Friday, December 18, 2015

12/14/15 Queen of Coins and Six of Cups

I took out my Legacy of the Divine Tarot today, and threw the Queen of Coins and the Six of Cups.  Nice!!

The Queen of Coins (cusp of Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering, and Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution, cunning, authoritative) is very good at sustaining the physical world, keeping things dry and cozy and safe and orderly.  She has a “greatness of soul” and can easily manifest this greatness around her through her visualizations.  She is comfortable with all physical world sensations and experiences, she understands the philosophies behind building and healing and nurturing, and she is able to find beauty in all experiences.  

The Legacy Queen of Coins represents Water of Earth, and represents a time when emotions support the senses (or counteract them, if the card is reversed).  She has a beautiful glowing disk at her third eye, representing her ability to perceive and visualize the need of others, and her own needs, in order to manifest them.  She nurtures the body, beautifies our surroundings, and offers well-grounded advice regarding family and career.

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. 

The image on the Legacy Six of Cups shows a young girl laying in a green field dotted with yellow flowers, resting her chin in her hands with a smile on her face as she remembers fun times in the sun.  Simple pleasures, fond memories, and a moment of peace created by those simple pleasures and fond memories, allow us to leave our troubles behind. 

These two cards have such a lovely feel to them!!  It makes sense that I am being told to look to my needs right now, as I am coming off of a weekend of holiday celebrations in my home. I did my best to give everyone a good meal, good conversations, and a good time, and I honored my own needs as I cleaned up, all the while remembering the laughter and love that filled the evening.  Perfect visualizations of my day.

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12/13/15 Transparent Oracle Sunday!

Transparent Oracle Sunday! 

60, Polarity: Red Dragon (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 Red Dragon’s energy begins within, and radiates outward with amazing power.  While the Red Dragon is in a sense about balance, it presents only one extreme for our consideration: inner power that expands outward.  This card is about passions and drive, and even the life essence itself, all of which begin within and then manifest outward.

67, Empathy (Within). Within is the direction of the Self, and thus the cards associated with this direction deal with the ways our Self connects to the world and perceives the world, and the Self.  This direction is mostly abstract, and yet is our bridge to the Universe around us. Empathy is about receptivity, sensitivity, and shared emotions or experiences.  This is not a detached understanding of another, but rather it is about being able to communicate without words, without conscious understanding, as if we ourselves are experiencing the feelings of another being.

25, Landscape: Ocean (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.  Oceans are huge and magnificent; they are considered the cradle of life.  They can be calm as glass, but beneath that smooth flat surface lurk powerful predators.  They can be rough and deadly, yet if we travel down a short distance, all is quiet and silent.  The Ocean card is about death and life, about destruction and creation; and amidst the chaos, healing and purification.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  The Red Dragon is what I see first, and my Dragon seems to be cradling or supporting the other two cards.  Empathy is an interesting companion to my Red Dragon, for the Red Dragon abides in the direction of Below but presents the concept of radiating or emanating outward, while Empathy has a more receptive focus that brings us inward to the quiet and calm of the Core.  I am being told to connect with and value where I have come from, to connect and value who I am right now, and to understand that my own life is connected to all Life.  That connection itself can bring purification and healing, and a deep and abiding peace, if I open myself to it.

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12/7/15 King of Pentacles and the Eight of Swords

Shadowscapes Tarot today, and I threw the King of Pentacles reversed and the Eight of Swords reversed. 

The King of Pentacles (cusp of Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive, and Taurus, “I have,” sensual, stubborn, cautious, physically oriented) is the clever expert on managing resources, maintaining energy, and on physical world manifestations of all kinds.  The King is the steward of Nature and the generous and supporting boss when upright, but he is reversed today, which means his traits will manifest in a detrimental manner rather than a helpful one. 

