5/10/15 Transparent Oracle Sunday!

Transparent Oracle Sunday! 

37, Guide: Raven (North). North is the direction of Earth, and thus of the physical or physically formed or manifested world, and of nurturing, health, finances and security, and the wisdom associated with living simply, being well-grounded, and being in touch with our physical body.  Raven is a clever bird, often portrayed as a trickster.  Raven is also known for assisting us in the transformation from one realm to another, and known as a skilled communicator.

15, Landscape: Desert (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.   Desert represents an extreme environment that upon initial examination seems to preclude life; actually this Landscape just challenges life, severely, but if we see that challenge as a chance to test our endurance and our ability to adapt to difficult situations, we will prosper.

32, Weather: Snow (North). The dignities associated with Earth are: cold/binds and dry/shapes, and the energies are stable, material, practical, and slow to change or try something new.  Earth is about security and stillness, and knowing what to expect; it is about strength, discipline, and physical manifestation of all kinds, and about enjoying the fruits of our labors.  Snow has a magickal effect on the landscape and our surroundings; when snow falls, it covers everything and hides details as well as mutes sounds.  The mantle of white is made of countless tiny, unique crystals, and like a blanket, the covering of snow insulates and protects.

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  The focus on this one is inward, toward the center of the circle.  Raven is looking directly inward, focused on that Snow, but Desert is also there, acting as a framework for the entire image.  I am being told that this week, KISS should be the guiding concept and if I keep it simple, I should be able to bring my body and my physical world to a good place.  I already have the necessary discipline in place, and here I am, in the Dominican Republic.  Not necessarily a desert, but a hot Caribbean landscape near the equator, my time away from my still-cold home.  But that chilly home is important, too.  Raven assists us as we transform from one realm to another, and I have been given two different realms today in my throw.  If I allow Raven to guide me, I should be able to balance between the extremes with ease!

This is my last full day in the Dominican Republic; I attempt to fly home tomorrow.  It has been a relaxing trip, filled with fun times, good food, good beer, and lots of relaxation.  Soon it will be back to reality, but for now, I’m going to enjoy my day, whatever it brings.

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5/3/15 Transparent Oracle Sunday!

Transparent Oracle Sunday!

48, Venus (Above). The direction of Above takes us up and out of the four traditional elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth, and reminds us that we are but a small part of the Cosmos.  Above also reminds us that while the Machinery of the Universe is huge, it does have an effect on each of us, and each of us is an important part of the workings of that Machine.  The planet Venus corresponds with the element of Earth, and it represents all love and relationships and connections.  This also encompasses mothering, nurturing, healing, the pleasing of the senses, and an appreciation for beauty.

42, Guide: Angel (Above). Angel is the Guide for the Celestial Realm, and you could say that Angel is one of the messengers who bridges the gap between us and the vast expanses of the Universe.  When Angel appears in a spread, some event or effect may have more significance than I think, and I had better pay attention.

13, Element: Fire (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.  Fire has often been used as a representation of Spirit or the Divine, and this makes sense.  Fire brings transformation, animation or life, courage, and intent.  Fire has its dangers, though; it brings transformation through destruction that brings new birth.

I stacked my cards and created my mandala.  Visually, this one seems to focus the eyes to the pentagram in the circle, which is the center of the Angel card.  That pentagram fits right over the circle that is a part of the symbol for Venus, making it look as if both symbols are actually one.  Each of the flames on the symbol for Fire are emanating from the third eye of each of the Angels, and if it was not for the bottom part of the symbol for Venus, the image would have no grounding at all.  I am reminded that Fire is a well known symbol for the Spirit and for the Divine, as are Angels.  I am being reminded as well that my own feelings and pleasures are an important part of the manifestations around me.  I should look for synchronicities this week, and I do need to remember that they may not be comfortable experiences, but they just might end up being life-changing experiences.

I leave for the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, for my annual visit with my son.  Perhaps the messages will come to me during my time preparing for the trip, or even more likely, while I am visiting my son under the warm Caribbean sun.

