Today's Oracle 19th March 2021

 Hag, the Initiator (Beginnings)

The hag initiates change and transformation, and signals the potential for significant change and transformation in relationships and the affairs of everyday life. Her often terrifying appearance is a test of your readiness for change.

Invoking Readiness for Change.

IF YOU ARE DRAWN TO THIS ORACLE, the hag may be testing your readiness for change. Her presence signals the potential for significant shifts in business and professional life, relationships, and the affairs of everyday living. New beginnings are possible. While the hag's outward appearance may be ghastly, welcoming her signals your readiness for a shift in awareness and fortunes. Anything may happen if you embrace such an unlikely stranger across the threshold of your life.

In Irish myth, a ghastly hag symbolizes the sovereign goddess of Ireland in the quest for the rightful heir and king. Through her, he is joined to the land. When the hag mates with the rightful heir, she signals his sovereignty by becoming a lovely maiden. In Irish and Scottish folk tales, the hag gives birth to the mountains and valleys, hills and rocks, and the various creatures of the land. The hag tests and initiates beginnings and rightful change.

The powerful hag is one of the three aspects of the Triple-Mother Goddess, the sovereign goddess of the land. Typically old and yet ageless, her terrifying appearance tests the readiness of kings and heroes. In Irish, Welsh, and Scottish legends, she enchants her "chosen" heroes with magical powers and confounds and hounds any who spurn her advances. Her shape is spine- tinglingly horrid and yet radiant, as captured in a contemporary poem, originally composed in Gaelic, by Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill:

"She stood naked in the dark, her palms cold like luminous fish on my shoulders:

her hips flashing fire beneath the two moons of her breasts.

I sank my head in her sea-weed hair and bitter waves of sea bruised and battered me, our white-horse waves rusted to rats: all became empurpled.

In the morning waking my head aching I saw sallow scales encrusted her and rotten teeth from the abyss snarled at me and hissed.

I took my awl and last and left the place fast!"

In approaching this goddess, the Irish kings were chosen. By legend, the reign of the U1 Neill, descendants of Niall, was initiated by the blessing of the goddess of sovereignty, the hag. Though the youngest of the five sons of the king, Niall became the king of Ireland from 379-405. As the story is told in an early fifth-century manuscript, Niall and his four brothers were out hunting in the forest and were overwhelmed by thirst. One by one, each brother comes upon a pool of water guarded by a hideous hag. She offers each a drink in exchange for a kiss and each one flees at her dreadful appearance, except for Niall. He kisses the crone and makes love to her. As they kiss, the hag becomes the loveliest of maidens, her face like the radiance of the sun - none other than the goddess of sovereignty herself.

Folk tales in Ireland, Wales, and Scotland abound in stories about the hag, the "Mountain Mother," the "Great Old One," or the Cailleach in Gaelic. Striding across the land, she "lets fall from her skirts" the natural features and creatures of the land. In Ireland, many tales tell of benevolent hags, loathsome hags, hags saved by saints from peril, and hags who turn to hares and turn back into an old neighbour woman again when caught milking the cows!

Life presents many situations that are unsettling, even abhorrent. When troubles arise, they may represent the presence of the hag, artfully disguised. There is no way to prepare for her, except to watch for her presence. She has come to test your nerve and willingness for living in a new way. Welcoming her many manifestations signals a ready and awakened consciousness. Having crossed the threshold of danger, many things - anything - is possible.

Today's Oracle 18th March 2021

Tír na nÓg (Blessed Isle to the West)

The Tír na nÓg is one of many blessed and magical isles to the west. It is the land of the forever young, revelling in beauty, merriment, and harmony. Its qualities are joy, pleasure, peace, and blessing.

Invoking the Qualities of Harmony, Peace, and Blessing.

IF YOU ARE DRAWN TO THIS ORACLE, you are becoming more aware of the simple and delightful pleasures of living. The blessings of a land "flowing with milk and honey" in your own terms are coming into your life. Long-held tensions, grudges, hurts, and fears are losing their hold on you. Personal and professional conflicts are being resolved. Harmony and contentment are replacing disappointment and loss. Your life's work is beginning to manifest in clear and concrete ways.

The blessed isles lie off the west coasts of Ireland and Scotland, as if to follow . - the sun in its homeward path. At the coming of the Celts to Ireland, the ancient Tuatha De Danann take shelter there. In The Voyage of Bran, Bran and his men wander the seas in search of the Island of Women, a land revelling in harmony, beautiful women, and merriment. In the Fionn Cycle, the young champion Oisín and the princess Niamh of the Golden Hair ride on the sea as if it were a plain to Tir na nÓg, the Land of the Forever Young.

