The Hierophant/Three of Wands reversed. The Hierophant corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes), Taurus (“I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn), Vau (the nail which holds tradition in place), and the Path between Chesed (the place where forms and structures are stabilized and nurtured), and Chokmah (dynamic male energy, the origin of vital force and polarity).  This card is an archetype of Spirit (with The Emperor as archetype of the Sacred Masculine, The Empress as archetype of the Sacred Feminine, and all three representing the supernal triad) that reminds us of the value of tradition, ritual and ceremony.  The Hierophant guards these traditions, rituals and ceremonies, and educates us regarding them.  He dedicates himself to meeting his responsibilities, for the higher good of all, and shows us how to put our traditions into practice. The Three of Wands (Sun, the inner core of a person or situation, the deepest self and personal power, in Aries, “I want,” action oriented, pioneering, assertive) is a card of planning for action that tells of the excitement of seeking out uncharted areas with an optimism that says that no matter what happens, it will be good.  This is a powerful card when upright, filled with potential, but not complete manifestation.  My Three is reversed, and it could be warning of an unrealistic pride or even some kind of mistrust of new things. 

My Thoth card is the Three of Disks.  “Works” is the keyword for this one. The Three of Disks (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, cunning, competence) tells of competence, planning and teamwork.  “A crystallization of forces” is how this is described, and it makes sense.  Things are started, and the group is busy.

My Legacy card is the King of Cups reversed, flavored by the Six of Swords reversed.  Oh Kay, then. The King of Cups (cusp of Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation, and Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling mysterious, obsessive) in an upright position is the expert on emotions and the subconscious, mainly because of his life experiences.  But my King is reversed, and thus today may not be a day for me to be serenely amiable.  **yawn**  See? Just talking about it is making me lethargic.  The Six of Swords (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, communication, in Aquarius, “I know,” friendships, the group, cause oriented) is about balance, healing, moving towards a better place, and even about learning the science behind things that work (because understanding why they work makes them more effective).  My Six, which is flavoring my reversed King of Cups, is also reversed.  Oy, two cards that hint a disconnect with intuition, authority and logic?  Maybe I should stay home today.

My 6-digit date number is 2, the number of balance, polarity, and the energy of “distance between.”

My horoscopes: “The signs say that you can expect a very profitable few weeks ahead, Sagittarius. You've worked hard lately, and it's only natural that you have finally arrived at this stage. You're going to be able to measure the distance you've come and evaluate your power. Whatever you do, don't think small!”

And: “It is during days like this that you can clearly see the presence of angels, provided, of course, that you believe in them. You may see them appear in any number of ways: A sign, an event, or in the form of a person you meet who speaks to you about a precise problem you have and indicates the solution. If you don't believe in angels, this would be the time to, at the very least, suspend disbelief!”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Nine of Pentacles.  This is one of my regulars, and I am being reminded that today, discipline and focus are important.  When I look at the strange messages of my cards, I understand this one, and I’m grateful for the reminder.  Connecting my spirit to my physical world is the perfect remedy!

Three Yoga classes today, two taken and one observed.  Whew, but I feel good!

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Transparent Oracle Sunday!  But on Tuesday! 

23, Element: Water (West).  West is the direction of Water, and thus, of feelings and emotions, relationships of all kinds, cleansing and healing, the wisdom associated with natural endings, and the bubbling up of pure joy.  Water is about emotions, feelings, the Inner Voice, dreams, intuition, and Water is connected to both birth and death.  Because our physical bodies contain so much Water, whatever affects Water usually affects us as well.  The image on this card also shows ripples moving outward; something to remember when we are expressing our feelings.

26, Guide: Otter (West).  The element of Water represents emotional, sensitive and imaginative energy that tends to move deep, and attempts to take the same path as in the past. The elemental dignities associated with Water are cold/binds and wet/adapts. The first thing I think of when I see the Otter card is joyful playing.  Otters are known for their play, and play is a sign of intelligence and awareness.  Otters are at home both on Earth and in Water; they form strong family bonds, and work hard to protect their group of family or friends.   All while playing tag!

