The Moon reversed/Five of Cups reversed. The Moon corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, emotional and sensitive energy that strives to stay the same), Pisces (“I believe,” feeling, suffering, soul growth, duality), Qof (the back of the head), and the Path between Malkuth (the physical world of action and physical, outer reality) and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration), and talks about the imagination, perception, and fear of the unknown. Often the fear attached to this card is connected to perception, but since the energies of The Moon are reversed, I may find that illusion has little or no effect on my day. The Five of Cups (Mars, action, aggression, drive, in Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, mysterious, obsessive) in an upright position tells of the cloudy sludge that is stirred up when still waters are disturbed. Because it is reversed, and paired with The Moon reversed, I just may find that for today, my perception is clear and accurate. **crosses fingers**

My Thoth card is the Seven of Disks reversed. “Futility” reversed. The Seven of Disks (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, law and order, in Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn) in an upright position tells of a heavy pause that just might be hard to counteract, due to the Earthiness of both the number 7 and the suit of Disks. Thankfully, the card is reversed, so if any stagnation appears, I should be able to wash it away pretty quickly.

My Legacy card is the Two of Coins reversed, flavored by Death reversed. Okay, three days in a row with the Death card. And wow, I am getting a lot of repeat appearances lately! I think the only card of today’s throw that has **not** appeared in the last two weeks is The Moon. The Two of Coins (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution, cunning) reversed reminds me that everything always ebbs and flows, but I am not always required to follow the prevailing tides. Not following those tides might be a more difficult choice, but it just may be worth the effort. The Death card corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and sensitive, imaginative energy that strives to stay the same or take the same course), Scorpio, Nun (fish head; liberation), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration), and tells of transformation or change, both voluntary and involuntary, the ending of an era and the fear of the unknown result of change. Death is irreversible, but its effects can be liberating.

My 6-digit date number is 8, the number that tells of a conscious effort to restore balance and harmony.

My horoscopes: “It could be that you see mirages, Sagittarius, most notably in the environment around you. You may have the impression that people are lying to you or hiding something from you. Or it may be you're the one who lies about certain things or hides what you do. Why are you making things so complicated? Don't be afraid to express your feelings today.”

And: “If you're getting ready to make a big presentation today, don't worry -- your communication will be effective, and you will be in firm control of the process the entire time. Your ability to focus on small details without losing sight of the big picture is one of your greatest strengths -- currently outmatched only by your ability to balance your personal and public lives. Some very important people are noticing your impressive juggling abilities.”

And: “There is some likelihood that you've been a bit of a loner lately. It's as though you decided to look at things differently from the rest of the world, rejecting the individualistic viewpoint in favor of a more global one. Today, you may achieve a new phase in this process. You may attain some summit of consciousness from which you finally have the ability . . . to forgive!”

My Sun reading: “The Moon joins seven planets in Cardinal Signs today. There can be abrupt changes in communications, decision-making processes, and relationships. Things happen quickly. Thankfully, Saturn and Pluto ensure a focused perspective beginning tonight. The Aries Moon with "different strokes for different folks" Uranus says this won't be just another TGIF night.”

I submitted another essay for the Sacred Mists Blog. This one is titled "Tarot and the Two Sides of Balance." Hopefully, it will get approved and posted on the Blog.

I went back and re-read my thoughts and experiences with the 24^th Path, since Death seems to be a regular part of my card throws for myself these days. I thought once again about the death of the personality, the death of the ego, and of the transformation from sympathy to empathy. I think these three are very important concepts for me now, and maybe even tasks for me to complete. What may help here is that Death brings us the effects of Spirit from below, as opposed to The Hanging Man, who brings Spirit to us from above. The other correspondence of Death that seems to resonate for me is the removal of a valued mask or the leaving behind of something of value. Kali Ma, my Dark Moon Goddess, tells us that the things of the physical world are in the end of no value to us unless we gain some non-physical benefit from them. It is that non-physical experience that we can take with us when we leave this plane of existence. She also reminds us that we should not fear this process of “leaving behind,” because the life force itself is eternal.

Another side of Death, particularly Death reversed, is birth and beginnings. And I actually surprised myself and watched a bit of the Royal Wedding coverage this morning. I was instantly captivated by the couple, they are young and beautiful, and seem to be in love. The occasional glance at each other seemed to be sweet, and LOL, sharing a secret or two. While our respective economies are in the trash can, it is refreshing and renewing to watch the pomp and circumstance of the traditions associated with a Royal milestone, presented from a new and more modern viewpoint. Evolution is a good thing. Congratulations, William and Katherine!

I am still receiving the Divine Downloads of the 21^st Path. What a lovely sensation this is, and I am so gratified that if it begins to fade, all I have to do is consciously reach out to it, and I am flooded once again with sacred energies. The 21^st Path is about learning to find our spiritual essence and then manifesting that essence in our lives. In “More Simplified Magick: Pathworking and the Tree of Life,” Ted Andrews talks of the Quest of the 21^st Path. He says “The choice to hear and respond to the call of the Quest always remains with us,” and even when we choose to respond, the effects of this Path will not be straightforward. However, it does create for us circumstances that will offer a choice: we can choose to be open to growth, and then the path will open further for us, or we can avoid growth, and then circumstances will contrive to hit us upside the head with the metaphysical two by four. But this Path does not tell me that I am to be a martyr, for I am never alone, and help is always to be found within me.

“And you who seek to know Me, know that your seeking and yearning will avail you not, unless you know the mystery: if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without. For behold . . . I have been with you from the beginning, and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.”

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Five of Cups/Page of Cups. The Five of Cups (Mars, action, aggression, drive, in Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, mysterious, obsessive) tells of the cloudy sludge that is stirred up when still waters are disturbed. This card in an upright position reminds us not to give up hope, even if there are a few snags in the day; the stirring-up process may not be fun, but the result is that we get rid of all that junk. 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 this card is reminding me that my connections to others and to my own inner self need a bit of tending in order to remain healthy and viable. I may want to try new methods today, because sometimes sticking with the tried-and-true ones can tend to put us in a trance. I also need to remind myself to focus on the good things.

My Thoth card is Death reversed. This is the second day that Death has appeared, and the fifth time since last Friday. Unfortunately, this time the Death card really does seem to represent a physical death to me, which I speak about below. The Death card corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and sensitive, imaginative energy that strives to stay the same or take the same course), Scorpio, Nun (fish head; liberation), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration), and tells of transformation or change, both voluntary and involuntary, the ending of an era and the fear of the unknown result of change. Death is irreversible, but its effects can be liberating.

My Legacy card is the Six of Swords, flavored by the Page of Coins reversed. The Six of Swords (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, communication, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause oriented) is about hitting the reset button in order to move away from a problem or blockage. I need to remember that my mind and my intellect are powerful tools, and any recovery begins there. The Page of Coins (Aries, “I want,” assertive, action oriented, Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn, and Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable, dual) is a listener, and this Page listens to both sides of an argument because he is also a student, and is eager to learn. Because the card is reversed, the learning focuses presented today will not be directly connected with the physical world.

