Monday, October 27, 2014

10/27/14

The Hierophant reversed/The Hermit. 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, and conforming to the rules and traditions with the aim of presenting the highest good of the group.  There is duty to be found in this card, as well as morality, and a suggestion that tradition should not be accepted blindly.  The interesting thing is that when reversed, this card tells of a more individual focus, which is very much the message of my other Llewellyn Welsh card today, The Hermit. 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 is about searching within for a deeper meaning, often through solitude bordering on discomfort.  The Hermit tells us that in order to release the past and achieve something of value, the work must be done internally, usually involving solitude to the point of discomfort, and with an outward mantle of “business as usual.”  Like The High Priestess, he deals with hidden or not obvious knowledge, however The Hermit understands that his knowledge is insignificant when compared to what he does not know.  He also acknowledges that the maintenance of his solitude requires Will power, and today I might find that the traditions I usually lean on may be too distracting.  I need to think out of the box today, with an inner focus. 

My Thoth cards are the Ace of Swords reversed and Art/Temperance reversed. The Ace of Swords (Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution authority, cunning, Aquarius and Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, soul growth, artistic) tells of the birth of ideas and concepts; it offers the power to analyze that is necessary in order to make good choices, and in order to react correctly to events in our day.  This card is filled with intellectual potential, but today is not about the intellect and analysis.  The inner world does not work well with analysis, mainly because the inner world exists without outer world proof. 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 presents one version of the concept of balance: balance achieved through knowledge and experience of extremes.  If you split the Major Arcana cards into two horizontal categories, theory and practice, and two vertical categories, active and passive, Temperance falls in the middle of the passive practice cards. You could say that it presents a balanced version of active, outer energy and passive, inner energy.  Because it is reversed, things are not that complex; these two combined give me a clear choice: don’t look for logic.

My Legacy card is Temperance reversed (again), flavored by the Three of Wands reversed.  The Legacy Temperance card image shows the ability to “hover” through achieving a dynamic balance.  The pause and balance represented by this card is not about surrender; rather it takes constant adjustment to maintain.  Again the card is reversed, which means that dynamic balance will be difficult today.  That in itself is neither good nor bad; I need to remember that. My reversed Temperance card is being flavored by another reversed card, the reversed Three of Wands. The Three of Wands (Sun, the inner core of a person or situation, the deepest self and personal power, in Aries, “I want,” action oriented, pioneering, assertive) in an upright position is a card of planning ahead that tells of the excitement that comes with good possibilities at hand.  My card is reversed, which tells me that planning and working with others in order to achieve a common goal is not the ticket.

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

My horoscopes: “Ready to fly by the seat of your pants, Sagittarius? The real question is, when are you not? The Moon in your first house of personal initiatives forms a sweet angle to change-maker Uranus today, urging you to act on a sudden impulse. Whether that means you chop off all your hair, quit your job or say yes to a paramour you've been seeing only sporadically, you're inclined to act now and think later. Just remember that this transit passes in a few hours, so don't commit to anything permanent!

And: “Happiness reigns in the home as you and the other members of your household embark on one or more projects that could make your home a more cheery place to life. Warm and companionable conversations involve sharing interesting information, and also bring all of you closer together. Visitors could come by, and others could ring you up with interesting news. This is a good day to throw an impromptu party, such as a potluck. Enjoy your day!

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Sunday, October 26, 2014

10/26/14

Transparent Oracle Sunday.

22, Weather: Rain (West). West is the direction of Water, sensitive, imaginative energy that strives to stay the same or take the same course; energy that is cold and wet, that binds and adapts.  Water is about emotions, feelings, the Inner Voice, dreams, intuition, and Water is connected to both birth and death.  Rain is cleansing and nourishing, and this kind of weather can often bring dissatisfaction.  However, I also see Rain and it’s quiet, dark and cozy sensations as providing a time for rest and renewal.  Many are melancholy when it rains, but we need the rain to grow and live.

