Friday, January 31, 2014

1/31/14

Knight of Cups reversed/The Magician.  The Knight of Cups (cusp of Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause-oriented, and Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, suffering, soul growth) is about feeling things strongly and without restraint or grounding.  He may appear calm, cool and collected to others, but in an upright position my Knight of Cups responds deeply to life, and dreams big dreams.  He is reversed today, and paired with The Magician.  The Magician 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 works hard to perfect his abilities, to make use of those abilities in unexpected ways, and to focus and carry through to the end of a task (which is pretty important to him).  This card is personally significant to me, and since he represents the manifestation of tangible knowledge (and the ability to control that manifestation), I will need to be on guard today to make certain I don’t forget that anything I say and do has an affect on those around me. 

My Thoth cards are the Four of Swords and the Knight of Swords.  The Four of Swords (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation) in an upright position can represent a pause or truce or mutual deterrent, or a time of silence and isolation, that should be used to prepare for challenges to come.  The image on this card perfectly sets out the meaning, for the four swords are pointed inward, sheathed if you will in the rose at the center of the equal-sided cross.  The equal-sided cross itself is set on its side, much more stable than if it were presented in the usual fashion, balanced on one of its sides.  Here is the difference between truce, chosen deliberately, and stalemate, forced upon all parties. The Knight/King of Swords (cusp of Capricorn, “I build,” ambitious, cautious, cunning, authoritative, and Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause-oriented, aloof) is a good judge of people and situations.  He is an interesting card to pair with the Four of his suit.  He uses his intellect to analyze, so he may not be compassionate but he is trustworthy, and he can be trusted to fiercely stand by his decisions.  Both of these cards tell me that I won’t be too quick to jump into a situation, but my judgements should be sound, and based on calm analysis.

My Legacy card is the Ace of Wands, flavored by the Five 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.  This is inspiration that could lead to manifestation! This pure Fiery energy can be unpredictable, but it certainly means that something will be manifesting soon.  This manifestation will most likely be initated or supported by an upwelling of natural energy, kind of like a mini-Wheel of Fortune.  My Ace is being flavored by the Five of Cups in a reversed position.  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 disappointment, or perhaps the belief that a wrong choice has been made.  This could be an energy drain, or it could just be crying over spilled milk, but in any event there is danger of obsessing to the point that we won’t see the good stuff that is happening.  Since my card is reversed, and flavoring that Ace of Wands, I should be able to rise above any small discomforts today. 

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

My horoscope (only one today): “At this time, Sagittarius, most of your focus is on either a group you're affiliated with or an intellectual subject in which you have an intense interest, or perhaps both! The arts, particularly writing and drawing, might be among these subjects. A number of your closest friends could share your interest, particularly a woman who lives nearby, so you can expect some exciting discussions over the next few days. Enjoy!

Another Wild Unknown Tarot card, and a frightening one at that:  The Tower.  The image on this one is a tall and majestic evergreen, venerable and secure, being “beheaded” by a lightning bolt.  This one offers a very nice visual for the energies of this card, manifesting with a sudden and deadly strike.  The interesting thing about the Wild Unknown Tower is that it echoes another Major Arcana card, The Emperor, and it brings to mind interesting threads of connection between the two cards.  The Emperor is the one responsible for maintaining stability, but we all know what happens when that stability is maintained with fanaticism: an adjustment is forced upon us.  This image brings to mind two other concepts worth pondering.  First, a lightning strike is not a personal attack, but rather a somewhat random act.  Second, a lightning strike is not 100% random, for a strike is often drawn to the tallest and strongest.  The reward for succeeding?  Not necessarily, but surely the reward for insisting with narrow vision on remaining tall and straight.

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Thursday, January 30, 2014

1/30/14

Five of Swords/Ace of Wands. 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 could be telling of overwhelming opposition, or being made to suffer the sins of others.  The Llewellyn Welsh Five of Swords also tells of a loss of blood; interesting. 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.  This is inspiration that could lead to manifestation! This pure Fiery energy can be unpredictable, but it certainly means that something will be manifesting soon.  Have faith and look ahead!

