Pluto Turns Direct as the Sun Moves to Libra, September 22nd – “A Planetary MacGuffin”

#11, Justice is tarot's card for Libra
this depiction from Ciro Marchetti's
stunning, "Legacy of the Divine Tarot" ©

Fiction writers use three hints, commonly referred to as beats, to introduce a plot device and explain what makes it significant to the protagonist of a story.  Alfred Hitchcock referred to this plot device as the ‘MacGuffin.’ The MacGuffin’s sole reason for existing is to motivate the hero and get the story moving. While the first beat, or hint is seemingly innocuous, the second and third beats are designed to snag the reader’s attention, giving them clues to the developing plot.  Catching these beats gives the reader a big payoff once the complete plot line is revealed. We all love to say, “Aha! I knew it,” don’t we? 

On September 22nd we will witness the first two of three significant beats for a planetary MacGuffin.  The MacGuffin for September is balance. It’s been a recurring theme of late. Libra is the Zodiac’s sign of balance. It is also the only sign depicted, not by a creature from mythology, but by an actual device. In this case the device is a set of scales. The Sun enters Libra on September 22nd. The first beat.  When we add up the numbers for the date September 22, 2014 we get eleven. Tarot’s #11 is Justice which is also tarot’s card for the sign, Libra. The second beat. So, where’s that third beat? Wait for it.

Pluto, the planet of transformation leaves retrograde (See

blog: "Pluto Retrograde April 14th to Sept. 23rd" ) and turns direct on September 22nd as well. The third beat, you ask?  No, but it is definitely a plot twist. Pluto rules Scorpio and the 8th house of the Zodiac where we store our joint resources, our sexuality, our powers of transformation and our indebtedness (Yikes!). Pluto, a generational planet, (See Blog: "Typecasting" ) is presently in the sign of Capricorn.  The last time Pluto was in Capricorn a group of malcontents hammered out something we call, “The Declaration of Independence.”

The key to Pluto’s power lies in its ability to simultaneously destroy and create. The planet of the underworld delights in bringing hidden things to light so they can be examined and either redesigned, or tossed aside.  Pluto’s transformative power may effect entire generations, but we can also tap into this massive energy to create positive changes in our own lives.  For all its high octane dramatics, Pluto likes positive outcomes.  

Pluto direct in Capricorn says out with the old and in with the new, particularly when it comes to financial and political systems. This transit demands fairness and a reckoning from those who don’t play well with others. Tarot’s #11, Justice, also stands for karma and karma always returns home. Let your eyes open a little wider as you view the world around you. Ask questions.  Pluto remains in Capricorn until 2023. During this transit we have the chance to notice, not the differences that we have from one another, but rather the common ground we share, the similarities in our day to day existence.  Pluto’s tarot card is #22, Judgment.  Remember, that does not mean being judgmental, but rather making decisions. Pluto hands us the opportunity to make new decisions – informed ones, better ones that benefit the whole instead of a select few. This transit is our chance to stand as one, past borders, past personal ideology and adopt basic principles of fairness and decency for all humanity. #22, Judgment also means rebirth.

Capricorn, the goat hosts Pluto until 2023

Have you figured out the third beat for our universal plot line yet?  September 23rd, the Autumnal Equinox – the equal balance between darkness and the very light that gives our planet life.  We are often besieged by rhetoric designed for emotional impact but which rarely conveys useable information, engages our intellect, or our sense of fair play.  As we take the turn into Autumn, consider the meaning of the concept ‘to balance.’  It’s a phrase we commonly use, though its universal relevance is something we frequently overlook. 

LADY ORACLE

All featured decks available for sale through Lady Oracle Tarot!

Mars in Sagittarius, September 13th to October 25th, 2014 – “Genghis Khan Meets Dora the Explorer”

On Saturday Mars, our fiery, warrior planet, takes up

Ciro Marchetti's depiction of #16, The
Tower, from the legendary
 "Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©

residence with Sagittarius, the Archer.  We’ll develop the attitude of the conqueror, but with the attention span of a gnat.  It’s not quite as bad as that.  We will have moments of pure gold where we gain extraordinary ground in our lives – surmounting obstacles, seizing the day until we succumb to the tangents presented by the roads less traveled.  Mars in Sagittarius marries the mind of a conqueror

 with the heart of an explorer.   

