Tuesday, April 30, 2013


The Horned One/Eight of Swords reversed.  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. The Llewellyn Welsh card is named “The Horned One” because it presents a more natural, physical world energy based Devil, without chains and bindings.  This version of the Devil is more about the alluring call of the wild, and I am very attuned to this energy today, so the presence of this card makes sense.  The Eight of Swords (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable talkative, dual) in an upright position tells of a confused and restrictive response to obstacles.  Thankfully my card is reversed, and it makes sense, if I am deeply connected to natural and wild physical world energy that I will feel a lack of restriction.  The best way to enjoy and benefit from the kind of pleasure being offered by my Horned One is to go with the flow and allow that energy to empower me. 

My Thoth card is the Ten of Swords reversed.  Another reversed Swords card!  Crowley’s keyword for the upright Ten of Swords is “Ruin”; this card (the Sun, the inner core of a person or situation, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable, dual, talkative) tells of the perception of the complete manifestation of interference, powerlessness and restriction.  The key word here is “perception”; since my card is reversed, even if the energies manifest, I will be able to get past them because my perception will be that they are not going to hold me back. 

My Legacy card is the Nine of Coins, flavored by the Five of Cups.  The Nine of Coins (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, in Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented) tells of accomplishment through the imposition of discipline.  Yes, I know; that seems like the opposite instruction from The Horned One above.  But if we look at the card flavoring my Nine of Coins, we might be able to make sense of things.  The Five of Cups (Mars, action, aggression, drive, in Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, mysterious, obsessive) tells of an emotional setback, or perhaps the belief that a wrong choice has been made.  There is a sense of isolation that comes with this kind of setback, and the discomfort of that isolation tends to distract us from the potential of a silver lining in all those dark clouds surrounding us.  So the Nine of Coins tells me to hang in there, to stick to my program, and maybe even to use that sense of isolation for my own benefit.  After all, relying on myself can be seen as a sort of isolation, eh?

My 6-digit date number is 11 (Archangel Uriel), which reduces further to 2, the number of balance, polarity, and the energy of “distance between.”

My horoscopes: “You could be introduced to a celebrity you admire, probably a woman, perhaps at a lecture or book signing, Sagittarius. This could make a profound difference in your life, as this person may inspire you. A romantic partner could meet her as well, and the two of you should have a lot to discuss over dinner. Relax and enjoy your evening. It could change your life in a very subtle way.”

And: “Warmth, happiness, and a sense of peace reign in the home today. You may be uncharacteristically quiet throughout the evening, as you might be reflecting on your spirituality. A female visitor may be in the same space, so the conversation could well turn to metaphysics and the occult. This may not be a typical conversation or a typical day, but it'll be right for what you need now. Enjoy!”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Two of Pentacles.  Oh, how I understand this card today!  The image on the Shadowscapes Two of Pentacles is a young man standing on top of a rocky promontory, balancing precariously on one foot as he juggles two Pentacles.  I’ve got a list of things to get done today, and this card is reminding me that in order to juggle them all, I need to pay attention to each of them as individuals, and I need to be able to keep a sense of the big picture, too.  I can do this!

My next Wild Unknown card is perfect: The Six of Pentacles.  This card shows the branch of a flowering plant, with each of the six flowers being a perfect Pentacle.  The plants in my beloved garden are nurtured; they get watered, they are grouped together with others of their kind when that is beneficial, and kept isolated when that is not beneficial.  I practice the “if it germinates, that’s what I grow” method of gardening. I try to stick to local plants; they seem to handle the environment much better than exotics.  And when I see a branch covered with perfect blossoms, I am very aware that this is a mini-perfect storm of resource management, performed by the plant.  Next time, things might not work out this good, but that, too, has value; after all, even in the plant world, survival of the fittest is the law of the land.  This card is also showing me the interesting relationship between the giver and the receiver; there always is an exchange, even if we can’t perceive it. 

Another busy day.  I just received the news that my submission to PaganPages will appear in this month’s issue!!  So be sure to stop by tomorrow at www.PaganPages.org or stop by here at DancingSparkles; I’ll be posting a link, as I jump up and down with excitement.

Tomorrow, I will also be packing for my yearly long weekend in the Dominican Republic, at my son’s place.  This year, I’ve got a little ceremony to perform at my son’s well, in honor of my Patroness, Danu.  Hopefully, my flight will be uneventful.

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Monday, April 29, 2013


Ace of Wands/Ten of Cups reversed. The Ace of Wands (Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, egotistical, Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, sensible, orderly) tells of the initial emanation of enthusiasm or inspiration that could very well energize an entire process or project.  Like all the Aces, this emanation is presented as potential only, but oh boy, what potential.  Enthusiasm just may be the word of the day. The Ten of Cups (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, spirituality, suffering and growth) in an upright position offers the manifestation of happiness, simple joys, and fulfillment. My Ten of Cups is reversed, but I hope that the possible upheaval or emotional discomfort presented by this card won’t hold back the enthusiasm of the Ace of Wands, but rather balance it out.

My Thoth card is the Princess of Swords reversed. The Princess/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) tells us to use our mind and intellect to analyze our situations as well as our emotions and feelings.  We need to think out of the box during this process of analysis, and we need to remember that expectations often manifest as reality, so we must think carefully as we analyze and remain aware that we just might be mistaken in our expectations.

