I am OPTimist

Recommendations:

* I listened to Lex and Vervaeke when this episode came out, but my mind wasn't fully there. I just finished it again, and I have to recommend it; it's fantastic, Vervaeke is a GEM, and Lex is like a kid with a new toy…

* Some of you might be aware that I've been studying Austrian economics at Saifedean’s online academy since the summer. I often revisit an episode with Lex, because after reading books by von Mises, Rothbard, Hoppe, and Saifedean, and gaining a better understanding of the complexities of economics, just listening to Lex and Saif in this conversation makes me laugh so much. For your information, Saif is just as funny and radical in class as he is here, with a command of poetic words that is both witty and brutal, he recently told me during class that his name means “Sword of the Faith.” If you want to dive into what Money is, this is a long but very crucial episode.

Note: after I recorded the audio, I checked and it is a bit low, next time I will do a better job…

Polarities and the illusion of separateness

I woke up inspired, a very Neptunian quality, tapping into the mutability of the zodiac. I have started feeling a lot of love expressed in others while simultaneously feeling a heavy burden on those who suffer when they stay in victim mode.

How do we discern our thoughts within the ecology of our environment? What we eat, what we choose to focus on, and what we absorb in all shapes or forms—all of these affect us.

— Where you put your attention, you put your energy—

Neptune is at 29° of Pisces, which is the last degree of the whole zodiac. The last time it was here was at the brink of American civil unrest. Neptune entered Aries on April 13th, 1861, just one day after the start of the Civil War. We still have until 30 March 2025 for the Aries ingress, before it turns back to Pisces and commands the rulership of the upcoming lunar eclipse axis (January 12, 2025 – July 26, 2026).

What is it about transcendence that differs from transfiguration, or transformation? All three words imply crossing a border, moving beyond a line, point, essence, or even form, yet they each carry distinct nuances in their meanings.

…Marco’s answers and objections took their place in a discourse already proceeding on its own, in the Great Khan’s head. That is to say, between the two of them, it did not matter whether questions and solutions were uttered aloud or whether each of the two went on pondering in silence. In fact, they were silent, their eyes half-closed, reclining on cushions, swaying in hammocks, smoking long amber pipes.

Marco Polo imagined answering (or Kublai Khan imagined his answer) that the more one was lost in unfamiliar quarters of distant cities, the more one understood the other cities he had crossed to arrive there…

~Italo Calvino, Invisible Cities

A constant yearning for transcendence

Transcendence, as in reaching higher states of consciousness, is going beyond the ordinary limits or boundaries, often in a spiritual or metaphysical sense. It implies surpassing the constraints of the material world or one's current state of existence, a mystical state perhaps…

A man sets himself the task of portraying the world. Through the years he has created a space with images of provinces, kingdoms, mountains, bays, ships, islands, fishes, rooms, instruments, stars, horses, and people. Shortly before his death, he discovers that the patient labyrinth of lines traces the image of his face.

~Jorge Luis Borges, Dreamtigers

Transfiguration, however, is about a visible change in appearance, often linked to something divine or elevated, like the transformation of Jesus in Christian belief, the unio mystica, or sacred marriage, where all elements dissolve into one another.

As a Daoist disciple, I've encountered countless tales of enlightened beings (immortals) capable of changing their form. Mastery of life force or qi could enable feats like levitation or sustaining oneself solely on breathing air. Whether these stories are factual is not the focus here.

What's noteworthy is the symbolic resonance in contemporary culture. Figures like Jordan Peterson and his daughter Mikhaela, Russell Brand, Candace Owens, and Jordan Hall seem to be rediscovering Christ's consciousness. There seems to be a universal yearning for connection to a higher, more profound, and divine essence.

Could this yearning be a response to current events, such as genocide or imperialistic forces that perpetuate suffering while devaluing humanity as the currency is also losing value? The current zeitgeist feels like a battle of light and dark, reminiscent of the David and Goliath tale. It appears that more individuals are awakening from the collective dream. In recent times, there has been a noticeable increase in the practice of spirituality and devotion with a near-religious fervor. It's interesting to note that the word "disciple" inherently implies a relationship with a higher mentor. Through disciplined devotion, one may attain an elevated state of consciousness.

-Are people repenting?

if so, of what?

Are people feeling lost?

if so, why?

I am not questioning the how, the inquiry, but rather turning to its polarity in Virgo: discernment.

