Month: May 2012

Daily OM for May 22nd – Overachieving and Overreaching

Overachieving and Overreaching
A Sign of Imbalance

by Madisyn Taylor

 

Sometimes when we don’t feel good enough, we create imbalance by overachieving or needing to be the best at something.

Overachievers are people who have achieved but still feel the need to do more, creating an imbalance in their lives. People who exhibit this behavior may be trying to compensate for feelings of insecurity and doubts about their worth. They may be chasing unresolved issues from their past into the present, or they might not be looking at their lives as a whole, but judging themselves based only on one aspect of their being. If this is a word that we’ve heard used with respect to our choices and lifestyle, it is worth examining in order to balance our lives for a more rewarding experience.

If we find that we cannot allow ourselves to experience and enjoy the present moment, putting pleasure off into some distant future, it may be a sign that we are being driven to achieve more than is truly necessary. Pushing ourselves beyond the point of exhaustion, or to the exclusion of important people in our lives, robs us of true and meaningful joy. Once we make the connection to the eternal part of us, it can nourish us and allow our priorities to shift from chasing after an elusive feeling to being fully present in the moment so that we can live our lives in the now.

Sometimes we need to look to those we love and admire in order to realize what we value about life. We can take time to note what we like about others, and then turn the mirror to reflect the light of those same words and feelings toward ourselves. It can be quite a revelation to see ourselves in this nourishing light. When we can put the energy that we’ve been devoting to a phantom sense of achievement into the truly satisfying aspects of our lives, we can restore the balance between our inner and outer worlds and experience true joyful peace.

Lessons In Tarot – Lesson 8: The Question Reading

LESSON 8

The Question Reading

In this lesson, you will finally learn how to do a full tarot reading for yourself. I describe a simple procedure you can use to explore a personal question. Having a procedure to follow is important in tarot work. When you follow the same steps over and over in a certain way, they help you center yourself in the moment. The details of the steps are not that important; in fact, you can change any of them if you wish. The goal is to maintain a spirit of mindfulness. Doing a reading with loving concentration will make your tarot practice very powerful.

Here is the procedure for a Question Tarot Reading.

Setting the Mood

Your first step is to create a conducive mood. Lesson 6 offers some suggestions on how to set up a pleasing environment. You can try these ideas, if you like. Focus on what will make you feel comfortable and secure.

When you are ready, sit down on the floor or at a table leaving some empty space in front of you. You should have your tarot cards and your question written on a piece of paper. At first, a full reading will probably take at least thirty to forty minutes. Try to arrange your affairs so you won’t be interrupted. With experience, you will be able to shorten this time, if you wish, but it is always better to feel unhurried.

Begin to relax and still your mind. Put aside your worries and concerns for now. (You can always get them back later!) Settle fully into the present moment. Take a few deep breaths, relax all your muscles and feel the quiet as you turn away from the outside world. Take as much time as you need for this calming process.

Asking Your Question

When you feel centered, take your cards out of their container. Hold them cupped in one hand while you place the other hand on top. Close your eyes and bring the cards into the circle of your energy.

Now, make an opening statement, if you wish. Some possibilities are:

  • a prayer
  • an affirmation
  • a description of how you are feeling
  • a simple hello to your Inner Guide

You can write a phrase to say every time, or you can speak spontaneously. It is more important to speak from your heart than to mouth an empty formula. Say your statement out loud, as sound adds energy and conviction.

Next, ask your question, either from memory or by reading it. Be sure to say your question exactly as you wrote it. One of the mysteries of the unconscious is that it is very literal; the cards you choose will often reflect the precise wording of your question.

Shuffling the Cards

Open your eyes and begin shuffling. It is important to shuffle the cards because this is how you sort through all the forms your reading could take and arrange at a subtle level the one you will receive.

There are a number of ways to shuffle the cards. Each method has its pros and cons. Choose one that is most comfortable for you. Certain methods mix the cards so some are right side up (upright) and some, upside-down (reversed). If this is your first reading, do not worry about reversed cards.

Concentrate on your question while you shuffle. Focus on the overall intent rather than the details. Don’t strain to stay fixed, but do keep the question in mind as much as you can.

Cutting the Cards

When you feel you have shuffled long enough, stop and place the cards face down in front of you with the short edge closest to you. Cut the deck as follows:

  1. Grab some number of cards from the pile.
  2. Drop this smaller pile to the left.
  3. Grab some part of this second pile and drop it further to the left.
  4. Regroup the cards into one pile in any fashion.

It’s best to regroup the cards in one quick motion. Don’t try to figure out which pile should go where. Just let your hand move where it will. The cut is an important finishing step that marks the end of the card-arranging stage. Once you have regrouped the cards, the pattern of the reading is fixed, and all that remains is to lay out the cards and see what they reveal.

Laying Out the Cards

Follow the steps for the spread you have chosen. If this is your first reading, use the Celtic Cross.

  1. Pick up the deck and hold it in one hand with the short edge closest to you.
  2. With your other hand, turn over the first card as you would the page of a book.
  3. Place this card in Position 1.
    (The position number corresponds to the placement order.)
  4. Turn over the second card, and place it in Position 2.
  5. Continue in this way until you have placed all the cards.
  6. Turn any reversed cards around if you are not using them.

