December 21, 2014, Winter Solstice - “Although It’s Been Said Many Times Many Ways”

Winter Solstice arrives on December 21st at 3:03 p.m. PST.  The word ‘solstice’ comes from the latin words, sol – meaning sun and sisto – stop.  During Solstice the Sun will appear to stop in the sky and then ever so infinitesimally, reverse its direction. From that point until the Summer Solstice in June, our number of daylight hours continues to increase. 

Earth’s orbit causes us to tilt 23.5 degrees away from the Sun at this time of year. Not all at once, of course.  We start leaning this way after the Summer Solstice and arrive at full tilt by December 21st.  Afterwards we start the journey back so that by early summer we are tilting a full 23.5 degrees towards the Sun. At Winter Solstice everything above latitude, 66.5 degrees north (the Arctic Circle) has twenty-four hours of darkness and everything below latitude 66.5 degrees south (Antarctica) receives twenty-four hours of light.  This also gradually reverses after December 21st.

Humans began cultivating crops more than 10,000 years ago.

January through April were known as the ‘famine months.’

Unfortunately, they still are in many parts of the world with strictly agrarian cultures.  Each civilization has had its way to mark the end of the year and all of them centered on Winter Solstice.  Plentiful stores of grain and preserved foods were the only chance you had of surviving the bleak winter months.  Typically, excess animals were slaughtered during Winter Solstice to make certain there would be enough feed for the rest of the herd to last the winter.  The culled animals  were then used to create the medieval feasts that still live on in songs like “Good King Wenceslas.”  

The ancient Egyptians (approximately 4,000 years ago) marked Winter Solstice with a festival celebrating the rebirth of their sun god, Horus.  The festival lasted twelve days – one day for each month of their twelve month year.  The palm fronds used to decorate their homes had twelve leaves as well.  I wonder what the lyrics were to the “Twelve Days of Horusmas?” Each ancient civilization (particularly those enjoying a good party) celebrated solstice – Babylonians, Persians, ancient Greeks and Romans, to name a few.  Each of them also left their imprint on how cultures celebrate Winter Solstice and Christmas today.

The Persians crowned a mock king during their celebrations,

a practice that centuries later, morphed into the European traditions of naming the Lord of Misrule to oversee their celebrations.  The Greeks burned large logs in their homes every year to ward off the kallikantzaroi,monster-like imps who threatened children, giving us the first Yule log. Druidic tradition gave us holly, mistletoe and evergreen boughs to be used as decorations.  

The numerical card for Winter Solstice
12/21/14 is #13, Transformation
seen here from "OSHO Zen Tarot©"
by Deva Padma - The end of one cycle and
the beginning of another - most appropriate

All these festivals share a common theme – the celebration of light.  Ancient solstice festivals were primarily a time for reflecting on your place in the world. They were a time of sharing hope as well as some of what you’d put by for the winter with your friends, family and those less fortunate than yourself.  You took stock of the year gone by, rejoiced in it and made plans for the year to come – what you’d do differently given the chance.  Most importantly, you’d take time to think about the miracle of life and how light, either physical or spiritual, turns cold, dark earth into something rich and fertile.  Each of us carries this genetic memory deep in our DNA.  It is the reason that past all the mall decorations and online hoopla we can still look into a single candle flame and feel the nature, the wonder of the Divine.  

No matter the tenets of your faith, enjoy the light of this special season.  May it bring you hope, peace and resolve for the year ahead. 

With Love and Blessings,

LADY ORACLE

Full Cold Moon in Gemini, December 17, 2013 - “Party in the House”

# 6 The Lovers, is tarot's association for
Gemini.  This depiction is from Ciro Marchetti's
"Legacy of the divine Tarot"©

December’s Full Cold Moon in Gemini should be called, “The Party Moon.”  Sociable Gemini joins party hound Sagittarius and the wild rumpus begins.  Okay, maybe not that wild, but this month’s Full Cold Moon (No need to explain that name, is there?) is everything fun, frolicking and social.  

