Transparent Oracle Sunday! 

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

2, Weather: Wind (East).   East is the direction of the rising sun, and thus of new beginnings and fresh ideas, as well as knowledge, intellectual ideas and thoughts.  Wind brings chaos and unpredictability; a stiff breeze can disrupt order, or it can clear away the cobwebs of stagnation.  What we need to remember is that we can’t control the effects of the Wind, only deal with them.  Sometimes we are rewarded for bravely accepting the effects of Wind, by receiving inspiration.

17, Guide: Stag (South). The element of Fire manifests as spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change; its dignities are hot/separates and dry/shapes.  Stag is an impressive Guide at any time of the year, but during the Summer, when he is at his peak, he is the epitome of pride and leadership and competition.  Stag is an archetype for the Sacred Masculine, and of the God in my spiritual tradition.  Stag tells of magnificent demonstrations of prowess, and of regenerative properties and the cycles of life.

I stacked my cards and created my mandala.  Stag and Horse fit together so that the two of them combined seem to be filling the entire circle.  The hooves of Horse, his method of travel, are interspaced with the horns of Stag, his method of exhibiting his prowess.  While the image itself does not imply motion (despite the Wind and the leaves being blown around the image), it certainly implies power.  Stag seems to be emanating from the center as he looks confidently at me, while Horse is circling in the background; is the Wind from their motion?

I spent much of this weekend sweating and toiling in my beloved garden.  I loved every minute of it!  Nice dinner in the yard, and we are heading out to hear a neighbor sing jazz standards.  Heaven!

$>

Seven of Wands reversed/The Star reversed.  I had this Seven upright yesterday, and The reversed Star earlier this week.  The Seven of Wands (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, natural leader, egotistical, selfish) reminds me that my own judgment is worth relying on, so I should have confidence in that judgment.  A bit of a conflict, eh?  I think the important message of these two cards is that while it is okay to stick to my guns, I should not do this if the overall level of harm is not acceptable.  The Star (Air, hot/separates and wet/adapts; Aquarius; Qof, back of head; the Path between Malkuth, the physical world of action and outer, physical reality, and Netzach, the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration) is the “good will to all” card, and while it can hint at some unexpected darkness, it also tells me to be of strong heart, for things will turn out okay in the end.  My Star is reversed, and there may be a danger of focusing on that unexpected darkness, and being dragged down by it.

My Thoth card is the Eight of Cups.  “Indolence” is the keyword for this one.  The Eight of Cups (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitation, law and order, in Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, suffering, soul growth) in an upright position tells of an ending or a decline or a change of direction, often one associated with emotions, and it offers one possible response to that decline or change: moving on. Crowley sees this one as the hangover card!  Okay then, time to move on to a better place.

My Legacy card is the Five of Wands, flavored by the Ten of Wands. Uh oh!  The Five of Wands, which corresponds with Saturn (discipline, responsibility, law and order) in Leo (“I am, passionate, dramatic, egotistical) in an upright position indicates a struggle caused by annoying cross-purposes. While these discomforts can have good results, today they will not have a huge effect.  Rather, things should move in a smooth and integrated manner.  The Ten of Wands (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitations and resistance, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering) tells of being taxed to some perceived limit, or of feeling as if we are out of gas at the bottom of a hill. I may be feeling overburdened, as if a job that began as a joy has become a huge job.  Perhaps if I look at each step of this job individually rather than all of them at once, I might be able to get a better handle on things.

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

My horoscopes: “Don't worry so much about getting things done today, Sagittarius. Instead, concentrate on your feelings and relationships. A caring, sensitive attitude is needed, as opposed to a harsh, militant way of dealing with things. You will find that by adopting a tender, nurturing tone, people will be much more receptive to you in general.”

And: “Your mind is extra clear today. Make sure you are helping yourself as well as others. Take care of any tasks that require a great deal of brainpower. You have a tremendous ability to figure out any mental problem that might come your way. Communicate to others with confidence. Mail letters, make phone calls, and send packages to people you haven't heard from in a while. They will be pleasantly surprised to hear from you.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Six of Wands.  This card tells us that our star is rising, and we should take advantage of this ascendancy.  We have reached this high place by doing the work in order to stand out from the crowd, and we have succeeded.  We have the right to feel proud, we have the right to celebrate today.  But tomorrow is another day, and pride often comes before a fall, so balance is necessary as well.

I spent a great night at The Table last night, with my much-loved PBT.  Today, I was able to cross a few things off my to-do list, including this blog post.

Happy Friday!!

$>

Seven of Swords/Seven of Wands.  Well, I guess the number 7 is important today. The Seven of Swords (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause-oriented, the group, aloofness) tells of the effort to maintain things as we want them, often through the use of deception and without considering the wants or needs of others. The Seven of Wands (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, natural leader, egotistical, selfish) reminds me that my own judgment is worth relying on, so I should have confidence in that judgment.  A bit of a conflict, eh?  I think the important message of these two cards is that while it is okay to stick to my guns, I should not do this if the overall level of harm is not acceptable. 

