Ace of Swords/Death reversed. The Ace of Swords (Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution authority, cunning, Aquarius and Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, soul growth, artistic) can be seen as the birthplace of ideas and concepts, and also the beginning of the development of a sense of identity. The element of Air, which corresponds with the suit of Swords, does not have self-generated impulses. However, and this is a big “however,” Air can become formidable when influenced by the other elements. This means that without activation, the potential contained in this Ace will never manifest; I need to be aware of the presence of this potential, and I need to activate it in order to access it. I also need to remember that challenges bring growth. The Death card corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and sensitive, imaginative energy that strives to stay the same or take the same course), Scorpio (“I desire,” intense, controlling, deep, mysterious), Nun (fish head; liberation), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration), and in an upright position, this card as telling of transformation or change, both voluntary and involuntary. Most of the time, this change is connected in some way to existing circumstances, and can seem to be brought about by destruction or endings, but the destruction or endings are not what they seem. I need to remember that the putrefaction (fermentation or decomposition; a necessary phase of a new beginning) of the Death card is a part of new birth, and since the card is reversed, I may either be afraid of the coming change, or I may sense that change is not happening fast enough or the way it was supposed to happen. I need to be aware of this last fact, and I need to pay attention.

My Thoth card is Lust. Crowley saw this card as representing magickal and sexual power. 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. The Thoth Lust card is filled with symbolism validating this ability, plus Crowley added representations of sex (especially from Revelations of the Bible), and rising Kundalini energy (associated in part with sexual arousal). The woman in the image is riding the seven-headed beast of Revelations, with each head having a correspondence: an angel, a saint, a poet, an adulterous woman, a man of valor, a satyr and a lion-serpent; tradition has it that Uncle Al saw himself in each of these heads. I am being told today that I have energy and power to spare, to infuse into a situation, and I have the courage and strength necessary to direct this energy.

My Legacy card is the Five of Coins reversed, flavored by the Four of Wands reversed. The Five of Coins (Mercury in Taurus) in the Legacy Tarot is about charity; sometimes we are in need of it, badly, and sometimes we are gifted with the opportunity to offer it to another. Charity is paired with dire need, and since this is a Coins card, that need will most likely appear in my physical world, either regarding money, security or health. Because the card is reversed, I will probably not be derailed by this need, but I should be aware of it anyway, and use it; the upset is the first step to better things. The Four of Wands (Venus in Aries, “I want,” action oriented, pioneering, competitive) in an upright position recommends taking a few moments to enjoy viewing progress thus far. However, since the card is reversed, stopping to enjoy the view just might hold within it the danger of stagnation. There is still a lot of work to be done, and now is not the time to rest.

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

My horoscopes: You may be out of step with the rest of the world today, Sagittarius, but don't sweat it. This is a good day to finish projects. Your head may be in the clouds and your emotions foggier than usual. Bring more of your fantasy world to the current reality. Don't just talk about lofty ideas and beautiful dreams - live them. You have the power to change every situation for the better.”

And: “The routine of your daily life might not be inspiring you much right now, so today is a good day to explore some stimulation. The good news is, you can easily put yourself into a different frame of mind by putting yourself into a different situation. If long distance travel isn't possible, go for a walk alone in a different part of town, take a long drive to a weekend destination or visit a clothing store that isn't your usual taste. It's all about experiencing new things.”

And: “You may find yourself staring at a blank page for what seems like hours on end while you try to get down on paper what you really want to say. Perhaps your motivation is flagging. Your mind is soaring in the clouds today, and it may be hard for it to keep on task with anything. However, once you start the act of writing, or whatever tasks you need to complete, things seem to flow to completion on their own. “

This is my first week with reduced hours. I now only work Wednesdays, Thursdays and part of Fridays, and I am feeling a bit off center because of the huge change in focus. I am not worried, though; after a week or two, I will be back in the groove. Business cards are ordered for our new business, and they should be ready by some time next week. Then, Helen and I will be ready to start visiting possible venues.

I was in Cape May this past weekend until Tuesday morning. I walked both Monday and Tuesday morning; back into the swing of weekend walking! I saw a really great sunset on Monday night. I headed down to the beach about a half hour before sunset. The sky was absolutely clear, and it was COLD! I had Ancient Echoes playing on my iPod, and I was totally alone on the beach.

The sun was beautiful, a dark golden color and still hard to look at even though it was close to the horizon. The ocean was that lovely dusty aqua color, and I could already see the Belt of Venus, intense and colorful, to the East.

The sun approached the horizon, and then began to “melt” into the water, actually appearing as if the bottom of the sun was being sucked into the ocean. I sat on the jetty and watched as the beautiful flaming orb slowly and gracefully sank into the Delaware Bay. No clouds, Tara, so no glorious reds and oranges and blues and violets; instead, the Sun Father went to bed in a clear, crisp Winter sky. Wish you were there; you would have loved this one.

Tuesday morning, as I walked down to the Cove, I did my New Moon meditation with Hecate. It is getting easier and easier for me to evoke my Elemental Guides without words, using images and effects only. This time, I felt the presence of Cernunnos, and of Hecate, once I had casts my circle and called my Quarters. And typical to Her, just as I am getting the hang of one task, She gives me another. Before the next New Moon, I am to perform a ritual with a magickal working to manifest my new career. This should be done with a focus on the crossroad of dawn. And of course, it is to be done with images and effects only, no words allowed. Hecate also reminded me not to forget my own Dark Moon Goddess, Kali Ma. Hecate explained that She only presents the crossroad; it is Kali who “nudges” me into it and beyond.

I handed in Lesson 4 of my Third Degree Training at Sacred Mists on Tuesday, and whew, that was a complicated and challenging homework assignment. I worked really hard at making my homework answers as personal as possible, and I think I did a good job. I felt a real sense of accomplishment when I hit the Send button, and when I went back to re-read my work, I was pleased. I am maturing as a Witch through these lessons, and I am coming to know myself and my Craft with even more depth, flavor and texture. Yay, me!

