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January 17 through January 23, 2022

Hope you rested up the last two weeks, as the astrological events in the heavens this week could have us running on all cylinders! A Cancer full Moon greets us Monday morning, which could make us moody and not really interested in work or socializing. Get what you can off your plate before noon so you don't feel overwhelmed or frustrated. Full Moons signal a time of release, so you may want to consider what you're ready to let go of in your life to get what you want. (Friendships? Clutter? Financial obligations that are needlessly draining your pocketbook?) Things will look a bit brighter on Tuesday as the Moon moves into Leo and Uranus resumes forward motion in Taurus after 5 months, clearing away a sense of frustration and blocks out of our way. On Wednesday the Sun will move into the dazzling sign of Aquarius and move us to yet another level of freedom, provided we're ready to experience the new and unusual! May new ideas and thoughts will come our way, and Thursday and Friday's Virgo Moon will have us processing and sorting through each and every one of them. Take heart thought, as after a week of shifts and turns, this weekend's Libra Moon will work to restore a sense of balance and harmony to our lives before we move forward.

How to Use Tarot for Guidance, by Victoria Constantino

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

When we work with tarot, we are forging a connection to a magical, spiritual tool. This connection is ever-evolving, ever-changing, ever-growing. The more we work with tarot, the more practice we gain in strengthening our connection to the meanings it holds for us and our understanding of them. In doing so, we increase the value we gain from it. Over time, we also experience the added benefit of strengthening our intuition and the connection to our higher understanding; in this way, we can better receive and interpret messages, information, wisdom, and guidance. Like a muscle we work to develop, the more we work with tarot, the more clearly we are able to intuit what counsel it may hold for us, and the greater the detail and accuracy we can obtain.

While tarot decks traditionally have 78 cards consisting of specific pip cards, court cards, and Major Arcana cards, the symbolism can vary widely from deck to deck. It is that symbolism that conveys so much meaning to us, beyond just the archetype each card represents or the symbols it may present.

For example, the Queen of Wands may represent prosperity, passion, abundance, warmth, creativity, confidence, authority, and fruitfulness in general. In the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, she is pictured holding a sunflower (which can indicate happiness) in her left hand, and a wand in her right. Two lions—symbolizing strength and protection, perhaps—adorn the base of her throne, one on each side; two lions are emblazoned on the high back of her throne, which ascends above her head. A black cat (a familiar? An emblem of protection?) sits at her feet. If we drew this card after having asked a question about where we stand with a potential romantic partnership, perhaps with someone we recently met, and then drew this card in response, we might interpret it to mean that the relationship has the potential to develop in a way that will bring us happiness. It could also indicate that we have protection or guidance available to us in regards to this relationship. How we interpret it is very much up to our intuition. What are we feeling about this? There may be a fated or karmic aspect, as if we are meant to be with this person. On the other hand, it could indicate we are supported by our guides or allies in the nonphysical as we navigate this new partnership.

In the The Hermetic Tarot, the Queen of Wands is pictured holding a long wand or staff with a large spherical head; her right hand rests on the head of a leopard. Written beneath her staff are the symbols for Pisces and Aries. In this deck, the Queen of Wands is called Queen of the Thrones of Flame, and fire is depicted around her; this symbolism aligns with wands as the representatives of the element of fire. The prominent staff could indicate that there is the possibility of great passion in this relationship, and that the person we identify with the female energy in the partnership is very much in their power—confident in their ability to navigate the world and the relationship in a way that lends to the success of both parties involved. The symbolism of Pisces and Aries adds another element to the interpretation. One or both of the people in the partnership may have aspects of Aries or Pisces in their birth charts that could inform the relationship; an investigation into the astrological placements could reward further inquiry (if we are so inclined).

Colors, numbers, and placement of the cards (in relationship to other cards) can add additional layers of meaning. For instance, the color red may connect us to the root chakra or to family, or, in the Chinese tradition, it can symbolize good luck, happiness, success, vitality, and beauty. The number four often indicates stability and solid foundations, so the Four of Pentacles and The Emperor (which is the number four card in the Major Arcana), share this interpretive connection. More than one instance of a number in a deck can convey additional meaning. Three fours could indicate stronger foundations in three areas of life, or a tripling of the four energy. Placement also informs the meaning of the cards. A Nine of Pentacles following the Five of Pentacles, for instance, could mean abundance and prosperity are flowing to us where there is or has been lack or blocks in those areas, or perhaps could offer guidance to save instead of spending to support our future well-being.

One of the really helpful aspects of working with tarot is that we can ask any question we like. We can also ask clarifying questions or ask for a clarifying card to divulge further information on a card we already pulled. We may choose to work within the constraints of a spread or we can simply ask a series of questions and continue drawing cards. We can draw a card a day, or several cards, asking questions like, What energies are supporting me today? Or What is my guidance for the day?

It can be beneficial when first beginning to work with the cards to gain a foundational understanding of their traditional meanings. One good way to go about this is to refer to the guidebook for the deck you use most often, or to guidebooks for several different decks, to obtain a better understanding of how various decks and authors approach the cards' meaning and symbolism. This provides us with a jumping-off point from which we can launch into a deeper and more personal understanding. It may be that you do not resonate at all with the interpretation the guidebook provides for a certain card, and that is okay.

