7/30/14

Ace of Swords reversed/The Emperor. 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. This Ace in an upright position offers the power to analyze that is necessary in order to make good choices, and in order to react correctly to events in our day.  However, my Ace is reversed, and situations that present themselves today could be challenging and I might not have the fortitude to stick with the plan.  The Emperor corresponds with Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive, energetic change), Aries (“I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive) and the Hebrew letter Heh (window, illumination), and represents confidence, authority, and the archetype of the Father.  The Emperor of the Tarot instills balance, form and structure onto the fertility and creations of The Empress; he rules over the concrete and corporeal world and is the manifestation of spirit.  He is reminding me that if I focus on what I know needs to be accomplished, I will be able to stay grounded, and if I make use of plans that have already proven their worth, I will succeed.

My Thoth cards are the Seven of Cups (“Debauch”) and the Queen of Disks. The Seven of Cups (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, in Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, obsessive, mysterious) represents the distraction, sensory overload and dissipation that can happen when we are presented with too many enticing choices.  Crowley sees this one as being drunk on pleasure.   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.  Crowley sees this Queen as striving to manifest pleasurable surroundings without going overboard, and that is exactly what I need in order to deal with the Seven of Cups.  The problem here is that the Queen of Disks tends to enjoy the pleasures of the senses, so I need to keep her upright. 

My Legacy card is The Empress reversed, flavored by the King of Wands reversed.  Hmmm . . . The Empress (my significator card, 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 (along with The High Priestess), the half that is about creativity, fertility of all kinds, a deep connection to Nature and the nurturing of others, and an enjoyment of the senses. My Empress is reversed, and she is telling me to act like The Emperor, turn away from the pleasures of my physical senses. The King of Wands (cusp of Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, nurturing, moody, and Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic egotistical) is honest and open hearted, and rules his realm through the advantageous use of his creative impulses.  He is admired by all, is able to assert authority without alienating others, and his achievements not only bring him benefits, but also increase the quality of life for those around him.  My King is reversed, and flavoring my reversed Empress, who also is very creative when upright.  Looks like my Emperor is offering the best advice today: use a plan that has proved successful in the past, and stick to it.

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

My horoscopes: “Stuck in a career rut? Not for long! Today's supportive connection between structured Saturn and the Moon in your tenth house of professional success can help you stop spinning your wheels and get unstuck. You could have a lightning-bolt epiphany today, but if you're not sure what your next steps are, turn to an older and wiser mentor for advice. Talking things out with someone who's been down the same road can help you gain clarity. The key is learning to trust your gut.”

And: Your calm will be put to the test today. Try not to fall in this trap! You should try to show people around you that you are a very modern person and that your past experiences have given you wisdom. Therefore, you don't necessarily have to respond to aggressions. However, you shouldn't forget about your own point of view. Try to assert yourself calmly and steadily.”

As always, Mooji manages to get me thinking.  A quote I found on one of his FaceBook pages: “One's mind comes to a beautiful place of openness, silence and peace.  In fact, one does not create such a state; one simply stops identifying with the projections of the conditioned mind and so comes to recognize and be one's true nature.”  These words, “one simply stops identifying with the projections of the conditioned mind,” are resonating deeply with me, particularly because I have felt cut off from the Sacred for the past week or so.  I have asked for help, and here it is!  My connection to my subtle body has changed so much over the past few months; I need to change the way I perceive that connection now so I can truly experience it without expectations.

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7/28/14

Five of Swords reversed/Two of Pentacles. The Five of Swords (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, pleasure, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause-oriented, the group, aloof) shows what happens when we insist that our way is right, or when we impose our needs or wants onto a situation. This card in an upright position could also be telling of what seems to be overwhelming opposition, or being made to suffer the sins of others, but it is reversed and perhaps I will be able to prevent this situation.  I need to strive for harmony and the highest good of all, not just myself. The Two of Pentacles (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution, cunning) reminds us that everything always ebbs and flows, and we need to do the same in order to remain dynamically balanced.  Change is what allows stability to be functional, and I should keep that in mind.  Looks like if I can prevent the tendency to take control, I should be able to remain in balance, and keep a sense of humor.

