Overview: Pie in the Sky

When a person is a dreamer, he or she sometimes gets accused of having a Pie in the Sky mentality, believing in something that will never happen. Well dreamers, the truth is there is a real Pie in the Sky, and that pie is a handbook for making your dreams come true.

Ancient peoples believed that the sky contained a wheel or circular chart. Like a pie gets cut, they divided the chart into sections that they called “houses,” and they believed as the stars rotated around those heavenly sections different experiences were created on earth. One’s own particular experience of life, one’s blueprint, could be determined by calculating the location of the planets at the exact moment of
one’s birth. This blueprint is called a birth chart.

It was believed that each soul symbolically traveled around the chart in the sky on its evolutional journey to enlightenment. The pie chart and its twelve houses were the path to wisdom and fulfillment on the material plane.

But what about a dreamer’s creative idea…can an idea also evolve and manifest by traveling around that Pie in the Sky? Are there twelve steps that follow the twelve houses and define the creative process? This book will take an idea through each step and house around the ancient wheel.

There is a fine line between an idea and the realization of that idea, from conceive to receive. Step one, conceive, and step twelve, receive, are literally right next to one another on the wheel, the creative journey (see graphic). But unfortunately or fortunately, you cannot simply cross that fine line. Instead, you must travel the distance, all the way around the wheel, counterclockwise, from step one to step twelve.

This is the story of that journey.

As I have already indicated the Pie in the Sky is divided into twelve houses, like a year is divided into twelve months. Those twelve houses are divided into four sections, like the twelve months of a year are divided into four seasons.

We will start with section one, symbolic spring, even though there are no such time restraints or considerations. You do not have to begin your creative project in actual spring, although the natural world tends to do so, and your creative process is unlikely to span a complete year, although it may.

Spring: Invisible Self

Spring: Invisible Self

In spring, the farmer plants his seeds in the ground. The initial creative production of most plants is hidden. It would take an earthworm’s view to see the progress being made, so too, it is with the first half of the Pie in the Sky. The first six houses of the wheel involve the invisible realm.

The first three of those six houses involve the self, and so section one, the symbolic spring, is called the invisible self. An idea is planted and goes through an underground, inner, development process, invisible to almost everyone but you, yourself.

Step One: Conceive

Step One: Conceive

The beginning of our symbolic spring, brings the scene where you are given a flash of inspiration. An idea is imparted and makes its way from your subconscious mind to your conscious mind, as a sperm makes its way to an egg. Your mind was fertile. The soil was rich and ready for a seed to be planted.

Ideas are amazing beings. Where do they truly come from? Do they come from you, or do they come from somewhere else? My own experience, including receiving the idea for this book, has led me to believe inspiration comes from a connection to something higher than myself.

When the time is right for certain knowledge to be incarnated, born onto earth, it must first be conceived. Possibly, the idea is originally given to more than one person. More than one sperm is sent to reach more than one egg in the hopes that at least one fertilized idea will make it full-term.

How many times do we have an idea we are unable or unwilling to work on? We do not have the determination or self-confidence it takes to bring the idea to fruition. Maybe we take several of the steps along the Pie in the Sky only to fumble the ball just before the end zone. Or, we fall down just before the finish line. And then, we hear that someone else has created the very idea, which we were
given first.

The keys to manifesting an idea are inspiration and “sticktoitiveness,” but that is not all that is needed. The purpose of this book is to outline all the steps it takes to burst your idea through the finish line ribbon and win the race. I am betting that simply the knowledge that certain steps exist will help all of us stay more determined to stick it out and keep running. And even though from time to time our sides may be splitting with pain, we will believe that we can break through “the wall” and the pain will subside, allowing us to finish what we started. We will believe this, because we will be able to determine where our idea is on the evolutionary pie chart, and we will know what steps are left for us to accomplish. It will guide us to completion.

Many of us have lost count of the number of ideas we have started and then abandoned halfway through…mostly in err of not understanding the complete process. Having unknowingly left off a number of the steps, it was impossible for any of our ideas to make it all the way to home plate. Frustrated, we end up blaming our ideas, the people around us or even ourselves for our so-called failures.

