The Fool reversed/Ten of Wands reversed.  The Fool is an Air card (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and challenges that tend to require the use of the intellect to solve), and it also corresponds with Uranus (technology, science, radical change), Aleph (the head, youthful learning) and the Path between Chokmah (male in the electric sense, dynamic energy and the origin of vital force and polarity) and Kether (the source; limitless possibility).  The Fool presents some powerful energies, even in a reversed position; I am being told that for today, convention will do the trick.  Also, I may find that things aren’t flowing very easily but that could be because some kind of ending is at hand.  Either upright or reversed, The Fool reminds me that power is neutral, it is the user who is either good or evil.  The Ten of Wands (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitations and resistance, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering) in an upright position tells of the blocking of the creative power of the suit of Wands, most likely because the Fire of creativity has run out of fuel.  In a reversed position, it actually contrasts the reversed Fool card to some extent (because it indicates being carefree and able to live in the moment), but it also tells me that the slowdown indicated by the reversed Fool may offer me an opportunity to let go of responsibilities for a bit.  Okay, I can do that.

My Thoth card is the Five of Cups.  “Disappointment” is Uncle Al’s keyword for this card.  The Five of Cups (Mars, action, aggression, drive, in Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, mysterious, obsessive) tells of the cloudy sludge that is stirred up when still waters are disturbed.  The Thoth Five of Cups in an upright position has its empty cups arranged in the shape of an inverted pentagram, indicating the subservience of Spirit to the other elements, which indicates a lack of connection to all emotions.  Thankfully, the card is reversed, so the upright meanings may appear but they won’t have much power to distract me.

My Legacy card is The Lovers, flavored by the Nine of Swords.  The Lovers (Air, hot/separates and wet/adapts, quick and animated, intellectual, problems or challenges; Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, sociable, dual; Zayin, double-edged sword; and the Path between Tiphareth, the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify, and Binah, female receptive energy and the origin of form and structure) is a very powerful card for me personally, filled with symbolism, the least of which is the presence of Archangel Uriel and His effects on my day.  The Lovers is about love, both mundane and sacred, and it is about acknowledging strong bonds.  This card also instructs me to do what it takes to find out what matters to me, to validate what I believe and what I do not believe.  The Nine of Swords (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, social, dual) represents brooding and worrying, the kind that takes place in the wee hours of the morning.  It is telling me that while a bit of worry is not a bad thing, allowing myself to be distracted by guilt or regret or fear is a waste of good energy.  Yes, knowing that challenges may present themselves to me today that require that I choose may be bringing a tinge of anxiety, but I need to relax.

My 6-digit date number is 5, the number of motion which gets rid of stagnation. 

My Horoscopes: “The possibility of your pursuing new career opportunities, perhaps with more pay, might cause doubts and insecurities among family members, Sagittarius. They could be afraid that you will have less time for them. It's important that you reassure them, as their worries might escalate if you just let it slide. Make it clear that you're still there for them. This might alleviate their doubts and yours.”

And: “As a quiet calm comes over your emotional life, expect other areas of your life to grow more peaceful as well. For any social outings today, try to choose an intimate spot that's conducive to private conversations. Avoid crowded places with loud music or a raucous clientele. Even your wardrobe should reflect your inner calmness -- it should feature neutral colors and comfortable fabrics that frame your face. Let your personality provide all the color.”

Technology:  “Signal strength is strong between you and the boss. Refresh the relationship by keying into the most pressing needs of your organization. By doing this, you'll attain more empowerment and less distortion in the near term.”

My Sun reading: “You energetically run the gamut of feelings and serious thoughts. You unite the former with others and together realize mutual objects. Tonight you and someone important to you may decide to step things up a notch under the Full Capricorn Moon. Talk about defining moments!”

Despite the presence of The Lovers in my card throw for the day, which usually indicates that Archangel Uriel has some message for me, I am feeling drawn to sit by Danu’s Well today.  I need the peace and quiet, I need the renewal that comes with allowing Her energy to wash over me.  Since this is Full Moon Eve, I will have time without distractions to think of the future. 

