Two Entrées

Entrée #1: “Party of One”

Entrée #2: “Why Can’t We Be Friends And Eat At One Table?”

Think ~ "The Wonder of Every Day"

''The Wonder of It All''

''Positive Pause''

''The Goodness of Life''

"Share the OM"

Letting Your Feelings Flow - Tears
DailyOM - Tears
January 13, 2006

How wonderful it feels to give in and let tears flow when we are overwhelmed with emotions, whether we are happy or sad. Tears come from the soul, from our well of feelings rising from deep down. When we give in to the prickling behind our eyes and the lump in our throat to let teardrops fall from our eyes, we allow our feelings to surface so they can be set free.
Proud parents shed tears of pride in a child's accomplishments, a baby's first step, birthdays, and graduations. Long lost friends fall into each other's arms, tears rolling down their cheeks when they reunite after years of separation. Tears may flow from us when we are witness to a commitment being made at a wedding or even while we are watching a love story. Tears of relief may spring forth from our eyes when we hear that a loved one has survived an ordeal, and tears may fall when we bow our head in sorrow over a loss or death. Tears born from heartache can flow like they'll never cease, whether our tears are for a love that is over, a friendship lost, or an opportunity missed. We shed tears because of disappointment in ourselves, tragedy in the world, pain, and illness. Tears of anger can burn with emotion as they fall down our faces. Tears offer us a physical release of our feelings.
Shedding tears can sometimes make us feel better, although it can feel like the tears will never end once the floodgates are open. There is no shame in letting tears flow freely and frequently. Tears are as natural to us as is breathing. There is beauty in allowing yourself to be vulnerable enough to shed tears. Open up, release your tears, and let your feelings flow."

DailyOM
"Joint Efforts"
December 27 2005

Today you might want to make sure that you allow coworkers and family members to do their fair share of the work that needs to get done. If you are spending the day at home or with relatives, there may be a variety of chores that need attention, such as cleaning, cooking, or laundry. If you're at the office today, there may be work or issues built up from the holiday that need to be addressed. You are prone to do all the work yourself, which may lead others to take advantage of you. It's a blessing that you feel capable and willing to tackle these responsibilities independently, but it is only right that everyone contribute to the effort. Here's an idea you might try to ensure everyone takes part: Before things are in full swing, get people together, either in a group or individually, to discuss what needs to happen today. If everyone sees the big picture, they can offer to take responsibility for certain aspects or tasks.
Distributing work loads, rather than trying to do it all, fosters collaboration and productivity and minimizes burnout. Though we may be capable of managing things single-handedly, allowing others to contribute to the effort encourages us to feel positive about the project. Work in conjunction with others today, and you will feel good about your common cause while getting a lot accomplished.

The Importance of Napping
Brief Respite
April 17, 2006

In the modern world, we're often compelled to be as productive as possible during as many hours of the day as we can be. While this can lead to great feats of accomplishment, we may become exhausted and find ourselves craving rest and rejuvenation. We may feel like taking a nap but feel guilty about indulging in even ten minutes of rest. This need for personal downtime, which many people experience in the early afternoon, isn't a sign of laziness nor is it necessarily related to how much sleep you had the night before. There was even a time when taking a nap was considered a natural part of everyone's day.
Napping is a pleasurable yet brief period of sleep when our minds and bodies can take a break. Though judged by many to be a pastime for children or the elderly, napping can benefit people of all ages. The desire to nap is a trait shared by many mammals, and napping is still an important part of the day in some countries. Snoozing for a half-hour can be an enjoyable way to promote physical well-being, and naps have been known to improve your mood and memory. A 20-minute nap can sharpen your senses and revitalize you, while a ten minute nap can leave you feeling more cheerful. Falling into a light sleep during the daytime can feel meditative. The thoughts you have as you are taking a nap and the dreams you experience may offer you insights about your life that you may not have at night when you are in a deep sleep.
In order to fully enjoy the benefits of napping, you may need to give yourself permission to nap. Feeling guilty about snoozing or worrying about your to-do list won't do you much good when you are trying to take a nap because your thoughts or feelings will keep you awake. Try to nap at the same time each day, and use an alarm clock to ensure that you don't sleep for too long. If you go to an office, try crawl under your desk for a nap. Learning to nap and enjoy its restorative benefits can help you wake up restored, rejuvenated, and ready for the rest of your day.

