Tag Archives: spirituality

Week of August 1st: Harvest festival LAMMAS

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carl-haag-druidess-with-mistletoe-1868

CURRENTLY:
Sun at 11 Leo (in rulership, very strong)
Mercury at 14 Leo
Venus at 15 Virgo (in detriment. No Venus Magick now)
Mars at 3 Virgo
Jupiter RETROGRADE at 29 Aquarius
Saturn RETROGRADE at 10 Aquarius (rulership)
Neptune RETROGRADE at 22 Pisces (rulership)
Pluto RETROGRADE at 25 Capricorn
North Node at 8 Gemini

Mars joined Venus in Virgo last week, and now we’re busy organizing our lives. In Virgo, Mars lets go of his armor and becomes a specialist who makes lists and gets things done. There is amazing focus available to us right now, as well as attention to detail. Virgo wants to be of service by providing a practical way of reaching our goals, without losing track of the details (or ourselves). Avoid nit-picking arguments and being overly critical of your efforts. Mars and Venus in Virgo can be cranky and irritable.

We begin this week with a balsamic, fallow Moon, building towards a New Moon at 16 Leo next Sunday. Leading up to this New Moon, we have an opportunity to release our laziness, procrastination, and fears of the future (i.e. Sun in Leo). And Sunday was a Sabbat, the ancient festival of Lammas! Lammas is the first harvest festival of the year, signifying the height of Summer and the turn towards Fall. Here are the Goddesses and Gods of Lammas:

Demeter/Ceres: Goddess of grains and the harvest, and mother to Persephone, who is about to return to the Underworld for the Fall and Winter. The change in weather is the grief of Demeter being separated from Persephone.

Cronus/Saturn: Greek god of the harvest and the first father of the universe. He is usually portrayed with a sickle in hand, and is considered a harvest God. He had his own holiday, called the Kronia, when the Greeks celebrated the harvest. It was held in the month of Hekatombaion, with equates roughly to July/August.

Hestia/Vesta: Goddess of Fire and the Hearth, she protects the homes of her worshippers.

Lugh: This is the Celtic God that gave Lammas, or Lughnasadh, it’s name! Lugh is the god of light, truth, oaths and the arts. Tradition says that Lugh created the festival of Lughnasadh in honor of his foster mother and earth goddess, Tailtiu.

Renenutet: Egyptian goddess of nourishment, the harvest, and fertility. Also goddess of the soul’s true name. Sometimes considered the wife of Sobek.

Sobek: Egyptian crocodile god, he was also the god of the Nile. In Egypt, the flooding of the Nile is the primary source of essential nutrients and minerals to the fields, so if the Nile does not flood or has a poor flood in a given year, it can cause a bad harvest. Sobek would be important around this time of year, as the people would want to thank him for a good harvest. Also a protective god and a creator god.

Monday, August 2nd: Moon in Gemini makes a couple of tough squares with Jupiter and Mars. There’s also a big Saturn influence over the beginning of the week due to the Sun’s opposition with Saturn in the middle of the night. Today could be kinda tough, with all of us needing to come up with the hard, cold facts. With the Moon in Gemini, we will find the way through this with our quick minds and communications.

Tuesday, August 3rd: Moon in Gemini makes four nice aspects today – taking the edge off Mercury squaring Uranus in the early evening. This aspect can bring sudden changes and nervous energy. Conversations could take unexpected turns, and it might be difficult to reach understanding through the drama. Leave it for tomorrow. On the bright side, we had a revolutionary Venus trine Uranus in the middle of the night which can enhance our imaginations and relationships.

Wednesday, August 4th: Moon in Gemini goes void at 12:38pm, then moves into Cancer around 2:15pm Pacific. Bring on the hugs and food lol. Moon trines Jupiter around the same time, adding to the feelings of indulgence. Sun trine Chiron today brings lovely opportunities for healing to our old wounds, or healing through children.

Thursday, August 5th: Moon in Cancer sextiles Mars and Uranus, but other than that it’s a quiet day. We are in the darkest phase of the monthly moon cycle, preparing for rebirth this Sunday. Lots of old feelings and issues could be coming up, so we can release them. The Cancerian Moon loves a visit to a pool, lake, river, or the ocean.