56, Grail Hollows: The Cauldron (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 Hollows are ancient treasures deeply connected to each of the four elements, guarded throughout time by the Tuatha de Danaan.  The Cauldron corresponds with the element of Water, and thus, with feelings, emotions, intuition, nourishment and healing, all necessary for the balance and harmony of the Self.  Within Wicca, The Cauldron is also seen as a representation of the Sacred Feminine, the Goddess, and Her fertile womb.

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.  Such immense, Watery power emanating from the Cauldron, protected fercely by Otter.  There is a sacredness about this mandala, a sacredness that is real-world rather than transcendent and removed.  There is also a sense of caring, and of nurturing that caring while washing away what does not serve.  Finally, there is a sense of quiet, of the enjoyment of simple pleasures.  Lovely!

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Friday, October 24, 2014

10/24/14

Four of Wands/Page of Cups.  Both of these cards have a nice, calm anticipatory feeling about them in the Llewellyn Welsh Tarot.  The Four of Wands (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, in Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, enthusiastic) is about building enough to become established, and about the results of harmony and effort and creativity combined.  This card is not telling me that the job is done; rather it is telling me that I’ve done some good work so far, enough that I should take a moment to celebrate my accomplishments and solidify my foundation before moving forward.  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) and is a card of soft and tender energies and of getting fulfillment through connections to others, and through innocent and simple joys. That kind of optimism and belief that everyone has good intentions is the perfect companion for my Four of Wands.  My Page is encouraging me to find the fulfillment I need within my connections to others, and these connections will also serve as a part of my foundation.

My Thoth cards are the Eight of Disks (“Prudence”) and The Star.  The Eight of Disks (Sun, the inner core of a person or situation, in Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, sensible, orderly) tells us that diligence and an awareness of details is important.  Uncle Al sees this one as advising us to put something away for a rainy day.  Today, my Eight of Disks is reminding me that I should not get too drawn in by the cozy feelings of my first two cards today.  It’s okay to pat myself on the back, but I need to also keep my mind on the many steps yet to be accomplished.  If I work hard during the day today, I might be able to relax and enjoy my Friday night with a sense of accomplishment.  The Star (Air, hot/separates and wet/adapts; Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause-oriented, the group, aloofness; Tzaddi, fishhook; 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, and while it can hint at some unexpected darkness, it also reminds us that things will turn out okay in the end.  The Star reminds us to have faith, for while it may seem to be the darkest night, the dawn is just beyond the horizon, and it is in the dark sky that Stars can really shine.  Another feel-good card!

My Legacy card is the Five of Coins, flavored by the Seven of Swords.  LOL, okay, a dose of reality.  The Five of Coins (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, skill, communication, in Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn) tells of some loss or need within the physical world.  Sometimes this card can indicate an inability to balance personal issues with professional issues, and I will need to be aware of the need of this kind of balance.  Whatever happens, there will be reminders, however obscure, that there may be light in unlooked-for places, and those physical-world losses just might not be bad at all.  My Five of Coins is being flavored by the Seven of Swords.  The Seven of Swords (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause-oriented, the group, aloofness) 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.  Because my Seven is flavoring my Five, I am thinking that it could be this focus on maintaining what I think I want that is causing any discomfort in my physical world.  The energies of the New Moon and the partial solar eclipse are reminding me that often the discomforts of the dark and of solitude are often self-created.  In reality, if I can see the value of my efforts thus far, I will understand that a bit of physical discomfort should not cause me to panic and cling to the deceptions that may have worked in the past. 

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 balance, polarity, and energy of “distance between” of the 2.

My horoscopes: “Can you handle the truth, Sag? You're usually the one dishing out the cold hard facts, but today you might be prone to avoidance. Compounding that is the Moon in your foggy 12th house, making it hard to determine what's true, what's deliberately hidden and what's a figment of your imagination. It's better to be safe than sorry, so avoid making any final decisions on anything consequential for a couple more days. And don't be afraid to ask those scary yet vital questions!

