Tarot Astrology: Sun in Aries, Full Moon in Libra

Justice, Emperor (King's Journey Tarot) © Chanel Bayless

I have already examined the Emperor as zodiac card of the month, and as it is associated with Aries, the current ruling sun sign, we may all feel its urge to be more spontaneous and initiate changes or new ventures in our lives.

With Spring and warmer weather on the way, we may even be bold enough to take risks with little regard for possible consequences.

The Full Moon in Libra may stop pioneering Aries in its tracks. Whilst we have the desire to charge forward and fulfil our needs under the Aries influence, Libra (Justice) acts as our conscience and makes us plan ahead.

We may be torn between choices, weighing up our options more carefully before making decisions. This could result in some awkward moments: the Emperor's (Aries) fiery passion reigned in by Justice's (Libra) airy reasoning; emotional drama or frustrated by limitations.

But being aware of the current Aries/Libra influence, we have the chance to strive for harmony. After all, fire and air signs do complement each other. At this time you will fare better, if you think before you speak or make that impulse purchase.

 Libra may well stop you from embarrassment or wasting your money. The Aries/Libra energies may also encourage extrovert people to withdraw, and introvert people to be more outgoing. These energies are all about creating balance.

Look after yourself, but also be considerate of others; this applies to your private as well as working life. Take the lead, be pro-active, but at the same time be fair, objective and composed at times of tension or crisis. The Libra/Aries energies may also help you to resolve relationship issues with your heart and mind.

How do you feel the current Libra/Aries energy is affecting you? Take a look at Justice and the Emperor; what special message do they offer you at this time of the year?

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

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Tarot Astrology: Sun in Pisces, Full Moon in Virgo

The Hermit, The Moon (King's Journey Tarot) © Chanel Bayless

The Tarot is a magical tool to explore the mysteries of life, and once you are more familiar with its astrological correspondences, you can gain deeper insights into the universal energies influencing you and your environment.

Today we have the full moon in Virgo; the Tarot card associated with Virgo is the Hermit. The current sun sign is Pisces, its corresponding Tarot card is the Moon. How do these two cards reflect the current energies surrounding us?

We see the Hermit sitting in his cosy cave surrounded by his tools: books, maps, crystals, pictures, glass vessels and navigational instruments. He represents the archetypal alchemist, who is dedicated to seek knowledge and explore the wisdom of the universe. 

The cave represents the earth, the fire in the background is the warmth and core of the earth; the Hermit is deeply connected to the earth. In his solitude he reflects and is dedicated to make sense of the universal mysteries surrounding him.

Key Meanings: withdrawal, guidance, introversion, physical healing, nurturing the soul, isolation, solitude, retreat, disconnection, need to feel safe and secure, spiritual advisor, reducing material possessions, living a simple life, humility, prudence

The Moon depicts a woman, who is drawn towards the large full moon rising above the sea between two pillars. The gravitational pull of the moon is strongest when it's full, so at this time of the moon cycle we have the best chance to manifest our harboured intentions, as indicated by  the pregnant woman in the image, who is about to give birth. 

The Moon and Pisces are associated with water, the element of feelings, emotions and love. The various cycles of the moon reflect the changing and unpredictable nature of our feelings and emotions, which cannot be controlled.

Key Meanings: imagination, feelings, insecurities, doubts, dreams, cycles, worries, love, mysteries, illusions, deception, moodiness, fluctuations, emotionally volatile, instinct

Virgo/Pisces balancing energies and qualities: earth/water, service/empathy, craft/inspiration, rationale/intuition; science/spirituality, nature/metaphysics; building solid foundations under our dreams and visions; healing by making sense of confusing situations; feeling love without attachment and dependency; grounded and secure amidst the ever changing rhythms of life; bringing order to chaos.

