The Lovers/Judgement reversed. The Lovers (Air, hot/separates and wet/adapts, quick and animated, intellectual, problems or challenges; Gemini, “I think,” curious, talkative, sociable, dual; Zayin, double-edged sword; and the Path between Tiphareth, the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify, and Binah, female receptive energy and the origin of form and structure) is a very powerful card for me personally, filled with symbolism, the least of which is the presence of Archangel Uriel and His effects on my day. And He has had a voice, a synchronistic voice, for me. The Lovers is not only about love (both my own love and relationships, and the sacred love shared between Goddess and God), but it is about personal choices, and both love and personal choices will come into play for me today. 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 begin to move forward once again. I should also remember the dangers of judging another; this card could be reversed as a warning to me to **not** judge another person or a situation.

My Thoth card is the Six of Disks reversed. “Success” reversed; this card has been showing up for me lately. The Thoth Six of Disks (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn) has a heavy feel to it, and I guess in a way that makes sense. We tend to not think about our resources until we feel we might need them. Because the card is reversed, I am being told that I may be dealing with a lack of resources today in some manner. But if I listen to the message of my first two cards, I should be able to carry the day.

My Legacy card is The Emperor reversed, flavored by Death reversed. . The 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 origin of vital force and polarity) represents the power of the mind and of intentions to shape the world. He is about taking responsibility, and he is about manifesting his good intentions through order and stability and structure and regulation. All of these things are imposed ethically, with the best interests of all kept in mind. He is indeed a regulating force, a leader who leads by example. Because he is reversed, I may be dealing with events today that will make it difficult for me to maintain order, or lead as an example. But the card is there, so there is hope. 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 and Netzach (the stimulating factors of emotion and inspiration), and tells 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. Because the card is reversed, I may end up fearing change, or alternatively, feeling that change is not happening fast enough or the way it was supposed to happen. But since the card is reversed, I should not worry, for the actual change itself should be winding down, and it will soon be time to begin anew, with a fresh start filled with optimism.

My Pearls of Wisdom Full Moon card is the Eight of Wands reversed. The Eight of Wands (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, skill, communication, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) in an upright position tells of the completion of a lesson or cycle that makes room for a new beginning. This completion is often accomplished by a sudden burst or release of energy. Because the card is reversed, I may feel a heaviness and lack of action about the energies of the day, or I may be temped to avoid that sudden burst of energy. But the card is present, so there are benefits to be found in this burst!

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

My horoscopes: “You might spend hours on the phone today, Sagittarius, possibly discussing opportunities to perform services for others. Your mental and physical energy should be high. You will want to use as many tools as you can to get whatever information you need, including books and the Internet. You're going to want to get out and walk or work out, as you will need to work off excess energy.”

And: “As per usual, you've got something to say, and thanks to a bold pair of planets the universe has instructed to help you operate your mouth, you're ready, willing and able. Do yourself a favor: Before you actually start going on at length, though, think about your audience. Are they truly receptive? Do you really care? Most importantly, do you really want to alienate everyone you come into contact with now? Why not settle for just speaking your mind to the person who's earned it?”

And: “Success and good fortune might be in the wind for you today. Whatever it is, it will probably have you feeling especially elated and satisfied with your accomplishments. You'll want to tell everyone, but this could prove frustrating as some of the people you want to tell the most might not be reachable today. Hold off on spreading the word until you can inform those closest to you. You'll need and want their support.”

Well, I thought I would be able to postpone my attempts at resolving in my own mind the task gifted to me by my Patroness, but that is not to be. Danu came to me this morning, and told me that She wants me to attempt to keep a small tendril of my awareness on the Well as much as possible throughout the day. I agreed to attempt this, and I also told Danu that I was willing to do whatever She wanted me to do as far as the Well was concerned, and that I fully accepted my responsibilities in that regard. But I reminder her that I am not perfect, and will probably be making mistakes. She smiled, and responded by saying, “My Daughter, I do not seek perfection in this task. Any mistakes made will be beneficial to you in the long run, as well as beneficial to those who look to you for guidance. As always, I am with you, should you need Me. But this gift, and this task, are now yours; know in your mind and your heart that I would not charge you with this task if you were not ready for it.”

Needless to say, I have been thinking about this ever since. I have come to realize that the one who controls access to the sacred energies is not supposed to be **limiting** that access, but rather **enabling** it. Yes, there will be some policing involved in this task, but mostly I will be opening the way to the Well, not guarding the entrance. It looks like Archangel Uriel was correct, and I have become the Seven of Wands!!

