Inner Planet Transits Mark May, 2015 – “One, Two, Three, Glide”

The Tower is Mars' tarot association, seen here
in the amazing must-have deck, "OSHO Zen
Tarot"© by Deva Padma

Just as Venus settled comfortably into her transit through Cancer, warrior Mars joined Mercury on a glide through Gemini. Okay, there could be a hiccup or two amongst all that gliding. Mercury Retrograde begins on May18th (The anniversary of the Mount St. Helens eruption – hmmmm) and a formidable conjunction of these two planets occurs during the end of the month. Still, all in all, May’s astrology is a well-timed waltz. All you’ve got to do is stay focused on the beat.

Venus transits Cancer until June 4th and when she dances in these particular waters Venus becomes a hopeful romantic. Unfortunately her insecurities also rise to the surface and she requires a more demonstrative affection from a partner. People who have Venus in Cancer prominently in their birth chart, or who were born under the sign of Cancer may desire to become homebodies this month, creating security by staying close to their favorite things and people. Closeness is fine, just avoid turning into a clinging vine. Your partner might not feel the same urge to hunker down as you do and that really is okay. 

While Venus says, “Let’s stay together – a lot,”  Mars in

The Empress represents Venus and
Kris Waldherr delivers amazing archetypes
in her stunning deck, "The Goddess Tarot"©

Gemini wants to be in the thick of the action. The Martian mind in Gemini thinks quickly and grasps new concepts using rapid-fire intellect. Have you been feeling particularly witty lately, your conversation sprinkled with quotable quips and snappy comebacks? Thats Mars in Gemini hard at work with Mercury, the planet of communications.

Mercury and Mars form a powerful partnership to harness both intellect and action in Gemini this month.  Sure we have Mercury Retrograde (see blogs: "Mercury retrograde, Tarot and You"; "Ramping Up For Retrograde"  ) May 18th through June 11th, but stick to your retrograde rules and you’ll be fine. Mars will also help with that fuzzy-brained effect that often accompanies MR. Think and most importantly re-think before speaking and acting and you’ll do great. Remember that MR is a chance for us to regroup, to rethink and rework projects.  Writer’s love MR because we don’t have to produce large amounts of original work, just simply rewrite a current project. (Sure, try telling that one to your editor. Deadline? What’s that?) Don’t be surprised, however, by a dynamic burst of creativity.

Mercury's tarot association from
Corrine Kenner and John J. Blumen's
wonderful, "Wizard's Tarot"© -
a personal favorite of mine.

The trickiest part of May falls during the 25th through the 30th. This is the period when Mars and Mercury are closest in Gemini. They go conjunct (same place, same time) on May 27th.  Watch out for the tendency to blurt things out before you’ve considered the ramifications of totally free speech. You do want to have some friends left at the end of the month and tact is your best friend come May 27th. Refreshing honesty needs to not only be placed in the back seat, but would be better left standing on the curb. 

We have a lot of astrological gifts this month and if you find the tempo and stay focused on the moment, you’ll we gliding across May’s ballroom and into a fabulous summer before you know it.

LADY ORACLE


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Astrological Trends forJanuary, 2015 – “Wade in the Water, Children”

Edited:

Although the annual reign of Aquarius doesn’t begin until

#17, The Star from Ciro Marchetti's
phenomenal deck, "The Legacy of the
Divine Tarot"©

January 20th,  two planets dawn their energetic galoshes by wading into Aquarian transits early in the month. One of them, Mercury will also go retrograde in Aquarius. I guess we'll simply have to grin and bear it. Get it? Puns are a great way to start the new year.

Aquarius is an air sign in the fixed modality and is ruled by Uranus. Though most people associate the sign of the water bearer with neon-colored  paisley and an olfactory overload of patchouly, that couldn’t be further from the truth.  ( See blog: Aquarius: Independent and Artistic, or Diva) Aquarians are first, and foremost innovators.  They are the intellectual individualists of the zodiac and are also great humanitarians. Susan B. Anthony, Thomas Edison, Jules Verne, Charles Lindbergh and Charles Darwin were Aquarians.