Why do so many projects hit an obstruction that cannot be climbed over or knocked down? When I asked that question, I was directed to this map, this Pie in the Sky.

Having been a student of the archetypal birth chart for at least a decade, my mind was fertile for the reception of this particular manifesting tool, the path in the sky that each idea must travel. The twelve steps correlate with the twelve archetypes and the twelve houses, or situations, in which each sign resides most naturally and comfortably.

The House of Identity

It is in step one, conceive, that we march through the first house, the house of identity. It is in this house that we ask, “Why me? Why was I given this idea?” I believe all ideas worth taking action upon are ideas that permeate through our particular being. The ideas worth riding out are ideas that answer our own personal questions and are a part of our inner quest, our hero’s journey.

We should not bring into creation all of the ideas that pop into our heads. Some ideas are totally egotistical in nature and would be a waste of our time to pursue. Author Marianne Williamson writes in The Gift of Change, “…ideas we come up with ourselves—ideas that come not from a sense of deeper guidance and inspiration but rather from a sense of ambition and a desire for control—come from the ego self and are not backed by the heavens.” Distinguishing between the two, soulful ideas and ego ideas,
takes place in and with the assistance of the house of identity.

Who are you? What note vibrates with you? What color are you? What shape? Knowledge of your authentic self is a must before true ideas find your energy system fertile, before your personal soil is rich enough to bear fruit.

Knowledge of self is not necessarily an easy task. Some are born with this information. For others of us, it may take half of our lives to come to a conclusion. Nevertheless, it is an accomplishment we are called to make if we wish to be inspired with an idea so strong it leaves footprints across the sands of time, or at least that would be our hope for our idea’s destiny.

The house of identity is the first house in the Pie in the Sky and is ruled by the archetype of the trailblazer. This archetype has to do with how we aggressively assert our independence, what separates us from others. The first house is also ruled by the inspirational and motivational element of fire. I was given the image of a rally to explain it. There will be three rallies along the Pie in the Sky, but
this first rally falls in what is called a personal house, so we will think of it as a personal rally.

Along the twelve house wheel, there are four personal houses that concentrate on the self, four interpersonal houses that concentrate on the other and four transpersonal houses that concentrate on the group.

I equate this first house to the feeling that your spirit is holding a rally inside of your heart. There is a stirring. The image is based on an energetic dynamic, if you can imagine it, an exciting, motivational and inspirational experience within yourself.

An idea comes to you. It is different from other ideas you have had, because it resonates with all the cells in your body. It is an answer to a recurring question. Having been given to you, it is your idea only in that it is a part of you…part of who you inherently are or who you desire to be. It falls in line with your personal purpose for living. And, it becomes your mission to deliver its message or service to others.

Assignment

For those who are scientific in nature, passion may derive from trying to answer a question like, “How does a person discover his or her life purpose?” For those more active in nature, passion may be surfing or mountain climbing. For those who are primarily emotional, passion may be a desire to heal relationships. For the organic in nature, passion may be growing a gorgeous tomato.

If you had to pick one word to describe yourself and your life, what would it be? If you cannot think of one word, then try to remember one life event that had the most impact on you. If you cannot think of such a life event, then spend some time in a bookstore. If you could only choose one section to describe yourself, which would it be? If no section stands out, then continue to pray, meditate and visualize and your life purpose will be revealed to you.

Quitter’s Out Clause

Every step, no matter how personal, gives you the opportunity to quit, because you have free will. I call this opportunity the quitter’s out clause. Step one’s quitter’s out clause states, “I’ve been given this idea, but I’m not truly passionate about anything in particular. I have no particular purpose in life. This idea means nothing to me personally.”

Winner’s Affirmation

Every step also comes with a winner’s affirmation. A positive thought intended to keep you going along the wheel. Step one’s winner’s affirmation says, “I always felt like I had a higher calling. After going inward and discovering my authentic self, I now travel my path with passion. I believe my inspired idea will make a difference in the lives of others.”

