11/26/13

The Hierophant reversed/Justice.  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 is both the authority and advocate of tradition, but today, tradition, ritual and ceremony will hold me back rather than inspire me.  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). Justice is not blindfolded here because this justice comes from the Divine, and thus has clear perception.  Today I am being told to weigh circumstances carefully; I am also being told that I should not allow tradition to influence my efforts to obtain balance. 

My Thoth cards are the Two of Wands (“Dominion”) reversed and the Prince of Wands reversed.  Oh-kay then!  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.  My Two is reversed, and there might be some surprises today.  Control will not be easily implemented.  In the Thoth Tarot, the rank of Prince equals the rank of Knight.  The Prince/Knight of Wands (cusp of Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, deep, obsessive, and Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering) in an upright position usually represents a person of passion, courage, enthusiasm and boundless energy; most definitely not background-type efforts.  My Knight is reversed, and indulging my impulses could get me into trouble.  These two reversed Wands cards tell of an imbalance and that imbalance will be veeery difficult to deal with.  I’ve got to be alert and grounded

My Legacy card is The Emperor reversed, flavored by the Ace of Wands.  Oooooh, okay, now I get it!  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 instills balance, but he is reversed.  Could there be ineffective micromanaging going on, to the extent that efforts are expended but the big picture is not being considered?  My reversed Emperor is being flavored by the Ace of Wands. The Ace of Wands (Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, egotistical, Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, sensible, orderly) tells of the initial emanation of enthusiasm or inspiration that could very well energize an entire process or project. This pure Fiery energy can be unpredictable, and it only presents the potential for confidence and authority, not the manifestation of that confidence or authority.  My only other upright card is Justice, and I need to be aware, light on my feet, and ready to improvise today!

My 6-digit date number is 5, the number that introduces motion to stability in order to prevent stagnation. 

My horoscopes: “Do you often act as if the world is static and nothing ever changes? Sometimes you may think that humankind is a certain way, the world is a certain way, and so this is what you're going to do. Have you ever heard of evolution? The human race is constantly evolving, and so is the world. Look around!”

And: “This isn't the moment to adhere to one particular philosophy, whatever it may be. You may feel frustrated by your inability to figure out which path to take, but ultimately this is very good for you. Continue to search around with your little flashlight, as weak as it may seem to you, because this is how you are going to get solid faith back again! Best of all, it will be a faith tailored just for you!”

Another lovely Chair Yoga class!

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11/20/13

Queen of Wands reversed/Judgement reversed.  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.  The upright Queen could be seen as a self-made woman, but that is not the focus that will be effective for me today, for I can’t do it all myself.  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) in an upright position represents an opportunity to tally up and pay the bill so we can have a fresh start.  My Judgement card is also reversed, and that means conventional, unquestioned wisdom could very well offer something important, even though it might not appear important today.

My Thoth cards are the Princess of Swords and the Queen of Disks reversed.  Okay, not a Queen kind of day today!  I had this pair last month, too.  The Princess/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) encourages us to use our mind and intellect to analyze our situations as well as our emotions and feelings. She does tend to be a bit defensive, but that should not be an issue today.  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 in an upright position as striving to manifest pleasurable surroundings, without going overboard.  That kind of diligence would normally be effective, but her conservative nature might cause her to miss out on something important.

My Legacy card is the King of Swords reversed, flavored by the Knight of Coins.  Court Cards!  The King of Swords (cusp of Capricorn, “I build,” ambitious, cautious, cunning, authoritative, and Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause-oriented, aloof) is a good judge of people and situations.  He uses his intellect to analyze, so he may not be compassionate but he is trustworthy, and he can be trusted to fiercely stand by his decisions.   My King is reversed, and I might not be very impartial today; this could increase a tendency to insist on applying my own methods. The Knight of Pentacles (cusp of Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, egotistical, and Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented) tells of persistence to the point of being stubborn, and caution to the point of being boring. He is flavoring my reversed King of Swords, and he is not quite the mercenary I would offer to that reversed King today.  Be careful!!

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

My horoscopes: “A loving, supportive letter or call from a close friend could be just what the doctor ordered today. You may feel overworked and a little pessimistic about any plans you've made. Your friend should lift your spirits and motivate you to push on ahead in spite of whatever obstacles you encounter. Remember this kindness. Your friend may need the same from you sometime in the future.”

