“Who… are… you?” Caterpillar, Alice in Wonderland (1951)

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

Who’s ready for a transition???? Too, bad – ready or not, here it is!!! No two ways about it – we are in the teeth of change! What shall we do about it? Whatever we can to make it better. It will not be easy but it must be done. Change is here, like it or not. 

THE GOOD NEWS: Change may not be all bad.

THE BETTER NEWS: Nothing lasts forever – not even our troubles.

Be smart. Be strong. Be brave. You can do this.

PRACTICAL MAGIC TIP:  Not a morning person? Hang a generous bundle of eucalyptus from the shower head; the hot water will activate the oil, creating a fragrant steam that smells fabulous and makes you feel great. Give it a try – be amazed at how much easier your morning becomes!  ((NOTE: This is not just for mornings – it feels great anytime.))

“There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.” Oscar Wilde

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

Maintaining relationships is a difficult and time-consuming endeavor. We do what we can to maintain a natural balance in our lives but sometimes, it is just too much to attend.

What’s worse? Other times, we may make it more difficult than it needs to be.

The energy this weekend is simply begging for drama; nerves are taut, and you really are not in a mood to prove yourself over and over as may be required. It is not a lack on your part – you can handle whatever needs be – but you simply are not interested in squandering the energy when there are so many other things.

Stand your own ground, and use your best judgement; do not allow others to generate drama for you. This weekend may be an excellent time to stay in, work on small projects, and avoid large groups.; quiet will be better for clarity, so avoid the noise (including political rhetoric) and stick to lighter forms of entertainment (I like The Marx Brothers – always fun and funny, no matter how much time goes by) and solitary activities (reading, art projects, sorting through a closet). REMINDER: Be particularly mindful and kind to our friends with fur, fins, feathers, and scales. They can feel the energy as well, and the anxiety is particularly rough on them.

PRACTICAL MAGIC TIP: Need help staying grounded? Feel you are losing your grip? Engage your senses with the power of three: sit down, close your eyes, take three deep cleansing breaths, open your eyes and begin to catalog five immediate senses. In your immediate surroundings, identify three things you can see, three you can hear, three you can smell, three you can taste, and three you can touch. By accessing these tangibles with your body and mind, you have no choice but to find yourself grounded in the moment. Repeat as needed.

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

“I’ve got my own ride!”

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

Lately, as Inauguration Day looms and Senate Appointment Confirmation Hearings reveal the levels to which we have made a grievous error, I have been hearing a great deal of talk about women becoming fierce as a result of the pending regime change …and frankly, I am insulted. Women will not become fierce.

WOMEN ARE FIERCE!!!!!!

And if anyone has forgotten, I do believe they are about to be reminded with extreme prejudice.

Do NOT say you were not warned.

PRACTICAL MAGIC TIP: Feeling your ferocity growing but not sure about your aim? Try adding cinnamon to your life – your food, your tea, your coffee, your sachets, your incense. The fragrance and energy of this delightful spice will increase the strength of your intentions as well as warm and strengthen your own energy from within. 

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

…you’d think one of them would have seen it.

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

Seek the company of women outside of your usual circles.

 Why? Because you have a lot to learn!

We easily become locked into our own ways with little thought outside ourselves. We pay for this stagnation; we become stunted, impatient, and grumpy. Happily, it is an easy issue to overcome. Make time for yourself to learn something new as well as meet new people; attend a lecture, or take a class, on a subject that is both unfamiliar and appealing to you.

Allow yourself to grow from the experience.

PRACTICAL MAGIC TIP: Marjoram will help you make friends. How? It increase happiness. Keep a sprig in your hair, pocket, purse, or a sachet around your neck. Allow the herb to lift you own mood, increase your own happiness, and by extension, spread it to others.

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

“Get on your bikes and ride!” Freddie Mercury, Queen  

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

SHORT VERSION: You’ve got this!

LONGER VERSION: You’ve got this, so go knock ’em out!!

Balance in action is a common theme opening 2017.

Put up your hair, roll up your sleeves, get it done.

Don’t complain. Don’t explain. Don’t apologize.

You are living your own Nike commercial – JUST DO IT!

((Some may find this discomfiting; this is NOT your problem, do not take it on. Let them chase their own monkeys – you are too busy rehabbing retired elephants!)) 

PRACTICAL MAGIC TIP: Need new/renewed energy? Start by cleaning out the old! White vinegar, salt, lemons, oranges, and many other things already in your kitchen, can be turned into effective, all-natural cleaning products  that bring positive energy into your space while actively scrubbing negative energy away. Once you have cleaned your space, burn sage leaves in a pot on the stove (be smart – fire safety first!) and allow the smoke to travel throughout your home. You will find the energy not only clean and cleared but you will feel the renewal within yourself. ((NOTE: And now you know the real reason behind “spring cleaning,” refreshing the home’s energy after the long winter; check on-line for green cleaning recipes.))

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

“I’ve got some toys I think you might want to try…” Bullet Boys, F#9 

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

There she is! Warm, welcoming, inviting, she lives to serve and your wish is her command…right?

