Thursday, February 28, 2013


Three of Pentacles reversed/Queen of Pentacles. The Three of Pentacles (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, cunning, competence) in an upright position tells of competence, planning and teamwork, and apparently those things will not be running smoothly today. Looks like if I want something done, I will need to do it myself. The Queen of Pentacles (cusp of Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering, and Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution, cunning, authoritative) is very good at sustaining the physical world, keeping things dry and cozy and safe and orderly.  The good thing is that she handles things, all things, in a very matter-of-fact way, which could be a good thing today.  She is resourceful as well, and if teamwork is not a part of today, she will need those resources, and that ability to make the best use of them.

My Thoth card is the Seven of Cups reversed.  “Debauch” is Crowley’s keyword for this one. The Seven of Cups (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, in Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, obsessive, mysterious) in an upright position represents the distraction, sensory overload and dissipation that can happen when we are presented with too many enticing choices. The traditional image of the Seven of Cups shows seven cups, each filled with what appears to be a wonderful gift: the Wreath (Saturn and The World); the Castle (Mars and The Tower), the Woman (Venus and The Empress); the Snake (Mercury and The Magician); the Veil (the Moon and The High Priestess), the Jewels (Jupiter and The Wheel of Fortune), and the Dragon (our Sun and The Sun).  The Thoth Seven of Cups also tells of being mired in pleasure, or addicted to it.  Because my Seven of Cups is reversed, I may be able to focus in a beneficial way today as far as my emotions and feelings are concerned.  This is good!

My Legacy card is the Seven of Coins reversed, flavored by The Hanging Man. Another Seven.  The Seven of Coins (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, law and order, in Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn) tells of pauses and choices and assessments within the physical world.  Because my Seven of Coins is reversed, there may not be many pauses today, or chances to catch my breath.  What makes this truly interesting is the card flavoring my Seven of Coins: The Hanging Man. The Hanging Man corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and emotional, sensitive and imaginative energy that tends to move deep, and attempts to take the same path as in the past), Neptune (inspiration, spirituality, magick, enchantment, dreams, altered states), and the Hebrew letter Mem (water, stability and balance, the reflective quality of thought); this card presents the kind of balance that comes to us through surrender, and through seeing things in a different way.  Perhaps my Hanging Man is reminding me that even if my physical world is rushing to and fro, I can still rise above the chaos (and perhaps willingly give up the pleasures of the physical world) and find some quiet time.  The clarity this will bring, and the opportunity to see my world and my feelings in a totally different way, just might enable me to learn something.

My 6-digit date number is 8, the number that tells of the conscious and purposeful attempt to slow the degeneration of the number 7 in order to maintain for a bit longer the balance of the number 6.

My horoscopes: “You may find that today brings great physical strength and energy to you, Sagittarius. Given this, you may really want to do some tough, challenging physical work. This is certainly the day for it, so why not go for it? Do some yard work or clean out closets, cupboards, drawers, and filing cabinets. Consider donating items that you don't use anymore or plan a garage sale to make some bucks.

And: “It's a new day, and a good day to let your warm and caring side show. Take the time to smile often and to chat with as many people as you can. They will be drawn to your friendly personality, and you will all enjoy sharing time together. If you find that someone is having a rough day, why not let them know that you care? Spend a few minutes listening to their problem and show them that you really understand.

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding The Tower.  Eeep!!  The message of the Shadowscapes Tower is that even the most secure, deeply rooted, well supported structure can be destroyed in a moment.  We can’t expect that nothing will change, and it is not healthy to believe that we are eternal.  Yes, life goes on, but for life to go on in a healthy way, there must be endings.  Woe to those who fight these endings!

For some reason, the energy of the past few days seems to be somewhat at cross-purpose.  These difficulties, while uncomfortable, are (hopefully!) not earth shattering.  Please, don’t let them be earth shattering!  Even my cards today reflect the confusing nature of the energies today.  I am remaining calm, though, and trusting that in the end, all will be well.

This evening, I submitted my application for Yoga Teacher Training.  The first step!!

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Tuesday, February 26, 2013


Three of Wands reversed/Two of Pentacles reversed. The Three of Wands (Sun, the inner core of a person or situation, the deepest self and personal power, in Aries, “I want,” action oriented, pioneering, assertive) in an upright position tells of the excitement of seeking out uncharted areas with an optimism that says that no matter what happens, it will be good.   My Three of Wands is reversed, and that means that looking ahead or acting in a leadership capacity may not bring a happy ending. The Two of Pentacles (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution, cunning) in an upright position reminds us that everything always ebbs and flows.  This card addresses balance, and perhaps today is a bit more on the wobbly side.  Not a good day to juggle many tasks. 

My Thoth card is The Fool reversed. The Fool corresponds with Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and challenges that tend to require the use of the intellect to solve), Uranus (technology, science, radical change), Aleph (the head, youthful learning) and the Path between Chokmah (male in the electric sense, dynamic energy and the origin of vital force and polarity) and Kether (the source; limitless possibility).  The Fool is the spark that begins the idea, and his powers and energies are neither positive nor negative, but they are optimistic.  I am being warned today by my reversed Fool that there is a possibility I may direct my energies towards a project that will not be worthwhile.  Attitude is important today, and I may very well be distracted away from the proper attitude if I am not careful. 

