11/27/14

The Star/The Emperor.  Wow!  Interesting combination. The Star (Air, hot/separates and wet/adapts; Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause-oriented, the group, aloofness; Tzaddi, fishhook; the Path between Malkuth, the physical world of action and outer, physical reality, and Netzach, the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration) is the “good will to all” card, and while it can hint at some unexpected darkness, it also reminds us that things will turn out okay in the end.  The Star reminds us to have faith (and this card is indeed the embodiment of faith), for while it may seem to be the darkest night, the dawn is just beyond the horizon, and it is in the dark sky that Stars can really shine.  I think that last phrase is the important one for today, alongside the subtle nature of the energies of The Star.  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), represents confidence, authority, and the archetype of the Father.  The Emperor instills balance, form and structure onto the fertility and creations of The Empress, an important task.  The Emperor says that the best way to make the day have a happy ending is to follow the rules, get things done on time, and encourage others to do the same, and he does his best to guide and protect others so they may do so.  This also makes sense to me.  Sometimes you have to be the big gorilla in the room, but with these combined energies perhaps I can manage to offer guidance in a good way, without being too serious about it.  After all, the day is not about war and conquest; it’s Thanksgiving!

My Thoth cards are the Prince of Swords reversed and the Two of Swords (“Peace”) reversed. The Princes of the Thoth Tarot are actually the Knights.  The Knight/Prince 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.  Crowley describes this Knight/Prince as being full of ideas that tumble all over each other, not a good mindset for today.  This Prince can also be very political, but political discussions don’t work well at the dinner table. The Two of Swords (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation) in an upright position represents a time of not looking or of shutting out the world.  A bit of disconnect from the world can be helpful, but not today.  This card can also tell of the reconciliation of differences (hence the keyword of Peace), but today this kind of Peace could be stifling.  In a way, these two cards kind of oppose each other, even reversed.  I need a happy medium today, and I should remember that my analytical processes might tend towards extremes.

My Legacy card is the Seven of Wands reversed, flavored by Faith/The Hierophant. The Seven of Wands (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, natural leader, egotistical, selfish) in an upright position reminds me that my own judgment is worth relying on, so I should have confidence in that judgment.  This card also reminds me to choose my projects carefully, and then stand by them until the end.  The Legacy Seven of Wands has a personal message to me whether upright or reversed: a test is coming.  Because my card is reversed, I should be able to relax a bit at least for today, but I do need to keep in mind the fact that the card did appear.  My reversed Seven of Wands is being flavored by Faith/The Hierophant. Faith/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, and conforming to the rules and traditions with the aim of presenting the highest good of the group.  There is duty to be found in this card, as well as morality, and a suggestion that tradition should not be accepted blindly.  The Emperor is also a part of my throw today, and since The Star can be seen as a somewhat feminine card (as its manifestations are inner), the entire Triad of Sacred Essences is represented in my cards.  That means there is some good potential to be had.

Horoscopes: “Say what? Today, with communicator Mercury entering Sagittarius, your house of identity, you feel like saying everything--and then some. Sure, you could be making a lot of "I" statements over the next three weeks--and why not? This is your time to express your personal passions and goals. If you don't speak 'em out loud, how will they ever become a reality? Since your sign is already known for being, uh, blunt, do be careful about not overstepping people's boundaries with your strong opinions. The fun part of having something to say, after all, is having someone to say it to, Sag.”

And: “You might want to consider taking a short trip today. Get out and travel. Perhaps you just need to get out of your house and across town. Whatever it is, introduce your brain to a new reality. It is time to expand and explore. Your mind is itching to see new things and experience new places, either physically or mentally. Perhaps a religious sanctuary or quiet place among a grove of trees is what you need to quench this inner thirst.”

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Two of Swords reversed/Eight of Swords. The Two of Swords (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation) can represent a time of not looking or of shutting out the world.  My card is reversed, and perhaps I am being told that my emotions are as important as the intellect and my ability to analyze, and closing everything off and denying outside effects can slow things down. The Eight of Swords (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable talkative, dual) tells of a confused and restrictive response to obstacles.  This is another card talking about restrictions, but the restrictions represented by this card could be coming from the outside of me.  Sounds like a clear message.  