Friday, August 6th: Moon in Cancer goes void of course at 3:12pm Pacific, and makes a couple nice aspects with Venus and Neptune. There’s an opposition with Pluto in the late afternoon which can bring up control issues. Then we have a biggie – Sun square Uranus – which can bring up that nervous, dramatic behavior. Take a different approach to issues from earlier in the week. Embrace liberation and independence.

Saturday, August 7th: Moon in Leo opposes Saturn in Aquarius today. We get a glimpse into the underlying tensions of 2021, so be present for what occurs today. Pay attention, the Universe is sending you messages. Also, walk carefully around people’s feelings, because Moon opposing Saturn can bring negativity, pessimism or reality checks. The New Moon is tomorrow morning!

Sunday, August 8th: New Moon in Leo at 6:50am Pacific squares Uranus. Today is fabulous for Sun Magick, since this New Moon occurs on a Sunday. It’s a rare event, allowing magicians to fully access the enormous power of the Sun. Just Do It! Today is the rebirth of creativity, romance, and all things artistic. Tarot card of the day is Strength – tame your inner lion with compassion and patience.

your purpose

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Sacred Dakota Burial Mounds in St Paul, MN

“I don’t think your life has to have a purpose, or you have to have a grand ambition; I think it’s okay to just wander through life finding interesting things until you die. I think this goes for art too; you can just make the kind of art you find interesting and you don’t have to plan some great arc to your literary career.

I think the traditional (Western, white) narrative arc has tricked way too many people into thinking their lives have to have one grand epiphany, some flash of great meaning and deep insight, when in reality most people experience these things in much smaller ways throughout life.

I think this also leads a lot of people to miss the stuff that actually makes them happy, because it’s mostly the small stuff. They spend their entire lives looking for a lightning strike and miss out on everything else.” —twitter.com/ambernoelle#ThingsThatMakeYouGoHmm

Art in Alchemy: Visual communication

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The language of symbols through the medium of alchemy is one of the oldest forms of communication on our planet, and my absolute favorite. I love the simplicity and history encompassed in a single image. I stumbled across this fantastic retrospective by Guity Novin today. She is a really interesting artist of Iranian descent, and has an interesting perspective on the art of alchemy. It’s long, but I have to share it with you.

Here are some highlights from the full article:

Symbols in medieval Arabic alchemy inspired by Egyptian hieroglyphs: Kitab al-Aqalim by Abu ‘l-Qasim al-‘Iraqi in British Library, MS Add 25724.

Alchemy, Le livre de la sainte trinité, ca. 1400

Catalogus Stellarum Fixarum, Codex DA 11.13. Persian manuscript illumination of Leviathan or Cetus Illustration from a copy of Al-Sufi’s The Book of Fixed Stars. 15th Century.

Full Moon in Libra horoscopes

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Full Moon at 18 Libra on Tuesday at 7:35pm Pacific
Sun at 18 Aries
Mercury DIRECT at 23 Pisces (in it’s fall, very weak)
Venus at 3 Gemini and Mars at 5 Aquarius.
Jupiter at 25 Capricorn (in it’s fall, or weakened).
Saturn at 1 Aquarius (rulership), Pluto at 24 Capricorn.
Neptune at 19 Pisces (rulership)

Balance. That’s the keyword this week. Most of us are feeling waaaaaay out of balance right now, so spend this week correcting that as best as you can 🙂 For me, I need to start exercising again lol. The Full Moon tomorrow is in the sign of partnership, so it’s a great day/week to reach out to others, clear the air or reach agreements.

The planet Venus is the ruler of Libra, and she is currently in Gemini… which adds to the theme of balance and partnerships. Mars is over in Aquarius, another Air sign, which makes this full Moon chatty and social. Practice disciplining your mind this week by quelling negative thoughts through meditation.

Here’s where the Full Moon will effect you this week. This is for your RISING sign, which you can figure out here for free:

Aries = Full Moon focuses on all partnerships…. the OTHER. Issues or revelations could arise with friends, family, business or marriage.

