In January, I presented my annual forecast: The Year of Collective Soul.  A large portion of what I channeled in that report was about the awakening of women. 

As we experience the influence of the Aries Full Moon, it's pretty clear—we've awakened our collective Spiritual Warrior—and in this particular cultural and political time frame, the battle is about the rights of women.

If you've been born a woman in this lifetime, you've probably experienced:

• Misogyny
• Unequal pay
• Unequal opportunities
• Old boys networks
• Rape culture
• Incest
• Violence
• Blaming the victim
• Shaming the victim
• Not being believed

I know that many of you reading this right now, have experienced sexual violence in your life.
I am one of you. 

If you haven't experienced this, consider yourself extraordinarily fortunate. I invite you to open your heart to hold compassion for those who have. 

So, what happens now? 

If you've been or are being victimized, maybe you're ready to tell someone. You can tell a friend or a sympathetic family member. If you fear you might be in danger, you can contact www.rainn.org for resources. 

To be spiritual does not mean to be passive. 
We are meant to be active participants in our lives. 
We are meant to stand for each other. 

Finally, although this post is about women, all kinds of people in this world have been marginalized. We are all part of collective soul. 

Much love, 
SARA

A few days ago, I had the distinct pleasure—or terror—of coming across a spirit animal. 

And it didn't happen in meditation.
It happened  in real life. 

I was taking a break from writing, and I headed outside with my small dog Abby to get some fresh air. Everything seemed normal.

We headed out in the driveway, and then for some reason I turned just a tiny little bit so I was facing the woods, and there was Coyote, about 30 feet away from me. 

30 feet is only the length of a few rooms, so it was pretty close. 

We stared at each other for a few minutes, and then he moved into the forest. 
It all happened so fast I didn't have time to take it in. 
I was afraid, but I wasn't. 
I was too shocked to know what I felt. 
I just stood there frozen, until I noticed Abby was pulling on her leash trying to make a beeline for the house. 

So, what does it mean when we come across a spirit animal, anyway? 
Seeing a Coyote like that, face to face, is rare. 
At least, it's never happened to me before. 

The meaning of this interaction with this totem animal isn't clear to me yet. If you look it up, Coyote is the trickster, the jokester. But to me personally, what it meant was simply that the Universe always around us, always communicating with us. 

We go outside on a normal day, and there's a huge sign from the Universe, just 30 feet away. 
All we have to do is turn just a little bit, and there it is. 

I'm know you've all met spirit animals. 
It's clear that Nature communicates with us, when we are paying attention and also when we are not. 

Much love,
SARA