Tarot – True Tarot Tales

The Story of Aries, Fiery Sky Ram 2024

Aries, the Decans and general Astrology 2024

Salutations Aries! Spring is here, announced by the vernal equinox which occurred about 3 this morning UK time. But what’s the story behind the zodiac sun sign?

Symbolic Associations

Symbol:

Dates: 20 March – 19 April

Ruling planet: Mars

Lucky Day: Tuesday

Energy: Yang (Masculine/Extrovert. Not gender specific)

Element: Fire

Quality: Cardinal (Initiation- the start of a new season)

Key phrase: I am

Body: Aries rules the Head Constitutional Cell Salt: Potassium Phosphate, “brain food” -helpful for nerve and brain health. Foods containing this salt include but are not limited to: beans, beets, carrots, peanuts, milk, cheese and avocados

Birth Stone: Topaz, Aquamarine, Diamond

Colour: Red

Herbs/Flowers: Honeysuckle, tulip, thistle, bryony, peppermint, tiger lily, geranium, hops, impatiens, onions, hollyhock, thorn-bearing trees/shrubs/firs

Tarot Cards: The Emperor, Queen of Wands, and 2, 3 and 4 Wands (Rods, Batons).

The Spring/Vernal Equinox

Aries is the first sun sign in the year of the Tropical Western Zodiac. The word ‘zodiac’ comes from the ancient Greek word meaning ‘circle of animals.’ The only zodiac sign non-representative of a living creature is Aries’ opposite number Libra, the sign of the Scales of Justice, but even the Scales are borrowed from the claws of the giant Scorpion and the stars of Scorpio in the heavens next door.

We enter the zodiac sun sign territory of Aries on the day that once upon a time used to mark the spring/vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere, and the day of the autumn/fall equinox in the southern hemisphere.

The vernal equinox happens when the Sun is exactly above the equator, and day and night are equal length as the Sun crosses the celestial equator going north.

2,500 years ago, the annual conjunction of the sun and the star Hamal happened at the invisible point of the vernal/spring equinox, and this was the data used in the astronomer, mathematician and astrologer Ptolemy’s modelling of Western Tropical astrology in the 2^nd Century AD.

But now, astronomically speaking, the position of the Sun on the day of the vernal equinox is in the constellation of Pisces near the border of Aquarius. Modern star maps project that the vernal equinox will be entering Aquarius in about 600 years. The spring equinox technically happens in Pisces owing to the effect over time of the wobble of the earth and the precession of the equinoxes.

In the system of Western Tropical astrology however, and for profound historical and symbolic reasons, the spring/vernal equinox is still referred as the First Point of Aries, marking a great energetic re-set.

Astronomy

We can picture the star-ram lying or sitting head downwards, perhaps looking over his shoulder as if to admire his own fleece, or perhaps he’s just chilling, and chewing the cud.

New life is ignited. The planetary ruler of Aries is Mars, the red planet of action, energy, enthusiasm, courage, passion, initiative- and war. The real life ram is strong, brave, and at certain times of year, downright aggressive, charging headlong into the field, king of all he surveys. Ewes can be aggressive too, if disturbed by strangers when they have lambs to protect.

The constellation of Aries is located between the stars of Pisces to its west and Taurus to its east. It contains a galaxy about 100 million light-years from our own galaxy, the Milky Way, and it also contains a planetary system called 30 Ari, consisting of a gas giant and four stars. A supernova in Aries was recorded in May, in the year 1012 AD.

The brightest star in Aries is Hamal, from the Arabic Al Ras al Hamal, meaning “the Head of the Sheep.” Hamal is twice the size of our own sun, an orange giant star, the 49^th brightest in the night sky-as bright as Mars when the planet is at its farthest point from Earth.

The two lowest stars at the bottom are Sheratan, a blue-white star, and Mesarthim, a whitish binary star, and these mark the horns of the Ram.

The very best time to see Aries is in December. Spring in the Northern Hemisphere spring or autumn/fall in the Southern Hemisphere is the worst time for viewing the stars of Aries, lost in the glare of the sun this time of year.

History

The Sumerians called the sun ‘Subat,’ meaning ‘Ancient Sheep’ or Ram and the planets were known as the ‘Celestial Herd’. The Sumerians were one of the oldest known urban civilizations in what is now Southern Iraq, during the Neolithic-Bronze Age, 4500 BC/BCE to 1500 years BC/BCE.

The sheep was among the first animals domesticated by humans around 11000 – 9000 BC (BCE) and the spring equinox which at that time happened in Aries marked the end of the main lambing season of wild sheep in Europe.

a baby lamb is jumping in the air — Photo by Jonathan Mabey on Unsplash

In ancient Egyptian astronomy, Aries was called ‘Lord of the Head’ – a reference to its symbolic significance, and it was associated with the god Amon-Ra, who was depicted as a man with a ram’s head and represented fertility and creativity. Because it was at the invisible point identified as the location of the spring (vernal) equinox, it was called the “Indicator of the Reborn Sun.”

Historically, the stars of Aries have also been envisioned in human form, as an agricultural worker. But the Ram has triumphed supreme.

The position of Aries at the zenith at that time coincided with the rising of Sirius in the east and the flooding of the Nile and the Temple of Amon-Ra at Karnak bore the likeness of the supreme sun-god with the horns of a ram.

Though long ago recognized as a constellation, and though the ancient Greeks oriented the construction of many of their sacred temples in relationship to the brightest star in Aries, Hamal, Aries was not listed as a constellation until the second century, by Ptolemy.

The Zodiac Archetype

All the zodiac signs represent archetypes, meaning something that is considered to be a perfect or typical example of a particular kind of person or thing. Aries is a cardinal sign, marking the start of a new season. The other cardinal signs are Libra, marking the start of autumn in the northern hemisphere, and Capricorn, marking the onset of winter. The cardinal signs are traditionally considered the most innovative and proactive, the signs most at ease with driving change.

Aries is frisky, young at heart, the metaphysical ‘baby’ of the zodiac; adventurous, optimistic, generous, curious, brave, passionate, direct, self-willed and inclined to lose its temper if denied or crossed. Aries represents the concept of The Self. It seeks to express itself through exploration and pushing at boundaries, and it wants its own way.

But of course there is no such thing in reality as THE Aries personality. You are a unique individual. Your zodiac sign (sun sign) is a major keynote, but it is nothing like the full picture in real life – or in astrology either. There are many other factors in play; your ascendant or rising sign, your Moon sign; the planets in your houses and their aspects, and the decan and degree of the actual day and moment you were born.

Aries in the Tarot

The Tarot cards associated with Aries are The Emperor, the Queen of Wands and the 2, 3 and 4 of Wands.

The major arcana card associated with Aries is The Emperor, setting the overall tone for this zodiac sun sign. The Emperor of the Ram seeks to claim territory and to create and impose order in that territory. At his best, he rules wisely and with care and justice. He is the best of fathers. Or he is an able administrator. At his worst, he is a bully; an overbearing or inefficient bureaucrat, or a tyrant and a warmonger.

From the Smith Waite Tarot

Card Meanings: a man of authority, virility, parent, employer, a military man, maturity, order, experience, hard won leadership, discipline, authority, government, organizations, rules, bureaucracy, doing things by the book, ego, I am in charge, what I say goes, Drawn reversed: bully, tyrant, warmonger. Note the ram skulls decorating his throne.

Every suit in the Tarot has its own court with a king and queen, a knight and a page. The Court card associated with Aries is the Queen of Wands though this card may equally represent a man born under Aries. Aries is ruled by the element of fire in the Tarot, Wands is the suit of fire. Aries is ruled by the Sun, the Ruler of the Day, and this Queen holds a sunflower in token of her royal sceptre.

From the Smith Waite Tarot

Card Meanings: A helpful woman, a mother figure, a lucky person (signified by the black cat, also notice the royal lions) She is proud, with good instincts and may possess occult abilities. Warmth, directness, spontaneity and independence, nurturing, generosity, enthusiasm, impatience, ambition and competitiveness are her archetypal qualities. Queen of Clubs. Be there or be square. She may be either male or female in a real life reading. A man born under Aries may appear in a reading as the Emperor, a King of Wands or the Queen of Wands.

Lastly, the minor arcana cards associated with Aries are Two, Three and Four of Wands. These are the cards that talk about the decans (or decanates) of Aries. If you don’t feel like you are a ‘typical’ Aries, well, we are all unique, but perhaps you are also a second or third decan Aries sun sign native, rather than a ‘most typical’ first decan Aries.

