Transparent Oracle Sunday!

48, Venus (Above). The direction of Above takes us up and out of the four traditional elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth, and reminds us that we are but a small part of the Cosmos.  Above also reminds us that while the Machinery of the Universe is huge, it does have an effect on each of us, and each of us is an important part of the workings of that Machinery. Venus represents love, romantic, platonic or spiritual, as well as sensuality and an appreciation of beauty.  Venus is also about attractions, because that is how love, sensuality and the experience of beauty actually happen, and that is where Venus gets its power.

26, Guide: Otter (West).  West is the direction of Water, and thus, of feelings and emotions, relationships of all kinds, cleansing and healing, the wisdom associated with natural endings, and the bubbling up of pure joy.  The first thing I think of when I see the Otter card is joyful playing.  Otters are known for their play, and play is a sign of intelligence and awareness.  Otters are at home both on Earth and in Water; they form strong family bonds, and work hard to protect their group of family or friends.   All while playing tag!

35, Landscape: Forest (North). North is the direction of Earth, and thus of the physical or physically formed or manifested world, and of nurturing, health, finances and security, and the wisdom associated with living simply, being well-grounded, and being in touch with our physical body.  Forest is about the results over the long term, results which happen because of fertility and nurturing and patience; Forest represents the manifestation of age and wisdom and patience, connections (and results) that are not openly apparent but rather, like roots under the ground, are all around us.  Different energies can work together; a Forest is proof of that.

I then created my mandala.  There was a surprising symmetry to the whole thing, even with the symbols for Venus, which fit nicely in the triquetra shape of Forest, and Otters on each of the three loops.  This symmetry is apparent within the meanings of the cards, too.  Emotions and love and attraction, immersing ourselves into situations that bring joy and the security of family, and all of those energies immersed into the container of the physical world and the manifestation of our long-term projects.  Joy can be had from all projects, whether those projects involve play or they involve the maintenance of our lives and of living.  In the end, if we can perceive even the most mundane task through the eyes of love and joy, we will bring ourselves closer to Deity and to the actions and effects of the Machinery of the Universe.  Lots of support here, and lots of security, as well as a bubbling up of joy, sprinkled with an Aha! Moment or two.  Okay, I can do that!

Today was YTT Intensive 3.  Awesome day!  This is the first Intensive where I have felt like things are connecting for me.  I am looking forward to the next one!

I am still pondering the potent meditation that came upon me last Wednesday morning.  I keep getting the same message: “Wait . . . be patient, clarity will come with time.”  It is strange when you receive a vision or a message that positively knocks your socks off or blows off the top of your head, without any kind of explanation besides “don’t worry, we are still with you,” and life goes on around you, unchanged by that earth-shattering moment.  Well, not totally unchanged.  Two people close to me each dreamed about me last week, and I can’t remember that ever happening.  One, my sister-in-law, emailed me and told me she dreamed that I was upset with her, and she apologized for whatever she did.  The other, my friend and neighbor, dreamed that I had a duffle bag with a billion dollars in it.  A billion.  Dollars.

This makes a lot of sense to me, even without knowing why that meditation happened.  These have basically been my thoughts since then; I am wondering what I did to make this astral event and the sense of isolation associated with it necessary, and even deep within the discomfort of trying to understand the vision, I am very much aware of how truly blessed I am.  I have support in both the physical and the astral realms, and I have all I need to blossom and prosper, including interesting challenges to aid in my learning and evolution.  I do understand that it is not supposed to only be fun, and without the mental fortitude necessary to maintain awareness of Deity and to continue to believe what I have come to know, through both real good times and real bad times, it is all just a game.  Roots need to go deep so that when there is drought, the water table is still reachable.

Wow, could that be what this is all about??  Could it be that simple???

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Knight of Wands/Two of Cups reversed.  The Knight of Wands (cusp of Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, deep, obsessive, and Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering) usually represents a person of passion, courage, enthusiasm and boundless energy; most definitely not background-type efforts.  The Knight of Wands is a warrior who is confident enough and passionate enough to jump into the fray and protect what he thinks is important, and he is telling me that this style might work for me today.  The Two of Cups (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, in Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, family and home oriented, tenacious, moody) tells of about love and connections, usually having to do with feelings, relationships and commonalities.  My Two of Cups is reversed, and in a way it is validating the fiery Knight, encouraging me to not think about my connections to others but rather, to focus on boldly stepping forward and seeking excitement.  Um . . . are you sure?

