Monthly Muses by Flavia – February 2020
Flavia
New Moon Aquarius by Flavia – 24 January 2020
As the New Moon enters Aquarius a new season begins. It is not business as usual, especially, as the moon squares Uranus in Taurus. This is significant because Uranus, always associated with electric and sudden unapologetic and uncompromising disruptions, is Aquarius own ruler. A square is not an opposition, but rather conflicting dynamics, a challenge or just competing priorities, depending on the specific planets involved. Uranus is in the house of Venus and the new moon is pulling the energy of the house of Uranus. They are both in fixed houses as well. So the positions will be entrenched. Uranus in Taurus therefore talks about how old values and self- worth will compete with the vision of a new future as it is being activated by the New Moon in Aquarius.
The Animals card with the guidance of St. Francis of Assisi is pointing to a new future based on a community of charity, and of like-minded people who are socially conscious and with a common purpose. Our own growth will come from friends and associates. The fixed position is challenged by instability and constant change. We are now interested in groups and organizations that look beyond the self to realize something greater that was previously possible.
Moreover, Aquarius cold and distant qualities will give us a bit of a break from the earthly intensity of the previous weeks and months. The air element that is the character of Aquarius, will bring a cerebral influence in our decision-making process. We will be serious about ideas. Futuristic plans will now dominate our way of thinking, propelling us to a new phase. New priorities will also signify a new set of activities. St. Francis left his own family background to set up a new community based on a progressive set of dynamics, and as such he is the powerful influence of a New Moon that will impact our lives for the next month and beyond.
Flavia
Full Moon in Cancer by Flavia – 10 January 2020
Mercury is making his presence felt. He is the God of rational thinking and the supreme leader of communication. Without him nothing moves, nothing gets exchanged. The card naturally appeared out of Kyle Gray’s oracle deck as his own first act and PR manager – all in one. And with good reason too. Around the 10th of January we are having a full moon and a lunar eclipse in Cancer, 20 degrees. By far the most significant astrological event in 2020. Not least because it is followed by one of the most discussed and anticipated celestial occurrences that has astrologers talking about for decades. It’s the conjunction of Saturn to Pluto, and Sun conjoining Saturn and Pluto, all taking place in Capricorn. So these power players in heavy, ambitious, depressed, earthly Capricorn are undoubtedly colouring our earthly experiences. Capricorn is associated with old age, big authority figures, heritage, old buildings, massive historic structures, physical or otherwise, and things dying in the material sense, in general.
As if this was not enough, a day earlier, the so called liberating and unpredictable Uranus, goes direct in Taurus. A sign concerned with values, worth and materiality in all its’ shapes and forms. A day later Venus moves into Pisces rearranging and dissolving our experiences of love and self-worth just as we thought we knew what was going on.
But in the whole, what will in fact influence us in our particular everyday life is mostly the fact that mischievous, talkative, expressive Mercury jumps in there to reorganise and bring meaning to the others. Mercury is young, fit and beautiful. He moves fast. Remember he has the freedom to go down to Hades and up to the heavens to deliver messages. So the way we think around events on the outside, the way we perceive information and the way we analyse our environment is crucial. It will make all the difference. It’s time for serious thinking and, unfortunately, Mercury will not only communicate sobering decision making, but will also bring us depressive thoughts and anxiety.
While at the moment action God Mars is in Sagittarius – and both Mars and Sagittarius are quite militaristic – our reactions tend towards the scattered and impulsive. Instead, use Mercury’s rationality to stay mindful and progressive. Talk to others. This is not the time to keep things bottled up. With conscious discerning thinking and Mercury’s help, we can move beyond difficult situations, painful endings, lose, unpredictable events and fear dominated reactions. Mercury doesn’t judge and doesn’t waste time with self-pity or incrimination, he flies free opening up channels, bringing healing by transporting goods and ideas, and communicating messages so we can live with more knowledge and wisdom. Trust the universe and trust your Mercurial powers to make the right choices everyday.
Flavia
Monthly Muses by Flavia – January 2020
The outlook for January 2020 is looking favourable and prosperous. However, the key element is that we have to put in the work. And we have to be practical and scrupulous about it. Here we are working within the rules of tradition and within the pre-established structures. It requires us to apply critical thinking while adhering to a higher realm in morality and aesthetics. With the Six of Wands the year kicks in busy. And there is movement. There will be lots happening and conflicting assignments, commitments, opportunities, people and events will demand our attention. Our input will decide which way things are going to go, as well as our discernment to choose where we are channelling our energy wisely.
With the Six of Wands we are not just cruising in victorious – the card normally shows a nobleman on a horse in front of a background of sticks and crowned with a wreath symbolizing success – but our achievements are aligned per force with higher values. There is nobility of sentiment and there is a fight for noble causes that will gain us success and recognition. In this deck there is so much more to think about. There is partnership, serenity, a sense of fulfilment, and a tribe, a vast group of like-minded people, people with whom we share common ground that depend on us or look up to us for strength. So it is also a card about leadership of purpose. Others will look to us for guidance.