And: “A group of your neighbors may be displeased with events or policies in your community and decide to start an action group, and they could try to recruit you. A number of short trips in your community, perhaps connected with these matters in some way, may be necessary at this time. Your innate idealism could be put to work in some kind of humanitarian cause, and you could find it more fulfilling than you'd thought.”

Did my second Chair Yoga class with the Ladies of the Lake; they are awesome!  I’m really enjoying working with them. 

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10/9/13

Strength/Eight of Wands reversed.  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.  This is the kind of strength that allows me to recognize the things I can affect, and it allows me to release the things I can’t affect.  And it is the kind of strength that allows me to be confident in what I decide to own, and what I decide to release.  The Eight of Wands (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, skill, communication, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) is a card of action, of quick developments, and of pulling it all together so things can be completed.  The energies of this card in an upright position are fast and strong, and usually sourced from somewhere other than within me, but my Eight of Wands is reversed.  Hmmm . . . is this validating the message of Strength?

My Thoth card is The Universe.  Niiice.   The Universe, which corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and material, stable and practical energy that is slow to change), Saturn (discipline, responsibility, limitations and resistance), Thav (mark or sign), and the Path between Malkuth (the physical world of action and physical, outer reality) and Yesod (the place where patterns and images emerge that may manifest into the physical world) is a card of integration and involvement and understanding, a crystallization of the entire issue at hand.  This card tells of a winding up or successful end of a cycle, but that cycle also contains the seed that will germinate into the next round of learning or experiences.  This is the final message of the Majors, but it leads us directly back to the beginning.    

My Legacy card is the Two of Coins reversed, flavored by The Chariot reversed.  The Two of Coins (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution, cunning) in an upright position reminds us that everything always ebbs and flows, and we need to do the same in order to remain dynamically balanced. My card is reversed, however, and I am being told that today, my forte will not be juggling many issues or events. Perhaps I will need to smile outwardly today, even if I am secretly gritting my teeth.  Inner strength is sometimes necessary to accomplish this, and other cards today hint that I will have inner strength. The Chariot, which corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and sensitive, emotional and imaginative energy that likes to stay the same or follow the same course), Cancer (“I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody), Cheth (the fence), and the Path between Geburah (the place where forms and structure are challenged or affirmed) and Binah (female receptive energy and the origin of form and structure), tells of having the control necessary to focus on goals, and to avoid distractions. My Chariot is reversed, and I really get the impression that activating plans for the future might not be a good idea today.  Instead, I should look within, and acknowledge what is already in place.

My 6-digit date number is 5, the number that tells of movement that disrupts or stirs up stability in order to prevent stagnation. 

My horoscopes: “This could be a lucky day as far as money matters are concerned. Perhaps a sum you were expecting and gave up on will arrive unexpectedly, or a chance to earn some extra income could come up. There might be paperwork involved, and the circumstances may be unusual, but don't be intimidated. Think of this as the day you grabbed the gold ring!”

And: “Have you been feeling a little under the weather lately? If so, expect your former energy and well-being to come rushing back now like Niagara Falls. Your physical energy is high, and so is your creative energy. Don't be surprised if you spend every moment possible working on a project of your own that means a lot to you. The only caveat: you might not have recovered as much as you think, and might tire easily. Pace yourself.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Nine of Pentacles.   Looove this card!  No matter what upheavals present themselves to us, if we balance the physical world with the spiritual world (accomplished through the application of discipline and patience).  The enjoyment of this accomplishment is often a solitary one, but I’m okay with that.

Another Wild Unknown Tarot card: The Daughter of Cups.  This image is similar to the image on The Fool, a sweet and innocent baby swan, all fuzzy and cute, sitting in very calm water.  Unlike The Fool, this baby bird does not appear to be contemplating anything that would be even remotely foolish.  Instead, she is floating calmly, gently and passively experiencing her day.  She is very emotional, this Daughter of Cups, but she is not experienced in dealing with her emotions, the way the Queen of Cups is experienced.  However, this means that she is open and optimistic, and she can find joy in simple things, like the beautiful rainbow shadow she casts on the still waters.

Last night, I taught a Chair Yoga Class to a woman with multiple sclerosis.  She is very interested in working with me, either with a few of her friends, or as a private student.  I am so excited about this, because I think I will be able to help her add quality to her life!  How cool is that??!!

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