My Legacy card is the Page of Swords reversed, flavored by The Chariot. The Page of Swords (Capricorn, “I build,” ambitious, competent, cautious, cunning, Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, society, cause-oriented, and Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, soul growth, spirituality) in an upright position tells us to use our mind and intellect to analyze situations as well as our emotions and feelings, and the messages of our senses.  My Page is reversed, and like my other cards today, it is warning me that I may not be able to make decisions or take the proper actions.  My reversed Page is being flavored by The Chariot, my only upright card today. The Chariot, which corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and sensitive, emotional and imaginative energy that likes to stay the same or follow the same course), Cancer (“I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody), Cheth (the fence), and the Path between Geburah (the place where forms and structure are challenged or affirmed) and Binah (female receptive energy and the origin of form and structure), tells of having the control necessary to focus on goals, and to avoid distractions.  Looks like I am being told that the confusion and tendency to be easily distracted, while seeming to be inescapable, is in the end a surface situation, one that can be overcome.

My 6-digit date number is 5, the number that tells of motion that helps to eliminate stagnation.

My horoscopes: “If you think you have to prove that you have something valuable to offer, Sagittarius, consider this carefully. You're naturally friendly and can get along with almost anyone. This may already be your strength. You have something great to bring to a crowd. Consider being yourself and not trying so hard to feel a part of things. Look at your qualities and you will prove your worth to yourself.

And: “If you've been feeling excessively tired lately, it may be stress that is piling up within. Today's aspects bring an added energy to communication and it would be wise to consider talking some of these stresses out. Worry, anxiety and fear are huge drains on physical (and emotional) health. For some, exercise can alleviate some of this and for others, talking is the key. Find the most effective ways to rid yourself of such 'energy suckers' and help yourself to feel better.

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Nine of Pentacles.  I love this card.  It tells me in no uncertain terms that the best way to feel serene and happy is to connect the physical world with the spiritual world.  This requires effort, long term effort, and discipline, but the reward is great!

The next number on our list is the number 9.  I have already talked about the number 9 in other places, so I will restrict this discussion pretty much to math.

The number 9 is composed of three trinities (3 x 3 = 9), and it is the last number having a specific identity.  The number 9 is considered to represent the highest level of attainment in any endeavor; in the Tarot, the number 9 represents completeNESS rather than compleTION.  We go the whole nine yards, and even possession is defined as nine points of the law.  There are 99 year leases and 99 year prison terms, each symbolically representing the ultimate term of time.  This number also represents the boundary between the mundane or physical and the transcendental infinite; most religious myths contain some representation of the number 9 to represent an ultimate experience or challenge or journey. 

Labyrinths are created by beginning with an “X” made of 9 points, then adding lines, then connecting paths. 

The number 9 represents the horizon, the end limit of what we know; after the number 9 we find a brand new cycle, and this ending and new beginning are a story for another day. 

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Monday, February 25, 2013


The Moon reversed/The Fool. The Moon of the Tarot Major Arcana corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, emotional and sensitive energy that strives to stay the same), Pisces (“I believe,” feeling, suffering, soul growth, duality), Qof (the back of the head), and the Path between Malkuth (the physical world of action and physical, outer reality) and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration), is about feelings and emotions and instincts and the subconscious.  In an upright position, this can be a card of discomfort or fear, but since my Moon is reversed today, the light provided will bring understanding instead of illusion or anxiety The Fool corresponds with Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and challenges that tend to require the use of the intellect to solve), Uranus (technology, science, radical change), Aleph (the head, youthful learning) and the Path between Chokmah (male in the electric sense, dynamic energy and the origin of vital force and polarity) and Kether (the source; limitless possibility).  The Fool is the spark that begins the idea, and his powers and energies are neither positive nor negative, but they are optimistic.  I am being told that I should not fear the shadowy corners today; instead, I should investigate them with the assumption that something important may be hidden there.  Sounds like a good day for a treasure hunt!

My Thoth card is the Six of Wands reversed.  “Victory” is the upright keyword for the Six of Wands (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, noble, authoritative), which in an upright position expresses the celebration we feel when we have passed some test or successfully met a challenge. The Six of Wands is about victory and the recognition that goes along with a victory, but that moment is not yet presenting itself to me.  Uncle Al sees this card as representing the peak of usefulness of the suit of Wands, and because my card is reversed, that peak has not yet happened. 

My Legacy card is The Devil reversed, flavored by the Five of Swords. The Devil (Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and stable, material, practical energies that are slow to change), Capricorn (“I build,” ambitious, competent, cautious, cunning), Ayin (the eye, senses), and the Path between Hod (which provides analysis and communication) and Tipareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) tells of being caught up in the physical world and the effects of the physical senses, to the point of being bound or addicted to those things.  My reversed Devil may be referring to my recent Shadow Work, as the Devil can be seen as representing that dark part in each of us that gets hidden and repressed within our Shadow Self, and perhaps this card today is reassuring me that the exercises are over and I need to have faith in the lessons I’ve learned. The Five of Swords (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, pleasure, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause-oriented, the group, aloof) shows what happens when we insist that our way is right, or when we impose our needs or wants onto a situation.  This card is flavoring my reversed Devil, and it could be indicating that situations may once again present themselves in order to offer me another chance to use what I’ve already learned.  Forewarned is forearmed, and perhaps if I make use of the messages of my other cards, I will be able to preemptively circumvent or deflect any potential discomfort.