My 6-digit date number is 7, the pause that comes as harmony and balance begin their natural degeneration.

My horoscopes: “You have a day of profound reflection ahead. While you may be tempted to think about how far you've come, your time would be better spent thinking about what the future holds. You've entered a period of rethinking your identity and objectives. These aren't small things. You will need every ounce of energy at your disposal to make it through this time of transition.”

And: “Things have calmed down a bit in your life, so today is a very good time to start thinking about new places you want to go and new things you want to do. Look to the people you greatly admire for guidance, and they will inspire you. If you start to feel drawn to humanitarian activities, go with it! To keep yourself happy and engaged with life, you have to keep expanding your horizons. Step out of your predictable world and discover new beginnings.”

And: “Give thanks to the people who are most precious to you today. You will find that words cut to the core of things much more easily today. Stabilize your strong emotions and use them as fuel for you endeavors. The key today is to remember those who have helped you along your way. Everyone is sensitive and loving individual. Treat them as such. Have fun with the people all around you.”

My Sun reading: “The Pisces Moon brings out tender responses, and people are more sympathetically in touch with each other during a kinder, gentler business day. If you meet someone new, the relationship could tend to have soap-opera-like plots. Experience was and is your best teacher if it feels like déjà vu.”

I learned some sad news today. For three seasons now, I have watched a webcam in the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. This webcam is aimed at a bald eagle nest that has been occupied by one pair of bald eagles for years. This pair has hatched and raised over 17 new eagles, 9 since I have been watching.

What a thrill it has been to watch this pair carefully brood their eggs! The excitement during hatching time was incredible!! Watching for the pips on the eggs, and then watching for the first sight of each “bobblehead” chick (so named because they are so unsteady at first), and then experiencing the seemingly harsh sibling rivalry that happens as mom and dad offer food, have all been an incredible opportunity to experience the cycle of life through the life experiences of these incredible predators. The webcam was traditionally kept live until after all the eaglets had left the nest, and the banding of the chicks was also available live on the webcam.

NBG is located near an airport, and yesterday, the female eagle was killed by an airplane strike.

This female eagle originally had a different mate when she first began nesting in the NBG; he was also killed by an airplane strike.

The three eaglets have been taken from the nest, as it was feared that dad alone could not keep up with feeding the young ones. They will be kept in an artificial nest in a large, contained area, along with other captive eagles, until they are strong enough to be released in the wild, probably later this Summer.

I am reminded, in a harsh way, that there are always consequences to be dealt with. No pilot wants to hit a bird, particularly one as large as a bald eagle; we have only to remember “Sully’s” recent landing of a passenger jet in the Hudson River after striking several geese to know that this accident did not happen due to carelessness.

That this nest has existed for this long at all is a testament to the fact that humans are increasingly aware of the impact that our cities and technologies have on the other inhabitants of our world, and are trying to mitigate that impact. Not everyone is on board yet, but more and more of us are attempting to ethically share our space with the natural world.

Despite these efforts, clashes happen, and they are worse when we see the participants as strong, capable and invincible. Today, I am pausing, and spending some time remembering this amazing and inspiring parents and the efforts they expended to raise their young. I am also going to think about the impact I have on my own personal environment. All of the life forms on or in or around our world are important, whether of the physical world or the non-physical realms. It is not always possible to coexist, but that does not mean that we should not try.

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Two of Wands reversed/Eight of Wands reversed. The Two of Wands (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Aries, “I want,” action oriented, pioneering, assertive, enthusiastic) tells of the concept of applied power, and today I may find that not only am I able to tap into my own energy, but also that I will be able to effectively make use of that energy. This is not about the final manifestation, however, but rather about perceiving the initial vision. The Eight of Wands (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, skill, communication, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) in an upright position is about a sudden release of energy of some kind that clears away confusion.

My Thoth card is the Nine of Wands reversed. “Strength” reversed The Nine of Wands (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) tells of being pro-active in response to issues, of reaching a point of drawing a line in the sand and saying “no further!” The saying associated with this card is that if it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger, and I should not turn away from challenges, for they are an opportunity to test myself, and to grow stronger.

My Legacy card is The Tower reversed, flavored by Death reversed. The Tower corresponds with 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), and it reminds me that there just might be some outdated facets of my life that need to be demolished and swept away. Today is certainly going to be a day for “sweeping away,” after last night’s storm; perhaps I am to do an internal “sweeping” as well. The Death card corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and sensitive, imaginative energy that strives to stay the same or take the same course), Scorpio, Nun (fish head; liberation), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration), and tells of transformation or change, both voluntary and involuntary, the ending of an era and the fear of the unknown result of change. Because my Death card is reversed today and paired with the Five of Swords, I need to be very careful that I remain aware of consequences; while I should not fear change or even fear the presence of this Five, I do need to make certain that my intentions are good

Since all of my cards are reversed, I pulled a clarification card from my Legacy Tarot, and threw the Ten of Wands. Okay, this makes perfect sense, since to me, all the reversed cards are telling me today that I have used up my Fire, but the cards are there, so there is a lot of potential to be accessed by me now, if I choose to avail myself of this potential. Makes sense, because Beltane is Sunday, just around the corner. The Ten of Wands (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitations and resistance, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering) tells of the blocking of the creative power of the suit of Wands, most likely because the Fire of creativity has run out of fuel.

My 6-digit date number is 6, the number of vertical and horizontal balance. Woooo Hooooo!! That is just what I am aiming for today.

My horoscopes: “A business deal that you may have been working to finish could require you to tie up a lot of loose ends today, Sagittarius. You might be pulled in a lot of different directions. Don't panic! Get some help if you can. Make a list of what you have to do and cross each task off as it's completed. Stay focused and all should go well. You will achieve the results you want.”

And: “There are many changes happening in and around you right now, as this is a strong period of growth and understanding in your life. New facts should start leading you to revise your conclusions about someone's recent behavior -- and an apology might be in order. Now is the time to act on what you think you should do, and to not be paralyzed by overanalyzing things. If you want things to keep moving forward, then you have to keep moving forward.”

And: “Aspects of your life that you have been neglecting lately might come to haunt you on a day like today. Make sure you are keeping up with all your duties and responsibilities. Things may be coming to a dramatic climax at this time, and you may find yourself at an important crossroads. Nervous energy might cause you to run around frantically in search of the right path. Don't let indecision stop you from helping you get to where you need to go.”

My Sun reading: “You have better chances to make the progress you want to make under today's trine of the Sun and Pluto. As a bonus, you feel confident and enjoy the company of lots of admiring honest, open people all day and evening. Significant others find this a good time to make an important statement.”

My efforts over the weekend have manifested. I am filled with the energies of Cernunnos and the Sacred Masculine. I can feel this energy coursing through my blood, along my muscles, and positively tingling with power through my energy channels, reaching to the farthest dark and dusty corners of my body and my mind. This is what I have been working towards!! This very feeling of electric energy filling my body and my aura! And my Tarot cards are all telling me that while I have not yet made the complete connection, every single one of the energies I need to clean out my body and burn away the lethargy that has been plaguing me are there, just waiting for me to tap into them.