Summary

Section one, symbolic spring, involves our invisible self. The beginning of spring, step one, conceive, in the house of identity, asks us to have a fertile mind in which the seed of an authentic idea may be planted through an inspirational spark or personal rally. Ours is the perfect mind, body and spirit to bring this idea into the world, because it resonateswith every fiber of our being.

Step Two: Formulate

Step Two: Formulate

In the middle of our symbolic spring, the seed has been planted into the fertile ground and now it is time for the game plan to formulate. What type of plant are we growing? What is its purpose for existing?

All good ideas must be hammered out. The coach goes into his or her office to work on an idea for a new play. The toy maker goes to his or her workbench to tinker with an idea for a new toy. The idea is coming into form, even if only in their heads.

In the book, Answering Your Call, John P. Schuster writes, “You must mightily believe that beneath the noise is a call to a deeper life that only you can respond to in the unique ways that your gifts allow and your life path has led you.”

The House of Talents

Step two, formulate, brings us to house number two, the house of talents. The second house in the Pie in the Sky is ruled by the archetype of the builder. House two is also ruled by the hardworking and practical element of earth. I was given the image of a workshop to describe this house. This is your personal workshop and will be the first of three workshops on the wheel.

The house of talents asks, “What special gifts do you bring to the workshop table?” The idea was given to you, because it is a part of you. Why is it a part of you? What skills, experiences, tools, have you collected that make you the perfect person, the ideal candidate, to formulate this particular idea?

In the book, Creating Money, Sanaya Roman and Duane Packer state, “You may not understand why you took a job or developed a particular talent or ability, but the skills you have learned will be of value to you. Trust that what you are doing now is helping you gain skills that will be used in your greater life’s work.”

In house one, you were asked to know yourself and have a fertile mind, body and spirit. In house two, you are asked to believe in your special abilities, and you are asked to put in the first amount of sweat equity, even if it is only in thought. What can you do to make this great idea work? What are you going to do bring it into matter? Why were you and your talents chosen for the job?

Assignment

At this point, you will want to stop and assess your abilities. Make a list of what you have already accomplished and learned, the special skills you were born with or have acquired and any unique experiences that set you apart from the crowd. Take the time to review your own personal, life resume, so to speak. Decide why you would hire yourself for the job of putting this particular idea into form and then put those gifts to work.

Quitter’s Out Clause

“I was not given any special gifts or talents. I am not the person for the job of formulating this inspired idea.”

Winner’s Affirmation

“I now have a handle on my gifts, and I have begun using those special talents in the process of formulating this inspired idea.”

Summary

In the middle of spring, we find step two, formulate, in the house of talents, where we are asked to make a list of our unique gifts and skills. We must then use those talents as we begin to build upon our idea in our personal workshop.

Step Three: Document

Step Three: Document

Once you conceive of and begin to formulate the idea, you will need to document it. Transfer it to paper. Make the outline. Mark your game plays in the playbook. Make a sketch of the new toy as you saw it in your head.

Author Steven Pressfield states in The War of Art, “A pro views her work as craft, not art. Not because she believes art is devoid of a mystical dimension. On the contrary. She understands that all creative endeavor is holy, but she doesn’t dwell on it. She knows if she thinks about that too much, it will paralyze her. So she concentrates on technique.”

The poet may consider his or her poetry an art not a craft, but to edit and layout a poetry book will definitely be a detailed undertaking. And, that editorial step is a hard step for some to take alone. An artistic person might need to call on the aid of an organizational person during some of the more left-brained type steps.

The House of Expression

Step three of the Pie in the Sky, document, falls in house number three, the house of expression, which is ruled by the archetype of the communicator. It is also ruled by the intellectual, networking and communicative element of air. I was given the image of a reception to describe this house. The twelve step wheel contains three different receptions…the first being the personal reception, if you can imagine it. You meet in a room with yourself to outline the new idea to yourself on paper. It is the first evidence of the idea turning into something you can actually touch.