Gemini is an air sign in the

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

mutable (changeable) modality. This simply means that because the sign of Gemini falls at the end of a season rather than at the beginning, (cardinal) or in the middle (fixed), some of its traits shift with the changing astral and seasonal influences.  Our Twins govern the third house of the Zodiac where we keep our knowledge, our habitat (neighborhood) and the relationships we don’t choose, like siblings, or neighbors. The third house, and therefore Gemini, are ruled by the planet Mercury, governor of intellect and communication.  All this makes next week the optimum time to network and socialize.  Your ideas will be easier to convey to others and in turn, other people will have an easier time envisioning how your concept works for their world.

Sun in Sagittarius opposes Moon in Gemini, creating this

#14, Temperance represents
Sagittarius - from Barbara Moore and
Aly Fell's "Steampunk Tarot"©

month’s Full Cold Moon.  Sagittarius and Gemini love a good party and they help us naturally gravitate to where the action is.  While both of these signs enjoy the continual stimulation of new events, Gemini holds a duality that can cause its quick laughter and quicker wit to turn dark in the blink of an eye.  Luckily, Sagittarius prevents The Twins from indulging in too much emotional analysis, or too many mood swings.

We have Uranus in Aires turning stationary direct on the 17th as well.  Stationary refers to the illusion that a planet remains in place before it appears to reverse its orbit.  Prior to retrograde we have ‘stationary retrograde’ and when the planet turns direct again we have, ‘stationary direct.’  Uranus works well with Mercury’s thought process, making us ask the deeper questions (which Sagittarius likes).  You can expect a couple of ‘a-ha’ moments before the end of the month.  Consider it partying with a purpose.  

#10 The Wheel shows us Jupiter's
generous nature in the "Steampunk Tarot"©
 depiction

Jupiter, ruler of Sagittarius, continues to exert its expansive influence for the Full Moon.  The Santa Claus planet goes sesquiquadrate  (a rather touchy aspect of 135 degrees and quite a mouthful) with Neptune on the 17th .  Although this is a lesser aspect than a trine, or sextile, it still introduces the element of dreams and wishes into the Full Moon fix.  Holiday magic. Neptune is the planet of dreams and dreamers.  Jupiter may drop some unexpected sugarplums in your lap this season.  Just be careful not to let a mistletoe moment go to your head.

This is a fun, high-energy moon that helps us manifest the goals we set in motion at the beginning of this month.  Consider December’s Full Moon a holiday gift from the Universe.  Enjoy!

LADY ORACLE

Co-hosting The Moment radio show with the always wonderful, Marion Douglas today at noon, PST!  Here's a link to the show and you can listen anytime!

All tarot decks featured are available for sale through

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Holiday Magic for the Home, Part One – Crystals and Candles

Candlelight adds a sense of magic to every occasion and

none more so than the December holidays.  Whether you celebrate Christmas, Winter Solstice, Hanukah or, Yule you are also honoring life-giving light as part of your celebration and ability of mankind to hold on to hope in times of darkness.  During holiday season, we combine good food and drink with friends and family.  We strive to provide a warm and inviting atmosphere where new memories are made and old ones are shared. 

fi

Peach Selenite - Selenite radiates high
vibrational 'white light' energy. It clears
spaces and gives a sense of deep, inner peace

Using crystals with your candle displays gives a marvelous two level effect.  Crystals don’t merely reflect candlelight and add to the room’s ambience. They also give off vibrations that can ease stress, social anxiety, sadness and help with some of the less pleasant baggage that can appear when families come together. 

Cleansing sprays, smudges and incense (See blog: "Tis the Season To Be Smudging" ) are all well and good pre-party measures for eliminating negativity, but face it, guests get suspicious when you start wafting them with cedar and sage during cocktail hour.  Combining candlelight and crystals subtly keeps an up tempo vibration in any room.  Below are some suggestions to enhance the energy during your holiday gatherings this year.

Danubrite gets a big my big 10-4.  This crystal carries a high degree of spiritual energy.  It assists in emotional healing, halts stubbornness, brings a deep sense of peace and also helps you link to angelic realms during meditation.  Pink Danburite teaches us self-love.  You can pick up Danubrite crystals online anywhere from $1.00 to $25.00, depending on size and clarity. 

Kunzite, the lovely, blush-pink variety, not only enhances intuition and inspiration, but also the concept of unconditional love.  This stone awakens our desire to be of service to others and our sense of humility as well.  Kunzite also offers a key component of holiday magic.  It re-awakens childlike wonder, trust and innocence – something we can all use.  While the cost of gem quality kunzite has increased in recent years, you can still acquire small pieces of rough stone for between $8.00 to $40.00.