Another Third Degree student posted the following in her Journal. This is very appropriate for me to remember today, for this raw and primal energy that is filling me is ripe for being infused with intention.


Live With Intention

Walk to the edge.
Listen hard.
Laugh.
Play with abandon.
Practice wellness.
Continue to learn.
Choose no regret.
Appreciate your friends.
Lead or follow a leader, until you can lead.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.

Thank you, Aloni!

And no wonder I am filled with powerful energies today! The 21st Path connects the Younger Self and the image she has created of Deity, Netzach, the Vision of Beauty Triumphant, with the expansion and growth of Chesed, the Vision of Love, and moves up the Pillar of Force. I say again, wooo hooo! My biggest challenge today is to remain balanced; I keep grounding myself, and I am wearing my smoky quartz jewelry to act as a tether. Hope it works.

But I digress. In The Witches Tarot, Ellen Cannon Reed has this to say about the 21st Path: “The 21st Path is the Intelligence of Conciliation and Reward, and is so called because it receives the Divine influence which flows into it from its benediction upon all and each existence.” Reed says that this path offers us our dreams, not the dreams we have at night, but rather our dreams of perfection. We receive the image of what we would like to attain through this Path, as well as a yearning to attain that vision. The coolest thing is that often, as we explore the 21st Path, we realize that we are actually already well on the way to our goal.

The Hebrew letter for this path is Kaph, which represents the outwardly stretched palm of the hand, grasping at its goal (as opposed to Yod, the open hand or touch, of The Hermit). Palmists say that our destinies are written in our palms, as well as a description of our unique persona. All of the information being presented by the 21st Path is there to help me reconcile who I was with who I am, and with who I am becoming.

I see now that this Path is not about actually choosing; rather, it is about being aware of what is being presented to me from a Higher Source. I need to strive to see these possibilities as they really are, without coloring them with my own expectations, for I will not be able to access them in any other way. So far, that is the most important bit of information about this Path that I have realized.

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Nine of Swords reversed/Justice. The Nine of Swords (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, social, dual) again, this time in an upright position; this card represents brooding and worrying, the kind that takes place in the wee hours of the morning. Often this kind of worrying is about things that have already happened or things that cannot be changed, and they are usually a complete waste of energy. Because the card is reversed, it is telling me that these worries are fading. Justice is a card of adjustment, and it was in my card throw yesterday, too. Justice corresponds with the element of Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and quick, animated energy that usually brings problems or challenges that bring growth), Libra (“we are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation), Lamed (ox goad; training or teaching), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Geburah (the place where forms and structures are challenged or affirmed). This card is about cause and effect, and about making adjustments in order to achieve balance. With that Nine of Swords reversed, it seems I am moving in the right direction.

My Thoth card is the Eight of Swords reversed. “Interference,” thankfully reversed. I think. The Eight of Swords (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable talkative, dual) shows what happens when you abuse the power of the Swords through the intellect: that power turns against you. If it were upright, I would be asking myself if I was thinking too much, getting caught in a spiral or loop of thought that ends up being distracting; however, the card is reversed, so today, I shall overcome!

My Legacy card is the Ace of Swords reversed, flavored by The Empress. Three reversed Swords cards today! The Ace of Swords (Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution authority, cunning, Aquarius and Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, soul growth, artistic) can be seen as the birthplace of ideas and concepts, and also the beginning of the development of a sense of identity. The element of Air, which corresponds with the suit of Swords, does not have self-generated impulses, but it can easily have an effect when influenced by the other elements. But, like my other two Swords cards today, it is reversed, and thus it seems there is a lack of the good effects of the element of Air today. The Empress corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and stable, material, practical energies that are slow to change), Venus (beauty, allure, pleasure, relationships), Daleth (door or womb) and the Path between Binah (female receptive energy and the origin of form and structure) and Chokmah (dynamic male energy and the origin of vital force and polarity). She represents creativity, fertility, the physical body and its senses, and the material world and the workings of Nature; those seem to be the directions I am being pulled today. Well fiddle-de-dee, I will think about this tomorrow. Today, I will just feel.

My 6-digit date number is 5, the number of motion that washes away stagnation. Oh-kay!!

My horoscopes: “There's a powerful force moving through your life that can't be ignored any longer, Sagittarius. Adjustments may be needed in order to take full advantage of the energy at hand. You will find with a healthy balance of restriction and expansion that you can take the reins and set yourself on the road to success. There's a great intensity to today that will seep into every facet of your life.”

And: “Things are starting to free up a bit in your life . . . you're getting a little bit more free time, so what are you planning to do with it? Be careful not to let this time drain away without taking advantage of it. Put together a short list of a few things you're curious about or places you'd like to explore. Take the steps necessary to make them a commitment you need to follow through on. Just because it's 'free' time doesn't mean that it doesn't need structure once in a while.”

And: “How intense the past few days have been! You could spend months just reflecting on these recent experiences. But the mood is not conducive to introspection right now! A change of temper today encourages you to share your life more generously. But with whom will you share it? That may well be the question of the day.”

My Sun reading: “It's time to wrap up the unfinished business that keeps you from moving forward. Be seriously money minded today. It isn't the time to throw caution to the wind. Tonight's romantic vibe is represented by the idea that love is wanting someone to fulfill all the best in ourselves.”

Yesterday, I took my first bike ride to Point Park this year. It was still a bit breezy for a bike ride, but the sun and the blue sky were calling me, so off I went.

What a beautiful trip! I smelled freshly laid mulch, newly turned soil, and that glorious spicy fragrance of the sun on new grass and Spring flowers. Daffodils are on the downward side, but tulips are in their prime, and their vibrant primary whites, reds and yellows were everywhere. I saw the purple of lunaria, and beautiful cherry blossoms, a delicate pink for the unopened buds and white for the petals of the fully opened blooms.

I got to Point Park, parked my bike and made my way to the beginning of the 2 mile hike. Last time I took this hike I was accompanied by the Pagan Brain Trust-ers. Bug, Muffin, Curly and I were treated to an incredible symphony of calls created by a huge orchestra of toads and frogs; this trip, the trail belonged to the red-winged blackbirds. They were everywhere, calling back and forth to each other.

I smiled as I stepped through the “Pitch Pine Portal,” the four tall pine trees that acted like a gateway, and smiled as I remembered the four of us walking this path before. Then, I stopped and sat on a bench that overlooked one of the inland ponds, and sipped my water. To my delight, I was given a truly funny show by a swan.

This swan was carefully and diligently guarding a Canadian goose from all comers. As I watched, another goose approached and called out to the swan’s goose; the swan instantly and vigorously charged at that interloper, hissing with head low and wing feathers raised threateningly. The poor gander climbed out of the water and stood there for a while, looking a bit confused, before he headed down the waterway, in the opposite direction from the pond. The swan then went back to “his” goose and began to gently herd her to the other side of the pond. LOL, that was a new one on me.