My Legacy card is the Eight of Wands reversed, flavored by The Magician. The Eight of Wands (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, skill, communication, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) in an upright position is a card of action, of quick developments, and of pulling it all together so things can be completed.  My Eight is reversed, however, and it is telling me not to expect anything to happen too quickly today.  I should not rush anything, and I should make certain that I assess before making a decision. The Magician, which is flavoring my reversed Eight of Wands, corresponds with Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and quick and animated energy which usually presents problems or challenges), Mercury (reason, intelligence, orderliness, communication), Beth (house; builder) and the Path between Binah (female, receptive energy and the origin of form and structure) and Kether (the source, limitless possibility).  The Magician is a personally significant card to me.  He works hard to perfect his abilities, he is flexible and can make use of those abilities in unexpected ways, and he can really focus and carry through to the end of a task.  In fact, the end result is pretty important to him.  He can deal with that reversed Eight of Wands, and in fact will enjoy assessing things once more before acting.  But he will act..

My 6-digit date number is 10, the end of a cycle, which reduces further to 1, the number of position and potential. 

My horoscopes: “Today you might be in the public eye along with some close friends and perhaps a love partner. You may be giving a speech, leading a discussion group, or be the center of attention at a party. You're likely to hold those around you spellbound, as your oratorical capabilities are very high. Enjoy the attention and make sure you give back what you get.

And: “You enjoy philosophical discussions almost any time, but today you'll be having a lot of them, even for you. Someone could ring you up recounting a strange dream or mystical experience, while a love partner might put forth the idea of starting a formal organization for the spread of consciousness. An exciting group event, perhaps an expo or festival, could deepen your resolve at least to continue your own studies.

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Two of Wands.  What I love about the Shadowscapes Two of Wands is that although you can easily sense the power and skill and awareness of fertile potential as you gaze at the woman and her lion, their surroundings are a hazy blur, as if it was a foggy morning but the sun was shining behind the fog.  Possibilities and potential, and the power and skill and awareness to make use of them.  A heady way to start the day!

So, I made it through the Wild Unknown Wheel of Fortune.  Now, another challenge: The Two of Swords.  This one shows an eclipsed sun at the top of the card being bracketed by two crossed swords.  While this is often a card of stalemate, or of shutting out the world, it feels very strong to me.  I can feel the muscle tension needed to close out the world, and I can sense the primordial power of the Universe, as the moon and the sun approach each other and then overlap each other, as the moon shuts out the light of the sun.  There is an uneasy pause as darkness and quiet surround me, but soon enough, whether I will it or not, the moon and the sun will go their separate ways, and the light and noise will return.  The solar eclipse is a wonderful metaphor for this card!

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Sunday, April 28, 2013


Transparent Oracle Sunday!!

31, Gateway: Winter (North). North is the direction of Earth, and thus of the physical or physically formed or manifested world, and of nurturing, health, finances and security, and the wisdom associated with living simply, being well-grounded, and being in touch with our physical body.  Because this Gateway is square and solid, and appears unshakable and immovable, it seems like a safe place, or a strong foundation upon which we can exist and prosper.

13, Element: Fire (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.  The element of Fire manifests as spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change; its dignities are hot/separates and dry/shapes. Fire has often been used as a representation of Spirit or the Divine, and this makes sense.  Fire brings transformation, animation or life, courage, and intent.  Fire has its dangers, though; it brings transformation through destruction that brings new birth.

4, Time of Day: Dawn (East).  East is the direction of the rising sun, and thus of new beginnings and fresh ideas, as well as knowledge, intellectual ideas and thoughts.  Dawn is a magickal time, a crossroad between the quiet and serenity of night, and the action and manifestation of the day.  With the first rays of the rising sun we move out of our dreaming consciousness and into an awakened perception, and it is during this crossroad that we might be able to bring the messages of our dreams into the light of day, so we can better manifest them. 

Before even creating my mandala, I noticed the significance of the numbers 31, 13 and 4.  Both 31 and 13 reduce to the number 4, and 31 and 13 are mirror images of each other, just as Winter/North and Fire/South are opposites.  The first two cards present opposing focuses, one on the physically manifested world and the other on transformation, courage, passion and the Divine.  The triangular symbol for Fire superimposed onto the four-sided Gateway gives us an off-center kind of feeling, but as I have learned, while movement upsets stability, it also ends stagnation.  Uncle Al has told us that change is stability, and stability needs change in order to exist, so this off-center feeling is not necessarily a bad one.  The rays of the rising sun connect the images of the two other cards.  It reminds us that perception is important, and maybe, just maybe, seeing these two symbols with the slanted rays of light and long shadows of Dawn will offer a new understanding.

This one is tough.  My next Wild Unknown card: The Wheel of Fortune.  The image on this card seems a bit tangled.  It shows a Wheel made of white birch branches festooned with blue, green red and yellow ribbons, with a crescent moon, a nighttime sky, and an owl sitting on one of the branches at the top of the card, and a bright sun with far-reaching rays at the bottom of the card.  The entire image is peaceful and quiet, but the ribbons looped from branch to branch hints at forces beyond my control, even beyond my ability to predict.  But the dark night sky and the brilliant sun make this Wheel look like a World!  Different card, I know; but planets rotate and revolve through the powers of the Universe.  Winter follows Summer, which follows Winter; day follows night, which follows day, and there is nothing we can do to stop this.  We can’t control those powers, but we certainly can make use of them. 

