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

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

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

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

Tarot readers, pay particular attention to cards in positions,

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

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

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

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

LADY ORACLE

Full Snow Moon In Leo, February 14, 2014 – “Riding With the King”

Smart and sassy, Rome Choi's depiction
for #2 The High Priestess - tarot's card
for the Moon from "Dreaming Way Tarot"©

The Snow Moon is also called the Hungry Moon in Native American culture.  That makes sense. Stores of food were depleted by February and in winter weather game often remained scarce until mid-March.  For some of us in society hunger is never far from the door.  February is a good time to give thanks for what we have and to share a little – even if it’s not the traditional time to do so.  

On February 14th, Valentine’s Day no less, we greet the Full Snow Moon in twenty-six degrees, thirteen minutes of Leo. Ladies and gentlemen, let the rumpus begin.  Full Moon in Leo is exuberant. Heck, just take off the e,x and the a,n,t and say it outright.  Full Moon in Leo is uber-moon.  Leo is a charismatic, flamboyant sign who hosts our Lady Moon in comfort and style.  Leos like luxury. If you have Moon in Leo in your birth chart, congratulations. You are riding with the king.  The rest of us will feel the effects to varying degrees, but people with Moon in Leo are riding shotgun.

Leo has an expansive way of thinking, so both Friday and this

Barbara Moore and
Aly Fell's "Steampunk Tarot"©
show us Leo's tarot card.  

weekend is about connecting with your potential and asking, why not me? This Full Moon want us to be center stage and larger than life.  It is a moon of leadership. What is your maximum potential? See it, touch it, live it.  Be on the lookout for financial opportunities, the chance to be on the cutting edge.  A lion is good with money and is the quintessential early adopter. They believe in teamwork and they have a tremendous capacity for followthrough.  If you’ve had problems in the past with your ability to go the distance expect to see a boost in stick-to-it-ness towards the end of this week and in the beginning of the next. 

Leo is notoriously alluring and when coupled with the Full Moon’s sultry light you’ll find yourself eager to sweep, and be swept, off your feet – or paws.  This particular Full Moon on Valentine’s Day is a marvelous chance for you to heap admiration and affection on your valentine and hopefully receive the same in return. Remember that Leo rules the heart.  Valentine’s Day is also the perfect time to love yourself as the marvelous creation that you are.  Open your heart and let love pour through you. You are the lion’s heart in your own life – worthy of love and admiration.

"OSHO Zen Tarot"© by Deva Padma
Offer a stunning depiction of romance,
love and eternity

Full Moon in Leo effects each sign of the Zodiac a little differently.  Generally speaking, air signs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) tend to pull that leonine charismatic energy during a Full Moon in Leo.  Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn) reflect the strong passions found in Leo, as well as the lion’s money making skills.  Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces) who already make a great emotional impact on others find that their powers of persuasiveness reach new heights.  Fire signs (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius) receive boosts to their creativity and their leadership skills.

Anyway you slice it, Full Snow Moon in Leo is an important Moon.  It is your chance to combine your courage with self-assuredness and to make lasting commitments to yourself and your goals.  Harness the energy of this Full Moon to assert the positive in your life and proudly proclaim who you are.

LADY ORACLE

Mercury Retrograde In Pisces and Aquarius, February 6th to February 28th – “Slipping Into the Shadows”

We are currently in what astrologer’s refer to as the ‘shadow

#17, The Star is Aquarius' tarot card
from "Legacy of the Divine Tarot"© by
Ciro Marchetti

period’ of a Mercury Retrograde cycle. The shadow period for a retrograde is computed by looking at the actual retrograde dates.  In this case, Mercury turns retrograde at three degrees Pisces.  After the retrograde period ends, Mercury doesn’t return to three degrees Pisces until March 20th.  Mercury turns direct on February 28th at eighteen degrees of Aquarius.  The last time Mercury was at eighteen degrees Aquarius prior to retrograde was January 22nd. Therefore the shadow period for this month’s Mercury Retrograde (MR) is January 22nd to March 20th.  