Just as each sign in the zodiac is ascribed to one of the four elements, earth, air, water, or fire, each of the four suits in tarot is also associated with an element.  Tarot’s suit of Swords represents the element of air and in divination this suit explores the worlds of intellect, attitude, truthfulness and certain areas of spiritual connection. January is a month to pay close attention to how and where the suit of Swords shows up in your readings.  Also watch for #17, The Star, tarot’s major arcana card representing Aquarius. This card means hope, inspiration and serenity.

#3, The Empress from "Streampunk Tarot"©
by Barbara Moore and Aly Fell

On January 3rd, Venus enters Aquarius. Venus in Aquarius might appear to be emotionally detached, but that’s not the whole story. Venus in Aquarius is highly charismatic to a variety of people. Aquarian’s love their freedom, so give your partner room to meander on the open range (particularly if Venus, or Aquarius is prominent in their birth chart). No, that’s not giving them license to poach in someone else’s pasture. Venus in Aquarius benefits socially and financially by connecting with people now, but only by using the Aquarian mantra of innovation, industry and humanitarianism. Let long-term relationship issues take a back seat during this transit as partners are less likely to be receptive to deep discussions. Venus’ tarot association is #3, The Empress, who stands for abundance, creativity and nurturing. 

Our Full Moon this month occurs on January 4th in fourteen

Kris Waldherr uses Rhiannon to represent
tarot's beloved charioteer in her
deck, "The Goddess Tarot"©

degrees and thirty-one minutes of Cancer The Moon is said to be high functioning, or exalted in Cancer which means it is at its peak in terms of power and influence. The sign, Cancer is ruled by Lady Moon and is of great benefit to us if we use her power in the appropriate way.  I’ll have more of this Moon later this week.  Tarot’s association for the Moon is #2, The High Priestess. This card deals with matters of the subconscious, indirect action and intuition. Cancer’s tarot association is #7, The Chariot.  Tarot’s charioteer rises triumphantly above the obstacles in his path. Where will The Chariot help you in your life?

Mercury begins its transit of Aquarius on January 4th as well.

#1, The Magician, from
RWCS deck, US Games® version

Mercury is the planet of communications and intellect. Inside the water bearer’s domain, Mercury becomes an inventive mind. Aquarius uses this planet’s skill set to influence the areas of career, reputation and societal structures (such as corporations, government and agencies that benefit the human endeavor).  

Corporate structure becomes not only easier to understand, but also to navigate after January 4th. You’ll also find it easier to have your voice heard, so be prepared.  Know your facts inside and out. All sorts of communications – even the non-verbal kind – are easily understood during this transit. That means stay present it all discussions and don’t let your body language do the talking for you.  Aquarius’ strong human component helps analytical Mercury see into the heart of a person’s motivations. 

Now comes the most important part, so pay attention.

Mercury goes into retrograde on January 21st until February 11th.  (See blog: "Mercury Retrograde, Tarot and You" ) After January 16th be aware of the rules of Mercury Retrograde and follow them faithfully.  Communications, travel plans and computers tend to go askew. Be prepared. Check and re-check everything. Don’t enter into delicate negotiations or contracts during this time and carefully review business matters that are already underway. Mercury has possibly the best tarot association – certainly my favorite – #1, The Magician.  This card is about limitless potential and the ability to create ones realty through focus and conscious, directed thought.  It doesn’t get much better than that, does it? 

Later I’ll cover our Full Moon is Cancer, as well as Mars’ transit of Pisces (more water), Mercury’s retrograde in Aquarius from a tarot perspective and Venus’ leap to Pisces at the end of this month. 2015 is stretched out before us like the Yellow Brick Road.  The journey will often be exciting and sometimes nerve-racking.  Stay tuned to my blog for insights and suggestions. Oh, and watch out for the flying monkeys.