The third house is about expressing and communicating. However, since it is a personal house in section one, the invisible self, you are mainly communicating with yourself. You could say it is the place where your right brain tells your left-brain about the idea. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and freethinking, but the left side of your brain is going to want the idea to make some practical sense.

The left-brain asks, “Is this idea going to work?” So, you put it to paper in an attempt to communicate your passionate idea to the logical part of yourself. Does the idea have concrete potential, or is it just a whim?

If you have ventured down a road that was not inspired but simply an ego pursuit, then this may be the step where you exclaim that the plan makes no sense at all as you crumple up the paper and throw it into the personal workshop garbage can.

If the idea was inspired, you will look at your paper in awe. “Did that really come out of me?” you might say as you hang it on the wall, staring at it in disbelief.

NOTE: Often times an idea from your higher self, your soul, will not seem logical. But, a soulful idea will be inspirational and resonate with your being. You will experience an epiphany that the idea’s product or service is needed and that it will work. You may be asked to take a leap of faith. It will be up to you to sense the reality of your task based on your intuition and not your left brained thinking. You may be asked to take the necessary risks to make it happen.

However, all inspired ideas will need your rational mind to outline the details, make the to do lists. In other words, follow your intuition and then use your practical side, how it was meant to be used, to navigate the step-by-step process of creation.

Assignment

Step three, document, in the house of expression also asks you to consider why it was you who was given the task of communicating this passionate idea. What special communication skills do you have? What special networking skills do you have? Again, why you? Maybe, you have special knowledge of how to communicate to a certain group of people. You must consider your unique communication gifts to make it through this step completely.

Quitter’s Out Clause

“This idea is amazing, but I am not talented at communicating. I cannot write or draw or sing well enough to get my point across. A more expressive individual should have been given this task.”

Winner’s Affirmation

“I have uncovered my special communication talents and skills. I now know why I was the perfect person to express this inspired idea, and I will make my plan and shout it from the rooftops!”

Summary

The end of spring, step three, document, in the house of expression, asks us to put our plan to paper, to bring this passionate idea into the beginning stages of matter by introducing it to ourselves through a personal reception, using our logical reason to articulate our intuitive idea. Step three is the end of section one, the invisible self.

Summer: Invisible Relations

Summer: Invisible Relations

We now move from the first three steps of the Pie in the Sky, which were in symbolic spring, the invisible self, to the next three steps, which are in symbolic summer, invisible relations. Invisible relations are the steps that are still introverted in nature, still on the invisible half of the chart, but these three steps begin to ask, “How are other people going to react to my passionate idea?” Ultimately, if an idea is going to reach further than your own doorstep, it will have to be accepted by at least one other person.

According to the ancient wheel, we have one more personal step to make…it is the first step in invisible relations.

Step Four: Incubate

Step Four: Incubate

The beginning of summer finds us at step four, incubate. This is the step where you are beginning to think deeply about how your idea is going to affect and benefit others. You truly start to take its relationship to the outside world into consideration.

Like a seed planted into the ground, your passionate idea needs water to grow. It needs to be mothered and nurtured like a gardener tends his garden.

So far, you have been asked to conceive of, formulate and document your idea. Now it is time for your idea to go into a deeper incubation. Before it is actually born, you want to assure its proper development underground, so it will survive and make it into a tangible form.

The House of Family

Step four, incubate, takes us into the house of family. Because our family and friends affect us more directly than others, this is where we begin to think about how they, and others, are going to react to our idea.

Some of us may never make it past this house and step if what we are trying to create goes against our core tribal beliefs. It takes courage to stand up to our friends and family and risk rejection and abandonment. The fear of such scorn can make us reject and abandon our own idea. However, an idea that resonated with every cell in our body has a very positive chance at making it through this house.

The fourth house is ruled by the archetype of the nurturer. It is also ruled by the emotional and reactive element of water. I was given the image of the altar to describe this house. This is the personal altar and is the first of three altars you will find on the twelve house wheel.