My Thoth cards are The Magician and the Four of Disks (“Power”) reversed. The Magician corresponds with Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and quick and animated energy which usually presents problems or challenges), Mercury (reason, intelligence, orderliness, communication), Beth (house; builder) and the Path between Binah (female, receptive energy and the origin of form and structure) and Kether (the source, limitless possibility).  The Magician works hard to perfect his abilities, to make use of those abilities in unexpected ways, and to focus and carry through to the end of a task (which is pretty important to him).  This card is personally significant to me, and since he represents the manifestation of tangible knowledge (and the ability to control that manifestation); I am being told to think independently, to be flexible and balanced, and to manifest my Purpose with my own hard-earned skills.  The Four of Disks (the Sun, the inner core of a person or situation or the deepest self, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, authority, caution, cunning) in an upright position tells of very solid foundations and an awareness of the value of our possessions.  Uncle Al sees this card as representing the power of the Law rather than power achieved through aggression.  Because the Four of Disks is reversed, foundations may not be as strong as they appear.  Perhaps my Magician can deal with this; after all, he is the expert of manifestation and he can certainly deal effectively with obstacles.

My Legacy card is the Two of Wands reversed flavored by The Emperor reversed. The Two of Wands (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Aries, “I want,” action oriented, pioneering, assertive, enthusiastic) tells of power, influence and authority, and the implementation of the Will.  This is a card of action and ownership, personal power and authority, but it is reversed, and it is flavored by another card of authority, also reversed, The Emperor. The Emperor corresponds with Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive, energetic change), Aries (“I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive) and the Hebrew letter Heh (window, illumination), and in an upright position represents confidence, authority, and the archetype of the Father.  The upright Emperor instills balance, form and structure onto the fertility and creations of The Empress, but since my Emperor is reversed and flavoring the reversed Two of Wands, it looks as if I will be dealing with out-of-the-box events today.  Yep, I’m glad the Two of Pentacles and The Magician have shown up in my spread, because with these two cards reversed, I need help dealing with the unexpected. 

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

My horoscopes: “It's not like you to tamp down your desire, Archer, but if that has been the case of late, today's dramatic duel between love planet Venus and provocateur Pluto could blow the lid off things. Reach out to someone who's caught your eye or a concept that's intrigued you. Listen to your heart instead of the little voice inside your head that says this is not your idea of how things are "supposed to" be. Take a few steps in that new direction and see what happens.”

And: “Enthusiasm and energy will be your allies today! Something different is floating in the air today and incites you to go forward. You will take decisions and new directions for the good of the people in your environment. Your dynamism will have a beneficial impact on your family. This newfound strength will give you a great boost!”

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7/27/14

Transparent Oracle Sunday!

29, Guide: Turtle (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 Turtle’s environment, but not only Water, for like Otter, many Turtles are at home on Earth (and in fact, Turtles lay their eggs on Earth).  Turtle offers us an opportunity to learn about protection; not the kind of protection that shuts out the world but rather, the kind of protection that allows us to dive deep and explore the unknown without fear.  Turtle is also slow and steady, is patient, and endures; Turtle has a long lifespan, and has existed relatively unchanged since ancient times.  Turtle’s shell shows us how to exist in spite of the churning eddies of life, without being affected by them.  After all, she is able to safely travel between the worlds because she is well-protected.

59, Grail Hollows: The Stone (Below). The direction of Below is not easily associated with spirituality, yet it is a powerful symbol representing the opportunity to create a strong foundation, and to connect to the tools and powers of the Underworld.  The Stone represents the deepest and most pure manifestation of the element of Earth, and tells us of traditions that have been around for a long time (some of them relatively unchangeable, and that can be either good or bad).  The understanding of those traditions, and within that process, the determination of their validity for us personally, brings us authority.  This understanding also offers us entry into the understanding of the mysteries that are the foundation of spirituality, and of life and living.

