Mercury in Scorpio, September 29th to December 4th - “Communication Via Steamroller”

The Magician is tarot's card for
Mercury. This depiction is from
"Wizard's Tarot"© by Corrine Kenner
and John J. Blumen. Great deck!

Today, at 4:38 PDT, Mercury entered the house of Scorpio.  Though we all feel the effects of this cosmic pair-up to a greater, or lesser degree, those of us with Mercury in Scorpio in our birth chart will feel these effects most strongly.  What can we expect?  For starters, Mercury in Scorpio is a relentless truth seeker.  It senses a lie underneath a ton of camouflage and shows no mercy when exposing that lie to clean air and sunlight.  There will be no word mincing, and no tolerance for frivolous promises with Mercury in Scorpio – just straight talk that drives right to the heart of the matter.  

Mercury in Scorpio turns all of us into students of human nature.  Mercury picks up on emotional subtext more easily in the 8th house of the Zodiac.  It loves to ferret out information, especially if that information leads to intrigue, or better yet, solves a mystery.  Mercury in Scorpio particularly likes to flirt with the supernatural and the psychic arts.  Think of Mercury in Scorpio as the Shaggy and Scooby Doo of the Zodiac. 

In the workplace, Mercury and Scorpio’s keen powers of

Scorpio's ruling tarot card, Transfiguration (Death)
from "Wizard's Tarot"©

observation, along with their characteristic bluntness, presents a two-edged sword.  Their straight-forward insights may sound judgmental, even pessimistic.  Their blunt speech can be perceived as micro-management. Think about the energy of the Knight of Swords here, but, also remember that Mercury in Scorpio loves a good strategy rather than simply charging into the fray with their sword waving. Mercury in Scorpio is blunt, but never random or reckless in their critique – which is why the stinger goes in so deeply.

The Knight of Sword who turns
bluntness into an art form
from "The Wizard's Tarot"©

The insights into the human condition that we receive while Mercury is in Scorpio can make us want to jump up on a soapbox and inspire the masses with a stirring speech, or, at the very least, compose an earthy torch song. There’s a surprising amount of romance packed in this Zodiac pairing – along with a love for a good argument.  Notice I didn’t say debate.  Debates have rules and tend to be more analytical.  Repeat, Mercury in Scorpio loves to argue.  They will not let us surrender until our opponent is on the mat.

Mercury in Scorpio is a powerful cosmic pairing and we can gain much ground by being insightful and by using our intellect to further our goals during this period.  Strive for diplomacy and keep in mind that Mercury goes retrograde October 21st through November 10th.  See blog: "Mercury Retrograde, Tarot and You"    to learn what this means and gain some techniques to help you through this sometimes tricky period.  Be brilliant.

LADY ORACLE

The exceptional "Wizard's Tarot"© is a great deck for those interested in the link between astrology and tarot.

It is available for purchase through Lady Oracle Tarot

Tea, Tarot and the Fellowship of Like Minds

"OSHO Zen Tarot"© by Deva Padma gives us
an excellent depiction of  the
fellowship of like minds

The University of Tarot covers the entire world and all methods of learning.  There's independent study; you, your deck and a notebook, formal lectures, classes taught by tarot scholars and, my personal favorite, the informal seminars held at a friend's home where tea and really good cookies flow like mana from Heaven.

Once you get the meanings of each tarot cards under your belt, you start looking at the symbolism within each card depiction.  You start to look at the numerical themes and their significance as they travel suit to suit.  For example, sevens express aspects of victory according to the qualities of the individual suit.  The Seven of Pentacles shows us victory over toil and routine as our harvest, not only comes in, but becomes self-perpetuating as well.  The Seven of Swords examines the use of stealth and cunning to accomplish a goal when assistance, coupled with a more honest and direct approach would have met with greater rewards.