LADY ORACLE

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Mercury in Retrograde, October 4, 2014 - October 24, 2014 – “A Solo Act, But No Headliner”

The Shaman, or Magician is Mercury's
card. This depiction from "The Wildwood
Tarot"© by Mark Ryan, John Matthews
and Will Worthington

Mercury in Scorpio had mind like a scalpel.  It makes clean incisions to expose hidden thoughts and agendas.  A Mercury/Scorpio mind loves to investigate the inner workings of a process, human, or bureaucratic. It’s a mindset with a notoriously short fuse, but is balanced by brilliant insights that are capable of transforming any situation according to intention.  The people most strongly influenced by this transit are people born under the signs of Scorpio, Gemini, or Virgo (the last two planets are ruled by Mercury), and those who have Mercury in Scorpio predominantly in their birth chart. (See Blog: “Mercury Retrograde, Tarot and You," for tips on dealing with the great mangler of communications and timetables)

I told you all that to tell you this: Mercury Retrograde begins on October 4th in the sign of Scorpio.  Luckily, this Mercury Retrograde doesn’t remain in testy Scorpio, but slip-slides back to Libra on October 10th.  We get to breath a sigh of semi-relief then because Libra is a much less volatile position for Mercury and we already have more than enough combustable energy to go around this month.  Mercury in Libra is a balanced mind that analyzes all sides of an issue as it continually looks for the perfect solution.  Nothing is ever perfectly balanced, but that doesn’t keep Mercury in Libra from trying.  If we follow Mercury Retrograde’s sacred rules, (re-visit, re-analyze, re-work) rules that are second nature to Mercury in Libra, we will have a relatively unobstructed path this month. Of course, we still have to traverse the rest of October’s volcanic terrain, don’t we?

October 8th we also have the Moon conjunct Uranus in fifteen

Fiery Aires rules Uranus and stirs
up the energy between the Moon and
Uranus on the 8th. Depiction from
"The Wildwood Tarot"©

degrees of Aires. This is part of the ongoing September/October Grand Fire Trine between Uranus in Aires, Jupiter in Leo and Mars in Sagittarius.  This is a massive amount of fire, or wand energy to handle.  It’s also a highly creative and industrious energy as well, and should nicely counter-balance much of MR’s impact.  However, remember to channel that fiery trine power, or risk being caught by an energetic ‘sneaker wave.’  

October is month for the intrepid, astrologically speaking.  What we seek, we are bound to find, good or bad, but never indifferent.  This weekend I’ll be looking at FullMoon in Aires, coupled with trine forces and garnished with – wouldn’t you just know it – a full lunar eclipse.  Plot your course, dust off your surf boards and prepare to shoot the energetic curl for this one, folks!

LADY ORACLE

All decks featured available for sale through "Lady Oracle Tarot"©

June 27, 2014, New Moon in Cancer – "A Terrific Night For A Moon Dance"

Sarasvati is the goddess Kris Waldherr chose
as #2, The High Priestess for her
wonderful "The Goddess Tarot"©, tarot's
card for Lady Moon

Our lunar reboot occurs on June 27th at 1:08 a.m., PDT in five degrees and thirty-seven minutes of Cancer.  This is terrific, because the Moon rules Cancer and is exalted during its passage through this sign.  Exalted, you say? Yup.  A planetary body (and the Moon falls within this category for the sake of astrology) that’s exalted has a purer, more direct form of its natural energy and characteristics.  This all adds up to a powerhouse of a New Moon whose energy can be used to reaffirm our commitment to our life path, goals and projects.  

While Mercury’s retrograde has had us reviewing, revamping and rethinking decisions, Neptune’s retrograde pattern has connected us more strongly to our mystic and spiritual sides.  This New Moon gives us the opportunity to adopt the strategies and philosophies we’ve been contemplating during Mercury Retrograde.  Our intellect (Mercury in Gemini),  our emotions (New Moon in Cancer), and our spirit (Neptune in Pisces) are in harmony.  Also, the New Moon on the 27th trines Neptune, giving us a super charge of mystical energy.  Use that intuition.  Allow all that amazing creativity you feel within you to flow free.  Set your plans so you can hit the ground running when Mercury turns direct on July 1st.  Then get out of your own way and watch your dreams manifest during the next thirty days.  The theme for this New Moon, like the tarot association for Cancer, The Chariot, is 'up and over.'

Rhiannon represents #7 The Chariot,
Cancer's tarot association. From
Kris Waldherr's "The Goddess Tarot"©

People with Moon in Cancer in their birth chart, or those born under the sign of Cancer  feel the effects of this New Moon more strongly, however Venus in Gemini lends  stability to the strong, emotional currents our favorite crustaceans might feel swirling around them.  Remember, this will be a New Moon with deep, meaningful subtext, both spiritual and emotional.  It’s important to stay focused on where you want to be in life and who you wish to have with you – friends, co-workers, or partners.