And: “Have you been thinking about relocating? The siren song of distant states or exotic lands might be playing constantly in your ears. Foreign cultures might be bringing you inspiration, artistically, spiritually, and personally. This is a time when few things are actually out of your reach. If you're serious about this, look into all the facts. Once you have all the information you need, then you'll be in a position to decide to move ahead or not.

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10/23/14

Ace of Swords/The Fool.  The Ace of Swords (Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution authority, cunning, Aquarius and Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, soul growth, artistic) tells of the birth of ideas and concepts; it offers the power to analyze that is necessary in order to make good choices, and in order to react correctly to events in our day.  This card is filled with intellectual potential, nice card to have on the New Moon accompanied by a partial solar eclipse!  And so is The Fool!  The Fool corresponds with Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and challenges that tend to require the use of the intellect to solve), Uranus (technology, science, radical change), Aleph (the head, youthful learning) and the Path between Chokmah (male in the electric sense, dynamic energy and the origin of vital force and polarity) and Kether (the source; limitless possibility).  The Fool is the spark that begins the idea, and the neutral powers of creativity; he is above, beyond and before the world and all its extremes.  He is also the archetype of the Holy Child, above, beyond and before petty squabbles, evil intent, and pessimistic expectations.  What a nice combination.

My Thoth cards are the Ace of Disks and The Emperor.  Aces present potential only, and the Ace of Disks (Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive, Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn, and Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, dual, social) tells of the presence of potential that is connected in some way to the physical world, and perhaps the physical world is where I can have the most impact today.  Crowley calls this card the root of the element of Earth, and thus it tells of all possibilities within that element, from the very best to the very worst, and since it is upright, the potential offered today will have good tendencies.  No sure thing, mind you, but good tendencies are . . . well . . . good.  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), represents confidence, authority, and the archetype of the Father.  The Emperor instills balance, form and structure onto the fertility and creations of The Empress, an important task.  The Emperor says that the best way to make the day have a happy ending is to follow the rules, get things done on time, and encourage others to do the same, and he does his best to guide and protect others so they may do so.  The Emperor will make good use of the potential offered by my Ace of Disks; after all, Fire needs Earth as fuel in order to manifest. 

My Legacy card is The Hanging Man reversed, flavored by the Seven of Swords.  The Hanging Man corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and emotional, sensitive and imaginative energy that tends to move deep, and attempts to take the same path as in the past), Neptune (inspiration, spirituality, magick, enchantment, dreams, altered states), and the Hebrew letter Mem (water, stability and balance, the reflective quality of thought), and presents the kind of balance that comes to us through surrender, and through deliberately attempting to see things in a different way.  This card tells of initiation and destiny, as well as sacrifice and loss, but the interesting thing here is that in many situations, the face of the Hanging Man is not distorted by pain or suffering, as we would expect.  Instead he is serene, as if he was experiencing a quiet epiphany.  This card has a “wait and see” feel about it, or maybe a fatalistic acceptance of what presents itself.  The key to The Hanging Man’s evolution is his ability to see without expectations, and without including the input of his body or his physical world, and this kind of sacrifice might be difficult for me to achieve today, because my card is reversed.  Plus it is being flavored by one of the “selfish” cards, the Seven of Swords.  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.  This card can also be referring to the effort necessary to maintain things, or lack of effort thereof.  No matter what, these two cards seem to offer a Bad Cop version of the Good Cop of my Thoth cards today.  Ugh, at least I know what not to do today.

My 6-digit date number is 2, the number of balance, polarity, and the energy of “distance between.”

My horoscopes: “Go-go-go? No-no-no, Archer! Today's arrival of the Sun and Venus in Scorpio and your 12th house of R & R marks your annual time for slowing down, unplugging and turning your attention inward. Enjoy a month of unapologetic withdrawal from noisy gatherings, and allow yourself to escape into a world of creation, meditation and spirituality. There's also a solar eclipse in Scorpio tonight, which can help you bring closure to something that's no longer useful in your life. Let it go so you can grow!