I had a wonderful weekend.  I spent two days working in my beloved garden, under blue skies with warm temperatures.  We had great meals, and I even had the bonus of sharing some great stretches with a friend.  It’s back to reality tomorrow, with some work to do, but I leave for the D.R. on Thursday!

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Friday, April 26, 2013


The Hierophant reversed/Two of Cups.   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.  My Hierophant is reversed today, so I am getting a different message from him: be flexible, be open to new experiences, and maybe even value solitary experiences. The Two of Cups (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, in Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, family and home oriented, tenacious, moody) tells of about love and connections, usually having to do with feelings, relationships and commonalities.  This card is telling me that kinship is important, more important than The Establishment. 

My Thoth card is the Three of Swords.  Eeep!  “Sorrow” is Crowley’s keyword for this one. The Three of Swords (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitations and resistance, in Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation) usually indicates the possibility that logic, rationalizing and the intellect could end up causing harm if they are not used with balance and compassion.  This Swords card tells of a disconnect with some situation, and that disconnect can cause melancholy, or even sorrow.  I need to learn how to **not** fear this melancholy, for in the end, it is all in my mind and can only hurt me if I allow it to.  

My Legacy card is the Knight of Swords, flavored by the Three of Cups.  The Knight of Swords (the cusp of Taurus, “I have,” sensual, stubborn, cautious, and Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, dual, intelligent) is outspoken, assured, alert, and logical, as well as rude, domineering, critical and sarcastic.  My Knight could be either supporting my Three of Swords above, or saving me from it.   He does have his own unique version of perfection, and that might be the instigator in the situation. The Three of Cups (Mercury, reason, intelligence, orderliness, communication, in Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody) is about connections, emotional abundance, and about blessings.  Another Cups card!! I guess I need to try not to over-analyze things.  Emotions and feelings are also valid indicators, and perhaps my connections to others can be healing and soothing.

My 6-digit date number is 7, the number that tells of the pause that comes with the slowing of growth and the beginning of degeneration, often accompanied by a choice or crossroad. 

My horoscopes: “Accomplishing some important business might require touching base with many people who live and work far away, perhaps in other countries. This might require that you spend a lot of time on the phone, and it also would require allowing for the different time zones, which could be a drag. You will eventually make the contacts you need, even if they don't come until tomorrow.

And: “You must be wondering: What in the world is going on? On the one hand, you have thoughts that are rather humanistic and harmonious about both your family and your career. But on the other hand, you also have a deep desire to destroy everything in order to start fresh! So you will have to choose. In any case, given the current climate and the fire inside of you, any sort of compromise will prove difficult today. Be careful not to go too far overboard!

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Knight of Pentacles.  Well, this card shows up often, and I’m glad.  The appearance of this Page tells me that there are opportunities around me to prosper and enjoy myself in the physical world.  I need to make a plan and stick to it with enthusiasm, and I need to enjoy each opportunity to learn or experience new things.  Oh-kay!

Happy Friday, everyone.

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Thursday, April 25, 2013


Strength/The Hierophant.  Niiice.  The Strength card (Fire, hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive and energetic energy; Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, egotistical; Teth, sieve or basket, digestion; and the Path between Geburah, the place where forms and structures are challenged or affirmed, and Chesed, the place where forms and structures are stabilized and nurtured) is about having the strength and the patience to endure and focus.  The strength referred to here is not about muscles, but rather about having patience and compassion, along with the ability to focus.  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.   The Hierophant is also about revering knowledge, and about teaching and learning in order to preserve knowledge.  Neither of these cards encourage solitary pursuits, so today is about the group, not about just me.

My Thoth card is the Princess of Disks.  The Princess/Page of Disks (Aries, “I want,” assertive, action oriented, Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn, and Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable, dual) is down-to-earth and responsible, and a listener and a learner.  Crowley sees this Princess as representing womanhood at its finest: fertile in a random and innocent way.  Unike most Disk cards, this one enjoys new and unexpected experiences; after all, they have such awesome possibilities!

My Legacy card is the Four of Cups reversed, flavored by the Four of Wands.  Another nice pair.  The Four of Cups (the Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, nurturing, tenacious, moody) in an upright position tells us that too much pleasure, or maybe too much nurturing or overprotectiveness, deadens the senses.  This deadening of the senses causes us to disengage, and while that is okay for a short period of time, it is not healthy over the long term.  Thankfully, my Four of Cups is reversed, and it is being flavored by the Four of Wands.  The Four of Wands (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, in Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, enthusiastic) is about building enough to become established, about the results of harmony and effort and creativity combined.  The celebration and sense of freedom that this card brings to my reversed Four of Cups tells me that my emotions won’t drag me down today!

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

My horoscopes: “Seize today, Sagittarius. This is the day you've been waiting for. Don't back down from the intensity. You have the power to get ahead in whatever it is you wish to accomplish in this lifetime. You will find your willpower and discipline strong. It's time to grab the opportunities that are presented to you. Take the plunge toward a brighter future and be confident of your success.

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

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Four of Wands.  Another interpretation of this happy card.  The Shadowscapes Four of Wands tells of the celebration that is well earned, yet does not represent the final achievement.  Not yet.  But we are well on our way, and deserve a moment to paaah-teeee!

