Jumping on the Boards – Why We Succumb to the Lure of Self-Sabotage

8 of Swords, self-restriction, self-limitation.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the ego.
RWCS, US Games version

At one time or another we’ve all snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.  We know not to go down to the basement of deserted old house all alone, or wander in an abandoned mine.  Then, there are days where, for whatever reason, we invite chaos into our lives either through random actions or by our mental outlook.  Usually we extend the invitation when things are running smoothly.  Here’s an interesting looking loose end, we think. I wonder what will happen if I pull this thread? Suddenly, by our own design, our whole picture starts to unravel.

What turns us into major league thread pullers who suddenly let anxiety freeze us into indecision? Three little letters, my friends –  E, G, and O.  Our ego stems from our mind, our ability to rationalize, to remember and to over-analyze.  Our ego is designed to be our first line of defense in a hostile environment.  It tells us whether or not we are safe and if we are operating within the boundaries of our personal normal.  What happens when we suddenly change our behaviors to accommodate new goals and ambitions?  Our ego, who defines our sense of self, goes into hyper-drive thinking up new ways to get us back to our habitual program – even a program that has proven detrimental to us in the past.  

We don’t fall victim to self-sabotage out of stupidity.  We fall

9 of Swords, RWCS by US Games
Anxiety, guilt, obsessive thoughts.
An ego in full control

for it because the ego knows that it works. The ego is thorough, relentless and infinitely patient in its mission. It is no friend to out-of-the-box thinking.  It will lie to us and play on our fears (Nine of Swords) to keep us operating in the familiar.  How do we halt the progression of an ego gone wild? One of the first things to do is to identify self-sabotaging thoughts or behaviors for what they are and to do so without judgement.  Judging yourself and others feeds your ego.  The bigger the judgement, the more power you’ve surrendered to your ego self.  

"OSHO's Zen Tarot"© by Deva Padma
shows the value of quieting the mind and
engaging inner stillness when the mind's
illusions seize control.

Two traits of self-actualized people are acceptance of their human frailties and acceptance of the frailties of others, as well.  Stop listening to your ego’s judgment when you think of your life choices.  Listen with your heart and come from a place of compassion instead of the place of self.  Does this mean you surrender your own best interests and stay in situations that cause you emotional, or even physical pain? Just the opposite. People don’t stay in bad relationships because they are placing other’s needs first. They stay because their ego is being fed in some way.  I am noble – look how I suffer.  I do this for my family even though I am unhappy.  Really?  No.  You do it because your ego likes a steady banquet of martyrdom.

9 of Wands, RWCS US Games
Battered, beleaguered, but determine
to persevere.  Battling yourself can
be exhausting, but so worth it!

Tarot’s Eight of Swords shows us a woman kept prisoner by her own ego.  (Swords being the suit of mental outlook, thoughts and communications.)  She stands loosely bound, blindfolded and semi-encircled by eight swords.  No one holds her there accept her own state of mind.  She can slip the bonds and walk away, but for whatever reason she choses her self-imposed prison rather than risk to her safety for the adventure and freedom outside the circle of swords.

One of my greatest teachers, Linda Becker, (author of “Living With Soul – The Great Spiritual Revolution”) taught me to give my ego a name and to envision locking it away in a box when it demanded I feed it with self-defeating thoughts or behaviors.  It's a simple method, but one that works – even when I have to pull my ego off me just like Spiderman pulling off that black, Venom costume.  Out of control egos are sticky things. Chakra meditations that are designed to open the heart also work wonders for controlling the ego.  

No one is immune to their ego running amok. As with everything in life – it’s not a question of whether or not you make a mistake, but of how well you recover from the mistakes you do make.