Ultimately, it is key to trust our intuition, over and above what any guidebook may say. When we doubt our intuition, we may unintentionally set up blocks to receiving the information that is meant for us. It may be that we are getting a strong sense of what a certain card means to us, and it may not necessarily align with the guidebook or the traditional meaning. In my book, Tarot by the Moon, I discuss different approaches to interpreting a reading and also to connecting with our inner guidance to ensure we get the most out of our interactions with the cards. With practice, it becomes easier and more natural to glean information from tarot. And, over time, a well-loved deck can become like a constant companion—an old friend who always offers us just the advice we need.

Want to know more? Check out Tarot by the Moon: Spreads and Spells for Every Month of the Year. You can also follow me on Instagram at @victoria.constantino.author and @tarot_by_the_moon and on Facebook at @VictoriaConstantinoAuthor.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2021. All rights reserved.

I have a rather offbeat question. I am just crazy about this little wild bird who visits our garden. He has touched my heart in such a way that I've become quite attached to him. He chirps all the time when I come outside, and will even chirp to 'call' me outside. Often he flies around our house and yard calling for us. We can hear him many times throughout the day. He (or she) is just a tiny thing with the sweetest chirp. Of course, anthropomorphizing as I tend to do, I worry if he is sad or lonely. My daughter thinks I'm nuts, but I believe he wants to 'talk.' (Don't laugh!) He seems to respond to my communication attempts. For example, when I talk to him or whistle back, he flutters his tiny wings and dances in the air. I'm no expert, but it does feel as if there are things he wants to share with me. Also, now that it's getting cold, I am thinking about buying a bird house for him. Can you tell me if he would like this? Would he understand the house is for him? I get so sad thinking about him in the cold. I'm truly not bonkers - I'm just so in love with this adorable creature. Thank you, ladies!

Dreamchaser:

I love this question! Do you have a dog? When you come in the door from work or after a long day, does the dog bark when he hears your car? Does he run in circles, wag his tail, jump on you and lick your face when he sees you? Do you talk to your dog as you are doing your chores, and does the dog sit and listen? How come no one thinks THAT is weird?

This bird is like a pet dog. I have all kinds of animals around my house that I consider my pets. I often talk about how my squirrels sit on my steps and eat, nap and talk. When I come out my door, they chatter away at me and I talk back. I am sure some of my neighbors think I'm crazy, but I don't care. The squirrels are my animal friends, like this little bird is YOUR friend. Animals LOVE it when we talk to them. The ancient people believed in the wisdom and knowledge of the four-leggeds. Native Americans believe in the power of animal wisdom to this day.

Yes, you should buy him a bird house. He would LOVE it. You need to find out what type of bird he is so you can buy him the right house, for different birds live in different houses. You could snap a picture of him and take it to a store that sells birdhouses so they can help you, or you could look his species up on the internet. Once you get the birdhouse, take it out there and tell him, Hey little bird, this house is for you. The bird will move in and love being your new roommate.

My best friend just told me a story about a hummingbird in her yard that talked to her. The bird would actually fly up onto her patio and hover in front of her to talk to her. She was as amazed as you are at first. Then she started to realize that the bird WAS intelligent, and knew the difference between her and everyone else in her family, for the bird flew to her and no one else.

I want to reiterate that wild animals are just as smart - if not smarter - than domesticated animals. They can become our friends and be just as happy to see us as dogs and other pets. I want you to watch and listen to your new friend. Learn his ways and his traits. See how you can apply them to your own life. Our animal friends DO teach us lessons. They are very wise. I wish you and your bird friend a long and beautiful friendship!

*****

Astrea:

In my yard, there is a family of many generations of cardinals. We're in the tropics, so they can stay here for most of the year. Many years ago, my Granny formed a bond with the leader of their family. Now every year in the spring, our yard is filled with red birds. Even though the first cardinal who got to know Granny is long gone from us, the family keeps returning, and there is always one male who will call to us and chat with us as he watches over this ever-growing colony of cardinals.

To answer your question, Honey, you're not bonkers at all! You've formed a very special bond with that little feller in your garden. Shame on anyone for making fun of you for doing that!

My husband is the practical person in this family, and says that first, you should find out what kind of bird he is. Take a photo of him and take it to someone at your local university. That person will be able to tell you the kind of house he would really like, and if your friend is a he or a she. (My psychic senses are telling me that he's male.) Also, they can tell if he's a migratory bird. (If he is, it would be better for him to fly South for the winter, just for his own safety and well-being.)

Even if you have to let him do his thing for the winter, he'll come back to you. If he can stay with you it would be great, but don't force it. If he does have to leave you, he'll let you know. Little creatures know best for themselves how to deal with the seasons. If the South calls to him, he has to answer. To keep him there otherwise would be cruel. Don't be sad if he has to leave you - he'll return. He's going to stay with you as long as his little wings will fly him there to your yard.

It's rare for a wild creature to show a human friend all the love and trust this little bird has shown you. He was sad and lonely, but now that he has you to talk to, he's much happier. By all means, buy him the birdhouse even if he has to leave you for a while. Of course he will recognize that you got it for him. Depending on the kind of bird he is, he may or may not choose to live in it right away. I see him using it for his family when spring comes again. He'll install his mate and baby birds in that birdhouse - you'll see!

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.