Why do astrologers calculate shadow periods?  Perhaps it’s a cosmic early warning system.  I’ve never been a purest about anything and I don’t have that much time to devote to smudging.  I consider a week before MR and a week after it to be enough of a cleansing period unless the signs involved with Mercury make things particularly crazy.  If you have Mercury in Pisces, or Mercury in Aquarius in your birth chart chances are you’ll feel this MR more than the rest of us.

#18, The Moon, Pisces card, reminds
us about the power of illusion and
imagination RWCS by US Games©

Starting tomorrow we have MR in Pisces.  Pisces is a highly intuitive sign and Mercury in Pisces is an intuitive mind.  During MR we may find that our intuition is slightly off kilter, or that we have more of a tendency to let our imaginations run away with us.  Our communications, while heartfelt, will be based in emotion, not logic and emotional expressions are the most susceptible to being misunderstood.  After all, miscommunication is the hallmark of Mercury in Retrograde.  Pisces have trouble forming strong opinions on their own on a good day.  We may experience feeling wishy-washy about matters that normally ignite our interest.  However, Pisces are also dreamers.  We can all use this MR to redesign and revise our dreams.

On February 12th Mercury slip slides back into Aquarius

Mercury's card, #1, The Magician
RWCS US Games©

along with our communications and intellectual attitudes.  Mercury in Aquarius is both a scientific and an inventive mind. Puzzle pieces fall into place easier and we can connect the dots more quickly.  Emotions rarely influence decisions under Mercury in Aquarius.  What does MR look like in Aquarius?  Missing the connections.  What appears glaringly obvious while Mercury is direct in the Water Bearer, now feels obscured.  Where we would normally leap to conclusions with gazelle-like accuracy, we find yourselves missing the mark.  We also risk sounding totally off base.  Remember that hallmark of miscommunication?  Repeat these ‘r’ words: Review, reconnoiter, reinvent.  After the 12th it becomes important not to rush into things without being 100 percent certain of where you’ll end up.  Thinking we know and going with your gut simply aren’t good enough strategies during MR.

Check out how to cope with basic Mercury Retrograde irritation in my blog, “Mercury Retrograde, Tarot and You.” 

Relax, remember to breath and put MR to work for you.

LADY ORACLE

Astrology Trends For February 2014, “Testing the Waters – Reflecting on the Spiritual As Well As The Mystical”

Several astrologers on the web state that the big influence for

#12, The Hanged Man is Neptune's
tarot association. This depiction by
Stephanie Pui-Mun Law from
"Shadowscapes"© tarot

February is Mercury’s retrograde in Pisces on February 6th and the planet’s digression back to the sign Aquarius on February 12th.  This first Mercury Retrograde (hereafter MR) of 2014 is the only one of the year that occurs in a sign other than a water sign.  Aquarius, although its full title is Aquarius the Water Bearer, is an air sign (tarot’s suit of swords).  Mercury in Aquarius is a clever mind concerned with analyzing people and their motives.  Pisces loves the mysterious and the intuitive. There’s no denying MR in Pisces/Aquarius promises to give us the chance to do some deep, philosophical and spiritual reflection.  Sure, there will be the regular MR quirks, but just remember to use your ‘r’ words: Review, re-structure, redesign, rededicate. (See blog: “Mercury Retrograde, Tarot and You” ) 

Jupiter's tarot association, #10, The Wheel
from "Shadowscapes"© by
Stephanie Pui-Mun Law

On February 14th we have a Full Moon in Leo.  Here’s a Full Moon that celebrates our confident self and I’ll have more next week on working effectively with this energy during MR. On the 18th the Sun moves to Pisces which will be significant on several fronts.  Neptune (#12, The Hanged Man) and Jupiter (#10, The Wheel) co-rule the sign Pisces (#18, The Moon), a highly intuitive water sign filled with compassionate and creative energy.  It is the sign of dreamers.  On February 23rd the Sun in Pisces is conjunct (same place, same time) with Neptune in Pisces.  That’s a strong dose of highly evolved mystical energy – great for meditation and pondering deep mysteries.  Use a little caution however, because while Neptune in Pisces is the place of dreamers and profound creativity, it is also the place of illusion.  It becomes easy to get lost among dreams of what might become in favor of developing more realistic plans.