The sun was out when I arrived at the Well, just past its peak, and it was a bit warm.  But the air coming up from the depths was cool and damp and refreshing.  All was quiet; no breeze, no birds; it was as if I was alone in the world.  But I could feel the sacred energies spewing forth from the depths of the Well, waves and waves of them, washing over me and filling me.

How can I describe how I feel?  I know that I keep saying the same thing over and over again, but words just don’t work.  I am filled with such warmth, like a Sun blazing in my Hara Point, and I know that this is what it feels like to touch Deity.  I love this feeling of connection . . . no, I crave it.  When I am filled like this with the sacred essence of my Goddess, all of my focus is inward, almost as if I am shielded from the outside world.  I need to feel this energy wash over me and fill me, for it cleanses me and recharges me; it reminds me that I do have a Purpose.  Even if it seems that the deeper I immerse myself in my own personal Great Work, the less I am able to describe what I experience to others. 

After filling myself with Her essence, I took out my new BOS, and finally began to write in it.  After the Water Magick Carolyn and I did this past weekend, I finally feel that my New Moon and Full Moon Esbats are complete; now I begin the task of memorializing my own personal rituals in my BOS.  This is a huge step for me, but I am ready.  The Great Work, however, continues on.

As promised yesterday, I did a bit of comparing of the 16^th Path and the 15^th Path.  There are differences between them.  Both end in Chokmah, the Sphere of God, but the 16^th Path originates in Chesed, perfect love which comes to us through understanding our life experiences, while the 15^th Path originates in Tiphareth, the Child of the Goddess and God who already knows true balance.  The Tarot Major associated with the 16^th Path is The Hierophant, who both learns and teaches because of his own life experiences; he is paying forward and teaching others in response to those who paid forward and taught him.  The Tarot Major associated with the 15^th Path is The Emperor, who reminds us that imbalance only happens when we are not existing in accordance with the laws of the land.  This is a different authority than that owned by The Hierophant.  The Emperor imposes order upon his world through his authority, and that authority is owned by him because he has learned to wield it for higher good. Both Paths involve achieving knowledge and understanding that with knowledge comes responsibility.  Each manifests that responsibility in a different way, the 16^th Path as a Teacher and the 15the Path as a Father.  Each provides me with a glimpse of the Goal, that which lies across The Abyss.

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The Hierophant reversed/The Fool 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).  I have spoken quite a bit about this card over these past days as I have studied the 16^th Path.  But here it is, reversed.  The Hierophant in an upright position may be the nail that holds in place tradition and culture, but the reversed card tells us that non-traditional information or methods might hold the key today. The Fool is an Air card (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and challenges that tend to require the use of the intellect to solve), and it also corresponds with Uranus (technology, science, radical change), Aleph (the head, youthful learning) and the Path between Chokmah (male in the electric sense, dynamic energy and the origin of vital force and polarity) and Kether (the source; limitless possibility).  In an upright position, The Fool would verify the reversed Hierophant, but since the card is reversed, I am being told that there might be some tension in my day, along with some closing down of some kind.  Cynicism and lack of faith may also be apparent.  Hmmm . . . .

My Thoth card is the Seven of Disks reversed.  “Failure” reversed today. The Thoth Seven of Disks (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, law and order, in Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn) in an upright position tells of a heavy pause that just might be hard to counteract, due to the Earthiness of both the number 7 and the suit of Disks.  Most decks see this card as indicating a pause that requires some choice, but this card has a heaviness about it.  Thankfully, it is reversed, so while there may not be any reward apparent just yet, action and movement will be there.

My Legacy card is the Seven of Coins reversed (again!), flavored by Faith, which is Marchetti’s Hierophant.  Bookends!!  Marchetti’s Seven of Coins in an upright position is a bit more optimistic than Uncle Al’s card.  The message of this one in an upright position is that while the rewards have been honestly earned, full potential has not yet been realized.  Reversed, this card is hinting at anxiety, impatience, expenses, and possibly an enterprise that is not yet profitable.  Marchetti’s Hierophant is called Faith because Marchetti wanted to offer something different from the traditional Christian Pope (in fact, some decks name The Hierophant as “The Pope”), and his Faith card offers representations of four different religious leaders: a Tibetan monk, a Jewish rabbi, a Catholic pope and a Muslim imam, and tells not only of tradition and education and faith, but also of dogma and orthodoxy, and even fundamentalism.  The message of this card is “Put your faith into practice.”

