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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**Special thanks to Laurie pointing out a pivotal error in this blogs original posting!**

December 25, 2014 - "Tidings of Comfort and Joy"

There's magic in the light from candles and oil lamps

As I sit here at the computer, I can hear the strains of "A Christmas Story" playing in the background downstairs.   The remnants of our annual Christmas Eve bacchanalia have been zip-locked and saran-wrapped away and our merry band of revelers currently lie about the living room sleeping off the effects of last night's forbidden foods buffet, as well as the satisfied stupor induced by this morning's gift giving.  Now comes my favorite part of Christmas morning.  The frenzy pulse of the holidays has momentarily slowed to a pleasant, yet companionable beat and now there's time to relax and reflect on the flavor of this year's holiday season. 

For a brief time I also have the luxury of indulging my memory and reliving other Christmas mornings long gone. For the space of an instant, I can touch those who flavored my holidays and who are no longer here to share them. There's more sweetness than bitterness to these moments because they hold enough love to drive away the winter cold and to light my way when darkness descends.

Our memory is capable of granting the most forgiveness of any part of our human nature. That's because while memories play across the screen in our mind, they reside in our hearts.  A heart-felt memory weeds out the slights, the day to day petty annoyances that occurred and leave only the brightest, most luminous of experiences behind to be savored as we would savor a particularly fine brandy, or scotch.  This is one of the best gifts of Christmas – the ability to ponder the sum of all the holidays that came before, moments that appear like images reflected across the perfect sphere of a glass christmas tree ornament. They are enriched by all the colors and smells of the season.

We know that to live consciously we should stay focused in the present moment and that's true, but Christmas is about more than 'shoulds.' To know where we're going it's important to acknowledge where we came from.  When we draw strength and perspective from memories we are using them in the way they were intended.  It's important to stay present with those sharing your holiday this year. That's how we fill our memory banks for future withdrawals. Christmas memories are a gift to ourselves.  They bridge the present with the past and enable us to cross the boundaries of time and space to touch the hearts of those who've gone before us.  They are the best gift we can give ourselves.

Merry Christmas,


LADY ORACLE 

December 8, 2014 – “Santa Claus Goes Retrograde”

Jupiter, the friendly giant of our solar system begins its

#10 Fortune, from Kris Waldherr's fabulous
"The Goddess Tarot" © is tarot's
card for Jupiter. 

retrograde cycle today.  During Jupiter’s ramp-up for retrograde we began feeling the need to rein in our lives a little bit. We had a sense of having spent too long at the banquet table and began wishing for more Spartan fare. (Probably, in part, a reaction to all the dressing and gravy during Thanksgiving) Nationally and globally during Jupiter Retrograde there’s a sense of having too much information to process and that our gains as a species have come too fast and left us feeling a little hollow inside.  

Our desire to slow down and take a serious look at the foundations of our lives is one of the best gifts we receive from our Santa Claus planet.  Jupiter governs the expansion of our worlds – another way of saying it provides us with the opportunities to grow.  Ruler of Sagittarius, Jupiter occupies a place in the ninth house of the zodiac. This where we store our philosophical and religious views, our relationship to the laws that govern our culture and our desires for travel. Jupiter entered Leo earlier this year, bringing us a powerful and charismatic energy to propel our lives forward.  No wonder you’re feeling a little overwhelmed.

Leo's card (of course) is #8 Strength.
From "Steampunk Tarot"© by Barbara
Moore and Aly Fell

Retrograde cycles are based on an optical illusion that as Earth overlaps a planet during its orbit of the Sun, the planet we pass appears to move backwards.  There’s a decrease, or even a slight reversal of the astrological benefits associated with the outdistanced planet.  Many people groan when they hear the word, ‘retrograde.’  They shouldn’t. Retrogrades are a natural part of the expansion and contraction process of the Universe – particularly Jupiter’s retrograde.  As the opportunities slow we have the chance to go inside ourselves and shore up our core beliefs and values.  If you’re going to build a skyscraper, you have to have a solid foundation.  That’s the purpose of Jupiter’s retrograde, to allow us the chance to reinforce the footings of our lives in preparation for the next surge forward.

