Swan
Mercury conjuncts Chiron today and Venus sextiles Neptune. These are both transformative and visionary transits, though in different ways.
The Mercury / Chiron conjunction refers to choosing our words wisely and compassionately, putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes, and being able communicate in a soothing and comforting manner. The Venus / Neptune aspect speaks of the ability to express unconditional love, to find beauty in everything, and to conduct ourselves with harmony and grace.
What better card to illustrate the qualities than the Swan (Temperance card) from the beautiful Animal Wisdom Tarot? As an animal totem, the Swan embodies all of these characteristics, and then some. Like beauty. Elegance. Purity. Transcendence. And hope.
This card is called the Angel of Alchemy in this deck. And it certainly looks like an angel. It’s beautiful wings are spread wide and welcoming and it’s snow white feathers glisten above the surface of the lake. It glides just inches above the water (feelings, emotions, the unconscious, etc.) — not so far removed that is detaches completely, but not so close that it allows itself to become immersed.
We could all take a page from the Swan’s book today in our dealings with others as well as the ways we treat ourselves. Getting just enough altitude to see things from a clearer perspective without neglecting what lies beneath.
The Temperance card refers to bringing the opposing facets of your personality (or your relationships, or your desires) into alignment by finding the perfect middle ground. It represents peace and harmony, synthesis and equilibrium, moderation and restraint.
As you can see from the glorious Swan in this card, nothing needs be sacrificed in attaining that balance. Just remember to rise above whatever situations in your life that are pulling you down, without rising so high that you neglect them or fail to take advantage of opportunities to learn from or grow from them.