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5/5/14

The Hanging Man reversed/Page of Cups. The Hanging Man corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and emotional, sensitive and imaginative energy that tends to move deep, and attempts to take the same path as in the past), Neptune (inspiration, spirituality, magick, enchantment, dreams, altered states), and the Hebrew letter Mem (water, stability and balance, the reflective quality of thought), and upright it presents the kind of balance that comes to us through surrender, and through deliberately attempting to see things in a different way.  Because my Hanging Man is reversed, surrendering to the events around me won’t necessarily bring a happy ending to the day, even if I try to see things in a new way.  Today I might be better served by taking charge, at least a little bit. This Page of Cups corresponds to Libra (“we are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation), Scorpio (“I desire,” intensity compulsion, mystery) and Sagittarius (“I seek,” philosophic, adventurous, blundering) and it is a card of soft and tender energies and of getting fulfillment through connections to others, and through innocent and simple joys.  If I decide that I will get good experiences from even a mundane task, then I will flavor that task with happiness. 

My Thoth cards are the Prince of Cups reversed and the Ten of Pentacles (“Wealth”). The Prince/Knight of Cups (cusp of Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause-oriented, and Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, suffering, soul growth) is about feeling things strongly and without restraint or grounding.  Upright, this Prince appears calm to others, but inwardly he feels things strongly.  He is reversed, however, so perhaps my feeling will be on my sleeve today, for all to view. The Ten of Pentacles (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, communication, in Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented) represents physical world wealth and bounty, and the attempt to maintain the status quo.  Yes, this might make me feel happy, however that Prince in a reversed position could mean that I lose sight of the fact that all that bounty needs attention.  The best thing I could do with this wealth is to create something new from it, keeping in mind that my visions of the future should be innocent and simple, and should involve connections to others. 

My Legacy card is the Two of Wands, flavored by Justice 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. Perhaps the Two of Wands is reminding me that if I believe in my own self, others will believe in me, too, and the decisions I make will manifest in a good way.  My Two of Wands is being flavored by the reversed Justice card.  Hmmm . . . 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).  Upright, this card presents two important concepts: balance and truth, and it tells us that the purpose of the law is to implement and manifest these two concepts.  My Justice card is reversed, and flavoring my upright Two of Wands.  Looks like there is a danger of acting today without keeping consequences in mind.  This seems to be the theme of all my cards today; careful!

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

My horoscopes: “You are an excellent friend, and you take pride in helping the people around you. Have you ever thought about getting involved in a humanitarian cause or giving a few hours of your time every week to your local community? Today, Sagittarius, these kinds of ideas could become a real part of your life. It's time to use all of your great ideas to help others.”

And: “A trip to the library could be on your agenda for today, as you may need to track down some intellectual, spiritual, or practical information required for a task or project you're working on. You may find yourself spending more time there than you'd originally planned, as you might discover new facts or ideas that open up fascinating new trains of thought. If your time is limited, make sure you keep track of the hour! If not, have fun!”

Today is my last full day in Paradise; tomorrow I fly home.  This really has been a good vacation!

My next article for my column in PaganPages.org is up, and can be found here: http://paganpages.org/content/2014/05/tarot-talk-40/  Enjoy!

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5/3/14

Two of Cups/Nine of Swords. The Two of Cups (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, in Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, family and home oriented, tenacious, moody) tells of about love and connections, usually having to do with feelings, relationships and commonalities, and a recognition or acknowledgement that a bond is beginning to happen, or is beginning to be restored after forgiveness is offered and received.  There definitely is an emotional reconnection happening for me today, and it is not rowdy; rather it is serene. The Nine of Swords (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, social, dual) in an upright position 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.  Worry happens, no matter what, but the sense of belonging that happens with my Two of Cups might lessen the worry.  In the bright light of day and in the company of loved ones, those problems seem less earth shattering.

My Thoth cards are the Four of Wands (“Completion”) and Adjustment/Justice. The Four of Wands (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, in Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, enthusiastic) is about building enough to become established, about the results of harmony and effort and creativity combined. This card has good vibes; we have Fire and we have a stable foundation, a great platform for creativity.  Even though Crowley calls this one “Completion,” he does not mean the end of an entire cycle.  Rather, he is telling me that the initial stages are done.  Justice is a card of adjustment, and that is why Crowley calls this one “Adjustment.”  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).  To Crowley, this card presents two important concepts: balance and truth, and it tells us that the purpose of the law is to implement and manifest these two concepts.  Crowley also sees Adjustment as telling of a suspension of activity while waiting for a final decision.  Both of these cards have a sense of pause about them, but no lethargy at all.  This pause happens while I’m on my toes, ready to take the next step once it becomes apparent. 

