Tarot Cards and Moon Phases

The Tarot archetypes sync up with the eight phases of the Moon

The days following a New Moon phase are auspicious. The actual day of the New Moon, the balsamic or dark Moon period, marks the beginning point when the heavens shift from dark to light. On the following days magic is in the air and the inner life is awakened.

This is a perfect time to tap into your inner wisdom with a Celtic Cross Tarot reading and prepare for a new beginning in your life. Imagine the first crack of an egg. It takes work and diligence to crack that egg open and expand toward new dimensions, but the effort is always worth it in the end.

This metaphor illustrates the potential available to each of us the day after a New Moon approaches. The following quote expresses the essence of the New Moon’s potential.

“A New Moon teaches gradualness and deliberation and how one gives birth to oneself slowly. Patience with small details makes perfect a large work, like the universe.” –Rumi

The New Moon: The Fool

“Behold, a sacred voice is calling you. All over the sky a sacred voice is calling you.” –Black Elk

Do something different for a change. Dare to be lighthearted. Change what you wear. Surprise yourself with a new attitude. Shine the light of magic and wonder in all that you do and see. Watch the birds take flight from tree to tree. Free yourself from old routines that tie you down and exhaust your immune system. Allow the vibrations of the New Moon to awaken your inner life with fresh perspectives and promptings.

Suggested flower essence: Shooting Star … discover yourself again and embody the genius of your soul!

Crescent Moon: The High Priestess

When each day is sacred, when each hour is sacred, when each instant is sacred, Earth and you, space and you, bearing and sacred through time, you’ll reach the fields of light. –Guillevic

The crescent Moon has been associated with Isis, the Egyptian Goddess known as She Who Makes Right Use of the Heart, or the Mother of Heaven. Isis’s headdress is often depicted with the horns of a cow on her head, and the solar disc between them. These horns are a symbol of the crescent Moon and are representations of immanent fertility and prosperity.

An intuitive spark of heart and mind have been lit. You now bear the torch. Be still while you listen and visualize. Take note of the seeds that have been planted within your garden of life and do everything you can to bring nutrients to the foundation of your life. Moisten and deepen your attunement to inner truth. The crescent Moon offers a force of light pushing forward within you.

Suggested flower essence: Cat’s Ear … attune to the magic of your intuition and act accordingly.

First Quarter: The Magician

“You must become the change you want to see in the world.” –Gandhi

The Magician is one who has become seasoned and attuned to the conscious aspects of life ready to manifest. The Magician leads the whimsical wandering of The Fool into a clearer stream of consciousness that can actualize miracle upon miracle. You must now understand the world of matter and turn that which has been unseen into visible creations. Be productive, active, goal-oriented and joyous in every endeavor. Nothing can remain stagnant at this stage of the Moon’s phase. The theme of creative movement is evident in the flow of life.

Suggested flower essence: Iris … the creative paintbrush of the soul. Paint your dreams into manifested joy and deliberation.

Gibbous Moon: The Wheel of Fortune

“How shall I begin my song in the blue night that is setting? In the great night my heart will go out. Toward me the light comes, rattling. In the great night sky my heart will go out.” –Medicine Woman Chant

The gibbous Moon phase can be called the womb of potential. Life is a constant process of transformation and movement involving integration, disintegration, generation and degeneration. Having recently experienced a rebirth cycle, you are now ready to embrace all that is expanding and growing in your life. Confront your opportunities and challenges in order that a permeable reality may evolve. Love new things, stretch your imagination, seek new experiences and take in an interesting movie or documentary and study. Fill your life with interests and activities.

Suggested flower essence: Mountain Pride … the great warrior of the heart moves forward, actualizing dreams and goals. Perseverance is the key.

Full Moon: The Sun and Moon

“Each night Lady Moon gathers unto herself all the discarded memories and forgotten dreams of mankind. These she stores in her silver cup till dawn. Then, at first light, all these forgotten dreams and neglected memories are returned to Earth as Moon-sap, or dew. Mingled with lacrimae lunae, ‘the tears of the Moon,’ this dew nourishes and refreshes all life on Earth. Through compassionate care of the Goddess, nothing of value is lost to man.” –from the Legend of the Moon by Sallie Nichols

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” –John Wesley

The force of the Sun and Moon are illumined and the pure potential of both lights are fully active. The chalice cup is full, life is brimming over with expectation, and the cornucopia horn of plenty has been placed at the center table of life. Wisdom shines outward. Share your gifts, talents, joys and manifested creations through teaching, writing, dancing and community sharing. This is the peak of light and you are filled with its radiant glow.