Finally, we had a Pagan Brain Trust Reiki Share on Tuesday night, our first with Phillie, our newest PBT member. Another blow-your-mind Share, powerful and potent and filled with heat. Tara cast a sigil again, and played around with the flow of time; I experienced a huge speed-up of time, and then an incredible slow-down, followed by a flash of heat that was incredible, with the Reiki flowing all the while with even and noticeable strength. PBT Reiki Shares rock.

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The Sun/Ten of Wands reversed. The Sun in an upright position corresponds with Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change), our Sun (the inner core of a person or situation), Resh (the face; reason), and the Path between Yesod (the place where patterns and images emerge that may manifest in the physical world) and Hod (provides analysis and communication) and tells of a period of time when I am aware of my accomplishments and am able to take a moment away from hard work to enjoy what I have. The Sun tells of a period of fear overcome by courage, of a time when darkness is illuminated, and a time when steadfastness and reliability are important. 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. The card is reversed, however, and this means that I might see more reward for my efforts today than if the card were upright. The potential to spin my wheels is present, however, even if the card is reversed, and I need to be aware of that.

My Thoth card is the Six of Wands. “Victory” is Crowley’s keyword for the Six of Wands (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, noble, authoritative), which expresses the celebration we feel when we have passed some test. For today, my Fiery energies will be balanced; if I keep my nose to the grindstone and act with honor, I might be able to maintain that balance a bit longer. The cool thing about the Thoth Six of Wands is that it directly connects not only to the number 6, but also to the number 9, as there are nine flames burning amid the six wands. Very auspicious.

My Legacy card is the Ace of Coins, flavored by The Emperor. The Aces present potential only, unmanifested, and the Ace of Coins (Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive, Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn, and Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, dual, social) tells of the presence of potential that is connected in some way to the physical world of Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes; stable, material and practical energy that is slow to change), usually either through financial or career focuses, regarding the home, or connected to my physical body and its health and well-being. I need to be aware that this day contains such Earthy potential, and do my best to manifest it in a positive way. The Emperor (Fire; Aries; Heh, window, illumination; and the Path between Tiphareth and Chokmah, dynamic male energy and the orogin of vital force and polarity) has much in common with the Ace of Coins, except that he has already manifested the potential presented in the Ace. He represents paternal love, which usually is seen as a stern love, an authority figure, and the enforcement of rules and regulations that maintain order. Looks like I will need to impose some structure onto my day in order to get things done.

My 6-digit date number is 5, the number of motion which dispels stagnation. Wow, sounds like that motion is going to be mostly good!

My horoscopes: “You may have many irons in the fire today, Sagittarius. People and projects could demand your attention, yet you may feel so dreamy and unmotivated that it could be hard to make progress on any of them. Creative solutions are the best route for you. Be flexible and open to other people's ideas, and make sure you consider the unlikeliest ways to tackle the issues.”

And: “If you have been looking for a time when things will free up a bit, today might be the day! Even if your schedule seems a bit full right now, you will be able to find all the time you need to explore new interests and focus more time on the passions and hobbies you already love. All work and no play is no fun, so there is nothing wrong with exploring the more recreational side of your life. Consider taking lessons or getting into a more formal environment when you can learn from other people.”

And: “If you're into computers and the Internet, you can expect to spend a lot of time today staring at a flickering screen. You may be doing some writing, or web design, or animation, but whatever it is, you'll probably find it noticeably better than what you usually produce. Intellect joins with intuition to produce inspiration and insight. Make the most of it now, and you might develop some new and lasting skills!”

I am very happy today, because Miss Pauline, our ghost, woke me up last night. I haven’t had her wake me since July of last year, and 2010 was not a big year for her presence. But last night she woke me up by sitting right up against me, and she pulled hard on my covers. I lay there for a bit, smiling to myself, and as the sensations began to ease, I said hi to her out loud.

I was worried that all the construction work we’ve had done since the Summer had chased her away, but apparently our Miss Pauline is still around. I will be here in Cape May again tonight, and I am curious to see if she will wake me up again.

I have been waiting until the right day to finish the Tree of Life, and today feels like the day to talk about Malkuth.

Malkuth (Kingdom) is the tenth sephiroth on the Tree, the fourth on the Pillar of Balance, and corresponds with Earth, the planet Earth (and the solar systems and galaxies of our Universe), and the element of Earth. Malkuth received emanations from all the other spheres in the Tree; all of the ideas and potentials from each sphere come together in the “reality” that is Malkuth. For many, the physical world is the only reality.

Although Malkuth is physical in nature, it is as sacred as Kether. “As above, so below” applies here, and many say that the Tree is actually upside down, which would make Kether the roots and Malkuth the crown. Kether is considered projective and Malkuth receptive. Before entrance into Malkuth we are not incarnate or bound to a physical vehicle; we pass through Malkuth both when we are born and when we die. The danger found in this sephiroth is inertia; inertia is conquered by discrimination and discipline.

We must never forget that Malkuth is not the ending; this sephiroth connects directly to Kether, and a new beginning of the cycle that is the Tree of Life.

My correspondence list for Malkuth is:

Magickal Image: Young Queen, Crowned and Throned

Planetary: Earth

Vice: Inertia

Virtue: Discrimination

Deity: Earth, Grain

Spiritual Experience: Vision of the Holy Guardian Angel

Briatic Correspondence: Stability

Illusion: Materialism

Obligation: Discipline

Path: Path 10, the number of completion of one cycle and the beginning of another.

Now that I have documented the foundational information of the sephiroths, I will begin looking at the Paths, which correspond to the Major Arcana of the Tarot. **smile** There is a method to my madness!

