zodiac
To Lie, To Live, To Believe
Our brains are naturally wired to recognize patterns, find connections between seemingly unrelated things, and draw analytical conclusions from our observations. We all use this ability every day without even knowing it.
It is a talent we inherited from our ancient ancestors. Professor Robert C. Barkman explains that “pattern recognition was key to the survival of our Neanderthal ancestors, allowing them to identify poisonous plants, distinguish predator from prey, and interpret celestial events. Today, pattern recognition plays new, but just as important roles in diagnosing diseases, inspiring new ways to safeguard data, and discovering new planets.”
This amazing ability is however seldom mentioned or considered in spiritual and metaphysical circles. But Spirit has over the years guided me towards greater spiritual insight and metaphysical understanding by taking me on interesting journeys of analysis and pattern recognition towards profound insights and relevations.
For example, while meditating during Easter a few weeks ago, my guides took me ‘down a rabbit hole’ on the decisive word believe. The first insight I discovered was that right in the middle of the word ‘believe’ there hides another, more disheartening little word: lie.
Of course, ‘believe’ is a good word. It is the cornerstone to faith and living a spiritually empowered life. But the hidden word ‘lie’ inside it reminds us that we must also have a living faith for it to be authentic and powerful. And, if you drop the letter ‘v’ into ‘lie,’ it becomes the word ‘live.’
Empower Yourself With Astrological Intention
Astrology is to me like a metaphysical best friend. It is a way to reflect in the mirror and expand my personal growth. By applying it daily over the past decade my life has become more mindful, and miraculous. I’ve also noticed that challenging astrological aspects, such as squares and oppositions, have become easier for me to deal with.
An astrological square is considered one of the more adverse aspects in a chart. This placement is when two planets are separated by three zodiac signs and therefore positioned at a 90-degree angle in the chart at the time of birth. This creates competing tension between the energies of these two planets which neither can win, forcing them to compromise and somehow meet each other halfway.
An astrological opposition is another extremely challenging aspect in a chart. This placement happens when two planets are exactly opposite each other in the zodiac at 180 degrees apart. This means these two planets are in opposing signs and as far apart as they can possibly be on the astrological wheel. Their unique energies are therefore polar opposite, causing conflict, drama, and power clashes.
I keep track of these events in my chart because I incorporate daily astrological intentions in my life as part of my spiritual routine. My practice is to map out each day’s relevant transits and to then meditate on the significant aspects. I also pray for assistance where needed, such as with the significant squares and oppositions in my daily chart. Then, I go about my day.
The Empowering Symbolism Of The World Card
The World card in the Tarot remains one of my firm favorites. I am all for personal and spiritual growth, the completion of cycles, and new beginnings. The World represents exactly that: the ending of a cycle and pause in life, before the next major cycle begins with the fool.
The journey from the new beginnings of The Fool to the fulfilling endings of The World is a constant evolutionary process in our everyday lives that is represented by the sequence of the 22 Major Arcana cards of the Tarot. The World is the 22nd trump and therefore final card of the Major Arcana.
I have reflected on the imagery of the Rider-Waite version of this Tarot card in great detail. Rider-Waite is probably the most popular and universally recognized Tarot deck. The illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith at first glance appear simple, but the details and backgrounds feature abundant mystical symbolism.
The World pictures an empowered figure within a wreath – traditionally a symbol of victory, success, achievement, and eternal life. The figure holds a wand in each hand, which is reminiscent of the Magician card and the Two of Wands. However, while The Magician holds only one wand, the two wands in the The World card represents fulfillment, wholeness, balance and coming full circle.
The card is framed by four animals on the diagonal. The depiction of these four creatures parallels the four animal symbols used in Christian art to represent the four Evangelists, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The four animals also represent the zodiac signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius, the four fixed signs in Western Astrology, which in turn represent the classical four elements of Earth, Fire, Water and Air.
Astrology Forecast February 20 – 26, 2023
The week starts with a Pisces New Moon and Venus moving into Aries today.
New Moons herald a time of new beginnings, and in Pisces the focus ison spiritual advancement, and expanded views of the physical world and metaphysical realms as they relate to each other.
Venus loves to show off in Aries, so get ready to express yourself! And be prepared for others to act with more drama and flair than usual.
Tomorrow afternoon’s Pisces Moon conjunction with Neptune in Pisces can cause us to be nervous and hypersensitive. Some grounding and centering energy work is advised. On the upside the dreamy, poetic energies of this aspect is also ideal for journaling and artistic self-expression, so if you have been lacking inspiration lately this mid-day transit may be just the muse you have been waiting for.
