Photo credit: Jonathan Kemper
I’m not here to talk about the virtues of gardening and putting your hands in the soil, even if it’s something that’s really good for you!
I’m here to talk about researching, exploring, and more precisely in this instance going back to the roots of a word.
This is something I’ve enjoyed doing more and more lately, and I was surprised I hadn’t done it yet for one of my favourite words - yes, you know the one: ‘authentic’.
As I was preparing my online session on How to be more Authentic in 2024, I found out that the word has its origins in ancient Greek. It comes from authentes, which means "one acting on one's own authority" - from autos "self" + hentes "doer, being”.
So besides having a similar meaning to ‘true’ and ‘genuine’, the word ‘authentic’ actually describes a person who steps into their own power.
How do we do that?
Well, again, there’s a bit of digging to be done here.
And as we saw a new moon rising in Aquarius at the weekend, there’s never been a better time to get going.
Aquarius, the 11th sign of the zodiac, is all about independence and individuality.
The word ‘individual’ has its roots in the Latin word individuus, from in- ‘not’ + dividuus ‘divisible’ (from dividere ‘to divide’).
When you embrace your individuality, you are undivided, you are whole. You are not divided by societal norms, or by what others tell you to do, or even by your own doubts.
As an authentic individual, you do what brings you joy, what makes your heart sing, what makes you feel alive.
As an authentic individual, you embrace your unique and innate talents and you shine your own light.
Now you may have also heard of the Age of Aquarius, an astrological period of about 2,000 years that we may or may have not already entered. I will not attempt at explaining why here, as I’m no expert in astrology, but there are plenty of articles that you can read about it.
In this new Great Age, it is said that the focus is on the collective, working together for the greater good of humanity.
So how do we reconcile individuality and togetherness?
In my view the two are complementary.
Far from being a symptom of narcissism, being on a self discovery journey is, ultimately, about understanding our place in the collective.
As our intellect and our mind have clouded our intuition and how to simply be, we need to rediscover what we would have otherwise lived and understood implicitly.
Take the woodlands as an example. When undisturbed by man, every organism lives in harmony with the other forms of life around. Each has their own beauty and function, and together they form a beautiful whole.
The mushrooms aren’t trying to be trees, or ferns, or worms. All coexist coherently.
If discovering your authentic self appeals to you in this auspicious period, I’d be honoured to be your guide.
With the holisto® method, we will explore your personality, uncover your natural strengths and shine a light on your ‘why’.
At the end of the process, you will know how to step into your own power, you’ll be ready to become truly alive, you’ll be ready to play your role in the collective.
If this resonates with you and you want to take this further, you know where to find me.
I’ll leave you with a quote that I wrote, as I was invited to do so not so long ago, as a way to step into my own power and tell my own truth:
‘The beauty of a clear sky at night is made of billions of stars shining together.
Each one is unique, like no other.
Be your own star, shine your own light.’