My Thoth card is The Moon. The Moon of the Tarot Major Arcana corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, emotional and sensitive energy that strives to stay the same), Pisces (“I believe,” feeling, suffering, soul growth, duality), Qof (the back of the head), and the Path between Malkuth (the physical world of action and physical, outer reality) and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration), is about feelings and emotions and instincts and the subconscious.  This card can present discomforts, but that’s not all it is about; after all, dreams and the imagination can be useful.  However, since the Seven of Swords is also in my spread today, I need to be alert for hidden agendas, and I need to try to **not** encourage any of my own.

My Legacy card is the Nine of Wands reversed, flavored by the Ten of Cups reversed. The Nine of Wands (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) in an upright position tells us to prepare for the worst, but to wait before being aggressive. Strategic withdrawal or hiding from the truth may not be effective today The Ten of Cups (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, spirituality, suffering and growth) in an upright position offers the manifestation of happiness, simple joys, and fulfillment.  My reversed Ten of Cups, which is flavoring my reversed Nine of Wands, taken along with the other cards in my spread could be foretelling the effects of a quarrel of some kind.  And I could be the catalyst of that quarrel, whether on purpose or by accident.  Careful!

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

My horoscopes: “You should feel a renewed sense of confidence today that will help anchor your emotions and give strength to your thoughts and ideas, Sagittarius. Don't take a pessimistic attitude toward everything around you. Look at the good instead of the bad. By maintaining a negative viewpoint about things, you're only adding to the problem. You have every right to be happy.”

And: “It may be hard for you to make a decision today about anything. Things may seem a bit wishy-washy and unclear, but don't worry about it. There is plenty of air to fuel your fire. Be aware that people may be popping up from the past and that unexpected events may be disrupting the flow throughout the day. Well-laid plans are apt to be broken. Don't' sweat it. Just go with it.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Three of Swords.  **sigh**  Okay, I need to remember that this card is not as bad as it seems (unless I allow it to be), but this one kind of validates my other cards today.  Our intentions may be pure and good, but that does not mean we won’t be brought down or betrayed or deserted in our time of need.  If this happens, I need to remember that things may not be as bad as they seem.  Worse case, I can walk away, lick my wounds, and begin again much wiser.

YTT practice this evening, followed by a night sitting around the Table with the PBT!!

$>

Three of Wands/Eight of Cups reversed. 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) is a card of planning for action that tells of the excitement of seeking out uncharted areas with an optimism that says that no matter what happens, it will be good.  This is a powerful card, filled with potential, but not completed manifestation.  This may be a good day to dream of future possibilities. The Eight of Cups (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitation, law and order, in Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, suffering, soul growth) in an upright position tells of an ending or a decline or a change of direction, often one associated with emotions, and it offers one possible response to that decline or change: moving on. My Eight is reversed, however, and things should happen today in a way that will make me feel good!

My Thoth card is the Ace of Swords. The Ace of Swords (Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution authority, cunning, Aquarius and Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, soul growth, artistic) tells of the birth of ideas and concepts.  I need to remember that every situation or interaction of the day offers an opportunity to grown; if I can perceive these ideas and concepts, I can take advantage of them.

My Legacy card is the Two of Coins reversed, flavored by another Three of Wands.  The Two of Coins (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution, cunning) reminds me that everything always ebbs and flows, and I need to do the same in order to remain dynamically balanced.  This may be difficult for me today; events may pull me one way or another, but if I attempt to restore balance, I may survive intact.  Because this reversed Two of Coins is being flavored by an upright Three of Wands, I expect that I will end up better than just surviving.  All I need to do is depend on myself, and make certain that I am ready for whatever comes my way.

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

My horoscopes: “Tune into the aggressive energy of today, Sagittarius, and use it to push your intentions forward. Today's emotional intensity will bring you to your knees if you aren't careful. The secret is to harness the energy and use it to your advantage. Try not to get caught between the crossfire of conflict. Tap into the slow-moving, generous force that's helping you ground your thoughts and emotions.”

And: “You may be feeling like you are ready to get the party started today, but for some reason, the people around you aren't exactly following suit. Perhaps you need to slow down and wait for others to catch up to you. They may end up not coming around at all. If people say they are doing fine, don't necessarily believe them. There is most likely something brewing beneath the surface that needs major attention.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Ten of Pentacles.  Another one of my friends!  I am being told that today is a day for celebrating an attainment; this attainment has come to me because I’ve stuck to the plan and played by the rules.  Now is the time to enjoy the fruits of my labors, but I must remember to plant the seeds for further attainments.

I attended another Chair Yoga Class today, and again it was great.  I’m learning so much!!  And I’m making progress in catching up, now that I’ve got room to breathe.  Onward!