My Thoth card is the Two of Swords.  Bookends!  “Peace” is Uncle Al’s keyword for this card, which he sees as a sort of “be on your guard and keep yourself pure” kind of card.  This interpretation of the Two of Swords also tells of the possibility of a deception of some kind, perhaps being perpetuated while our focus is on defense. 

My Legacy card is The Devil, flavored by The Chariot reversed. Uh oh . . . warning! The Devil (Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and stable, material, practical energies that are slow to change), Capricorn (“I build,” ambitious, competent, cautious, cunning), Ayin (the eye, senses), and the Path between Hod (which provides analysis and communication) and Tipareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) tells of being caught up in the physical world and the effects of the physical senses, to the point of being bound or addicted to those things. The 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 it is flavoring The Devil, and that is not good on Thanksgiving Eve.  Looks like I am going to need to be real careful this weekend, because I might have the tendency to overdo it.

More on my Bookends card, the Two of Swords. The Two of Swords represents an interesting kind of mental strength: the strength to willingly and consciously shut out the outside world.  This skill can be very useful, or it can be very damaging.   The message that tells us wrap our intellect around us like a protective blanket, so we don’t have to deal with outside influences may be a good one.  If we need a bit of a mental vacation, this intellectual security blanket might be just the ticket; after all, once we are warm and cozy, we can just drop it away and go back to business as normal.  But it is when we put that intellectual security blanket over our heads and refuse to see at all, rather than wrapping it around our shoulders, that problems could arise.  This card can also tell of strength achieved through the experience of some difficulty, strength enough to close out any outside influences for a bit.  Again, this can be either positive or negative; also, not being able to find the strength to achieve this can be a detriment, as can a refusal to deal with those difficult experiences. 

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

My horoscopes: “Lately, you've been nursing a feeling that your partner is inattentive. The tension has been building up and today, Sagittarius, you're likely to boil over with the rage that comes from one too many doubts and suspicions. The forecast for love is stormy, without a doubt. But making up after the quarrel promises to be lots of fun.”

And: “Good news about money could have you going crazy with ideas about how to spend it - particularly with regard to the home. Maybe you need new furniture, or have been thinking about doing some painting or redecorating. This is a great time to do it, as long as you're careful and don't let your exuberance get the best of you. You don't want to have repaint, or take unwanted furniture back to the store!”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Three of Cups.  This one is about friendship and companionship, about relying on others and having others rely on us, and about team spirit and enjoying the group.  Nice card to throw on the night before Thanksgiving!

I went to a powerful Yoga class this evening, and during Shavasana I had an interesting experience.  I was suddenly transported “somewhere else,” and I don’t know where I was.  I was laying on a metal table, covered in a white sheet from shoulders to calves, and I was surrounded by the brightest white light I have ever seen.  It actually hurt at first to open my eyes; and even after my eyes got used to the light, it was so white and so bright that I could not see where I was, or if anyone else was there.  I was just laying still, feeling quiet and calm, surrounded by bright light.  I’ve got to think about this.

I will be thinking about my blessings as I celebrate the holiday.  Happy Thanksgiving!

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Six of Wands reversed/Six of Pentacles reversed.  Hmmm . . . reversed Sixes.  The number 6 represents vertical and horizontal balance, but a reversed 6 could mean intensity of some kind rather than balance.  Or it could be telling of a strong ebbing of a foundational energy, which would also cause an issue. The upright Six of Wands (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, noble, authoritative) expresses the celebration we feel when we have passed some test or successfully met a challenge. This card focuses on what is already accomplished, and the pride we feel when we are victorious. The upright Six of Pentacles (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Taurus, “I have,” Sensual, cautious, stubborn) brings an awareness of resources to the situation, both those that I have and those that I don’t have.  These resources are not only physical; they can be knowledge, support, or power, too.  Both of these cards are reversed; does that mean it is going to be a bad day?  Not necessarily.  I may not be jumping up and down and laughing in triumph, but that does not mean I am a failure.  I may not be surrounded by rewards and bounty, but that does not mean I am out on the street and alone.  Some days we triumph, and some days we chop wood, carry water and do the dishes.  I am being reminded that even an ordinary day can be a gift.