The Virgo/Pisces combination of earth and water is benevolent, making this a positive time to explore and develop what we feel passionate about:

• projects and artistic endeavours require your attention to detail
• grow and nurture relationships with unconditional love
• gardening work/ sowing seeds/ planting bulbs/ re-potting plants
• have a haircut or manicure; ok, you may be laughing now, but grooming at this time is apparently more effective and the result longer-lasting (looking after your body will also enhance your emotional well-being)
• reflecting on issues whilst on a solitary walk through nature will help you gain more clarity
• de cluttering and simplifying your life to reduce emotional baggage

What does the Virgo/Pisces combination hold for you? How do you make use of its energies at this time of the year? What activities do you get involved in to balance your physical and emotional needs?

Share your thoughts; I'd love to hear from you!

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

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Cosmic Spirit Tarot and Wellness

 

Awakening Your Psychic Muse

©  Chanel Bayless, James Battersby (illustrator)

The High Priestess in the King's Journey Tarot is one of the many non-traditional images in this deck. 

I like Tarot images that diverge from the norm as they offer fresh ideas, new insight and a different perspective to a card you may otherwise felt stuck in a rut with.

In the traditional Tarot image, the High Priestess is usually portrayed sitting passively in front of a veil holding a book, but here she is more active, standing up, trance-like, summoning a ghostly figure rising from a cauldron behind her. 

At first sight she looks as if she is lifting a veil. With her open arms she is welcoming and receptive to messages from her subconscious, the otherworld or the universe.

It's a night scene illuminated by the full moon. In the background we see two gnomes tending a field, perhaps sowing seeds, suggesting the process of germination or conception.

There is a close connection between the High Priestess and the Moon card in the Tarot. 

Whereas the Moon symbolizes imagination, dreams, emotions and illusions, the High Priestess is using her intuition and introspection to make sense of the lunar influence and its messages lingering in and surfacing from our unconscious.

Key Meanings: revealing mysteries and what is hidden; lifting the 'fog' to see more clearly, knowing deep down the answer to your question, dream interpretation; be patient, all will be revealed at the right time; divination, psychic abilities, reflection, spiritual awareness and guidance, psychology, psycho-therapy, listening to your inner voice, trusting your intuition

Working with the High Priestess: 

The spirit of the High Priestess is within us all in the form of intuition, instinct, sixth sense and our higher wisdom. If you feel drawn to this card, or it comes up in a reading, you can start using and developing her powers; summon your own inner psychic muse by enjoying her favourite activities:

• Start developing the power of your intuition to help you make the right choices. 
• Create your own sacred space, where you can read, write, reflect and meditate. 
• Observe the moon cycles and pay more attention to the messages you receive at the time of the full moon. 
• Spend time in nature, especially in parks, forests and woods, where you can listen to the ancient wisdom of trees. When walking on the roots of the trees, you can connect with your own roots.
• Still your mind with meditation exercises such as yoga and T'ai Chi. 
• A congested body also creates a congested mind; reduce consumption of alcohol and junk food to avoid energy blocks.
• Nurture your soul by enjoying simple pleasures such as smelling your favourite flowers, listening to relaxing music or taking a dance class. 
• Pay attention to your feelings and emotions. Making a sensible decision may not be right, if you don't listen to your heart.
• If you are approached for guidance and advice, ensure you see the big picture, so you can  provide wise counsel.

Affirmation: My mind is tuned in to my environment, and I am receptive to all possibilities.

"You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself.”  

- Alan Alda

“Intuition comes very close to clairvoyance; it appears to be the extrasensory perception of reality” 

- Alexis Carrel

“Good instincts usually tell you what to do long before your head has figured it out.” 

- Michael Burke

What is the High Priestess inspiring you to do today? How can you best use your intuition at this time? What dreams have you had lately that make you explore their deeper meaning?

⭐For more empowering messages from the High Priestess and all the other cards in the Tarot, please check out my eBook⭐

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

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Cosmic Spirit Tarot and Wellness

Entering the Spirit World

©  Chanel Bayless

What makes the King's Journey Tarot extra special is the additional suit of Spirit, which is modeled on the kabbalistic Tree of Life. The ten numbered Spirit cards represent the ten Sephiroth, where the Ace represents Kether, and Ten represents Malkuth.

The Spirit suit has been designed to represent our inner sanctum, where the four traditional suits and indeed life flow in perfect balance. It holds our core beliefs, which can change depending on our experiences over time, but their force always influences our essence, our daily lives.