The Shadowscapes King of Pentacles seems to be the trunk of a mighty oak tree, its branches covered with green leaves and many acorns.  He is steady and reliable, and everything he touches bears fruit.  The King holds one of those acorns in his outstretched hand, reminding us that the fertility is there and we need to make something out of our blessings, perhaps by sharing them with others. 

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.  The blockages or restrictions represented by this card exist only within the workings of my mind, though, and just because I feel powerless does not mean I am trapped by the influence of others.

The Shadowscapes Eight of Swords shows a swan tangled in the thorns of a blackberry hedge, struggling to free herself from this trap into which she stumbled while looking for sweet blackberries.  At her feet are the skulls of others who have been trapped here, and she panics for a bit.  But then a tiny hummingbird, small enough to flit through the brambles, reminds the swan that thrashing will only serve to tighten the hold of the thorns.  Instead, the swan needs to calm herself; then she will discover that escape is easy.

I may have physical world resources today and I may have the ability to allocate those resources in a good and effective way, but if I get caught up in that process, I will bog myself down with the details and everything will come to a grinding halt.  Thankfully that Eight of Swords is reversed, and I should be able to take the advice of that hummingbird and relax.  If I don’t allow my mind to spiral into worry about the details, the day just might end on a high note.  Crossing my fingers and taking a deep breath now.

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Sunday, December 6, 2015

12/6/15 Transparent Oracle Sunday!

Transparent Oracle Sunday!

37, Guide: Raven (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.  Raven is a clever bird, often portrayed as a trickster.  Raven is known for assisting us in the transformation from one realm to another, often manifested in a similar way as my own Totem, Turkey Vulture, by cleaning up dead things. Raven is known as a skilled communicator, able to use intelligence and language (not necessarily verbal language) in order to convey messages from the Gods.

64, Hearing (Within). Within is the direction of the Self, and thus the cards associated with this direction deal with the ways our Self connects to the world and perceives the world, and the Self.  This direction is mostly abstract, and yet is our bridge to the Universe around us.  Hearing is about perceiving without using our ability to visualize, in order to understand; it is about an inward flow of knowledge, wisdom, information or energy.  Hearing can be accomplished with our physical ears, with our other physical senses, and also with our minds and our ability to be aware.  In order to Hear, we must open ourselves to being able to listen, maybe even to listen to things we don’t want to hear.

2, Weather: Wind (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.  Wind brings chaos and unpredictability; a stiff breeze can disrupt order, or it can clear away the cobwebs of stagnation.  What we need to remember is that we can’t control the effects of the Wind, only deal with them.  Sometimes we are rewarded for bravely accepting the effects of Wind, by receiving inspiration.

I then stacked my card and created my mandala.  Initially, it is Raven that I see the most, and its message of getting rid of the distraction of dead stuff in order to not be distracted from Sacred messages.  But then I became aware of the power of inspiration and unpredictability presented by Wind.  That unpredictability can act as a scrubbing pad that can clean the dirt from our “windshield” so that we can see more clearly.  This week I should embrace chaos, and truly listen, not just with my physical ears, for some important messages!  Perhaps this reading is at least in part a result of me carrying around my aqua obsidian.  Should be an interesting week.

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Saturday, December 5, 2015

11/29/15 Transparent Oracle Sunday!

Transparent Oracle Sunday!

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.

50, Polarity: White Dragon (Above). The White Dragon represents masculine, dispassionate, celestial energies that come into us and into our world from “Above.”  If you see the solar system and the universe as being alive, and as being filled with the manifestations of the Sacred Essences that are the source of life and awareness, then these energies are very important.  We are the Microcosm, after all, and these energies are from the polar opposite, the Macrocosm . . . filled with information, knowledge and wisdom.