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

My horoscopes: “Sometimes it's hard for you to believe something unless you see it firsthand, Sagittarius. However, the period you're in now may be pushing you to try and understand some of the mysteries on faith. Though you probably aren't one to do this very often, you may be feeling some kind of mystical impulse that makes you think about the nature of your beliefs.”

And: “You are highly impressionable today, so you can find the inspiration you've been seeking if you choose to. Put yourself in the right frame of mind, and you can move mountains. If you're working on a difficult project or just starting a new workout regimen, visualize the finished results -- and the acclaim they will receive. Use this to catapult yourself forward, and do not let any negative thinking leak into your mind! It's all about attitude right now.”

Technology: “Even if you don't feel all that, remember this: a little confidence will go a long way toward driving you to the next destination in your career. It's all about faking it 'til you make it. The only person who needs convincing is yourself.”

My Sun reading: “Expect busy phones but possibly wrong numbers this morning. Postpone making decisions, because varieties of opinions are subject to change this afternoon. Enjoy tonight's social scene. It's filled with friendly faces. You could also learn something new.”

Carolyn is on her way home.  Back to reality.  And one final interesting tidbit on the 16^th Path.  It represents the Great Rite.  Yes.  That Great Rite.  You would think that the 17^th Path and The Lovers would correspond with the Great Rite.  But think about this for a moment.  The 16^th Path moves to the top of the Pillar of Force, bringing us close to that last leap, to The Source.  From the masculine side.  The side of the Catalyst, the Initiator.  The Goddess is fertility personified, but in order to actually manifest all that potential, the God needs to add His essence.

Cool, eh?

With all the busy-ness this weekend, I neglected to pay homage to my dearest Pagan Brain Trust-ers.  We had a last minute get-together on Thursday night.  And I am happy to say that we are all doing well, we are all moving forward.  We miss the Dear Boy, but Phillie is there in spirit.  And the rest of us are ready to rock.  Excellent.

Tomorrow, the 15^th Path.

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Ace of Wands/Three of Wands reversed. The Ace of Wands (Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, egotistical, Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, sensible, orderly) tells of the first spark of a new and exciting creative process, and an encouraging and empowering awareness of my own valuable creative talents.  This card is telling me to have confidence in my own ability to create what I need, and it is telling me to have the courage to allow things to manifest, even if that manifestation appears beyond my ability. 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) in an upright position tells of being successfully established after effort, of taking a position of responsibility and of being supported by others.  This card is connected to the potential of the Ace of Wands, but since it is reversed, it is telling me that I have not yet tapped into the ability to actually create something new.  Without that Ace, I would say that the reversed Three is telling me to be a bit more conservative, but instead, I think it is telling me to be patient, and alert.

My Thoth card is the Prince of Swords. The Prince/Knight of Swords (the cusp of Taurus, “I have,” sensual, stubborn, cautious, and Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, dual, intelligent) is not afraid of taking action, not afraid of wading into conflicts, and not afraid to implement new ideas.  Emotions and compassion are absolutely not a part of his M.O., and for the good or the bad, he believes in himself completely. He can be a bit rude, sarcastic and domineering, but usually without realizing it. Crowley sees the Prince of Swords as being full of ideas which tumble over each other.  I might need to remind myself to ground every so often today.

My Legacy card is Strength reversed, flavored by the Six of Swords reversed. The traditional meaning for the Strength card (Fire, hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive and energetic energy; Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, egotistical; Teth, sieve or basket, digestion; and the Path between Geburah, the place where forms and structures are challenged or affirmed, and Chesed, the place where forms and structures are stabilized and nurtured) is the presence of the ability to tame our primitive and wild emotions.  Because it is reversed, I may tend to not be able to deal with blockages or frustrations; I need to be particularly careful to control my emotions. The Six of Swords (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, communication, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause oriented) is about hitting the reset button in order to move away from a problem or blockage.  The card is reversed, but it is here, so that reset may be difficult to tap into but if I am persistent, I will succeed.