Busy, busy days.  The Hubs is busy, and that means I’m busy.  I’ve got YTT homework to work on, and tonight we had our first practice.  We practiced teaching poses to each other!  It sounds easy, until you have to actually do it.  Practice is a good thing.  I’ve got Degree homework to work on, and one week from today, I leave to visit my son, my yearly trip to the D.R.  I am looking forward to my trip this year.  I miss my son’s dogs, and I miss the primalness of the area.

I’ve thrown another Wild Unknown card: The Star.  The image on this Major Arcana card is simple: a rainbow colored five-pointed star, set in a dark sky sprinkled with other, less unusual yet still beautiful stars.  The colors on this Star are lovely and pure, and they make me feel as if this Star is an omen predicting the possibility of good things to come.  A silent omen, silent as the night sky, dark and velvety.  Subtle and silent, yet powerful still.  What message does this rainbow colored Star bring? It brings that first glimpse of hope.  Believe in beauty, The Star says as she glistens with the colors of a rainbow, believe in purity, believe in goodness.  And those are the things you shall receive. 

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Tuesday, April 23, 2013


Temperance reversed/King of Wands.  Interesting. Temperance corresponds with Sagittarius (“I seek,” philosophic, adventurous, blundering) Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive, energetic change), 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), and this card presents one version of the concept of balance:  balance achieved through knowledge and experience of extremes. Of course, in order to understand and work with extremes, we need to experience them, and my reversed Temperance could be letting me know that such a time is upon me. The King of Wands (cusp of Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, nurturing, moody, and Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic egotistical) is honest and open hearted, and rules his realm through the advantageous use of his creative impulses.  He is bold and courageous, is a natural leader, and earns the respect of others through his own actions.  This King of Fiery energy is certainly extreme, but he is also mature enough to know how to “temper” his power.

My Thoth card is the Nine of Swords reversed.  “Cruelty” is the keyword for the upright card. The Nine of Swords (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, social, dual) in an upright position represents brooding and worrying, usually self-caused, and usually unproductive.  To Crowley, this card represents the “cruelty of the mind,” and the powers that analysis-run-amok can have on our perceptions.  Thankfully, this card is reversed, so while I may have moments of worry, in the end those worries will not control me.

My Legacy card is the King of Coins, flavored by Justice.  Power! 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 responsible, he maintains a calm and even approach to his day, and can be counted on, no matter what the situation.  My King is being flavored by Justice, and this makes sense. Justice is a card of adjustment, and it 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). The King of Coins would be very aware of the effects of this card, and he is the perfect person to effectively use these effects to better his world.  I am being told that today, I can do this too!!

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

My horoscopes: “Today is excellent for you, Sagittarius. You should be encouraged to take action in any artistic realm. Cook a scrumptious dinner and share it with a loved one. Give your heart a chance to speak and act on what it says. Your feminine and masculine sides are on the same page now. Take the opportunity to balance these two aspects. You're a magnet for love and romance.

And: “You may feel like you are driving with the emergency break on today. For some reason, someone or something may be holding you back, and you may not be exactly sure why. This sense of restriction and limitation is a natural piece of the evolution of things and you should not fight it, but instead work with it to your advantage. This is especially true for any issue in the love and romance department. Handle this area of your life with care.

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Eight of Pentacles.  LOL, this is the other Eight of Pentacles that I identify with the spider and her web.  A diligent attention to detail and the fortitude to see a complicated task to the end are the qualities associated with this card.  Along with these is the ability to find satisfaction in a job well done!

So, I’ve hinted at an important development, which has come to fruition.  Beginning with the May issue of PaganPages.org eMagazine (www.paganpages.org), there will be a new regular column called “Tarot Talk,” written by yours truly, Raushanna!! The column will be focusing on breaking down Tarot cards to their most basic components in order to better understand the nuances of their messages. I am very proud and excited to be associated with PaganPages.org, and I am looking forward to “talking Tarot” with everyone.

I am also hard at work on my Lesson 9, and enjoying the correlation between my spiritual studies and my Yoga Teacher Training studies. 

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Monday, April 22, 2013


Two of Swords reversed/Five of Swords. The Two of Swords (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation) in an upright position represents a time of not looking or of shutting out the world.  The barriers needed to produce this isolation might not serve me today if allowed to solidify.  The card paired with my reversed Two of Swords is another Swords card, this one uprightThe 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.  There is a clear warning here: if I refuse to see what is going on around me, I will end up putting all my efforts into manifesting the wrong situation. 

My Thoth card is Seven of Swords reversed.  “Futility” is Uncle Al’s keyword for this one in an upright position. The Seven of Swords (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause-oriented, the group, aloofness) in an upright position tells of the effort to maintain things as we want them, often through the use of deception and without considering the wants or needs of others.  Needless to say, change happens anyway so this kind of effort is indeed futile.  Thankfully my card is reversed, and it, like my reversed Two of Swords above, is also telling me that isolation may not be good for me today.

My Legacy card is The Star, flavored by Temperance. Two similar cards!!  The Star (Air, hot/separates and wet/adapts; Aquarius; Qof, back of head; the Path between Malkuth, the physical world of action and outer, physical reality, and Netzach, the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration) is the “good will to all” card.  This card is serene and soft, and tells us to go to a quiet place so we can be aware of our own synergy with the world.   Temperance corresponds with Sagittarius (“I seek,” philosophic, adventurous, blundering) Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive, energetic change), 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), and this card presents one version of the concept of balance:  balance achieved through knowledge and experience of extremes. Temperance reminds us that opposite extremes can often come together as one.  My Temperance card is flavoring my Star today, and thus is hinting that the serenity of The Star just might be hiding inside of me!