Sunstone offers us insights into self-worth and co-

Above: Your basic quartz cluster for spiritual energy
and to the left, ametrine, a mixture
of citrine and amethyst

dependency.  It has been used by energy healers to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder and depression.  The best thing about Sunstone though, is the over-all feeling of delight, or “joie de vivre” that it radiates through a room.  Opaque stones run $4.00 to $10.00, while clear, gem quality stone run considerable more. 

Gold Sheen Obsidian is a lovely balancing stone that emanates compassion for past present and future events.  Scrooge could really have used this one.  It eliminates feelings of conflict and curbs passive aggressive behaviors.  Most pieces offered for sale are smooth finished – either spherical of cabochon cut for jewelry.  Prices run from $2.00 per bead to $45.00 for finished, gem quality jewelry.  

There are many more crystals that can be used for enhancing the holidays: Orange calcite, for are emotional balance and energizing, citrine for prosperity, amethyst for Divine connection, reducing stress and preventing over-indulgence, tiger’s eye for wealth and the ability to distinguish between wants and needs. Also, don’t forget good, old quartz for awakening spirituality.  (See blog: "Crystals Every Person Needs 2 - Claiming Yourself" )

Malachite, a stone of transformation that
balances negative and positive energy
(on of the few stones that its best to use
a polished piece

Let your creativity flow as you decorate with crystals this holiday season.  Keep a couple of things in mind, however.  You don’t have to use large crystals, nor do they have to be gemstone quality (for jewelry). Crystal rough works just fine and adds a wonderful, earthy sparkle.  Combine a variety of pebble-sized crystals around white votives or candle pillars. Be sure to include crystals with grounding energy in your mix like agates, cat’s eye chrysoberyls, bloodstone, or smoky quartz. High vibration stones can shake things up energetically, so it’s important to promote grounding energy and eliminate as much negativity as possible.  Try a candle and crystal centerpiece at your holiday table and let the good times flow.

The Holidays are never complete for me without "Christmas With Crystal," a video featuring one of my favorite comedians, Peter Zias.  If you're  fortunate you can catch him at The Groundlings in LA, or see his one-man show. Enjoy!

LADY ORACLE

Astrology Trends for December 2013 - “The Light Fantastic”

#11, Justice (Karma) is Libra's card
from "Wizard's Tarot"© by Corrine Kenner
and John J. Blumen - Mars in Libra 12/7

Many astrologers say that this December is a month for soul-searching and change.  While that may be true, it’s important to remember that you can have plenty of soul-searching without angst.  Sagittarius’ energy likes pondering deep and profound questions, but angst bores the heck out of it.  When something shiny appears on the horizon, Sagittarius asks us to hear the call to adventure and be on our merry way – particularly if there’s a party involved. The majority of December is influenced by Sun in Sagittarius and while this month will have its thrills and chills, (plenty) it will also be comparatively light on its feet.  

Alien Fossil on Mars (Cool!)

On December 4th Mercury, the planet of travel and communications, joins the Sun in Sagittarius.  Talk about the Knight of Swords – blunt, outspoken, but also open-minded.  Mercury in Sag invites us to find joy in learning something new.  Guard against a ‘take no prisoners’ attitude, though.  Everyone catches on at their own speed and they have a right to an opinion, even if it isn’t yours.

Mars charms his way into Libra’s seventh house on December 7th, ( 7 and 7!) where he takes up residence until mid-summer.  Social Libra joins with Mars’ intense, fiery nature, seeking fairness and balance. Think of them as Caped Crusaders, bringing justice to the streets of your very own Gotham City.  They work well together, laying groundwork that establishes important connections in both your business and social worlds.  

#21, The World is tarot's card for
Saturn, from "Steampunk Tarot"© by
Barbara Moore and Aly Fell

Jupiter in Cancer trines Saturn in Scorpio December 9th through the 15th.  This is a blissful configuration.  Trines carry very harmonious energy and this one marries the expansive energy of Jupiter (pleasantly slowed and refined due to Jupiter’s retrograde) with the transformative and resourceful energy of Saturn in Scorpio.  Use this boost wisely and you will not only make great strides in releasing issues that have been holding you back, but also receive a nudge in the right direction. 