The decans

The Zodiac is the belt of sky we can see from earth, tracking the path of the sun across the sky over the course of the year. We call this annual pathway of the sun ‘the ecliptic,’ as mentioned previously when we were talking about the spring/vernal equinox.

In the second century, Ptolemy, the Greek mathematician, astronomer and astrologer, chose twelve of the constellations straddling the ecliptic, and named the sun signs after these chosen twelve constellations: Aries, Taurus, Gemini Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and lastly, Pisces. Ptolemy chose only twelve for reasons of elegance of arithmetic in dividing the 360 degrees of the wheel of the zodiac.

Each of these zodiac signs therefore represents a 30 degree section of the zodiac belt. Each sign is then further sub-divided into three blocks of ten degrees, each about ten days in length though with slight variations. This gives us the ‘decans,’ from the Latin meaning ‘ten,’ (also called decanates.)

Nicknamed the ‘thirty-six faces of astrology’ the decans bring added depth and nuance to the story of the zodiac sun signs.

First Decan Aries (0-10 degrees)

21 March-30 March

Two of Wands

From the Smith Waite Tarot

Card Meanings: vision, ambition, trade, exports, entrepreneurship, agreements, partnerships, government, meetings, the world is my oyster. Reversed: fear of the unknown, overweening ambition, lack of planning, delays and disappointments

The ruling planet is Mars and the co-ruler is also Mars, giving this first Aries decan a forceful double dose of fiery, headlong Mars, bringing out the positive and dominant side of this Aries subject. They are up for new challenges. This is after all, the first decan of a whole new zodiac year.

Aries seeks power and often has great charisma too. But one of the nicknames of this card is ‘The Melancholy of Alexander,’ referring to the restlessness of the conqueror Alexander the Great, who won great lands but was never satisfied.

The personality is independent, forceful, temperamental, often generous, while potentially domineering, dictatorial or even aggressive. This super active first decan- not coincidentally- tends to be athletic and sporty. They are also known for a gift with words and public speaking abilities.

These natives of Aries think fast and act fast-sometimes too fast. They can be hasty and irritable with others who act more slowly. This person learns quickly and seemingly effortlessly, and will often perform well in a leadership role, but they need to learn to moderate their impatience and practice patience and understanding to have the best experience with other people and get the best from them in return. Respect, it must be remembered, is a two-way street.

Famous first decan Aries natives: Harry Houdini, Robert Frost, Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga

Second Decan Aries (10-20 degrees)

1 April-10 April

Three of Wands

From the Smith Waite Tarot

Card Meanings: progress, expansion, overseas opportunities, new horizons, a launch, your ship comes in, planning, critical timing, preparation, teamwork: Reversed: lack of foresight, timidity, thinking too small, unexpected delays

The co-rulers of this decan are Mars and the Sun, the ‘Ruler of the Day.’ The sun is the centre of the solar system, the bringer of life itself, and here it stands for dignity, honour and ambition. This Aries personality not only welcomes change but actively seeks it out, relishing a challenge. This gifted Aries native desires a creative challenge and maybe a global challenge too, why not, while they are at it.

They are generally known for their directness and honesty, but they can be rather stern in outlook. They will tell you something to your face, but though they really do not like to be told what to do, they won’t hold back from telling others.

This Mars-Sun combination is considered a particularly lucky planetary combination. Everyone gets their own mix of luck, good and bad. That’s just life. But still, The Sun governs pride and personal ambition, and this lucky influence can offset the more challenging aspects of the Mars effect. These Aries natives have a knack of landing on their feet.

Famous second decan Aries natives: Otto von Bismarck, Hans Christian Anderson, Bette Davis, Al Gore, Russell Crowe, Jackie Chan, Celine Dion, Quentin Tarantino

Third Aries Decan (20-30 degrees)

10 April-20 April

Four of Wands

From the Smith Waite Tarot

Card meanings: celebration, achievement, professional qualification, property improvements, building, setting up home, homecoming, publishing, creating an artwork. Reversed: bad luck, frustrations, roadblocks

This Aries native is generally more peaceable and easy-going than the other two decans; co-ruled by Mars and Jupiter, the God of Fortune. Jupiter brings good fortune and opportunity in alliance with the energy, drive and ambition of Mars.

There is sincerity, honesty and a gracious, warm-hearted nobility in this last Aries placement. Like the second decan Aries, these Aries natives often have some particular and well-developed creative or artistic talent. They are witty, personable, and with a sense of humour, and gracious to others, although they have a short fuse. These are passionately devoted family people with a keen sense of justice, much concerned with right and wrong. They can become a tad righteous, some might say self- righteous on occasion, and others may find them arrogant, as with other decanates of Aries. They are proud, and they may well have every good reason. They just need to remember that others have their own dignity too.

Famous Third Decan Aries natives: Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, Charlie Chaplin, Tom Clancy, Francis Ford Coppola, Victoria Beckham, Gary Kasparov

The Cusps of Aries

Pisces-Aries

If your birthday is March 21 through to and including March 21, you are an Aries sun sign with Pisces tendencies and your ruling planets are Mars and Neptune. These natives are known for combining unusual intelligence, understanding and originality with a studious and cautious approach, and though they are amiable they deeply resent being forced or interfered with in the way they do things. These natives may well have a special talent for mechanical or electrical sciences and they like to lead and direct others. These natives tend to be independent critical thinkers, happiest outside the mainstream. They have an adventurous streak, are loyal to their small circle of friends and often end up with a career very different to where they started out. They can do very well indeed if they can learn to curb a certain tendency to impatience and irritability

Aries-Taurus

If your birthday is April 17 through to and including April 20, you are an Aries sun sign native with Taurean tendencies and your ruling planets are Mars and Venus. This sun sign cusp native is fiery, romantic, ambitious and determined, hardworking and talented but with an impatient or nervous streak. They dislike disorder and can get rattled when things can’t be done properly, one thing at a time. The Aries-Taurus native is competitive, wants to succeed and most likely will, but not at any cost, not if it means trampling roughshod over the rights of others. These natives are exacting and demanding in their own standards, and in their expectations of others. They may come across as arrogant to some, but are well-respected by family, friends and business associates for their honesty, integrity, their sense of honour and fair play.

Aries Season 2024 – Astrology

moon and clouds — Photo by Jack Taylor on Unsplash

March 25 -Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse in Libra

This penumbral lunar eclipse begins at 4:53 UTC on March 25, 2024. This will be 12:53 a.m. EDT in North America. Greatest eclipse is at 7:12 UTC on March 25 (3:12 a.m. EDT.) Its total duration will be 4 hours and 36 minutes.

The spring awakening of the spring equinox 19 March is reinforced a week later by the March 25 Libra full moon, the first eclipse of 2024. This lunar eclipse is at 5 degrees of Libra. The corresponding Tarot card is the Two of Swords, signifying a pause, indecision, a truce, a standoff, or a stalemate.

From the Smith Waite Tarot

This lunar Libra eclipse links back to the new Moon and solar eclipse in Libra which happened October 14, 2023. The Two of Swords suggests we will now see, if not a ceasefire, then a stalemate or a standoff to do with the shocking events in Israel and Gaza, international efforts of diplomacy, and the threat of an impending humanitarian disaster in Rafah.

On a personal level, this first lunar eclipse to aspect Pluto in Aquarius may cast an eerie or melancholy light on troubled relationships or partnerships, and some may now have run their course. It is time to let something go. We may well have no choice in the matter. But how we handle loss is up to us, and only we can decide to let bygones be bygones.

April 1-April 25: Mercury retrograde in Aries

The two week period between the lunar eclipse 25 March and the approaching solar eclipse 8 April is likely to bring significant developments in global events, national events and also possibly, closer to home. More haste, less speed, as the old saying goes, and this is not a time to act in haste. We are liable to have an accident. We can’t go wrong the last week of the month, backing up data and devices, reading the small print or making calls, double checking documentation, plans and arrangements.

April 8 New Moon/Total Solar Eclipse in Aries

This total Solar Eclipse on April 8th, 2024 will be happening at 19 degrees and 24 minutes of Aries, most directly affecting those born with personal planets and points at approximately 14 to 24 degrees of the Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.)