If that was not enough validation, Carolyn sent me an email this morning that directly relates to this new task. Below is the information she sent me. How is that for synchronicity??!!


The Twelve Sacred Energies of the Inca Cross

The Sacred Energy of Unconditional Love: Love is the source of all creation. It is the consciousness that actually forms the created universe, dimensions, and worlds that we live within. When we are in a state of unconditional love we are in a higher level of consciousness. Only higher vibration emotions such as, love, hope, joy, and power, can exists when you have accepted the Sacred Energy of Unconditional Love.

The Sacred Energy of Integrity: Integrity is the energy that allows you stand in your power and brings into creation unlimited possibilities. This Energy of Integrity will allow you to remember your original pure creation. This Energy is not meant for anyone other than you and will allow you to comprehend real truths about your own self worth.

The Sacred Energy of Power of Being: The Energy of the Power of Being will allow you to remember your own source of energy. Each person is unique and has been created in his/her own source of energy. Through our uniqueness we make a stand for others within our communities to create a whole and more powerful community of higher consciousness. When we do this, each of us within these communities will feel love, nurturing, kindness, and many more energies in creating a beautiful world for the past, present, and future.

The Sacred Energy of Acceptance: Accepting is the Energy that allows you to be yourself for your highest consciousness. Through acceptance you will be able to like yourself; which will open a path to the Universe and Heavenly Father to allow you to manifest what you desire.

The Sacred Energy of Creation: By accepting the energies above you can ascend to a higher consciousness and the universe will align to support the creations that you seek to manifest. With the energies that allow you to reach a higher vibration and the alignment of the universe with your higher good, the manifestation of your greatest joys becomes possible.

The Sacred Energy of Pure Power: The Energy of Pure Power brings to you the power of creation as it was meant to be created in our physical body. This energy will allow you to make the best decisions possible with your greatest consciousness in mind, and will drive you to do what is best for higher consciousness

The Sacred Energy of Direction: This Energy will allow you to see where you have been in the past, where you are in the present, and where you will journey in the future. With the goals of what you would like to manifest presently in mind, you will move into the future with these manifestations becoming reality. In order to continue to reach a higher vibration you must clear the blocks and limiting beliefs from yourself and your ancestors while moving into the future.

The Sacred Energy of Protection: The Energy of Protection will protect you from outside contamination from sources of lower vibration by holding each being accountable for their actions. The Energy of Protection is needed so that you may continue on the path of your sole purpose without any misdirection.

The Sacred Energy of Hope: Hope allows the energy of creation to manifest your desires through your sole purpose. The Energy of Hope will establish boundaries, and guidance to insure that the path of your sole purpose is obtainable and clear of blocks when the time is needed. Without Hope there will be no structure to the path of your sole purpose and the time to continue your journey will never be in the present.

The Sacred Energy of Human Value: will turn the knowledge of information into knowledge of understanding when learning what it means to be human. This Energy of Human Value brings to light the understanding of the importance of the body, mind, and soul.

The Sacred Energy of Abundance: is a state of heart and mind. If you maintain balance between mind and heart then abundance will be created within your life. This is the state of being happy with whom you are and the life you have manifested; Abundance is not a reflection of the ideals of society, and is unique from person to person.

The Sacred Energy of Moving Forward and Focusing on the Future: This is the energy that will help you fulfill and complete contracts in the past that have begun, but not finished. This is necessary so you can create in the present and future new manifestations that will help you reach the highest vibration.

$

Knight of Wands reversed/Six of Swords. The Knight of Wands (cusp of Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, deep, obsessive, and Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering) is a carefree inventor who loves to try new ideas; his power lies in action, but that power usually needs guidance or fuel from somewhere else, for he is too busy implementing to either check his course or his fuel tank. He is a revolutionary adventurer but he has trouble sticking to things all the way to the end. Because this card is reversed, today I need to be careful about carrying these concepts to extreme, for too much enthusiasm can be damaging, but so can too little. The Six of Swords (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, communication, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause oriented) is a very welcome card for me today, for it tells of the return of mental clarity and the ability to move away from whatever has been holding me back of late so I can continue forward. However, there is a lesson to be learned from the traditional image of this card: the swords that are being brought forward into the new day are in a somewhat passive position, being brought along and ready in case they are needed, but not steering the boat.