-How can one know when and to what to surrender?

-Will a logical, judgmental stance help?

-No? Then is it some sort of curiosity (Gemini/Mercury) that can lead to seeking truth?

One learns to accept the wisdom of intuition through knowledge (Jupiter/Sagittarius). One doesn’t have to know the scriptures to be one with the Creator. It is a question not of faith but of trust. That is what I feel.

A looming crisis of faith or disillusionment is on the horizon, as institutional structures begin to crumble, or an ecstatic transcendence can occur. In the summer of 2025, when the Nodes square Jupiter in Gemini and Saturn aligns with Neptune's current position, conjuncting the North Node, a significant opportunity will arise to observe the outcomes of current celestial alignments. This period will shed light on the seeds planted during the April 20th, 2024, new phase Jupiter/Uranus conjunction in Taurus. The transformation will enter a new phase, with Saturn, Neptune, and the North Node aligning to support profound change, aided by the challenging and metamorphic quality of Pluto. These shifts will likely bring about dramatic changes in many aspects of life, particularly in our relationship with the intangible and tangible aspects of existence, checking our connection to the body, the breath, and even how resources are important will support the spirit to create an equilibrium instead of disassociation or falling into a nebulous seduction that will keep you dormant at the most important times of our lives. (Note: I analyze and write about astrological transits well in advance to prepare and make the most of their energies.)

I can only sense that there will be a path towards finding meaning not in philosophy or machines, but rather an innovation of a deeper connection to the source, creating a new structure based on individual needs and communities that thrive in the contribution of authentic selves. Attention. It can also fall into a complete delusion, a state of government intervention, where all civil rights are taken away as the people have voluntarily started to worship the master pushing people even more into serfdom.

Therefore, discernment is crucial for your ecology of practices. Check your judgment barometer and allow new perspectives to show you the way.

Transformation, while also involving a change or crossing of boundaries, tends to be broader and more encompassing. It can refer to a fundamental and comprehensive change in nature, character, or form. Transformation can occur on various levels - physical, psychological, emotional, or spiritual - and involve gradual or profound shifts in identity, perspective, or behavior.

How have you been transformed since 2020?

IMPULSE TO BE

During the New Moon on May 7th, occurring at 18° Taurus in Gate 2, there may be a recollection of events from August 1st, 2022? On that date, there was a conjunction of Uranus, the North Node, and Mars in Gate 2 at the same degree. This gate is associated with the monopole that binds us within the illusion of our separateness. It feels like we were presented with a clear direction back then. Can you recall what it was?

As this New Moon aligns exactly with the same position, what are your intentions now? Saturn is currently conjunct with my Chiron at 17° Pisces, and I no longer fear feeling vulnerable. The sextile it forms with the New Moon is supportive as traumas around self-reliance, boundaries, and opening my heart have been deeply and slowly healing.

Reflecting, when Saturn was last at the same degree around March 26, 1995, Uranus was entering Aquarius, and the South Node in Taurus was on my Sun. I was certainly embarking on new territories, having just moved to the USA,…

The shift: A voice note discussing the state of things...

About my book:

If you are still interested in pre-ordering, the time is now. I will only print the copies I sell beforehand. If you don’t want to pay for shipping or prefer to make a different arrangement, please message me

Hello friends,

I will be brief: In recent weeks, I have focused my mind on creative tasks and projects that demand my timely attention. I have deliberately curated the information I expose myself to, engaging in deep meditations at times twice a day lasting 34 minutes each using the Gateway Experience.

While I draw, I listen to historical and informative texts on economics and politics to extract valuable insights gained from studying the principles of economics under Saifedean's guidance.

This message is concise: the experiences over the past nine years have culminated in this moment of initiation, granting me the ability to start enjoying the liberation I was seeking by surrendering to the darkness and integrating with my inner light. My book, which is still on presale, is the materialization and a witness of this journey.

May the eclipse bring you hope, not fear, knowing that within you lies the way.

Beware of the many gurus and charlatans out there. Influencers can wield power over you, so be sure to differentiate them from truly inspirational people and situations. Find your inner light!

See you on the other side. By the way, I am heading to Dallas on the 10th to volunteer at another Bitcoin conference. I will return with new voice recordings and more insights.

Be well.

