Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Queen of Swords reversed/The Fool reversed. The Queen of Swords (cusp of Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented, and Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation) in an upright position is about having the clear sight and intellect to make good judgments, however unlike the Justice card of the Major Arcana, her judgements are made regarding intent rather than in keeping with the exact letter of the law. The Fool (Air, hot/separates and wet/adapts, and quick, animated energy that brings challenges and growth; Uranus, technology, innovation, radical change; Aleph, the head, youthful learning; and the Path between Chokmah, dynamic male energy and the origin of vital force and polarity, and Kether, the source, limitless possibility) in an upright position tells of faith and optimism and confidence; he is emptiness but he is also infinity. In either case, the ending is usually not in sight, but that should not prevent us from moving forward. Because both cards are reversed, what I am **not** feeling or doing is more important today. This may not be a day for making any final decisions that either end a process or begin a process. The ability to make those decisions is there (for even though the cards are reversed, their energies are present although blocked), but perhaps tomorrow will be a better day.

My Thoth card is the Three of Cups. “Abundance” is the keyword Crowley assigns to the Three of Cups (Mercury, reason, intelligence, orderliness, communication, in Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive tenacious, nurturing, moody) and he sees this card as the manifestation of love, pleasure and luck. The image on this card shows water pouring into cups and then overflowing into other cups; perhaps I am being reminded to share my joy.

My Legacy card is the Ten of Wands, flavored by the Six of Swords. The Ten of Wands (Saturn, discipline, limitations and resistance, responsibility, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, adventurous, blundering) is exactly how I feel today. Marchetti describes this card as indicating a situation where we allow our unfocused (or improperly prioritized) passions to overburden ourselves. Exactly how I feel after a weekend of food and drink overindulgence! Great effort will be required to set things right, but if I see it through to the end, I will be pleased with the results. The Ten of Wands is flavored by the Six of Swords, (Mercury in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause oriented), which is telling me that success is under my control, and the turning point which presents an opportunity for me to successfully take the helm is here, now. These cards together are telling me that I can turn any mistakes of the past few days into lessons, which means they become positive events from which I can learn, rather than errors that hold me back.

My 6-digit date number is 6, the number of vertical and horizontal harmony.

My horoscopes: “All dissatisfaction will be abolished today as you systematically confront and resolve all the little problems that have been bothering you. Your tolerance threshold is low to nonexistent. Give a wide berth to friends who have been irritating lately. Your wardrobe improves dramatically as you discard all those clothes that don't fit or no longer suit you.”

And: “Long-distance communications will take on an added tone of urgency now, as will all your dealings with teachers, mentors and counselors. Of course, the tables may also turn, causing you to become the one who's looked to for advice, but you'll be more than up for the exchange. You'll also be willing to go out of your way to help someone see the big picture, and to put their own life in perspective.”

And: “You may not be sailing off into the sunset today, but at least you can start planning for it. It is time to take a reserved approach with your emotions. You might feel as if a damper has suddenly been put on your fun. Bu sometimes it is important to restrict ourselves in order to learn the lessons of discipline and patience.”

Today is the first day of the rest of my life. The holiday weekend of out-of-control eating is over. As of this morning, I have begun reconnecting to my energy body, and I am back to eating well.

I am filled with a sense of anticipation. What exactly I am anticipating, I do not know, but I think I will know it when it appears. I can feel the energies of Danu’s Well filling me; these energies have been with me all day at varying levels. It is not Yule yet, but despite the fact that I have expected these weeks to be pretty much my own energy work, I can feel Danu’s presence and hear Hecate’s encouragement, particularly when I greet Her at dusk. Hecate is encouraging me to hone my skills with energy workings; She wants me to have a strong connection to my own energy body, and an ability to instantly connect to my own power, without needing words or tools. **smile** No small accomplishment.

The next sephiroth to be considered as I move through the Tree of Life is Chesed.

Chesed (Mercy) is the fourth sephiroth on the Tree, the second on the Pillar of Force/Expansion, and the first to represent actuality. It is seen as the Hall of Masters and the Sphere of the Adepts, for it is within the energies of Chesed that the Ascended Masters or Ancient Ones reside. Chesed brings to us the understanding of perfect love, for love cannot happen without understanding.

Chesed is a relatively pleasant or positive sephiroth, bringing expansion and growth and stabilization; the next sephiroth, Geburah, is not always pleasant. Yet there are times when the two change places, so we should not see only the pleasant experiences of Chesed as being preferred.

My correspondence list for Chesed is:

Magickal Image: Ruler on Throne

Planetary: Jupiter

Vice: Bigotry, Tyranny, Hypocrisy, Gluttony

Virtue: Obedience

Deity: Benevolent Ruler

Spiritual Experience: Vision of Love

Briatic Correspondence: Authority

Illusion: Self-Righteousness

Obligation: Humility

Path: Path 4, the number of depth and stability.

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Monday, November 29, 2010

Ace of Wands reversed/Five of Cups reversed. I only brought one deck with me this weekend, hence the two card throw. The Ace of Wands (Cancer, Leo and Virgo) represents the root of the element of Fire; the Fiery traits have nut yet begun to manifest, but they are there, or at least the potential for their appearance is there. The Five of Cups (Mars in Scorpio) in an upright position tells of emotional disappointments of some kind. This loss usually appears when pleasure was the expected emotion, and while the loss is not the trauma of The Tower or the betrayal of the Three of Swords, it still causes us to stop and think. Both of these cards are reversed, and I know exactly what they are telling me today. They are referring to yesterday, and the fact that my husband misread the time of our flight, and so we missed the flight. I am being told that I should not focus on disappointment or what might have been; instead I need to reconnect with my own personal power, and attract what I want by creating it. I can overcome the inertia caused by disappointment, I have that ability within me. I need to not worry about the details or the formation of a step-by-step plan, but rather I should focus today on tapping into the natural skills I have worked so hard to perpetuate, and use them to manifest my desires.

My horoscopes: Devote the day to your children or partner, Sagittarius. You may protest that it's too hard to find the time to give them the attention they deserve. You don't have time for yourself, much less anyone else. In any case, you will probably feel torn between what is expected of you and what you feel you can realistically give. If you want to dispel the inner tension, take care in the choices you make in the next few weeks.

And: “You've just about had it with being so darned serious. Sure, you had work to do, but it's done. Now it's time to play, and since you've been saving all your energy for this precise moment, you'll have a great time. Your only mission is this: Refuse to let go of the steering wheel until you're sure whomever wants to drive knows what they're doing. At that point, have some fun.

And: “Your emotions are likely to pull you off track if you are not careful today, Nancy. Make sure you give yourself the room you need to breathe. There may be a great deal of indecisiveness on your part that is making it hard for you to take the next step. Don't feel pressured to make a major move at this time. When in doubt, step back and look at the big picture. You will find the answers there.

We had a lovely (but fattening) Thanksgiving holiday, and as stated above, we ended up with a bonus day because Bob misread the departure time of our flight yesterday, and the plane left without us. I am happy that I was able to control my stress because of this, and even though I needed to call in to work and tell them I would not be in until tomorrow, I have kept calm and did not get angry. Thus, I did not ruin a wonderful weekend.

Our trip to Murrell’s Inlet was eventless, all went well. We had a delicious Thanksgiving feast with our friends and their family. Friday, we totally vegged; we watched lots of tv and did a large jigsaw puzzle. Saturday, the boys played golf and the girls went shopping, and then we all got together to have dinner at our favorite steakhouse in Myrtle Beach, New York Prime. Yum!!!!

Last night, we obviously made changes to our plans. We watched more tv, and did another jigsaw puzzle. This morning, we will try again to get home (and LOL, I think **I** will determine what time we leave for the airport).

Since my birthday, I have been kind of probing my inner self very carefully. I really feel that this Fall and Winter are going to end up being pivotal times for me; it seems that I am “settling in” for some reason. I also feel that this is the time for me to finish any ongoing projects. Big things are coming, but they are not near yet. However, stormy weather is on its way; time to decide what is important to me, so that I can protect everything.

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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Death/Justice reversed. Death corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and emotional, sensitive and imaginative energy which strives to take the same path), Scorpio (“I desire,” intense, controlling, compulsive, mysterious), Nun (fish head, liberation), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration). In an upright position, Justice corresponds with Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and quick, animated, intellectual energy usually connected with challenges or problems), Libra (“We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation), Lamed (ox goad, train and teach), and the Path between Tiphareth and Geburah (the place where forms and structures are challenged or affirmed). It seems to me that these two cards are giving me a message, a hint at what I need to focus upon in order to move forward. I need to focus on not fearing what is to come, for whether I realize it or not, the time is now. I need to strive for balance, balance with flexibility as I don’t know what is coming.

My Thoth card is The Hermit. The Hermit corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, material, practical and stable energy which is slow to change), Virgo (“I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented), Yod (open hand, touch), and the Path between Tiphareth and Chesed (crosses Da’ath; the place where forms and structure are stabilized and nurtured). Crowley sees this card as representing hidden knowledge and inspiration, or knowledge and inspiration that is sourced from within. That knowledge and inspiration cannot be accessed unless we withdraw from regular life, unless we embrace silence.

My Legacy card is The Hermit, flavored by the Page of Coins. The Hermit again. Marchetti’s Hermit has a message for me: the journey is the goal. Incredibly important words!! The Page of Coins (Aries, “I want,” assertive, action oriented, Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn, and Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable, dual) tells me that I need to see things realistically, and I need to see Nature as both a venue and a key.