The first New Moon and eclipse of the Astrological year is a powerful launching pad for new beginnings. However, it is also occurring during a Mercury retrograde in Aries. This may be the time to try again with something that failed to take off before, or to finish something that we started before but never completed. Meanwhile we can expect all manner of revelations and surprises. It could get pretty intense. With the North Node in Aries and the South Node in Libra all year, there is a powerful push and pull between the First and Seventh Houses in our natal charts.This is “me” versus “we” energy, navigating heightened conflicting needs and obligations of sovereignty/alliances, independence/co-dependence/partnerships, autonomy/exchange.

The degree of this eclipse corresponds with the cusp between the second and third decans of Aries, and the corresponding Tarot cards are the Three and Four of Wands. This may be anticipating imminent fresh challenges to do with trade, shipping, and naval power in the Red Sea, the Black Sea or the South China Sea.

white and black wind chime on brown wooden table near sea during sunset — Photo by Rafik Wahba on Unsplash

A solar eclipse is classically associated with the advent of a departure of a highly significant man. This can mean a head of state. Astrologers are particularly fascinated by this eclipse, not only because Aries represents the idea of The Emperor or Head of State, or potentially war, thereby doubling up on that reading of the omen, but this one this will be the only total solar eclipse in the 21st century that will be visible throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada occurring at the time of the first Pluto return of the United States. The Roman Empire endured two Pluto returns. A metamorphosis is taking shape in the United States but it may take until at least 2028 to see what it will look like

Where else will it be visible? See here: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/where-when/

March 11- April 4 Venus in Pisces

For all the heat and action, there is also an undertow of nostalgia in the air, tender and affectionate. A sense of longing for something difficult to define and hard to satisfy. Borders and boundaries blur under Venus in Pisces. The shadow side of this position is illusion and delusion, falling prey to wishful thinking, or we may find we are only getting part of the story, dealing with poor information or evasive or dishonest behaviour. We might overspend. We might overlook practicalities. We need to pay attention, and listen out for what is not being said.

But Venus is exalted in Pisces. It’s deep, beautiful, compassionate, generous and capable of sacrifice. Here is Art and Heart. Here is Grace. Venus in Pisces somewhat soothes, slows and offsets the heat and energy of Aries 2024.

a statue sitting on top of a rock next to a body of water — Photo by Matteo Panara on Unsplash

Thank you for reading.

Back soon with a general Tarot spread for the coming season….

Enter the Season of Pisces The Heavenly Fishes, 2024

Most of us know our Western Tropical zodiac sun sign, but what’s the story behind it? And what are the decans? It’s time to find out more about Pisces the Heavenly Fishes

13th century window in Chartres Cathedral

Traditional associations

Symbol:

Date of Birth: 19 Feb to 20 March

Ruling planets: Traditional: Jupiter Modern: Neptune

Element: Water

Quality: Mutable

Lucky Days: Monday and Thursday

Energy: Yin (receptive)

Key phrase: I believe

Body: Feet, eyes, bladder

Tissue Salt: Ferrum Phos (Iron Phosphate) An oxygen booster.

Birth Stone: Aquamarine but also amethyst, ruby, blood-stone and jasper. Aquamarine is the blue variety of beryl. Emerald is a green beryl. The aquamarine is believed to enhance foresight, clairvoyance and a sense of well-being.

Colours: Purple, violet, sea-green

Herbs/Flowers: the water lily (associated with Neptune)

Tarot cards: The Moon: ebb and flow, cyclical shifts, intuition, dreams, visionary capabilities, ghosts, fertility, instinct v societal norms, wild creatures, difficulties with travel, infection, poison, uncertainties, shadow boxing, wild creatures.

Other cards: the Knight of Cups and the 8, 9 and 10 Cups.

Smith Waite Centennial deck © U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Pisces Astronomy

Pisces, named for the Latin plural of fish, is the 14th largest constellation overall, located in the first quadrant of the Northern Hemisphere and covering a large V-shaped region. But although it’s a fairly large constellation its stars are faint, none brighter than fourth magnitude. Not easy to see with the naked eye.

Even so, its brightest star, Eta Piscium, also known as Alphergor Kullat Nunuis a bright giant star 294 light-years from Earth, 316 times more luminous than the sun. Its Babylonian name is Kullat Nunu, ‘Nunu’ meaning ‘fish’ and ‘kullat’ meaning a bucket.

The fish of Pisces are often depicted in art as two koi carp swimming at right angles to each other; one to the north, one to the west, and attached by a cord. This imaginary cord, Alrescha or Alpha Piscium, is made up of a pair of white dwarf stars. Astronomer Ian Ridpath explains: “A cord joins the tails of Pisces. The horizontal dashed line passing through the southerly fish is the celestial equator, and the diagonal dashed line is the Sun’s annual path, the ecliptic. The point where they cross is known as the vernal (spring) equinox.”

Pisces rules the feet. Symbolically Pisces has one foot in the death of the old year, and one foot in the new life of springtime.Pisces is the twelfth and final sign of the zodiac year, ruling the twelfth house in a personal horoscope, representing hopes, dreams and fears- what lies beneath. “Can thou draw forth leviathan from the deep?”

In Christianity, Pisces represents Christ, and its opposite sign of Virgo represents Mary, the mother of Christ.

Pisces stands for what is unknowable.

The nature origins of the Pisces story

green pine trees beside river during daytime — Springtime snow melt Montana Photo by Gary Yost on Unsplash

February and March is the time of the winter melt, the fullest mountain rivers and the first spawning of fresh water fishes in the Northern hemisphere. This was the flooding season in Mesopotamia where the zodiac signs and stories of the Western Tropical zodiac first originated. There is evidence of recorded astrology dating back to the third millennium BC/BCE.

Pisces is a mutable sign, marking the subtle transition of one season into another. Pisces marks the end of winter leading up to the vernal equinox. Of all the zodiac signs, the mutable signs; Pisces, Gemini and Sagittarius, are traditionally the most adaptable, the ones most at ease with endings, transitions and change.

The fishes of Pisces are attached by a cord of stars, just as life and death, and winter and spring are conjoined, and cannot be separated. Pisces is not only the last sign of winter, moving into spring; it is the last sign of the zodiac year; a symbolic culmination of all the signs that came before it.

undefined — From Urania’s Mirror, Sidney Hall, 1824

The end of winter often brings mourning. More than any other season, it is the end of winter that carries away the old and frail. A mild or green winter was especially feared as it “made fat the graveyard,” as the old saying went.

Pisces straddles winter’s grief and the bright green shoots of spring.

The Pisces Archetype/Astrological Personality

The court card of Pisces is the Knight of Cups, signifying an offer, an invitation, a proposal, a welcome message, a bringer of good news, an admirer, lover, chivalry, a Sir Galahad, good health, a healing cup, a loving cup, fertility, pregnancy.

Pisces is famous for its emotional depths and visionary capabilities; sensitive, intuitive, psychic, often musically or artistically gifted, but also capable of not only scientific or technical competence, but brilliance.

These are talented individuals and famously loyal once committed; compassionate and sensitive. They adapt with ease, are spontaneous and full of surprises, but while their steel may be largely hidden, all the same, it is there. Not much is said about this Piscean steel but Pisces can be, not just resilient, but downright tough in its own quiet way.

Many police officers, arbitrators and judges are born under Pisces, as well as artists and musicians. Administrative work, although Pisces can do it perfectly competently, is not their forte by and large.

Strengths

Pisces can make excellent and approachable leaders of small teams, loyal to the staff in their charge. They will take on injustice, and challenge those of superior status. But Pisces, unlike Aquarius, confines their remit to action on an individual basis. Pisces is not temperamentally disposed to the mounting of group actions, campaigns or crusades. Unless perhaps, they are early Pisces, born on the Aquarius cusp. The later subjects of this sign, born close to the Aries cusp are potentially very much the warrior ‘doers’ of Pisces, and they will keep their own counsel and act alone if their blood is up.

Pisces is brave, kindly and instinctive, but their constitutional physical energy, once depleted, is not buoyant or easily restored. If Pisces is prone to headaches at the back of the head, there may possibly be related bladder infections or other issues.

Pisces, while sociable, needs a fair bit of time to itself. Pisces thrives on rest, music, hobbies and relaxation time near to rivers, ponds and sea. The writer personally knows two freshwater anglers who are Pisces sun sign natives. One keeps his own pond of koi carp at home.

Challenges

Depending on other planetary placements, Pisces may fall prey to wishful thinking, melancholy or unhealthy lifestyle habits. They may struggle to recover and regroup from setbacks. Without enough to do, or without a clear sense of purpose or direction, Pisces can drift loose from their cord, becoming detached and living too much in their own imaginary world.

