2011: The Year of the Rabbit

According to Chinese astrology 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit and appropriately enough as the "rabbit" has long been associated with "fertility" and "plenty" this year's July has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays!Apparently, such a numerical phenomenon occurs once very 823 years and is associated with "fortune", "money" and "abundance".  Followers of Feng Shui recommend sharing this information with your friends and family as that generosity of spirit is supposed to create a positive, money-making energy around you.  So don't be left out!

Amy bows low at the feet of all her holy teachers.

The Waning Crescent Moon

Today's moon is a waning crescent one and is 34% full. The waning moon always indicates "contraction", "abatement" and "diminishment". As such, it's the ideal time for personal and spiritual reflection and contemplation. It's also the moment to rid yourself of all unnecessary "clutter" and "things" in your life i.e., clean out your closets and go through your files and folders. Distance yourself from those people in your life who bring nothing "to the table".  As they say in the 12 Step programs (of which I'm a huge fan), take a personal inventory of your self-defeating behaviors and set your intention towards dissolving them. As the moon becomes fuller so will your resolve towards change.

Amy bows low to all her holy teachers and asks for wisdom and grace.

Page of Cups

The message here is "Let you heart shine". Speak from the "heart". Take "heart". Approach life with "heartfelt" intention.  Embrace yourself and your loved ones "whole heartedly". Demonstrate compassion. Avoid judgment. Be kind.

Questions for the querent:

-Are you critical of others?

-Do you over-intellectualize?

-Do you have intimacy issues?  Would you know if you did?

-Can you forgive?

-Are your bearing a "grudge"?

-Have you "shut down" your heart?

-Do you need make amends to someone in your life

Amy bows low to all her holy teachers and asks for tender mercies from the Universe.

Page of Wands

This page is your original "go-getter". Enthusiastic. Confident. Focused. Pages usually represent or symbolilze children or the adult who has retained their child like wonderment of the world. When drawing a page,  it's frequently a message for us to "loosen up" and to embrace the world with a refreshed and pure vision.

Questions for your querent:

-Are you comfortable with taking risks?

-When was the last time you took a chance?

-Is your self-confidence lagging?

-What would have to happen to get it back?

-Do you lead with your heart?

-Are you looking for a new way to express yourself?

-Is there passion in your life?

-Would you recognize an opportunity if it came your way?

Amy bows low to all her holy teachers and asks for strength, guidance and protection. 

Taking a break

I'm in the process of moving and haven't had a chance to write my blog. However, I should be back within the next couple of weeks. Thanks for all your support!

Four of Wands

The Four of Wands symbolizes excitement, celebration and rejoicing.  It promises optimism and hope.  It lifts our spirits when we're down as it reminds us that despite Life's twists and turns the World is still a beautiful place.

-Have you experienced a recent triumph?

-Do you celebrate Life despite the circumstances?

-Is there a special celebration or event on the horizon?

-Have you recently been unable to appreciate Life?

-Are you traditional?

-Are holidays important to you?

Amy bows low at the feet of all her holy teachers.

Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak

Let's start with Mubarak's Expression Number which reflects the personality and temperament. Sure enough, the man is a 1 and 1s are leaders and self-promoters. They dominate and frequently stand alone. They possess a strong vibration e.g., they are a force to be reckoned with. 1s are ruled by the Sun.

On the other hand, when their energy is expressed negatively, or becomes misaligned, watch out. All that power from the Sun becomes corrupted into arrogance, impatience and inflexibility which is what we are seeing now with Mubarak's intractable behavior.

Interestingly, the one number he is missing from the letters of his name is a 7 and 7 is the most spiritual number of them all. I think that's pretty revealing and telling given how he is responding to the Egyptian people who clearly want him out.

Mubarak's birthday is May 5th, 1928 which makes him a Taurus. And, just as in the case of a 1 personality, if the energy of Taurus becomes distorted or misdirected, all those marvelous Taurus traits aren't so marvelous any more. What was steadfast and grounded and determined becomes stubborn and resistant to the point of absurdity.

2011 is a 4 year for Mubarak which in Chinese numerology is the most unlucky number as it's a homophone for their word for "death". In fact, many Western numerologists associate the number 4 with the number 13, our unlucky number, as 1 plus 3 equals 4.  I think it's safe to say that Mr. Mubarak's luck has run out.

Even the tarot cards are stacked against him. I picked the Tower for him this morning which represents upheaval, downfall and sudden change.  Good riddance.

Groundhog Day or St. Brigid's Day

Like so many of our holidays, Groundhog Day evolved from pagan ritual.  It hearkens from Ireland and was originally known as St. Brigid's Day or Imbolc, a Celtic fertility goddess. The holiday was most frequently celebrated on February 1st or 2nd which falls midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere.

Gaelic Ireland first observed St. Brigid's Day during the Middle Ages. Actually, the word "imbolc" in Old Gaelic means "in the belly" and refers to the pregnant ewes being raised  by what was then principally an agrarian society.

Because of this connection to fertility, the village maidens would make an offering to St. Brigid/Imbolc on the holiday's eve in the form of a doll made from corn.

Fostering a good relationship with St.Brigid/Imbolc was critical as she was associated with that part of the year, Spring, which heralded in extended sunlight.

The day, too, is traditionally one of weather prognostication. Historically, people would wait and watch to see if snakes or badgers emerged from their winter dens, hence our tradition with groundhogs.  Weather, of course, played a critical role in the villager's  lives as it meant the difference between life and death for them.

Fire and purification are both associated with Imbolc/St. Brigid.. Because she is both a saint and a goddess ( poetry and healing and smith craft) she is associated with holy wells, sacred flames and healing.  Thus, the lighting of candles and fire at this time of year represent the return of warmth and of the Sun.