5, Landscape: Mountains (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.  Mountains tells us that our goals are in sight, but there will still need to be strength, skill and perseverance before accessing that goal.  Mountains also allow us to rise up above the chaos, confusion and noise of our mundane world in order to experience peace and solitude.  This card tells me that I’ve got a good strong foundation in place, and now it is time to look forward and up.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  This one is just so pretty to look at.  Despite containing one of the cards built around the number 4 (most of the cards show images in multiples of 3), this one has a centered and balanced feel to it, and the curves seem to fit together like puzzle pieces to create a beautiful image.  Repeated, it could grace any fabric.  The images of Turtle and The Stone are surrounded by Mountains, as if they were located in a safe and protected valley.  The Stone seems to be grounding the Turtles, keeping them in the valley being protected by the Mountains.  I am being asked today to dim the outside world a bit so I can better connect with and understand the very basic tenets of my personal spiritual traditions, ethical code, and understanding of Purpose.  Checking in with my foundation (and making sure it is healthy and strong) is a valuable undertaking that must be accomplished regularly.  Today I must prepare for the next step forward and upward by looking back and down.  This perception can be used at any time during the day; like the cloth metaphor I mentioned above, it can be slipped on for a bit, and then folded and placed aside until needed again.

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7/26/14

Eight of Pentacles reversed/The Magician reversed. 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 are important.  Schedules and deadlines will not be useful to me today, and I should probably not sweat the stuff I can’t control.  The Magician corresponds with Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and quick and animated energy which usually presents problems or challenges), Mercury (reason, intelligence, orderliness, communication), Beth (house; builder) and the Path between Binah (female, receptive energy and the origin of form and structure) and Kether (the source, limitless possibility).  The Magician works hard to perfect his abilities, to make use of those abilities in unexpected ways, and to focus and carry through to the end of a task (which is pretty important to him).  This card is personally significant to me, and since he represents the manifestation of tangible knowledge (and the ability to control that manifestation), and he is reversed (and considering the message of the reversed Eight of Pentacles), I really think I need to let someone else worry about things today. 

My Thoth cards are the Nine of Cups (“Happiness”) and the Five of Swords (“Defeat”) reversed. The Nine of Cups (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, suffering, soul growth) is about emotional satisfaction and the ability to find pleasure in feelings and emotions, and in our expectations for the day.  This card is about getting what you wished for, but it reminds us that we need to be detailed in our visualizations if we want to receive exactly what we are wishing for. My Nine of Cups is my only upright card of the day, and how cool is that?!  Looks like it ain’t broke, so I should not try to fix it. The Five of Swords (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, pleasure, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause-oriented, the group, aloof) in an upright position shows what happens when we insist that our way is right, or when we impose our needs or wants onto a situation. This card could also be telling of what seems to be overwhelming opposition, or being made to suffer the sins of others.  Again I am being told that I should not be the leader today; someone else’s rules might work better (especially if I don’t need to enforce those rules.

My Legacy card is The Chariot reversed, flavored by the Page of Coins reversed.  Hmmm . . . lots of reversed cards today. The Chariot, which corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and sensitive, emotional and imaginative energy that likes to stay the same or follow the same course), Cancer (“I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody), Cheth (the fence), and the Path between Geburah (the place where forms and structure are challenged or affirmed) and Binah (female receptive energy and the origin of form and structure), tells in an upright position of having the control necessary to focus on goals, and to avoid distractions.  My Chariot is reversed, and I am being reminded again that I might not have it in me today to be the leader or the driver. My reversed Chariot is being flavored by yet another reversed card, the reversed Page of Coins.  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 a listener and a learner. This Page loves to learn new things and have new experiences, but he also can see the big picture in an optimistic way.  But, he is reversed, so making the effort to understand any new experiences that come my way today might not work.  In fact, I might not have it in me to even try.  Comfy couch, anyone??

My 6-digit date number is 2, the number of vertical and horizontal balance. 