There is nothing in the world that is not mysterious, but the mystery is more evident in certain things than in others: in the sea, in the eyes of the elders, in the color yellow, and in music.

— Jorge Luis Borges

I am pre-selling the book to have a clear count of the first print run. I will be personally sending and signing each copy, and adding a number to this edition.

Please make a pre-order before April 27th, 2024, the day of my 60th birthday.

I won’t have extra copies available as I would like this project to be 100% sustainable. Future second editions or digital files will have to wait sometime.

The time is now if you would like to have a beautiful experience and support my writing!

Listen to PREVIOUS Voices,(if you have missed them)

A companion to my book - presale

1: Ellery J. Roberts, fellow interdisciplinary-artist, and dear friend.

2: Mari Budlong is the Book editor and co-producer of ‘THE NATURE OF MY REALITY, EVERYTHING I NEED IS IN MY BODY'

3: Ari Moshe Wolfe (mentor + friend)

4: Simon Vorster (mentor + friend

They cannot scare me with their empty spaces

Between stars—on stars where no human race is.

I have it in me so much nearer home

To scare myself with my own desert places.

[Robert Frost, from "Desert Places," 1936]

Everything is an illusion; somewhere, something is being projected by your mind or the minds of others.

We are role players; our personas, or who we think we are or identify with, are like costumes. So, when you hang out in a specific spot, the dress attire will require you to be more blue than red, consenting to values or akin to the liberation of them.

Big institutions centralize knowledge, educating using parrots that repeat perfect scripts. So, when the wave moves, everything is collated. It seems coherent because the movement it creates seems in resonance.

So, how does this illusion work? Its definition is what determines “reality”. How about nature? Ta Physika, literally "the natural things,"

What is natural law? How are the planets not falling off the sky? How can trees and flowers grow from roots upwards? How is this invisible, sticky, non-defined idea of the creator represented energetically? Qi? Prana? Ether? Any clue?

Metaphysics is the science of the inward and essential nature of things, the abstract concepts such as being, knowing, substance, cause, identity, time, and space.

This space META -beyond the nature of physical reality can’t be measured-, transcends the definition that can be accounted for by length, weight, temperature, and diverse frequencies and spectra.

“Metaphysical sciences" would mean "those that we study after having mastered the sciences that deal with the physical world.

~St. Thomas Aquinas, Expositio in librum Boethii De hebdomadibus, V, 1).

-how about perception?

What came first, the mind or humanity? or did humanity’s mind make us aware of our limitations, and its projections?

Relativity, YES, without relationships of all kinds, our mind can't protect itself from being a projection, an illusion, we are trapped inside the veil, the illusion of a material experience that with its binary quality tends to project itself as a separation. in “reality” no pun intended, the illusion offers the potential for a synthesis.

“It all seems ‘real,’ but as it is constantly changing, it is not Real. Due to this Maya mentality (the illusion that the world is Real),people do not look beyond the veil of illusion to Me, the unchanging consciousness, the Absolute Reality beyond all the worldly; they do not see beyond to Me, the very basis of it all.“This curtain of illusion (Maya) is hard to see through, Arjuna. Only those who love and depend completely on Divinity are eventually able to see through it.“Those who are unable to see beyond the veil cannot, in effect, discriminate between Real and not-Real. Oblivious to the Reality of their own higher nature (the True Self Within), they sink to their lower nature and do evil deeds, committing acts that turn them away from Divinity. Not knowing the holy from the unholy, they are of course not devoted to Me, Divinity.”

― The Bhagavad Gita

Eclipses are coming fast and furious, and one just passed by. To be honest, I have had no energy to post, so I have given myself the space to explore my feedback while investing my time in preparing three public artworks. This focus keeps me away from the external chaos that seems to be intensifying. However, I also spend quality time observing longer cycles to map what I see and synthesize it with my insights. I have no idea where we are going, but I can study these cycles to be prepared.

You gotta do what you have to do.

Take time to contemplate:

Take time to contemplate:

The screen onto which you project (the other).

-What expectations are you projecting onto each thing, situation, or person?

I'll go first:

I am noticing my environment even more. I tend to attract provoking and extreme situations. This doesn't mean I have to embody these provocations or create extreme situations where integrity is at stake.