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

I then stacked my cards and created my mandala.  This one has motion to it; the Otters are swimming merrily, seeming to chase each other with abandon and joy, and the planet Venus circles around, like a counterweight keeping a wheel turning.  So much of all three of these cards is about feelings and emotions and inner sensations; those feelings and emotions and inner sensations may not be accurately measurable by others, but they do make the world go round!  Emotions and intuition may originate within us, but they can have amazing affects on the world around us as well.  The way we feel when we get up in the morning can flavor the entire day; today, I choose to feel joy and gratitude. 

Another busy weekend.  I managed to carve out some time in my beloved garden, which has totally gone wild.  We have had the perfect storm (LOL, literally!) of heavy rains followed by several days of sunshine, and everything is green and lush.  I’ve let the privet go a bit wild because it is covered with fragrant white blossoms, and I can hardly keep up with the grass.  As I drove away from the house yesterday, I looked back, and saw that the wisteria needs to be tamed, too.  Looks like I’ll be spending a bit more time trimming on Friday.  Yay!

And I’ve got another Yoga Intensive this weekend, too, YTT Intensive 5.  There aren’t enough hours in the day, but I’m loving what I’m learning.  I’m also working on the next submission for PaganPages.org, and will post when that is up.

Back to work!!

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Ace of Wands reversed/Ten of Wands. The Ace of Wands (Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, egotistical, Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, sensible, orderly) in an upright position tells of the initial emanation of enthusiasm or inspiration that could very well energize an entire process or project.  Like all the Aces, this emanation is presented as potential only, but oh boy, what potential.  The problem is that I’m not doing a good job of sensing these opportunities, maybe because they are not something I can control. The Ten of Wands (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitations and resistance, in Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering) tells of being taxed to some perceived limit, or of feeling as if we are out of gas at the bottom of a hill. I may be feeling overburdened, as if a job that began as a joy has become a huge job.  Perhaps if I look at each step of this job individually rather than all of them at once, I might be able to get a better handle on things.

My Thoth card is Lust.  Yep, that’s Uncle Al’s name for the Strength card, Lust. The Strength card (Fire, hot/separates and dry/shapes, and spontaneous, impulsive and energetic energy; Leo, “I am,” passionate, dramatic, egotistical; Teth, sieve or basket, digestion; and the Path between Geburah, the place where forms and structures are challenged or affirmed, and Chesed, the place where forms and structures are stabilized and nurtured) is about having the strength and the patience to endure and focus.  Crowley sees this card as representing magickal power, and that makes sense.  We need to have an ability to focus, and an ability to have patience, in order to work with magick.  Hmmm . . . similar to The Magician, eh?

My Legacy card is The Empress, flavored by the Page of Cups reversed. The Empress (which corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and stable, material, practical energies that are slow to change), Venus (beauty, allure, pleasure, relationships), the Hebrew letter Daleth (door or womb) and the Path between Binah (female receptive energy and the origin of form and structure) and Chokmah on the Tree of Life (dynamic male energy and the origin of vital force and polarity)) is one half of the Major Arcana representation of the Sacred Feminine.  The Empress is about creativity and compassion and the pleasure of the senses.  She cares about everyone (as her focus is outward), whether they are looking to be cared for or not.  She has a deep connection to Nature, and sees the world in vibrant colors. ***  The Page of Cups corresponds to Libra (“we are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation), Scorpio (“I desire,” intensity compulsion, mystery) and Sagittarius (“I seek,” philosophic, adventurous, blundering); it is a card of soft and tender energies and of getting fulfillment through connections to others and through innocent and simple joys.  My Page is reversed, and perhaps this is an attempt to balance out the sensuality of The Empress, which is being flavored by reversed Page.  Worse case scenario is that those pleasures of the senses are beginning to be addictive. 