My Thoth card is the Eight of Wands reversed.  “Swiftness” is the keyword for the upright Eight of Wands (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, skill, communication, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) which is a card of action, of quick developments, and of pulling it all together so things can be completed.  This card is also about recognizing that a cycle is over so it can be released.  Uncle Al sees this card as representing energy; light and electricity move quickly and allow us to communicate with each other.  Since my Eight of Wands is reversed, today action may not be that easily accomplished.  Perhaps some communication fiascos will be an issue?

My Legacy card is the King of Cups, flavored by the King of Coins.  Wow, two Kings! The King of Cups (cusp of Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation, and Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling mysterious, obsessive) is the expert on emotions and the subconscious, mainly because of his life experiences.  He is a protector; he watches over, guards, and guides those around him with love and compassion. He shows us how to go with the flow, and how to effectively make use of the prevailing currents. But don’t make the mistake of assuming that his gentleness equates weakness! 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.  This King offers us possibility already manifested, pulsing with life and ready to grow and blossom  This King is a shining example of what diligence and skill and a bit of luck can bring to us all, and the best thing is, he is willing and eager to share!

My 6-digit date number is 7, the number that tells of the pause that comes with the slowing of growth as degeneration approaches. 

My horoscopes: “Sagittarius, you're demystifying the concept of talent. You used to look enviously at other people and think, "I wish I had a natural ability like that." Now you understand that the person who aroused your envy with is just someone who had the self-confidence to go to work and refine and develop an aptitude. It's a matter of hard work, belief in oneself, and bravery in the face of risk. You can do it, too!”

And: “It's going to seem like the basis of your social ambitions has taken a bit of a beating lately. The planetary energies should be giving you some new desires. They may be of a more modest nature but this doesn't mean that they won't be important. What motivates you professionally is going to be of healthier, less egotistical, nature. It will ultimately be a positive, more satisfying evolution.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Eight of Pentacles.  This one has been showing up a lot, eh?  It tells me that no matter what, diligence and an attention to detail are important, but so is the ability to enjoy even everyday tasks, predictable and boring yet useful.

I am back to doing my daily Yoga and walks, and thus back to feeling pretty good both physically and energy body wise.  And that is probably a good thing, because my Third Degree Lesson exercises are demanding and exhilarating, and I am doing my best to stay grounded after these amazing experiences!

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.  On Thursday morning, we leave to spend Thanksgiving with friends.  I don’t know how much blogging I will get done, but we shall see.  Saturday is my solar return; I will be 58 years old, one year from my second Saturn return, and official Cronehood. 

Today, I am thinking about blessings.  I am blessed in so many ways, and I am rich, rich with things that money cannot buy.

Blessed Be!

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Ace of Wands reversed/Five of Cups reversed. I only brought one deck with me this weekend, hence the two card throw. The Ace of Wands (Cancer, Leo and Virgo) represents the root of the element of Fire; the Fiery traits have nut yet begun to manifest, but they are there, or at least the potential for their appearance is there. The Five of Cups (Mars in Scorpio) in an upright position tells of emotional disappointments of some kind. This loss usually appears when pleasure was the expected emotion, and while the loss is not the trauma of The Tower or the betrayal of the Three of Swords, it still causes us to stop and think. Both of these cards are reversed, and I know exactly what they are telling me today. They are referring to yesterday, and the fact that my husband misread the time of our flight, and so we missed the flight. I am being told that I should not focus on disappointment or what might have been; instead I need to reconnect with my own personal power, and attract what I want by creating it. I can overcome the inertia caused by disappointment, I have that ability within me. I need to not worry about the details or the formation of a step-by-step plan, but rather I should focus today on tapping into the natural skills I have worked so hard to perpetuate, and use them to manifest my desires.

My horoscopes: Devote the day to your children or partner, Sagittarius. You may protest that it's too hard to find the time to give them the attention they deserve. You don't have time for yourself, much less anyone else. In any case, you will probably feel torn between what is expected of you and what you feel you can realistically give. If you want to dispel the inner tension, take care in the choices you make in the next few weeks.