My Thoth cards are the Eight of Cups (“Indolence”) and the Four of Disks (“Power”) reversed. The Eight of Cups (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitation, law and order, in Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, suffering, soul growth) tells of an ending or a decline or a change of direction, often one associated with emotions, and it offers one possible response to that decline or change: moving on. Uncle Al sees this one as the “hangover card,” sometimes having the hangover without having the party.  If there isn’t enthusiasm, it would be best to walk away.  The Four of Disks (the Sun, the inner core of a person or situation or the deepest self, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, authority, caution, cunning) in an upright position tells of very solid foundations and an awareness of the value of our possessions. In the Thoth Tarot, this card tells of the power that is inherent in the Law; not aggressive but rather, able to negotiate.  Since my card is reversed, authority is not to be aspired to, and negotiations may not be fruitful.  Perhaps that Eight of Cups may have the right idea.

My Legacy card is The Emperor, flavored by the Six of Cups reversed. 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 in an upright position represents confidence, authority, and the archetype of the Father.  The Emperor instills balance, form and structure onto the fertility and creations of The Empress, and those things are important today.  My Emperor is being flavored by the reversed Six of Cups. 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, of simple joy that begets even more simple joy by infecting all that is around us at this moment.  In an upright position, this is a card filled with harmony and an awareness of blessings, but my Six of Cups is reversed.  In a way, this reversed Six of Cups validates the focus of The Emperor; after all, the Six of Cups is an inwardly focused card, while The Emperor is focused on the world around him. 

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

My horoscopes: “You may find yourself staring at a blank page for what seems like hours on end while you try to get down on paper what you really want to say, Sagittarius. Perhaps your motivation is flagging. Your mind is soaring in the clouds today and it may be hard for it to keep on task. However, once you start the act of writing or whatever job you need to finish, things seem to flow to completion on their own.

And: “You may suddenly feel yourself burdened with a heaviness that you just don't understand. Take note that this could be a reaction from grief or anger that you have stuffed inside and neatly covered up by your fun loving, jovial attitude. Make sure you get these feelings out before they get the better of you. Honest communication is the best way to relieve the emotional weight you feel.

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Monday, January 27, 2014

1/27/14

Five of Cups/Justice.  Interesting pair.  The Five of Cups (Mars, action, aggression, drive, in Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, mysterious, obsessive) tells of an emotional setback or disappointment, or perhaps the belief that a wrong choice has been made.  This could be an energy drain, or it could just be crying over spilled milk.  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). Justice is not blindfolded here because this justice comes from the Divine, and thus has clear perception.  Today I am being told to weigh circumstances carefully, and do my best to remain impartial.  That may not be easy with that Five of Cups, but forewarned is forearmed.

My Thoth cards are the Princess of Cups and The Star reversed.  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) and is a card of soft and tender energies and of getting fulfillment through connections to others, and through innocent and simple joys.  Crowley sees this card as representing a more immature version of the Queen of Cups, and perhaps that innocence is a positive thing today.  Quietly and gently going through the day, visualizing good things to come, might be good advice. The Star (Air, hot/separates and wet/adapts; Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause-oriented, the group, aloofness; 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) in an upright position is the “good will to all” card, and while it can hint at some unexpected darkness, it also reminds us that things will turn out okay in the end. Looks like the unexpected darkness will be the thing I see today.  Looks like the advice of the Princess of Cups has good advice!

My Legacy card is the Six of Coins reversed, flavored by The Star reversed, again.  The Six of Coins (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Taurus, “I have,” Sensual, cautious, stubborn) brings an awareness of resources to the situation, both those that I have and those that I don’t have. Because my Six of Coins is reversed, I need to be aware that there may be strings attached to any “gifts” that appear.  The Legacy of the Divine Star card, which is flavoring my reversed Six of Coins, tells of the calm that comes after the storm of The Tower.  Like my Thoth Star card above, this one is also reversed, and perhaps it won’t be that easy for me to see that the worst is over.  Finding that things are not as good as they seem may be discouraging, but even this shall pass.   

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

My horoscopes: “If you're into computers and the Internet, Sagittarius, you can expect to spend a lot of time today staring at a screen. You may be doing some writing or web design or animation, but whatever it is, you'll probably find it noticeably better than what you usually produce. Intellect joins with intuition to produce inspiration and insight. Make the most of it now and you might develop some new and lasting skills!”

