Mercury Moves to Pisces, March 12th While Saturn goes Retro March 14th – "Well-Chosen Words and Patience Yield Big Results"

There are times when each of us takes up the practice of oral podiatry, or in other words, the time honored custom of putting ones foot in ones mouth.  That’s when we must endure those awkward silences while others stare at us in disbelief and we long to smack our palm repeatedly against our foreheads. Luckily, we are periodically granted a reprieve from verbal idiocy when Mercury transits Pisces.

Mercury is our planet of communications and rules both

The Moon is tarot's association for
Pisces from RWCS deck,
US Games® version

Gemini and Virgo.  Geminis are superb communicators, while Virgos add clarity and organization to the mix.  When Mercury moves into the realm of Pisces, however, our ability to communicate bumps up to an intuitive level and depending on how prominently Mercury figures in our birth chart, we have an instinctive advantage on how best to present ourselves in both spoken and written formats.  The right words will simply find us if we let them. Mercury remains in Pisces until April 14th, so take advantage of this opportunity to sell your ideas, tell your stories and speak persuasively with strength of purpose and with compassion.  

On March 14th Saturn, the hall monitor of our solar system, goes retrograde.  Saturn’s job is to teach us by presenting challenges for us to overcome.  These tests are meant to inspire us and help us rise above and go beyond our self-imposed limits. They are  not meant to break us. Think about #7 in tarot’s major arcana, The Chariot, whose driver rises above the obstacles in his path.  Saturn currently resides in Sagittarius the Archer who specializes in seeking the truth. His pursuit is eventually rewarded as he comes to recognize the greatest truths and fully understand their complexities.  Archers have a great ability to focus and that requires insight and discipline.  Saturn’s challenge to us in the house of the archer is to learn patience.  

Saturn retrograde offers us the opportunity to reflect on the

Kris Waldherr's stunning depiction of #21,
tarot's card for Saturn. From
"The Goddess Tarot"© 

lessons we’ve learned, to take the wisdom we’ve garnered from our choices and internalize it.  This process serves to expand and enrich our lives.  After all, Jupiter, the planet of expansion, rules Sagittarius. Saturn goes direct in Scorpio on August 2nd, where it teaches us the lesson of using our power wisely, with discretion and to avoid gossip, both incoming and outgoing.

The tarot association to watch during these transits are #1, The Magician (Mercury) #18, The Moon (Pisces)  #21, The World, (Saturn)  #14, Temperance, (Sagittarius) and #13, Death and Transformation (Scorpio).  You may also find that #7, The Chariot (rising above and overcoming obstacles) and the 7 of Wands (holding your ground, or defending your position) have special significance in your readings, so pay attention.

Work proactively with the energies surrounding these celestial events and you will set the tempo for a sweet spring and summer.

LADY ORACLE

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Crystals to Enhance June’s Retrospective Perspective

Calcite adds focus and balance to the
Mercury Retrograde mind

Mercury entered retrograde last Saturday and Neptune followed suit on June 9th.  Chiron also goes retrograde in Pisces on June 20th.  See blog: “Astrological Trends for June, 2014 ”  for more details. June is a month of dreams, dreamers and spiritual connection – with lots of intuitive energy layered in for subtext.  With so much high vibrational energy streaming through our crown chakra and third eye it’s important to keep those areas clear and balanced during June’s retro triple header (don’t forget Pluto is also in retrograde). Using specific crystals to ground our energy enhances the gifts (yes, I said gifts) from this month’s retrogrades. Working with various crystals during meditations or by carrying them with you will clear your higher mind and lighten your heart.

Mercury’s quick mind becomes calmer and gains focus by using calcite – a particularly useful tool during retrograde.  This stone comes in a variety of colors (blue, yellow, orange, pink and red) and is said to increase memory, rekindle our motivation and assist us in sorting through information uploaded to our senses. Calcite sharpens our perceptions and helps decide what information is worth acting upon and what we should ignore. Calcite carries a strong, stabilizing vibration that induces serenity. It’s a great stone for meditation.

Celestite is a high vibrational stone linked to Divine energy. 

Rainbow Moonstone shown here in a variety
of jewelry heightens intuition and empathy

Though not an uncommon crystal, it is fairly expensive.  Celestite comes in various colors (blue, red, yellow and white) and reportedly lifts the vibration level of the area surrounding it, as well as the vibration of the person who carries it. This stone assists in out of the body journeys such as astral travel, or meditations involving other realms. It also boosts clairvoyance and dream recall. Celestite is a stone of artistry and is highly beneficial for anyone wishing to connect to their creative Muse. Remember that dreams and creative energy flow from Neptune and Pisces.

Iolite is a stone for the third eye.  It’s a deep, violet-blue in color and increases our ability to visualize, as well as promoting our self-knowledge.  Iolite is a stone of shamanic vision, psychic knowledge and inner journeys.  It acts like a set of jumper cables directing cosmic currents that revitalize our auric field.  Like Celestite, Iolite also facilitates meditative journeys to other realms.  