Venus goes retrograde in Capricorn on December 21st – just in time for Winter Solstice.  Venus in Capricorn is a steadfast heart whose energy builds enduring relationships.  During Venus retrograde, there may be friction between what comes first, career, or relationship – particularly if this is an ongoing issue for you. You might also find yourself second guessing the compromises you’ve made for the sake of harmony in your home.  Which leads us directly to one of this month’s main events – a Cardinal Grand Cross between Pluto in Capricorn, Uranus in Aires, Jupiter in Cancer and Mars in Libra. This configuration influences us from December 23rd to January 8th. Lot’s of challenge with this one.  Tread lightly.

Some of the stellar influences this month mean business, but

#3, The Empress represents Venus in all her
creative splendor - from "Steampunk Tarot"©
by Barbara Moore and Aly Fell

they are also grounded in optimism and excitement for the road ahead.  Sure, our Cardinal (Cardinal signs are the first Zodiac sign within a given season.) Grand Cross is going to make things a little edgy, but take the usual precautions. Don’t talk politics at work, during parties or at Christmas dinner. Go easy on the sibling rivalry and release your resentments.  Think before your speak and let the open road to 2014 beckon you.

December is jam packed with all sorts of goodies.  I’ll have more about the Cardinal Grand Cross later this month, as well as, Winter Solstice, Yule, Full Moon in Gemini, the Jupiter Neptune connection, Sun in Capricorn, Uranus/Pluto square, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.  Whew! December is a tarot/astrology bloggers dream!  Can’t wait.

LADY ORACLE

"To The Nines" - Numerology for the Solstice Through Tarot

When you add the numbers for the date of Winter Solstice,

9 of Wands, perseverance, resillience
RWCS US Games©

12/21/12 you get 9.  (1+2+2+1+1+2)  9 is a fun number to write - almost as much fun as 6, but not nearly as much fun as 8.  In tarot, the number 9 represents struggles and compromises in Minor Arcana cards.  However, the struggles and compromises vary in each of the four tarot suits.

In the RWCS deck, the 9 of Wands shows us a man, his head bandaged from a battle wound, leaning heavily against one of his wands.  It's been an effort for him to keep his wands in alignment.  Wands are the suit of action and our hero has fought hard for his success.  He's going to be rewarded for his perseverance, as well as for the strength of his resolve.  The goal has been met, but what has he compromised in order to reach it?  Innocence and complacency, certainly.  He will never again have a truly unguarded moment.  He knows he must stay vigilant in order to defend both himself and what he protects.  Where the Knight of Wands believes in his own invincibility, the warrior in the Nine knows he can be defeated - knocked down.  But now he also knows that he has the stamina to get back up and fight.  What he loses one day, he regains on another.

9 of Cups, Tarot's wish card
Having it all, self-satisfaction, smugness
RWCS US Games©

The 9 of Cups has it much easier.  A wealthy man sits on a stool in front of a table holding 9 goblets.  His arms are folded across his ample stomach.  Cups deal with emotions and our merchant prince of the 9 doesn't know what it is to be in want.  He is well satisfied with his lot in life and he keeps his feet planted in a balanced position.  He has reached his goal of having it all.  Separating him from his creature comforts would be a difficult task.  He guards the luxuries in his life whether he needs them or not.  They are his to consume or hold on to either by the laws of man or by divine order.  The smugness of his expression shows us his contentment in his own consequence.  He likes to be envied.  So, what is his struggle and what compromises has he made?  This is a tough question is answer for a card that represents so many positive things.

First and foremost, the man in the 9 of Cups has compromised his mobility.  Hopefully he remains content with his luxurious lifestyle, because he can't pick up all of his cups at once and move them to a new location - not without risking loss.  And to let someone help him with the burden of carrying the goblets is to allow someone else control of a portion of his own fate.  Having it all must remain the ultimate goal of 9's merchant prince in order for him to remain content.  The 9 of Cups stays on his seat continuing to view life from the same perspective.

9 of Swords, guilt and anxiety
RWCS US Games ©

The suit of Swords, or gloomy, doomy swords as they're often called, speaks to matters of spirit and the mind.  The 9 of Swords  depicts a woman who's woken up from a nightmare.  She's unable to return to sleep.  Her guilt and anxiety torment her and she buries her face in her hands.  Her struggle is simple.  The lady battles the monsters in her own mind.  They've overwhelmed her to the point where sleep can no longer offer her sanctuary.