Suggested flower essence: Lotus … flower of water and air bringing the unconscious forces into conscious knowing and insight.

Disseminating Moon: The Star

“You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.” –Mary Oliver

This is the time to pour forward all that you have accumulated by networking, sharing news, offering service and find the joy to be the light of the world. You know the mystery of life and you live according to the secret wisdom found in the Full Moon phase. Share in the mystery and walk in the beauty of your true self. This is a time to reach for the stars as they become more visible with the decreasing light of the Full Moon. You may ask yourself, “How may I serve the world?”

Suggested flower essence: The Rose … deeply rooted in the Earth, the rose blossoms into the beauty of love. The rose opens the heart chakra so that we may do our very best work on Earth.

Third Quarter Moon: Judgment

“From joy I came, for joy I live, and in Thy sacred joy, I shall melt again.” –Yogananda

Look deeply now to assess all that you have become responsible for. We have countless opportunities to weigh our pros and cons in life. Seek to negate all polarities and opposition within and roll them back into the deep soil of the past. Now is the time for a renewed self-reflection and once again you are prompted to spend some quality time alone, read a good book, get a haircut, clean out closets, move things around. It will beneficial to fast for a day or eat lightly so that your body may purge and cleanse. You are preparing for another turn of the Moon … and darkness in the sky brings bright wisdom within.

Suggested flower essence: Sagebrush … cutting through all illusion and confusion, sagebrush cleanses the aura and the field of light around the heart chakra.

Balsamic Moon: The Hermit

“Yet it is in this loneliness that the deepest activities begin. It is here that you discover act without motion, labor that is profound repose, vision in obscurity and beyond all desire, a fulfillment whose limits extend to infinity.” –Thomas Merton

When the dark Moon resides within the heavens, a sweet quiet is pervasive. Meditate, contemplate, pray, chant and rest. There are many ways to experience the descent into the unconscious successfully, and the more attentive you become of this inner need, the greater balance and immune health an individual will attain. Strengthen your connection to the invisible worlds, seek the cave and find the light within.

Suggested flower essence: Queen of the Night … desert cactus flower that blooms in the night offering the inner light of the unconscious.

The Moon phases are the magical wheel that we dance upon each month. In your own birth chart you have your own progressed Moon phases that coincide with the eight phases that I have written about in this post. Each progressed Moon phase lasts approximately 2 1/2 years. You might like to find out which house your progressed Moon is passing through and what sign it is in. It’s great to understand the mapping of your own inner sky.

Your Horoscopes for Sunday, March 2nd

Maintaining our confidence is challenging now as we ride conflicting cosmic waves. We may already be experiencing delays on this first full day of Mars retrograde. Karmic Saturn turns retrograde today, further impeding our progress. Luckily, we receive an energetic kick from the Moon’s entry into impulsive Aries at 10:39 am EST. But a dynamic square between the cosmic lovers, Venus and Mars, stirs up relationship issues that try our patience.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You receive a boost of power from Mars today, making you think you’re fast enough to pass everyone else on the highway. However, it turns out that your car might not have enough horsepower to win the race. Your current plans could be built on an unrealistic assessment of the situation, so don’t assume that everything will automatically go your way. Ease up on the accelerator; you’ll arrive at your destination sooner if you don’t push so hard. This is not a competition; just find a sustainable pace to reach your goal.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

You’re tempted to take action today so you won’t have to defend yourself later — especially if you feel that someone is attacking your values. It’s easy to get worked up over this unsettling situation, but your integrity may not really be at stake. Achieving your relationship goals could require additional time, but the delays won’t be significant if you stay flexible. Alter your path but not your destination, even if a partner’s resistance is an obstacle. Adjusting your schedule is a small price to pay for progress.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