The sanctity of islands to the west harkens back to a mythic time. Dozens of lake islands and islands off the coasts of Scotland and Ireland are revered as sites of homage and pilgrimage, associated with monasteries and abbeys in our time. The prospect of enchanted islands, beckoning the youthful and the adventurous, appearing and disappearing from sight, riding on shining pedestals to glisten in the sun, singing with music to sweeten the air, and bestowing gifts on the virtuous and forsaken has long inspired the Celtic imagination. "West of the sun," for example, is the island of Iona, St. Columba's (Colm Cille) holy strand.

The isles go by many names: Tír fo Thoinn, the Land Under the Waves; Tír Nam Beo, the Land of the Living; Tiirn Ail, the Otherworld; Magh Mór, the Great Plain; Magh Meall, the Pleasant Plain; Tir Tairngire, the Plain of Happiness. Tir na nÓg, the Land of the Forever Young, is a delightful place fit for myths and legends.

Bran mac Feabhail is feasting with his chiefs when a beautiful woman appears from nowhere. She is so lovely that "the company held its breath." Turning toward Bran, she begins to sing:

"I bring [an apple] branch of [the Isle of the Happy], In shape like those you know.

Twigs of white silver are upon it, buds of crystal with blossoms.

There is a distant isle, around which sea-horses glisten.

A fair course against the white-swelling surge Four pedestals uphold it....

Unknown is wailing or treachery In the homely well-tilled land.

There is nothing rough or harsh, But sweet music striking the ear.

Without grief, without gloom, without death, without any sickness or debility -

That is the sign of [the Isle of the Happy]. Uncommon is the like of such a marvel."

She admonishes Bran to stop feasting and drinking wine, and asks him to journey across the crystal sea westward to the blessed isle.

Similarly, in the Fionn Cycle from Ireland, Finn and his men, the Fianna, are resting in Lough Lene in Kerry after the bitter battle of Gowra. In the mist of the May morning, Finn and his men send out their dogs to hunt, when suddenly a lovely young woman gallops toward them on a willowy white horse. She is so beautiful that they hold their breath as one. She is Niamh of the Golden Hair and her father is king of Tir na nÓg, the Land of the Forever Young. She tells Finn that she has come because she loves one of his sons, Oisín. So fair is he that rumours have reached all the way to Tir na nÓg. Beckoning Oisín to follow her, she recounts the island's delights:

"You will never fall ill or grow old there. In my country you will never die. Trees grow tall there and trees bend low with fruit. The land flows with honey and wine, as much as you could ever want.... As well as all of this you will get beauty, strength and power. And me for your wife."

Oisín bids his father, Finn, and all his friends farewell. The horse neighs three times and carries them across the sea, the waves parting before them.

True paradise is a state of grace. No one can give you joy or take it away. No circumstance can deprive you of your dignity or value. No dream come true is necessarily better than the delight and opportunity to dream. No accord, contract, job, relationship, possession, privilege, or status is better than your inmost vision of yourself, the paradise of being fully content and satisfied. In the Celtic imagination, such a blessing is westward, in the direction of the sun's journey homeward, inward to itself, deep within the pleasures of being fabulously alive.

Today's Oracle 17th March 2021

 Cernunnos, Antlered god (Lord of the Animals)

God and guardian of the animal realm, Cernunnos' authority is heralded by wearing the antlers of the deer. He provides sustenance and protection for the animals under his care. His qualities are generosity and magnanimity.

Invoking the Qualities of Generosity and Magnanimity.

IF YOU ARE DRAWN TO THIS ORACLE, you may not think of yourself as regal, as having a noble character; yet this capacity is developing within you. Others are already looking to you for strength, support, and guidance, even if you are not aware of your influence on them and your importance in their eyes. The "others" may be your children, employees, friends, partners, family, or neighbours. If you are not in a position of great external authority, your character is nonetheless leaving a strong impression on those around you. If your meditation has been strong, your spiritual maturity may be garnering such strength that it is beginning to show in your actions and presence.

As Lord of the Animals, Cernunnos provides refuge, sustenance, and well- being for the animals of the great forests of Europe. Majestically portrayed on the Gundestrup Cauldron, the antlered Cernunnos sits cross-legged on the ground next to a great stag. Cernunnos also appears intimately allied with the mother goddesses, carrying cornucopiae and offering bowls of fruit and grain to animals. The sovereign Cernunnos signifies generosity and magnanimity toward those he protects.