Bearers Of Wisdom
April 14, 2006

The Elderly In tribal cultures, the elderly play an important role. They are the keepers of the tribe's memories and the holders of wisdom. As such, the elderly are honored and respected members of tribes. In many modern cultures, however, this is often not the case. Many elderly people say that they feel ignored, left out, and disrespected. This is a sad commentary on modernization, but it doesn't have to be this way. We can change this situation by taking the time to examine our attitudes about the elderly and taking action.
Modern societies tend to be obsessed with the ideas of newness, youth, and progress. Scientific studies tell us how to do everything - from the way we should raise our kids to what we need to eat for breakfast. As a result, the wisdom that is passed down from older generations is often disregarded. Of course, grandparents and retired persons have more than information to offer the world. Their maturity and experience allows for a larger perspective of life, and we can learn a lot from talking to elderly people. It's a shame that society doesn't do more to allow our older population to continue to feel productive for the rest of their lives, but you can help to make change. Perhaps you could help facilitate a mentorship program that would allow children to be tutored by the elderly in retirement homes. The elderly make wonderful storytellers, and creating programs where they could share their real life experiences with others is another way to educate and inspire other generations. Take stock of your relationships with the elderly population.
Maybe you don't really listen to them because you hold the belief that their time has passed and they are too old to understand what you are going through. You may even realize that you don't have any relationships with older people. Try to understand why and how our cultural perception of the elderly influences the way you perceive them. Look around you and reach out to someone who is elderly - even if you are just saying hello and making small talk. Resolve to be more aware of the elderly. They are our mentors, wise folk, and the pioneers that came before us and paved the way for our future.

The Practice Of Serenity
Personal Peace
April 13, 2006

In our noisy world, we often find ourselves longing for peace and searching to find it somewhere else. While it's true that there are places we can visit where we can experience peace, such as sacred sites or buildings, we do not need to wait until we get to one of these places to feel at peace. Instead, we can learn to locate the seed of peace inside ourselves and cultivate it so that it grows into a reliable source of serenity that we can always access, no matter where we are.
We experience peace when we are in a state of mental calm and serenity. It might surprise you to notice how infrequently you allow yourself to be free from anxiety. Realizing this is the first step to inner peace. If you wait until all the details of your life are taken care of to allow yourself to experience peace, you will never feel peaceful because there is always something that your mind can grab onto to create anxiety. It is important to consciously set aside your worries and make time to cultivate inner peace.
Ideally, you could schedule time each day to meditate on peace and experience what it feels like to be calm and serene. It takes practice to learn how to let go of your worries, so give yourself some time. Inhale deeply, and feel your worries dissolve with every exhale. Remind yourself that soon enough you will be able to take care of everything you need to, but right now you are taking a break. As the clutter of your thoughts and concerns clear away, you will start to feel more serene. Allow yourself to move deeper into this state with each inhale. Realize that you have the power to free yourself from anxiety simply by deciding to do so. The more you practice feeling peaceful, the easier it will be for you to feel at peace.

DailyOM
Core Responses
March 28, 2006

You may be in a reactive mood today. Your heightened sensitivity or insecurity could make you prone to overreact to the slightest conflict. These reactions could reveal a fear of instability in your relationships or cause you to question your self-worth. Taking time to affirm your value and worth as a person today could help you feel stronger and better about yourself. Because others will only treat you the way you allow them to, developing a stronger sense of self-esteem and confidence could positively affect the quality of your relationships. If you can understand that feelings of security originate within you, you can focus on strengthening your center and affirming that you are whole and complete—regardless of what happens outside of you.

Fostering a sense of self-worth and security within ourselves helps us respond rather than react to others. Extreme emotional responses can often indicate that we are out of touch with ourselves. If we can learn to look within and resolve any fears or uncertainties, we can gain greater control over our level of happiness. Developing our confidence helps us to interact more decisively in our relationships. It also helps to keep us from becoming prone to overreactions. If you can see your fears as an opportunity to heal yourself, you will be able to resolve key issues today so that you can create healthier relationships.

Collective Good
"The Greater Cause"
April 11, 2006

With all that takes place in our lives, it can sometimes be easy to overlook the fact that we're part of something greater than ourselves-a collective consciousness, the Universe, a greater cause. Because of our tendency to forget this, we might make decisions in our lives that don't reflect that responsibility that comes with this belonging. All too often, we focus just on the short-term, tangible gain to ourselves without worrying about its consequences. Other times, we may discard the greater cause because it seems like "hard work." The challenge is to expand our minds so that we transcend the distinction between self and others, so we are aware of how our choices and actions can impact a greater cause.
Contributing to the greater cause doesn't have to be all about self-sacrifice. For example, if you plant a tree in a community space, its shelter will cool and protect you as well as your neighbors. Or, your reward might be in the form of the beauty that you now see in that space or the sincere smiles of appreciation from neighbors. When you serve the greater cause you also serve your greater good. There is nothing that you cannot do for your highest good that will not benefit the good of all. For example, saying no to a relationship that isn't right for you not only benefits you but serves the greater good of the other person that you are honoring with your honesty. Saying yes to your dream job not only fulfills you but also serves the people that will benefit from your enthusiasm and productivity.
When you know you are serving a greater cause, there is little room for fear and doubt. You know that what you do will benefit others, so there is no way the universe is not going to support your efforts - even if sometimes it may not look that way. Serving the greater cause allows you to live from the space of your greatness. When you know that what you do can serve a greater cause, you are aware of your power and ability to influence and create change in this world.