My 6-digit date number is 7, the number that tells of a pause that occurs as growth slows and degeneration approaches, usually requiring a choice of some kind. 

My horoscopes: “It's a good day to express your thoughts and feelings, Sagittarius. Whether it's a loved one who'd appreciate affectionate words or a colleague who requires instruction, communication will come more easily than usual. You have a practical nature. Often you say what you think is required and not much else. Yet others may need you to say a lot more. Consider this as you go about your day.”

And: “Things should get better and better for you as the day progresses, and by evening, you should be rocking and rolling at full tempo. Tonight is a good time for you to come out of your shell and break through the intense emotionalism that has been prevailing for the last couple of days. Feel free to grab a couple of friends and take them on a spontaneous adventure someplace wild and crazy.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Knight of Swords.  This card is telling me that today I need to not allow emotions to get in the way of logic.  Being the hero is okay and coming to the rescue might save the day, but pride is an emotion too, so watch out!

I actually got to a 9:15 am Yoga class today, and not only was I asked to demo the class, but I was also asked to give leg pulls during relaxation.  I love being able to make people feel that extra pleasure!

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Five of Cups reversed/Queen of Swords reversed.  “Disappointment” is Crowley’s keyword for this one. The Five of Cups (Mars, action, aggression, drive, in Scorpio, “I desire,” intense, controlling, mysterious, obsessive) tells of an emotional setback, or perhaps the belief that a wrong choice has been made.  There is a sense of isolation that comes with the upright card, but my Five is reversed, so perhaps, just perhaps, I’ve been able to learn the lesson of the Cups cards: happiness comes from within. The Queen of Swords (cusp of Virgo, “I serve,” practical, sensible, work and service oriented, and Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation, grace) can be considered a Minor Arcana representation of the Justice card, which is about responsibility and the relationship between “cause” and “effect.”  This Queen knows of joy and she knows of sorrow, and in an upright position she is well able to balance good and evil in her life, and choose the response that is appropriate to the occasion.  My Queen is reversed today, and that means the truth is even more important, most likely because it will be difficult to discern.

My Thoth card is the Queen of Wands reversed.  Another reversed Queen.  The Queen of Wands (cusp of Pisces, “I believe,” feelings, duality, soul growth, spirituality, and Aries, “I want,” action oriented, assertive, competitive) is energetic and enthusiastic, gives 100% of herself, and always has a smile on her face and humor in her heart. Upright, she is able to offer friendship and generosity, but my Queen is reversed.  Thus, I may not deal well with opposition, or I may have a tendency to brood about perceived slights.

My Legacy card is the Queen of Wands, flavored by Justice reversed.  Bookends, and my only upright card, too!  The upright Queen of Wands is the best combination of spiritual awareness and the ability to take the right actions. She is passionate and persistent, and thus she is attractive to those who are drawn like moths to the flame.   She is proud of her accomplishments, and justifiably so.   Justice is a card of adjustment, and it corresponds with the element of Air (hot/separates and wet/adapts, and quick, animated energy that usually brings problems or challenges that bring growth), Libra (“we are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation), Lamed (ox goad; training or teaching), and the Path between Tiphareth (the hub of the creation process where energies harmonize and focus to illuminate and clarify) and Geburah (the place where forms and structures are challenged or affirmed).

My Bookends card is the Queen of Wands, so here is a bit more about her.  She is intense, maybe in a bit of a less obvious way than the Knight of Wands, but intense just the same.  The Queen of Wands can either make your dreams come true, or make your life hell.  She lives life to the fullest, whether good or bad, and she can manage to laugh at herself and keep her sense of humor no matter what the outcome.  This Queen nurtures self-expression, but she can be bitter and judgmental if reversed.  Finally, the Queen of Wands has amazingly potent charisma, and oh boy, that can be either a blessing or a curse.  She’s pretty interesting, eh?  But she could be high-maintenance. 