As different personalities view the same spreads, different

The Queen of Wands who knows, like she knows,
like she knows.  Creative fire energy from
Ciro Marchetti's "Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©

things stand out to each reader.  As key words and impressions fly around the table, each reader is exposed to nuances in the spread that they may not have previously considered.  The group energy expands and an intuitive synergy occurs.  I always come away from these afternoons with fresh insights and less likely to fall into what I term a 'readers rut,' where you, as the reader, jump to a conclusion about what a particular pairing in your card deck means, simply because this is what your deck always gives you when revealing a similar situation for you.  Yes, your cards are tuned to you, but no matter how linked you are with them, you can never assume their intention reading to reading.  Otherwise, you might as well use flash cards.  

Learning to trust your inner voice is essential
to effective tarot reading. The right group will
help you grow.  from "OHSO Zen Tarot"©
byDeva Padma

There's a trust that develops among tarot groups, weather it's based on friendship, or the more transient bond of a class.  You have a wonderful opportunity to watch each other grow and stretch your awareness – your intuitive skills.  I recommend you try this group process.  If one group doesn't click for you, that's okay.  Just keep searching for that magic mix and most of all, have fun and enjoy the process.



LADY ORACLE


These decks and more are available for purchase through www.ladyoracle.net

September 22nd to October 23rd - “Libra, Balancing the Scales”

#11, Justice is Libra's ruling tarot card.
from Ciro Marchetti's
"Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©

Libra has the distinction of being the only sign in the Zodiac to be represented by an object, rather than a person, or creature.  There’s lots of other neat stuff about Libra too. This constellation was named by the Romans in early B.C. They recognized that the Sun entered this particular star grouping each September at Equinox and stated that Libra represented balance and the divine justice of Caesar. (Clearly, gladiatorial games had yet to be invented.) Greek and Arabic astronomers originally mapped the cluster as part of Scorpio.  The names for the brightest stars in Libra, Alpha Libra, or Zubenelgenubi and Beta Libra, or Zubeneschamali, in Greek mean ‘southern claw’ and ‘northern claw’ respectively.  Libra also contains the oldest star in our known Universe named, Methuselah (or, HD140283).

Libra is a cardinal sign that carries strong yang, or male, energy.  Yang energy is direct and very active. (Wands) This means that people born under the sign of Libra are constantly in motion, wondering what’s around the next river bend.  They have a natural joie de vivre that draws people to them.  Libra is ruled by Venus and in turn, rules the seventh house of the Zodiac.  This combination is literally a marriage made in Heaven. The seventh house rules marriage, partnerships and intimate relationships – Venus’ forte.  Librans are idealistic, romantic and can see past the immediate.

While Venus gives people born under the sign of the scales

#3, The Empress, the tarot card for Venus,
Libra's ruling planet
from "Steampunk Tarot"© by
Barbara Moore and Aly Fell

charm, Librans are also known for their diplomacy and concern for others.  Their primary goal in life is to achieve balance and harmony both within themselves and in the world around them.  As an air sign, their focus is intellect and the mind. (Swords) They are known to bridge gaps between opposing sides and they make excellent union negotiators and mediators – although they are also known for jumping up on a soapbox in a heartbeat.  A Libra person is happiest being of service to others.  However, they often shortchange their own needs and desires while caring for those closest to them.  Libra is a highly social sign and its people are often the life of the party.  They also make wonderful hosts at their own soirees.   

While grounded Libra is all easygoing charm and sharing, ungrounded or, negative Libra is resentful, moody and changeable.  People can easily talk a Libran into something simply by using flattery – their Achilles heel. They do love to be adored. Also, when ungrounded, a Libra becomes mired in their need to balance matters.  They will revisit and revise their conclusions to exhaustion and still not come up with a final plan.

Libra’s tarot associations are #11, Justice (There’s that balance and diplomacy again.) and through its ruling planet Venus, #3, The Empress (Who doesn’t like to party in the Empress’ garden?). In relationships, Libra is best with other air signs like Gemini, or Aquarius.  Opposites like Leo, Aries and Sagittarius can work too, plus add some interesting sparks.

This portion of September represents balance and Libra has so much to teach us on that score.  Enjoy your Libra friends and colleagues. They keep us in check and balance our world.  Without them we’d all likely be spinning out into space.