Expanding Their Vision
Nine Ways To Help Others Awaken To Consciousness
March 14, 2006

1. Living by your values allows you to become a positive source of inspiration for others. Don't hide - express yourself and embrace life without reservation. By simply being yourself, you can help the people in your life see how one person can make a difference by being a living example of consciousness.
2. When you communicate your views, do so casually and in a nondogmatic manner. Allow the people you speak with to ask questions. Offer only as much information as they are ready to hear.
3. Igniting the spark of consciousness can be as easy as giving someone a gift. A favorite book, a medicine bag, or a beautiful gemstone can pique your loved ones' curiosity and prompt them to begin an exploration of the soul.
4. Teaching a friend, relative, or colleague to meditate or chant can put them on the path to consciousness while simultaneously reducing their stress levels.
5. Others may want to know more about living consciously but are unsure of how to begin. Starting a discussion group - even a virtual one - can help you reach out to individuals that are eager to learn.
6. By recognizing and acknowledging the inherent value in everyone you encounter, you can teach them how to value others. Sometimes, the easiest way to encourage people - even challenging ones - to respect others is to respect them first.
7. Invite people from your personal and professional lives to join you in attending a ceremony or ritual. The experience may touch them in a profound way or introduce them to a new spiritual path.
8. Casually point out the interconnectedness of all living beings using concrete, everyday examples. Many people are unaware of how their actions affect the world and are intrigued when they learn of the power they hold.
9. Introduce your loved ones to conscious living in a lighthearted and enjoyable way. Serve delicious organic recipes at gatherings, volunteer as a group, and show them how wonderful it can feel to be truly aware and connected to the universe.

Listen to your Inner Voice

If you never go on vacation, work around the clock, and feel that no one but you can do your work – your mental and physical health are in serious danger. Stop trying to suppress your inner voice, who’s telling you it’s time to make some serious changes in your life. You probably know very well what the prescription is: balance out your work with play.

Don't stand in a bucket trying to lift yourself up by the handle.– Winston Churchill

We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. -George Bernard Shaw

Bruno's commentary
People whose work and play are in balance are composed and self-assured, radiating inner strength. You can be this way, too, and you don't need a doctor or a pharmacist to get you there. Just listen to your inner voice. It will tell you what you have to change in order to get in balance. Your inner voice never lies. And the wonderful thing is – this "medication" has no side effects.
Are you listening to your inner voice? Trust me – it’s worth it.

To find out more about Bruno, click here.

Music of This World - a Meditation

Noise As A Distraction
Sound Of Stillness Noise
February 17, 2006

Our lives are typically filled with noise. There are the noises from the outside world that we cannot control, and there are the noises we allow into our lives. These noises, from seemingly innocuous sources like the television and radio, can actually help us avoid dealing with uncomfortable thoughts and emotions. However, using noise as a distraction hurts more than it helps because you are numbing yourself to what
may be internally bubbling up to the surface for you to look at and heal. Distracting yourself with talk-radio, television, or other background noises can also prevent you from finding closure to issues that haunt you.
Noise as a distraction can affect us in many ways. It can help you stay numb to emotions that you don't want to feel, allow you to avoid dealing with problems, distract you from having to think, and make it easier for you to forget reality. Drowning out the thoughts and emotions you find uncomfortable or overwhelming can complicate your issues because it allows them to fester. By tuning out noise and relishing silence, you create the space to experience and express what you are hiding. It is only then that self-exploration can begin in earnest and you can stare down frightening issues. In silence, it becomes easier to let your strongest feelings come forth, deal with them, and find new ways of resolving your problems.
When you go within without the veil of noise to shield you from yourself, you'll be able to figure out what you need to heal. Embracing silence and introspection allows you to work through your thoughts and emotions and transmute them. Free of the need for noise, you can accept your pain, anger, and frustration as they come up and turn them into opportunities to evolve.

DailyOM - Self-Examination At Depth
Going Deep
February 15, 2006

There are times when life urges us to seek more. Small changes to our comfort zone may fail to alleviate any sense of stagnancy or frustration, and we may need to examine our lives and ourselves more deeply to find the right place to start. Everything we need for success and joy lies within. But so often, life's debris accumulates, building layers around our core that makes it difficult to access the truth that resides within. To reach the depth we wish to access, we must dive below these layers to the deepest parts of ourselves.
The first layer can be found in our minds. Our to-do lists and busy work are usually less important than we think, so we must look past them to examine the thoughts that matter most to us. The next layer can be found in our hearts, where past hurts and disappointments can sometimes cover up our vulnerabilities, as well as the truth of who and what really stirs the love within us. We can choose to go even deeper - to our center. If we can go beyond anything has affected us to the point that it blocks us at the gut level, we can reconnect with our power, our raw instincts, our organic yeses. Here, at the core, lies our truth. Our core is our foundation that supports us and what we'd like to build our authentic life upon.
When we examine ourselves to these depths, we are able to find what we wish to bring to the surface and what we wish to let go. When we remember what lies beneath our layers, we can look at what was floating on the surface, causing blocks and pains, and understand the purpose that they served. Oftentimes, it is the built up debris that causes us to go deeper, so we can search for the truth. Go deep, live life from your truth within, and watch your innate beauty manifest outward.

