The COG Blog

To the masses, Valentine’s Day evokes thoughts of chocolate, flowers, romance, cards, and cherubic angels shooting us with arrows. I also understand there are special diamonds, jewelry, lingerie and secret indulgences you can buy your ‘valentine’….but when did all the madness, attributed to this day, begin? I don’t know about the rest of you, but I started seeing Valentine’s Day displays in the stores the day after they cleaned out most of the Christmas crap, thinking to myself “Hey don’t throw that Christmas stuff out, we could use it for Valentine’s Day, after all it is red and white..!” Come to think of it… St. Valentine does look an awful lot like St. Nicholas, but I digress.

Sadly today’s society views Valentine’s Day as more of an obligation ~ forced upon the masses as a whole, telling us we better recognize our ’sweetheart’ with flowers and fluff or they will resent us for the rest of the year. I just saw something on MSN today ‘10 Days Left to make sure you are not in the Dog House’…or something to that effect. I mean, seriously folks, come one, when did it turn to this? I am not quite sure how it became such an obligation… or expectation …. but personally I blame it on Hallmark.

Valentine’s Day originated from pagan customs of Ancient Rome in 300-400 B.C, where on February 14^th and 15^th the Romans celebrated Lupercalia. During this festival they practiced the ritual of the sacred sexual union, the Heiros Gamos, on February 14^th, to honor Juno Fructifier, Queen of the Roman gods and goddesses as well as goddess of marriage.

As part of this celebration, maiden’s names in were placed in boxes, I am sure without the pink and red doilies. These “love notes” were called “billets.” A young man would draw a name and the maiden was his sex partner for the coming year commencing in March until the next February celebration. The matches were primarily for the sexual union of the Hieros Gamos but it was not unusual for the pairings to end in marriage. The couples who were matched together would be considered partners for the coming year, commencing in March, and would last until the next February celebration.

On February 15^th, the Ides of February, the Romans celebrated Luperaclia, honoring Lupercal, the wolf god. Additionally they honored Faunus, god of fertility as well as Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome who were as legend states, raised by a she-wolf. The Festival of Lupercalia involved priests and Vestal Virgins (don’t care much for the priests but vestal virgins are cool). The Luperci priests would go to a grotto dedicated to Lupercal, the wolf god, located at the foot of Palatine Hill.

The men would sacrifice a goat, don its skin, and run, walk and dance around the Palatine Hill to purify it while whipping young maidens with a goat skinned thong called a “februa” ~ an act which was supposed to ensure fertility. The act of such lashings or whippings was known as februatio…both this word and the word februa come from the Latin meaning “to purify.” The Romans believed that the middle or the ‘ides’ of the month was when that month’s life force was at its peak which gave them an excuse to party and perform the sacred rite of sexual union with the added effect of purifying the women from curses, bad luck and infertility by flagellating them with the februa. Hmmmmmmmm, interesting! It is all starting to make sense now.

Regardless of its origins, today Valentine’s Day is a highly over-commercialized western celebration. The Greeting Card Association estimates that some billion valentines are sent per year. If you are single on this day, remember it only lasts for 24-hours, and most of the people receiving Valentine’s tokens, gifts or flowers from their ‘loved ones’ are doing so out of obligation, threats, and the over-commercialization of a day that Hallmark rakes in the $$$- cha-ching!!! I am sure that by this time next year we will all be decorating our V-Day Trees ~ with hearts, flowers and cupids ~ while sitting on St. Valentine’s lap telling him what we want (or expect), fighting for the last box of chocolates or bunch of roses in the grocery store – knocking someone down in an effort to grab them out of their hands – all the while thinking LOVING thoughts.

People have been using the tarot for at least 800 years, perhaps longer. From the gypsies’ covered wagons to the parlors of queens, the decorated cards have been consulted to provide meaning and understanding of basic life events. The Tarot was originally created to provide a meditation medium to facilitate connection to the inner realms, the path of the initiated, but during the mid 1700s they were used as an Oracle. This predictive divination tool has grown to be the most used oracle in the world today. By using the Tarot we are able to fully understand events that occur in our lives and a tarot card reading can provide many details surrounding situations in your life as well as others around you.

There are many questions that can be answered during a tarot card reading. A tarot card reading can answer questions to things that have occurred in the past. A tarot card reading can help you understand things that occurring in the present. A tarot card reading can also present a range of possibilities that can occur in the future. A tarot card reading can tell you if your current love relationship will continue. A tarot card reading can tell you where your relationship is going and what you can expect. A tarot card reading will tell you if your love relationship is cheating on you. If you have recently, or not so recently broken up with someone, a tarot card reading will be able to tell you if it is “in the cards” for the two of you to reunite. Likewise a tarot card reading will tell you if it is time to move on to a new relationship.