This is a sombre, serious month loaded with responsibility. But the gifts are coming. They are the rewards of our efforts and they will bring strength and further support to grow and develop outside our confines. The rewards will be tangible and they will come from the outside suddenly and unexpectedly. And they will compensate us in the material sense. As the Ace of Pentacles sits right in the centre of the spread we can only assume that this event, or series of practical and auspicious events, will actually dominate the month. It will be generous and absolutely depended on our own work and sense of worth, and it will lead effortlessly to the Emperor. The Emperor could be the person we become or a person who will turn up into our lives to lend us support. The Emperor is the paramount figure of knowing the self and of self confidence. The Emperor and the number IV represent structure as well. So initiation and structure is where this month is taking us. We are in for the long game. The Emperor is standing on a pedestal suggesting we better accept our elevated status and of those we associate with.
By the end of January we will find ourselves in a different place to where we started at the beginning. While looking towards the past, we are bringing it with us into the future. We are not divorced from our heritage or history or anything that has come before, because that is the basis of our strength and our security. This is clearly a process of maturation taking place throughout the month where we are standing alone in change, and responsible. The Emperor is the Masculine principle and symbol of experience.
We are looking to a dynamic and transformative month ahead bringing in experiences of higher rank and higher authority. The theme of the influencer and the presence of rules and regulations runs concurrently. Keep strong and don’t loose the focus. The gains have the potential to surpass any expectations for passion, power and wisdom.
Flavia
Moon Musings by Flavia – 27 December 2019
The Angel of Serenity is an Angel of Creation. We are at the moment of a powerful solar eclipse and standing between two eclipses. A solar eclipse in Capricorn and a lunar eclipse in Cancer, happening in January. They are concluding a series of eclipses we have been dealing with the last couple of years. So it’s time to wrap up and bring a culmination to a point. At this stage of structures collapsing and others starting to being built, we have to stay centered amid the chaos, calm and serene. We have the strength within ourselves to resolve problems and find solutions to conflict. Serenity is this angel’s gift as a personal resource to us. The next six months will be eventful and dynamic, so it’s crucial that we start the new moon and enter the new year primarily secure in ourselves, and that we remain calm, peaceful and kind. This is the way to creating something better than what was there before, something better for us and others. With the gift of serenity we have the opportunity to be fruitful in our lives. Our angel guides are protecting and blessing us with serenity.
Flavia
Monthly Muses by Flavia – December 2019
Different deck of cards from November’s reading – same 4 of Pentacles appears. If anything, this feels even more sinister. The last week of November was full of activity and pleasure, almost indulgent, and yet by the end of the month the energies quickly change. December finds us, indeed, fearful and small, clutching our material possessions and holding on to our wealth for dear life. Because of it we are diminished figures. And all things that make life beautiful are missing too. It certainly predicts a time of anxiety where our lower urges of attachment to materiality and earthly goods jump in, robbing us of our potential to participate in something greater, something aligned with our authentic self and a wider good. It is an irony. What we are holding on to is itself depriving and restrictive. Bitter, looking angry, static, immobile and trapped in a small place by our inability to let go objects of wealth, while a wonderful world is all around us, is frontal and direct.
The stability that the number four represents here transmits a sense of being bound with ending, malignant feelings, negativity, corruption, of a sense of lack of proportion to things having outlived their purpose. All around blue skies and beautiful buildings. A small flag flying in the breeze. But we sit in an energy of grey and heaviness, crushed by our own gold. Happily, this is not terminal. It is incumbent upon us all to turn this situation around. We can do this by tapping into the energy of the Fool. The cards presenting both the challenges and the solutions to our situation. Optimism, a dose of naivete, a bit of risk taking, a sense of youthfulness and curiosity, an all encompassing desire for experiences and learning out in the world will be our guide.
By comparison to the 4 of Coins/Pentacles, the Fool is hardly carrying any possessions, but he/she is traveling light with a smile and with a jolly and faithful companion. Mountains in the distant and rivers flowing, the elements of air, water, and earth exude health and freshness. In tune with artistic flavor. Butterflies are all around. Even his/her clothes are full of color and uplifting patterns. There is no holding back in confidence or aesthetics. This attitude is very important because December promises to be the month of the unknown and shifting energies. So how we approach our more intimate and the wider world can change everything. And there is an urgency about it. We might need to lose something in order to gain something more valuable. We might need to completely transform our persona in search of truth.
One way or another this slightly unassuming persona will give us the power to become the King of Swords. A card representing a conscious and upright person. A person of power, strong mentally and physically, ready to defend. Here in this deck, the King of Swords stands amide clouds, dark skies, birds flying, fields and mountains. Clearly a wintry outdoors setting. He’s dressed beautifully in blue, wearing a warrior’s helmet with feathers and in a cape of stars symbolic of his positive and intuitive character. A mature person of higher consciousness, open to communication. Open and decisive at the same time. He feels confident in self knowledge from within.
December foretells entering a much more serious epoch. A season that we are going to be called to duty in some way, and where we need to stand solid. The openness of the fool can transform a miserly to an exulted person of merit. It is a lesson in how our perception, our mental disposition and attitude can, and will make all the difference. December 2019, will conclude a highly transformative year. A brooding year. We will need to have distance to judge situations clearly and objectively, without being aloof or cold. Ultimately, we can enter the new year as more conscious and empowered self, human and caring, but ready for challenges. Now we have to take charge.
Flavia