By Amy Zerner & Monte Farber
For the New Year, it is always a good idea to take time to look within and notice our inner dialogue: What is my issue? What must be done to stay centered and balanced? We must focus on the present moment because the present is the only place where our power is concentrated. The past is beyond our control and the future is…well, in the future.
But we can affect the future by living and acting in the present moment. By feeling our power to control ourselves in the present moment we can extend that power to affect all areas of our experience. When our spiritual life force is strengthened, we feel more vibrant and can actually achieve a specifically desired shift or life change to our experience of wellness.
Our breathing is the most obvious example of how our mind can influence our body. Our every mood is unintentionally reflected in our manner of breathing. If we are anxious or agitated, we tend to breathe in a shallow but rapid manner, physically mirroring our restricted or agitated state. Our breathing is calm when we are calm and it is the deepest and the slowest when we are the most relaxed as when we are sleeping.
Being calm, open-minded, and flexible seems to help to stimulate our body’s defenses and help with maintenance and even recovery. Our new book ASTROLOGY FOR WELLNESS: Star Sign Guides for Body, Mind & Spirit Vitality (Sterling Publishing) contains our favorite remedies for restoring ourselves and for better dealing with life’s pressures and challenges.
According to our view of astrology, we are, each of us, a living hologram of the energies that we ingested with our first breath the day we were born. Remember, all of the traits of the various Sun Signs exist in each “native” of that Sun Sign as potential traits to be learned about and explored mentally, physically, and spiritually.
The following twelve astro-specific breathing affirmation rituals can be done when you are burnt-out, tense, or experiencing stress or before you are going to have to pay close attention to some matter, either something you want to learn or must remember.
Just as we are able to change how we feel by taking control of our breath, our breathing rituals help prepare us to take control of our lives, as we enter a New Year. We wish you Wellness!
ARIES
March 21–April 19
Aries are cardinal fire. They know how to initiate action, how to push and work towards furthering their goals. They cannot wait to do what they have in mind to do. Therefore, patience is one of the most important lessons for Aries to learn.
Aries Breathing Affirmation: The child you were still lives within you and needs to play and feel secure. “I breathe in the innocence of a child’s mind that sees all things as if for the first time. I am filled with childlike joy and zest for life. I breathe out the illusion of age.”
TAURUS
April 20–May 20
Taurus are fixed earth. They know how to sustain an effort in matters that concern talent, security, values, and finances. They do not like to quit, even when they should. Therefore, learning how to let go is one of the most important lessons for Taurus.
Taurus Breathing Affirmation: Focus and clarity comes from the practice of being one-pointed in your attention. “I breathe in the discipline to make strengthening my body, mind, and spirit an enjoyable daily ritual. I am filled with determination. I breathe out procrastination and distraction.”
GEMINI
May 21–June 20
Geminis are mutable air. They know how to adjust and improvise their style of communication to deal with fluctuations. Geminis can adapt themselves to their environment. Therefore, learning how to craft a unique set of core beliefs is one of the most important lessons for Gemini.
Gemini Breathing Affirmation: Much can be learned from everyone and everything, even the “nets” that try to snare us. “I breathe in the wisdom that the flow of nature is offering me. I am filled with the desire to learn all I can about life and about my place in it. I breathe out ignorance.”
CANCER
June 21–July 22
Cancers are cardinal water. They know how to give and nurture as well as how to understand and share feelings and be protective. Therefore, learning how to avoid being over-protective is one of the most important lessons for Cancer.
Cancer Breathing Affirmation: Make your home base secure and you will feel comfortable no matter where you go. “I breathe in the feeling that I am safe and protected. I am filled with self-confidence enabling me to love and accept others even more. I breathe out insecurity.”
LEO
July 23–August 22
Leos are fixed fire. They know how to persevere and be respected by becoming a steady and focused creative force. They like to lead and be noticed. Therefore, learning that true leadership is doing what is best for those they lead is one of the most important lessons for Leo.
Leo Breathing Affirmation: Creativity enables us to artfully address life’s challenges. “I breathe in the energy to create and renew my body and soul. I am filled with the ability to learn useful disciplines that can help me heal my world. I breathe out my fear of being judged.”