$>

The Tower reversed/The Star reversed.  Well, looks like I have a choice today. The Tower (Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive, energetic change), Mars (action, spontaneity, aggression, drive), Phe (mouth or speech), and the Path between Hod (which provides analysis and communication) and Netzach (which offers the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration)) in an upright position tells of a violent or explosive correction in the way things are going.   Thankfully my Tower is reversed, but I still need to keep in mind that even the most secure setup can be toppled.  Today, I might be able to keep that toppling at bay, but I must never forget this possibility is hovering in the background. The Star (Air, hot/separates and wet/adapts; Aquarius; Qof, back of head; the Path between Malkuth, the physical world of action and outer, physical reality, and Netzach, the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration) is the “good will to all” card, and while it can hint at some unexpected darkness, it also tells me to be of strong heart, for things will turn out okay in the end.  My Star is reversed, and there may be a danger of focusing on that unexpected darkness, and being dragged down by it.  Even though these cards are opposing, whether upright or reversed, they still both offer a possible response to darkness.

My Thoth card is the Four of Cups.  “Luxury” is the keyword for this one, and that is not necessarily a good thing. The Four of Cups (the Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, nurturing, tenacious, moody) tells us that too much pleasure, or maybe too much nurturing or overprotectiveness, deadens the senses.  I need to be sure that I don’t focus on what I don’t have, and be sure that I am not getting lost in second-guessing.

My Legacy card is the Seven of Coins, flavored by the Eight of Swords. The Seven of Coins (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, law and order, in Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn) tells of pauses and choices and assessments within the physical world.  The pause and assessment of this card reminds us that blossoms need to fade in order for seeds to appear.  Timing is important to the energies of this card as well; do I accept what I have?  Or do I continue to try for more?  My Seven of Coins is being flavored by the Eight of Swords. The Eight of Swords (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable talkative, dual) tells of a confused and restrictive response to obstacles.  The interesting thing about Swords cards is that they present my perception of truth.  The message is clear: don’t allow this time of assessment to bind me or tie me up in knots. 

My 6-digit date number is 7, the number that tells of the pause that happens when growth slows and degeneration approaches, often involving a choice or crossroad. 

My horoscopes: “Today can be an extremely productive day, Sagittarius. You're in a good space from which to work and this will aid you in all your endeavors. Today is also excellent for looking at some of the long-term trends moving through your life now. Consider the next five or ten years and think about how your actions will affect your future. Plan ahead to get ahead.”

And: “Your easygoing nature may be challenged today by stubborn forces that are working to solidify their position. You would do well to tap into this aggressive energy, and use it to follow through on some projects that you have left hanging. Other people may be quite unyielding in their position, but you can easily overcome this by tapping into your flexible, adaptable nature. Don't get upset and restless. Go with the flow.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Two of Pentacles.  Nice!  I love the description of the Shadowscapes Two of Pentacles: performing a dance of creation and destruction, of opposing forces.  This is the true “dynamic balance” card and I might need the skills of the Two of Pentacles today!

Yoga Teacher Training Intensive 5 was yesterday.  We had a hugely filled day, worked on chakras and the energy body.  We experienced a chakra Yoga class, and it was hugely powerful, and in the end the class acted as a nice completion of the work I did with my sister-in-law earlier in the week.  My next intensive is not until July, so I’ve got a bit of time to catch up on the reading materials.

My column, Tarot Talk, has been submitted to PaganPages.org; that will be coming out on July 1.

Now, let’s see if I can do some catch-up today!

$>

Transparent Oracle Sunday!

33, Element: Earth (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.  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.

13, Element: Fire (South). The element of Fire manifests as spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change; its dignities are hot/separates and dry/shapes. 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.

49, Saturn (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 planet Saturn is about structure and boundaries, and about constricting energies within a particular format, often involving time. 

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  Well, this one is sure pretty obvious.  The Earth and Fire triangles oppose each other; the points of one are in the middle of the sides of the other.  There is a precarious balance here, and the grounding energies of Earth are currently being balanced by the transformative and animating energies of Fire, but oh boy, things could change pretty quickly.  These currently balanced energies filled with the potential to crash and burn are being held together by Saturn, and the concepts of keeping within a structure and a timeline, and understanding just what my boundaries are.  This means not only doing what I can to keep within the boundaries, but also it means making sure those boundaries are realistic.  I could waste a lot of energy attempting to meet unrealistic expectations!

I had two lovely days in Cape May.  Friday, I headed down a bit early so I could spend a bit of time in my garden.  I cut the grass, deadheaded my roses, tamed the wisteria, and grounded the last of my angst into the earth, as compost to encourage new growth.  Our company for the weekend arrived just as I came out of the shower.  We went to the front porch for appetizers and a nice glass of chilled white wine.  Then came dinner, and some great conversation (as well as quite a bit of laughter!).