But of course there is no such thing in reality as the Pisces personality. You are a unique individual. Your zodiac sign (sun sign) is a major keynote, but it is nothing like the full picture in real life – or in astrology. There are many other factors in play in your natal chart; your rising sign, your Moon sign; the planets in your houses, the aspects, your decan, and the degree of the actual day you were born.

If you don’t feel like a ‘typical’ Pisces, perhaps you are a second or third decan Pisces, rather than a ‘most typical’ first decan Pisces.

The Decans of Pisces

two Siamese fighting fishes — Photo by Worachat Sodsri on Unsplash

The decans (or decanates) are a further way of marking time, breaking down each of the zodiac signs into three shorter blocks of roughly ten days each.

While the Mesopotamians (Babylon and Sumeria in what is modern day Iraq) were developing the signs of the zodiac and the concept of natal astrology, astrologers in Egypt were developing the system of the decans. These two astrological traditions came together sometime around the 1st Century BCE and the 36 decans were merged with the astrological signs.

The Zodiac is a belt of sky we see from earth, tracking the path of the sun across the sky over the course of the year. We call this pathway of the sun ‘the ecliptic.’ The Greeks named the zodiac signs after twelve of the constellations appearing on, or crossing this zodiac belt: Aries, Taurus, Gemini Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and lastly, Pisces.

Each of these designated zodiac signs represents a 30 degree section of the zodiac belt. Each sign is then further sub-divided into three blocks of ten degrees ten days in length, with slight variations. This gives us the decans or decanates from the Latin meaning ‘ten.’

The decans are popularly known as the ‘thirty-six faces of astrology,’ adding subtle depth and nuance to the stories of the signs of the zodiac, distinguishing between someone born at the start of their zodiac month from someone who is born during the middle or at the end of the zodiac month.

Readers may also use decans to help with the determining of timing issues.

First Decan Pisces

Pisces- Pisces

Dates: 19 Feb-29 Feb

Planetary rulers: Traditional: Jupiter/ Modern: Neptune

Tarot card: Eight of Cups

Card meanings: Moving on, cutting ones losses, leaving something behind, but not in anger. Reversed: disillusionment, regret

The first decan of any sign is considered the most typical. Pisces makes for versatility and adaptability, while Neptune presents a soft or gentle manner or appearance. This Pisces decan is rarely aggressive or confrontational.

But there is a sense of a push and pull going on here. Jupiter means Pisces thinks big and steps forward. Neptune means Pisces swims in circles or hides in the weeds. This Pisces native connects with other people on an unconscious level, almost hearing what they are thinking. Maybe they haven’t noticed this about themselves yet, or they take their telepathy for granted, but if this is you, watch out for the signs.

While quiet, this Pisces has deep passions and their love life can be tempestuous. Their ideal partner will be lively and communicative with a can-do approach but the first decan Pisces tends to go on a lot of detours before arriving or settling in their happy place or rightful destination.

They often look younger than their age, but they need to be especially aware of their dietary and other habits in order to protect their health; mood, and the chest, lungs and feet in particular. Pisces is extra-sensitive to the effects of overindulgence of alcohol or mind altering drugs.

Second Decan Pisces

Pisces-Cancer

Dates: 1-10 March (approx.)

Planetary ruler: Moon

Tarot card: Nine of Cups

Card Meanings: the wish card, dreams come true, food and drink, the hospitality industry. Reversed: overindulgence, complacency, self-satisfaction

The sub-influence for this decan is Cancer, ruled by The Moon. Cancer is the natural ruler of the fourth house of home, family and security. These Pisces subjects typically stay close to birth family members. This Pisces may struggle to loosen parental ties, becoming fully independent, but must do so if they want to progress and develop and become the adult in the room (Saturn in Pisces

The zone of the sky from March 1 –10 houses the stars of the water of Aquarius, Eridanus the river and the western fish of Pisces. These are the faintest, most elusive stars. Now you see them, now you don’t.

These Pisceans blend in anywhere. Sensitive and psychic, this decan absorbs like moss. For the same reason these highly empathic people need to choose their company with care, and form healthy habits early on in life. These subjects are supremely susceptible to the influence of others in their environment, and this can work positively or negatively.

Third Decan Pisces

Pisces-Scorpio

Dates: 11 March-20 March

Planetary rulers: Ancient Mars Modern Pluto

Tarot card– Ten of Cups

Card Meanings: contentment, completion, arrival, family life, stability, safety and security, team effort, a happy home Reversed: losses,family conflicts, break-ups, unhappiness

The sub-influences for this decan are Scorpio and its rulers, traditional Mars or modern Pluto. Energetic Mars and Scorpio – natural ruler of the eighth house of desire, willpower, drive and determination – brings to this Pisces extra charisma, and the drive and determination to push forward where Pisces in general can tend to err on the side of caution, holding back. This Pisces native has the artistic creativity of Pisces/Neptune with extra sticking power to turn dreams into realities.

Pluto brings depth and Mars brings speed and energy of attack. This Pisces native needs to keep busy, with plenty of energy outlets. Pisces marks the completion of the zodiac wheel. This final decan marks the point at which we move into Aries, the cycle starts over again and Aries too, is ruled by energetic Mars. What these Pisces natives start, they finish.

These Pisces natives, like the other decans, are enormously attuned to their environment, but they tend to stay more aloof and watchful, less likely to blend in. They are highly observant, natural detectives, well suited to police work or other kinds of investigative work. Pisces-Scorpio listens between the lines and notices what is not being said.

The Cusps of Pisces

Aquarius-Pisces: February 15-21

Aquarius-Pisces: This is a Pisces native with Aquarius tendencies; a person of high principles, quiet, refined, and with strong likes and dislikes. This Pisces native is likely to do a lot of travelling. They have executive capabilities and can earn or make a lot of money, but tend to become bored quite easily. This native needs to be careful not to get trapped, committing too soon in a relationship that doesn’t suit them, simply out of a fear of being left on their own.

Pisces-Aries: March 17-23

Born on the Pisces-Aries cusp, this native is especially instinctive and brave. This mix of energy combines physical and moral courage with compassion for others which can make this Pisces individual a successful leader. This person is loyal to friends and colleagues and they are also generous, and eager to see others do well.

Famous Pisces subjects

Michelangelo, Copernicus, George 111, Albert Einstein, Neville Chamberlain, Sidney Poitier, Elizabeth Taylor, Yuri Gagarin, Michael Gorbachev, Osama Bin Laden, Steve Irwin, Steve Jobs, President Erdogan of Turkey

Thank you for reading.

Back soon.

Here Be Dragons by the dark of the Moon

Entering The Chinese New Year of The Wood Dragon

gold dragon statue — Photo by Martin Woortman on Unsplash

Previous Dragon Years: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940

The Year of the Wood Dragon begins 9/10 February 2024 at the Lunar New Year in Chinese astrology. The Dragon is the 5th of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, so there’s a Dragon year once every 12 years. Then, in Chinese element theory, each zodiac sign is associated with one of the five elements: Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, or Earth, so that we will have a Wood Dragon Year only once every 60 years.

This is a New Moon in Aquarius – and also the very first new moon of Pluto in Aquarius. The moon changes zodiac signs every two and a half days. No big deal on the face of it. Why even bother to notice, even? The effects are transitory. But the changing moon signs still function as a weather vane, while events at the new Moon and full Moon operate on a different scale, mirroring or triggering profound and potentially, long term effects and consequences.

This New Moon could prove momentous “in the affairs of men” across the world, marking as it does, the start of a new age that will continue until March 2043. It is also a Super Moon, and we may notice disturbed sleep or unusually vivid dreams, although the Moon is invisible.

What can we expect from this new Dragon year? Astrologers look at the events in previous Wood Dragon years for hints and clues. The last Wood Dragon year was in 1964 when:-

-the U.S experienced its greatest ever recorded earthquake in S Alaska; 9.2 magnitude. -NASA launched Mariner 4 on a successful mission to Mars.

-There were race riots in the U.S. and President Lyndon Johnson signed into law The Civil Rights Act.

-Dr Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace prize.

-3 North Vietnamese torpedo ships approached and then fired on the destroyer USS Maddox in the Bay of Tonkin after it fired warning shots at them, and then, citing an alleged/unproven second attack, the U.S under Lyndon B Johnson authorized a resolution for war against N Vietnam…

In Western Tropical astrology, the Dragon corresponds most closely with the zodiac sign of Aries the Ram. This is yang energy; bold and brave, optimistic and determined. A Dragon year is anything but quiet and uneventful, whether on a global level or an individual level. But a Wood Dragon is somewhat quieter, more thoughtful and reflective than the Dragons of the other elements.