Satsang
Gathering For Truth
February 13, 2006

Satsang is a Sanskrit word combining "satya" meaning "truth" and "sangha" meaning "group. " It describes a gathering of people for the purpose of spiritual truth. Satsang is often used when referring to a meeting with a guru or a spiritual mentor. During Satsang, participants read inspiring words, discuss its teachings, meditate, and find ways to bring this awareness into daily life.
While attending services or spiritual study groups can be thought of as participating in Satsangs, this practice can also apply to any group of people that are gathered to inspire one another and express the truth free from judgment. A Satsang can be a group of people that are gathered to sing, play, or listen to music. All that needs to be there is the intention to inspire one another and tell the truth. A Satsang can also be a support group, book club, yoga class, or meeting between friends for coffee or conversation. We don't need to be in a place of worship or supervised by appointed leaders to experience the truth. The truth can be found in every moment and it can be experienced with anyone. Spending time with someone who enlightens us can be as simple as visiting with a grandmother or talking to a best friend.
There is wisdom to be gleaned from being with people even when the gatherings are not specifically intended for personal improvement or spiritual transformation. Any occasion we are gathered with people who understand and support us can be a spiritual experience. While gatherings with the intention of communing with spirit are undoubtedly powerful and inspiring, getting together with people that uplift us by their presence alone is also vital to our well-being. When we recognize all the people we know that support and enrich us, our lives can become an extended Satsang.

Natural Sounds - Meditation
The Music of This World
February 7, 2006

The tool most commonly used to focus our minds in meditation is the breath. When we sit down to meditate, drawing our attention inward counteracts our habitual tendency to be scattered. Meditation on the breath helps us gather our energy into our bodies, centering and grounding us in the present moment. Almost as readily available as our breath are the sounds of the natural world. From rain to wind to the ocean and birds, meditating on these aural manifestations brings us not only a sense of peace, but also an experience of connection to the physical world.
It is easy to get stuck inside our own heads and our individual lives. We get caught up in our goals and plans and almost forget that we live in a world that is always there, humming away in the background. There is an internal shift that occurs when we tune into that background and really give it our attention. It's as if we are discovering a more expansive world, because we are. We are also experiencing ourselves in relation to something larger. This discovery makes us feel rejuvenated and more expansive.
The vast and ceaselessly churning ocean is an ideal place for meditating on the sounds of nature. Sit quietly and surrender to the sounds of the thundering, crashing waves. Let go of your ambitions and listen. Rivers and lakes also sing their own songs. Even if you live in the middle of a city, the wind howls and whistles and the rain taps out a variety of sounds depending on where it falls-on the sidewalk, a tin roof, a car window, or a muddy slope. Tune into these sounds next time you hear them instead of letting them fade into the background. Stop and listen as if you are hearing a sublime piece of music. Let the music of this world take you on a journey of natural sounds.

DailyOM - Hado
Wave Motion
January 24, 2006

Walking through a Japanese garden, one truly feels the life force energy that is known as Hado. Hado isn't just present in Japan, but it is a concept that has existed in Japan for centuries. The two Japanese characters that make up the word Hado mean "wave" and "move" - perfect words to describe the energy vibrations that permeate all life. Hado is present in all things, animate and inanimate. It resides everywhere, even in the air and in people.
The study of hado tells us that the energetic vibrations from our thoughts affect on our physical realities. Each of us has the ability to manifest a specific intention through the hado that we send out - from making our jewelry shine to changing the atmosphere of a room full of people to transforming the hado of an empty space. However, we are often unaware that our thoughts are creating vibrations in the world outside our minds. Once we know that this is the case, we can become more aware of our negative thinking and train ourselves to stay positive and think with intention.
Giving thanks for a meal before we eat can change the energy of our food. Expressing gratitude by thoughts or words makes a huge difference to both the giver and recipient because you are sending them hado. A kind smile really makes a difference when you work consciously with hado. Once we become aware of the power of hado, we can create positive changes in every area of our lives: our physical space, mental and emotional health, relationships, and businesses. One of the most important principles of hado is to monitor your thoughts and intentions every day. Enjoy the improvements that you will create in your life and the world around you by consciously working with hado.

Do Unto Others - The Golden Rule
January 23, 2006

All over the world, there exists a simple precept that, when followed, has the power to end conflict and banish strife. It is the Golden Rule, a key concept in many philosophies and spiritualities that admonishes us to "do unto others as we would have them do unto us." Its meaning is clear: treat others only in ways that you would want to be treated. However, the golden rule is not always easy to follow. It can be a challenge to honor others as we wish to be honored. Yet, when we do so, we bestow a gift of loving kindness on our fellow human beings. And, in honoring others, we honor ourselves.
It is as uncomplicated a tenet as one could wish for. When we live by it, harming another person becomes nearly impossible. The Golden Rule is rooted in pure empathy and does not compel us to perform any specific act. Rather, it gently guides us to never let our actions toward others be out of harmony with our own desires. The Golden Rule asks us to be aware of the effect our words and actions may have on another person and to imagine ourselves in their place. It calls on us to ask ourselves how we would feel if what we were about to do were directed toward us. And yet this rule invites us to do more than not harm others. It suggests that we look for opportunities to behave toward others in the same ways that we would want others to act toward us. Showing compassion, being considerate of others, caring for the less fortunate, and giving generously are what can result when you follow the Golden Rule.
Adhering to the Golden Rule whenever possible can have a positive effect on the world around you because kindness begets kindness. In doing so, you generate a flow of positive energy that enfolds everyone you encounter in peace, goodwill, and harmony.