Responding to the Cards

Pay attention to your reactions to each card as you lay it out. At first, you will not know or remember the usual meaning of a card. Your thoughts and feelings will be based mainly on the images. As you practice, your reactions will become more informed, but also more predictable. Try to keep some of your original openness as much as possible. Pay attention to any responses that seem unusual or out-of-place.

When all the cards are laid out, take a moment to respond to them as a whole. Do you get an overall impression? Do you have any new reactions? Jot down some of your thoughts, if you wish. Don’t worry if you can’t remember all of them. Just as with dreams, you will recall the most important. Try not to get too involved in your notes as that can break the flow of the reading. You simply want to capture a few ideas quickly.

Analyzing the Cards

In the beginning, use the section about individual cards in your Tarot Book till we get to covering individual cards here. Later, you can examine the cards on your own, but you may still find this section useful. (I use it myself from time to time!)

Begin your review with Position 1 and proceed in position order. Here are the suggested steps:

  1. Look up the card in the Card Section of the Tarot Book that came with your cards.
  2. Read through all the keywords and actions.
  3. Look for actions that make you say “Yes, that one really fits!” I experience a kind of jolt of recognition when I see one. Don’t shy away from actions that seem less pleasant. Trust your reactions, and reserve judgment until you’ve seen all the cards. Note any stray thoughts or “irrelevant” feelings that come to mind.

When you’ve considered each card, look for relationships between them. Apply the principles of interpretation.

You could ponder a reading for hours without running out of insights, but, of course, this isn’t practical or desirable. Do try to spend some time, however. Your reward will be equal to your effort.

Creating the Story

At some point, you need to pull everything together. I call this creating the story. Your story will help you understand your situation and give you guidance for the future – what you have been seeking all along.

I recommend that you create your story spontaneously. Once you have finished your card review, let that analytical approach go. It’s no longer appropriate. Your story will be more authentic if it arises freely from within. When you feel ready, simply begin speaking your story, saying whatever comes to mind. Use any notes you have to help, but don’t focus on them too much.

I encourage you to tell your story out loud. Writing is too slow, and just thinking your ideas is too vague. Your story will gather strength and power as it is spoken. If you begin to ramble or lose your train of thought, don’t be concerned. Simply pause, regroup and start again. As you practice, you will get better at speaking on the fly. You may want to tape your story. When you play back the tape, you will be amazed at what you hear. You will truly feel you are your own best tarot reader.

Writing the Summary Statement

Your story is done when your words slow down and stop naturally. Your next step is to distill the main theme of your story. What is the essence of your guidance? Ask yourself these questions:

  • What is the problem or conflict?
  • What is my role?
  • What does my Inner Guide want me to understand?
  • What is the projected outcome?
  • How do you feel about that?
  • Do I sense any recommendations for action?

What you are doing is forming the answer to your question. Before the reading, you posed a question that had meaning for you. Your Inner Guide has responded, and now you want to capture that wisdom in a form you can remember. Try to summarize your story in one or two sentences. Concentrate on the message in the cards and not the mechanics of your interpretation.

Finishing Up

The main event is over, but, as with any ceremony, there are a few final steps to take to end your reading and leave your cards ready for next time.

If you have not already done so, write down the cards you selected and their positions. It is easy to forget them. Then, clear the deck to remove all traces of the energy patterns of this reading. I clear a deck by scrambling the cards together gently. It reminds me of erasing letters in the sand with a sweep of my hand. You may enjoy this technique as well, but any shuffling method will do. Take a few moments now to clear your deck. Make sure the cards are face down or turned away from you. Stop when you feel you’ve shuffled long enough, and gather the cards together. Your deck is now ready for your next reading.

Before putting the cards away, hold them again for just a moment. Place your deck in one hand with the other hand on top, and close your eyes. Say what you feel you have learned from this reading. Express your gratitude to your Inner Guide for helping you via the tarot cards. Gratitude is a wonderful sentiment. It provides the ideal frame of mind in which to end your reading.

When you began, you initiated a cycle. You created meaning in the form of a reading, and now you have completed that cycle by returning the cards to their resting state.

Using What You Have Learned

The reading proper is over, but the inner work is just beginning. Your goal is to integrate what you have learned into your life in some way. If you don’t, your tarot practice will remain a beautiful pastime with no power to help you.

Decide on one or more actions you can take to put your guidance to work. You can reinforce what you’re doing now or make some changes, either radical or minor. Specific actions are usually more helpful than vague plans.

If you are keeping a journal, write down what you intend to do. Commit only to what you know you will actually carry out. I know how easy it is to lay out some cards, look at them briefly and then never think about that reading again, especially when your reaction is less than positive!

As the days go by, think about your reading and how it meshes with your life. Ask yourself these questions:

  • How meaningful was my story?
  • How well did the guidance fit?
  • Did I miss any clues?
  • Did I carry out an action, and, if so, what happened?
  • Did something unexpected occur?
  • Do my Daily Readings add anything?

You may be tempted to do another reading, but it’s probably best to wait until there are important changes in your situation. Assume that your first reading covers all you need to know. If you are puzzled about certain elements, mine your first reading for more insights. By going deeper, you will get closer to the heart of the matter.

Using what you have learned in a reading is probably the most important step – and the most difficult. It involves moving beyond playing with the cards. When you actually commit to integrating your tarot insights into your life, you have realized the true and lasting benefit to be gained from the cards.