LADY ORACLE

ALL FEATURED DECKS AVAILABLE FOR SALE THROUGH "LADY ORACLE TAROT"

December 2, 2013, New Moon in Sagittarius – “The Art of Manifesting”

We’ve talked a lot about clearing our emotional and mental

#10, The Wheel of Fortune
The tarot card for Jupiter, ruler of Sagittarius
From Stephanie Pui-Mun Law's and Barbara
Moore's "Shadowscapes Tarot"©

decks in preparation for the power burn at the end of 2013.  Now it’s show time.  On December 2nd at 4:22 p.m. PST, the New Moon in Sagittarius arrives.  What’s so special about this particular New Moon? Optimism and luck for starters. Being in the right place at the right time.  New Moon in Sagittarius is one of the best moons of 2013 for easy manifesting and plain dumb luck.

This month Sagittarius baths Lady Moon in fast-paced, positive energy.  All of us (but most particularly those with Sagittarius in our birth charts) will be surrounded by fiery, upbeat power surges that push us to not only get involved, but to get going as well. Turn your eyes to the horizon this month and look for the next big opportunity coming your way. It’s there. During December’s lunar cycle, our vision will be clearer, our wit, sharper and our actions, while perhaps spontaneous, will be Divinely guided.  

There’s an art to manifesting and Sagittarians have it down

#14, Temperance is the tarot association for Sagittarius
Aly Fell and Barbara Moore's "Steampunk Tarot"©

pat.  Manifesting is literally like breathing for them because Sags stay focused in the moment better than most of us.  December already has an intense spiritual core as we all celebrate the natural order of life through a variety of wonderful, time-honored beliefs.  Sagittarius carries the energy of the spiritual philosopher (See blog: “Sagittarius the Archer”).  Archers are highly optimistic. They don’t see barriers, they see opportunities.  Work with this positive boost this month, particularly if you’ve been pulling the 8 of Swords (self-restriction) in your readings lately.  This is a perfect opportunity for you to push your boundaries, pull off the blindfold and step on out.

RWCS 8 of Swords shows
the illusion of self-restriction
US Games ©

Jupiter, the Santa Claus planet, (perfect for this month, don’t you think?)remains in Cancer and while Jupiter is still in retrograde, there are still plenty of perks to go around from this planet’s naturally expansive energy.  Where you might find that you have to watch your holiday dollars a little more closely, which is good advice any time, you’ll still have a fantastic holiday season. Explore the new, the different, even the offbeat.  Lights shine a little brighter this year, wherever and whoever you’re with.  Experience is the keyword this month because Sagittarius is never about things.  For them life is one big visceral experience.  Focus on people and events, not the number of shiny packages.

Put a list of your goals and desires together during the next couple of days.  Remember that goals must be specific, realistic and attainable.  They must also be yours, not someone else’s.  Once you have your list focus on it several times a day, but with one major difference.  Envision the items as if they have already occurred and you are already experiencing whatever it is you seek.  Don’t say to yourself, “When I get to Paris I’m going to be so excited.” Instead say, “Here I am in Paris and the lights on the Champs-Élysées are so beautiful at night that they steal my breath. I walk along the Seine and tears fill my eyes at the magic of being here. I’m so grateful to be here with all these marvelous sights and smells – even the traffic noise is amazing.”   Present tense brings your goals into reality, people.  It works like a charm. 

This month’s lunar cycle in Sagittarius is a gift to you from the

7 of Pentacles is an excellent focal point for
manifesting meditations, RWCS, US Games©

Universe and a golden opportunity for you start manifesting ( 7 of Pentacles, self-perpetuating harvest) the fruit of your own potential.  Work with Sagittarius’ energy and you’ll see amazing results.

