mother.

Sacred Tea Ceremony by The Ritualistic Life
In the new year, I am looking forward to my opportunity to finally experience a Sacred Tea Ceremony with the beautiful Cassie Polgar from The Ritualistic Life. Experience friends have been raving about, and after I connected with Cassie recently, something I am drawn to.

Cassie is a Tea Ceremonialist who creates sacred space for rituals & practices that are woven around Chinese Tea. It is an intimate practice of sitting quietly with Tea to invoke a deep Meditative state that allows the mind to rest and brings the heart and body back into a state of equilibrium.

Cassie is based in Sydney and first fell in love with the Leaf around six years ago after stumbling across Global Tea Hut, the lineage she has come to practice under. After many years of communing with the Leaf daily and studying certain elements within Tea and Ceremony, Cassie has finally started to share this sacred gift with the world. 

Cassie's ceremonies are immersive and intimate, as she only holds space for a small handful of people. 'The Sit', as she calls in, allows your mind, body and soul to awaken slowly, reviving the spirit, & allowing you to step into your day and week ahead refreshed, reinvigorated & renewed on a deep cellular level.

Cassie offers private sits and also hosts small intimate events throughout the year. If this piques your interest, follow her on Instagram for event updates or reach out to her via her website. I will report back on my experience in the new year. I can't wait!! 

Mindfulness Candle Set by Candle Kiosk
I have sadly fallen off my meditation bandwagon for the past few months. Something that happens from time to time when life gets in the way. So these holidays, I am going to make a conscious effort to get back to my daily practice of meditating 20 minutes a day with the help of this beautiful ritual, the Mindfulness 20 min Candle. Designed as a great introduction to Mindfulness, with a set of 20-minute candles to focus your attention and get you started towards greater equanimity, acceptance and joy. Something we all need right now, yes?

This Ritual set includes:
• 5 x hand-dipped Haze 100% plant-based candles (burn time 20 minutes each)
• Solid brass candle stand, handmade in Japan
• A brief introduction to Mindfulness with a step-by-step guide to getting started

This candle set is an excellent gift for those who need to carve more time for themselves. I am buying a couple for my friends and a sneaky one for myself :)

Double Yuzu Margarita By Golden Age Cinema & Bar
Those who know me well know I am a sucker for Yuzu. So when I saw this Double Yuzu Margie by the guys at the Golden Age Cinema, I knew this would be my go-to cocktail for Summer.

Little did I know that this unique concoction also included white chocolate; who knew?! So they tell me that this delicious flavour combination brings smoothness to the palette while yuzu verjus adds margarita acidity, perfect for sunny days and warm nights. They suggest serving it chilled, straight up or over ice, garnished with a fresh basil leaf, if desired. The bottle serves two and comes with a complimentary Movie Night rental voucher. Golden Ages' carefully curated streaming platform featuring the best new releases, cults and classics. So cool!!

This could be a great office KK pressie or, like me, your new Summer cocktail for those nights you can't be bothered to go out.

Hand Thrown Stoneware by Anamone Studios
If you could follow one local artisan, I urge you to follow Anamone Studios. Anamone Studios creates thoughtful handmade stoneware ceramics for the everyday. The maker, Emma Motion, a fellow Manifestor and clever client of mine, is a unique ceramic artist who has been fostering a relationship with clay for over eight years. Emma's work explores functional objects with earthy textures and tones inspired by the natural world. With each of her limited edition pieces, she intends to awaken a deep connection to Mother Nature, her creative self and community while making and sharing her practice with friends. 

Emma's beautiful ceramics get snapped up quickly, so best to follow her on Instagram to get the low down on when things are added to her store. My intel has told me that Emma has been busily working on lots of new wares ready in time for Xmas, so keep an eye out. I know I will be! 

Emma will also be at the Smithmade Xmas Market this weekend, Saturday, December 3rd, from 10am-3pm. 14/28 Roseberry Street, Balgowlah. Go say hi! 

The Astrology of You by Emma Vidgen
Words cannot describe how excited and proud I am of my dear friend Emma's book, The Astrology of You. This is her first book which is only landing on the bookshelves this month. I pre-ordered my copy months ago and am slowly working my way through, dog-earring every page, as there is SO much goodness.

Emma's The Astrology of You is a guide to understanding your birth chart, helping you decode the messages in the stars from the moment of your birth. It's a self-help book rooted in astrology that demystifies the birth chart and enables you to understand yourself on a whole new level.

Author Emma Vidgen, an astrologer and meditation teacher, has such a unique approach to Astrology and how it can help you achieve success and happiness. The way she describes the intricacies of your Natal Birth Chart is so easy to understand. Emma is also great at providing the perfect guidance for those challenging moments or when you want to discover your optimum setting for satisfying relationships, emotional security and creative fulfilment.

Journal #21

Emotions are innate, biologically driven reactions to particular challenges and opportunities here to help us to survive.

Whether you are Emotionally defined or not, the full spectrum of emotions is always present in one way or another. They are responsible for our moods and for influencing the moods of others. Tuning into your feelings is a fantastic barometer for your emotional health and others. Dissecting your feelings in the present moment can tell you a lot about what is going on for you, the situation at hand or perhaps what your subconscious is trying to say to you.

BITTERNESS
Where do you need to heal? What judgements of yourself or others are you still holding onto

RESENTMENT
Where are you living in the past and not allowing the present to be as it is?

DISCOMFORT
What is happening right now that you need to pay attention to? Are you being given an opportunity to change or to do something different that seems scary or uncomfortable?

ANGER
What are you passionate about? Do you have solid boundaries? To simmer this emotional reaction, what needs to change?

DISAPPOINTMENT
What have you tried lately that didn’t go to plan but you still 100% care about?

GUILT
Whose and what expectations are you still trying to live out?

SHAME
What beliefs about who you should be (or who you are) are you internalising? Which ones are stopping your connection to self?

SADNESS
Where is this coming from? How deep does this sadness go? Is it personal or about caring for others or the world around you?

ANXIETY
What is worrying you? Are your thoughts stuck in the past, or do you fear the future? What do you need to fully embrace being in the present? Are there any practices you can put in place to assist you?

Next time you feel the following triggering emotions, take a moment to be still and reflect on the root cause could be. Give yourself plenty of time and space to feel the feels to allow your emotional awareness and clarity to come through. It takes time, so don't rush the process or ignore it. Your emotions have a sneaky way of catching up with you one way or another. And please NEVER be afraid to talk to someone, a friend, family member or healthcare professional; we are all here to be a sounding board if you need one.

Journal #20

I want to say a huge thank you to those who came to my first-ever Energy Exchange event. I don’t know if it was just me, but the room was buzzing with energy by the end of the evening, which was so amazing to witness. It was lovely to see familiar faces and meet many new ones. It brought me so much joy just watching everyone engage with one another, despite not knowing one another. I intended to build a community, and this felt like the start of it, so I thank you :)

A special shoutout to my fantastic panel… @rachelcrethar @emma_vee @rachaelsardelich @anamonestudios @caitlinwithers_photo_ @katiekaarsphotography I couldn’t have done this event without you. @hake.house, thank you for allowing me to take over your beautiful space. @aplentyfood, as always, your food was next-level delicious. Every little delicacy was devoured. And @winona_wine, your wine is always top-notch and the perfect complement to a sunny Sunday afternoon.