My 6-digit date number is 3, the number that tells of a new creation out of the potential and position of the Ace and the duality, polarity and “distance between” of the 2.

My horoscopes: “You may get frustrated when people who've taken shortcuts gain on your position, Sagittarius. You believe that hard work is necessary to get where you need to go. You aren't afraid to expend the blood and sweat needed for success. You've planned well and you're on track. Try not to get upset by others who take the easy route. They may seem like they're gaining on you, but you're light-years ahead.

And: “Keep your mind focused on travel today. You have the opportunity today to set a dream in motion toward taking off to a distant land. Consider packing up everything you own and just following your heart. Don't be afraid of change. You only live once, so make the best of what you've got. Don't think that you are necessarily locked in to your present situation. Think big. No one else is going to do your dreaming for you.

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Ten of Pentacles.  This card shows up often for me, and it is a good one.  It reminds me that there is a huge benefit from using tried-and-true methods, and from having the focus necessary to stick to that plan over the long term.  The prize is a good one, the bounties of the physical world and the pleasure of the senses.  Worth working toward, eh?

It has been a busy weekend.  We went out on Friday night with friends, then got up early Saturday morning and headed to Cape May.  I spent all day Saturday in my beloved garden; we went out to dinner on Saturday night.  Sunday I got up and headed over to the Breadstand, then gathered my things and came back north.  Last night, I taught a bellydance class to private students, came home and crashed. 

I slept well last night, and now I am ready to get back to business as usual.  Today was difficult in a minor way, a kind of “turnsta” day (everything I touch “turnsta” dog poop, LOL).  Stressful, but not overwhelming.  I did pretty much keep my sense of humor.

Next Wild Unknown Tarot card!  The Five of Pentacles.  I connect deeply to the image on this card, a red rose bud, just ready to open to a brilliantly beautiful blossom.  Something has harmed this bud, and it is drooping limply on its stem, and the petals, also curled and limp, are beginning to drop, one by one.  The image makes me feel wounded, as if circumstances had gotten together to deny me whatever I need to blossom at the very moment where work and effort would have begun to blossom.  These circumstances make me feel cut off from what I need to prosper, and they make me feel that I’ve lost a unique opportunity, lost it so that I cannot ever hope to retrieve it.  Is it an illness that is causing the weakness?  Is there not enough water?  Not enough fertilizer?  We cannot tell from the image on this card, which shows only one stem.  We would be wrong to judge the entire situation by this one drooping flower. What we forget is that the rose is a hardy plant; the flowers may droop from illness or neglect or natural disaster, but there is still life hidden within the core of the plant.

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Sunday, April 21, 2013


Transparent Oracle Sunday!!

3, Element: Air (East).  East is the direction of the rising sun, and thus of new beginnings and fresh ideas, as well as knowledge, intellectual ideas and thoughts.  The element of Air represents the purest of clear thought, logic, and the ability to analyze.  Air is also connected with knowledge, education, science, and inspiration or a new way of thinking about things. 

24, Time of Day: Sunset (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.  Sunset is the time when we pause as the daylight hours come to a close.  We should not, however, assume that the day is done, for much can be had from the dark hours.  The light of the setting sun and the long shadows can transform even the most mundane environment into something mystical and magickal, the perfect environment to remember the experiences of the day.

57, Grail Hallows: The Sword (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.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  It appears upon initial glance that the rays of the setting sun are surrounding and supporting some kind of insignia.  Indeed, The Sword is a Grail Hallows that corresponds to . . . wait for it . . . the element of Air!  The Grail Hallows Sword tells me that the powers offered (authority, knowledge) need to be earned.  Perhaps I am being told that this is a good time for me to asses what I’ve done so far, in order to use my experiences to turn knowledge into wisdom. Cold hard facts are important, but so is inspiration.

Ready for the next Wild Unknown Tarot card?  The Eight of Pentacles.  The image on this card is a spider web, with the spider sitting in the middle of the web.  I’ve seen this image before on an Eight of Pentacles, and in my opinion it is the perfect example of the energies of this card.  I have watched garden spiders build webs on early Summer evenings from my beloved porch in Cape May; the spider works diligently, with amazing skills, amazing proprioceptive visualization abilities.  Just imagining the daunting task of building one of those webs allows me to understand the attention to detail and persistence of focus necessary to complete the task.  And after all that work, by the following morning the web is discarded, and as the sun sets once again, the spider snips any remaining lines so she can begin anew the entire process.  Powerful energies?  You bet!  Obvious and in-your-face?  Nope.  Instead, we have sustained power manifested through focus, skill, and attention to detail. 

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Friday, April 19, 2013


Three of Pentacles reversed/Ten of Cups reversed.  The Three of Pentacles (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, cunning, competence) tells of competence, planning and teamwork, and it seems that today, group efforts may not be productive if I am involved, at least regarding the physical world.  This is not necessarily a bad thing, just a recommendation that if I need to work on physical-realm focuses such as finances, the home or my physical body, I am better off working alone.  The Ten of Cups (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, spirituality, suffering and growth) in an upright position offers the manifestation of happiness, simple joys, and fulfillment. My Ten of Cups is reversed, and I certainly do understand the chaos and upheaval that can be represented by the reversed Ten of Cups.  I woke up to the manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers, and I am very unsettled today.