Saturday morning I went for fresh bread and some lovely fresh-picked salad greens.  The day was perfect, blue sky, nice breeze; we ended up spending the entire afternoon sitting in the yard.  A pair of catbirds were with us the entire time, and a pair of cardinals joined us briefly.  Birds are feeding babies now, so they are as busy as I am!

Yoga Teacher Training Intensive number 5 today!  I’m up early, getting a few things done before heading out to learn about chakras and Ayurveda (our focuses today).  Have a marvelous day!

$>

Page of Swords/Eight of Pentacles reversed. The Page of Swords (Capricorn, “I build,” ambitious, competent, cautious, cunning, Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, society, cause-oriented, and Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, soul growth, spirituality) tells us to use our mind and intellect to analyze our situations as well as our emotions and feelings.  This card tells of vigilance and alertness, and can also be hinting that there is some sneaking around behind the scenes.  While alertness is important, I also need to make sure I don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.  The Eight of Pentacles (Sun, the inner core of a person or situation, in Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, sensible, orderly) in an upright position tells us that diligence and an awareness of details is important today.  However, because my Eight of Pentacles is reversed, I may end up missing some important details.  This could very well happen because I feel as if I’m in a rut; there is danger in repetitive steps mainly because we assume we know what is going to happen.

My Thoth card is Five of Disks reversed.  “Worry” is the keyword for the upright card. The Five of Disks (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, skill, communication, in Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn) traditional image shows a woman and a child, one of them injured in some way, travelling in the cold wind, with a church window behind them.  Because my card is reversed, while there may be turmoil in my world, I will be able to use my spirituality and connection to Deity in order to make it through the chaos.

My Legacy card is The Moon reversed, flavored by The Empress reversed.  LOL, two non-feminine cards for this Summer Solstice Day. The Moon of the Tarot Major Arcana corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, emotional and sensitive energy that strives to stay the same), Pisces (“I believe,” feeling, suffering, soul growth, duality), Qof (the back of the head), and the Path between Malkuth (the physical world of action and physical, outer reality) and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration), is about feelings and emotions and instincts and the subconscious.  When upright, this can be a card of discomfort or fear, but since my Moon is reversed today, what seems to be hidden will end up in plain sight. The Empress (which corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and stable, material, practical energies that are slow to change), Venus (beauty, allure, pleasure, relationships), the Hebrew letter Daleth (door or womb) and the Path between Binah (female receptive energy and the origin of form and structure) and Chokmah on the Tree of Life (dynamic male energy and the origin of vital force and polarity)) is one half of the Major Arcana representation of the Sacred Feminine.  The Empress in an upright position is about creativity and compassion, the pleasure of the senses, and a deep connection to Nature.  My reversed Empress, which could be presenting apathy or a desensitization because of overexposure to pleasure, is flavoring my reversed Moon.  Perhaps these two together mean that any overindulgence in pleasure will be nipped in the bud because I will recognize it happening. 

My Pearls of Wisdom Litha card is The Moon reversed.  LOL, okay then.  What I love about the description of the Pearls of Wisdom Moon card is that we are warned to remember that a reflection of something may not be accurate.  That seems to be an important message for me, considering my other cards, which seem to be talking about not correctly perceiving things. 

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

My horoscopes: “Have some fun today, Sagittarius. It's time to balance all the work you've been doing with a little bit of fun. Yesterday's honest efforts are turning into today's rewards. There's no need to be shy when it comes to receiving what is rightfully yours. Be proud of your accomplishments. If you can't find someone to take you out to dinner, take yourself out!”

And: “You will be the hit of the party today. Everyone wants to talk to you. You will find that great transitions are happening in your life right now, and you should look at how you can adopt new principles and attitudes toward them. Your emotions are suggesting that you take a rather unconventional approach to the day. The things you learn may be things you want to incorporate into your worldview on a long-term basis.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Queen of Pentacles.  Nice!  The Shadowscapes Queen of Pentacles looks similar to her King; both seem to be a part of or growing out of a beautiful old tree.  However, there are differences.  The King’s tree is an oak, and it is filled with acorns.  Bounty in the physical world and the ability to turn that bounty into something new is the meaning of the King of Pentacles.  The Queen’s tree has heart-shaped leaves, and instead of the wide-spread arms of the King, the Queen is cradling in her cupped palms an oak leaf.  How potent is that image??!!  She is the nurturer of the King, and her purpose is to create and maintain a fertile environment for all, and keep everyone healthy, happy and secure.  Yep, I get this one!!

I am very lucky to have a sister-in-law who does the most amazing energy work.  She is an intuitive, and a natural medium, so sessions with her are healing and balancing on all levels.  I’ve been seeing her regularly, every three to six months, and I love what we are accomplishing together.  Each time I lay on her table, she offers me awesome insight into how to deal with current issues or stresses.

This time, she reminded me that it is important for me to both keep possession of energy that is mine (which gets sent out whenever I teach/assist/counsel/heal, and release and send back the energy that is **not** mine (which can come into my energy field in all kinds of ways, both deliberate and inadvertent).  Very important for me to remember!