To keep the momentum going, I will be hosting another Energy Exchange Event in early December with a very special guest. A hint… it will be a very restful and replenishing occasion focusing on our Open Centres to help ease us into the throes of the silly season. Watch out for more details.

Photography by Sage Hammond Photography

Journal #19

For years I lived a life based on expectations. The expectation I placed on myself to live a life that I thought I SHOULD be living rather than the life I wanted to live but was not privy to at the time. Don’t get me wrong; I lived a privileged life. I grew up in an amazingly creative, loving family; surrounded by inspiring and humble role models. I was and still am very lucky. There is no denying that. But even those with privilege can have conditioning they need to confront. Often, like me, you do not realise the conditioning exists until you stop, reflect and discover what you were striving for, perhaps was contributing to the conditioning all along. This was me at 35. A year after my daughter, our second child, was born. I felt lost and confused. I lacked motivation, passion and creativity. I was stuck and desperate to understand myself on a deeper level. I wanted more.

So who was I? I wasn’t sure. 

What I did know was this. I am the youngest in my family. I was the shy, sensitive one who would cry at the drop of a hat. To give myself credit, I had a lot of love to offer, almost too much, so when I got hurt, I hurt deep. Yet, being the people pleaser that I was, and I stress the word ‘was, I would be so quick to judge my actions rather than the actions of the person who hurt me to keep the peace. The confrontation was and still is not my strong suit.

People-pleasing was something I had always done; I knew no different. I was subconscious to it. How it started, who knows, yet somewhere along the line, something must have happened that I decided I was not worthy. So I began my search for recognition, for external validation to prove my worth in the world. To prove my loyalty to others as a way to feel valued. If only I knew back then that my self-worth comes from within, not from others. I am all I need in this world to feel valued and seen. Try telling that to an impressionable teenager, adventurous young adult and nervous new mum. 

Speaking of motherhood, I began noticing my people-pleasing ways after having Edie. More importantly, I started paying attention to just how exhausted I was. I also felt frustrated when I said ‘yes’ when I didn’t have the energy to say ‘no’. I was angry. Angry at myself for not having the confidence to say no. To stand up for me, for my needs and wants. The issue was I was also lost. I couldn’t identify what I wanted or needed except for these things. I knew I wanted to change. I wanted to understand myself better. I wanted to be passionate about something. I wanted to be creative again, but not how I always defined my creativity.

Then, and without sounding too cliche, Human Design landed in my lap. Sceptical at first, perhaps even confused by it all, but as I dived into my chart, I was able to peel back the layers of conditioning to view myself from a different perspective. It was my clean slate to rebuild from. But this time, I had a new sense of clarity about how to use my energy out in the world. It introduced me to my intuition that I had been ignoring for my whole life. Human Design permitted me to be myself, to learn to say no as a way to protect my energy so I could use it for the things I enjoy. And this, my friends, as simple as it sounds, was a game changer!! Slowly I began to recognise things in myself I didn’t see but perhaps others have always seen. It felt like I was piecing together the puzzle of Billie. I still am, three years on. The more I dive deep into my chart, the more I discover. It is crazy. Oh, so many ‘AHA’ moments.

This is me. At the ripe old age of 41. Living a life that I couldn’t of imagined in my wildest dreams. Running a small business where I get to help others discover themselves just like I did. Holding space so they can feel seen and heard. And for that, I am genuinely thankful. 

I have no regrets in my life so far. Despite the people-pleasing, I had some epic experiences that got me to where I am today. Sometimes you have to go through darkness to have growth and to have grown to be true to yourself. 

Journal #18

Conversations with Friends, Amazon Prime
Hands up, who was obsessed with Normal People on Netflix? Another one of Sally Rooney’s best-selling books has been adapted for the TV screen. It is her novel, Conversations with Friends. Found this time on Amazon Prime. It follows Frances, a 21-year-old college student, as she navigates a series of relationships that force her to confront her own vulnerabilities for the first time. What I can say is that everything about this mini-series is so beautiful. I love the cast, the music, and the setting; appealing to all my senses. I admit it might be a bit slow for some people, but I didn’t mind as I lapped up the beauty of it all. I haven’t read the book (bad, I know), but I didn’t read Normal People and loved it nonetheless. I give this 4.5 Stars. A show most can burn through in a day, so I urge you to give it a go and let me know what you think.

Lune Space Mist by Happy Society
As some of you may have gathered by now, surrounding myself with beautiful scents is an integral part of my life. I was recently gifted this all-natural space mist from a friend for my birthday. Made from the oils of Vetiver, Lavender and Clary Sage, this mist has beautiful healing and calming properties to aid sleep and balance energy. I spray this warm earthy scent with floral notes as I enter my studio, before a client reading and on my pillow when I go to sleep. It is also beneficial during moments of anxiety and stress. Happy Society is an excellent Australian brand coming out of Victoria. Their collection of natural fragrances and herbal blends is here to encourage positive, healthy daily rituals. Their ethos is about slowing down and creating a peaceful space wherever you may be. Sounds good to me. Their cool packaging design and logo also won me over.

Channelled Reading & Energetic Healing with Jacinta James
I recently enjoyed sitting down with my dear friend, Jacinta, to experience a channelled reading and energy healing. For the first time in my life, Jacinta could bridge the gap between myself and my spirit guides by acting as a conduit, relaying their important messages. Having never done anything like this before, I found this session with Jacinta genuinely profound. Her messages for me were so intuitive and definitely things I have subconsciously thought or needed to hear. Jacinta’s calming and compassionate nature makes you feel safe, seen and heard. Jacinta recently has become a first-time mother to the beautiful Sunni, so her books are closed for the moment. But definitely keep an eye on her Instagram for any updates, as I know she is reopening later this year. Her feed is very inspiring, so definitely one to watch.

Euphoria Season 2 Playlist on Spotify
Who is missing the TV series Euphoria? Well, suppose you are anything like me. In that case, I have been enjoying reliving the show by playing the carefully curated playlist on repeat via Spotify. I have become obsessed with English singer, Labrinth, who created music, especially for the show. Something about this music brings so much joy and excitement to my day. I also love listening to the old tracks from the 90s, 80s and 50s dotted between the current tunes. If you are a big fan of the show and a lover of music, definitely seek out this playlist. 

Soldered Bracelets from Sarah & Sebastian
Being a designer, I have felt a bit noncommittal when getting a tattoo. I have always worried that I will lose interest in the design later in life, so my skin is virginal at the ripe age of 41. That being said, I do love the idea of a tattoo's permanence to symbolise an important moment in your life. So early last year, on the day I turned 40, I decided to do my version of a tattoo by purchasing one of Sarah and Sebastian's soldered bracelets. A permanent delicate chain that gets soldered on your wrist. Mine is decorated with two small diamonds to represent my two gorgeous kids, Hunter and Edie. I am not a huge jewellery wearer, as I find it too distracting or uncomfortable. However, this bracelet is so delicate that I barely notice it until I look down at my wrist and it shine back at me. I now have two bracelets adorning my wrist, with the second celebrating the years of friendship I have with my two besties. Like most people find with tattoos, I am now obsessed with these bracelets and am definitely keen to get more. So I ask you, how many is too much?