My Thoth card is the Knight of Disks reversed. The Knight (King) of Disks (the cusp of Aries, “I want,” action oriented, pioneering, assertive, competitive, and Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn, physically focused) is the person who organizes, enables and brings to completion all projects within the material world. Crowley describes him as being complex and well-knit, but also containing the danger of focusing so much on the tasks at hand that he becomes distracted from his connection to the Earth and no longer includes Earthly energies within his efforts.

My Legacy card is the Queen of Cups, flavored by the Page of Coins. Well, today must be Court Cards day! The Queen of Cups (cusp of Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable, dual, and Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody) is Water of Water, and thus is quite deeply connected to her feelings and her Inner Voice. She feels compassion for all, is able to hear and understand what others are saying and feeling, and is a natural healer. All she has to do is touch someone or engage in a brief conversation with them, and they feel healed and more serene because of contact with her. The Page of Coins (Aries, “I want,” assertive, action oriented, Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn, and Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable, dual) is also a listener, and this Page listens to both sides of an argument because he is also a student, and is eager to learn. He watches his world with curiosity and wants to learn how everything works. Because this Page corresponds to Earth, he is practical and cautious, but because he also brings a youth’s enthusiasm to learn into the picture, he is the least cautious of the Coins Court family.

My 6-digit date number is 3 the number of new creation from balance and polarity.

My horoscopes: “Work that you're doing either at home or on your home is likely to go well today and bring you the results you're hoping for, Sagittarius. Members of your household might want to pitch in and help. You will probably spend most of your time inside, but you may also have to spend some time out gathering supplies and materials that you may need.”

And: “The universe is perfectly primed to inspire everyone to be excessive, extravagant and out of control -- to really go overboard, in any and all departments. Of course, since that's how you tend to be -- oh, let's say 'occasionally' -- well, won't it be fun to finally have the rest of the world on the same page? You'll actually be able to suggest something risky without worrying about getting the old 'tsk tsk,' accompanied by that oh so familiar disapproving frown.”

And: “An opportunity to travel, perhaps in the company of friends or colleagues, could come your way today. This might involve education in some way. What you learn on this trip is likely to alter your life in some way, as it could in come way open new doors for you. New friends and valuable contacts could also come on the scene. Don't hesitate - go for it! Another opportunity like this might not come around for a while.”

I had a truly mystical driving experience from Cape May to North Jersey today. We had an unusually warm day in Cape May (54 degrees!!); it was overcast and damp, and lovely clouds of fog were rising up over the snow fields and the channels of the salt marshes. The ocean water is still a bit chilly, after all. The result was an insulating blanket of fog, sometimes almost totally blocking out the sides of the road. I drove up the Parkway, sipping my Komodo Dragon coffee (**waves to E, her favorite barrista**), within a sanctuary of Fog.

This fog is fitting for me today. I have been through my own min-Fog this weekend, probably due mostly to this darned cold that has had me so dragged out for a week now. I lost my voice this weekend, after several days of lethargy and a runny nose. I just did not want to do anything but sit there, staring at a blank wall. Now, I enjoy relaxing quite a bit and never give up an opportunity to sleep late or sit for a while with a good book, but I also have moments during each day when I feel positively alive with the electricity of potential that is a part of living. I had not had any moments of feeling alive for days.

Last night, as I sat watching a bit of a Stephen Hawkings program on the Universe, I could not stay awake, and I felt pretty. I still mostly had no voice, I still had mostly no energy; once again, I could not bring myself to post on my blog; once again, I did not take care of my Sacred Mists responsibilities; once again, I did not do much around the house besides laundry (and believe me, wallboard and spackle dust is coating every cobweb, making it look like the house is festooned with spun sugar). I actually questioned myself, questioned the validity of these things that I just could not raise enough energy to accomplish. Maybe my life within the Sacred Mists Community was losing its bloom. Maybe this entire woo-woo thing was losing its bloom. After all, if it was important, if it was something that I was meant to manifest, wouldn't I be able to find the energy and the clarity of mind to get things done, even if I was sick? Yes, me . . . Miss Woo-Woo Believer/Teacher/Encourager," doubting my own Path, doubting its validity. Once again. The difference this time was that I was not doubting the validity of the Path itself, but rather I was wondering whether or not I should be following it.

