King of Pentacles/The Hierophant.  The King of Pentacles (cusp of Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive, and Taurus, “I have,” sensual, stubborn, cautious, physically oriented) is the expert on the physical world, on physical world resources, and on physical manifestation.  He is real good at taking care of others, at facilitating security and fertility and good health for his loved ones and those who look to him for guidance.  This King may seem dull and unimaginative, but he certainly is reliable, and he is reminding me that the best way to help others and myself is to meet my responsibilities with a smile on my face.  The Hierophant corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes), Taurus (“I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn), Vau (the nail which holds tradition in place), and the Path between Chesed (the place where forms and structures are stabilized and nurtured), and Chokmah (dynamic male energy, the origin of vital force and polarity), and it is also an Earth card, one that has a heavy feel about it, a feeling of needing to fit into specific slots.  Like the King of Pentacles, The Hierophant prefers tried-and-true methods and in-place cultures and traditions; in fact, he is the nail that holds them in place.  He is also the teacher and spiritual leader.  Obviously, both of these cards are telling me what is important today. 

My Thoth card is the Nine of Wands reversed.  “Strength” is Crowley’s keyword for the Nine of Wands (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering), which reminds us that even when it seems that we are outnumbered and outmaneuvered, we do have the strength, courage, and stamina to win by the time the day is done.  My Nine of Wands is reversed, however, and I think I know exactly what it is telling me.  I am assuming that my defenses are in good shape even though I have not checked on them lately; not good to assume.  But that will be remedied.

My Legacy card is the High Priestess, flavored by Death reversed.  The High Priestess (Water; the Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination; Gimel, the camel who safely crosses Da’ath, the Abyss, and thus, has the secret of life; 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), is the source of the power of The Magician, the feminine version of The Hierophant, and the Keeper of the Mysteries.  She is one half of the Major Arcana representation of the Sacred Feminine, all about those hidden mysteries that are so intense to experience yet so difficult to explain to another.  Like my Hierophant above, she has in her possession vast amounts of knowledge and wisdom.  However, she does not teach by leading and guiding; instead, she is a sort of gatekeeper, and teaches by allowing each of us to find our own way past the veil hanging behind her throne.  The Death card also corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and sensitive, imaginative energy that strives to stay the same or take the same course), 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 tells of natural change that cannot be stopped.  Death is not a card of endings, but rather of transformation that cannot be stopped.  Because my Death card is reversed, and is flavoring my High Priestess, I am seeing it as offering a warning.  Don’t fight the things that are happening, even if you don’t understand those things, and especially if they are uncomfortable to deal with.  Rather, in order to understand, I need to turn off my physical senses, without fear, and “listen” with my inner ears, “see” with my inner eyes, as if I no longer have a physical body, and the answers will appear. 

My Full Moon Pearls of Wisdom card is the Nine of Swords reversed.  Hmmm . . . another reversed 9 card.  The Nine of Swords (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, social, dual) represents brooding and worrying, usually self-caused, and usually unproductive.  The Pearls of Wisdom card tells of the possibility of some illness, or a cruel blow being dealt.  Upright, the card tells us to hang in there for there is light at the end of the tunnel, even if we can’t see it.  My card is reversed however, and taking into consideration the meaning of this card specific to this deck, I think I had better be more aware of the fact that discomfort can often end up presenting an opportunity for evolution, or for an important initiation.  So no bellyaching!

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

My horoscopes: “This is a day to be up front with your partner, Sagittarius. It's possible that your relationship has reached some sort of stalemate. It's up to you to get that fire burning brightly once again. How? You know the drill - romantic time alone is all it takes. A nice outfit, a reservation at the best restaurant, and you and your mate are back in business.”

And: “Feelings of love for a current romantic partner could be so overwhelming today you might be moved to tears. You'll definitely experience a lot of sensual passion, so an intimate evening together is definitely called for if you can arrange it. If it isn't possible, however, don't jump to the conclusion that your friend doesn't desire you anymore. If your friend claims to be busy, that's probably the truth. Hang in there!”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Queen of Pentacles.  Back to Pentacles cards!  The Queen of Pentacles is secure regarding her place in the world, and knows that she can take care of herself and everyone around her just by being herself.  This Queen taps into the energies of Nature and our world without even thinking about it, and she is able to draw from those energies when she needs to.  Quite a powerful message for me today!

As promised, the Zodiac signs, and the concepts of Cardinal, Mutable and Fixed.  Let’s start with Cardinal signs, a very good place to start!

In modern Western Astrology, the signs of the Zodiac are seen to represent twelve basic personality types or character traits. The twelve signs are divided into the four elements, with Fire and Air being seen as masculine, and Earth and Water being seen as feminine. The twelve signs are also divided into three qualities: Cardinal, Mutable and Fixed.

A Cardinal sign (also called a moveable sign) is a sign that initiates a change of temperate zone or season as the Sun makes its annual passage around the sky.  The word “Cardinal” comes from a Latin word that means “hinge,” and that actually makes sense.  Each Cardinal sign is like a hinge between the season just passed and the season approaching.  We can expect that the temperature and air and weather will all be making changes during the time when a Cardinal sign contains our Sun, almost as if the sign itself was bringing those changes instead of indicating them. 

Cardinal signs are the instigators that are always ready, willing and eager to forge ahead with plans, and they tend to attract others who can support their efforts. Cardinal signs are leaders, and tend to be outgoing because they're engaged with the world in a dynamic way. They tend to be restless to start new projects, and happiest when running the show.

Because they are “first,” they are usually in a position to access energy before it begins to ebb or dissipate.  People born under Cardinal signs often set the tone according to their season (Aries/Spring/new beginnings or fertility, Cancer/Summer/peak of power and illumination, Libra/Autumn/harvest and ebbing energies, and Capricorn/Winter/dark, cold and peaceful time of inner focus); this phenomenon also often occurs at the beginning of each season. Each Cardinal sign is also affected by its corresponding element, and manifests itself onto the world in part through the effects of that element.  

The four Cardinal signs are:

Aries (The Ram, March 21 to April 20): The Sun’s passage through the sign of Aries begins the Spring in the northern hemisphere, and the Autumn in the southern hemisphere.  Aries is Cardinal Fire, and thus is a catalyst, a firebrand that inspires others by being totally committed to her or his personal vision.

Cancer (The Crab, June 21 to July 21): This sign begins the Summer in the northern hemisphere, and the Winter in the southern hemisphere.  Cancer is Cardinal Water, and thus leads by the heart, and uses emotions as a perceivable force that pushes into new territory, but does so while walking sideways like the crab.

Libra (The Scales, September 23 to October 22): This sign begins the Autumn in the northern hemisphere, and the Spring in the southern hemisphere.  Libra is Cardinal Air, and thus initiates through new ideas, and by being a balancing force among and between others.

Capricorn (The Mountain Goat, December 22 to January 20): This is the sign that begins the Winter in the northern hemisphere, and the Summer in the southern hemisphere.  Capricorn is Cardinal Earth, and thus has a strong and very grounded presence, and a natural authority from being master of the physical plane and the allocation of physical resources.

I don’t know about you, but I am enjoying this, and learning a lot!  Tomorrow, Mutable signs!

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