As early as the fourth century B.C., Cernunnos appears in rock drawings from the Camonica Valley of northern Italy. Cernunnos's authority is heralded by his great antlers, signifying his lordship among the animals of the forest of Europe. Through the centuries, his symbols - antlers of a great stag, Celtic jewelry called torcs, and the ram-horned snake remained remarkably consistent. Drawn on cave walls by Iron Age Celts, he appears robed and standing, and arrayed with great antlers, torcs on both arms, and a ram-horned snake at his side. On the Gundestrup Cauldron, Cernunnos's portrayal is regal: he sits cross-legged on the ground like a hunter, grasping a tore in one hand and a ram-horned snake against his face in the other. He is surrounded by a bull, hound, boar, and otherworldly animals. A stag with identical antlers stands beside him, as though mirroring his image as an animal.

Extending his sovereignty to include imagery usually associated with the mother goddesses, Roman-Celtic statues of Cernunnos show him carrying abundant cornucopias, feeding animals, and offering grain or coins from a bag.'' Like the mother goddess, also common at this time, Cernunnos extends his protection to include the growth of crops and the health and well-being of animals and humans alike.

His best-known image comes from Lady Charlotte Guest's rendering of "The Lady of the Fountain," included in her translation of the Mabinogion. Cernunnos appears as the potent Lord of the Animals:

"Sleep here tonight, and in the morning arise early, and take the road upwards through the valley until thou ... comest to a large sheltered glade with a mound in the centre. And thou wilt see a black man of great stature on the top of the mound. He is not smaller than two men of this world. He has but one foot, and one eye in the middle of his forehead. And he has a club of iron. .. . And he is not a comely man, but on the contrary he is exceedingly ill favoured; and he is the Woodward of that wood.

And thou wilt see a thousand wild animals grazing all around him....

And the next morning I arose ... and proceeded straight through the valley to that wood.... And there was I three times more astonished at the number of wild animals.... And the black man was there, sitting upon the top of the mound. Huge of stature as the man had told me....

Then I asked him what power he had over the animals.... And he took his club in his hand, and with it he struck a stag so great a blow that it brayed vehemently, and at his braying the animals came together, as numerous as the stars in the sky, so that it was difficult for me to find room in the glade to stand among them. There were serpents, and dragons and divers sorts of animals. And [the black man] looked at them, and bade them go and feed; and they bowed their heads, and did him homage as vassals to their lord."

Generosity comes from confidence and magnanimity from strength, an inner knowledge that life will always be filled up and replenished anew. More and more, your actions are spontaneous and unaffected. By responding to the needs of others unselfconsciously, you are participating in the natural urge of creation to increase in generosity and love.

Today's Oracle 16th March 2021

 Nymphs (Healing)

The nymph like goddesses of healing springs are sometimes nurturing and soothing, or playfully erotic. They bring healing and loving attention to our physical bodies. Their qualities include the giving and receiving of intimacy.

Invoking the Qualities of Intimate and Loving Attention.

IF YOU ARE DRAWN TO THIS ORACLE, you want to renew your physical well-being. You may have particular physical ailments. Emotional trauma may also be impairing your health and vitality. You may desire more passion and intimacy in your relationships or in your sexual life. You may be preparing for a life transition requiring greater health and stamina.

Healing springs are associated with the healing properties of youthful goddesses, commonly personified as young, playful nymphs. Pilgrims gather around the bubbling waters, making prayers and offerings to a favoured goddess. Children and adults bathe in the curative pools. Women sleep near pools thought to cure barrenness and convey fertility. The best-known nymph is Coventina, who signifies loving and healing attention to our physical needs.

Thousands of curative springs dot the landscape of continental Europe and the British Isles. Like caves, burial mounds, subterranean passages, the shores of lakes, and islands to the west, natural springs are gateways to the Otherworld. Each spring is an orifice - a mouth or vagina - of the mother goddess, a gateway to the realm of the goddess. Though each spring is a repository of the goddess's abundance, the goddess manifests her nature a bit differently in every spring. Like a woman with many attributes to give to life, the attributes conjoined in a single spring are found nowhere else on the surface of the earth.

Natural springs inspired healing and replenishment. Many springs were known to cure barrenness in women, so women went to sleep there, and probably lovers went to the pools together seeking fertility. Some springs in particular were playful meeting places for family and friends, especially in the warm months of summer. Great numbers of pilgrims and relatives prayed at them to propitiate the goddess's favour. The pools near natural springs, particularly thermal springs, also inspired leisure and recreation. When sleeping overnight by the pools, the pilgrims were encouraged to rest and dream the answers to their queries.