The Chinese New Year begins during Aquarius season in Western Astrology. Aquarius, the air sign of the Water Carrier, is also called The Cloud Bearer.

The Dragon of the Chinese zodiac does not breathe fire, but clouds.

Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels.com

China, Taiwan and the Philippines

The nodes of the moon- the lunar nodes- are also known as The Head of the Dragon and The Tail of the Dragon. The north node is where we are heading next, according to our natal chart, and the south node is about our history and where we have come from. Maybe even our past lives or ancestral karma.

bird's eye view of a mountainside village at night — Photo by Andy Wang on Unsplash

I’m not seeing a land invasion of Taiwan in 2024. But nor is there any sign that China will cease and desist its provocations in the Strait of Taiwan or its incursions into the territorial waters of the Philippines in the South China Seas.

My cards did not show such an invasion last year, 2023, The Year of The Black Water Rabbit, nor did they detect any outright attempt at invasion in 2022 The Year of The Black Water Tiger. I was, I must say, more nervous about the Tiger than the Rabbit. The Rabbit is prudent, wary, where the Water Tiger is maritime and expansionist.

(This is recorded in the archives here at True Tarot Tales.com)

I’m not seeing Chinese military boots on the ground in Taiwan. But one never says never. We are in for all manner of big surprises. President Xi is under economic, as well as political pressure to be seen to “reclaim” Taiwan. Despite a cordial meeting with President Biden in November 2023, Taiwan was not discussed, while at a top-level national security meeting in May 2023, President Xi advised his team to “be prepared for worst case and extreme scenarios,” and called for “combat readiness.”

It may seem only a matter of time before Beijing decides to make the attempt to annex Taiwan by force. I have drawn the Seven of Cups, suggesting it is high on the wish list.

Image from the Gilded Tarot Royale deck.

But much depends on its assessment of the risk, in seeking to avoid a direct conflict with the U.S. This year’s elections in Taiwan have not gone China’s way. And it won’t be known until very late in the year, who will be the next President of the United States. I will certainly be looking at that again in my cards and posting here.

The astrology signs point to a potential crisis during April 2024. I draw The Queen of Wands (Aries) and the King of Pentacles (Taurus.) This seems to be a crisis at sea and this could equally mean the Black Sea or The Red Sea or Strait of Hormuz.

But the landward facing Wood Dragon is room for hope that tensions will not escalate into direct conflict in the South China Sea, while in Chinese astrology, the Dragon relates well with the Monkey. The United States was “born” in 1776, in a year of The Monkey. So far so good, from a purely symbolic point of view in Far Eastern astrology.

the roof of a building with a group of figurines on it — Photo by Jéan Béller on Unsplash

But historically, the United States IS now undergoing its first Pluto return. Such returns have marked the collapse of empires and dynasties, but not necessarily at the first or even second Pluto return. The Roman Empire did not fall until its second Pluto return. In England, the second Pluto return marked the age of Elizabeth 1; an era of great prosperity and expansion. The third Pluto return marked Britain’s abolition of slavery.

On a different note, this Wood Dragon year will likely see new legislation relating to issues of natural sustainability, and in particular, as one might imagine; Forestry and Forest ecology in the Amazon and other rain forests, while there are already plans to recycle Forestry residue in aviation technology.

green-leafed plant — Photo by Raphaël Menesclou on Unsplash

On a Personal Level

The individual Wood Dragon native can really forge ahead in 2024. This is a time for clearing out dead wood, making new plans. A career shift or change in direction is highly likely, and there are good prospects for progress and promotion. There will be some times of stress. Be sure to allow enough rest. Finances may be an issue, notwithstanding job progress. But the Wood Dragon is nothing if not capable, often talented in engineering, architecture, design and the fields of arts and crafts.

This yang energy Dragon is as go-ahead as the other Dragons, but somewhat more easygoing. Essentially good natured. High minded even. When the going gets difficult with other people- this will be something of a roller coaster year of ups and downs-then mood management is the order of the day. Least said, soonest mended. Bask on a rock. Take a nap in the sunshine. There’s a good Dragon.

multicolored dragon float — Photo by 冬城 on Unsplash

Tarot for today

The Seven of Swords= Moon in Aquarius. But this card could be playing out in ways we will notice, not just today, but over the next ten days or so.

There’s a lot going on. New Moon in 20 degrees Aquarius-the first one in Pluto as we enter the third decan of Aquarius in Tropical astrology.

Associated meanings: Scouting, surveillance, diplomacy. Sabotage. We may need to move fast. Preventative measures, or even a preemptive strike. Oh look, says the Seven of Swords. I see your game and I am ahead of you. Averting trouble. Breaking up a fight. Guarding our info. Changing our passwords. Smiling while keeping a cool head. Playing our cards close to our chest. Looking way ahead, taking the strategic long view.

Thank you for reading.

Back soon.

February, the Fae and the Fires of Imbolc

The first of February marks the mid-point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It’s also known as Candlemas, the Christian festival of presenting Jesus at the temple. But long before Christianity, this time of year marked a more ancient celebration in Gaelic Britain: the rites of spring, and the fire festival of Imbolc.

Let’s get with the programme, Imbolc style, and parade down the street, and go pray for the health of the fields! It’s all about the soil. Modern soil scientists will agree.

February

The name February comes from the Latin ‘Februarius,’ referring to Februa; a Roman festival of ritual purification. Below, the Roman spa at Bath, UK.

Two new months of January and February were added to the older Julian calendar in the 700’s BCE to create the new Gregorian calendar, matching it up more closely with the actual length of the Earth’s journey round the sun.

But the Anglo Saxons called February Sōlmōnath, from sōl , the Old English word for wet sand or mud, alluding to the weather this time of year, and the effects of rain and snow-melt. The romantic Solway Firth between North West England and South West Scotland is actually the massive tidal ‘Mud Way’ rather than the romantic ‘Sun Way.’

The northern English scholar monk , saint Bede, wrote that February was celebrated as “the month of cakes,” when ritual offerings of savory cakes and loaves of bread were made to ensure a good year’s harvest.

Imbolc

The fire festival of Imbolc and Brigid began as a neolithic festival marking the 1/2 way point between the winter solstice (Yule) and the spring equinox (Beltane.)

Imbolc marks the start of spring, celebrating the arrival of the goddess deity Brigid, “The Exalted One,” the harbinger of the first lambs, so vital to the survival of those early communities. The deity Brigid later became conflated with the Christian figure of Saint Brigid of Kildare.

‘Imbolc’ is thought to mean ‘in the belly,’ referring to the precious ewes in lamb. Soon it would -it will be- be the time of the first lambs, though the start of the lambing season can vary by up to two weeks in any given year.

Brigid was a protector of women in childbirth, as well as the safe birthing of precious livestock. She was not only a goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann, The Tribe of the Gods, but a triple goddess of healers, poets and smiths.

Via Wiki Riders of the Sidhe, the Tuatha de Dannan

“The Tuatha de Danaan, the people of the (mother) goddess Danu in Celtic mythology; a race inhabiting Ireland before the arrival of the Milesians (the ancestors of the modern Irish). They were said to have been skilled in magic, and the earliest reference to them relates that, after they were banished from heaven because of their knowledge, they descended on Ireland in a cloud of mist. They were thought to have disappeared into the hills when overcome by the Milesians. The Leabhar Gabhála (Book of Invasions), a fictitious history of Ireland from the earliest times, treats them as actual people, and they were so regarded by native historians up to the 17th century. In popular legend they have become associated with the numerous fairies still supposed to inhabit the Irish landscape.”

From The Encylopedia Britannica

Brigid might visit one’s home at Imbolc. People would make a bed for her, and leave food and drink and items of clothing outside in the hope of receiving her blessings, petitioning her to protect their homes and livestock.

This was a time for feasting and visits to sacred wells, and a time for ritual divination. A St Brigid’s cross is made from rushes and was placed in doorways to protect the home from harm, representing the wheel of the seasons.

By Culnacreann – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3500722

The Fire of Imbolc and the Fire Rune INGWAZ

Fire and Spring is not gentle. New life is not gentle. It rises up fast and fierce. It has to, or it would never break through. Spring is fierce in its quickening of new shoots. It is initiation. Spring is fire, just as Aries the Ram of the zodiac is a cardinal fire sign, though we do not enter Aries until late March.