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Page of Cups reversed/The Sun reversed. The Page of Cups in an upright position corresponds to Libra (“we are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation), Scorpio (“I desire,” intensity compulsion, mystery) and Sagittarius (“I seek,” philosophic, adventurous, blundering), and I am being warned that my physical senses will not be helping me to hear the message of my Inner Voice. I need to beware of any strong or vivid emotions, for today they may end up leading me to a place that I do not want to be. The Sun in an upright position corresponds with Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change), our Sun, Resh (the face; reason), and the Path between Yesod (the place where patterns and images emerge that may manifest in the physical world) and Hod (provides analysis and communication) and tells of a period of time when I am aware of my accomplishments and am able to take a moment away from hard work to enjoy what I have. Because the card is reversed, I may be tempted to feel a bit pessimistic about important events today; however, I need to remember that I attract to me what I think and feel. The energies of The Sun may be temporary, but so, too, are the energies of The Sun reversed. The rain storm will soon be over, and then everything will be fresh and new and re-energized. These two cards being reversed might mean that I could feel that I am walking in the dark today, not able to get messages regarding where I am or how I really feel.

My Thoth card is the Six of Disks reversed. The Six of Pentacles (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Taurus, “I have,” Sensual, cautious, stubborn) is “Success” and brings an awareness of resources to the situation, both those that I have and those that I don’t have. The Six of Pentacles also reminds me to be generous; I have grown and evolved through the assistance of others, and now it is time for me to pay forward what I have received in the past. The success of this card is temporary, and since it is reversed, that success may not be apparent at all, at least for today.

My Legacy card is Temperance reversed, flavored by The World reversed. Another Sagittarius card, Temperance in an upright position also corresponds with Fire, Samekh (the tent post), and the Path between Yesod (the place where patterns and images emerge that may manifest into the physical world of action and outer reality) and Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify). This card is one of the cards that has always had a personal message to me; it tells me that balance is dynamic and the ability to maintain a dynamic balance takes constant practice and work. It is reversed, and for some reason I feel that today it is reversed because while the day may start balanced, events will continuously attempt to tip me to one side or the other. The World, 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 the card flavoring my Temperance reversed. It tells me that at least for today, integration should not be my goal. First, I need to get the return to balance that is Temperance upright. But all is not lost! In order to be balanced, I need to experience the extremes that I am to integrate.

My Pearls of Wisdom New Calendar Year card is the Three of Pentacles. The Three of Pentacles (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, cunning, competence); the message of this card is that my own creativity can lead me to both hard and rewarding work, and renown, or a good reputation. Great message for the first day of the calendar year.

My 6-digit date number is 4, the number of stability and depth. This date number today is composed entirely of 1’s, and thus filled with the potential of contact with Archangel Uriel.

My horoscopes: “Do you help the world evolve, Sagittarius? You may ask yourself this kind of delicate question today. Even if you're a person of action who knows how to react to situations, you should be careful not to be too impulsive. You have a specific role to play. Don't get thrown off track by emotional circumstances."

And: “Sometimes inspiration strikes at very inconvenient times, so be prepared. Grab a pen and a pad of paper and bring it along for the day's adventure -- you will need it. Ideas will be swirling all around you, and when you're ready to pluck one out of the air, you should go for it, wherever you are. Bring a camera with you to capture some surprising or beautiful moments, because there could be some historical significance to this day, and you will want to remember just where you were."

And: “Beware of unexpected circumstances today. The good news is that your flexible attitude is perfectly suited to deal with the twists and turns that this day is likely to offer. While other people may get upset when their plans go awry, you will find that you can surf the waves easily, and turn any situation into a positive one, regardless of the way in which you originally planned things to work out."

Today is a day absolutely filled with potential! 1/1/11 positively screams Archangel Uriel to me, and sure enough, He appeared to me as I walked on the beach this afternoon. Uriel brought me to the castle which I entered during a meditation early in my Third Degree training. Nothing had changed much; except for one thing: I arrived at the castle in daylight rather than at dust. In the sky was the sun, rather than the full moon.

When I first stepped into the castle, it was hard to see anything at all. The fireplace at the other end of the room was dark, and none of the torches were lit. Bright golden beams of sunlight angled down from the small windows high on the walls, crossing each other in mid air and creating a walkway of golden rectangles on the floor.

I walked forward on my own; Uriel stood behind me, just inside the door, watching. The four robed figures waited for me behind the altar in front of the dark hearth; on the altar were two candles, unlit, and that pointy tool that I remember. This time, I knew exactly what it was capable of.

One of the four robed figures stepped forward. This time, they did not wear their identifying brooches, so I did not know which Guide stood on the other side of the altar, facing me, face hidden in the shadow of the black hood attached to the robe. He/She/It waited, silently, and I knew that I needed to give some indication that I was here willingly, so I nodded. The other three figures moved forward then, and they all came around the altar to stand next to me. Uriel moved silently forward to a better vantage point, watching silently still.

One of the figures picked up the pointy tool and came before me, reached out to hold my head steady, and brought the point slowly towards my eye, giving my every opportunity to halt the proceeding. But I have done this before, and so I did not fear. Each eye popped quietly as it was punctured, this time without any pain at all, and liquid flowed down my cheeks. I could no longer see at all. Next, the being tilted my head, and brought the pointy implement to my right ear and allowed it to rest for a moment at my ear canal, once again giving me the chance to halt the proceeding. When I stayed still and silent, the procedure continued. The last thing I heard from each ear was the crackle of the tool puncturing the drum, again painlessly.

For long moments, I felt as if I had been locked in a dark, soundproof room. I felt totally isolated, totally alone, totally separated from my senses and from my physical body. A strange feeling, but I felt no panic; perhaps because I had been through this before and trusted my Guides. I spent a bit of time thinking about how my ears and my eyes were not the source of my sight and my hearing, but only tools that brought data to my brain, to be interpreted. My eyes don’t actually see, my brain does. My ears don’t actually hear, my brain does. I remembered that the last time my senses were removed, I was tasked with learning to “see” without my eyes. The stakes are raised this time, for both my eyes and my ears have been taken from me.