Jupiter remains in retrograde until April 8, 2015.  Use this time as the opportunity it is.  Make your plans and make certain you have the support systems in place to set them in motion this April, because come this spring there will be whitecaps in the power waves rolling off Jupiter as it turns direct in Leo.  Be ready.

LADY ORACLE

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December 6, 2014, Full Cold Moon It Gemini - "Welcome to the Party"

# 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.  

#2, The High Priestess, is tarot's card
for Lady Moon. This depiction from
Kris Waldherr's wonderful "Goddess Tarot"©

Your ideas will be easier to convey to others during Full Moon in Gemini and in turn, other people will have an easier time envisioning how your concept works for their world. This moon has a quick-witted, vibrant mindset.  Making new discoveries, or finding new interests is never a problem. The challenge comes in finding something that holds our interest. 

While we are social and engaging during this moon, there is a downside.  We'll have a tendency to become a little more disorganized – more erratic in our emotions and in what we expect from our relationships. Guard against impulses to manipulate others into doing what you want. Though you may think you're clever enough to pull it off, you can't fool all the people all of the time and once someone discovers they are being played, even in some minor way, you risk the loss of their respect.

Enjoy the social whirl during this holiday season's Full Moon

Barbara Moore and Aly Fell brings us this
depiction of #17, The Star for this season
of light and hope. From "Steampunk Tarot"© 

in Gemini. It's not a moon for deep thinking, or for burning passions.  It carries a light, fun energy that may be just the thing to kickstart your holiday season.

LADY ORACLE

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December 5th Linda and I discuss "branding." What is it? What does it mean and how can we maintain our individuality? Follow the above link...

Saturn Semi-Square Pluto, November 27, 2014 – “The Semi-Sweet Life”

The World - tarot's card for Saturn.
From "The Wizard's Tarot"© by
Corrine Kennerand John J. Blumen

Squares are a challenging aspect of ninety degrees between two, or more planets.  Keep in mind that the term,’challenging,’ is a euphemism for, “That’s going to suck.”

Semi-squares, thought of as carrying weaker square energy, are an aspect of forty-five degrees between two planets that causes us more irritation than the bust through, or bust out energy of the traditional square pattern.

On Thursday, November 27th, Saturn goes semi-square with Pluto. Though this isn’t the most idyllic cosmic influence, it does have some pluses.  Saturn is the teaching planet and its lessons come in the form of challenges. Pluto in the planet of transformation, or re-birth.  A Saturn/Pluto semi-square asks us to resolve the conflict within ourselves between duty or, our sense of obligation, and our need to determine our own course in life.

Saturn is the responsible planet – sort of a cosmic hall monitor who wants us to be disciplined and somewhat regimented.  Pluto, on the other hand, likes soul-stirring change that transforms who we are and what we believe.  Saturn is currently in Scorpio, a sign of transformation that is co-ruled by Pluto.  This ups the ante on the Saturn/Pluto semi-square’s influence. Resolution is a requirement of this configuration, but that resolution has to transformative.

The trick with this particular semi-square’s energy is to

Judgement, Pluto's tarot card, from
"Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©
by Ciro Marchetti

acknowledge the frustrations you feel and handle them with patience and persistence.  What does that mean?  Foremost it means that there’s no need to force-feed your philosophies down everyone’s throat, particularly at the Thanksgiving Day table and at the top of your lungs. Remember that your challenge from Saturn during this semi-square is to resolve your feelings of conflict between other people’s version of you and your version of yourself.  You can accomplish this with quiet strength and persistence. Where you owe others respect and need to exercise patience with them, you also owe yourself the type of life you want. 