Where Brigid represented an essentially feminine energy, the old Norse rune ING/INWAZ or INGUZ is a fire sign rune, associated with male fertility, vitality and recovery from sickness. You can read more about runes here in a previous blog post on my website, True Tarot Tales.

This ancient masculine fire rune represents the power and potential of “The Seed” matched with action. Literally, the name of this rune means “the seed of the god Ing.” When we say we are do-ing, writ-ing …anything at all with -ing at the end of it, we are describing an action, and indirectly, invoking the magical energy of Ingwaz.

The people would light bonfires on the hilltops by night, and by day, they might run cattle through the smoke of lower lying bonfires, asking divine protection for the livestock.

The Cailleach

Imbolc was a key moment in weather forecasting. This was the time when The Cailleach —the divine crone of Gaelic tradition—gathered firewood for the rest of the winter. If the Cailleach knew the winter was going to last a good while longer, she’d make sure of good weather during Imbolc and would use it to gather more firewood to top up her stores.

Bad weather at Imbolc was regarded as great news. It meant the Cailleach wasn’t worried about running out of firewood. She had turned over and gone back to sleep, and the worst of winter was almost over. We shall see. It has been cold and clear and glorious today where I live on the NW coast of England.

I am somewhat mixing up cultures, systems and traditions here, but Nature is the common ground and I make no apology for it. Imbolc falls in the second decan of the fixed Air sign of Aquarius. The fixed signs denote the height of a season. The second decan of Aquarius marks the height of winter, at least symbolically speaking, in the northern hemisphere and now the snowdrops are here.

The Six of Swords in the Tarot deck is a card of recovery and onward progress. This can be read in terms of the natural seasons as the thawing, the passing of winter’s peak point, and now we are steering into spring.

The Gilded Tarot

See the toad in the rushes? The frogs and fishes are, right now, undergoing a alchemy of profound physiological changes, getting ready to spawn.

The light is coming back again, galloping faster it seems, by the day. Dark sacred night’…yes, and the night is dark. It is sacred. It brings rest and healing. But when the dark goes on too long, we start fighting back with the Promethean gift of fire and action.

We are HERE. And we overcame such odds just to be here, to get born as US and not someone else. Science suggests the statistical odds against you and me getting born as us and not someone else were 1 in 400 trillion. Yet here we are. Somehow WE burst through.

We must have had the need. We must have had our reasons. Mighty powerful ones.

Back soon.

Thank you for reading.

Today’s Tarot: 28 January, The Moon card and the waning moon in Virgo

Today’s card is The Moon, and this is likely to be a theme for many of us one way and another over the next few days. The illustration is from the Astrology Reading Cards deck.

Astrology Reading Cards: Your Personal Guidance From the Stars: 96pp book & 36 full colour cards

The Moon card means many things in physical concrete terms, not only in terms of what is emotional or abstract, immensely powerful or consequential as these invisible workings are. But The Moon also speaks in literal terms of observable, material phenomena and events, including floods, diseases, pandemics, infections, poisoning, or the menstrual cycle, conception or pregnancy.

And the Moon card is not wrong of course, deciding to show up today. We are after all in Aquarius, THE season for floods, colds & contagion, in the northern hemisphere at least. Such are the seasonal workings of nature. The Moon card is Nature itself, the ebb and flow of the tides, and the governance of all cycles, and fertility.

The Moon can mean all these things, plus powerful dreams, psychic insights or even ghosts…or it can mean confusion, delusion, paranoia, lies, infidelity, our deepest fears. The Moon is our wild side, walking on the wild side. The dog and the wolf. Our home side and our OTHER hidden side, or our hidden potential. The foragers, the naturalists and the animals, the hunters and the hunted. Let’s all go bark at the Moon or howl….while the crayfish signifies secrets emerging from the hidden depths of the water.

Is there something here for someone to do with salts, sea salt, the kidneys or diuretics? This is not a prediction, only an observation.

First Decan of Aquarius

We are still in the first decan (ten days of Aquarius) which in tarot is represented by the extremely challenging Five of Swords (defeat, chagrin, or a pyrrhic victory that comes back to bite someone.) We’ve already discussed this card in recent posts, and the reputation of Aquarius as the Babylonian “Curse of Rain.”

Five of Swords from the Tarot Illuminati

Once upon a time I did a reading for a lady who asked me to draw a card about her father. She was worried about him. I drew The Moon and asked about flooding, and she explained that he lived in Bangladesh. His house had been badly flooded the previous month, leaving a lot of damage, and he was in frail health.

two people in a small boat on a river — Photo by Nishaan ahmed on Unsplash

The Moon can, on occasion, be speaking literally in respect of timing issues, indicating something that may happen in a month’s time or a Monday. Surrounding cards may suggest to the reader which of the two seems more likely.

The Moon in Virgo

Today’s waning Moon is in Virgo and the moon will stay in Virgo until Tuesday when it moves into Libra. Virgo is the sixth house of the zodiac, to do health, food, arts, crafts, household management, duty and service to others. Virgo is also the sign of lab analysis, medical tests and so on. Those born under Virgo, or with Virgo rising or a Moon in Virgo are known for a talent for art. But the Virgo artist is still somewhat scientifically inclined. Big on technique. Virgo dots the “i.” There is a certain analytical flair, making them suited to investigative work of all kinds.

Many of us, it stands to reason, especially this time of year, are preoccupied with health matters or test results at this time. However this is a waning Virgo moon which in symbolic terms, says an seasonal illness or infection is – slowly- on the way OUT.

The old Norse rune LAGUZ (lake) carries this meaning in divination, and may be used magically for protective purposes to do with travel or health. We draw it on a piece of paper, say its name, call on it, asking for its agency. It looks like this…

The Moon card can be referring to far travel and events at sea, when it may be warning us about the risks of travel, and reading the fine print if we are thinking of booking such travel at this time. What is the cancellation policy? Make sure you insure it to the hilt.

The Moon may be referring to a risk of food poisoning. Beware buffets, says The Moon card, except for small domestic or social ones. or ones you have prepared yourself. The Moon can be poison where a Virgo Moon rules the digestion.

The homeopathic cell salt associated with Virgo is Kali Mur- potassium chloride.

“It is most beneficial dissolved in warm water for cramps in the stomach, or crushed and rubbed onto the gums of infants for colic. Kali Sulph No 7: Virgo rules the alimentary canal. Its salt is a cell oxygenator, supporting the action of Ferrum Phos (iron phosphate)”

All in all, The Moon is a tricky card, and mighty powerful. Its gifts are immeasurable; its mysteries, its governance of the cycles of the tides and fertility.

The immediate takeaway here, apart from the things we’ve already touched upon, is to do with watching our words at this time, choosing them with utmost care and double checking everything. It’s not a case of being over-vigilant. We are always right to trust our instinct, but if we get stuck up in our heads, now we are grinding the wheels, engaging in wishful thinking or worry, and that’s not the same thing. Instinct is felt in all of the body. Moonlight shadows can play strange tricks.

It’s about working with daylight, dealing in workable facts, and when we are in doubt, sticking with those workable facts. Does this stand up to scrutiny under the microscope? Sometimes our worries can get the better of us, and we may misconstrue comments or situations in the light of that worry. Virgo is big on investigation.

green and white typewriter on blue textile — Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

The Moonstone

Moonstone Gem Guide and Properties Chart

The Romans and the Greeks associated the Moonstone with Artemis/Diana/Cynthia/Selene…the many names of the goddess of the Moon. In India, the moonstone was seen as an amplifier of divine wisdom or clairvoyance.

Moonstone, also written as moon stone, is a unique form of feldspar; a sodium potassium aluminum silicate. The feldspars are the most common group of rock type on the surface of the Earth, but vary widely in their makeup.

“The name moonstone derives from the stone’s characteristic visual effect, called adularescence (or schiller), which produces a milky, bluish interior light. This effect is caused by light diffraction through alternating layers of orthoclase and albite within the stone. The diffracted light varies from white to blue, depending on the thinness of the albite layers…” via Wiki

Magical uses: calming, stress relief, clarity, clairvoyance, right brain stimulation, lucid dreaming, hormonal support, strengthening the “yin”-feminine power and protection.

Something needs sorting, putting in better order. The waning Moon in Virgo says tidiness is the order of the day. Stuff, paperwork, health, home. The Moon card is always to be treated with an element of precautionary care and discipline when it appears, but this is a largely benevolent moon.