Glucose Revolution by Jessie Inchauspé
I first came across author and scientist Jessie Inchauspé recently when listening to her being interviewed by Dr Mark Hyman on his podcast, The Doctor's Farmacy. The show was about the best hacks to balance your blood sugar, and it was so fascinating. At 28, I was loosely diagnosed with PCOS, despite not having many of the main symptoms. I have struggled with, especially since having kids, losing weight, and keeping it off. I eat a reasonably well rounded healthy diet and exercise regularly. Yes, I drink wine and eat chocolate in moderation. I have the odd piece of sourdough and bowl of pasta, but nothing more extreme than your average healthy person. However, I figured that perhaps something was a bit off. After listening to Jessie, a lot of what she said rang quite true. 3pm fatigue, increased hunger, irregular periods etc.

The simple hacks she has discovered while getting to the bottom of her own issues are incredible. Some I do already, while others I pretty happily implemented if it meant things could be stable. So I bought her book, The Glucose Revolution, and let me tell you, it was a game-changer. Such an easy read, with lots of interesting facts and scientific evidence of how our bodies react to things like sugar, fat and carbohydrates. Her hacks are super simple, and after a month of experimenting with them, they really work. The biggest thing I noticed is that I just don't feel fatigued anymore during the day. I also love that she encourages you to enjoy life's little pleasures but has suggestions on tackling the massive glucose spike they bring with them. Who would have thought!! I strongly feel everyone should read this book. Especially those raising kids, as we can take so much good from it. Jessie also has an excellent Instagram account, so check it out. @glucosegoddess

Aplenty Catering
Speaking of food, Aplenty Catering has been on my radar since last year’s lockdown. Run by Michaela Johansson, a local chef who returned from London to birth this fantastic food service last year. Inspired by delicious food from the Mediterranean, Michaela has created an amazing offering that caters to any event style. I have been lucky enough to sample her Lockdown Picnic Boxes she launched last year and a catered event she organised for one of my clients. Everything I have tasted thus far exudes a sense of fun and vibrance whilst celebrating what is in season. All her tasty treats are made in-house and are packed full of flavour. I highly recommend checking this cool company out for your next event. I know I will continue to sing their praises. 

Sense of Self Bathhouse
On my recent trip down to Melbourne, I randomly bumped into this stunning bathhouse on the streets of Collingwood. Serendipitously I was thinking about the notion of a Sense of Self (as you do). Then weirdly, I saw their signage outside a beautiful, nondescript building on Easey Street. Intrigued to know what the place was, I googled the name. I discovered that it was a beautifully designed bathhouse and massage parlour. Sadly my schedule didn’t line up with the appointments available. Still, it is definitely on my to-do list next time in Melbourne. I thought it was worth a mention now we seem to be travelling more and it is a place I cannot stop thinking about. In the meantime, I will settle for some float therapy at City Cave until I am next in Melbs. Please let me know if there is something similar in Sydney, as the last bathhouse I went to was when I was 21 in Budapest, Hungary.

Journal #16

Euphoria, Season Two
I may be a bit late to the party talking about Euphoria. Still, after finishing Season 2, I feel it definitely needs a mention. Just in case, for the people weirdly did not know about it OR were sitting on the fence. The show's premise is about a group of high-school students navigating a minefield of drugs, sex, identity, trauma, social media, love and friendship. Why I love it… everything about it is a visual delight! Being an ex-art director, I am always drawn to the aesthetics of things, especially when it comes to film and tv. From art direction to film treatments, music, film pace, the whole kit and caboodle. The most memorable movies and shows for me are the ones that tick all the boxes, and Euphoria is one of them. A must watch, especially Season 2. Without spoiling the plot, the last two episodes of the season are probably the best thing I have seen in a while. If you haven't seen Euphoria, I urge you to watch it and let me know what you think. 

Suede by Perfumer H
My sense of smell in HD is my strongest sense, and therefore the scent of things is essential to me. I always have to surround myself with pretty smells, from cut flowers to candles, herbs and spices; I love it all. Perfumer H is a high-end perfumery I discovered on my last overseas trip to London pre-covid. My first solo trip without my kids, so I made the most of it by pounding the pavement to see as much of London as possible. In the streets of Marylebone sits Perfumer H's headquarters. A beautifully designed shop showcasing the most stunning hand-blown glass bottles, candles etc. I spent over an hour in this shop, smelling all the different scents, but settled on Suede. With notes of Cucumber Pulp, Neroli Tunisia, Violet Leaf, Ylang Ylang absolute, Orange Flower, Benjoin Siam, White Suede and Musk. I have almost run out now, but I will definitely order another one soon. Sadly the hand-blown bottle is out of my budget, but the refill bottles come with a small travel spray tube and dropper perfect for a clutch.

Ritual Oil Diffuser with Refresh Oil by Bodha
The other scent I am coveting now, but this time in my studio, is Bodha's Refresh Oil for their ceramic Ritual Oil Diffuser in Forest Green, designed in collaboration with acclaimed product designer Jamie McLellan. I have been following Bodha for a while now. Their whole brand aesthetic is stunning and right up my ally. Bodha is a husband and wife team, Emily & Fred L'Ami, originally from New Zealand and now based in LA. Their focus is on creating therapeutic perfumery for you and your home. I can see myself buying lots of their products. Still, I started with the diffuser and Ritual Therapeutic Oil Refresh, which I love. With notes of crushed basil, mint leaf & clary sage flowers to help revive tired nerves and inspire fresh creation. I bought this oil to fill my space in preparation for each of my client sessions so I can show up recharged and ready to go.

Northern Rivers Community Herbal Care
With all the devastation we have witnessed up North, it has been hard to navigate what to do. Where to donate or how to contribute can be very confusing. I wanted to share this initiative, started by Erin Lovell Verinder, a herbalist/nutritionist and author of Plants for the People and The Plant Clinic. Erin lives in the Northern Rivers area and witnessed the devastation of the floods first-hand. With her partner, Noah, they have been on the ground helping those affected from the first moment they could. Erin and Noah heard endless stories of trauma, suffering, and anxiety when working on the ground. Feeling the call to help, they swiftly assembled a team of qualified herbalists and naturopaths (including my incredible Naturopath Layla Metcalfe, who lost her home in Mullumbimby) to mobilise on the ground to reach those in need.

With the help of donations from other healthcare professionals and companies, Erin was able to set up a roaming free herbal clinic in the flood-affected areas in the Northern Rivers. Offering free services and plant remedies to support to help people move through this catastrophic event. So this service can reach more people, Erin has set up a Go Fund Me as a place for people to make donations. The funds will go directly to clinic operations and will provide support for people experiencing the following types of concerns:

Sleep issues, Anxiety/panic attacks, Physical/emotional/spiritual trauma, Infections, Illness from exposure to the elements such as mould and bacteria.

