"Death borders upon our birth, and our cradle stands in the grave." –Joseph Hall

Mars is square Pluto, with Pluto now retrograde in Capricorn. Anything Mars-y has my undivided attention at this point, and Pluto is…well, Pluto, for God’s sakes. I’m feeling it, and I’m betting others are, too. From the world stage, maybe to your own kitchen, there are massive deconstructions underway.

Continue reading Daily Tarot, April 13, 2011: How do you want to live?

“Change is inevitable – except from a vending machine.” –Robert C. Gallagher

You can’t avoid change. It’s everywhere: the job that unexpectedly ended, along with the new one you found to replace it; the relationship that blows up, or the new love that appears out of nowhere. Lives are constantly in motion.

During dynamic periods (like, say, now!), circumstances shift quickly, rife with unexpected twists, turns and detours. Some of it may turn out to be great, some may be horribly difficult, but you can guarantee whatever shows up, change will be perpetually on the menu. Ordered or not, you’ll be having some.

Continue reading Daily Tarot, April 10, 2011: Change on the Menu

Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves. –Carl Jung

My husband (aka "Captain Virgo") has been known to not-so-subtly point out the frustrations I’d complain most vigorously about when discussing my daughter were unfailingly areas where she behaved most like me.

Damn Virgo’s observational skills! I could have easily stood not to have that quirk classified, thank you very much. After the fact, I can’t go back to not knowing.

Continue reading Daily Tarot, April 9, 2011: Mirror of Partnership with the Tarot Lovers

Pluto is going retrograde for a spell—serious business in Capricorn—and currently  sporting some hard aspects. But we also have the Sun, Jupiter and Mercury conjunct in Aries. That smells like access to joy, even if some details are mushed due Mercury in retrograde.

So let’s glom on to some fun, shall we?

Continue reading Daily Tarot, April 8, 2011: Making time for Fun with Page of Wands

Anytime your happiness is dependent on someone else’s choices, you’re on shaky ground. I’ve said this a long time, and sometimes people act like they may even agree, but it’s much harder to do than to say.

I mean, yes, we’re connected. Of course, what your spouse or kid or mother or brother does impacts you. You care! But there is a line to be drawn here, and you decide where. How much reign do you give others over your happiness?

Continue reading Daily Tarot, April 7, 2011: Letting the Sun in by Minding Your Own Business

You can’t make someone take your gifts. You can only offer, freely, with love and good intent. Once you’ve put it out there, it’s no longer within your domain, if or how that energy gets used.

You may care very deeply about the outcome. You may be emotionally or otherwise invested. But it’s in your best interest to have the boundaries clearly defined (says Saturn in Libra), whichever side of the church window you fall.

Continue reading Daily Tarot, April 6, 2011: Help Going Unheeded and the 5 of Pentacles

Mercury is retrograde, but the world goes on. For some, it’s business as (mostly) usual and for others, it’s just another reason to worry. I want to land somewhere in the middle. There is still business to be done, a life to live, during these weeks; there is also reasonable caution in approaching that business.

Continue reading Daily Tarot, April 5, 2011: Careful of Cuts with the Page of Swords

Loss is as certain as life, because it’s an integral part.  We all spend some of our lives in mourning. But how much, how long, is related to how you work it. Choosing the right perspective can get your through to the other side with fewer tears.

Continue reading Daily Tarot, April 4, 2011: Beyond Losses with the Five of Cups

"It’s not the end of the world."

If you find yourself saying so, then you’re probably trying to convince somebody. Maybe that somebody is you.

Sometimes, bad things happen. Even to good people—responsible, kind people. People who do their best and eat their peas and use both hands. And then?

You can rant it’s not fair. You can cry in your beer. You can hide under the bed. You can yell and scream and kick about, cursing God until you pass out blue.

Or you can do something about it.

Continue reading Daily Tarot, April 3, 2011: The End of the Word?

That Aries stellium we’ve been endlessly discussing is full on now for the next month. We’ve got Mercury, Jupiter, the sun, moon, Uranus and now Mars, all in Aries! And we’re heading into a very hot Aries new moon.  And this fireball of power is opposing Saturn in Libra. Like pushing the gas and brakes at the same time. Ouch.

So of course, for today’s Tarot, what do you think we get but the Tower? Yep, it’s a Mars card. Like you wouldn’t have been able to tell, just looking at it. Feeling the heat?

Continue reading Daily Tarot, April 2, 2011: Rude Awakenings with The Tower