In northwest Spain, southern Gaul, and Britain, the spring goddess Coventina was revered, with the height of ritual activity taking place in the late second and early third century, prior to the edict that made such rites illegal in areas under Roman authority. On one stone, Coventina is a nymph, shown resting on waves lapping against a riverbank, waving a water lily playfully in the air with one hand and poising her other arm on an upturned jug of water. At Carrawburgh, along Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, she is portrayed as a triple nymph. Akin to images of the Triple-Mother Goddess, the face of the three images varies slightly, but her imagery otherwise is standard. She appears semi-nude, pouring a jug of water on the ground with one hand and holding another jug aloft in the other. Over sixteen thousand coins have been found in her well, a level of ritual offerings higher than that at the thermal springs at Aquae Sulis in Bath, England. Other offerings found include jewelry, bits of glass, bone, metal, and leather. Supplicants came to offer prayers and petitions, bathe in the pools, drink from the well, and leave offerings to accompany their prayers.

The presence of the playful nymph signals the healing of physical distress and the replenishment of vitality. Key to receiving the gifts of her presence is your willingness to receive intimacy and love and to play and frolic. She wants you to have fun, relax, and enjoy life. A healing vacation near water or at a spa may be especially helpful. If you have the opportunity to move to a new home, you might consider living near a river or stream. Professional activities can certainly recede into the background for a while. Perhaps you have been working too hard. Perhaps at this time in your life you need to pause and refresh your physical resources. Perhaps you are approaching retirement, a change in activities or environment, or preparing to give birth to a child. Whatever your situation, this oracle invites you to renew your physical well-being and restore passion, eroticism, and wonder to the physical and sensual activities of daily life.

THE CURRENT QUALITY OF TIME March 2021

THE CURRENT QUALITY OF TIME March 2021

Mercury Communication is the big theme this month. Mars enters the wordy sign of Gemini on March 4, and Mercury is conjunct Jupiter in Aquarius on March 5. There is a lot being communicated, discussed and opined. Some of it may well be important. However, in the flood of information it is sometimes difficult to separate the substantial from the banal.

As the month progresses, words could increasingly be taken very seriously and assessed in an overly sensitive manner, especially in the days around the Pisces New Moon on March 13, which could make people somewhat thin-skinned. The Sun, Moon, Venus and Neptune are then close together, and even insensitive natures are then more often in danger of confusing subliminal messages with what is actually being said. These are lucid days that invite you to deal with your dreams, hopes and spiritual needs. It is advisable to consciously distance yourself from negativity during this time and to avoid putting unnecessary strain on your immune system.

Aries On March 20, the Sun enters Aries. This is the equinox. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is the beginning of spring and the start of the astrological year. The Sun in impulsive Aries calls for bold and fearless forward progress. Venus follows the Sun on March 21 and is conjunct it until the end of March. Mars in Gemini and Mercury in Pisces are in tension with each other. Discussions and arguments now take place in a field of tension between belief and knowledge, whereby it is often somewhat unclear whether what is supposedly known is merely believed.

Neptune At the Libra Full Moon on March 28, the Sun is in close conjunction with Venus and Chiron, and Mars is in conjunction with the Moon's Node. Illnesses and old wounds may once again show themselves clearly at this time, necessitating decisive action. The following conjunction of Mercury with Neptune on March 30 indicates that the facts could continue to be very unclear. Honest attempts to actively improve the situation may prove more difficult than expected.

Right or Wrong

 Is the Outcome Right or Wrong?

As a Tarot reader, do you ever ask yourself the question, "How many readings did I get right today?" or "how many were wrong?" Right or wrong, who told you which, the client, another Tarot reader, yourself or don't you know? Whatever the outcome of any one individual reading then only the future can answer the question but if the reading is divinatory then surely the client can make the relevant changes on the advice given to them from the reader. Therefore any choice's made by the client may be entirely different from the outcome of that one individual reading. Free will could raise its beautiful head and the client may approach the question or issue from an entirely different angle after having a reading and the outcome could be completely opposite from the reading and yet very positive for the clients' outcome.

If it is a predictive reading using oracles, for example, using a Lenormand deck, the outcome must be accurate otherwise the outcome or answer would be incorrect and so would the reading. How many readers get accurate and honest feedback from every client and every reading they have ever done? I would say, very few and if they do or did, how can they prove it.

Far too many people treat the Tarot reading as a throw-away gesture these days, it has lost its history and background to modernity, today's society can have a tendency to use once then throw it away and get a new replacement, which is near enough everything that we use. Tarot readers are ten-a-penny, if that one doesn't work then try another one or is it more like, if that one doesn't give me the answer that I want, there's another dozen on the same street or website.

