Power Dynamics and the Shadow: Scorpio

Have you ever wondered, how can I get out of that conflict unscathed or with a win-win? As the sun moves to emotionally focused Scorpio on October 23, I invite you to dig deeper with me.

Autumn is in full swing in the Northern Hemisphere. Dry leaves float from the sky and crunch under our footsteps. The lengths of sunlight shrinks. Nature invites us to go inward, sleep a little longer, reflect upon what needs to be uncovered and extricated. It’s a needed process each year, of decay, death, and regeneration.

Scorpio in the zodiac gets a bad rap for being manipulative and conniving. If you are a Star Wars fan, villain Chancellor Palpatine fits the bill. The dark side of Scorpio is controlling, fear mongering energy. It is the shadow that lurks in our psyche. There is a part of us that wants to be omnipotent, perhaps to dominate.

For example, I can freeze in a conflict. As in deer in a headlight, and geez I’m in trouble. Much earlier in my life, I learned to please my way out of discord so I wouldn’t suffer the consequences of an unhappy teacher or parent. I silenced my needs and preferences, and swallow the feeling of powerlessness. It would have been nice to tell the adults what to do instead.

My need for power went underground. I developed beliefs like being perfect gives me power over my life, and that I am unacceptable when I disagree. These beliefs became my inner algorithm, the saboteurs that had too much power. (Per Dr. Bruce Lipton, the subconscious runs 95-99% of our daily life.)

When we are in angst, it is often a struggle between our true will and the saboteurs.

There is another way. The light side of a sign is our way to evolve out of stressful dynamics. Integrate the light and shadow so that we bring our authentic self to the table.

In the Scorpio context, we can be the surgeon or healer, the one who finds the poison, cuts it out, and closes the gash. The Scorpio energy is intense, enduring. It is of the sensitive water element — it is open to secrets and taboos. It’s like my Uber driver divulged his recent gender transition and was surprised that he shared that with me. I held my Scorpio energy for him to speak.

Reiki practitioners scan the body for blocks and send it the loving energy to dissolve them. The receiver feels lighter and more relaxed. We get to help and they get relief. The win-win.

You can invoke and cultivate the Scorpio energy within. Try the following:

• When there is conflict in a relationship, distill the situation to a power perspective. Who wants power, who is resisting, and why? What is the deeper fear on the opposing sides? What needs to be brought to the surface to be acknowledged?

• When you are in a stressful situation, slow down. What is not working? What toxic belief is running the show? What new, self-affirming belief can take its place?

• If you feel worry or resistance on something you want to do: What is the saboteur protecting you from? You might be surprised at the answer. Recognize the wound (i.e. being imperfect or unacceptable), journal, ask for guidance from Spirit, ancestors, Reiki, or your higher self for fresh ways to meet your (and others’) needs. Be open to what comes.

There is so much to this topic. Join me at free THRIVE Hour to discuss working with our shadow! See below.

Book Suggestions

• The Gifts of Imperfection, B. Brown — a classic
• Tame Your Inner Critic: Find Peace & Contentment to Live Your Life Purpose, D. Temple — has an energy approach
• Happy Not Perfect: Upgrade Your Mind, Challenge Your Thoughts, and Free Yourself from Anxiety, P. Jamie — accessible, nice synthesis from thought leaders
• Positive Intelligence: Why Only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential, S. Chamine — by a Co-Active Coach and leader and has a great list of saboteurs, ways to increase mental fitness

What’s News

• New THRIVE Anytime for Personal & Professional Growth Mini-Workbook for new subscribers. Includes activities for Reiki friends. Feel free to email me for a copy — love to hear from you!

• THRIVE Hour. Befriend Your Shadow: See it, Lean into It. Complimentary. Sunday, Nov 7, 4pm ET. More info and registration at link.

• Reiki folks and those who are curious: I’m speaking at Reiki Rays Healing Summit 2021 (Day 5) about using my THRIVE framework to fill our well so we can keep giving. FREE. Register here to hear global luminaries on Forging a New Path. Nov 8-14, 2021. As a follow-up, I’ll hold a 2-hour workshop on developing a THRIVE practice for 2022.

• December THRIVE Hour. What Is True for You: Your Values. Sunday, Dec 5, 4pm ET

Wish you a lovely fall and meaningful reflections,

Sue