My horoscopes: “Oh, the places you'll go! Today, a Leo New Moon activates your ninth house of travel, adventure and philosophical searching. You're ready to expand your horizons big-time, tapping that unlimited potential feeling that Archers adore. This is an ideal day to sign up for a workshop, such as a foreign language immersion class or an online course that teaches the fundamentals of launching a startup. With a New Moon in this enterprising zone of your chart, you could be hanging your shingle in the next six months!”

And: “You generally tend by nature toward philosophy, metaphysics or other forms of higher thought, but today you could find yourself nearly obsessive about them. You might decide to sequester yourself at home and concentrate on studying these concepts. This is a great day to do this, as intellect combines with intuition to enable you to understand abstract ideas and make sense of them. Then you can apply it to your everyday life! Go to it!”

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7/24/14

The High Priestess/Seven of Swords reversed. The High Priestess (Water; the Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination; Gimel, the camel who safely crosses Da’ath, the Abyss, and thus, has the secret of life; and the Path between Tiphareth, the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify, and Kether, the source, limitless possibility), is one-half of the Major Arcana representation of the Sacred Feminine, with The Empress being the other half. The High Priestess is the source of the power of The Magician (who is also in my spread today), the feminine version of The Hierophant, and the Keeper of the Mysteries.  She is the Gatekeeper who determines whether I am ready to experience the Mysteries, and she is somewhat removed from everyday life although her mind is receptive.  She is telling me that an understanding of the darkness and the light brings balance.  The Seven of Swords (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause-oriented, the group, aloofness) in an upright position tells of the effort to maintain things as we want them, often through the use of deception and without considering the wants or needs of others.  This card can also be referring to the effort necessary to maintain things, or lack of effort thereof.  Because my card is reversed, I am being told that keeping things as they are might be a waste of energy today.  Better to open myself to whatever is there, without expecting to control things.

My Thoth cards are the Three of Wands (“Virtue”) and the Five of Disks (“Worry”) 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 ahead that tells of the excitement that comes with good possibilities at hand.  Crowley sees this one as representing primal energy that is beginning to manifest.  This card tells me that today is a good day to take the initiative. The Five of Disks (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, skill, communication, in Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn) in an upright position tells of some loss or need within the physical world.  This card tells of wandering aimlessly looking for help and not finding it; because my Five of Disks is reversed, I am being told that asking for help may very well bring the answers I need.

My Legacy card is The Moon reversed, flavored by the Five of Swords. 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 tells of falsehood and illusion and the Dark Night of Soul, and about magick and mystery. The Moon also tells of being either drawn to or susceptible to the effects of these things.  The Moon is similar to The High Priestess, and it is interesting that the card of hidden or occult knowledge is upright, and the card of illusion and the subconscious is reversed.  Does this mean that illusion will not plague me?  Or does it mean that when exploring the subconscious, I will only find darkness?  My reversed Moon is being flavored by the Five of Swords.  The Five of Swords (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, pleasure, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause-oriented, the group, aloof) shows what happens when we insist that our way is right, or when we impose our needs or wants onto a situation. This card could also be telling of what seems to be overwhelming opposition, or being made to suffer the sins of others.  I am uneasy about this pairing; somehow I get the feeling that my reversed Moon is not helping my Five of Swords, and I had better be real careful about consequences before I insist on making everyone play by my rules.

My 6-digit date number is 9, the number that tells of the completeness (not completion) of manifestation and effect.

My horoscopes: “Ever notice how quickly conversations about money—especially shared money—can get heated? Fortunately, today's alignment of the Moon and compassionate Venus in your joint resources zone make it easy to talk about this touchy topic. As a result, you'll probably get down to the real issues underneath any tension. Perhaps one of you feels unappreciated, taken for granted or even unloved. Today, a caring conversation can help you both get past it and back in harmony again.”

And: “Sometimes we all feel a little lost. We feel that we can move mountains and we use all our energy and enthusiasm to do so. But a few moments later we feel that our efforts will be vain. This is one of the hard facts of life:" Nothing is for granted". You shouldn't let that refrain you from trying to makes things change around you!”