When you go for your next or even very first Tarot reading just give some thought to why you need a complete stranger to know your most inner feelings and worries, who is the most experienced, honest, reliable, hard working and will give you the time and effort that you deserve.

When a Tarot reader gives advice to the client there will always be consequences.

Learn Tarot

 Watch this introduction to see how to enroll on my FREE Tarot course then click on the link below to fill out the enrollment form.

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THE CURRENT QUALITY OF TIME

 THE CURRENT QUALITY OF TIME FEB 2021

Aquarius

With Saturn and Jupiter in Aquarius, a few landmarks have already been set in recent weeks that foreshadow where the collective journey is headed. In the first three weeks of February, not only these two social planets are characterized by the freedom-loving and free-thinking Aquarian energy, but also the Sun, Mercury and Venus. Surprising and unorthodox developments in social, political and technological areas can be expected during this time. As the last air sign in the zodiac, Aquarius is considered the archetype of the humanitarian, unconventional and sometimes rebellious person. It is a good time to try new things.

Taurus

The antithesis to this experimental mood in February is mainly Mars and Uranus in Taurus. Mars shows little willingness to make quick changes and ensures that good ideas must be implemented in agreement with reality. Beware of reckless assertion of your wishes and claims, the reactions of those affected could be unusually violent.

The days around the Aquarius New Moon of February 11 are promising. Venus and Jupiter - the small and the great fortune - are in exact conjunction at 12° Aquarius. In the following two days, Mercury, still retrograde, joins them. It is a "make a wish" constellation that can actually bring serendipity, breakthroughs and deep insights here and there. Love relationships can experience an intensification during this time.

The integration of these manifold and enriching experiences is supported by the quality of time of the following days, even if here and there the difference between wish and reality might become overly obvious. On February 17, Saturn squares Uranus in Taurus, the first of three squares this year. Many of the original and creative ideas of the past few weeks are now undergoing their first reality check.

Pisces

The Sun enters the sensitive sign of Pisces on February 18, Venus squares Mars on the 20th, and Mercury ends its retrograde phase on the 21st. Venus also enters Pisces on the 25th, and Mars makes a trine to Pluto at the same time. The lofty and sometimes unrealistic plans of the previous weeks must now be brought into harmony with your own spiritual and emotional experience. Don't be discouraged if you didn't get quite as far as you had hoped. Sometimes a step back is useful to get a more comprehensive view.

The Chicken or the Egg?

What came first? The Tarot or Playing Cards.

I am often asked this question and it is very difficult to answer as there really isn’t an answer, purely because, nobody actually knows unless they could travel back in time and solve this puzzle. Many, many writers and scholars of the subject believe they have the answer to which came first and can prove it but then along comes someone else who says they can disprove it and this will carry on until the end of time. That is, unless time travel is invented and I am pretty sure that nobody will travel back in time just to find out who was right and who was wrong.

Therefore I am going to give some historic facts and theories to try to put people's minds at rest and let them decide for themselves.

Let’s go back a few thousand years to the Egyptians, Indians and Chinese peoples of our plant. Many of the Taroists of the 19th century believed through their own research along with fellow colleagues of the time that some kind of symbolism was being used in religion, spiritualism, magic and other occult systems and it was also used for the foretelling of the future, things to come, and fortune. Now as we all know, nobody can see the actual and factual future because if they could then they would be very rich and famous, and certainly rule the human race. This is fact and undoubtedly reality. I am a realist and believe in nothing except the truth, facts, seeing, touching and communicating with reality. If I honestly believe something works to improve someone's life in any way then I would use it. Back to the subject in hand. I said that I would give you some historic facts, well I could copy and paste thousands of words but I’m not, instead I will give you as many links as I know of that will explain how and where Tarot originated. These links will give you the information required to not only understand the theories these occultists believed in but also how they themselves argued amongst themselves ultimately trying to be the first one who could prove that they had found the answers to all the questions.

Links and References

The Pictorial Key to the Tarot

by A.E. Waite [1911]

This is the essential Tarot reference by the designer of probably, the best known Tarot deck.

The Tarot of the Bohemians

by Papus; tr. A. P Morton, [1896]

This is a detailed study of the esoteric roots of the Tarot. I have some suspicions about the actual claims that Papus makes in this document.

The Tarot

by S.L. MacGregor Mathers [1888]

This is a short essay on the Tarot, by a prominent occultist of the 19th Century. Mathers also wrote The Kabbalah Unveiled.