No, I have a perspective where I can discern the needs of others, and if so, I can nurture only those who are willing to receive. I need to take time to detect what vessel needs nurturing. One caveat, though: I am only serving sovereign individuals. Yet, the most impactful practice has been to give myself the space to receive from me to me. Never before had I yielded so much towards truly nurturing my needs. I feel my voice is stronger and less dependent on outside validation. I still enjoy relational values, but I am not succumbing to the need for attention.

This is the practice: look at your nodal axis in HD, your incarnation cross, and your profile. This equation will show you the scope of your life, how to ground yourself, which stage you are in, and what environment will allow you to evolve.

In my case, it is quite clear as a 6/2: I show up when needs arise and engage accordingly serving as an alignment factor.

OH YES BUY MY BOOK

stop procrastinating!!!

The deception of collectivism is endangering the authentic potential of every being

While this is a theme I am developing for my book, I would like to briefly address it here. Let’s delve into the astrological context of two planets surrounding the publication of the infamous Communist Manifesto in 1848.

At that time, Saturn, symbolizing concrete reality, and Neptune, representing boundary dissolution, both occupied 27° Aquarius, ruled by Uranus. This alignment could be interpreted as a revolution of collective behavior (Saturn) where the boundaries are blurred regarding who is responsible for assigning value to one's work. Fact: the USA's Moon also shared this degree. By observing the cycles of 36 years when these two planets meet, we can discern a pattern that involves Russia and the Soviet Union.

The next time Saturn and Neptune will meet is on 2/26 at 0° Aries, marking the beginning of a full cycle since 1846 and heralding a new cycle of behavior between individuated citizens and those who have been using collectivism as a way to mask their freedom behind victimization, exploitation, and inequality supposedly proposed by a free market.

These cyclic alignments offer a unique perspective on historical events and their impact on political, educational, and economic agendas. It is crucial to highlight the similarities and evolution from an ideology of collective thinking to the current prevalence of collectivism worldwide. This trend hampers our ability to confront our fears of individual sovereignty.

Some advocate for total government provision, including freedom, dismissing the notion that societies cooperate in free markets and create capital, production, specialization, and new technology through the division of labor. We are already witnessing the decline of many structures that once symbolized solid institutions.

The Saturn-Neptune cycle provides further insight into these historical shifts. The last conjunction occurred at the end of the 80s in Capricorn, marking the fall of a failed ideology and the physical wall in Berlin. This period also saw significant changes in China, as Mao Zedong's era began to transition towards a more open economic policy.

Before that, the conjunction in 1953 occurred in Libra, coinciding with Stalin's death and marking the beginning of a new era in Soviet leadership. In China, this period marked the end of the Korean War and the consolidation of Mao's power. The 1950s also saw the rise of the Cold War and the beginning of the space race between the USA and the USSR.

In 1917, the conjunction occurred in Leo, aligning with the Bolshevik revolution in Russia, which led to the establishment of the Soviet Union and the beginning of communist rule. This period also saw the end of World War I and the beginning of a new era in global politics and economics (note the inception of the Federal Reserve in 1913). Looking back further, the previous Saturn-Neptune conjunctions occurred in 1882 (in Taurus), 1846 (in Pisces), and 1819 (in Sagittarius).

These periods were associated with significan…

When one wishes to pause time for reflection, time continues its wave. What we remember is just a snapshot of an event, something that made an impression and prompted us to respond or react based on our level of awareness.

All hidden intentions or events that have yet to see the light sometimes emerge suddenly, violently, or with no notice, triggering reactions. If one is aware, these reactions that emerge from our psyche can be not only recognized but also seen in a new light and felt in the present moment, as the impressions can be released not in our mind but within our emotional body.

The great contributions of Carl Jung, Gabor Maté, Jeffrey W. Green, and Ra Uru Hu are gifts to humanity because they highlighted, in specific ways, how we are conditioned by subtleties that happen and are embedded in our body, often protecting ourselves from confronting them because we are not ready to meet our soul's journey. Revealing the light and confronting those triggers/fears is a path that requires not only practice but also guidance from someone who is also walking the walk and not just talking the talk.

When I met Simon Vorster back in 2017 and decided not only to have a reading but also to learn everything I could from his knowledge of evolutionary astrology, a paradigm that came alive through Jeffrey W. Green, Simon also introduced me to Human Design, where my brain expanded into a dimension my consciousness was ready to receive. Over the course of four years plus, my commitment under his mentorship and transmissions opened many routes I am very happy to have explored.