A tarot card reading can reveal the best course of action for you to take concerning a specific situation you currently have in your life. Likewise, a tarot card reading can determine what actions others around you will be taking concerning specific situations that concern both of you. An example of this type of question would be: What course of action is Johnny taking with Becky in regard to their current relationship status.

A tarot card reading can help you see what new job opportunities you have coming your way. It can also tell you if you are facing job endings, company layoffs and restructuring or even being fired. A tarot card reading can tell you if you have financial security and stability in the coming months and also tell you when you need to buckle down, conserve spending and limit non-essential expenses. A tarot card reading can not predict lottery numbers or tell you if you will win the lottery.

A tarot card reading can not make choices for you, but it can show you the options you have available to you. A tarot card reading does not say what you must do or even what you should do. A good tarot card reader will tell you what options you have available to you, the choices you have and then the outcome of each of those choices. It is your responsibility to make your own decision based upon the information and details provided during your tarot card reading.

A tarot card reading can show you all the possible outcomes for your future based upon a decision you make. For example, during your  tarot card reading you ask your tarot card reader what will happen to your job if you decide to go back to school. Your tarot carder reader will be able to tell you what you can expect from your job, your work load, how it will impact your home and family life. This way you will be able to make an informed decision based on the outcomes presented during your  tarot card reading.

A tarot card reading can help you get out of a rut, and propel you forward instead of being stuck. It can help you to move on, or hang in there, depending on your situation. Think of a tarot card reading as way to unlock the pathway to having deeper insight into your life and what is ahead of you.

Several types of tarot card readers can provide a tarot card reading; the type you choose will depend on personal preference. A technical tarot card reader is one who strictly reads and interprets the tarot cards. During your tarot card reading, this reader will lay out the tarot cards and interpret them based on the individual meanings of the tarot cards as well as their combinations. Another type of tarot card reading uses the technical meaning of the tarot cards as well as clairvoyance, clairaudience, intuition and empathy. During this type of tarot card reading, the tarot card reader will use the tarot as a tool to higher consciousness to tap into the psychic (or spirit) realm.  For the most part a technical tarot card reader will not possess the same abilities as a psychic tarot reader. But you can still get a great reading from technical tarot card readers. There are many adept tarot card readers that can give you predictions with accuracy and details. They have spent years, usually decades, studying the tarot cards, their meanings and combinations and again, it is based on personal preference.

A tarot card reading should not be used the wrong way. If you are seeking the truth, a tarot card reading will give you that, but if you want someone to just tell you what you want to hear, you will end up dissatisfied. If you want the truth, find a reputable tarot card reader for a personalized tarot card reading but don’t get angry when they give you the answer you don’t like or don’t choose to believe. No one likes to be the bearer of bad news, even your friends and family may be afraid to give you their honest opinion or assessment of your situation, but a tarot card reader is bound by ethics. It is not the job of a tarot card reader to sugar coat anything for you but to gently reveal whatever comes out in your reading. Even though the truth might be difficult to hear, the tarot card reader is ethically bound to deliver that truth so you can decide what you need to do.

A tarot card reader does not decide what comes out in your reading, and cannot change or alter what comes out in your tarot card reading. In a perfect world, tarot card readers and psychics would love to give only the best news to clients or give everyone the answers that they so desperately want to hear. That is simply not realistic. Not everyone is going to be happy with what they hear from their tarot card reading. You may be in a situation where everything seems hopeless. Your relationship, career or finances may be in shambles, but a tarot card reading can help. Your psychic tarot card reading may offer you hope that things will be changing for the better, and can offer you the tools to make your situation better. A tarot card reading can help you avoid problems that you didn’t even see coming, or help to rectify and problems that currently exist in all areas of your life.

There are many ways to have a psychic tarot card reading. You can go outside your home and find a psychic tarot card reader at psychic fairs, in the phone book, health food stores and metaphysical shops. The quickest and easiest way to have a tarot card reading is by phone. There are many sites available in the online community offering tarot card readings either online or on the phone. Tarot card reading prices vary, so choose a reader wisely. Just because a tarot card reader is more expensive, does not necessarily mean they are a better tarot card reader. You can find an accurate ethical tarot card reading in almost any price range. Some readers will charge by the minute (at varying rates) and some charge a flat rate per reading.

There are also some sites out there that will offer a free tarot card reading by phone. If you decide to try one of these sites out, please be aware that the ‘free’ time of your reading is probably limited to 3 free minutes. There is not a lot of information a tarot card reader can produce in a 3 minute tarot card reading so please be prepared to add money if you want to continue the call to finish your reading. The sites that offer this free tarot card reading are often a good way to try out a psychic or tarot card reader to see if they are able to connect to you and your energy before investing too much money in a tarot card reading.