My Thoth card is the Eight of Disks reversed.  “Prudence” is Uncle Al’s keyword for this card in an upright position.  The Eight of Disks (Sun, the inner core of a person or situation, in Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, sensible, orderly) is about taking care of details, working hard, and studying or learning new things, all with an eye on the end result.  Again, I understand why this card is reversed for me today.  It is reinforcing my reversed Three of Pentacles above, and warning me that I may have problems focusing on the tasks at hand.

My Legacy card is the Queen of Swords reversed, flavored by the Ace of Swords.  **gulp**  Should I just go back to bed now?  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, which is about responsibility and the relationship between “cause” and “effect.”  But my Queen is reversed, and like my other cards today, is indicative of my mental state right now.  One thing I do need to be aware of: the upright Queen represents being realistic in our perception of the world.  Perhaps I need to remind myself that things are not as bad as they seem.  The Ace of Swords (Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution authority, cunning, Aquarius and Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, soul growth, artistic) tells of the potential within the day to effectively use mental or intellectual abilities.  Finally, some good news!  Armed with the advice of my cards today, perhaps I will in the end make sense of the chaos.  Even uncomfortable situations offer opportunities for growth (LOL, **especially** uncomfortable situations); I need to see today as an opportunity to exercise my mental “muscles.”

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

My horoscopes: “There's a lot of work to be done today, and much of it centers on finances. Whether you're working on budgets or investments, you will easily finish the task. Your trusty computer will help you as you discover a new website that supports your efforts or post a question in a financial chatroom that yields many responses. Favorable advancement is likely, Sagittarius, if not today then quite soon.”

And: “You might feel as if you're carrying a ten-ton weight around your neck. It could well appear that tasks, which normally take you ten minutes, are now taking an hour. Some you might have to do over until you get them right. This is a drag, but it probably won't last past today. Do whatever it takes to get the most important chores done today, then leave the rest until tomorrow. You'll be in a better space then.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Four of Swords.  This card has a serene feel to it.  While a traditional meaning for this card is “truce,” just the need for a truce implies conflict.  The Shadowscapes Four of Swords deviates a bit from that traditional focus, and presents instead the concept of a time of inner contemplation.  Whether our day is encouraging or stressful, taking the time to connect with that peaceful and serene and safe place within my core will allow me to be more effective.  True, dat.

This has been a stressful week for everyone.  The news is filled with bombings and manhunts and shootouts; social media presents one conspiracy after another, willy-nilly.  I woke at 5 am this morning and could not go back to sleep.  Eventually I went downstairs and put on the television, only to be immersed in the chaos that is happening in Boston.  I cannot comprehend this need to cause harm; it puzzles me and fills me with dismay.  What is happening to humans as a species?  Perhaps my spread for today is in such disarray because I need to follow the advice of my Shadowscapes Four of Swords, and unplug. 

I am infusing my subtle body with the energies of my heart chakra as I type this.  I cannot affect the world, I can only affect my own environment.  Today, I will infuse my every thought, my every word, and my every deed with love and acceptance and serenity and healing.  That is what I am offering, that is what I am consciously infusing into my personal space today. 

Blessed Be.

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Thursday, April 18, 2013


Three of Wands/Judgement.  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) is a card of planning for action that tells of the excitement of seeking out uncharted areas with an optimism that says that no matter what happens, it will be good.  Today may be a good idea to try out some new ideas.  Judgement corresponds with Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change), Pluto (power, metamorphosis, cycles of dying and becoming), Shin (fang), and the Path between Malkuth (the physical world of action and physical, outer reality) and Hod (provides analysis and communication) and represents an opportunity to tally up and pay the bill so we can have a fresh start.  This process can only be accomplished by looking not only toward the future, as my Three of Wands instructs, but also by looking at the past in order to identify what could be holding us back.  Until we accept our past and until we understand the value of our past experiences (whether they are successful or not), we won’t be able to make those plans for the future.

My Thoth card is the Princess of Cups.  Twice in one week!  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 and of getting fulfillment through connections to others, and through innocent and simple joys.  The Princess of Cups is imaginative and playful, and eager to serve.  She reminds us that there is healing to be found in perceiving the world through the eyes of a child; this less-complicated viewpoint can be the catalyst for powerful personal change.

My Legacy card is the Six of Swords, flavored by the Two of Swords.  I had this pair already this week, too!  The Six of Swords (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, communication, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause oriented) 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).  What we need to remember here is that in order to move towards a better place, we must also leave something behind.  This card is similar to the Eight of Cups in that it tells us that sometimes the best thing to do is to move on; the Six of Swords also tells us that we can’t move toward that more positive place unless we have the strength of Will to take that first step.  The Two of Swords (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation) is flavoring my Six of Swords, and it represents a time of not looking or of shutting out the world.  Perhaps if I choose to shut out the distractions of the physical world and of my own emotions, I will be able to perceive just what that first step needs to be. 

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

My horoscopes: “Spend some quality time with your partner today, Sagittarius. Perhaps he or she is a little jealous of your friends or feeling left out. Perhaps you've received invitations lately that are just for you. It might be a good idea to turn one down in favor of being with your partner. Plan a romantic interlude. A little quality time can help get things back on track.”