Be careful what you wish for, as surely you will have it! 

Legend, mythology, and religion are filled with examples of foolish mortals making wishes, bargains, and  trades only to discover they were misguided; Sybil forgot to ask for the flower of her youth with her eternal life, and Midas did not realize everything he touched really meant EVERYthing he touched. Their wishes were granted to the letter of their requests, rather than the spirit of their desires.

They got what they said they wanted, and it made them miserably unhappy.

The lesson of 9 of Cups is simple;  you are welcome to come in, enjoy yourself, share in the bounty but read your own heart first, and do not be greedy.

REMEMBER: you are visiting, you can’t live here.

PRACTICAL MAGIC TIP: Need to think things through with a calm clear head? Try cloves! The clove is a hardworking marvel; it banishes negative energy, promotes positive thoughts and feelings, protects while it soothes, and is considered by many an aphrodisiac. (I use it in protection spells for my home.) Anywhere you allow clove to enter, it will happily to get to work for you:

• Create a sachet to keep in your purse or under your pillow.
• Burn clove scented incense or candles in your living room or kitchen.
• Throw cloves in a bonfire.
• Drink clove spiced tea, eat clove spiced food. 

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

 

“…I’m going to find you…” Debbie Harry, Blondie

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

Balance. Movement. Opportunity.

I know what you are thinking:

“Hey! That’s a song about a stalker!”

And you are right – it is a song about a stalker – and in this case, it is a good thing. 

(Calm down – follow me!) Here’s why: As every hunter knows, success requires diligence, persistence, and no small measure of wishful thinking. A hunter stalks the intended prey (generally elusive, and often a predator in its own right) with concentration and determination – anything less yields only failure.

Here’s how it applies to us:

If you have been planning for 2017, reviewing your path, setting your intentions, etc, you must now move forward with action. As the cards above remind us, we must begin the hard work that brings the success we seek. We must commit to balancing our existing lives with the changes we wish to integrate; we must expend the effort to keep ourselves moving forward in this new state of balance we are creating; we must keep our eyes open for opportunities to further our goals and desires in positive, heartfelt ways. No one says it will be easy, just that it will be do-able. ((NOTE: An amount of single-mindedness can occur; dedication to a purpose is fine but always remember, nothing good comes of obsession.))

Also as in the song, we may find the tables turned; have you achieved something you do not actually desire? No problem, just walk away from it. This is your own path, you can decide what stays and what goes. For best result, keep it all as true, positive, and appropriate as possible.

PRACTICAL MAGIC TIP: Need an energy boost to your luck? Green Aventurine (some call it The Gambler’s Stone) provides a success boost by drawing good luck (and possibly money!) to you. Wear it as a ring or bracelet on your dominant hand (your lead-off), and keep a piece in your purse, pocket or wallet (with your money). Visualize the green energy (earth, Pentacle, money energy!) growing, increasing your own. And as always, do not forget your please and thank you.  

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

“…and they lived happily ever after.” Barbara Moore

“Or did they?” Julianne CeCe

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

There is nothing more important than the present moment – live in it!

Nothing – I really do mean nothing – remains unchanged. If you are happy, content, satisfied in this moment, enjoy it! Create memories with photos, diaries, storytelling – do not let the moment disappear unappreciated or unmarked! – because it will not last, and you will want to be able to remember it fondly at a later time.

PRACTICAL MAGIC TIP: The scents of vanilla and orange trigger memory; if you want to remember good times (formal or informal gatherings) use vanilla and orange fragrances in the space (candles, room spray, potpourri, simmering on the stove, incense – whatever works for you). For an extra boost, serve mimosas (orange juice and champagne) with madelines (fancy vanilla butter cookie) to toast the event. Enjoy!!

   

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

((Mary Engelbreit can be found on Facebook and on-line; check it out!))

 

“Affliction comes to us, not to make is sad but sober; not to make us sorry but wise.” Barbara Moore

((The Steampunk Tarot, Moore and Fell))

The King of Cups is restless this January; so much emotional energy swirling around, it would be very easy to make impulsive and spontaneous decisions – and that is not necessarily a bad thing!

This is a good time to follow your heart (read as intuition and instinct as well) rather than overthink every decision; you have no need for “popular wisdom” or “common sense” here – you must follow what you cannot necessarily see or understand in an effort to discover any number of important things, including yourself.

Does this feels like gambling to you? Of course it does! Because it is! 

Do not allow fear to get in your way; do not waste the imagination, do not hinder your own growth. If this feels brave and crazy to you, that is a good thing. Every flower facing the sun followed an impulse to leave the safety of the  darkness for the unknown light.

Follow your heart – do not be afraid to flourish!!

PRACTICAL MAGIC TIP: Tiger’s Eye is believed to boost courage; wear it around your neck, or keep a piece in your pocket, to use as a touchstone when you feel uncertain or anxious. Keep a piece on your desk or next to your bed for general support of personal strength. Rub it between your palms when you need grounding. For an extra boost, add a chant such as “I am grounded, and I am strong. I am filled with courage and power.” to be repeated as many times or as often as you need (visualize the stone radiating sun light). 

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