I ended up shortening my walk, because a huge section of the beach and dunes were closed to foot traffic,, due to the nesting activities of some endangered birds. I did not mind and in fact, was glad to see how large of an area had been roped off. I took the trail to the beach, and saw that a huge section of the beach had been roped off, also. Cool.

I got back to my bike and made the return trip. And I must say, I’m not in the shape I thought I was. My legs are going to be sore tomorrow, but the soreness will be worth the experience.

When I came back from my ride and recovered (*giggle*), I took out my Third Degree Lesson 5, and finished and submitted it! This one was a true challenge, in part because I wanted my answers to be articulate, complete and of the highest caliber I was able to attain. And it was a challenge in part because of the lethargy I have been battling. I stayed the course and did the work necessary, and my Patron, Cernunnos, helped me to successfully battle my lethargy.

And I feel good.

Tomorrow, on to the 21^st Path.

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Five of Swords/Death reversed. The Five of Swords (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, pleasure, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause-oriented, the group, aloof) focuses on victory and defeat, but not your usual, run-of-the-mill versions of these two results. This card tells of a possible attack of some kind (not necessarily originating from someone else) and of victory attained by unethical methods, and whether I am on the winning side or the losing side of the issue, this card is telling me that there is a potential for harm, or even for me to have to deal with vengeance. Another danger associated with the energies of this card is disillusionment. Death reversed again; the Death card corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and sensitive, imaginative energy that strives to stay the same or take the same course), Scorpio, Nun (fish head; liberation), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration), and tells of transformation or change, both voluntary and involuntary, the ending of an era and the fear of the unknown result of change. Because my Death card is reversed today and paired with the Five of Swords, I need to be very careful that I remain aware of consequences; while I should not fear change or even fear the presence of this Five, I do need to make certain that my intentions are good.

My Thoth card is the Four of Wands reversed. The Four of Wands (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, in Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, enthusiastic) in an upright position is about building enough to become established, as a beachhead, a pause before continuing, not as a finished product. Crowley calls this card “Completion,” and for a Wands/Fire card, it is pretty restricted. After all, Fire is not about order and rules; however, in order to tame Fire enough to work with it, I might need to tap into the energies of the upright card. A tiny bit of control won’t extinguish the flame.

My Legacy card is Justice, flavored by the Six of Coins. Justice is a card of adjustment, and isn’t that actually what justice is, in the end? Justice corresponds with the element of Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and quick, animated energy that usually brings problems or challenges that bring growth), Libra (“we are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation), Lamed (ox goad; training or teaching), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Geburah (the place where forms and structures are challenged or affirmed). This card is about cause and effect, and about the adjustments that happen when we think about causes, and try to make their effects as positive as possible. The Six of Coins (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Taurus, “I have,” Sensual, cautious, stubborn) brings an awareness of resources to the situation, both those that I have and those that I don’t have. The Six of Coins also reminds me to be generous; I have grown and evolved through the assistance of others, and now it is time for me to pay forward what I have received in the past. The success of this card is temporary, and I should not forget that, particularly because it is flavoring my Justice card today. No man is an island, and while my own actions have had a large effect on who I am at the moment, I have also been infused by the energies of others. Since I like who I am right now, I need to be grateful.

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

My horoscope: “Today may be serious, Sagittarius, with clouds looming over your parade. Although the clouds are dark and threatening, that doesn't necessarily mean that rain will pour down. Things are about to climax in your life. Today's message is that you should find the beauty and sensuality in yourself and others and renew your enthusiasm and sensuality in each new day.”

My Sun reading: “People remain happy and easy to communicate with under the Aquarius Moon. It's an opportune time to brainstorm ideas, bring them into reality, and solve outstanding problems. Tonight's social dynamic is about the spirit of genuine curiosity. Learn about and know where this new person is coming from.”

I read another article on the Alchemic Journal, and a single paragraph jumped out at me:

Water’s Divine Properties

Flower Remedies are traditionally prepared by placing the flower heads on top of water. The sunlight shines through the energetic field of the flowers and is imprinted on the waters own energetic matrix, the bonds between the molecules. Water has the unusual property that it can change its matrix under certain conditions. The water will maintain the energetic pattern of the substance being potentized even after the substance has been removed. There need not be any physical substance present to retain the energetic pattern, which is very useful when using substances or plants that might be considered toxic. This Divine property of water is what is utilized in making both Flower Remedy and Homeopathic preparation. The ability of water to shift its matrix under varying conditions is well documented by Dr. Masami Emoto in his book: Messages from Water.

Hmmmm . . . Cernunnos has been asking me to drink more water in order to flush out the lethargy that has been plaguing me this Spring. I wonder if I can make use of this? Yes, I have already been doing this, for each time I feel a bit lethargic, I pour myself a glass of water; thus, I am infusing the water with my intention, the washing away of the lethargy. But what if I consciously infused the water with this intent? Duh! I am a Third Degree Wiccan; I certainly should be doing this already. I need to also get a tumbled sunstone, so that I can infuse my water with the essence of Cernunnos. Time to “put my witch on.” LOL, thanks, Sherry, for that one.

I read further through this awesome blog and found this, within an essay called “The Alchemical Art” by John H. Reid III:

The first law of alchemy may well be stated “As above so below, as below so above for performing the miracle of the One Thing” (attributed to Hermes Trismegistus). One can expand the first law by enumerating what I call the five postulates of the First Law.

1) That the entire universe is divine in origin. Therefore Wisdom and Guidance must be sought from the source from which all creation flows.

2) All organisms, no matter how subtle or gross they are, have within them the divine spark of life and are interrelated with each other. It is therefore our task to understand this kinship, so that we may utilize inspired knowledge to aid in our understanding of how to prepare the quintessence of our matter.

3) All organisms are in a state of constant evolution as they continue their synthesis towards unveiling their inherent perfection. Upon reaching an understanding of postulate two (above), the true work begins, i.e., the aiding of nature by the art of alchemy to reach its highest point of perfection.

4) Humans are a part of the universe. Therefore, they are divine in origin and they can affect all organisms on all spheres of existence by their actions or inaction.

5) Humans, by understanding the basic laws that govern their beings and conversely the entire universe may learn to recognize the divine spark of vital energy in all organisms, isolate it, purify it, and manipulate it to speed up the processes of evolution.

While I am not certain that any human would have the authority to “speed up the process of evolution” in a general sense or for everyone, we certainly can affect ourselves this way, if we choose. But since the 22^nd Path has taught me about the importance of considering consequences, I am not certain that I would want to mess with things unless there was true need.

Consequences can go beyond me, affect others besides me, even if my intentions are focused solely on me. As I continue the work of the 22^nd Path and beyond, I need to remember that because I am connected to all, I have the ability to affect all. That is a huge responsibility.

