Since I'm umeployed, transitioning between careers, and getting my Employment Insurance delayed (GRRR!), I'm wondering if there are any methods you use aside from pscyhotherapy to "go deep" and heal internally.

I'm looking to invest $100 on a yoga course that occurs 2 nights a week for a month just so I can learn to meditate and do the whole body/soul thing. I also find running is therapeutic.

Any suggestions? I currently have a Pluto square Sun transit and an upcoming Pluto opp. moon so I know I will be in emotional darkness for the next few years. I also am having my Saturn Return, which I feel that I am dealing with slowly but surely.

Thanks all!

If there is a University with a graduate-level psychology or counseling dept, you can get cheap or even free therapy because the students have to do clinical hours. It's supervised.

I have that arranged with my current therapist, because I was going to lose my health insurance. Who knows with my current transits, I still might haha.

There's lots of meditation podcasts on itunes, some are guided.

You can watch all the Joseph Campbell episodes on Netflix.

If there is a Unitarian church near you, they usually have gobs of classes.

Thanks Jilly!

A friend of mine goes to the counseling department in a nearby university. I emailed her, inquiring her about this service.

Good call on the yoga course.  I started taking it in January and cannot even express what a difference it's made in my life.  It's a long slow road and sometimes it doesn't feel like I'm making any progress, but I can already look back and see how far I've come.  And my body feels so damn good afterwards!!

 In addition I suggest lots and lots of journalling.  I write three pages every morning when I get up (courtesy Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way program) and it helps a lot.  Feels like pulling teeth sometimes, but very good for accessing thoughts/feelings that usually lurk below the surface. 

 Good luck! 

Hi Korellyn!

I heard of Artist's Way. It is a book, right? I think I can likely borrow this book in a public library. I'm kinda scared of the "pulling teeth" part as I felt my creativity has been dead for a while.

Thanks though! :) 

"How to heal your life" by Louise Hay is good movie and you can get it from Netflix or maybe even you local library.

Here is a trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYCamVx4fSQ

Oh my gosh, yes! Do "morning pages" as Korellyn has suggested.

The Artist's Way series is excellent - I found 2 books from that series in a thrift store by accident last year, and they changed my perspective on life. You can't play up those books enough, in my opinion. I have "The Artist's Way" and "Vein of Gold" by Julia Cameron and they assist greatly in bringing out creativity and emotion. You feel so encouraged to be more expressive simply by writing every day, WHATEVER is in your head (the author pushes you to stick with it even if you end up writing 3 pages' worth of "I hate Morning Pages" over and over LOL...trust her, it's valuable!) when you first get up in the morning (thus "morning pages"). It's a pain in the ass as you might expect, but over time you'll be amazed at what you come up with.

The books are full of other useful advice for recovering "yourself" and it basically amounts to enjoying nature, taking long walks..."me time" - couldn't hurt you either. 

I fell off the horse eventually myself when I pulled out of the difficult period last Feb./March.

But by then, over the span of 2 1/2 - 3 months I had filled up 2 journals with Morning Pages/regular everyday journal stuff and felt immensely better.

 And good luck, Lunalie!

Would second running which I used to love before getting injured, yoga, meditation and morning pages.  Did them in a period of unemployment mid twenties and again last year after a relationship break up.  So good to just get stuff out and it stops it running round in your head making you crazy.  Yay!

Do the Artists Way, definitely, if you can get hold of the book.  I did it this year during Venus Return and the results have been incredible.  Especially if you are between jobs you will have plenty of time for it, I found it hard going while at college at the same time, but stuck with it because of the amount of psychological garbage it was shifting.  A bit scary at times, but well worth it!

Sorry, that should read Venus RETROGRADE!

seems like Artist's Way is highly recommended! I'll swing by the public library and check it out.

I started a journal too - just to blow off steam or what not. I decided to start a written one because I can feel my hand getting sore as I write it. I'm so spoiled by typing and I'm too used to editing when I type, which is why having a handwritten journal helps.

Again, ladies, thank you so much! 