The power of June’s New Moon is a great opportunity to rise above that sense stagnation we’ve endured with Cardinal Crosses and so forth earlier this year.  Work with this new emotional template for the coming lunar cycle and you’ll amaze yourself.  

LADY ORACLE

Mercury Retrograde In Pisces and Aquarius, February 6th to February 28th – “Slipping Into the Shadows”

We are currently in what astrologer’s refer to as the ‘shadow

#17, The Star is Aquarius' tarot card
from "Legacy of the Divine Tarot"© by
Ciro Marchetti

period’ of a Mercury Retrograde cycle. The shadow period for a retrograde is computed by looking at the actual retrograde dates.  In this case, Mercury turns retrograde at three degrees Pisces.  After the retrograde period ends, Mercury doesn’t return to three degrees Pisces until March 20th.  Mercury turns direct on February 28th at eighteen degrees of Aquarius.  The last time Mercury was at eighteen degrees Aquarius prior to retrograde was January 22nd. Therefore the shadow period for this month’s Mercury Retrograde (MR) is January 22nd to March 20th.  

Why do astrologers calculate shadow periods?  Perhaps it’s a cosmic early warning system.  I’ve never been a purest about anything and I don’t have that much time to devote to smudging.  I consider a week before MR and a week after it to be enough of a cleansing period unless the signs involved with Mercury make things particularly crazy.  If you have Mercury in Pisces, or Mercury in Aquarius in your birth chart chances are you’ll feel this MR more than the rest of us.

#18, The Moon, Pisces card, reminds
us about the power of illusion and
imagination RWCS by US Games©

Starting tomorrow we have MR in Pisces.  Pisces is a highly intuitive sign and Mercury in Pisces is an intuitive mind.  During MR we may find that our intuition is slightly off kilter, or that we have more of a tendency to let our imaginations run away with us.  Our communications, while heartfelt, will be based in emotion, not logic and emotional expressions are the most susceptible to being misunderstood.  After all, miscommunication is the hallmark of Mercury in Retrograde.  Pisces have trouble forming strong opinions on their own on a good day.  We may experience feeling wishy-washy about matters that normally ignite our interest.  However, Pisces are also dreamers.  We can all use this MR to redesign and revise our dreams.

On February 12th Mercury slip slides back into Aquarius

Mercury's card, #1, The Magician
RWCS US Games©

along with our communications and intellectual attitudes.  Mercury in Aquarius is both a scientific and an inventive mind. Puzzle pieces fall into place easier and we can connect the dots more quickly.  Emotions rarely influence decisions under Mercury in Aquarius.  What does MR look like in Aquarius?  Missing the connections.  What appears glaringly obvious while Mercury is direct in the Water Bearer, now feels obscured.  Where we would normally leap to conclusions with gazelle-like accuracy, we find yourselves missing the mark.  We also risk sounding totally off base.  Remember that hallmark of miscommunication?  Repeat these ‘r’ words: Review, reconnoiter, reinvent.  After the 12th it becomes important not to rush into things without being 100 percent certain of where you’ll end up.  Thinking we know and going with your gut simply aren’t good enough strategies during MR.

Check out how to cope with basic Mercury Retrograde irritation in my blog, “Mercury Retrograde, Tarot and You.” 

Relax, remember to breath and put MR to work for you.

LADY ORACLE

Astrology Trends For February 2014, “Testing the Waters – Reflecting on the Spiritual As Well As The Mystical”

Several astrologers on the web state that the big influence for

#12, The Hanged Man is Neptune's
tarot association. This depiction by
Stephanie Pui-Mun Law from
"Shadowscapes"© tarot

February is Mercury’s retrograde in Pisces on February 6th and the planet’s digression back to the sign Aquarius on February 12th.  This first Mercury Retrograde (hereafter MR) of 2014 is the only one of the year that occurs in a sign other than a water sign.  Aquarius, although its full title is Aquarius the Water Bearer, is an air sign (tarot’s suit of swords).  Mercury in Aquarius is a clever mind concerned with analyzing people and their motives.  Pisces loves the mysterious and the intuitive. There’s no denying MR in Pisces/Aquarius promises to give us the chance to do some deep, philosophical and spiritual reflection.  Sure, there will be the regular MR quirks, but just remember to use your ‘r’ words: Review, re-structure, redesign, rededicate. (See blog: “Mercury Retrograde, Tarot and You” ) 