My Pearls of Wisdom Full Moon card is The Fool.  Hmmm . . . this is not the first time over the past few weeks that I’ve thrown a double card in my daily spread.  The Pearls of Wisdom Fool card has much of the same symbolism as most other Fool cards.  The Fool is on a journey, and while he cannot see its ending, he seems optimistic and happy.  He rides a raging river, on a little boat named “Serendipity”; “serendipity” is defined by the Bing Dictionary as “the accidental discovery of something, pleasant, valuable or useful.”   That is a perfect description of the card itself!  The Fool is also said to represent the Higher Self, and it sure looks like there might be some messages there for me today!

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

My horoscopes:  “Getting along with others may prove challenging today, Sagittarius. The influence from the planetary aspects can have you preferring to withdraw and isolate. You might feel impatient and annoyed. If so, and being alone is an option, go for it. If it isn't, you will need to curb the tendency to be argumentative or confrontational. Exercise patience and avoid conflict.

And: “Seek out direction from an elder. Chances are strong that the best candidate for this will be your mother or a mother-like figure. Whatever the situation, whether it be a problem you're having in a relationship, a child care issue, or a need for a good chicken recipe, you'll find what you need if you just ask. Call, e-mail or drop by for a visit and share what's on your mind. You'll probably walk away with a much clearer idea of what to do.

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Page of Cups.  This card reminds me that often, all I need to do is sit back and breathe deeply, and then look within, and I will find the serenity and simple joy and wisdom I need to prosper.  Visions may be important today, too, and I should respond to those visions with the openness of a child, for only then will I understand the symbols presented.

Another busy day; playing catch up.  Full Moon Blessings!

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Sunday, February 24, 2013


Transparent Oracle Sunday!

16, Guide: Snake (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.  Snake has powerful symbolism in our world; it is seen to represent many medical/healing modalities, and the Kundalini energy.  Snake corresponds with the dragon, and is seen as a mundane representation of that mythical beast.  Because Snake can shed its skin and appear renewed, it is associated with healing, fertility, regeneration and rebirth.  Snake can access places that would be out of reach for most of us, and so Snake can share both knowledge and wisdom.  However, the knowledge and wisdom owned and shared by Snake is neutral, and we need to be careful what we choose to do with what we learn.  Eve learned that lesson in the Garden of Eden.

62, Dream (Within).  Within is the direction of the Self, and thus the cards associated with this direction deal with the ways our Self connects to the world and perceives the world, and the Self.  This direction is mostly abstract, and yet is our bridge to the Universe around us.  Dream is the language of the unconscious mind; our unconscious mind is constantly absorbing and interpreting information, and since Dream has no physical world limits, it can interpret that information without being bound by any limits. Thus we can see the past and the future, and talk to those who are not now (or maybe never were) of the physical world.

61, Gateway: The Self (Within). This card is considered a “blank canvas,” in that it has faces and hands like the other Within cards, but there are no traits or textures or shapes or colors infused into the faces and hands.  That is because each of us is unique; this is a great significator card, and I am choosing to accept The Self as offering a message: “These cards offer a unique message to you, but that message must be perceived through your own unique senses and interpreted through your own unique intellect.”  This card tells us that the first and main purpose of life and living is to get to know our individual Self.

I then stacked my mandala.  There are circles within circles in this one; the hands of Dream and The Self create a circle, and the faces of Dream and The Self create a circle.  Snake goes across each of the faces, as if bisecting them or crossing them out, and the heads of Snake are in the middle of the swirls of energy that represent dreams.  It is obvious to me that I am being told to heal myself; I am also being told that important messages are coming for me, but they are sourced from within me rather than from outside me.  These messages might be rooted in the past, or connected to possibilities of the future, or presented in dreams or visualizations, but they come through me.  The faces of both The Self and Dream have eyes closed, so despite the swirls of energy emanating from the circles and despite the snakes facing outward, I need to face my inner self. Now is the right time to do this, for I have the strength and the skill to accomplish the task, and receive and understand the messages.

I am back after a great weekend, and finished the weekend by going to Yoga Teacher Training Orientation.  Some hard work to come, but I think I am ready.

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Friday, February 22, 2013


Five of Wands/Six of Cups. The Five of Wands, which corresponds with Saturn (discipline, responsibility, law and order) in Leo (“I am, passionate, dramatic, egotistical) indicates a struggle caused by annoying cross-purposes.  I need to be aware of these energies, and I need to remind myself that in part the discomfort may be self-imposed.  In any event, these struggles don’t have major causes, so it might be better to just go with the flow and assume the best. The Six of Cups (Sun, the inner core of a person or situation in Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, compulsive, deep, obsessive), is a card of innocence, emotional balance and harmony.  This card also tells me that I need to perceive the world with the eyes of a child, and I will enjoy every experience, whether simple or complicated.  The gentle happiness of my Six of Cups encourages me to embrace any challenges that appear, and to remember that they offer me positive opportunities.

My Thoth card is the Princess of Cups. The Princess/Page of Cups corresponds to Libra (“we are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation), Scorpio (“I desire,” intensity compulsion, mystery) and Sagittarius (“I seek,” philosophic, adventurous, blundering); is a card of soft and tender energies; today is a day of getting fulfillment through connections to others.  If I strive to connect to that innocence of my Six of Cups above, simple joy will be the result.

My Legacy card is The High Priestess, flavored by the Five of Wands.  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), the other half of the Major Arcana representation of the Sacred  Feminine; The High Priestess is the source of the power of The Magician, the feminine version of The Hierophant, and the Keeper of the Mysteries.  She has in her possession vast amounts of knowledge and wisdom, and she is telling me that there are major opportunities today for me to tap into the mysteries.  However she is being flavored by another Five of Wands, so the messages may likely be hidden behind confusion.  If I take a deep breath, remain calm and alert, and look beyond the surface purpose or meaning, I should be able to find the hidden and more important message.

