Tarot Strategies for Life Change

Morning Routines, the Astrology Weather, and the #amtarot Card

There are a couple things I like to do to get ready to meet the new day. Just as I like to check the meteorological weather, I like to check the astrological weather. This give me a heads up on the nature of the energy shifts I will encounter throughout the day.

Because I have worked with astrology for many years, a quick glance at the ephemeris is all that is necessary to see what the day's planetary patterns will be and how they will interact with my astrological chart. 

To get a deeper insight into the active energies, I might pull out a Tarot card. The symbolism of the card will speak to some aspect of the astrological energies in play. It is a way to see where I should focus my attention.

It isn't necessary that the card is pulled by you personally--lately I tend to use the card highlighted in the Twitter topic #amtarot where I can get additional viewpoints from other Tarot aficionados. But incorporating that information into your morning orientation adds another level of richness and meaning.

It is interesting that the #amtarot draw this morning is the Knight of Wands. I look to the #amtarot draw as one indicator of which energies are being highlighted. 

I made some comments about today's overall astrological conditions here, but one area that escaped my focus was the spirited Moon in Sagittarius which will oppose Mars this evening. 

The Knight of Wands is a feisty fellow who takes what he wants and doesn't take no for an answer. The niceties of Emily Post bore him, but passion and excitement keep him alive. The message of the Knight of Wands is to plug into that which fills you with passion and then go for it.

The outgoing Moon in Sagittarius is also filled with high energy and passion. It also tells us to go for it. But it modifies the raw Knight of Wands energy by prodding us to think long-term. It isn't enough to push for an objective, the passion has to be part of your larger vision.

So what is your larger vision, how are you going to get there, and which dragons will you slay in the process?

29 Degrees and the Six of Cups

Each sign has 30 degrees. When a planet reaches the last degree of a sign, it's energy is about to shift.

Think of a planet as a light and a sign as a colored lens. When you view the planet through the lens it appears to take on its color. And when a planet changes signs it is as if we viewed it through, say a yellow lens rather than a pink lens.

But when a planet readies itself to change signs it marks a time to clean up the loose ends connected with the issues brought up by its transit there.

Today, Mars leaves calm, stolid Taurus for flighty Gemini. Mars deals with our desires and how we satisfy them. In Taurus, we approach things slowly, one step at-a-time. In Taurus, Mars concerns itself with security, financial and physical. It is aware of the pleasures of the physical world--the perfume of roses, the feel of silk on the skin...

Today's #amtarot card, the Six of Cups, evokes the feel of Taurus' solidity in the secure, fortress-like buildings that protect the children. And physicality also comes through in the flowers that are found in each cup.

The affection of the children is protected by the shelter that allow them to express themselves without fear of harm or ridicule from the rougher outside world.

But shortly Mars enters Gemini, an air sign, where the emphasis is on movement and communication. Whatever has been carefully nurtured in this protected environment will soon be subject to the rough and tumble of the free exchange of people and ideas.

Get ready.

Jupiter/Neptune, The Magician, Dreams and Illusions

The Jupiter/Neptune conjunction is exact today. This is not as much of a turning point as one might expect, the two planets will continue to travel very close to each until year-end. Think of the energy as a slow ocean swell that gradually rises and falls during its time together.

Like all astrology energy, Jupiter/Neptune in combination can manifest in many ways--but they are tied in with the overall meaning of the energy. Jupiter is expansion. It makes us feel optimistic and under its influence we can, if unrestrained, be prone to excess.

It is a time of hope, but not the sharpest judgment.

Neptune represents dreams and illusions. It is also associated with substances and the people that cause dreams and illusions. These range from those who inspire to con-artists.

Their presence coincides with the "Camelot" aura around Barack Obama's presidency. His ability to inspire hope is a good antidote to the gloom of the economic downturn.

A good use of Tarot is to bring out and highlight astrological symbolism.

Today's #amtarot draw, The Magician, illuminates today's conjunction of Jupiter and Neptune. First you have to have a dream. Then The Magician works his magic by enabling the ability to manifest.

He is a person of many skills. This is appropriate because we live in a physical world--dreams are not enough on their own--it is necessary to use knowledge and skill to turn dream into reality.

When working less positively, The Magician can manifest the negative side of Neptune. The Magician, particularly reversed, can be a glib, fast-talker, using his powers of persuasion to empty your wallet.

My Car, its Air Conditioning Problem, and The Hanged Man Tarot Card

Sometimes the imagery of a Tarot card will speak to an ongoing situation in a very literal way. When that occurs, the insights are very valuable because they are speaking directly to your situation and they deserve close attention.

Just as I checked to see today's #amtarot card, I had finally gotten through to the service station where my car was left to be fixed. I had called several times before the phone was answered and I was getting frustrated. The car was left the day before, it was a couple hours into the new business day, I still hadn't heard from them, and I was anxious to find out when I could have it back, repaired.

