Weekly Tarotcast™: 4-10-18 through 4-17-18

Eight of Disks

The weekly Tarotcast card is the Eight of Disks.  This suit is also called Pentacles or Coins. This card symbolizes order, self-discipline, attention to detail, and the benefits of knowing when to watch and wait, to wait and see. A stable, secure foundation is established, upon which one can build as needed when the time is right.

On the kabalistic Tree of Life, this card represents the formula 8: sephiroth or sphere 8, Hod (meaning Splendor, sphere of Mercury and the feminized Male) in the suit of Disks (the element of Earth – Assiah, the material world; our physical bodies, assets and resources) plus the Sun in Virgo (more on that in a moment) equaling Prudence.

The Eights of the minor Arcana evaluate, organize, reason and communicate for their respective suits and elements. The eights bring justice, karmic balancing or rebalancing, order and structure within limitations and boundaries. Like their counterparts the Sevens, their position on the Tree of Life is somewhat weak and unbalanced. So where’d all this balanced energy in the Eight of Disks come from? It gets its unique benefits from its astrological correspondence.

Astrologically, this card symbolizes the Sun in Virgo and rules from 0 to 10 degrees Virgo, or August 23rd to September 1st, so if your birthday falls on or between those dates, you’ll be feeling this week’s energy even more than the rest of us.  The Sun in Virgo brings a positive and stabilizing energy into this card since often in material matters – whether business ventures or gardening – there is an inherent benefit in knowing when to do nothing – to simply plant the seeds and wait.

In real-time astrology, the Sun is transiting Fire-sign Aries. This week’s card would seem to be in opposition to Aries’ action-oriented, sometimes impulsive nature. But along with knowing when to wait, this week’s card also encompasses knowing when to take appropriate, considered (some might say calculated) action. This year, mid-April is a busy time in the heavens and a busy time for this forecast period.

Jupiter retrograde (in Water-sign Scorpio) sextiles Pluto in Earth-sign Capricorn on April 14th. This is the second of three exact sextiles occurring this year. The last is on September 12th. This powerful transit sparks our ambitions and favors business, legal issues and commerce in general. Our personal influence and faith are on the rise. We give of our energy and time freely, in the pursuit of or professional or private goals. We are persuasive and convincing in presenting ideas or decision-making. This can be invaluable for resolving a long-standing problem or fully utilizing our resources.

On April 15th when Mercury stations direct in Aries we may find ourselves revisiting and reviewing recent decisions or returning to prior communications with a fresh perspective on the matters at hand.

April 15th also brings us the New Moon in Aries. We are bold in showing our true selves to the rest of the world. We can act on our motivations fearlessly and without anxiety about others’ expectations of us. As long as these impulses remain constructive, we acquire new independence, confidence, strength and integrity. There is a refreshingly innocent aspect to our way of engaging with others.

Last but not least, Saturn is transiting its home sign of Capricorn (through March 2020).  It will retrograde in that sign on April 17th. Combined with the energy of this week’s card, this could be a good time to hit “pause” and wait for our next, best opportunity to act.

Misuse, darkening or the shadow energy of this card includes over-attention to detail and missing the big picture, manipulation of people or situations to gain an unfair advantage, and paralysis through extended inaction.

Let’s focus on practicality and getting our house spiritually and physically in order this week.

A little home alchemy:  Power colors this week include orange, red, golden yellow, amber, slate gray, green and plum.

Carnelian, jade, jasper, amber, diamond and topaz worn as jewelry or carried as power stones will help us find order, organization and balance.

Gold and platinum are this week’s metals.  Wear ‘em if you’ve got ‘em!

Scent your home, bath and body with orange, cinnamon, clove, rosemary, valerian, heliotrope, mistletoe, cedar, and frankincense to balance mind, body and spirit this week.

Foods prepared with galangal, orange, rosemary, cinnamon, clove, sunflower seeds or oil, hops (beer!) and juniper (gin!) will provide the same beneficial effects.

The Tarotcast comes to you FREE each week, with a new post every Tuesday!

An individualized Tarot reading with me focuses on what’s most important for you, so call today for a personalized, in-depth look into your life’s possibilities.

Weekly Tarotcast™: 4-03-18 through 4-10-18

 The Devil

The weekly Tarotcast card is the Devil. This card signifies both burdens and temptations, being enslaved by our desires through short-sightedness and a lack of perspective.  Passivity, victim consciousness and fear are embodied in this card.  We escape from bondage only when we realize that the chains which bind us and hold us back can be removed at will – our will.