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

My horoscopes: “You may get the feeling that despite all the hard work you've accomplished, something is still missing, Sagittarius. There's still a long road ahead, regardless of the goals you've attained so far. Perhaps the thing you're searching for is a tender moment with a loved one, something that's much closer than you think. Stop searching far and wide for the thing that's right under your nose.”

And: “A friend whom you haven't seen for a while could surprise you with a phone call or short visit, Nanci. A lot of interesting news and useful information could be exchanged, benefiting both of you. You may make a number of short journeys throughout the day, as you have a lot to do. A small increase in income could also be in the works. In the evening: rent a romantic video.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Ten of Pentacles.  LOL, one of my regulars.  Yes, the Ten of Pentacles tells of physical bounty, often bounty that comes through discipline and the implementation of a long-term plan.  It warns us that we must do something with this bounty, or it becomes a liability.  What I love about the Shadowscapes Ten of Pentacles is that it reminds us that the best way to respond to physical world bounty is to connect it or infuse it with Spirit.  Sounds like a good plan!!

Yoga and gardening!  Okay, then.

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The Empress/The Sun reversed.  The Empress (which corresponds with Earth (cold/binds and dry/shapes, and stable, material, practical energies that are slow to change), Venus (beauty, allure, pleasure, relationships), the Hebrew letter Daleth (door or womb) and the Path between Binah (female receptive energy and the origin of form and structure) and Chokmah on the Tree of Life (dynamic male energy and the origin of vital force and polarity)) is one half of the Major Arcana representation of the Sacred Feminine.  The Empress is about creativity, fertility of all kinds, a deep connection to Nature and the nurturing of others, and an enjoyment of the senses.  She is reminding me that I need to feel good about myself, every level and part of myself, before I can send that goodness outward.  The Sun 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 in an upright position it tells of a time of enlightenment and peace that comes after the completion of some ordeal. My Sun is reversed; this is not bad, just a reminder that in order to reach the point of enlightenment and achievement, I’ve got to focus and be patient.  The resources are there to attain the enlightenment or achievement, but in order to access them, I need to be sure I am seeing them clearly and objectively. 

My Thoth card is the Three of Disks reversed.  “Works” is Crowley’s keyword for this one.  The Three of Pentacles (Mars, action, spontaneity, aggression, drive, in Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, cunning, competence) in an upright position tells of competence, planning and teamwork. My card is reversed, and this could be indicating that today, if I want something done I will need to do it myself.  Perhaps working with others will prove counterproductive today, or will distract me from my plan.  Or perhaps there will be some kind of conflict that will prevent the teamwork necessary to get the job done. 

My Legacy card is the Page of Coins, flavored by the Queen of Cups.  Nice!!  The Page of Coins (Aries, “I want,” assertive, action oriented, Taurus, “I have,” sensual, cautious, stubborn, and Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable, dual) is down-to-earth and responsible, and the Page is a listener and a learner.  My Page is reminding me to stop daydreaming and take a realistic approach to the tasks of the day.  The Page of Coins loves to learn new things and have new experiences, and I am being encouraged to be open to these things, even as I strive to be realistic and grounded.  The Queen of Cups (cusp of Gemini, “I think,” curious, sociable, dual, and Cancer, “I feel,” sensitive, tenacious, nurturing, moody) represents the energies of Water and The High Priestess manifested into the Minor Arcana.  She is very much aware of the connectiveness of all life, and she is tuned into that connection.  She is reminding me that whether I am striving to be realistic or I am opening myself to new experiences, caring is more important than impatience, and acceptance will foster that connection she perceives so deeply.  These two cards together have a nice energy, eh?  A balance of a realistic approach and an openness to new experiences, with a side order of an increased and caring awareness of my connections to others, could breathe new life into my day!

