October 29, 2013 – November 3rd – “The Yod Nod”

The name for astrology’s Yod pattern comes from the Hebrew

letter of the same name.  The letter, yod, is one of four characters used in Hebrew tradition to symbolize the name of God – only one of the many reasons astrologers nicknamed those giant isosceles triangles is the sky, “The Finger of God.” Yod aspects form all the time and we can use their particular energy pattern to reach conclusions, or make decisions.  These aspects hold a note of destiny in them and how you choose to use or ignore their energy can determine whether or not you achieve your goals.

Yods are powerful, yet uneasy aspects between three or more basically, incompatible planets.  These planets form a giant stellar triangle. Two sides of the triangle are equal in length and form an aspect of 150 degrees, or quincunx . The planet(s) at the shorter side is at a sixty degrees aspect, or sextile.  While sextile aspects are easy–peasy, quincunx aspects are the geometrical problem children of astrology.  Energies don’t mesh well between planets sharing quincunx aspects. Their energy is unstable.  So what does all this mean for you during the next few days?  Good question.

The yod pattern for October 29th through November 3rd is formed by the Sun conjunct (same place, same time) Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio, quincunx Mars in Virgo with Uranus in Aries at the apex.  The most important part of a yod configuration is the apex, because this is the direction the finger of fate points.  This particular yod pattern is a great build up for November 1st when the Uranus/Pluto square goes direct. (see blogs:"Taking the Sting Out of Mercury Retrograde ; "The House That Passion Built"; "Keeping An Eye on the Prize)

Yods ask us to make decisions that move our lives forward.  It’s important to consider that we all have a tremendous opportunity to review and rework our personal strategies during Mercury Retrograde.  The information we gather should naturally lead us to conclusions that, in turn, help us make informed decisions.  Do your homework this week.  Uranus carries energy for unexpected, sweeping change that challenges the status quo and the authority that maintains formal structure.  Whew! That sounds exhausting, doesn’t it? Think of it in tarot terms as The Emperor butting heads with The Tower.  Sure, the whole sweeping change thing can be unsettling, but in terms of personal development, this is exactly what you’ve been striving for this year.   

College graduates labored long and hard so that one day they could step into the workplace and take it by storm.  Artists and scientists alike have break-through moments that change the direction of their lives.  Each of us gets to experience pivotal moments of destiny where we can choose the course of our life.  All we need is the courage to make the decisions that move us forward with honor and distinction.  

LADY ORACLE

Major Arcana's # 10, The Wheel of Fortune - That's Some Cookie

At first glance, tarot’s Major Arcana # 10, The Wheel of Fortune, suggests a gamble, or that life is a game of chance.  In stead of the Goddess, Fortuna, we sometimes find ourselves hoping Vanna White will turn a key letter in a phrase that helps us decode the message that life is screaming at us.  What’s the answer?  What’s about to happen?  I knew I should have saved up for a vowel.  

Keywords for #10 include, ‘chance encounter, ‘destiny,’ and ‘fate.’  There’s an air of romance in these words, expectation and more than a hint of mystery.  #10 can also denote movement in your life that closely resembles the first step in a vision quest.  The chance it represents in this case, is your chance to become something and someone more than you ever expected to be.   

The Wheel is about change in the status quo - the usual circumstances, the given factors.  The key to dealing with #10 when it appears in a pivotal part of your reading, is to examine your ability to adapt to change.  Seasons and circumstances change. People change.  But here’s the exciting part.  Change offers us the chance to grow and learn - to develop a skill set that later on gives us a chance to expand our vision and definition of who we are.  Is change unsettling?  Often so.  Is it welcome? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Is it inevitable? Absolutely.  It comes at us from all directions.  That’s why all four elements are represented on #10.  

Everything I know about The Wheel of Fortune, I learned from Carole King’s song, “Sweet Seasons.”

“Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose,

         And sometimes the blues get hold of you

         Just when you thought you made it.”

Look for your shot at destiny in your reading.  Look for that chance to become someone above and beyond.  It’s there.  The thing to keep in mind is that if you don’t like the winds of fortune today, don’t worry.  They always change.  Just keep it light.

LADY ORACLE