On the kabalistic Tree of Life this card travels path 26: joining sephiroth or sphere 6, Tiphareth (meaning Beauty) to sephiroth or sphere 8, Hod (meaning Splendor).  Its Hebrew letter is Ayin which means “eye.” Our physical “eye” is our way of seeing the world. Our other “I”, or ego, is the way we want to see ourselves and want the world to see us.

Astrologically, this card is the zodiacal trump of Capricorn in which Saturn rules and Mars is exalted.

In real-time astrology, Saturn is transiting its home sign of Capricorn (through March 2020).  During the roughly two and a quarter years of this transit, we may find that new restrictions, limitations and boundaries are established or that existing ones are maintained. There are no easy shortcuts and this is not the time to cut corners. Saturn gives us what we truly earn and deserve, the way to reap rewards is through concentrated efforts and steady, patient progress.

Mars is transiting Earth-sign Capricorn (through May 16th). This energy along with that of the Saturn transit are perfect energetic matches to this week’s card – both positive and negative. During this forecast period, we continue to operate with structured, deliberate planning and action. Extra care may be required due to the influence of both Saturn and Pluto on Mars for most of this month. Defensiveness and impulsive, knee-jerk reactions can result. When retrograde Mercury forms a square to Mars and Saturn on April 4th and 5th we may experience frustrations in communication, especially that having to do with learning or decision-making processes.

Back to the Tarot perspective: the Judeo-Christian idea of the Devil as the personification of evil is light-years away from its interpretation in the Tarot. Certainly the devil – the scapegoat, if you will – is blamed for all of the temptations of sin that lead us to self-destruction and of all the terrible things that can befall us.  If we believe that earthly life – the material world – is our separation from and our estrangement from God (or the Universe, or the realm of Spirit), then surely this card as the representative of that world is scary indeed.

Misuse, darkening or the shadow energy of this card includes self-destructive behaviors, “fatal attractions” and obsessions, hysteria and paranoia.

Let’s focus on seeing and embracing both the light and shadow sides which comprise our complete Self. That way, we get a much more positive and beneficial use of the energies of this card.  Spirit embodied in material form is capable of choice, action and creativity.

A little home alchemy:  Power colors this week include indigo, blue-black, black and gray. Add violet, red and brown to bring Capricorn’s strength, endurance and perseverance to your endeavors.

Onyx, jet, garnet and opal worn as jewelry, or carried as power stones will give you an earthy confidence and creative energy.

Lead is this week’s metal.  Not great for wearing, but a good reminder of what to “get out,” especially in areas where our ego or materialistically-based beliefs can weigh us down.

Scent your home, bath and body with snowdrop, rose, pine, musk and patchouli to create positive channels for creativity and determination.  Let’s harness this powerful energy toward beneficial goals this week!

Foods prepared with any of the nightshade family (potatoes, tomatoes, etc.), thyme, allspice, cayenne, garlic, ginger, pepper, and thistle (artichokes!) as well as teas brewed from valerian and comfrey will provide the same beneficial effects.

The Tarotcast comes to you FREE each week, with a new post every Tuesday!

An individualized Tarot reading with me focuses on what’s most important for you, so call today for a personalized, in-depth look into your life’s possibilities.

Weekly Tarotcast™: 3-27-18 through 4-03-18

 Eight of Wands

The weekly Tarotcast card is the Eight of Wands.  This card represents the end of stagnation and delay. Good news is on the way, and it’s coming quickly – communication in all forms is highlighted this week. As far as how quickly news travels? Well, time (and motion) are relative, after all.

On the kabalistic Tree of Life this card represents the formula 8: sephiroth or sphere 8, Hod (meaning Splendor – the sphere of Mercury and the feminized Male), in the suit of Wands, (the element of Fire – Atziluth, the archetypal world; our Will or Spirit in action) plus Mercury in Sagittarius (more on that in a moment) equaling Swiftness.

The Eights of the minor Arcana evaluate, organize, reason and communicate for their respective suits and elements. The eights bring justice, karmic balancing or rebalancing, order and structure within limitations and boundaries. Like their counterparts the Sevens, their position on the Tree of Life is somewhat weak and unbalanced. This card benefits from its astrological influence where ideas or impulses are inspired to rise and expand to serve a higher purpose.

Astrologically, this card represents Mercury in Sagittarius and rules from 0 to 10 degrees Sagittarius or November 23rd to December 2nd, so if your birthday falls on or between these dates, you’ll be feeling this week’s energy even more than the rest of us. We’ll need to keep eyes and ears open for information that may surprise us, short-term and/or short-distance travel is also a possibility.

In real-time astrology, the Sun is transiting Sagittarius’ fellow Fire-sign Aries (through April 19th).  Usually, Fortune favors the bold and the race goes to the swift while the Sun visits the sign of the Ram.