The Symbolism of the Tarot

by P. D. Ouspensky [1913]

An evocative inner journey through the Major Arcana of the Tarot.

General Book of the Tarot

by A.E. Thierens [1930]

A system of correspondences between the Tarot and Astrology.

Fortune Telling by Cards

by P.R.S. Foli [1915]

Several methods of telling fortunes with a standard deck of playing cards.

The Tarot.org Library

An electronic library with some of the most fundamental Authors on Tarot. Loads more links in here. 

Needs and Wants (Tarot spread)

 Needs and Wants (Tarot spread)

Introduction

This spread is based on a spread I used for many years. It asks what the person's

(NEEDS and WANTS) are. So asking the questions what do you really NEED?

Versus what do you actually WANT?

The NEEDS are a necessity whereas the WANTS are purely desire and materialistic.

The cards are laid-out in the following sequence:-

4-1-5

6-2-7

8-3-9

This spread can be used in many ways to find out about a person or a thing, such as, buying a house

or a new car. A new enterprise or business that requires many questions to be asked. Comparisons

and much more.

THE CURRENT QUALITY OF TIME

 THE CURRENT QUALITY OF TIME for Dec 2020 and into 2021

After a difficult year, the longing for better times is probably greater than ever. We find ourselves in a phase of great social change. There will hardly be a way back to an "old" normality. But the year 2021 will offer us many opportunities to make visions concrete and lay the foundations for a new beginning. It will be under the influence of Saturn and Jupiter in Aquarius and the aspects that the two social planets form in the course of the year to the revolutionary Uranus in Taurus. It is a time of renewal, in which some things could develop quite differently than expected. We are all called upon to courageously face the demands of the time and to shape the new actively and with common sense.

Jupiter, Uranus, Aquarius already in January, there are astrological aspects that will set the tone for the whole year. At the beginning of the month, it is Mercury who lives up to his function as messenger of the gods. On January 5, he is in conjunction with Pluto, on January 8, he enters Aquarius and then between January 9 and 13, he forms a square to Mars, a conjunction with Saturn and Jupiter, and a square to Uranus. In these days, repressed or secret stories could come into focus. Some of them may be sufficiently explosive to have a significant impact on the events of the following weeks and months.

In the days around the Capricorn New Moon on January 13, the quality of time becomes increasingly intense. The Sun and Moon are in conjunction with Pluto, Mars in Taurus forms a square to Saturn. On the 14th, Uranus in Taurus ends its long period of retrograde motion (since August 2020). Like a stone that has started rolling down a mountain slope, certain events can no longer be stopped. It is a confrontational time, in which true strength can show itself, but also many things could become difficult.

Jupiter, Uranus, Aquarius In the second half of the month, events accelerate under the influence of Uranus aspects. The first and most important of these is the square with Jupiter on January 17. It is the beginning of a phase of sudden and unexpected events and a development with an uncertain outcome, but which usually brings a turn for the better. Mars is in conjunction with Uranus from January 18 to 22, together with the Moon (on January 21) and Lilith, and then forms a square with Jupiter on January 23. The Sun, which is in conjunction with Saturn in Aquarius on the 24th, then forms a square with Uranus on the 26th. It is a time with revolutionary potential and surprising events. It could be the beginning of a phase of fundamental and lasting shifts in power that will decisively shape the further development of the year. There could also be breakthroughs in the technological field, but also possible malfunctions with consequences. The World Wide Web is particularly exposed in this respect, as its birth horoscope (https://www.astro.com/astro-databank/World_Wide_Web) is experiencing its first Saturn return during this period and is now being tested for its inner stability.

At the end of the month, perhaps a first conclusion can be drawn, which gives us a glimpse of where the further development could lead. On January 28, there is a Full Moon in Leo. The Sun will join with Jupiter (on the 29th), Mars will be in conjunction with Lilith and Uranus and in square with the Full Moon axis, and Venus in conjunction with Pluto. Those who had the will and power to create precedents can now stand in the light for a moment. But the voices of those who feel they have lost should be heard, for further schisms could lead to serious problems later in the year. Moreover, on January 30, Mercury begins his retrograde phase, which lasts until February 21. During this period, the events of January must be consolidated and reviewed.

Paul Stamets

 Paul Stamets

Paul Edward Stamets (born July 17, 1955) is an American mycologist and entrepreneur who sells various mushroom products through his company. He is an author and advocate of medicinal fungi and mycoremediation.

Paul Stamets

The Beeman

Terence McKenna

 Turning the tide

Terence McKenna giving a talk on psychedelics.