How appropriate that today's #amtarot card is The Hanged Man. For the past week I have been going back and forth with my service station over the repair of a faulty expansion valve for the air conditioning system in my car.

It's not that it is such a big deal to replace the part itself, it's just that to get to the part, the mechanic has to take apart the dash and he cannot do that without additional help.

My car has been in the shop on and off all week while my mechanic researched the problem, figured out a solution and made the appropriate arrangements, and I will have to take it back on Monday. Nonetheless, it saves me a trip to the dealer who would probably replace the entire system and charge exorbitantly for the privilege.

Having intermittent use of my car really does have me feeling hung up. It does happen from time to time that a card will operate on a very literal level as in this case.

The Hanged Man depicted in the card is a metaphor that describes and suggests accommodations I will make until this issue is resolved. The figure in the card is serene with a halo around his head like an angel or a saint. His hands are behind him--are they tied? We can't see. But in his position his hands are probably of little use.

So patience is suggested. And so is handling the situation with grace.

The service station staff are trying to help me. I have had cars serviced there for years and they are decent, reputable people. Showing appreciation for their efforts rather than impatience at my personal inconvenience is the way to go.

The Hanged Man is not wasting energy on things he cannot do. Just as it behooves me not to ruminate on my petty inconveniences. Instead I dwell on my feelings of appreciation that my particular mechanic is willing to go the extra mile to research the problem to help me (and save me hundreds of dollars).

So just as The Hanged Man sees the world in a different way when he hangs upside down from a tree than the rest of us, I'm moved to shift my perspective from annoyance at the delay and inconvenience to appreciation for the mechanic's efforts.

All in all, The Hanged Man resonates with me today.

Ace of Swords, Moon in Sagittarius, fresh thinking is in the air

 You should feel a lightening of the general atmosphere when the Moon moves from moody Scorpio to lighthearted Sagittarius. If we've done our work in Scorpio, then we indeed ARE lighter, because we aren't carrying around so much mental clutter. Certainly the emotional intensity has dropped a peg or two.

When the air seems cleaner and brighter - the way it seems after a heavy storm - it is much easier to look at your environment with fresh eyes.

Today's #amtarot card, The Ace of Swords, like all aces, are new beginnings. It represents things in the embryonic or conceptual stages. In Swords, the suit of communications and intellect, The Ace might represent a new idea in its conceptual stage as opposed to a carefully thought out strategy.

In a word, the ground is ripe for fresh thinking!

The Ace of Swords might also indicate that a new perspective is needed.

It is interesting that swords are used to represent the intellect in the Tarot--swords are tools that are used to cut. The intellect does analyze but it uses the mechanism of language to express itself. And, despite the children's rhyme to the contrary, "sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me" ... the truth is that names do hurt and as many tragic episodes in history attest, names can kill.

This aspect of Swords is relevant because Sagittarius (and many Sagittarians) are noted for their bluntness.

Thoughts?

Moon in Scorpio, The Moon, diving into the psyche

The Moon continues its travels through Scorpio where it will remain until tomorrow morning. The Moon describes the general emotional tone that surrounds us and in Scorpio our desire is to get to the bottom of things, clean out what has outlived its usefulness or is impeding us.

But to me, both the Moon in Scorpio and The Moon Tarot card, today's #amtarot card, are associated with diving down into the psyche, down into the place where the rational mind gives way to the older instinctual self.

This is one reason that the card's image depicts no humans, only animals. This card can be best understood by reading it from bottom to top. In the lowest quadrant a scorpion-like creature rises out of the water. As the water meets the land, a path begins that takes one out for a long journey eventually scaling up the distant mountains.

At the beginning of the path, near the water's edge, we see a wolf and a dog baying at the Moon which stands directly in front of the Sun, blocking its light--in other words, a total solar eclipse.

So this journey to enlightenment begins in the very depths of our primitive, animal selves. To master ourselves - to really get to know ourselves - we have to begin by bringing out the hidden, primitive aspects out to be examined.

It is appropriate that the light of the Sun is blocked by Mother Moon. These aspects of ourselves need to be examined with the tools of instinct rather than clear logic and analysis. It is a right-brain exercise and the light of the Sun, the left-brain realm of intellect and logic would only distract us from the necessary work to be done here.

Perhaps the use of a solar eclipse also speaks to the occurrences during actual total eclipses, where the momentary darkness brings out nocturnal creatures.

Page of Swords, Moon trine Mercury: first impressions serve you well today

As I sit down to write this blogpost, I sneak a look at my astrological clock and see that the transiting Moon makes a perfect trine to transiting Mercury. Mercury is in Gemini where the planetary trickster makes his home and the Moon is cruising through gracious Libra and the trine describes an easy flow of energy between them.

Both are air signs--air is the realm of communication, words and abstract ideas. When the Moon, the seat of our intincts and emotion, hangs out with Mercury, planet of thinking and communication, our thinking is rapid-fire.