32, Weather: Snow (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.  Snow has a magickal effect on the landscape and our surroundings; when snow falls, it covers everything and hides details as well as mutes sounds.  The mantle of white is made of countless tiny, unique crystals, and like a blanket, the covering of snow insulates and protects.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  This reminds me so much of those beautiful moments as a snowfall comes to an end.  The whole world is clean and pure, and silent.  The snow sparkles, as if someone sprinkled thousands and thousands of tiny diamonds on its surface.  Details are obscured, and the purest of pleasures is available.  Sometimes bringing our awareness up and out of the physical realm is a beneficial thing, and I need to remember this over the next week.  This sounds like a continuation of the message from my birthday Tarot throw.  Cool; validation. 

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11/24/15 Daughter of Wands reversed and Mother of Swords reversed

The Wild Unknown Tarot for my birthday.  I threw the Daughter of Wands reversed and the Mother of Swords reversed.  Hmmm . . .

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 fun to be around, unless you have a migraine. He is about being open to new experiences and about being enthusiastic about whatever is happening, and his optimism just might tip things into the right direction.  He can be a bit scattered though, and easily distracted.

The Daughter of Wands. The snake (the symbol of Wands in this deck) is vibrantly colored, as if she had just completed shedding her skin.  She is coiled around her Wand, a branch from a flowering cherry tree.  Flowering cherries symbolize clouds, the birthplace of the lightning strike, and they symbolize the ephemeral nature of life (a concept which has a name, “mono no aware,” the awareness of impermanence).  The serpent on this card has almost completed positioning herself in the symbol of eternity, the figure 8.  But the symbol is not complete; another indication of impermanence.  This image seems to be telling me to enjoy and take advantage of the beauty of “now,” because it is a unique work of art, gone in the blink of an eye.

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.

The Mother of Swords.  This image is similar to that of the Daughter of Swords, except that this is obviously an adult owl, and because the sky behind this owl is not a night sky, rather it is lit.  We cannot tell if it is morning or afternoon, but this owl is “illuminated,” and she knows enough of her surroundings (and is confident enough in that knowledge she has obtained through experiencing her environment in order to thrive) to relax a bit.  Her feathers are a bit puffed, enough to hide her feet, which to me indicates that she is relaxed.  Her eyes are soft, as if she wants to appear sleepy, but she is not asleep!  She is alert, and she is aware, without pre-judgment of any kind, and ready to become active, should the need appear.

Interesting message for my birthday.  Sounds like my focus needs to be on Earthly pursuits, rather than those of philosophy or the intellect.  Things may not be clear to me today, but in the end that might not be a bad thing because I won’t have expectations to be fulfilled.  I should not relax, but I should not attempt to structure things too much either.  Maybe I should just enjoy the day, and enjoy the life I have lived so far.  I can do that. 

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Monday, November 23, 2015

11/23/15 Ace of Swords reversed and Three of Disks

The Thoth Tarot today!  I threw the Ace of Swords reversed and the Three of Disks.

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, to determine personal truth, and in order to react correctly to events in our day.   This card is about intellectual potential, and it is about that feeling that occurs when lightning strikes and a new idea is formed.  While not guaranteed, the ideas presented by this card just might last through to manifestation.

The Thoth Tarot Ace of Swords sets up Crowley’s interpretation of the entire suit, because the Sword in the image has the word “Thelema” (or “Will”) on its blade.  The intellect is about the Will, and the Ace provides the purest form of the intellect, undiluted by people, events, or even the effects of the physical body and the world around us. 

The Three of Disks (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, cunning, competence) tells of competence, planning and teamwork.  The skills presented here are not ordinary; this making use of talents and finding comfort in humble work is more an avocation than an ordinary job.

The Three of Disks in the Thoth Tarot is considered the most un-abstract of Crowley’s Minor Arcana images.  Uncle Al sees this Three as the “material establishment of the idea of the Universe, the determination of its basic form.”  Interesting that the sand dunes in this image appear to be radiating outward from the pyramid.

