Everything I need to understand... is revealed through the way I meet this moment. ~Ara Parisien

Knowledge is not the beginning of experience. Experience is the beginning of knowledge.

The Shift In my latest retreat into myself, so many epiphanies have arisen that there is no adequate way to share them all. There is one, however, that absolutely stands out for me. It is the nature of "shifting." When we speak or think of shifting, we may believe it to be likef shifting gears and stepping up the pace or shifting our frequency. Both are true, I suppose. However, shifting now holds a very special meaning for me. As I continue to evolve, I have no doubt that understanding will evolve as well, and that feels perfect. Right now, though, this understanding fits me beautifully. For me, shifting is a realization rather than an action dependent upon doing something to ensure a shift occurs. A shift feels like a deeper experience. For quite some time, I felt as though I had been staring into a gaping abyss. An abyss that seemed to hold nothing except the certainty that, if I fell, I would most definitely hit bottom. Not in a dramatic sense, but in the sense of facing unknown variables. I seemed to lose my desire to anticipate, solve, or plan. All I could do was brace for impact. Then something occurred to me. If the abyss held unknown variables, then perhaps it wasn't vacant after all. It held something. So I asked myself how I could possibly make those unknown variables known. Surely that would help me feel more at ease. Then it hit me. What if the abyss was actually a spaciousness I had simply not yet recognized? Spaciousness would allow all that I was ready to meet—and all that was ready to meet me—to gently rise into my awareness. The unknown variables would become known in their own time. In that moment I began to see that a shift, for me, was nothing more than a perception pause and reassignment. Everything simply is until I assign it meaning. Once I began noticing spaciousness, more variables arrived to be known. That became unexpectedly joyful. As I noticed what was unfolding both within me and around me, I realized my energy naturally felt lighter. I wasn't trying to force my frequency to higher levels that couldn't be maintained. I was simply noticing.

Mercury Retrograde June 29th – July 23rd, 2026 Here we go! Mercury Retrograde begins tomorrow, June 29th. However, we have been in its shadow since June 22nd and will be completely out of its shadow by July 30th. Interestingly, a Full Moon in Capricorn happens on June 29th as well. This convergence of energies can actually be beneficial if you shift your focus to include the positive aspects. Typically, Mercury Retrograde seems to make electronics and technology act up, so word to the wise—if you are planning on buying anything new in this area, it might be best to make your purchase after July 30th. Delays can also arise: delays in contract signings, travel schedules, court proceedings, and more. Ensure you allow extra time getting to the airport and have a just in case plan if flights are cancelled. Now for the positive aspects of Mercury Retrograde. It is the perfect time to Review, Reconsider, and Revise. It provides a pause in the action so you can take a second, third, or fourth look at what you are considering. There is nothing like a built-in pause as you walk toward your success, no matter what your plans are. Use it to your advantage! Pair the Capricorn Full Moon with the qualities of Mercury Retrograde and you have even more support. Capricorn is an earth sign, deeply rooted in logic and practicality. Combined with the emotional influence of the Full Moon, it encourages thoughtful, balanced decision-making. As you review, revise, and reconsider during Mercury Retrograde, you'll also have an opportunity to approach your choices with greater clarity and emotional steadiness. No knee-jerk reactions or desperate choices. It's a win-win. Embrace this as you move into the month of July. It is your time to pause, review, and make sure you are making decisions from the best vibration possible. Let me know how it goes!

Direction doesn't always tell us where to go. Sometimes it simply reminds us who we are while we're going. In an alignment with Self while the path continues to unfold. ~ Ara Parisien