Tarot Card

Today’s Tarot card reading comes from The Green Witch Tarot Deck and The Green Witch Tarot Companion by Ann Moura. With the art done by Kiri Ostergaard Leonard.

General

Page of Athames – Minor Arcana

This is a card of apprentice who is eager to test the skills learned. There is an adroit use of language talents and desire to be more self-assertive. Here the young girl practices calling the quarters for ritual, using the instructions in her Book of Shadows and gaining self-confidence with her actions. This is the beginning of independent thinking, but one must take care no to let this self-assurance slip into the cockiness of ambition and certitude. The time is right to showcase one’s talents for evaluation, endorsement, recognition, or advancement. Proving oneself can be a personal matter or one related to work, with the implied caution of possible competition with others reaching for the same goal. Vigilance is needed, plus a keen awareness of learning what is required to pursue one’s goals. Competitors may be engaging in spying and gossip, so one must be discreet with words and apply the necessary wisdom to avoid spitefulness. Be wary of taking inappropriate shortcuts, for there is abundant energy to get past obstructions to learning and, through the testing, to prove one’s abilities in pursuit of one’s goals.

Borage, representing an increase of psychic power, protection, and courage, grows in the clearing. An owl, a symbol of Moon magic and intuition, watches from a nearby tree branch.

Meaning: Assertiveness, showcasing talents, demonstrating abilities for advancement, testing skills, pursuing goals, vigilance, language skills, proving abilities, scrupulous preparations, practicing a skill, beginnings of independent thinking, preparing for action.

Prompt Words: Showcasing talents, vigilance.

Health

Two of Pentacles – Minor Arcana

This is a card of security concerns. A person is focused on security of home and finances, saving money yet also having money to spend. This card indicates a cautious approach to friendship and socializing — not antisocial, but just be careful and perhaps a little suspicious of the motives of others. Access to the home is restricted until a person is more familiar with would-be guests. Such a person does not appreciate uninvited or unexpected visitors to the home, nor a presumption of personal familiarity. Reserved and careful, and self-contained, the person is possibly living in comfortable circumstances but has concerns about being taken advantage of and losing what has been gained. Financial security is of paramount importance, and this state is well entrenched. What is earned is kept in reserve, perhaps building up a savings account or being directed into a fund. This is the card of a private person, one who may be influential but also Selective of associates. There may be financial blockage or simply an unwillingness to spend money. This is a thrifty person, so gift-giving is likely limited by price.

Nettle, an herb of security, home protection, increasing finances, is kept by the door of the house. A turtle, a symbol of security, abundance, defense, and relationships, withdraws into his shell.

Meaning: Security of home and finances, careful spending, saving money, budgeting, controlling personal access, feeling insecure, blocked expression, social reluctance, reserved nature, socially shy, suspicious of others’ motives, selective of associates, a small gift, endurance, pay raise, increase in income, income directed to private employment of beauty.

Prompt Words: Financial security, self-contained, withdrawn

Love

Two of Chalices – Minor Arcana

This is a card of good communication and loving companionship. A true lover’s card, it shows a that choice or decision has been made and that a couple is well suited for each other. It may also represent a congenial relationship between two people, and while usually reflecting love, understanding, and possibly marriage, it can also apply simply to a satisfying partnership in a business, friendship, or social setting where there is a strong bond between two people. There may be a happy surprise, a proposal, or a reconciliation implied. As this is a card of joy and happiness, the relationship may be clarified by surrounding cards in a spread. There is a sense of well-being that is shared with another, with mutual respect and enjoyment. Creative ideas may also be indicated, shared, and appreciated by another who is close. Agreement and agreeable relationship bring one comfort and security. There is a strong bond of trust here, as well as dependability and goodwill.

Coriander, a plant of love, fidelity, home, happiness, peace, and security, grows near the couple. A goose, a symbol of fidelity, love, communication, and comfort, watches nearby.

Meaning: Emotional balance, good communication, satisfying partnership, compatibility, proposal, harmony, reconciliation, cooperation, affinity, affection, a happy surprise.

Prompt Words: Good partnership, harmony.

Finance

The Horned God – Major Arcana – Reversed

The antlered God of nature stands in the forest clearing surrounded by the wildlife of his domain. He is the ruler of the forest and Lord of Beasts, a robust figure of authority, wisdom, and fertility. His power derives from his personal drive and leadership skills, but is tempered by his acceptance of the responsibilities that come with his position, for he is guardian of nature, the protector and nurturer of the natural cycles of life under his care. He also knows that he is part of of this cycle, and He willingly plays his role through the seasons as he perpetuates the nourishment of earth by his marriage to the Earth Mother at the summer solstice. He impregnates her, surrendering his virile energy to her care as he turns into his Sage aspect. Now, however, he is strong, aware of his partner, yet kind, gentle, and general with his abundance. The Horned God is honored as a benefactor and protector, yet he is also the Wild God of the Hunt, reflecting a time when hunting game was necessity for survival. Indeed, his image as the Hunter can be traced back through time to ancient cave paintings of the antlered and hide-robed shaman working his magic for a successful hunt. The Horned God is master of the woods is the master of the woods, the vegetation of the earth, and animal kingdom. He builds and rules his domain in all the wild places, yet he demonstrates the life cycle within the changing seasons. He is compassionate to the animals that live out their roles as prey and predator, game and vermin, each according to the nature of their kind, for he teaches that Divine Spirit dwells in al things. The Horned God reminds the hunter to offer blessings to the hunted with the understanding of the unity of all things in the ecosystems they inhabit, for what may be vermin to one may be sustenance for another.

