Astrological Trends February 2013 - “Jump, Jive and Then You Wail” Part I

“The Jump”

February will be one long, magical, mystery tour.  Right out of the gate we have Mars conjunct (same place at the same time) Neptune in Pisces.  Can you say, “Daydream Believer?”  Mars gives action and focus to Neptune, planet of creative dreamers.  Our imaginations will be working overtime in February, but in a positive way.  Start that novel you’ve been talking about for years, dust off your easel, or create a dramatic re-do of a classic recipe.  The sky is literally the limit for those who choose to harness that Mars - Neptune energy. 

Mars also delivers high octane intuition this month that’s not only super charged, but extremely accurate as well.  Follow your gut and don’t over-think issues.  You do know the answers even if you haven’t heard the questions yet. The red planet directs us to engage in life with compassion and sensitivity right now, but know your limits.  Mars’ energy can make us take on not only our share of responsibility, but also take on some for other people as well.  That may be fine if you’re inspired to found a global social movement for instance, but it won’t work well in day to day relationships.  I see a 10 of Wands on that one.  Don’t let yourself become overburdened and overwhelmed because you believe you have to do it all.  Partners are there for a reason.

On February 5th, Mercury also enters Pisces, conjunct Mars and Neptune.  Mercury is a planet of communication with intuitive powers all its own.  In the presence of dreamy Neptune and sensitive Mars, we’re looking at a period of great inspiration.  It will be very easy to connect with the Divine during meditations.  In fact, the first two weeks is an excellent time to commit to regular meditation or yoga practice.  You will feel invigorated and renewed.  

In Part II, "The Jive," we will take a look at trines, yods and the New Moon - oh my!  In the meantime, check out Kathy Rose on YouTube.  She is one of my favorite sources for astrological trends.  She’s always positive and very interesting.

LADY ORACLE  

Wand Revitalization - Find Your Spark

There are days when we're struck by malaise.  Last night's

2 of Wands is about personal power.
We're safe where we are, but the view
beyond our walls is intriguing. From
Ciro Marchetti's "Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©

dishes are still setting on the counter and you shove them out of the way to make room for tonight's dishes.  You've been out of your regular underwear for a week and are now reduced to using your reserve underwear - the ones that creep up your bum, or that were a bad idea to start with. All that's needed is to spend a couple of evenings doing basic housework and the world will come back to order, but first you have to get off the couch and that feels like a pretty risky proposition. Down time is one thing - prolonged lack of inertia, something else.

In tarot, things begin to happen with the appearance of Wands.  They are the call to adventure, a message of an action to be taken and a demand that we change the status quo of our lives.  They are creative action born of fire. The ball is in our court and we'd better get moving.  Too often we try to revitalize our lives through outward contrivances - use a special tea, a juice, or the latest vogue item that will change our perception of ourselves and our lives.  Renewal starts inside of us - in the trenches.  That's where it's messiest because that's where we dump the real clutter.

The 3 of Wands is the call to adventure.
There's opportunity on the horizon. Just take
the first step. From Ciro Marchetti's
"Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©

Wands tell the story of engaging life.  First comes the perception that there's something more to life beyond the boundaries of our own experience (2 of Wands).  We take the initial foray past our fortress walls and discover a whole world of potential (3 of Wands).  We join others and begin a celebration of life through interaction and mutual experience (4 of Wands).  It's hard to choose from so many new options and we can find ourselves confused and in conflict with others striving for the same goal (5 of Wands).  When things fall into place (and they do more often than not) we enjoy our victories and others look to us as an example (6 of Wands).  We hold tightly to our successes and work hard to maintain the ground we've claimed as our own, be it right or wrong to do so (7 of Wands).  Suddenly, a new opportunity arrives, a message that changes the world of the familiar (8 of Wands), but we are engaged now and though it's not easy, we will persevere with our goals, knowing that in the end, we will succeed (9 of Wands).