LADY ORACLE

August 20, 2013, Full Sturgeon Moon in Aquarius - Again

Corrine Kenner and John J. Blumen's
Wizard's Tarot© gives us Lady Moon
in all her enchantment

There’s been much discussion on the web whether or, not our August Full Moon in Aquarius constitutes a true “Blue Moon.”  August's Full Sturgeon Moon is our second Full Moon in the house of Aquarius.  For those who believe that Blue Moons should be calculated In terms of the Zodiac, (two months in the same sign) we fill the bill.  For those of us who prefer the traditional methods for charting a Blue Moon, we've missed the benchmark.  July’s Aquarian Moon occurred at zero degrees and 6 seconds of Aquarius (see blog on July’s Full Thunder Moon).  August's Full Moon in Aquarius occurs at twenty-nine degrees.  According to a calendar cycle definition, a traditional Blue Moon (see Blue Moon blog) is the second Full Moon occurring within a thirty day cycle.  In both scenarios, double sign or double moon, it’s a rare and powerful occurrence.   Look for Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius to be most effected by this month’s Full Moon.

During last month’s Thunder Moon, we experienced Aquarius’ quick mind and tendency to color outside of the lines.  This month’s Aquarian Moon sees all of us throwing out the coloring book and trading in our simple crayon box for a full palette of oil pastels.  We’ve discovered the boundaries created by our own minds as we’ve explored our personal power. It’s time to break free of self-imposed restrictions and rewrite some of the more confining rules if you haven’t already.  Now that we comprehend the restriction is of our own making (Eight of Swords), we must move towards understanding that we don’t have to simply accept our neat and tidy limits (Two of Wands and Three of Wands) as the status quo. 

Uranus, Aquarius’ ruling planet, sets up a little bit of a ‘no

Ciro Marchetti's Fool from
"Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©
Shows us the dynamic power and potential in Uranus

pain, no gain’ obstacle course this month.  Saturn, camped out in Scorpio, likes to teach us through the challenge model.  It might get a little bumpy, but it’s truly nothing we can’t handle. Saturn wants us to transform, not to break.  Use Uranus and Saturn’s energy to help you release the parts of your life that aren’t working so well.  The Universe abhors a vacuum and if you release the things that no longer serve you – be it people, employment, or personal belief systems – something better will flow in to fill the void you’ve created.  Just remember to create responsibly.  Uranus, with its revolutionary energy is swaggering around right now. (Read the world news - Uranus and Pluto square off again in November.  We’re experiencing one heck of a build up) Pull through your heart and release with compassion and love.  Don’t be a brat. Shove your ego into a box and stuff it under your bed.

Don't discount Leo's charisma, even
this late in sign. Let the Lion's confidence
ignite your own. RWCS from US Games©

Leo’s charm still gives us the opportunity to persuade and cajole rather hit people in the head with a hammer.  Use your innate skills to rise to a position of leadership and move your goals forward.  There’s definitely some power surges coming with this month’s Full Moon in Aquarius, Part II.  Use your meditation skills, read your tarot and use the Eight of Swords, as well as the Two and Three of Wands for focal points.  You’ll be brilliant!

LADY ORACLE

P.S. Check out my blog on Venus in Libra for the scoop on romance this month.

L.O.

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Crazy 8s - Tarot's Movable Feast

In tarot’s Minor Arcana, eights are concerned with aspects of

8 of Wands Lo Scarebo's "Tarot of the Pagan Cats"©
Very much tarot, but oh, so, catlike!

movement within your life.  Movement refers to change that shifts you into a different set of circumstances, either internal or external.  The RWCS deck depicts the Eight of Wands as wands that have arced through the sky and are now coming back to earth.  This card signifies information or news that leads to the successful completion of business matters, affairs of the heart or a particular goal.  Depending on the situation, this message can feel like “Skyrockets in flight,” or “Incoming.”   There is also an element of timing implied with this card. Let the timing of the situation reveal itself to you.  Don’t rush your fences and your outcome will be successful.  

8 of Cups from Rome Choi's
remarkable "Dreaming Way Tarot"©

Cups deal with emotions and spiritual aspects of life. RWSC shows you eight cups stacked into a prymid form and setting on a beach.  They are not stable.  What else can you expect when you try to build a structure on shifting sand?  In the background we see a figure leaving.  He glances over this shoulder at the cups as he departs, indicating regret.  Here’s the deal.  The situation, or relationship is over.  Stick the proverbial fork in it.  This card also comes with a promise.  You’re leaving behind a situation or relationship that was not a good fit and you are heading onwards and upwards where solid ground will allow you to build a firm foundation.  Bigger and better, baby, bigger and better.