My mom, as a pedagogue, taught me to honor the people before me and those who have served me by facilitating knowledge, giving me their valuable time, and channeling their wisdom during the processes needed.

My soul has been in a very different state since 08/2017, and I have had the pleasure to engage in a beautiful dialogue with a human being whose mentoring empowers those who are committed to themselves to be free.

Thank you, Simon.

Enjoy:

The collective unconscious…. appears to consist of mythological motifs or primordial images, for which reason the myths of all nations are its real exponents. In fact the whole of mythology could be taken as a sort of projection of the collective unconscious. We can see this most clearly if we look at the heavenly constellations, whose originally chaotic forms are organized through the projection of images. This explains the influence of the stars as asserted by astrologers. These influences are nothing but unconscious, introspective perceptions of the collective unconscious.

— Carl G. Jung

Side note as with everything that exerts influence as power over you, astrology is only meaningful when used as a tool.

Catching up with each other, Simon touches on rewilding and delves into the mystical connection with the cosmos.

Join me as I share my path of setting boundaries, emotional awareness, and the value of authenticity in personal relationships and community building. Tune in for insights and wisdom on transformation through mentoring relationships.

MY BOOK IS AN EXPERIENCE:

The pre-sale of my book is still going!

I thank all of you who have pre-ordered the book, those intending to buy it soon, and the curious as well. Mari Budlong and I are delighted to know that our creative work could soon be in your hands.

Self-publishing is the most badass, second-house, self-sustaining endeavor I can undertake.

By sharing my journey of empowerment, I must show up creatively sharing my voice without shame, with the courage that takes the realm to reign and to be sovereign.

ORDER YOU COPY HERE

Every March 7th, give or take, the light of the Sun shines on my vulnerable Chiron at 17°28’ Pisces, which over the years after my return, has allowed me to show up without armor and be myself.

The fear of not being able to sustain my needs, or of being in codependent relationships, creating addictive behaviors because I may feel awkward when in the spotlight, as well as experiencing self-doubt especially when I am aware of how I contribute to the world, became very clear in my meditation this morning. I have recently changed the way I reconnect with the present moment, using a specific technique that I will now call equilibrium is a process.

Right and left brain, good and bad judgments, and dark and light—all these polarities present at all times—contain the real appreciation I have towards my discipline and practices.

Observation, in my case, takes the time of a sine wave to travel up and down several times to give me the right pulse for what I have to do when I have to do it. Fear of survival based on past situations and guilt of having more than others are my shadows, but my spirit is one of hope and spiritual abundance.

Enjoy this New Moon in Pisces at Gate 22—it signifies new endings. Surrendering without too much suffering to what has no more life in it, or no more purpose of being, while on the threshold of what is emoting and shaping as new. The new heights of the wave can take the emotion to a state of grace, if one is in the mood for it.

It's time to appreciate life without definitions.

With Saturn, Mercury, the Sun, and Neptune in Pisces, the form is shaped by the relationship I have with my spirit.

Unfolding

I thank all of you who have pre-ordered the book, those intending to buy it soon, and the curious as well. Mari and I are delighted to know that our creative work could soon be in your hands.

Self-publishing is the most badass, second-house, self-sustaining endeavor I can undertake.

By sharing my journey of empowerment, I must show up creatively sharing my voice without shame, with the courage that takes the realm to reign and to be sovereign.

ORDER YOU COPY HERE

NOTE: I am stoked about this project, I have not been this excited in a long time, and I thank you for your time!

When I feel disempowered, I secretly resent everyone and my inner chatter cries with, “Why me!?!”  I have been in shame and blame, but now, in my full power, if this image or thought enters my space, I pause, and I nurture a breath in the now with compassion:

-Monika, why are we traveling to the past or buying a ticket for an unknown future? The healing is here now, my love.

~Quote from the book

The Nature of my Reality: EVERYTHING I NEED IS IN MY BODY

The upcoming release, titled ‘The Nature of My Reality: EVERYTHING I NEED IS IN MY BODY' is set to launch in early Summer 2024. Crafted over two years, this three-part, 4-color, 8”x5”notebooks-sized journey is a product of a joint effort with Mari Budlong. Rooted in the exchange of my ongoing journaling, Mari serves as editor and co-producer, playing a crucial role in shaping and synthesizing the book's structure. All illustrations and visuals are personally crafted by me.

