Sunday, September 27, 2015

9/27/15 Transparent Oracle Sunday

And it is Sunday again already, must be Transparent Oracle Sunday!

20, Elemental: Salamander (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.  Salamander is also intense in personality, but this one is about consumption of fuel, and the changes and transformations that happen through consumption of fuel.  The changes presented by Salamander are more transmutation than transformation or metamorphosis.  Salamanders are actually known for putting out fires!  This is because they consume all fuel and then the flames themselves.  They are true experts, and know just how to handle Fire and its tricky nature.

33, Element: Earth (North). Earth represents stable, material, practical energies that are slow to change; its dignities are cold/binds and dry/shapes. Earth is the element of form and substance; it is connected to physical health, to material world security (and even wealth), and to our physical bodies and physical senses, and the pleasures and pains they bring.  Earth represents the fertile, nurturing and serene side of Nature, and it represents the tangible end result of our labors.

15, Landscape: Desert (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.   Desert represents an extreme environment that upon initial examination seems to preclude life; actually this Landscape just challenges life, severely, but if we see that challenge as a chance to test our endurance and our ability to adapt to difficult situations, we will prosper.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  This one is a bit deceptive at first glance, but then not so much.  The Salamanders are dancing in concert with the leaves on the Earth symbol, the perfect combination of catalyst and fertility.  This beautiful orange and green glyph is surrounded by Desert, and this really does make sense.  Desert is an extreme environment and its landscape appears lifeless.  In reality, life is hidden amidst the sand and heat, and although living that life is usually a challenge, it can be done.  There is beauty to be found in the Desert, and the end result of attempting to exist there can be good.

Full Moon Blessings!

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9/25/15 Nine of Cups and Seven of Swords

Today I took out my Llewellyn Welsh Tarot, and threw the Nine of Cups and the Seven of Swords.  Now, there’s an interesting combination!

The Nine of Cups (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, suffering, soul growth) is about emotional satisfaction and the ability to find pleasure in feelings and emotions, and in our expectations for the day.  This card is about getting what you wished for, but it reminds us that we need to be detailed in our visualizations if we want to receive exactly what we are wishing for.  Yes, it is one of the best cards in the pack

The Llewellyn Welsh Nine of Cups shows a beautiful young woman dressed in a gauzy with and blue dress with a white veil blowing in the gentle breeze, seated in a lush green area dotted with red flowers, next to a small waterfall and brook.  The woman has a gentle smile on her face and is holding a Cup in her right hand; placed around her are eight other Cups.  The whole atmosphere of this card is warm and serene and encouraging, encouraging us to allow our hearts to overflow with the effects of the natural beauty around us and to be nourished and inspired by the emotions and feelings that fill us.

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.  Trying to keep things the same is an exercise in futility, but sometimes we get so caught up in our own story that we forget we are affecting others.

The image on the Llewellyn Welsh Seven of Swords is traditional.  A man, under cover of the darkness, gathers Swords and carries them away from a sleeping encampment.  Very little about the Swords cards is comforting; this card brings forth the reminder that clinging to the old way of thinking ends up progressively narrowing our field of vision until we don’t see anything else any more.  But this card is not all bad, at least in the Llewellyn Welsh Tarot it is not all bad; one interpretation presented in The Llewellyn Welsh Tarot Companion for this card is “rejecting outside expectations for an individually fashioned lifestyle.”  Perhaps today this one is not necessarily so much about keeping things the same, but rather it is about doing things my way.

There is a visible difference between these two images.  One is warm and sunny and open and accepting, the other is cold and dark and secretive and conspiratorial.  Generally, when two seemingly opposing cards present themselves in a pair, I see them as offering a choice (and that could very well be the situation today, and I must remember that), but I am seeing a different message today, particularly in light of that slightly different interpretation of the Llewellyn Welsh Seven of Swords.  Today I need to be at peace with the decisions I make that are oriented toward achieving my own needs, even if those decisions seem to counter the needs of others.  If I don’t make a habit of doing this, it is not necessarily selfish but rather, self-nurturing, and we all need a bit of that every now and then.