This is my ideal tarot session, but, to be truthful, I don’t always follow it. Sometimes I linger over these steps, sometimes I neglect quite a few of them. I encourage you to adopt whatever procedure suits your interests and needs. If you don’t enjoy the cards, they’ll just gather dust on the shelf. The details aren’t that important; it’s the intention that counts!

Exercise – Lesson 8

The Question Reading

Exercise 8.1 – Doing a Question Reading

You are going to do a Celtic Cross Question Reading from start to finish. Follow the procedure outlined in lesson 8. You will need a question to be answered. You can use the question you wrote in Exercise 7.1 or write a new one. Interpret the cards as best you can using your intuition and the Card section of your Tarot Book and Celtic Cross Sections.

You may feel a little at sea this first time – not sure whether or not you’re doing everything right. Remember there is no one correct interpretation. What you see in the cards is right for you by definition, and, no matter what, you will come away with something of value. In future lessons, you will learn some principles of interpretation that will help you feel more confident. At that point, we’ll revisit this reading to see what else you can learn from it.

Special Kitty of the Day for May 22nd

Name: Charlie
 Age: Four years old
Gender: Male
 Kind: Tuxedo cat
Home: Rhode Island, USA
This is Charlie. He’s now four years old and a tuxedo cat with a wonderful disposition. I was looking for a polydactal and his large feet with one black toe amongst the other white ones caught my eye, and so he was adopted from a pet refuge. He’s made himself right at home and is a wonderful addition to our cat family.

He doesn’t like to be held much and tries to escape but he is still very very affectionate and doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. He also thinks he is a sou chef. Any activity in the kitchen has to be observed carefully by him sitting on the tall kitchen stools. As shown in the picture, he loves boxes and claims them all as his.

When he gets cat treats, he bats at them with his big feet and usually loses out as one of our other four cats are standing by to get the treat. Then he gives us a sad look as he lost out yet again. He still nurses at times doing his ‘pushies’ and leaves a wet spot in his location where he gobs. He loves the upper part of his condo and is such a nice gentle boy when one of the other cats decides to join him; they might start play fighting but it isn’t long before Charlie gives them a bath and they fall sound asleep together. We all love him very much.

Precious Pup of the Day for May 22nd

Name: Emily
 Age: One year, six months old
Gender: Female Breed: Maltese, Poodle mix
Home: San Diego, California, USA
My dog Emily is very special to me and to so many other people as well. She’s sweet, friendly and extremely loving to anyone she meets.

I first met Emily on a vacation to Texas where I went to visit some distant relatives. They had a litter of eight week-old puppies that needed homes. They told me they were having trouble finding a home for Emily, who was the runt of the litter, and would soon be taking her to the pound. I had been looking for a companion to keep my eleven-year old Baby D (Dexter) company. I thought Emily might brighten up his spirits, since Baby D had been very sick for a long time. I was concerned about adopting a puppy and bringing it into my home and upsetting Baby D, but couldn’t bear the thought of her being in the pound. That evening I dreamed that I adopted her and named her Emily, a name I would not have normally chosen. The next day, I went back and got her and braced myself for some serious puppy training!

Emily is very timid around unfamiliar objects because she’s so tiny, weighing in at less than five pounds. It takes a while to convince her that the object isn’t going to “eat her alive”! She is, however, very friendly around dogs of all sizes. She loves to go to dog beach in Coronado and always happily wags her tail to greet a friendly face. My friend Richard, who loves her so much, takes her for sleepovers once a month. He usually treats her to blueberry facials and grooming which she absolutely loves.

About a year ago, Baby D passed away and now Emily accompanies me to work three or four times a week in her little “Simply Dog” travel bag. Once at work, a co-worker takes her to his office where she spends the day with his mini Aussie Checkers. They are best buds and Emily follows Checkers everywhere.

I didn’t plan for my trip to Texas to be so life changing. I was expecting Emily to save Baby D, but instead she saved me.

WE LOVE EMILY!

These Are So CUTE, I Just Had Too….Special Pet of the Day for May 22

 

 

Name: Caesar, Cleopatra
 Age: Seventeen, Fifteen months old
Gender: Male, Female
 Kind: Lionhead Rabbit mix
Home: Germany
Hello everybody, may I present you my two little rabbits called Caesar and Cleopatra? In reality, they belong to my mother and me. Cleopatra is the grey one and a female. She’s about fifteen months. The black one’s name is Caesar. He’s about seventeen months and a male. Why do they have such names you ask? My mother and I thought about the names of famous lovers and so that’s how their names were given.

We bought the rabbits last year in March, as Easter-bunnies. They live in a big hutch. It’s like a real house, with two floors. The hutch is about 1.8 meters long and about 1 meter high. They’ve also a big outdoor cage, where they can run, jump, play or dig. It in there is a basket, a nylon-tunnel and some toys.

Caesar is very anxious, reserved and timid. He’s also the calmer one. Cleopatra is very fast, high spirited and a little bit aggressive. If she’s angry, she grumbles very loudly. I didn’t know that rabbits could “speak” so noisily.