Jupiter's tarot association, #10, The Wheel
from "Shadowscapes"© by
Stephanie Pui-Mun Law

On February 14th we have a Full Moon in Leo.  Here’s a Full Moon that celebrates our confident self and I’ll have more next week on working effectively with this energy during MR. On the 18th the Sun moves to Pisces which will be significant on several fronts.  Neptune (#12, The Hanged Man) and Jupiter (#10, The Wheel) co-rule the sign Pisces (#18, The Moon), a highly intuitive water sign filled with compassionate and creative energy.  It is the sign of dreamers.  On February 23rd the Sun in Pisces is conjunct (same place, same time) with Neptune in Pisces.  That’s a strong dose of highly evolved mystical energy – great for meditation and pondering deep mysteries.  Use a little caution however, because while Neptune in Pisces is the place of dreamers and profound creativity, it is also the place of illusion.  It becomes easy to get lost among dreams of what might become in favor of developing more realistic plans.

On February 26th Jupiter squares Uranus and forms a loosey

#18, The Moon is the tarot card
for Pisces. From "Wizard's Tarot"©
by Corrine Kenner an John J. Blumen

goosey T-Square (a hangover from that ever present Cardinal Grand Cross) with Uranus square Pluto.  Expect a bit of a head rush here. The winds of change will provide a fresh perspective along with a positive change in fortune.  Make a blueprint to utilize the opportunity presented, but remember to take precautions in accordance with Mercury’s scrambled communications during retrograde. 

Venus, who’s recently turned direct, remains in Capricorn this month where she guides us towards committed, steadfast love.  Venus is never fickle or flighty in Capricorn.  However, she reminds us to be practical rather than fanciful in choosing a partner.  Love is grand, but quickly becomes strained under the weight of too many obstacles.  Enduring love requires depth and strength of character more than it requires romantic ideals.  We learned what to value in others during Venus Retrograde. Now is the time to put our findings to work for us.

#1, The Magician, tarot's card for
Mercury. From "Wizard's Tarot"©
by John J. Blumen and
Corrine Kenner

This month holds lots of promise if we go into it with a proactive attitude.  Granted, there’s a great deal of emotional, or water sign energy (tarot’s suit of cups), but Mercury Retrograde offers us a two-edged sword this month.  Certainly, there’s the potential for communications, travel and business efforts to go awry, but the other edge of the sword is just as sharp.  That second edge provides us an opportunity to test the ‘waters’ this month – to gain insight during this reflective period and to redesign our lives so we build something we value.

LADY ORACLE 

All featured tarot deck avail for purchase through Lady Oracle Tarot

 email - ladyoracle56@yahoo.com

November 3, 2013, New Moon in Scorpio With a Solar Eclipse – “Sugar Rush”

#13 - Transfiguration, from Corrine Kenner
and John J. Blumen's "Wizard's Tarot"©
Scorpio's card and the theme for
early November

There comes a point when there’s simply too much of a good thing.  This is true in astrology as well as in leftover Halloween candy and both can leave us groggy and feeling as if we’ve been on a three day bender.  We have Mercury Retrograde conjunct Sun, Saturn, and North Node in Scorpio.  These guys form a yod featuring Uranus in Aries at the apex. (See Blog: “Yod Nod”) The double fudge layer on all of this is that Uranus is also directly square Pluto on November 1st. However, the cherry that tops this rich and gooey mound of transformative energy is a New Moon in Scorpio with a hybrid, total solar eclipse chaser.  Sugar overload.

If you’re nervous about Scorpio’s energy, then perhaps it’s a good time to make a three day pilgrimage to a cloistered abbey.  If, however, you are ready to shake loose the status quo and step across the lines of regimentation that have been chaffing you for the past several months (if not a couple of years) take a deep breath, square your shoulders and step into the supped up transformative energy flow that is the best of Scorpio. 

