Weekly Tarotcast™: 2-06-18 through 2-13-18

 Eight of Swords

The weekly Tarotcast card is the Eight of Swords.  The suit of Swords can be challenging since it represents disruption and conflict. On the positive side, it also represents analysis, intellect and ideas.  We can use the positive qualities of the Eight of Swords to understand that when we change our thoughts, we change our feelings and beliefs – and we can change our lives!  I love the Wayne Dyer quote, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

The positive aspects of the Eight of Swords embody this idea beautifully.

The Eights of the Minor Arcana evaluate, organize, reason and communicate for their respective suits and elements. Their energy may lack harmony, but they can restore symmetry and balance. The eights bring justice, karmic balancing or rebalancing, order and structure along with the limitations and boundaries of those states.

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 Yang) in the suit of Swords (Yetzirah, the formative world; the element of Air – our intellect, thoughts and mental activity) plus Jupiter in Gemini (more on that in a moment) equaling “Interference.”

Astrologically, this card symbolizes Jupiter in Gemini and rules from 0 to 10 degrees Gemini, or May 21st through May 31st 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 message of this card is that things are not as bad as they look.

Hod is the sphere of Mercury – its home sphere, you might say – and Mercury rules Gemini.  Adding Jupiter to the mix brings an element of luck, especially in intellectual pursuits.  However, as with all of the Eights, the influence of Hod causes this card to suffer from imbalance. Hod tends to be the “wet blanket” on all prevailing energies. Even with (mostly) good luck and a good outlook, we can still experience setbacks, delays or the proverbial “fly in the ointment.”  Since fighting is what Swords are all about, we’re not much good when the “fight” has been knocked out of us. But – it’s temporary.

In real-time astrology, the Sun is currently in Air-sign Aquarius and Mercury entered Aquarius just prior to this forecast period where it will remain through February 17th. Jupiter in Water-sign Scorpio will retrograde about one month from this forecast period. Jupiter is a slow-moving planet, and transits each sign for about one year, only once every twelve years. Although Jupiter is in its detriment in Scorpio (meaning not at its best), there are still many benefits to be had.

This energy is great for cutting through what’s extraneous or irrelevant and getting to the core of the matter. This is also wonderful energy to create something new out of something that has died or been destroyed. Scorpio is the sign of re-birth and transformation. This can bring hope and the chance to discover some good luck in even the darkest places.

Misuse, darkening or the shadow energy of this card includes confusion, fuzzy thinking, fear of the unknown and crippling uncertainty.  When we believe a situation is impossible or that we have no options, those thoughts become self-fulfilling prophecies.

Let’s focus on the ability to look at the ways we hold ourselves back. Taking the longer view can help us gain a fresh perspective on any situation or relationship. It will free us up and move us forward.

A little home alchemy:  Power colors this week include violet, blue, purple, and yellow as well as silver and pale gray.

Diamond, jade, agate, topaz, sapphire and amethyst worn as jewelry or carried as power stones will counteract feelings of “stuck-ness”, restlessness and absent-mindedness.

Mercury and tin are this week’s metals – while neither is really wearable, their properties can remind us that a positive boost to our mental energy will help us make good choices and avoid getting bogged down in self-criticism.

Scent your home, bath and body with fern, iris, carnation, heliotrope, cedar and honeysuckle to stay clear-minded and look for fresh viewpoints this week.

Foods prepared with parsley, dill, clove, sage, anise, cinnamon, mint and nutmeg 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™: 1-30-18 through 2-06-18

 The Star

The weekly Tarotcast card is the Star. This week’s card inspires us to reach for our highest potential. We are assured of reaching our goals and aspirations guided by the Star’s steady light.  This card is associated with healing of all kinds – physical, emotional and spiritual. Filled with hope and promise, this card affirms the eternal renewal available to all living beings.

