​Taurus April 20 – May 20
Earth Sign
Crystal- Periodt
 
Taurus is the second sign of the zodiac and are notorious for being stubborn. I challenge this perspective by offering that they instead have deeply rooted belief systems. Taurus love routine and ritual. Because of this Taurus has the hardest time with accepting loss because it contradicts their reality, especially if the loss is unexpected. Taurus struggle with vulnerability and often respond to loss with anger and aggression because they take the loss extremely personal.
 
Taurus will always seek the feeling of being grounded.  Attending funerals and seeing the deceased in person is devastating for the Taurus and makes the reality of loss inescapable. Grief strips the Taurus of control and unlike their neighboring sign of Aries, Taurus will seek comfort in familial groups and religion. The Taurus needs to feel as if they belong but at the same time requires space.
 
The best way to support a Taurus who is experiencing grief is to offer reassurance and positive reinforcement. Encouraging Taurus to express themselves and praising them when they do is vital. Taurus need to feel and be appreciate for their loyalty. Understand that the Taurus processes things best from a hands-off perspective and will more than likely do everything in their power to resume life as normal. Do not try and take control and autonomy away from the Taurus. A listening ear and an encourage word are best. 

​Aries March 20 – April 19
Fire Sign
Crystal- Carnelian

Aries the first sign of the zodiac is one of the most passionate. Because of their deeply rooted need for passion and connection, when they experience a loss, they feel it in ways that very few can imagine. For Aries loss is not only felt on an emotional level but on a very deep spiritual level.
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Aries are action takers. Their first and most natural reaction is to get busy trying to fix or manage things physically.  Because grief is not something that can be fixed the Aries will fill their time and emotional void with busy work. What can I do to help? Who do I need to contact? What needs to be done right now are a few questions that the Aries will begin to ask themselves. Their innate call to action serves to bring reason and rhyme to the chaos in their minds.
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Aries are the least likely to seek comfort from religious practices when grieving. Instead they need to independently make sense of their loss. Aries will delve deep into their inner beings to find peace and seek answers. Because of their love for information and knowledge Aries will find the most comfort in educating themselves about what they are experiencing during their grief journey.
The best way to support an Aries who is grieving is to offer as much information as possible without being insensitive or trying to take control. Sharing articles, ideas and information that offer information for grievers is a huge gift to the Aries. 

​I recently had an experience that shook me to my core and changed the way that I will connect and work with families from this day on. Thank you for allowing me to share this moment with you.

​Is anyone else finding themselves grieving the life they knew before this pandemic?

​I have lost several people in my life. Friend’s from school, and a older cousin who I looked up to. Nothing could have prepared me though, to say goodbye to my grandparents who had been a constant throughout my life. We didn’t live in the same state or see each other as much as we all wanted but we had an individual unbreakable bond. 

My grief is something that I’m still trying to unpack. Most day’s its stored away suitcase packed to the brim in the deepest basement of my memory palace. It’s not that I want to forget their lives but allowing all those memories to flood my body feels like being suffocated with the harsh reality they are gone. 

How do you move through life when you feel that some of the most important pieces of your heart are missing? YOU DON'T. you never forget and you never stop hurting. You do however embark on a journey that will become your “new normal”. 

You get up everyday. You put one foot in front of the other as you walk to the bathroom every morning. You began to learn how to live with what you lost. It’s like breaking a vase and having to piece everything back together with super glue. It will never look or be the same and neither will you. 

My grief does not define my life, it is a part of my story. I feel grief is the same for everyone this way. Your losses don’t define your life, they are lessons to be learned... use them as such. Through the pain I have lived this reminder. Gratitude for life brings me back to a state of peace when I lose my center. With every loss you become wiser.

​I surrender myself to moments when emotion erupts inside me. I allow myself to cry, scream and hyperventilate until the lava cools down. Then I move on with my day. This is my new normal, living with grief. 

LaNai Thomas is a 27 year old entrepreneur, knowledge seeker and book lover.