Taurus = Does your body and health need attention? Full Moon brings up revelations around work, health, sickness, lifestyle and habits. Heal through observing your patterns.

Gemini = Full Moon focuses on children, art and romances. Heal through creativity. Do your passion.

Cancer = Full Moon brings relief with your literal House, as well as your psychology. Realizations arise from the deepest, darkest, most personal parts of you and you feel peace. Roots, foundations, family of origin and property issues.

Leo = Full Moon highlights contact, communications, writing and teaching. Expect breakthroughs with close community, kindred spirits, neighbors and your inbox.

Virgo = Full Moon culmination around money and your valuables. Could be breakthroughs around your self-esteem, resources or values.

Libra = Full moon culminates your vision, image, and how you see the world. You might change your look, self-image in relationships or how others see you. Heal through changes in identity.

Scorpio = Full Moon illuminates your subliminal mind and psyche. Personal truths normally hidden from you are revealed. Heal through spirituality and meditation. Retreat, solitude and sacrifice.

Sagittarius = Full Moon brings attention to your social groups and community. Expect positive breakthroughs with gains and wishes too. Heal through manifesting dreams.

Capricorn = Full Moon shines on your public image and career. Good developments regarding your reputation and visibility. You could be elevated in some way.

Aquarius = Full Moon brings progress in the areas of travel and life perspective. Also look for culmination with personal philosophy, education and adventure.

Pisces = Full Moon highlights issues around the soul, the occult and other people’s money (like credit). Sex, death and taxes. Heal through intensity – either spiritually or with another person.

New Moon in Aquarius

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Aquarius. Artwork by Johfra Bosschart

New Moon in Aquarius today at 1:42pm Pacific.
Sun at 3 Aquarius (in it’s detriment).
Mercury DIRECT at 13 Aquarius.
Mars at 14 Sagittarius (strong) and Venus at 13 Pisces (exalted!).
Jupiter at 11 Capricorn (in it’s fall, or weakened).
Saturn at 24 Capricorn, Pluto at 23 Capricorn.
Neptune at 16 Pisces.

Interesting that the impeachment hearings are occurring over a New Moon in Aquarius – the sign of humanity, teamwork, vision, innovation and the future. On a personal level, we each take a detached view of our lives, and allow our genius to express itself. Embrace inspiration, and work on making your dreams come true.

The bigger news, is still the Saturn-Pluto conjunction = new responsibility and power. Each of us is being asked to get serious, “level up” and commit to an area of our lives (i.e. wherever this conjunction is occurring in your chart). This conjunction occurred Jan. 12th, but it’s STILL in effect, and will set the seed for our growth this year. Changes in old institutions are very likely; the British Royal family is a great example. Harry and Megan breaking with tradition, and changing their commitment from an old institution to a new, liberated life.

The Saturn-Pluto conjunction occurred in Capricorn and today it’s enhanced by the freedom-loving New Moon in Aquarius. Set your ambitions loose and work hard on them! Saturn LOVES hard work. Accept your new duties and responsibilities and carry them through. Being diligent and committed is, oddly enough, the path to liberation.

 

 

The Socialist Roots and Utopian Dreams of Eliphas Lévi – The Thinker’s Garden

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tarot_marseille

The legendary Eliphas Lévi was originally a socialist radical. We spoke to Dr Julian Strube to learn more about the political origins of the man Helena Blavatsky once described as ‘the most learned Kabbalist and Occultist of our Age’.

Source: The Socialist Roots and Utopian Dreams of Eliphas Lévi – The Thinker’s Garden

Yule astrology

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druids

“Druids Cutting the Mistletoe on the Sixth Day of the Moon” by Henri Paul Motte (France, c.1900)

Sun at 5 Capricorn.
Mercury DIRECT at 0 Capricorn.
Mars at 25 Scorpio (strong) and Venus at 9 Aquarius.
Jupiter at 5 Capricorn (in it’s fall, or weakened).
Saturn at 20 Capricorn, Pluto at 22 Capricorn.
Neptune at 16 Pisces.