The North Node represents the path of our personal growth –

Choi Roma's "Dreaming Way Tarot"©
presents The Fool, card for Uranus.
The Fool is ready for anything and puts his
faith in both providence and himself.

our future.  It offers us challenges that are meant to teach and inspire us. It’s a place where you learn to stand tall, gaining confidence with each stride.  When housed in Scorpio, North Node invites us to dive into the deeper mysteries of life and use our inborn talents to empower us and transform our lives.  The North Node clearly works well with Saturn, who’s mission is also to teach by issuing us challenges we can win.  

New Moons start a new cycle and there is no cycle stronger than one beginning with a an eclipse.  Eclipses are planetary reboots and we will feel the effects of the reboot for about six months.  In addition, this particular eclipse is a rare ‘hybrid’ type that starts out as an annular eclipse (ring of fire) before transforming into a total eclipse where the Moon’s shadow fully sweeps across the Earth.  Again, here we see the pivotal theme of the stars: Transformation.  The power in this eclipse asks us to seize the moment and use the best parts of Scorpio’s energy – their innate resourcefulness, focus, passion and drive –  to take control of our destiny.

#20, Judgement, from "Steampunk Tarot"©
by Barbara Moore and Aly Fell carries
a two-fold message - Decision and Rebirth

Uranus, that whirling dervish a sweeping, societal change, squares Pluto (one of Scorpio’s ruling planets - See blog: "Sun In Scorpio, The House that Passion Built" ) the transformer.  Total Optimus Prime here. At this point the Zodiac it’s almost on planetary overload in terms of transformative energy.  For this reason, as I’ve stated before, Mercury Retrograde is your best friend.  Review, revise, renew and decide.  That’s your assignment.  You don’t get an extension because the dog ate your homework.  Get busy.  If the astrological energy for the next few days is a little overwhelming at times, cut back on your activity.  Practice quieting your mind through meditation, music and activities that require simple motor skills.   Let go of the past and look towards the future.  Release resentments and claim your life as your journey, not your parent’s, not your lover’s, not your sister’s and not even your neighbor’s cat’s journey.  Yours – unparalleled and unequaled. It’s time to rise and shine.

LADY ORACLE

Here's a link to my guest spot on Blog Talk Radio's "The Moment" for their Halloween show :)  Yay!  This is an terrific show designed to make you think, make you question and mostly, make you evolve.  Wednesday evenings at 8 p.m PST. Check it out!

New Moon in Libra, October 4, 2013 - "A Roadmap for Change"

Our New Moon in Libra occurred at 5:34 PDT today.  Lots of us

#11, Justice is Libra's tarot card
from "Dreamingway Tarot"© by Rome Choi

felt the energy surges from this New Moon well before it took place and as it turns out, we had good reason.  October's New Moon is considered by some astrologers to not only be the most powerful New Moon of 2013, but also the most important.  Some consider it to be warning shot for the astrological configurations coming up in our winter skies.  Others view it as a rather bumpy, by necessary jolt that forces us to confront issues in our lives and deal with them.  All from this one little New Moon. 

#2, The High Priestess represents
our Lady Moon. from Rome Choi's
"Dreamingway Tarot"©

In previous blogs I've explained the cosmic dynamics of the notorious T-Square and Grand Cross/Square configurations. ( See blogs: September 2013 "The Flying Wedge" and August 2013 "Dynamic, Transformative and a Tad Scary")  These blogs basically describe what we have occurring  on this New Moon.  Astrologer, Bill Herbst, in his paper on this year's astrology, explains that a T- Square (August blog) is actually a four-legged stool with only three legs showing.  Our New Moon in Libra forms the powerful fourth leg.  We have four planets (okay, one satellite, three planets) all in the cardinal modality (first astrological sign for a given season)  form a Grand Square.  Square configurations are extremely challenging – this one in particular.  Don't panic, though.  You simply need to pay attention to the life lessons you are being shown.

Libra rules the seventh house of relationships and partnerships.  Communication is essential to any healthy relationship, both personal and professional.   Where New Moons in Libra are normally easy-going, intellectual and gracious, this one isn't.  The other members of this Grand Square are Jupiter in Cancer, Uranus in Aries and (drum roll please) Pluto in Capricorn.  That's right, the notorious Uranus/Pluto square is alive and well.  It's also on another power build up for November 1st when their square goes direct.  Revolutionary energy and pivotal, societal change.  You read the news, you draw the parallels.  