My Thoth card is the Eight of Wands.  “Swiftness” is Uncle Al’s keyword for this card.  The Eight of Wands (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, skill, communication, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) is a card of action, of quick developments, and of pulling it all together so things can be completed.  Oh boy, more action!  Crowley equates the energy of this card to electricity, and that is a great metaphor.

My Legacy card is the Knight of Swords reversed, flavored by the Four of Coins.  The Knight of Swords (the cusp of Taurus, “I have,” sensual, stubborn, cautious, and Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, dual, intelligent) is outspoken, assured, alert, and logical, as well as rude, domineering, critical and sarcastic.  My Knight is reversed today, and this could be a red flag, especially when I consider the other cards I threw.  This Knight has his own unique version of perfection, and any lack of tolerance of the opinions of others today could cause some discomfort.  Yep, I might feel I’m right anyway.  That thought is validated by my Four of Coins, the card flavoring my reversed Knight of Swords.  The Four of Coins (the Sun, the inner core of a person or situation or the deepest self, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, authority, caution cunning) tells of very solid foundations and an awareness of the value of our possessions.  This card tells of a resistance to change, as well as a need for predictability.  Imposing this kind of need for having things my own way onto my day and mixing in the critical attitude of the reversed Knight could be not so good. Forewarned is forearmed!

My 6-digit date number is 9, the number that tells of the completeness of manifestation or effect.

My horoscopes: “Your psychic abilities and imagination are operating at a very high level, Sagittarius. You face other people with a profound, spiritual love. They will return it! You might want to write down your thoughts or draw pictures of whatever pops into your mind, even if you don't feel you have talent. It's more important to keep a record for you than set things down for posterity.”

And: “As a natural athlete, you like to exercise, but today might be a good day to take it easy. You could be feeling a bit lethargic; too much action could lead to injury. Try a less demanding form of activity like yoga or Tai Chi. Your usual enjoyment of learning may also be on hold, as you can't seem to focus your mind. Relax with a video - perhaps a thriller or romantic comedy. It's OK to do this once in a while.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Six of Cups.  A beautiful image for a beautiful card.  This one is about simple pleasures and bright joys and innocent fun, and about good times with good friends. 

I am busy tonight, preparing for tomorrow’s YTT Intensive 3.  Soooo much information to learn!

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Strength/Nine of Swords reversed. Easy message to understand!  Hang in there and don’t despair.  The Strength card (Fire, hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive and energetic energy; Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, egotistical; Teth, sieve or basket, digestion; and the Path between Geburah, the place where forms and structures are challenged or affirmed, and Chesed, the place where forms and structures are stabilized and nurtured) is about having the strength and the patience to endure and focus.  This is not physical strength (although physical strength is not a bad thing), but rather about having patience and compassion, along with the ability to focus.  The Nine of Swords (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, social, dual) in an upright position represents brooding and worrying, usually self-caused, and usually unproductive.  Crowley calls this worrying “cruelty of the mind,” and he’s right.  This kind of worry is a total waste of time and energy  and from the looks of things, I won’t fall into this funk.

My Thoth card is the Ace of Cups.  Always like to see this one!  The Ace of Cups (Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation, Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, deep, mysterious, obsessive, Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) gives birth to deep emotions, and a connection to my Inner Voice and to those around me.  This card is filled with lovely possibilities connected to emotions of all kinds, and a deep connection to the Inner Voice. All kinds of “seeing” or “understanding” are available, as well as pleasant connections to others, and to my “Self.”

My Legacy card is the Two of Wands reversed, flavored by the Page of Wands.  Okay, then.  The Two of Wands (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Aries, “I want,” action oriented, pioneering, assertive, enthusiastic) tells of power, influence and authority.  It is interesting that this card is reversed today, because all my other cards encourage me to open myself to power and to feelings.  Perhaps my Two of Wands is reversed because it is hinting that focusing on my own power is not as productive as sharing power with others would be.  Hmm . . . could be the answer.  My reversed Two of Wands is actually being flavored by another Wands card, the Page of Wands.  The Page of Wands (Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody; Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic noble egotistical; and Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented) is a fun guy to be around, unless you have a migraine.  This Page is telling me that even in the disconnect of my own power and feelings being hinted at by the reversed Two of Wands are possibilities to be had.  The way to connect them is not to impose my own visions, but rather to fill my heart with the joy of life, push the envelope and enjoy the adrenaline rush.  Okay! 

