Nine of Swords reversed/Justice. The Nine of Swords (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, social, dual) again, this time in an upright position; this card represents brooding and worrying, the kind that takes place in the wee hours of the morning. Often this kind of worrying is about things that have already happened or things that cannot be changed, and they are usually a complete waste of energy. Because the card is reversed, it is telling me that these worries are fading. Justice is a card of adjustment, and it was in my card throw yesterday, too. Justice corresponds with the element of Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and quick, animated energy that usually brings problems or challenges that bring growth), Libra (“we are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation), Lamed (ox goad; training or teaching), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Geburah (the place where forms and structures are challenged or affirmed). This card is about cause and effect, and about making adjustments in order to achieve balance. With that Nine of Swords reversed, it seems I am moving in the right direction.

My Thoth card is the Eight of Swords reversed. “Interference,” thankfully reversed. I think. The Eight of Swords (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable talkative, dual) shows what happens when you abuse the power of the Swords through the intellect: that power turns against you. If it were upright, I would be asking myself if I was thinking too much, getting caught in a spiral or loop of thought that ends up being distracting; however, the card is reversed, so today, I shall overcome!

My Legacy card is the Ace of Swords reversed, flavored by The Empress. Three reversed Swords cards today! The Ace of Swords (Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution authority, cunning, Aquarius and Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, soul growth, artistic) can be seen as the birthplace of ideas and concepts, and also the beginning of the development of a sense of identity. The element of Air, which corresponds with the suit of Swords, does not have self-generated impulses, but it can easily have an effect when influenced by the other elements. But, like my other two Swords cards today, it is reversed, and thus it seems there is a lack of the good effects of the element of Air today. 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; those seem to be the directions I am being pulled today. Well fiddle-de-dee, I will think about this tomorrow. Today, I will just feel.

My 6-digit date number is 5, the number of motion that washes away stagnation. Oh-kay!!

My horoscopes: “There's a powerful force moving through your life that can't be ignored any longer, Sagittarius. Adjustments may be needed in order to take full advantage of the energy at hand. You will find with a healthy balance of restriction and expansion that you can take the reins and set yourself on the road to success. There's a great intensity to today that will seep into every facet of your life.”

And: “Things are starting to free up a bit in your life . . . you're getting a little bit more free time, so what are you planning to do with it? Be careful not to let this time drain away without taking advantage of it. Put together a short list of a few things you're curious about or places you'd like to explore. Take the steps necessary to make them a commitment you need to follow through on. Just because it's 'free' time doesn't mean that it doesn't need structure once in a while.”

And: “How intense the past few days have been! You could spend months just reflecting on these recent experiences. But the mood is not conducive to introspection right now! A change of temper today encourages you to share your life more generously. But with whom will you share it? That may well be the question of the day.”

My Sun reading: “It's time to wrap up the unfinished business that keeps you from moving forward. Be seriously money minded today. It isn't the time to throw caution to the wind. Tonight's romantic vibe is represented by the idea that love is wanting someone to fulfill all the best in ourselves.”

Yesterday, I took my first bike ride to Point Park this year. It was still a bit breezy for a bike ride, but the sun and the blue sky were calling me, so off I went.

What a beautiful trip! I smelled freshly laid mulch, newly turned soil, and that glorious spicy fragrance of the sun on new grass and Spring flowers. Daffodils are on the downward side, but tulips are in their prime, and their vibrant primary whites, reds and yellows were everywhere. I saw the purple of lunaria, and beautiful cherry blossoms, a delicate pink for the unopened buds and white for the petals of the fully opened blooms.

I got to Point Park, parked my bike and made my way to the beginning of the 2 mile hike. Last time I took this hike I was accompanied by the Pagan Brain Trust-ers. Bug, Muffin, Curly and I were treated to an incredible symphony of calls created by a huge orchestra of toads and frogs; this trip, the trail belonged to the red-winged blackbirds. They were everywhere, calling back and forth to each other.

I smiled as I stepped through the “Pitch Pine Portal,” the four tall pine trees that acted like a gateway, and smiled as I remembered the four of us walking this path before. Then, I stopped and sat on a bench that overlooked one of the inland ponds, and sipped my water. To my delight, I was given a truly funny show by a swan.

This swan was carefully and diligently guarding a Canadian goose from all comers. As I watched, another goose approached and called out to the swan’s goose; the swan instantly and vigorously charged at that interloper, hissing with head low and wing feathers raised threateningly. The poor gander climbed out of the water and stood there for a while, looking a bit confused, before he headed down the waterway, in the opposite direction from the pond. The swan then went back to “his” goose and began to gently herd her to the other side of the pond. LOL, that was a new one on me.

I ended up shortening my walk, because a huge section of the beach and dunes were closed to foot traffic,, due to the nesting activities of some endangered birds. I did not mind and in fact, was glad to see how large of an area had been roped off. I took the trail to the beach, and saw that a huge section of the beach had been roped off, also. Cool.

I got back to my bike and made the return trip. And I must say, I’m not in the shape I thought I was. My legs are going to be sore tomorrow, but the soreness will be worth the experience.

When I came back from my ride and recovered (*giggle*), I took out my Third Degree Lesson 5, and finished and submitted it! This one was a true challenge, in part because I wanted my answers to be articulate, complete and of the highest caliber I was able to attain. And it was a challenge in part because of the lethargy I have been battling. I stayed the course and did the work necessary, and my Patron, Cernunnos, helped me to successfully battle my lethargy.

And I feel good.

Tomorrow, on to the 21^st Path.

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