On the kabalistic Tree of Life this card travels Path 15, joining sephiroth or sphere 2, Chokmah (Wisdom, sphere of the Zodiac and the Divine Masculine or Yang energy) to sephiroth or sphere 6, Tiphareth (Beauty, sphere of the Sun and energy in completely balanced manifestation). The Hebrew letter of this card – He’ – means “a window.”  No matter what doors may have closed for us, a new door – or more accurately, a window – is opening this week.  Since either opening can bring in fresh air and new possibilities, use whichever presents itself to experience the feeling of rebirth and renewal. This is the card of hope – the promise of things yet unseen and still-to-come.

Astrologically, this card is the zodiacal trump of Aquarius, in which Saturn rules and Neptune is exalted. This attribution is based in ancient astrology. The more modern attribution is that Aquarius is ruled by Uranus. Also, Aquarius, the water-bearer is actually an Air sign – commonly mistaken for one of the water signs.

In real-time astrology, the Sun is currently transiting Aquarius (through February 18th).  Saturn is making a long transit through Earth-sign Capricorn (Aquarius’ next-door neighbor).  Uranus is transiting Fire-sign Aries (through May 2018). On January 31st, we have a Full Moon Total Lunar eclipse in Fire-sign Leo. This sign is Aquarius’ polar opposite on the wheel of the Zodiac. We may feel as though we’re in crisis and lack something essential, or feel a sudden, great need or want. Issues that have been hidden can come to light and the desire to express ourselves and speak up will be strong. Eclipse energy can heighten our awareness of neglected issues in our lives and spur us to take positive, decisive action.

When Mercury enters Aquarius on January 31st (through February 17th) we’re more likely to reject the conventional, tried-and-true processes to embrace what is innovative, new, and unusual. During this forecast period, we are encouraged to follow our unique path to fulfillment.

Misuse, darkening or the shadow energy of this card includes falling into illusions, denial of facts or escape from reality.  Though we’re encouraged to hope, we’re also cautioned to avoid going overboard into pigs-fly-to-the-moon territory.

Let’s focus on the fresh promise apparent in all areas of our lives – personal and professional, platonic and romantic.

A little home alchemy:  Power colors this week include violet, sky blue, mauve, white and pale purple.

Zircon, amber, malachite, aquamarine, rose quartz, sapphire or lapis worn as jewelry or carried as power stones will help us intuitively sense the order of the Universe, the rightness of things as they are in this present moment as well as the opportunities and rewards that will be realized in the future.

Uranium is this week metal – absolutely not wearable, but extremely valuable and a good reminder of how we can choose to harness tremendous power for either positive or destructive ends.

Scent your home, bath and body with jasmine, rose and almond to make it easy to go with the flow – since Aquarius is the Water-Bearer, a luxurious bath or a trip to the spa (especially if you invite a friend) will be a special treat this week.

Foods prepared with almonds, and rose hip or jasmine teas, along with drinking plenty of pure, fresh water and breathing fresh outdoor air 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™:  1-23-18 through 1-30-18

 The Hierophant

The weekly Tarotcast card is The Hierophant.  This card was known as the Pope in the earliest tarot decks. He is now a high priest, vital and powerfully partnered with his Scarlet Woman. He can represent a teacher, clergyman/priest/religious leader, or representative of the law (including police officers and attorneys).  The powers that be will be powerful indeed this week – whether we’re contending with corporate, academic, religious or legal entities – or the authority figures within our personal sphere.

On the kabalistic Tree of Life this card travels path 16, joining sephiroth or sphere 2, Chokmah (meaning Wisdom, sphere of the Divine Masculine, Yang) with sephiroth or sphere 4, Chesed (meaning Mercy, sphere of Jupiter and the rule of law).  Its Hebrew letter is Vau, meaning “nail.” We can use nails to build and secure a structure – but we can also get “nailed” if we’re not careful and we’re doing things we ought not do.

Astrologically, this card is the zodiacal trump of Taurus, with Venus ruling and the Moon exalted.

In real-time astrology, the Sun is transiting Air-sign Aquarius (through February 18th). This transit inspires our humanitarian ideals. In contrast to the energy of this week’s card, we dare to be different. In harmony with this week’s card, we seek ways to improve ourselves.