If you are interested in Terence McKenna, psychedelics, mushrooms, Peyote, Ayahuasca and other hallucinogenic plants click this link Terence McKenna page

COVID19 12 Oct

 How simple can this be?

How simple and straightforward can providing a solution and strategy to control the COVID19 virus is illustrated by Doctor Bharat Pankhania who is a senior lecturer in epidemiologist at Exeter's medical school. Dr Pankhania was being interviewed by the BBC just prior to PM Boris Johnson speaking to MPs in parliament this afternoon.

The PM who outlined the latest government 3 tier strategy was heavily criticised by the Labour leader for failing with every new strategy the government had used and failed since the epidemic started.

Here is the interview from Dr Pankhania.

The strategy he proposes is simple and workable in so many ways. So why is he not giving Boris advice instead of the stooges he has employed to give him all the wrong solutions?

October to December 2020

 Introduction

This traditional Twelve House Spread includes astrological keywords (in parenthesis) for the houses, signs, planets, elements and qualities. Also included is the sun timing for entry into each house. I am focusing on the last 3 months of 2020 and have also produced a full 12 month reading which includes the first 9 months of 2021, starting in January. Because of the timing overlaps of the houses I have to show 4 houses, 7 to 10 inclusive which covers the last 3 months of 2020.

The Upright and Reversed Associations are based on whether the card is placed upright or reversed when dealing. All cards were dealt upright but both meanings are relevant to the house that it has been placed in and based on the Yin Yang principles of good/bad, black/white, right/wrong etc. When confronted with a dilemma such as Covid-19 you must take all aspects of the situations to determine some kind of assemblance out of the chaos which has been unleashed on the world. Once you introduce all the human aspects to these types of situations there is no guaranteed positive or negative outcomes, only more chaos.

SEVENTH HOUSE – Marriage and Partnership “I BALANCE”: The Seventh House (partnerships, marriage, conflicts, identification within a group), is an Angular House (action, motivation). It is ruled by Libra the Scales (balance, order, justice, sometimes unemotional), with the element of Air (communication, intellectualism) and is a Cardinal sign (outgoing, social, lack follow-through on projects). Libra is ruled by the planet Venus (romance, beauty, artistry, sociability). Timing: about September 23 - October 22.

Knight of Coins

Keywords: future projects and ventures, offers of some kind.

Description: The Knight or Prince of Coins has two meanings. The first indicates a young man who is very practical. The second indicates further development of a material venture which, if handled correctly, could bring about future projects.

Upright Associations: Practical, sensuous, patient, methodical, progress. Sensible course, dependability, industriousness, hard work, conviction. Beneficial science, finding meaning, nature.

Reversed Associations: Confusion, missing vision, instability, greed, indolence. Apathy, material preoccupation, inactivity, tiredness, necessary inner turning.

The timing is one of the main points of interest, in that it focuses not only on the 7th house but also the later part of September and most of October and so enters an entirely new era for each and everyone of us. The 7th has indicated "balance" which has not been around since lockdown was ended. If we don't heed the rules then the (RA words) above must surely come into play and if they manifest into reality then hope may be lost in our fight against this deadly virus. The (UA words) above are the positive outcome and are telling us what has to be achieved in the coming months. If we disregard this offer that the card offers then we only have ourselves to blame.

EIGHTH HOUSE – Death and Regeneration “I DESIRE”: The Eighth House (transformation, regeneration, sexuality, death and taxes, psychic ability), is a Succedent House (resources, stability). It is ruled by Scorpio the Scorpion (passionate, emotional, persistent, intense, obstinate, unyielding), with the element of Water (emotion, intuition) and is a Fixed sign (persistence, predictable, inflexible, stubborn). Scorpio is ruled by the planet Pluto (destiny, redemption, power, afterlife, good and evil). Timing: about October 23 - November 21.

Ace of Wands

Keywords: new beginnings, job possibilities, optimism, life start, promotion and new ventures.

Description: The Ace of Wands is the beginning of any creative venture or business pursuit. It indicates optimism and invention, as well as new opportunities and directions.

Upright Associations: A new venture, the initiation of prosperity, happiness, pleasure. Optimism, creative energy, potency, adventure.

Reversed Associations: A bad beginning, missing opportunities, need to wait, frustration. Creatively blocked, lacking energy, need to re-motivate.

Astrological Correspondence: None. 

Keywords: new beginnings, job possibilities, optimism, life start, promotion and new ventures. Description: The Ace of Wands is the beginning of any creative venture or business pursuit. It indicates optimism and invention, as well as new opportunities and directions.