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

My horoscopes: “Don't turn down any opportunities today, Sagittarius, even if they seem like dead-ends at first. One could be your lucky break. Realize that success doesn't always have a big neon sign pointing you in the right direction. Prosperity simply comes when you act freely and instinctively. This is one of those days in which an unmarked door could lead you to the path of happiness and health.

And: “Just when you thought a relationship was over and done with, today it will get a huge injection of new energy! Get ready for a new beginning -- complete with all the excitement, enthusiasm and adorable awkwardness it had the first time around. This is your chance to do things over again, with a lot more honesty and a lot more confidence. People seldom get second chances in life, so you should greet this opportunity with your typical gratitude and grace.

Technical: “Long-term projects will provide the most opportunity to stretch your creative muscles. Paired with the right partner, you could be a real visionary, shaping the path of your company or division for years to come.

My Sun reading: “Dress for and expect success today. There's much decisiveness and power in thoughts and plans under the opportunity aspect between Mercury and Mars. Tonight you and another settle matters of importance with a Moon/Saturn connection. If you're single, the Moon and Venus say there could be a hot date in store.

I’ve been having a wonderful and busy weekend.  I’ve taken Caroline to just about every special place in Cape May, Higbee Beach, Sunset Beach, Davey’s Lake, Point Park, and our beach.  We’ve seen dolphins by the hundreds, a lovely doe and her fawn, falcons, osprey, bunnies and hawks.  We’ve done sunsets on the beach, had some great meals, and some awesome discussions.  I’ve gotten her up on a bike, and I’ve gotten her into the ocean (on a particularly challenging day) and the Bay.  LOL, I think Carolyn will sleep well when she gets home, but she has really enjoyed herself. 

Onward with the 16^th Path.  In “More Simplified Magic: Pathworking and the Tree of Life,” Ted Andrews names the 16^th Path as the Gate of Royalty.  To him, this Path is connected to the Knights of the Round Table, and their noble intention.  The 16^th Path can also be considered the end result of the marriage of the Higher Self and the Lower Self presented in The Lovers and the 17^th Path. 

Andrews says: “The tarot card for this Path is The Hierophant, a symbol for the upliftment of the soul.  This card’s imagery is linked to the archetypal energies contributing to the spirit of the Divine on Earth in any number of ways.  Through the use of this card, conditions manifest to help us learn to defend our beliefs and to live by the truth.  Upon this Path we learn to face all false sense of security as well as our ancestral fears.  It is the Path of freedom for us only when we are released from everything that is not our own belief. “  Interestingly, the spiritual gift of the 16^th Path is freedom of belief.  This means both becoming free from the beliefs that don’t work for us (through experiencing them and understanding them completely so we can release them), and free to embrace those that work for us.

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Four of Wands reversed/Two of Swords reversed. The Four of Wands (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, in Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, enthusiastic) in an upright position is about building enough to become established, as a beachhead, or about a pause before continuing, not as a finished product.  Because it is reversed, my Four of Wands is reminding me that I can’t let the weight and stability of the number 4 weigh down or box in the Fire of the suit of Wands.  Fire needs to keep growing or it will die, and pausing for a moment to celebrate accomplishments so far might lead to lethargy. The Two of Swords (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation) represents peace and stillness, but not necessarily peace and stillness without danger.  This card in an upright position often represents a refusal to see reality, but since it is reversed, even if I attempt to hide from reality, the shields I attempt to hide behind will be taken down.  Combined with the Four of Wands reversed, this Two of Swords reversed might provide the momentum I need.

My Thoth card is The Chariot. The Chariot 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), and is related to emotional control and the training of our emotions so that we can use them to bring greater good into our lives.  This card is also associated with travel, and about getting where we want to go, and about digestion, since it is a Water card, digestion and understanding of feelings and emotions.  The Charioteer is seen to be successfully controlling the “lower” (slower vibrating, physical realm) workings of himself in order to pass successfully into the astral realms, all the way to the higher planes.  Hmmmm . . . sounds good; but I do need to remember that the success represented by The Chariot is not stable, so it needs looking after.