Swords - gloomy doomy and in your face.  Swords show you

8 of Swords - the restricted lady
from RWCS by US Games®

the patterns in your mind with all their subtle shading and complexities. Swords can be upsetting to us in a reading because we are often not comfortable with what we see in the images that they mirror.  Still, mirrors are valuable.  They keep us from leaving the house with spinach in your teeth if nothing else.  In RWCS Eight of Swords we find a damsel in distress - captured, bound and encircled with swords.  Restriction.  What ensnares you?  Why, nothing less than your own fruitful imagination.  Look at the lady again.  She’s blindfolded, but her bonds are loose enough to break.  The swords do not completely encircle her and to top it all off, there’s no one around to prevent her escape.  That’s the truth about most restrictions - you create them in your own mind.

8 of Pentacle from the incomparable
"Wizard's Tarot"© by Corrine Kenner
and John J. Blumen

In Pentacles, the eight shows us an apprentice working hard to become a craftsman in his own right.  Financial growth through industry and mastery of skills.  He’s got a lot of pentacles there and he’s worked tirelessly to produce them.  The deeper lesson here is gained by asking yourself two questions:  Am I working for the end product, or for a deeper sense of satisfaction?  Am I so attached to outcome, that I’m missing the significance of my journey?  How you do something tells you more about why you do it in the first place.

Tarots eights hold promise for you.  They can reassure you, unlock your potential and give you a completely new take on a situation.  The important thing to remember is that all forward movement counts.

LADY ORACLE

Links I Love:  Check out Cathy Rose!  I love her astrological information!  Always upbeat and proactive.  Check her out!

http://www.roseastrology.com/

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You know you want to!

Full Moon Eclipse November 28th, 2012

November’s full moon arrives on the 28th at 9:47 a.m., EST - two days after Mercury turns direct.  Hallelujah!  The November full moon, or the second full moon after the Fall Equinox, is called the Full Beaver Moon (No snickering from the kids in the back, please).  Historically, this was the time of year Native Americans set their traps for beaver, who become very active in the late fall. November’s full moon is sometimes called the Frost Moon, as well.

After all the dire warnings we’ve had during the past few full moon cycles, it’s going to be nice to have a full moon that is relatively uncomplicated and just darn right fun.  Our full moon this month is in six degrees Gemini, in opposition to a Sagittarian sun.  This means that while Gemini asks you to use logic and reason to solve a problem, Sagittarius nudges you in the ribs and says, “Come on.  Think outside the box.”

The Gemini moon is about communications and attitude.  We also have a lunar eclipse occurring at the same time and remember, eclipses have the power of 10 full moons.  You can expect to receive extra power kick to the already boosted organizing and accomplishing drive we have from Mars visiting Capricorn.

Sparkling conversation and witty remarks are the hallmarks of this full moon cycle.  Consider hosting an afterwork soirée with good wine and friends who always have something thought-provoking to say.  You might also round up your friends and drop by your favorite bistro.  The 28th is definitely an evening for good food and good cheer.  Think of it as a cosmic kickoff to the holiday season.

In terms of tarot, the number for the 28th is 8  (11 + 28 + 2012 = 8).  

Major Arcana # 8     =       Strength: compassion, coping, the ability to act 

                                          powerfully, yet calmly

8 of Wands              =       movement, a message or proposal, timing

8 of Cups                =        leaving a situation or relationship that is completed 

                                         and going to something better

8 of Swords            =      self-imposed restraint, or limitations

8 of Pentacles        =      task mastery, development of work skills and discipline for

                                       the sake of the job itself, immersion in work

Enjoy our Gemini moon.  She heralds some interesting high points for the December holiday season.

LADY ORACLE