This book traces my journey of individuation—a depiction of my transformation from disempowerment to self-awareness, embracing vulnerability through self-recognition. It extends an invitation for readers to embark on their own introspective journeys, creating a space for inner dialogue, discovering needs, and refining the relationship with oneself.

Separately, as a polymath and interdisciplinary artist, I present the book as a unique art piece, a non- linear endeavor meant to be shared, encouraging an immersive experience and inviting reader participation.

In Section 1, "Everything I Need Is In My Body," I delve into my individuation process, exploring deep inner dialogue with needs and values. The non-linear narrative subtly weaves personal anecdotes, establishing a connection that interprets the external world through observation and notation, introducing archetypal language as well as technologies that have served my process. 

Section 2, "We Are The Architects of Time," presents illustrations and visual depictions that engage curiosity and offer a fresh perspective on cycles of time. Including The Taoist I Ching, astrological, financial, and Human Design charts, as well as a glossary of terms and archetypes, it encourages open inquiry and self-reflection. The texts in this section take a distant view as I observe the passage of time and reflect on civilization, using the charts as parameters. This approach offers a way to integrate inner and outer authorities.

Section 3, "The Only Revolution is To Be One’s Self,"  the journal section, provides a platform for the reader to engage with themselves through prompts, quotes, and graphics. It offers both inner and simulated dialogues, facilitating a meaningful relationship with oneself and service to others.

The journey weaves what inspires my art and life practice with how I carefully curate my relationships to ensure my evolution process.

The book as an experience underscores the interconnectedness of diverse intellectual disciplines with actual societal crises, all examined through the cyclical lens—the ebb and flow of social constructs. It delves into the historical origins of banking and economic systems, revealing literary connections to intricate relationships among political and ecclesiastical authority and the current dire situation of the Fiat standard, as well as introducing Bitcoin, which I consider the most significant innovation in the 21st century (a technology/ecology I refer to as a state of consciousness). 

This exploration extends to numerology, symbolism, and the structural elements of literature, prominently exemplified in seminal works like Dante's The Divine Comedy. It explores how these elements can propel humanity toward revolutionary transformation, emphasizing the role of human action and the embodiment of personal accountability.  Lastly, it offers a glimpse of my journey from disempowerment to freedom.

The realization that everything essential resides within the body, with emotions as a guiding GPS, forms a powerful exploration. Through intentional attention, I've gathered empirical evidence, providing the internal structure needed for genuine vulnerability in the external world.

It took me nearly 60 years to appreciate the thought process of my mind and recognize the strength of the uniqueness each human being is meant to be.

The process of individuation is meant to be the path of the heroine’s journey. The non-linear narrative acknowledges how I reclaimed inner and outer authority using archetypes, multidisciplinary research, and practices—a celebration of evolving sovereignty, living in harmony with cycles of time, vibrations, and frequencies, supporting further individuation and service.

Observing the fascinating connections threaded through these intellectual landscapes – which I find captivating, elegant, and full of depth – sheds light on the intricate interplay among our conscious choices, subjective preferences, and the subtle energies that quietly sculpt our lives in dissonance or alignment.

BIOS:

MONIKA: Multidisciplinary artist • Multidimensional human being As a polymath, I enjoy focusing and studying on many subjects, whether through creating a public art commission, imparting community workshop, sharing my thought process weekly through writing, facilitating study groups, researching all sorts of topics, or creating intimate connections through Evolutionary Astrology - Human Design readings. I am very curious and quite engaging in communal settings by asking meaningful questions.

MARI:  I’ve always been curious about humans and humaning, how we fit in with and are part of the world. After some time as an analyst in the Army, I went to college and studied Cultural Anthropology with a focus on Food Systems, with a secondary major in Sustainable Development. With interests in spirituality, values, and meaning, being a mother to four amazing kids has opened doors to shadow work, healing, and reconnection to self in ways I couldn’t have conceived.

PRE-SALE LINK:

VOICES,an audio companion to the book, is a series of long-form relational dialogues with persons who have supported my inner dialogue and practices through this journey -- fellow artists, mentees, mentors, coaches, collaborators, Bitcoiners, and friends.

Click here to read this newsletter in your browser

"And there's that freeway. We can only hear what we're willing to and capable of hearing in the moment. But if I can see someone and their struggles in life without a conflict in mind, if I can see with forgiveness, and if I can hold them in their power and actually deeply honor and respect the gift and the beauty of the healing process that they're in, I'm going to receive the benefits of that because I'm elevating my mind by way of seeing them in that clear place."

