What Would Your Past Self Say?

Plus a reminder we're at the end of the Zodiac year

Feb 29, 2024

Look around at where you are right now. Look down at your hands. Close your eyes and take a breath, checking in with yourself. Pretend a version of you 10, 15, or 20 years ago received a snapshot of this moment. Imagine witnessing your current feelings, perceptions or beliefs. What does this flash of your current reality feel like to that past self? These current energies ask us to acknowledge how far we have journeyed and appreciate what we didn't see coming.

Maybe you're in the same house you were 20 years ago, but what about the person you are inside? These years have been transformative, and no one has been unchanged. We can say this about any decade, but look at how the world has shifted. Taking technology alone into consideration, we see this is an extraordinary time.

What's ordinary to you now is a miracle to your past self.

Recognize that, appreciate that, receive that.

Eleven years ago, I was graduating from university, contemplating the direction I wanted to take my life. I knew deep down I was an astrologer, but making that happen seemed impossible. I decided first to choose where I wanted to live, but pinpointing one location felt just as hard. When I listened to my intuition, the answer was simple, but the implementation felt complicated. As I asked myself where I wanted to make "home," I continually felt like the entire Earth was where I wanted to live.

I am an astrologer, star child, and open-minded person who always tries to think bigger. Looking up at the expansive sky, I pondered how small Earth is. Choosing just one location on this planet felt like trying to pull one drop of water out of the ocean. I told myself I'd try out this manifestation stuff, made a vision board and decided then that I'd be an astrologer who lived all over planet Earth, not just one location.

I'm not sharing this to be inspirational or make you feel like you have to manifest all your dreams into reality; that version of Shannon was about to learn life is more than positive thinking, and I don't want to pretend the nature of reality isn't nuanced. However, in the spirit of flash-forwards, if past me would have had a vision of myself right now, writing this email to my beloved readers while I look out at the Doha skyline beside the Arabian Sea from a luxurious apartment, well, even naive Shannon circa 2013 wouldn't believe you.

But here I am. And there you are. Before we race forward into what comes next, can we bask in the miraculous of this moment? Miracles happen when we don't look for them, so they quickly pass us by. True, we can't chase things or become attached, but can we welcome what's all around us?

These current energies radiate mysticism and magic but also illogical vibrations. There's a lot to hear when we tune in. We won't hear the music with our logical minds; the symphony is happening in the ethers. You wouldn't have been able to plan all the steps that led you to this moment. You don't have to know all the coming moments or where they will carry you next. Connecting with your past self will inspire you to trust life as you move towards future you.

While working on the first draft of this article, I learned a new word that fits this conversation.

énouement
"an emotion in which you finally see the outcome of the future, and you have the feeling of bittersweetness since you can't go back in time and tell your past self."

These times are bittersweet. Lots of mixed emotions. Highs and lows. Pride and regret. Wishing we would have just known or wanting to change the past will only keep us there. May you find the courage to forgive yourself and celebrate that you are right here, right now, breathing this air and centred in your body. Because as simple as that may sound, it really is a big deal.

Do you feel this "New Year" resembles the old one? Grant yourself some space and remember, according to the Zodiac (and nature), the New Year begins on March 20th's Equinox. It's natural to feel tired, drained and out of sorts at the end of a cycle, which is where we are now. Plus, we've got Eclipse Season starting March 25th. We are just before dawn, and that's usually the darkest place. New horizons are on their way, but they aren't here just yet, and that's okay. I'll be chiming with lots to share about all of that, but for now, may you find solace and space to rest and congratulate yourself for making it this far.

It's been a year since I launched my video subscription here on Substack. I want to acknowledge all my subscribers. You allow me to do this work and thank you doesn't cut it. To learn more about my bi-weekly analogies for the current energies vids, read below or respond to this email with your questions. Actually, feel free to reply to any of my emails with any questions or shares, I love hearing from you!

Making Sense of the Universe

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