And: “Today you might experience strange feelings that something is wrong, perhaps in the neighborhood, perhaps with a friend or relative. This is probably going to bother you all day today, so it might be a good idea to ring this person up, or otherwise look into the matter, as soon as you start having these feelings. Probably there is nothing really wrong, but someone close to you may have just experienced a shock of some kind.

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10/22/14

Three of Swords/Ten of Wands reversed.  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.  Often, this card is seen as indicating not a specific sorrow, but rather melancholy, the kind of melancholy that actually brings changes for the good in the end.  We know now what is going on, so we can begin to heal, and allow the tears to wash away the things that no longer serve me.  The Ten of Wands (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitations and resistance, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering) tells of being taxed to some perceived limit, or of feeling as if we are out of gas at the bottom of a hill.  This card can also tell of a passion that has taken a life of its own and gotten out of control or taken over.  Thankfully it is reversed, and perhaps . . . just perhaps, it is reversed because of the Three of Swords and its discomfort has allowed me to modify before I run out of gas.

My Thoth cards are The Sun reversed and the Princess of Disks.  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.  Even reversed, as it is today, The Sun is not a bad card, just a bit less intense in its illumination.  Because my card is reversed (and because of the messages of my first two cards), I should keep in mind that the ordeal may not be over.  I should not be overconfident, and I should remain well-grounded in reality (even if the light of that reality is being obscured by clouds).  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. This Princess/Page 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, or maybe the Maiden aspect of the Goddess, fertile and pure at the same time.  The Maiden is strong, and unencumbered by negative expectations, and her message should allow me to deal with my day in a productive manner.

My Legacy card is the King of Swords reversed, flavored by the Five of Wands.  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.  The Legacy King of Swords certainly looks regal and fearsome, like someone who can proclaim his judgment for the best of all, without softness or mercy.  Because my King is reversed today, this kind of pure analysis might not be the effective approach, particularly when we look at the clard flavoring my reversed King, the Five of Wands.  The Five of Wands, which corresponds with Saturn (discipline, responsibility, law and order) in Leo (“I am, passionate, dramatic, egotistical) indicates a struggle caused by annoying cross-purposes.  Of course, this discomfort could be caused by growing pains, as well, but since my King is reversed, he might not see this right off the bat.  Hmmm . . . If he can strive to act like the King he is, and deal with the frustrating chaos of the Five of Wands without losing his temper, all may be well in the end.  Maybe these two cards tell of a test of some kind, and my other cards today are offering possible outcomes: betrayal, or a sense that things are difficult but also beneficial.  I’ll take the second option, please.

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: “Don't take people for granted today, Archer. With the Moon and retrograding Mercury teaming up in your community zone, a random conversation could lead to a surprising joint project or the discovery of an amazing resource, restaurant or organization that's been "hiding" in plain sight. So instead of just smiling at faces you pass on a regular basis, stop and say hello. With the communication planet being retrograde, you could also reconnect with a group from your past. Welcome back, creative synergy!

And: “Communication with close friends and a romantic partner should be especially beneficial today, as you're feeling more in touch intuitively with those close to you. Children could also be a source of great joy on this day. Your level of creativity and inspiration is high, so this is a great day to start new projects. Creative ideas are flowing easily. Your enthusiasm and optimism for the future should propel you on to new achievements. Enjoy!

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Monday, October 20, 2014

10/20/14

Two of Swords/Ten of Wands.  Ugh. The Two of Swords (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation) represents a time of not looking or of shutting out the world.  This process can be useful; a bit of disconnect from the world can actually be clarifying as long as we don’t stay disconnected too long. The Ten of Wands (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitations and resistance, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering) tells of being taxed to some perceived limit, or of feeling as if we are out of gas at the bottom of a hill.  This card can also tell of a passion that has taken a life of its own and gotten out of control or taken over.  These two together really do have a message for any procrastinator.  Looks like I should attempt to be real aware of reality today. 

