Dear Friends,

This is our last week of all the planets moving in direct motion. However, we are already in the "shadow" period of Mars slowing down for its 11 week retrograde cycle in Virgo starting on the 24th of January, so make sure everything you wanted to initiate for the new year is done, because the retrograde will bring delays. 

As with any retrograde cycle things are delayed and appear to slow down or move "backwards." This however gives us the opportunity to reflect, re-assess, reform and restructure key issues from the past. Therefore, unfinished business from the past returns to be dealt with when any planet goes retrograde. The theme of past issues returning are determined by the retrograde itself, thus, Mars in Virgo brings disputes, "fights" and actions taken in the past to the fore in relation to health, purification, procedures, logic and perceptions of perfection/imperfection that have not been properly or completely addressed. Mars is the god of war and represents aggression, tempers, war, fighting, guns, knives, action, doing, independence, and initiative. Virgo represents logic, analytical processes, purification, perfection, daily rituals, medicine, health, healing, small animals, criticism, and refinement. Virgo calls for rationality and needs to methodically break things down into bite size pieces so as to process things properly. Therefore, with this retrograde you can expect to experience and/or witness hostility and fighting around perceived imperfections, tempers flaring as a result of criticism and nitpicking around small details, and the mismanagement of health and daily routines/rituals. Over analysis of procedures, and excessive criticism of self and others could also lead to disruption, as would the absence of an orderly approach to life.

The best way to deal with this retrograde is to focus on healing issues revolving around the above mentioned themes, as well as concentrate on disciplining yourself to set structured routines in place which support your purification process. Journaling your experiences on a daily basis is a fantastic way of putting what you are analysing into perspective so that you can ascertain what the issue at hand is revealing to you. Because a retrograde takes us back to the past this is actually a highly beneficial time to concentrate on delving into and healing the parts of yourself that paralyse you. In other words, you are supported in digging deep and discovering what sabotages your ability to take action and initiate new experiences. I say this because Mars also represents action, initiative and independence amongst other things. Virgo is ruled by the planet Mercury, which influences our thoughts and communication. Thus, understanding what negative thoughts, attitudes and programming motivate your actions is extremely liberating, especially when those thoughts result in actions which cause discord, fighting, criticism and deluded perceptions of what is perfect and acceptable. 

So often we give into negative thoughts based on what we think the world demands of us placing immense pressure on ourselves to be "perfect" for the world. This inhibits our ability to live authentically and actively initiate what allows us to feel independent and safe. This is mirrored in our relationships on every level and plays out during these periods more so than others. Therefore, I want to encourage you to use these 11 weeks to reflect on things that thwart your ability to be an independent individual, and constructively and logically analyse associated negative programming. Address what you define as being perfect. Look at how you over analyse situations, yourself and others which leads to unnecessary criticism and pain for all concerned. These kinds of negative thoughts and actions impact our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health because it breaks down self-worth and leaves us feeling co-dependent and imperfect, therefore, incapable of initiating what liberates us from the darkness and wounds of our past. 

Mars separates us from things and challenges us to fight for what is right. This is another reason why I am encouraging you to take the time to reflect upon and restructure what is perfect for you. By cutting through the illusions you are able to determine what will and won't work for you, thus, preparing the way for the new that shall come as a result. By surrendering to life separating you from the people, places and issues that break you down, you transform the challenge and fight into a dynamic new opportunity to experience something fresh and new. This will however take time, so patience and perseverance are called for. Surround yourself with people and experiences that are positive and uplifting and which positively support you in overcoming long standing challenges from your past. Create or join a support group, or work closely with like-minded people who are as determined as you are to break old patterns and purify paralysing patterns. By doing this you are using your free will by choosing to do things differently and committing to this choice. Action supports choice. We can make as many choices as we like, but until we act upon what we choose nothing will change. Often the most challenging part of making a choice is overcoming the fear of being imperfect and failing. Prove to yourself that you can change this negative affirmation.

We have created a number of mini-courses and themed processes based on the channelled teachings of Kuthumi-Agrippa and Mary Magdalene, which are available on our website www.palaceofpeace.net These teachings contain important activities which guide you through specific processes of self analysis and inspection. If you are looking for something to work with that can support and guide you through the change you yearn for then take a look at what we offer. We have free processes available on our site, so try one of these out and see for yourself how profound this healing experience can be. 

Recently I channelled some new material guided by the Golden Oracle Masters. One of the major issues this brought up for me is how ashamed I feel of wanting to live a life that allows me the freedom to do whatever brings me joy, happiness and peace, because this means I need a comfortable level of financial independence to experience this. This is accompanied by a over-sized helping of guilt. You see, I was raised believing that you have to work very hard every day your entire life and without blood, sweat and tears you cannot achieve anything. I witnessed my father do just this, yet, until this day he still counts his pennies and none of his dreams have been realised. I recognised that my shame is fuelled by the sense of guilt I feel of having a better quality of life than my parents and those "less fortunate" than me. How does this serve me? It doesn't, all it does is create resentment and stress regarding work and negative feelings of failure toward myself. By using the guidelines presented in the channellings I can already see just how ingrained this shame and guilt is, and how it masks itself as overwhelming emotional reactions motivating my choices and decisions resulting in me taking on too much responsibility and feeding my workaholic self. Therefore, I welcome this Mars retrograde as the opportunity to purify these programs and initiate a new way of working with my attitude toward realising my dreams shame and guilt free! :)

We have the final price available for my Soul Odyssey tour to Bali on the 19th of April, and I am delighted to say that it is very affordable considering everything we will be doing and where we will be staying. Besides my 7 mornings workshop with you, you can also look forward to swimming with Dolphins and participating in some of the sacred rituals performed by local healers. Meditations and channellings in some of the most beautiful surroundings in Bali, and the opportunity to undergo profound personal healing and transformation in one of the most sacred parts of Mother Earth. Ubud is the the location written about in the popular book "Eat, Pray, Love." In the workshop I will be facilitating I will provide valuable personal information pertaining to the workshop theme. This personal information is extracted from your "Blueprint" - your Astrological Chart, which I will prepare before the tour. This helps me provide you with accurate and practical information in support of your personal healing and transformative process. Click here for my full itinerary.

In 2010 and 2011 I conducted the "Pods of Light" group channellings. I plan on resuming these in the not too distant future. In the mean time this is a request for all current "Pods" to please e-mail Samantha (info@palaceofpeace.net) with your Pod theme title so that we can create "Pod Support Groups" on face book which pod members will primarily administer and post on. This will be the opportunity for Pod members to spread the energy pertaining to their pod theme and support people drawn to the support groups. Sharing personal experiences is worth it's weight in gold because people take comfort in knowing that you can relate to what they are experiencing. The Face Book Support Groups are the new way I have chosen to create platforms of healing and support for others, however, I need your help and participation to make this available in it's full capacity. 

Have a wonderful week!

Much love,
Michelle