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9/21/15 Transparent Oracle Sunday

Another Transparent Oracle Sunday!!

58, Grail Hollows: The Spear (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 Spear is about challenges and sacrifice, karma and focus, severe consequences and the concept of “piercing.”  The Spear can be seen like a scalpel which in the hands of a skilled surgeon can cut out disease (even if leaving a scar).  Redundancy is destroyed by The Spear in order to clear the land so new growth can begin.

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.  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.

12, Weather: Lightning (South): The direction of South corresponds with the element of Fire.  Fire brings spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change through heating and separating, drying and shaping. In the T-O, the weather associated with the South is Lightning, and oh boy, does this make sense.  After all, South is about Fire, and Lightning is about a sudden eruption of heat and flame and light.  The energies of this card are full of drama, and maybe even a bit scary at times, but they are a great way to break down and end the effectiveness of blockages.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  Uh oh.  Looks like something life-changing in some way is going to happen.  The end result will be good, though, and somehow it is fitting to be told on the Equinox that I am to cut away the things I don’t need any more.  After all, isn’t that what all the trees around me are beginning to do?  Let those old things go out in a blaze of glory!

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9/13/15 Transparent Oracle Sunday!

Transparent Oracle Sunday!

43, Sun (Above). The direction of Above takes us up and out of the four traditional elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth, and reminds us that we are but a small part of the Cosmos.  Above also reminds us that while the Machinery of the Universe is huge, it does have an effect on each of us, and each of us is an important part of the workings of that Machinery.  The Sun brings light and warmth into our world, and thus life can exist.  The light illuminates truth, and the warmth brings wealth, success and happiness.  Our sun has a corona, so The Sun tells of charisma and brilliance.

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.

15, Landscape: Desert (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.   Desert represents an extreme environment that upon initial examination seems to preclude life; actually this Landscape just challenges life, severely, but if we see that challenge as a chance to test our endurance and our ability to adapt to difficult situations, we will prosper.

Wow, lots of sunlight and downward-moving messages today!  I need to look beyond myself and the physical world for messages and information.  These “outer realms” and purer, higher-vibrating essences may at first appear devoid of life or information, but I need to take a second look, and maybe even need to change my own vibrational level in order to perceive and understand what is being sent to me!

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Wednesday, September 16, 2015

9/11/15 The Sun reversed and The World

Wild Unknown Tarot today, threw The Sun reversed and The World.

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.

The Wild Unknown Sun card really depicts the basic meaning of the card: bright, golden, uninterrupted sunlight.  The image brings to mind noontime, warmth, and illumination, a light so bright that shadows cease to exist, at least for now.  Like our sun at noon, this light overhead will not remain in place and we need to take advantage of it while its position is auspicious.  This version of The Sun looks almost the same whether upright or reversed, reminding us that even when this potent light is not in our best interest, we can still glean benefits from it.

The Universe/World, which corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and material, stable and practical energy that is slow to change), Saturn (discipline, responsibility, limitations and resistance), Thav (mark or sign), and the Path between Malkuth (the physical world of action and physical, outer reality) and Yesod (the place where patterns and images emerge that may manifest into the physical world) is a card of integration and involvement and understanding, a crystallization of the entire issue at hand. “Completion” is one traditional interpretation of this card, but “completion” is too simple a word to apply without qualification.  Like the Seven of Pentacles, this card tells of a slowing down of movement and effect; this time the slow-down is happening because the manifestation is complete.  This can be good, yes, but it can also represent a bit of opposition or obstinacy.  The completeness of manifestation in this instance is set in stone; while it may also be the catalyst that begins the new cycle, the current cycle cannot be changed.