You may feel as if you’re working harder today, but not necessarily getting anything done. Although your high adrenaline has you twitching with excitement, your smartest strategy is to let circumstances dictate the speed at which you work. Instead of allowing anger to get the best of you, take the edge off your feelings by engaging in strenuous physical activity. But don’t forget to pay careful attention to your feelings; your self-awareness can save you from emotionally exhausting yourself for no reason.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

Although you’re craving a meaningful connection with someone special, you still might be tempted to pull back into your shell to protect your heart. Unfortunately, buried emotional pain can turn into resentment, which is even more difficult to resolve later on. But now it’s time to figure out what needs to be said and find ways to say it. Your future well-being depends on your willingness to bring your feelings out into the open once and for all.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You’re up for nearly anything today, especially if you can convince a group of people to join in your adventure. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to get anyone to fall in line with your plans. However, your confidence flies in the face of logic now, inspiring everyone you encounter. Instead of attempting to restrain your friends and family members, encourage them to wander through their dreams in search of spiritual meaning. However, don’t assume that others will reveal the ultimate truth to you. You must discover that for yourself.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Although your uncertainty makes it difficult to fulfill your commitments today, you still want to hold up your end of the deal. But your dreams can be overwhelming now and it’s really not a good idea to shut them off so quickly. It won’t be easy to integrate your most creative fantasies into your routine, but it’s worth the try. Put your facts in order and hone your skills. You need to perform at the peak of your abilities to make the most of these auspicious times.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Developing your plans for the months ahead should be your top priority now that Mars is retrograde in your diplomatic sign. But you must take someone else’s schedule into consideration while the reflective Moon is visiting your 7th House of Partnerships. Thankfully, there’s no need to rush your agenda; it’s more sensible to work at whatever pace feels comfortable to everyone involved. Lead by example and demonstrate your willingness to compromise.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Your dreams may conjure up memories of the past and your emotions are so intense now that it’s challenging to express them without instigating a bit of drama. Fortunately, you’re capable of painting a beautiful picture from a less-than-pretty experience. Alternatively, you could misguide your creativity with negativity based on low self-esteem. No matter what, be careful about confusing your fears with what’s truly happening in your environment. For the sake of peace, channel your passion into your art.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Your natural persuasive abilities are augmented now by your idealistic vision of what’s possible. But this isn’t about focusing on the details since you’re more concerned with theory rather than practice. Nevertheless, make certain that what you are saying is true or you might mislead yourself as well as everyone else. Don’t let tensions build to a breaking point. A logical plan, along with a willingness to listen to the opinions of others, is your best assurance to get what you want.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You need to pick one idea and stick with it, as difficult as this sounds now. But don’t take yourself too seriously since you can accomplish more if you have fun while you’re doing your chores. Cut yourself a bit of slack; everything might take a bit longer to finish than you thought. You will be happier today once you accept that you’re not always in control. Letting go of your expectations allows closer bonds to develop between you and those you love. Sometimes, taking a break is just what the doctor ordered.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You may feel exhausted from having to keep up appearances, but today you’re drawn into situations that are lighthearted and joyful. Taking time for the kids or jumping into a creative project might be enough to stir up the energy. However this cosmic chemistry plays out, don’t resist having fun while you can, even if it makes other parts of your life more complicated for a while. A bit of added complexity is a small price to pay for returning to your chores with a positive perspective and plenty of passion.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Pulling in your energy and being a little less aggressive about getting your way over the next couple of months might sound like odd advice for you sensitive Fish; however, it’s just what you need to do. Paradoxically, you may accomplish more than usual during this time of retreat. Try to spend more time today listening to your own inner voice and tuning out the external noise. Even if this strategy makes you a bit stir crazy, remember that this is your chance to recharge your vitality and reconnect with your spiritual core.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for Sunday, March 2nd