My 6-digit date number is 8, the number that tells of a conscious and deliberate response to the beginning of degeneration of the number 7, in order to maintain for a bit longer the harmony and balance of the number 6.

My horoscopes: “Your judgment about people relies too much on general opinion, Sagittarius. As soon as you meet someone, you accept what others think about him or her without trying to find out more. This lack of curiosity could lead you to make a hasty decision about someone today. If you take the time to listen with your heart, you could be impressed by what you hear.”

And: “Be conscious of how people are responding to your presence today. You may find that your jokes aren't being very well received. Don't dig the hole any deeper. The one you are sitting in may be deep enough. Relax and have someone else take a turn at the podium. Think before you open you mouth. Support the situation with positive words of encouragement instead of negative bits of criticism.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding Temperance! Understanding extremes allows us to tap into their energies. This one is about healing and about moderation, and about consciously causing balance to happen.  Read that again, because it is important!

I had a much-needed evening with the PBT last evening.  We all have been experiencing amazing things, and it really does help to talk about puzzling or exciting events when you are looking the listeners in the eyes.  It also helps to share a delicious meal courtesy of Bug, and a slice of The Cake!

I had a hugely potent meditation on Wednesday morning, and the end result is that an astral Place of Power is no longer available to me.  I have determined that this Place is still there, but I have been told that I no longer have access to it.  This is not a punishment of some kind, my Patroness specifically told me that, and She also told me not to fear and that “We are all still with you.”  Since every entity I’ve worked with on a regular basis was present at this meditation, that is reassuring.  And this morning, I began my day in the usual fashion by connecting with my Deities, and They responded in the usual and customary manner, and that is also reassuring.  I do not know if this is temporary or permanent, and I don’t know why.  Yet.  These things have a way of revealing themselves after a bit of percolation, so I am not panicking.  I get the feeling, though, that big changes are on the way.

Ya think??

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Knight of Wands reversed/The Universe reversed.  Hmm . . . The Knight of Wands (cusp of Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, deep, obsessive, and Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering) in an upright usually represents a person of passion, courage, enthusiasm and boundless energy; most definitely not background-type efforts.  The Knight of Wands is a warrior, but today is not the day for me to be a hero.  No daring rescues or brave actions today!  I am better off looking before I leap; relax. The Universe/World, which corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and material, stable and practical energy that is slow to change), Saturn (discipline, responsibility, limitations and resistance), Thav (mark or sign), and the Path between Malkuth (the physical world of action and physical, outer reality) and Yesod (the place where patterns and images emerge that may manifest into the physical world) is a card of integration and involvement and understanding, a crystallization of the entire issue at hand.  My Universe card is reversed, but it is there.  If I can just keep that Knight under control, perhaps I will dispel the fog that is separating me from the synthesis and fulfillment that is hiding from me today

My Thoth card is the Princess of Swords.  The Princess/Page of Swords (Capricorn, “I build,” ambitious, competent, cautious, cunning, Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, society, cause-oriented, and Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, soul growth, spirituality) tells us to use our mind and intellect to analyze our situations as well as our emotions and feelings.  This card tells me to be a bit protective of myself, and perhaps defensive of thoughts and beliefs.  This would be a good day to make sure I understand why I am doing or saying or thinking what I am doing, saying or thinking.

My Legacy card is the Page of Cups, flavored by The Hanging Man.  Ooooh! The Page of Cups corresponds to Libra (“we are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation), Scorpio (“I desire,” intensity compulsion, mystery) and Sagittarius (“I seek,” philosophic, adventurous, blundering) is a card of soft and tender energies and of getting fulfillment through connections to others.  My connections to others are important today, and my Inner Voice just might have some important insight to offer. The Hanging Man corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and emotional, sensitive and imaginative energy that tends to move deep, and attempts to take the same path as in the past), Neptune (inspiration, spirituality, magick, enchantment, dreams, altered states), and the Hebrew letter Mem (water, stability and balance, the reflective quality of thought) presents the kind of balance that comes to us through surrender, and through seeing things in a different way.  My Hanging Man is flavoring my Page of Cups, and the energy created by their combination is yummy.  Looks like aiming my perception inward would be beneficial, as long as I maintain serenity and calmness.  These two cards offer a deeper interpretation of the other three.

My 6-digit date number is 7, the number that tells of the pause that comes as growth slows and degeneration approaches, often involving a crossroad or choice of some kind.