On January 26th, Mars enters Fire-sign Sagittarius where it works well especially in combination with Sagittarius’ ruling planet, Jupiter. With Mars in Sagittarius we take action motivated by our ideals. We may quickly become bored with routine and get restless if we feel constrained or confined. We seek adventure and new worlds to conquer, expanding our experiences and our minds.

Immediately following this forecast period (January 31st), we have a Full Moon Total Lunar eclipse in Fire-sign Leo. We may feel as though we’re in crisis and lack something essential, or feel a sudden, great need or want. Issues that have been hidden can come to light and the desire to express ourselves and speak up will be strong. Eclipse energy can heighten our awareness of neglected issues in our lives and spur us to take positive, decisive action.

Misuse, darkening or the shadow energy of this card includes intolerance, arrogance and a bad case of the know-it-alls. Structure and tradition taken to extremes can become a cage or a prison, stifling freedom and thwarting change.

Let’s focus on our connection to our higher selves and trust that even mundane events and situations are occurring to guide us toward our true purpose.  We can discover and explore our connection to the divine (without a human mediator) by using this card’s most potent energy.

A little home alchemy:  Power colors for this week include red, orange, deep indigo, rich brown and warm olive.  Our daily prayers and meditations take on a more formal element of ritual this week, so wearing clothing in these colors while we pray or meditate will enhance our experience.

Amethyst, citrine, or fire opals worn as jewelry or carried as power stones will make you feel you are connected to and a part of something greater than yourself.  This would be a great week to walk a labyrinth!

Copper is this week metal – flexible yet strong, and with possible healing powers for joint and muscle pain and/or inflammation.

Scent your home, bath and body with frankincense, rose, violet, hibiscus, coconut, jasmine, sandalwood, strawberry, vanilla or vervain to bring stability and a sense of larger purpose to your life this week.

Foods prepared with rose or violet (many flowers are edible), coconut, lotus root, apple, strawberry or vanilla or tea brewed from jasmine, hibiscus or rose hips 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™:  1-16-18 through 1-23-18

 Two of Disks

The weekly Tarotcast card is the Two of Disks. This suit is also called Pentacles and Coins. This card represents the ways in which we’re able to maintain balance and harmony in the midst of change. Like a juggling act, we’re successfully managing to keep all the balls in the air or keep all the plates spinning while we constantly adjust for internal and environmental fluctuations. This is the kind of multi-tasking that actually works – not by trying to do many things simultaneously (and doing none of them very well), but by making skilled, split-second changes in priority and attention to keep everything going at the proper pace.

The Twos of the Minor Arcana are the balanced but polarized states of their respective elements and suits. The twos are duality, and this is our way of seeing and being in the world in order to understand it; weighing and balancing things against their opposites – good vs. bad, dark vs. light, positive vs. negative. Until we differentiate, we can’t resolve and unify.

On the kabalistic Tree of Life this card represents the formula 2: sephiroth or sphere 2, Chokmah (meaning Wisdom – the sphere of the Zodiac, and Divine Masculine or Yang energy), in the suit of Disks (Assiah, the material world; the element of Earth – our physical bodies, real assets and resources) plus Jupiter in Capricorn (more on that in a moment) equaling Change.

Astrologically, this card corresponds to Jupiter in Capricorn. It rules from zero to 10 degrees Capricorn, or December 22nd through December 30th 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. Jupiter in Capricorn energy is at its best when it can organize and lead through a disciplined, step-by-step plan of action.

In real-time astrology,  the Sun is in Earth-sign Capricorn (through January 19th).

The New Moon in Capricorn on January 16th sparks our ambitions and our desire for order and structure. We may be more aware of limits – especially deadlines and timing elements. We’ll find it easy to set practical and attainable goals. During this forecast period well likely be focused on self-discipline and personal responsibilities. This New Moon coincides with an unusual number of planets in the sign of Capricorn: the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Pluto.

Just prior to this forecast period, Jupiter in Water-sign Scorpio sextiled Pluto (in Capricorn) on January 15th. This is the first in a set of three perfections while Jupiter transits Scorpio, the last of which occurs in September of this year. This transit favors our careers and business matters. Our ability to influence and persuade is highlighted and we seek deeper meaning and significance in setting personal and professional goals.  Our ability to sway or persuade others in our favor is strong under this energy. The solution to long-standing problems can come easily now; we may find it easy to access resources and assets that were previously hidden or otherwise unavailable.