Her blanket is covered with red roses which symbolize love and passion.  The image tells us that she is loved by others.  Has she perhaps compromised the love and good wishes of those who care about her?  And because Swords deal with matters of the mind, has she truly compromised their love, or does she merely think that she has.  Time will tell.

9 of Pentacle, self-reliance, high-minded pursuits
RWCS US Games©

Pentacles give us a glimpse of the material world.  The 9 of Pentacles shows us a strong woman, one of wealth and position.  Most importantly, she is aware of her own worth.  The falcon on her arm gives her a complete over-view of her domain.  She gains her information from him alone and makes her own very successful choices.  What has she compromised?  Her ability to partner.  She is sufficient unto herself.  To share her kingdom would mean taking another's wishes, needs and opinions into consideration.  She would sacrifice a measure of her independence if she were to allow someone else into her life.  Her struggle is one of opening up and sharing herself with someone else.

Number 9 in the Major Arcana is The Hermit - tarot's seeker of inner truths.  The Hermit withdraws, holds himself apart from the rest of the world to gain the insights needed to put his life in perspective.  He has a fundamental need to be alone - to periodically reexamine the lessons he's learned along his journey.  What better card could we have for the Winter Solstice?  The end of the year is a perfect time to engage in self-reflection.  Where have we traveled this year and what do we hope to gain in the coming one?

The lessons of the 9 cards can be summed up as follows:

Sometimes it's a struggle to move forward in life, especially when we feel overcome by circumstance that are beyond our control.  The key is to persevere.  If we didn't take the field in a blaze of glory today, there's always tomorrow.  The point is not to give up.  We will eventually succeed.

Don't stagnate yourself with images of who you are based upon what you have.  Stay flexible and have the courage to reinvent yourself.  Sure it's a risk, but so is standing still.  It's simply a different type of risk.

The poet, Omar Khayyam, wrote, "The moving finger writes and having writ, moves on. Nor all thy piety nor wit shall lure it back to cancel half a line; nor all thy tears wash out a single word of it."  Guilt over a past indiscretion is useless.  You can't change your past, but you can improve your future.

Lastly, a well-lived life is one worthy of sharing.  Control over your destiny is great, but you don't have to maintain an isolationist policy to achieve it.  The more love you give, the more love you get back.

 Look forward to next year for the opportunities it will give you to experience and grow.  Mark your passage on this earth by the impressions you leave with the other people you meet along your journey. It can be entertaining as all get out.  Here's to 2013.

LADY ORACLE


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Apocolypse,- Schmocolypse! Pass Me the Fudge - A Practical Look At the End of the Mayan Calendar

“They say this universe is bound to blow

But I say we crank up the calypso control

Apocalyp...apocalyp...apocalypso

Now I'm no dancer as dancer's go

But this is one step that you need to know

Apocalyp...apocalyp...apocalypso

We'll be dancin' when we go

Planets come and planets go

Apocalypso

Undisturbed the answers flow

Apocalypso”

Apocalypso

By: matt betton

It’s important to keep your perspective when dealing with other people’s concepts of the Apocalypse.  Try the following suggestions.  One: Download Jimmy Buffett’s version of Matt Betton’s  fabulous song, “Apocalypso.” If that doesn’t put things in perspective, nothing will.  Two: measure the life cycle of popular apocalyptic movements against the life cycle of any other durable goods or products that promise investment potential.  Here’s a handy reference guide.

Stage 1  - Innovators (those who developed and first used the product)  In this case, the Mayans and John of Patmos (the guy who wrote the Book of Revelations)

Stage 2 - Early Adopters (trend setters who echoed the rallying cry of the Innovators and were the first on their block to have one) Examples: The Oracle at Delphi and Nostradamus.

Stage 3 - Early Majority - (everyone jumping on the bandwagon to have one of their very own) -  Jim Jones, David Koresh and that bug-eyed gremlin guy from Heaven’s Gate.

Stage 4 - Late Minority - (the ‘me too, me too!’ folks who managed to save up enough to buy a cheap knockoff) Insert any of the modern mainstream fundamentalist movements here.

Stage 5 - Laggards - (the people who run far behind popular thought and are still waiting for Betamax to make a comeback) - Congress.