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7/23/14

The Horned One/Eight of Pentacles reversed. The Horned One/The Devil (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) tells of being caught up in the physical world and the effects of the physical senses, to the point of being bound or addicted to those things. The Llewellyn Welsh Tarot does not see the Devil as a more negative card (hence the name, “The Horned One” rather than “The Devil”), but still I do need to be aware of these tendencies.  This one is less about chains and bondage, and more about life in its natural state, without the interference of technology and society.  This card is about primal instincts and ancestral memories; some of that makes sense to me right now.  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 are important.  Because the card is reversed, I will have trouble putting my nose to the grindstone today.  With that Horned One showing up, a day spent hiking or relaxing on the beach might be more in order

My Thoth cards are Judgement and The High Priestess reversed. Judgement corresponds with Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change), Pluto (power, metamorphosis, cycles of dying and becoming), Shin (fang), and the Path between Malkuth (the physical world of action and physical, outer reality) and Hod (provides analysis and communication) and represents an opportunity to tally up and pay the bill so we can have a fresh start.  Crowley calls this car Aeon, and sees it as representing a final step that ends an issue of the past and at the same time brings us forward.  Deliberately releasing and leaving behind the things that no longer serve me  is not so easy to accomplish, but it might be worth the effort. The High Priestess (Water; the Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination; Gimel, the camel who safely crosses Da’ath, the Abyss, and thus, has the secret of life; and the Path between Tiphareth, the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify, and Kether, the source, limitless possibility), is one-half of the Major Arcana representation of the Sacred Feminine, with The Empress being the other half. The High Priestess is the source of the power of The Magician, the feminine version of The Hierophant, and the Keeper of the Mysteries.  Upright, she represents intuition and the use of hidden or occult knowledge.  In a reversed position, she could be saying that form and structure, and knowledge already made public, are important today.  If I am to focus on releasing what I need to release in order to move forward, this makes sense. 

My Legacy card is The Tower reversed, flavored by the Nine of Wands. The Tower (Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive, energetic change), Mars (action, spontaneity, aggression, drive), Phe (mouth or speech), and the Path between Hod (which provides analysis and communication) and Netzach (which offers the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration)) is one of the Major Arcana cards that talks of adjustments.  This one tells of a violent or explosive correction in the way things are going that usually happens after more gentle corrections don’t bring the needed result.  The destruction caused by The Tower is actually clearing away the old and expired, so new growth can begin.  Because my card is reversed, perhaps there is still time to make the necessary adjustments in a more gentle manner.  My reversed Tower is being flavored by the Nine of Wands. The Nine of Wands (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) tells us that the final challenge approaches, and we need to ready ourselves.  Change is stability, and the faster we move the easier it is to maintain balance.  Perhaps my Nine of Wands is enabling me to find some good from the effects of my reversed Tower today. 

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

My horoscopes: “Teamwork makes the dream work! The Moon in your partnership house gets all jazzed up by hot-to-trot Mars in your collaboration sector. Abandon your Sagittarius style of doing everything yourself and join forces. While you might feel like people are rushing you to make fast decisions, there's no sense in procrastinating either. Sometimes, you just have to take the plunge. The good news? You've got a fantastic crew to catch you when you make that "trust fall" today.”

And: “Insights shared by a family member could lead to possible ways to increase your income. Expect to handle a lot of paperwork today regarding money, but this is a positive development and definitely should leave you feeling good about your situation. This is a great day to do in-depth research, as your intuition is high, and you're also apt to see through superficial appearances right to the heart of any matter that interests you.”

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7/22/14

The Emperor/The Wheel. The Emperor corresponds with Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive, energetic change), Aries (“I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive) and the Hebrew letter Heh (window, illumination), and represents confidence, authority, and the archetype of the Father.  The Emperor of the Tarot instills balance, form and structure onto the fertility and creations of The Empress; he rules over the concrete and corporeal world and is the manifestation of spirit.  He is reminding me that I should have confidence in myself as I work within my chosen venues, and he is reminding me that the imposition of form and structure is the best response to chaos.  The Wheel of Fortune (Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change), Jupiter (expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune), Kaph (grasping hand), and the Path between Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration) and Chesed (the place where forms and structure are stabilized and nurtured)) tells of sudden movement, but not movement caused by us or controlled by us.  The Wheel reminds us that nothing is permanent and everything is always in motion, motion that we can’t control.  The Llewellyn Welsh Wheel tells of luck and good fortune, and it tells of the concept of progression; nothing stand still.