My Legacy card is The Empress reversed, flavored by the Three of Cups reversed. 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, 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 because of this my focus may be more inward, more toward non-physical connections, rather than the pleasure of the senses.  My reversed Empress is being flavored by another reversed card, the Three of Cups reversed. The Three of Cups (Mercury, reason, intelligence, orderliness, communication, in Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody) in an upright position is about connections, emotional abundance, and about blessings.  Again, I am being advised to look inward, or perhaps at individual connections rather than those of the group, in order to benefit from the energies of the day. 

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

My horoscopes: “You should use the day to ponder your professional future, Sagittarius. Many forces seem to be working together to clarify your ideas on the subject. Rather than rebelling at the slightest provocation, as you've been doing lately, it would be much more reasonable for you to think first about the basic material needs of you and your family.”

And: “The study of psychology might be especially appealing for you today. Some new discoveries in this field, which you may have heard about in the mass media, could have piqued your interest and might propel you toward the library to find books on the subject. This is a good time to pursue this. Your mind is in the right space to understand it, and it could shed a lot of light on those around you - including yourself!”

Saturday in Paradise!  Again the sky is blue, the air is warm, and the breeze is refreshing.  Fresh bread, delicious coffee, and juicy papaya for breakfast, as we watched our hummingbird visit the palm trees in front of the patio again.  We did not get into the mountains yesterday because my son’s car needed a bit of attention, but we will be trying again today.  I am resting, relaxing, and enjoying some quality one-on-one time with my son, all good.

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5/2/14

Eight of Pentacles reversed/Justice. 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 an issue for me today, and since it is the first full day of my vacation in the Dominican Republic, I’m glad that I will be able to relax. 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 presents the concept of balance that is achieved through the process of adjustment.  I will be able to remain impartial and thus, well-centered.  Perhaps I will be able to do this because I don’t have to focus on those details; after all, details can be a distraction.

My Thoth cards are the Two of Wands (“Dominion”) and The Fool 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.  Crowley calls this one Dominion, and in order to have dominion over something, you need to be able to project authority.  Perhaps the Two of Wands is reminding me that if I believe in my own self, others will believe in me, too. The Fool corresponds with Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and challenges that tend to require the use of the intellect to solve), 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 is the spark that begins the idea, and the neutral powers of creativity; he is above, beyond and before the world and all its extremes.  He is potential without direction, however, and since my Fool is reversed, there needs to be some sort of “method to my madness,” even if details are not important.  One way of effectively exercising the Will, after all, is knowing exactly where I’ve been and knowing exactly where I’m going.

My Legacy card is the Ten of Wands, flavored by the Four of Swords reversed. 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.  My Ten of Wands is being flavored by the Four of Swords reversed. The Four of Swords (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation) in an upright position can represent a pause or truce or mutual deterrent, or a time of silence and isolation used to prepare for challenges to come.  These two cards send a clear message: yes, you can accomplish a lot, but if you don’t pay attention to what is fueling you, you will come up short, perhaps at the most important moment.  These two cards, the Ten of Wands and the upright Four of Swords, offer extremes; since the Four of Swords is reversed, the idea of pausing and preparing is not being used in an effective way.  I need to pause enough in order to maintain my reserve, but I can’t pause so long that lethargy takes over.  In a way, these two cards present a different view of the first two cards I threw today.

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

My horoscopes: “If you happen to be training for a new trade, learning a new technique, or perhaps you're being evaluated after an internship period, you can expect these pursuits to conclude on a high note. You may have been somewhat afraid that those in authority would frown upon your originality, Sagittarius. On the contrary, it seems the people in charge appreciate it more than you know.”

And: “A lot of paperwork, perhaps involving contracts of some kind, could lead to financial gain on the job. You could make or save some money for your employer, which could prove important. Expect some sort of acknowledgement or recognition for your efforts from superiors, which could lead to advancement or a possible raise. However, there may be some delay with regard to the latter. Don't expect it right away.”

Today is my first full day in the Dominican Republic, my brief vacation in Paradise, and so for the day is living up to expectations.  The sky is a beautiful, intense blue, with fluffy white fair-weather clouds passing by occasionally.  The air is warm, but there is a lovely breeze blowing. 