My Pearls of Wisdom solar return card is The Hanged Man. Wow!! "The Hanged Man, though bound, is available to the totality of the experience. He is free from fear of loss. Able to sense the fullness of his own divinity, he is emancipated. In that sensing, all the exigency of sacrifice and difficulty is lost and forgotten. What is left is the wisdom and knowledge of who he is and who we all are. The snake reminds him that the shedding of skin, though difficult, brings beauty and blessings. Paradise is wherever you are, not a place from which humans are exiled because of stolen knowledge." That is from the LWB that came with the deck, and oh boy, does that resonate for me today. This card is validating the message of The Hermit!

My 6-digit date number is 8, which represents the conscious choice to maintain balance.

My horoscopes: “You have a promising day ahead, Sagittarius. Finally, you will advance by leaps and bounds in whatever needs to be done. Whatever has been causing the delays will likely be revealed today. You return to the skill and professionalism you so value after several weeks of halting progress. Don't tolerate any violation of your ethics now or in the future.”

And: “If there's one thing you definitely don't appreciate, it's being manipulated. You can smell it a mile away, and spot the signs with your eyes closed. So when a loved one -- probably a family member or long-term friend you've shared intimate secrets with in the past -- starts winding up, don't just sit there. You already know what they're up to. Give them your answer before they ask the question.”

And: “Get out in the world as much as possible, because you have a great deal to share with others. Relationships with men will go especially well today, so now is a good time to patch up any differences that may be dangling in the air. Open your mind up even wider than it already is and see how your energy fits in with the collective. You have strong opinions that will prove to be very useful in setting the record straight once and for all.”

Today is my solar return, my 56th birthday. How fitting that I threw the Death card today, for indeed, tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life. It has been a strange few weeks, and I cannot believe that tomorrow is Thanksgiving already.

Fitting to my mood, here are my thoughts about the sephiroth of Binah.

Binah (Understanding) is the third sephiroth on the Tree, at the top of the Pillar of Form/Restriction. It is seen as form, as force in pattern, and as the Great Mother and the Womb of Life. Binah offers shadow and contrast, which in turn gives us shape and form. Binah restricts in order to provide a springboard, and that restriction can also be its downfall if it becomes greed. The energies of this sephiroth are the purest of receptive energies, and they act as a balancing opposite to Chokmah.

Binah, the Sphere of the Goddess, and Chokmah, the Sphere of the God, are eternally connected. One cannot exist without the other, for nothing can exist without form ~and~ force; joined together, they are the Web of Life.

My correspondence list for Binah is:

Magickal Image: Mature Woman

Planetary: Saturn

Vice: Avarice

Virtue: Silence

Deity: Mother, Underworld

Spiritual Experience: Vision of Sorrow

Briatic Correspondence: Comprehension

Illusion: Death

Obligation: None

Path: Path 3, the number of new creation from the union of opposites.

Happy Thanksgiving!

$

Friday, November 19, 2010

The Tower/The Horned One reversed. Oh boy, The Tower. This card corresponds with Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change), Mars (action, spontaneity, aggression, drive), Phe (mouth or speech), and the Path between Hod (provides analysis and communication) and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration), and it tells me that the river of divine wisdom and enlightenment is so clogged with crap that it has become dammed up, and is on the verge of destruction. Focusing on the material world is okay, but focusing too much will end up causing me to miss something important, something that might open up the river and allow it to flow freely. Analyzing the situation is good too, but not when I get so caught up in the analysis process that I stop all forward motion. No matter what, that river is getting opened, and if I can’t let go of the things and ideas that need to be released, they will be forcibly taken from me. Sounds like I am being told that the first place to look for things that need to be released is where I keep the things that I just can’t let go of that are presented by The Horned One reversed (Earth, cold/binds and dry/shapes, and stable material, practical energy that is slow to change; Capricorn, “I build,” ambitious, cautious, cunning; Ayin, the eye and senses; and the Path between Hod and Tiphareth, the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify).

My Thoth card is the Six of Disks. “Success,” and thank you Uncle Al, for a positive card. Well, relatively positive anyway. The Thoth Six of Disks (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn) has a heavy feel to it, and I guess in a way that makes sense. We tend to not think about our resources until we feel we might need them. Because the card is upright, it is telling me that I will have a good handle on the resources of my physical world today, maybe even to the point of being able to share with others, and should something be needed, I should be able to find it.

My Legacy card is the Queen of Wands reversed, flavored by the Seven of Cups. The Queen of Wands (cusp of Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, soul growth, spirituality, and Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive) is Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and emotional, sensitive and imaginative energy which prefers to take the same path) of Fire, and because Water and Fire tend to cancel each other out, we are left with Air and Earth. She knows what she wants, but she can be stubborn. That sums this card up perfectly. Because she is reversed, that stubbornness might end up being a liability for me today, especially when flavored by the energies of the Seven of Cups (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, pleasure, in Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling obsessive), and the potential-filled yet dangerous choices presented by that card.

The Gateway to the Divine Tarot, the LWB that comes with the Legacy Tarot, offers this description of the choices presented by the Seven of Cups:

The Wreath corresponds with Saturn and The World.
The Castle corresponds with Mars and The Tower.
The Woman corresponds with Venus and The Empress.
The Snake corresponds with Mercury and The Magician.
The Veil corresponds with the Moon and The High Priestess.
The Jewels correspond with Jupiter and The Wheel of Fortune.
The Dragon corresponds with our Sun and The Sun.

I like that; giving meanings to the choices helps us to apply and understand the energies of this card with more depth and balance.

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

My horoscopes: Consider planning a romantic interlude, Sagittarius. With the influence from today's planetary aspects, it will be easy to connect with that special someone. Go out for dinner with your spouse or partner or make a date with someone new who's caught your eye. Don't let shyness or insecurity stand in your way. If you're single, consider loving the most important person in your life - you - by doing something special.”

And: “Your sign is famous for loving freedom, but a little-known secret is that you're also an extremely devoted partner -- and that goes double if you've found an intellectual equal that you're also attracted to. If you're away from your friends for a few days, they'll just have to understand. If they're really good friends, they will -- especially when you show up wearing a great big grin and actually admit that it might be love.”

And: “If you've been thinking about adopting a pet, this is the day to do it. You just might find the perfect puppy or kitten waiting for you at the pet store, or at the animal shelter. The love bond between you and your new family member should be very strong, and this should enrich your life greatly. Whether you adopt a pet today or not, small animals could prove a powerful source of affection and support today. Enjoy it.”

Chokmah (Wisdom) is the second sephiroth on the Tree, at the top of the Pillar of Force/Expansion. It is seen as dynamic thrust, and as the Ultimate Positive, the Great Stimulator and the Great Fertilizer (one of the symbols of Chokmah is the penis), and thus this sephiroth is connected to the Wheel of the Year. It represents dynamic male energy and is the origin of vital force and polarity. In Chokmah, pure being becomes pure force (and thus, pure formlessness), but not physical force, rather, the idea of force.

Chokmah, the Sphere of the God, is the first pair on the Tree of Life, and of course, in order to truly understand it, we will need to address its counterpart, Binah, the Sphere of the Goddess. That will be a task for another day.

My correspondence list for Chokmah is:

Magickal Image: Bearded Man
Planetary: the Zodiac
Vice: None
Virtue: Devotion
Deity: Father, Priapic Wisdom
Spiritual Experience: Vision of the Source We Seek
Briatic Correspondence: Revolution
Illusion: Independence
Obligation: None
Path: Path 2, the number of balance and polarity.

We are heading North this weekend, instead of South to the ocean and my much loved Cape May, to spend the weekend with friends in New Paltz. Should be an awesome weekend! The weather is going to be beautiful, and we are staying at a house on 13 acres of forest and a pond! I am feeling very much in touch with my own energy field, and I get the feeling that I will have some moments of deep connection to Nature and the Divine.

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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

King of Cups/Six of Swords reversed. The King of Cups (cusp of Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation, and Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling mysterious, obsessive) is the expert on emotions and the subconscious, mainly because of his life experiences. He is good at tending others, but is sometimes not so good at being in touch with his own feelings. The Six of Swords (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, communication, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause oriented, the group, aloof) in an upright position tells of the use of the intellect in order to move away from discord. I am being told that today, my conflicts may end up being within me rather than originating elsewhere. No matter what happens, I should remember that I have the experiences necessary to find my own peace; no running away from problems allowed!

My Thoth card is the Five of Disks. The “Worry” card is how Crowley sees the Five of Disks (Mercury in Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn), but by worry, he means strangling. Kind of like what we do when we have a toothache; we probe the tender area non-stop with our tongue, and all we get out of this effort is a sore tongue to add to the sore tooth. This card tells of the possibility of material troubles, but it offers as a silver lining the opportunity to test my fortitude.

My Thoth card is the King of Coins, flavored by the Two of Cups reversed. The King of Coins (cusp of Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive, and Taurus) is an expert on all concepts of the physical realms. He is diligent and responsible, and pays attention to details; thus, much of what he touches turns to gold. The Two of Cups (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, pleasure, in Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, family and home oriented, nurturing, moody) in an upright position is a card of connections, and of polarity. Because it is reversed, I need to be a bit careful with those that I care about today, for even if I mean well, I could end up taking part in some minor scuffle. A relationship is only as stable as the persons in that relationship, and today the boat may be rocking. This King flavored by the Two of Cups reversed is reminding me that I need to keep my emotions at an even keel so that I can fulfill my responsibilities in a time-honored way. Slow and steady wins the race, and I can’t allow myself to be stressed by the words or actions of others

My 6- digit date number is 11 (Archangel Uriel), which reduces to the number 2, which is the number of balance and polarity. Hmmm . . . “polarity”; there’s that word again.