But first there's that whole getting off the couch thing.  When

The 8 of Wands advises us to wait for the perfect
moment because timing is everything. The moment
is at hand from Lo Scarebo's "Tarot of the Pagan Cat's"©
Incoming!!

you're looking for motivation, start with the view from #2.  Look past the self-imposed boundaries of your life.  What's out there?  What are you missing? Odds are that you're missing a lot.  Now, make a move.  It doesn't have to be perfect, or even right.  Just make a decision.  The rest of the numbers follow one right after another.  Sure, it's safe on the couch, but if you were really happy there, you wouldn't have the sense of missing out to begin with.  Each day is a gift, a chance to create and start fresh.  With an opportunity like that, why be content to sit watching someone else's story.


LADY ORACLE

Here's another blog about using the Ace, 2 and 3 of Wands to kickstart changes in your life! "Lights, Camera, Action!"

January 26, 2013 - Full Wolf Moon In Leo

A Full Wolf is better than a Not So Full Wolf.  Ask Red Riding Hood if you don’t believe me.  This January’s Full Wolf Moon or, Old Moon, as it’s also known, occurs in 7 degrees, 24 minutes of Leo.  What makes this interesting is that the Sun, which is in direct opposition to this Leo Full Moon, happens to be in Aquarius. This means is that people with signs in either Aquarius or Leo may feel the pull of this Full Moon a little stronger than the rest of us.  That’s not a bad thing in this case.  All of us will get a tremendous boost to our creative sides this moon and enjoy finding new means of self-expression.

While Aquarius remains objective and more regimented this Full Moon, Leos will give vent to their free-spirited side.  Self-expression and proud individualism give Leo a winner’s attitude. Although these traits are also part of Aquarius’ makeup, this time Aquarians are surrendering some of their 'go it alone philosophy' in favor of letting the whole team play.  Oddly, it’s romantic Leo who claims that, not only should we spell team with an ‘I’, but that there's really no need for the rest of the players to leave the dugout. This is the perfect moon for Lions to rise and shine.  

For most of us, conflicts on, or around the 26th will center on personal needs versus the good of the whole.  In tarot readings consider any of the Minor Arcana’s  5s that show up in your readings. %s are conflict cards. Where are they placed?  Are they the root of the matter, or simply a contributing factor?  Major Arcana’s #15, The Devil, might make a rather heavy-handed appearance.  Draw assistance from #14, Temperance, or the 2 of Pentacles for balance. In positive positions, The Queen of Wands and the ever abundant #3, The Empress will bring in their creative energy.  Look for assistance from the Knight of Wands to make things happen.  If you have questions about your tarot readings, email or message me here, or at on FaceBook - Lady Oracle Tarot.

Oh...and don’t go taking your goodies into the forest after dark.

LADY ORACLE

#1, The Magician or, "Linking Merlin With the Divine"

#1, The Magician - my personal
favorite depiction from "The
Wizar'ds Tarot"© by Corrine Kenner
and John J. Blumen

In tarot, The Magician bears witness to the fundamental truth he we are always connected to our divine creator.  The depiction of the Magician in RWSC decks shows us a wizard standing at his work table.  He has the power of all the elements literally at his finger tips as symbolized by the suits in tarot’s Minor Arcana: Wand, Cup, Sword and Pentacle (fire, water, air and earth respectively).  

The Magician represents consciousness, directed action and intentional creation.  He stands at his work table, his wand held aloft while his other hand pointed to the earth.  He is a living conduit between the power of divine consciousness and Its physical manifestation on earth.  He embodies the words on the Emerald Tablet, “As it is above, so it is below.”  Unlike Fool, the Magician doesn’t nonchalantly toss his consciousness over his shoulder, moving through life on a whim.  He takes responsibility for his

life force and his gifts by using them to shape his world.  Flowers grow around his table - signs that the power of his potential is in full and directed use.  He blooms where he’s planted.  He shows us that our gifts are the currency by which we purchase our dreams. If you waste your gifts, or let them stand idle, you not only bankrupt yourself, but you squander all of your potential.