As always, I feel cleansed of unnecessary burdens today.  Great way to start a weekend, eh?

$>

The Hierophant/Three of Wands reversed. The Hierophant corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes), Taurus (“I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn), Vau (the nail which holds tradition in place), and the Path between Chesed (the place where forms and structures are stabilized and nurtured), and Chokmah (dynamic male energy, the origin of vital force and polarity).  This card is an archetype of Spirit (with The Emperor as archetype of the Sacred Masculine, The Empress as archetype of the Sacred Feminine, and all three representing the supernal triad) that reminds us of the value of tradition, ritual and ceremony.  The Hierophant guards these traditions, rituals and ceremonies, and educates us regarding them.  He dedicates himself to meeting his responsibilities, for the higher good of all, and shows us how to put our traditions into practice. 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) is a card of planning for action that tells of the excitement of seeking out uncharted areas with an optimism that says that no matter what happens, it will be good.  This is a powerful card when upright, filled with potential, but not complete manifestation.  My Three is reversed, and it could be warning of an unrealistic pride or even some kind of mistrust of new things. 

My Thoth card is the Three of Disks.  “Works” is the keyword for this one. The Three of Disks (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, cunning, competence) tells of competence, planning and teamwork.  “A crystallization of forces” is how this is described, and it makes sense.  Things are started, and the group is busy.

My Legacy card is the King of Cups reversed, flavored by the Six of Swords reversed.  Oh Kay, then. The King of Cups (cusp of Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation, and Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling mysterious, obsessive) in an upright position is the expert on emotions and the subconscious, mainly because of his life experiences.  But my King is reversed, and thus today may not be a day for me to be serenely amiable.  **yawn**  See? Just talking about it is making me lethargic.  The Six of Swords (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, communication, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause oriented) is about balance, healing, moving towards a better place, and even about learning the science behind things that work (because understanding why they work makes them more effective).  My Six, which is flavoring my reversed King of Cups, is also reversed.  Oy, two cards that hint a disconnect with intuition, authority and logic?  Maybe I should stay home today.

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

My horoscopes: “The signs say that you can expect a very profitable few weeks ahead, Sagittarius. You've worked hard lately, and it's only natural that you have finally arrived at this stage. You're going to be able to measure the distance you've come and evaluate your power. Whatever you do, don't think small!”

And: “It is during days like this that you can clearly see the presence of angels, provided, of course, that you believe in them. You may see them appear in any number of ways: A sign, an event, or in the form of a person you meet who speaks to you about a precise problem you have and indicates the solution. If you don't believe in angels, this would be the time to, at the very least, suspend disbelief!”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Nine of Pentacles.  This is one of my regulars, and I am being reminded that today, discipline and focus are important.  When I look at the strange messages of my cards, I understand this one, and I’m grateful for the reminder.  Connecting my spirit to my physical world is the perfect remedy!

Three Yoga classes today, two taken and one observed.  Whew, but I feel good!

$>

Transparent Oracle Sunday!  But on Tuesday! 

23, Element: Water (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.  Because our physical bodies contain so much Water, whatever affects Water usually affects us as well.  The image on this card also shows ripples moving outward; something to remember when we are expressing our feelings.

26, Guide: Otter (West).  The element of Water represents emotional, sensitive and imaginative energy that tends to move deep, and attempts to take the same path as in the past. The elemental dignities associated with Water are cold/binds and wet/adapts. The first thing I think of when I see the Otter card is joyful playing.  Otters are known for their play, and play is a sign of intelligence and awareness.  Otters are at home both on Earth and in Water; they form strong family bonds, and work hard to protect their group of family or friends.   All while playing tag!

48, Venus (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 Machine.  The planet Venus corresponds with the element of Earth, and it represents all love and relationships and connections.  This also encompasses mothering, nurturing, healing, the pleasing of the senses, and an appreciation for beauty. 

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  This one has motion to it; the Otters are swimming merrily, seeming to chase each other with abandon and joy, and the planet Venus circles around, like a counterweight keeping a wheel turning.  So much of all three of these cards is about feelings and emotions and inner sensations; those feelings and emotions and inner sensations may not be accurately measurable by others, but they do make the world go round!  Emotions and intuition may originate within us, but they can have amazing affects on the world around us as well.  The way we feel when we get up in the morning can flavor the entire day; today, I choose to feel joy and gratitude. 

Another busy weekend.  I managed to carve out some time in my beloved garden, which has totally gone wild.  We have had the perfect storm (LOL, literally!) of heavy rains followed by several days of sunshine, and everything is green and lush.  I’ve let the privet go a bit wild because it is covered with fragrant white blossoms, and I can hardly keep up with the grass.  As I drove away from the house yesterday, I looked back, and saw that the wisteria needs to be tamed, too.  Looks like I’ll be spending a bit more time trimming on Friday.  Yay!