I'm with Bella...meditation is free and you can do it anywhere. I can't say enough about baths...just sit your butt in there and float for 20 minutes. 

Many yoga studios have "community classes" which are usually by donation. Alternatively you can offer to help around a studio in exchange for a class or two. If all else fails, you can go to the library and sign out a video and take it from there. I know a woman who learned yoga from a book 20 years ago. It is possible.

((lunalie)) 

ps. donna fahri's books are amazing. and I just found one in the thrift store for 50 cents.

bach flower remedies are great for moving emotions out and old stuff

Great when you have a hard aspect to uranus from mercury and have the "obsessive mind" a thought gets stuck and you cannot get it out.   A few drops of white chestnut a couple times a night or a few drops in a glass of water - pow - get the use of my mind back.  

 Tonight the Afanasy came home exhausted - popped a few drops of olive remedy for exhaustion and hopefully he will rebound before morning.   I use impatiens for the ADD Virgo Twins that hang around the house.   THere are 38 - star of bethlehem purges old emotions.

Great tool......off to look up the Artists way.

I would do a written journal but I cannot read my own handwriting.  I use google docs so anytime I have a minute wherever I am - there they are.  It is a great way to destress when the job gets crazy.

Bed, book, snacks, phone off hook. DO.NOT.DISTURB.sign.

Another nod to the Artist's Way here as well as to all of Louise Hay's materials, journaling,  meditation with and without podcasts, and yoga!

Two other books [that can be had for 3$ or less] : 

If you're feeling adventurous and are open to guides guidance, learning the calibration process as described in MAP by Machaelle Small Wright can really shift and move things along. (which reminds me!...)  The author has her own brand of flower essences but you don't have to have them in order to benefit from MAP.  

If you do like flower essences Donna Cunningham's Astrology and Vibrational Healing pinpoints remedies for specific transits and configurations.  A primo astrologer with decades of experience as a MDSW therapist and with other healing modalities.

A good therapist is priceless. I understand money woes but you can seek low-cost options. It is worth it to do the search.

My other advice: stick close to support system, whoever it is, friends, partner, family. Increase good feelings and spend time with those who love and respect you. Don't waste time with toxic people or energy-suckers.

Yoga and running: both great. Keep it physical.

And for you cancer moon? Eat well. Make your bedroom/apt a sanctuary. Don't have to buy anything new, but cozy up.

Allow yourself to...feel what you feel. Don't beat yourself up. Or at least notice when you do this.... Not your fault that you go laid off. So many of us in the same boat.... I guess my point is have compassion for yourself. Be a friend to yourself the way you are to others.... easier said than done but so often it's a matter of self-care/self-love. Treat yourself kindly during the hard times.

Cancer moon: get the feelings out. Get them moving. Again, the importace of friends who listen and of staying active....

Remember we are here, the folks on the Elsa board...

Everyone:

Thank you for being so amazing. I really feel the love here on the board and I am so glad to have found you all! Thanks for helping me go through this difficult time and I am hoping I can offer the same to all of you :) 

Hi,

I have my Transit Pluto oppose Natal Moon too. Lots of re-evaluating of how to deal with my emotions and with Family(moon in Cancer), especially womyn in my life that are close. uh, it can be overwhelming sometimes with Pluto stirring up the pot so that we can grow.

So my advice is ALWAYS find YOUR time everyday for ATLEAST AN HOUR. I find what works for me is a hobby. Like making music, get Arts-n-Crafty,all that excess energy should be spent on creative energy that is good for the soul. Learn to Garden or Dance or make Jewelry or fix a car. Something you can do with another womyn, exchange the energy with eachother. Powerful energy=Pluto and spending it around womyn/or Family= Cancer Moon. (your moon is Cancer right? ) 

Ask guidance from your higher self through meditation or during your crafts, to help you with this time of growth from Pluto. It is not a negative transit. But an empowering one, especially if your a womyn, read some femenist books, get intouch with your feminine power!!!  

(Im such a hippy I know. )

Also, some astrologers do readings on a sliding scale according to your earnings - try Chirotic Journal, Astrotabletalk and Melody's blog.