My Thoth cards are the Six of Cups (“Pleasure”) reversed and the Knight 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.  This card is about friendship and play, teamwork, and drawing strength from shared experiences.  And it is reversed; boy, this day might be serious. In the Thoth Tarot, the Knights are actually the Kings. The Knight/King of Cups (cusp of Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation, and Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling mysterious, obsessive) is the expert on emotions and the subconscious, mainly because of his life experiences.  He is able to be calm, caring and diplomatic, and still get things done by getting others working together in a productive way.  My King is showing me how to turn physical world discomforts and mental puzzles into opportunities for emotional evolution, and oh boy do I need his help today.  He is also reminding me that sometimes I have to be the grownup and control my own feelings in order to better serve everyone else.

My Legacy card is the Page of Cups reversed, flavored by Faith/The Hierophant reversed. 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) and is a card of soft and tender energies and of getting fulfillment through connections to others, and through innocent and simple joys. That kind of optimism and belief that everyone has good intentions will not serve me today; I’ve got more serious things to deal with.  My reversed Page of Cups is being flavored by Faith/The Hierophant, also reversed. Faith/The Hierophant corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes), Taurus (“I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn), Vau (the nail which holds tradition in place), and the Path between Chesed (the place where forms and structures are stabilized and nurtured), and Chokmah (dynamic male energy, the origin of vital force and polarity).  This card is an archetype of Spirit (with The Emperor as archetype of the Sacred Masculine, The Empress as archetype of the Sacred Feminine, and all three representing the supernal triad) that reminds us of the value of tradition, ritual and ceremony, and conforming to the rules and traditions with the aim of presenting the highest good of the group.  There is duty to be found in this card, as well as morality, and a suggestion that tradition should not be accepted blindly.  The interesting thing is that when reversed, this card tells of a more individual focus, another way of presenting that Two of Swords, my first card.  Interesting.

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

My horoscopes: “Channel your inner entrepreneur, Archer, and get your own project off the ground. Mars in your sign gives you the energy of three people, but you want to work smarter, not harder. And with Venus in charismatic Libra in your social network sphere, it'll be easy to get supporters on board. Just be careful not to leave 'em in the dust. You may be operating on turbo speed, but take a minute to look around and see if anyone else is able to keep pace.

And: “Don't be surprised if a lot of visitors show up at your door today. Perhaps you're hosting an impromptu social event, or neighbors bring news of changes nearby. You should be brimming over with energy, so this isn't anything that you can't handle, but you could find it a bit unnerving if it gets to be too exciting. In situations like this, it's best just to go with the flow and enjoy it. You can think about it later!

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Sunday, October 19, 2014

10/19/14

Transparent Oracle Sunday! 

18, Guide: Horse (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. Horse is basically about going somewhere; after all, humans use Horse as a means for transportation.  Because the ability to get to where you need to be and thus, transform yourself is perceived as having authority, this card also represents sovereignty, the kind of sovereignty the stallion has over his herd.  This leadership is maintained by courage, strength, and skills learned through a lifetime.

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.

51, Gateway: The World Tree (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 World Tree is a powerful symbol in many cultures; in Wicca, the Tree is seen as representing the cast circle, and it is seen as a gateway to the Underworld.  The World Tree is about initiation of the most exciting kind; it tells of the ability to tap into the knowledge and wisdom that is a part of me through my ancestors, and it tells of the ability to connect with non-physical beings.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  This one appears very stable and balanced, yet without lethargy at all.  The two Gateways balance each other out nicely, with a four-sided focus to be found in Winter and a two-sided focus to be found in The World Tree.  Both of these Gateways offer stability to the strength and motion of my Guide, Horse.  This entire combination has an interesting feel to it, and it is perfect for this time of year.  Now is the season for acknowledging the peak of Summer, recently past, and for the preparations needed in order to move into Winter, with its inner focus.  This transition can only be made by believing in my own authority, my abiity to lead (which is obtained through courage, strength, and the skills learned), and by caring for my body and my surroundings.  