However, just prior to this forecast period, Mercury stationed retrograde in Aries (through April 15th, when Mercury stations direct once again). We can use this energy best when we focus on independent, courageous thinking; a fresh perspective allows us to see problems, projects and relationships in new ways. The retrograde influence slows down the effects of this week’s card, and the usual retrograde warnings apply – think twice or even three times before speaking or acting, and anticipate delays or missed connections. We may be better off thinking and planning rather than taking action.

Mercury’s transit of Aries lasts through May 13th – a little longer than usual. We’ll have no shortage of big ideas but we can also be impatient and lack sensitivity in our communications.

Misuse, darkening or the shadow energy of this card includes stubbornness, over-zealousness, hasty or ill-considered decisions and superficiality.

Let’s focus on flexibility and our intellectual/mental power – including the power to analyze and adjust to make the most of this week’s positive possibilities.

A little home alchemy:  Power colors this week include yellow, purple, grey, indigo and violet for Mercury as well as blue, yellow and green for Sagittarius.

Diamond, jade, jasper, topaz, aquamarine and sapphire worn as jewelry, or carried as power stones will enhance the benefits of Mercury and Sagittarius’s swift communication this week – and keep us adaptable to changes in the pace of events.

Mercury and zinc are this week’s metals.  Neither is wearable, both are good reminders of adaptability and the strength of good connections and combinations.

Scent your home, bath and body with carnation, iris, valerian, lilac, lavender and vervain to stay clear-headed and intellectually sharp.  We’ll be energetic, vigilant and optimistic while we attend to the demands and details of the week.

Foods prepared with sage, parsley, dill, rosemary, lemongrass, mace, and peppermint or tea brewed from peppermint, will provide the same beneficial effects.

The Tarotcast comes to you FREE each week, with a new post every Tuesday!

An individualized Tarot reading with me focuses on what’s most important for you, so call today for a personalized, in-depth look into your life’s possibilities.

Weekly Tarotcast™: 3-20-18 through 3-27-18

 The Tower

The weekly Tarotcast card is the Tower.  OUCH! This week we’ll be experiencing disruption and destruction – and the harder we try to hold on to the status quo, the more difficult it will be.  Tearing down is phase one of rebuilding and what appears to be a catastrophe can be transformed into something better. The Tower shows us that things must be torn down (or fall apart) before we can begin to build anew.

On the kabalistic Tree of Life this card travels Path 27, joining sephiroth or sphere 7, Netzach (meaning Victory) with sephiroth or sphere 8, Hod (meaning Splendor).  Its Hebrew Letter is Pe’ (meaning “mouth”).  The mouth is how we speak words, express thoughts, and sometimes breathe – and a very large, fanged mouth is shown on the card. In the order of the Hebrew alphabet, Pe’ follows the letter Ayin (meaning “eye”); lo and behold, a large eye crowns this card. Jewish mystics believed that the eye is the doorway to reality, and the mouth brings reality into being. The word of God creates. The Hindu God Shiva is the God of destruction – and to destroy, he need only open his eye.

Spheres 7 and 8 are opposite each other on the tree, and are two sides of the same coin. They depict equal but opposite errors and as polar opposites, denote weakness. When united, they cancel each other out – effective as a metaphor for the kind of annihilation we’re talking about when we talk Tower energy.

Astrologically, this card is the planetary trump of Mars in all his aggressive, violent glory.  Change is coming by any means necessary, and much as we may dislike, fear or resist it; without change everything would fall into stagnation and ruin without rejuvenation.

In real-time astrology, the Sun enters Mars-ruled, Fire-sign Aries on March 20th – starting the astrological New Year and bringing the Spring Equinox. On a positive note this energy can be assertive rather than aggressive and if used wisely, brings needed change. Destruction of the old can be controlled with a minimum of collateral damage.

Just prior to this forecast period on March 17th, Mars entered Earth-sign Capricorn (through May 16th).  Under this influence we approach the pursuit of our goals in structured, well-planned ways. We may find it easier to manage our energy and set a deliberate pace toward achieving our desires. This is a very positive positioning of Mars as it is exalted in the sign of Capricorn.

On March 22nd Mercury retrogrades in Aries (through April 15th). We can use this energy best when we focus on our independence and courage; we can use a fresh perspective to see problems, projects and relationships in new ways.

Mercury’s transit of Aries lasts through May 13th – a little longer than usual. We’ll have no shortage of bold ideas but we can also be impatient and lack sensitivity in our communications. Combined with the energy of this week’s card, the usual retrograde warnings apply – think twice or even three times before speaking or acting, and anticipate delays or missed connections.