Then, I was no longer alone. I could feel hands wiping my eyes and my ears gently, and then wrapping bandages. I was not alone; my Guides were there, even if I could not hear them or see them. Once they had completed their ministrations, I was alone again in silence and darkness for a moment, but then I felt Uriel’s hand on my shoulder. I heard Him speak, not with my ears but with my mind. He said: “Listen. Observe. Understand.” And then he was gone.

Interesting way to start the year.

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The Star reversed/Nine of Cups. The Star in an upright position corresponds with Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and quick, animated and intellectual energy that may present problems or challenges), Aquarius, Tsadi (fish hook, experience or thought), and the Path between Yesod (the place where patterns and images emerge that may manifest into the physical world) and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration), and it reminds me that while I may feel today that I have lost the path to enlightenment, if I look carefully I will see that really, nothing was lost at all. Sometimes the best way to really understand something is to move away fro it for a bit, and since The Star is reversed, I think I need to focus on other things for a bit in order to truly understand The Star. The Nine of Cups (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, soul growth, spirituality) is about powerful satisfaction on all levels (emotional, physical and spiritual) and a fulfilling sense of accomplishment. This is the “Happiness” card, and it shows that emotions are flowing in a nice and even manner, affecting many different parts of the day in a positive fashion. Perhaps once I allow this nice flow of energy to integrate my feelings, my emotion and my spiritual self, I will be able to turn that Star upright.

My Thoth card is the Nine of Cups. “Happiness” is throwing **two** Nine of Cups cards in one day! Crowley describes the happiness presented by this card as being that which is brought to us through good luck and the graces of Dame Fortune. The Cups on the Thoth card are arranged in the shape of the Tree of Life, with the water flowing out of the top Cup (Kether) and overflowing; in typical Crowley fashion, we are warned by this card that being sated contains an element of danger: stagnation, so we need to keep moving.

My Legacy card is the Six of Wands, flavored by The Hermit reversed. The Six of Wands (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, noble, authoritative), tells me that I have been tested, and have been successful in overcoming the challenges of that test. However, I am told to allow myself only a momentary rest on my laurels, for I don’t want to allow the fire of achievement to die out. The Hermit in an upright position corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and material, practical and stable energy that is slow to change), Virgo (“I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented, orderly). Yod (open hand, touch), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Chesed (the place where forms and structure are stabilized and nurtured), and points to hidden knowledge, attained through seclusion and tough introspection. The card is reversed, so I am being told that at least for today, I should allow myself to connect with the outer world and the ecstasies available there.

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

My horoscopes: “It's time to loosen up, Sagittarius. The planetary aspects bring a new cycle of tolerance and understanding your way. You could use a bit of both. Take baby steps as you introduce the kinder, gentler you to your friends and co-workers. They won't accept a rapid transformation, but they won't mind gradual changes. Listen more and speak less. This can make a big difference in a relationship.

And: “Whether it's giving from your heart or letting others know that you're there for them because it's your duty, you're not shy about being generous. You've been put in a position of leadership lately, and are quite happy to do it. Your reward will be along shortly, and while you won't expect it, don't act like you don't deserve it. You do, and you know it. So if others want to thank you, let them. Smile discreetly, and don't duck out the back door.”

And: “It's on days like today that it's important to take time out to reflect upon the events of the past few days. Is it possible you've decided to change certain things about yourself and your behavior? If you could just devote a few minutes a day to all the little details in your personality, the changes will go much more smoothly. The atmosphere today may help you think about this.

The Blizzard of 2010 is now history. I was out walking yesterday when the first flakes began to fall at about 10:45 am. By the time my walk was finished, it was snowing lightly but steadily. When we woke up this morning, there was at least 20 inches, if not 2 feet, of snow on the ground. And so the shoveling began, but despite being cold, the sun was shining and the sky was blue; a glorious Winter day! It is almost 2:30 pm now; I don’t have to go into work, so I am getting some things done on the computer, and then I am going for a walk.

The next sephiroth on the Tree of Life is Yesod.

Yesod (Foundation ) is the ninth sephiroth on the Tree, the third on the Pillar of Balance, and like the Moon, which is the heavenly body most easily reached from our Earth, it is the most easily reached non-physical sephiroth of the Tree. Yesod provides the life force that animates our physical selves, so in a sense, we are always experiencing Yesod. Yesod contains the astral or etheric plane, and it is within Yesod that we build thoughtforms and intentions. It is the sphere of illusion, and like the Moon, which appears to grow and shrink but actually stays the same size, Yesod is the hole of our visualizations of that which is not yet manifested in physical form.

Yesod is not only the last step before physical manifestation, but it is the first step after physical manifestation as well. Our physical bodies are born and die within Malkuth, but our personalities are born and die within Yesod. This sphere is the home of the Self, and of the Dark Night of the Soul. Only after we dispel the illusion of failure and do the work to achieve forward motion once again will we truly understand the energies of Yesod.

My correspondence list for Yesod is:

Magickal Image: Beautiful Naked Man, Very Strong

Planetary: Moon

Vice: Idleness

Virtue: Independence

Deity: The Moon, Fertility

Spiritual Experience: Vision of the Machinery of the Universe

Briatic Correspondence: Receptivity, Perception

Illusion: Security

Obligation: Trust

Path: Path 9, the number of completeness of experience.

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Three of Cups/Nine of Cups. The Three of Cups (Mercury, reason, intelligence, orderliness, communication, in Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive tenacious, nurturing, moody) tells me that the possibility of experiencing emotional abundance and support are a part of the day. To me, they are both important, and the loving support of those I respect is just as pleasing as feeling good. This card also reminds me that it is similarities that bring people together; if I want to be certain that any group has a strong connection, I have only to look for the common thread, and nurture it. The Nine of Cups (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, soul growth, spirituality) is about powerful satisfaction on all levels (emotional, physical and spiritual) and a fulfilling sense of accomplishment. This is the “Happiness” card, and it shows that emotions are flowing in a nice and even manner, affecting many different parts of the day in a positive fashion. What a nice pair!

