Here is the Ask the Astrologers Astrology Forecast for the week of Nov 29 – Dec 5, 2015:
This week starts with a Sun / Neptune square on Sunday, which may see you feeling unsure about yourself and questioning your own self-worth as well as how you may be perceived by others. This aspect can manifest as insecurity, self-doubts, and hypersensitivity to criticism.
ARIES: Polar Bear
This month is going to be all about getting in touch with your environment and getting clarity with respect to your emotions.
Where do you fit in and where do you feel most at home? These are questions you’ll be asking yourself this month, courtesy of the Polar Bear — or Seeker of Shells (Knight of Cups) — animal totem.
The Polar Bear is not only completely at home in this version of the card — from the Animal Wisdom Tarot — but he’s adapted beautifully to his environment. He’s strong and competent, yet light-footed enough to trek comfortably through terrain that could be hostile to others.
Notice the crystals that are forming on the snow, the ice and in the sky above. There are symbols of clarity throughout the imagery of this card, and even glistening on the Polar Bear’s fur.
The Aurora Borealis overhead and the glowing conch shell at the base are reminiscent of glistening jewels, as is the glittering crystal backdrop and the vibrant array of colors that wash over the scene. The Seeker of Shells is a virtual rainbow of emotional expression and experience.
Think about ways that you can translate what you’re feeling this month into experiences that can be shared with your loved ones. With several planets moving through the sector related to home and family, this is a good place to start.
Your environment — that place you’re most comfortable and where you feel most complete — comes to life as you devote yourself to fostering your relationships therein.
The Priest
Today, as Chiron turns direct — after 5 months in retrograde motion — you may be thinking about all that you’ve gained through the trials and tribulations in your own life, and how you can pull from those experiences to help others.
You may be coming out of a period of soul searching and personal reflection, which when filtered through the Chironian impulse to consider the welfare of others, can act as a powerful conduit to heal those who need healing and acceptance — now more than ever.
This is the Samurai Tarot’s version of the Hierophant card. It’s called the Priest in this deck, and as you can see from the imagery in this card, the focus is as much on helping those who need assistance as it is on spiritual enlightenment. But perhaps the message here is that these are one and the same.
Chiron is called the “wounded healer” — a reference to the ability to bring comfort and guidance to those who need it, even if you’re still struggling to heal your own wounds. And as you can see in this version of the card, the Priest must rely on his own walking stick to reach the stream he’s guiding the thirsty woodland creatures to.
In this respect they may be healing him as well. We all know how powerful the idea of being useful is, and we all know important it is to feel that we’re making a valuable contribution.
The Priest card comes as a reminder that there’s always something to learn and always something to teach. There’s also always something to give, knowing that what we get back in often far greater in the end. We just need to step outside of our own biases and preconceived notions, and be willing to lend a helping hand.
Queen of Cups
Today is a day for taking care of yourself as well as others and if there has been any imbalance between the two lately then it’s time to take a look at that.
The Queen of Cups — this version from Charissa Drengsen’s Steampunk Tarot — is sensitive, loving, nurturing and maternal. She may take on a motherly role among friends and co-workers. People look up to her and rely on her for guidance.
If this is you, you may need to remember how much people value you in this role. If you’re so caught up in business or social affairs that you don’t have time for one-on-one with those who matter most, it’s time to take a second look at what’s most important to you.
The Queen of Cups though may be someone in your life — a parent, older sibling, friend or supervisor. If this is someone in your life, know that she’s got your best interests at heart.
She may be the person you need to turn to when you’re feeling insecure or uncertain. She may also be a version of you that needs to be brought to the forefront.
Either way — it’s all about giving and receiving comfort. Making others feel at home. Letting them know you are there for them. And being willing to take off your business attire and assume that role yourself.
The Magician
No matter where you are in the world today, it’s a good day for giving thanks and for honoring those who have brought love, peace, joy and comfort into your life.
It’s a day for counting your blessings and expressing gratitude for all that you have. It’s a day for gathering together with those you love and acknowledging their place in your world.
The Magician card — this version from Kat Black’s beautiful Golden Tarot — refers to manifesting your goals and transforming them into something tangible and real.
In this version there are symbols of love and acceptance — for all creatures great and small. The Christ figure beckons the animals that surround him with one hand and bestows on them the classic blessing mudra with the other. He honors them and acknowledges that he is one with them at the same time.