My 6-digit date number is 10, the number that tells of the completion of a cycle; time to prepare to begin a new cycle.

My horoscopes: “Today is a fantastic day for you, Sagittarius. Things are naturally flowing your way. You can accomplish a great deal. There are few hurdles in your way, perhaps none. You're well disciplined about your time and what's needed to get the job done and how to meet your goals. Your emotions are especially calm and stable, giving you the opportunity to observe and evaluate them from a neutral viewpoint.

And: “Feelings of inferiority may be a real problem for you today. Ask yourself where this comes from. What could cause you to feel as though you aren't good enough or as good as someone else? Search your past for clues to the root of this attitude about yourself to see if you can nail down the source and rectify it. No one ever needs to feel inferior. These feelings are often only symptomatic.

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Knight of Pentacles. This Knight is very focused on Earthly correspondences, and he is not easily distracted.  He is telling me that for today, I should take my time, and remember the correct steps to take in order to deal with anything unexpected or unpleasant.  Tapping into my quiet, grounded center may end up being the most effective thing I can do.

Well, here I am, just a few days into Saturn retro, and feeling the effects already.  I am striving mightily to make use of the enhanced skills that came to me through my recent Shadow Work, and I am remembering that because Saturn is retro and in Scorpio, this might be a difficult time for me emotionally.  Scorpio is my Moon sign, which really doubles up on the emotional discomfort.  I am choosing to take this time as an opportunity to exercise my mental muscles through the resistance being offered.  My cards for the day are also offering some great advice. 

We are in Stowe, Vermont, vacationing for the weekend, visiting family.  We are staying in a beautiful condo, with a view of the ski slopes, and the pool, which is heated.  The sky is cloudy, and I think there will be fresh powder by the end of the day.  I’ve never skied and LOL, I don’t think this would be the time to give it a try, but I may go for a walk later.  There are also hot tubs outside; sitting in the hot tub while it’s snowing, watching people ski, sounds like a great thing to do, eh?

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Wednesday, February 20, 2013


The Chariot/Queen of Cups. The Chariot, which corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and sensitive, emotional and imaginative energy that likes to stay the same or follow the same course), Cancer (“I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody), Cheth (the fence), and the Path between Geburah (the place where forms and structure are challenged or affirmed) and Binah (female receptive energy and the origin of form and structure), tells of having the control necessary to focus on goals, and to avoid distractions. I understand this message, for today I am needing to use my own Will in order to not project my own irritations onto others. The Queen of Cups (cusp of Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable, dual, and Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody) represents the energies of Water and The High Priestess manifested into the Minor Arcana.  Like The Chariot, she encourages me to face my feelings and emotions, for I should be able to interpret them.

My Thoth card is the Eight of Swords reversed.  “Interference” is Crowley’s keyword for the upright Eight of Swords (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable talkative, dual) which tells of a confused and restrictive response to obstacles, or the interferences that happen when we just have bad luck.  My card is reversed, so it looks like I won’t be comfortable with this self-imposed isolation.  I may need to break free.  

My Legacy card is The Wheel reversed, flavored by Faith/The Hierophant reversed.  The Wheel of Fortune (Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change), Jupiter (expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune), Kaph (grasping hand), and the Path between Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration) and Chesed (the place where forms and structure are stabilized and nurtured)) in an upright position also tells of sudden movement, but not movement caused by us or controlled by us. Because my Wheel is reversed, I may not sense or perceive these cycles, which may cause difficulties.  Faith/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).  This card is an archetype of Spirit (with The Emperor as archetype of the Sacred Masculine, The Empress as archetype of the Sacred Feminine, and all three representing the supernal triad) that upright reminds us of the value of tradition, ritual and ceremony.   My Faith/Hierophant is also reversed, and it is flavoring my reversed Wheel.  Perhaps what I am missing here or forgetting the power of ritual.  Yes, things can get out of control, sometimes through no fault of our own, but I am trained for dealing with these things.  I need to remember this.

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

My horoscopes: “Someone is keeping secrets from you. We all have private issues we don't wish to share, Sagittarius, but this affects you. Your intuition will probably tell you who this person is. Try to get him or her to open up without exerting pressure. Unfinished tasks could be driving you crazy. You may try to run through them quickly, causing too much stress. Get the most crucial done and let the others go.

And: “Your mind is inspired to act, so hop to it and do it. You have got a great deal of mental power at your disposal, so try not to squander it. Most importantly, try not to force your opinions on others - especially if they have heard you up on this soap box once before. What may seem extremely important to you at this time may not mean a thing to others. Instead of projecting that energy outward, try focusing it inward and see what changes you can make internally to find the solution to the issue.

My Shaodowscapes insight is regarding the Queen of Swords.  This Queen knows how to get to the truth; she cuts away shadows and fog, and does not hesitate to leave behind what no longer serves her.  She is able to keep her wits about her, and her wit; she never loses her sense of humor.

I am visiting friends for the next few days; I don’t know if I will have internet, so I don’t know if I will be posting.  But I will be writing my blog posts anyway, so if you don’t hear from me over the weekend, you will get a bunch of posts all at once.