My Thoth cards are the Ten of Wands (“Oppression”) and The Wheel reversed.  Bookends!  The Ten of Wands (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitations and resistance, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering) tells of being taxed to some perceived limit, or of feeling as if we are out of gas at the bottom of a hill.  This card can also tell of a passion that has taken a life of its own and gotten out of control. Crowley sees this card as indicating that we have done our work too well, and government has become tyranny. The Thoth Wheel of Fortune in the Thoth Tarot represents change.  Upright it tells of good change, but reversed, that change may be uncomfortable.  The reversed Wheel could be warning of being intoxicated on success.  That is something to be watched for, particularly because of that Ten of Wands. 

My Legacy card is the Queen of Wands reversed, flavored by the Two of Wands reversed.  No balanced Fire today. The Queen of Wands (cusp of Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, soul growth, spirituality, and Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive) in an upright position is energetic, adaptable and enthusiastic; she is filled with persistent energy and calm authority at the same time, and because of this she draws others to her.  She is kind of a self-made woman, with her sense of humor intact.  However, since she is reversed today, her intentions may not manifest well.   I need to be careful, because some kind of opposition could throw a wrench into the gears.  My reversed Queen of Wands is being flavored by another reversed Wands card, the reversed Two of Wands. The Two of Wands (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Aries, “I want,” action oriented, pioneering, assertive, enthusiastic) in an upright position tells of power, influence and authority, and the implementation of the Will.  My Two of Wands is reversed, and flavoring my reversed Queen.  Ugh, not a good day to impose my Will onto a situation; things might be chaotic, and out of my control.

More about my Bookends card, The Wheel of Fortune.  The traditional image on this card shows a hand coming out of the clouds to turn The Wheel; this hand represents assistance coming to us from outside of the situation, often assistance that we cannot control or access, only respond to.  The lesson here is that we are not to change the events; instead we should look for signs and messages, for in the end things happen in the time and manner that are beneficial to us (even if they are uncomfortable). The Wheel may represent the intervention of Destiny, but we would be wise to remember that when The Wheel stops turning, life is over. The Wheel can also indicate natural cycles in life, ebbs and flows of energies that are not necessarily disastrous, but that are at times strong and at other times weak. 

My 6-digit date number is 7, the number that tells of the pause that occurs as growth slows and degeneration approaches. 

My horoscopes: “There's nothing a Sagittarius loves more than a chance to pack a suitcase and explore new vistas. Well, ready the luggage, Archer, because today the Sun begins a monthlong visit to Leo, your ninth house of travel, adventure and learning. Sagittarius is the native ruler of this zodiac house, so you're in your element until August 23. Expand your horizons through cross-cultural friendships and experiences, or even by taking an online course that gets your wheels of inspiration turning.”

And: “Dreams or visions could put you in touch with deep feelings that you may not have been aware of before. This could enable you to release traumas from your past and give you a new sense of lightness. However, your logical mind is very much at work, so you could use this experience to shed light on the experiences of others and help them out as well. Whatever happens today is likely to produce noticeable results. Use it!”

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7/20/14

Transparent Oracle Sunday!

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

45, Mars (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. Mars is about drive and energy and passion; it is also about striving to do things our own way, about conquest, power and aggression.  Mars can bring sexual tension, often infused with domination or submission, as well as fiery tempers.  Since Mars is connected to the element of Fire, all the traits of this planet can bring transformation.