I was so tired and limp last night that I could not even bring myself to be horrified by the thoughts running around my head. I actually had my first good night’s sleep in several days, and woke up a different woman. I finally felt energy, I finally felt clarity, I finally felt the urge to get things done. I guess it took wallowing a bit in the dark, damp, trash strewn place that is my “pity potty” to bring me back to my senses. Thankfully, the fire has not gone out in my soul, and I am ready, willing and able to get back to work.

And this is good. I owe Hecate a ritual, and since the waning moon is near, I will plan on doing this soon. Plus, my Patroness, Danu, visited me today as I drove through the Fog (both literally and figuratively). She brought me once again to Her Well, and explained me that this Well is one source of Her power on and in our world, a direct connection to Her sacred energies. No wonder I felt so connected to the Divine when I spent time there! Danu explained to me that since I had entered the world beyond the Well that one time, things have been changing within me. Changing mainly within my energy body and my aura, but since they are both connected to my physical body, my mental body and my emotional body, those changes will have a long term and far reaching effect on me. **smile** More fun to look forward to.

Then Danu really surprised me! She told me that She was gifting me with this Well. No longer was it Danu’s Well, now it was Raushanna’s Well. Needless to say, Danu quickly qualified this gift. She explained that it was the access to the sacred energies that emanate from the Well that She was giving me, and not the content of the Well, which belonged to everyone and every thing. No one or no thing could use this particular Well without my go-ahead, without my permission. I realized that what She was giving me was similar to Reiki, for the Reiki energy does not belong to me and does not originate from me; I am merely the conduit which provides the Reiki energy to a recipient. I also realized that this gift came with some heavy responsibility. I now need to keep a small part of myself at the Well at all times, not to guard so much as to grant access when needed.

As I type this, I am suddenly realizing the heavy duty symbolism attached to Danu’s gift. Shit. She is making me something that I never wanted to be. Well, not making me, as in forcing me. I know that I can always say no. But Danu is placing this gift directly in my Path, so that I need to either accept it and own it, or I need to make a huuugggge detour around it. What is the symbolism that scares me so much, you ask? Simple; Danu is asking me to be the person who leads Seekers to this Sacred Well, and show them how to access Its benefits and powers.

Now, here’s the thing. I never wanted to be anything but a Seeker. I don’t feel that my initiation into the Sacred Mists Coven counters this desire, because in the end even a Covener needs to do much of the work entailed in coming to understand the Mysteries in a solitary manner. We just get to do that difficult solitary work with the support of our fellow Coveners. But this gift reeks of a particular role, that “High Priestess” word that I don’t like to associate with, because of the baggage that comes along with it. Tricky Danu.

Mind you, I am deep into my Third Degree Training at Sacred Mists, and I am truly loving the growth that is happening for me in that Training. But I never aspired to be more than an Elder with my Coven. Sheesh, am I actually training to lead a group of my own??

Maybe that Fog is not so bad, after all. Only kidding, My Lady Danu! I will go wherever You think I need to go, but I hope You don’t mind if I wait for further confirmation on this one.

I think I will go back to something safe for a bit, like learning about Pathworking. I need to think about this revelation for a while.

$

Eight of Wands/Six of Swords: the Eight of Wands (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, skill, communication, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, adventurous, blundering) is one of the few Minor Arcana cards without people found in the image. The Eight of Wands is very similar to the Ace of Wands in that it is very Fiery in nature (hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive and energetic change), however the Eight is a card of action. It tells of a sudden release of energy that clears the air, or the receipt of some new or exciting prospects that distract from those that are not serving the situation, and it tells me that I have the ability to get things cleared, quickly. The Six of Swords (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, communication, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause oriented), tells of recovery, of the onset of transition, and of the continuation of a journey. These two cards are supporting each other, and they are telling me that the time has come to chart a new course, and to boldly go where no man has gone before.

My Thoth card is the Prince of Cups reversed. The Prince 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 tells of a person who focuses intensely on feelings and emotions and the Inner Voice, which can either be a good thing, or it can tell of a time of imbalance with too much emotion and not enough grounding. When I see reversed Knights, I usually see them as presenting the negative possibilities associated with a pure application of the correspondences of the suit, so I need to be sure to focus on balance today as far as my emotions are concerned, and I need to strive to be realistic. Crowley sees this card in an upright position as showing a person who has the ability to be amenable but who has a secret, and sometimes selfish, agenda, so from Uncle Al’s viewpoint, this card might be better reversed. However, sometimes things need to be kept secret for a bit.

