Tomorrow's Post

I'm going to compare the convicted murderer's numbers of Amanda Knox with those of her victim's, Meredith Kercher. Something very creepy about this case.

The Eight of Swords

From just a cursory glance at the Eight of Swords one might really plummet down to the depths of despair. Here is a woman depicted as blindfolded, with her arms tied behind her and partially encircled by eight swords thrust into the ground. Whoa! What the hell does this mean?

In a reading, here's the message of the card. If you are spiritually 'blind' (the metaphoric blindfold) you will not be intellectually or spiritually 'free" (the binding ropes, the swords).  The important thing is to remove the blindfold. Open yourself up to the world and all it has to offer. Look beyond the obvious. Search beneath the concrete. Don't accept things at face value.  You cannot obtain enlightenment otherwise. One needs to approach life with unprejudiced eyes. Try not to be judgmental. Embrace the unknown with humility and curiosity. There is no other way to truly learn.

Keep in mind that the swords do not entirely enclose the woman in the picture. In fact, there is a rather sizable opening. The doors to the jail are open, you only need walk out.

The Six of Swords

The first question people usually ask when seeing the Six of Swords is, " Where am I going?" And that is exactly the correct question because this card is all about journeys, be they physical or spiritual.

The two figures in the boat can be interpreted as an adult and child or just as two people. The sex is immaterial.  The point is that you will not be alone. The ferryman (who in 'real' life does not necessarily need to be a male) represents a teacher, mentor or some kind of spirit guide who will direct you or accompany you.  As you are leaving one place for another you will experience loss as well as exhilaration at the prospect of entering uncharted territory.  However, take heart, as the passage across these new waters are tranquil and calm.  There will be no turbulence, only quiet.

Questions you may want to ask yourself if you draw the Six of Swords in a reading are:  Are you ready to move forward and leave your past behind?  What, exactly, are you leaving behind?  Who is it that you would like to take with you?  Who in your life is qualified to guide you?  What or who, up to now, has been holding you back?  Have you been going through a difficult time recently and this retreat represents a time of refuge from it?  What is the hope for your future?  Where do you see yourself headed?

How Lee DeWyze Won American Idol

So, just how did he do it considering Lee was outclassed by Crystal Bowersox in just about every category there is e.g., musicality, vocals, originality and stage presence? I hate to raise the sexist card but, sadly, I think in this instance it's appropriate. I don't know if any of you readers out there had a chance to read a critique of the American Idol finale in yesterday's New York Times by Jon Caramanic. Well, I did and for my money he really hit the nail on the head by explaining that American Idol has evolved from a talent show into a make-over show. Doesn't that just feel right?  With a panel of judges, led by the commercially savvy Simon Cowell, the 'blossoming' of Lee DeWyze was sold to the viewing audience and they bought it hook, line and sinker.

After weeks of touting Crystal as being in a 'league of her own', the judges abandoned her and took up the 'cause of Lee'. Of course, this might have been a strategic manoeuvre to create some suspense in an otherwise pretty drippy season. But I think Simon tapped into something else which he probably was not even consciously aware of.  That is, everyone loves a 'make-over'. People applaud self-improvement and Lee fit the bill.  Crystal was too fully formed and too much her own person (a bit like Pallas Athena springing forth as a mature adult from her father's, Zeus's, head) to try and change. On the other hand, Lee was a veritable Pygmalion. Putty in the hand. Clay to be molded.

At the show's beginning, Lee was shy, lacked self-confidence and repressed.  And we were constantly bombarded with his 'ordinariness' i.e., he works in a paint store, he's a regular guy. Oy! If anyone brought up that friggin' paint store one more time I was going to scream!  Lee's personal story was presented by the judges, particularly by Simon, as being especially compelling and the American public fell for it. Now, to me, his story compared to Crystal's positively pales. She was raised by her dad, mother abandoned her when she was two (or so they say), she is a single parent herself and she suffers from a life threatening disease (Type l Diabetes which is no joke). If that doesn't reflect the human drama, what does!

But as compassionate as American may have felt about Crystal, their real sympathies and votes were going to Lee and that's because America , as most cultures, favor males over females.  It's a given that the majority of American Idol viewers are women and women are suckers for supporting and enabling men who they see as having 'potential'.  Historically, women have protected men at their own expense.  And it's a know fact, borne out by research, that single sex group therapy is more beneficial for women than groups with men and women as women tend to put their own issues on the back burner and defer to the men.

It's the old story that 'all it takes is a good woman to reform a man'. Lee's story is really just another permutation of the myth of the 'vulnerable' male. It's a cultural archetype and pops up in all aspects of our culture. The 'cool jerk', the inarticulate guy, the shy guy. It's disheartening, really, that another good strong woman was passed over in order to prop up a mediocore guy (sorry, all you Lee fans!). However, I think Crystal will prevail and enjoy great success despite the obstacles set in her way.

Lee Dewyze

What do Lee's numbers tell us about him?  His Destiny Number (derived from his birthday of 4/2/1986) corresponds to a 3. 3 is an artistic number. They are our also communicators e.g., performers, poets, writers. 3s are chamers and optimists.  They are sociable and friendly. They don't have an axe to grind or a chip on the shoulder. 3s enjoy life. And why not? Their ruling planet is Jupiter the 'king' of all the other planets.  Its associations include the attributes of growth, expansion and prosperity as well as trips and travel, humanitarianism and caretaking.