Last summer there was a big surprise. After coming home from a weekend-trip I looked into the cage of the pets, and what did I see? There were four baby rabbits, naked, blind and without any coat. They looked more like little dogs than like rabbits. What an excitement! In the following days I spent most of the time to watch the babies. They were incredibly cute. After four weeks they also ran into the cage and had a lot of fun among themselves. They were always hungry, so I was busy to bring them their food. When they were seven weeks, we looked for friendly and nice people and gave the babies away. That was a very sad moment, but we knew it was the right thing to do.

A few weeks later, my mother brought Caesar to the doctor. “It was only a little cut”, she said later, “but we don’t need anymore babies. Don’t worry, Caesar is still fine”, she said. And that was the truth!

I think Caesar and Cleopatra don’t remember the babies or miss them, they are still happy and always hungry. They are so sweet, aren’t they? I love them a lot.

8 Ways Meditation Can Change Your Life

by Ed and Deb Shapiro

We can’t imagine what life would be like without meditation. It has seen us through tough times and many life changes, keeping us sane and grounded and real. Life is challenging enough; we can never know what will arise next and only when our minds are clear and focused can we make the best decisions.

How are you able to deal with the madness and chaos that occurs daily? How do you deal with the challenges of life? Meditation is highly misunderstood and often under-rated yet is perhaps what it takes to be a truly sane person. How does meditation affect us? How does it shift our priorities, enable us to make friends with ourselves, to find answers to our questions?

Here are eight ways meditation can make your life more meaningful and enjoyable!

1. Living With Kindness

No one deserves your kindness and compassion more than yourself. Every time you see or feel suffering, every time you make a mistake or say something stupid and are just about to put yourself down, every time you think of someone you are having a hard time with, every time you encounter the confusion and difficulty of being human, every time you see someone else struggling, upset, or irritated, you can stop and bring loving kindness and compassion. Breathing gently, silently repeat: May I be well, may I be happy, May I be filled with loving kindness.

2. Lightening the Load

In a stressed state, it is easy to lose touch with inner peace, compassion and kindness; in a relaxed state, your mind is clear and you can connect with a deeper sense of purpose and altruism. Meditation and medication are derived from the Latin word medicus, to care or to cure. A time of quiet calmness is, therefore, the most effective remedy for a busy and overworked mind. Anytime you feel stress rising, heart closing, mind going into overwhelm, just bring your focus to your breathing and quietly repeat with each in- and out-breath: Breathing in, I calm the body and mind; breathing out, I smile.

3. Letting Go of Me

Stillness is always there between the thoughts, behind the story, beneath the noise. What keeps us from experiencing our natural state of being is the habitual and ego-dominated monkey mind. Meditation enables us to see clearly, to witness our thoughts and behavior and reduce self-involvement. Without such a practice of self-reflection there is no way of putting a brake on the ego’s demands. From being self-centered, we can become other-centered, concerned about the welfare of all.

4. Dissolving Anger and Fear

We do not accept or release our negative feelings so easily; we are more likely to repress or disown them. But when denied they cause shame, depression, anger, and anxiety. Meditation invites you to openly meet these places, and to see how selfishness, aversion and ignorance create endless dramas and fears. Beneath these is a quiet stillness where you can get to know yourself; this is a wondrous and beautiful experience. Whether you practice for just ten minutes a day or longer does not matter. You are releasing your limitations, while opening to self-acceptance and awareness.

5. Awakening Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself and others. As you sit in meditation and watch your thoughts and feelings moving through you, so you can observe that who you are now is not who you were just a moment ago, let alone a day, a week, or a month ago. Who you, or someone else, was when pain was caused is not who you are now. When you experience your essential interconnectedness you see how the ignorance of this creates separation and suffering, so that forgiveness for such ignorance arises spontaneously.

6. Generating Harmlessness

Simply through the intent to cause less pain you can bring greater dignity to your world, so that harm is replaced with harmlessness and disrespect with respect. Harm is usually caused unintentionally, whether by ignoring someone’s feelings, putting yourself down, reaffirming your hopelessness, disliking your appearance, or seeing yourself as incompetent or unworthy. How much resentment, guilt, or shame are you holding on to, thus perpetuating harmfulness? Meditation enables you transform this through recognizing your essential goodness and the preciousness of all life.

7. Appreciating Appreciation

Take a moment to appreciate the chair you are sitting on. Consider how the chair was made: the wood, cotton, wool, or other fibers, the trees and plants that were used, the earth that grew the trees, the sun and rain, the animals that maybe gave their lives, the people who prepared the materials, the factory where the chair was made, the designer and carpenter and seamstress, the shop that sold it—all this just so you could be sitting here, now. Then extend that deep appreciation to everything and everyone in your life.

8. Being Aware

Awareness is the key to awakening. Through awareness you can see your monkey mind and all its mischief. Almost everything we do is to achieve something: if we do this, then we will get that; if we do that, then this will happen. But in meditation you do it just to do it. There is no ulterior purpose other than to be here, in the present moment, without trying to get anywhere or achieve anything. You are just aware of whatever is happening, whether pleasant or unpleasant. No judgment, no right or wrong. Simply being aware. Enjoy!

6 Tips to Simplify Meditation

by Ed and Deb Shapiro

Meditation is simple and transformative, yet it is highly misunderstood. Some people think it is about controlling the mind or stopping thinking, while others see it as both weird and wacky or boring and meaningless.