LADY ORACLE

Rules of Karma - Rules for Parenting

The rules of karma are simple and straight forward: What you

#11, Justice also stands for karma.
As you can see, not blind at all.
RWCS by US Games©

put into the Universe returns to you threefold, so play nice and if you don’t listen to what the Universe is saying to you the first time, you can bet It will speak louder and clearer next time.  Lastly, and most importantly, there will absolutely be a next time. I’ve done a lot of reflection on karmic rules this weekend as, like so many others, I’ve read the online articles and posts concerning the vandalism of Brian Holloway’s home, his amazing and generous response to it and the resulting furor.  If you are not familiar with the story, please Google™ it.  

What is a parent’s responsibilities in shaping their children’s karma?  It is, after all, the child’s karma, not the parent’s.  However, as parents it is pivotal that we lead by example and when our children fall down, both physically and metaphorically, we are there to pick them up as best we can, whether or not it’s comfortable or convenient to do so.  That’s what me signed up to do when we became parents.  

Most of us strive to teach our children right from wrong and the Universe in its wisdom provides us with object lessons.  If our child passes an object lesson then our reward is to breathe a sigh of relief until the next one.  If they fail one, then as parents, it’s our responsibility to hold them accountable, to help them learn the object lesson and not to circumvent the consequences of their own folly. To do so is to interfere with the child’s karmic journey. Remember, if you don’t learn the lesson the first time, the Universe simply raises the ante on the next such lesson.  Ignore it again, and the Universe will continue to raise the stakes until the cost is higher than any parent ever wants their child to pay.  The parent, likewise pays a terrible price because as the child didn’t the lesson, neither did the parent.

As parents, my husband and I had to make many decisions regarding our children’s lessons from the Universe.  It was a struggle sometimes to hold them accountable for their actions and to hold ourselves accountable as parents.  The end results, however,  were phenomenal.  It still astounds and humbles me how much we learned from them even though all three of them claim it was the other way around.  They are all amazing individuals who learned their respective lessons with grace and dignity.

By not running misguided interference and by offering appropriate support instead, our children learn that while sometimes there are irrevocable consequences for their actions, a true parent’s love is unconditional.  They also learn that everyone makes mistakes and that messing up matters much less than how well you recover yourself and whether or not you do so with integrity.  

To not allow your children to recover from their messes honorably is to not allow them to redeem themselves in their own eyes.  Deep down, no matter how much they deny it there will always be a part of your child, long into adulthood that feels diminished.  They will believe that they couldn’t make the cut because in their parent’s opinion they weren’t worth the inconvenience, or the aggravation.  That’s a horrible legacy to hand any child.

LADY ORACLE

Autumnal Equinox - September 23, 2013 – “Spicing Things Up”

Tarot card for Sept. 22, 2013
#10 The Wheel of Fortune
Stephanie Pui-Mun Law's "Shadowscapes Tarot"©

The last third of September is devoted to balance.  The Autumnal Equinox is the physical expression of the Universe’s need to maintain balance and as we are an integral part of that Universe, we too, require balance.   The term ‘equinox’ means ‘equal hours,’ referring to the equal number of daylight and nighttime hours occurring on the 23rd. (see blog: Autumn Equinox – “All Things Being Equal” for facts about the Equinox).  The Equinox is a gift to us, because it offers us all the opportunity to take stock of our lives and adjust the areas where we are out of balance.  It also gives us the opportunity to open a bag of candy corn ahead of the season. Score!

Autumn colors, autumn scents. The Fall is a rich tapestry of sights and smells – a reminder that bounty is all around us, even if some years we have to look a little harder to find it.  The Fall Equinox is a great time to bring order to the chaos that comes from jumping right into the school year when you didn’t even have the opportunity to pour the beach sand out of your tennis shoes after Labor Day weekend.  There are some easy and fun things to do to bring balance and a sense of order to your world now and luckily any number of them begin with the scents of cinnamon, cloves, sandalwood and ginger.   

Try welcoming the Autumnal Equinox through your kitchen. 