 Lee's Expression Number (derived from the letters in his name) corresponds to an 11. 11s are visionary, intense and tend towards being high strung (Lee "high strung"?!).  11s want to enlighten the world. They are ill-equipped  and show little interest for the business world.  Their predominant trait is humanitarianism (so Lee has an amplified sense of doing for others).  11s are tolerant, patient and considerate.

11 is one of two Master Numbers, the other is 22. Essentially, 11 is a 2 but it's considered a higher vibration of the number 2, so all of a 2s characteristics such as being diplomatic, peaceful and sensitive  are that much more increased in the number 11.

By the way, the number 2 is ruled by the Moon which is associated with the Yin, or feminine principles, which is consistent with those traits most connected with the numbers 2 and 11.

However, when we just look at Lee's numbers for his first name that corresponds to a 4 and 4 is the number of tradition and practicality which is on the other end of the spectrum from 2 and 11. 4s are less interested in things ephemeral and more interested in the tangible. 4s are the worker bees.

Lastly, Lee possesses a 'z' in his last name which indicates that he will never want for money. The letter 'z', along with 'h' and 'q', correspond to the number '8' which is the money number. If you have any of those letters in your name consider yourself lucky.

Actually, when you add all this up I think it presents a nice composite picture of Lee. He strikes me as someone who not only possesses the down to earth qualities of a 4 but  the sensitivity of a 2 or an 11 as well.

The Nine Muses

According to Greek mythology, the Nine Muses were deities who imbued the necessary  inspiration into artists, philosophers and individuals.  Hesiod, a poet of ancient Greece,  reveals that they were called 'Muses' as the Greek word 'mosis' refers to desire or wish.

Artists from all disciplines of the ancient world made an appeal to the Muses  before beginning their work. For example, Homer, the author of both the Illiad and the Odyssey, implores the Muses to help him tell these stories in a memorable way for all generations.

The Nine Muses were sisters. They were the daughters of  Zeus, the lord of all the Greek gods, and Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory. There were nine children as Zeus allegedly spent nine consecutive nights with Mnemosyne.

 Mnemosyne gave her baby girls to Apollo, the god of healing, music and the Sun and he in turn taught the nine sisters about Art.  Consequently, they forfeited all interest in the material world and pledged to dedicate their lives to the Arts and the artistic imagination.

The Nine Muses are:

1.  Clio: the muse of History. She is often depicted with a clarion (an early trumpet) in her right hand and a book in her left.

2.  Euterpe:  the muse of Music.  She invented several musical instruments and is often seen holding a flute.

3.  Thalia:  the muse of Comedy.  She not only discovered comedy but  geometry and the science of architecture as well. She is always depicted holding the iconic comedic theatrical mask.

4.  Melpomene:  the muse of Tragedy. In addition to developing tragedy, she cultivated rhetoric speech.

5.  Terpsichore:  the muse of Dance.  In addition, she was the protector of the harp and education. She is often depicted laughing and enjoying herself as 'Terpo' in Greek means to be amused.

6.  Erato:  the muse of Love and the poetry of Love. Also, the protector of weddings. Her name comes from the Greek word 'eros' which refers to the act of falling in love. Our word 'erotic' also derives from 'eros'.She is often associated with Eros, or Cupid's, bows and arrows.

7.  Polymia:  the muse of sacred poetry and hymns. She also formulated the study of grammar.  She often carries a lyre.

8.  Ourania:  the muse of  all heavenly bodies and things celestial. She invented astronomy.

9.  Calliope:  the muse of epic poetry. She was often considered the most superior of all the Muses. She was the protector of all heroic poems.  In fact, Homer calls upon Calliope to inspire him while composing the Illiad and the Odyssey.

The number '9' runs like a lief motif in our culture and language. Not only do we have the Nine Muses, but we talk about the 'cat with nine lives', we can 'dress to the nines', there are nine men on a baseball team, human beings gestate for nine months, nine is the Trinity squared and there are nine planets.

The number nine vibrates to a very powerful frequency and should always be taken seriously and with consideration. If it should appear in your life, it symbolizes an important message coming through to you.

Source material is a compilation collected from greekmyths and infoplease

The Court Cards Explained

The Court cards are comprised of the King, Queen, Knight and Page in the tarot. They always reflect the characteristics of their particular suit and rank.

Kings:  Always mature and always masculine. Their qualities are associated with social responsibility, power and success. Their focus is on the outward workings of the world. They exercise ultimate authority. The Kings are assertive and direct. They are hands-on and practical. They are the problem solvers and solution oriented.

Queens:  Always mature and always feminine.  She is also an authority figure and exercises power and social control. However, unlike the Kings, her interests lie with the emotions and relationships. She embodies the attributes of creativity and imagination.

Knights:  Can be either sex and represents a young adult or teenager. Impulsive. They lead from the heart, not the head.  Moody. Impressionable.  Action oriented. Impatient.

Pages:  Always a child and can be of either sex.  A student or novice. Exploratory. Curious. Their is an aura of naivety  and innocence about them. They exude wonderment and awe.