Misuse, darkening or the shadow energy of this card includes blind destruction and a lust for ruin – trashing everything just for the sake of watching it all fall apart without respect for the cycles of which destruction is only one step or phase.

Let’s focus on overcoming the obstacles of outmoded thinking and action, and the enlightenment that comes when new ideas and inspirations strike us like a lightning-bolt of truth.

A little home alchemy:  Power colors this week include scarlet, red, azure and emerald.

Ruby, bloodstone and garnet worn as jewelry or carried as power stones will help us channel Mars’ strength without the martial violence this week.

Iron is this week’s metal – not great for wearing but a great reminder of strength and endurance.

Scent your home, bath and body with rose, pine and tobacco (no, you don’t have to smoke it) to further enhance feelings of enlightenment, sharp, clear perception of the truth and the constancy of change this week.

Foods prepared with allspice cayenne, garlic, ginger, pepper and thistle (think artichokes!), or chasing the Green Fairy thanks to the wormwood in absinthe (in moderation of course) will provide the same beneficial effects.

The Tarotcast comes to you FREE each week, with a new post every Tuesday!

An individualized Tarot reading with me focuses on what’s most important for you, so call today for a personalized, in-depth look into your life’s possibilities.

Weekly Tarotcast™: 3-13-18 through 3-20-18

 The Chariot

The weekly Tarotcast card is the Chariot. The “go for it” energy of this card allows us to show what we have learned through experience and hard work, and to prove our abilities. We know the reason for our journey and we’re focused intently on getting there.  Literally or figuratively, we are on a journey and our actions will determine both the course of the journey itself as well as the outcome when we arrive at our destination.

On the kabalistic Tree of Life, the Chariot travels path 18, joining sephiroth or sphere 3, Binah (Understanding) to sephiroth or sphere 5, Geburah (Severity).  This Major Arcana card is numbered 7, and its Hebrew letter is Cheth, meaning “fence”.   Seems odd that something we associate with boundaries and limitations would represent a moving vehicle, doesn’t it? Well, here’s how it works: The Hebrew word for life, living, or alive is “Cha’i,” written in the Hebrew alphabet as, “Cheth Yod”. In Judaism, the word is used as an emblem of charity, longevity, and good fortune – pretty good and powerful ways of moving through the world, right?

Astrologically, this card is the zodiacal trump of Cancer, which is ruled by the Moon, with Jupiter exalted.

In real-time astrology, the Sun continues its transit of Cancer’s fellow Water-sign, Pisces until March 20th enhancing our compassion and spirituality. As the Sun moves into Fire-sign Aries, we welcome the astrological New Year and the spring equinox with the Ram’s assertive and enterprising energy – a nice match to the energy of this week’s card. This also completes the Water triad of this forecast period.

Jupiter is currently retrograde in the third Water-sign, Scorpio (through July 10th), so some of our forward progress may be inward – not necessarily backward. This is especially true if we’re willing to work with that energy in the way that brings the best results.

On March 17th, we experience a New Moon in Pisces.  This can bring a liberating sense of surrender when we realize that we may be driving the Chariot, but we’re not always the one in control. A good approach may be accepting that things will work out in a way that serves our highest good. Instead of constant pressure to perform and deliver, a little bit of “que sera, sera” will serve us well during this forecast period. This is a perfect time to take a short break, stretch our legs, use our imaginations and treat others with compassion.

Misuse, darkening or the shadow energy of this card includes becoming the ego-ruled driver who runs down anything in his path, or who becomes frustrated to the boiling point, acting out in road-rage over obstacles, rough patches or detours.

Let’s focus on rolling along confidently but compassionately. We can benefit by taking well-planned action to maintain a steady course.

A little home alchemy:  Power colors this week include amber, green, maroon, brownish-reds, and russet.

Emerald, garnet and amber worn as jewelry or carried as power stones will help us enjoy the spirit of adventure and self-discovery this card represents.

Silver is this week’s metal. Wear it to balance the sensitive lunar energies with the expansive Jupiter blessings coming your way.

Scent your home, bath and body with poppy, white rose, cedar, cypress and honeysuckle to channel the power of the Chariot – and the charioteer – and keep moving toward your goal.

Foods prepared with watercress and dandelion greens as well as clove, sage, cinnamon, poppy seed, anise, mint, nutmeg, sage and cardamom will provide the same beneficial effects.

The Tarotcast comes to you FREE each week, with a new post every Tuesday!

An individualized Tarot reading with me focuses on what’s most important for you, so call today for a personalized, in-depth look into your life’s possibilities.