Well, that is a clear message for today.  I should not attempt to impose my own Will or my own intentions into the events of the day.  Rather, I should use my own abilities to make things turn out the very best that they can.  I should see myself today as an acolyte whose purpose is to serve, for anything that I focus on will have an effect, and that effect needs to be for the good of everyone.

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Sunday, November 22, 2015

11/22/15 Transparent Oracle Sunday!

Transparent Oracle Sunday! 

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.

27, Guide: Salmon (West). West is the direction of Water, and thus, of feelings and emotions, relationships of all kinds, cleansing and healing, the wisdom associated with natural endings, and the bubbling up of pure joy.  Salmon is an incredible animal; it can swim the seas and when the time is right, it can find its way back to where it was spawned.  That takes a knowledge and wisdom about where the Salmon has been; there is that concept again.  This Guide is also about cycles, tradition, and memory of what has been.

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.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  Another beautiful image that just seems to have a lovely, balanced energy about it.  This one creates an image in my mind: a stream meandering through a forest with the morning sun sparkling on the surface of the water, fishes swimming.  Peaceful yet invigorating.  These cards are foretelling a new beginning at a time of transition, however this new beginning will be built on the foundation of tradition, patience, fortitude, and memories of the past.  These things will be important this week, and the work I’ve done to get to this moment in time should be honored.  No matter what the final result, all of those experiences have value; they make me who I am right now.


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11/18/15 Five of Wands reversed and Ten of Wands reversed

Pulled out my Llewellyn Welsh Tarot today because I needed the soothing, dream-like images in this deck today. I threw the Five of Wands reversed and the Ten of Wands reversed. 

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, or this discomfort could be caused by growing pains. The traditional image on this card makes me laugh, and makes me remember setting up a tent in order to camp.  The more people trying to set up the tent, the longer it takes to finish the project.

The Llewellyn Welsh Five of Wands is pretty traditional as far as images go.  Five men with five Wands, each with a different interpretation of how they should be assembled.  The interesting thing about the image on this one is that there are written instructions to be had.  However, they are rolled up on the ground and being ignored by these five people who are each absolutely certain they know how to do the task. 

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 that must be climbed.  This card can also tell of a passion or idea that has taken a life of its own and then gotten out of control or taken over everything else, and this to me is an interesting interpretation of this card.  Sometimes success can be oppressive; if we get suddenly lucky and we are not prepared to take on what we’ve been given, the burden can seem crushing.  Too much of a good thing is never good!

The Llewellyn Welsh Ten of Wands shows a more traditional image: a man walking up some stairs, carrying what appears to be a huge and heavy bundle of wands on his back, moving toward a building or the edge of a town.  What is interesting about this version of the Ten of Wands is that those wands the person is carrying each have small branches and leaves at the top.  This card has more of a “carrying my weight and more” and “not flinching in the face of hard work” kind of feel to it.  This card tells of a huge burden that is difficult to carry, but it is not an impossible task.  I also get the feeling that, because these Wands appear still viable, they will have some effect on the house or town to which they are being carried. 

Because both Wands cards are reversed, there is a general message here: responsibilities might rain on my parade today.  But when we look at both of these cards and examine their reversed interpretations, that might not be a bad thing.  Unity of purpose is easier to deal with, and finding that a responsibility is not a burden can also bring a sense of lightness.  Perhaps today is my day to sit back and try to find the space within; I can take this time for myself without neglecting my responsibilities.  Relaxation without guilt; I like it!


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Friday, November 20, 2015

11/15/15 Transparent Oracle Sunday!

Transparent Oracle Sunday!

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 direction of South corresponds with the element of Fire.  Fire brings spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change through heating and separating, drying and shaping.  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.

6, Guide: Butterfly (East).  East is the direction of Air, and thus of fresh ideas and new beginnings, knowledge, information and thoughts.  Butterflies are about metamorphosis, and about seeing in all directions at the same time.  Butterflies are strong!  Monarchs, with wings basically the consistency of tissue paper, fly hundreds of miles to the South in the Fall, winter over, and then return Northward.  Butterflies are an interesting combination of potential and sacrifice.