“For broken dreams, the cure is, dream again and deeper.” C.S. Lewis

person seated on grass — Photo by Илья Мельниченко on Unsplash

Thank you for reading, and my best wishes to you.

Back soon.

The Water Carrier, The Full Wolf Moon and The Lion

Tonight, 25 January in Aquarius season, is the first Full Moon of 2024 and this Full Moon is nicknamed the Wolf Moon. At this time of year in northern America and Northern Europe, wolves used to come down to human settlements in late winter in desperate search of food- and with resulting conflict.

The dog in this picture is looking a tad nonchalant, just lounging about next to the man, as he does all the hard work, struggling with the wolf who is clearly about to get the worst of the encounter. Folk stories suggest the last wolf in England was killed in 1390 by John, son of Sir Edgar Harrington of Wraysholme, after he chased it all the way from the Coniston Fells to Humphrey Head in Cumbria (coastal North West England).

Windblown trees of Humphrey Head, Cumbria via Wiki

There were always wolves in Britain, but by the late middle ages, they were rare in England, although they survived in Scotland until the 17th or 18th century. Officially the last Scottish wolf was killed (shot) by Sir Ewen Cameron in 1680 in Killiecrankie (Perthshire) But other reports suggests wolves survived in Scotland till much later, with one possible sighting as late as 1888.

Astronomy

This Full Moon is in Leo astrologically speaking, but from the point of view of science and astronomy, this Wolf Moon is technically situated in the constellation of Cancer, next door to Leo, for reasons to do with the wobble of the earth in the 2000 years since the western zodiac was codified.

EarthSky on X: "Tonight's full moon - the Wolf Moon - is located in the direction of Cancer the Crab. You're not likely to see any of Cancer's stars in the moon's

However, according to the working model of Western/Tropical astrology, for profound arithmetic, historic and symbolic reasons, the full moon is in the celestial territory of proud, passionate, playful Leo, the Lion King of the Zodiac.

Tarot cards of Leo

The major arcana Tarot card associated with Leo is Strength, signifying not only the raw power of physical strength, but fortitude; determination moral courage, although it is also, as one would expect, a physically lucky card, suggesting sporting success, military success or recovery if someone has been ill.

This figure – we may think of her as Una- “The One”-but she is you and me, has not tamed the lion as such. They walk side by side, facing futurity, focused on their purpose, looking inward on their dreams.

The lion walks alongside as an equal, though it could deal with Una any time it likes. One bite, one blow of the giant paw and she is toast. Una is holding the leash only very lightly, while the lion remains entirely by his own choice. No-one may sensibly or safely presume to think to altogether subdue or “tame” another. Likewise there is no true Strength, or right to command, without the power of self-restraint and self-command. Any one who would be a leader must first learn to rule himself, or herself. And to control their temper. More haste, less speed. There is a reason patience is a virtue. Lack of it can cost us everything, our lives included.

Leo says ‘fame’. Leo says shine your light, walk the stage, write your part and play it, but don’t overlook the audience. Not only is there no play without them, but they too, have their part to play. An author writes and publishes a book but it needs a reader for it to come alive. The Lion of the Zodiac is capable of many things, not always good. The Lion may be loud, demanding, careless, arrogant, or even cruel, but he is incapable of pettiness.

The minor arcana cards of Leo are the Five, Six and Seven of Wands, representing stress, conflict, competition, victory, fortitude and strategic advantage respectively. We are likely feeling a need to call on these right now.

The Heart of Leo

The heart of the constellation of Leo is its alpha star, Regulus, meaning Little King or the royal star. And in medical astrology, Leo rules the heart.

I had a strange night last night, not least due to a sensation of heaviness in the chest, though I think I may also have seen a ghost. I don’t often see such things, but I have seen them, and they are not necessarily frightening, though they can be. This one was not frightening, only startling. A figure. A man. No details. Today is the anniversary of the death of my husband’s father, whom I never met. But I could not see the face.

The heaviness in the chest was due to long standing inflammation; a sero-negative form of systemic arthritis, which has damaged the aortic valve.

I happen to have both the Moon and Mars in Leo in my natal chart. The Moon is square the sun, and now that I reflect on that, I won’t be surprised if this heaviness eases off again once the gravitational drag of this Full Moon has passed.

The dandelion –dents-de-lion, “the lions teeth” is traditionally used as a diuretic which by removing fluid that places an extra load on the heart, can also support health health

The Dandy Lion

Dandy Lion’s

Golden Mane

Prideful, Greying

Casts Away

Alight on chance

To Lionise again

–Katie-Ellen

white dandelion flower — Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash

Lion and Blue

by Robert Vavra, illustrated by Fleur Cowles

Here’s a book fit to make you roar like a lion, or more likely, howl like a winter wolf any time. It says it’s for 2-6 year-olds but this is a story for anyone.

A lonely old lion loves a beautiful blue butterfly, but the butterfly must leave him to follow its own destiny in search of sunflowers to feast on. The old lion pines for his friend and goes in search…

His devotion will be rewarded, not in the way we were hoping, but in a way far sadder, and more tragic but also immeasurably majestic, when he lies down and dies and decays, and in time a sunflower grows where his body lay. He is reborn as a sunflower. And now the beautiful blue butterfly returns to find him again.

Tarot cards for today 25/01/24 (UTC formerly…Greenwich Mean Time I am writing in the UK. It is 16.20 PM as I write this and the Full Moon is rising here at 17.54 PM)

I am asking the Tarot for its general comments please. Typical! The first three cards out of the deck (The Legacy of the Divine Tarot) are mirroring and almost, though not entirely correlating with real time astrology.

The Star (right now we have the Sun and Pluto Aquarius) The King of Wands reversed (The Full Moon in Leo) and The Seven of Wands (second decan Leo)

This full Moon is actually in the first decan of Leo, 5 degrees and 14 minutes which strictly in terms of date correlations is represented in the Tarot by The Six of Wands. Still, that’s spookily close in respect of real time, and if the Tarot wants to show us the Seven of Wands and not the Six, well, the interconnections and overlap are wondrous, but the Tarot is an oracle unto itself. It contains elements of astrology but it is not astrology. The Tarot is in charge here, and it has its reasons.

General impressions

All three of these cards represent fixed energy. The Star reversed is fixed Air energy, while the King of Wands reversed and the Seven of Wands are fixed fire energy.

This isn’t a bad reading on a general personal level, but it has a certain explosive potential for quarrels or other domestic issues including minor electrical mishaps, water damage, power cuts or trouble with appliances. Chances are we’ve been, not dragging our heels today, but likely feeling as if we’re rolling stones uphill.

Right now we may be embroiled with practical necessities and these take priority. We’re not looking for fights, but no one is going to go stamp-around with us either, whether this is a boss figure, an individual close to home, or issues with some organization not doing what it is supposed to.

All the same, we can see where we want to get to. The fires are lit, the words are on the tip of our tongues. A bright vision beckons. There’s a certain charisma, or an undercurrent of sexual, romantic or creative passion in the air today, and this will last a little while beyond the Full moon.

The Seven of Wands says we are up for defending our turf, standing up for ourselves, and getting ready to roll forward with new projects and ventures…driven the inspiration signified by the number 7, even though we may not have every detail perfectly worked out as yet. Not only do we have the seven of Wands but the Reversed King of Wands, the Leo king, is wearing a 7 on his belt. We may be handling something now, or imminently, that will happen, culminate or conclude in July.

This may also just possibly be picking up events in Ukraine. Why? President Zelenskyy is an Aquarius sun sign native; shown here embattled, weary (King Wands reversed) looking for a new strategy and more air missile support (because The Star is reversed.) The counter offensive has not delivered relief as hoped, but he has not lost the initiative. Look for “fires at sea” -potentially decisive maritime events in the Black Sea between now and Leo season 2024.

The West is not doing enough, is the picture here, and if it does not do more, faster, the West will feel the weight of an new age of The Star reversed and the Kings of Wands reversed, the rise of a new age of dictators. The Star is a beautiful card of hope and recovery , but when drawn reversed it contains the potential for hopes denied, and for the dawning of a new totalitarianism.

Thank you for reading.

Till next time 🙂

Freya’s Day, The Empress and a Waxing Moon in Taurus

The Queen of Coins, court card of Capricorn from The Touchstone Tarot.

Today is a waxing Taurus Moon, just greater than last night’s waxing half Moon. How apposite for a Friday, ruled in Mythology by the astrological ruler of Taurus; Venus/Freya/Ishtar/Hathor…fruitfulness, fertility, beauty, luxury …and money and finance.