It's also appropriate to further
reduce #10 to #1, The Magician
for Fall Equinox - from Corrine Kenner
and John J. Blumen's "Wizard's Tarot"©

Start early in the day by organizing your cupboards.  Clear away the out of date ingredients and donate the kitchen gadgets and extra dishes that you don’t use to a charity.  Once those things are out of the way, make a harvest centerpiece for your table.  You can use anything that strikes your fancy – silk flowers, real flowers and herbs – get creative.  For a unique centerpiece, take a fruit bowl and fill it with apples and pomegranates (remember Persephone?) Add sprigs of rosemary and juniper (cypress and pine work well too) for interest – perhaps a cinnamon stick or two as well.  Light candles for warmth and good cheer. If aromatherapy is more your style, try some autumn scents like frankincense, sandalwood, cypress, juniper, sage or pine.  Many metaphysical stores have terrific essential oil blends and incenses that sweeten and clear the air both scent wise and energetically.  

Below is a recipe for an empowering Pumpkin Bread Pudding that says, “Welcome Autumn” and will fill your home with the scents of spice and abundance.  What more can you ask for on the Equinox?

LADY ORACLE

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

6 1/2 cups cubed bread (use a rich, egg variety if possible, like Challah) 

1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts 

4 eggs beaten

1 can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)

2 Tbsp honey or molasses 

1 cup cooked pumpkin 

1/4 tsp ginger

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cinnamon

2 cups milk

1/4 cup butter – melted

1/3 cup dark rum (feel free to pour yourself a shot too – if you’re 21 or older)

Preheat oven to 350º 

Mix bread cubes and 1/2 of the nuts in lightly greased 9 x 9 inch pan

Dizzle a half the rum over the bread in pan (easier to use a teaspoon to drizzle)

Beat eggs, condensed milk, honey OR molasses, pumpkin and spices in a mixing bowl. 

Stir in milk and rum until blended.

Pour liquid mixture over bread, top with rest of the nuts, then place in preheated oven until the blade of a knife, inserted into the middle comes out clean. (approx. 1 hour)

Serve alone or garnish with whipped cream

All featured decks are available for purchase through Lady Oracle Tarot

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

Houses of the Zodiac - “Living in a Cosmic Subdivision”

Astrology, like any other field, has lots of buzz words and jargon. 

The Star, from
Barbara Moore and Aly Fell's
Steampunk Tarot©

Understanding the concepts represented by these words not only deepens our understanding of astrology, but also our appreciation for the three demential form of the Zodiac.  As we know, there are twelve signs that represent thirty degrees of the Zodiac’s wheel.  We also know that there are twelve houses and each one of them is ruled by a particular sign.  For example, Aries rules the first house and Pisces rules the twelfth.

Each house governs a specific area of life and is grouped into one of three categories: Angular, Succedent and Cadent.  Angular houses show us the strongest influences on our lives. Succedent houses represent our resources such as our friends, skill set, possessions, etc.  Last, but certainly intriguing, are Cadent houses.  These houses represent our human experience in terms of relationships, growth and transitions.

Ciro Marchetti's depiction of The Star
from Legacy of the Divine Tarot©

These house categories also correspond to the three modalities of signs: cardinal (first sign of each season), fixed (mid-season signs) and mutable (the ending or transitional sign for a season).  All this sounds pretty complicated, doesn’t it?  Many of us are content to simply know our birth sign and to read our horoscope every now and then.  Nothing wrong with that at all. Still, isn’t it nice to understand just a tiny portion more of what astrologers take into consideration when mapping a birth chart? 

Below is a handy, dandy chart of houses, their category, ruling sign, sign modality, ruling planetary body and tarot associations.  Check you out and enjoy!

LADY ORACLE

Exciting News!  The ever amazing and always inspiring Baba Studio announced they are working on a third re-print of their astounding "Bohemian Gothic Tarot"© . Some minor changes will be made, but with Alex and Karen you know it will rock.  Stay tuned for updates!


(Keep scrolling down for  2nd chart with 11th and 12th houses
Click the images to enlarge!)

Venus in Scorpio, Sept. 10th & 11th to Oct. 7th - “Endless Love”

The Empress, ruling tarot card for
Venus from the RWCS deck by US Games

September’s astrology heats up as Venus moves into the sign of Scorpio during the wee hours (2:16 a.m. EDT) of the 11th, or on the west coast, the waning hours (11:12 p.m. PDT) of the 10th.  We all feel some effect from this transit, but those of us who have Venus in Scorpio in our birth chart get an extra energetic kick.  This Venus transit speaks to us of passion and sparks our quest for that often elusive creature, the soulmate.