And I’ve got another Yoga Intensive this weekend, too, YTT Intensive 5.  There aren’t enough hours in the day, but I’m loving what I’m learning.  I’m also working on the next submission for PaganPages.org, and will post when that is up.

Back to work!!

$>

Ace of Wands reversed/Ten of Wands. The Ace of Wands (Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, egotistical, Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, sensible, orderly) in an upright position tells of the initial emanation of enthusiasm or inspiration that could very well energize an entire process or project.  Like all the Aces, this emanation is presented as potential only, but oh boy, what potential.  The problem is that I’m not doing a good job of sensing these opportunities, maybe because they are not something I can control. The Ten of Wands (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitations and resistance, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering) tells of being taxed to some perceived limit, or of feeling as if we are out of gas at the bottom of a hill. I may be feeling overburdened, as if a job that began as a joy has become a huge job.  Perhaps if I look at each step of this job individually rather than all of them at once, I might be able to get a better handle on things.

My Thoth card is Lust.  Yep, that’s Uncle Al’s name for the Strength card, Lust. 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 about having the strength and the patience to endure and focus.  Crowley sees this card as representing magickal power, and that makes sense.  We need to have an ability to focus, and an ability to have patience, in order to work with magick.  Hmmm . . . similar to The Magician, eh?

My Legacy card is The Empress, flavored by the Page of Cups reversed. The Empress (which corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and stable, material, practical energies that are slow to change), Venus (beauty, allure, pleasure, relationships), the Hebrew letter Daleth (door or womb) and the Path between Binah (female receptive energy and the origin of form and structure) and Chokmah on the Tree of Life (dynamic male energy and the origin of vital force and polarity)) is one half of the Major Arcana representation of the Sacred Feminine.  The Empress is about creativity and compassion and the pleasure of the senses.  She cares about everyone (as her focus is outward), whether they are looking to be cared for or not.  She has a deep connection to Nature, and sees the world in vibrant colors. ***  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); it is a card of soft and tender energies and of getting fulfillment through connections to others and through innocent and simple joys.  My Page is reversed, and perhaps this is an attempt to balance out the sensuality of The Empress, which is being flavored by reversed Page.  Worse case scenario is that those pleasures of the senses are beginning to be addictive. 

My 6-digit date number is 7, the number that tells of a pause that occurs as growth slows and degeneration approaches, usually requiring a choice of some kind. 

My horoscopes: “It's a good day to express your thoughts and feelings, Sagittarius. Whether it's a loved one who'd appreciate affectionate words or a colleague who requires instruction, communication will come more easily than usual. You have a practical nature. Often you say what you think is required and not much else. Yet others may need you to say a lot more. Consider this as you go about your day.”

And: “Things should get better and better for you as the day progresses, and by evening, you should be rocking and rolling at full tempo. Tonight is a good time for you to come out of your shell and break through the intense emotionalism that has been prevailing for the last couple of days. Feel free to grab a couple of friends and take them on a spontaneous adventure someplace wild and crazy.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Knight of Swords.  This card is telling me that today I need to not allow emotions to get in the way of logic.  Being the hero is okay and coming to the rescue might save the day, but pride is an emotion too, so watch out!

I actually got to a 9:15 am Yoga class today, and not only was I asked to demo the class, but I was also asked to give leg pulls during relaxation.  I love being able to make people feel that extra pleasure!

$>

Five of Cups reversed/Queen of Swords reversed.  “Disappointment” is Crowley’s keyword for this one. The Five of Cups (Mars, action, aggression, drive, in Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, mysterious, obsessive) tells of an emotional setback, or perhaps the belief that a wrong choice has been made.  There is a sense of isolation that comes with the upright card, but my Five is reversed, so perhaps, just perhaps, I’ve been able to learn the lesson of the Cups cards: happiness comes from within. The Queen of Swords (cusp of Virgo, “I serve,” practical, sensible, work and service oriented, and Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation, grace) can be considered a Minor Arcana representation of the Justice card, which is about responsibility and the relationship between “cause” and “effect.”  This Queen knows of joy and she knows of sorrow, and in an upright position she is well able to balance good and evil in her life, and choose the response that is appropriate to the occasion.  My Queen is reversed today, and that means the truth is even more important, most likely because it will be difficult to discern.

My Thoth card is the Queen of Wands reversed.  Another reversed Queen.  The Queen of Wands (cusp of Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, soul growth, spirituality, and Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive) is energetic and enthusiastic, gives 100% of herself, and always has a smile on her face and humor in her heart. Upright, she is able to offer friendship and generosity, but my Queen is reversed.  Thus, I may not deal well with opposition, or I may have a tendency to brood about perceived slights.