On February 26th Jupiter squares Uranus and forms a loosey

#18, The Moon is the tarot card
for Pisces. From "Wizard's Tarot"©
by Corrine Kenner an John J. Blumen

goosey T-Square (a hangover from that ever present Cardinal Grand Cross) with Uranus square Pluto.  Expect a bit of a head rush here. The winds of change will provide a fresh perspective along with a positive change in fortune.  Make a blueprint to utilize the opportunity presented, but remember to take precautions in accordance with Mercury’s scrambled communications during retrograde. 

Venus, who’s recently turned direct, remains in Capricorn this month where she guides us towards committed, steadfast love.  Venus is never fickle or flighty in Capricorn.  However, she reminds us to be practical rather than fanciful in choosing a partner.  Love is grand, but quickly becomes strained under the weight of too many obstacles.  Enduring love requires depth and strength of character more than it requires romantic ideals.  We learned what to value in others during Venus Retrograde. Now is the time to put our findings to work for us.

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

This month holds lots of promise if we go into it with a proactive attitude.  Granted, there’s a great deal of emotional, or water sign energy (tarot’s suit of cups), but Mercury Retrograde offers us a two-edged sword this month.  Certainly, there’s the potential for communications, travel and business efforts to go awry, but the other edge of the sword is just as sharp.  That second edge provides us an opportunity to test the ‘waters’ this month – to gain insight during this reflective period and to redesign our lives so we build something we value.

LADY ORACLE 

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Neptune Direct in Pisces - “The Difference Between Goals and Pipe Dreams”

#12, The Hanged Man is the
Tarot association for Neptune
from Stephanie Pui-Mun Law's
"Shadowscapes Tarot"©

Neptune is the planet of dreams and of dreamers.  It rules the twelfth house of the Zodiac, home of the sign, Pisces.  We store our subconscious and intuition in the twelfth house along with our affinity for self-delusion. (See blog: "The Sign of Pisces" )  That’s because illusion is the hallmark of Neptune’s influence.  If you are a Pisces or have Neptune in your birth chart, this planet can make you turn a blind eye to common sense and follow your pipe dreams right over a cliff.  

Neptune entered retrograde on June 7th and remained there until November 13th. During the past five months we’ve all had an easier time seeing past the veil of illusion and maintaining enough objectivity to keep us from being swept away by the improbable. Oddly enough, Neptune’s retrograde periods provide clearer insights and more pragmatic thinking than when the planet is direct.  As a result, when Neptune resumes its forward momentum, we can all experience feeling a little unsettled and struggle with thoughts of disillusionment and dissatisfaction.  

Still, there are lots of benefits we can glean from Neptune

#18, The Moon is the
Tarot association for Pisces
from "The Wizard's Tarot"© by
Corrine Kenner and John J. Blumen

direct – first and foremost, imagination.  ( See blog: "Astrological Trends June, 2013" ) Remember that what we perceive we can achieve.  It just takes planning and follow through.  Neptune direct helps us give voice to our inner-most dreams.  With Neptune’s help, we have a natural buoyancy – an optimism that helps us push past the skeptics in our lives.

How do we tell if we’re pipe dreaming or if we have a legitimate goal?  Simple.  A goal is always attainable.  When I was a child I read the myth of Icarus and wanted to build a pair of bird wings so I could fly.  Not a realistic goal and therefore a pipe dream.  But when you construct a light weight frame and attach aerodynamically feasible wings you get a hang-glider, or an ultra-light aircraft.  To build real wings – a pipe dream. To build simulated wings that are aerodynamically sound – a goal.

