Waves of Wisdom: Spiritual Leadership

A Time for Fiery Reflection

Today the Last Quarter Moon is armed in Aries, marking a potent time for reflection, release, and renewed courage. Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, is bold, impulsive, and driven by instinct. Under this moon, we are invited to confront what’s no longer serving our growth with fiery honesty. It’s time to look back to the intentions we set at the New Moon on June 25 and ask: What have I learned? What must I let go? This phase carries a tension between action and accountability, urging us to charge forward. Meanwhile, the waning light reminds us that wisdom often comes from slowing down and integrating our experiences. It’s not about burning bridges, but rather burning illusions and cutting away false starts, unaligned goals, or self-sabotaging patterns.

Because this lunation squares the Cancer Sun, we’re navigating a tension between Aries’ fierce independence and Cancer’s deep craving for emotional security. This dynamic can stir inner conflict, resulting in the desire to break free and assert ourselves battling the need to feel safe, nurtured, and connected. In the realm of spiritual and personal leadership, this moment challenges us to hold both truths equally. It’s not enough to just act boldly; we must also act with self-awareness. True leadership now requires brave authenticity, the willingness to be seen as we are, and the courage to honor our emotional needs without sacrificing our inner drive. This is a powerful call to reclaim our agency, take full responsibility for how we show up, and walk forward: lighter, wiser, and more attuned to our inner flame.

In the spirit of this challenge, I offer you the first post in the Waves of Wisdom series, dedicated to a question that feels especially alive today: What does it mean to be a spiritual leader?

When Leadership Finds You: A Personal Reckoning

It is surprising how such a simple question can lead to so much confusion and it is equally surprising that I had not deeply reflected on it before now. Like many, I simply assumed a spiritual leader was a priest, a shaman, or some kind of religious authority: someone formally appointed or paid to offer guidance. It never occurred to me that I could fulfill that role until I was comfortable accepting payment for my work so the idea of spiritual leadership felt distant, almost untouchable. Certainly, it seemed to be reserved for the people with the titles and special recognition that I was (and still am) working towards.

So, imagine my shock when I was recently accused of failing as a spiritual leader. I was completely blindsided. I had not agreed to that responsibility, nor had I asked for that expectation yet. But here was a man, so angry he threatened to show up at my house, convinced I had let him down in a way I never signed up for. The kicker was that he was not even angry at me directly. He was upset because this woman, a woman I have only spoken to and befriended online, was writing poetry about one of his friends. Somehow, this unrelated connection became the reason I was deemed a failure and attacked online. He had placed the burden of “healing” her on me.

That moment forced me to pause and deeply reconsider what spiritual leadership truly meant to me. I realized that many of the labels and assumptions I had carried about leadership were mistaken. I had believed spiritual leadership required formal titles, official roles, and external recognition. Yet, in that confrontation, it became clear that I was already perceived as a spiritual leader by others, regardless of my own doubts or hesitations. Meanwhile, the man who accused me was trapped by his own prejudices and misunderstandings, holding on to a distorted view of what leadership should look like.

This experience highlighted how deeply social conditioning and cultural expectations can function as invisible prisons, shaping how we define leadership and who we believe is worthy of embodying it. These ingrained beliefs limit our ability to see beyond outdated paradigms, blinding us to the quiet, everyday ways we already lead, serve, and hold sacred space simply through authenticity and presence. When we internalize these limitations, we not only fail to recognize our own power, we also neglect to wield it with conscious intention. Reclaiming spiritual leadership requires breaking free from these mental cages and honoring the power we already carry within.

 Breaking the Mold: Who Gets to be a Spiritual Leader?

But how did we develop these limitations in the first place? And which ones are truly worth reevaluating? I was not entirely sure, so I began reflecting more deeply on the topic. During this process, I found myself watching The Righteous Gemstones, a show I had deliberately avoided for years. To my surprise, I felt a sense of validation in finally watching it and even more surprised that I ended up watching all four seasons in quick succession. Although fictional, it presents a vivid and insightful case study of how spiritual leadership within modern Christianity can become warped by materialism, vanity, and the pursuit of power. The characters had lost sight of what spirituality truly means. Their image and outward appearances became far more important than their integrity or the values they were supposed to embody. Watching their journey made one thing clear: when ego becomes the guiding force, the sacred is pushed aside.

This observation helped me identify two major sources of the misconceptions we carry about spiritual leadership. First, popular culture often idolizes spectacle and surface level charisma over genuine substance, shaping unrealistic and misleading ideals of what it means to lead spiritually. These portrayals emphasize appearance over integrity and performance over presence. Second, the flawed human condition, rooted in fear, the desire for control, and the need for validation, often infiltrates spiritual roles. This twists leadership into something centered on authority and influence rather than service and compassion. When ego drives the role, the sacred purpose of spiritual leadership becomes lost.

It then becomes crucial to recognize that true spiritual leadership is not about perfection or infallibility. Rather, it is an ongoing commitment to growth, accountability, humility, and service. It involves holding space for others with compassion and courage, embracing the messiness of being human while striving to guide from a place of authenticity. By unpacking these common misconceptions, we can begin to separate flawed human actions from the sacred responsibility that comes with guiding others with integrity and love. In doing so, we reclaim spiritual leadership as a path accessible to all who choose to serve.

The Misconceptions of Spiritual Leadership

The idea that spiritual leaders must be perfect or infallible creates unrealistic expectations. In truth, they are human beings who experience doubts, struggles, and growth just like anyone else. Their strength lies not in flawlessness, but in their ability to learn from challenges and continue walking their path with humility.