People who make a living through communication such as TV news anchors, who need to be quick on their feet, often have Moon/Mercury aspects in their birth charts.

Like most things Mercury or Moon oriented, this aspect is fleeting. Actually it is a coincidence of sorts that I had a break in my day and I could slow down, check #amtarot, and write this post.

The #amtarot card for today is the Page of Swords. Like the astrological element of Air, the Tarot suit of Swords represents communication and mental functioning. Being the Page, the youngest member of the Tarot court, we are looking at spontaneous communication and a fresh perspective rather than carefully analyzed, strategic planning.

So my take is that first quick impressions and spontaneous words serve you well today.

Knight of Pentacles and the Earth Element

Today's #amtarot is the Knight of Pentacles.

To me, the Tarot suit of Pentacles is tied with the astrological element earth. They both address the tangible, the material, the practical--humans as physical beings living in a physical realm...

I took a look at the current astrological picture and I noticed that with the Moon still in Virgo (until 5:24 pm EDT), that 5 out of 10 planets are transiting through earth signs. That's 50%, a huge proportion, especially since the Sun itself is not currently in an earth sign.

Regardless of what else happens (and at 11:24 am, Moon will oppose Uranus just to stir things up a bit), much of our energy is tied up in functioning in earth mode.

Can you say grounding anyone?

Unlike the other knights, the Knight of Pentacles takes his sweet old time, appearing to dilly-dally. Or perhaps, he doesn't want to proceed until he has a very clear idea of where he is headed.

If the Knight of Swords is the Hare, the Knight of Pentacles wins the Tortoise competition.

But in the earthy physical realm, matter is dense and the energy just doesn't travel as quickly as it does in the rarified realm of spirit.

So, in a word, or a 140 character tweet, my take on today's Knight of Pentacles is that he represents the concentration of slower, more solid earth energy we are currently dealing with.

The Hanged Man Reversed and Tarot Reversals

 The Hanged Man reversed is today's #amtarot card.

What does it mean that a card is reversed? It means that in a reading, the card appears upside down--standing on its head, as it were. The cards energies are either blocked or manifest in an unconventional way.

You can have fun with The Hanged Man who, because he is hanging upside down, appears to be reversed when he is upright. So when The Hanged Man is reversed, the card is standing on its head, but the figure appears to be upright. Wrap your mind around that.

The Hanged Man shown here is in its upright position. In this position, he hangs down with one foot tied to a tree whose upper branches look like a cross. Most of us would find the position constraining and uncomfortable, but The Hanged man seems quite content. With his halo and serene expression, many Tarot scholars have labeled his appearance, saintly, other worldly.

One thing is clear. If you were hanging upside down, you would see the world in a very different way than the rest of us. And The Hanged Man does not seem to care what others are thinking--despite the physical constraints on his body, he is off in his own world.

So one interpretation of a Hanged Man reversal is forced conformity. Keeping up appearances even if your heart isn't into it.

Today's astrology supports this. The Moon in Virgo sets a tone of doing one's duty. later today it will conjoin Saturn, which certainly represents conventionality and the demands of a material world. It does not seem to be a combination that supports The Hanged Man's escape into his spirituality.

What do you think? Comment here or at #amtarot.

To me, the reversal of this is being forced into an unnatural conformity.

The Empress and the Female Archetype

 

The Empress is today's #amtarotcard. Take a good look at it.
What kinds of feelings does it evoke?

Curiously, when the card was chosen, the Moon was rising and Venus was overhead. Astrologically, these planets are the two representatives of the female archetype.

The Moon represents the female archetype in her role as mother and nurturer. Moon on the ascendant is a warm placement. Emotional connections are easy and immediate.

While the Sun continues to travel through Cancer, this archetype remains as a dominant part of the backdrop. The Moon itself is traveling through the Leo, the Sun's home sign. So the Sun and Moon are in each other's signs, or as we astrologers call it, a mutual reception. This serves to strengthen both.

Venus overhead shows the strength of the other female archetype, woman as sensual being. If the Moon is your mother then Venus is the woman you date.

She also governs art, aesthetics and harmony in design.

The position of Moon rising and Venus overhead are very temporary. Since the Earth is constantly revolving around its axis, the rising degree or ascendant changes every 4 minutes. Yet, the coincidence of the selection of this card and the placement of the female planets on these sensitive points gets my attention.

So what about The Empress card herself?

This rendition of the female archetype of creating and bringing life is a woman with a kindly face that gazes directly towards you. She is a queen, note her crown, seated on a curved, padded throne. Her realm is that of growing things. All around her is lush vegetation and trees. The sky is golden, reinforcing the message of abundance.

Her gown is loose and flowing--some say to cloak her pregnancy. To get the point across, the pattern of her gown is made up of ripened fruit clearly showing seeds. The picture is one of fertility, growth, and the abundance of nature. Left to its devices nature delivers abundance in its own time-frame.

What are your thoughts?