If you feel like you’re in an intense time of transformation, you are correct. We are being asked as individuals, and a society, to rise up to the next level of our soul consciousness. First, the Winter Solstice last week demanded we release our dead weight. It’s now Winter, and there’s a primal urge to release that which no longer serves us. It will become imperative this month as Saturn and Pluto join in a rare conjunction on January 12th at 23 degrees Capricorn. We’ve been building up to this event for months now, and it has finally arrived! These two powerful planets govern our responsibilities, maturity and evolution. The Sun has passed the Galactic Center, and is reborn into a new year. We have a new beginning within our grasp, and we are being called to operate within the Truth and mystery of our Universe. We are all stardust, and our internal universal codes are being activated on a deep level.

All of this activity is aimed squarely at Capricorns, but all of the earth signs (Taurus and Virgo) will feel the impact. Any planets you have in your chart near 23 degrees Capricorn, Aries, Cancer or Libra are being blasted with powerful energy. You can’t ignore these life aspects now. If you’d like a reading to see how this effects you personally, you can book me here.

If all that wasn’t enough, we had an eclipse on Christmas Day in Capricorn! It was probably an intense day for many people. Eclipses tend to highlight unresolved emotions and stuck areas in our lives. We are now between eclipses, the next one showing up on January 9th in Cancer – just three days before this momentous conjunction.

Right now, Saturday, we are experiencing a Sun and Jupiter conjunction, which expands the opportunities for our soul’s vision. It’s a happy aspect, since both planets are over supplied with optimism, wealth, hope and healing. You can make some progress on important tasks today.

In general, it’s best to take things a day at a time right now, and prioritize your responsibilities. Stay present with your feelings and keep communications clear with loved ones. Take ownership of your life, work hard, and everything will go smoothly. More to come next week 🙂

Loneliness during the Holidays

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Gertrude Abercrombie’s “The Stroll” (1943). Credit Credit Oil on fiberboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Gertrude Abercrombie Trust

Loneliness is a worthy foe, and with the rise of social media, most of us are suffering from it in some form – especially this time of year. It’s easy to feel isolated in tense family situations or even parties.

“Striving for connection along with a healthy dose of self-care will get you through the season.”

So how do we cope? I’m glad I ran across this article today. It has some fantastic actions we can take to combat loneliness, especially this time of year. Along with the list from the article, I would add these things:

Encourage Friendships

Having a social life and human connection is important for us to thrive in our lives. A lot of people are shy about reaching out, or inviting people to do things. Do It!! Same sex friendships are particularly important in my opinion. If you have trouble meeting people then volunteer for something you care about…. and/or get a pet.

Having Pets

Animals are awesome. If you don’t, or can’t,  have one, volunteering at the local shelter is a great way to interact cats and dogs, and to be of service at the same time!

Go to a Gym

It took me awhile to build up to it, but now I go three times a week. Working out keeps my blood moving and my endorphins running. I think more clearly, and I’m able to make better decisions. And I have more energy. Exercise is the best thing for everyone.

Limit Alcohol

I’m personally sober since 2005, but if I wasn’t I would severely limit alcohol and stay away from drugs. In my experience these things end up making loneliness much worse.

Limit Sugar

This time of year is next-to-impossible to eat right, but I SO stay away from eating sugar. It keeps my blood sugar steady throughout that day so there’s less moodiness.

Good Night’s Sleep

I strive to get a good night’s sleep every night – which means eight solid hours in a dark, cool room.

Practice Gratitude

List ten things you’re grateful for when you feel low and it will completely change your thinking and mood.

Walk in Nature

I take a walk in nature everyday with my dog. Looking at trees, grass, and feeling the warmth of the sun brings me lots of joy.

Be Creative

It doesn’t matter if you’re good at it. You’ll probably improve as you go along anyway. I’ve taken multiple creative paths and it feels so good to create something. Write something or pick up and instrument… or a pen!

Be of Service

Get out and be of service to people. Being of service in some way is crucial.

Get a New Job

I know from experience, if you’re unhappy with your job, you HAVE to make a change. Life is too short and we spend too much time there. Anyone can do it. Make a plan, get some training or education, and DO WHAT YOU LOVE.