Goals must also have real and measurable results.  Orville and Wilbur Wright had many failed attempts before their initial success at flight, but they had one continuous thing that made them carry on in the face of countless setbacks – measurable progress.  Every inventor or innovator started out with a “what if” – Nikola Tesla, Steve Jobs, you name them.  What made them succeed was their commitment to results.  

On November 17th we have a very powerful Full Moon arriving in Taurus.  It will be the perfect opportunity for you to manifest your dreams into reality.  Instead of focusing on the unattainable, like becoming the King or Queen of Ohio, stay reasonable, stay realistic and stay committed.  Once you commit to an attainable goal, the Universe will turn the cosmic tumblers any way it needs to in order to ensure your success.  

LADY ORACLE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LADY ORACLE

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!)

June 22nd to July 22nd, The Zodiac Sign of Cancer the Crab - "They're All They're Cracked Up to Be"

Rising above obstacles, adventurous and commanding

Cancerians are an extremely complex sign – compassionate, romantic, adaptable and loyal on one hand, yet withdrawn and touchy on the other.  They make great friends and staunch allies. They also live in a shell and seek protection from life's travails by hiding in the cooler, but darker recesses of their minds. Dichotomy, much? A Cancerian’s home is their sanctuary. It shelters them from the stresses of the outside world whether that home is a man-cave, or plushly feathered nest.  Crabs may enjoy socializing, but they enjoy their solitude more. 

The sign of Cancer the Crab is a water, as well as a cardinal sign.  Cardinal signs are any signs occurring at the beginning of each season.  It is the nature of cardinal signs to enjoy starting new projects or ventures.  This is also typical of the Crab.  People borne under the sign of Cancer the Crab also carry yin or, indirect energy.  This energy is more withdrawn than its yang counterpart.  Yin energy will eek its way forward gently, attracting desired outcomes and people into its path.

If you are fortunate enough to become close to a Crab, you will find them romantic, sensitive and very sympathetic to the plights of friends and families.  When a Cancerian loves, they love without reservation – loyally and forever.  In many ways they give sixty percent in a relationship and are content to receive only forty percent in return.  Although their tendency to dream and fantasize about the next new and exciting thing can get waring on their partner. Crabs make great mates for other waters signs (Scorpio, Cancer, Pisces) as well as for earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn).  However, no one is immune from a Cancerian’s moods and touchiness.  The dark side of Cancer the Crab is the stuff of legends. (I am a Scorpion married to a Crab – very happily but, at times there’s lots of sparkage. Not necessarily a bad thing).  When Crabs start to brood the best thing to do is to let them retreat.  They may have a hard exterior, but they are very soft inside and easily hurt.

Cancer the Crab is ruled by the Moon (tarot’s High Priestess–intuitive and introspective) and they have an innate sense of timing and intuition as a result.  Their ruling tarot card is # 7, The Chariot (adventure-loving and persistent).  There’s a marvelous creativity in Cancerians, whether it be writing, performing, or crafting something by hand.  (My husband is building a forty foot sail boat) Crabs must have a creative outlet no matter how steeped in tradition they may be personally.  Creativity helps them stave off their moodiness. On the job they use their innovative, intuitive side to great advantage.  They are consistent and persistent in both goal setting and achievement, often subtly making the difference between a venture’s success or failure.

Cancerians have rich, deep personalities.  They will continually intrigue and surprise you. Their withdrawn nature can make them difficult to understand, but they are truly worth the effort.  

LADY ORACLE

Note:  As much as you edit, typos still happen and I made a beauty on my last blog entry, "Full Strawberry Moon in Perigee."  For some reason I decided to type the Sun ruled Cancer, instead of The Moon.  I've corrected it and apologize to all those who thought I'd lost my mind.  Well, you may still be right on that one.

L.O.