We are inundated with documentaries, TV specials and books about the Mayan calendar and the end of the world.  Here’s the deal.  Since the day the world began, it began to end.  What truly matters is, how well you dance.

There’s been a lot of buzz about December’s star patterns and certified astrologers are assuring us of the same thing.  At midnight on December 21st, we will see the beginning of December 22nd.  To understand what some of the astrological hubbub is about however, you need to understand one of the most singular definitions - the meaning of the term, yod.

In language, yod signifies the tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In Jewish mystic tradition, the yod (pronounced like Yoda without the a) symbolizes the beginning point of divine energy, or the omnipresent mind of God.  You will see the symbol for yod  used freely in RWCS tarot cards such as # 18, The Moon.  Moonbeams fall from the solemn face of Moon as he looks across the darkened landscape of the human subconscious.  The beams themselves fall in the shape of yod, representing the constant presence of the Divine mind.  Divinity watches man’s struggles with the anxiety he’s produced from the shadowy illusions of his own mind.  The Invisible Divine - always present, always part of us.

In astrology, a yod refers to a rare aspect between three planets.  Two of the planets hold a sextile (60 degrees) aspect to each other, while both of them are in a quincunx (150 degrees) aspect to a third, focal planet of the yod configuration.  The focal planet tugs against the two sextile planets.  Together, they all form a giant ‘Y’ in the sky.  Most astrologers refer to this formation as the ‘Finger of God.’  Serious stuff, astrologically speaking.  A yod operates in one of two ways.  It either releases or restrains vast amounts of cosmic energy that relates to the planets within its configuration.  

On December 21st we have a yod pattern focal to Jupiter.  This particular pattern has only been seen one other time during the past few hundred years - May of 1989.  Yup, you guessed it.  Side ponytails and “Flock of Seagulls” are both making comebacks.  The planets involved in the yod hi-jinx on the 21st are Saturn and Pluto at sextile and Jupiter at quincunx. 

Saturn regulates the rigid structure of governments and other bureaucratic systems that turn the wheels of a great society.  Although these characteristics appear to be more in keeping with tarot’s The Emperor, it’s actually  # 21, The World, that’s rules Saturn.  #21 is the culmination card for the soul’s journey in tarot.  It establishes a new threshold of spiritual evolution and awakening.   Pluto deals in more covert operations.  Think espionage, secret societies and radical fringe groups crossed with both corporate and political agendas. Pluto is ruled by #20, Judgement, which in tarot, signifies rebirth.  That leaves us Jupiter to consider.  Jupiter rules moral conduct, philosophy and theology.  Again, areas more in keeping with #5, the Hierophant than #10, The Wheel of Fortune, which is the actual major arcana card for Jupiter.  Fortunes turn on a dime and those who are trapped beneath the wheel one day, rise to the top on another.

What happened in May of 1989 under a similar yod?  The end of the Cold War and the beginning of a little incident we now call Tienanmen Square.  Globally, people stood up and were counted.  They were present in the moment, refused to be silenced and made miracles happen.  What began with China’s government declaring martial law, culminated weeks later with a single man standing defiantly in front of an oncoming tank saying, “no more.”  This single episode in human history says more about us as a species than any apocalyptic theory to date.

Planets come and planets go, but the history of ours is still being written.  Frequently, it’s not pretty, but sometimes there are defining moments and sometimes we pass the test.  Whether or not you believe that December 21st will show us cataclysm, salvation,or a combination of the two; one thing is for certain.  We are all responsible for what happens on our planet.  Each day we are given an opportunity, both individually and collectively, to determine the course of our species in matters great, as well as small.  It’s important to remember in this season of light and hope to take advantage of our capacity for kindness and generosity.  It’s also important to learn how to dance.

With Light and Love,

LADY ORACLE

Clearing the Wreckage - Preparing For A Successful November 2012

 It's time to wash the zombie makeup out of the guest towels, take the leftover Halloween candy to the office and stash away the martini shaker.  October's Full Moon in Taurus and Halloween are both over.  What's next, you ask?  Why none other than our old, but dubious friend, Mercury Retrograde.  And here we are still out of breath from chocolate vodka martinis and candy corn.