This is a transit for risk takers and there’s a significant up tick in our competitive natures. We greet life enthusiastically and with idealism.  The Martian fire is still present, however. Sagittarius simply points it in the direction of moral principles and concern for the human condition.  Ethical behavior and staying true to our convictions becomes more important during this transit and we don’t allow a great deal of flexibility in either one.

#14, Temperance, as envisioned by
Corrine Kenner and John J. Blumen
is their deck, "The Wizard's Tarot"©

During Mars in Sagittarius we can demonstrate quicker wit and embrace bold plans for overcoming challenges.  Ideas flow fairly easily and while we have the warrior spirit to execute these plans, we often lack the focus necessary to stick with them to completion.  Mars in Sagittarius produces scattered energy making us easily distracted. Focus, people, focus.

Tarot’s card associations for this transit are #16, The Tower, (swift, unexpected change) for Mars and #14, Temperance, (carefully blending the components of your world, spiritual, emotional and material, for balance) for Sagittarius.  They nicely sum up the exchange between the warrior and the hunter.  If you find yourself missing out on opportunities due to lack of focus during this transit try meditating on some of tarot’s ‘follow through’ cards to ground yourself and narrow that energy beam to where it does you the most good. 

Here are some helpful cards for meditation: Queens of

The powerful Queen of Wands from
"The Wizard's Tarot"© by Corrine Kenner
and John J. Blumen 

Wands (creative action, confidence and skill), Knight of Pentacles (steadfastness to duty and tasks even when you’d rather not), 9 of Wands (perseverance, going the distance though difficulty) and 7 of Pentacles (tending to tasks which will yield longterm results).  There are certainly other components to these cards, because tarot is a marvelous blend of both simple and complex concepts. ( See Blog: “Lights, Camera, Action” for using the suit of Wands for motivation.)  However, you get the idea and if you’re a tarot reader you probably have your own favorite cards to motivate yourself. In any case, have fun and try pulling tarot energy to guide you through this transit.

LADY ORACLE

All decks featured are available for sale through Lady Oracle Tarot - ladyoracle56@yahoo.com

September 8, 2014, Full Harvest Moon in Pisces – “A Moon of the Imagination”

September’s Full Moon is called the Full Corn Moon, but this

The Moon, tarot's card for Pisces
by "Shadowscapes"© by Stephanie
Pui-Mun Law and Barbara Moore

year it has the designation of being our Harvest Moon as well. The title of “Harvest Moon” is given to the full moon closest to the Fall Equinox, which occurs on September 22nd.  This year September’s full moon occurs fourteen days before equinox while October’s full moon occurs sixteen days afterward. Good to know, huh?

This year’s  Harvest Moon occurs on September 8th at 6:38 p.m. PDT, in sixteen degrees and nineteen minutes of Pisces.  It is a moon of compassion, spirituality, great intuition and above all, imagination.  Full moon in Pisces enflames of our creativity. It is idealism coupled with romance – a moon that asks us to view the world and its occupants with unvarnished optimism.  That may not always be the wisest view, but it is one that consistently entertains positive potential.

The High Priestess as depicted in
MMark Ryan, John Matthews and
Will Worthington's fabulous deck,
"The Wild Wood Tarot"©

Pisces is a mutable water sign meaning that people born under its influence (either as a birth sign or one featured prominently in their chart) can change their nature to match their environment, or to match the people around them.  Fish folk are highly intuitive and empathetic. This full moon, coupled with Mercury in Libra’s (See blog: Astrology for September 2014 Part 1) penchant for balance and diplomacy, allows us bridge gaps between ourselves and others.  If your job requires the use of diplomatic skills and empathy, Monday should be a particularly productive day for you.  

Venus in Virgo also gives a power boost to our creative side during this full moon.  Pisces’ idealism helps us move past our self-limiting behaviors to listen to our intuition and let our creativity flow. Venus, strongly positioned right now in Virgo, is the essence of creative energy.  In tarot she’s represented by The Empress, who is the very embodiment of abundance and creation.