And: “Activities of various kinds in the company of either close friends or romantic partners could take up a lot of your time today. This could involve physical activity such as sports or exercise, or it might involve parties, or it could involve attending events such as lectures or workshops, concerts, or the theater. Expect a lot of stimulation both physical and intellectual, and some interesting conversations. Enjoy your day.”

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Sunday, January 26, 2014

1/26/14

Transparent Oracle Sunday!

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.

35, Landscape: Forest (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.  Forest is about the results over the long term, results which happen because of fertility and nurturing and patience; Forest represents the manifestation of age and wisdom and patience, connections (and results) that are not openly apparent but rather, like roots under the ground, are all around us.  Different energies can work together; a Forest is proof of that.

26, Guide: Otter ((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.  The first thing I think of when I see the Otter card is joyful playing.  Otters are known for their play, and play is a sign of intelligence and awareness.  Otters are at home both on Earth and in Water; they form strong family bonds, and work hard to protect their group of family or friends.   All while playing tag!

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  Awesomeness and power!  The Sword grounded downward into the triquetra of Forest, with Otter circling it all.  And what a powerful and relevant message these cards bring to me today.  It is appropriate that The Sword has appeared, because it speaks of obtaining authority through earning it.  It is appropriate that Forest has appeared, because it speaks of wisdom and strength obtained through long-term efforts.  It is appropriate that Otter has appeared, because Otter is about strong family bonds that are protected through intelligence and joy.  All valid messages to receive immediately after dedicating myself permanently to my Coven. 

Time to study; I received the Yin Yoga book I ordered from Amazon.  I scanned it quickly, and I think this might be a good one.


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Saturday, January 25, 2014

1/25/14

Eight of Cups/Queen of Wands reversed. The Eight of Cups (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitation, law and order, in Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, suffering, soul growth) tells of an ending or a decline or a change of direction, often one associated with emotions, and it offers one possible response to that decline or change: moving on.  In reality, in order to step away from something that no longer serves us, we must first sever the ties in our emotional body.  That is exactly what this card is telling me to do.  I have come to a place in my life where I must decide to listen to my heart, and accept what is important to that heart . . . and what is not important. The Queen of Wands (cusp of Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, soul growth, spirituality, and Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive) in an upright position is energetic, adaptable and enthusiastic; she is filled with persistent energy and calm authority at the same time, and because of this she draws others to her. She is reversed today, and she is telling me that something may be preventing me from seeing clearly.  I need to be aware that strong emotions can fog my perceptions.  Both cards seem to be telling of this effect.

My Thoth cards are the Queen of Cups and the Knight (King) of Disks reversed. 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 telling me that emotionally this needs to be a passive kind of day, except for when it comes to love.  Love is always the correct answer. The Knights of the Thoth Tarot are actually the Kings.  The King of Disks (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 managing physical world resources, but he focuses a lot on the business end of things.  The thing about that kind of focus is that it becomes narrowed into the planning, and that might not be a good thing for me today.  Sometimes we do need to look at how things feel, rather than at the end result we are aiming for.

My Legacy card is the Knight of Coins, flavored by the Four of Swords reversed.  Lots of Court Cards today! The Knight of Coins (cusp of Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, egotistical, and Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented) tells of persistence to the point of being stubborn, and caution to the point of being boring.  Today I should be effective in the material world, thanks to the focus and diligence of this Knight.  Long-term projects are a good focus for me today.  My Knight of Coins is being flavored by the reversed Four of Swords. The Four of Swords (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation) in an upright position can represent a pause or truce or mutual deterrent, or a time of silence and isolation, that should be used to prepare for challenges to come.  My card is reversed, however, and a pause may not be advisable today.  I may be getting conflicting messages regarding my emotions and my passions, but these two cards offer clear advice: think long-term and keep the mind active and agile.

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

My horoscopes: “Beware of unexpected circumstances today, Sagittarius. The good news is that your flexible attitude is perfectly suited to deal with the twists and turns that this day is likely to offer. While other people may get upset when their plans go awry, you'll find that you can surf the waves easily and turn any situation into a positive one, regardless of the way in which you planned things to work out originally.