Rob Brezsny's Book, "Pronoia...

Rob Brezsny’s Free Will Astrology Newsletter
“If you do not bring forth the genius within you, it will destroy you. If you do bring forth the genius within you, it will free you.” -Jesus Christ, the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas
Here’s an excerpt from my book PRONOIA IS THE ANTIDOTE FOR PARANOIA: How the Whole World Is Conspiring to Shower You with Blessings available at http://snipurl.com/krjj or find out more at http://www.freewillastrology.com

DEFINITION: Pronoia is the antidote for paranoia. It’s the understanding that the universe is fundamentally friendly. It’s a mode of training your senses and intellect so you’re able to perceive the fact that life always gives you exactly what you need, exactly when you need it.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the secrets of becoming a wildly disciplined, fiercely tender, ironically sincere, scrupulously curious, aggressively sensitive, blasphemously reverent, lyrically logical, lustfully compassionate Master of Rowdy Bliss.
HYPOTHESES:

1. Evil is boring.


2. Cynicism is idiotic.


3. Fear is a bad habit.


4. Despair is lazy.


5. Joy is fascinating.


6. Love is an act of heroic genius.


7. Pleasure is our birthright.


8. Receptivity is a superpower.

PROCEDURE: Act as if the universe is a prodigious miracle created for your amusement and illumination. Assume that secret helpers are working behind the scenes to assist you in turning into the gorgeous masterpiece you were born to be. Join the conspiracy to shower all of creation with blessings.
GUIDING QUESTION: “The secret of life,” said sculptor Henry Moore to poet Donald Hall, “is to have a task, something you devote your entire life to, something you bring everything to, every minute of the day for your whole life. And the most important thing is it must be something you cannot possibly do.” What is that task for you?
DAILY PRACTICE: Push hard to get better, become smarter, grow your devotion to the truth, fuel your commitment to beauty, refine your emotional intelligence, hone your dreams, negotiate with your shadow, cure your ignorance, shed your pettiness, heighten your drive to look for the best in people, and soften your heart even as you always accept yourself for exactly who you are with all of your so-called imperfections.
POSSIBLE REWARDS: You will be able to claim the rewards promised you at the beginning of time not just any old beauty, wisdom, goodness, love, freedom, and justice, but rather exhilarating beauty that incites you to be true to yourself; crazy wisdom that immunizes you against the temptation to believe your ideals are ultimate truths; outrageous goodness that inspires you to experiment with irrepressible empathy; generous freedom that keeps you alert for opportunities to share your wealth; insurrectionary love that endlessly transforms you; and a lust for justice that’s leavened with a knack for comedy, keeping you honest as you work humbly to liberate everyone in the world from ignorance and suffering.
To read other pieces from the book, go here:
http://freewillastrology.com/beauty/beauty.main145.shtml
To buy the book, use the links to Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble, which are on my homepage at http://www.freewillastrology.com
Or cut and paste the direct links below:
AMAZON: http://snipurl.com/krjj
BARNES & NOBLE: http://snipurl.com/krjn

The Astrology Transit that Epitomizes my Values

“Pure faith”
Neptune Sextile Jupiter, lasting approx. 2 years **

This influence creates a strong desire for a very special kind of knowledge. You are interested in what the rational mind can tell you, but you also want very much to understand the subtler spiritual truths that give your life dimension and meaning. You may want to learn more about metaphysics and spiritual teachings through studying the occult. Or you may become involved with a religious group that gives you greater insight into the meaning of your life. You may also throw over all human knowledge for the way of pure faith. In any case you will eventually discover that all these paths have precisely the same goal.

On a slightly more mundane level, this influence may stimulate your interest in faraway places that seem completely different from your everyday world. You may want to travel, and this is a good time to do so because your sense of awe about the unknown makes your discoveries through traveling all the more fascinating. This is usually a very optimistic time when you feel that nothing can go wrong, which may be so, but it would be foolish to tempt fate with wild and ill-considered actions. The effects of this influence are not so strong that you can get away with living dangerously. But on the other hand, your optimistic and positive frame of mind can help to ensure that your plans work out as you want them to.

You enjoy the company of friends at this time, and you feel sufficiently secure and magnanimous that you don't need to bother with the silly ego games that people often play with their friends. In fact you are much more inclined to take a back seat to other people's ego games and let them have way. Conflicts with others aren’t worth it to you now. You are very giving and generous during this time, because you genuinely want to help others, and you make it quite evident.

Aug 28 2006 - Tarot Readings

Monday, August 28, 2006 at 4:24:58 PM
Deck: Marseilles
In general it proves we live by the rule of the jungle, Darwin’s law RE Survival of the Fittest. Showing vulnerability, your under-belly only indicates one is prey, ready to be hunted down by predators. Humans have free will and do not have to live like survivors, like animals — they can choose their fate and value strength in showing imperfection, stating their needs, showing trust and expecting trust in return. This is far from true, as wars and bloodshed prove.
Life remains a “dog-eat-dog world".