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Palladini Tarot

Sabian Symbols - Post Modernism Meets Astrology

Most of us like our astrology straight up with no chaser.  Give us a sign, some planetary influences and we’re good. Oh, and keep us away from the proverbial rabbit hole, because we’re not going in there. However, life gets pretty monotonous when you only consider it from one angle.  Ask our friend the Hanged Man.  Astrology’s Sabian Symbols give us something new to consider and they are definitely a view from the rabbit hole.  The twelve houses, or signs that make up the Zodiac each contain thirty degrees. There is a total of 360 degrees in a circle, or in this case, the wheel of the Zodiac. Sabian Symbols mark every degree of that wheel – all 360 of them. 

In 1925, astrologer Marc Edmund Jones teamed up with

One of my Sabian Symbols,
children in Halloween costumes playing pranks

famed clairvoyant, Elsie Wheeler for a day of fun-filled astrological channeling. Before the sun set on their work day, Wheeler had channeled visions symbolizing each degree of the astrological wheel. These symbols, named for ancient Sabian alchemists who lived in Mesopotamia, are not hieroglyphs from a long dead language. They are the phrases Elsie Wheeler used to describe the allegorical images she saw in her visions.  Each Sabian Symbol is meant to describe a particular trait, or energy held by a degree within the Zodiac wheel. Sabian Symbols are among the most widely regarded symbols used in astrology. 

The Zodiac calendar begins on March 22nd in the first degree of Aries and continues through the year, arriving back at March 21st, at 30 degrees, Pisces. Each day has three Sabian Symbols attached to it.  For example,

February 11th contains degrees 21, 22, and 23 of Aquarius.  Here are the symbols:

21 - A woman disappointed and disillusioned, courageously facing a

       seemingly empty life.

22 - A rug placed on a floor for children to play on.

23 - A big, trained bear sitting down and waiving all it’s paws.

Welcome to the rabbit hole.  Random much? If we simply read the Sabian Symbols they do appear disjointed, but if we look at the traits they represent, it becomes another matter entirely. The person of February 11th has the courage to look inside themselves (21) and see past the illusions they’ve constructed in their life.  This person understands the framework of a child’s imagination because that creativity, wonder and joy still lives within themselves (22). They may feel stagnated by the confines of their life occasionally (23), but they still find joy in the moment.  

Sabian Symbols add a different dimension when you consider astrology.  They are intriguing and thought provoking.  Read, learn and enjoy the rabbit hole.

LADY ORACLE

Here's a link to more material on Sabian Symbols - click here

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Sun in Taurus - April 20th - May 21st - “Raging Bull or Serious Cuddle Bunny?”

#5, The Hierophant is the tarot card
for Taurus - Faith, belief systems. From
"Wizard's Tarot"© by Corrine Kenner and
John J. Blumen 

There’s a distinct difference in the meaning of the words, sensual and sensuous, and no sign in the zodiac illustrates that difference better than Taurus the Bull. ‘Sensual,’ is defined as “an arousing gratification of the senses, particularly sexual.”  ‘Sensuous,’ however, relates “to matters of the senses rather than intellect.”  You enjoy the feel of water surrounding you as you swim, the taste of good chocolate in your mouth, the smell of roses in the garden and the visual spectacle of a brilliant sunset.  These things are experienced through heightened senses, not heightened sexuality.  They are sensuous experiences.  Of course, I suppose it depends on what you’re doing in the rose garden with the chocolate, doesn’t it?

The sign of the bull rules the second house of the zodiac where astrologers seek information about money, material success and spirituality. Taurus’ love luxury, but that doesn’t mean they are materialistic by nature. They simply experience life sensuously.  Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet of love and beauty.  It’s the sensuous beauty of an object, its sight, touch, smell or taste, that engages bull people, not the blind thrill of acquisition.  Taurus is an earth sign and its people are hard working. Likewise, they enjoy rewarding themselves for their efforts.  

Taurians are also highly spiritual individuals and they have a

The Empress is tarot's association
for Venus, ruling planet of Taurus
From "Steampunk Tarot"© by Barbara
Moore and Aly Fell

knack for turning their homes into warm and inviting sanctuaries for themselves and their loved ones. They remain cool and collected in a crisis and make wonderful friends. Their best relationships are with the water signs, Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. When Taurus falls in love, they fall hard and they usually stay that way. 