Wild bergamot–representing authority, power, fertility, and energy, blooming with red brilliance, the color of blood–grows in profusion around the God. Ravens, symbolizing messages, guardianship, growth, and guidance, circle overhead while on of them whispers news of the world to the Horned God.

Meaning: Accomplishment, leadership, skills, responsibility, authority, personal power, stability, self-confidence, experienced, initiating plans, building projects, protecting what is created, fertility, satisfaction, husbandry.

Reversed: Bureaucratic, inflexible, indecisive, petty.

Prompt Words: Responsibility, builder

Rune

Tiwaz

What is higher than the self is the Self become Higher.”

Tiwaz – “Tea-waz” – Literally: “The god, Tyr” – Esoteric: Justice, Sacrifice

Rune of the balance and justice ruled from a higher rationality. The rune of sacrifice of the individual (self) for well-being of the whole (society).

Psi: spiritual warrior, honour, righteousness

Energy: sovereign order, sacrifice, right decision making

Mundane: the rule of law, fairness, peace keeping

Divinations: faith, loyalty, justice, rationality, self-sacrifice, analysis, victory, honesty, even-handedness; or mental paralysis, over analysis, over-sacrifice, injustice, imbalance, defeat, tyranny.

Governs:
Obtaining just victory and success in battle, litigation or legal matters
Building spiritual will and development of sound judgement
Develops the power of positive self-sacrifice
Develops the “force of faith” in magic and religion

Witches’ Rune

The Rings

Keywords: Love, relationships.

Meanings: The Rings is the rune of love and when it is the leading stone, it is a positive answer to your question. It is very much a rune of relationship and can indicate engagement, marriage or a new/renewed relationship. It can also indicate the need for a fresh approach to an existing relationship.

Ogham

Ura-Heather

The beauty of heather flowers is one reason it is associated with the Irish Goddess of love, fertility, and new growth. Be happy when you draw this letter because it denotes love, companionship, and passion. Whether it will be a new love or an old love rekindled, Ura is a powerful symbol and one that may bring great luck in your love life.

Fortune – This Ogham deals in matters of Love. Whether it is new love or rekindling of old love, enjoy the peace and love that comes with Ura!

I Ching

Hexagram Forty – Three/43

Kuai / Breakthrough

A Deluge from Heaven:
The Superior Person rains fortune upon those in need, then moves on with no thought of the good he does.

The issue must be raised before an impartial authority.
Be sincere and earnest, despite the danger.
Do not try to force the outcome, but seek support where needed.
Set a clear goal.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

Your iron will must come to the forefront now.
It will take great personal determination to resolve the situation in question.
Your adversary would love to force you into an angry display.
That would legitimize his opposition to you.
Such a berserker rage would drag you down to his level.
You must resolutely take a public stand against what he represents, but refuse to engage him.
Without compromise, you show others the way to higher ground

Numerology

From a purely mathematical perspective, the 9 stands apart.

Here’s why:

When you multiply any number by 9, then add the resulting digits and reduce them to a single digit, it always becomes a 9. For example, 6 x 9 = 54, reduce 54 to a single digit by adding them together: 5 + 4 = 9. Similarly, 8 x 9 = 72, and 7 + 2 = 9. Or 23 x 9 = 207, 2 + 0 + 7 = 9, and so forth.

There is nothing coincidental about this peculiarity.

Try it. Any number, no matter how large, multiplied by 9 reduces to 9. From a numerological perspective, the 9 simply takes over, like the infamous body snatchers. Any number that was initially increased by a factor of 9 loses its own identity and instead takes on the characteristics of the 9.

No other number has that quality.

A different, but no less distinctive attribute of the 9 happens when you add it to any other number, then reduce that number to a single digit. In this case, it always comes back to itself as if nothing was added at all – it doesn’t change anything from the initial single digit value.

For example, 5 + 9 = 14, 1 + 4 = 5. Or 7 + 9 = 16, 1 + 6 = 7. 24 (which reduces to 6) + 9 = 33, 3 + 3 = 6. Again, have some fun, try it on a bunch of numbers.

When multiplying, the 9 takes over, but when adding, the 9 does nothing.

For a math junkie like myself, this is beauty. It symbolically touches the core of the magic that underlies this creation. But enough about math, let’s look at the personality of this unique number.