Wednesday the Moon dashes into Aries, which will get us up and running! Creative ideas abound under this Moon, as well as accelerated energy to help us move through the mid-week with determination and ambition.
Friday and Saturday are all about the material world as the Moon cruises through Taurus. Making a real dent in home projects or implementing new self-care practices will be a theme for many of us.
Reserve Sunday for social media activities, as the Gemini Moon inspires more time online. Updating your news feed, doing zoom calls, and good old-fashioned in-person gabfests are likely to be on the agenda.
Astrology Forecast February 13 – 19, 2023
The imaginative, dreamy idealism of a Scorpio Moon trine with Neptune in Pisces this morning is a great opportunity to boost your usual spiritual practice. Make use of this inspirational moment to meditate on your goals and set new intentions. It is also a great time to pray, do meaningful crystal energy work, or consult your favorite oracle card deck.
However, do take care today, as the Scorpio Moon might also be casting illusions and misunderstandings our way. Be mindful of what you read and hear, but also take everything with a grain of salt. Do your research before reacting or moving in any direction. Stay calm and act sensibly, as the Scorpio Half Moon has the power to plunge us into drama at work, public disagreements, and conflict with our loved ones.
A lighter vibe prevails tomorrow and Wednesday under the Sagittarius Moon, casting a productive, yet balanced energy.
If you have any heavy lifting to do this week, or projects that urgently need to be completed, then Thursday and Friday are the best days to accomplish those tasks, as the Capricorn Moon exudes diligence and drive.
The Sun moves into Pisces on Saturday, so we will be spending the next four weeks in a more spiritual, mystical state of mind. Exploring our inner lives more deeply and investigating the metaphysical will be more prevalent. Also, as the final sign of the zodiac before a new cycle begins, this will be the time to wrap things up, review the past year from a spiritual perspective, and resolve long-standing issues in the area of health, wealth, and relationships. This is also a time when secrets may come out, so if you’re hiding any, be extra careful, or they might end up on the evening news!
The weekend’s socially-oriented Aquarius Moon promotes, unity, friendship, and catching up with loved ones.
Astrology Forecast February 6 – 12, 2023
This week’s cosmic energy is all about the mind, including new ideas and alternative ways of looking at things, that will lead us to bigger and better things. We won’t need to re-invent the wheel, but we should consider new uses for old objects, reorganizing our stale schedules and goals, and implement better energy flow in our home with a mini-remodel or feng shui project.
This morning’s Leo Moon opposite Saturn in Aquarius could cause no end of trouble at home, so keep a low profile and stay calm. This opposition is notorious for inspiring arguments and drama, especially regarding the children and household finances.
The Moon travels through Virgo later today until Wednesday, expanding our mental capacity and boosting our organizational skills. We will need to take care not to be too idealistic or overly critical. Expressing our opinions calmly, while remaining open to the ideas of others, will pay off handsomely!
Thursday and Friday are all about balance and equilibrium under the Libra Moon. The keyword here is vision. A great idea may land in your lap, but think it through for a few days before you jump to implement it.
The only significant planetary shift this week is Mercury’s electric transit into Aquarius on Saturday. Combined with this weekend’s Scorpio Moon and the Sun currently in Aquarius, it will inspire new insights, intuitions, and impossible dreams that are sure to catch our fancy. However, be prepared for possible delays in communication and travel Saturday afternoon due to the Scorpio Moon square with Mercury in Aquarius. Be especially careful not to get lost if travelling, and make sure you send that email or text to correct person!
Astrology Forecast January 30 – February 5, 2023
The Gemini Moon will have us very focused on social and intellectual pursuits today and tomorrow, as we search for creative ways to change up our routines and think outside of the box. Gemini lunar energy boosts our curiosity, innovative thinking and the desire for novelty. It is a great time or learning new things, networking, creative ideas and charismatic communication.
Keep your feelings in check around midday today, as the Gemini Moon square Venus in Pisces may pave the way for irritability, emotional outbursts, and arguments. It will especially be the worst possible time to get into a quarrel with your mother-in-law!
This afternoon’s Gemini Moon sextile with Jupiter in Aries will be an ideal time for business opportunities and making money, so make that call or send that marketing email!
If there’s anything you need to get done this week at work or in your business, do it before Wednesday, as things will then slow down significantly for the rest of the work week due to the Moon’s ethereal transit through Cancer. Use the second half of the week instead to reconnect with loved ones and practice some much needed self-care.
The weekend’s Leo Moon will inspire our generosity. Make an effort to unite with others in a common goal of charity and reach out to those in need. Sunday’s Full Moon in Leo will inspire energies of surrender and release, so clear out those closets and get things ready for the donation center, or journal to let go of the past and anything that is holding you back from living in the moment and confidently moving forward.