By the time we reach the 8th house and nothing has changed for the better, if our situations are becoming worse, this card is giving us the chance to turn things around, it's not too late. Take a long look at the (Keywords) and (Description), we can reverse the negativity caused by this virus.

NINTH HOUSE – Mental Exploration “I SEE”: The Ninth House (philosophy, religion, law, long journeys, higher education, publishing, in-laws), is a Cadent House (diversification). It is ruled by Sagittarius the Archer (energetic, ambitious, generous, freedom-loving, an explorer), with the element of Fire (aggression, leadership) and is a Mutable sign (adaptable, too changeable). Sagittarius is ruled by the planet Jupiter (philosophy, religion, higher education, expansion). Timing: about November 22 - December 21.

Judgement

Astrological Correspondence: Pluto 

Keywords: judgement, resurrection, healing, music, good news, revelation.

Description: The Judgement card represents the judgement day or awakening call heralding a rite of passage. As one cycle comes to an end we need to prepare for a new stage in our development, the future is waiting. Now is the time when past efforts yield positive results, when we can reap the rewards, when we realise that we are drawn in a new direction and recognise our true calling. In it's positive meaning the Judgement card reminds us that through honesty and true reflection we can realise where we have erred on our path and that we need to forgive ourselves to regain a feeling of self-worth and accomplishment.

Upright Associations: Awakening, revival, the good life, health, mental agility, accomplishment, perfection. Summing up, spiritual calling, transformation.

Placed in a negative situation Judgement symbolises indecision, a fear of letting go, remorse, and regret, and imbalance, imprisonment.

Reversed Associations: Hesitation, denying change, poor judgement. indecision. Stagnation, closing off spiritually, needs to evaluate your direction.

This is our judgement for the past year on how we have reacted not only to this terrible virus but to one another. Disrespect, self-appointed righteousness and absolute disregard for others, this is our legacy to our future generations. If we don't change our attitudes then we have failed the children of tomorrow. You only have to read about what this card means to understand what is to become to humanities future.

TENTH HOUSE – Career “I USE”: The Tenth House (profession, status, worldly ambitions, people in power over you), is an Angular House (action, motivation). It is ruled by Capricorn the Goat (reserved, prudent, patient, cunning, acquisitive, determined), with the element of Earth (practicality, organization) and is a Cardinal sign (outgoing, social, lack follow-through on projects). Capricorn is ruled by the planet Saturn (discipline, responsibility, limitations, restrictions, karma). Timing: about December 22 - January 19.

Page of Wands

Astrological Correspondence: (Sagittarius)

Keywords: good news is on it's way, the messenger, friend, psychic message.

Description: The Page or Princess of Wands quite often indicates a young, energetic person will come into the picture to bring some sort of discord.

Upright Associations: Dependable, infectious enthusiasm for life, a lively disposition. Daring action, inventive, striking out in the world.

Reversed Associations: Bad news, a lack of decision, disruptions, rash communications, frazzled. Leaving safety for the unknown.

Finally the planet Saturn, our teacher, appears to warn of what could be, if all the right and positive changes are made. On a personal note, I don't think we have learned anything and the new year will be the same as the last and maybe even worse.

This is not a prediction it is just a warning for the whole of humanity.

The splinters in the finger of society.

 It's 2020, the year of the Covid-19 pandemic. So how has this changed the attitudes of our society? Not very much, is the answer. People are still selfish, materialistic, greedy, disrespectful and down right undeserving of any praise or merit. Disillusionment has set in leaving the needy and vulnerable without any hope of a brighter future. Is there no end to depravity or can society change for the better, we have walked a very long road to get here, to a place where life is not worth living and any prospects are just too low for many of us.

How did we get here and why have we left so many behind? It's time to look in the mirror and ask ourselves who we really are. I am no saint and neither are many others out there, so what do you see when you look into a mirror, are you one of the splinters in the finger of society?

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Today's Oracle 3rd May 2020

Today's Oracle 3rd May 2020

Ace of Cups

Ace of Cups

Astrological Correspondence: None.

Keywords: love, birth, creation.

Description: The Ace of Cups indicates the potential for happiness exists in the
situation in question. The soil has been fertilised and now only loving care is needed to
bring about fulfillment. The start of love, inspired creativity that is nurtured by
fruitfulness and happy times. Artistic excellence, a love affair, marriage, betrothal or a
birth. All affairs of the heart will prosper.

Upright Associations: The beginning or essence of love, joy, inner beauty, or good health. Kindness, peace, sensitivity, art, poetry.