Last night, we cooked at home, and then relaxed after dinner.  We spent this morning sitting on the porch, talking and drinking coffee and eating some of the fresh raisin and spice bread that I brought from Cape May, and then snacking on fresh-picked papaya.  We will be heading out in a bit to the mountains, to look at some larimar and amber.  We will cook at home again this evening, once we get home. 

No pressure, no deadlines.  Just lots of sun and fresh air.  Yes, I will get stuff done, but I can take time to relax and enjoy.

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4/28/14

Two of Wands reversed/The Horned One reversed. 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 today, and connecting to my Will may be difficult.  Less of a chance for being in control, I guess. 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) in an upright position 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”), and my Horned One is reversed rather than upright, but still I do need to be aware of these tendencies and make the appropriate adjustments.  Both of these cards in an upright position represent an imposition of intention or desire onto a situation, one through the element of Fire and one through the element of Earth.  Both are reversed, however, and while giving The Horned One free reign might be a bit counterproductive, having both of these cards reversed could indicate a bit of lethargy.

My Thoth cards are the Six of Disks (“Success”) reversed, and the Princess of Swords.  Success in the physical world is what the Six of Disks refers to. The Six of Disks (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Taurus, “I have,” Sensual, cautious, stubborn) in an upright position brings an awareness of resources to the situation, both those that I have and those that I don’t have, in both the upright and reversed position.  Crowley sees the Six of Disks as a card of balance, and while that balance is fertile, it is also temporary.  My card is reversed; another reversed Earth card that hints of a lack of effectiveness today. 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.  Uncle Al sees this Princess as being a bit on the stern side, and I might need her sternness and mental focus in order to counteract the heaviness of my reversed Six of Disks.

My Legacy card is the Knight of Swords, flavored by the Eight of Cups reversed. The Knight of Swords (the cusp of Taurus, “I have,” sensual, stubborn, cautious, and Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, dual, intelligent) is outspoken, assured, alert, and logical, as well as rude, domineering, critical and sarcastic.  His daring and courage are impressive, but he can also be disruptive, too.  While all of the Knights can be considered as mercinaries, the Knight of Swords truly personifies this career.  Today I need the singlemindedness of my Knight, the man who can get me moving.  My Knight is being flavored by the reversed Eight of Cups. The Eight of Cups (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitation, law and order, in Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, suffering, soul growth) in an upright position tells of an ending or a decline or a change of direction, often one associated with emotions, and it offers one possible response to that decline or change: moving on.  My card is reversed (and it is flavoring my Knight of Swords) and I need to remember this phrase from the LWB of the Llewellyn Welsh Tarot regarding the reversed Eight of Cups: “A timid nature attracts predators.”  Sometimes the best thing to do is take a stand; I know my Knight of Swords would like that, and the Princess of Swords above will support the Knight. I need to be decisive; no wishy-washy emotions.

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

My horoscopes: “You're likely to feel optimistic and enthusiastic about life today, Sagittarius. You might also feel especially sexy, a feeling you should definitely take advantage of! Why not plan a romantic evening with your loved one? Don't hesitate to talk about your travel dreams over dinner. You never know, he or she just might share your dream. Before you know it, the two of you could be winging your way to exotic lands.”

And: “You have the opportunity to do some intense self-healing today, in such a way where you communicate much more directly with your core self, without the distractions of the people around you. Do what you can to hone in on exactly the internal issue that requires your attention. It is key that you learn how to address these issues yourself, instead of relying on other people to take care of these kinds of needs for you today.”

I am preparing for my annual trip to the Dominican Republic.  I enjoy these trips because I feel a deeper connection to Nature when I am there.  I also am looking forward to some relaxing days.  But there is a lot to get through before I leave.  I am subbing for a Yin Yoga class tomorrow morning, then taking a Yoga Class and teaching my belly dance class in the evening.  Wednesday morning I will offer Thai Massage to my regular client, and Yoga to my regular Wednesday night class.  Then I will pack, and be on my way on Thursday, which happens to be Beltane!