My Legacy card is the Page of Wands reversed, flavored by The Hanging Man reversed. The Page of Wands (Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody; Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic noble egotistical; and Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented) uses assertion and action in order to feed his need for adventure and excitement. He has a childlike optimism, and since the suit of Wands is associated with Fire and the Will, he can often manifest that optimism into reality, mainly because in his childlike enthusiasm he refuses to see failure. Because he is reversed, I may feel a bit frustrated today if things don’t appear to be going as I want them to. I need to be careful that I am not reduced to tantrums. The Hanging Man is a peculiar and powerful card, whether upright or reversed. It corresponds with Water (cold/binds and wet/adapts; emotional and imaginative energy which attempts to prevent changes), Neptune (inspiration, spirituality, magick, altered states), Mem (water, stability and balance, the reflective quality of thought), and the Path between Hod (which provides analysis and communication) and Geburah (the place where forms and structures are challenged or affirmed), and whether upright or reversed, it tells of the benefits to be had from altering my perceptions. This card is supporting the Page of Wands reversed, and is reminding me to stop struggling against the tides for this is a total waste of energy. I need to think out of the box in order to reaccess the Fire of this Page.

My 6-digit date number is 8, the number that represents an active, conscious and focused response to the beginning of degeneration that is the number 7, in an attempt to repair and reproduce harmony.

My horoscopes: “Strained nerves and trepidation about unpleasant tasks could have you on edge and likely to take your stress out on those closest to you. Try to avoid this, Sagittarius. Go for a walk. Release your stress through exercise or writing. Communicate your feelings to friends and assure them you aren't upset with them. In this way, you will get through the day with little damage.”

And: “You don't just survive by helping out the people around you, you thrive on it. There's nothing you like better than knowing that you've been able to help somebody out with something they've gotten stuck with, whether it's their career or their cutie pie. What can you say? You're a nice person. And you get something out of the deal too -- the sense of a job well done.”

And: “Welcome to another great day. The energy from the day's aspects is positive and encouraging when it comes to communication and interaction with others. So why not take advantage of this? Get together with friends and family to visit and enjoy yourself. Consider inviting people over for a game or dinner. Even a potluck can be a lot of fun. You work hard all the time, so play hard today!”

Well, a nasty head cold has slowed me down this week, immensely. I am finally feeling somewhat back to normal, thanks in part to my energy work, and my new piece of azurite, as well as some coral from the Dominican Republic, both which I am using as a part of my healing. But the week has not been without events. I received our business cards, and this means that Helen and I can go out and sell our product. I will be offering Vedic Thai-Yoga Bodywork through Elena of Off the Beaten Path, and there are two other possibilities so far in Northern New Jersey where I will be presenting myself and my services.

I will be alone in Cape May for the first part of this weekend, but Bob will be coming down either late Saturday night or some time on Sunday. The stair people are coming early Monday morning to fix a slight miscalculation on the stairs into our bedroom, and thus, the floor people will be able to come on Tuesday and install our hardwood floors. This means that next weekend, we can begin to put the furniture back! Finally, our Blue Moon House will be back to normal for a while.

Last night we had a Pagan Brain Trust meeting, our first with our newest member, Phillie. Awesome!! I am truly amazed at the incredible discussions we all have, and how much each of us contributes to the increased knowledge, wisdom and validation brought to us all, both individually and as a group.

I am reading a new book, part of the recommended reading list for the Third Degree Lesson I am working on within my Third Degree training at Sacred Mists, When I see the Wild God: Encountering Urban Celtic Witchcraft, by Ly De Angeles. I only just began reading the book last night, before leaving for Wayne, and already I read a few things that reached out and grabbed my mind, so I bought the book with me, to read a few passages to the others. As an aside, I read the reviews for the book on Amazon before purchasing it, and they were mixed. I feared that the book might be more of a beginner’s book, but thankfully, I believe the negative reviews were based on the fact that the book presents concepts which would be meaningless to those who were not aware of the Mysteries of Wicca; if the reviewer was not initiated into those Mysteries, the content of the book would seem without depth. I connected immediately to what the author was saying in the first few chapters.