Horoscope Spread
Wild card: Death
What has traditionally been known as the Death card is not about literal death of any person. It may represent the death of something else, like a project, plan or relationship. It also points to a time of harvest, symbolized in classical decks by the reaping skeleton. Unless the fruits of summer are harvested, they are lost to winter's harshness, and the people do not eat.
This card portrays the action of winter on the landscape -- lush greenery is cut back, revealing the bones of the landscape. The season of dark and cold separates the annual plants, who live and die in one year, from the perennials, which can take refuge in their root systems until the following Spring, to sprout anew.
As the scythe cuts the cords that link us to the past, it liberates us to go forward without fear, because we have nothing left to lose. We can see that everything pruned away is recycled for the fertility of the future, so that nothing is really ever lost, despite seasonal cycles of gain and loss.
In the more modern decks of the English school, we see Death mounted on a horse and wearing black armor. The emphasis in these decks is on the punishment of sin, as in the way the medieval Plague, which the death image was based on, was used to explain the wrath of God. Luckily, in modern times, we are not so encumbered with such a guilt-ridden philosophy.

1: House of Identity
You are led by imagination into the realm of heart and soul.
The Page of Cups (in some decks, a Princess) portrays a devoted servant and student of the heart. The energy has a trusting nature that doesn’t doubt or question, and generally doesn’t research to verify assumptions. Imagination and faith are your guides. This character fills his or her mystical cup and drinks deep from the transforming waters of the higher mind. You would like to join him in that exploration of inner space.
Don’t let this distract you from the necessary responsibilities of day to day survival, however. This page sometimes allows himself to be swept away. In a slight trance, he may grant too much power and credibility to gurus, teachers or leaders when it’s really in his best interest to keep his own counsel. With a dreamy heart on his sleeve, utterly sincere and transparent in his motives, he assumes everyone else is a seeker, too. Beware forgetting to look out for yourself lest you be played for a fool.

2: House of Work
You have been offered the freedom to follow your heart; do not let the opportunity go by.
When the Nine of Coins is in this position, it means you are supported by an established enterprise that will provide for you while you increase your knowledge and abilities. All that is required in return is that you thrive and flourish. It is a great trade. This is an unusual situation — take advantage of it to pursue your interests and develop your talents.
Remember to stay humble. You are benefiting from some larger institution or structure and you want to take care not to poison the waters for yourself or others who will come after you. Be receptive to the benefits and the advantages and make sure you give fair value in return.

3: House of Ideas
Once you have reviewed lessons learned in the past, go forward with confidence and courage.
When the Six of Cups is in this position, you have an opportunity to learn from the past, to dip into the waters of memory without being swept away with nostalgia. The past is a wonderful repository of information that can inform your choices in the present.
Even though we can learn a lot from the past, we must remember that power lies in the present. Don’t fail to make important new choices just because memories of the past are so compelling. Action needs to be the final outcome of this card, even if reflection is one of the steps you go through to get there.

4: House of the Family
Instincts based on past experiences are registering suspicion about current events.
With the Page of Swords (in some decks, a Princess) in this position, it seems the lesson you learned in your early childhood taught you to look out for yourself because no one else would. This has produced a thick skinned and canny approach to life, with little room for innocence and naivete.
You are not easily fooled. Your background has supplied you with the training and attitude you need for times like these. If you have the feeling that something is suspicious or that you haven’t been told the full story and it’s raising familiar doubts, trust your instincts. You are experiencing something quite familiar to you.

5: House of Magic
Your accomplishment has the power to bolster your self-esteem. Others are supporting this inner growth, helping you learn to take it in.
With the Nine of Cups in this position, you have recently experienced a moment of success, followed by acknowledgment and pledges of support. You worked hard for this, and you earned it. Now you deserve the benefits that come as a result of your efforts. If at the moment of recognition you felt undeserving or overwhelmed, let go of those feelings.
Accept the rewards you have earned, so your self-esteem can be strengthened. After all, your friends and supporters would like to see you graciously receive their loving appreciation. This is a good time to make some notes in a personal journal to help keep these times firmly fixed in your memory. That way, you will always be able to access the feelings of joy and optimism you have experienced — no matter what kinds of challenges may be happening.

6: House of Apprenticeship
Card: The Sun
The exceptional circumstances that surround you are the natural result of pure motives and hard work.
Higher Power is blessing you with a shower of rewards. Relax and absorb them. Acknowledge that you deserve it. Let your self-image be enhanced by what the outer world and your spiritual guides are telling you. They are happy with your performance, the value you bring to the world and the optimism you stimulate in others.
You are serving as a shining role model. Whatever you touch turns to gold. Even though such a state can’t be maintained forever, the residual effect of these blessings will help you deal with the new temptations, challenges and twists of fate.

7: House of Relationships
As you cultivate calm within yourself, you will gain a greater ability to see and understand.
When the King of Cups is in this position, you are ready to embrace a higher state of awareness and evoke a greater sensitivity to more subtle aspects of life. Rewards are coming for which you labored long and hard.
They are not external or visible, however. Rather, these are emotional, psychic and spiritual rewards. As you enjoy their abundance, the resulting attunement can bring you into harmony and balance in a way that you once only fantasized about. Now it can truly be yours.
Enjoy this upcoming experience of peace, and as you do so, take careful notice of it so you can learn to reproduce it.