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Three of Cups/Ten of Wands reversed.  The Three of Cups (Mercury, reason, intelligence, orderliness, communication, in Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody) is about connections, emotional abundance, and about blessings.  Often, this is seen as the friendship card, and the relationships represented by this card are often pleasant ones.  This card can also be advising us to open ourselves to these connections, or even to accept assistance and support from others.  The Ten of Wands (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitations and resistance, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering) in an upright position tells of being taxed to some perceived limit, or of feeling as if we are out of gas at the bottom of a hill.  My Ten of Wands is reversed, and perhaps it is reversed because of that Three of Cups.  Yes, the reversed Ten of Wands can hint that responsibilities are being avoided, but I prefer to think that many hands make light work, a perfect interpretation for these two cards.

My Thoth card is the Two of Swords.  “Peace” is the keyword for this one, but that can be a bit deceiving.  The Two of Swords (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation) represents a time of not looking or of shutting out the world.  Crowley’s peace happens because we are vigilant and on guard, and because we abstain from uncontrolled thoughts or actions.  Crowley also presents with this card a possibility of deception, mainly because the card tells of the ability to isolate and close off even strong feelings.  Thus, the outer peace might not be reality.

My Legacy card is the Page of Cups reversed, flavored by the King of Coins.  Clear message there.  The Page of Cups corresponds to Libra (“we are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation), Scorpio (“I desire,” intensity compulsion, mystery) and Sagittarius (“I seek,” philosophic, adventurous, blundering); upright is a card of soft and tender energies and of getting fulfillment through connections to others; since the card is reversed, and paired with the King of Coins, the message might be a bit different.  The King of Coins (cusp of Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive, and Taurus, “I have,” sensual, stubborn, cautious, physically oriented) is the expert on physical world manifestation of all kinds.  He is responsible and reliable and calm, no matter what he faces.  He is good at managing physical world resources, and he shares what he has.  Together, these cards are reminding me that while connections and emotions are positive things, we also need to be reliable.  On the other hand, too much seriousness could be depressing; the King of Coins understands this, and his advice is to help others by sharing our bounties. 

My 6-digit date number is 7, the number that tells of the pause that happens as growth slows and degeneration approaches, usually requiring a choice or a crossroad to be navigated. 

My horoscopes: “Money matters may seem up in the air today, Sagittarius. Your usual practicality may desert you. This could make you stressed and angry because you're perfectly capable of dealing with your finances. Don't worry. The vagueness should pass by tomorrow. In the meantime, get some help, or if your concerns aren't too urgent, wait a day or two. Give yourself a break.”

And: “You have a strong creative bent, and likely feel the urge to exercise it today. Why not do so? Even if you are busy, there's no reason you can't take some time to do some writing. Better yet, why not have lunch at a nearby museum? The works of the masters will inspire you and your creative endeavor will benefit as a result. Don't make up any silly excuses about having to work. Start bringing more balance into your life!”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Eight of Pentacles.  Steady effort and long-term focus are the suggestions of this card.  Often, our responsibilities require that we focus on details over the long term, and keep an eye on the big picture as we do this.  We can build wonderful things through these focuses, but this card tells me that the process might be more important than the end result.  After all, if everything gets wiped away, tomorrow we will have the skill and the fortitude to begin all over again.

I am home from this year’s weekend in the Dominican Republic with my son, Brian.  Actually, I got home early last evening, but was tired enough to crash without even a blog post.  Yep, unusual, but it happens.

Brian is recovering from a bad case of pneumonia, so we knew in advance that this was going to be another one of those relaxing, sit-on-the-porch-and-drink-coffee vacations, but considering the busy-ness of things lately, I had no problem with that at all.  My flight down was pleasant and uneventful, and Brian met me at the airport.  We made a few stops on the way home so we could stay in place once we got there, and then once I settled in, we moved to the porch to relax. 

We spent the weekend watching the coming and going of the local creatures.  Lizards are common, as are all kinds of insects, some of them huge!  We were visited one night by an ox beetle, a relative of the rhinoceros beetle, and equally as huge.  Imagine that thing bouncing off the walls and the ceiling as it tries to escape.  No tarantulas or ground spiders this time, but plenty of moths and crickets and grasshoppers, some of them loud.  Seriously, really loud.  Wake-you-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night loud. 