Venus in Scorpio isn’t simply passion

Death or, Transformation - intense but not as scary as
you think.  This is Scorpio's ruling card.
Scorpios loves to reinvent themselves
Legacy of the Divine Tarot©
Ciro Marchetti

for the sake of great sex. (Although, who’s complaining about that?) This energy is colored a deep, almost purple shade of red – an intense emotion that while it both excites and incites us, can be almost painful in its fervor.  The practical side of Venus still wants the security found in a solid partnership, however. While the passionate setting designed by Scorpio can be distracting, Venus will ultimately remain true to her quest for a solid relationship.  

Scorpio is the darker side of the equation here – and nobody does darker better than an ungrounded Scorpion.  Those of us in relationships, particularly those of us with Scorpio in our birth charts may find we are more possessive of our partners than usual, leaning more towards jealous and brooding.  Check these impulses because no one wants to feel controlled and manipulated in a relationship.  Take a step back and center yourself to avoid projecting your issues on someone else.

7 of Cups, the ruling card for
Venus in Scorpio
Barbara Moore and Aly Fell
Steampunk Tarot©

The tarot association for the Venus in Scorpio transit is the Seven of Cups.  This is a tarot card of great potential and infinite possibilities that have yet to manifest.  The seven objects appear before the dreamer out of the ether.  What will he choose?  What would you choose?  There’s a two-fold lesson in this card.  While you have many options open to you nothing solid has materialized at this time.  Also, although it is important to choose wisely, i.e. make an informed choice, it is just as important to understand why you make the choices you make.  Consider this card’s meaning in your own life as you negotiate the Venus in Scorpio transit.

LADY ORACLE

Decks available for purchase at my tarot mercantile!

Mercury in Libra Sept. 9th to Sept. 29th - "An Apology From a Humble Oracle"

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

You know that you've made it in life when you find yourself in the unique position of having to issue a global apology.  There is something quite liberating about the words, "I'm sorry,"  and I truly wish more world leaders could understand this fact. Earlier today I posted a blog entitled, "Mars in Libra - Beware the Vulcan Mind Meld." Many of you were kind enough to read it and share it with your friends.  It was accurate – accept for one, tiny detail.  Mars isn't IN Libra.  

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

You know how your higher self gives you clues and when you don't listen right away the clues turn to niggling thoughts?  Today I was niggled to death and luckily rechecked my words.  I'd like to blame the entire incident  on using freeze dried entrails instead of fresh, but unfortunately I have to take the heat on this.  I wrote about the wrong planetary transit.  While Mars is charming in Libra, it is Mercury, that great planet of communication and thinking, that is transiting Libra.  Still highly diplomatic and most charming, but with an even stronger potential to get mired in process and refuse to reach a conclusion.  Mercury in Libra is all about checks and balances and there's still a grand opportunity to use your negotiation skills.  Also, like Mars in Libra, Mercury in Libra has that collaborate energy so necessary to group process.

Please accept my apology for messing up today's blog and know that I'll do much better with Venus in Scorpio on the 11th.  

LADY ORACLE

Check out Ciro Marchetti's Gilded Tarot and The Wizard's Tarot for sale at my Tarot Mercantile

6 of Wands - "You're Gonna Hear Me Roar!"

                                                         “I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing 

                                                              through the fire Cause I am a champion 

                                                                  and you’re gonna hear me ROAR”

                              

                                                                                                                   by Dr. Luke and Bonnie McKee

The zen version of tarot's Six of Wands
OSHO Zen Tarot©, illustrations by Deva Padma
a superior deck and a must have!

