Growth Spurt

Growth is not a gentle, linear process. It’s messy, chaotic, and often painful. And sometimes, it comes in intense, concentrated bursts. We call these growth spurts. Just like a teenager whose bones are aching as they shoot up in height, a spiritual growth spurt can be a disorienting and uncomfortable experience. But it is always, always a sign that you are expanding into a greater version of yourself.

The Signs of a Spiritual Growth Spurt

A spiritual growth spurt can manifest in many ways. You might feel a sudden urge to change everything in your life – your job, your relationships, your home. You might find that the things that used to bring you joy no longer do. You might feel a deep sense of dissatisfaction with the status quo. You might feel lost, confused, and alone. This is often what is referred to as the “dark night of the soul.” It’s a period of intense questioning and disillusionment, and it is often the catalyst for a major spiritual growth spurt.

Other signs of a spiritual growth spurt can include:

• Increased sensitivity: You may find yourself more sensitive to the energy of others, to the food you eat, to the environment around you.
• Intense emotions: You may experience a rollercoaster of emotions, from deep sadness to ecstatic joy.
• A need for solitude: You may feel a strong urge to withdraw from the world and to spend more time alone.
• A craving for meaning: You may find yourself asking the big questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What is the purpose of my life?

The Tao of Letting Go

The Tao Te Ching teaches us that the way to grow is to let go. “The Tao is like a bellows,” it says. “It is empty yet infinitely capable. The more you use it, the more it produces.” A growth spurt is a time when the universe is asking you to let go of your old self, your old beliefs, your old way of being. It’s a time to empty yourself out, so that you can be filled with something new.

A Real-Life Example: The Corporate Lawyer Who Became a Potter

I once knew a woman who was a successful corporate lawyer. She had everything that society tells us we should want: a high-paying job, a beautiful apartment, a fancy car. But she was miserable. She felt empty and unfulfilled. One day, she signed up for a pottery class on a whim. And she fell in love. She had never felt so alive, so creative, so connected to something larger than herself. She started spending all of her free time in the pottery studio. Eventually, she quit her job as a lawyer and became a full-time potter. Her friends and family thought she was crazy. But she had never been happier. She had gone through a massive growth spurt, and she had come out the other side as a more authentic, more joyful, more alive version of herself.

How to Embody This Teaching

Navigating a spiritual growth spurt can be challenging, but it is also an incredible opportunity for transformation. Here are some practices to help you through it:

• Surrender: Stop fighting the process. Stop trying to control it. Surrender to the unknown. Trust that you are being guided, even if you can’t see the path ahead.
• Self-Care: Be gentle with yourself. Get plenty of rest. Eat nourishing food. Spend time in nature. A growth spurt can be physically and emotionally exhausting, so it’s important to take care of yourself.
• Seek Support: You don’t have to go through this alone. Find a trusted friend, a therapist, or a spiritual teacher who can support you through this process.

When This Card Appears

When the Growth Spurt card appears in a reading, it is a sign that you are in the midst of a period of rapid expansion and transformation. It may not be comfortable, but it is necessary for your evolution. This card is asking you to trust the process, to be gentle with yourself, and to know that you are on the right path. You are outgrowing your old self, and you are becoming more of who you truly are.