Two of Brian’s neighbors have chickens, and we were treated to their company all weekend.  There were three sets of babies; I called them the Teenagers (fully fledged but not yet adult), the Middle Group (bigger than the Marshmallow Peeps but just starting to get adult feathers), and the Marshmallow Peeps (yellow and fluffy and young).  We also had a bit of excitement: a newly-adult rooster began his challenge of the current leader of the harem.  We were treated to a contest of crowing, and some fluttering chases, but thankfully no fights.  Apparently once a rooster issues a fight challenge to another rooster, they pretty much fight to the death (hence the excitement and betting involved with cockfights), but thankfully there seems to be enough space for them to avoid each other.  LOL, typical men, eh?

The herd of cows from the large property next door has grown; there were five or six young calves in the group.  I could hear them mooing, even late at night, and often early in the morning as they all headed past our driveway and down the road to an alternate grazing ground.  The white ibis were all hanging out with and following the herd.

We had glorious weather.  Each day we had a combination of sun and clouds; late each afternoon the darker clouds rolled in, and we were treated to a couple of short but intense Caribbean thunderstorms.  Cool lightning, constant thunder and brief downpours!  We always knew when the rain was about to start because the chickens fled to the nearest banana or plantain tree so they could use the big green leaves as umbrellas. 

I find that there is something nurturing about placing myself in the middle of “raw” or “rural” places.  I get this same sense of having my spirit fed when I am on the beach alone, or walking the trails of Point Park or Higbee Beach, or walking along Sunset Beach towards Fader River, or even on my early morning bike rides.  Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the comforts of civilization, but I think humans miss this kind of connection to Nature.  I am blessed because I have these opportunities to recharge my battery in such a natural and truly beautiful way.

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King of Wands reversed/Judgement reversed. 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 bold and courageous, is a natural leader, and earns the respect of others through his own actions.  This King of Fiery energy accomplishes his masterpieces because he combines skill and enthusiasm with lots of experience.  He can control the Fire. Judgement also 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.  Both of these cards are reversed, and it is possible that I won’t have the energy or the enthusiasm or the Will to get them accomplished.  Maybe tomorrow.

My Thoth card is the Nine of Wands.  Another Fire card!  “Strength” is Crowley’s keyword for this one, and it’s upright, but this is the kind of strength you need when you are being challenged. The Nine of Wands (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) tells us to prepare for the worst, but to wait before being aggressive.  Crowley feels that the energies of this card actually bring stability; his mantra is that change brings stability, and stability needs change in order to continue.

My Legacy card is the Knight of Cups reversed, flavored by The Fool. Knight of Cups (cusp of Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause-oriented, and Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, suffering, soul growth) in an upright position is about feeling things strongly and without restraint or grounding.  My Knight is reversed, however, and allowing my emotions free reign may create some difficult situations.  He is being flavored by The Fool, which in this case is a warning and a suggestion. The Fool corresponds with Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and challenges that tend to require the use of the intellect to solve), 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 is the spark that begins the idea, and the neutral powers of creativity.  He is optimistic, and his optimism is going to either flavor the energies of my reversed Knight in a good way, or encourage him to run amok, emotionally.

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

My horoscopes: “You might be surprised by how clever and creative you are today, Sagittarius. Just for fun, you may decide to pick up a paintbrush and try watercolor painting or perhaps writing some poetry. Whatever you attempt, you can be fairly sure that it will work out favorably. Your creative muse is there on your shoulder and waiting for you to make use of her!”

And: “Did somebody say vacation?! It looks like you are more than ready, because you can barely keep your head in the here and now. A friend may talk your ear off and get your juices really flowing. Try to settle down, though, and get through a minimum of your chores or tasks. Later you can spend the time dreaming about the soft white beaches or white mountain peaks that await you.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Page of Wands.  More Fire!! This Page is about confidence and child-like joy, creativity and passion, and she is encouraging me to push the envelope and enjoy the adrenaline rush!  Creative possibilities are all around me, and perhaps today I will only be able to see them if I look through the eyes of a child.

Another Wild Unknown card!  The Ten of Wands.  This is a dark card, but the darkness is caused by the many Wands, acting like dark brambles, blocking the light that is in the background of the card.  Just the anticipation of attempting to push through those brambles to the light beyond them, or even to cut them away in order to allow the light in, is overwhelming.  Granted, the end result could be beneficial, but from this vantage point, all I can see is an almost impenetrable blockage, the overcoming of which just might take more effort than I have available to me.