Yet meditation really just means being totally present, totally aware with whatever is happening. It is being with ourselves completely as we are. If the mind is thinking, then we are aware of the thinking; if the body is moving, then we are aware of the movement. Hence we have sitting meditation, sound meditation, walking meditation, even running meditation. It is not purposefully doing anything other than just being here and now.

And just this is transformative. It creates an inner spaciousness in which we can gently stop the endless “me-centered” dramas, our mind that is like a drunken monkey leaping from one scenario to another.

“Meditation can mean really being focused on something, or it can mean letting go of all focus and simply being still,” says Gangaji in our book, Be The Change: How Meditation Can Transform You and the World. “It is not a matter of saying, ‘I am going to meditate,’ it is more like ‘I am just going to be here for a moment without doing anything, without following any thought.’ And, in that, there is peace, a surrendering the mind’s activity to this vast silence and spacious awareness. It is not anti-mind activity; it is simply that usually the mind is spinning round and round, so it is a stopping of that spin.”

Meditation is both an experience of oneness and the practice that enables us to be aware of this. As we make friends with ourselves, we discover a freedom from habitual tendencies, from repetitive behavior, and we experience a great joy, peace, and unconditional happiness. It is, therefore, the greatest gift we can give ourselves.

But the world is like a magnet pulling us outward into all manner of distractions, so we often need help, methods or techniques, to remind us to just be still. We need to be guided inward. Here are six steps that can lead us in that inner direction:

Six Steps to Freedom

1. Create a daily practice even if it is just for 5 minutes. Meditation has an accumulative effect, so doing it for a few minutes every day is actually more helpful than an hour once a week.

2. Meditate for the sake of it without expectations, as it can cause stress and even a sense of failure if you look for results. No appointments, no disappointments!

3. Make friends with your breath. Focusing on the natural flow of your breathing will give your mind something to do and encourages your attention to go inward. In this way you also make friends with your meditation practice.

4. Make friends with your chattering monkey mind. When you are still your mind can seem very busy and distracting. Name this your monkey mind and don’t take it too seriously.

5. Commit to your peace. There is nothing more important than your peace, it is the core of your being, so make a commitment to being still and quiet regularly.

6. Do It

Meditation techniques are many and varied, but all that matters in being fully present. Try this:

Sit comfortably with your back straight.

Take a deep breath and let it go.

Be aware of each breath and silently count at the end of each out breath, up to five: Inhale, exhale, count one… inhale, exhale, count two… and so on for five breaths. Then start at one again. Just five breaths and back to one, following each breath in and silently counting. So simple.

Do this as many times as you want, breathing normally.

Daily Feng Shui Tip for May 22nd – National Maritime Day

On ‘National Maritime Day’ you just know that I have to share a special Feng Shui way to make your own ship come in! According to this philosophy, a small statue or model (rather than an image or picture) of a sailing ship is considered a powerful symbol of incoming prosperity and abundance. Position your boatload of incoming luck immediately inside the front door with the bow or front of the ship pointing inward into the living space to bring wealth and abundance to your door. You can keep this boat on your altar for nine days, burning incense and asking with prayerful sincerity for this ship to bring a boost to your bottom line. On the tenth day, position the symbol inside the front door and then be ready when money-making opportunities come knocking!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Your Daily Number for Tuesday, May 22nd: 5

You may find yourself discussing or embarking on a trip today. Not a great day for details; it’s better to take advantage of today’s self-promoting energy to get off the beaten path and be social.

Fast Facts

About the Number 5

Theme: Resourceful, Adventure, Speculation, Travel
Astro Association: Taurus
Tarot Association: Hierophant

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for Tuesday, May 22nd is 63:After Completion

63: After Completion

Hexagram 63

General Meaning: It is a fine irony that after completion of some project or great enterprise, there is still much left to do. Completion is merely a pause in the cycle of creation and decay, a momentary still point for the swinging pendulum of life. Though completion does imply a period of restful pause — one that usually has been well earned — it is not an actual end, but rather a uniquely harmonious flat spot in the constancy of change and movement.

The image of After Completion is that of a kettle of water boiling over a fire. When the forces are balanced, the water boils properly; but if the pot is too full, it may boil over and put out the fire; or, if the fire is too hot, it may evaporate all the water. In the equilibrium that follows the completion of something significant, the current dynamics must be watched carefully to assure that a proper balance is maintained.

After Completion is the time for fine-tuning, for refinements and embellishments of what has already been accomplished.

Even if we are enjoying a rewarding situation right now, the laws of the natural world dictate that influence and success will eventually decline. So, don’t let current good fortunes prompt careless or relaxed attitudes. A successful endeavor or partnership needs to be carefully tended and maintained. What is incomplete should be finished, and brought to fruition without delay.

Take satisfaction upon completion, but do not dwell on it. To do so could bring a halt to your influence and capability.

Today’s Runes for Tuesday, May 22nd is Man

Ice Runes are most commonly used for questions about struggle, conflict, and achievement. Man represents Mankind. This rune evokes the image that although we must make much of our way in the world on our own, there is nevertheless an entire populous that shares similar experiences. Thus, this rune represents the relationship of the self with the whole – working together we can produce great results. Additionally, Man speaks to intellect and culture that separate us from the animals.