8: House of Secrets
Like a shadow boxer, you are in reaction to your own projections.
When the Moon comes up in this position, your concept of the unknown frightens you. But this is a paradox, because what is truly unknown couldn’t possibly resemble what your ego can project, either optimistically or pessimistically. It would totally confound your categories and definitions!
When you get stuck on what you think you have to worry about, the truth of the situation goes unnoticed. Refrain from obsessing on negative assumptions, doubts and fears and take a clear look at what is actually happening and what you are feeling. Feel it fully, so it can pass.

9: House of Visions
Take advantage of an excellent opportunity to confer with sages or experts; such opportunities are rare.
The Six of Swords in this position tells you that someone in your immediate circle could serve you as an ideal sounding board. This person understands the issues. Mature and objective, he or she knows how the process works. A little mentoring from this person is worth more than all the how-to books you could find.
Don’t be too proud to ask for this person’s help — it’s not common to have such excellent resources so close at hand. Humility and asking for what you want are in order. This is a great chance to ask questions, request assistance, pursue expert opinion and deliberate with others who are seekers like you. Keep scrupulous notes; they could help you piece together a truly brilliant game plan that will both meet current needs and win you a wider sphere of influence.

10: House of Reputation
Put self-cultivation at the top of your daily priority list.
The High Priestess in this position asks you to adhere to your chosen spiritual practice on a more regular basis. If you want the benefits of evolution, you’ll have to cooperate with spirit. We all have distractions, demands, a whole life full of reasons why we cannot find the time to retreat into our inner sanctum.
Until you consider this as vital to your well being as the need to eat and sleep, you are likely to be eternally restless and deeply dissatisfied. A spiritual routine that suits your temperament, practiced every day, is the most trustworthy path to freedom.

11: House of the Future
As you patiently persevere and pay attention to what people really need and want, attune yourself to the wisdom of natural growth cycles.
With the King of Coins in this position, you have the opportunity to create some enterprise or alliance that is magnificent, but only if you persevere with patience. Tune into a farmer’s innate understanding of slow and steady increase, starting with the planting of seeds.
Let yourself benefit from the wisdom of natural growth cycles, paying attention to what other people (or the market) really need and want at any given time. With your attitude, position and the good fortune you have earned from past experiences, the potential for success is strong — especially if you focus on values instead of personal gain.

12: House of Surrender
This is not the time to be self-indulgent; you must concentrate fully on your goal.
The Seven of Coins in this position requires that you eliminate distractions and focus on what you are doing. You are on a short leash; you are not in a position to take much time away from the work. At present, you are not as free to explore, play, celebrate or whimsically change your mind. Your task requires a mature sobriety.
This card cautions you to focus solely on enterprise in which you are engaged and to renounce frivolity. This is the card of the farmer. If the farmer doesn’t work, crops don’t grow and the people don’t eat — it’s as simple as that. Giving up diversions is the sacrifice being asked of you at this time.
"]]]

Monday, August 28, 2006 at 4:30:49 PM
Deck: Marseilles
Civilization has had the capability to ensure a lifestyle for all that surpasses living hand-to-mouth. Living by the rules of basic survival became a maladaptive coping mechanism long ago, yet we humans have yet to accept the responsibility – and benefits – of consciously choosing our life-path, of choosing sociability over separatism.
Yet we are far from trusting our higher natures. The cost is rising exponentially, to the point where we are willing to annihilate the face of the earth.
It is cutting off your nose to spite your face.
It is insanity.
Spread: Celtic Cross

1: Self
Feelings of renewal and idealism are arising in you, which will empower you to radiate the higher virtues to all around you.
The Two of Cups in this position is shouting “Love!” This isn’t necessarily about a traditional love affair. It could be a strong heart connection between yourself and someone you care greatly about. It could even be an attraction to an ideal or a vision that is as real to you as any interpersonal relationship.
It can also represent reconciliation between your own masculine and feminine aspects. In any case, this card is referring to that aroused, emotionally sensitive space we enter when we are opening up at a deep level. This may be a sweet, adorable moment, but you can’t deduce from this immediate feeling what the ultimate outcome of the relationship will be. Nevertheless, this card does encourage the idealism that creates fidelity and trust, empathy and compassion — the very human virtues we need most in our lives and relationships. Your emotional, psychic and spiritual lives are quickening like spring. Enjoy this wonderful feeling and bless the world with it, but don’t make any serious commitments at this time.

2: Situation
Satisfy your ambitions and derive personal benefit from the new trends arising around you.
When the Six of Wands is in this position, the situation may be calling for a charismatic individual who can stir up the collective imagination and inspire long term change. You may or may not be the leader of a new movement or project, but you have an important role to play.
If you pay attention, you will see how your personal concerns could be fulfilled by the momentum of the group. Progress is being made; trust that events will work in your favor and allow them to unfold naturally.

