As we continue to experience the energies of Scorpio—transformation, power dynamics, shadow work, taboos—you may find yourself hitting some bumps along the road that make you feel out of control or lost in the darkness.
First, let’s just normalize this emotional and mental experience for a moment. It is completely normal, understandable, and human to feel lost, confused, scared, lonely, sad, depressed, angry, and any other tough emotion on the spectrum. Especially now when we are experiencing Sun, Mars, and Mercury in Scorpio. All this energy in the sign of Scorpio can dredge up a lot of dark and difficult experiences. Regardless of the astrology of the moment, these types of emotions are totally valid, and the associated thought patterns (I can’t, I don’t have, I don’t know, I’m not, etc.) are totally understandable when we feel that way.
So what can we do when we feel out of control and even controlled by our emotions, thoughts, beliefs, circumstances, and our life? Put another way, what can we control? What can help us come back to the present moment and feel calmer? There are 4 things you can control™: your breath, your focus, your imagination, and your response.
Let’s break these down a bit more, starting with the breath. The breath to me is one of the most amazing tools available to us. It’s portable and can be accessed at any time. It’s part of the autonomic nervous system, which manages all the body functions we don’t control like heart rate, sweat response, temperature, pupil dilation, etc. Among these automatic functions, breathing is the only one we can actually do something about directly. It’s like a hack into our nervous system! And we can use that to change how we feel by becoming mindful of the breath and slowing it down. How cool is that?
This week, I invite you to simply take a few moments to become aware of your breath. Is it fast or slow? Is it deep or shallow? Is it relaxed or forced? No need to judge or change it yet, just observe and describe with neutral and nonjudgemental terms. Now activate the breath as a self-care tool by taking an easy, slow, calming breath. And another. And another. Notice when your thoughts move away from the neutral awareness of the breath and gently bring the mind back to the sensation of the breath and the increasing feeling of peace you feel in your body.
When you are going through challenges that are out of your control, what do you do to get back in the drivers seat and help you feel supported, nourished, and empowered? Do you have experience using the breath as a way to reset your system and feel better? I’d love to hear your experiences. Share them in the comments below!