The Fool from "Dreamingway Tarot"©
by Rome Choi represents Uranus      

This Grand Square gives us the opportunity to lurch forward, granted, a little awkwardly, but forward none the less.  Here's where we can do a diagnostic on our lives and review our decisions to date.  (Mercury Retrograde later this month gives us the opportunity to seal the deal.) In order to move into a successful 2014 it's important to complete and turn it your homework.  Rule #1, do harm to none – especially not to yourself.  Rule #2, if you keep repeating the same pattern in your life, you'll get the same results.  Change the pattern, change your life.  October is all about redesign and New Moons are about new emotional cycles.  It's time to clear away the situations and thoughts that no longer serve you so that you successfully navigate the transitions coming this winter.  Stay grounded,  clear your space and get to work.  You will be brilliant.

LADY ORACLE

Mercury in Scorpio, September 29th to December 4th - “Communication Via Steamroller”

The Magician is tarot's card for
Mercury. This depiction is from
"Wizard's Tarot"© by Corrine Kenner
and John J. Blumen. Great deck!

Today, at 4:38 PDT, Mercury entered the house of Scorpio.  Though we all feel the effects of this cosmic pair-up to a greater, or lesser degree, those of us with Mercury in Scorpio in our birth chart will feel these effects most strongly.  What can we expect?  For starters, Mercury in Scorpio is a relentless truth seeker.  It senses a lie underneath a ton of camouflage and shows no mercy when exposing that lie to clean air and sunlight.  There will be no word mincing, and no tolerance for frivolous promises with Mercury in Scorpio – just straight talk that drives right to the heart of the matter.  

Mercury in Scorpio turns all of us into students of human nature.  Mercury picks up on emotional subtext more easily in the 8th house of the Zodiac.  It loves to ferret out information, especially if that information leads to intrigue, or better yet, solves a mystery.  Mercury in Scorpio particularly likes to flirt with the supernatural and the psychic arts.  Think of Mercury in Scorpio as the Shaggy and Scooby Doo of the Zodiac. 

In the workplace, Mercury and Scorpio’s keen powers of

Scorpio's ruling tarot card, Transfiguration (Death)
from "Wizard's Tarot"©

observation, along with their characteristic bluntness, presents a two-edged sword.  Their straight-forward insights may sound judgmental, even pessimistic.  Their blunt speech can be perceived as micro-management. Think about the energy of the Knight of Swords here, but, also remember that Mercury in Scorpio loves a good strategy rather than simply charging into the fray with their sword waving. Mercury in Scorpio is blunt, but never random or reckless in their critique – which is why the stinger goes in so deeply.

The Knight of Sword who turns
bluntness into an art form
from "The Wizard's Tarot"©

The insights into the human condition that we receive while Mercury is in Scorpio can make us want to jump up on a soapbox and inspire the masses with a stirring speech, or, at the very least, compose an earthy torch song. There’s a surprising amount of romance packed in this Zodiac pairing – along with a love for a good argument.  Notice I didn’t say debate.  Debates have rules and tend to be more analytical.  Repeat, Mercury in Scorpio loves to argue.  They will not let us surrender until our opponent is on the mat.

Mercury in Scorpio is a powerful cosmic pairing and we can gain much ground by being insightful and by using our intellect to further our goals during this period.  Strive for diplomacy and keep in mind that Mercury goes retrograde October 21st through November 10th.  See blog: "Mercury Retrograde, Tarot and You"    to learn what this means and gain some techniques to help you through this sometimes tricky period.  Be brilliant.

LADY ORACLE

The exceptional "Wizard's Tarot"© is a great deck for those interested in the link between astrology and tarot.

It is available for purchase through Lady Oracle Tarot

July 20th, Mercury Goes Direct Square Uranus - Bump, Ouch!

On July 20th, Mercury, in 13 degrees Cancer, leaves

Tarot's #7 The Chariot rules Cancer the Crab
from Corrine Kenner and John J. Blumen's
Wizard's Tarot©

retrograde (see blog: "Mercury Retrograde Tarot and You") and squares with Uranus in Aries.  Word on the web is that there will be some volatility connected with this configuration.  Uranus began its own retrograde on July 17th and when Uranus in Aries goes retrograde, nobody better be caught asleep at the wheel.