The Magician card speaks of gathering together all of your resources and using them to create “magic.” As magic takes on many forms, it reminds you that you have everything you need right there at your disposal (notice the cup, the wand, the pentacle and the coin on the Magician’s table) to manifest your heart’s desires.
Ask yourself: “What is it I have to give today?” or “What is it I have to offer?” The Magician encourages you to tap into your highest personal reservoirs and to access skills you may not even realize you have. Whether you are spending the day with loved ones or sending them powerful vibrations from afar, take some time today to remember how you got here and who has helped you along the way.
Seven of Cups
Today’s Mercury / Neptune square may see you feeling torn by competing interests and pulled in different directions — either away from the things you really want to do, or towards the kind of mindless diversions that cause you lose sight of your priorities.
The Seven of Cups — this version from the Hanson-Roberts Tarot — is a card of temptations, often fueled by irrational thoughts or fantasies. There can be too many options available, which makes it hard to decide. But it’s often a case of wishful thinking and foolish day-dreaming that can interfere with actual progress.
The wizard in this card gazes down at Seven goblets, each more tempting than the last. There’s an octopus, rainbow, dragon, castle, fairy, jeweled crown and a cup full of stars. These are tied to the Seven deadly sins and in fact this card is called “Debauchery” in some decks, referring to the superficial appeal of things that most of us only think will make us happy.
This is the dilemma with the Seven of Cups. What you long for looks so appealing while what you have appears so drab. But it’s just an illusion and even if it weren’t — even if it were perfectly attainable — it’s not going to come about by sitting around daydreaming about it.
There are elements of seduction also inherent in this card. Being seduced by something intangible or just out of reach, or being lured in by a fantasy that falls short in the harsh light of day. Notice the wizard’s almost hypnotic gaze toward all of the trappings of fame, glory, power, wealth and acclaim, which are just hollow victories in the end.
While you may think that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, chances are good that when you got there you’d want nothing more than to return back home. The message behind this card is to aim for reachable goals and to participate in attaining them rather than allowing yourself to fall into the trap of wishful thinking.
Seeker of Pentacles
Today’s Mercury / Saturn conjunction should see you getting a firmer grip on your plans for the future as you take a more serious look at what you want to accomplish in the weeks and months ahead.
The Seeker of Pentacles — the World Spirit Tarot’s version of the Knight of Pentacles — is known for both his dogged determination and his willingness to do whatever it takes (no matter how long it takes) to achieve his goals.
He’s steadfast and consistent but may also be a little too cautious or conservative. Notice that even the his trusty steed is plodding along carefully in this card rather than chomping at the bit to get moving.
Still, the Seeker keeps his eye on the prize and this is exactly what you want to do if you’re going to get where you want to go without letting the detours along the way discourage you from reaching your destination.
The Seeker of Pentacles is diligent, determined and unwavering. He’s not afraid to roll his sleeves up and get to work if he knows it will to pay off for him in the end.
If this is someone in your life, know that he’s here to teach you something about patience and perseverance. He’s here to guide you toward embracing these qualities for yourself, and to start preparing for your future by building a solid framework for it now.
Two of Coins
Today’s Venus / Uranus opposition can drive home the importance of bringing your external goals and responsibilities into alignment with your personal relationships.
The Two of Coins sees this as a precarious balancing act, where you have to be careful not to let one set of priorities outweigh the other, even if you find yourself pulled in several different directions.
This card is often seen as juggling interests or responsibilities, and there’s some of that here. But in this version of the card, from the beautiful Chinese Tarot — the emphasis is more on bringing the disparate parts of your life into harmony, by maintaining your spiritual center.
The figures in this card are demonstrating their willingness to meet in the middle by bringing their coins together, doubling their value. The Full Moon illuminates this scene from behind.
The Two of Coins reminds us of the need to remain centered, despite all the changes that are taking place all around us. It encourages us to attend to one set of responsibilities or interests without neglecting another. And it reminds us to balance out our priorities by devoting as much time and attention to the important areas in our lives (friends, family, health, spiritual fulfilment, etc.) as we do to those that require our attention.
You may find yourself needing to weigh your options today and finding ways to bring all the disparate areas of your life into harmony. Whether that means responsibilities vs. pleasure and play, or relationships vs. autonomy or up time (productivity) vs. down time (rest), it will be up to you to find ways to answer the call of each. Giving into one desire without neglecting another should be foremost on your list.