It is a beautiful thing Erin and the team of healthcare professionals are doing for those in need. I just had to share.@communityherbalcare 

Love & Bones Broth
Since school has gone back, life has gotten a little hectic juggling work and kids and their after-school commitments. The days are short, so I don't have the time, nor can I be bothered to make a healthy salad for lunch. Soups are now my go-to, and the ones from Love & Bones Broth are my flavour of the year so far. I did one of their Everyday Cleanses recently. I got to taste many of what they offer, and this company indeed won my heart. I have been following Michelle Schoeps, aka @the_broth_lady, since she started selling bone broth out of her home kitchen in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. It is so lovely to see how Michelle has grown her business, and I am so excited that her broths and soups are now high in my meal rotation.

Support Colour Palette iPhone Wallpapers by Aesthetic Magic Studio
One one of my many Instagram scrolling sessions (don't judge me), I came across the most beautiful gradient made by Aesthetic Magic Studio. Each colour included is carefully selected based on its healing property. The combination of colours represents the healing properties we might all need for that month, based on what is happening Astrologically or in the world. AM realises a new one each month, and I use them as my iPhone wallpaper. This is March's wallpaper. It is here to bring us security. To ground us. To find balance and compassion. Here are their notes about each of the colours.

Black: Black is often used in witchcraft and rituals for protection. What rituals can you adopt this month to help you feel more secure? It can be as simple as pausing to focus on your breath, and it doesn't have to be elaborate, as long as it's meaningful to you.

Brown: As the colour of the earth itself, brown naturally has a sense of grounding. It's the colour of rich and fertile soil, providing nutrients to plant matter. How can you ground and nourish yourself more purposefully this month?

Green: This earthly hue also taps into a sense of grounding, and it sits in the centre of the visible spectrum, making it balanced. It asks you how you can create a sense of balance in your life right now?

Pink: This sweet, lighthearted colour represents compassion for yourself and others. How can you be easier on yourself while also helping others?

This is one account to follow if you love colour as much as I do.

Shirt Collars by Ganni
As I work from home most days, I live in activewear. But after speaking with my bestie recently, we both agreed we were sick of it and have decided that activewear is only to be worn when active. We need to make a bit more of an effort the rest of the time, even when working from home. So it got me thinking, what could my other uniform be? I am also a lover of tees, jeans and jumpers, so when I came across Ganni's Shirt Collars, I thought this is a great way to dress up without departing too far from comfort. I bought their white lace collar, so it looks like I am wearing a shirt, but I also have my eye on this olive green one. Mine arrives next week, so I will take a picture of it.

Multi-stick by Ilia
As you can see from the comment above, I like to cut corners to ensure minimal effort to keep up my appearance. Don't get me wrong, I love to dress up, but I also want to keep things simple day to day. I am not one to spend hours in the bathroom getting ready, nor am I very good at applying makeup or blow-drying my hair. So always look for things that are quick and easy to use. The product I am loving at the moment is Ilia's Multi-Stick. One colour for lips, cheeks and eyes. Amazing right? The colour I purchased is All of Me, but I have my eye on some of their other shades. I bought mine from Mecca, but they don't have much left when writing this. Best to do a google search.

Journal #15

With the year starting with so much uncertainty, and with no end in sight, I am feeling pulled to the things that make me feel grounded, bring joy and keep me on the straight and narrow. So much is out of my control, so I am focusing on the things I can. Here is a list of my go-to’s for this January. A combination of things I have purchased, things that have intrigued me, new habits I want to set, and things I have adored. I hope you enjoy this carefully curated selection, I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Bx

Fluidform @ Home - Rise and Restore Challenge.
I am a big fan of Fluidform Pilates at Home and have been a member since Kirsten first launched. Her programs definitely kept me sane, fit, and strong through the last lockdown, and so I am always keen to jump to the new challenges as they launch. However, this silly season has seen me be less consistent with my pilates, so I am really keen to get back on my mat. The Rise and Restore Challenge goes for 21 days, 20 minutes, 7 days a week. It is the perfect program to create a new healthy routine for yourself. Kirsten has also put together a 21-day meal plan, which I am keen to try this time. Hopefully, she will inspire me to cook new and healthy options to break a couple of bad habits I have picked up these holidays. I like taking on these challenges with a buddy by my side to keep me motivated and accountable. With my new Apple Watch, I can also track my pilates workout. Win-win. I promise you will become obsessed with Fluidform after this.

An Organised Life, A4 Weekly Planner.
In my years of being a graphic designer, specialising in print design, beautiful stationery has always been my jam. So when it comes to planning, I like to always treat myself to an analogue diary or weekly planner and use iCal/Google Calendar. I am a visual person, that memorises things when written down physically. So having a tangible diary has always worked well for me, especially when planning my work week. Last year, I experimented with the Magic of I’s Astrological Planner, which worked wonders when tracking the Lunar Cycles. A diary I would highly recommend for the Reflectors out there.

This year I am trying something different. I have always been a big fan of An Organised Life. I love how Beck Wandsworth, owner, and designer, lays out her planners. Plus they are really stylish and can be customised. I have gone with her A4 Weekly Diary in black vegan leather with gold foil, monogrammed with my logo. I have a lot going on work-wise over the coming months, so I need to get serious with my planning. Hopefully, this diary will be the perfect option.

Apple Series 7 Watch.
I have been averse to getting the Apple Watch for quite some time. I think it would make me more connected to my phone than I want to be. After being in lockdown for half the year and welcoming our family pooch, Gizmo, I found myself walking a lot. It was my time to retreat from home responsibility and do something for my health and well being. I love listening to music but hate taking my phone with me. I also got heavily into tracking my walks but didn’t find the phone data accurate. After chatting with friends, I finally decided it was time to jump on the Apple Watch bandwagon and, boy, I am so glad I did! It has been the best purchase ever. It really has answered my brief, allowing me to leave my phone alone for most of the day. Yes, I receive notifications when emails, messages and the rest come through. Still, by not having my phone nearby, I can decide at the moment what is urgent and what is not. It also stops the mindless scrolling and flipping between apps. Since embracing the watch, I have discovered the ‘Do Not Disturb’ feature. I now have set it up, so my watch and the phone gets put into sleep mode between 9.30pm and 5.30am, so I don’t get the pings, vibrations etc., while I sleep. It is fabulous!! I am also tracking my sleep and have noticed a massive improvement. So if you have been sitting on the fence with this one, I highly recommend it. I got the cellular option to avoid needing my phone when I am out.

Station Eleven, HBO Series on Stan.
If you are stuck in isolation at the moment, or are looking for a new show, then I highly recommend HBO’s new series, Station Eleven on Stan. Based on the best-selling post-apocalyptic novel of the same title, this limited series follows a travelling Shakespeare theatre group that is established in the aftermath of a global pandemic that wiped out 99% of the world’s population. This beautiful series is less about action-adventure when it comes to survival, but more explores what makes our lives more meaningful, what we’d choose to save when losing everything. It is such a great show and I suppose very fitting considering the current time, but be warned it may be triggering for some. I give it 5 out of 5.