This was a truly relaxing day, spent with friends.  It is amazing how much Spanish I am coming to understand, through years of listening to conversations.  Not that I can speak the language, but I can understand a bit. 

The sun was out most of the day, and we accomplished a lot and still had lots of time to sit and drink coffee and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings.  Now, an evening thunderstorm is passing, bringing a nice cool breeze, and the soothing rumble of distant thunder.  Soon we will sit outside and watch the sun set. 

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Queen of Pentacles reversed/Three of Pentacles. The Queen of Pentacles (cusp of Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering, and Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution, cunning, authoritative) is very good at sustaining the physical world, keeping things dry and cozy and safe and orderly.  She has a “greatness of soul” and can easily manifest this greatness around her.  My Queen is reversed, however, and today may not be a day for me to attempt to nurture others.  Maybe instead of an outer, physical-world focus, I should look within for non-physical world abilities. The Three of Pentacles (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, cunning, competence) in an upright position tells of competence, planning and teamwork.  While I may not be good at providing nurturing to others today, I certainly should not isolate myself.  Today is about working with the group, cooperating and working hard.  Things should begin to crystallize.

My Thoth card is the Ten of Cups.  “Satiety” is Uncle Al’s keyword for this great card.  The Ten of Cups (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, spirituality, suffering and growth) offers the manifestation of happiness, simple joys, and fulfillment. This card can be said to indicate a repose of the heart, a time of enjoying the emotional connections that have been successfully created.  Uncle Al feels this repose could present the danger of stagnation, so a bit of active awareness is indicated.  I’ve got to do something with these great attachments, or they won’t remain pleasant.

My Legacy card is the Nine of Cups, flavored by The Hanging Man. The Nine of Cups (cusp of Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause-oriented, and 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 a good one, and it reminds me that giving pleasure to others often brings much personal pleasure in return.  I need to remember to visualize my dreams in detail today, because they just might manifest. The Hanging Man corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and emotional, sensitive and imaginative energy that tends to move deep, and attempts to take the same path as in the past), Neptune (inspiration, spirituality, magick, enchantment, dreams, altered states), and the Hebrew letter Mem (water, stability and balance, the reflective quality of thought); this card presents the kind of balance that comes to us through surrender, and through seeing things in a different way.  My Hanging Man is flavoring my Nine of Cups, and it seems that I am being told that good things come to those who wait with a smile on their face and love in their heart.  I can do that!!

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

My horoscopes: “The astral configuration indicates that you can expect a financial windfall of some sort, Sagittarius! This is great, but don't celebrate just yet. While it seems likely that your income is going to increase through a raise or bonus, there are signs that the money isn't immediately forthcoming. Continue to live as usual, though with the satisfaction of knowing that things are going to improve soon.”

And: “Emotionally you should be feeling quite strong today, yet there is a strong force reminding you that it is important to get down to work. You are enjoying the lazy theatrics of the day and you might not have any desire whatsoever to settle down and commit to things that you know you need to do. The good news is that if you do it now, you will not have to worry about it tomorrow.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Eight of Wands.  My day will be filled with fertile gusts of energy.  These unplanned eruptions might make things seem chaotic, but there is a method to the madness today, and lots of opportunities to tap into some powerful and transformative energies in order to get something started.

I am sitting in Kennedy Airport, settling in for my wait.  My flight does not start boarding for another two hours, but flying right after rush hour means that at least for me, an early arrival at the airport offers a more relaxing journey.  The skies are clear and blue, and it looks as if the flight should be pleasant.  So far, I am anticipating making this flight; I’m crossing my fingers!

As much as this will be a pleasure trip, I’ve still got some work to do.  I am hoping that by the time I shut down my computer, I will have cleared my homework bin.  I also packed Structural Yoga Therapy, and I plan on working on some YTT training materials.  Not so terrible to do as I look out the window at the banana trees and avocado trees and mango trees, eh?

Oh, and before I forget again, Beltane Blessings to you all!