25, Landscape: Ocean (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.  Oceans are huge and magnificent; they are considered the cradle of life.  They can be calm as glass, but beneath that smooth flat surface lurk powerful predators.  They can be rough and deadly, yet if we travel down a short distance, all is quiet and silent.  The Ocean card is about death and life, about destruction and creation; and amidst the chaos, healing and purification.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  This image just plain feels good!  My Butterflies are resting on the points of the triangle that represents Fire, and they are all surrounded by the gentle waves of Ocean.  In a way, this image really resonates for me; Cape May is a stopover for the fall monarch migration, and I can easily visualize the sun on flowers, butterflies fluttering in the warm air as they search for nectar, and the groups of monarchs departing southward across the Delaware Bay.  I am being reminded today that life’s Journey is long, and often it is filled with detours and challenges.  In the end, whether the road is smooth and straight, or whether I take one step backwards for every two steps I move forward, transformation and change and evolution will all happen.  I need to have courage, and I need to focus on one step at a time; the Journey is one that takes a lifetime so I should look for the day-to-day benefits rather than allowing myself to be overwhelmed by the big picture.

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11/13/15 Ten of Cups and Six of Wands reversed

I was drawn back to the Hermetic Tarot today, and threw the Ten of Cups and the Six of Wands reversed. 

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. The number Ten is about the completion of a cycle or manifestation, and the suit of Cups is about emotions, feelings and the inner self, so this card offers the bounty that comes with the successful experiencing of all the lessons of the Cups cards.

The Hermetic Tarot Ten of Cups presents the traditional image of water flowing in a connected way into ten Cups, with a few interesting additions.  The water is flowing from a lotus blossom, which represents the ability to rise above the mud and murk in order to bloom and achieve enlightenment.  How auspicious that the water on this card is sourced from a lotus blossom!  Some of the water is being poured from a Cup being held by a hand; again a hint that the pleasures and contentment of this card have a higher source. 

The Six of Wands (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, noble, authoritative) expresses the celebration we feel when we have passed some test or successfully met a challenge.  This card is about the sense of accomplishment and the recognition that happen when we stick to our own plan despite adversity.  Good standing and recognized authority, and the hands on the reins.

The Six of Wands in the Hermetic Tarot is called the Lord of Victory, and indeed, victory is one of the keywords commonly assigned to this card.  One of the descriptions of the Hermetic Tarot Six of Wands is “success through energy and industry,” and that sums up the way that conquest and triumph are presented to us by this card. 

Any happiness I experience today will be of a higher nature, and that is cool because that happiness will be there whether things in the physical world go as planned, or whether things beyond my control strive to derail my journey.  Simple interpretation, but important message!


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Monday, November 9, 2015

11/8/15 Transparent Oracle Sunday!

Transparent Oracle Sunday!

11, Gateway: Summer (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.  This Gateway is about warmth and bounty, abundance and blessing, passion and wealth.  Summer is a time of physical world manifestation and abundance, and it is also a time to bring magickal awarenesses into the open.  After all, with an abundance of manifestation into the physical world, this would be an easy time to sense non-physical world abundances as they often happen around physical manifestations.

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.

65, Voice (Within). Within is the direction of the Self, and thus the cards associated with this direction deal with the ways our Self connects to the world and perceives the world, and the Self.  This direction is mostly abstract, and yet is our bridge to the Universe around us.  The Voice is used for communication, but it is also a tool for expression and for manifestation.  It is about an outward flow of knowledge, wisdom, information or energy, effected through the workings of the throat chakra, but supported by the solar plexus chakra.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  Voices are framed by the Gateway of Summer and illuminated by the Sunset.  Non-physical messages sometimes appear in conjunction with physical manifestations, so I need to be aware of all planes of existence.  I am being told of an upcoming ending (and this is not the first message I’ve received in the past week about an ending), and now might be a good time to review what has happened in the past few weeks.  What I learn should be shared!!