My horoscopes: “You can be known for needing a lot of love, but you will never admit that to yourself, much less anyone else. Sometimes it seems as if you like feeling emotionally frustrated. Today is the perfect day to meditate about whether or not this is true of you. Do you talk to other people about your emotional needs?”

And: “"Wanderlust" is the keyword for today. You're probably bored with your daily routine and you look for ways to escape it. You might find yourself daydreaming about visiting exotic and distant places throughout the day, and you might actually make plans for your next vacation. You may be particularly attracted to a certain country and want to find out more about the culture. Consider including a close friend or lover for travel plans.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Eight of Cups.  The theme of the day!  This lovely card reminds us that it is okay to turn away from the hustle and bustle of life, and head toward the quiet and serene darkness of an “inner” corner.  Choosing to walk away from conflict, rather than allowing conflict to harm us, is valid, and it is empowering!

I had a lovely day yesterday, walking around the Meat Packing District of Manhattan with friends.  We had a lovely and leisurely lunch at The Spice Market, and then walked the beautiful High Line.  After some time exploring the Chelsea Market and popping into a few local boutiques, we had a late afternoon glass of wine at The Standard Hotel, and then headed back toward home.  We had a bit of a wait between trains in Hoboken, and so we visited The Teak Bar, and watched the fish in their huge tank for about an hour, then headed the rest of the way home.  Everything was perfect . . . blue skies, no-stress public transportation, and happy people all around us.

Tonight, I head to Wayne, for an evening around The Table with the PBT.  Tomorrow, I need to prepare for my next YTT Intensive.

Another Wild Unknown Tarot card: The Six of Cups.  This card shows a perfect young evergreen above ground with soft horizontal lines in the background, and the huge support network (larger in mass than the tree itself) of roots belowground colored in green, yellow, blue and red, with the entire image surrounded by evenly-spaced cups, two in either upper corner, two at ground level, and two in either lower corner.  An evergreen never fades or experiences Winter, and our emotions are also eternal.  We aim toward emotional enlightenment as we live our lives.  When we look back at where we’ve come, our memories can be without imperfection.  Who we are right now, the person we are, is supported by everything that has come before this moment, and most of that support (while connected to the visible effects of every element in our world) that has been in existence since before the tree first pushed its evergreen leaves above ground, is not visible to the naked eye; we have to get a shovel and dig in order to see it.  But whether perceived or not, there is a balance created by that support, just as there is a balance created by the memories of who we were and where we are going, and that balance brings harmony and serenity.

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Three of Wands/The Emperor. The Three of Wands (Sun, the inner core of a person or situation, the deepest self and personal power, in Aries, “I want,” action oriented, pioneering, assertive) is a card of planning for action that tells of the excitement of seeking out uncharted areas with an optimism that says that no matter what happens, it will be good.  I think I need to look to the future today, and maybe begin to make some plans, plans that will include excitement and enthusiasm. The Emperor corresponds with Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive, energetic change), Aries (“I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive) and the Hebrew letter Heh (window, illumination), and represents confidence, authority, and the archetype of the Father.  LOL, he is telling me to have fun, but to make sure that I am home by dark, and not to stray too far from home.  Order and structure and a willing acceptance of responsibility can certainly coexist with enthusiasm and excitement, and rules (which are there to support and enable) can still be put into place without putting out the Fires.

My Thoth card is Art.  Art/Temperance corresponds with Sagittarius (“I seek,” philosophic, adventurous, blundering) Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive, energetic change), Samekh (the tent post), and the Path between Yesod (the place where patterns and images emerge that may manifest into the physical world of action and outer reality) and Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify), and this card presents one version of the concept of balance:  balance achieved through knowledge and experience of extremes. In the best of circumstances, this is a card of realization, and of choosing actions based on accurate calculations.  Kind of a similar message to the one above!

My Legacy card is the Five of Wands reversed, flavored by The Hanging Man reversed.  Interesting! The Five of Wands, which corresponds with Saturn (discipline, responsibility, law and order) in Leo (“I am, passionate, dramatic, egotistical) in an upright position indicates a struggle caused by annoying cross-purposes. While these discomforts can have good results, today they will not have a huge effect.  Rather, things should move in a smooth and integrated manner. The Hanging Man corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and emotional, sensitive and imaginative energy that tends to move deep, and attempts to take the same path as in the past), Neptune (inspiration, spirituality, magick, enchantment, dreams, altered states), and the Hebrew letter Mem (water, stability and balance, the reflective quality of thought); this card presents the kind of balance that comes to us through surrender, and through seeing things in a different way.  However, my Hanging Man, which is flavoring my reversed Five of Wands, is also reversed.  Perhaps the way to keep those Fiery energies from conflicting is to offer guidance, or to make use of plans already in place.  Hmmm . . . using plans in a structured manner . . . sounds familiar, eh?