My Legacy card is the Queen of Wands, flavored by Justice reversed.  Bookends, and my only upright card, too!  The upright Queen of Wands is the best combination of spiritual awareness and the ability to take the right actions. She is passionate and persistent, and thus she is attractive to those who are drawn like moths to the flame.   She is proud of her accomplishments, and justifiably so.   Justice is a card of adjustment, and it corresponds with the element of Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and quick, animated energy that usually brings problems or challenges that bring growth), Libra (“we are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation), Lamed (ox goad; training or teaching), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Geburah (the place where forms and structures are challenged or affirmed).

My Bookends card is the Queen of Wands, so here is a bit more about her.  She is intense, maybe in a bit of a less obvious way than the Knight of Wands, but intense just the same.  The Queen of Wands can either make your dreams come true, or make your life hell.  She lives life to the fullest, whether good or bad, and she can manage to laugh at herself and keep her sense of humor no matter what the outcome.  This Queen nurtures self-expression, but she can be bitter and judgmental if reversed.  Finally, the Queen of Wands has amazingly potent charisma, and oh boy, that can be either a blessing or a curse.  She’s pretty interesting, eh?  But she could be high-maintenance. 

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

My horoscopes: “You may get the feeling that despite all the hard work you've accomplished, something is still missing, Sagittarius. There's still a long road ahead, regardless of the goals you've attained so far. Perhaps the thing you're searching for is a tender moment with a loved one, something that's much closer than you think. Stop searching far and wide for the thing that's right under your nose.”

And: “A friend whom you haven't seen for a while could surprise you with a phone call or short visit, Nanci. A lot of interesting news and useful information could be exchanged, benefiting both of you. You may make a number of short journeys throughout the day, as you have a lot to do. A small increase in income could also be in the works. In the evening: rent a romantic video.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Ten of Pentacles.  LOL, one of my regulars.  Yes, the Ten of Pentacles tells of physical bounty, often bounty that comes through discipline and the implementation of a long-term plan.  It warns us that we must do something with this bounty, or it becomes a liability.  What I love about the Shadowscapes Ten of Pentacles is that it reminds us that the best way to respond to physical world bounty is to connect it or infuse it with Spirit.  Sounds like a good plan!!

Yoga and gardening!  Okay, then.

$>

The Empress/The Sun reversed.  The Empress (which corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and stable, material, practical energies that are slow to change), Venus (beauty, allure, pleasure, relationships), the Hebrew letter Daleth (door or womb) and the Path between Binah (female receptive energy and the origin of form and structure) and Chokmah on the Tree of Life (dynamic male energy and the origin of vital force and polarity)) is one half of the Major Arcana representation of the Sacred Feminine.  The Empress is about creativity, fertility of all kinds, a deep connection to Nature and the nurturing of others, and an enjoyment of the senses.  She is reminding me that I need to feel good about myself, every level and part of myself, before I can send that goodness outward.  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 in an upright position it tells of a time of enlightenment and peace that comes after the completion of some ordeal. My Sun is reversed; this is not bad, just a reminder that in order to reach the point of enlightenment and achievement, I’ve got to focus and be patient.  The resources are there to attain the enlightenment or achievement, but in order to access them, I need to be sure I am seeing them clearly and objectively. 

My Thoth card is the Three of Disks reversed.  “Works” is Crowley’s keyword for this one.  The Three of Pentacles (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, cunning, competence) in an upright position tells of competence, planning and teamwork. My card is reversed, and this could be indicating that today, if I want something done I will need to do it myself.  Perhaps working with others will prove counterproductive today, or will distract me from my plan.  Or perhaps there will be some kind of conflict that will prevent the teamwork necessary to get the job done. 

My Legacy card is the Page of Coins, flavored by the Queen of Cups.  Nice!!  The Page of Coins (Aries, “I want,” assertive, action oriented, Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn, and Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable, dual) is down-to-earth and responsible, and the Page is a listener and a learner.  My Page is reminding me to stop daydreaming and take a realistic approach to the tasks of the day.  The Page of Coins loves to learn new things and have new experiences, and I am being encouraged to be open to these things, even as I strive to be realistic and grounded.  The Queen of Cups (cusp of Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable, dual, and Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody) represents the energies of Water and The High Priestess manifested into the Minor Arcana.  She is very much aware of the connectiveness of all life, and she is tuned into that connection.  She is reminding me that whether I am striving to be realistic or I am opening myself to new experiences, caring is more important than impatience, and acceptance will foster that connection she perceives so deeply.  These two cards together have a nice energy, eh?  A balance of a realistic approach and an openness to new experiences, with a side order of an increased and caring awareness of my connections to others, could breathe new life into my day!

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

My horoscopes: “You need to learn an important lesson in follow-through, Sagittarius. As you strive for perfection, you may get the feeling that nothing is ever fully completed. Try not to be so hard on yourself. The work you've finished so far is more than likely much better than what most people could ever accomplish. Put the final touches on whatever you're doing and move on.”