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Tuesday, February 19, 2013


The Hierophant/Three of Cups reversed.  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).  This card is an archetype of Spirit (with The Emperor as archetype of the Sacred Masculine, The Empress as archetype of the Sacred Feminine, and all three representing the supernal triad) that reminds us of the value of tradition, ritual and ceremony.   These things are important to me today, especially because this is my only upright card.  The Three of Cups (Mercury, reason, intelligence, orderliness, communication, in Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody) in an upright position is about connections, emotional abundance, and about blessings.  This one is reversed, and it looks like today is going to be about sticking to the plan, not about feeling good.

My Thoth card is the Ace of Disks reversed.  Aces present potential only, and the Ace of Disks (Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive, Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn, and Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, dual, social) tells of the presence of potential that is connected in some way to the physical world.  The interesting thing here is that my Ace is reversed; this means that the good Earth-focused stuff will happen, but either I won’t be able to access it or it won’t do what I think it will do.  The card is here, though, so there is hope.  After all, I’ve got The Hierophant, and he works well with the Earth.

My Legacy card is The Fool reversed, flavored by the Ten of Wands reversed.   The Fool corresponds with Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and challenges that tend to require the use of the intellect to solve), Uranus (technology, science, radical change), Aleph (the head, youthful learning) and the Path between Chokmah (male in the electric sense, dynamic energy and the origin of vital force and polarity) and Kether (the source; limitless possibility).  The Fool is the spark that begins the idea, and his powers and energies are neither positive nor negative so my Fool being reversed is mainly telling me that looking for free flowing and unplanned energies may not be productive. The Ten of Wands (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitations and resistance, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering) tells of being taxed to some perceived limit, or of feeling as if we are out of gas at the bottom of a hill.  My Ten of Wands is reversed, and that is telling me that no matter how out of sorts I feel today, and no matter how many unexpected things happen, as long as I follow the rules and do what I know is right, I will be fine.

My 6-digit date number is 7, the number that tells of the slowing of growth and the approach of degeneration, and of a choice or crossroad to be dealt with.

My horoscopes: “A friend could be depressed and need your advice, Sagittarius. Some long-held, cherished goals that you've been working toward could be temporarily blocked, causing you to wonder if they will ever come to fruition. Don't waste any time lapsing into negative thoughts. Assess what needs doing and do it. This is only a temporary situation. You will get through it, but it's up to you how quickly.

And: “This is one of those days in which you feel like a little kid out at recess. You have been having fun playing with everyone else and now it is time to go in for class. For some reason, others are feeling complacent about doing so, but you would much rather stay outside and have fun. Your first instinct is to want to hide behind the jungle gym in the hope that the teacher can't see you. Forget it. It is best to just go in and join the rest of the kids.

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding my friend, the Page of Pentacles.  This one shows up often for me when I work with this deck.  And this one is also of the suit of Earth, just like my Hierophant.  Maybe this is the spark to balance everything out.

Well, Saturn went retrograde yesterday, and that means we will all be dealing with perceptions of inadequacies for the next few months.  This is also my year of second Saturn return, so the next few months are going to be tres interesting.  The Saturn return happens once Saturn has spent time in each of the Houses (and presents opportunities for us to learn about the challenges associated with each House), and returns to the place it was when we were born. It takes about 29.5 years for Saturn to return to where it was when I was born. The first Saturn return hits in the late twenties, and its impact is felt into the early thirties. There's a second (and possibly a third for the long-lived among us, at around 90) Saturn return that hits between ages 57 and 60.  It is the second return that is approaching for me. 

Saturn was in Scorpio when I was born (and even though I am a Sagittarius, Scorpio plays a large part in my birth chart as I am on the cusp of Sag and Scorpio, and my Moon sign is Scorpio), and thus, while I will be dealing with all kinds of restrictions (regarding life and death, trust and intimacy, manipulation, revenge, and attempting to come into my own personal power, to name a few), each of these restrictions will be heavily flavored by emotions and feelings.  What I need to remember is that the isolation or sense of being isolated that might be a by-product of my Saturn return can only be dealt with by inner change.  I can’t expect others to change in order for me to deal with my own issues; the changes need to come from me.  Sounds like the message of my recent Shadow Working, eh?

Okay then, let’s talk about the number 8.  If the number 7 is a virgin, the number 8 is the opposite, a very promiscuous number, because it can be divided by so many numbers (1, 2 and 4).  The number 8 is associated with justice because it can be halved to unity (half of 8 is 4, half of 4 is 2, half of 2 is 1), unlike, say, the number 6, which cannot be halved to unity.  The number 8 projects into the cube, with 8 corners, and the octahedron, with 8 sides. 

Animals associated with the number 8 are jellyfish, some sponges, and of course, the octopus.  Spiders have 8 legs, and mitosis (the process cells use to divide) has 8 steps.  There are 8 moon phases (new, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full, waning gibbous, last quarter, waning crescent) and 8 solar holidays in Wicca (2 solstices, 2 equinoxes and four cross-quarters), and the concept of elemental dignities involves the four elements (Fire, Air, Water and Earth) and the four qualities (hot, dry, cold and wet).  The number 8 is associated with the I Ching and with chess.

Each set of 8 white keys on a piano is considered an octave.  The notes repeat themselves, higher and higher or lower and lower, and yet the same.  Two notes played simultaneously that are the same but an octave apart will cause a vibration that can be felt; this is called resonance.  This concept of resonance transfers itself to the metaphysical world; after all, correspondence lists provide things that have a resonance with each other or with a need or concept.  The resonance of a group of people can have a lot of power to it.  Also, on average, men’s voices are an octave lower than women’s voices; they are the same yet different.  How appropriate!  This number 8 is a number of self-renewal and limitless possibilities; a number that resonates within me. 