A pair of Kings; not quite bookends but still, some polarity there. The King of Cups corresponds to Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and emotional, sensitive and imaginative energy that tries to stay the same or take the same path), and is about creative inspiration and emotions; his fields include emotional fulfillment, well-being and creativity. The King of Coins corresponds to Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and physical, material, practical and stable energy that is slow to change), and is about resource allocation and achieving tangible results; his fields include finances, prestige, craftsmanship and construction of all kinds. Neither of these Kings is about transformation the unexpected, and both like to use tried-and-true methods to bring stability and fulfillment to their individual worlds, for the King of Cups, the emotional world of those around him, and for the King of Coins, the physical realm and all who are a part of it.

My horoscopes: “Errands or other short journeys in your neighborhood could result in a chance meeting with someone who could be of great benefit to you in the future, Sagittarius. Opportunities to advance your educational, artistic, or spiritual interests could open up as a result of this meeting. When you go out, make sure you look your best even if you're only going to the grocery store.

Stop me if this sounds familiar. Someone you know and love could soon be offended by something you're about to say, quite off the cuff, in an entirely playful way -- something that comes out sounding like you think it's a lot less serious than you really do. Easy, there. Don't hurt a friend inadvertently. They'll undoubtedly forgive you, but why risk it? Think, just for a second, about how you'd feel if the tables were turned.

Aspects of your life that you have been neglecting lately might come to haunt you on a day like today. Make sure you are keeping up with all your duties and responsibilities. Things may be coming to a dramatic climax at this time and you may find yourself at an important crossroads. Nervous energy might cause you to be running around frantically in search of the right path. Don't let indecision stop you from helping you get to where you need to go.

As promised, I am beginning my re-exploration of the Tree of Life, of course seen through the Tarot. The Tree of Life is made up of ten dimensions or “sephiroth” connected by 22 Paths. There are said to be three levels of existence above the Tree, the farthest above the sephiroth of Kether being Ain or Nothing, the next one in being Ain Soph or Infinity, and the third in, and closest to Kether, being Ain Soph Aur or Infinite Light. These three levels are considered “veils of negative existence,” and they precede being as we can comprehend it. The Source of All would be a concentrated mixture of these three veils or sheaths.

Each sephiroth has a host of correspondences. I am only going to talk about the ones that seem to work for me with my Tarot studies.

Kether (Crown) is the first sephiroth at the top of the Tree, just below Infinite Light. It is the top sephiroth of the Pillar of Balance, and is considered to be the cause of manifestation; not manifestation itself, mind you, but the catalyst which begins the process of manifestation. I tend to get a feel for things by creating correspondence lists; left over from my Sacred Mists Tarot Class, I guess, but keywords work for me. The correspondences of Kether are as follows:

Magickal Image: Bearded Ruler In Profile
Planetary: Prime Mobile
Vice: None
Virtue: Completion of the Great Work
Deity: Creator/Creatrix
Spiritual Experience: Reunion with Source
Briatic Correspondence: Unity
Illusion: Attainment
Obligation: None
Path: Path 1; the number 1 represents potential, and the concept of position.

Kether is both male and female, and even though the Magickal Image is male, it makes sense to remember the non-sexual definition of male, outer and active. We could very easily see the unseen side of the Ruler’s face as being feminine, inner and receptive, and hidden from us until we reunite with Her. Kether receives the energies of the levels above as it is directly below Infinite Light, so it can be said that Kether is receptive to the energies of the Infinite Light (and to the two layers above Infinite Light, Infinity and Nothing). In turn, Kether becomes active because the energies of the sephiroth serve to concentrate the energies of “not being” into the idea of being.

Because Kether represents the culmination of a life’s work toward attaining spiritual growth and evolution, there are no vices associated with this sephiroth. Because it represents the completion of evolution, we most likely won’t experience Kether first hand while living in our physical bodies.

Now, for the Tarot part; Kether corresponds with the four Aces of the Minor Arcana. This actually makes sense, as each Ace represents the powers of its suit that are not yet manifested or offering effects of any kind, but rather these energies are in a state of raw potential. In other words, the Ace of Wands is the root or source of the powers or correspondences of the element of Fire within a reading; the Ace of Cups would be the root or source of the powers or correspondences of the element of Water, the Ace of Swords would be the root or source of the powers or correspondences of the element of Air, and the Ace of Disks or Pentacles would be the root or source of the power or correspondences of the element of Earth.

I guess you could say that Kether represents possibility or potential that is **not** completely beyond comprehension.

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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Death reversed/The Empress reversed. In an upright position, Death corresponds with Water (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and emotional, sensitive energy which attempts to stay on the same course), Scorpio (“I desire,” intense, controlling, mysterious, obsessive), Nun (fish head, liberation), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify), and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration). Death tells of a transformation into the unknown and a shedding of old ideas or perspectives, and since the card is reversed, I see it as validating to me something I suspect: that the process of transformation has happened already. In an upright position, The Empress corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and stable, material, practical energies that are slow to change), Venus (beauty, allure, pleasure, relationships), Daleth (door or womb) and the Path between Binah (female receptive energy and the origin of form and structure) and Chokmah (dynamic male energy and the origin of vital force and polarity). She represents creativity, fertility, the physical body and its senses, and the material world and the workings of Nature. Big changes have been happening for me, but I think that at least for now, the process of letting go of what I don’t need is completed, and the Threshold has already been passed. I am not yet ready to manifest these changes in an outer manner, nor am I ready to use these changes as tools of creation; instead, I need to take the time to examine myself, to get to know this “new” self, in the quiet of the pre-dawn hours, when everyone else is still asleep. Soon enough, the first birds will call out and then I will need to focus on my physical senses and the workings of Nature around me in my outer world, but that time has not yet come.

My Thoth card is the Queen of Swords. Crowley sees the Queen of Swords (cusp of Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented, and Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation, ideas) as a keen observer who swiftly and accurately interprets her world. She may appear outwardly as a good candidate for a judgeship because of her perception and insight, however she sometimes allows emotions to affect her judgments. Whatever the situation, she values honesty and truth above all else, and sees difficulties as learning experiences; these are her messages to me today. And to Jen of the PBT, as well. **wink**

My Legacy card is The Devil reversed, flavored by the Queen of Swords reversed. Bookends again, this time the Queen of Swords!! In an upright position, The Devil corresponds with 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 Devil is about bondage, addiction and restrictions of all kinds, often connected to the physical world; because the card is reversed, I am being told that today, any restrictions that have in the past held me back from moving forward will now be fading away. It is the outer attractiveness of the Queen of Swords which can be a danger; this Queen of Swords reversed is relying only on her intellect and is not allowing her emotions or feelings to balance things out. This situation creates the danger of possible cruelty, deceit or unreliability, for the intellect often focuses on knowledge in its purest form, without allowing that knowledge to be tempered with ethics and a concern for the nature of the ultimate outcome. She is reminding me that while I may be reveling in the newfound freedom presented by the ebbing of the energies of The Devil, I should not allow my own relief to blind me to my affects on others.

It appears that besides all the individual and collected meanings of my cards lately, I am also to think about the concept of polarity and its role in the creation of balance; hence all these “bookend pairs.”

My 6-digit date number is 10, the number of completion of manifestation, which further reduces to the number 1, which represents beginnings and the concept of position.

My horoscopes: “Obstacles that you encountered in attaining your cherished goals could suddenly seem to melt away, clearing the way to make your dreams come true, Sagittarius. This could involve physical health, plans for travel and education, and self-expression. You could also feel especially passionate now, so a romantic evening with that special someone would be particularly enjoyable. You feel great, so look your best, too!”

And: “You've spent most of your waking hours thinking about one particular person -- someone from the past. Now, finally, you have the chance to actually spend some time alone with them. You've got a lot to say, and you're finally ready to say it -- and they do, too. Let them go on as long as they like -- first -- then take your turn. Think of it as an investment in the future. If the adage holds true, the third time is a charm -- and doesn't this make three?”

And: “You know that a lot of people are almost constantly trying to provoke you. But over the years, you have been able to master your feelings and you don't always respond to provocation. You are, after all, a modern woman! You are always ready to stand strong and you are not afraid to fight for what you believe in. But you just don't show it every day!”

I feel wonderful today! I finally connected with the Goddess again on the way home last night from our Pagan Brain Trust meeting, the first time in days that I have felt Her energies. I feel a renewed focus.

I have a new essay posted on the Sacred Mists Blog, about Watchers, which is one result of my efforts to understand Watchers. Here is a link to my essay: http://sacredmistsblog.com/the-watchers-and-the-four-royal-stars-of-persia. I even remembered a brief piece of a dream! Mystery and I were either in India or Africa, and some of the local farmers were having problems with a herd of elephants. The elephants were breaking into the farmers' fields at night and poaching the crops. The farmers had decided that the best thing to do would be to thin the herd. You and I both tried to convince them that there had to be alternatives, but we could not. The needs of the farmers were more immediate, because the village had many children and there just would not be enough food if the elephants kept dining on the crops, especially considering the size of the herd.

So, we both decided that the most we could do was to sit just outside the village the night of the hunt, and watch out for the spirits or life forces of the elephants who got killed, as those life forces left the physical bodies of the elephants and left the physical plane. We were going to offer a blessing to each of them, maybe even attempt to apply Reiki if we could, just to counteract the trauma of being forced out of their physical bodies.