A tarot card reading with the psychics at Circle of Goddesses can help you when you are at a crossroads and don’t know what path to choose. Wouldn’t it be better to get the guidance and insight that a tarot card reading can offer you before you choose the wrong path or make a bad decision. We often look back on our lives and wish we chose a different way than we did. A tarot card reading can help you before you go down the wrong road, so you have less regrets and make less mistakes. There are many different types of tarot card readings and it is important to pick which one is right for you.

The psychics and tarot card readers at Circle of Goddesses are able to give you insight in love, romance, relationships, career and finance, spiritual growth or any other question you may have. Call today and get on the right path to your own personal success and happiness.

Many of us pray for a certain thing to happen. God I want a new car. God, I want a new job. God I want to be in a relationship with Suzy and I will do whatever it takes to have her. Some of us even bargain with God…I really want Billy to get back together with me and I promise I will be good and I will go to church every Sunday, just please let me have him back. When Billy does not come back, Sally assumes God has not answered her prayer.

NEWSFLASH!!! Perhaps the answer is “NO”. Perhaps that relationship, possession or job, is not in the best interest for the progression of your soul during its journey on the earthly plane. Perhaps your focus should be on something else.

I remember speaking with a woman once who told me she was mad at God because her boyfriend did not get a promotion although they had been praying daily that he would. I remember telling her something like this: Wow, where did your sense of entitlement come from? You know it is not ALL ABOUT YOU! God is sort of busy right now, a hurricane just hit New Orleans and thousands of people are dead or homeless…there is war in Iraq, people all over the world are starving, and you are upset because your boyfriend did not get a promotion? I also remember telling her that God is not a vending machine.  Several weeks later she emailed apologizing because the promotion and raise did come, it was just delayed. The point here is two fold. Sometimes the answer is ‘no’ but sometimes we have to wait. Sometimes things have to unfold according to the divine plan – the timing of the Universe.

When we pray, we have to wait for a response. Sometimes we become so impatient that we repeat our prayers night after night, petitioning the same requests over and over. Guess what? God is not deaf. S/he heard you the first time. Once is enough. After you say your prayer, it is your job to sit back and wait. Yep. Patience. Let me spell that out again P A T I E N C E. This is kind of like hitting the elevator button over and over while you impatiently stand at the elevator doors. Even though the light is lit, you push it over and over, thinking it will make it come faster. What a waste of time, and finger energy – once is enough.

Today’s society is so geared toward instant gratification, we want things and we want them now. Well, take a number and get in line because God is sorta busy right now. When we pray God/dess does hear our prayers. But we, as humans, must then step back from the desire and wanting (and asking) and allow things to unfold.

When we are constantly petitioning we can’t hear the answer. The answer often comes in the silence of meditation or mindfulness…in the silence, s/he whispers to us the answers that we seek….and we have but to recognize them. Prayer is when we speak to God ~~~ meditation and connecting to the divine source and waiting for the response, is when s/he answers. When we stop asking and start listening… we will hear that soft, still voice. Listen.

Saturn (the planet of restriction) and Pluto, known as the God of the Underworld, and the harbinger of change and transformation, are square, and opposing the Venus (square-90 degrees/represents obstacles, an opposition/180 degrees represents change and opposition from other parties) in America’s chart at 3 degrees of Cancer. Venus, rules beauty and the female sex, along with money and values.

Saturn entered Libra, the natural ruler of the seventh house of the zodiac, associated with marriage and partnerships on October 30, and with the exception of a brief, 4 month return to Virgo in April, 2010, it will remain there until October of 2012. Libra is ruled by Venus, and Saturn’s transit through Libra will bring restrictions to all things of a Venusian nature. This includes the female sex, marriage, relationships, money, art, and beauty, which would include cosmetic surgery.

Are American Women Being Screwed?
As the US Congress continues debate over changes in health care, a study was released within the past month recommending fewer mammograms and pap smears as well as beginning these types of cancer screenings at a later age. Not everyone agrees with these findings, including many in the medical community. The recommendations represent a major shift in screening for breast cancer, and The American Cancer Society, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Commission have all published statements on their web sites disagreeing with the new guidelines, and recommending that physicians and insurance companies continue to provide biennial mammograms for women between 40 and 49 and annual mammograms thereafter.

Furthermore, a 10 % tax is being discussed that would be placed on all plastic surgery deemed not necessary for medical reasons.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 86 per cent of all plastic surgery is preformed on women, of which 60 % earn a household income of between $30-90,000. Most women and working women agree that there is societal pressure to maintain a youthful and attractive appearance, and few would disagree that age discrimination in the job place exists, particularly toward women.