Soul Purpose Flower Essence Remedy by Alexis Smart.
I recently came across a recent post by flower essence and homeopath, @alexissmartflowerremedies. Alexis talked about the notion of ‘maintaining the cause’ in response to when her flower remedies don’t work. As Alexis explains, a remedy doesn’t take effect due to a negative influence that stops the treatment from working no matter what remedy is created to treat the issue. The Maintaining Cause creates a stronger or equal vibration to the curative vibration of the remedy, therefore creating a standstill. A toxic dynamic that the person cannot break out of or may not even recognise as unhealthy. This could be a bad relationship, stressful job, or environmental issue out of your control. Whatever it may be, it requires a shift from you for the remedy to work. Alexis has two powerful remedies up her sleeve that can assist with this shift to assist with this. One is called Love, which is to help with relationships, but the one that caught my attention was her Soul Purpose remedy. It is a remedy here to help with many different kinds of issues. Especially those that leave you stuck in repeated patterns or feeling frustrated, bitter or confused. According to Alexis’ guidelines, the Soul Purpose remedy is an excellent clarifier for those who need to change things up or have a clean slate. I felt this is the perfect accompaniment when starting the year and dabbling with Human Design. I have ordered a bottle, so I will be the test guinea pig. I will let you know how I go.

2022 Moon Planting Astrological Calendar.
I came across this A2 2022 Moon Planting Astrological Calendar by Thomas Zimmer last year when I attended a retreat at Gwinganna. I joined one of the activities, Planting by the Moon, by the resident gardener, Shelly. She took me through this unique chart, showing me when and what to plant based on the different phases of the Moon. I found this fascinating and would like to experiment with it this year.

The BB Short - By Billie.
With fitness being at the forefront of my mind at the moment, I felt it was about time to update my gear. How could I go past something that my very own namesake designs. I am a big fan of bike shorts at the moment so I couldn’t help myself. These also come in a great mustard colour. Unfortunately, this particular design is sold out but should be back in stock soon. This brand makes beautiful kids clothes too. Worth checking out.

The Harmonic.
While we touch on fashion, this online store first came to my attention on Instagram just before Xmas. Thank you, algorithm. What grabbed my attention was not only the beautiful brands they sell but their store’s ethos. This online store is 100% dedicated to sourcing and selling quality once-loved garments as a way to transcend fast fashion. Each piece is handpicked from ethical Australian and NZ-owned labels, all with sustainable practices. I love all their brands but rarely go past the ‘add to cart section due to their high price points. Over at The Harmonic, you can purchase the latest season items with a significant discount whilst feeling good about the ethics of it all. It is a win-win in my mind. Too good not to share. The team at The Harmonic do regular drops every month and promote it on their Instagram feed, so best to keep an eye on it.

I Didn’t Do The Thing Today by Madeleine Dore.
This is a book that I have not read (yet), but is definitely on my radar. Madeleine Dore is creator of the Extraordinary Routines Blog and Routines and Ruts Podcast. She is someone I have followed for a while. Her insight into the trials and tribulations of what makes the perfect routine (if one) is second to none. Madeleine has amazing insight, even if she can’t always come up with the perfect solution to her line of questioning. I especially love when she interviews other creatives about their routines and challenges. When I heard she had written a book about letting go of productivity guilt, I knew this book needed to be bumped up the priority list of things to read. A topic we all grapple with, especially now as we enter our third year of a pandemic. It looks like a great read, plus it is beautifully designed. I will definitely report back once it gets delivered, but if you cannot wait, you can purchase a copy using the link above.

Taste, My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci.
This book was the number 1 book to gift people this Xmas. And I can understand why, because not only is actor/writer/food enthusiast Stanley Tucci such a lovable person, the stories and recipes he shares within the pages of this book pull on my heartstrings. Like him, food is my life. My passion for eating and sourcing good wholesome food runs deep and is something that my father (and mother) instilled in me from a very early age. Sadly I did not come from a beautiful Italian background like Stanley did, but I am blessed with a father who loves to cook Italian food, as do I. Stanley's book is one I have wanted to buy for a while. But one I held off buying till I had the space and time to devour it. The craziness of last year left me feeling a bit ho-hum when it came to cooking, and after reading this book, it has ignited my fire for it once again. So I thank you, Stanley!! If you are a food enthusiast like me and love a good memoir, I highly recommend this book.

Higher Ground Visionary Amplifier by Intuitive Hypnotherapist, Rachel Crethar.
I had the pleasure of joining the first round of Rachel Crethar's Higher Ground Visionary Amplifier. A group for entrepreneurs, healers and creatives all looking to upgrade their businesses. Using the various tools in Rachel's kit, including hypnotherapy, was one of the best things I did last year. Not only was I able to look at my business from a different perspective, but I was also able to let go of blocks that were limiting me from taking it to the next level. The bonus was the inspiring women I have met and gone on to work with. Each of us brought something unique to the table. All with different gripes and grapples, we needed to confront. But surprisingly, with a common thread tying us all together, creating fantastic support for each other. What was meant to be a 6-week course developed into building a community of like-minded women that will continue to be friends and confidants for the years to come. Rachel has recently launched her waitlist for the next round starting this February. I cannot sing her praises enough, so do sign up to the waitlist if this piques your interest. You won't regret it.

Journal #12

Pivoting for Passion

At the beginning of the year, I was interviewed and photographed working from home by the Creative Women’s Business team. Here, I share my story of pivoting from design to Human Design, my relationship with creativity, and juggling the ebbs and flow of running a small business owner and being a mother of two small kids.

https://www.creativewomensbusiness.com.au/design/billie-routledge-pivoting-for-passion

Journal #11

This week’s Transit
Full Moon & Partial Lunar Eclipse
Gate 8, Gate of Contribution

On Friday (in Australia), we will experience the intense energy of the full moon, which also happens to be a partial lunar eclipse. Full moon energy invites you to explore and let go of what keeps you from living life authentically. Eclipse energy will then amplify the intensity of the full moon, making it a cracker of a week for self-expression. 

This full moon transit falls in Gate 8, the Gate of Contribution. The energy Gate 8 will bring this week is a deep need to express yourself authentically. The full moon/eclipse energy will provide you with the gusto you need to let go of anything that feels sticky. Especially the personal narratives that might be blocking your authenticity from shining through. Some people may feel pressure to have clarity around life’s purpose, leading to feelings of confusion and failure.

The beauty of this full moon is that it is here to remind us that your life’s purpose is not about what you do but about how you ‘be’. ‘You are your life’s purpose. When you live the full expression of your authentic self, you are operating as the person you are designed to be, which is your contribution to the world. To get to this place of authenticity, the full moon invites you to release anything or anyone getting in the way. 