Sometimes the cosmos doesn't play fair and the Tuesday, November 6th is one of those times.  Does the date November 6th ring a bell with you?  That's right.  The first day of the November Mercury Retrograde is also Election Day in the United States.  Don't worry, I’m not getting political here.  You get enough of that everywhere else.  Still, a Mercury Retrograde that starts on an election day does make you think about hanging chads and mechanical voting machines going haywire, doesn't it?  

Mercury Retrograde occurs three to four times a year.  When we pass the planet Mercury in our orbit, it causes the optical illusion that Mercury is moving backwards in the sky.  (See my blog; “Mercury Retrograde, Tarot and You” for a complete survival guide) During a Mercury Retrograde period, systems and machinery that normally run smoothly tend to snag.  A few web astrologers have cautioned against the election process becoming tangled this year, however most agree, as do I, that we should simply envision everything running smoothly and all votes being counted correctly.  Let’s hear it for collective consciousness.

November’s Retrograde may start a little rougher than most of them do for several reasons.  Last week, we experienced a particularly potent full moon that left many of us with our energy fields ragged at the edges.  There was also the usual dimensional seepage during All Hallows Eve.  Plus, we’ve got some cosmic stumbling blocks going on froms Saturn move in with Scorpio (Saturn is a taskmaster). Let’s also remember that we have a swiftly approaching Winter Solstice season that’s said to be one for the record books in terms of human experience and growth potential.  In short, we need to clear the energetic wreckage from the end of October before we tackle November’s Retrograde.  

It’s not unusual for you to have the sensation of being rushed from one thing to another right now.  The end of the year always winds up for a fevered pitch.  Here are a few suggestions to help you ground yourself before you get swept into the frantic current of year end revels that start in just a little more than two weeks.  

Spend time freeing yourself from distractions.  Clean your physical space.  Box up items you won’t be needing for a while and tuck them away.  If you have too much of anything, give it away or donate it.  Clean you mirrors, light fixtures and candle holders in preparation for the coming holiday season.  The holiday seasons are all about gratitude and the celebration of light returning to the world.  Free your home’s reflective surfaces of dust and clutter.  This will brighten the glow from your Thanksgiving and Holiday candles when it comes time to light them, as well as help you symbolically settle in to enjoy the last two months of the year. 

Performing simple, routine household tasks and making plans for Thanksgiving (if you happen to celebrate it) helps you re-establish your natural rhythm.  Meditate and surround yourself with some of your favorite books and music.  Use your sage smudge or white candles liberally.  Don’t have any?  Get some.  One of my teachers has a glorious meditation room filled with crystals and white tea candles.  The lighting effect is remarkably subtile, even with all the crystals.  And it’s such a treat to be asked to join her there for meditations.

If you are making plans for Thanksgiving (November 22nd in America) that include travel, don’t forget to make allowances for Mercury Retrograde-style hassles.   Remember to review your travel itinerary, recheck your accommodations and plan to arrive at the airport, train station or bus terminal earlier than is recommended.  If traveling by car, have your tires, oil and water checked out well before your travel date and start out for your destination a little earlier to avoid traffic.  Again, the key to successfully navigating Mercury Retrograde is revise, review, recheck, revisit and redesign your plans. Re-words.

Take a couple of hours this Sunday and Monday to unplug the election countdown.  Do a little soul searching as in the Major Arcana’s #9, The Hermit. He goes inside himself to seek his truth.  He lights his own path with the insights he’s gain from his introspection.  Rest and renew your mind as in the Four of Swords.  Seek to balance your inner and outer worlds as depicted in #14, Temperance, #17, Star and Minor Arcana’s 2 of Pentacles.  

Pull all of these cards from your favorite deck and add #8, Strength.  

Sit in a comfortable position where you normally either meditate, or read cards.  Aline the cards in any manner that feels right to you.  Study each of them - their design, their symbolism.  Contemplate their range of meanings.  Close your eyes and envision yourself walking in a forest or by the sea - your choice.  As you walk you will meet each of the figures depicted in the cards.  The order in which you meet them is also your choice.  Angel, Hermit, Knight in Repose (another ‘R’ word!), Star; there’s no wrong order.  Visit with them.  They will give you information during this meditation that will help you integrate your worlds.

Now you’re set to head into a successful month.  Later this week I’ll be posting about the astrological implications we have coming up for the month.  In the meantime, relax and ease into November 2012.

LADY ORACLE 

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