Like everyone else, they have flaws.  Taurus’ infinite patience also translates into a stubborn streak.  They don’t necessarily have a quick temper, but they love a good argument and their stubbornness can make it difficult to change their minds.  

In tarot, the Sign of the Bull is ruled by #5, The Hierophant.  There’s that spiritual intensity again.  Taurus’ ruling planet, Venus, is governed by # 3, The Empress.  The Empress expresses Taurus’ opulent nature. All good things flow in the garden of the Empress and there is no better place for a Taurus to be.  After all, lush green is their signature color.  Enjoy these special people.  They can teach us a lot about enjoying life.

LADY ORACLE

Astrological Trends for April 2013 - "This Joint is Jumping"

Spring is in the air and so is love.  Venus remains in Aires until April 15th (Naturally. Nothing kills romance like taxes.).  The planet of love provides lots of sparks the first two weeks of this month.  Astro experts say you can expect some delightful new romantic opportunities as well as a fresh perspective on existing relationships.  

Our new moon on April 10th is in 20 degrees of Aries. New moon’s are about new cycles and don’t be surprised if you receive an across the board power boost during this one.  Do you remember the power surge we got during The Full Worm Moon a couple of weeks ago?  We had Mars, Venus, the Sun and Uranus in Aries.  The power grid is still open for business.  Mars, Aries ruling planet, stays in house until April 20th.  Take advantage of this energy configuration to hone a competitive edge on the job.  Yes, there will be fresh challenges (this month is all about fresh) but you have a greater ability to focus until the 20th and that increases your confidence quotient.  Watch for conflicts and anger issues as Uranus (Sudden change and revolution) flexes its muscles this month.  To put it bluntly, keep your head in the game and out of Uranus.

Mercury parts company with Pisces on the 13th, but until then expect to have some peak moments of insight and intuition.  There will be a strong emotional subtext due to the energy of watery Pisces, however, this also adds lots of colorful imagery to your imagination.  Let it flow, but keep a handle on your emotions.  

There a lot more to say about April.  We have the Lyrid Meteor shower on April 21st, a full moon with a partial eclipse on April 25th and Saturn at opposition on April 28th.  I’ll be talking about these events a little later in the month.  Take your cues from the planets this month.  Keep it fresh and stay proactive.

LADY ORACLE

March New Moon In Pisces - It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere

Everybody in the solar system wants to party with Pisces this New Moon.  Who can blame them? Pisces carries a wonderful, dreamy, creative energy that helps us envision possibilities.  There are six celestial bodies visiting Pisces right now:  The Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Neptune.  That's a lot of company for one sign.  Better break out another bag of chips.  This New Moon, occurring on March 11th, at 3:51 PDT, is all about relaxing, surrendering control and going with the flow.

Pisces carries yin, or indirect feminine energy. Therefore it's not surprising that in terms of tarot numerology, the date, March 11, 2013 reduces to Major Arcana's #2, The High Priestess.  As an aspect of the Divine Feminine, our High Priestess represents unconscious thought and the intuitive process.  The next couple of days will be a good time to withdraw from outside influences and access your own intuition. Just remember to keep it light.

New Moons begin a fresh emotional cycle and the theme for March's New Moon in mutable Pisces is staying in the moment.  You'll find that it's particularly helpful to spend time in meditation, or meditative pursuits such as yoga, gardening, dance, or even basic coloring.  These sorts of activities cue both our mind and body to stay flexible, to refrain from judgment and to stop attaching ourselves to outcomes that really have nothing to do with us.

The Pisces New Moon invites us to come and play.  It reminds us that life is sometimes about silly, inconsequential things that give us joy.  We all need to take a break from our serious side every now and then.  Today's New Moon offers us that opportunity.  Accept the invitation and ask yourself, "What would Jimmy Buffet do?"


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