Today’s Tarot Card for May 22nd is The High Priestess

The High Priestess

This Tarot Deck: Fantastical Tarot

General Meaning: Traditionally called the High Priestess, this major arcana, or trump, card represents human wisdom. She can be viewed as a kind of female Pope, the ancient Egyptian Priestess of Isis, the even older snake and bird Goddesses, the Greek Goddess Persephone, or the Eve of Genesis before the Fall.

For the accused heretics who were burnt at the stake for revering her in the 14th and 15th century, she symbolized the prophecy of the return of the Holy Spirit, which was perceived as the female aspect of the Holy Trinity.

In the sequence of cards in the major arcana, the High Priestess appears as soon as the Fool decides he wants to develop his innate powers, making a move toward becoming a Magus. The High Priestess is his first teacher, representing the Inner Life and the method for contacting it, as well as the contemplative study of Nature and the Holy Mysteries.

Your Daily Horoscopes for Tuesday, May 22nd

Our optimism may turn a molehill into a mountain today as mischievous Mercury’s hook-up with bombastic Jupiter has us telling tall tales. Although the Mercury-Jupiter conjunction occurs in practical Taurus, three planets in carefree Gemini indicate our desire to fill the day with things to do and people to see. Thankfully, the Gemini Moon activates a trine between sweet Venus and realistic Saturn, reminding us that some things are worth the wait.

 

Aries Horoscope
Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Although you may already have taken on too many responsibilities, you’re so confident that you’re ready to put even more on your plate today. Unfortunately, you could spend so much energy just trying to fulfill your obligations that there isn’t much time left over to relax. Don’t wait for the end of the day to wish you had less to complete. Instead, judiciously cut back on your activities by setting healthy limits right from the start.

Taurus Horoscope
Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

You might think that your strategy is a sound one, but you could unexpectedly discover that you have oversimplified your plan. You feel a bit scattered today, even if you try to concentrate your efforts on what needs to be done. Although you know that pleasure eventually awaits you, finding the time to enjoy it remains tricky. Don’t get discouraged; satisfaction will be yours if you keep your eye on the prize.

Gemini Horoscope
Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

Things can quickly get out of hand today with the Moon back in your changeable sign and your key planet Mercury contacting expansive Jupiter. You could easily underestimate what’s required to finish a specific task. Although you might feel overwhelmed for a while, you should be able to pull it all together by the end of the day. Don’t complain, even if you temporarily regret how much you promised. If you just stay focused and work steadily, you could have enough time left over to have some fun.

Cancer Horoscope
Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

You could lose your momentum by thinking of all the reasons you can’t do something that you really want to do. Reality is testing you to see if you can overcome the obstacles in your path. Fortunately, your inner strength gives you enough clarity of vision now so you can organize many disparate puzzle pieces into a comprehensive picture. Although your friends show up to support your efforts, it’s up to you to accept the assistance that’s offered.

Leo Horoscope
Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Your moods seem to be changing quickly now and it’s difficult to know how you’re going to feel next. One minute you seem to have superpowers and then just a few moments later you’re back to being a mere mortal. Even if you can leap tall thoughts in a single bound, you still need to follow through with sensible action. There’s nothing wrong with having your head in the clouds as long as you can keep your feet on the ground at the same time.

Virgo Horoscope
Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You can accomplish a tremendous amount of work now and your productivity is likely to be positively acknowledged by others. However, you may be so enthralled with your big ideas that your excitement becomes your downfall. Unfortunately, you might not even realize if you’ve pushed too far. Don’t assume more responsibilities than you can realistically handle. Take preventative action today before you find yourself over-committed.

Libra Horoscope
Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You can be a case study for the power of positive thought. You’re on a productive high now and might even be able to imagine something right into existence. It’s too bad you can’t bottle this confidence for a rainy day. Unfortunately, the creative juices are fickle and you could get yourself into trouble if you assume that you can sustain such a steady pace. Give yourself a bit of leeway today to wander off track and don’t be afraid to daydream along the way.

Scorpio Horoscope
Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You honestly might not think you have time to relax enough to have the fun that is right in front of your nose. You can say that you’re ready to party, but it’s challenging to avoid the responsibilities that you already accepted. Acknowledge the limitations of what you cannot do in the present moment. Then, you will be freer to explore the deeper meaning of life without the burden of having to find the right answer.

Sagittarius Horoscope
Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You might get caught up in a minor power struggle today as you move through the changes that are being demanded of you. But the more you try to hold on to whatever you believe you had, the more difficult this conflict becomes. However, if your commitment to a larger cause is more important than achieving your personal goals, you should be able to gracefully navigate your way through the resistance.

Capricorn Horoscope
Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You might feel a bit uncomfortable today as you try to get past your self-imposed restrictions in order to take advantage of the exciting opportunities that are being presented to you. The challenges may come to you now in the form of social engagements. However, you could learn something new if you don’t retreat too quickly. Instead, push up against your own insecurities; it’s time to recognize that your fears don’t need to get in the way of the potential in your life.

Aquarius Horoscope
Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Someone might come to you with such a good idea today that it’s hard to resist. You may be feeling so upbeat now that nearly every opportunity looks worthwhile. It doesn’t matter if you’re invited to participate in a business scheme or a private party; it probably sounds better than it actually is. Fortunately, there’s no reason to react negatively; just remain open to modifying your position as more and more of the truth is unveiled.