Gate 8’s energy will allow you to feel naturally drawn to what is new and innovative. You might feel like you want to get things done, make a difference and create change. All good possibilities can’t happen unless you connect with the correct energies or people and be recognised for your efforts. The key to your success is proper timing and finding the right things to respond to. So sometimes, that means you need to wait for the right opportunity to present themselves. So leaning into your Strategy and Authority will help you stay true to who you are, opening up space for things to shift. You might feel vulnerable during this time, but you will be rewarded if you can learn to push through and express yourself truthfully. Easier said than done, but do try. An uncompromised life is way more fun!

Journal Prompts
– What personal narratives do you have that block you from expressing yourself authentically?
– What does it feel like to be vulnerable? Is this stopping you from expressing your true self?
– What would your dream life look like?
– What are your true passions?
– What is one thing you can let go of or release this week, that might help you edge closer to living more authentically? Make it a bold action.

Journal #10

Over half the world's population is Emotionally defined, which means their Emotional Solar Plexus is coloured brown in the Human Design Chart. This is your Authority and is an essential step to your decision making process. It is your nature to experience the full spectrum of feelings, moving from pain to pleasure.

Emotions are like rolling waves, rising and falling, peaking and dipping, never sitting still for too long. When you feel happy, you want to capture the moment. When you feel sad, you wonder when the blues will end. There is never a state of permanence when it comes to your emotions. Therefore, you need to recognise these emotional waves and allow them to pass through you instead of owning you. Never get attached to a particular feeling or the expectation of how something might turn out. Emotional decisions made in the heat of the moment are your worst enemy. It would be best if you allowed your emotions to pass through you, disengage from them and wait for calmer waters before you make your move. Clarity will come. A good tip is to sleep on things before making an important decision.

Being emotionally defined, your feelings about 'this' or 'that' become an authoritative guide. These feelings are your indicators of what is correct for you or not. "Does it feel good to do that?" "How do I feel about it?". These are essential questions to ask yourself. You need to take the time to fully experience your range of feelings without being rushed. Emotional clarity is reached when there is no longer an emotional charge attached to the decision. Easier said than done, but you need to practice the art of patience to avoid poor, spontaneous choices that could end in feeling bitter, frustrated, angry or disappointed.

A plus side to Emotional defined energy is its juicy, seductive power, which gives you an advantage if you wait out your wave, playing hard to get. The longer others wait, the more they will want your Emotionally defined warmth and energy. If they can't wait, then it is not meant to be.

As you have this centre defined, you are responsible not only for your own moods but for influencing the moods of the people around you. Your emotions affect people within your aura and trigger their emotions. Your feelings are contagious! Having Emotional Authority, you have to be careful you don't succumb to impatience. Avoid rushing the process, accept invitations that are not energetically correct for you or jumping into a commitment too early. Instead, you must wait, check in with your emotional wave, pause and check-in again. By waiting for clarity, you may receive an even more delicious invitation. For significant decisions, your Strategy would simply be to request a day or two to think it over. If you are still not clear, ask for more time and/or clarification of the details.

There are three different types of Emotional waves people can experience with this centre defined, based on what channels you have defined (coloured in) in your chart. The waves are Individual, Tribal or Collective. 

The Individual Wave is if you have Channel 22-12, Channel of Openness or Channel 55-39, Channel of Emoting. This wave will see your emotions travelling from one end of the spectrum to the other. This wave is passionate and moody. Your emotions are usually quite even keel with short bursts of highs and lows, triggered spontaneously. The low end of the spectrum will see you quite melancholic. A mood that needs to be honoured and not dismissed. Great insight can come when at the low point of this wave if you can tolerate it. When you feel yourself on your wave, it is essential to remember that this wave is simply a chemical process that keeps you in motion. There is no explanation for why your emotions shift, just let go and embrace the fact that this state won't last forever. Knowing when to be alone versus when to be social will make all the difference.

The Tribal Wave is if you have Channel 49-19, Channel of Love and Marriage, Channel 6-59, Channel of Reproduction, Channel 37-40, Channel of Community. This wave Wave is prone to explosions and outbursts following the build-up of upsets. The build-up is caused by you hiding your feelings away. You think you are okay; you think you are handling everything. All while the emotional pressure builds and then something or someone triggers you, and you lose it. To alleviate the stress before a big blowout, try to become aware of hiding your feelings. Start being honest with yourself and with others around you, even if it is a tricky conversation. Having a more open dialogue about how you feel with yourself and others will allow patience and compassion to come through. Try setting clear boundaries for yourself so you don't get disappointed when expectations are not met. In those dire moments where you do lose it, just know that gentle touch on the shoulder by your partner or friend will calm your system and bring you back to reality.

Lastly, the Collective Wave is Channel 36-35, Channel of Transitoriness or Channel 30-41, Channel of Fantasy and Desire. This wave has high highs and low lows. The lows come when expectations are not met, and so your emotions crash. The trick to transcending this wave is to enter into something just for the experience without expecting an outcome. Make sure your intention isn't emotionally charged, and always remember to follow your Strategy!

Regardless of which wave you have, and some may have a combination of two, being Emotionally defined means your Authority is emotionally driven. When you make decisions, you must (and I mean must) wait for your emotions to reach a point of even keel. You are not hard-wired to make decisions in the heat of the moment. Instead, it is about making them over time when there is emotional clarity in your convictions. Riding your emotional wave will take awareness and practice. You will need to play with and see for yourself what this means for you. Take your time making decisions, and know that you will reach clarity over time. You are here to be deliberate, not spontaneous.

Journal #9

Lately, a few people have been asking what my go-to resources are, so here goes… I am someone who has my hands in a lot of creative pies at any one time. My go-to daily resources are here to nurture all the facets of my personality and interests.

BOOKS ON HIGH ROTATION.
Human Design is a huge passion of mine (had you noticed?), and so over the years, I have collected as many books as I could to further my studies. These are the ones I continually go back to. Some are more complex than others, but all provide their own unique perspective on such a complex system.

'Understanding Human Design' by Karen Curry is a great starting point if you want to dive into the Human Design System. As is Chetan Parkyn's 'Human Design'. For all the coaches and practitioners out there, 'Understanding your clients through Human Design' by Robin Winn is a fantastic book; the name says it all. Lastly, for the hardcore fans who want to head down the rabbit hole, ‘The Definitive Book of Human Design' by Lynda Bunnell and Ra Uru Hu is the bible. It is not for the faint-hearted but a must-read if you are looking for something more advanced.

APPS I INTERACT WITH DAILY.
The woman that introduced me to Human Design, Jenna Zoe, has just launched a new app, My Human Design, and it's a goodie. She provides everything you need to understand the basics of your chart from the palm of your hands. She also includes daily tips based on the transits. It really is a first of its kind for Human Design.

Western Astrology is a big part of the wisdom that make up Human Design and has become one of my favourite modalities to explore. I have downloaded many different Astrology apps over the years. Still, Chani Nicholas' app seems to be the one that has resonated with me the most. Not only is there a comprehensive guide to your Natal Chart, but Chani also provides comprehensive readings for the transits, written and also an audio recording. Some features require her premium membership.