I will end on a note of celebration (despite the reversed Four of Wands in my cards today): I have just completed Lesson 5 of Third Degree, and will be submitting my homework by the end of the day. Waahooo!!

Time for a bike ride.

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Ace of Pentacles reversed/Death. The Aces present potential only, unmanifested, and the Ace of Pentacles (Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive, Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn, and Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, dual, social) in an upright position tells of the presence of potential that is connected in some way to the physical world of Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes; stable, material and practical energy that is slow to change), usually either through financial or career focuses, regarding the home, or connected to my physical body and its health and well-being. Today may not be a day for effectively making use of these energies, and Death kind of validates that. After all, Death is about leaving the physical world behind. The Death card corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and sensitive, imaginative energy that strives to stay the same or take the same course), Scorpio, Nun (fish head; liberation), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration), and tells of transformation or change, both voluntary and involuntary, the ending of an era and the fear of the unknown result of change. Death often brings a freedom that ends up initiating new growth, even if the attaining of that freedom is a bit frightening.

My Thoth card is The Fool reversed. The Fool is an Air card (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and challenges that tend to require the use of the intellect to solve), and it also corresponds with 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 has some pretty powerful energies at his disposal, not to mention his enthusiasm and optimism; because the card is reversed, I might do better today if I plan for all possible outcomes rather than assuming that things will just fall into place on their own. In an upright position, this card tells of unexpected happenings; perhaps there won’t be any unpleasant surprises for me today. Either upright or reversed, The Fool reminds me that power is neutral, it is the user who is either good or evil.

My Legacy card is the Three of Coins, flavored by Death reversed. Bookends!! The Three of Coins (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, cunning, competence) tells me that my own creativity can lead me to both hard and rewarding work, and renown, or a good reputation. I am being told by this Three that sometimes these things can’t be accomplished in a solitary fashion. Death this second time today is reversed. The upright Death card has a sort of tense and slightly frightening kind of anticipation attached to it; this tension and fear are nowhere to be found in the reversed Death card today. It is almost as if the other shoe has dropped. By flavoring this Three of Coins today, the Death card reversed is telling me to move forward with confidence, for the transformation has already occurred, and I am armed and dangerous.

I know that I have Death bookends, but I have spoken quite a bit about the Death card while working with the 24^th Path. The only new thing I can add about this card is that it focuses on both time and on limitations, and thus, the Death card teaches us patience, for things happen within their own time schedules. Also, the Thoth Death card contains an image of the snake which represents kundalini, the energy that is awakened by sexual pleasure and the pleasure of the senses. The reversed Death card talks of a fear of changes, which is obvious, but it also tells of the possibility that I am trying to mess with that natural time schedule. Dragging things out or forcing things faster than their natural time can both be damaging.

My 6-digit date number is 3, the number of new creation from the balance and polarity of the number 2.

My horoscope: “Don't keep playing along with the games if you no longer want to repeat the same drama, Sagittarius. By placing yourself in a victim role, you're opening yourself up to manipulation and control by others. To stop the repetitive pattern, it's crucial for you to stand up and recognize that you have an important part in the healing process. Recognize that you have the power and courage to change."

My Sun reading: “People feel happy and friendly toward others under an Aquarius Moon. It's a good time to network. Engage in stimulating communication tonight. If you're single, there could be some special and memorable connections. When the Moon sextiles Venus, sweetness and love are in the air for your significant other union."

So I took an alchemy test on the Alchemy Journal blog today. Here are my results:

The opposing forces within you, whose conflicts have kept you drained and confused for so long, are finally coming together as one.

You are about to experience a joyous and life-enhancing empowerment of your personality. If the preceding three operations (Calcination, Dissolution, and Separation) were successful, only the most genuine and essential parts of the matter at hand are left in the vessel of transformation. The next step in alchemy is the Conjunction, which is the recombination of those saved elements into an entirely new substance. Conjunction is the paradoxical union of the archetypal elements of Fire, Water, and Air to produce Earth.

Psychological Conjunction is the empowerment of our true selves, the union of both the masculine and feminine sides of our personalities into a new belief system or state of consciousness. The alchemists referred to this union as the “Marriage of the King and Queen,” and they referred to the result of the Conjunction as the "Philosopher's Child" or "Lesser Stone." After this new state of consciousness is achieved, you are able to clearly discern what needs to be done to achieve lasting enlightenment, and synchronicities begin to occur that confirm you are on the right track. In spiritual terms, the purified essences within are your very Soul and Spirit. It is now time for these archetypal forces to come together and nurture their newborn child, which is a refined and integrated personality. "Its nurse is the Earth," says the Emerald Tablet of this important juncture. At this time of renewed confidence, you should seek those activities that reinforce your peace of mind. It is an excellent time for a nature retreat or deep meditative session.

In many ways, the child of the Conjunction is like the creation of an "Overself" in which the ways of Spirit and Soul (rational, aggressive thought and intuitive, passive feeling) unite in a higher state of awareness that Egyptian alchemists called "Intelligence of the Heart." To create the Overself, you simply have to start practicing to maintain your "presence" no matter what happens, no matter how confusing things get, no matter what emotions swell up within you, no matter how cruel or thoughtless others are towards you. Every problem, every personal challenge, every nuisance or annoying person, is another opportunity for you to develop presence of mind and create the Overself. In trying to maintain your presence in all situations, you soon learn that you cannot rely on intellect or logic alone. To be really connected to what is real, you have to make use of talents and sources of knowledge that you cannot explain. Finally, you learn to value your feelings and intuitions as well as your rational judgments, and you will be able to work creatively with any challenge that comes along.

Do not forget that these two opposing ways of knowing only come together when they are used together. You have to practice personal Conjunction on a daily basis in the everyday world for the Overself to become part of your personality. The major effort in the alchemist's life is the creation of this unified self, which can withstand the onslaughts of ignorance, insensitivity, and illusion one encounters in the world. You actually can feel yourself coming together as one mind, one larger presence. Signs that Conjunction is taking place within a person are the growth of confidence, equanimity, and calmness. You start laughing at stupidity instead of getting angry. Within you, the feeling of an indestructible or "default" presence grows stronger every day. That personal presence is what the alchemists called the "Lesser Stone," which will gradually be perfected and emerge as an all-powerful state of consciousness they referred to as the "Greater Stone."

Before Conjunction, a person can be lustful and wanton in seeking their “other half” and jealous and possessive once it is found. On the other hand, the conjuncted person is appreciative of the alchemical forces at work in relationships and careers and tends to be considerably kinder and more sensitive. Such a person appears balanced and quietly confident, and that inner harmony is proof of the integration of the elements within.

That the human body must be perfected, as well as the mind and spirit, is a basic tenet of alchemy. Yet how do the King and Queen manifest in the body, and what exactly is the Child of the Conjunction in terms of human physiology? According to Tantric alchemists, the phallic-shaped pineal gland at the center of the brain and the bilobed pituitary gland play the roles of King and Queen. Their union, achieved through meditative exercises, produces a Pill of Immortality, which is released at the back of the throat and is activated when it reaches the stomach. This inner sex act initiates a Second Puberty that perfects and rejuvenates the body.