And: “Get out in the world as much as possible, because you have a great deal to share with others. Relationships with men will go especially well today, so now is a good time to patch up any differences that may be dangling in the air. Open your mind up even wider than it already is and see how your energy fits in with the collective. You have strong opinions that will prove to be very useful in setting the record straight once and for all.

Yesterday, I formally dedicated myself permanently to my Coven and my Arch High Priestess in an Initiation ritual.  I am one of only three who have done this, one other High Priestess (and my personal mentor), and a Second Degree Priestess and Third Degree Dedicant, who was Initiated with me yesterday.  This was no small decision on my part, and I have done a lot of pondering and shed a lot of tears over the past two weeks or so, as I was presented with a Dark Night of the Soul in order to be absolutely certain that this Initiation was right for me.  In the end, despite challenges and tests, I eagerly and willingly reaffirmed my dedication to my Coven, this time pledging myself for the rest of this life.

Everything I do going forward is colored by this decision, and as I sit here, typing this entry, I feel settled and confident and serene.  Moreso, dare I say, than I have felt in a long time.  This kind of spiritual commitment is powerful, especially when the preparation for the commitment is done correctly.  I can feel the effects of this power, swirling within me, scouring away the detritus of the past and preparing me for the next step in my growth and evolution.  My very foundation has been made stronger by this commitment. 

It is only right that I pause here, and offer gratitude to those who have paused on their own Journey along the Well-Worn Path in order to look back and offer me encouragement and support.  I am grateful to you, Lorien, my spiritual leader.  I am grateful to you, Lilyth, my ever-faithful and wise mentor.  I am grateful to the Hubs and my family.  And I am grateful to every person I have ever helped, and to every person I have ever failed.  My thoughts, words and deeds have been far from perfect, yet always offered in Perfect Love and Trust, with the intent to Harm None. 

Blessed Be!

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Friday, January 24, 2014

1/24/14

Eight of Swords reversed/The Sun. The Eight of Swords (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable talkative, dual) tells of a confused and restrictive response to obstacles, or maybe perceived obstacles.   This card is reversed, and that means it is about freedom.  A burden may fall away today, at least temporarily, and offer me a much-needed respite. The Sun corresponds with Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change), our Sun (the inner core of a person or situation), Resh (the face; reason), and the Path between Yesod (the place where patterns and images emerge that may manifest in the physical world) and Hod (provides analysis and communication), and it tells of a time of enlightenment and peace that comes after the completion of some ordeal.  This card tells me that today, reality will be bright and pleasant, and I should celebrate that I’ve made it through the Darkness.  I also need to keep in mind that this moment in The Sun is temporary; soon I will need to get back to work.

My Thoth cards are the Ten of Swords (“Ruin”) and the Princess of Disks reversed. The Ten of Swords (the Sun, the inner core of a person or situation, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable, dual, talkative) tells of the perception that interference, powerlessness and restriction will rule the day.  This card can be seen as representing a breakdown of the thinking and analyzing process, and I need to realize this influence may be in play.  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. The Princess of Pentacles loves to learn new things and have new experiences, but she also loves to also be a catalyst for change in the physical world, change for everyone.  Crowley sees this Princess as representing womanhood in its purest form, fertile and pure at the same time.  In any event, my Thoth Princess of Disks is reversed, which means that her combination of innocent optimism and ability to stick to a task may not be good tools for me today.  Or, another interpretation is that the breakdown of thinking that is the Ten of Swords is preventing me from tapping into these lovely energies of my Princess. 

My Legacy card is The Chariot reversed, flavored by The Hermit reversed. 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.  My Chariot is reversed, and I am being reminded that blocks or setbacks may happen, but I can’t focus on them or allow them to affect my decisions today, or things will go awry.  My reversed Chariot is being flavored by another reversed Major Arcana card, The Hermit reversed. The Hermit corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and material, practical and stable energy that is slow to change), as well as Virgo (“I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented, orderly), Yod (open hand, touch), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Chesed (the place where forms and structure are stabilized and nurtured), and in an upright position is about searching within for a deeper meaning, often through solitude bordering on discomfort.  My Hermit is reversed, and the reversed Hermit in the Legacy Tarot tells me that I might just be applying too much caution, or I might be hiding too much of myself.  Perhaps this inappropriate isolation is the focus that is ending up reversing that Chariot.