The things to watch out for during this full moon period is the

The Empress is tarot's association for
the planet Venus - the essence of
creative abundance From "Steampunk Tarot"©
by Barbara Moore and Aly Fell

‘thin skinned’ effect from Pisces  emotional makeup rising to the surface, and our heightened empathy and intuition with those around us.  Keep your boundaries with others firmly in place. When you feel overwhelmed take a moment to determine whose emotions you're actually feeling – your own, or someone else's.

Full Moon in Pisces is a gift to our spirit.  It is dreamy and mystical just like Pisces ruling planet, Neptune.  September's full moon is a time for fresh awareness and for tapping into our own creative process.  Enjoy this lunar period and make something magical happen.

LADY ORACLE

LUNAR VOID OF COURSE INFO FOR THE FULL MOON

Void begins: Sept. 7th @ 10:20 a.m. PDT

Void ends:    Sept. 7th @ 4:48 p.m.   PDT

Void begins: Sept. 9th @ 12:11p.m.  PDT

Void ends:    Sept. 9th @  4:34 p.m.  PDT

For more information on what the term 'void of course' means, see blog "A Void is a Void, of Course, of Course"

Astrology For September, 2014, Part 1 – “A Question of Balance”

Tarot's card for Sagittarius is "Temperance"
a reminder for balance this month.
From "Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©
by the amazing Ciro Marchetti

September is a time for us to seek and find our personal balancing points. On September 2nd Mercury gives us a focused and diplomatic frame of mind as it enters the realm of Libra, Sign of Balance. Mercury, ruled by the sign Virgo, is represented by the tarot card, “The Magician.”  This card teaches us about the power of creative energy wielded through conscious, directed thought.  The elements of earth, air, fire and water are blended through The Magician’s skills.  He is an informed mind balancing and transforming nature through the sheer strength of his will.  That’s a pretty heady image to kick off September’s astrology. It’s also extremely accurate. During Mercury’s stay in Libra we can likewise use our own of knowledge, coupled with focused intent to realize our goals.

Mercury’s magician receives an extra boost of creative energy on September 8th from Full Moon in Pisces.  Put your natural artistry in gear September 5th through the 10th.  Use Mercury in Libra to ground the Moon’s emotional components while you let that mystical and creative lunar energy flow.  I’ll have more information on working with Full Moon in Pisces later this week.

On September 5th, Venus swans into Virgo where she turns

The Magician represent the planet
Mercury. This depiction is "The Shaman"
from "The Wildwood Tarot"©
by Mark Ryan, John Matthews beautifully illustrated
by Will Worthington

sincere, yet somewhat nit picky.  The goddess of love finds nice, emotional depth in Virgo where she is also artistic and creative in her own right. The thing to watch out for during this transit however, is Venus’ tendency to focus on small details about the people she finds attractive, details that in the scheme of things, don’t carry significant weight about a potential relationship. In fact, too much attention to small details obscures the big picture and masks some glaring deficiencies in current heart throbs.  Access Mercury’s energy to help you choose wisely.

Mars, the warrior leaves the transformative lessons of Scorpio behind him to move into Sagittarius on September 13th.  Tarot’s association for Mars is “The Tower.”  The Tower represents the winds of change that sweep into our lives causing momentary chaos, but also bringing with them unexpected opportunities.  Mars in Sagittarius heeds the call to bold adventure. Our inner warrior is all energetic, visceral experience, spontaneously seizing life.  He is also honest, but without much of a filter to his speech.  Whatever Mars perceives as truth about a situation comes directly from gut to his mouth.  Sagittarius’ tarot association is “Temperance” – a good reminder to balance all things.  Again, focus on Mercury in Libra’s diplomatic energies to counterbalance Mar’s lack of finesse.

From Kris Waldherr's stunning deck
"The Goddess Tarot"© come this depiction
of The Fool, Uranus' tarot card.