This is quite interesting in its timing; this is actually what I am getting from the 22^nd Path. I see this as validation, validation that I am doing the right work, and manifesting the right effects. I feel as if I have left anger behind, and I am dealing well with the lethargy, which is fading with each day.

What a glorious weekend this has been. Today was a warm day filled with Spring sunshine. My garden work is done (LOL, at least until next week, when I will certainly need to mow the lawn). Flowers are planted, grass seed is down, bushes are trimmed, and I pulled out the bikes, cleaned them up and pumped up the tires. Tomorrow, I am going to work on my Third Degree Lesson 5.

And maybe, I will take a bike ride.

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Strength/Three of Cups. The traditional meaning for the Strength card (Fire, hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive and energetic energy; Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, egotistical; Teth, sieve or basket, digestion; and the Path between Geburah, the place where forms and structures are challenged or affirmed, and Chesed, the place where forms and structures are stabilized and nurtured) is the presence of the ability to tame our primitive and wild emotions. This card can also be seen to represent magickal power and sexual power, both of which require internal “strength.” The Three of Cups (Mercury, reason, intelligence, orderliness, communication, in Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive tenacious, nurturing, moody) tells of the possibility of experiencing emotional abundance, emotional connections to others (mainly due to things in common), and emotional support as a part of the day. It tells of working and accomplishing things through love, and since it is combined with Strength, any sense of connection or any abundance just might happen because I am visualizing it.

My Thoth card is the Five of Disks reversed. “Worry” reversed; the Five of Disks (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, skill, communication, in Taurus, “I have,” sensual, stubborn, cautious) in an upright position is a focus on charity; sometimes we are in need of it, badly, and sometimes we are gifted with the opportunity to offer it to another. Charity is paired with dire need, and since this is a Coins card, that need will most likely appear in my physical world, either regarding money, security or health. Crowley sees the “worry” associated with this card as a strangling worry, the way that a sheep dog worries sheep. Thankfully, the card is reversed, so any worries I have will be baseless.

My Legacy card is the King of Cups, flavored by the Ten of Cups. The 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 good at tending others, but is sometimes not so good at being in touch with his own feelings. The Ten of Cups (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, spirituality, suffering and growth) offers happiness, and a good lesson: achieving happiness takes work, which is to be expected, but maintaining that happiness also takes work, hard work. These two cards together have a real, nice, serenely happy feel to them. Put all three Cups cards together, and the day seems to indicate lots of happy connections and companionship.

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

My horoscopes: “You may join hands with a spokesperson who's willing to attest to your honesty and good nature, Sagittarius. This person is happy to step up and toot your horn for you. You've earned a space in the spotlight, so don't shrink into the background when your name is called. Graciously accept the praise you receive - you deserve it. Next, learn how to toot your own horn."

Okay, one of my horoscope sources is doing server maintenance, so these horoscopes are it for today.

My Sun reading: “Yay! Aries Mercury turns direct today. You've backtracked, and now you can play catch-up. What's been on your creative mind lately? You will find people ready to hear your new ideas. Singles mix and mingle and enjoy more direct communication - not a lot of small talk with Mercury direct.'

I started my day with a walk to the beach. It was not quite as windy as last week, but there was a healthy gust blowing. Once again, the sea was roiling, slate gray and covered with whitecaps. The sky was overcast and gray as well, and the air was bracing. I found that breathing deeply cleared the fog from my brain, and by the time I got back home, I was ready to do some more yard work. My muscles were warmed up and feeling powerful; of course, I dedicated some of that lovely energy to Cernunnos.

I planted the last of my annuals, and Bob and I laid some grass seed in anticipation of some rain. Needless to say, as soon as the seed hit the ground, the clouds dispersed and the sun came out. LOL!! Oh well, if necessary, I will water on Tuesday morning, before heading North.

I’ve been still sipping a lot of water, still flushing my system. I am also trying to do more waking.

And I’ve been thinking about the 22^nd Path. The 22^nd Path brings abstract knowledge to power; in order to keep ethics in the picture, we need to always focus on cause and effect, and this is the job for the Justice card of the Major Arcana, the Tarot card that corresponds with this Path. While Justice can sometimes refer to the “laws of the land” that keep society from becoming anarchy, more often this card is talking about the sometimes less clear-cut laws of the Universe which keep the cycles moving. These are the cycles which remind us that all things are connected, and this simple concept is one to keep in mind when dealing with the imposition of justice.

The present is built from the past, and this is what I am trying to integrate into my awareness as I work with this Path. Dealing with the past means that I need to keep in mind the effects that have manifested due to past actions, and I need to learn from both successes and failures. This would also be the time for me to release dead weight in order to be more conscious of spiritual virtues; in order to evolve and in order to truly understand this path (and bring the abstract knowledge into power or force), these spiritual virtues need to be applied not only to me, but also to others around me.

Besides embracing spiritual virtues, this Path reminds me that although sometimes Karma feels like a punishment, it really is a result. If I am being “punished,” in the end it is my doing that has brought the punishment; if I am being “rewarded,” this too is a direct result of my own efforts. This is not a one-time thing, either, but rather, a dynamic and ongoing process. Just because I make it past one period of being judged does not mean that I don’t have to be aware any more.

And finally, the Justice card and the 22^nd Path remind me that if I learn from my mistakes, I transform then into lessons.

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The Devil/Ten of Wands. The Devil corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and stable, material, practical energies that are slow to change), Capricorn (“I build,” ambitious, competent, cautious, cunning), Ayin (the eye, senses), and the Path between Hod (which provides analysis and communication) and Tipareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify). It represents bondage and addiction, which can also be seen as a lack of choice. This card can also represent blind ambition, and the secret plans that usually need to be in place to manifest that ambition. In some situations, The Devil can represent the primal impulses that are a part of our survival instinct; this is particularly true with the Welsh Devil, who is portrayed as The Horned One, a God of the earth, rather than the traditional Christian Satan. The Ten of Wands (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitations and resistance, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering) tells of the blocking of the creative power of the suit of Wands, most likely because the Fire of creativity has run out of fuel. Perhaps this is one time where a small does of The Devil will reignite those Wands.

My Thoth card is the Seven of Swords reversed. “Futility” reversed 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, usually to the point of using unethical means. Crowley sees this card as weak; it tells us that cunning will work better than forcing the issue, but often when we use cunning, ethics become blurred. In an upright position, this card could very well represent the lethargy I have felt of late; it is reversed, so things are looking up.