At the altar you take the time to go inward and pray, to meditate upon and visualize your passionate idea. You ask, “Is this idea positive and functional? Will this idea make a difference in the world? Is it worth familial rejection?”

It is at this point that we define ourselves as individuals. Our creative quest gives us a backbone. We may never have to use our new thickened skin and courage, but it is there if we need it.

If our old tribe no longer resonates with us, we may be asked to find a new tribe, create a new group of people, which more aptly reflects who we are at our core. That is not to suggest we must lose contact with our blood relatives or high school colleagues. But our inspired idea, may ask us to detach from our need of approval from those of our past. It may ask us to search for completely new waters in
which to launch our creative boat.

NOTE: If there is someone in your life who consistently tears apart your creative endeavors with destructive instead of constructive criticism, I suggest that you not tell them about your idea until after it has come to fruition…if you decide to tell them at all. You only need positive energy as your passionate idea makes its journey around the Pie in the Sky, from conception to delivery.

Assignment

Take this time to think about the tribe in which you were born. What experiences did that association give you that you might not have gotten otherwise? Can you see how your innovative idea may actually benefit your old tribe in a healthy way if its members decide to be open to it? Why were you, an individual from this particular tribe, given this particular idea?

Quitter’s Out Clause

“My family and friends will never approve of this idea. It goes against their traditional belief system. I do not want to risk being shunned by my tribe. I am too scared to go down this road.”

Winner’s Affirmation

“I am so passionate about my inspired idea and its helpfulness that I am willing to be shunned by my birth tribe. In fact, the members of my old tribe would benefit from opening their minds to this innovation.”

Summary

The beginning of summer, step four, incubate, in the house of family, asks you to stand up to your original tribe, and to develop a new tribe if necessary. It takes you to a place of deep thought, your personal altar, as you begin to think about how others are going to react to your passionate idea.

Step Five: Birth

Step Five: Birth

If you have made it this far without throwing your idea into the garbage can or hiding it in a drawer to save face with your tribe, then you are currently in the middle of the symbolic summer, and it is time to move on to step five of the Pie in the Sky, birth.

It is this step that brings your product into matter or your service into action. You either produce your product yourself or hire someone else to do it. Or if your idea is a service, your Web site is created, your van is purchased or your office space is leased. You must accomplish whatever it takes to bring your passionate idea into form. Your idea will now actually exist on earth.

The House of Creation

Step five, birth, takes us into the house of creation, which is ruled by the archetype of the performer. It is also ruled by the inspirational and motivational element of fire. This step brings us once more to the image of a rally. But this time, we move from the personal, self oriented category, to the person-to-person category, the interpersonal rally.

The baby plant breaks through the ground into the sun. It says, “Hello world!” The interpersonal realm, although still in invisible relations, begins our foray into person-to-person contact.

You call up your parents and say, “We have a new baby!” You hand out the pink or blue-banded cigars. It is in the middle of the symbolic summer that you begin to stick your toes into the waters of introduction. You had your small, personal rally at step one. Now, you hold your mediumsized, interpersonal rally. This time you take your streamers and party favors person-to-person. Your new idea, the new baby, gets carried to the front porch to greet the passersby.

Do the people you meet run away in horror? Does your idea’s newfound public “ooh” and “aw” at the little one? Or is it getting mixed reviews? Your passionate idea has incarnated.

NOTE: Your idea may not be for everyone. If it resonates with your soul, it has an audience, but you may have to be patient as you search to find its proper outlet. Do not get discouraged if you receive negative feedback at this step.

Assignment

If you received a inspired idea that resonated with every cell in your body, then you absolutely were the one chosen to bring it into form. What special, creative touch or performance do you give the product or service? What makes it a unique gift to the world, simply because you are involved in this step?

Quitter’s Out Clause

“I can’t handle rejection. I think I will keep my project all to myself. I will hide it in the garage for safe keeping.” Or…”I’m too scared to sign a lease for office space. What if I fail? What if I can‘t do it?”