The Moon is void in Pisces from 3:05AM (during a supportive, 60-degree sextile from the lunar orb to Venus in Capricorn) to 7:41AM when the Moon enters fiery, assertive Aries. Plus, the Moon is illuminating Juno themes (style, design, beauty and fashion) as these two celestial bodies unite at 6:59AM (during the void time-span). Usually, the Moon starting a new round of visits through the 12 signs of the zodiac will emphasize a spring-like approach to life, enhancing one’s buoyant, energetic and spontaneous nature. However, following yesterday’s one-two punch of Mars and Vesta being stationary and turning into reverse (therefore temporarily stronger in their influence on humans), we now hear Saturn’s response and it is yet another station — this time at 24 degrees of Scorpio (8:20AM) — and a cycle that will continue until July 20. Thus, you need to add Saturn archetypes — such as structure, form, logic, common sense, pragmatism, conservation, persistence, hard work, responsibility, executive authority, but also doubt, pessimism, chills, colds, chronic disabilities, falls and fears — to the archetypes of Mars and Vesta that are now floating around in abundance in the psychic atmosphere of humanity. Slowing your pace around the horn is wise. Adding to today’s potential celestial mischief-making is Venus in Capricorn square to Mars in Libra (12:05PM). Projecting anger on to friends and loved ones is a no-no. Romance may suffer a bit of short-circuiting while this 90-degree aspect is present. It doesn’t help that the Moon parallels radical-change agent, eccentric Uranus (2:42PM) while the Sun forms a caustic, 135-degree tie with Mars still virtually stationary (8:39PM). Emulate Houdini and try to escape from any self-created cages and traps of your own making. Gear up for another soul-searching, wild ride on Monday. [Note to readers: All times are calculated for Pacific Standard Time. Be sure to adjust all times according to your own local time so the alignments noted above will be exact for your location.]

Current Moon Phase for March 2nd – New Moon

New Moon

(waxing/12% of Illumination)

The New Moon is a time best suited for 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 noted, come true in the days and months ahead. There is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm in the atmosphere, making it 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.

Faith

Witchy Comments

Faith is the Dark Moon

Unseen in the night

We know it is present

Yet long for the light.

Faith is the wind

That whispers around us.

We cannot touch it

And must take it on trust.

Faith is the soft voice

of the Goddess of Old

Who warms us in the winter

And wards off the cold.

Let my heart feel the warmth

Let my soul hear Her voice

Let me find faith in the darkness

And my spirit rejoice.

So Mote It Be.

Your Charm for Thursday, February 27th is Cancer the Crab

Your Charm for Today

Today’s Meaning:

This aspect of your life will be strongly influenced by a person who is emotional, loving, intuitive, imaginative, shrewd, cautious, protective and sympathetic. This could be an elder you look up too.

General Description:

Fourth sign of the Zodiac, June 22nd to July 23rd. Ruled by the Moon; correct metal, Silver. Those born under Cancer’s influence were supposed to be keen observers, imaginative, strong willed, reliant, tenacious, imressionable, brilliant, reserved, exacting, and sometimes over anxious. The Cancer stones are the emerald, agate, and chalcedony. The emerald was most highly esteemed in ancient times, was believed to possess great healing powers, and to be benficial to the eyes. Emerald talismans were worn to invode eloquence, courage, protection from sickness, and by seamen to guard them from perils at sea. Emeralds were supposed to turn pale at the approach of danger.

Your Tarot Card for February 27th is The Moon

The Moon

Thursday, Feb 27th, 2014

What has traditionally been known as the Moon card refers to a deep state of sensitivity and imaginative impressionability, developed within a womb of deep relaxation. Here we dream and go into trance, have visions and receive insights, wash in and out with the psychic tides, and experience deep mystical and/or terrifying realities beyond our ordinary senses. The full moon and/or eclipse cycle charted by the Magi (as in some of the earliest Moon card images) exemplify this as a mechanism that Nature uses to expand consciousness.

The variants of the courtly lovers (representing skillful use of the sex force) or the man sleeping it off under the tree (use of drugs to alter consciousness) are also traditional avenues for tapping this primal force. Human interest in higher states propels us to the frontiers of consciousness, where we cannot always control what happens. The Moon card represents the ultimate test of a soul’s integrity, where the membrane between self and the Unknown is removed, and the drop of individuality reenters the Ocean of Being. What transpires next is between a soul and its Maker.

Your Daily Horoscopes for Thursday, February 27th

We are reminded that we’re each part of a larger community now that the Moon is visiting humanistic Aquarius. We want the clarity of logic to rule our lives today, but we can’t fully detach from our feelings with the Sun in compassionate Pisces. Still, nothing is gained if we over-personalize our emotional responses to the circumstances we face. Cultivating a more global approach to solving our problems is the best strategy for the time being.