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Saturday, October 18, 2014

10/17/14

Temperance/King of Wands reversed.  A clear message! 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 presents one version of the concept of balance: balance achieved through knowledge and experience of extremes.  If you split the Major Arcana cards into two horizontal categories, theory and practice, and two vertical categories, active and passive, Temperance falls in the middle of the passive practice cards. You could say that it presents a balanced version of active, outer energy and passive, inner energy.  All of this is important to me today, and if I want to access the messages of the day, I need to think about this card.  The King of Wands (cusp of Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, nurturing, moody, and Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic egotistical) in an upright position is honest and open hearted, and rules his realm through the advantageous use of his creative impulses.  He is admired by all, is able to assert authority without alienating others, and his achievements not only bring him benefits, but also increase the quality of life for those around him.  He reminds me that I do have the skills to make things happen, and I should trust in those skills, and act with confidence.  However, my King is reversed today, and I should try to remember that selfishness or intolerance might be instinctive reactions to challenges, and this won’t be productive.  LOL, I guess I should Temper my impulses today.

My Thoth cards are the Four of Swords (“Truce”) reversed and The High Priestess. 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 used to prepare for challenges to come.  The truce represented by this card does not happen due to weakness, but rather through conscious choice and through a balance of power.  My card is reversed, and the time for a mental pause and preparation, or of attempting to balance with an equal power, has passed.   This does not necessarily mean I need to declare war, but it does mean that my brain needs to get to work now. The High Priestess (Water; the Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination; Gimel, the camel who safely crosses Da’ath, the Abyss, and thus, has the secret of life; and the Path between Tiphareth, the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify, and Kether, the source, limitless possibility), is one-half of the Major Arcana representation of the Sacred Feminine, with The Empress being the other half. The High Priestess is the source of the power of The Magician (who is also in my spread today), the feminine version of The Hierophant, and the Keeper of the Mysteries.  She is the Gatekeeper who determines whether I am ready to experience the Mysteries, and she is somewhat removed from everyday life although her mind is receptive.  She is not about mental analysis at all; rather she tells me that in order to access the Mysteries she guards, I must know my inner self completely, and accept the messages of my Inner Voice, even if they defy analysis.  I am being told that my awareness may fluctuate today between the “real” world and my ability to perceive the Mysteries.  During the times that I am perceiving those Mysteries, there could be a tendency to become enthralled by them.  Yes, amazing Aha! Moments happen this way, but I should attempt to remain in control, with my feet on the ground, so that I can bring away with me what I’ve learned and experienced. 

My Legacy card is the Ace of Wands, flavored by The Tower.  A bit of transformation today, eh? 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.  Lots of Fiery energy here, or at least lots of potential for that Fiery energy to manifest, handy for overcoming inertia.  However, that energy might become too strong if I’m not careful, as indicated by The Tower, which is flavoring my Ace of Wands. The Tower (Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive, energetic change), Mars (action, spontaneity, aggression, drive), Phe (mouth or speech), and the Path between Hod (which provides analysis and communication) and Netzach (which offers the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration)) is one of the Major Arcana cards that talks of adjustments.  This one tells of a violent or explosive correction in the way things are going that usually happens after more gentle corrections don’t bring the needed result.  The destruction caused by The Tower is actually clearing away the old and expired, so new growth can begin, but it might not be fun to experience.  The Tower also shows us what can happen if we cement ourselves into our beliefs.  I love what Oswald Wirth says about The Tower in his book, Tarot of the Magicians: “[The Tower] . . . is less a temple, a house of God, than a sacred building of a body mistakenly identified with God.”  Herein lies the danger to be found even in an upright Ace of Wands.  Better I listen to Temperance and The High Priestess, eh?

My 6-digit date number is 5, the number that tells of motion which upsets stability in order to prevent stagnation. 