My Thoth card is the Five of Swords . . . again. “Defeat” ” is Crowley’s keyword for the Five of Swords (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, pleasure, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, cause-oriented, the group, aloof), and this card shows up in my Thoth card pull often. It focuses on victory and defeat, but not your usual, run-of-the-mill versions of these two results. This card tells of a possible attack of some kind and of victory attained by unethical methods, and whether I am on the winning side or the losing side of the issue, this card is telling me that there is a potential for harm, or even for me to have to deal with vengeance. Crowley calls the Five of Swords “Defeat” for a reason; since the quarrel has broken out at all, we are all losers because we were not able to find a solution. The image on this card is of a reversed pentagram, with the crowned point, representing Spirit, being shown on the bottom and being ruled by the points representing Earth and Fire. Perhaps this gives me a hint as to why this card keeps showing up with this deck in this position (which I personally see as the card that connects to my throat chakra and the manner in which I connect with my own energy and with the world, through my aura and chakras). The defeat is possible because of an imbalance; too much focus on passions and the physical realms, and not enough focus on Spirit. Perhaps that imbalance will be alleviated by the Cups in the first part of my spread today if I am able to experience those pleasures in a spiritual manner. Another danger associated with the energies of this card is disillusionment. Despite the fact that most of the cards I threw today are telling of the potential for fulfillment and feeling good, I should be certain that I don’t feel empty at the end of the day. Especially potent is the message of that Nine of Cups, for while it is the Wish Card, we need to be careful what we wish for, because we just might get it!

My Legacy card is the Queen of Cups reversed, flavored by The Devil reversed. The Queen of Cups (cusp of Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable, dual, and Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody) in an upright position is at ease in emotional situations, and she is sensitive to the emotional states around her. She understands very well that the way to get meaning into life is to love, to love others and to love oneself; because the card is reversed, I am being told that I am not connecting to the power of love in the correct way. In an upright position, The Devil corresponds with 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 Devil is about bondage, addiction and restrictions of all kinds, often connected to the physical world; because the card is reversed, I am being told that today, any restrictions that have in the past held me back from moving forward will now be fading away. I am believing in myself, and thus I am defeating the bondages of The Devil.

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

My horoscopes: “Things may seem a little cloudy today, Sagittarius, but this is no reason to be blue. It could be that you need to make adjustments before you can smoothly relate to others. Take this opportunity to attend to things that you normally wouldn't think of. See things from the perspective of someone in another walk of life. Realize the fun of just staying home and falling asleep on the couch.

And: “Finding a new way to celebrate is the perfect task for you, and right now you're seeing that the traditions you and your family and friends have built could absolutely use some creative augmentation. Look for ways to strengthen your little community, and ways to ground it in the larger one. Spending a day volunteering together may be the best gift you could ever give -- and all those warm and fuzzy feelings don't cost a dime.

And: “Stress from whatever career pressures you've been experiencing might cause you to feel a bit under the weather. Yet, you're probably unwilling to take some time off, because you're too concerned about finishing what you're doing in a timely manner. It's important to remember that you won't finish it at all if you exhaust yourself. Move slowly and steadily, and take time out to relax a little, and all will go more smoothly than you think.

I am presently a Third Degree Dedicant and Second Degree Initiated Priestess of the Sacred Mists Coven. While “tail end” is not exactly the right term for the status of my studies at Sacred Mists for it will probably be at least another year, if not more, before I am ready to Initiate as a Third Degree Priestess, when looking at the time and effort that I put into my First Degree and then Second Degree Training, and what I have already accomplished so far in my Third Degree Training, I would be justified in saying that I am at the tail end of my goal of becoming an ordained Wiccan Priestess.

My husband, Bob, on the other hand is a professed atheist. While he supports my studies and my Path completely, he does not believe in the existence of any kind of God. Today, as I did my morning walk, I pondered a subject that has bothered me lately: how do I explain to a “non-woo woo” person exactly what I believe Deity to be. I think I’ve finally managed to make the pieces fit in my mind, and now would be the perfect time to document my thoughts.

So, here goes. First, I will say that while Bob defines himself spiritually as an atheist, I think a better label for him would be agnostic. I believe that Bob can’t say that he believes in a supreme being because he has not found a description of a supreme being that works for him, that makes sense for him. He does not connect with organized religion at all. This day and age, with some of the crazy things being put out in the public by some of the more fundamentalist versions of the Abrahamic religions, I can certainly understand why Bob is turned off completely by the version of God put out there by some Christians, despite the fact that his maternal lineage is Irish Catholic, and his aunt is a Dominican Nun. He comes from a spiritual family, and has grown up like many, seeing God as the entity presented by his family’s religious tradition as the correct version.

To me, Deity is not a person, or a person-like form; Deity in its natural state does not resemble an animal or a tree or a cloud or a volcanic eruption. All of those things contain the “life force” or “style of manifestation” that can be said to be proof of the existence of that “pure catalyst” that is Deity, or they can be said to be “manifestations” that happen because of the effect of the presence of Deity, but those things are not themselves Deity.

My own view of exactly what Deity is has changed and evolved as I have learned about myself, the workings of the human body and psyche, and about my spiritual Path. Do I sometimes communicate with a specific image of Deity? Yes, I do. But I also have connected to “something” that identifies Itself as The Source, which has no form, only effects.

The problem here is that the human mind identifies things and feelings and effects by matching them with similar patterns within its experience. I have likened this concept in previous entries to this journal as a “pattern catalogue” in the mind that contains patters which define all the experiences of a particular lifetime. This is the part of the mind that causes you to walk into a dark house and, for a split second, see a coat hanging on a coat rack as an intruder hiding in the corner. Your eyes see a shape, and your mind instantly flips through its pattern catalogue and presents to your conscious self the first match. This might not be the right match in the end, but since at least initially, the mind perceives the unknown as a threat, it attempts to identify the shape as soon as possible. Each person has one of these pattern catalogues, and because of the uniqueness of each life’s experiences, no two pattern catalogues are exactly alike.