PODCASTS.
Podcasts are a huge part of my daily routine due to the amount of driving around I do. I listen to lots of different genres, so it was hard to narrow my go-tos down. So I decided to include what I am here to at the moment, what I have recently enjoyed, and the ones I look forward to regularly. 'Each Other', a Human Design Podcast by Vaness Henry, Aycee Brown, Rachel Liberman and Jasmine Kenna, was a recent discovery. And one I am thoroughly enjoying. There isn't a vast Human Design community here in Australia. So it is refreshing to listen to other practitioners, each a different energy type with a different style of offering, talk about the system in a sincere and inspiring way. I love that I have many episodes to catch up on. Boom!!

I am of an age where Sex & The City was part of my life growing up. I am generally not someone who watches things twice. But SATC is different; I have seen every episode a zillion times, movies too, although perhaps I shouldn't admit that one. ‘Sentimental in The City’ is an 8 part series podcast where hilarious, endearing authors and best friends, Caroline O'Donoghue and Dolly Alderton, take you through each season of SATC. The girls take you on a journey one season per episode as they discuss the different characters, themes, Carrie clangers, and fashion highlights (and low lights). It is such a refreshingly funny series. The dynamics between the two girls is incredible. It makes you want to want to be part of their rat pack. It is an honest conversation about how SATC impacted their lives being such avid fans, which was a friendly reminder of how I once was when the show aired. I would recommend watching the series again at the same pace as the podcast. Makes it more fun!!

Speaking of girl dynamics, another stellar team is Lena Dunham (from Girls). Her bestie Alissa Bennett has a brilliant podcast called 'The C-Word' on Luminary. Each episode examines a female celebrity who, at some stage in their life, was called 'crazy'. They go through and discuss their history to discover where and why such a label could occur. It is fascinating to listen to and has definitely given me a sense of humility towards these women. Often their stories reach a sad twist that explains their downfall. Because I am sure we have all done some crazy shit at some stage, most of the time well deserved, but being a celebrity makes it just that much harder. You will need a subscription to listen to this one.

I have an excellent memory for experiences and recommendations, especially when it comes to food, wine, fashion, travel, or anything I am interested in. It is like I read or hear something and store it in my brain to help others when they are in need. So a few years ago, Highly Enthused came out; it was like a podcast had been made specifically for me and my interests. Hosted by two lovely women named Sophie, this podcast is my go-to every two weeks for an array of geared recommendations for my palette and style. Not only is it very resourceful, but I also find the girls highly entertaining. 

PEOPLE TO FOLLOW.
The people listed below have come into my life at different stages and have indeed left a mark. Some are old friends, some are new, some I have never met, and some I just hold high regard. Whether I have interacted with them or not, they are all doing amazing things in their field of expertise. So they are the ones I love to follow on socials to see what incredible things are up to.

Rachel Crethar, a dear old friend and my intuitive hypnotherapist. Rachel is my confidant for most things, and her practice has really helped me leave a lot of crap behind. I love always hearing what she is up to and what offerings she is conjuring up. She is definitely one to watch.

Emma Vidgen, my personal Astrologer. There is just something about Emma that is just so magical. Her weekly celestial updates are communicated in a way that it is like she is speaking my language. She makes Astrology so easy to understand. Even though I mentioned Chani's app before, I will always watch Emma's weekly reports first. They are honest, funny, and so so relatable.

Rachael Sardelich, my creative mentor and Vedic meditation teacher. Words cannot describe how beautiful Rach's aura is. We met serendipitously a few years ago, and honestly, it was meant to be. She has pushed me creatively in ways no one has ever done before. If you want to become a Vedic meditator or take your creativity or business to another level, I highly recommend Rachael.

Jes Fields is a Human Design teacher and one I have been following for a while. This November, I will be embarking on my Advanced Reader Training with Jes and her business partner, Teo Montoya. Their insight and language have always really resonated with me, so I cannot wait! Plus, it will be so lovely to immerse me in a community of like-minded individuals, where we can talk about all things Human Design. I will update you on my journey. 

Monique Blackwell from Mondwomen is a new Insta friend I have made, and I cannot wait to meet IRL. She is a Yoga instructor and soon to be a practising Naturopath who specialises in women's health. Her passion for the sticky subjects that surround women daily is infectious and so inspiring. We should all be having these conversations, so I cannot wait to see what Monique gets up to post lockdown. Monique is in the process of building her dream Yoga studio, which looks incredible. I cannot wait to go check it out.

Words cannot describe my experience with Nigel of Divineintrvnshun, my spirit guide, that I randomly met from a recommendation I saw on Instagram. An experience I am so thankful for having. Nigel was one of the first practitioners that I have met that actually made me feel seen. And I cannot thank him enough for that. Since our session together, Nigel has introduced me to some fantastic people and shared things that have kept me in alignment. He is based in LA and offers readings online. If you like dabbling in Tarot and need a reality check, I highly recommend you book in with Nigel. Beware, he will make you do homework. If you are not ready, he will let you know. 

Kirsten King, the founder of Fluidform Pilates, is the person who got me to love exercise again. Her at-home programs have been my saviour during all the lockdowns in Sydney. They are the only programs where I have seen dramatic results. Her formula is simple, 5 sessions a week, 20 mins a day. A formula that is achievable and enjoyable too. I recently finished her 6-week Fluidform Your Body Challenge, where I had to take photos of myself throughout the challenge, and the results were insane. Not only was I trimming down, but I also have never felt so strong and fit, and I used to be on the F45 bandwagon. Kirsten's programs have cured my back and shoulder issues, a recent wrist injury and, most excitingly, improved my posture. If you are not a gym person, then I highly recommend you check out FFAH.

I haven't met Jacqui Lewis from The Broad Place, but I have been following her for a while. One day I hope to enjoy one of her retreats, but in the meantime, I will continue to lap up her wonderful weekly letters that I subscribe to. They are full of insight and hope, joy and sometimes pain. I love how natural Jacqui is. Never pretending to be something she is not or subscribing to the status quo. Jacqui is a teacher but also a mum, partner and small business owner. She has a dedicated practice but also shows fluidity, and I really like that about her. Her Mother's Mind Cleanse is an excellent resource for all new mothers, plus I am a massive fan of her book of Letters, which I refer to a lot. 

OTHER RESOURCES.
’The Artist Way’ by Julia Cameron is a great resource to unlock your inner creativity. I have yet to finish the 12-week course, but the biggest takeaway I have instilled in the Morning Pages is daily. It has reignited a passion for writing, which for many years has been a huge block. I encourage many of my clients to give it a whirl, but maybe wait until we have a bit more freedom, so you can genuinely enjoy the artist dates.

I love to dabble with Tarot Cards, and ‘Neo Tarot’ by Jerico Mandybur is a beautifully designed deck illustrated by artist Daiana Ruiz that I use regularly. Jerico's explanations are easy to understand and very relatable. I particularly enjoy the self-care tips she has included for each card. 

I have begun experimenting with working with the Lunar cycle, as Astrology plays a significant role in the Human Design System. ‘Moon Lists’ by Leigh Patterson is a great guided journal for Self-Reflection. Leigh recently launched Volume 2, a 12-month undated workbook that includes journal prompts and list-making activities. It is a journal for the non-journaler that helps you find your own meaning or a new way of thinking. It is visually beautiful too. 