46, Mercury (Above).  Whatever happens in the direction of Above, it will happen quickly, and maybe in an unexpected manner, because there are no elemental constraints to be found.  The effects associated with this card (and this planet) of Mercury are quick to manifest; they are about connections and communications, about travel, and about the way it all happens through what seems like magick!  I associate Mercury with the Internet, and thus, with the astral realms.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  Wow, this one has power, and I had better fasten my seatbelt.  The mandala looks like a mini-solar system, with the Fiery Salamander at the center, controlling everything with its swirls and eddies of influence.  While I think I just might get stuff done today (just look at all that passionate drive, power, and magickal connections!), I’m thinking that I will need to be aware of resources.  I don’t want to run out of gas just as things are beginning to look interesting. 

I’m having a great weekend, mixing physical activity with getting stuff done, laced through with spending time with loved ones.  I feel as if I’m owning my day, but without drifting to the dark side.  Let’s see if this holds to bed time.

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7/19/14

The Tower reversed/Queen of Swords.  Whew; I feel like I just dodged a bullet.  The Tower (Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive, energetic change), Mars (action, spontaneity, aggression, drive), Phe (mouth or speech), and the Path between Hod (which provides analysis and communication) and Netzach (which offers the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration)) is one of the Major Arcana cards that talks of adjustments.  This one in an upright position tells of a violent or explosive correction in the way things are going that usually happens after more gentle corrections don’t bring the needed result.  I do understand what this card is about, even though it is reversed.  Yes, the adjustment may not be as explosive as I expect, but the card is there no matter what.  And this one needs to be listened to.  Oswald Wirth offers a great description of this card: the essence of The Tower is “. . . less a temple, a house of God, than a sacred building of a body mistakenly identified with God.”  Thankfully, I will be able to adjust things today in a way that will prevent this downfall. The Queen of Swords (cusp of Virgo, “I serve,” practical, sensible, work and service oriented, and Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation, grace) can be considered a Minor Arcana representation of the Justice card, which is about responsibility and the relationship between “cause” and “effect.”  The main difference is that while Justice is about the law, the Queen of Swords is about the intent behind the law.  I have a feeling she is keeping that Tower in the reversed position.

My Thoth cards are The Wheel of Fortune and the Nine of Swords (“Cruelty”) reversed. The Wheel of Fortune (Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change), Jupiter (expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune), Kaph (grasping hand), and the Path between Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration) and Chesed (the place where forms and structure are stabilized and nurtured)) tells of sudden movement, but not movement caused by us or controlled by us.  The Wheel reminds us that nothing is permanent and everything is always in motion, motion that we can’t control. I am being told that my job is not to control what is coming to me, but rather to effectively make use of whatever comes to me, whether comfortable or uncomfortable. The cycles of The Wheel are important, even the uncomfortable ones, and if The Wheel stops turning, we will fall off.  Since my Wheel is upright, I should be able to grab hold of good opportunities. The Nine of Swords (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, social, dual) represents brooding and worrying, usually self-caused, and usually unproductive.  Often the worrying attached to this card is connected to insecurity or suspicion, or it is connected to things that are over and done with, and thus unchangeable.  This card represents the “agony of the mind,” and the poison created by this agony can kill every positive opportunity that comes my way today.  Since it is reversed, I should be able to prevent the poison from taking hold, or at the very least, provide a useful antidote.

My Legacy card is the Seven of Coins reversed, flavored by the Ace of Coins. The Seven of Coins (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, law and order, in Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn) in an upright position tells of pauses and choices and assessments within the physical world.  Pausing to evaluate my efforts thus far may not be in order, and in fact, a pause may short-circuit enthusiasm.  There is still work to be done, and perhaps I will be able to assess things tomorrow.  My reversed Seven of Coins is being flavored by the Ace of Coins. The Ace of Coins (Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive, Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn, and Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, dual, social) tells of the presence of potential that is connected in some way to the physical world.  This card represents the seed of something that could be great, but it is potential only, not yet manifested, and it is validating my interpretation of the reversed Seven of Coins.  There is still potential to be nurtured and cared for, and a pause now might cause me to miss opportunities.

