28, Guide: Frog (West).  West is the direction of Water, and thus, of feelings and emotions, relationships of all kinds, cleansing and healing, the wisdom associated with natural endings, and the bubbling up of pure joy.  Frog is an interesting card.  After all, Frog is born from an egg, lives for a while as a gill-breathing fish, and then gradually sprouts arms and legs and then lives the rest of its life as an air-breathing cold-blooded entity.  How is that for transformation!  Frog is also known for fertility, cooperation, and motherhood.  Frog can absorb oxygen through its skin, so it is also known for healing as well as emotional sensitivity. 

45, Mars (Above).  The direction of Above takes us up and out of the four traditional elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth, and reminds us that we are but a small part of the Cosmos.  Above also reminds us that while the Machinery of the Universe is huge, it does have an effect on each of us, and each of us is an important part of the workings of that Machinery.  Well, I just learned about Mars this week within my study of Astrology.  Mars is about drive and energy and passion; it is also about striving to do things our own way, about conquest, power and aggression.  Mars can bring sexual tension, often infused with domination or submission, as well as fiery tempers.  Since Mars is connected to the element of Fire, all the traits of this planet can bring transformation.  There is that concept again. 

20, Elemental: Salamander (South).  South is the direction of the midday sun and the peak of power and illumination; this direction is associated with passionate drive and creativity.  Salamander is also intense in personality, but this one is about consumption of fuel, and the changes and transformations that happen through consumption of fuel.  The changes presented by Salamander are more transmutation than transformation or metamorphosis.  Salamanders are actually known for putting out fires!  This is because they consume all fuel and then the flames themselves.  They are true experts, and know just how to handle Fire and its tricky nature. 

I then created my mandala.  We are back to tight and compact images today, and this image talks about transformation, metamorphosis, and change, both gradual and sudden.  Frog and Salamander seem to be laced together, and perhaps this is a good thing!  Both of these cards are about change, and each goes about achieving that change in an opposite way, with Frog through Water and gradual change, and Salamander through Fire and intense change.  Since Mars is about control and domination, it could very well be acting as a corral and a counterweight to balance out all this change.  I just might be able to tap into these two extremes this week, Water and Fire, and maybe through my attempts to control them, learn something new.

I lost another pound, for a grand total of 13 pounds!!  I am biking 10 miles each day on the weekends, and continuing with 45 minutes of Yoga and stretching, and a 2 mile walk, on weekdays.  I do know that sooner or later, I will stop losing and my weight will level out.  I’m not worried about that, though, because wherever I end up on the scale, I am already fitting into most of my clothes, and I feel great.

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