The suit of Spirit in the King's Journey Tarot offers an additional subtle nuance to a reading. Spirit can emphasize a need to nurture spiritual balance and well-being. With the Spirit suit we can explore virtues and vices as well as spiritual gifts that are available to us.

The symbol of the Spirit suit are glowing sperm-like shapes; here in the Ten of Spirit they light the way towards the ghostly figure in the doorway. This card is associated with Malkuth, the material world.

Keywords for the Ten of Spirit: choosing the right path by rejecting anything that is damaging or suppressing; choices are made for spiritual not mundane gain; spiritually guided teachings, initiation and acceptance into a spiritual group or secret society; passing through a gate / ascending to the next spiritual level, no turning back; guardian angel

Virtue: Discrimination (in the sense of discernment)
Vice: Avarice (excessive greed)

When this card comes up in a reading, it may ask you to evaluate your lifestyle, especially in connection with material gain and attachment to possessions. Journey inward and explore your true purpose in life; focus on spiritual fulfilment.

Affirmation: I choose what is good for me to reach spiritual enlightenment. My wealth is spiritual fulfilment.

What is your attitude towards accumulating money and possessions? Is gaining material wealth your purpose in life? How do you nurture your spiritual needs? 

How do you feel about the addition of a Spirit suit in a Tarot deck? Do you feel it works well, or do you think Spirit is already integrated in a traditional four-suit deck?

Let me know; I'd love to hear from you!

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

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Spring is in the Air!

©  Chanel Bayless

It's getting warmer, the birds are tweeting, and this image of the Princess of Swords is a welcoming sign that Spring is well on its way. 

In the King's Journey Tarot the Princess of Swords is one of the prettiest I have seen. The Swords characters in a Tarot deck tend to look a little glum, strict and plain, but here we see a hippy-esque, flower-power princess surrounded by butterflies playfully wielding a sword and swirling around on a meadow in the countryside; you can even imagine her giggling away, so unlike the Princess of Swords, but for the first time I can remotely identify with her (with my sun sign in Pisces and moon sign in Cancer, I am a solid member of the Cup family... most of the time ;)).

All the Princesses (or Pages in other decks) herald new beginnings, activities and experiences; here, the Princess of Swords is on a quest for new knowledge, a fact-finding mission or discovering the truth about a situation. She doesn't mince her words when she communicates with others, sometimes oblivious to social etiquette, and she may even at times lack respect and empathy for people around her.

But on the other hand she seems like she's enjoying herself in this image; living for the moment and radiating confidence.

Keywords: smart, curious, inventive, emotionally detached, a keen observer, well-spoken, honest and direct, experimental, impulsive, seeking mental stimulation

Empowering Messages from the Princess of Swords:

• Think things through clearly without jumping to conclusions
• Use logic and reason
• Keep trying; trust your abilities to overcome obstacles and reach your goal eventually
• Research facts, expose the truth
• Be fair, acknowledge different points of view
• Act with integrity, be true to your values, beliefs and ethics
• Set high standards
• Stand up for yourself

Affirmation: I pursue new ideas with focus and determination. 

What new mental activities would benefit you at this moment in time? What changes would they bring? How would they improve your situation? What is holding you back?

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

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Daath - Discovering your Divine Light

©  Chanel Bayless

Following The World in the Major Arcana, Daath is one of the two additional trumps in the King's Journey Tarot. 

After the Fool's accomplishment of self-realization, Daath makes perfect sense; now that the Fool has established himself in the world, he looks up to the universe and turns his attention to spiritual ascension and enlightenment. 

A new era has begun; the Fool no longer feels the need to jump off the cliff into a new adventure, he now wants to build on the experiences he has gained so far. 

It's no longer about physical needs, a home, money, career, relationships, dealing with the ups and downs in life; instead of fulfilling his ego's needs, the Fool now focuses on the needs of humanity - giving back to society, volunteering, detaching from material and personal desires, giving purpose to everything he has achieved so far, giving his life meaning, creating harmonious balance between body, mind and spirit. 