My Legacy card is the Page of Coins reversed, flavored by the Six of Cups. The Page of Coins (Aries, “I want,” assertive, action oriented, Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn, and Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable, dual) is a listener, and this Page listens to both sides of an argument because he is also a student, and is eager to learn. He watches his world with curiosity and wants to learn how everything works. Because this Page is Earth of Earth, in an upright position he is practical and cautious, but will actually take risks on occasion. Because the card is reversed, today’s learning focus, if it exists at all, won’t have much to do with the physical world. The Six of Cups (Sun, the inner core of a person or situation in Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, compulsive, deep, obsessive) tells of beneficial connections with others. This card reminds me that happiness comes from within me, and happiness needs no expensive surroundings in order to manifest. This happiness may be fed and supported by memories of the past, by sharing my bounty with others, or by seeing things from the viewpoint of a child, but no matter what, there is potential to be had.

My 6-digit date number is 8, the focused and active response to the beginning of degeneration represented by the number 7.

My horoscopes: “You have a lot to celebrate, Sagittarius, especially where your love life is concerned. Today you may receive a communication from your loved one that makes you yearn for this person's company. You've been together a lot recently, attending many dinners and social gatherings, but you've had little one-on-one time. Do what you can to rectify that tonight!”

And: “Today your focus (and the focus of everyone around you) should be on putting your ideas to work. So if you're in a collaborative environment, use all of your clout to get everyone going and on task. Too many outside voices are holding up your progress right now. Getting a consensus is important, but it isn't always necessary. If you need to push to get things moving, just do it -- no one will be annoyed. In fact, they'll be grateful for your leadership.”

And: “A chance to earn a small amount of money, perhaps by putting in a little extra work at home, might come your way today. You could hear about it through a friend or colleague. A visitor might come to your home at some point, perhaps to help with something that needs to be done. This promises to be a very exciting day, with a lot of stimulation that could keep you occupied late into the night!”

My Sun reading: “The Sun entering earthy, steady Taurus increases desire for improvements and motivates you to work hard. If you're single, Venus changing signs isn't the time to start anything new, but you can make potentially faithful and loyal friends. Dating someone special? Tonight could be a turning point in your relationship.”

Through the intense water cleanse that I performed this past weekend at the request of Cernunnos (and while working on the 23rd Path, which connects to Water through The Hanging Man), I realized that the lethargy I have been experiencing is connected directly to my sacral chakra. I still believe that this “disconnect” has happened because of the large amount of time I am spending interacting with the Sacred. These higher and purer sacred energies are affecting my own energy body, throwing it out of balance, and thus throwing my whole self off balance.

Here is some information about the sacral chakra that I compiled while working on my Reiki Assessments: Sacral chakra, below the navel, the color orange, element of water, my keyword “physical sensations.” This chakra to me is about physical sensations and the connections these sensations bring about. Yes, this chakra is about sex and physical sexual pleasure and physical or chemical attraction or lust, but it is also about the pleasure of the sun on my skin, the taste of a piece of chocolate, the smell of a turkey just taken from the oven, the sound of the crickets and tree frogs on a summer evening. It is about physical awareness and sensations of all kinds, and it is about self-gratification and self-esteem. We connect with others through touch, through hearing, through seeing, through smelling, and even through tasting. We use the physical of the root chakra through the physical sensations of the sacral chakra to connect with the entities and the physical world around us. Physically, this chakra is associated with our reproductive organs. Psychically this chakra is connected with psychic taste.

I spent a lot of time with my sacral chakra yesterday and today, cleaning it out, balancing it with the rest of my chakras, as I continue to drink more water. I realized that while I do spend a lot of time with my throat chakra, which is also connected to my energy body, the focus for that chakra is communication of all kinds with the outside world. On the other hand, the sacral chakra is about communication with my own body, and it is in this focus that I am lacking.

I am also focusing on my breathing. The alchemy blog that I have been following states that we are all trees without roots or branches, and it is our breath and our breathing that provides the grounding, provides the branches that reach for the sun, and that provides the circulation necessary for our bodies to live and be healthy. This makes sense, and I am reminded of the many meditations that I perform which involve breathing (such as the Three Breath Meditation I do each morning) or not breathing (such as the microcosmic orbit).

Plus, I spent two whole days working in my beloved Cape May garden, doing a Spring cleanup and moving a few plants, and I brought squirrels number 7 and 8 to Higbee Beach. LOL, my sore muscles are a lovely reminder to me, to pay attention to what I feel like on the inside.

I think the work with this Path started a few weekends ago, on March 13th, while I was working on the 27th Path. I had an Aha! Moment, where I totally left my physical body and temporarily connected with an extremely rarified, highly vibrating sacred energy. It has taken me this long to make the connection, and I have struggled quite a bit. But now, I’ve got the answer, and of course, it is Balance. Even my dearest Danu has told be since that day in March that I need to go within to find Balance.

And so, on to the 22nd Path. This Path is the first that comes out of Tiphareth, and it corresponds to the Dark Night of the 26th Path, the destruction of form, which is replaced by the concept of abstract. The 26th Path connected Hod, the bottom of the Pillar of Form, with Tiphareth, the sphere of balance and wholeness. This path, the 22nd Path, brings that balance and wholeness to the middle of the Pillar of Form, to Geburah, the sephiroth that tells of the sacrifices that are necessary to keep things going.

The time has come to move away from the abstract, and to begin rebuilding after the three Dark Nights. Like Sunday morning, when I walked to the beach under a clear sky as the birds chirped, after the deluge and chaos of Saturday’s storm, it is time to see what is left; it is time to see what was strong enough to survive.

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The Tower/The Hermit. Oh-kay, then, two Majors. Two powerful Majors. The Tower corresponds with 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), and it reminds me that there just might be some outdated facets of my life that need to be demolished and swept away. Today is certainly going to be a day for “sweeping away,” after last night’s storm; perhaps I am to do an internal “sweeping” as well. The Hermit, which corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and material, practical and stable energy that is slow to change), 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), is about looking within for answers. The Hermit’s message to me is that the journey is the goal, not the destination; a different slant to the message of The Hanging Man that discomfort has value, and should be experienced to the fullest.

My Thoth card is the Three of Wands. “Virtue” today from my Thoth deck; 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) tells of being successfully established after effort, of being supported by others, of the next step of exploring possibilities, and the knowledge that it is personal strength that has allowed the success and support and new possibilities to happen. Crowley sees this card as indicating that Will and the idea of domination have been integrated into Character. It is a card that tells of the establishment of primal energy, not yet manifested, so it is neither good nor evil, just teetering on the precipice. Sounds like today would be a day to explore all possibilities with open eyes and awareness, not necessarily a day to choose just one.

My Legacy card is the Seven of Coins reversed, flavored by the Eight of Coins reversed. I think I see a pattern here, and this one is unexpected because I plan on spending the day in my garden, or at least it would be unexpected without my other three cards. The Seven of Coins (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, law and order, in Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, physical, stubborn) in an upright position is a card that is filled with inertia; it tells of an assessment of accomplishments thus far, which is a good thing, but it also warns us that the work is not over, and we need to “use it or lose it.” However, the card is reversed, and after interpreting my other cards, I am seeing this reversal as telling me to stay with the inertia for a bit. Today is about the assessing and deciding part of this card, not the use it or lose it part. The Eight of Coins (Sun, the inner core of a person or situation, in Virgo, “I serve,” practical, work and service oriented, sensible, critical) in an upright position reminds us to be persistent, and diligent in order to grasp success. Because this Coins card is also reversed, I just might find that I am unable to focus on the little details today. The Hermit corresponds with Earth, but he is looking within for his answers; these two reversed Coins cards, each hinting at working within the physical world, are reversed. No matter what I actually accomplish today, my focus should be inward, on how things are affecting me, my inner self, rather than on how I am affecting my world.

