The Dark Moon approaches rapidly and it is promising to be quite potent. This is a great time to take a leap of faith  – despite your fears surrounding the current Mercury Retrograde – and start something new. As you watch the moon disappear in the night’s sky, think about the path you travel; is your stride purposeful or meandering? Are you focused on a destination, or the journey?

Anyone can dance under Selene’s big, bright, and beautiful Full Moon; to be still and silent under the blanket of Hecate’s darkness is another thing entirely. Facing our own darkness is no less important (or, frankly speaking, frightening) than finding the courage to look the abyss right in the eye; darkness is every bit as crucial to balance as light, and to ignore it is folly. To face ourselves, to recognize and acknowledge the pieces and parts that make us whole (not always pretty, not always flattering, not always positive), is not only to know ourselves but to step closer to allowing others to know us…allowing others to love us for our true and actual selves, rather than the fictional portrayals we present.

Sometimes we forget the importance of introspection as the precursor to action; inventory first, gathering second, movement third – simple, right? You would think so, and yet. We have become so movement-oriented, we have drifted away from the importance of stillness. However, if you wish to make the most of the energy this Dark Moon is building, you must allow yourself the time and space to go within to your deepest self. Consider the following:

• Give in to your psychic self. Simply put, use the quiet stillness to allow your mind to explore the images normally ignored. Suddenly thinking of kittens? Follow the thought and see wherever it leads. You do not need to act on the images; it is enough to receive, acknowledge and release the images. ((NOTE: Consider recording the images to review at a later time.))
• Listen to your soul. You have wants, needs, loves, and longings; some of them so deeply hidden, you are not aware of them. Allow them to surface, recognize what your soul is calling.
• Make room for new beginnings. Your inventory will also reveal what does (and does not) serve you. This is the perfect time to clean your inner house and let go what does not serve – you do not need the baggage and you do need the space.
•  Make the decision. What is more frightening? Getting what you want, or not getting what you want? How do you know? Do you want to find out? Make the decision; if you have taken internal inventory and gathered your most inner self together, you know what you want. It is time to make the decision to pursue it in earnest.
• Get moving. Create the plan AND put it into action. The seeds you plant during the dark moon can only grow if you tend to them.

Mercury Retrograde occurs four times annually, influencing approximately 90 days of the year; you must learn to deal with it because absenting yourself from your life is simply not a viable option. The Dark Moon occurs twelve times annually, influencing approximately 36 days a year; do not pass up these fleeting opportunities to grow your self and your life. Set aside your apprehension; you are more powerful than you know.

Be a little brave.

Be a little crazy.

Be your truest self.

If not under the protection of Hecate’s Dark Moon, then when???

With love and blessings to you all – be happy, be safe, be well.

((All images courtesy of Google images.))

The following crossed my path this morning; if you are particularly vulnerable or wary during this (or any other) MRx, you may like this common sense advice for avoiding significant pitfalls. Best of luck!

((All images courtesy of Google Images.))

The following was written in May, 2015; I have chosen to republish it here as

• a) a reminder to take MRx in stride,
• b) this is a good time for introspection,  and
• c) a heads-up on the MRx of 2016.

I hope you enjoy it and find it helpful. Happy Retrograde!

If I had written the story:

Chicken Little: THE SKY IS FALLING!!! THE SKY IS FALLING!!!!

Wise Owl: No, Chicken Little. The sky is not falling, the sky is fine. You are fine, sit down and relax. It’s just a little retrograde. 

We hear a great deal about Mercury Retrograde (MRx) and most of it is bad; beware of legal antics, keep the help desk on speed dial, don’t drive further than your own mechanic can tow, duck-and-cover. We allow dread, and sometimes panic, to color our outlook as we prepare to endure until the MRx is over. Worse, there are people who choose this time as a blank check for inconsiderate behaviors to be accepted as unintentional, i.e. “It’s not my fault. Mercury’s in retrograde.”

SILLINESS!!

We need not dread MRx when we can use this time in positive ways. Granted, MRx is not the best time for starting new projects with others as communication and transportation are more challenging (not impossible or fraught with peril – lighten up!). However, MRx is an ideal time for introspection.