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

My horoscopes: “Inspiration drawn from recent religious or spiritual occurrences could have you writing down accounts of your experiences, Sagittarius, perhaps with the idea of someday publishing them. Your concentration could well be intense, as writing for you today may not be only creative but therapeutic as well. It will also help to attend classes or workshops or simply to discuss the subject with a friend. Knowledge is essential.

And: “You may be feeling like you are not able to get much done today, but don't sweat it. Whatever you do, don't pressure yourself into thinking you have a certain agenda that must get accomplished before sundown. Your heart and mind are in the same place, but you may not be exactly sure in which direction you should send this energy. Don't feel like you need to decide right now. You won't deflate by tomorrow.

Another Wild Unknown Tarot card: Temperance.  The image of this card is a great blue heron standing beside a beautiful fire; the heron appears to be shaking or flapping his wings, and drops of water are falling onto the flame, which still burns brilliantly.  Heron is an interesting totem, representing someone who is determined to set his own course in life, yet is able to go with the flow in order to survive and prosper.  I have watched these majestic creatures fly, and they move slowly and deliberately and confidently, seeming to fly without expending effort at all.  They are able to remain completely still as they hunt, seeming to meditate without distraction; then they dart with speed, capturing their meal.  Heron also teaches balance; this bird can wade confidently through a swamp that would cause others to founder, and he can easily stand on one foot and still be ready for action.  Stillness . . . stillness that is effective because Heron is comfortable in any situation.

Today I did the first part of my initiation.  I have already initiated as 1st Degree and 2nd Degree, before my Coven changed its initiation practices.  Today I was initiated into the Inner Circle of my Coven, as a Coven Priestess.  Now, I am ready to move onward with my studies.  I must choose a new Path in my training.  This will require a bit of thought.

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Thursday, January 23, 2014

1/23/14

The Moon/Queen of Cups reversed. 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.  This card tells of falsehood and illusion and the Dark Night of Soul, and about magick and mystery; they are also difficult to pin down and define.  The Moon also tells of being either drawn to or susceptible to the effects of these things.  The Queen of Cups (cusp of Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable, dual, and Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody) in an upright position represents the energies of Water and The High Priestess manifested into the Minor Arcana.  My Queen is reversed, and I might be dealing with the negative parts of a deep connection to the emotions.  These two cards together could be a warning of some kind, and whether the catalyst is not directly connected to me, or is coming from within me, I need to strive for balance.

My Thoth cards are the Two of Cups (“Love”) and the Knight of Swords. 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, and a recognition or acknowledgement that a bond is beginning to happen, or is beginning to be restored after forgiveness is offered and received.  This card can be considere the Minor Arcana version of The Lovers, also in my card throw today.  Commonalities and affinities, and pleasurable connections, can be used today as fuel to make things happen in a good way today! The Two of Cups is also connected to alchemy, so add good chemistry to the list.  The Knight/King of Swords (cusp of Capricorn, “I build,” ambitious, cautious, cunning, authoritative, and Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause-oriented, aloof) is a good judge of people and situations.  He uses his intellect to analyze, so he may not be compassionate but he is trustworthy, and he can be trusted to fiercely stand by his decisions.  This Knight/King is the idea man, and he is telling me that I can use my mind well today.

My Legacy card is The Lovers, flavored by the Ten of Coins reversed. The Lovers (Air, hot/separates and wet/adapts, quick and animated, intellectual, problems or challenges; Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, sociable, dual; Zayin, double-edged sword; and the Path between Tiphareth, the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify, and Binah, female receptive energy and the origin of form and structure) tells of duality, union, and personal choices.  This card is about love, but it is also about our personal values and how they affect our choices, and the promises we make to others.  The Lovers present the two halves that when united are greater than the sum of their parts.  It is about divine union, and completion, which is quite the powerful concept.  This card is being flavored by the reversed Ten of Coins. The Ten of Coins (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, communication, in Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented)in an upright position represents the attainment of physical world wealth and bounty, usually achieved through the implementation of long-term plans, and the attempt to maintain the status quo.  My Ten of Coins is reversed, and flavoring my Lovers.  The status quo may not be a good thing for me, and perhaps I need to guard against the loss of something in my physical world.  Hmmmm . . . no completion in the physical world, but that does not mean there will be no completion at all.