Also on September 13th we have Mercury in Libra in opposition to Uranus in Aires. This adds a strong, breakthrough energy to the days just before and just after the 13th.  If you are struggling to learn new skills, or adapt to new systems expect a helpful push from this configuration.  Uranus in Aires is about “out of the box” thinking that takes us beyond conventional pathways into new and progressive territory.  Meditations during this time yield answers to your inner most questions, as well as reveal some startling insights. There’s a certain amount of impulsiveness with this energy, but by now you know the drill – use Mercury to balance that impulsivity.  

This is only the astrological trends for the first half of September.  We also have an Equinox, a New Moon and Sun in Libra coming our way.  Great stuff.  I’ll talk about those things later, but for right now work with our lessons in balance to ensure a productive month.

LADY ORACLE

August 25, 2014, New Moon in Virgo – “A Fresh Start and Self-Determination”

This Monday morning, at 7:13 a.m., we birthed a New Moon

The Hermit represents Virgo, living
its truth. This card from "Steampunk
Tarot"© by Barbara Moore and Aly Fell

in Virgo.  ( You may have felt that ol’  dark of the Moon last night - I did. See blog:

 “I Feel a Dark Moon Rising” )  New Moons establish a new tempo for the lunar cycle ahead. They provide a fresh start and this one says clear the clutter.  New Moon in Virgo gives us an opportunity to sort out what serves us in life, to cast off what doesn’t, and to put our remaining resources to work for us. Virgo Moons move us forward because they like practical application and routines becomes our happy place.

The Moon represents the emotional component in our lives and Virgo does a nice job of balancing that energy with analytical thinking because Virgo thinks through feelings. It analyses events and people, particularly now while Mars is conjunct (same place, same time) with Saturn in Scorpio. Conjunctions are about new planetary cycles and this one works well with New Moon in Virgo. Saturn in Scorpio analyses people, then runs a mental checklist to determine if they fit in the resource, or the recycle category.  The decision is not arbitrary. Saturn in Scorpio is also insightful and where Mars in Scorpio is a goal-driven warrior style of energy, Saturn in Scorpio in more circumspect. 

The High Priestess represents
Lady Moon - this is the US Games®
RWSC version

This New Moon in Virgo is an excellent time to start a new project, whether it’s work related, or simply something creative and fun.  Neptune opposes our Virgo Moon and softens Virgo’s obsession with nit-picky details and perfection.  Neptune’s dreamy influence also eases the Virgo Moon’s tendency towards fretting.  

This New Moon directs us to set things in motion.  It’s a great kickstart as we wrap up the summer and prepare to return to our more formal autumn schedules.  Think about what serves you, what you wish to take with you on the next leg of this year’s journey, and what you would be wise to leave behind.

LADY ORACLE

Featured decks available for sale through Lady Oracle!

www.ladyoracle.net

Mercury in Virgo, August 15th to September 1st – An Organized and Well-Oiled Machine

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

On August 15th, Mercury began it’s trek across i-dotting, t-crossing Virgo.  This is great energy to help us wind down the summer.  Believe it or not, it’s time to gear up for Labor Day weekend and the transition into fall.  Mercury in Virgo gives us the organizational boost to re-pack that tent and get the camping gear ready to go for one last summer time hoorah. 

Mercury in Virgo is an efficient mind.  Everything is examined and systematically sorted.   Flow charts and lists become our new friends.  People with Mercury in Virgo in their birth chart can often give Martha Stewart a run for her money.  They plan wonderful parties, or large scale events where everyone feels welcome and included. They are highly creative people.  Who knew pop can tops could be turned into tech-metal garland for an urban industrial-themed picnic? Who ever knew people would attend an urban industrial-themed picnic for that matter? Mercury in Virgo, naturally.  

Virgo's card, The Hermit - self-contained
and living their truth - yup, makes sense
From "Steampunk Tarot" by Barbara Moore
and Aly Fell

All of us can enjoy the benefits of Mercury’s energy during this transit whether we’re readying for the trip back to college, starting a new project at work, or breaking out the glass jars to prepare for pickling. We understand cause and effect much more clearly right now and we also can discern patterns, whether they’re in behaviors, or in chemical analysis. Expect some emotional distance right now, either from yourself, or from others. While Mercury is the planet of communications, it is primarily the planet of the mind and we are more comfortable during the next two weeks with our own thoughts and theories than with emotion. Pay attention to the suit of swords in your tarot readings, particularly the ace. Aces are alway good news because they mean something new is beginning and nothing makes things happen like an organized and creative mind.  