My Pearls of Wisdom Full Moon card is The Hierophant reversed. Wow, looks like The Hermit is the important card of the day, because this one reversed shouts “The Hermit” to me. 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). The Hierophant is the nail which holds in place tradition and culture, the keeper and teacher of arcane secrets. In an upright position, this card tells us that the old ways and the ancient traditions speak to the moment; an understanding of these ways is worth attaining for they are all part and parcel of alchemical transformation. The Pearls of Wisdom Hierophant also hints at the value of knowledge from the feminine aspect of Source; a hint towards The High Priestess. Because the card is reversed, accepted tradition may end up being a fence rather than a guide for me today, and I might do better focusing inward.

My 6-digit date number is 5, the number of motion that destroys stagnation. Yep, makes sense.

My horoscopes: “You have a quick mind, Sagittarius, which you don't use to anywhere near its full capacity. Think of your brain as a thoroughbred horse, trained to run at high speed. This type of animal is miserable if kept penned up, unable to run and stretch. Your mind needs similar room to stretch and grow. If new challenges don't come your way, you may have to create some of your own. It's a shame to sit idle.”

And: “Everything is easy as pie today, and it will be smooth sailing as long as you put an end to your procrastination! If you can, battle the boring stuff (chores, errands, bill paying) right at the start of the day. Don't leave tasks undone. Once you get things done, you'll be free to enjoy the carefree nature of the rest of the day. Focus on fun stuff and avoid any conflicts or boundary pushing. Splurge on a spontaneous purchase that leaves you smiling again and again.”

And: “Today, abandon any intellectual pursuits and concentrate on practical problems related to the organization and goal setting. You are likely to find perfect solutions within an hour after you start. The heavens are helping you. Give them some credit for your ingenuity, and waste no time implementing your plans!”

My Sun reading: “Today is another day to address unfinished business. Tonight's Full Libra Moon is all about happy, rewarding relationships. Tell people how much you care! Much later this evening, the Moon ends a Libra transit and enters Scorpio, leaving social conditions hanging in the balance. Nothing is written in stone.”

I followed the instructions of Cernunnos last evening, and went down to walk on the beach. I had to go before sunset because the worst of the storm was approaching. There was no sunset to be seen last night; we had an overcast sky, quite windy, and the heavy rain was on its way. I just was able to duck between squalls. And boy, was I glad I did!

The wind was blowing so strongly that I had trouble walking the last two blocks. 40+ mph sustained winds blowing in your face is an incredible experience. Once I got to the sand, I took off my shoes and they almost blew away!!

The beach was covered with foam, foam from the huge waves that were rolling onto the shore, crashing, one after the other with no break between them. The waves were breaking way out, and they completely covered the jetty; they raced up the beach, in places almost to the fence and the dunes. And foam!! Foam was everywhere, ankle deep and more in places. Gone was the cream colored haze of blowing sand, replaced with gobs of foam.

How incredible this was. Roiling clouds were racing overhead. The ocean looked . . . taller. Huge. Alive. Seeming to reach for me. And the wind positively pushed against me, with an incredible power. I didn’t stay long, but boy, did I enjoy the incredible chaotic power of the waves and the wind. And as I walked back, with the wind leaning hard against me, I was showered with a snowstorm of petals from the cherry trees that are blooming.

I made it back just as the big drops started falling. Soon it was dark. Next came the lightning and thunder. I mean “light the sky up” lightning and “shake the house to its foundation” thunder. The rain was mostly not too bad at that point, but the wind whistled and gusted. The heavy rain finally arrived, with lightning flashes, rumbling thunder and gusts of wind. What blow-your-mind energy is to be had during a storm.

It was not lost to me that a day that began with Cernunnos asking me to do a water cleanse, and went on with me investigating the 23^rd Path and The Hanged Man (again connected to Water), finishes with a moment on the beach with a raging sea, and then downpours and wind-swept rain, and lightning and thunder, and even a brief power outage at the end of the evening. Cernunnos has a way with words; indeed.

This morning, despite not going to bed until late last night, I was wide awake at 8 am. Yes, readers, Raushanna, the original “I am ssooo **not** a morning person,” was out of bed by 8:10. I washed my face and brushed my teeth, and then headed right out to the beach, after dedicating my walk to Cernunnos. The sky was the most amazing blue, and the light was awesome. Yes, I admit it . . . when I am actually able to drag myself out of bed before 9, I love the morning light. There was a bit of a breeze, at my back this time, as if the sylphs were teasingly nudging me to the sand. This was not the potent and frenzied and out of control power that the wind was last night; this morning, everything felt back to normal and yet fresh and new, and depleted, but in a good way. Kind of like The Star, after The Tower.

Surprisingly, there was no evidence of last night’s storm. I expected to see wires down, trees, or at the very least, some branches. In fact, it was the fear of being hit by branches or electrocuted by downed wires that kept me from waking back down to the beach last night. But the sky was blue and the birds were chirping, enjoying their “morning after with Spring time enthusiasm.

I could see immediately once I got to the entrance to the beach that the water had in most places washed completely over the sand, and actually reached the fence that closes off the dunes. Oh, that storm must have continued to be such an awesome sight, well into the windy darkness of last night! The water was still gray and rough, coated with whitecaps, and the waves were still huge, but not hitting the beach with the unrelenting frequency of last night. Each wave grew tall quickly, and then as the top part tipped over, the wind captured the spray and sent it upward; I saw rainbows in that spray, glinting in the fresh, clean morning sunlight.

Everything was fresh and clean. The energies I felt were not empty; they were filled with busy-ness and potential. LOL, yes, I love storms, but I also love the morning after the storm. Kind of like makeup sex after a huge argument.

I took a long moment to open each of my chakras, and I cleaned and balanced them. I stood there a bit more, thinking about the events and revelations of yesterday, and then I dumped the bit of Dominican rum that I had brought for the Goddess Yemaya into the surf and headed back to the house. I could hear my coffee pot calling me.

As I approached my street, I saw a man walking in the other direction, carrying palms. That’s right; today is Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus triumphantly rode into Jerusalem, claiming his identity and Purpose publicly, for all to see, for the first time. Coincidence? Nah . . . I don’t think so.

And the highlight of an amazing afternoon, evening, and following morning? The words of a much-loved friend. “Thank you for the beautiful visuals of the sand and sea, and the priestess/mystic/warrior woman that you are, walking into the wet wind. Be safe down there in this storm, and enjoy the power and the mystery.” Curly, you affect me, deeply. My Empress.

And so, the 23^rd Path continues to affect me.

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