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Five of Cups/Seven of Swords reversed.  The Five of Cups (Mars, action, aggression, drive, in Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, mysterious, obsessive) tells of an emotional setback, or perhaps the belief that a wrong choice has been made.  There is a sense of isolation that comes with this kind of setback, and the discomfort of that isolation tends to distract us from the potential of a silver lining in all those dark clouds surrounding us.  This is the second day in a row the Five of Cups has shown up in my spread for the day, so I need to look at it with a bit more depth; however, over-analyzing may not be a good thing, so speaks the reversed Seven of Swords.  Perhaps I am being reminded that often, happiness is not found in an obvious place, and if we don’t look carefully, we might miss it altogether. 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.  My Seven of Swords is reversed, so perhaps my plans will work, as long as I don’t force them or tailor them specifically to my own needs, or expect them to behave in the way I want them to.  Hmmm . . . I think I’m starting to understand.

My Thoth card is the Prince of Cups reversed.  The Prince/Knight of Cups (cusp of Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause-oriented, and Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, suffering, soul growth) in an upright position is about feeling things strongly and without restraint or grounding.  He may appear calm, cool and collected to others, but my Knight of Cups responds deeply to life, and dreams big dreams.  He is real good at hiding his emotions or feelings, whether they are good or bad.  Perhaps this intensely emotional Prince in a reversed position is reminding me that allowing emotions to rule the day isn’t always the best choice.

My Legacy card is the Page of Swords reversed, flavored by the Seven of Cups reversed.  Hmmm . . . all Cups and Swords today.  The Page of Swords (Capricorn, “I build,” ambitious, competent, cautious, cunning, Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, society, cause-oriented, and Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, soul growth, spirituality) tells us to use our mind and intellect to analyze our situations as well as our emotions and feelings.  This Page always asks “why?” and often keeps secrets.  Reversed, my Page could be warning of the approach of some unexpected blockage, or perhaps some indiscretion or leaking of a secret.  The Seven of Cups (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, in Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, obsessive, mysterious), which in an upright position represents the distraction, sensory overload and dissipation that can happen when we are presented with too many enticing choices, is flavoring my reversed Page of Swords. The traditional image of the Seven of Cups shows seven cups, each filled with what appears to be a wonderful gift: the Wreath (Saturn and The World); the Castle (Mars and The Tower), the Woman (Venus and The Empress); the Snake (Mercury and The Magician); the Veil (the Moon and The High Priestess), the Jewels (Jupiter and The Wheel of Fortune), and the Dragon (our Sun and The Sun). Yep, all Major Arcana cards, so these choices are important.  My card is reversed, and perhaps this is a good thing.  Today, I can’t be distracted by enticing choices.  Pleasure is okay, but only in small doses, so that I don’t get distracted and mesmerized. 

My Beltane Pearls of Wisdom card is the Eight of Pentacles.  The Eight of Pentacles (Sun, the inner core of a person or situation, in Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, sensible, orderly) tells me that diligence and an awareness of details is important today.  I should be certain that I know all facts before making any decisions.  The energies of this card are about sustained power manifested through focus, skill, and attention to detail; sounds like good advice!

My 6-digit date number is 10, the number that tells of the completion of a cycle, which reduces further to 1, the number of position, potential, and new beginnings.

My horoscopes: “If you've been doing some creative or job-related writing, today you might be tired, blocked, and unable to muster the energy to turn on the computer. Sagittarius, you need to ask yourself how important it is to get it done today. It's far better to wait another day and do it well than grind out something that isn't up to your standards. That could be counterproductive.”

And: “You've worked long and hard, and now you should be finally seeing results. A long-awaited rise in income could finally appear, as well as public acknowledgment of some kind. Go ahead and let it go to your head! You've had this coming for a long time. Accept all the congratulations, then go out with some friends and celebrate. You deserve it!”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Queen of Pentacles.  [rewrite this]  This Queen represents creative and nurturing energy, the kind of energy that can make each of us feel wonderful, and can make the people around us feel wonderful.  And the icing on the cake is that by being generous and by sharing her own bounty with others she brings serenity and peace to herself.

My column, Tarot Talk, on www.paganpages.org, is live!  Here is a link that will take you directly to my column: http://paganpages.org/content/2013/05/tarot-talk-29/.  The rest of the eMagazine is worth checking out, too!

I am checked in for my flight tomorrow, and I am already beginning the packing process.  Because I am leaving early, I will hopefully be ready to close my suitcase before going to bed tonight.  I’ve still got lots to do, and I will also have some time at the airport tomorrow to work on a blog post, so barring unforeseen situations, you should be hearing from me. 

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