Here is the Ask the Astrologers Astrology Forecast for the week of Nov 22 – Nov 28, 2015:
On Sunday the Sun moves into Sagittarius, the sign associated with expansion, evolution and growth. This transit evokes a shift in consciousness toward higher mind pursuits and may have you thinking about brushing up on your studies or pursuing new information and knowledge first hand. You may be thinking about going back to school or taking a trip abroad.
King of Wands
As the Sun moves into Sagittarius and with a Moon / Uranus conjunction in Aries today, you may be thinking about going off on a grand adventure or pursuing higher mind ideals.
You may be thinking about expanding your horizons and taking a leap of faith into the wild unknown. You may be latching onto larger-than-life ideals, like the King of Wands in this card.
This version of the King has nothing but the clothes on his back and his torch to guide him as he and his trusty Unicorn gallop off into the night. The pair of them are fearless: they’re not going to let a raging bonfire get in the way of their goals.
You may be excited about a trip you have planned or a destination that’s been calling out to you for some time. On a smaller scale you’re still likely to be bursting at the seams with big plans and ideas. You may be feeling more bold, confident and enthusiastic about where you are heading and about what your future holds.
The King of Wands may appear as a person in your life. If so, you’ll know him by his dynamic presence and his fearless attitudes. He may be a parent, boss, mentor, lover or companion. Whatever form he takes, know that he’s here to show you how it’s done.
He can also represent a state of mind, as in displaying confidence and problem solving skills that draw people to you and elevate you in their eyes. And he can represent an event, such as a promotion or recognition from your peers.
However he appears for you today, see it as an indication that it’s time to step and start exerting your own influence. It may be time for you to pick up your own mighty club and show the rest of the world what you’re made of.
Three of Swords
Today’s Venus / Pluto square may have you thinking about some of the heartaches and disappointments you’ve endured as you focus on alleviating your suffering and healing your tender heart.
The Three of Swords is often associated with sadness and separation. And you could be dealing with this now. But keep in mind that disharmony is usually rooted in misunderstanding, or at the very least a misassumption about your role in someone’s life.
It can be that knife in the heart feeling of being hurt, betrayed or seething in anger over a situation that you have little control over. Or like the figure in this card — from Paulina Cassidy’s beautiful Joie de Vivre Tarot — it can be the realization that it’s going to be up to you to tend to your fragile heart.
You may be reeling from a breakup or the loss of a friendship, or it may be that eye-opening moment when you realize that what (or whom) you’ve wanted so badly just doesn’t want you back.
You may be forced to face a painful reality, one that tells you that something or someone has been lost forever. It can also refer to unrequited love, the loss of a friendship, or the realization that something you’d hoped for is just not going to pan out.
The Three of Swords is often linked with feelings of sadness, loneliness, suffering and pain. While we all experience these things at different stages in our lives, how we respond to them — and how willing we are to work through them — will go a long way toward determining our ability to move on.
Ace of Wands
Things are looking up for you today as Mercury moves into Sagittarius and brings with it clearer insight and a renewed sense of confidence, passion and inspiration.
It’s a good day to visualize and then work on manifesting your goals. Any new project you are thinking of starting now would be a great time to begin.
The image on this Ace of Wands — from Stephanie Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and Barbara Moore’s fantastic Shadowscapes Tarot — suggests there is a correlation between what you are thinking of doing on a higher level and bringing it into your life. If this is the case it will not be difficult.
Things will fall into place for you almost seamlessly as your thoughts and actions correlate to what is around you and help comes from unexpected sources.
There is an abundance of energy for you whether this be physical or mental and with this energy plus more importantly you are able to channel this energy into whatever you are doing. This is a good day to plough through your workload.
This is the energy you want to keep in mind as you work on manifesting your goals. It is that raw, pure, unharnessed energy that is the Ace of Wands as it changes energetically from spark (idea) to flame (intention) to contact (manifestation). It’s about increased confidence, drive and enthusiasm. Ardor. Vitality. Passion. Creativity. Power. Potential.
The Ace of Wands invites you to ask yourself what you really want to do that you can put your whole heart and soul into. It invites you to offer your intentions up to the Universe with every reason to believe you will be rewarded for doing so.
With this in mind, it’s time to push all negativity aside and replace it with optimism and inspiration. If you’re truly serious about manifesting your desires, there is no time like the present to do it