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: “If you've been thinking of buying a home or otherwise purchasing real estate, Sagittarius, this is the day to start the ball rolling or finalize the deal, depending on your situation. Investments in property planned at this time should continue to increase steadily in value. However, make sure this is the right investment for you before committing to anything. Otherwise, you might be stuck with something you don't like for a long time.”

And: “Young visitors who come to your home today might find you very upbeat, possibly in a dither. You might keep running around waiting on them, or entertaining them with conversation or stories. You might worry that this is taking you away from your regular duties, but don't let that bother you. Your mind wouldn't be on your work anyway. Relax, entertain your guests, and have a good time. You deserve it!

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Wednesday, January 22, 2014

1/22/14

The Hermit/The Empress reversed.  Strong message! The Hermit corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and material, practical and stable energy that is slow to change), as well as Virgo (“I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented, orderly), Yod (open hand, touch), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Chesed (the place where forms and structure are stabilized and nurtured), and in an upright position is about searching within for a deeper meaning, often through solitude bordering on discomfort.  My Hermit is reversed, and the reversed Hermit in the Llewellyn Welsh Tarot tells of suffering and a sense of exile being created by the effect of philosophies that are limited in some way.  The isolation of the reversed Hermit is not a calm soul-searching but rather created out of desperation, and perhaps isolation is not the solution. The Empress (my significator card, 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 half that is about creativity, fertility of all kinds, a deep connection to Nature and the nurturing of others, and an enjoyment of the senses.  Because she is reversed, and because she is paired with The Hermit, she is reminding me that sometimes the effective choice is expansion, but at other times it is more effective to contract or withhold. 

My Thoth cards are the Nine of Wands (“Strength”) and The Hierophant reversed.  Validation, anyone? The Nine of Wands (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) tells us that the final challenge approaches, and we need to ready ourselves so we can guard our assets.  This card also tells of wisdom that is only obtained by long-term focus.  I am being reminded that there is strength to be had from facing (and surviving) opposition.  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 both the authority and advocate of tradition, but today, tradition, ritual and ceremony may distract me from the message of my Inner Voice.  These two cards together are telling me that what I have been through these past few weeks may allow me to see things from a new and personally valuable way. 

My Legacy cards are the King of Swords reversed, flavored by The Magician reversed.  Aaaand clarification of validation. The King of Swords (cusp of Capricorn, “I build,” ambitious, cautious, cunning, authoritative, and Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause-oriented, aloof) is a good judge of people and situations.  He uses his intellect to analyze, so he may not be compassionate but he is trustworthy, and he can be trusted to fiercely stand by his decisions.   My King is reversed, and I am being told that I won’t be effective in understanding those around me.  My reversed King of Swords is being flavored by another reversed card, The Magician reversed. The Magician 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 works hard to perfect his abilities, to make use of those abilities in unexpected ways, and to focus and carry through to the end of a task (which is pretty important to him).  This card is personally significant to me also (a second reversed significator), and since he represents the manifestation of tangible knowledge, and since he is reversed (and flavoring another reversed card), he is validating in a major way the message of the reversed King of Swords.  Sounds like today needs to be a quiet and inwardly-focused day.

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

My horoscopes: “This could prove to be a very busy day, Sagittarius. Someone close to you might come to you for advice on how to manage their resources, perhaps because of successes you've had in the past. This might take up more time than you'd planned for, but you'll enjoy helping your friend. Information received from TV or newspapers could bring a new interest into your life and spur you on to do some research on the subject.”

And: “News about possible developments regarding the progress of projects, perhaps job-related, perhaps personal, could come your way today. This could require further effort that could be unexpected. Perhaps some additional research is needed, or you might have to make a lot of phone calls. A journey of some kind may also be indicated. Move now, while your confidence, optimism and enthusiasm are still high. Success and good fortune could well result.”