That which we all define as God or Goddess or Supreme Being is not an individual entity with shape and form at all. It is an energy (for lack of a better word) that is pure, vibrating or pulsing at the highest frequency possible. This energy is responsible for life of all kinds, discernable effects of all kinds, and physical matter (including bio matter) as we know them. And, this energy is also responsible for all the things that we maybe can perceive, but certainly can’t understand and explain.

We are still evolving; Deity is not. And unfortunately, none of us has a single entry in each of our unique pattern catalogues that can correctly represent this hard to describe energy that is Deity. My description is lacking because, like every other Mystery associated with true spiritual growth, we don’t have words to describe this inner “knowing” that manifests through methods other than words. Like the blind man who understands in principle the definition of the color “orange,” but cannot comprehend what orange looks like because he does not have the way that color looks in his pattern catalogue, we are unable to comprehend completely or perceive what Deity actually is.

We seem to be programmed to need the presence of Deity in our lives. Interaction of some kind with a Supreme Being is one very effective way to feel fulfillment; not the only way, by any means, but it seems to work well. The cool thing is that I believe the pure energy that is Deity is programmed to respond to the attempts of communication offered by beings that are of “lower vibration” than He/She/It is, such as humans. When I attempt to connect to and communicate with Deity, Deity will respond to me.

Okay, here’s where that pattern catalog comes into effect. In order to identify with Deity and to connect with Deity and to be able to comprehend at least partially what Deity is and what Deity says to us, we need to match Deity to at least one entry in our pattern catalogue; otherwise our brain will refuse to acknowledge the validity of the existence of God, and the validity of any message. Because each of us grew up within families and traditions and cultures and common experiences, we seem to be predisposed to see Deity in certain ways. Most modern civilized humans tend to see God as a person, a man or a woman. In other words, they see God as existing in their own image because this allows the mind to accept and understand and visualize that which cannot be understood or visualized. We humanize our Gods, and even if they look like an animal, they usually have human traits and abilities; and after all, there are entries in our pattern catalogues for animals.

The difficulty in believing happens when a person experiences a personal trauma that completely shakes up all beliefs, or when a person becomes educated enough to know that a literal interpretation of sacred texts or certain core beliefs attached to a particular religion can no longer be seen as literal truths, but rather as myths which may have an important ethical moral, but which are not about real, scientifically provable beings.

Of course, the reason that person can’t successfully fit the piece into the puzzle is that Deity is not an individual entity. While the “energy” that is Deity can take form (and can personalize that form for us so that we can more easily accept and understand and believe in Him/Her/It), in His/Her/Its natural state, it is more of an effect than a form. And since this energy is not of the physical world, it is difficult to measure using physical world measuring devices. A pattern catalogue entry cannot even be created for that person.

I have stated elsewhere in this journal that if I had to choose an image to represent the Feminine Sacred that would be in most people’s pattern catalogue, I would choose DNA. DNA is a part of life, every kind of life, from pond scum to Stephen Hawkings; DNA is an instruction booklet that offers a recipe of ingredients that will create a specific individual life form. To me, DNA is an “image” of Goddess.

If I had to choose an image to represent the Sacred Masculine that would be in most people’s pattern catalogue, I would choose the existence of the actual life form, its creation and manifestation occurring according to the recipe of its DNA. To me, the actual following of the recipe to create the end product, and the life and living of the end product, is an “image” of God.

Neither of these are exactly right; we have that problem once again of finding the right words to describe a non-verbal concept such as a belief or feeling. But neither of these are individual entities, either. Because God/Goddess/Deity is **not** an individual entity or “force with form” in its natural form.

So are all those images false? Not really. The energy that is Deity can present Himself/Herself/Itself in a way that enables us to connect with and understand Him/Her/It. And, our own beliefs have an effect on how Deity appears to us. We want, no, we **need** to be able to find that entry for God in our pattern catalogue, and so that need ends up creating a shape or form that works for us. So the image that comes into my mind when Danu speaks to me is the correct image of Her for me.

**sigh** Well, that still is not a simple explanation, is it? LOL, I guess I need to study my own thoughts in order to understand them.

Merry Christmas!

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Judgement reversed/Ace of Cups. Judgement corresponds with Fire (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change), Pluto (power, metamorphosis, cycles of dying and becoming), Shin (fang), and the Path between Malkuth (the physical world of action and physical, outer reality) and Hod (provides analysis and communication), and in an upright position it represents the integration of the entire self, through answering for your actions and receiving the appropriate response. Because the card is reversed, that integration is not happening right now, but the potential for it to happen is there because the card is there. I must remember that where I have been determines where I am going, and perhaps I need to look back a bit before I close the chapter. The Ace of Cups (Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation, Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, deep, mysterious, obsessive, Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) tells of the potential for the beginning of a relationship of some kind, one that may be filled with the potential to bring enlightenment and understanding. This Ace is not a guaranty of happiness, but it tells me that I have the power to make happiness for myself. Most important: I need to love myself no matter what the outcome; I should always remember what my Patroness, Danu, told me: “There is no judgment here; only that which you impose upon yourself.”

My Thoth card is Death reversed. Excellent! Perfect card for Yule day! The Death card corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts, and sensitive, imaginative energy that strives to stay the same or take the same course), Scorpio, Nun (fish head; liberation), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration), and Uncle Al sees this card as telling of transformation or change, both voluntary and involuntary. Most of the time, this change is connected in some way to existing circumstances, and can seem to be brought about by destruction or endings, but the destruction or endings are not what they seem. The Thoth Death card is connected to the alchemic process of putrefaction (fermentation or decomposition; a necessary phase of a new beginning), the passage of time, and the process of rebirth. Because the card is reversed, there may be fear of change, or alternatively, a sense that change is not happening fast enough or the way it was supposed to happen. I need to be aware of this last fact, and I need to pay attention.