After hearing the passages, Phil brought up an interesting concept. He spoke for a bit about his feeling that in the past, the gay/queer community would have had a very valid role to play for primitive man. Actually, he made a valid point, for besides sex with women in order to have children, necessary for propagation of our species, there really was no difference between what a gay man could contribute to the tribe and what a straight man could contribute to a tribe. Homosexuals would have been considered dual personas, and thus valuable aids for bridging the worlds. Primitive man perceived the world as being dual, both physical and astral or energetic in nature, and someone whose persona contained bits of both masculine and feminine energy would have been expected to have a corresponding ability to bridge both the physical and non-physical world. After all, the physical world corresponds with male energy and the non-physical world corresponds with female energy, both of which would have been apparent within homosexuals.

In my opinion, as man gradually developed a “civilized” lifestyle, it was not homosexuality itself that became taboo, but the concept of a man spilling his seed into an unfertile vessel. This would mean that masturbation would be seen as an equal taboo as gay sex because the man’s seed would be spilled in a manner that could not bring conception.

If we take away that major taboo related to the need for an increase in population (which no longer is valid, obviously), then there really is no reason at all for two men who love each other, or two women who love each other, to **not** be paired in a committed relationship if they so choose, the same way that a heterosexual couple chooses to enter into a committed relationship. Wicca sees all love, sex and pleasure to be sacred; this means that while propagation is important, for Wiccans, it is not the only reason to have sex or feel pleasure.

As I was driving home (**smile** as is usual for me), I revisited the topics of conversation that evening, including this one. I realized once again, from a different perspective, that everyone and every thing has value. Each life form, as well as each building block to life, serves a purpose within the eternal cycles of our Universe. And yet, despite this connection, mankind has the hubris to make this world about him and him alone. We may be supreme in some ways, basically due to our ability to consciously reason, but we have divorced ourselves from the world that nurtures us and supports our very life; we no longer connect with the cycles around us, the very cycles that feed us and keep us healthy, and we deny the validity of the non-physical realms, realms which are equally important for health and harmony as the physical realms. For a moment, I was amazed that Deity responds to our requests for contact at all! How frustrating it must be to maintain the sense of wonder and magick regarding the workings of our Universe to an audience that is indifferent at best, and even hostile to this attempt.

We each have a purpose, an individual purpose and a purpose as a species. Both our individual purpose and our purpose as a species brings consequences as we manifest that purpose; some consequences are small and easily extinguished, but none of us will be around long enough to really be able to say that the consequences of seemingly minor decisions will have no impact.

As I drove on Route 80, I looked at the starry sky, and at the lace of the silhouettes of the winter trees, each as unique as a snowflake. Once again, I became aware of the presence of the Divine all around me, and I realized that all physical manifestations, everything within our Universe, can be considered in part as an image of Deity. Look at it this way: everything in the physical world is built from energy. Deity is also built from energy, the purest energy containing the highest, warmest vibration, more pure and warm and high than anything we can perceive through our physical senses. This is why we need to communicate with Deity within the non-physical or astral realms.

Now, as the vibratory levels of energy cool and slow down, that energy becomes more physical; it “falls” into the physical world (where energy vibrates slower and cooler than within the astral realms, and we end up with air and water and earth and fire, and all of their effects. However, because the building blocks of the physical world consist of the same energy component as those of the astral realms, and of Deity Herself/Himself/Itself, the manifestation across the spectrum will be of the “as above, so below” nature. Manifestation occurs in the physical world and must take place according to the laws of the physical world (LOL, the only world that many can perceive), but that manifestation also takes place in accordance with its ingredients, according to the “recipe” or “floor plan” (for the lack of a better term) that is Deity.

This means that everything is sacred, because every thing, every effect, every life form, exists not only because of the common ingredient of Divine energy, but exists in a similar fashion as (read “in the image of”) Deity. Deity is all around me, and infuses my physical, emotional, mental and spiritual self, and this means that every act of my day is sacred.

Deity does not necessarily want to be worshipped by us, worshipped in a manner that causes us to see Deity as transcendent; Goddess and God are programmed to respond to interactions with us, and just as having a strong and ethical spiritual belief brings harmony to each of us, the energy we emit during those marvelous Aha! Moments and those elusive glimpses of the Machinery of the Universe are food for the Gods. Each entity upon and within our Universe has the potential to offer this sustenance to Deity, from pond scum to Stephen Hawkings, each in its own way.

The Gods must have been hungry of late, for mankind has focused upon himself and his technology for some time. Perhaps our purpose, we who have become enlightened and aware, is to bring the first drop of water that will turn into a flash flood of sustenance once a tipping point is reached.