Pisces Horoscope
Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You may mistakenly believe that you can see the whole picture now. Unfortunately, precision of thought doesn’t necessarily come along with the vision. Sure, you can visualize it all, but you could jump to a wrong conclusion or miss an important detail that’s integral to making the right choices. You will probably choose in favor of the new opportunity because it sounds too amazing to say no. Just remember not to over-commit or you might end up regretting your decision.

Daily Love & Romance Horoscopes for May 22nd

Aries

With not much support on the communication front and that support actively working to enhance second chances on the relationship front, you almost can’t fail. So long as you’re willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that the communication lines are open and that you’re listening as well as talking, things will take on a life of their own.

Taurus

Mars, planet of passion passed his final roadblock last week and with any pressures and challenges behind you a new sense of confidence is emerging. With Mars not leaving your romantic sector until early July you have plenty of time to make up for lost time and to let your romantic passions take the lead.

Gemini

The first full day of your new solar year, one that even in its early hours looks anything but an ordinary run around the block, is also the last full day of an alliance between Venus, planet of love in your sign and Saturn, in retrograde motion in your romantic sector. With the door now open to your future, but your romantic focus on the past, you’re able to see both with equal clarity.

Cancer

Having the Sun in a nostalgic part of your chart has been a game changer, with the cosmic spotlight now directed onto the road behind. With Venus, planet of love in retrograde motion here and Pluto in retrograde motion in your relationship sector, they’re no longer operating in the dark, making any potential second chances easier to spot.

Leo

With no planetary activity in either of your romantic or relationship sectors, overwhelming professional forces haven’t met much resistance. But if the scales have been balanced too far towards your professional life they have already begun to shift, with both new doors and the door to second chances now open in a social and serendipitous part of your chart.

Virgo

Since returning to your relationship sector in February Neptune, planet of dreams and fantasies has been standing back as personal and relationship challenges played out, all the while bringing a sense that anything was possible. Due to turn retrograde in just 2 weeks time, Neptune gives you a chance to slow down and engage your imagination.

Libra

As Venus, planet of love spends her first full week in retrograde motion in an adventurous part of your chart, she has support on all sides. With the Sun spending his first full day here as well, life as a whole is taking on more colourful dynamics. With the seriousness of recent months behind you, it’s time to have some fun.

Scorpio

With the Sun already gone from your relationship sector, Mercury leaving in just 2 days time and even Jupiter in just 3 weeks time, you’re now in the end game, where it’s all about putting your relationships on the path you want them to continue on. While your relationships are still a priority they won’t be for much longer, so getting things on track is essential.

Sagittarius

Where yesterday’s solar eclipse in your relationship sector and the new doors this opened may have taken you by surprise, you have a chance today to adjust. One of the biggest adjustments is how to focus this with Venus, planet of love’s first full week in retrograde motion in your relationship sector and the doors to second chances this has opened.

Capricorn

With the Sun and Moon gone from your romantic sector, Mercury leaving in 2 days time and Jupiter in just 3 weeks time, a journey that began in June 2011 is coming to an end. That journey is to bring your romantic expectations and experiences up to speed and your love life on the track you want it to continue on, with a new sense of urgency setting in.

Aquarius

At the same time that yesterday’s solar eclipse in your romantic sector has opened the door to new beginnings, with Venus spending her first full week in retrograde motion here the door is also open to second chances. You have so much romantic clout and for so long that you don’t have to pick and choose which to go after, with anything possible.

Pisces

You’re now in the final weeks of a major mission to bring your communications up to speed, something that your relationships will rely on moving forward, with a need to make every effort you can now to ensure that the communication lines are open. You’ve come too far to be tripped up now by unsaid words.

the daily humorscopes for tuesday, may 22nd

the daily humorscope

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

 
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
Time for an excursion! Remember to pack some sandwiches, and carry a large ball of twine (it’s easy to get lost in the city — the twine should help).
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
This is going to be a fairly peculiar day, for you. You’ll end up taking a bus downtown. Two neatly dressed but somewhat short and embittered women will push a cart up and down the aisle in the bus, dispensing packets of honey-roasted peanuts, and miniscule quantities of Diet Coke in plastic glasses.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
You will be “on the move”, soon. Especially movements of a gastrointestinal nature, as it turns out. Good day to stay close to home.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
Try not to attract attention today. This might be a good time to learn the art of disguise. Forget about camoflage suits, though – I tried wearing mine to the mall, and people could still see me, even when I crouched and remained very still.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Today you will realize that you’ve always wanted to have the biggest ball of string in town, and will start collecting odd bits of string at every opportunity. Eventually, you will make it into the Guinness Book of World Records, right next to the Giant Happy Tape Ball record set by Mr. S. Boondoggle.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
Today you will receive an odd postcard from a long lost relative in Peru. He will invite you to come explore an ancient Incan ruin which he has discovered. Try not to be too impulsive — a better offer will soon arrive from a an old high school friend who is hiding out in a Burmese monastery.
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
You will get one of those pre-mixed salads in a new high-tech bag that “breathes”. Or, in this case, wheezes.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
You will get the peculiar urge to go outside and roll around in something yucky. Also, you’ll notice your ears are getting hairy.
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
Good day to invent an anti-gravity device. Or at least, to tell everyone that’s what you’re doing.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 20)
Remember today: two wrongs don’t make a right. But three do.
Aquarius (January 21 – February 18)
Time to make a bold new fashion statement. What’s the reason for matching socks, anyway? Why are people so obsessed with sartorial symmetry?
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
This may be a little late, but heck, late is better than never. You know when they said to shop naked? They meant shopping on-line…