The Fool moves from being selfish to being selfless and self-giving; he is looking at the bigger picture. This way his Divine Light will reveal itself to him.

Daath (Hebrew "knowledge")  is the unification of the 10 sephirot of the Tree of Life in perfected state of infinite sharing. Perhaps we can view Daath in the King's Journey Tarot as a harmonious unification of all trumps in the Major Arcana. 

There is no need to delve deeper into the Kabbalah and the Tree of Life, in order to understand the meaning of Daath in a reading; as I understand this card, the main keywords are as follows:

Turning knowledge into wisdom, practicing detachment from ego and the physical to live for humanity; finding purpose in life; appreciating all experiences you have gained so far and realizing they have made you the person you are today; acceptance of the past, present and your destiny; finding inner peace; giving back to society; philanthropy, holistic living and lifestyle. 

Quotes inspired by Daath:

“Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer.” 
― Joseph Campbell

“Nin knew how much humans loved money, riches, and material things—though he never really could understand why. The more technologically advanced the human species got, the more isolated they seemed to become, at the same time. It was alarming, how humans could spend entire lifetimes engaged in all kinds of activities, without getting any closer to knowing who they really were, inside.”  
- Jess C. Scott, The Other Side of Life

“The greatest create of power you have on earth, whether you are an angel, a spirit, a man or woman or child is to help others.” 
- Anne Rice, Servant of the Bone

“Ye know full well that the meaning of life is to find your gift. To find your gift is happiness. Never to find it is misery.” 
- Terry Pratchett

“If you want to reach a state of bliss, then go beyond your ego and the internal dialogue. Make a decision to relinquish the need to control, the need to be approved, and the need to judge. Those are the three things the ego is doing all the time. It's very important to be aware of them every time they come up.”
- Deepak Chopra

"The word enlightenment conjures up the idea of some superhuman accomplishment, and the ego likes to keep it that way, but it is simply your natural state of felt oneness with Being."
- Eckhart Tolle

“I-Want-Peace: I is ego, Want is desire; Remove ego and desire and you have peace.”
- Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Where is your place in the world? How do you embrace Daath into your life? 

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

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Cosmic Spirit Tarot and Wellness

 

 

Create Vision

©  Chanel Bayless

"It is a sign of wisdom to be able to set goals and then, having done so, to let them go. All that is required for success is a vision of the destination. The journey itself will reveal the means to take you there." thoughtfortoday.org.uk

The Three of Wands in the King's Journey Tarot is an image of adventure and excitement. The goal is in sight on the horizon, and the wanderer is taking in the view of the journey ahead. The bright sunny sky suggests clear vision. This is the moment when the next steps are being assessed and evaluated, but we all know that often it is necessary to make changes  to even the best plans when we are travelling along the road to our destination. 

This image gives the impression that the journey ahead is a long and eventful one across a variety of terrains, but that makes this venture so exciting and fun.

The message of this card is to be optimistic about progressing with a project or venture. Now is a good time to pause for a moment and contemplate your options. Pursue your goal but be prepared to be flexible as you go along. 

Keywords for the Three of Wands: creative vision, purpose, moving forward, progress, embarking on a new venture, leaving security behind to explore the unknown, expanding horizons

Watch out, if you feel you have taken on too much, but also don't give up too soon, if you experience difficulties or delays. Make sure your goals are achievable rather than holding on to ideals that are unrealistic. Making changes to your original plan doesn't mean failure. 

"Vision is one of the secrets of personal transformation. Always start with vision not action. See it and you will be it. Be it and you will do it. This is how we create our own life." - relax7.com

Affirmation: I pursue my goal with enthusiasm and a positive mind. I have the power and determination to turn my dreams into reality.

Quizz: Can you spot the dragon's tail in the image? And what do you think it symbolizes? 

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

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For more inspiring quotes and affirmations for each card please check out my ebook Empowering Messages from the Tarot

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Reclaiming Your Personal Power

©  Chanel Bayless

The Eight of Swords in the King's Journey Tarot depicts a blindfolded man bound and suspended from a cliff by a rope. 