I’m back from my time in California, processing everything I’ve experienced there.  Sounds like there are exciting things to be perceived and understood!

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Sunday, November 1, 2015

11/1/15 Transparent Oracle Sunday!

Transparent Oracle Sunday! 

32, Weather: Snow (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.  Snow has a magickal effect on the landscape and our surroundings; when snow falls, it covers everything and hides details as well as mutes sounds.  The mantle of white is made of countless tiny, unique crystals, and like a blanket, the covering of snow insulates and protects.

69, DNA/Labyrinth (Within). Within is the direction of the Self, and thus the cards associated with this direction deal with the ways our Self connects to the world and perceives the world, and the Self.  This direction is mostly abstract, and yet is our bridge to the Universe around us.  The DNA/Labyrinth card is a card of self-exploration, and it offers me a chance to become acquainted with myself and to own my personal identity.  Ancient wisdom and modern science linked together; I like that!

63, Touch (and Taste) (Within). Our senses connect us to the physical world, and the sense of Touch is the most solid and least deceptive sense; touch is the method we use to find our way around and to dispel illusion.  Taste is a part of Touch, for it is by bringing things into contact with our tongues that we Taste them, enjoying the yummy tastes and grimacing through the unpleasant ones.  Contact is the key here, and connection; they can be pleasant or violent.  Contact can bring a sense of support and security, and touching something can dispel illusions.  This is not just a receptive sense, for we show love and support by touching others.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  This one is all about DNA and the Labyrinth, at least on the surface.  And this is the perfect time to consider this card, because now is the time to transfer perception from outer to inner.  Each year, I carry what I’ve learned during the sunny, outer months back within as the Winter approaches, and each year I need to integrate all that new stuff with what is already there.  I am being told that for this week I should be sure to keep track of what’s happening with my physical body (and this makes sense, as I am away from home, visiting friends), but my focus might be more on re-learning who and what I am.  This might require a time of shutting out the usual and customary day-to-day world and what better way to do that than to be away from home!


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Wednesday, October 28, 2015

10/27/15 Four of Pentacles and The Star reversed

Wild Unknown Tarot today, and I threw the Four of Pentacles and The Star reversed. 

The Four of Pentacles (the Sun, the inner core of a person or situation or the deepest self, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, authority, caution, cunning) tells of very solid foundations and an awareness of the value of our possessions.  The danger here is that once we realize how valuable things have become, we might expend too much energy protecting things and keeping them just as they are right now.

The image on the Wild Unknown Four of Pentacles shows four Pentacles; each Pentacle is connected to the others by belts or straps.  We can almost hear the hum of those belts as they turn, creating lots of energy but only allowing each Pentacle to turn in one direction, in only certain ways.  I can feel the benefits of the energy of this card, but I can also feel that the restrictive nature of the devices does not allow things to grow or evolve.  This card is about valuing the things we have right now, and protecting them to the point that they are stifled.  Keeping things as they are, holding tightly to those possessions we value, prevents us from using them to create new things.  That holding tightly is well and good for a little bit; it allows us to gather ourselves in order to take the next leap.  But the support offered by structure and a strong foundation can just as easily grow into a prison.

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. 

The Wild Unknown Star card image 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.

The suit of Pentacles is more about following proven rules than experiencing the unknown, and today I may be more attracted to stability than new experiences.  However, that stability, as desirable and safe as it is, is not necessarily what I need right now.  Building walls and a ceiling to protect me will not allow me to see the beautiful night sky or the ivory light of the waning moon.  Sticking to the rules and only working with known experiences that offer predictable results won’t bring the spiritual high of an Aha! Moment or that elusive Glimpse of the Machinery of the Universe.  I need to remember that physical things are in the end not as important as they may seem today.

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