VIRGO
August 23–September 22
Virgos are mutable earth. They know how to be of service and how to review, fix, edit and adjust to circumstances. Virgos can be critical and analytical. Therefore, learning how to be mindful of their perfectionism is one of the most important lessons for Virgo.
Virgo Breathing Meditation: Everything in moderation, nothing in excess; this is the way to lead a life of quality and meaning. “I breathe in the perfection of the earth, the water and the sky. I am filled with nature’s grand design. I breathe out my self-destructive tendencies.”
LIBRA
September 23–October 22
Libras are cardinal air. They know how to be fair in relationships and will work for justice. They can be diplomatic as well as surprisingly aggressive. Therefore, learning how to attain a balanced, harmonious approach to life is one of the most important lessons for Libra.
Libra Breathing Meditation: Beauty is found in the exchange of love between all beings.
“I breathe in the beautiful colors, fragrances, and forms around me. I am filled with the beauty that is my birthright. I breathe out the critic’s voice that says things are not perfect.”
SCORPIO
October 23–November 21
Scorpios are are fixed water. They know how to understand what motivates them and what makes others tick. They are devoted to exploring life at its extreme boundaries. Therefore, learning how to function well with less passionate people is one of the most important lessons for Scorpio.
Scorpio Breathing Meditation: Each time we change ourselves, the whole world is changed.
“I breathe in the ability to see what is working in my life and what needs to be changed. I am filled with the courage and excitement that change brings. I breathe out my fear of letting go.”
SAGITTARIUS
November 22–December 21
Sagittarians are mutable fire. They explore the world in every way so that they can discover universal truths and share them. Therefore, learning where and when not to speak their truth is one of the most important lessons for Sagittarius.
Sagittarius Breathing Meditation: Every step of life’s journey is an important adventure.
“I breathe in the pleasure and increased awareness that accompanies my travels. I am filled with infinite energy that animates my life and every- thing around me. I breathe out fear of newness.”
CAPRICORN
December 22–January 19
Capricorns are cardinal earth. They know how to be disciplined in matters of resources and goal planning. They take action based on practical needs and the desire to be respected by those they respect. Therefore, learning how to deal with authority is one of the most important lessons for Capricorn.
Capricorn Breathing Meditation: When life overwhelms us, it is time to get outside and touch the earth to ground ourselves, reestablishing our essential unity with nature. “I breathe in the comfort of Mother Earth. I am filled with a connection to Earth’s center. I breathe out anxiety.”
AQUARIUS
January 20–February 18
Aquarius are fixed air. They know how to be a friendly as a way to have people accept their original and somewhat radical ideas about how to benefit humanity. Therefore, learning how to preserve what is worthy of keeping while innovating new ways of doing things is one of the most important lessons for Aquarius.
Aquarius Breathing Meditation: A caring friend is worth more than any worldly possessions.
“I breathe in the loving friendship that makes life’s struggles bearable. I am filled with love, light, and laughter to be shared with my friends. I breathe out all loneliness and distrust.”
PISCES
February 19–March 20
Pisces are mutable water. They know how to shift, merge and change and be highly sensitive and empathetic to the emotional needs of others. Therefore, learning to keep their sense of self while helping others is one of the most important lessons for Pisces.
Pisces Breathing Meditation: When we awaken to our ability to create our own reality, all our dreams are possible. “I breathe in the manifestation of my hopes and wishes. I am filled with the knowledge that my dreams can come true. I breathe out doubt and despair.”
MONTE FARBER AND AMY ZERNER
Amy is an Aries and Monte is an Aquarius. For more than forty years they’ve combined their deep love for each other with the work of inner exploration and self-discovery to build The Enchanted World of Amy Zerner & Monte Farber: astrology books, tarot card decks, and oracles that have helped millions answer questions, be more mindful, find deeper meaning, and follow their own spiritual paths.
Together they’ve made their love for each other a work of art and their art the work of their lives. Their bestselling titles include Karma Cards A Guide to Your Future Through Astrology, Sun Sign Secrets, Signs & Seasons: An Astrology Cookbook, The Soulmate Path, The Psychic Circle, The Chakra Meditation Kit, The Enchanted Tarot, The Enchanted Spellboard, Little Reminders: The Law of Attraction, Instant Tarot, The Truth Fairy, Tarot Secrets, and Quantum Affirmations.