My Legacy card is he Nine of Wands reversed flavored by The High Priestess reversed.  The Nine of Wands (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) in an upright tells of being pro-active in response to issues, but since the card is reversed, I may find that I am not capable of choosing what to do.  This is the card that connects me to Heraclitus and his concept that constant change is what allows stability to happen.  I must remember to not fight change, but rather be ready to take advantage of it.  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 the source of the power of The Magician, the feminine version of The Hierophant, and the Keeper of the Mysteries.  She is reversed today, so her inner focus will not necessarily serve me.  One reversed interpretation brings us to focus on The Hierophant, who I will be talking about below.

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

My horoscope: “This day will be agreeable, Sagittarius. There is a dynamic energy in the air that's fueling your fire. Have a good time regardless of what you do. An adventurous, high-spirited approach will get you where you need to go in every situation. You have the power to make important transformations that will help you in the future.

And: “Your ability to inspire confidence in other people is at an all-time high right now, and you should be prepared for people to start looking to you for the answers they need. Your credibility is more respected than you may realize, and your reputation for fairness is almost legendary. You could be asked to make a major judgment that involves the future of several people, and it could become a high-pressure situation. However, there's no need to succumb to stress.

Technology: “A personal relationship or two has taken a turn for the worse. In fact, you may not even be on speaking terms at the moment. If you want to repair the damage, it'll be up to you mend things. Just don't take responsibility for something that isn't your fault.

My Sun reading: “Still waters continue to run deep under a Scorpio Moon and Cancer Sun. The depth is compassion and response to another's needs. You could be sincerely in the midst of a passionate discussion with someone special. Today's words will be remembered for a long time.

We had such a lovely day yesterday! We spent most of the day at the beach.  We came back to the house briefly for lunch, but went right back.  We finally came home, showered, sat and talked and then went back to the beach for sunset (which was lovely, Tara, but a bit cloudy).  Then, a yummy lobster dinner under the stars, a bit of apple crumb pie and some long, deep discussions about all kinds of things.  Back to the beach once more to stand in the surf and breathe in the lovely salt-laced air, and then to bed. 

I am the first one up.  The house is quiet, but the birds are not.  LOL, they are calling back and forth to each other.  The sun is out, and it looks like it’s going to be another lovely day. 

Before I head to the beach, I wanted to talk a bit more about the 16^th Path.  As promised, some information on The Hierophant. Besides the 16^th Path, The Hierophant corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes), Taurus (“I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn), and the Hebrew letter Vau (the nail which holds tradition in place).  Many decks show The Hierophant as The Pope or The Priest, and this makes quite a bit of sense, although the message of this card is in no way only Christian or monotheistic.

The Hierophant is basically about education (getting one and offering one to others), about getting and being informed, about learning of culture, heritage, ritual, ceremony, religion, and in turn, achieving a well-rounded world-view.  The knowledge and wisdom associated with The Hierophant tend to be conventional and orthodox, and one of the skills associated with this card is learning to fit into a culture or tradition.  This card is “of the group,” and it does not represent the inner seeking of The High Priestess.  She guards the mysteries, while The Hierophant guides others to the mysteries. 

In a way, this is one Purpose (with a capital “P”) of the Sacred Masculine, and The Hierophant is one representation of the Sacred Masculine (along with The Emperor, The Chariot, The Sun, and yes, even The Devil).  The God always leads us to The Goddess.  He loves Her so much that He allowed Himself to be separated from Her, endured the pain of being torn from Her, for the sole purpose of being able to experience the joy of reunion with Her again and again.  The 16^th Path brings us from the Vision of Love to the Vision of the Source.  Sounds right to me.

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The Empress/Eight of Wands. The Empress was my first significator card, and I have a fond affection for her and her energies. She corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and stable, material, practical energies that are slow to change), Venus (beauty, allure, pleasure, relationships), Daleth (door or womb) and the Path between Binah (female receptive energy and the origin of form and structure) and Chokmah (dynamic male energy and the origin of vital force and polarity). She represents creativity, fertility, abundance, the physical body and its senses, the fulfillment and satisfaction of those senses, and a deep connection to the material world and the workings of Nature. The Empress is also the first place in the Major Arcana that we see love manifested. The Eight of Wands (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, skill, communication, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) in an upright position is about a sudden release of energy of some kind that clears away confusion.