Underneath him is a field of clover, which symbolizes luck should he take the decision to free himself from his situation. 

Red ropes are wrapped around the man, which lead to eight swords encircling the clover. 

The landscape is pleasantly green, with trees, the clover (for a reasonable soft landing) and a flower on top of the cliff suggesting the promise of better fortunes ahead, if the man would make the effort to free himself from his restrictions. 

But the mountains, hills and cliffs indicate boundaries and obstacles that need to be overcome.

Keywords for the Eight of Swords: limitations, restrictions, obstacles, feeling powerless, overwhelmed, lacking direction, waiting for others to help, bound to circumstances, feeling trapped, avoiding responsibility.

In numerology, the number 8 symbolizes evolution, movement, renewal and rebirth, which all seem to be at odds with the image of stagnation. 

But this is where the true message of this card lies: if this is your current situation, you now have the opportunity to rediscover your personal power to help you move forward. 

Questions to ask, when the Eight of Swords comes up in a reading:

Do you feel surrounded by obstacles? 
Constrained by circumstances? 
Limited by lack of clarity and self-belief? 
Blinded by narrow-mindedness? 
Or does everything seems fine on the surface, but deep down you're unsure? 
Do you want to break free, but feel tied-up to obligations? 
Do you actually know what you want?

The flower on top of the cliff symbolizes the goal that is within your reach, but the man has chosen not to see it; he may even be put off by the effort it would take to reach the flower. 

Boundaries and obstacles are often self-inflicted. The man may have chosen the position he is in, but if he stays where he is, he will starve. 

It's time to get his feet back on the ground and get moving.

Ideas to regain your personal power:

• Be gentle with yourself; sometimes changes cannot happen overnight, but if you start to set yourself some meaningful goals, you can take one step at a time.
• If you don't know what you want, explore what you don't want, which may help you gain more clarity about your more compelling needs. 
• Focus on personal aims along the way that empower you, e.g. gaining knowledge, more independence, learning a new skill etc. Even small achievements can boost your confidence and motivation
• Explore the way you think; do you tend to overgeneralize? Jump to conclusions? Compare yourself with others? Sometimes the way we think can be distorted or unrealistic; each situation is different despite similar patterns and outcomes. Make an effort to find out the facts and the truth.
• Start and keep believing in yourself
• Remember that you do have choices, and there will be a solution 
• Have the courage to take action rather than getting depressed about your inertia. Push your fears, self-doubt and feelings of insecurity aside.
• Avoid self-sabotage like saying "I can't...", "It's impossible...", "It won't work.." etc.
• Assess the impact of your actions. Have they taken you into the right direction? Identify your next step. You may now be starting to gain more control over the situation

“You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result” 

- Mahatma Gandhi

Affirmation: 
I am determined to focus my energies on turning my intentions into achievement.

What empowering message does the Eight of Swords hold for you?

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

Transform your life this year: 

Tarot Readings - Insightful guidance when you need it 

Learn Tarot - A magickal, inspirational tool for life

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The King's Journey Tarot

The King's Journey Tarot deck, designed by Chanel Bayless and illustrated by James Battersby, is a wonderfully vibrant deck with evocative and inspiring images.

Not often do I get blown away by a Tarot deck, but this time I did, when I looked at the cards for the first time after they arrived in the post.

This is an unusual deck; the borderless cards are untitled and unnumbered, and it boasts an additional 5th suit - Spirit. The Major Arcana also includes two additional cards - Daath and Soul. 

This may not be an ideal beginner's deck, but it's worth the extra effort to master it, if the artwork appeals to you.

The borderless cards allow you to create a seamless image when you put several cards together:

Seven of Cups, The Empress, Four of Swords

Have you noticed how the edges manage to flow from one card to the next and create a sense of continuity?

This is another nice touch showing that a lot of thought went into designing and creating these cards.

You can purchase the deck on James Batterby's website.

Warmest wishes

Christiane

All images © Chanel Bayless & James Battersby, King's Journey Tarot Deck - 94 Cards, Self Published 2010

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Cosmic Spirit Tarot and Wellness