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

My horoscopes: “Warning: The green-eyed monster might descend on you unannounced, throwing your normal optimism into a tailspin. Today's tense angle between aggressive Mars and the Sun in your competitive eighth house will pass by tomorrow. Yet, when you're in the throes of it, there's nowhere to run or hide. If you're overcome with envy, call an even-tempered friend for a reality check. In the love department, you could see a friend in a new light. Stay open to possibilities, but don't do something you might live to regret.”

And: “Have your friends ever told you that you could be a great teacher? At home, you are the one who speaks all the time, you are almost compelled to make those around you listen to you. Children are fascinated by your knowledge! Today, Nanci, someone might not agree with you and might destabilize you. You will learn that your lessons are understood and can lead to a conversation! Knowledge is not a one-way street”

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7/17/14

Ace of Pentacles/Queen of Wands.  Aces present potential only, 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) tells of the presence of potential that is connected in some way to the physical world.  Perhaps a physical focus is just what I need today in order to get rid of the lethargy of the past few days.  Aces are powerful cards, and especially because this card of potential showed up first in my throw today, it just might be the way to activate all the other cards.  The Queen of Wands (cusp of Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, soul growth, spirituality, and Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive) is energetic, adaptable and enthusiastic; she is filled with persistent energy and calm authority at the same time, and because of this she draws others to her.  She is kind of a self-made woman, with her sense of humor intact.  This card tells of life and of the animation that is the manifestation of life, and the calm authority that comes when we are comfortable with both.  I should know that I have this authority.  I should make use of it, particularly in the physical world (as that seems to be where my potential lies today), and no matter what happens, I should lace humor into the day.

My Thoth cards are the Nine of Cups (“Happiness”) and the Four of Swords (“Truce”).  The Nine of Cups (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, suffering, soul growth) is about emotional satisfaction and the ability to find pleasure in feelings and emotions, and in our expectations for the day.  This card is about fulfillment and good times, about experiencing good luck, and perhaps getting what we wished for.  Emotionally, it looks like I will be able to move beyond the focus on discomfort of yesterday.  Perhaps it is that ability to notice the focus on discomfort, and then choose to not continue it, which will provide my Happiness.  The Four of Swords (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation) can represent a pause or truce or mutual deterrent, or a time of silence and isolation used to prepare for challenges to come.  The pause represented by this card does not happen due to weakness, but rather through conscious choice.  Again, I am being reminded that I have strengths at my disposal, and that it is not necessarily the actions that bring power and Happiness, but rather, the choice to take action.

My Legacy card is Strength reversed, flavored by the Nine of Wands.  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.  The Legacy Strength card tells of “fortitude,” the ability to face danger or discomfort with confidence, yet not seek it out for personal glory.  This card is about enlightenment, but it is also reversed today.  I may be moving in the right direction, but the empowerment being offered to me is not yet owned by me.  My reversed Strength is being flavored by the Nine of Wands.  The Nine of Wands (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) tells us that the final challenge approaches, and we need to ready ourselves so we can guard our assets.  This card also tells of the order and control that helps us to plan for possible challenges or hostilities to come, the way a seasoned warrior would plan.  Taken with my reversed Strength card, my Nine of Wands is telling me to hang in there even though I feel as if I might not be able to endure.  The poem, “When Things Go Wrong, As They Sometimes Do” is in order here, and if I persevere, I just might be able to turn that Strength card upright!

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

My horoscopes: “Your lust for life knows no bounds, but today's challenging square between the Moon and muckraker Pluto in your financial sphere could froth up some anxiety over money. Before you cut up all your credit cards, look at your recent spending habits. Have you been going overboard? Look where you can easily cut back— extravagant clothes, meals and gifts—and rein yourself in. Instead, take pleasure in preparing fresh, simple meals at home and upcycling clothes in the back of your closet.”

And: “A lot of physical activity, possibly including workouts, sports, and dancing, could take place, as your energy, enthusiasm, and stamina are all very high today. Life may be demanding on a mental level as well, but you can handle it. Relations with friends and colleagues should be warm, congenial, and full of good-natured banter. By the end of the day you could be exhausted but satisfied with everything you've done.”

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