My Thoth card is the Eight of Swords reversed. “Interference” reversed is a good thing. For Crowley, the Eight of Swords (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable talkative, dual) in an upright position tells of interference that is of the sheer bad luck nature. This kind of interference makes us feel helpless and victimized because we did not cause it and we don’t know how to solve it. The card is reversed, so I am feeling empowered; I will be able to see the causes and provide the solutions, by using my head.

My Legacy card is the Queen of Swords, flavored by Justice. The Queen of Swords (cusp of Virgo, “I serve,” practical, sensible, work and service oriented, and Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation, grace) in an upright position represents a disciplinarian, and a thinker. She is open and honest, and prefers that others are open and honest as well, because she’s learned by her own experiences that it’s easier this way. 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). The Justice card is about cause and effect, about weighing both sides of an issue effectively by being impartial, and about making adjustments in order to achieve balance. It is flavoring the Queen of Swords, which to me is the Minor Arcana card equal to Justice, and that makes these concepts very important today.

My 6-digit date number is 7, the pause at peak that happens just before degeneration begins.

My horoscopes: “Spread your ideas out to the world, Sagittarius. Now is a great time to go on a long trip, or at least begin planning one. Explore the far reaches of your space, literally and figuratively. Join others who share a similar spiritual mission. By reaching out to new and different people, you can have some unforgettable experiences with the potential to have a positive impact on your life.”

And: “The only limits on your progress right now are the ones you've put there yourself. It's high time you realize that you can do absolutely anything -- and everything -- you set your mind to! All you need is patience, focus and self-confidence. Today remove any and all of your self-imposed limits and let yourself roam free for a while. You'll find the right direction soon, so trust yourself. Even if you veer off in some less-than-productive direction, that's okay.”

Technology: “You have plenty of energy at the moment, but it's all directed toward new plans and projects. Don't worry about finishing or cleaning up the remnants of past assignments -- someone else will tie up your loose ends.”

My Sun reading: “Today the Moon in Libra symbolizes keeping in balance by staying in the middle. Simultaneously, Mercury helps you know exactly what you're doing as you juggle lots of activity. Tonight may possibly be the next logical step, pointed in the right direction, in an important relationship.”

The 16th Path. Oh my, I am sitting here, thinking about everything I have gone through to get to this place, and I am remembering all the experiences I have had as I have moved up the Tree, and especially, I am thinking about the last two Paths and their bridges across Da’at. The 16th Path is another such bridge, only this one moves up the Pillar of Force/Expansion from Chesed to Chokmah. Lots of outer, active energies!! I am glad that I have the Queen of Swords and the Justice card up there in my Tarot throws for the day, because all that strong feminine energy will balance out the outer, active, masculine feel of this Path nicely.

Chesed is the Hall of Masters and the Home of the Ancients. It is at the center of the Pillar of Force/Expansion, so it presents both growth and stabilization, a nice balanced version of Force. Chesed is about acknowledging my own authority, yet feeling humility because of that authority; a good explanation of what Mercy is. Chokmah is the Wisdom and independence that allows us to glimpse The Source, and at the top of the Pillar of Force/Expansion, it represents the Sacred Masculine, the Catalyst, and the Ultimate Positive. Ooooh, this is the energy I feel when I connect with Cernunnos, and that makes perfect sense, as the 16th Path is leading directly to that ultimate knowledge and experience. And so the 16th Path can be seen as the Wisdom of Mercy and the Mercy of Wisdom.

The Tarot Major Arcana card that corresponds with this Path is The Hierophant; the presence of that card on this Path reminds me that while the Sacred Masculine may draw or gather the power through the Pillar of Force/Expansion, it is the Sacred Feminine through the Pillar of Form/Restriction that this energy is given Form in the first place. The Hebrew letter associated with this Path is Vau, the nail; thus, The Hierophant is the nail that holds in place tradition and culture, the keeper and teacher of arcane secrets.

I will be providing more details about The Hierophant in my next post.

I think it is quite appropriate that I am beginning to work with this Path right now, today. Tonight, I am seeing the Pagan Brain Trust, which is always empowering. Then, tomorrow morning I am picking Carolyn up at the airport, when she arrives for her visit. We will be doing some Water magick this weekend; how can we not, since the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware Bay are at our disposal?!

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