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

My horoscopes: “You need to learn an important lesson in follow-through, Sagittarius. As you strive for perfection, you may get the feeling that nothing is ever fully completed. Try not to be so hard on yourself. The work you've finished so far is more than likely much better than what most people could ever accomplish. Put the final touches on whatever you're doing and move on.”

And: “Opportunities exist in the cracks, so don't count on looking in the most obvious places. The dreams you are searching for are found in the least likely locations, so keep your eyes open to the unexpected. The chance of a lifetime may come rolling around the corner at any minute, so be prepared to pack your bags and take a trip to a place you may never have thought of visiting before. The dreams you wish for can come true.”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Ace of Wands.  The interesting thing about the Ace of Wands is that it presents the potential for effects or events that are beyond my control, kind of the opposite of the Ace of Swords, which is about the workings of the mind and in the end, the creation of the challenges from within.  The flint has struck the tinder and the spark is flaring!

I have a dear friend who is very good at popping out a poem whenever she submits a homework assignment.  Here is her poem on Nature Spirits; enjoy!

Nature Spirits roaming free

Hidden from the world we see

Offering energy to our world

Sometimes gently, sometimes hurled

Approach with love and light

Perhaps they'll lend Faerie sight

Or maybe they'll enhance your work

If not, they may choose to only lurk

Approach with ill will and disrespect

And any number of mishaps you expect

From not receiving any assistance at all

Or pranks, rebels and attacks to call

Nature Spirits are conscious you know

So respect you should always show

Treat them as you wish to be

As you would with love to thee

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Two of Swords reversed/Page of Cups reversed.  The Two of Swords (Moon, feelings and emotions, illusion, imagination, in Libra, “We are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation) represents a time of not looking or of shutting out the world.  The serenity of this card happens because we are vigilant and on guard, and because we are controlling our thoughts and actions, and because we isolate ourselves from the effects of the world around us.  Today, that might not be an advisable plan; cutting myself off from the world might affect in a bad way my perception of that world.  The Page of Cups corresponds to Libra (“we are,” partnerships, balance, cooperation), Scorpio (“I desire,” intensity compulsion, mystery) and Sagittarius (“I seek,” philosophic, adventurous, blundering); it is a card of soft and tender energies and of getting fulfillment through connections to others and through innocent and simple joys.  My Page is also9 reversed, and perhaps I am being offered an end result of insisting on isolation today: a lack of imagination and simple pleasures.  Things may be a bit more complicated than that, but emotional balance does not come from isolation.

My Thoth card is the Queen of Disks.  The Queen of Disks (cusp of Sagittarius, “I seek,” philosophic, fun-loving, blundering, and Capricorn, “I build,” ambition, caution, cunning, authoritative) is very good at sustaining the physical world, keeping things dry and cozy and safe and orderly.  She might be suggesting that today I need a bit of grounding and maybe some focus on maintaining resources.  These things can be done in an isolated way, but with a focus on making my immediate environment more pleasurable for me and for others.  There is fulfillment to be had from this kind of focus.

My Legacy card is the Ten of Coins, flavored by the Eight of Cups.  The Ten of Coins (Mercury, reason, intelligence, education, communication, in Virgo, “I serve,” practical, analytical, work and service oriented) represents physical world wealth and bounty, usually achieved through the implementation of long-term plans, and the attempt to maintain the status quo.  The interesting thing about this card is that while it represents a nice accumulation of physical-world resources, it also tells us that we need to do something creative with those resources, or they will become a hugely heavy burden.  The Eight of Cups (Saturn, discipline, responsibility, limitation, law and order, in Pisces, “I believe,” feeling, duality, suffering, soul growth) tells of an ending or a decline or a change of direction, often one associated with emotions, and it offers one possible response to that decline or change: moving on. Sometimes things are so broken that we are better off just turning our backs and walking away.  My Eight is flavoring that Ten of Cups, and the message is clear: look at the pile of “stuff,” grab what works, and get going.  Receiving rewards for hard work is great, but I’ve got to decide what does not work for me any more and leave it behind, so I can turn my focus toward more productive and fulfilling endeavors.

