Introspective Odyssey

 Whether you speak astrology fluently or you're just dipping your toes into cosmic wisdom, understanding your Progressed Moon can offer profound insights and comforting clarity during life’s inevitable shifts. What Exactly Is the Progressed Moon? Think of your life as a series of chapters, each with its unique themes, challenges, and opportunities. Your Progressed Moon symbolizes these chapters. Approximately every 2.5 years, it moves into a new zodiac sign, ushering in fresh energy and lessons designed specifically for your personal growth. When you know the chapter you're currently in, you can consciously align your life choices with the natural rhythm of your soul’s journey. Surrendering to the Journey To "surrender" to your Progressed Moon means embracing the themes and energies currently influencing your inner world rather than resisting or fighting them. It’s an invitation to harmonize with life's flow, gently adjusting your sails to meet the prevailing wind...

By Ruba Moghraby, LMT | Holistic Therapist | Introspective Odyssey We often think of trauma as an event. A moment in time that overwhelmed our ability to cope. But for those living with Complex PTSD , trauma isn’t just a memory—it’s a way of being in the world. It’s the nervous system bracing, the breath tightening, the heart racing… even when the danger is long gone. While traditional approaches to PTSD may focus on memories, thoughts, and behavioral patterns, Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) —which arises from prolonged exposure to relational trauma—requires us to go deeper. It invites us into the body. It beckons us into the sacred terrain of the somatic self —the part of us that feels  before it thinks, that holds  what words cannot say, and that longs not to be analyzed, but to be felt , seen , and released . Understanding Complex PTSD Unlike single-incident PTSD, C-PTSD stems from chronic exposure to stress, often beginning in childhood or occurring in long-term abusive or neglectf...

We often seek comfort as a form of security—an anchor that keeps us safe from the unpredictable tides of life. But what if that very comfort is the invisible chain holding us back? Great things and new beginnings will not happen if we love our comfort zone too much. Growth demands discomfort. It requires us to step beyond what is familiar and dare to explore what lies beyond the boundaries of our routines. Life is Meant to Have Meaning, Not Just Comfort Comfort zones are enticing because they offer predictability. There’s no fear, no risk—just the same familiar patterns, day after day. But the truth is, life is not meant to be comfortable all the time; it is meant to have meaning. Meaning comes from challenges, from pushing ourselves to expand, from discovering new depths of resilience and strength we didn’t know we had. If you find yourself living the same day over and over again and calling it life, ask yourself—when was the last time you truly felt alive? Life isn’t just about su...

  When you stop trying to do it all and start listening to what’s right. There comes a quiet moment in many of our healing journeys—one that doesn't come with fireworks or clarity, but with frustration and exhaustion. It’s the moment we try to “get it right,” and still feel like we’re falling short. We sign up for the program. We make the plan. We clear the schedule. We show up with good intentions. And still… we feel behind. Behind on the meditations. Behind on the journaling. Behind on becoming who we thought we’d be by now. But here’s the truth: You’re not behind. You’re breaking free. You are untangling from a rhythm that was never meant for your nervous system. You are releasing the timeline of someone who believed their worth came from output. You are learning to pause, soften, and listen instead of performing your healing. That is not failure. That is arrival. Healing Isn't a Checklist Let’s say it together: Healing isn’t a checklist. Each meditat...

Breath is often called the bridge between body and mind. It plays a crucial role in how we feel and process emotions. While we breathe automatically, the way we breathe can deeply affect our emotional well-being. In this post, we will explore how breath connects to emotional release and discuss techniques that can help improve our mental state. The Science Behind Breath and Emotion Breathing is an automatic function controlled by the autonomic nervous system. However, we can also take charge of it consciously. This interplay is crucial, as our emotional state can greatly influence our breathing patterns. For instance, when we are anxious, we tend to take short, quick breaths. In contrast, when we feel relaxed, our breath becomes slow and deep. Research supports this connection. Studies show that 70% of individuals report feeling calmer after just five minutes of deep breathing. Deep, intentional breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which can help create a sense of ...