“It’s bloody hard work keeping this thing going.” Barbara Moore

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

“We have met the enemy and he is us.” Pogo, Walt Kelly

Extending yesterday’s theme of sleeping-in-the-bed-you-made, today we have The Devil of your own making. Once again, no one to blame but yourself.

Some ideas, no matter how good they may seem, can become destructive if allowed to take over; think about the “cheat meal” that turns into a “cheat day” and becomes “I can eat whatever I want” even though we already know mindless eating is very bad for our health. That’s the whole trick to The Devil; if not carefully managed, simple indulgences can become unhealthy addictions. 

Unfortunately, this energy is insidious; by the time we become aware that we are no longer in control, we have invested a great deal of time and energy into the thing – it is a part of us and our lives (actually, it was always a part of us, that’s the real rub, you realize) .

THE GOOD NEWS: We can shut it down immediately.

THE LESS GOOD NEWS: We may not realize the importance of shutting it down.

TAKEAWAY: Moderation is always the key; do your best to avoid the trap of this energy in the first place.

PRACTICAL MAGIC TIP: Staying grounded can help you avoid some of the more insidious energy traps that sap weaken us. The quickest and easiest grounding measure is wearing patchouli oil, or washing with patchouli soap. Among its many positive qualities, patchouli is instantly grounding as well as uplifting.   ((NOTE: If you do not like some of the more common patchouli products – “It smells like dirt!” is a comment I often hear – seek high quality oil for the earthy deep jasmine notes associated with this plant.)) 

((All images courtesy Google Images and Facebook.))