And: “A large party or group event such as a festival could take place in your neighborhood today. Many of your friends and neighbors, some of whom you haven't spoken to for a while, could attend. You may go with a group of close friends, but don't expect to leave with them. Too many other people will sidetrack you. Take advantage of everything the event has to offer and enjoy yourself. You may make some advantageous discoveries.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Queen of Wands.  This Queen is good at taking charge, making good judgments, seeing new directions and networking, all while keeping sense of humor.  She is telling me to be the same way, and to pat myself on the back if I can attain this.

Yep, another Wild Unknown card: The Moon.  This card shows a crescent moon in the night sky, flanked by two tall evergreen trees.  A simple image, yet it has been craftily constructed to cause unease.  Our brains use patterns to identify and understand, and on the surface the patterns of this card are pretty elementary.  So why does the image make me feel uneasy?  The crescent moon is a waning moon, and the waning moon always makes me feel strange.  I am used to seeing the crescent, but facing west, the direction in which the moon is moving, and not east, at the sun coming up behind.  The waning moon always appears backwards to me.  The two huge fir trees look identical, but upon closer examination I see their branch configurations are actually completely different.  How easy it would be to get confused while traveling through such a forest, and become completely lost!  But everything pictured on this card is natural, and harmless; there is nothing to fear here, except for fear itself.

I really like the way these cards are affecting my understanding of meanings.  I am adding personal texture and depth to the way I see the Tarot.  As much as I really want to work with several of these cards each day, I am holding myself back.  Isn’t it interesting that taking my time is the most difficult part of working with these powerful cards? These new experiences are lovely, and I want to wallow in them.  And wallowing takes time. 

I am plugging away with Lesson 9 of Third Degree (yes, I know; I said Lesson 8 yesterday, but I was wrong), and working on the focus of this lesson, healing and service, feels a lot nicer than the Shadow Work of Lesson 8.  Plus, this one involves an essay, my favorite form of communication.  The icing on the cake is that my in-depth study of Yoga as a YTT trainee is offering another perception of the very concepts I am discussing in my essay and have experienced in the past through the offering of Reiki, Thai Massage, and Tarot readings to others. 

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Wednesday, April 17, 2013


The Star reversed/Justice.  The Star (Air, hot/separates and wet/adapts; Aquarius; Qof, back of head; the Path between Malkuth, the physical world of action and outer, physical reality, and Netzach, the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration) is the “good will to all” card.  Upright, The Star is about optimism and faith, synergy with the world, and an awareness of that synergy.  My Star is reversed today, and things may not appear optimistic or serene, at least on the surface.  But the energies of this card are not in-your-face; I guess the first step might be attempting to believe that good will exists, even if I can’t see it.  And LOL, there could be a literal interpretation of this card: our front steps are being jack-hammered so they can be replaced.  No peace and serenity here!  Justice is a card of adjustment, and it 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 reminding me that causes have effects and that actions have consequences.  I also need to remember that the concept of justice is a personal one; what seems like a return to balance to me might seem unfair to others.  If I include both honesty and my own ethical code into my thoughts, words and deeds today, all will be well. 

My Thoth card is the Five of Cups reversed.  “Disappointment” The Five of Cups (Mars, action, aggression, drive, in Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, mysterious, obsessive) in an upright position tells of an emotional setback, or perhaps the belief that a wrong choice has been made.  Since my card is reversed, any disappointments won’t be able to grab hold of me today.  Perhaps there will be a moment or two of regret, but I will be easily able to accept that regret and then release it.  Maybe even learn from it.

My Legacy card is the Ace of Swords reversed, flavored by the Page of Cups.  The Ace of Swords (Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution authority, cunning, Aquarius and Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, soul growth, artistic) tells of the potential within the day to effectively use mental or intellectual abilities.  My Ace is reversed, so that potential, like the serenity and optimism of my reversed Star above, will not be easily accessed.  The card is there, though, and it is being flavored by the Page of Cups. The 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, fulfillments achieved through interactions with others, and simple joys.  “Don’t worry . . . be happy,” is what my Page seems to be telling me.  Sounds like good advice, all around!

My 6-digit date number is 7, the number that indicates a pause, usually telling me that growth is slowing and degeneration is approaching, and usually offering a choice or crossroad of some kind. 

My horoscopes: “You may feel some frustration over your perceived inability to reach an important milestone in your career. It's possible that you only need to reevaluate the benchmarks you've set in order to see that you've made more progress than you thought. Remember, ultimately, the time it takes you to reach a goal matters less than the fact that you reach it.

And: “A letter or phone call could come to you today from a love partner, expressing strong feelings of love, passion, and commitment. This is likely to make you feel real good, though you'll probably be speechless. Don't worry about this. Your partner is probably emotionally overwhelmed by these feelings, and therefore similar outpourings from you could cause a little panic. If you share your friend's feelings, be encouraging, but wait until a later date to reveal it

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Nine of Cups.  Sensual delights, satisfaction of the senses, and wish fulfillment are all indicated by this lovely card.  Okay, I’ll take that!!

I’m contemplating a new Wild Unknown card today: the Father of Pentacles.  This card shows a Stag’s head, regal and in his prime.  My initial feeling while looking at the image on the Father of Pentacles is one of respect, honor, the ability to protect, and prime masculine creativity.  The Stag gets to reach this stage of life because he is able to defeat all that challenge him; he is in a sense the fittest of his species that has survived to breed.  This card is about having a mighty presence in the physical world; it is about not only the thrill of competition, but it is also about turning a win into both honor and status, and the continuance of a fertile lineage, to the benefit of all.