Daily Cosmic Calendar for Tuesday, May 22nd

Every so often, the universe requests a siesta and pulls in the reins – allowing humanity and events on Earth to proceed without a lot of outside interference. This is one of those infrequent, 24-hour time-periods. The Moon continues its transit through Gemini – placing an emphasis on reading, writing and exploring favorite hobbies. A key event is the monthly Moon-Venus union (2:25PM PDT) – the first lunar conjunction with Venus since this planet’s reversal on May 15. Feminine issues are on center stage right now. Make sure your primary partnerships are improving rather than stagnating. Review your recent progress in the fine and graphic arts. It should be business as usual on the professional front – thanks to a flowing trine in air signs of the Moon and Saturn (3:52PM PDT). However, this harmonious tie between the Moon and Saturn also begins a long void twilight zone that lasts until 4:32AM PDT tomorrow. The main rule-of-thumb during any void-of-course lunar cycle is to finish old projects on a high note, but not launch bold ventures. Take this message to heart as Mercury forms a contra-parallel to Pluto (6:50PM PDT). Psychic storm warnings are posted – particularly on the relationship horizon where casual conversations could turn into vociferous debates or outright arguments. Be prepared for added controversy and unsettled conditions in affairs of the heart tomorrow as Mercury will oppose Juno just a few hours before one of two annual Sun-Neptune squares.

Calendar of the Moon for Tuesday, May 22nd

Hawthorn Tree Month

Color: Purple
Element: Air
Altar: Upon a cloth of purple place a vase of the budded hawthorn twigs, a knife, incense of gardenia and marjoram, and a figure of the Goddess.
Offerings: Contemplate something that is both beautiful and painful.
Daily Meal: Serve fruit juice with the food.

Huath Invocation
Call: Now is the time of the flower’s blossoming.
Response: Now is the time when the hand reaches forth to pluck.
Call: Now is the time when we struggle with our instincts…
Response: To take beauty for ourselves, or to leave it in its place.
Call: Now is the time when we must remember that all plants are not ours.
Response: We did not plant the forest, and it does not belong to us.
Call: We were not the first beings on this earth.
Response: We have come young and late, and the trees look down upon us.
Call: They groan from the centuries of our meddling.
Response: They grow thorns to protect themselves.
Call: Now is the time when the hawthorn goddess steps forward.
Response: Now is the time when the heartless lady lifts her hand.
Call: Now is the time of great beauty in the world.
Response: Now is the time when Nature protects her beauty.
Call: The hawthorn goddess stabs us to the heart with beauty.
Response: She reminds us of our place in the world.
Call: She reminds us that we do not own this green planet.
Response: She reminds us that our grasping fingers can still bleed.
Call: She makes the hedges that our animals cannot cross.
Response: She sets the boundaries that no man may cross.
Call: She makes our hearts beat faster or slower.
Response: Her berries are sweet, but she protects them.
Call: We must respect her as we respect the Earth….
Response: The Green Man falls before her, heedless and headless.
Call: She is the blade of all trees, and we shed our blood for her.
Response: She is the teeth of Nature, and we give way before her might.

Chant:
Cauldron of Changes
Blossom of Bone
Arc of Eternity
Hole in the Stone

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Sun for Tuesday, May 22nd

Calendar of the Sun

Feralia: Day of Purification

Color: White
Element: Air
Altar: On a white cloth put a lit candle, incense, a cup of water, and a bowl of salt.
Offering: Although this day is not a day of total silence, it is a solemn day and talking should be done only when necessary and in quiet tones. Bodies should be thoroughly cleaned during the bathing hour, and then the altar area should be cleaned and purified with all four elements. Each person, upon entering the altar space at the beginning of Sponde should remove their clothing and be naked, and each body should be purified with the four elements and marked with water and salt, at which point they may enrobe again. Chores of the day should concentrate on cleaning and repair.
Daily Meal: Vegan and extremely simple and plain.

Feralia Invocation

Breathe the air into your body
And breathe out again,
And as you breathe out,
Let all grime and corruption
Depart on that breath
(All breathe together for twelve breaths.)
Feel the blood coursing through your body
And imagine it clean
Of anything but what should be there.
Feel the energy coursing through your body
And wash it clean
Of anything that does not belong.
Feel the Earth beneath you,
Remember that She can absorb all
Remember that all rot is her provenance
Draw her energy up into you
And give it back again.

(After this grounding, all breathe together again in a yogic breathing pattern for the next half an hour, after which all will go with water and salt and incense and fire to all rooms in the house and cleanse them. Great care should be taken for the rest of the day not to disturb the energy of the freshly cleaned house.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Current Moon Phase for May 22nd – New Moon(Waxing)

Moon Phases: New Moon

(waxing 0-45 degrees)

by Jan Spiller

The New Moon is a time best suited to making new beginnings! For the first 48 hours following the exact time of the New Moon each month, a window of opportunity opens for making wishes that, if written down, come true in the days and months ahead. There is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm in the atmosphere and a feeling of Springtime. This is a great time to go forward and begin projects that you feel instinctively attracted to initiating. Follow your impulses and let yourself make new starts in areas that are important to you.