Our PBT night was quite intense, as always. Just before I left, we all looked back on our discussions, and marveled. We tend to talk about huge concepts at some point each time we get together; we offer our own views, and validate the views of each other. Last night, we discussed methods for bringing together the physical world (and our physical selves) and the spiritual world (and the life forces which use the physical body as a vehicle). We reminded ourselves that each sheath of existence is connected and cannot be separated, no matter how much we believe they can be. We talked about technology, and how the focuses of science are gradually circling around, back to the beliefs of our ancestors. We talked about our own hopes for a future culture that uses technology hand in hand with an awareness of and connection to the natural world around us and its myriad of useful energies. And each of us took a moment to personally validate that connection.

As above, so below. Check.

We also talked about each of our experiences with more advanced studies which have come to us all, as we travel upon our individual Paths. We came to a consensus that despite the fact that none of us is Travelling alone (and we acknowledged that indeed, we each needed the support and love of our Companions, both PBT-ers and otherwise, in order to be healthy, in order to move forward into the unknown), the deeper we each immersed ourselves in the Mysteries connected to our own Paths, the more solitary each of our Journeys was becoming. As close as we all are, we each have our own individual focus, and the understandings that are coming to use are experiential in nature, and difficult to describe. The awesome thing about that is that together, we are all the softness and compassion that is The Star which is supported by a foundation of having survived the trauma of The Tower; we are all the courage to boldly move into the unknown without forgetting our responsibility to our fellow Travelers that is the power of The Sun; we are all the skilled and intensely trained Magus who is able to tap into all four elements at the same time in order to access their individual powers, and focus their effects to create what is desired; and we are all the keepers of hidden knowledge, knowledge that we have strived mightily to obtain, and knowledge that we offer to those who are willing to do the work needed to understand it, for The High Priestess is also a Gatekeeper.

Validation, support, and understanding. Check.

And as I drove home, much later than it should have been, my Patroness, Danu, came to me. I was filled with Her warm, loving essence, to overflowing. She smiled and told me that I must never stop pushing the envelope. Yes, I need to honor where I have been and what it took to come this far, and I must honor the possibilities that are the future, but I must never stop asking the tough questions, even if the answers are not readily apparent. I must never stop picking things apart in order to understand them. Each time I break something down, do the work to understand its components, and then reassemble the original concept with a deeper understanding of how and why it works for me, I am bringing my own vibrational levels to a new height. This is what life is about.

Then, Danu smiled and led me to Her altar. The altar was plain and unadorned with its usual flowers and grains and shells and other bounties, and the candles were dark, as if this altar were honoring the Dark Moon instead of the Full Moon. Danu hugged me from behind, and then whispered softly in my left ear, “Sometimes the light must come from within.” And there it was, the Aha! moment that I knew was around here somewhere.

Danu is showing me why Hecate just tasked me with doing a ritual in Hecate’s honor at the New Moon; Danu is also telling me that I need to reconnect with my own Core Value Anchor, and my own Source of personal energy, and use that connection. No matter how deep our connection is to the Sacred, the love and focus and Will and Intent need to begin within us. If we do not have the ability to locate that spark of Sacredness that is within us so that we can fan it to life during rituals and workings, then we cannot truly commune with Deity. I am being tasked with finding my own light. “And you who seek to know Me, know that the seeking and yearning will avail you not, unless you know the Mystery: for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without. For behold, I have been with you from the beginning, and I am That which is attained at the end of desire.”

New purpose and renewal of focus. Check.

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Monday, November 15, 2010

The Star/Seven of Wands reversed. Bookend Major again! The Star corresponds with Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and quick, animated and intellectual energy that can assist in dealing with problems or challenges), Aquarius (“I know,” friendships, the group, progressive, eccentric, aloof), Tsadi (fish hook, experience or thought), and the Path between Yesod (the place where patterns and images emerge that may manifest into the physical world) and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration). The Star is a card of hope; it tells me that while things may not seem to be working well right now, the dawn is approaching; I just need to have faith that help will arrive with the dawn. The Seven of Wands (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, egotistical, selfish) in an upright position tells of being able to defend ones position, and personally, this card always tells me of a Gateway (and a Guardian of that Gateway) that needs to be addressed. Because the Seven is reversed, I might need to figure out just where I stand and what I believe in, for defending a position I don’t understand is not courageous, it is foolish.

My Thoth card is the Six of Swords. The “Science” card, the Six of Swords (Mercury, reason, intelligence, orderliness, communication, in Aquarius) tells of intellect that is able to turn away from discord and quarrels, and move to a better place.

My Legacy card is The Star reversed, flavored by the Nine of Coins reversed. The Star is not about practical solutions, and my reversed Star is a reminder to me of that fact. This does not belittle in any way the hope and optimism and faith associated with The Star, and I need to be aware that I might be shutting myself off from some of my best tools. The Nine of Coins (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, in Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented) is flavoring this Star reversed, and adding to the reminder. Too much discipline is not a good thing, because the burden could drag me down even further. Perhaps I need a bit of a vacation from the discipline; then I might see a return of optimism.

My 6-digit date number is 9, the number of completeness of experience or effect.

My horoscopes: “You may have had a hard time lately reaching your objectives. Unfortunately for you, Sagittarius, today will be no different. You may begin to feel a bit dissatisfied with the way your life is going at the moment. You will ask yourself certain questions about your goals. Does your personal life live up to those goals? Can you express your wonderful creativity as much as you'd like?”

And: “There's a larger-than-life personality giving you the eye today. They may be picking you out for a future partnership of some sort (romantic, business or social). Are they the type of person you want to align yourself with? Don't let their flashy, sassy attitude blind you to their true nature. But at the same time, don't assume that their boisterousness is hiding a great deficit in their character. Get to know them at your own pace, and decide when you have enough information.”

And: “The vow of silence you took recently is finally coming to an end. This was a great help to you because you had had enough of taking everything apart, finding an explanation for everything, theorizing on everything and even dehumanizing your thoughts. Great schemes are great in books, but they don't always come true in real life. Today, don't be afraid to talk about things, but just be sure and use a bit more moderation.”

Things are still a bit strange. Still no real sense of sacred energies, and I am working hard at getting my body back in shape. I am feeling the urge to give the Tree of Life another look. I will be posting my thoughts over the next few days. Needless to say, I will be viewing the Tree of Life through the symbolism of the Tarot!

Pagan Brain Trust tonight!!

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Saturday, November 13, 2010

The Chariot/The Magician. The Chariot corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and sensitive, imaginative energy which attempts to stay in the same path), which is pretty evident by the image on the Llewellyn Welsh card, a warrior driving a chariot that is being pulled by two white horses who are being created by the force of a wave. This card also corresponds with Cancer (“I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody), Cheth (the fence), and the Path between Geburah (the place where forms and structures are challenged or affirmed) and Binah (female, receptive energy and the origin of form and structure), and is about the ability to control emotions and make use of them for the greater good. The Magician corresponds with Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts; and quick, animated and intellectual energy that presents itself through problems or challenges), Mercury (reason, intelligence, skill, communication), Beth (house, builder), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Kether (the Source, limitless possibility), and is also about an ability, the ability to transform. The power that The Magician accesses may come from somewhere other than inside of him, but without a conduit to focus the power, that power will disburse and not be able to manifest. The Magician is that conduit. These are two very strong cards, but they are not necessarily strong in a physical fashion; rather, they tell of emotional strength and the strength that comes from having confidence in ones abilities.

My Thoth card is the Prince of Swords reversed. Crowley sees the Prince of Swords (cusp of Taurus, “I have,” sensual, physical, cautious, stubborn) and Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable, dual, talkative) as a person whose mind is filled with brilliantly lit ideas, each strong and undirected and all bouncing off of each other, creating chaos. Crowley sees him as also being unstable of purpose, and since the card is reversed, I may not have these problems with my intellect today. Perhaps I will be able to sort throught the ideas bouncing around, and successfully select one or two upon which I can effectively focus.

My Legacy card is The Six of Coins reversed, flavored by The Chariot reversed. Hmmmm . . . bookend Chariots!! The Six of Coins (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Taurus) is an interesting card, and in reality it does not have a reversed meaning. It is about resources, those I have and those I don’t have, and deciding which of these two is negative would certainly depend upon the individual situation. The effects of this card tend to lessen the extremes of the haves and the have nots, and they tend to remind each of the effects of The Wheel. I may need to attempt to be aware of the balance between having and not having today.

I am going to address the two Chariots separately. I compared the two cards, the Welsh Chariot and the Legacy Chariot, and there are two big differences. First, the image on the Welsh Chariot is in the daylight; the Legacy Chariot appears to be at night, for there is a waxing moon in the sky. Second, the Welsh Chariot is being driven by a male warrior; the Legacy Chariot is being driven by a woman. Obviously the Welsh Chariot focuses on the masculine energies of the element of Water, the outer and active effects, and the Legacy Chariot focuses on the feminine energies of the element of Water, the inner and receptive effects. Since the Legacy Chariot is reversed, I am being told that it is the outer and active effects of this card that I should focus upon.

My 6-digit date number is 7, representing the pause that comes as balance begins to degenerate and changer, and the assessment necessary in order to determine if more action is necessary.

My horoscopes: “Today could be rather constraining, Sagittarius. Despite your great aspirations, today will be marked by the need to take care of the small problems that arise in everyday life. In other words, just what you love. That said, a little bit of being more down to earth or in contact with the realities of the world can never do anything but good to those born under the sign of Sagittarius."