• Take a personal inventory: Look for strengths as well as weaknesses within yourself. Feel free to make a list and check it twice, deciding which items need immediate attention, little or no attention, etc.
• Project planning: Do you have a project in mind? Something you would like to begin, or something you would like to revisit? This is a good time to consider projects, and make a plan for the project you choose – the level of detail is up to you. ((WARNING: Do not allow yourself to get lost in minutiae – you are a creator, not a bureaucrat.)
• Always room for improvement: Since you are not living in stasis, you are already doing many things every day, and chances are you could be doing some of them better. Allow yourself to review your habits and patterns – are you doing things well, or easily? The way “it’s always been done” or the best way for you? Do you find joy or dread in the things you do? It is okay to make changes, try new methods, maybe let some things go – your mother’s method is only useful to you if you like it.
• It always feels good to smile: You do not need a reason, just do it; allow your face to lead your body to joy. Smile for yourself, smile to yourself, share it with others if you like but smile, smile, smile.
• Create down time: Allow yourself down time; if you find some MRx dealings too challenging, rest a bit – go for a walk, meditate, take a nap – recharge and return to the task refreshed.

And always keep in mind:

((All images courtesy of Google Images.))

“La plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu’il n’existe pas.”

(Translation: “The devil’s finest trick is to persuade you that he does not exist.” Charles Baudelaire)

First things first, we are not – I repeat, NOT! – discussing the Christian or Catholic idea of the devil. Many tarot artists draw on that symbolism, and it is certainly accepted by many as the basis of the archetype. To this, I say “Phooey!”

“I am good, but not an angel. I do sin, but I am not the devil. I am just a small girl in a big world trying to find someone to love.” Marilyn Monroe

 Nature abhors a vacuum. To this point in tarot, all cards speak to higher selves, better angels, do-gooders; The Devil does not appear until Card XV, and by that point he brings a welcome sense of balance.

I hear you out there, gasping at the idea of The Devil being welcome or bringing balance, but I would like to remind you of the importance of duality (previous seen in The Lovers). Additionally, it is not by coincidence The Devil arrives fast on the heels of Temperance. As spiritual beings having human experiences, we are capable of perfect moments but not of perfection – the human model is not capable of perfection and attempts to become so invariably lead to various forms of madness – and a pressure valve is required.

“The long, dull, monotonous years of middle-aged prosperity or middle-aged adversity are excellent campaigning weather for the devil.”C. S.Lewis

The only true enemy is boredom; we are complex beings with busy minds, and thought cravings will lead to physical cravings in very short order. We will invent problems for ourselves to solve in the absence of actual hardship. The concept of “white people problems” is born from this type of boredom; in the absence of actual problems to solve, inconveniences are given disproportional weight. Is the wrong cup of coffee at Starbucks really worth a melt-down? Of course not! That is the price of unchecked boredom.

“God loves us, but the devil takes an interest.” Jennifer Donnelly

To understand The Devil, we must understand our own humanity; we are spiritual energy beings experiencing a human physical existence. It is that very physical existence that makes us imperfect; we seek physical experiences (pleasures of the flesh!) because The Devil is an integral part of our very humanity. You may not like the sound of that but it is truth nonetheless.

It is time to change your thinking about The Devil. Rather than a troublemaker luring us to doom, consider The Devil a gatekeeper reminding us not to go to far in our pursuit of physical experiences:

• One night of drunken debauchery (no driving, use condoms!!)? No problem – check it off the list – but it was never meant to be a lifestyle so do not try to make it one.
• Eating chocolate cake for breakfast on your birthday? Good for you! Every day? Very bad idea in every way.
• Buy the occasional lottery ticket or attend a monthly poker game? Fabulous – never gamble more than you can afford to live without – and have a great time. Daily trips to the casino or track? That’s addiction and you need help.
• An inappropriate affair with a really hot guy and sex beyond your wildest dreams? YIPPEE!! Ride that wave! But be sure to know the natural conclusion when you get to that point; just as the empty calories of  chocolate cake for breakfast is unhealthy so  too are relationships of no lasting substance.