“She’s looking good, for beauty we will pay…”- Kraftwerk

The Tarot card representing Friday is The Empress. When the world is ugly, still, there is always beauty, and where the ugliness is at its most terrible, the enduring beauty is in even the humblest, simplest acts of kindness, without which there is no fuel for the upkeep of courage…en -courage-ment. The Empress is Woman; The Mother, Gaia, Demeter- the earth beneath its crown of stars.

Taurus, the Bull of The Empress Gaia, and the ruler of today’s moon, can represent earth tectonics.

Taurus would much rather not charge, or smash up the china shop. He much prefers to be left to graze in peace. Chew the cud. Guard his cows. But he will do what it takes to guard his meadow, glaring down from the heavens with his giant red eye, the star Aldebaran, the eye of the Bull, at the constellation of Orion the Hunter.

Orion boasted that he could and would kill any creature on Earth. It was a boast that got him killed when Demeter sent a giant scorpion to deal with him for his hubris. And Taurus is having none of it either.

If you’re in the mid-northern latitudes, you’ll locate the mighty Orion in the southeast in the early evening, shining high in the south by mid-to-late evening. South of the equator, you’ll see Orion high in your northern sky around that same hour.

There was an old story in Arabic lore, that should Taurus ever break free of his pen in the skies, he would stampede the Universe to pieces. Taurus was to be feared. Totally. And sometimes gets a bad rap for supposedly being dull or docile or stubborn. But he is the very spirit of springtime in its full flowering, beloved of Venus, The Empress. The flowers in the picture are knit-bone which flowers in April and May where I live.

blue petaled flowers — Photo by Belinda Fewings on Unsplash

By Jove, by Jupiter!

Jupiter last night was glorious, stupendous, almost conjoining the moon in optimistic – or aggressive Aries, while today’s Moon in Taurus is trining Mars in Capricorn. AND Mercury in Capricorn is trining Jupiter in Taurus. An auspicious angle.

January Moon-Jupiter close approach views from 3 different cities - New York, Singapore and Sydney.

Source TimeandDate.Com

Today’s astrology is rather upbeat, perhaps surprisingly given the manifest problems in the world right now. But a waxing Moon in Taurus trine Mars in Capricorn. AND Mercury in Capricorn is trine Jupiter in Taurus? This is rather lively, bouncy, and money orientated, conjuring in my mind’s eye, an image of the Bull of Wall Street.

a statue of a bull on a brick street — Photo by fabio Spano on Unsplash

One looks at the card/s. One looks up the astrology and then one checks out the news pertaining to these signals, clues and signs. So now I look up the headlines for what is happening today on Wall Street, and how about this for real time synchronicity:-

“Stock Market Today: Wall Street Drifts Toward the Edge of Its All-Time High Set 2 Years Ago…”

Source: Associated Press

On a personal level, likewise, today’s transits are potentially excellent news for all manner of business and material matters; financial, and practical, but also pertaining to work, business and education. Again, this is a celestial booster for work prospects, projects for home improvements, educational prospects, or domestic matters that span these activities, to do with finding the right locale, school or university for us or for our children. Now in the UK is the time for applying for a place at university.

A note of caution

Venus in Sagittarius is square Neptune in Pisces, while I draw the Ace of Pentacles reversed, and the Knight of Cups. Today is a squirreling kind of a day, or a planning kind of a day. This is pro-active energy, so far, so good. But this is not a day to commit. Now is not the best time to sign a really big money contract. Chances are, because of that reversed Knight of Cups, amplified by today’s foggy Neptune in Pisces- we are not sufficiently fully in the picture. Don’t believe everything you hear, says this Knight of Cups when drawn with the Ace of Pentacles reversed. Don’t lend money to any new or unproven friend or admirer, or spend money on them, or automatically believe everything they tell us. Not until they have proven themselves trustworthy. Reality checks all round, even when it’s a harsh reality. At least that’s workable information.

Knight of Cups: Love Advice, Future Outcomes, Yes or No?

There is a feeling here of issues to do with digestion and hydration or UTI’s. This could be to do with overeating or correcting recent seasonal overeating…(thank you for that, Jupiter.) It could mean that those dealing with IBS or similar issues may need to eat more lightly today, or may require extra peppermint, or whatever is the go-to remedy.

Likewise, this is a day for not losing our cool…not blowing our top. Taurus was called by the ancient Greeks The Bull From the Sea, and they associated him with Poseidon the Earth Shaker, god of the sea…and of earthquakes. A waxing Moon in Taurus can suggest an increase in the next few days of seismic or tectonic activity. This is not to say there is any cause for alarm. The Pacific is merrily bubbling away, but then again, it always is.

a man standing in the water with a pole in his hand — Photo by Lance Reis on Unsplash

Thank you for reading. Farewell for another year to the sun sign of our Earth magic friend, Capricorn the Celestial Sea-goat. Back soon with a spotlight shining on Aquarius, Cosmic Water Carrier- The Cloud-Bearer.

The Six of Swords and a maritime mood…

grayscale photo of ships on water — Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Let’s look at today’s general Tarot card, drawn for the collective. Is this just my own stuff? Could be. Context is key for getting at a specific prediction, and that context is driven by a question. But it is frequently the case, that when one is reading for a client, there can be an eerie synchronicity between what is pressing or timely for the client, and what is going on around the reader. Perhaps we are more connected, more like birds or bees than we may care to recognize.

What the reader is trying to do in such a broad reading as this is, simply to hold up a mirror and breathe on it, trying to get a sense of a prevailing wind or “zeitgeist.”

The card for today is the Six of Swords.The wind today could be described as a psychic easterly. Bracing or invigorating, take your pick. This is one of the several cards in the tarot deck that that fits Aquarius timing in a reading where one is trying to guess at when something may happen. (The others are The Star, The King, Queen, Knight or Page of Swords or the Five or Seven of Swords)

Of course we are not in Aquarius territory yet. Soon. Not yet. We are still in the second decan of Capricorn, associated with the industrious, artistic and dedicated Three of Coins, as illustrated here in the Legacy of The Divine Tarot. Mars in Capricorn gives us an energy boost between now and around 13 February. Things get done.

Be that as it may. The Six Swords correlates with the fixed air sign of Aquarius and it denotes a solemn journey. This journey may occur in the aftermath of disaster and bereavement. For instance,it may describe a funeral procession. More generally, we may be decided to turn our back on an unhappy situation, cutting our losses, setting our faces to the future, taking the helm of our own “ship.”

At close personal quarters, this card can also be saying, “tell the truth and shame the devil.” Lies do damage and create waste. They are a waste of precious time and they are disrespectful. The Six Swords seeks to limit past damage, asserting our common drive for dignity, independence and personal sovereignty.

The Six Swords may be perfectly neutral. For instance, it may simply denote long distance/remote study or a cruise or other journey of exploration. Or it can be flagging up issues or activities to do with buying/sorting out/upgrading our I.T.

But in both metaphysical and in literal physical terms, with the Six of Swords we see a voyage. There is forward movement, where with a card such as the Eight of Swords or the Four of Cups there is no movement.

In current affairs, we need no tarot cards to show us that these are tense times with looming standoffs, confrontations or military conflicts impending in the world’s major shipping lanes, most acutely, between now and mid February. But here, we are using the cards to check out the phenomenon of synchronicity in mirroring what we know to be the case.

Prediction follows on from this initial mirroring.

The Six of Swords can specifically indicate

a) a military threat, health threat or the aftermath of such

and

b) shipping or cruising.

The Red Sea is perhaps foremost in our awareness at this time, but tensions in other maritime zones have not gone away in the Black Sea, the Strait of Hormuz, South China Sea or the Strait of Taiwan.

Likewise, depending on the deck we are using, the Six of Swords shows refugees in search of safety. It shows migration and displacement, and we may see more or particular big news of this kind around the time of Pluto’s first entry into Aquarius this year, 20 January – 1 September 2024.

Economic migration is a political hot potato, only set to grow hotter during this time frame. The suit of Swords deals with legalities and documentation, which suggests the introducing of new processes in the UK and perhaps many other countries this year, affecting travel, outside and beyond the contentious issues of migration and emigration.

This all sounds potentially gloomy if not dire. BUT the Six of Swords is one of the most constructive cards in the challenging suit of Swords. Its keywords include recovery, healing, learning, study, travel, momentum and above all, progress. If you or a loved one have been sick, there can be few better cards indicative of improvements, bar the Ace, Knight, or Page of Cups.

Thank you for reading.