And: “You know that release you feel when you unbutton the top of your jeans after a huge feast? An unexpected cancellation, postponement or change in plans will give you that same wonderful sense of relaxation and relief now. Make the most of it and fill up your newly flexible time with the things that need to be addressed. A quick shuffle will put things in the right priority and line everything up so you can neatly knock things down."

And: “Your playful attitude will be a welcomed addition to the rather sober, restrictive tone to the day. On the other hand, it may behoove you to join in with the seriousness in order to accomplish what you need to get done. The choice is up to you; however, you are probably most wise to spend this day taking care of chores and nagging errands that you have been putting off for quite some time."

Things have been feeling strange these past few days. Since Thursday, my awareness of the Divine has been overshadowed by my own personal energy field. I get the feeling that I need to renew my connection to the workings of my physical body, and to the ebbs and flows of my personal energy field, in order to be certain where my strengths lie and which weaknesses must be addressed now. I think that perhaps They are also assisting me to process everything I have learned this Summer and Fall, by removing Their essences, which are such a lovely distraction.

And so, I am taking these next few days to really reconnect with my own body, and with the energy that I can raise through movement and through meditation. Perhaps this is the perfect focus for me as Deity rests.

And it seems that this is a time to catch up on my responsibilities in my day-to-day world as well. Catching up and cleaning out are empowering acts unto themselves. And since I am being directed to focus on myself and my world, I will take advantage of these flows of energies.

I spent my day out in my garden, doing a Fall cleanup. Things grew, really grew, this Summer, and everything needed to be cut back for the Winter. I also raked piles of leaves into the garden beds; hopefully the leaves will begin to break down over the Winter months, fertilizing the soil naturally. It was a lovely day, and I felt refreshed as I worked under the blue sky and the warm sun, but soon enough it was getting dark, so I came inside, ran a bath, and meditated amidst lavender bubbles.

Archangel Uriel came to me in my meditation, and told me that my focus was correct. It was time to prepare my body and strengthen my connection to my personal energy field, for that which approaches. For a long moment, I stared into His blazing golden eyes, and then He was gone.

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Six of Cups/Queen of Cups reversed. The Six of Cups (Sun, the inner core of a person or situation, in Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, obsessive) is about simple pleasures, about enjoying effects or events even if (or maybe particularly because) they cost no money at all. And that enjoyment is not done in a solitary fashion, for it is so much more fulfilling to share our pleasures with others. The Queen of Cups (cusp of Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative sociable, dual, and Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody) in an upright position represents someone who is not only very in touch with her own emotions and her subconscious, and who hears her Inner Voice with clarity, but also someone who is very good at helping others to get in touch with their own emotions, subconscious and Inner Voice. She is reversed today, which might be telling me that I may not feel that I want to interact with others in this fashion today, as is expected of me. However, that Six of Cups is telling me that there is a carrot on the end of the stick, and the interaction might feel nicer than I expect.

My Thoth card is the Six of Cups reversed. Crowley calls the upright Six of Cups the “Pleasure” card, and he feels this is one of the best cards in the Tarot. LOL, big praise from Uncle Al. The pleasure represented by this card in an upright position is pleasure that is well on the way to reaching maximum, but not quite there yet, so it is still vibrant and fertile. Because the card is reversed, it could be warning me that all these Cups in my throw today could be turning me into a Cups addict, and I need to beware of claiming too much of what is in the Cup.

My Legacy card is Death reversed, flavored by the Queen of Coins reversed. Death corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts and energies that are sensitive, imaginative and tend to stay the same), Scorpio, Nun (fish head, liberation), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration), and in an upright position it would tell of an exciting (and maybe frightening) transformation that could be happening at this very moment. Because the card is reversed (and taking into consideration my own growth), I am being told that the threshold has already been passed through; the time of ending is over, and I need to begin to look forward now. But before I begin my new journey, I need to take inventory. Now is the time to leave behind the things that I no longer need. The Queen of Coins (cusp of Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering, and Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution, cunning, authoritative) in an upright position is very good at sustaining the physical world, keeping things dry and cozy and safe and orderly; her main weakness is that her focus on protecting and maintaining can sometimes cross the line into obsession. Because she is reversed, that tendency to obsess is flavoring the Death reversed, and I need to remind myself that while creating a strong and stable foundation is a good thing, sooner or later (probably sooner!) I need to move away from the predictable and venture into the unknown. And I can’t allow her to do the inventory, or we won’t get rid of anything!

Hmmm . . . two Queens today, both reversed. The Queen of Cups is about tapping into the flows of emotions and the subconscious, while the Queen of Coins/Pentacles is about making decisions that bring tangible results. They both touch on health, one more on emotional health and the other on the physical systems of the body; since both emotions and the physical body are related, there may be some disconnect today regarding a health matter.

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

My horoscopes: “Today is going to be a great day for you, Sagittarius. You aren't one to embrace rules, constraints, or restrictions of any kind, preferring instead to reside in a fantasy world where no limitations apply. Have you considered that it's possible for you to join the rest of us here on earth and still retain your liberty and ideals?” LOL, eerrr . . . no??

And: “You will see some big bright signs that will prove to you that you are on to something -- keep following your instincts and keep going in the direction that feels right. There is a role that you never thought would fit that you're starting to get comfortable in -- just goes to show you that life always has surprises that help keep you on your toes. Community involvement could give you a bigger sense of purpose, so consider moving into a volunteer situation.”

And: “Today, you will be destabilized by the day's events. What should you decide to do when all your efforts will seem vain? You could come to the conclusion that there is no need to try to make things change. But somehow, the very same day, everything becomes simple almost childlike. You could say that sometimes life is hard to understand.”

I have come to enjoy taking a few moments each day and sitting by Danu’s Well. I don’t feel the need to jump again; perhaps it is not yet my time. But sitting there, I can feel a huge pulsating energy emanating from the depths of the Well that causes my solar plexus chakra to open wide and my Hara Point to throb. This is such an amazing and powerful feeling! And connecting with this energy also offers me rejuvenation; if I am tired, either physically or mentally, just a few minutes sitting besides the Well, connecting with its energies is enough to jump-start me.

Last night, just before bed, I allowed myself to approach Danu’s Well. Tonight there was no fog, although the nighttime air was damp and cool. I sat besides the Well (which glowed ever so slightly with an orangy-red light, as if some fire was burning way down in its depths), closed my eyes and concentrated on the lovely pulsing in my core. After a bit, I was joined by Erell (one of my Spirit Guides; his story is within this journal).

Erell smiled and with a twinkle in his handsome, dark eyes, he asked me what I thought of Danu’s Well. I told him that I had never known anything like it, and it was in many ways a fascinating enigma. I described my attempt to discover what was at the bottom of the Well, and he nodded and agreed that perhaps the time had not come for me to experience the Source. But the time had certainly come for me to know of Her Well.

I told Erell that what I felt when I sat besides the Well was more than enough for me at this time. I described the incredible pulsing energy that fills my solar plexus chakra and my Hara Point as I sit besides the Well. Erell looked surprised! He then told me that he feels the power being emitted here, but he feels that power in and around his third eye chakra, not his solar plexus chakra. He wondered if everyone would experience the energy of this place in a different way.

Suddenly I saw a connection. I experience the energy of Danu’s Well through my solar plexus chakra, which is the seat of the Sacred Masculine and all masculine (outer and active) energy within our bodies; Erell experiences the energy of Danu’s Well through his third eye chakra, which is the seat of the Sacred Feminine and all feminine (inner and receptive) energy within our bodies. Perhaps this energy is in part a catalyst for balance!

Again, Erell looked surprised, and then he smiled and nodded. This made perfect sense to us both. I don’t know if I am right, but time will surely tell!

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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The Tower/Queen of Pentacles. The Tower corresponds with Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change) Mars (action, spontaneity, aggression, drive) Phe (mouth or speech), and the Path between Hod (provides analysis and communication) and Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify). This card has a powerful message; all you have to do is look at the traditional image of The Tower, and you figure that out. It is about change, sudden, powerful and chaotic change that completely changes our world in the blink of an eye, usually leaving us asking “WTF just happened?” There are two things I need to remember today: first, hanging on to the way things always have been might not be the best plan, and second, sometimes destruction is necessary for new growth. All the walls may get knocked down today, even those that are the tower of my ego. The Queen of Pentacles (cusp of Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering, and Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution, cunning, authoritative) is one of my favorite Court Cards. She is in effect a mirror of The Empress who brings the messages of The Empress lower in vibration, so that all can understand them. Her specialty is sustaining the physical world, keeping things dry and cozy and safe during the storms of life, and her only weakness is that her focus on protecting and maintaining can sometimes cross the line into obsession. Interestingly enough, it is this very obsession that can often cause The Tower to rear its head, and perhaps I am being given a hint as to what could have led to the energies of The Tower impacting my day.

My Thoth card is the Three of Swords. **gulp** The Three of Swords (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitations and resistance, in Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation) is named “Sorrow” by Crowley, and while I do see this card as definitely indicating the possibility of experiencing sorrow, I think this card also tells of the potential for experiencing the isolation that comes when we are excluded from something. What makes this card so potent is that the discomfort it hints at has a more universal feel to it; it’s not just about stubbing your toe on the shoes that your husband left in the middle of the hallway, it’s about being conscious of the pain that sometimes comes because of basic differences in focus that can happen between two people. Because of Libra’s flavoring in this card, it is likely that if the Three of Swords does manifest in my day, its effects will involve another person and not be initiated solely from within myself.