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Sunday, February 17, 2013


Transparent Oracle Sunday!

57, Grail Hallows: The Sword (Below). Below: The direction of Below is not easily associated with spirituality, yet it is a powerful symbol representing the opportunity to create a strong foundation, and to connect to the tools and powers of the Underworld.  The Grail Hallows present esoteric and hidden knowledge about the elements and the Tarot suit of Swords/Air.  The Sword stands for truth, authority, empowerment, nobility and destiny.  It may only be wielded by one who earns the right, and when this card appears, it tells of a higher calling that when responded to will bring the respondent into their true and destined spiritual power. 

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.

27, Guide: Salmon (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.  Salmon is an incredible animal; it can swim the seas and when the time is right, it can find its way back to where it was spawned.  That takes a knowledge and wisdom about where the Salmon has been; there is that concept again.  This Guide is also about cycles, tradition, and memory of what has been.

I stacked my cards and created my mandala.   Mars is a tight circle, possibly representing the path of Salmon.  The point of The Sword impales the bottom Salmon, as if holding it in place.  Drive and passion are the impetus that is motivating the attainment of knowledge and wisdom, cycles, and memory of what has been.  Holding those things in place is authority rightfully given, the foundation that brings the manifestation of Purpose.  Wow!!  Absolutely incredible mandala, and fitting completely with the events of the past few weeks, as I have completed my Shadow Work. 

To truly manifest and own this reading after I threw these cards last night, I submitted Lesson 8 of Third Degree.  Actually, I was probably done with the lesson over a week ago, but I just felt that it was not yet time to actually hit the button.  And this was the correct thing to do, in hindsight.  The exercises associated with the homework for this one were challenging, and they really came at me head on, and quickly.  It’s a good thing I was open to doing them, because they were going to happen no matter what, and if I stood in place and tried to slow things down, I just would have gotten run over.

But this is all good.  The things I learned while working on this Lesson are a part of my life and living now, and I am certain that the synchronicity that began with such strength and relevance will continue to serve me.

Tonight, I teach a bellydance workshop at the Yoga studio where I hope to take Yoga Teacher Training.  I am looking forward to sharing the dance I love so much with a great group of people. 

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Saturday, February 16, 2013


The Tower reversed/The Wheel of Fortune reversed.  Hmmm . . . The Tower (Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive, energetic change), Mars (action, spontaneity, aggression, drive), Phe (mouth or speech), and the Path between Hod (which provides analysis and communication) and Netzach (which offers the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration)) in an upright position tells of a violent or explosive correction in the way things are going. The Wheel of Fortune (Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change), Jupiter (expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune), Kaph (grasping hand), and the Path between Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration) and Chesed (the place where forms and structure are stabilized and nurtured)) in an upright position also tells of sudden movement, but this one represents the actions and effects of fate and destiny, and not of anything that we in the end can control.  Powerful effects or sudden eruption or emitting of energy are what these cards have in common; they also each represent a cycle of death/rebirth or rebuilding.  However, The Tower often represents an adjustment that is happening because of things we are doing or not doing, while The Wheel is more about cycles that are beyond our control.  Both cards are reversed today, and I am going to need to be very aware that fighting the flows, even fighting them subconsciously, could very well cause the adjustment or downward cycle that I am most wishing to prevent. 

My Thoth card is the Princess of Swords. The Page/Princess of Swords (Capricorn, “I build,” ambitious, competent, cautious, cunning, Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, society, cause-oriented, and Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, soul growth, spirituality) tells us to use our mind and intellect to analyze situations as well as our emotions and feelings, and the messages of our senses.  My Princess also reminds me that important ingredients of the day could be hidden from plain sight, and I need to remain alert in order to perceive and make use of these hidden ingredients.  That alertness needs to be dynamic and pro-active, yet well-grounded.

My Legacy card is the Two of Coins reversed, flavored by the King of Coins. The Two of Coins (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution, cunning) in an upright position reminds me that everything always ebbs and flows, and I need to do the same; however, my Two of Coins is reversed today, and this means I had better keep two feet firmly on the ground.  The King of Coins (cusp of Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive, and Taurus, “I have,” sensual, stubborn, cautious, physically oriented) is the expert on physical world manifestation of all kinds.  He is good at maintaining resources and assessing value; he looks for excellence and distinction, even in himself.  And he enjoys the benefits of the material world because of these traits.  My King is flavoring my Two, both Coins cards, and they are telling me that for today I need to create a script and then stick to it.  A physical world focus might serve me well, including a focus on my body and its needs.

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

My horoscopes: “A friend who's having money problems might dump all their woes on you today, Sagittarius. Your inclination isn't to be very sympathetic, but hold back that tendency. The situation is real, and your friend is very worried and needs solutions more than criticism or sympathy. Your common sense and practical nature could be invaluable right now. Offer to listen.

And: “Worries about money prove groundless when the facts about your situation are ascertained. Someone close to you could be going through some emotional turmoil, and your intuition is acute enough today that you're likely to pick up on it psychically. Tailor your behavior so as to enable this person in an appropriate way; however, don't try to get them to talk about their problem. They'll want to work it out for themselves.

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Seven of Wands.  This card tells of the effort to actively defend what we have, at all costs.  Sometimes this is not a good thing; defending the status quo blindly ends up inhibiting growth and evolution.  However, there are moments when we do need to not only defend, but also take preemptive strikes in order to protect.  Once the danger is past, we can allow things to evolve once again, but for now, we must be actively defensive.