The highest of the cardinal numbers, the 9 is the most worldly and sophisticated of all.

The 9 has similarities with the 6 – including its shape (turned upside down). However, where the 6 is a symbol of love and compassion directed to people close to them (friends, family, the local community), the 9 offers love and care to the world at large.

The 9, more than any other number, has global consciousness – a reservoir of giving with a generous downward spout.

The 9 lives in the world and understands the connection between all people. Individuals with this number are humanitarians who see no difference between their next-door neighbor and people from different cultures on the other side of the world. The 9 is the least judgmental of all numbers, the most tolerant and the most conscious.

The 9 is overwhelmingly loving and empathetic.

People often regard those with a strong 9 as majestic, graceful, and elevated, but closely connected with the rest of humankind. At the same time, they can be hard to reach, seem aloof, and tend to float above the small-minded issues that can be upsetting to others. People either love or loathe 9 individuals, but find it difficult to deny the respect they demand. 9s have impeccable taste, are talented, creative, and usually quite eloquent when they express themselves.

The 9 is called the “Mother Theresa” number because it doesn’t hesitate to rectify abuse. More importantly, it does not seek credit for giving assistance. Just as the number 9 added to another number does not force its way into the sum (the sum stays the same) – 9 individuals never force themselves upon others when trying to help.

When circumstances require, 9s can be a powerful force, strong enough to take over and bend others to their will (just as the number 9 does when used to multiply any other number, where it takes control). However, the 9 is not a leader in the same way the 1 and the 8 are; its influence comes from the higher realms of philosophy and justice. A 9 does not use force or cunning, they just change your mind!

Although they are generally selfless, a 9 is often prosperous. This contradiction helps illustrate the true nature of the 9. Where an 8 becomes financially successful by focusing on the potential reward from an undertaking, 9s earn financial reward by utterly ignoring the monetary potential of an endeavor, the exact opposite of the 8.

As for matters of the heart, the 9 is not particularly romantic.

The 9 can be a difficult romantic partner, not only because they are demanding, but because you never know to what extent you’ve managed to reach them emotionally. 9s tend to hide their hearts, so even after knowing them for many years, the connection can still seem a bit distant.

They are loyal friends but will not allow themselves to become vulnerable. The most telling attribute of the 9 is the always subtle, difficult to pinpoint feeling there is more to them than meets the eye. They carry depth and intuition, and are at all times aware of their surroundings, like a person with over-developed peripheral vision.

As with any number, the 9 has a dark side.

A 9 can be condescending, arrogant, cold, and apathetic towards the suffering of others. When the 9 shows its dark side, it is egotistic, cruel, immoral, and completely untouchable. Unfortunately, it is easy for a 9 to fall into the dark side. For example, if they perceive themselves to be the victim of an injustice, they can turn vindictive, unforgiving, and malicious.

When the 9 appears as a cycle, it often denotes a finality, the completion of an era.

The 9 as a cycle is frequently seen as an indicator of death. This is simplistic and incorrect. When you are in the 9th period of a cycle (such as the 9th year of a 9-year cycle), it suggests you are in the final stages of that period or endeavor. It’s a time to empty your bucket and prepare for change, let go of the past, wrap up loose ends, and make way for new opportunities.

In Personal Year cycles, the 9 is always followed by the 1; every time you go through that two-year phase (from one year to the next) you go through a transformation of some kind. Look at any period in your life when you went through a 9 Personal Year followed by a 1 Personal Year and you will find this to be true. Then, look at your Essence and Transit cycles to learn what the fundamental nature of that transformation was.

Animal Spirit Guide or Helper

Snow Leopard

“Take some time out of your usual life and spend it in solitude.”

It ca be difficult these days to spend time in solitude–to unplug, get off the electronic grid, and find a quite place in or near Nature–yet it’s important to do so at this time. Turn off the phone, computer, and television, if only for a few hours. Although you may feel a little anxious and restless upon your first do so, these feelings will pass. Use the time for contemplation and meditation. It’s not isolation; it’s solitude. Solitude is a conscious and loving choice to be alone for a period of time, while isolation is a habitual and reflexive coping pattern to avoid discomfort and intimacy. If possible, take a full day by yourself, and just do whatever you feel like doing. Whatever length of time you spend in solitude, be sure to write as often as you can in your journal.

If you should feel guilty or anxious about the thought of doing this or even while you are actually doing it, use your breath to help you relax. As much as you possibly can during the period of alone time, remind yourself to breath and relax. Whenever you notice your breathing become shallow, take three or four deep breaths and watch your tensions and anxiety dissipate. Enjoy the feeling of having the sacred space of solitude surrounding you. And remember: You’re never really alone.

Associations: Solitude; Self-reliance; Balance; Silence; Stealth; Confidence; Determination; Perseverance; Containment; Sensitivity; Intuition; Reliability; Mysterious; Integration; Shamanism