We are conduits for cosmic energy.  It passes through us for

use in creating actualities - job, lifestyle, or to effect lasting change in the world around us. Our personal power must be allowed to flow freely guided by our directed thought.  Otherwise we create chaos in our lives and the lives of those around us.  Often we want to hold fast to our power base, fearing it will disappear.  However when you act as a conduit, you carry current from an infinite source - a universal power plant if you will.  Think about the batteries you bought last year for your emergency flashlights.  They are still in the package, their power contained.  What is their shelf life? Are they still good?  Just as the charge in an unused battery will eventually dissipate, so will the consciousness or cosmic power you struggle to contain.  As with water, electricity and air, there must be a flow through.

From "OSHO Zen Tarot"© by Deva Padma,
we see the #22, The World - a culmination
of the hero's journey.

Today ask yourself: Am I part of the Divine flow?  Do I direction to my power and manifest things that benefit myself as well as those around me, or do I react to whatever direction life takes me and create chaos in my wake?  This is a magic day and you get to decide what you will do with it. 

LADY ORACLE

January 16, 2013 - In Your Cups - The Meaning and Symbolism in the 7 of Cups

To be 'in your cups' means to be drunk.  There are many substances that can intoxicate us - alcohol being only one of them.  Love can intoxicate as does power and money. The 7 of Cups tells us the story of choices.  The man depicted in the card views seven chalices, each one hold an object of desire.  The cups are shrouded in mist to remind us that often what we seek in life, comes from our dreams and that their value to us is merely an illusion.  The message of the card is twofold.  Reach for your dreams and be careful what you wish for.

Still, it's much more important in terms of understanding yourself, to know why you make the choices you do instead of what the your choice happens to be.  The latter is surface knowledge, easily gained while the former is a fundamental understanding that in the long run, gives you greater rewards than simply immediate gratification.  In life, choosing is not about making the right or wrong choice for yourself, but about making a choice at all.  Otherwise, you willing give yourself over to the winds of chance and abdicate responsibility for your own life.

From the time we arise in the morning until we sleep at night we make choices.  Sometimes they're well researched and other times they are simply a matter of how we feel at the time - which brand of smart phone we buy as opposed to what we want for lunch.  Sometimes our choices have significant consequences to us.  They require deep thought.  However necessity is only one component of what drives decision making.  Opportunity and circumstance have more relevance, but the biggest   contributor is our individual desires.  How do we see ourselves in our dreams and how does that image relate to the world around us?  That is the ultimate challenge held in the 7 of Cups.  How well do you know yourself and are you making an informed decision?


LADY ORACLE

January 20th - February 18th, Aquarius - Independent and Artistic, or Diva

#17, The Star is the tarot association
for Aquarius - Hope, serenity, social
consciousness from "Steampunk Tarot"©
by Aly Fell and Barbara Moore

Aquarius is the sign of the Water Bearer, yet funnily enough, Aquarius’ corresponding element is air.  Who says the Universe doesn’t favor ambiguity.  The element of air, Swords in the world of tarot, governs intellect and other matters of the mind.  That’s why some of our most famous Aquarians have also been some of our greatest thinkers: Thomas Edison, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Charles Dickens, Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin for example.

People born under the sign of Aquarius are walking contradictions - shy, sensitive and artistic on one hand, logical, contrary and aloof on the other.  They are remarkable in their complexity as in the example of other noted Aquarians, Virginia Woolf, James Dean, Mozart and Lord Byron.  Imagine having a kiki with that bunch.  

Uranus, one of Aquarius' ruling planets

Uranus, that free-wheeling, free-thinking planet of rebels co-rules Aquarius and under its influence, Aquarians are encouraged to honor their visions and seek their own destiny.  Not surprisingly, Uranus’ corresponding Major Arcana Card is The Fool.  An open, optimistic heart, coupled with a faith in divine intervention guides The Fool, and by association, Aquarius.  Aquarians love to try anything new and will flit from one thing to another without staying long enough to acquire any real mastery.  The new, the different is their passion and they are the quintessential ‘early adopter.’

Saturn, the planet who teaches us all by placing challenges in our path, co-rules Aquarius.  Although Aquarians learn their lessons well, there is an indomitable spirit in water bearers that is more than a match for Saturn's object lessons.  