The misconception that spiritual authority means controlling others stems from hierarchical traditions and power abuses. However, authentic spiritual leadership is not about dominance, it’s about uplifting others. True leaders serve their communities by fostering growth, healing, and self-empowerment rather than enforcing submission or unquestioning obedience. Their power lies in compassion rather than control.

Making mistakes or experiencing failures does not disqualify someone from being a spiritual leader. In fact, true leadership embraces accountability, using missteps as opportunities for learning and growth. Authentic leaders openly acknowledge their imperfections, demonstrating resilience and inspiring others through their commitment to evolve and improve.

Spiritual leadership is often mistaken for charisma or popularity, but true leadership goes far deeper. It is grounded in integrity, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to truth. Rather than seeking approval or applause, authentic leaders focus on guiding others with honesty, insight, and a dedication to what truly matters.

While it is true that some spiritual leaders abuse their positions for personal gain, it is unfair to assume this of all. Many spiritual leaders step into their roles with genuine compassion and a sincere desire to serve others. Their motivation is rooted in healing, guidance, and uplifting their communities, not in selfish ambition.

Spiritual leadership is sometimes seen as rigid adherence to dogma or fixed belief systems. In reality, authentic spiritual leadership embraces openness, encourages questioning, and supports personal and collective evolution. True leaders foster environments where beliefs can grow and change, allowing spirituality to remain alive, relevant, and deeply personal.

There is a common belief that spiritual leadership is reserved for a chosen few or specially “enlightened” individuals. However, spiritual leadership is accessible to everyone. Each person has the potential to lead in their own unique way by living authentically, serving others, and inspiring growth and healing within their communities.

Spiritual leadership is often misunderstood as avoiding conflict or difficult truths to keep peace. In reality, true leaders face challenges head-on with honesty and courage. They recognize that growth and healing often come through confronting uncomfortable realities, and they guide others through these moments with integrity and strength.

Spiritual guidance is often expected to be comforting and uplifting, but true guidance does not always come wrapped in ease. Sometimes it delivers hard truths that challenge us deeply, pushing us toward growth, transformation, and necessary change. Real spiritual support embraces both comfort and confrontation for our highest good.

Astrology and the Current Revolution of Sacred Authority

Astrology offers us a profound framework with which to understand the seismic shifts occurring in spiritual leadership today. With Pluto in Aquarius, Neptune in Aries, and Uranus in Gemini aligning simultaneously—a rare occurrence not seen since around 1535 BCE—we are witnessing a transformative era for how spiritual authority is defined, challenged, and renewed.

· Pluto in Aquarius calls for a radical restructuring of collective values and power systems, emphasizing humanitarian ideals, community, and innovation. This energy pushes to dismantle outdated spiritual hierarchies and exposes those who misuse their authority. It urges the rise of authentic leaders who embody inclusivity, transparency, and a forward-thinking vision rooted in service rather than control.

· Neptune in Aries brings a bold and pioneering spirit to spirituality itself. It inspires courageous new ways of experiencing and expressing the sacred, encouraging leaders to act with passionate integrity and directness. This transit challenges spiritual leaders to be fearless in dismantling illusions—whether personal or systemic—and to ignite movements of sincere transformation.

· Uranus in Gemini revolutionizes communication and the exchange of ideas, a vital aspect of spiritual leadership. It empowers the spread of new teachings, diverse perspectives, and decentralized networks of spiritual communities. This placement breaks down rigid dogmas, encouraging fluidity, questioning, and the democratization of spiritual knowledge.

Historically, these planetary configurations have coincided with breakthroughs in invention and social revolutions—from the American and French Revolutions to the Cold War era—periods marked by the upheaval of old orders and the birth of new ideals. Today, these energies signal a profound shift in spiritual leadership itself: the decline of false or authoritarian figures and the emergence of leaders grounded in authenticity, accountability, and compassion.

Spiritual Leadership in a New Era

As we navigate this transformative era, spiritual leadership must evolve beyond outdated traditions, performative charisma, or hierarchical control. The world no longer needs figureheads cloaked in mystery or authority for authority’s sake; it needs leaders rooted in integrity, logic, inclusivity, and courageous truth-telling. True spiritual leadership is not about commanding power, but about cultivating trust, holding space for healing, and guiding others with clarity and compassion. It calls for vulnerability, emotional intelligence, and the ability to challenge injustice while remaining grounded in love. Now more than ever, we are being asked to lead from within—to embody the change we wish to see and to uplift others not through dominance, but through presence and service. The sacred is not found in dogma, but in honest connection. This is a time of great awakening, and those who choose to lead must do so for the highest good of all, not the elevation of self.

With that, I invite you to perform this ritual and discover the spiritual leader within yourself! Blessed be!

Ritual: Awakening the Inner Leader

You will need:

• A candle (any color that resonates)

• A mirror

• A journal or piece of paper

• A pen or pencil

• Optional: incense or essential oil for grounding

1. Set the Space

Choose a quiet place where you feel safe. Light your candle and (if using) your incense. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself. Feel the weight of your body. Call your attention inward.

2. Look into the Mirror

Gaze into your own eyes. Speak aloud or silently:“I am willing to see the leader within me.”Repeat until the words feel true. Let any emotions rise.

3. Reflect and Write

In your journal or on paper, respond to this prompt:“If I led from love and truth, what would I do differently?”Write without judgment. Let it flow.

4. Set Your Intention

Write one sentence that names the kind of leader you choose to be.For example: “I lead with honesty and heart.”Say it aloud. Fold the paper and place it under the candle.

5. Seal the Ritual

Blow out the candle. As the flame disappears, imagine old doubts and fears burning away with it. Place your hand on your heart. Whisper:“I rise in my own light.”