You cannot go wrong with Magic of I's, Astrological Planner/Diary for tracking the celestial transits. This has been really helpful for me to track what is happening in the sky and understand the different energy shifts. I also use it to chart my menstrual cycle, plus my day to day tasks and events. It is also beautifully designed with lots of interesting tidbits for any astrological enthusiast. 

Journal #8

This week the Sun falls in Gate 6, the Gate of Friction housed in the Emotional Solar Plexus. The emotional energy it brings for this transit is here to teach us all about Divine timing. Emotional energy from the Solar Plexus is here to help drives us away from the things we don't want and pushes us towards the things we do. We are all here to make an impact in the world in our own unique way. Although at the moment, life feels confusing and overwhelming. We don't know which direction we are going. So the lesson this energy brings for the coming days is to ride the emotional wave of feelings that are present and begin to trust that clarity will come, even if it feels super sticky and uncomfortable.

Gate 6 energy desires intimacy but fears being vulnerable. If you have Gate 6 active in your chart, you are someone who can either be open or closed to intimacy when you are in someone else's aura. It is most likely something you won't be conscious of. Your body will literally open or close, either wanting closeness or creating a boundary between yourself and the outside world. So pay attention to how you are interacting with those around you. It is always good to lean into your Authority to know when to be intimate with someone, both in a romantic and platonic sense. You will feel more nurtured when you wait for clarity first. 

For the Emotionally defined, your energy affects the emotional energy of others. So this week, begin to have awareness about where your emotions are at. Exercise more patience with yourself and others. Avoid moments where you want to fly off the handle or act too quickly when excited about something. Instead, take a beat, and wait for your emotions to drop to a more even keel before acting. You will have more success and create more of a peaceful impact when you have clarity behind you.

If you have Channel 6-59, the Channel of Reproduction defined, your emotional energy will be all about building intimate connections with people through sexuality, children, and business. This is your emotional wave. Understanding its ebbs and flows will help you make solid decisions with next to no resistance. Your wave is prone to explosions and outbursts following the buildup of upsets. The buildup is caused by you hiding your feelings away. Moments when you think you are okay or you think you are handling everything. All while the emotional pressure builds up, and then something or someone triggers you, and you lose it. To alleviate the stress before a blowout, try to know when you are hiding your feelings. Start being honest with yourself and with others around you, even if it is a tricky conversation. Having a more open dialogue about how you feel with yourself and others will allow patience and compassion to come through. Try setting clear boundaries for yourself so you don't get disappointed when expectations are not met. In those dire moments where you do lose it, just know that gentle touch on the shoulder by your partner or friend will calm your system and bring you back to reality. 

If you don’t have Gate 6 in your chart, you will have the pleasure of experiencing its energy this week. It will feel more subtle than if you have it active. The Sun will then move into Gate 46 in the G Centre on Tuesday 21st of September, the Gate of Love of Body. More info to come.

In the meantime, I want to share this poem with you about the evolution of human feelings by Jalaluddin Rumi. Translation by Coleman Barks.

The Guesthouse

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes.
As an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

Journal #7

I had the pleasure to nerd out and talk about all things Human Design over at @creativewomensbusiness. I wrote a quick beginner’s guide on how to redefine your flow through the lens of Human Design and Energy Types. A little something to experiment with while you are in lockdown. Here is a link to the article. Hope you enjoy :)

Creative Women’s Business provides a space to connect and network with our peers; A space to share work in progress, receive feedback or explore creative ideas as well as offer advice about navigating small business and freelancing. They also support collaborative opportunities between members and share community events. It is a great group to be part of, so if this piques your interest then I highly recommend you join. creativewomensbusiness.com.au

Journal #6

How many times in a week would you say the word 'should' when making decisions about things? For example, 'Should I go to the party even though I am feeling tired?' ' I should call my sister back to avoid her getting upset with me' or 'I should go and tend to my kids needs rather than squeeze in the 20-minute meditation that I know will make me feel better'. I am not sure about you, but this was a constant dialogue I had with myself daily. Until I began to take inventory of how much I said the word 'should'. Have you ever thought about what would happen if you actually turned that 'should' into a 'no'. What would that feel like? I imagine scary at first, but in the end, amazing! It might mean you are actually listening to your needs as opposed to the needs of others. You are finally pleasing yourself, rather than your fellow party goers, your sister or children. I am sure they will forgive you for saying 'no'. You might be pleasantly surprised that in fact they might not actually give two hoots, and instead understand that you have things to do and just sometimes you need to put yourself first.

So try it… I challenge you! Start listening to yourself, and when you hear the word 'should', allow yourself to be completely honest as to whether it's worth your energy or not. Tune into your authority and learn to say 'no' from time to time. See what happens, maybe something wonderful will come out of it! I would love to hear how you go.

Journal #5

Defined vs Undefined Chakra Centres.

Your design is always affected by the energies of those with whom you engage in love, business or friendship. It is a system that is interconnected, like humanity itself. However, when a Chakra Centre in your Life Chart is coloured or ‘defined’, this reveals a function or tendency that is fixed and consistent within you. These aspects are set in stone, a permanent part of you that is never influenced by the outside world. A portion of you that you can always count on and is available to be harnessed 24/7. Definition occurs when two gates at both ends of a channel come together, creating consistent and reliable energy within us. Hanging gates are when you have single gate activation in a defined centre. These may seem disconnected, but they still contribute their theme to your overall definition. If the themes of your activated gates don’t resonate with you, then this might be Not-Self talk coming through. This conditioning means your mind may have too much control causing you to send mix messages out to the world. Defined centres are a porthole into what you are naturally good at, so lean into these traits. See these as your strengths that come easily to you.

The white centres (also known as your ‘undefined’ or ‘open’ centres) are the places where you are most vulnerable to influence from the outside world. They are also your most valuable learning centres and where lies your most significant source of education and wisdom. Your openness gives you the ability to mirror or amplify the traits of others. These qualities are intermittent, coming and going depending on who you surround yourself. These are not traits you should identify as your own, instead are impassive wisdom others can share with you through their defined centres. This wisdom allows you to be an uninvolved observer, which will, in turn, provide you with an opportunity to exchange your reflections, comprehension and insight with others. The more openness you have in your chart, the more empathetic and flexible you are.

An undefined centre has one or more active gates. They can be black (conscious) or red (unconscious). Active gates are alone; waiting to be sparked by another person with the opposite gate to complete your whole channel. This pairing is called an electromagnetic connection. The active gate filters or directs the incoming energy toward the undefined centre, making you more aware of its presence within you. 

If your undefined centre has no gate activation, you still share many characteristics with this centre, but it does operate differently. Without activated gates, you don’t have a familiar theme or feeling to hold onto, which will then connect you to yourself. The gates are here to filters the incoming energy, so much openness can leave you feeling confused and vulnerable to the information coming at you. You don’t know quite what to do with it. Just remember that being completely open will, in fact, impart so much more wisdom, if you lean into its full potential. See your openness as a unique gift, rather than a hindrance.