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

My horoscopes: “Expect to have to make some adjustments in your love life, Sagittarius. You may be in a different frame of mind than your partner. Why not use the day to step back from the relationship? Spend time apart for a change. After all, there's nothing dramatic about the fact that your needs and desires aren't in sync. It's only temporary.”

And: “The principles you fight for probably have great moral value. You are interested in defending the values of the society you live in. But today, don't you think the people closest to you could use some of your good advice and practical help? It may actually be on this level that you will be the most effective at building a "community of mankind". Shouldn't you use your theories to help the people closest to you first?”

My Shadowscapes Insight is regarding the Nine of Pentacles.  Connecting the physical world with the spiritual realms is not always an easy task.  It often takes sustained effort and lots of practice, heavily salted with frustrating yet in the end, valuable, failures.  Discipline and patience are necessary ingredients in any success, and sometimes this ongoing process takes a lifetime, or more, to perfect.  This does not mean we should give up!!  Jump in the deep end, and enjoy what we’ve accomplished so far, then keep up the good work. 

I submitted Lesson 10 of Third Degree today.  I have only one more Lesson to complete, and I will be done with the Third Degree Lessons.  It is hard to believe that I am finally at this point. 

“We think that the point is to pass the test or overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don't really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It's just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.” – Pema Chödrön.  I love this quote!!  Often, I am asked, “If there is a God, why are so many pains and horrors perpetuated upon certain individuals?”  Here, then, is the answer, embedded in this beautiful quote.  Life and the living of our individual lives needs to contain good and bad.  This is, after all, what living a life entails!  We are given a set of circumstances to deal with, and it is our choice of how we will deal with them that is important.  This applies whether our lives seem to be serene and challenge-free, or filled with pain and suffering.  Who is to say that serenity and a lack of challenges is a good thing??

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Transparent Oracle Sunday!

64, Hearing (Within). Within is the direction of the Self, and thus the cards associated with this direction deal with the ways our Self connects to the world and perceives the world, and the Self.  This direction is mostly abstract, and yet is our bridge to the Universe around us.  Hearing is about perceiving without using our ability to visualize, in order to understand; it is about an inward flow of knowledge, wisdom, information or energy.  Hearing can be accomplished with our physical ears, with our other physical senses, and also with our minds and our ability to be aware.  In order to Hear, we must open ourselves to being able to listen, maybe even to listen to things we don’t want to hear. 

32, Weather: Snow (North).  North is the direction of Earth, and thus of the physical or physically formed or manifested world, and of nurturing, health, finances and security, and the wisdom associated with living simply, being well-grounded, and being in touch with our physical body.  Snow has a magickal effect on the landscape and our surroundings; when snow falls, it covers everything and hides details as well as mutes sounds.  The mantle of white is made of countless tiny, unique crystals, and like a blanket, the covering of snow insulates and protects.

65, Voice (Within).  The awareness that is the direction of Within and the entry and exit into this “place” can be described by the Sephira Yesod.  The Voice is used for communication, but it is also a tool for expression and for manifestation.  It is about an outward flow of knowledge, wisdom, information or energy. 

I then created my mandala.  Awesome!  Three faces with all kinds of energy emanating and surrounding them.  The center of the mandala is a mish-mosh of energies, emanating and contracting at first without a pattern but then a pattern becomes recognizable . . . and then another . . . and another.  Some of those emanations come through the overlay of faces, swirling from the center of the madala and through the crown chakras of the faces.  The more I look, the more patterns I see.  I see an interesting ebb and flow in this mandala, the inhalation of Hearing, the stillness of Snow, and the exhalation of Voice.  How fitting is this focus on the day of YTT Intensive 4??!!

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