I ended up attending a last minute PBT get-together this past Thursday evening, and as always, this spur of the moment event was memorable.  I gave E some Thai Bodywork to help her heal her back after shoveling snow.  As I was working on E, Tara and her kirtan partner, BA, were upstairs practicing their kirtan music; it was soooo lovely to hear the music in the background as I worked.  Then came the icing on the cake, Tara and BA came downstairs, harmonium and tabla in hand, and we ended up experiencing a mini-kirtan.  Incredibly powerful!  These two talented musicians really do work well together, and the six of us (by this time, Bug had taken a break from cooking her usual vegetarian feast) raised some absolutely mind-blowing energy!

There was even more synchronicity to be had; as I drove to the Wayne Contingency on Thursday, a lovely waxing crescent moon peeked out momentarily from behind the clouds.  I was reminded for some reason that I had not worked with Kali, my Dark Moon Goddess, in a while, and I pledged to do so before the next waxing moon as I gazed at the crescent in the sky.  Little did I know how soon that would be!  After doing three pieces while we all sat on the floor, BA suggested that we do just one more, and asked if any of us knew anything about . . . you guessed it.  Kali Ma.  As we reached the peak of the power of the mantra, I broke out into a sweat and for a long moment, I was no longer sitting on my massage mat, chanting.  I was once again, for just a few breaths, in the narrow entrance to the cave, standing before the statue of Kali carved into the living stone.  It has been too long since I have been there, and I am pledging now to return at the next dark of the moon.

This morning I attended a great Yoga class, and then dropped my car off for an oil change.  Now, to cross some things off of my To Do list!

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Wednesday, February 13, 2013


Queen of Swords reversed/Page of Wands reversed.  The Queen of Swords (cusp of Virgo, “I serve,” practical, sensible, work and service oriented, and Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation, grace) can be considered a Minor Arcana representation of the Justice card, and that card is in my spread today.  But my Queen is reversed, so being reserved and analytical will be a challenge for me today.  Not unachievable, but difficult. The Page of Wands (Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody; Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic noble egotistical; and Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented) in an upright position tells of the spark that could create a mighty flame, if there is enough kindling and air to feed it.  My Page of Wands is also reversed, and this is telling me that along with having difficulties remaining objective, I won’t be comfortable with surprises or attempting new events or routines.  Today is a day to be safe.

My Thoth card is the Five of Swords.  “Defeat” is Uncle Al’s keyword for the Five of Swords (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, pleasure, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause-oriented, the group, aloof) shows what happens when we insist that our way is right, or when we impose our needs or wants onto a situation.  This card shows us what happens when the truce and desire for peace that is the Four of Swords breaks down.  In the end, no matter who wins, defeat is the word of the day, because the peace was not maintained.

My Legacy card is The Empress, flavored by the Two of Coins.  Okay then. The Empress (which corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and stable, material, practical energies that are slow to change), Venus (beauty, allure, pleasure, relationships), the Hebrew letter Daleth (door or womb) and the Path between Binah (female receptive energy and the origin of form and structure) and Chokmah on the Tree of Life (dynamic male energy and the origin of vital force and polarity)) is one half of the Major Arcana representation of the Sacred Feminine.  The Empress is about creativity, fertility of all kinds, a deep connection to Nature and the nurturing of others, and an enjoyment of the senses.  She cherishes the world the way a mother cherishes her child, and she shares her bounty with others. The Two of Coins (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution, cunning) in an upright position reminds me that everything always ebbs and flows, and I need to do the same; in order to achieve this challenge I must be balanced and I must be open to surprises.  My Two of Coins is flavoring my Empress, and I think this is a good thing.  Being tapped so strongly into the fertility and the richness of sensations that is The Empress will be facilitated if I am light on my feet and able to react to whatever happens around me.

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

My horoscopes: “Some vivid and interesting dreams could bring a lot of repressed memories up and force you to confront them. This could be a bit disconcerting, Sagittarius, but still positive. Psychological obstacles to financial success and romantic happiness could be cleared away, which could change your life. It's vital that you write down your dreams. You won't want to miss out on this.

And: “This is a good day for you to practice being an active participant in life. Be aggressive and forceful in your opinions and actions. Normally you have a very laid-back attitude that allows you to simply go with the flow. Now it's your turn to direct the show. Having this easygoing attitude has allowed you to experience many things and become close to many people. You know how they work and what motivates them. Use this knowledge to your advantage.

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Eight of Cups.  I just love when every one of my cards offers a message that is immediately relevant!  This card is telling me that perhaps the best thing for me to do, amid the confusion of the day, is to disengage and leave the noise behind.  This quiet respite will allow me to regroup and move on to better things.

I’ve been having a strange day.  Not outer-world strange, but rather inner-world strange.  My core is serene, yet my energy field is chaotic; even my cards today are indicating a disconnect, dealing with difficult perceptions, an appropriate response, and even that serene core.  I’ve been doing immensely powerful Shadow Work as a part of my Third Degree training, and through this effort I’ve been challenging myself (and being challenged by seemingly coincidental yet strongly connected events) and my perception of my personal value.  In the past, so much of that perception of value was based on what others thought of me, more than I even realized.  And this meant that I was using the perceptions of those I respected and loved and trusted, as well as those who disagreed with my worldview or disagreed with perceived intentions, in order to determine my own validity. 