In life we should all have our own theme music – nice, snappy, up tempo numbers that pull us out of the doldrums and gets us moving again.  The same should be true of tarot cards.  Take the Six of Wands from the OSHO Zen Tarot deck for example. (see: OSHO Zen Tarot blog) It’s a great theme card – sort of “Rocky” meets “Life of Pi” (without the “Yo,  Adrian,” or the 3.14).  Nothing says leadership, acclaim and victory like riding a tiger through streamers of confetti.  I like pairing up OSHO’s Six of Wands with Katy Perry’s song, “Roar.” It’s particularly useful during breakups, or worst yet, when you’ve let someone’s opinion of you (even your own) become your reality.  

Wands are elemental fire and represent action and creativity. 

Beyond Illusion or #20 Judgment
seeing past the illusion easily pulls us to our higher self
OSHO Zen Tarot© illustrated by Deva Padma

In Wands, you don’t sit back and imagine a pretty picture, you get out your easel and paint one.  The Six proclaims victory over the confusion and conflict depicted in the Five of Wands.  Six is the turning point of the suit where you’ve become strong enough in your sense of self to accept that your actions have consequences and that one of those consequences can be conflict. “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” The Six tells us to triumph over our detractors, even if those detractors are ourselves.  The card tells us to lead and if other people follow, that’s great, but if they don’t, then we must continue to celebrate our triumph over our own insecurities and claim our place center stage in our own lives. Once we’ve learned this lesson, we are ready to move on to the Seven of Wands, defending our territory and holding on to our convictions. 

Celebration, or three of Cups
a truly wonderful depiction from
OSHO Zen Tarot© illustrated by
Deva Padma

We all get the blues from time to time and we all fall prey to listening to the negative downloads from the big cloudplayer in our head. It doesn’t take much of a funk to decide the glass is half empty and that not only does it have a hole in the bottom, but there’s a chip in the rim as well.  When this happens, don’t simply wait for things to get better.  Take a proactive stance.  Select a tarot card that’s image gets your mental and emotional juices flowing.  Use it as a focal point for a meditation or keep it handy to look at all day.  Select a theme song – something that is personally uplifting to you.  Make it your anthem. Play it fifteen times in a row if necessary until you not only feel the happiness and success portrayed by the song, but you become it as well.

LADY ORACLE

Thanks to Katy Perry for her inspiration check out her official "Roar" video on You Tube!

visit me at www.ladyoracle.net

September 5, 2013, New Moon in Virgo – Tidying Up

Tarot's #9, The Hermit is Virgo's card
Barbara Moore and Aly Fell's "Steampunk Tarot"©
Let's hear it for internal dialogue

The great thing about a New Moon is that it offers us a chance to retool our goals, take stock of our feelings towards others and consider our own relationship to the Universe as well.  Heady stuff – and if you think that’s a lot of work for one little New Moon, you’re right.  Cheer up, though.  This month’s New Moon occurs in practical, detail oriented Virgo (thirteen degrees and 4 minutes) on September 5th, at 4:36 a.m. PDT.  

In order for a new moon to occur, the Sun and the Moon must be conjunct (same place at the same time) in a particular sign.  Conjunct planets (or bodies) share the strongest aspect in Astrology, which is why New Moons pack such a punch. Virgo’s attention to detail and love of order gives all of us the urge to organize our lives and our personal spaces a bit more than usual around the 5th.  We will want to haul away the clutter in our lives – in the living spaces as much as in our minds – so that we can analyze what’s truly essential to us in terms of achieving our goals.

Virgo makes us want to take everything apart, examine it all,

The archetype Brigid, or Inspiration from
Amy Sophia Marashinsky and Hrana Janto's
"The Goddess Oracle"© Great deck!

then reassemble the components in a more efficient, stream-lined manner. Mercury, Virgo’s ruling planet, is home from the road right now, telling us to engage our mind so that we are both precise and methodical as we examine the pieces of our world. This isn’t merely about identifying problems. New Moon in Virgo wants to help you find your solutions.  As always, Mercury is the master communicator.  Look for meaningful internal dialogue during this New Moon.

The Autumn Equinox occurs on September 22nd.  This month’s New Moon offers us a wonderful chance to clean house, mentally, spiritually, creatively and physically (Hmmmm, just of like a tarot deck, huh?) before the season changes.  Make it fun.  Gather up your old magazines (if you’re not totally digital yet), clear out the clutter, vacuum, dust and do your floors. The energetic influence of the New Moon runs for about three days.  You’ve got time.  Use sage and cedar smudges to lighten the energetic load in your personal space, then set your intentions and meditate on them while burning your favorite incense.  