The question that should be asked is, ‘Are women actually the target of cuts and taxes in proposed Health Care Reform?’

Astrologically, the answer is Yes, unless radical changes occur, and women step up to the plate and prevent the powers that be from targeting these and other medical procedures.

This observation is based on the fact that Saturn is currently squaring Venus (at 3 degrees of Cancer) in America’s chart, and will continue to do so through early winter of 2010. Pluto, the planet of transformation and change is opposing the Venus in America’s chart throughout much of 2010, and will become exact on December 23, 2009-January 20, 2010, and again later in the year. These two planets represent a restrictive, force/clash that will effect women in America in a potentially adverse way.

The same transiting planets also tell us what the state of the economy will be in 2010 and that will be the subject of future newsletters.

In addition to the Saturn/Pluto/Venus energy that is occurring, Jupiter and Neptune will hook up in the form of a conjunction becoming exact on December 21. This represents infectious diseases, but it also represents illusion, confusion and lies and deception around the medical and drug industries. The combination of Jupiter and Neptune in Aquarius may represent something that appears to be of interest in a way that would relate to a type of ‘world-view’ but the combination does not necessarily lend itself to the truth. What appears to be positive, will likely indeed turn out to be untrue.

Next year, Neptune, the planet of illusion, delusion and confusion, will conjunct America’s Moon (representing women) and I call this transit, ‘asleep at the wheel.’  If there was ever a time for women to take a proactive approach to their healthcare, the time is now.

This month’s full moon occurs on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 1;18 AM, EST at 10 degrees of Leo. Leo is the natural ruler of the fifth house of children, friends and love affairs, so it is within these areas in a general sense, we will experience much of the full moon energy. Leo is the sign of the showman (or woman) and the energy is dramatic and intense. It is time to experience the child within yourself! Just don’t resort to childish actions or manipulations, and be aware that you could experience these types of behavior from others’ around you during the peak hours of this full moon.

Full moon energy starts to occur days before the full moon becomes exact, and most astrologers use 3-4 days before and after in terms of timing for the events that will play out. On Wednesday, January 27, as we are coming into the full moon, Venus, the planet of love and money will oppose Mars at at 11 degrees of Aquarius.

This transit will involve shifts in the financial markets, and men and women may have opposing viewpoints. As a matter of fact, it may represent a clash between the two sexes. And speaking of sex, sexual energies may be heightened, but the energy is purely sexual in nature, as opposed to warm and loving. The attraction may be there, but it is up to you which way to direct the energy, and misunderstandings can occur on a number of fronts, especially in the realms of love and money.

Thursday, January 28, the Sun opposes Mars, creating an atmosphere prone to agitation, ego’s out of control, and the potential for accidents, even violence on the world stage. Mars can make you feel that it is important to express your feelings, especially angry feelings. The best way that I have found to deal with Mars is to let the energy pass; let a few hours or days go by and see how the difference of a day changes things. Usually the urge to express yourself at all costs changes, and the things that seemed important to say, often are not– given 24 hours. No matter how you cut the pie, this volatile Mars energy is coming in on top of the full moon creating tension and agitation that must be acknowledged one way or another.

As the full moon is at 10 degrees of Leo, it is within 1 degree of being conjunct Mars at 9 degrees of Leo. This is a super-charged full moon with a lot of energy that must be used constructively in some way, as emotions and feelings will be running at an all time high. It has the potential, if the energy is not used constructively, of turning volatile and we will see this energy play out one way or another on the news.

Of course the most important transit that is occurring along with this full moon is the Saturn-Pluto square that is exact through the first 9 days of February,and remains within orb throughout this winter. This transit doesn’t need anything more to set it off, but that is precisely what a full moon will do. Fortunately the full moon in Leo isn’t squaring or opposing this configuration, but it will add a great deal more energy to it, nevertheless.

Saturn squaring Pluto creates situations involving a great deal of frustration in the business world, as well as relationships of all types. It creates delays and points out what our limitations are. I refer to it as a ‘ruthless force, as the energy of Saturn and Pluto create an inability to move forward. it is dangerous and volatile and the world will be a better place when this square passes.

The energy will start to diminish and lighten up some after the first 9 days of February. But, the energy of this transit isn’t gone until it’s gone. The combination is so volatile individually and in the world, the last time we had a hard transit between Saturn and Pluto was in the days preceding 9-11.So, be careful, don’t get too carried away with anything and use the energy to it’s fullest potential.

The highest and best possible use of full moon energy in Leo is to discover the inner child within yourself and finding out what that little voice inside really seeks. In terms of activities, we can all use a little more fun these days, and the fifth house represents children, social activities, restaurants, wherever you go for fun! Good Luck!