Danburite is one of my favorite higher vibrational stones because it is readily available and carries a lot of bang for the buck. This stone comes in a variety of colors (white, pink, yellow and lilac).  Danburite activates the third eye and crown chakra, opening them while simultaneously engaging and aligning the heart chakra. This crystal stimulates both intellect and higher consciousness, helping us draw insight and guidance through meditation. Danburite also facilitates lucid dreaming – a significant property while working with June’s dream energy.

Moonstone is also a great stone for lucid dreaming. This milky-white stone with flashes of iridescence is connected to the lunar cycle and works strongest during the Full Moon.  It instills calmness, promotes psychic abilities and empathy.  Moonstone jewelry is fashion with a purpose.  I often wear it during tarot readings because of its soothing effect and its ability to spark intuition.  Moonstone is strongly connected to the planet Neptune and therefore also connected to Pisces.

Aquamarine, also carries the Neptune, Pisces connection.  Who didn’t see that one coming?  It is a beautiful blue-green color.  Gem quality aquamarine is very expensive, even in smaller pieces.  However, it is so worth it.  This stone clears away mental chatter and quiets a busy mind.  It opens lines of communications (Mercury Retrograde) with yourself and those around you.  It draws out your ability for self-expression and it is a wonderful choice for meditative work.  If you could afford a large enough piece you could use clear aquamarine as a scrying stone to tremendous effect.  In amplifies clairvoyance and intuition, yet shields your auric field. Definitely a heavy hitter stone.

Ametrine, a blend of amethyst and citrine
is a powerful stone for the crown chakra
and one of my favorites. I keep a ready supply!

There are many other crystals you can use with great success this month: labradorite, ametrine, amethyst, fluorite, pearl, alexandrite – the list goes on.  Use the crystal tools mentioned in this blog alone, or by combining them in a grouping that feels right to you.  Remember to also include good grounding stones in the mix like, jasper, smoky quartz or alexandrite.

June’s retrograde pattern is less challenging and more liberating than you think.  Work with this natural cosmic flow and you’ll see what I mean.  Above all, have fun!

LADY ORACLE

Mercury in Cancer, May 29th Through June 16th – Your Personal Psychic Hotline

Mercury's card #1, The Shaman (Magician)
from Mark Ryan and John Matthews
"The Wildwood Tarot"© illustrated
by the outstandingWill Worthington

When Mercury drifts into the sign of Cancer, we become not only more in tune with our own thoughts, but with everyone else’s as well.  This transit sharpens our instincts and increases our intuition to an almost eerie level. We all experience moments of deja vu when a new experience feels so familiar that we’re sure we’ve been there, or done that before.  Don’t be surprised if those feelings increase while Mercury visits Cancer, or that you find yourself thinking about someone only to look at your phone a see a text message from them.  Where New Moon in Gemini cautioned us to avoid becoming lost in illusion, Mercury in Cancer tells us to trust our instincts and let our intuitive side be our guide.  This is excellent advise as we move further into the new lunar cycle.

Increased intuition and heightened sensitivity can be great things, but they do have their draw backs. ‘Channel chatter’ is my term for picking up too much information from too many people at once.  This type of mental bombardment often makes it difficult to discern what thoughts and feelings really belong to us.  Have you ever gone to a party, or a meeting feeling great and after an hour, or so, you not only feel down, but thoughts, or even phrases have popped into your head that are not part of your normal lexicon? You ask yourself: “Where the heck did that come from? I’ve never thought anything like that about someone before in my life.”  I’m not talking about the effects of too many mojitos here.  I’m talking about picking up on psychic impressions. Whether or not you acknowledge the possibility of purely mental communication, it exists and we all do it to one degree or another.  Remember the proverbial case of picking up a phone and saying hello before it rings. Mercury in Cancer amplifies our intuitive abilities.  No, that doesn’t mean we’re going to become John Edwards or Sylvia Brown during the next couple of weeks – or even the Amazing Kreskin.  It simply means that we will all broadcast our mental and emotional states more intensely and receive the same sorts of impressions from those around us more readily.  Again, the effects are stronger for people who feature Mercury in Cancer prominently in their birth chart, or for those who have actively worked to strengthen their psychic awareness.

Mercury in Cancer is also a wonderful time to get in touch

#7, The Archer (The Chariot) is tarot's
card for Cancer from "The Wildwood Tarot"©

with your your personal Muse if you haven’t already.  Use the energy of this transit to interpret something you hold deep within yourself and communicate it to the outside world in a positive and enriching manner. Start in the world you know best – your home and family.  After all, Cancer rules the fourth house of the Zodiac, the place that represents not only our home, but also the very foundation of our lives.  The fourth house is our comfort zone, a safe island in a stormy sea.  This is where we find those little habits we have that bring us comfort when the rest of the world turns a cold shoulder towards us.  It is the home of our soul, where we keep the things that make us feel secure as well as learn to deal with our insecurities.  In essence, it’s where we house the grist for the mill of our own creativity.

#2, The Seer (The High Priestess)
represents intuition and subconscious
thought from "The Wildwood Tarot"©

Mercury in Cancer allows us to unashamedly make psychic connections with our fellow man and with our higher selves to bring out the best of what we can be.  These connections are natural and have been part of humanity since before there was a spoken language.  Let these connections serve you when words fail. 