"The Sacred Circle Tarot"© by Anna Franklin and
Paul Mason, hold a decidedly more masculine energy -
helpful for Circle of Friends meditative readings

This is a great time to read you tarot cards to gain insight into the energy surrounding you.  Try the Goddess Oracle deck (female archetypes), or Sacred Circle Tarot (more masculine) and my Circle of Friends spread (see: Circle of Friends) New Moons are also about balance.  Set the stage and give yourself the opportunity to find yours.

LADY ORACLE 

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Astrological Trends for September, 2013 - “The Flying Wedge”

Tarot's #20, Judgment is the ruling card for Pluto
from Ciro Marchetti's "Legacy of the Divine Tarot"©

We start the first 9 days of the month with the astrological version of a classic Chinese/American dish called, “Happy Family” – a blending of sensational tastes that holds something great for everyone at the table.  Jupiter remains in Cancer, Mars is in Leo, the Sun is in Virgo, Mercury is in Virgo and Venus is in Libra.  Jupiter is exalted in Cancer, which means it’s high-functioning (life-enriching, expansive energy, home and hearth).  Mercury and Venus are both in their home signs and are also particularly powerful.  Mercury in Virgo offers us better communication and clearer thinking, while Venus is all about social graces and romance.  Mars in Leo, well, think of John Travolta’s strut at the end of “Saturday Night Fever.” This is a very pleasant energy combination that keeps us motivated in a positive way.

Our Virgo New Moon on the 5th asks us to analyze our emotions. Details, details. Mercury moves into Libra on September 9th and turns over-analysis into an art form.  Every aspect of every situation is weighed and calibrated.  The problem is that we can get bogged down in the details, particularly if you have Mercury in Libra in your birth chart.  Venus enters Scorpio on the 11th where she will have us all seeking our fiery, passionate soulmate.  The Pisces Full Moon on the 19th is a dreamer’s moon and I’ll have more on that later this month.  The big story for the month, however, is the activation of the (now infamous) Uranus/Pluto square by the Cardinal T-square that’s been occurring since July. This square will continue through September.  

Tarot's # 10, The Wheel of Fortune
rules Jupiter's expansive energy
Barbara Moore and Aly Fell's
"Steampunk Tarot"©

In honor of the football season (college or NFL) let’s think of the T square as an astrological ‘flying wedge.’  At the base of the wedge Jupiter in Cancer opposes Pluto in Capricorn which squares Uranus in Aires at the apex.  Astrologer, Bill Herbst likens T-squares to a four-legged stool with one missing leg.  If you draw a line from the apex to the opposite side of astrological wheel, you arrive at the missing leg, or other effected sign (in this case, Libra).

Square aspects hold a tense, challenging energy.  A T-square with Cardinal signs (first sign of each season) pushes issues, brings them to a head so that they can be resolved.  We’ve talked about the revolutionary energy for grand scale transformation that emanates from the Uranus Pluto Square.  The T-square, or Flying Wedge, with Jupiter brings the need for change down to a personal level.  What needs expansion and change in your life?  

During the Moon’s visits with each Cardinal sign (Libra, Aries,

Tarot's Fool rules Uranus - the
epitome of the fresh start
Corrine Kenner and John J. Blumen's
"Wizard's Tarot"©

Cancer and Capricorn) this month, we will all feel prodded in one direction or another.  That’s okay as long we use the energy released to productively change our lives.  This is Rose Bowl energy, folks, and you’ve got to drive that ball straight down the field to make your goal and get the three point conversion.  Let your creative drive flow, meditate, control your attitudes and respond rather than react.  I’ll post more about the Moon’s journey this week and later discuss the Equinox on the 22nd.  In the meantime, celebrate your opportunities and the seasonal change.

LADY ORACLE

Here's a link to Bill Herbst's paper on the 2013 astrlogical configurations.  I think he goes a great job of explaining complex formations.

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