Hi friends,
Welcome to your Cycles of Time weekly forecast for the week of November 4-10, 2024! So sorry for the delay on this episode- there was a huge snowstorm here in Santa Fe which knocked my internet out for most of the day.. and made me want to cozy up by the fire. But here it is, better late than never!
As we’re all painfully aware, this week is election week here in the US…. How’s everybody holding up? With all the stress in the air, I’m definitely making it a priority to move my body and exercise a lot over the coming week, and be as playful and creative as I can to work through these tense, over-media-saturated times.
Speaking of play, this week I’m so excited to have on the show our Scorpio season guest Morgan Shidler. Morgan is a multi-passionate and multi-talented creator who focuses on play as an antidote to burnout. She was the perfect person to chat with this week- the sun is transiting through Human Design Gate 1: the Gate of Self Expression and Creativity….and Morgan is such a creative powerhouse.
A true Scorpio queen, Morgan’s birthday was a couple of weeks ago. Her natal sun gate is Gate 50, the Gate of Values, which we’ve talked quite a bit about over the past couple of episodes. I loved Morgan’s reaction when she learned she was born in the Gate of Values, since her work centers on helping folks create and integrate new values into their daily lives- it felt super resonant!
Morgan is the creator of an amazing project called Hustle & Play, a wellness program that centers collective healing & accountability with a research-based framework for reflection, visualization and behavior change.
Hustle and Play is a tangible calendar workbook and coaching program that “teaches people how to build their dream life into their schedule, inspire them to keep going with a playful community, and give them the tools to go back to their world as their highest self.”
Morgan has a masters in Organization & Leadership, did a 2023 TedXtalk titled “Becoming Well in a Culture of Burnout” and has 15 years working in Educational Leadership, andshe believeswhole-heartedly that play is the antidote to burnout andthe systemic injustices that cause it.
Morgan is also an incredible professional photographer, who beautifully captures people’s creative essence, an event and retreat facilitator, and a truly inspiring, lovely human being.
I invite you to listen to the episode this week and take Morgan’s advice to intentionally welcome play into your life- it’s so important always, and especially in collectively trying times. The episode begins with a little forecast for the week, and the interview begins at timestamp 15:36.
Thanks for listening! I’d love to hear your reflections on how you’re staying creative and inspired during this season.
This week’s highlights:
Special guest Morgan Shidler of Hustle & Play
Human Design/I’Ching:
Mon-Sat: Gate 1, the Gate of Self-Expression
Sun: Gate 43, the Gate of Insight
This week’s themes:
Creating a New World... From the Heart <3
Our Place in the Wheel of the Year
Medicine Wheel Direction:WEST (Water, Adulthood)
Wuxing Cycle Element: Metal
Pagan Season: Samhain
Zodiac Season: Scorpio (October 22-November 21)
Moon Phase: Waxing
I Ching Hexagram/Human Design: Gate 1 (Mon-Sat), Gate 43 (Sun)
1: Heaven over Heaven (“The Creative”) or the Gate of SELF-EXPRESSION
43: Lake over Heaven (“Breaking Through”) or the Gate of INSIGHT
This week’s forecast:
The sun is transiting through Gate 1: The Creative, or The Gate of Self-Expression. After many weeks of transits through Splenic, fear and instinct-based energies in the Human Design Wheel of the Year, this week’s gate of Creativity tunes us into our heart center, and to our infinite creative power. The central theme revolves around "creating a new world from the heart," encouraging us to harness our internal creative energy amidst external challenges and misinformation.After diving into the depths of collective, ancestral wisdom during Samhain, Dia de Los Muertos and beyond, it is time for us to recognize the light within each of us that shines brightly.
Key astro transits this week include the continued influence of last Sunday’s significant astrological opposition between Pluto in Capricorn and Mars in Cancer, highlighting a tension between themes of war and home- a transit that will show it’s effects for the next 6 months, due to Mars going retrograde. This carries a broader message about balancing external conflicts with personal, domestic matters. The week also features a grand trine involving Neptune, Mercury, and Mars, suggesting complex and potentially unclear outcomes, particularly relevant with the U.S. election on Tuesday, November 5th.
The Creative Power of Play with Morgan Shidler
This week, I'm particularly excited to delve into a discussion with a dear friend and an inspirational figure, Morgan Shidler. Together, we'll explore the confluence of ancient cycles and modern life, as well as the transformative power of play.
Meeting Morgan years ago in San Francisco and then traveling with her to participate in the the electrifying atmosphere of the 2017 Women's March in Washington, D.C., shaped a meaningful bond. Bonded by our shared activist spirit and desire for change, our paths have intertwined in ways that continually enrich my personal and professional life. Morgan’s presence always leaves me inspired, and her current venture—"Hustle and Play"—is no exception.
As the week of November 4th to 10th, 2024, unfolds with the political weight of a U.S. election on November 5th and the astrological tension between Pluto in Capricorn and Mars in Cancer, our conversation feels all the more poignant. Morgan shares her wellness program, "Hustle and Play," which emphasizes integrating play into our lives for authenticity and fulfillment. Her program is a breath of fresh air amidst the hustle-driven culture we often find ourselves in.
Morgan’s perspective on balancing hustle with play resonates deeply. She reveals how her Scorpio sun and rising signs, coupled with a Gemini moon, contribute to her powerful presence and intuitive insights. She has always navigated life with strength and leadership, qualities that sometimes clash with societal expectations of femininity. It’s inspiring to see her turn these challenges into a powerful source of authenticity and growth.
Listening to her recount her journey through sobriety and her intensified healing process during the pandemic, I am reminded of the significant themes of this Scorpio season: transformation, self-expression, and creativity. Her sobriety unlocked a clearer path for her to embrace her intuition, leading her to the development of "Hustle and Play."
Morgan’s story of celebrating her birthday with "Morgan Palooza" brings a smile to my face. Her ability to balance elaborate planning with meaningful, spontaneous gatherings truly embodies the essence of play. Her reflections on the importance of intentional gatherings, especially during challenging times like the pandemic, illuminate the deep connections forged through shared experiences.
Our conversation highlights the necessity of creating spaces for play and community. As we discuss organizing supper clubs or brunches, it becomes clear how vital these gatherings are for fostering deep, meaningful relationships. Morgan and I both agree that modern self-care needs to move beyond commercialized isolation and embrace communal play that brings genuine fulfillment.
One of the most significant aspects of our discussion is the critique of how awareness alone does not always lead to meaningful change. Morgan advocates for translating self-awareness into community actions, fostering collective healing through play and intimate gatherings. The metaphor of a garden becomes a central theme in our conversation, illustrating how personal challenges and growth, much like a garden, require thoughtful care, patience, and adaptation to external factors.
As I wrap up this episode, I'm filled with a renewed sense of purpose. The themes we explored—voting, societal engagement, personal transformation, and the power of play—encourage me to reflect on how I navigate my own cycles of time. The wisdom shared by Morgan and the community-centered focus of "Hustle and Play" serve as a guiding light for embracing authenticity and heart-centered living.
I invite all of you to join us on this transformative journey. Let's embrace the fullness of our creative potential, support each other in our individual and collective growth, and create a new world from the heart. Together, we can make each season a time of meaningful reflection and joyful play.
Until next time, keep exploring and celebrating the cycles of your own time.
With warmth,
Alison