My next Wild Unknown Tarot card is **drum roll** The Hermit.  Once again, the image on this card really does capture the essence of its energies.  Here we see a turtle, pulled safely into his shell and isolated from the effects of the world, but with a hurricane lamp perched on his back, flame blazing high.  Yes, he is protected by a defense that can deflect most challenges, and yes, he can see his world very clearly, despite that effective defense.  He is not so much shutting out the world as he is shutting out the distractions of the world; he is still peeking out of his shell and observing, just not actively interacting.  Also, much of the turtle is hidden from view behind that effective shield.  It must get hot in there in the Summer, and cold in the Winter, yet those effects are not an issue to him.  We can see the working parts of his limbs, and his head and the senses he uses to absorb and digest his world, but we can’t see much of who he is or how he operates.  Yet, he is effective, despite being a conundrum and a mystery . . . maybe, because of it. 

I am being pulled into finding more out about Tao Yin, or Yin Yoga.  I’ve been including Yin in my personal practice since before the first of the year, and I love the deep stretches and inner tranquility this version of Yoga brings.  I have spent hours looking at videos of Yin practices, and I am even substitute teaching a Yin class.  Now, comes the typical “Raushanna Response” to something that calls to me: research.  I have some reading to do, and I am excited.  Yin is beneficial, especially when it is balanced out with a nice, strong Yang practice.  Could this be my calling as far as a Yoga teacher?  I will keep you posted.

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Monday, January 20, 2014

1/20/14

The Lovers/Knight of Wands.  The Lovers (Air, hot/separates and wet/adapts, quick and animated, intellectual, problems or challenges; Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, sociable, dual; Zayin, double-edged sword; and the Path between Tiphareth, the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify, and Binah, female receptive energy and the origin of form and structure) tells of duality, union, and personal choices.  This card is about love, but it is also about our personal values and how they affect our choices, and the promises we make to others.  The Lovers present the two halves that when united are greater than the sum of their parts.  It is about communion of all kinds, and this kind of uniting energy will be a part of my day.  The Knight of Wands (cusp of Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, deep, obsessive, and Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering) usually represents a person of passion, courage, enthusiasm and boundless energy; most definitely not background-type efforts.  This Fiery Knight tends to be about the goal or end result, without taking into consideration any consequences, but his enthusiasm can be inspiring. I need to keep that in mind.

My Thoth cards are the Four of Swords (“Truce”) reversed, and The Wheel reversed.  The Four of Swords (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation) can represent a pause or truce or mutual deterrent, or a time of silence and isolation, that should be used to prepare for challenges to come.  There have been many challenges lately, but I certainly hope that I am done with needing to prepare for more; perhaps that is why my Four of Swords is reversed.  **crosses fingers*  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)) tells of sudden movement, but not movement caused by us or controlled by us.  Because my Wheel is also reversed, I may be able to make changes by imposing my Will on a situation.  These two together tell me that I need to believe in my own ability to create the end results I want.

My Legacy card is the King of Coins, flavored by the Nine of Wands.  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 managing resources and on the physical world manifestation of all kinds.  The King is the steward of Nature and the generous and supporting boss, and he is depended on by others because he always comes through with whatever is needed.  This King understands that instant gratification is rare, and he knows how to wait patiently for what he wants.  My King is being flavored by the Nine of Wands.  The Nine of Wands (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) tells us that the final challenge approaches, and we need to ready ourselves so we can guard our assets.  This card also tells of wisdom that is only obtained by long-term focus.  While the elemental correspondences of these two cards, Earth and Air, are opposing, they do have things in common.  My King knows very well that long-term focus is often the answer, and the Nine of Wands offers the energy and staying power to hang in there.

My 6-digit date number is 8, the number that tells of the conscious and deliberate response to the slowing of growth and beginning of degeneration of the 7, in order to maintain for a bit longer the balance of the 6. 

My horoscopes: “On days like today it's important to take time out to reflect upon the events of the past few days, Sagittarius. Is it possible you've decided to change certain things about yourself and your behavior? If you could just devote a few minutes a day to all the little details in your personality, the changes will go much more smoothly. The atmosphere today may help you think about this.”

And: “Today, you might be experiencing lot of anticipation concerning an upcoming vacation. Last-minute arrangements could require your attention, but you'll be all too glad to take care of them. Friends or family members who may be accompanying you could also be caught up in the excitement. You've got a lot of fun ahead of you, so go ahead and go with the flow. It might help, however, to make lists and check things off so you won't forget anything.

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