Don’t get me wrong; I still care about the opinions of others.  It hurts me, deeply, when someone I know or respect or care about thinks that I am a dangerous person to be around or believes I have intentionally and with malice conspired to harm them.  But I am learning, learning with my heart and my core as well as with my head and my intellect, that in the end, I can only be responsible for my own thoughts, my own words and my own deeds.  I cannot be responsible for how others choose to perceive the intentions behind my actions, behind my choice of words, and behind my personal beliefs.  I am learning that everyone deserves an attempt by me to explain what I feel, what I mean, and what I hope to convey by my choice of words or actions.  Maybe even several attempts.  But if others choose to not hear what I am attempting to convey, it is not my responsibility to assume blame for that person’s inability to both listen and hear (after all, they are two different things). 

Hurt happens, whether through disagreements or accidents or inadvertent mistakes.  All we can do is make certain that we’ve done the research, make certain that we choose thoughts, words and deeds carefully, and make certain that we are aware of the “now,” rather than allowing ourselves to be lost in the past or the future, in order to mitigate the possibility of hurt happening.  I have come to realize that part of my efforts to accomplish all these things were driven by the need to never make a mistake; that is an impossibility.  Ain’t gonna happen.  I have learned that the purpose of Shadow Work is not to prevent mistakes or erase those negative thoughts and emotions, and my responses to the choices and words and deeds of others, but rather to accept those negative thoughts and emotions and responses of mine, and embrace them.  They are a necessary (and yes, even valuable) part of who I am, what I have done, and where I am going.  They are a necessary ingredient of that serene core that is keeping me on course today, amidst the chaos. 

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Tuesday, February 12, 2013


The Emperor/Six of Swords reversed.  I had these two cards on the 5th of this month, except the Six of Swords was upright. The Emperor corresponds with Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive, energetic change), Aries (“I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive) and the Hebrew letter Heh (window, illumination), and represents confidence, authority, and the archetype of the Father. Sometimes being the leader means taking on the difficult tasks, or taking responsibility for failures, less glorious but no less important.  The Emperor tells us that rules are there to support and guide us, and thus he often represents bureaucracies, governments and legal systems. The Six of Swords (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, communication, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause oriented) in an upright position is about balance, healing, moving towards a better place, and even about learning the science behind things that work (because understanding why they work makes them more effective).  The reversed Six of Swords could be more about emotions than analysis, and it is not always easy to impose order and structure onto emotions.  The good thing is that even if we are dealing with emotions instead of the intellect, my card is reversed, so those emotions should be positive.

My Thoth card is the Eight of Wands.  “Swiftness” is Crowley’s keyword for the Eight of Wands (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, skill, communication, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) which upright is a card of action, of quick developments, and of pulling it all together so things can be completed.  This one has a lot of power for a Minor Arcana card, and it can often be a catalyst that brings a long-term transformation.

My Legacy card is the Two of Wands reversed, flavored by . . . drum roll . . . The Emperor. The Two of Wands (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Aries, “I want,” action oriented, pioneering, assertive, enthusiastic) in an upright position tells of power, influence and authority.  My card is reversed, however, and like my first pair containing The Emperor, this card is a bit weaker.  However, like my other pair, there is a side of this less aggressive card that works well when paired with The Emperor: the desire to do things by the book rather than in new and untried ways.  The Legacy Emperor represents order and structure, but he also manifests these things within the man-made world, rather than in the world of nature where The Empress can be found.  He represents the mighty civilizations at their peaks, but he also represents the processes and structures that support and maintain those civilizations.  The Llewellyn Welsh Emperor represents established rule, relaxed authority, and reason ruling emotion, all for the greater good of those who look to The Emperor for leadership.  And today, I’ve got The Emperor coming and going!

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

My horoscopes: “Today you could attend more than one social event, Sagittarius. Some of your professional colleagues will probably be there. Conversations are going to focus primarily on business development and the economy in general. A lot of useful information could result from social contacts with others in your field. Write it all down. You will want to remember it so you can make use of it later.

And: “A number of intriguing letters, phone calls, or e-mails could come to you, some of which could concern occult or spiritual topics. A few could be rather vague, as if the source knows little about what's being discussed. Nonetheless, these communications should make for an interesting day. Take the information as it comes and enjoy it - and don't take much, if anything, as gospel truth. If you're curious, follow it up with some research of your own.

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Ten of Pentacles.  This is a card that values tradition and tried-and-true methods, for it is through these things that success is attained, along with discipline and the ability to focus on long-term goals.  A lasting and beneficial situation has come to us through our hard work, and if we keep reaching, there is not limit to what we might attain.

Today, we will talk a bit about the number 7.  This is an interesting one, thought to be either very lucky, or very unlucky.  There were seven lions in Daniel’s den, and seven locks of Samson’s hair cut; Joshua had seven trumpeters circle Jericho seven times, and even Snow White had seven Dwarves.   We’ve got “lucky sevens” and the “seven year itch,” and seven days in the week.  Farmers allow their fields to lay fallow every seven years, and the statute of limitations on many crimes is seven years.  We see seven colors within the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet), and mathematicians have found that it takes seven shuffles to completely shuffle a deck of cards.  And of course, we have seven main chakras. 

Mathematically, the number 7 is considered a “virgin” number.  No number less than 7 divides into it and it does not reproduce itself (the way the solution of 5 x 5 x 5, etc. will always end in the number 5).  When any number besides 7 is divided by 7, the result is a fraction with an endlessly looping set of the numbers 142857. 

The shape and the solid associated with the number 7 cannot be drawn precisely; the angles are fractions, once again with that same endlessly looping set of numbers.  There are no 7-sided shapes in nature because of this.  Isn’t that cool?!

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