(Above: Venus enters Leo on 11 July.)

There is no coming to consciousness without pain.

One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious. — Carl Jung

In myths, legends, and lore across the globe, we have the consistent symbol of that which is valuable or needed for salvation, guarded by dragons and similar types of scary or life-threatening foes.

This interplay of opposites is speaking to our inner reality: namely, how the Self is guarded by a layer of the not-Self, which Carl Jung referred to as the Shadow.

So you want to be a hero? You want to know who and what you are? You want to realize abiding peace? Good.

Be warned though. To get “there,” you must journey through the Shadow, the not-Self, all that which you are not.

This is a frightening trek that will challenge you in every way, and bring you right to the edge of various cliffs tempting you to jump and take the easy route of not knowing.

If it were easy to realize Self, somehow that just doesn’t work. Peril is required.

It is the peril, the adversity, the fear, and the pain of the Shadow land that burns away who you are not — your ego, your personality, all the layers of conditioning accrued over time, and so much more.

You must burn the haystack to find the needle.

The good news? If you dare to make this pilgrimage, face the Shadow, and confront its menacing ways — abundance of grace will be visited upon you. Support, resources, and everything you need will appear at the right time, place, and pace.

What’s life for other than this? Aren’t we just playing a waiting game? Might as well start and get it done with — we have to at some point. Why not now?

The truth is: you cannot be harmed. You are the eternal living Light. You come to realize this. And the more you do, the further the Shadow gets absorbed.

Light overpowers darkness but only all of the time.

Courage is not required. More the understanding of what you have to do and the perseverance to keep taking steps when the fire of the dragon’s breath is inches away from your face.

There are no foes. Only friends.

The foe is showing you the way home. 🙏🏻

Suggested Use
Have pen and paper ready. Read this passage once. Then read it again, a little more slowly. Pause. Reflect. Journal any connections or intentions that come to you. Come back a few days later, and read again. Repeat for a few more times.

There is no right answer. Only take what resonates. Leave the rest behind, and kindly share these words if you feel another could be benefited.

ॐ शान्तिः