And: “You've just about had it with being so darned serious. Sure, you had work to do, but it's done. Now it's time to play, and since you've been saving all your energy for this precise moment, you'll have a great time. Your only mission is this: Refuse to let go of the steering wheel until you're sure whomever wants to drive knows what they're doing. At that point, have some fun.

And: “Your emotions are likely to pull you off track if you are not careful today, Nancy. Make sure you give yourself the room you need to breathe. There may be a great deal of indecisiveness on your part that is making it hard for you to take the next step. Don't feel pressured to make a major move at this time. When in doubt, step back and look at the big picture. You will find the answers there.

We had a lovely (but fattening) Thanksgiving holiday, and as stated above, we ended up with a bonus day because Bob misread the departure time of our flight yesterday, and the plane left without us. I am happy that I was able to control my stress because of this, and even though I needed to call in to work and tell them I would not be in until tomorrow, I have kept calm and did not get angry. Thus, I did not ruin a wonderful weekend.

Our trip to Murrell’s Inlet was eventless, all went well. We had a delicious Thanksgiving feast with our friends and their family. Friday, we totally vegged; we watched lots of tv and did a large jigsaw puzzle. Saturday, the boys played golf and the girls went shopping, and then we all got together to have dinner at our favorite steakhouse in Myrtle Beach, New York Prime. Yum!!!!

Last night, we obviously made changes to our plans. We watched more tv, and did another jigsaw puzzle. This morning, we will try again to get home (and LOL, I think **I** will determine what time we leave for the airport).

Since my birthday, I have been kind of probing my inner self very carefully. I really feel that this Fall and Winter are going to end up being pivotal times for me; it seems that I am “settling in” for some reason. I also feel that this is the time for me to finish any ongoing projects. Big things are coming, but they are not near yet. However, stormy weather is on its way; time to decide what is important to me, so that I can protect everything.

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Judgement/Three of Wands reversed. Events, the reason they happened, and their accumulated effects will be on my mind today. My focus will not be forward; today I will be looking back to see just how I got to where I am at this moment.

My Thoth card is the Seven of Coins. Crowley calls this card “Failure,” and it tells of the potential of not getting things done mainly because there is no action. The problem with pausing if your load is heavy is that you might not have the energy to overcome inertia.

My Legacy card is the Queen of Cups reversed. This Queen lives comfortably in her environment of feelings, fantasies and altered states of perception. Because she is reversed, I may find myself very grounded today, so grounded that leaving the physical realms might need a mighty effort.

My horoscope: “A neighbor or relative to whom you haven't spoken for a while might suggest that you attend a social event together, dear Sagittarius. Make the time for it as it could open up doors for you that you wouldn't normally expect. Relationships of all kinds should be going especially well, and this includes romance. If you're involved, expect to grow closer. If you aren't currently involved, don't be surprised if someone new and exciting comes into your life.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Myrtle Beach. We made it just in time for dinner on Thursday. Friday we vegged in front of the television, digesting our turkey, and then went to dinner at New York Prime, one of the best steak houses I have ever eaten at. Had my bone-in ribeye, done to perfection. Nothing like a little cow after all that turkey. LOL, I am a carnivore at times, but I miss my salads. Saturday we walked around in Huntingdon Beach State Park, and we even revisited Atalaya Castle. All too soon, we were back at Myrtle Beach Airport, and we got back home yesterday afternoon.

I ate waaaay too much, but we had such a good time. We saw deer, eagles, hawks, woodpeckers, and of course, turkey vultures; at the beach we saw a pod of dolphins, and then watched a group of brown pelicans as they fished for lunch. Saturday night we started a fire in the firepit, and we were visited by a group of coyotes; they stayed in the shadows, but we could hear them passing by, and the neighborhood dogs went crazy until they moved on.

I felt very grounded in the physical world for most of the weekend, but I spent about an hour and a half on Saturday morning, sitting outside while everyone else slept. I had my moments of connection to Nature, but it was Nature in its primitive, natural state.

Back to reality today, and back on my diet. Christmas is coming, and I need to get rid of some of this Thanksgiving padding.

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