This week's External Influence is the Reversed Platypus Spirit Guide. When the Platypus appears, it normally indicates a time when the world is ripe with clues, sensitive currents of energy, and a richness found in flow through a situation in a way that is neither passive or resistant. When we see the Platypus as a Reversed Guide, it indicates that this week will be a time of quiet and inward reflection. There is a stillness, a stasis ripening the environment this week that will allow you to connect with you inner emotions and desires in a new way. Do not worry if you feel that the outward world feels stagnant or slow. This is all a part of the opportunity to tune inward to find connection around you. Use this opportunity to find fuel for creative projects, explore new views of perspective, or to expand areas of knowledge. For some, this week may require a thick skin in order to hold this glow of creative sensitivity protected from the mundane of our environment. Know that you can find strength in your unique individualism with a quiet humility.

This week's Rune is Thurisaz. Depicted as a thorn, this rune is a symbol of protection, defense, destruction, and regeneration. It can be seen as either an active defense or used as an attack against enemies. It is depicted as a thorn from a plant, yet is connected with the element of fire and a symbol of the lightning and thunder attributed to Thor's hammer, Mjollnir. Use Thurisaz when you wish to protect yourself against those wishing you harm or ill will, but know that this symbol will also aid you in awakening your will and overcoming obstacles found in uncomfortable situations. Thurisaz will aid you this week in giving you a push of additional strength. This week, work on tapping into your sight to become aware of energies and when to think before acting. This rune also warns us to consider the dark within ones self and how to deal with it positively in order to avoid it gaining strength over us. Do not let your negative fester within. Thurisaz will aid you in breaking down barriers in order to make way for a new beginning.

This week's Internal Influence is the Spirit Guide Opossum. If you find yourself in a rough situation this week, just try to focus on the messages your instincts are telling you. This may include putting on a facade or behavior temporarily in order to deal with a situation you find yourself in. Use your ability to research to gather information pertaining to your situation this week. Build up back-up plans in order to ensure that if your first idea doesn't work, you have another avenue to try for success. Do not worry if you feel stretched just a bit thin this week. Look within yourself and find how to use your emotions for the best or when to put them aside. The Opossum Spirit Guide aids in teaching us when we must appear fearless or when the times to use submission or aggression are appropriate. Consider beginning study in Tai Chi or Aikido as a way to aid yourself in connecting your body and mind. Take time to learn how to feel your instincts.You have the instincts and skills within to aid you. Pull from your own skills in order to succeed!