People often confuse the watery image of Aquarius with the

Saturn co-rules Aquarius

emotional make up of a water sign.  Don’t do it.  One of Aquarius’ weaknesses is their lack of emotion which often shows itself in a cynical, even sarcastic sense of humor.  Aquarians are frequently accused of being distant in a relationship.  That may be due to their ability to focus on life’s journey rather than on its destination.  Much like tarot’s Fool, they are thrilled with the prospect of what’s around the next corner and don’t deal well with ruts.  

Uranus's ruling card, The Fool
from "OSHO Zen Tarot"© by
Devi Padma 

Aquarians are very self-contained and often appear to enter into a relationship as an afterthought.  They cherish life as a free spirit.  If you are the partner of an Aquarian, you understand every definition of the word tolerance.  Water bearers require freedom and intellectual stimulation in their relationships, as well as the joy of new discovery.  Saturday’s hike, Sunday’s crossword puzzle, theater and art gallery openings, a new restaurant summarize the Aquarian view of the perfect life. Try to keep up.  Their most compatible signs are Aires, Gemini, Libra and Sagittarius - Leo as well, if you believe that opposites attract.

Their humanitarian instincts run particularly deep and when they combine that with their ability to connect to higher spiritual planes, Aquarians accomplish miracles.  They are excellent healers and therefore make excellent doctors.  While January’s birthstone is Garnet, Turquoise, a healing stone, rules Aquarius.  Water bearers also enjoy the arts and do well  as actors, theatrical agents, musicians and poets.   They love history and make excellent researchers too.

The Major Arcana card for Aquarius is #17, Star.  Star indicates hope and a healing peace after a period of dramatic

Saturn's Tarot association
from Corinne Kenner and John J. Blumen's
"Wizard's Tarot"©

change or vigorous transformation.  Star kneels by the pool pouring water effortlessly from one realm into the other, having faith that it will be just the right amount and travel to just the right spot.  None of the careful control of #14, Temperance is needed here.  Also, there are no paths to the pool.  Star is isolated and as is the nature of Aquarians, happy to be so.  Enjoy being an Aquarius and if you have a relationship with one, as challenging as it can be, enjoy that as well.  They are lofty idealists who can take us to the heights of our dreams. They engaging, infuriating, but not dull.  And always remember, “Still waters run deep.”

LADY ORACLE

Check out the mythology for Aquarius the Water Bearer in my blog, "Grin and Bear It"

Tarot's Number 14 - "Temperance"

"You've got to accentuate the positive,
 Eliminate the negative
And latch on to the affimative
Don't mess with Mister In-between."

                                "Accentuate the Positive" by Johnny Mercer


Maintaining balance in our lives can be tricky. We walk a variety of worlds during a single lifetime.
When one or more of them dominates us our attitudes start down a slippery slope.  The angel in Major Arcana's #14, Temperance, knows a thing or two about control and focused intent.  While our Heavenly friend has one foot planted squarely on the earth, or the material world, the other foot remains in water, the element of the spiritual world.  The emblem on his robe represents spirituality co-existing in the material world.

The angel pours water carefully from one cup to another, reminding us that our spiritual connection must always travel with us no matter what world we're in.  It's too easy to become unduly influenced by the multitude of attitudes and philosophies so readily available to us in the digital age.  From the time we wake up, to the time we fall asleep, our perception of reality is distorted by information gleaned from news, the latest cultural memes, or by the ranting of a political pundit whose ideals we believe we support. One of the hardest things about life these days is to know your own mind.  The Temperance card asks us to carry our inner voice with us and, more importantly, to listen to its message. The angel reminds us to use our spiritually connected self to assess all information we receive.  When we intake information through the spirit, we can decide whether or not it has any value to us in terms of accomplishing our life's mission without our ego becoming involved.  We are free to respond to stimulus rather than merely react to it.

Each moment offers us the chance to start anew - to decide what thoughts and actions fit how we want to live and who we wish to be.  All we have to do is live consciously and accept that all the previous moments in our lives are gone.  The ones in our future haven't happened yet.  There is no regret, no trouble to borrow.  In the present, each moment is sufficient unto itself.  Am I telling you that it's easy to live this way? No.  If living in the moment were easy there wouldn't be any need for spiritual and self-help sections in bookstores.  There would be no need for The Golden Rule, or The Beatitudes.