My Legacy card is the Queen of Cups, flavored by Judgement. Bookends Judgement cards! The Queen of Cups (cusp of Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable, dual, and Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody) is at ease in emotional situations, and she is sensitive to the emotional states around her. She understands very well that the way to get meaning into life is to love, to love others and to love oneself, and that is her message to me today. Love is the great connector, and it opens the door to both spiritual fulfillment and self-forgiveness. Only by reconciling the different parts of myself can I finally hope to attain that fulfillment. I need to be aware of where I have been as well as where I want to go; with this awareness I will be prepared to begin the next journey.

And LOL, on a “bookends day,” 12/21, I have bookend cards! Here is a bit more in-depth information about the Judgement card. Judgement has similarities to Justice, Death and The Tower. However, the Judgement card is not about destruction or creation, but rather about celebrating successes, admitting to and owning failures, and creating integration. It is the penultimate card of the Major Arcana, followed only by The World, which is the gateway to a new cycle of evolution. Judgement prepares for that new cycle by dealing with past events and understanding their consequences in order to wipe the slate clean. It tells us that the time is here to make a fresh start, even if that fresh start involves making some hard choices, and guilt or self-recrimination will only hold us back. Judgement is the XXI card, and the number 21 reduces to the number 3, corresponding with the concept of location, breadth, and the creation of something new from a pair of polar opposites.

My Pearls of Wisdom Full Moon card is the Page of Cups, and my Pearls of Wisdom Lunar Eclipse card is the Ace of Cups reversed. Cool; these two cards are connected, for traditionally the Page is seen as bringing the message of the Ace to a Seeker. The Pearls of Wisdom Page of Cups (Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius) is seen as being courtly, reflective, trustworthy and helpful. He feels things strongly, probably too strongly for his lack of experience, but in any event, he kneels reverently before the Great Mother. His message is regarding the Ace of Cups, which in an upright position is interpreted by the Pearls of Wisdom Tarot as presenting a clearing or cleaning of the heart that brings new freedom and spiritual refreshment. Because the Ace is reversed, my Page may be reminding me that my feelings have an impact, and thus I need to be more aware of what I am allowing myself to feel. No matter what, I should not forget to acknowledge the privilege of living, of being alive. I need to see events as positive for me, even if at times I fear that I am in over my head.

My Pearls of Wisdom Yule/Winter Solstice card is the Ace of Wands reversed. Another reversed Ace! The Ace of Wands (Cancer, Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, egotistical, Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, sensible, orderly) in an upright position tells of the first spark of a new and exciting creative process, and an encouraging and empowering awareness of my own valuable creative talents. Because the card is reversed, I may not be too confident about those talents, but they are there! I need to focus on reconnecting with them as this new year begins.

Since I have a bookend pair of the Ace of Cups, here is a bit of in-depth information about this Ace. The Ace of Cups is seen to represent the Holy Grail, and Love. All of the Aces represent the purest root or potential of their individual suits; that potential is real, but it is waiting for a catalyst in order to begin the process of manifestation. The suit of Cups is about feelings, emotions, intuition and the subconscious, and so the potential presented by this Ace could very well manifest into one of those effects, or illuminate my current position regarding them. The potential found within the Ace of Cups also assists us in empathizing with others, and understanding the emotions of others. It presents the desire to understand, and thus the need to manifest the understanding. Connections to others create intimacy, and it is through intimate relationships that we form strong bonds. Whether upright or reversed, the presence of the Ace of Cups in a spread usually indicates that in the end, we will find that love is at the heart of the matter.

My 6-digit date number is 7, the number that represents the pause before degeneration begins.

My horoscopes: “You have the gift of being able to get your great ideas across to others. In your family, you may be the one who teaches your children about life and its responsibilities. Today someone might teach you something you didn't know. You should never forget that education means communication, and communication is the exchange of ideas.”

And: “You're just being you, enjoying the hubbub all around you and following your mood. The funny thing is, your relaxed manner and optimistic attitude are far more alluring than other people's best come-hither looks or tightest pants. So right about now, you're attracting all sorts of admirers, for all the right reasons. And interestingly, relationships are in the stars. If you're in one, it may intensify; if not, you soon could have that option.”

And: “Rational thought gets muddled today as everything seems to be happening to you at once. Everyone wants your advice, lots of people need favors, and there are plenty of new tasks waiting for you. Stay calm and don't react by getting short with people. Play triage officer and help those in the most need first. Warn the others you might not get to them. This way you won't make yourself crazy. Hang in there!”

Looks like today’s post is mostly about Tarot. But I will add this bit of Yule Joy: I brought a box full of crystals outside after dark last night and spread them out on the table on our back yard deck, as well as some water (to be charged for my personal rituals), so that all could be charged under the Yule full moon and the lunar eclipse scheduled for the wee hours of Yule morning. What a great opportunity to get a huge bang for my buck, energy-wise! I then set my alarm for about 3:10 am, and my son, Brian (who also got up to view the eclipse), and I put on our coats and went outside. The moon was high in the sky and was a beautiful copper color; I stood for long moments, allowing the diffused eclipsed light and the lovely full moon lunar energy (the moon was full at 3:14 am, while we were outside) to fill my aura, before going back to bed for a few more hours. I am still tingling! Then, I spent some time at sunrise (approximately 7:15 am), absorbing the solar energy of the newly risen sun. Awesome way to begin my Yule celebrations!

Happy Yule!!