The World or The Universe is a card of completeness and contentment, of balance attained and of wholeness.  The image on the Wild Unknown World card shows an orb, glowing with light and life, bounded by the colors of the Elements, each blending into the other, floating in a velvety, star-studded sky.  This World is a part of an orderly universe, a perfect cosmos, and it hints at the knowledge of the secret within that World and the experience of rapture as that secret is understood.

I’ve been striving and working hard for a while now, transforming myself.  It appears that some culmination may be happening.  That culmination might be hard to perceive right now, but it is there.  Balance, contentment, and integration may be happening, but there will also be a slowdown of effort (and possibly of available energy).  I should remember not to be discouraged by any shadow that appears; rather I should look to the good things I’m accomplishing.

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Thursday, September 10, 2015

9/6/15 Transparent Oracle Sunday!

Transparent Oracle Sunday!

39, Guide: Wolf (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.  Wolves are seen by many as dangerous, even evil, but we should always keep in mind when we are working with Wolf that he is the ancestor of the dogs we humans love so much.  Wolf has a strong sense of family, and of rank within that family.  Wolf can communicate over great distances, and has the stamina to travel those distances in the first place.  Wolf has keen instincts, and a strong urge to protect his territory.

53, Guide: Sidhe (Below).  The cards of Below assist us in understanding our foundation.  There are entities who dwell there who can also assist us with that endeavor, if we approach them correctly.  The Sidhe can be a wonderful Guide when we are attempting these things, for she is both a source of creation and of responsibility.  The Sidhe cares for the earth and Nature; just like us, she is a part of that realm.  But the Sidhe is also connected to the non-physical world more than we are, and thus can be a Guide who teaches us how to see things in a different or unique manner.  And if we work hard and are true to our Purpose, we just might get some support along with our guidance; this partnership can achieve extraordinary things!

30, Elemental: Undine (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.  Water is about emotions, feelings, the Inner Voice, dreams, intuition, and Water is connected to both birth and death.  Undines are immortal Water entities who remind us that true feelings are a part of who we are, but infatuations can drown us.  Interesting tidbit: Undines can gain a soul and lose their immortal nature by falling in love and having a family.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  Such beautiful colors!  Wolf is looking forward, seeing before he moves in a deosil direction, focus moving from inward to outward; My Sidhe Guide is looking at me (or through me!); my Undine is dancing widdershins, focus moving from outward to inward.  What a balanced yet in-motion mandala.  My family is important today and not just blood relatives.  Communication with these loved ones is favored, possibly accomplished through visualizations or dreams (also favored), and that communication just might encourage love.  Love is the key and the thread that binds these three cards, love of family, love of the world around us, and the healing and connecting powers of love, should be on my mind today.

Love seems to be the word of the week.  I found online the text of a letter that Albert Einstein wrote to his daughter.  Even scientists understand the power of love!!  If we want our species to survive, if we are to find meaning in life, if we want to save the world and every sentient being that inhabits it, love is the one and only answer. Perhaps we are not yet ready to make a bomb of love, a device powerful enough to entirely destroy the hate, selfishness and greed that devastate the planet.

However, each individual carries within them a small but powerful generator of love whose energy is waiting to be released. When we learn to give and receive this universal energy, dear Daughter, we will have affirmed that love conquers all, is able to transcend everything and anything, because love is the quintessence of life.” Albert Einstein, in a letter to his daughter

All we need is love, love; love is all we need.

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Thursday, September 3, 2015

8/3/15 The Knight of Cups and the Prince of Disks

I dusted off my Thoth Tarot today, and it looks like its Court Cards Day. I’ve thrown the Knight of Cups and the reversed Prince of Disks.  The Thoth Tarot handles the male Court Cards a bit differently.  The Knights hold the highest rank, however the definitions and correspondences are similar to the Knights of other decks.  The Princes hold the rank of Knight, however the definitions and correspondences are similar to the Kings of other decks.  When using the Thoth Tarot, it is easier to work with the elemental correspondences when interpreting the cards. 