~Ari Moshe Wolfe, during the conversation

Hello friends, on February 12th, I had an inspiring conversation with my friend and former mentor, Ari Moshe Wolfe. We discussed our roles as teachers and facilitators of growth, emphasizing the creation of nurturing environments for others to explore their inner worlds.

Ari shared his personal journey as a teacher, evolving towards a deeper sense of purpose and service. In contrast, I reflected on the importance of setting boundaries and being responsive to students' needs. Our dialogue also touched upon themes of devotion, mourning, loss, humility, and self-reflection, culminating in a discussion on joy, integrity, and purpose.

The dialogue shifted to a musical tone as Ari played the ukulele and shared a song, providing a beautiful and inspiring ending to our conversation.

ENJOY!

"My vessel serves a purpose on a moment-to-moment basis. I'm going to find out what it is IN the moment."

[…]

"I would like to always make myself available for that moment with another person. So, if they ask me to do a reading, have a mentorship, or facilitate something, I give myself completely to that, and I trust it so much!"

~Monika, during the conversation

VIDEO:

AUDIO:

“A writer - and, I believe, generally all persons - must think that whatever happens to him or her is a resource. All things have been given to us for a purpose, and an artist must feel this more intensely. All that happens to us, including our humiliations, our misfortunes, our embarrassments, all is given to us as raw material, as clay, so that we may shape our art.” ― Jorge Luis Borges, Twenty-Four Conversations with Borges: Interviews by Roberto Alifano 1981-1983

The Twilight Before Dawn: Venus and Mars conjunction right on my ascendant!

Reflecting on the culmination of two years since the last Venus-Mars cycle that also started at 0° Aquarius back in March 2022...

The amount of focus I gave to the theme of value and what I needed as essential in my life led me in a different direction and brought me to where I am now. Since then, I have been writing about my journey, asking myself what I value the most. I was initially unsure about what values and needs were essential to me, but I am grateful for the time and effort I took to explore them. I can now say that I am much clearer about them at this culmination.

Bitcoin, as a state of mind became a catalyst for that journey because it encouraged my curiosity to explore topics I had never considered, discover a plethora of opportunities to evolve as a human, and become more at ease in social interactions.

In 2022, Venus was the ruler of the North Node in Taurus, guiding me towards a direction yet to be discovered and experienced, where I could feel at home since it rules my 4th house. Mars, on the other hand, was the ancient ruler of the South Node in Scorpio, urging me to confront and let go with courage any attachments that functioned as addictions, which could sometimes serve as a distraction or lead to self-sabotage, especially in the area of how I was perceived professionally.

This time around, the roles are inverted, with Venus as the ruler of what is familiar in relationships (Libra South Node), finally accepting,

'Since I now have leverage and I know my needs, I can easily establish boundaries and expand into areas that offer different perspectives.'

Meanwhile, Mars points to jumping-starting in unknown territory as a sovereign being, expressing my ideas with ease. Both cycles have started and ended in Aquarius, clearly underlining the importance of breaking free from a traumatic past. This reflects the recognition that we are living in a distressed, quasi-dormant, indoctrinated society that is ready to awaken and lead to creative places. Since this conjunction is on my ascendant, there is a strong urge to break free and engage in novel experiences where I can resonate individually as part of a larger community where my values will be of the essence.

The future is not just rose-colored; there are major alerts, such as the risk of becoming even more dissociated from our bodies. Venus and Mars will square Jupiter in Taurus, activating a focus on the necessary tools to ground our survival needs and embody a more creative and thriving free society. This aspect will be highlighted in April 2024 when Jupiter meets Uranus. Everyone's relationship with their resources is different, but acknowledging them can make a difference. I am extremely happy to have adopted a low-time preference and to be wise in the decisions I make about how to value my time.

The book I am about to self-publish serves as a memento of this last transit that started at the very end of my 12th house, marking the end of a complete unconscious cycle that has been brought to light. This transit has pointed to the need for deep focus, especially as Pluto has been in the 12th house since 2010 and will coincide with a major solar eclipse at 6°Aquarius on 01/26/2028, I know I have been preparing for these times, which have been significant in my journey.