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Six of Cups/The Hermit reversed. The Six of Cups (Sun, the inner core of a person or situation in Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, compulsive, deep, obsessive) is a great way to start a spread; it reminds me that happiness comes from within me, and happiness needs no expensive surroundings in order to manifest. Instead, this happiness may come from memories of the past, or that happiness may come from seeing things from the viewpoint of a child, with the expectations and optimism of The Fool of the Major Arcana. Whether the happiness comes from memories of the past or anticipation of the future, it is filled with fertility. The Hermit in an upright position corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and material, practical and stable energy that is slow to change), Virgo (“I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented, orderly). Yod (open hand, touch), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Chesed (the place where forms and structure are stabilized and nurtured), and points to hidden knowledge, attained through seclusion and tough introspection. Just like The Hierophant, The Hermit offers an example of how to be or what to strive for, but The Hermit’s lessons are not presented through established tradition, for he is not a priest, but rather, a philosopher. However, in a reversed position, The Hermit can represent concealment, disguise, unreasoned caution, or a need for policy and established tradition. He could also be pointing toward the study of past events, as they are solid, as is tradition, rather than pondering of the future.

My Thoth card is The Emperor reversed. The Thoth Emperor (Fire, hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive, energetic change; Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive; Heh, window, illumination; and the Path between Tiphareth and Chokmah, dynamic male energy and the orogin of vital force and polarity) is filled with the symbolism of his rank. He is facing profile, and thus represents the Magickal Image of Chesed; light streams down upon him from the upper right corner, representing the influence of Chokmah, the archetypal father. He holds a scepter in his right hand that is crowned with a ram’s head, representing Aries; in his left hand he holds an orb topped with a Maltese cross, symbolizing dominion. The colors of the card are predominantly red, representing Mars. The arms and legs of The Emperor represent the symbol for sulphur, which is masculine, active and fiery in nature, and represents antimony (a metallic element found in stibnite, which is a sulfide, used in flame retardants and microelectronics) and calcination (the first of the 12 vital processes for transformation of a substance, basically burning or applying high temperatures) of the Great Work of alchemy. He is surrounded by bees (order and industriousness) and fleur-de-lis (the monarchy, the union of the lingam and yoni). In an upright position, he represents paternal love, which usually is seen as a stern love, an authority figure, and the enforcement of rules and regulations that maintain order. Because The Emperor is reversed, today may not be a day filled with easily imposed (or obeyed) rules or authority, and I may find it difficult to bring structure to situations. I should attempt to not take things too seriously today.

My Legacy card is the Seven of Cups, flavored by the Ten of Wands. The Seven of Cups (Venus, beauty, allure, relationships, in Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, obsessive, mysterious) has been appearing for me lately. This card lets me know that there are messages out there to pick up, and choices or opportunities to access. But I can’t take them all, and must select the one that works for me. I must remember that not all the information is in front of me, and I may want to do a bit of digging before deciding. The Ten of Wands (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitations and resistance, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering) could very well be warning me that now is not the time to make major choices, even if my emotions are telling me to do so. The fires of new ideas and enthusiasm are burning a bit low right now, and perhaps I need a bit more fuel on the fire before I make any choices. This way, the flames will light up the choices so no subtle nuances are hidden in the shadows.

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

My horoscopes: “Today is a fantastic day for you, Sagittarius. You should enjoy a good mood and positive experiences with others. There's most likely a slow-moving, transforming energy in your life right now that's touching off your emotions. You will find that there is a great deal of fire and passion fueling your heart, so be generous with your kind spirit and follow through with your promises.”

And: “You are way ahead of the game when it comes to communicating with your fellow humans. Not only do you understand that it's an important thing to do for logistical reasons, but you also understand that communicating with others is one of the fundamental elements of human life. Our selves are, in some ways, inseparable from our interactions with each other. Picking up the phone is a profound act. And you get that.”

And: “A rosy glow over your recent career successes could cause you to congratulate yourself over your growing bank account. This trend should continue for a while if you keep on working as you have and maintain a positive and optimistic attitude. Your relationships with others around you, particularly the opposite sex, should be especially warm and loving right now. This should prove to be a thoroughly gratifying day. Use it to your advantage.”

Today is Yule Eve. There is a full moon, plus a lunar eclipse, and so I brought a whole bunch of crystals, including my large clear calcite scrying sphere, and some water to be charged with lunar energies, for use in my personal rituals, and put them on the table on the deck, so they can all rest in the moonlight. I have my alarm set for 3:15 am, when totality will end, so I can go out and bring all the crystals and the water back in.

I believe strongly that as soon as I decide to perform a ritual or working, that ritual or working has already begun. Carolyn and I have decided to do a Yule meditation together, and that meditation began this morning when I decided to do it. The meditation, named Solstice Meditation Spell For Universal Peace, is from the internet, focusing on world peace, and will be performed by many of us around the world.

The Meditation Spell involves gathering some herbs, lighting a candle and braiding three cords, which are then burned. I began by casting a circle around myself, and then I called my Elemental Guides. I opened my chakras, and then visualized the full moon shining in a dark and clear Winter sky. I felt Carolyn’s presence; she sat next to me and took my left hand in her right hand, and soon I felt others join us, too. And so, I began to chant:” Goddess, Mother of peace and light, bring together the world tonight.” Again and again, I whispered the chant, and I could hear other voices joining me. I could actually feel the moonlight, shining upon me as I sat on the floor in my ritual room. The silvery light fell on me with a light yet discernable pressure.

To my joy, I felt the presence of the Goddess, and Her energy was warm and sweet, like coming into a warm house after spending time outside in the Winter cold. She was the purest of Sacred Feminine energy, strong and pure, and Her silvery light filled the room; the swirls of energy caused my candle to flicker madly.

For a time She stayed with me. Her eyes met mine, and She smiled. “Do not worry,” She said softly. “The die has been cast, and the time for preparation is at an end. If you have not done it yet, you will need to do without it. You will need to focus ahead now to the immediate future, and take the next step. Do not fear, for I will be with you, always.”

Although I felt as if I was with Her for hours, actually only about 15 minutes had passed. Once I sensed that She was beginning to withdraw from me, I raised both of my arms to her and offered my gratitude for Her presence. I then whispered the closing chant, “Goddess of the land and sea, by Thy love so shall it be!”

I then ended the meditation. Glorious! My next step is to get up at the end of totality, and then, I will wake up for sunrise. Blessed, blessed Yule! Welcome, Sun Father!!

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