My 6-digit date number is 4, the number of balance, stability and depth.

My horoscopes: “You've been hoping for a quiet day on the job, Sagittarius, but too many calls could come your way. You might have to juggle several at once. Don't try to deal with every problem. Exercise your triage abilities and take care of the most pressing first. Let the others go, if necessary. You aren't doing anyone any favors by getting too distracted. Even you can be less than thorough when overwhelmed.”

And: “You are smart, strong, confidant and beautiful. Everyone has always known this about you, and you are just beginning to know it about yourself. Today you feel powerful and unstoppable. If the world really is your oyster, where exactly is the pearl? You may spend the better part of your life trying to find out. Ideally, you will have a significant someone with you on your search for happiness. If you have the right mate, then happiness will be wherever the two of you are together.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Four of Wands.  Perfect card for today!  The Spring flowers are in bloom, and the air is filled with exciting possibilities.  Yes, the harder tasks will soon be upon us but for the moment, we can stop and smell the first of the roses. 

Sadly, the raven has won the battle, and the robins have disappeared.  I don’t know how many eggs were lost, but I don’t think it was all four (robins usually lay four lovely blue eggs).  I’m sad, because I really enjoyed watching the family last year, but if it had to happen, I’m glad it is now, before the babies were born. 

Sad that this happened on Mother’s Day, but this is the way Nature works.  Survival of the fittest.  The nest was so well hidden that I am impressed with the raven; he must have watched the pair building the nest, and waited till the right moment.

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Transparent Oracle Sunday!

40, Elemental: Gnome (North).  North is the direction of Earth, and thus of the physical or physically formed or manifested world, and of nurturing, health, finances and security, and the wisdom associated with living simply, being well-grounded, and being in touch with our physical body.  The Gnome is about hard work, strength and patience; Gnome is the guardian of the Earth who meets each responsibility fully and completely; he may appear serious, but he is capable of some mischief.  And woe is the person who damages what he guards!

36, Guide: Bear (North).  The element of Earth is stable, material, practical energies that are slow to change; its dignities are cold/binds and dry/shapes. Bear is about protection and hibernation, power, shelter and instincts.  Mother bears are fierce, yet gentle, and that is the message of this card.  I am being told by Bear that I should protect and nurture myself, but I should also make use of what I’ve learned to not only connect with my own instincts, but also to nurture and guide others.

50, Polarity: White Dragon (Above). The direction of Above takes us up and out of the four traditional elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth, and reminds us that we are but a small part of the Cosmos.  Above also reminds us that while the Machinery of the Universe is huge, it does have an effect on each of us, and each of us is an important part of the workings of that Machinery.  The White Dragon represents masculine, dispassionate, celestial energies that come into us and into our world from “Above.”  If you see the solar system and the universe as being alive, and as being filled with the manifestations of the Sacred Essences that are the source of life and awareness, then these energies are very important.  We are the Microcosm, after all, and these energies are from the polar opposite, the Macrocosm . . . filled with information, knowledge and wisdom.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  This one is strange.  I get the sense of lots of action as well as a sense of permanence, as if the Gnomes were standing stones and the White Dragon was circling around the sleeping Bears, both striving to protect the Bears and prevent them from being disturbed.  The Gnomes are looking right at me, and I am reminded of my experience just before my last session of Shadow Work and the words, “You shall not pass!”  The White Dragon watches as well, but he is more mobile, more ready to take action.    Being protected and well-grounded are all good things, and connecting to the knowledge, information and wisdom of the physical world is important for a physical being.  However, if I focus too much I might miss the forest for the trees.  Aha! Moments don’t knock on the door to let us know they are there.  They slide under the door and wait quietly in a corner for us to notice them; and if we don’t see them, we miss them!