Winner’s Affirmation

“I passionately bring my inspired idea into form. I am willing to face rejection from my audience, because I believe strongly in what I am called to do.”

Summary

In the middle of symbolic summer, we find step five, birth, in the house of creation, where our idea becomes manifest. The world sees the plant break through the soil to touch the sun in the interpersonal Rally.

Here is where many people drop the ball. The creative project has been born. All is right with the world. That is the end of the story, right? Wrong. The story is not even halfway through.

Step Six: Analyze

Step Six: Analyze

The end of symbolic summer brings step six, analyze. Your idea has been made manifest, but is it the best it can be? Step six asks you to try and make your new creation as perfect as you can. You sand the edges of your woodworking project. You edit that 400-page novel. You analyze what you have created to see if it is effective.

You have made it through the first five exciting creative steps and now you finally have something to show for it, but the journey marches on, whether you would like it to or not…back into the Workshop you go. You hold your product up to the light. You shake it. You listen closely for ticking sounds. You take it on a crash test. Does it hold up? Does it deliver what you created it to deliver?

If so, pat yourself on the back and high-five an imaginary friend or your real business partner. If not, you must begin to painstakingly fix the areas that are in need of repair.

I say painstakingly, because after having put so much time into a project already, going back in to fix it has always seemed to me the nightmare of nightmares. This is where attitude can make you or break you. Only recently have I begun to bring an open mind to the table of post-production. After years of living in mediocrity, I have finally begun to take enough pride in my work to attempt to be the best I can be. When I can do better, I will do better.

Most people, including myself, do not like change, but change is always good when it takes us to a more positive place. Why stay stuck in the middle? Commit to sticking to your original idea, but always be willing to improve upon it when improvements become apparent. And, always be on the lookout for those apparent improvements. Do not ever get complacent, or someone will race past you and beat you to the finish line with a similar idea or product.

According to Thomas Moore in Care of the Soul, “Creative work can be exciting, inspiring, and godlike, but it is also quotidian, humdrum, and full of anxieties, frustrations, dead ends, mistakes, and failures.”

Although creativity is a beautiful experience, do not expect it to be all fun and games.

The House of Service

Step six leads us into the sixth house, the house of service. The house of service is ruled by the archetype of the reformer. It is also ruled by the hardworking and practical element of earth. I was given, once more, the image of the workshop, but this house and step are about the interpersonal workshop. As you tinker to improve your newly developed toy in the interpersonal workshop, you must take your audience or customer into deeper consideration. You are not just making your creation better for yourself or for its own sake. You are making it better for its potential connection with and service to others.

Assignment

How can this project be better? What are its shortcomings? Where is it dropping the ball and not going to properly reach its audience? Do I need to bring in a second opinion or partner to take it to the next step? Am I functioning at my best level of work? Or, am I being lazy in certain aspects? Am I looking at my creation through the eyes of others to get the proper perspective?

Quitter’s Out Clause

“My creation was completely right the first time. Even though no one, including myself, seems to be benefiting from it, I stand by my original design. I will go down with the ship.”

Winner’s Affirmation

“I am willing to review my work and make the necessary repairs, so that my product or service is the very best it can be.”

Summary

At the end of symbolic summer, we find step six, analyze, in the house of service, where we are asked to go back to the drawing board with our potential customers in mind and perfect our creative project or service. This time, we go into the interpersonal workshop.

This is the last step on the invisible half of the chart. Next we break into the visible realm to begin our journey through the last half of the evolutionary process of our passionate idea.

Autumn: Visible Relations

Autumn: Visible Relations

We have traveled through the invisible half of the Pie in the Sky through the invisible self and invisible relations. Once our product has been perfected at step six, we then move onto the visible half. Step seven takes us into visible relations.

The symbolic beginning of autumn on the twelve step wheel is when the plant is full grown for all the world to see. It has begun to bear fruit, and it is time to deliver that fruit to the people.

Step Seven: Introduce