I Got Shingles!

​Shingles is a viral infection that adversely impacts the nervous system, which is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. If you've experienced chickenpox, then zoster is dormant within you. It activates when the immune system is compromised or low. It turns out that high stress, inner issues, fear, and unnecessary thinking are all directly associated and correlated with low or weakened immune systems. Before I get into that though, you should understand that I've been on a health and wellness pathway for 9 years and counting, after deciding to adapt my behavior into a new lifestyle. Over that time, I discontinued ingesting toxins, and I modified my diet. Now, I'm an Ayurvedic Vegan and I eat gluten-free, organic, and non-gmo foods. I like to drink alkaline water, superfood or supplement drinks (like protein shakes) and various teas. I started working out at the gym a few years ago before the pandemic, and I recently restarted working out at a new gym - although hiking, yoga, and dance continue to be my favorite physical activities.

​So probably about now, you’re wondering, “If Brian’s health and wellness was cleaned up so much, how did his immune system get to such a compromised state to activate zoster and result in a medical diagnosis of Shingles?” Well, that's partly contingent upon what is linked with a lowered immune system (mentioned above). Also related is how we are supporting ourselves by coping with the many stresses life throws our way. This refers to the flow of our energy, to what extent we manage our energy blocks or barriers, and how we go about engaging in our own self-care. This is where health and wellness begins to get more individualized and complex. Our energy is not our physical form. We have physical bodies and energy bodies (the systems like chakras, biofield, meridians, etc.) which are very different from each other. It’s important to implement self-care strategies daily that facilitate more energy flow and make sure to engage the body. This is called somatic healing.

Unfortunately, stress levels rose notably for many people during 2020, and stress continues to be high as people navigate their way through the pandemic - with the array of incessant challenges and adaptations. I relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 2020 with minimal possessions to continue building my business, which is ongoing. In October of 2021, I accepted a position with the State of Washington as an administrator for a special needs community in exchange for consistent income to cover expenses and invest in the business.

​All of the external involvement along with building the business in 2022 is when I experienced over-extension. Although our energetics are eternal, there are limitations we contend with due to the nature of physicality. There are only so many hours in a day for juggling careers, businesses, families, relationships, hobbies, self-care, and amelioration. But, I soldiered on as many of us do when the going gets tough.

​One day, I felt very tired and sore from work and exercise, and the day after that - I woke up in pain. I looked at my body in the mirror and saw an ugly rash on the left side of my torso, and it was even on my back on the left side. It felt like I was burned in a fire and then fell on asphalt. The next morning, I went to Urgent Care, and was diagnosed with a moderate case of Shingles. Even though I took medication immediately to help expedite my recovery, the incessant pain continued for days. I used an OTC topical cream and lotion, in addition to Lidocaine. My career was put on hold during most of the treatment, and my energy began to feel much lighter as I started finding more balance. I am still recovering day by day. 2022 will be the year I’ll remember as recovering from both Covid-19 and Shingles. Even though it’s been hard, these illnesses have been great spiritual teachers and I’ve noticed some astrological links as well.

​The energetic signatures that are associated with the relatively current Saturn-Uranus square of 2021-2022, combined with a Mars-Neptune opposition transit, a Jupiter-Jupiter opposition transit, and a Jupiter-Saturn opposition transit adversely impacted my energy body and physical body. The transit aspects shown below are indicative of some of the energy dynamics in the forefront of my recent experiences; interpretations of these aspects are providing me with information regarding the activation of Shingles. Specifically, the transit aspects that are most strongly associated with the medical diagnosis of Shingles appear to be those listed in the following section. If you understand transit astrology aspects, you're invited to comment on any of these:

Mars with Gemini (6th) opposite Neptune with Sagittarius (12th)
Jupiter with Pisces (3rd) opposite Jupiter with Virgo (9th)
Jupiter with Pisces (3rd) opposite Saturn with Libra (9th)
Saturn with Aquarius (2nd) square Mercury with Scorpio (10th)
Saturn with Aquarius (2nd) square Chiron with Taurus (4th)
Saturn with Aquarius (2nd) square Uranus with Scorpio (10th)
Saturn with Aquarius (2nd) opposite North Node with Leo (8th)
Uranus with Taurus (4th) opposite Mercury with Scorpio (10th)
Uranus with Taurus (4th) conjunct Chiron with Taurus (4th)
Uranus with Taurus (4th) opposite Uranus with Scorpio (10th)
Uranus with Taurus (4th) square North Node with Leo (8th)
Chiron with Aries (3rd) conjunct Eris with Aries (3rd)

​The interpretations of transit astrology aspects can provide guidance on how to best proceed with healing and amelioration. Daily consumption of the supplement l-lysine helps the physical body overcome and heal from Shingles gradually by starving the virus, which deactivates it. L-lysine also helps for maintaining the deactivation, and for reducing longer-term neuralgia. Topical treatments for the rash include the strategic application of hydrogen peroxide, aloe vera, and/or calamine lotion. If the rash is well managed, inflammation can be reduced in about one week and the blisters will not pop. Soreness can be reduced by applying a lidocaine patch onto the area of the body that is sore for relief, although make sure to avoid placing it on the areas of the rash directly.

Here are some simple lessons I took with me after reflecting on this experience:

1. Stress will directly impact your health and wellness sooner or later, so you might as well work to mitigate any effects of it by applying coping strategies when faced with daily stressful situations. 
   
2. Learn to get out of your own way. The unconscious unhelpful programs we quietly carry within will rear their ugly heads eventually if left untreated. Releasing stress associated with these unhelpful programs is the key to unlocking our innate gifts and unique talents. As stress is reduced, we create space and flow for healing to occur.
   
3. Learn to not amplify (or create) problems. Our inner critic, born from our inner wounded parts will loudly tantrum, so it’s helpful to remember to practice present-moment awareness as often as possible. This also helps us learn to identify the critic when it comes up in our thoughts and understand that it comes from past wounding. It is not who we are. 
   
4. Practice effortful focus instead of being either hyper focused or easily distracted. Being out of energetic balance happens all the time, but we can actively do our best to invite opportunities for balance and grounding throughout the day, especially when faced with a stressful workday or crisis situation. Show up for yourself; accumulate and practice your own set of coping skills regularly.
   

The external is a reflection of the internal. Astrology is an energetic language. It has to do with the energy responsible for all, the collective and individual consciousness of lifeforms, personal cycles, and the psyche. Astrology will shift your attention and focus to your inner world. Transit Astrology provides people with ample opportunities for insight, understanding, and fresh perspectives about where they're at and where they're ready to go. Clients often tell me that their most profound insights are associated with how they can get to where they're ready to go and be. The investment for Transit Astrology is much like that of a mental health session, but less expensive, more convenient, and in many cases just as effective, because a Transit Astrology session can address:

• your lack of clarification - so that you can go deeper into how you arrived at your current situation and how you can achieve your goals
• your stress-related issues or situations
• how to step into a better version of yourself by refocusing your energy and taking action based on your intentions.

​In addition to our Transit Astrology service, we also offer an Astro-Gemology service and Energy Psychology-based healing packages. If you feel called and ready, then drop a comment, and I will reach out to you.

90 Minute Transit Astrology Chart Reading and Customized Interpretation Report

$380.00

Why choose this service?

You can gain insight and a better understanding of current problems/blocks and how you can reach your goals. Also, you can learn about how you arrived at your current situation, and how you can go about living the life your soul intended to experience much more satisfaction in your life.

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90 Minute Gemology-based Astrology Chart Reading and Customized Interpretation Report

$480.00

Why choose this service?

This service combines the sciences of astrology and gemology to determine the most relevant crystals and gemstones for you to obtain and use, so that you can better comprehend how you can expand your innate healing abilities. The astro-gemology service provides you with insight and opportunities to perceive and better understand how you can leverage your strengths, enhance your talents, and/or resolve challenges, so you will function more optimally, by entraining with the best crystals and gemstones for you.

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