LADY ORACLE

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Mercury In Pisces, March 17th, 2014 – “Going With Your Gut While Knowing Your Own Mind”

The Magician, tarot's card for
Mercury, RWCS US Games®
"As it is above, so it is below"

While many are working on their St. Patrick’s Day hangover, Mercury, that fastball planet of communication, will stealthily slip into the sign of Pisces at 3:24 p.m., PDST.  It will remain there until April 6th.  Mercury rules both the third (communication) and sixth houses (work and service to others). It influences not only our communications, but our intellect, nervous system and decision making as well.

Mercury in Pisces is an intuitive state of mind – more so if you have Mercury in Pisces in your birth chart. When faced with logical progression, or intuition, gut instinct feels like the natural choice.  Pisces is a psychic sign, a sign of empathy, imagination and creativity.  If you work in the area of creative communications; advertising, writing, graphic design and sales, you’ll feel a kicker in your artistic juices – a muse whispering delights in your ear.  Don’t block it and don’t repress it in favor of someone else’s beliefs.  The tricky thing about Mercury in Pisces (MiP) is making sure we keep our empathy for people and situations in its proper place.  We are easily swayed during MiP.    While we have great ideas, sometimes our insecurities prevent us from acting on them. We also allow other people’s input to over-ride our own.  Work to build up your confidence during MiP.

Tarot readers, pay particular attention to cards in positions,

The Moon is Pisces tarot card
"Wizards Tarot"© by Corrine Kenner and
John J. Blumen – Illusion, imagination, fear

seven and nine in the outcome row of  Celtic Cross tarot spreads ( See Blog: “The Bridge To Somewhere” if not a reader ) during MiP.  Placement seven shows the querent’s (your view) view of the question asked. Placement nine concerns things that you must consider about yourself and the situation. These placements always give great internal dialogue about justification, point of view, fallacies and strengths, but right now they are particularly useful.   

MiP is a great opportunity to continue working with Jupiter in Cancer’s supportive and expansive energy.  Open the heart lines with friends and family.  Follow your instincts about budgeting and earning opportunities. Jupiter in Cancer is good with money.  Should you tighten your belt for the rest of this month?  Will a judicious purchase now save you money in the long-run?  You know the correct answer when you listen to your higher self.

Mercury in Pisces offers us a burst of mental fertility just as we head into spring.  Use it imaginatively and with the wisdom of your inner guides, not your ego.  Enjoy!

LADY ORACLE

Full Harvest Moon in Pisces, Sept. 19, 2013 - “The Moon of Dreamer’s”

Corrine Kenner and John J. Blumen
give us a beautiful depiction of
#18 The Moon, from "Wizard's Tarot"©

On September 19th at 3:13 a.m., PDT, we welcome our Full Harvest Moon.  The full moon closest to the Autumn Equinox is always known as the Harvest Moon, yet the traditional name for September’s Moon is the Full Corn Moon.  By any name, this month’s Full Moon in Pisces is a gift, pure and simple, because it is the moon of mystics and poets alike.

Our Harvest Moon occurs at twenty-six degrees and forty-one minutes of Pisces.  This is a highly intuitive moon. Full Moon in Pisces allows us to tap into our spiritual side.  Its energy gives us the perfect opportunity to journey inward through meditation and to connect with our divine Source.  If you read tarot cards be prepared for your readings to have stronger insights during this Full Moon period.  Don’t be surprised to have more instances than normal of answering your cell phone and saying, “Hey, I was just thinking about you.”  

This Full Moon is in sync with her ruling tarot card, “The High

The Moon's ruling tarot card,
The High Priestess by Corrine Kenner
and John J. Blumen's "Wizard's Tarot"©

Priestess,” both in character and philosophy. You may feel an urge to withdraw from friends and family to spend some time in your own space and reflect on matters.  Conveniently, Pisces’ ruling tarot card is “The Moon.”  Like her card, Pisces’ moods are changeable, her energy dreamy and laced with illusion.   

Pisces carries a highly creative and romantic energy.  However, Pisces can also be a little too idealistic, seeing only the best outcome in both people and situations.  The Fish’s ruling planets are dreamy Neptune and expansive Jupiter. While we will experience a significant uptick in our artistic flow – whatever our medium (not just in the traditional sense of arts), a Full Moon in Pisces can also cause us to confuse our dreams with reality.  Pisces rules the twelfth house of the Zodiac where our subconscious lives.  We keep our memories and our dreams in the twelfth house.  We also keep our secrets there as well.  With Mercury in Libra until September 29th, you may find yourself willing to reveal some of your lesser mysteries, though not many of these during this Full Moon cycle.  Pisces loves her secrets.  

Neptune's rulingcard card from
Stephanie Pui-Mun Law's "Shadowscapes Tarot"©
The Hanged-Man

Full Moon in Pisces presents us with the time and space needed to pause and reflect on life and the spirit, both personally and in the larger sense.  She emboldens us to dream and create.  Take the gift of this Full Moon in Pisces to honor your intuition, your connection to Source and use its energy to help you create the person you were meant to be.

LADY ORACLE