Also consider that all this transformative energy and challenge from Saturn will stir up some waves from the notorious Uranus/Pluto square (transformative and revolutionary societal change).  This is one of the reasons to let patience and courtesy be your mantra during family gatherings this weekend – more so than normally. When we resolve our inner conflicts our life moves forward at an astonishing pace.  Your life is yours to use as you choose.  It is your responsibility and this is the ultimate lesson from Saturn in Scorpio.  Become who you want to be.  Reach for your goals and dreams because achieving them or not is totally up to you.

LADY ORACLE


Catch Linda Becker and I this Friday, November 28th (yes, Black Friday!) at 8:30 a.m. PST on "The Moment Is Now" on blogtalk radio. this week we're talking about "Gifts of the Spirit." Tune in!

Full Moon in Taurus November 6, 2014 - “Exalted And Bound For Glory”

Tarot's card association for
Taurus is #5, the Hierophant.
From "Wizard's Tarot"© by
Corrine Kenner and John J. Blumen

A planetary body is said to be ‘exalted’ when it resides in its most powerful sign. This month’s Full Frost Moon occurs in fourteen degrees and twenty-six minutes of Taurus, giving us Lady Moon in her most exalted position. It’s time to kick the tires, light the fires and forget Throw Back Thursday. You want to stay focused in the present for this one, because Full Moon in Taurus is a moon of manifestation.

Taurus is an earth sign in the fixed modality.  Signs belonging to the element of earth are pragmatic. Though their forte is dealing with financial matters and durable goods, their house traits all have to do with self.  Calm, dependable Taurus dwells in the second house of the Zodiac where we find our self-esteem, earning abilities as well as the material goods we possess.  Bull people know how to create harmony for themselves and they also enjoy the finer things in life. To visit a true Taurian home is to experience comfort, even luxury.  It’s because of their understanding of material matters (think about tarot’s Pentacles) that under the right circumstances they manifest dreams, goals, money – just about anything – like none other.  November’s Full Moon in Taurus is precisely the right circumstance.

November’s Frost Moon also receives a manifesting power

The Tower (of power) represents
warrior Mars. From Ciro Marchetti's
wonderful "Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©

boost from Mars. Warrior Mars is in Capricorn until December 3rd and Capricorn the Goat (or Seagoat, more correctly) is also an earth sign, but in the cardinal modality.  Cardinal signs carry the traits of independence and the need to achieve. These signs want to start new things and to be on the cutting edge of trends.  Mars in Capricorn is very controlled, focused energy – powerful, with a tremendous amount of persistence.  The combined power of Full Moon in Taurus and Mars in Capricorn virtually shouts at us to commit and to create something with our lives.  The time for pipe dreams and ‘what ifs’ is done.  On November 6th we have the opportunity to pull our goals and desires out of the ether and make them real.

As with any manifesting work, it must be done sincerely, from the highest of intentions and with no harm intended to anyone, or anything.  Write down what you want for yourself. Be specific. Be positive.  How you phrase your desires matters. Don’t ask for the end of sickness. Instead, ask for the beginning of glowing, good health. Every organ, every cell working in harmony and perfection as they were intended to do.  This is a Full Moon, a time of culmination. Whether you focus on finances, career, health or love – ask for positive increases, not the end, or decrease of something.  See your life as you want it to be. Sense it. Taste it. Hold the belief that your life is already the way you would like it to be. The power of your positive intention will see it done.

Kris Waldherr's depiction of Lady Moon's
High Priestess. From "Goddess Tarot"©

Full Moon in Taurus is filled with stability, warmth and humanity.  It is a Moon of purpose, yet still rich in both romantic and creative passion.  Use this Full Frost Moon to bring your goals and intentions into reality, to become the person you seek to be.  Tarot tip: Try using the Ace of Pentacles as the signifier card (you in the present moment) as you look at your relationship with the material during this Full Moon cycle.  What you learn may astound you.  