Misuse, darkening or the shadow energy of this card includes the more negative aspects of instability: indecision, not adapting to cyclical changes, and a lack of direction.

Let’s focus on the positive side of instability (and yes, there really is one!) by being flexible and adaptive while keeping our eyes on the goal or purpose we’re aiming for.

A little home alchemy:  Power colors this week include violet, blue, rich purple and yellow for Jupiter as well as indigo, black and grey for Capricorn.

Sapphire, amethyst and diamond as well as onyx, jet, garnet and opal worn as jewelry or carried as power stones will enhance the beneficial effects of Jupiter in Capricorn this week and minimize the less positive energy.

Lead and tin are this week’s metals, neither particularly good for wearing but both useful when alloyed (and allied) with other metals to increase flexibility and endurance.

Scent your home, bath and body with carnation, poppy, heliotrope, honeysuckle and cedar to stay alert and flexible as you adapt and adjust to changing priorities and demands.

Foods prepared with clove, sage, cinnamon, mint and nutmeg as well as the tasty (and healthy) members of the nightshade family: potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, hot peppers and eggplant 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™:  1-09-18 through 1-16-18

 The Sun

The weekly Tarotcast card is the Sun. This card is one of the planetary trumps of the Tarot.  In some older fortune-telling traditions, the Sun is interpreted as the questioner, or the face that the questioner shows to the world.  Another, more modern way of interpreting this card is that the Sun reminds us that we are each a solar being.  We are light-beings in physical bodies, here in the material world.

This week we can enjoy rewards and recognition for our hard work, experience success, and even feel a sense of vindication if we’ve had to struggle through opposition or obstacles to bring a task to completion.

On the kabalistic Tree of Life this card travels Path 30,  joining sephiroth or sphere 8, Hod (meaning Splendor) with sephiroth or sphere 9, Yesod (meaning Foundation).  Its Hebrew letter is “Resh” (meaning “head”), and if you think about the face we show the world, that makes perfect sense. Also, as solar beings in physical bodies, our brains, eyes, ears, noses and mouths – many of the important ways with which we connect to our world and also with the divine – are located in the prime real estate right above our necks.

Astrologically, this card is – you guessed it – the planetary trump of the Sun (what else could it be, really?)

In real-time astrology, the Sun is in Earth-sign Capricorn (through January 19th).

Mercury enters Capricorn on January 11^th joining the Sun, Venus, Saturn and Pluto already in that sign, and forming what astrologers call a stellium when it occurs in one’s birth chart. Generally speaking, Capricorn energy will be greatly enhanced during this forecast period. The New Moon in Capricorn January 16^th brings great energy for setting intentions and keeping our commitments. Already tossed out those New Year’s resolutions? It’s not too late to bring them back and re-dedicate yourself to one or all of them.

Misuse, darkening or the shadow energy of this card includes arrogance, egotism or smug self-assurance. Even this card has a shadow side (the Sun’s light does create shadows, right?), so we would do well to avoid illusions or delusions of grandeur.

Let’s focus on enjoying success, cultivating optimism, and remembering that big goals and dreams require intention and work to come into being.

A little home alchemy:  Power colors for this week include orange, yellow, gold and red.

Gold is this week’s metal. In this case, yellow or rose gold – and it’s great for wearing so that we can feel the positive power and glory of the sun operating in our lives.

Amber, ruby, diamond, carnelian and tiger’s eye worn as jewelry or carried as power stones will give us sunny confidence and a positive outlook this week.

Scent your home, bath and body with marigold, sunflower, heliotrope, orange, rosemary, cedar and frankincense to feel warm, outgoing, confident and positive (but not arrogant!) this week.

Foods prepared with orange, rosemary, galangal, cinnamon, clove and sunflower seeds, or beverages made with hops (beer!) or juniper (gin!) – enjoyed 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.