Last night finished off with a lovely rainbow as the sun was preparing to set.  Today, I spent the day out in the sunshine, working in my beloved garden.  My privets are trimmed nicely, and the grass is cut.  There are blossoms on the clematis, and the rest of the camellia blooms have opened.  Columbine and lunaria are sprinkled everywhere, and there are buds on the iris.  Wild hyacinth and lilies of the valley, and even one rose blossom has opened; rose buds are everywhere, and will be blooming soon.  My wisteria has blossoms!! 

Plus, the robin who successfully raised four young’uns returned and is sitting on her nest in the wisteria.  She is well-hidden, but somehow a raven found her and has been harassing her all day.  I chased him away twice, but I won’t be here all week to look after them.  Survival of the fittest is the rule of the day, but I will keep my fingers crossed that she will be okay.

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The Horned One reversed/Eight of Wands. Wow, I had these two just recently, but with the Eight of Wands reversed instead of The Horned One.  The Horned One/The Devil (Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and stable, material, practical energies that are slow to change), Capricorn (“I build,” ambitious, competent, cautious, cunning), Ayin (the eye, senses), and the Path between Hod (which provides analysis and communication) and Tipareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) tells of being caught up in the physical world and the effects of the physical senses, to the point of being bound or addicted to those things. Today I will need to be a bit cautious because the call of the wild and primal world of Nature may distract me from doing what I need to do. The Eight of Wands (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, skill, communication, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) is a card of action, of quick developments, and of pulling it all together so things can be completed.  Perfect!  The clarifying intensity of the gust of energy of the Eight of Wands will be just the ticket today.  Fire is a part of Nature, too, and Fire can burn away the chains and transform me!!

My Thoth card is the Nine of Swords reversed.  “Cruelty” today, but reversed. The Nine of Swords (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, social, dual) in an upright position represents brooding and worrying, usually self-caused, and usually unproductive.  Looks like the workings of my power to analyze and impose logic onto a situation won’t be too beneficial today.  As long as I don’t allow myself to fall into one of those self-destructive loops, I should be fine.

My Legacy card is the Six of Swords reversed, flavored by another Eight of Wands!  Hang onto your hat, folks! The Six of Swords (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, communication, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause oriented) is about balance, healing, moving towards a better place, and even about learning the science behind things that work (because understanding why they work makes them more effective).  My Six is reversed, however, so healing won’t be needed today, and I am already at that “better place.”  With this card being flavored by the eruption of energy that is the Eight of Wands, nothing can stop me today!  I should be able to accomplish a lot, and maybe even finish some things!

My 6-digit date number is 11 (and on the 11^th day of the month!), a number with personal significance for me, which reduces further to 2, the number of balance, polarity, and the energy of “distance between.”

My horoscopes: “Don't hesitate to say the obvious today, Sagittarius, even if it sounds corny. Many times people hesitate to say what they really feel because they think it's obvious to everyone. The truth of the matter is that most people aren't mind readers and probably aren't picking up on the subtle signals that you send out. Help them by speaking frankly.”

And: “If one of your goals has been to become more active and involved in community issues, then today is your chance. It is likely that you will be invited to join a volunteer group of some sort. Your particular skill set is sorely needed. While you may be reluctant at first and shy away from the time commitment, you will find that once you begin to participate that you very much get caught up in the cause.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Page of Cups.  This lovely Page is telling me that today is a day for looking within; deep and calm and fulfilling breaths will allow me to shut out the hustle and bustle of the world around me, so that I can hear the softer and more powerful Voice within me.  Light a candle, tune into the senses, and enter the world within . . . and dream!

It has been a rainy morning, but I am loving the Spring growth all around me, so I am fine with the rain.  I am focusing today on both my YTT homework and my Third Degree Lesson 9 homework.  Actually, they are similar in focus and they support each other nicely.   My Lesson 9 is focused on healing, and my YTT lessons are offering a method for healing.  I think the most important thing I am learning so far is two-fold: we are each responsible for our own healing, and offering healing to others is a give-and-take situation, with huge responsibility. 

My next Wild Unknown card: The Four of Wands.  There are subtle yet powerful differences between this card and the Three of Wands.  The Three give us a glimpse of a possible manifestation, swirling with fertile possibilities, through a small portal; the Four of Wands has enlarged and supported that portal so that it is a permanent structure.  The foundation has been created, and it is solid.  Now, we can not only more easily visualize the goals of the future, but we can also actually see them beginning to manifest in the physical world.  The work we have done so far is acting as a lense, focusing our vision and supporting our efforts.  A cause to celebrate!

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