Do You Know What You Believe?

Last week we welcomed the New Moon in Virgo. Virgo is an Earth sign and it is associated with attributes such as individuality, attention to detail, studiousness, and a great ability for communication. Virgos find their greatest joy in service and are at their best when in a mode of sharing. True to my own Virgo nature, we do it in the most methodical and efficient way possible, of course. This month is the perfect time to bring the energy of these themes into your life and it begins with asking an inquisitive question: “When am I acting on my truest self and when am I not?”

Virgos find their greatest joy in service and are at their best when in a mode of sharing.

This brings me back to the idea of groupthink that I wrote about a few weeks ago. It is the psychological phenomenon that occurs when a group of people make irrational and dysfunctional choices out of wanting to maintain harmony within the group. It happens on large scales such a politics and within corporate environments, but it occurs in micro areas as well, such as friend groups, families, and within relationships. I had spoken a few weeks ago about what can cause groupthink and how to head it off at the pass, but what happens when you find yourself in it? Virgo energy is the perfect tool with which to begin to explore areas in your life where you may not be thinking for yourself. You’ll be able to pinpoint these areas, situations, and relationships because they are the areas that feel heavy and negative, that bring anxiety and stress.

 

The energy of Virgo is divinely timed and happens at this point in the year for a specific purpose. It is a time designed for us to confront our negativity and our faults. To take stock of the areas in our lives that bring negativity.  To find the places where we act from ego instead from the Light. All of this occurs in order to prepare ourselves for the new year beginning on Rosh Hashanah. Kabbalah teaches that Rosh Hashanah is the 48 hours out of the year when it is in our hands to change destiny, not just for ourselves but for the world. This is the time for us to dig deep, to examine our nature, and to decide what we wish to change and how we want to do it. It is an invitation to think for ourselves, as our best selves. If fear arises, you’ll know you’ve found the sweet spot. Also, anything you don’t want to think about is a good indicator as well.

 This is the time for us to dig deep, to examine our nature, and to decide what we wish to change and how we want to do it.

Often, we aren’t aware that we have given away our power to think or choose. I’d like to share a study with you called the Smoke-Filled Room Test. In 1968, two social psychologists had study participants sit in a room and fill out a questionnaire. One set of participants filled out their questionnaires alone and one set filled out their questionnaires alongside two other participants. A few minutes into each test, smoke was funneled into the room either under a door or through a vent. The participants who were alone reported the smoke almost immediately. However, only 10% of the participants who were in the room with two others reported the smoke at all, even after it became so thick they could barely see. This has come to be known as the Audience Inhibition Effect, the idea that people won’t respond to an emergency situation out of fear of overreacting and appearing inadequate.

 Where in your life have you allowed fear and doubt to take over instead of thinking for yourself?

Without judgement, ask where in your life have you allowed fear and doubt to take over instead of thinking for yourself? We all can identify with ending up here from time to time and once we acknowledge it, we can begin to shift. By reconnecting to our Light we can begin to embody our authentic thoughts and actions. Conversely, when we deny our true self, we censor ourselves because we think other people won’t like what we have to say or what we do. As you move through this month, and your life, don’t be afraid of your thoughts or choices. Understand that when we act with and share of our Light, whatever outcome will be the best and highest outcome for everyone involved, including us.

 

Thought into Action

This week, notice situations where you hide your true thoughts. Ask why you feel the need the censor yourself and think of ways that you might be able to share more honestly.