This makes the work of the Pagan Brain Trust, and Lumina Mystica, and Sacred Mists sacred, as sacred as any coven or worship group or spiritual tradition or religion. It means that we each have a responsibility to manifest our individual traits (in an ethical way, of course), for these traits are gifted by Deity.

Blessed be!!

$

Death/The Hermit reversed. 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 tells 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. Death is about leaving things behind, or alchemic putrefaction; the decomposed remnants of past events or effects act as wonderful fertilizer for the creation to come. 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. The Hermit has been showing up in a reversed position quite a bit for me lately; I need to listen to the message of this card, and I need to remember that while solitude does prevent the interference of distractions, sometimes interactions with others can bring balance and an objective input of information.

My Thoth card is the Four of Swords. “Truce” is Uncle Al’s keyword for the Four of Swords (Jupiter, expansiveness and growth, justice, fortune, in Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation), and the card tells of the need of some time of rest and recuperation, usually to be brought about by a time of truce or pause. This card is similar to some extent as The Hanging Man, but since it is of the suit of Swords, this pause is not necessarily about changing perception, but rather it indicates a pause that helps me to prepare to re-engage. It can also represent the balance of power that acts as a deterrent to attack.

My Legacy card is the King of Swords reversed, flavored by the Queen of Coins reversed. The King of Swords (cusp of Capricorn, “I build,” ambitious, cautious, cunning, authoritative, and Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause-oriented, aloof) in an upright position is the expert at being impartial, precise and logical. His Queen understands people, but he understands things, as well as knowledge. Because he is reversed, he is reminding me that while knowledge is power, my instincts and feelings just might be worth listening to, even for the exclusively logical expert energies of the King of Swords. Besides listening to all messages, not only those from a logical or scientifically provable source, I need to also be less critical of myself. The Queen of Coins (cusp of Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering, and Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution, cunning, authoritative) in an upright position is very good at sustaining the physical world, keeping things dry and cozy and safe and orderly; her main weakness is that her focus on protecting and maintaining can sometimes cross the line into obsession. Because she is reversed, that tendency to obsess is holding me back, and I need to remind myself that while creating a strong and stable foundation is a good thing, sooner or later (probably sooner!) I will need to move away from the predictable and venture into the unknown. And I can’t allow her to do the inventory, or we won’t get rid of anything!

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

My horoscopes: “Today marks the beginning of a new cycle for you, Sagittarius. Collect and consolidate your recent ideas and focus them outwardly. The time is right for you to act. Improve your surroundings and adjust your bed so that it faces east/west. (A north/south placement aligns you with Earth's magnetic field and causes you to lose energy at night.) Drink plenty of water to keep your mind clear.”

And: “Do you want to make your mark on the world? Of course you do. Today you just may get your chance to make something that no one can ignore, so be ready to act on a moment's notice. Seek out challenging situations, and you'll thrive. You have only tapped into a small percentage of what you're capable of right now ... if you've been waiting for the perfect time to make a major move, this is the day to do it. People will notice you in a whole new way.”

And: “Group activities or social events in your near neighborhood could put you in touch with new and exciting people who could eventually become friends, Nancy. Shared goals and interests could give rise to plans for ambitious projects. Whatever enterprises you start today are likely to prove successful if everyone involved pitches in. In the evening: Arrange for a quiet tête-à-tête with your romantic partner. Enjoy your day!”

I have had a lovely, quiet, productive day here at Cape May. I woke up to snow, fat white flakes floating downward, with no wind to bite. The world was silent, a silence that is unique to that time during which snow is falling, and the fireplace has added to the cozy isolation.

We had a great SMPDA Meeting this afternoon, with a productive Divination Department Meeting following. I am grateful to my Co-Facilitator and Co-Director; they both add their very useful talents and abilities to our efforts.

I have looked at my next Third Degree Lesson, and it is going to be awesome! I just love the way these homework assignments ask me to validate my own experiences, and to lace those experiences together with the knowledge I have gained through my Degree Training at Sacred Mists, through the exercises of the lessons, as well as my own personal studies and practices. I am pleased with how much I really have learned over the past eight plus years that I have been practicing Wicca.

The most wonderful yet incredibly elusive thing about Wicca is its ability to be a catalyst for inner transformation. The Mysteries of Wicca are difficult to understand, and it takes courage to walk blindly into the unknown that is found in the dark corners of my psyche, but shedding light into the darkness is leading to some wonderful self-understanding. I am learning to not fear the unknown, to trust in my own abilities and skills and yes, even talents. I am learning that I am a good teacher, and a good leader, as well as an enthusiastic student. And I am connecting in an ever-deepening way with my world and my Gods.