The new Venus-Mars cycle is practically on my ascendant, at 6°57, squaring my natal Sun and creating a nice inconjunct with my natal Uranus, which rules my Aquarius ascendant. I am attentive to any signals of sudden tension that could prompt me to break free from any fixed patterns that hinder my flow. I approach this with the discernment I have been mastering, knowing how to yield to my benefit.

My intention within this new phase is to show up 100 percent as an authentic human in these very dark times. Despite feeling the weight and darkness, I can sense the light. It's going to be a wild ride, but I am willing to show up.

-What cycle have you just culminated?

-What has transpired since March 2022 that you can be aware of?

BTW, how is your friend Courage doing?

P.S. This week, as I'm writing the last paragraphs of my upcoming book, I'll share more details with you by the end of the month.

In the upcoming weeks, I am in dialogue with a pair of sovereign friends (one anonymous and another pseudo-anonymous from the Bitcoin community) to discuss common values we share such as respect, liberty, and freedom. I am also recording additional mentors, students, and fellow human travelers.

I'm very excited!

Lastly, I would appreciate your engagement with this survey. Thank you!

Since I began my Substack in February 2022, one of its main themes, tied to individuation, has been exploring the concept of Value. As I conclude the last paragraphs of my book,‘THE NATURE OF MY REALITY, EVERYTHING I NEED IS IN MY BODY' I'm reflecting on how my understanding of value has evolved.

Initially, I was ignorant about how to spend money, either due to a lack of awareness of my spending patterns or simple carelessness. Over time, I've started to recognize the subjectivity of my needs and grasp the idea that money is essentially a standardized technology with practical applications. Hence, I (and perhaps others) have entrusted their value with this technology and with the methodology of how to make individual decisions regarding its usage over time.

Because I have made incredible use of my time since mid-2021 and have invested in my education and contemplation on values, I feel the current transits are a culmination of an aspiration that motivated me throughout—to create a balance between my needs and those of others. Where I stand now is a very sweet spot, and many of the stories in my book will contain this trajectory.

Today, I would like to point to a wonderful celestial event that seems to have conspired with those of us who have been attentive to the times we decide to live in.

This week's meditations are quite poignant:

-What do I value the most? My freedom!

-Where am I still selling myself short? Almost nowhere, for I am no longer in fear of 'fitting in.' I am what I am.

-Where am I trading my uniqueness for security or the false idea of it? I no longer do so. I am very aware of how I relate to everything, from my sleep to my food, my artwork, my time, my finances, and my sovereignty. The road ahead is open as a field to experiment and experience this freedom, inspiring more humans to find their intrinsic value.

When you are authentic, the fear of not having enough is nonexistent, as the focus is on creativity rather than lack. I call this the Fiat mindset because the Fiat standard has created a world based on fear, on FOMO (fear of missing out). Many decisions are based on 'Fake it till you make it,' trying so hard to be, as opposed to following one’s design.

You can’t fight against what you can’t have, but you can embrace your vulnerabilities, become completely powerful, and support others with your potency.

My main asset is that I can see what others need, and I can value and cheer others, supporting them because I learned to do it for myself first. When I do, they are not taking anything away from me. Instead, the opportunity is established for generosity to abound.

Courage is knowing in your heart you need to take a step forward and launch yourself up into the sky.

Contemplate what you value the most, which dominion you would like to protect as the warrior of life, and which territory you’d like to conquer fear.

What is at stake?

The price of codependency vs. interdependence.

The price of emotional immaturity vs. freedom to resonate with sovereign individuals.

The theme of these weeks is only one: one thing to focus on: your individuality.

Remember that the subjectivity of your value can lead you out of a scarcity mentality.

And on that note, I leave you. This is the subject of the last chapter of my book and a culmination of contemplations. I am also shaping it for an upcoming Bitcoin panel:

How to shift out of a scarcity mentality to valuing the scarcity of your time.

Enjoy the ride! I have to say I AM OPTIMIST, more on value, time and scarcity inside of my book.

Next week, I will release the session VOices #3 with my friend and fellow Evolutionary Astrologer, Ari Moshe Wolfe who joined me to record a long-form dialogue where we discussed devotion, discipline, mentoring, honesty, humility, Evolutionary Astrology, and Music!

Sharing a talk by the great Lyn Alden on Broken Money, I have learned a lot listening and reading Lyn’s analysis of what Money is.