And: “Opportunities exist in the cracks, so don't count on looking in the most obvious places. The dreams you are searching for are found in the least likely locations, so keep your eyes open to the unexpected. The chance of a lifetime may come rolling around the corner at any minute, so be prepared to pack your bags and take a trip to a place you may never have thought of visiting before. The dreams you wish for can come true.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Ace of Wands.  The interesting thing about the Ace of Wands is that it presents the potential for effects or events that are beyond my control, kind of the opposite of the Ace of Swords, which is about the workings of the mind and in the end, the creation of the challenges from within.  The flint has struck the tinder and the spark is flaring!

I have a dear friend who is very good at popping out a poem whenever she submits a homework assignment.  Here is her poem on Nature Spirits; enjoy!

Nature Spirits roaming free

Hidden from the world we see

Offering energy to our world

Sometimes gently, sometimes hurled

Approach with love and light

Perhaps they'll lend Faerie sight

Or maybe they'll enhance your work

If not, they may choose to only lurk

Approach with ill will and disrespect

And any number of mishaps you expect

From not receiving any assistance at all

Or pranks, rebels and attacks to call

Nature Spirits are conscious you know

So respect you should always show

Treat them as you wish to be

As you would with love to thee

$>

Two of Swords reversed/Page of Cups reversed.  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.  The serenity of this card happens because we are vigilant and on guard, and because we are controlling our thoughts and actions, and because we isolate ourselves from the effects of the world around us.  Today, that might not be an advisable plan; cutting myself off from the world might affect in a bad way my perception of that world.  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); it is a card of soft and tender energies and of getting fulfillment through connections to others and through innocent and simple joys.  My Page is also9 reversed, and perhaps I am being offered an end result of insisting on isolation today: a lack of imagination and simple pleasures.  Things may be a bit more complicated than that, but emotional balance does not come from isolation.

My Thoth card is the Queen of Disks.  The Queen of Disks (cusp of Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering, and Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution, cunning, authoritative) is very good at sustaining the physical world, keeping things dry and cozy and safe and orderly.  She might be suggesting that today I need a bit of grounding and maybe some focus on maintaining resources.  These things can be done in an isolated way, but with a focus on making my immediate environment more pleasurable for me and for others.  There is fulfillment to be had from this kind of focus.

My Legacy card is the Ten of Coins, flavored by the Eight of Cups.  The Ten of Coins (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, communication, in Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented) represents physical world wealth and bounty, usually achieved through the implementation of long-term plans, and the attempt to maintain the status quo.  The interesting thing about this card is that while it represents a nice accumulation of physical-world resources, it also tells us that we need to do something creative with those resources, or they will become a hugely heavy burden.  The Eight of Cups (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitation, law and order, in Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, suffering, soul growth) tells of an ending or a decline or a change of direction, often one associated with emotions, and it offers one possible response to that decline or change: moving on. Sometimes things are so broken that we are better off just turning our backs and walking away.  My Eight is flavoring that Ten of Cups, and the message is clear: look at the pile of “stuff,” grab what works, and get going.  Receiving rewards for hard work is great, but I’ve got to decide what does not work for me any more and leave it behind, so I can turn my focus toward more productive and fulfilling endeavors.

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

My horoscopes: “Expect to have to make some adjustments in your love life, Sagittarius. You may be in a different frame of mind than your partner. Why not use the day to step back from the relationship? Spend time apart for a change. After all, there's nothing dramatic about the fact that your needs and desires aren't in sync. It's only temporary.”

And: “The principles you fight for probably have great moral value. You are interested in defending the values of the society you live in. But today, don't you think the people closest to you could use some of your good advice and practical help? It may actually be on this level that you will be the most effective at building a "community of mankind". Shouldn't you use your theories to help the people closest to you first?”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Nine of Pentacles.  Connecting the physical world with the spiritual realms is not always an easy task.  It often takes sustained effort and lots of practice, heavily salted with frustrating yet in the end, valuable, failures.  Discipline and patience are necessary ingredients in any success, and sometimes this ongoing process takes a lifetime, or more, to perfect.  This does not mean we should give up!!  Jump in the deep end, and enjoy what we’ve accomplished so far, then keep up the good work. 

I submitted Lesson 10 of Third Degree today.  I have only one more Lesson to complete, and I will be done with the Third Degree Lessons.  It is hard to believe that I am finally at this point. 

“We think that the point is to pass the test or overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don't really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It's just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.” – Pema Chödrön.  I love this quote!!  Often, I am asked, “If there is a God, why are so many pains and horrors perpetuated upon certain individuals?”  Here, then, is the answer, embedded in this beautiful quote.  Life and the living of our individual lives needs to contain good and bad.  This is, after all, what living a life entails!  We are given a set of circumstances to deal with, and it is our choice of how we will deal with them that is important.  This applies whether our lives seem to be serene and challenge-free, or filled with pain and suffering.  Who is to say that serenity and a lack of challenges is a good thing??

$>