Finally, I’ve had the time to start working on my Lesson 8 homework essay!  I have a feeling this one is going to be relatively easy, as it focuses on healing.  I am deep into my Yoga Teacher Training studies, and Yoga very much fits in with the concepts presented in this Lesson. 

And Spring continues to flourish.  All around are tulip magnolias, heavy with blossoms, and some of the early cherry trees are blooming as well.  The buds on the two copper beaches in front of the house are plump and bursting.  Lawns are greening, and the privet is full of leaves.  Tulips are coming to the end of their peak, and the first lunaria flowers are open.  Also **jumps up and down with excitement** my camellia is blooming, for the first time since we planted the bush two summers ago.

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Monday, April 15, 2013


Knight of Cups reversed/The Horned One.  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 is about feeling things strongly and without restraint or grounding.  He may appear calm, cool and collected to others, but my Knight of Cups responds deeply to life, and dreams big dreams.  He is similar to the Queen of Cups (who has shown up in my throw today, too) except his focus is more outer, and optimistic to the point of being unrealistic.  Because feelings are sourced from the heart, my reversed Knight of Cups is offering a warning today: be careful, don’t let emotions rule.  It is so easy to justify the causing of harm if we are hurting, and even allowing ourselves to be dreamy without restraint can trip us up.  Since the Knight is more about emotions that instincts, I will need to attempt to keep my emotions balanced today, and that may very well be a struggle. 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. And oh boy, that is just what I don’t need with that reversed Knight.  The Llewellyn Welsh card is named “The Horned One” because it presents a more natural, physical world energy based Devil, without chains and bindings.  This version of the Devil is more about the alluring call of the wild, which in itself can be addictive.  In our modern world, we need to balance civilized behavior with basic instincts, and The Horned One speaks for those basic instincts!

My Thoth card is the Queen of Cups.  I love the image on this card!  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.  She is very in touch with her emotions and her Inner Voice, sometimes to the point of seeming detached; she’s not detached, though . . . she is tranquil.  This Queen is soothing to be around, despite her dreaminess, and she is a natural healer.  She is more about inner experiences than the Knight of Cups, and she encourages us to accept our dreams and visions as valid, and to see the world through acceptance and love.

My Legacy card is the Page of Wands reversed, flavored by Death reversed.  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) is a fun guy to be around, unless you have a migraine.  This Page offers an exciting message that tells of the coming of a spark that could create a mighty flame, if there is enough kindling and air to feed it, and he wants to be a part of every step in the manifestation process because he loves experiencing new things.  My Page is reversed today, and thus I may be dealing with issues such as inconsistency of effort, being too active or impulsive, or being too moody (sound familiar?).  My Page of Wands is being flavored by another reversed card, Death.  Death 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 tells of natural change that cannot be stopped.  This change usually involves the potential to step upward on the evolutionary ladder, but we never know for sure.  My Death card is reversed, and since it is flavoring my reversed Page of Wands, I am interpreting this card to be letting me know just what I may be blocking by my reversed Page of Wands behavior today: exciting new things.  Time to focus on being aware of the perils of my reversed Page of Wands (and my reversed Knight of Cups!), and be more like the Queen of Cups.

My 6-digit date number is 5, the number that tells of motion that may be uncomfortable for the moment but in the end will dispel stagnation.

My horoscopes: “The planetary energy leaves you in a contemplative mood, Sagittarius. A lot of different possibilities have opened up for you recently, and you're trying to figure out which is the most appropriate now. Sometimes it's better to let things churn around in your subconscious for a while, and this could be one of those times. Forget it for now and have fun.

And: “Don't be surprised if you receive some intriguing news today, either in the mail or over the telephone. It may be that a dear friend from far away is planning on coming for an extended visit. Or perhaps you receive word of a compelling career opportunity. Keep your eyes and ears open, as much interesting news is likely to come your way. Travel is indicated, so make sure your passport is up to date.

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Ace of Swords.  Perfect!  A bit of astringency to counter all the Earth and Water in the rest of my cards today.  The energy of this suit is powerful, yet neutral; it is our own input that chooses the use of the power being offered.  The Ace of Swords tells me that something has begun that may offer this choice to me.  Which side of the sword, and the workings of the mind and the intellect associated with it, will I choose to use? 

Slow start today, for sure.  But coffee works, and as the day passed I became gradually more productive. 

Exciting news!  I’ve been offered a Tarot column in a Pagan eMag, an unsolicited offer, and I am real excited about this!  I’m working out the details with my potential Editor, Jenn, and will keep you posted.  But food for thought: isn’t it interesting that the first name of my publisher is Jen.  She spells it with one “n” instead of two, but there’s some synchronicity, eh?

I am also having trouble staying away from my new deck, the Wild Unknown Tarot.  I’ve already thrown another card to contemplate, but I will wait until tomorrow to post my thoughts.  Today, I am still recovering from and absorbing everything we covered at the YTT Intensive 2 yesterday.  The human body is an incredible machine!!  Sorry for the repeat, but enthusiasm is a good thing.  I am particularly fascinated by the way our spinal column works.  Have you ever looked at the human vertebrae??  Have you ever examined how those strange-looking bones interact when we move?? 

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