My Legacy card is the Ten of Coins, flavored by the Seven of Coins. The Ten of Coins (Mercury, reason, intelligence, orderliness, communication, in Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented) may be a happy card, as it indicates the realization of all that I have worked for in the physical realms, but it also is a card of warning. If I don’t do something with what I have, all those blessings end up turning into burdens that need to be cared for, kind of like what happens when you put money in a savings account and then the bank’s fees slowly eat away at it. The Seven of Coins (Saturn in Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, physical, stubborn) is another card that is filled with inertia; it tells of an assessment of accomplishments thus far, but it also warns us that the work is not over, and we need to “use it or lose it.” Lots of suggestions to see and be aware of what I have, but also lots of warnings that if I stop too long to look at all the shinys, I will lose my momentum.

My 6-digit date number is 3, the number of new creation out of the polarized balance of the number 2.

My horoscopes: “If you knew the truth of all the things that are going on outside your world, you'd be appalled, Sagittarius. You shouldn't take things at face value today. It's important to simply go and see things for yourself. Don't trust another's word on what is true and what isn't. Question what you see. Make sure you don't let others pull the wool over your eyes.”

And: “At work you could very likely have the feeling that something new is starting. Is it a new project for which you've just been tapped as lead? Or is it that new cutie that just started in accounting? Or the smell of coffee from the new cappuccino maker? Whatever it is, follow your instincts wherever they lead. They'll find something new. Work could be quite a roller-coaster ride now, complete with highs, lows and loops galore. Each new twist presents a new opportunity for you. Just don't let your fear obscure your options -- otherwise, you'll miss what's coming up around the bend.”

And: “It may seem as if someone has dumped a huge bucket of water over your head today. Your fire is extinguished. Keep in mind that this is only temporary and that your internal flame will be rekindled soon. For now, however, you may want to take this time to slow down and relax. Use this as an opportunity to reflect and tune in to your sensitive, caring nature. Sit back and let someone else take the reins.”

I had an interesting moment during my morning ritual; Danu came to me as I opened my crown chakra, spilling Her soft and vibrant energy through my chakras and energy meridians, flushing out the debris of life and replacing that debris with Her silvery light. She then told me that my time of testing had come.

Danu explained to me that learning is necessary, throughout life, but at some point I need to make use of the skills and abilities I have already acquired. I need to make them all an everyday part of my life, use them in different situations, for it is only in using them that I will become aware of my own strengths and my own weaknesses. That point in time was now, and Danu explained to me that I needed to step up and make use of my skills and abilities in every facet of my day-to-day life, and with a smile, She told me not to worry, for if I missed a particular focus or direction, the circumstances of the day will give me a wake-up call.

Danu also reminded me that chaos and destruction are not to be feared. She reminded me of Her own Consort, the God, whose Cycle of Life includes the trauma of birth, the ecstasy of union with Goddess, and then the destruction of His Incarnation in the current Cycle.

After all, without trauma and ecstasy and destruction, life would be bland, and life would not be immortal. It is through the presence of both ecstasy and trauma that we all are able to learn and grow, and be tested so that we experience confidence and courage. We cannot understand trauma unless we also understand ecstasy; one is needed in order to understand the other. It is as if trauma and hurt and suffering act as a corrosive that hollows out a place within us, and then that place is filled by our joys and triumphs and moments of serenity. That cauldron would not be there, would not be large enough and strong enough to be a vessel for our ecstasies, without the effects of the more difficult aspects of life and living.

Her message is timely, for look at my cards today! Both The Tower ~and~ the Three of Swords! But Danu is right; I do feel up to the challenge, even though I hope it does not materialize. And my three Pentacles cards give me some valuable advice as far as what to look for and how to be today.

Speaking of Danu, I finally did it, I jumped into Danu’s Well. I fell and fell and fell, endlessly; at first my stomach turned and I spun out of control, but then I put my arms and legs out, careful to not brush against the walls of the Well as I plummeted downward, and steadied myself. I could feel the wind, see it blowing my hair, and with some effort, I kept myself steady and flat as I fell. And fell. And fell.

Just as I became convinced that I would never stop falling, I shot out of the tube of rock that was the Well, into what appeared to be an endless dark void, totally black. I was still falling; I knew that much because I could feel the winds pushing against me, but with no reference points in the inky darkness, I could not tell how fast I was dropping. I kept looking around, and finally, I saw something below me, a dark gray wall stretching out in all directions as far as I could see. What was it? Was it fog or smoke? Was it stone? Would I pass through it? Or would I be smashed by it?

The wall continued to approach, and suddenly I decided that if I was going to die, I would choose to do so with strength. I twisted myself like a competitive high diver, changing my body’s position from horizontal (in an effort to slow and control my descent) to vertical, with arms stretched out in front of me. If that wall was solid, I was dead anyway; might as well make my exit spectacular.

The closer I got, the faster the surface moved toward me. Then it was there! In one brief moment, I broke through what felt like pastry or a huge cracker, with a crackle and a sense of breaking through something solid but only just barely so. And then, I stopped falling.

I opened my eyes to bright light, white with a greenish tinge here and there, so bright that I could not see very well. But here is the strange thing: I did not feel human any more. Oh, I was seeing, and smelling this lovely fragrance of earth and flowers and leaves, and I was feeling comfortable and cool air against my skin, but my senses were a bit off and I was not perceiving my surroundings in a normal way. I can’t describe the difference; no reference points to compare. I looked down at myself, squinting in the bright light, and to my surprise, I did not have a physical body!!! I was a bright spark of white light, glistening and twinkling like those photos of stars taken with the Hubble Telescope.

Suddenly, I felt myself being pulled backwards, as if I was being sucked back the way I came into this realm, slowly at first but then with more strength and speed. I tried to stay; I wanted to understand where I was and what I was feeling, but there was nothing to hold onto. I passed back through the hole I had punched into the wall, and as I moved faster and faster, I watched the wall fade into darkness. Then I was back in the Well, flying upward. Without warning, I popped out and fell down hard in the grassy meadow next to the bedrock surrounding the Well.

I lay there for a while, catching my breath, and finally I took stock of my astral body gently. Only bruises, thankfully. I am still wondering what realm I entered when I jumped into Danu’s Well.

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Monday, November 8, 2010

Ten of Pentacles reversed/Knight of Cups reversed. The Ten of Pentacles (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, communication, in Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented) is actually a very heavy card whose energies can weigh you down. Because it tells of the completion of a cycle of the suit, it also tells of the successful accumulation of Earthly riches and blessings. The challenge of the Ten of Pentacles is to **do** something with these riches before they become a ball and chain. Because the card is reversed, I am being told that there is still some momentum within my physical world, but I need to be warned that there is a potential for me to focus not on what I can do with my blessings, but rather solely on those blessings, as possessions rather than as catalysts. The Knight of Cups (cusp of Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause-oriented, and Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, suffering, soul growth) in an upright position tells of a person who focuses intensely on feelings and emotions and the Inner Voice, which can either be a good thing, or it can tell of a time of imbalance with too much emotion and not enough grounding. When I see reversed Knights, I usually see them as presenting the negative possibilities associated with a pure application of the correspondences of the suit, so I need to be sure to focus on balance today as far as my emotions are concerned.

My Thoth card is the Queen of Disks. There’s the balance I need! The Queen of Disks (cusp of Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering, and Capricorn, “I build,” ambitious, cautious, authoritative, cunning) is practical, and she focuses on nurturing the body and the surroundings. Crowley sees her as representing the finest of the quieter qualities or traits. This Queen tends to use instinct and intuition rather than intellect in order to process her world, and her happiness largely depends on the strength and quality of her connection to the world around her.

My Legacy card is the Ace of Swords reversed, flavored by the Three of Swords reversed (whew!!). Friday I threw this Ace reversed, along with another Swords card. Sounds like the suit of Swords is still important to me today! The most painful thing about the Three of Swords (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitations and resistance, in Libra, “we are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation) is the sense of isolation that is brought by betrayal or unexpected hurt. Partnerships always benefit from both discipline and cooperation, and when those two become unbalanced, hurt or betrayal inevitably results. The Three is reversed, so while there is still a potential for some confusion or loss to impact my day in an uncomfortable way, compassion is also available to smooth the way. The Three being reversed somewhat negates the disconnect to the intellect presented by the Ace; however both cards did appear, so I need to be alert.

My 6-digit date number is 11 (Archangel Uriel), which reduces to 2, the number of polarity, balance, the line and distance between two points.

My horoscopes: “Today is well suited for making new friends, Sagittarius. Your sense of adventure is undoubtedly up to it! You will be your usual confident self, but others will seem to respond to your charisma even more than usual. At a party, you may meet someone who lives far away who invites you to visit at a later date. What a wonderful opportunity for travel!”

And: “Whatever emerges from your lips on a daily basis is always surprising, and never quite much of a shock to those who know and love you. For people who aren't quite so familiar with you personally, however, or with your own startling style astrologically, today's announcement may come as something of a shock. Keep that in mind, and try to be gentle. Just a tad. It wouldn't hurt to go easy on anyone who's just now getting to know you. Might make it easier, in fact.”

And: “Things may seem a little cloudy from your vantage point today, but this is no reason to be blue. It could be that adjustments need to be made before you are able to relate to others on a smooth basis. Take this opportunity to attend to things that you normally wouldn't think of dealing with. See things from another walk of life. Realize the fun of just staying close to home and falling asleep on the couch while watching a good movie.”

My cards have been presenting a confused message for the past few days, with possible upheavals appearing in my mind or intellect, and in my emotions, feelings and inner self, but there always seems to be one card that acts as a tether or a safe haven. This makes lots of sense to me.

