The moon is a waxing crescent--25% full.

Yesterday was the Autumnal Equinox---Mabon-----I celebrated by having my 4 bottom front teeth removed and shelling out $3,000--nearly--to have a bridge made and crowns put on. I thank the Universe for dental insurance and the extra money available. I will now have pretty teeth. Pretty teeth wasn't the factor---one tooth was so loose it was wiggling, and the others were in bad shape----but now, I have pretty teeth.

The suit of pentacles--or Earth--in the Gaian tarot---seems appropriate for this Harvest time of year. The Seven of Earth is about long-term planning for one's inner purpose, attuning to Mama Gaia's time cycle, and allowing the slow ripening that ensues.

In my fantasy life I live in a house beside the Gulf of Mexico, and have enough money to not need gainful employment. The house is a sanctuary, a Reiki space, where I can offer Reiki sessions and Tarot readings for a love offering. The house is light and airy and comfortable enough for all the grandchildren to come and romp regularly. I have a heated salt-water pool and a hot tub---and the Gulf just steps away. Friends, and guests come frequently and I offer them delicious, fresh, wholesome food and drink.

When I fantasize, that's what it looks like. What I'm trying to do is incorporate as much of the fantasy into everyday reality---whatever little bits and pieces I can fashion into this life.

Starting with pretty new teeth.....


 

In my Herbal Tarot deck---the 12th card is the suspended person--and the associated plant is kelp. The little reminder I've jotted on the bottom of the card is "releasing hang-ups"----so just another bit of advice from the universe on what I need to do. The 12th arcanum is traditionally associated with the element of water and the number 4.

I resonant so strongly with this card, as a Scorpio, my element is water, and born on Oct. 31---my numerological number is 4----and I consider 4 my lucky number. Also permutations of this number, 31, 22, 49, etc.

I am also devoted/connected to the Great Ocean Goddess Yemaya---and I have an altar and a sopera dedicated to her. It is no coincidence that I live not far from the Gulf of Mexico and spend as much time as possible at the beach, or in the pool, or barring that, in a shower or bubble bath. Even as a young girl in Pittsburgh, I spent every summer day at the community pool and loved spending time along the rivers of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh's rivers and riversides have been cleaned up immensely since I was a girl, and when I go back to visit my brothers I always try to return to the riverside. When I die, I want my ashes scattered at Point State Park where the Monongehala and Allegheny rivers meet to form the Ohio, that flows to the Mississippi, and ultimately here to the Gulf of Mexico. I cannot think of a more appropriate homecoming.

ID: 1197743   (Rated: E) Scatter My Ashes  a friend asked...where do you want your ashes scattered...a sonnet by ridinghhood--new knees

I am off from work today and meeting David for lunch at Cambier Park in downtown Naples. I need to continually remind myself that even though I'm unhappy with my job, I have sweetness and joy in other areas of my life.

The WDC statistics counter tells me that as of today I've had officially 500 log-ins to this site. Amaxing! And this erratic blog is coming up to 4,000 views!

Blessings.....
 

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The following essay comes from a site called DailyOM that arrives in my daily e-mail. This was today's entry. I think the universe is attempting to get my attention.

I do need to change my perspective about my current job situation. Yet even so, I was out pursuiing a new lead prompted by a tip from a fellow co-worker. As it happened I needed to travel to Marco Island---was unexpectedly given today off----and my husband called me to meet him for lunch on Marco Island where he had a delivery-----we shall see if this opportunity pans out---yet if not----a shift in perspective is clearly what I've been needing.



September 16, 2009
Making Life Yours
Perception
There is no secret recipe for happiness and contentment. The individuals who move through life joyously have not necessarily been blessed with lives of abundance, love, success, and prosperity. Such people have, however, been blessed with the ability to take the circumstances they’ve been handed and make them into something great. Our individual realities are colored by perception—delight and despair come from within rather than without. Situations we regard as fortuitous please us while situations we judge inauspicious cause us no end of grief. Yet if we can look at all we have accomplished without dwelling on our perceived misfortune and make each new circumstance our own, the world as a whole becomes a brighter place. A simple shift in attitude can help us recognize and unearth the hidden potential for personal and outer world fulfillment in every event, every relationship, every duty, and every setback.

The universe is often an unpredictable and chaotic place, and the human tendency is to focus on the negative and assume the positive will care for itself. But life can be no more or no less than what you make of it. If you are working in a job you dislike, you can concentrate on the positive aspects of the position and approach your work with gusto. What can you do with this job that can turn it around so you do love it. When faced with the prospect of undertaking a task you fear, you can view it as an opportunity to discover what you are truly capable of doing. Similarly, unexpected events, when viewed as surprises, can add flavor to your existence. By choosing to love life no matter what crosses your path, you can create an atmosphere of jubilance that is wonderfully infectious. A change in perspective is all it takes to change your world, but you must be willing to adopt an optimistic, hopeful mind-set.

To make a conscious decision to be happy is not enough. You must learn to observe life’s complexities through the eyes of a child seeing everything for the first time. You must furthermore divest yourself of preconceived notions of what is good and what is bad so that you can appreciate the rich insights concealed in each stage of your life’s journey. And you must strive to discover the dual joys of wanting what you have. As you gradually shift your perspective, your existence will be imbued with happiness and contentment that will remain with you forever.


 

In her beautiful GAIAN TAROT Joanna Powell Colbert re-imagines this card as a serene yogini, in the Tree pose, hanging upside down from an oak tree. It's all about remaining calm and centered internally, when indeed the world is upside down.

Two days ago as I was about to dissolve into a total meltdown at work a co-worker counseled me that "the world is upside down"----and cautioned me that I needed to stay strong and focused inside myself. And she had no knowledge that I have been working with and meditating with this card and this image. Ah, the universe is wider, wiser, and more mysterious than we know!

Joanna's deck has been a 10-year labor of love that is finally coming to completion. It is due to be published in 2011 ---widely by Lleyllyn---with a limited edition collector's edition in 2010. I am looking forward to holding these cards in my hand. They are so evocative and life-affirming. Her Bindweed card---her interpretation of the Devil---is also powerful and illuminating.

And thank you Nikki for the reminder that we can always shift our own perspective, when inded the world is upside down.

Blessings!






 

This is one of my least favorite cards--the Hanged Man. But this is how I feel right now--and this is the card I've chosen!

I want to thank those readers of my blog who have commented and responded to my infrequent postings----your comments are most appreciated--and encourage me to continue, however infrequently.

Work becomes more and more of a trial---which is why I am feeling like St. Blandina--the Hanged one---bound by my heels and hanging upside down!

The interpretation of the card is suffering or an uncomfortable situation--but one that is often for our good or betterment in the end.

All I know is that I need a way out of my current work situation--and resigning isn't an option. David and I need my salary and my medical benefits.

I have been praying, doing self Reiki treatmens, meditating, and working with visualization. I just feel stuck , bound, and hanging upside down.

I'm going to work more with this card and see what other potential insights it offers---because it sure does apply to my current life situation.

Fortunately, my carpal tunnel surgery went well and I am already noting a marked improvement in symptoms. Finally seeing a primary MD tomorrow and hopefully will be resolving other health issues, as well.

I need some hope on the job front, however.....so long for now, the blood is rushing to my head....

Blessings!