My horoscopes: “Get the soapbox ready! You're known for preaching to the choir, Sagittarius, and you'll only need a louder microphone today, as the Moon in your truth-seeking ninth house teams up with your ruler, philosophical Jupiter. You'll want to understand why you're here and what this world has to offer, and most likely let all the little details of actually living life (what's a budget again?) go by the wayside. In other news, if you have a mission statement or message you need to broadcast to the world, the stars are lined up to help you today.

And: “Interesting letters or phone calls from friends could center around possible world developments, or maybe some juicy gossip about people you know. Listen to what they say and enjoy yourself, but don't take everything you hear at face value. Much of what you hear is less actual fact than the products of someone's fertile imagination. Short journeys in your near neighborhood may bring knowledge of upcoming changes in your community. Expect the unexpected!

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Thursday, October 16, 2014

10/16/14

The Wheel reversed/Four of Cups.  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.  The Wheel reminds us that nothing is permanent and everything is always in motion, motion that we can’t control.  However, my card is reversed today.  I just may find that if I focus, and make use of what I’ve already tried with success, I could end up having an effect on the outcome. The Four of Cups (the Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, nurturing, tenacious, moody) reminds us that too much pleasure, or maybe too much nurturing or overprotectiveness, deadens the senses. This is a card that describes what can happen when nothing goes wrong in our lives, and the “cloud” that pleasure can create might end up distracting me from the things I need to accomplish.

My Thoth cards are the Two of Swords (“Peace”) and the Queen of Swords. The Two of Swords (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation) represents a time of not looking or of shutting out the world.  Crowley sees this process as sometimes being useful (hence, the keyword chosen for this card); a bit of disconnect from the world can be helpful.  Taking a mental time-out and disconnecting can help to recharge my battery, and allow me to do a bit of “system maintenance” by cleaning out my “temporary files” and “de-fragging” my “hard drive.” The image on the Thoth Two of Swords shows the two Swords piercing a lotus flower, representing the intellect being restrained in a balanced manner by love.  Perhaps that is how Peace is attained, and with that Four of Cups above, it might be emotions and feelings that are out of balance, and not the intellect. 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.”  The main difference is that while Justice is about the law, the Queen of Swords is about the intent behind the law.  Cause and effect will be in play today for me, and I will need to make certain that I understand why things happen, or I won’t be able to respond appropriately.

My Legacy card is the Ace of Swords, flavored by the Eight of Cups reversed. The Ace of Swords (Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution authority, cunning, Aquarius and Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, soul growth, artistic) tells of the birth of ideas and concepts; it offers the power to analyze that is necessary in order to make good choices, and in order to react correctly to events in our day.  With all the Swords cards present in my card throw today, it sure looks like the workings of my mind will be affecting many outcomes.  This kind of analysis potential is going to be necessary.  My Ace is being flavored by the reversed Eight of Cups. The Eight of Cups (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitation, law and order, in Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, suffering, soul growth) in an upright postion 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.  Moving on will not be my first choice, and it sounds like there is a conflict between the non-emotional, analytical part of myself, and the emotions and pleasures (and discomforts).  Can I balance things?  Perhaps being forewarned and thus, forearmed, will help.

My 6-digit date number is 5, the number that tells of movement that upsets stability in order to prevent stagnation.

My horoscopes: “Spread your wings and fly! You love to try out your next adventure, Sagittarius, so you'll feel right at home today, as the Moon continues its tour of your expansive ninth house. If you've wanted to put yourself out there—either by globetrotting or broadcasting your wild ideas via the Internet—you have the star power to take those risks today. You may quench this wanderlust by reaching out to your old friends across the country (or ocean) as well.

And: “You are spiritually inclined by nature, and today you could be feeling especially so. You might find yourself attracted to meditation groups, or studies of the scriptures of various world religions. You are also likely to be feeling especially psychic, and might experience some premonitions which actually come true. This is an excellent time to train your psychic abilities, or to try your hand at reading runes or Tarot cards.

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