LADY ORACLE

Tarot Reading at Public Events – Keep Calm and Think of Monty Python

The perfect mindset for public tarot
reading! From "OSHO Zen Tarot"©
 by Deva Padma

You’ve picked your reading venue, run your ads, packed up your table cloth and your favorite decks. You show up to your event twenty to thirty minutes early so you can clear your space, ground and acclimate your cards. It’s show time and you are ready. You’ve thought of everything. Business cards, notepads, a gift for your event host – now all you need is a querent. You sit at your table with an open and welcoming smile as you greet passersby.  Then the unexpected happens. A couple strolls towards you. One of them looks rather upset, points a finger at you and yells, “I know what you’re doing. I know what’s really going on here! You’re a witch! Witch!” Sounds completely over the top, doesn’t it, accept that it actually happened to me during a public reading event at a bookstore. I looked around half expecting Michael Palin to suggest they build a bridge out of me, or at the very least, Terry Jones wanting to see if my weight was equal to that of a duck’s.

 Public reading events aren’t every reader’s cup of tea. You can try to prepare for every contingency, but when you choose to read for the general public weird stuff happens and you have to learn how to roll with it. How calm you remain and how quickly you can think on your feet determines the success or failure of your reading event. In my case, the witch denouncer backed out of the shop, taking their friend with them as they continued to condemn my mystical proclivities.  I looked at the people around me who were nervously awaiting my reaction. I grinned at them and responded, “Was it something I said?” People started to laugh and before I knew it, everything was back on track. The truth is that the majority of people out there want you to succeed. They came to watch you succeed. However, they take their cue from you at an event, so it becomes very important to put their comfort above your own, because to varying degrees, they have already put their faith in you as a reader simply by showing up. 

Stay in the moment
another great reminder from "OSHO Zen
Tarot"© by Deva Padma

Most readers have expectations of a venue host. Usually they are completely reasonable – a discreet reading area, the ability to display your business cards, posters, someone to help steer querent traffic, etc.  However, some also impose their own bias on the people they serve.  Some refuse to read for children, claiming their energy is too chaotic. Seriously? Children are charming to read for – all wonder and excitement. Others won’t read someone who’s consumed any alcohol whatsoever. What are you going to do? Have them fill out a questionnaire first? Some of the most successful and joyful events involve reading for children.  Restaurants with full-service bars are another good venue selection.  It comes down to trusting your host to support you while you support their clientele to the best of your ability.  It serves no purpose to offend a business’s clientele with high-minded principles. Don’t confront customers about their belief systems. You’re not there to win an argument, you’re there to entertain and no matter how difficult it may be, never let your audience see you stressed.  Yes, you heard right, entertain and audience, because believe it or not, your readings are a performance.  

There are tarot readers who take issue with being likened to

Don't forget to enjoy yourself. it's
your party! From "OSHO Zen Tarot"©
by Deva Padma

an entertainer.  They are welcome to because that’s all the more venues for me.  Liberace once stated in an interview that, “Good piano players are a dime a dozen.” So ask yourself what makes you stand out?  “My readings are clear and I’m honest with my querents,” you say. “I work to enlighten them while I respect their feelings. I have integrity.” So do the majority of readers.  What makes you so special?  Simple answer – you do, your presentation, the personae you project.  You have ten seconds or less to engage a potential client.  Within that time they will judge you on appearance, perceptions about your attitude and whether, or not, their inner guidance system believes you to be ‘safe.’ Be aware, be present and don’t use their reading to seek validation.

The reader sets the tone at an event. It is their responsibility to put people at ease. Do it with style, do it with grace, but most importantly, do it in a manner authentic to you as a person. I use humor and when that fails, I pull out the Paula Dean brownies. I have no mercy.  

LADY ORACLE