I had pretty much a very quiet weekend, after a week of fighting a head cold. My Thai Massage partner, Helen, and I went out to eat on Friday night, got together Saturday afternoon to work on our website, and to give each other a Thai Massage. Except for a few hours working in my beloved garden on Sunday afternoon, most of the rest of the weekend involved my Sacred Mists responsibilities.

On Friday evening, as I drove down to Cape May, I meditated on the changes I have felt in my own energy field. This year, I have really noticed a difference in the background energies, and the change occurred almost exactly at midnight between Samhain and November 1. That is the time when the energies of the Sacred Masculine withdraw from our world, in order to rest for rebirth at Yule. This time between the end of Samhain and the morning of Yule is the “dark moon” stage of the solar year, a time when the energies of the God are pretty much absent. Traditionally, this has been a time to look within, to process what has been learned over the past months, and to begin planning for the next steps to be taken.

Perhaps because I have been working so intensely with Cernunnos this year, to the point of formally dedicating myself to Him at Beltane, I am sensing a sudden and potent change in those background energies and the way I perceive myself and my world. Initially, it felt like I was dealing with a numbness, kind of like when you first enter a dark room and your brain needs to make the switch from using the signals being sent by your eyes, to the signals being sent by your ears and your nose and your skin. After a few moments, your hearing becomes sharpened and subtle scents come to you, because you are no longer using your eyes, with their overwhelming input of information.

This situation is the same. For the first day or two, I was a bit confused, but now, new and exciting information seems to be coming to me. As I type this, I remember a powerful meditation I did in conjunction with the Archangel Uriel, which involved me agreeing to have the “physical” eyes of my astral body destroyed; another important connection to past information I had received through my efforts to learn about myself and my world.

In keeping with this, Hecate came to me during that meditation on Friday night. She gave me a task: She wanted me to perform a ritual in Her honor at sundown on Saturday, and she wanted me to perform this ritual without saying or even thinking a single word. Hecate asked me to perform the entire rite with only visualizations, images, visual sigils and gestures.

This was harder than I thought it would be, and I expected it to be a bit challenging. I tend to use keywords for just about every step of ritual, in order to free my mind and focus for other things. I have gotten out of the habit of taking the time to in effect build the desired manifestation from scratch. Hecate is bringing me back to basics for sure.

My working was not perfect by any means, and I caught myself many times using words, but stopped myself and substituted visualizations and effects. Besides the reminder that I need to work those particular “mental muscles,” once I had cast my circle and called my directional energies, and then invited Hecate to my circle, I had a moment in the deep twilight of my back room when I sensed some amazing, chaotic dark energy! It startled me, with its roiling, strong currents shifting direction unexpectedly, and I was unable to remain connected to it for long.

But, I will have other chances. Once my ritual was over, before She left, Hecate told me that this is now a part of my work with Her. Besides my dusk and dawn chants, She wants me to repeat this ritual every lunar month, within 24 hours of the exact time of the New Moon.

Tomorrow, I will post describing my experiences with Danu’s Well. This certainly is turning out to be an interesting Winter already. Without the bright and intense presence of the God, I am seeing and learning of things that would have otherwise been drowned out.

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Tuesday, November 2, 2010

The Lovers reversed/Nine of Pentacles reversed. The Lovers (Air, hot/separates and wet/adapts, quick and animated, intellectual, problems or challenges; Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, sociable, dual; Zayin, double-edged sword; and the Path between Tiphareth and Binah, female receptive energy and the origin of form and structure) is a very powerful card for me personally, filled with symbolism, the least of which is the presence of Archangel Uriel and His effects on my day. Because the card is reversed, I am being “pinged” because I am missing something that might have to do with one-to-one relationships or any personal choices or decisions that need to be made. The Nine of Pentacles (Venus in Virgo) in an upright position is about accomplishments within the physical realms; since it too is reversed, I may very well feel a powerful disconnect within my physical world activities today. I may not be effective in work, at home, or regarding health or money. Oy.

My Thoth card is the Prince of Disks reversed. In an upright position, this card represents a person who diligently (and boringly) completes every responsibility to the letter. “Neither rain nor snow nor sleet nor the gloom of night . . .” certainly applies to the Prince of Disks (cusp of Leo and Virgo), but he lacks any emotion or compassion or creativity at all. Because the Prince is reversed, I may find that I have that emotion and compassion and creativity, but not being grounded at all can be a problem, too.

My Legacy card is The Hanging Man reversed, flavored by the Page of Cups reversed. What’s up with the reversed cards today? The Hanging Man is a peculiar and powerful card, whether upright or reversed. It corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts; emotional and imaginative energy which attempts to prevent changes), Neptune (inspiration, spirituality, magick, altered states), Mem (water, stability and balance, the reflective quality of thought), and the Path between Hod (which provides analysis and communication) and Geburah (the place where forms and structures are challenged or affirmed), and whether upright or reversed, it tells of the benefits to be had from altering my perceptions. The Page of Cups reversed was in my reading yesterday, also paired with a Major Arcana card. In an upright position this card corresponds to Libra (“we are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation), Scorpio (“I desire,” intensity compulsion, mystery) and Sagittarius (“I seek,” philosophic, adventurous, blundering), and again I am being ward that my physical senses will not be helping me to hear the message of my Inner Voice. Together they tell of an imbalance, perhaps a lack of grounding.

All of my cards are reversed, and all of my cards seem to be warning of a huge disconnect of some kind. I feel as if the balance I need will come from the element of Earth. I need to connect for a bit to its “cold/binds and dry/shapes” energies and flood myself with stable, material and practical focuses. No fast changes today. But since balance is the key, I can’t allow myself to stray too far into Earthly energies; perhaps I should also work with the Watcher Regulus.

My 6-digit date number is 5, the number of motion added to stability to prevent stagnation.

My horoscopes: “You may have to make an important decision today, Sagittarius. It has come to the point where someone draws a line in the sand and challenges you to cross it. Do you stay where you are and continue on without that person, or do you join them and support their goals and actions? The conflict today is between your head and your gut. Don't limit your choices to two. There are always compromises.”

And: “Oh, goodness, that boss of yours can sure drive you crazy sometimes, can't they? Well, don't let it get to you. Everyone has to deal with difficult authority figures from time to time. Instead, try to immerse yourself in the details of your work. Make sure every t is crossed and every i is dotted. You may not get the recognition you deserve for all your hard work, now, but have no fear -- your time is coming. And it may arrive sooner than you think.”

And: “Today may be a rough day for you, in which you may find it hard for you to make a decision about anything. Refrain from making any major moves having to do with finances or real estate. Concentrate on yourself and the answers will come to you from within. Be realistic and practical when it comes to your emotions. You may find it hard to connect with someone tonight, so stick close to home and focus inward.”

Okay, everything seems to be warning me to brace for impact.

I am still feeling a huge difference in my awareness of the background hum of energy that surrounds me. It is as if while I was sleeping on Sunday night, a switch was thrown and everything was changed. Or maybe, some Cosmic Download has completed its installation and the biological interface that is my brain has been completely updated. Raushanna 2.0., now available!

I have been returning just about every day to the place that Danu led me to during a recent meditation, a place that I now call “Danu’s Well.” I finally saw it without the accompanying fog. The Well is in the middle of a large rocky area, bedrock, at the Western edge of a meadow of tall grasses; the rim of the Well looks like dressed stone, but upon closer examination I can see that the stone “blocks” around the rim of the Well are natural. The trees immediately beyond this area of bedrock are very old, and are apparently dead. They have thick trunks and huge branches, but the branches appear to be stubs, with no smaller branches or new growth at all. The whole area is damp, and is usually blanketed with fog. And interestingly enough, it is always either deep twilight or completely dark here at the Well, even when the afternoon sun is shining on the rest of the meadow.

The Well is positively pulsing with power and energy; whatever is the Source of that energy is far below but I can feel it throbbing against my aura.

Even though I visit the Well for a few moments most days, I don’t know yet what I am supposed to do with it or about it. However, I have confidence that when the time is right, the answer will appear.

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Monday, November 1, 2010

The Tower reversed/Page of Cups reversed. In an upright position, The Tower corresponds with Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change), Mars (action, spontaneity, aggression, drive), Phe (mouth or speech), and the Path between Hod (which provides analysis and communication) and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration). This card warns us about what can happen if we fight the tides, and it tells of the destruction of all that is outdated and not needed any more(even if we think we still need it all). Because The Tower is reversed, I am getting the feeling that the breakthrough has happened already; even though I am slow to catch on and I am just realizing that change, change that cannot be undone, has already occurred. The Page of Cups in an upright position corresponds to Libra (“we are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation), Scorpio (“I desire,” intensity compulsion, mystery) and Sagittarius (“I seek,” philosophic, adventurous, blundering); because this Page is reversed, I may find that my physical senses will not be what I need in order to hear the message of my Inner Voice; I may need to separate my connections to each of the elemental attributes of this card, Earth and Water, in order to use them both effectively. I cannot be this Page, with his ability to use the physical world ~and~ the world feelings and inner focus, if I want to begin to understand the changes that The Tower has wrought.

My Thoth card is the Queen of Cups. Yessss! This is exactly how I feel today. Uncle Al sees this Queen as the perfect agent of both transmission and reception, able to calmly and placidly achieve both without breaking a sweat. To some extent the energies of this card are affected by the influences to which I am open, but today I feel pretty much open to lots of influences, hopefully all positive.