LADY ORACLE

P.S. Your friendly neighborhood oracle apologizes for being absent so much of October.  Tarot events and other commitments keep me from my blog.  I'm back and looking forward writing more articles and op ed pieces for (hopefully) your enjoyment.  

L.O. 

October 23, 2014 Sun and New Moon in Scorpio With a Solar Eclipse - “Insight, Passion and Respect in the Morning”

Scorpio is an edgy sign.  It’s known for dark, brooding passion

"OSHO Zen Tarot,"© by Deva Padma
shows us the fiery flowering that is
Scorpio's power to tranform

and a laser sharp intensity that never suffers fools gladly, or otherwise.  Intentionally injure a Scorpio and you will live to regret it, no matter how long it takes them to construct their revenge. They live life with little, or no middle ground.  The sign of the scorpion teaches us the power wielded by coupling keen intuition with a tremendous ability to focus.  On October 23rd, our Sun moves into Scorpio, creating a New Moon while going conjunct with Venus. Did I mention the solar eclipse? That’s right.  During all the emotional rip tides caused by these power players in the house of Scorpio, we’ll also be dealing with a solar eclipse that in effect, pours gasoline on this combustable cosmic alignment.  

The vibrations, or patterns of a solar eclipse remain with us for six months. They show themselves as newly discovered personal issues, insights and motivations. That’s why it’s extremely important that you pay attention to the themes and patterns emerging in your life during the next few days. They’ll be with you for a while, along with the consequences of your responses to them. This New Moon and solar eclipse combo will be most keenly felt by those born under the sign, Scorpio, those who have the moon, or other planets prominently in Scorpio and people born in the other water signs (Cancer and Pisces). Also those born underTaurus will feel the pull of this configuration because of Taurus’ oppositional place against all the scorpion action.  Now that we understand the dynamics, let’s look at the energetic fallout.

Scorpio’s exoskeleton protects a tender underbelly where

The 8 of Wands reminds us
to pay attention to messages and
also to pick our moment. From
Lo Scarebo's "Tarot of the Pagan Cats"©

they store their emotional vulnerability. They use those legendary claws of theirs to dig deeply into the meat of issues until they find the answers they seek. While scorpions keep their revelations private because of their secretive nature, they don’t shy away from confronting what they discover.  Expect to have more need for privacy for a  while. The next six months will be a good time work on addictive behaviors, particularly those dealing with sex, money and power struggles. Eclipses break old patterns. They are the harbingers of endings, but most importantly, of new beginnings as well. 

Scorpios may have one of the baddest reps in the Zodiac, by there is more than one side to them. Granted, all of their sides are very passionate.  Scorpions are highly spiritual beings. Of all the signs in the Zodiac, they are most willing to let the hidden come to light. They are very creative and intuitive and they possess the ability to narrow their focus into a scorching beam of light and wisdom.  They love deeply and are loyal to a fault. We can borrow these attributes during the next six months and use them to refine and achieve our own goals. 

"Inner Voice" represents The High Priestess,
tarot's card for the moon. From "OSHO Zen Tarot"©
by Deva Padma

This New Moon with an eclipse combo offers us all the chance to start anew – projects, jobs, life re-invention – you name it.  However, this is strong, primal energy we’re tapping into.  It takes courage to steer a ship into heavy weather, but we must remember that our vessel was designed for this purpose. This human shell that we all wear, came with the resources we needed to survive this journey.  Use your instincts when pulling Scorpio’s energy, but follow a few safeguards as well.  Stay grounded through meditation and time alone.  It’s up to you to provide those opportunities for yourself, no one else’s.  As with the energy of our last Full Moon, think things through three times and only speak once.  Remember that when you expose wounds to the light, the idea is to let them heal, not remember old grievances that hold you hostage to your own fear and pain. Let them go. Lastly, this is a time of great transformation. Use it boldly and with love.  Besides, the view from a crest of a wave is spectacular.  

LADY ORACLE

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