THE BIG TAKEAWAY: The Devil is our conscience; the stick at the ready when the carrot proves too much rather than not enough.

Thank you so much for reading my blog!!!!

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 1,100 times in 2015. If it were a cable car, it would take about 18 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

((Most of us are facing a four day holiday weekend. This reading covers 12/24/15 (Christmas Eve), 12/25/15 (Christmas Day/Full Moon), 12/26/15, and 12/27/15. Please enjoy.))

((Cards are read left to right, bottom to top. Cards featured: The Steampunk Tarot by Moore and Fell.))

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Food! Family! Presents! Hope! Joy! Love!

Stress…Angst…Anger…Tears…

For the first time since 1977, we have a Cold Moon Christmas!!

The Full Moon in all of her radiant splendor, smiling on us all as we gather and celebrate. And she is in the nick of time, too!

A brilliant poet wrote, “Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.” but he does not remark on how well it will work out for you. As the cards above remind us, this time of year is both joyous and fraught with peril.

No family is perfect and for many, the holidays are a minefield. We have the best intentions – perfect presents, complex recipes, beautiful decorations, spectacular lights, a Martha Stewart-worthy table – but our best intentions can end in disappointment, arguments and tears. In our thoughts, we believe we can make everything perfect; in our hearts, we know love should be enough, so why isn’t it? 

Again, as the cards remind us, no one exists in a vacuum. None of us is the same person we were yesterday, much less last year or when we were eight years old. We walk a path – to each their own and in their own stride – with no obligation to explain ourselves, no need for outside approval…although, we may rather long for it. Why? Because Christmas!

THE GOOD NEWS: YOU CAN HANDLE IT! There is no holiday event (or disaster) you cannot take in stride – you are ready with all of the appropriate tools at hand.

However, you may find some of the events (or battles) tiring to the point of exhaustion. Fortunately, energy is bolstered or replenished with some seasonal self care. The following suggestions are simple, accessible, and quite enjoyable:

Take a sip: So many lovely seasonal drinks! Specialty teas, mulled cider, hot chocolate, flavored coffees, EGG NOG!! These festive cups may be served simply (hot cider warmed with a cinnamon stick), slightly dressed (spiced tea with an orange rind, cinnamon stick and honey), or completely over the top (hot chocolate with marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles and candy cane). No matter what you choose, take a moment to savor the season in peace and quiet.  

Light the candles: Candles brighten your space both inside and out; choose color, or texture, or fragrance, or container, or whatever appeals to you, and light them. LIGHT THEM! Candles are not made for show. Light them, enjoy them, and allow yourself the warmth of spirit they are eager to convey. 

No guests required: If you are “saving” anything beautiful, comfortable, luxurious, or meaningful for “company,” STOP IT!! Since you absolutely cannot take them with you, enjoy such things now. The wonderful items of your home are actually meant for you first; use the french-milled soap and fluffy towels for your own bath, have a glass of wine in your fine crystal.   

Soak your head (and all the rest of you!): Water is critical to rejuvenation both inside and out. Drink water as you must (consider adding mint or cilantro leaves, lime or cucumber slices, whatever you like); enjoy a bubble bath (add a bit of lavender gel or rose oil to soothe your senses as well as your skin) but if time is at issue, take a hot shower (add a few minutes of deep breathing at both the beginning and the end of your usual routine). Need to scrub off some bad energy? Add some salt (sea salt preferred but table salt will do)  to your regular shower gel, scrub away the negativity and release its stress right down the drain.  

Wear it with pride: Add some holiday whimsy to your wardrobe – silly socks, jingle bell bracelet, sparkly sweater, whatever – and wear it with all the festive joy of the season. If you like it, you wear it. Do not be concerned with anyone else’s “taste” in holiday adornments. Celebrate your own way. 

Enjoy the tree: The simplest of the self-care suggestions; enjoy the tree. It is a temporary art installation in your own home; sit beside it and enjoy it as much as you like, perhaps listening to holiday music and nursing a seasonal beverage of your own design. (REMINDER: Do not be distracted: no television, no computer, no phone. The real world can wait.)

A very Merry Christmas to you all!!

And a Happy New Year!!

((All images courtesy of Google Images.))