My Legacy card is Temperance reversed, flavored by the Seven of Wands reversed. Another Sagittarius card, Temperance in an upright position also corresponds with Fire, 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). This card is one of the cards that has always had a personal message to me; it tells me that balance is dynamic and the ability to maintain a dynamic balance takes constant practice and work. It is reversed, and for some reason I feel that today it is reversed because I have already dealt with its energies, to the extent I need to deal with them at this moment in time. The Seven of Wands (Mars in Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, independent) in an upright position is once again an important card to me, personally. It tells of an active and effective defense, consciously chosen, and to me, it represents a Gateway and a Gate Keeper. Because the card is reversed, neither the Gateway nor its Keeper will easily affect me today. Again, I feel that this card is reversed because its energies have already manifested.

My Pearls of Wisdom Samhain card is the Three of Cups. Besides healing and comfort, this card tells me that the weeks ahead will be filled with blessings and good fortune. Both friendship and love will be given and offered, and I will be offered a chance to participate in the dance of life which celebrates the human spirit.

My 6-dibit date number is 4, the number of stability and depth. This 4 is constructed by an 11 and a 1 and a 10; both 11 and 11:11 are personal indications of the presence of the influence of Archangel Uriel.

My horoscopes: “Your time finally seems to be your own, Sagittarius. There are probably no rush jobs to finish, no urgent phone calls to make, and no one looking over your shoulder. This causes a significant release of stress, and you're better able than usual to focus on what you have in front of you. In the evening, relax at home, order a pizza, and watch a movie.”

And: “When you least expect it -- which just might be now, the way the stars are looking -- someone you haven't heard from in forever will visit, extend an invitation from right out of the blue, or reenter your life quite suddenly with all kinds of niceties, from actual gifts, to apologies to sudden offers to give your relationship a second try. If you're unsure -- and at this point, it's hard to imagine being sure about anything -- don't say anything other than, 'Let me think about it.'”

And: “Today is a terrific day for you, in which action spells reward. You can't go wrong by expressing your needs and how they fit in with the collective agenda. Feel free to focus on yourself today and be selfish about your passions. Be aware, however, that unexpected events may be cropping up to remind you that number one is indeed important but don't forget about number two and beyond.” [my emphasis added!!]

This morning as I began my usual morning meditation, I found that unbeknownst to me, I had passed through some Threshold during the night. I did go to sleep with an awareness of the Gateway that is midnight on the night of Samhain, that transformative moment between October and November, between Waning Year and Dark Year, and for Pagans who attune to the Wheel of the Year, one Turn’s ending and another Turn’s beginning. This Samhain, I am very much aware of the change in the background energy now that the Sun Father has made His Journey to His “place of rest.” This change of focus in awareness has not happened in its usual, gradual manner; this year, the change literally happened overnight.

I was told by my Patroness during my morning meditation, in no uncertain terms, that now is the time for me to begin creating connections between all of the focuses of the past few months. I have honed my skills to an appropriate level (even if I don’t think so), and it is time to put those skills to work. And Danu was not kidding when She told me this, because a connection has already been made, a lovely mini-aha! moment for this first day of the Dark Year!

My work with my own energy body, and the interactions of my energy body with the energies of the Universe and the Divine, has in part produced an ever-increasing awareness of what I call the “background” “or “white noise” energy. My efforts to understand Watchers and their effects has provided a side focus: a deeper understanding of that background energy.

This energy to me is the basic building stuff of our universe and every thing and effect within our universe. It is as if we are all surrounded by pure potential, not manifested at all, but able to manifest into anything if it is mixed with enough need or desire or intention. Because it is what everything is made of, we have access to this purest potential, because like the atmosphere of our world, this pure potential fills every hole and presses into every crack and crevice. Like the atmosphere of our world, this pure potential abhors a vacuum, and like the atmosphere of our world, this pure presence has tides and flows, some occurring because of needs or desires or intentions, and some occurring spontaneously.

I have learned quite a bit about needs and desires and intentions, and I have learned that feelings and thoughts and intentions are inextricably tied into the operations and processes and biological machine parts that are my physical body, tied in a two-way manner. Strong feelings or overpowering desires or focused intentions can cause chemically measurable changes in my physical body, and the state of my physical body as well as the use of parts of it can have a measurable change on my feelings, my desires and my intentions.

Now for the aha! moment. After I apply Reiki to my opened and cleansed and balanced chakras, I tie all this together through using the Microcosmic Orbit to bring on the Violet Breath, so that I can send all that lovely Reiki energy back into my own energy field, and thus, my entire physical, mental, emotional and spiritual self. One use for the Violet Breath is as a method to build up a “static charge” of Reiki so that an attunement can be passed; in short, once that static charge is built up (the Reiki Master builds the charge by both performing the Violet Breath and holding her/his own breath (while using the appropriate visualizations) until sufficient charge is gathered), the Reiki Master passes that charge in part by gently breathing onto the recipient of the attunement. As I performed my Violet Breath this morning, the connection happened! Aha! The passing of the energy of the attunement happens through imposing the intention to pass that attunement from the non-physical parts of my mind and my intentions into the physical world, via the bridge between the two that is my breath!

Okay, when I inhale, the oxygen in the air is drawn into my lungs, where it is absorbed into my bloodstream and carried to my brain. Now, the brain is the “biological interface,” quite a powerful interface. The oxygen that is brought into my brain by my blood is infused with my feelings, my desires and my intentions, most of the time unconsciously, without me realizing that I am flavoring or tainting my breath (and as a side note, I also became super sensitive to the concept of consequences today). But during the Violet Breath, I am consciously choosing to infuse my breath (via the visualizations that are a part of the attunement process) with powerful intentions, intentions which I have collected and then allowed to be turned into a sort of “reduction” powerful enough to pass on an attunement. When I breathe on the recipient, I am offering the symbol of the gift (as the recipient can feel that breath, and sometimes see me breathing on him or her), and thus I am affecting his or her energy field, but I am also breathing into our combined auras those particles of air that have been infused with intention within my biological body; those particles are quickly brought into the recipient’s body as he or she breathes, and thus carried to his or her “biological interface” in order to initiate a physical/chemical transformation along with the transformation begun within the recipient’s energy body. How cool is that??!!

This is one reason why the spoken word has so much power; this background noise of perfect potential is infused into my physical self, into the air, and into my energy body, through the use of intention and feelings and desires as a catalyst to activate that pure potential.

Okay, this has been another one of those aha! moments, a brief glimpse of the workings of the Machinery of the Universe, that is understood by every cell of my body, but difficult to put into words. There goes Raush, back into LaLa Land!

My days in Orlando for Witches Gone Wild 2010 were incredibly awesome and beneficial. I ended up not getting to Orlando on Wednesday, due to horrible weather patterns that caused flight cancellations throughout much of Central and Eastern US. I did get down on Thursday morning, however, and was met at Orlando International Airport. LOL, after many squishy hugs were exchanged, we all did some catching up, and then got right down to some awesome brainstorming. Later in the afternoon, a few of us went for a walk around the grounds of the Wilderness Lodge, which are incredible. Wilderness Lodge mimics the grand lodges of the Pacific Northwest; a “spring” bubbles up right inside the huge four story open space that is the lobby, and then winds its way through the rest of the Resort, over waterfalls, through wading pools and swimming pools that are bubbling with springs of their own, through heated spas, and along streams that connect them all together. There is even a geyser that erupts every so often! The buildings themselves appear to be constructed with hugs blocks of granite and massive beams, many carved with animals and Indian markings; here and there on the cement walkways you can find footprints, both animal and human, imprinted into the cement. It is cool to see a sidewalk that looks as if a bear or elk or child walked through the wet cement.

That first night, we all went to the Whispering Canyon for dinner. What a fun restaurant the Whispering Canyon is. Now needless to say, Disney itself is set up for children of all ages, but this is one of the restaurants where that purpose is beautifully manifested! No whispering happens here; in fact, everyone talks and shouts and sings and dances, with much enthusiasm. Each of the servers laughs and giggles and teases, calling to other servers across the room, announcing any celebrations happening, at the top of their lungs, and calling on all patrons to sing and shout together. One pair of servers brought a piece of birthday cake to a patron, got everyone to sing loudly, and then the two of them proceeded to eat that birthday cake, instead of giving it to the birthday person, as everyone laughed and cheered.

Each time someone made the mistake of asking for ketchup, the server called loudly, “keeeeeeeeeeeetchuuuuuuuuuuuuup!!” Then several diners (usually children, who really got a kick out of this) would gather together every ketchup bottle in the whole restaurant and bring it to the table requesting some ketchup. Soooo fun; and the food was awesome, too!

We had manis and pedis on Friday, as a treat to ourselves and each other. After having my fingernails and toenails painted orange (of course!!!), we cooked dinner in the suite and then attended the Sacred Mists Samhain Ritual (LOL, using a login custom-created by our Hostess, a compilation of all of our names). After the Ritual, I took an hour to attend the SMPDA Sabbat Reading Event, and then we all spoke at length with Lady Raven via Skype.

Saturday, in between laughter and dancing and a bit of serious discussions (but not too serious), we rented quadricycles and pedaled to Fort Wilderness, sat at the beach for a bit, and then got ready for dinner at Artist’s Point. Yummmmmy! What an awesome deliciousness that dinner was, and what a fitting way to end our time together. Sunday morning, we all dragged ourselves out of bed, got to the airport at the appropriate times, and made our journeys home. How quickly our time together passed! But we accomplished quite a lot; we bonded through laughter and love, our brainstorming sessions are always valuable, and we are each re-infused with purpose and enthusiasm.

Thank you, Lilyth and Keith, for your hospitality; much love to you both. Hugs and love to you, Isleen and Danae. We rock!

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