3: Challenges
Do your homework. Gain a thorough and deep understanding of your situation and devise a workable plan to see it through.
With the Knight of Coins (in some decks, The Prince) in this position, you are being asked to go to the roots of things. So, start from the beginning and gain some experience to match your intellectual grasp of the situation. Temper whatever power you possess with patience and sensitivity to detail.
It would be wise to steep yourself in the traditions of your field or clan, so you can tap the spirit and ideas of your predecessors as well as their knowledge. In this way you will not stray far from the truth, the substantial reality which supports your vision, and your greater goal. Too many people have a big dream and move immediately into action with no research, game plan or developed skills. Take care of these factors so that your ventures can be successful from the beginning.

4: Foundation
You have proven your talents. You now have the choice between collecting your accolades or getting back in the game.
The Seven of Swords in this position suggests that you have proven in the past that you have what it takes to overcome all competition. Because you’ve done it before, you are full of confidence. You have shown yourself to be ahead of the others; you may even be considered a past master. In this circumstance it is not necessary to indulge in further heroics.
It may even be appropriate to step back and let someone who is new to the game prove him or herself. Only if you are concerned that the outcome could affect those you love or your own long-term interests might you feel tempted to make a move. Otherwise, simply enjoy your freedom in this circumstance. It’s up to you whether to respond or simply rest on your laurels.

5: Recent Past
The end to a long, arduous task has come; completion brings both relief and joy.
The Ten of Wands in this position indicates that you have completed a task that has consumed your time and attention for a long time. Completing the circle and finishing every last detail is deeply gratifying, as your prodigious labor is coming to a successful close.
Take a moment to reflect on your accomplishments and give yourself credit for how far you have come and the burden you have so nobly carried. Now that the task is concluded, relief is mixed with excitement over the thought of new endeavors you will now be free to pursue.

6: Higher Power
Free yourself from the suffering you have experienced by consciously facing it, accepting the lesson, and moving forward.
When the Eight of Cups comes up in this position, it’s urging you to become aware of the emotional, mental and spiritual reasons you’ve ever landed in harm’s way. If there were traumas, with elements of violation, force or tragedy in your life, ask yourself what you gained from such soul-shaking experience. What change can you create as a result of having been through such initiation?
The trauma this card pictures does not have to rule your future, even if it has impacted your past. But to free yourself of it you have to name it, separate yourself from it, and willfully move beyond it. Ask your Higher Power to help you do this.

7: Near Future
Card: The Magician
Now is the time to express your spontaneous creativity.
When the Magus is in this position, you will soon be divinely inspired to share your unique point of view and insights. The circumstances seem perfectly suited to call forth your genius in a context where others can appreciate your brilliant gifts.
Let yourself shine! This is your moment to reveal your natural talents and gifts. You will likely find a receptive audience and achieve positive results. Imagine yourself as a spark of genius creating new and brilliant connections, much to everyone’s great delight. Forget performance anxiety and get on with the show—you will be brilliant.

8: Blocks and Inhibitions
Internal conflict can scatter you, preventing you from accomplishing your goals.
When the Five of Wands falls in this position, divided loyalties are interfering with your ability to stay focused well enough and long enough to complete your top priorities. Your energy is in danger of becoming scattered; you feel like you are going in several directions at once.
Stop blaming the world. By not getting clear on your highest priority, you have let yourself get distracted. Stop and recognize that you can’t commit to several projects and serve them all very well. You will continue to feel internally conflicted until you clearly grasp your situation and commit to your highest priority.

9: Allies
An ally will gather information for you so you can move more effectively toward your goal.
This card is traditionally entitled a Page, but in some modern decks as a Princess. In this position, this card suggests that someone has the keen ability to serve as your eyes and ears and give you information that can be strategic to your ambition and the expansion of your goals and plans.
Find out who knows the people you need to know and can make the necessary connections for you. You need access to these bold agents of change so you can move forward.

10: Advice
Challenge the pessimism of others around you by evoking their higher nature.
The Five of Swords in this position advises you to prepare yourself for disappointment over how your fellow humans are setting their priorities. It seems that the lower end of human nature may be eroding good will in the current situation. Due to a strong cultural trend toward scarcity thinking, a “me first” outlook prevails. If this means that you need to develop a thick skin or carry your sword of truth closer, then do so.
Try not to be too quick to anger or jump to conclusions. Just because others may have a pessimistic sense of the world, their reality does not have to undermine yours. There is certainly no point in struggling or competing with them. Your challenge now is to learn how to sidestep confrontation and evoke a more evolved response from people. At the very least, be assertive about setting boundaries for yourself.

11: Long-Term Potential
Develop your skills in healing conflicts.
With the Knight of Cups (in some decks, a Prince) in this position, you have what it takes to become an effective mediator, one who can bring forth healing. This Knight heals the rift between generations and restores bonds between people whose communication has suffered.
He mends the ripped fabric of family relations and missed connections. In his humility, he is the first to recognize his own mistakes, misunderstandings and self-involvement. You have the opportunity to serve well using the wisdom you have gained on your outward journeys. Be a warrior of the open heart and help others to own the strength of their love.

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