This month’s Grand Water Trine asks us to release that which no longer serves us. Here, as Mercury in Cancer goes direct, the good old Uranus/Pluto square (both of them in retrograde) flexes its muscle.  Uranus in Aries is filled with fiery energy that demands we break from tradition and forge a new trail.  That’s all well and good, but

Tarot's #4 The Emperor rules Aries the Ram
Rider, Waite, Coleman-Smith US Games©

Mercury in Cancer sparks intuitive communications.  With the square of Mercury and Uranus, those communications may be a tad too blunt for most people’s taste.  Think of the energy of tarot’s Knight of Swords at its strongest. He is blunt – in your face, take it or leave it, you-should-know-better-than-to-ask, kind of blunt.  Temper your responses before you open your mouth.

When Uranus, the planet of societal change goes retrograde, its energy asks us to examine our relationship with our world – our, meaning our neighborhood, town, country or the entire globe.  Uranus retrograde in Aries asks whether we are working for the good of the whole, doing the expedient, or worst case, whether we are working with only our own best interests in mind.  If we’re not satisfied with our answer, Aries demands action.  Now, not next week.  Again, filter your words.  There’s no percentage in calling either your partner or your boss a short-sighted boob for not recycling plastics, or in verbally taking on

The Fool rules Uranus
from Legacy of the Divine Tarot©
by Ciro Marchetti

a police officer during a traffic stop. 

Pluto retrograde in Capricorn is a variation on Uranus’ theme of societal change.  Pluto’s energy is transformative, but before we transform, we soul search. You may feel a little more angst-ridden than normal prior to the Full Moon on July 22nd.  However, here’s the good thing about astrology.  Within a couple of days configurations change.  Also, each of us are still in charge of our own decisions and create our own realities in life.  That is really the important message between Mercury and Uranus this month.  Each of us has the opportunity to make a difference in this world – to influence our collective destiny.  We can affect positive, peaceful and lasting change.  Let’s make that our primary goal.

LADY ORACLE

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July 8, 2013 - New Moon in Cancer

Tarot's #18, The Moon
from Wizard's Tarot©
Ruling card for Cancer the Crab

New Moons direct our emotional cycle.  This month we have a new moon occurring at 16 degrees of Cancer the Crab.  It’s very important for us to focus on the energy and traits found in the crab shack (see blog: Zodiac Sign of Cancer the Crab) to receive the fullest benefits from this month’s new moon.

In the last blog, we talked about the effects of water signs on July’s powerful Grand Trine (Jupiter in Cancer, Neptune in Pisces and Saturn in Scorpio).  The same information holds true here, especially during the next few days as we start the New Moon cycle.  However, we also have the added component that the Moon’s monthly reboot is conjunct (same place, same time) Mercury in retrograde.  There’s a strong theme here of inward reflection.  As the Moon reflects the light of the Sun, Mercury, the planet of communication, likewise asks us to pause and reflect on our lives and our inner journey.  What goals of yours are worthy of recommitment?  What does New Moon in Cancer tell you about hearth, home, family and your sense of security?  Just as tarot’s # 2, The High Priestess represents

Tarot's #2, The High Priestess
from Wizard's Tarot©
Ruling card for The Moon

the subconscious mind and intuition, so does this month’s New Moon in Cancer.

Cancerian energy loves the security and the comfort of hearth and home.  This is something we can all identify with right now.  Each month the New Moon offers us a new broom to sweep out the cobwebs of complacency that form during each lunar cycle.  July’s New Moon works like a cyclonic Hoover©. It draws high powered spiritual energy from Neptune and knowledge from Saturn (who goes direct on the 8th).  This is the time to get out of your head.  Stop viewing the world through your ego and start pulling information through and from your own heart.  Meditations will be both extremely powerful and extremely productive right now.  Your sense of security and home life are particularly important to you and will probably figure prominently in your inner reflections.  Follow the flow of your own intuition and take time this New Moon to reflect, meditate and experience your life through an open heart. 

LADY ORACLE 

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