Wayne Dyer likes to say that on a boat all evidence of forward motion occurs at the bow. The wind hits us head on.  The water splashes against the hull as it cuts through the waves and objects steadily move closer to us.  The evidence of past motion happens at the stern. The boat's wake trails out behind us as we pass the places we've been.  Dyer goes on to remind us that it is very easy to get caught up remembering the past, but that if we wish to truly live in each moment of our lives, we must move to the bow of the boat and experience life as it happens.

Learning to live by bringing spirituality into your everyday life isn't always easy.  That's why the angel is pouring from cup to cup with so much control.  Events happen in our lives that engage our emotions and our egos.  When that happens it's good to have the tools we need in place to help us sort through the issues at hand.  Meditation, fellowship with like minds, books etc., all remind us to reconnect to spirit when we falter.

The year 2013 is still bright and shiny.  Individually, as well as collectively, we have the opportunity to make it into anything we want.  The possibilities are always limitless.  Turn off the cable news, ignore the community conflicts that appear so urgent and connect in your inner spirit.  Let it guide you.  And remember that the best view of all is at the bow of the boat.


LADY ORACLE

The Drive To Strive - Astrological Trends For January 2013

You know it's been a quite the holiday season when Weight Watchers sends you a mailer before the first of the year.  Do they have cameras at the buffet tables, or something? How did they know you received a Chocolate of the Month gift basket and have already eaten your way through June?  Thank Heavens for elastic waistbands.  And also thank Heavens for that tried, but true process we annually endure called the New Years Resolution.  This January we are getting an extra hand from the cosmos to help us define, refine and implement direct changes to our lives.

This month is a great time to kick start your goals.  Saturn is in Scorpio and Pluto is in Capricorn at sextile (a 60 degree aspect) and they are very good buddies.  While the energy ebb and flow may get a little intense this month, certain signs (Scorpio, Capricorn and those with planets in their houses) are going to thrive with this type of planetary turbo boost.

Returning to reality after the holidays (particularly when recovering from the alcoholic frenzy that is New Years Eve) can be a jolt.  We all become high minded about changing our lives in the coming year.  Hence, resolutions.  To put January's energy to the greatest good, however, work on shaping the material world around you and leave the spiritual retreats and deeper meditations for another month.  Success this month means you are required to be present and to be in the moment to seize January's opportunities.  From the 1st of the month through the 14th, focus on direct actions that will have direct effects on your life.   Now here's the tricky part:  Don't sit there. Do something.  A small, but consistent action will do more to move your life forward than some grandiose gesture that's here, then gone and leaves nothing lasting in its wake.

Remember the goals your worked so diligently to assess and clarify this summer?  You also had some great astral energy this fall which helped you start putting your plans into effect.  This month you have a chance to push past your preconceived limits about your own abilities.  Don't hinder yourself with phrases like, 'too ambitious,' or 'getting in over my head.'  Ambitions are a good thing and you swim best in deep water.  You are much more capable and resourceful than you give yourself credit for and the Universe knows it.

When working with tarot, pay particular attention to the suits of Wands and Pentacles.  Fiery action and earthly gain.  What cards are you pulling and where do they fall in the particular spread you're using?  Think of your first card reading this month as an opportunity for you to run a systems diagnostic.  Find out what you need to release and what you need to pursue.

January 6th and 7th are good days for being more reflective than active.  The moon is in Scorpio and conjunct Saturn.  Saturn likes to teach through challenges and things might get a little too challenging for you on these days.  Just breath and regroup.  On January 11th we've got that new moon energy shining strong in twenty-one degrees,  forty-six minutes of Capricorn.  Sit down with a skinny latte' and your smart phone for a little research and development.  Take a little time to review your accomplishments this month and to affirm your direction before you start moving again.

On January 26th we will have a full moon in Leo - another dose of energy that helps us celebrate who and what we are.  2013 is starting at a brisk pace folks.  Take advantage of this month's energy shifts to propel yourself forward.


LADY ORACLE