The Knight [King] 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.  When upright, this Knight/King appears calm to others, but inwardly he feels things strongly.   The message here is that I tend to respond deeply to life’s events, and that intensity will have an effect on my day.

The Thoth Knight of Cups is Fire of Water, and he is seen by others as being calm, cool and collected.  The surprise is that inwardly he feels things strongly, so there are lots of waves churning around out of sight.  He has a natural innocence that attracts others to him, and he will support your cause with enthusiasm; he just might not last until the end.  Indeed, Crowley describes this Knight as, “His name is writ on Water.”

The Prince/King of Disks (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 the physical world manifestation of all kinds.  The Prince/King is the steward of Nature and the generous and supporting boss, but he is reversed today, which means his traits will manifest in a detrimental manner rather than a helpful one.  Yes, I may have resources 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.

The Thoth Prince of Disks is Air of Earth, and he is a cool character.  This Prince is completely in control on the material plane; he is the ultimate handyman who tends to not put any effort into things he considers impractical.  He is very grounded, he is ingenious and thoughtful, but yet cautious (sometimes to the point of paranoia). 

I am being told that while I tend to feel things deeply, that intensity might have unexpected results.  I need to look for balance, for being cautious might cause me to miss good opportunities, yet throwing caution to the winds has its own danger.  Since my Court Cards cover all four elements (Fire of Water and Air of Earth), there is the ability for synergy, even though on the surface these cards don’t seem to mesh well.  After all, my Prince of Disks is reversed, so I’ve got that going for me.  **wink**

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Wednesday, September 2, 2015

8/2/15 The Chariot and the Two of Swords

Shadowscapes Tarot today, and my cards are The Chariot and the Two of Swords. 

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 brings a sense of motion to the day, and motion (and the control of that motion) is his forte.  Comparing him to say, The Emperor, would be a learning experience here. I am also being warned; while I have control over the vehicle and the motor, I am to some extent insulated.  If I look away for a moment, everything might tumble, and focusing on the goal way off in the distance, could end up causing me to trip over something right at my feet. 

The Chariot card of the Shadowscapes Tarot is such a beauty!  The chariot is riding a wave, with the charioteer standing with pride and confidence, reins dropped by her sides.  Her steeds are prancing and proud, eager to move in their chosen directions.  The charioteer controls them not with those reins, but rather with her pride and confidence and her ability to focus on the goal, not on those prancing steeds or the waves around her.  The Shadowscapes Companion describes the energies of this card as “stillness in what is eternal motion,” and that is exactly what we are striving for when working with this card.  To achieve this we need to obtain and maintain skills, and we need to strengthen our ability to focus, even when surrounded by the distraction of churning emotions and spectacular visions.  I can do this today, but I do need to keep in mind that this balance will be fragile, and I must be focused and vigilant in order to maintain it.

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.  A bit of disconnect from the world can be helpful today because it allows me to achieve a pure inner focus. This card can also tell of being self-sufficient, or of not needing input from outside sources.   It can also represent a time of not looking or of shutting out the world.  A bit of disconnect from the world can be helpful today because it allows me to achieve a pure inner focus.  In the end, the serenity created through this disconnect could allow the reconciliation of differences or easing of cross-purposes.

The Shadowscapes Two of Swords tells of a conscious and deliberate shutting-out of the world around us.  I am being reminded that choosing to ignore the messages of the world around me (which rarely stills and never stops growing and evolving), has its dangers, no matter how necessary the temporary bubble may feel.  Truth cannot be denied in the end, and the truth that is in my mind is as important as the truth that is in my heart.

These two cards tell of a precarious situation, perhaps more precarious than it appears on the surface.  Control is necessary today, control of my feelings, my emotions and my visions, as well as control of my mind and its tendency to turn away from effort.  If I can stay serene within and if I can keep my mind focused, the rest just might fall into place.

It’s worth a try.

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