More and more, I am convinced that the time has come for me to learn how to be The Magician. I need to create a bridge that will connect all the inner work I have done over the past year as The High Priestess to the outer world, in order to assist others as they learn of their Craft, but also in order to manifest what I have learned into my own physical environment. I don’t only want to know what a Witch is, I want to be one. To live my Craft. Totally and completely. In doing so, I know that I can, by example, be a catalyst for Balance to others. And when I say “by example,” I do not mean that I am so wonderful that I need to be imitated; not at all. What I mean here is that if I can talk the talk and walk the walk, and in doing so, become a happier and healthier person, then others will see that their own efforts are not wasted. They can, in their own unique way, become happier and healthier.

When I first dedicated myself to Wicca, there were those who I chose to use as examples. This did not mean that I imitated their methods completely; rather, it meant (and still means) that I look to them as encouragement to continue my own explorations, encouragement to make my life, my way of living, and my methods for exploring the Mysteries, my own. To my surprise, I now feel the need to pay those gifts forward. I did not expect this to happen.

It is time to begin working with the Paths of the Tree of Life. First, a bit of general information about Pathworking.

It is suggested that a study of the Paths and Pathworking begin on the 32nd path that links the Sephiroth of Malkuth to Yesod (Earth to Foundation), as these are the ones that link closest to the material world. As work is done on the Tree of Life we “climb” higher and higher, and the energy encountered is believed to become more spiritual, until the Supernal Triangle is encountered. The Supernal Triangle is where the aspects of Deity and the sacred energies are their purest, and are believed to transcend thought.

The Paths of the sephiroths of the Tree of Life are supported by both the Major Aracana of the Tarot (*grin* which is why I am here, standing at the gateway of the “temple” of Pathworking) and the Hebrew alphabet. Each Path explores different parts of the psyche, our connection to and understanding of the koshas of living (and pardon my mix of metaphors and spiritual traditions here, but the koshas resonate for me), as well as our connection to and understanding of Deity.

Paths 32 through 30 are seen as steps in initiation.

Paths 29 through 27 explore personality.

Paths 26 through 24 explore the differences between materialism and spirituality.

Paths 23 through 19 explore the qualities of higher spirituality.

Paths 18 through 14 view ways to transition to the Supernal Triangle, crossing the Abyss.

Paths 13 through 11 consist of the highest and most abstract qualities of Deity.

Just for my own ease of access to info regarding the koshas, the five sheaths, from gross to fine, are:

Annamaya kosha: food-apparent-sheath (physical body): Living through the Annamaya kosha only causes man to identify himself only with his skin, flesh, fat, bones, and filth, while the man of discrimination knows his own self, the only reality that there is, as distinct from the body.

Pranamaya kosha, air-apparent-sheath (prana, vital force of life): Pranamaya kosha connects and holds together the body and the mind. As long as prana exists in the organism, life continues; the one physical manifestation of the Pranamaya kosha is the breath.

Manomaya kosha, mind-stuff-apparent-sheath (person-hood, personality, mind): Manomaya kosha represents the personality, the diversity of “I” and “mine.” It represents the mind and the sense of self; interestingly enough, our bondages are usually caused or created by the mind, but so, too, is real liberation.

Vijnanamaya kosha, wisdom-apparent-sheath (Vijnana) (Will, intellect, perception, the facility which discriminates; connected to five sense organs): Vijnanamaya kosha is connected to the Will, but also to the ability to analyze and discriminate. This is the kosha that holds the potential to bring transmigration of the soul (Buddhists actually don't see the life force as the soul, but rather as a stream of consciousness that links life with life and allows one to “become again.”

Anandamaya kosha, bliss-apparent-sheath (Ananda) (the causal body which stands between the finite world and the self, the innermost kosha): Anandamaya kosha is composed of ananda, or bliss. To me, this kosha is the spark of the Divine that is in us all, and our connection to the Divine. The Anandamaya kosha only partially manifests during a waking state, and normally has its fullest manifestation during deep sleep. Ananda was first cousin of Buddha, and after many years he became the personal attendant to Buddha, accompanying him on most of his travels. Ananda is seen as being kind, unselfish, well liked, and thoughtful of others.

I have a feeling that my striving to understand Pathworking and the Tree of Life is going to have some amazing consequences!

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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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