Justice

Justice
Full moon Cycle of Libra (March 21-April 19)

The full moon cycle of Libra is the first full moon cycle after the Vernal Equinox. The full moon signals the week of Passover for Jews and the first Sunday after this full moon is Easter for the Christians.

For Wiccans and pagans, Ostara/Eostar- the Vernal Equinox signals the rebirth of the earth just as the Winter Solstice signals the rebirth of the sun. During this the time of earth rebirth when the increasing sunlight has awakened the earth, trees begin to show buds, flowers begin to emerge from the dormant ground of winter. The name for the Christian holy day known as Easter has its roots in the pagan holiday Eostar. Eostar the spring equinox was named after the Germanic goddess Ostara, Eostre or Eostar. Eostar's sacred animal is the hare. The hare is associated with fertility and magic. The goddess Eostar whose name means the dawn is also similar to the goddess Ishtar, Babylonian goddess of morning and evening star.

Even today the modern Easter bunny that hides eggs shows the lingering remnants of the goddess Eostar. The egg and the rabbit or hare symbolize the mystery of life that returns from a seemingly dead earth.

The tomb, which becomes the womb, is symbolized by archeological evidence of tombs found throughout ancient Europe in the shape of goddesses. See Habitations of the Great Goddess by Cristina Briaggi published by Knowledge Ideas and Trends Inc. Manchester CT.1994. The idea of shaping a tomb like a woman gives rise to the ancient idea of Earth as mother and the dead being reborn like plant life that reemerges from the dead winter ground in the spring. Life rising from death. Like the egg with emerging chick that symbolizes life rising from a small rock like object.

The symbol of the scales in the zodiac sign of Libra is found in the ancient Egyptian stories of the judgment of souls. In these stories it is Maat the Goddess of Truth and Justice who weighs men's souls against a feather before they can pass on into the next world.

The great hall where the Judgment takes place is called The Hall of the Two Truths. At one end of the hall sits green skinned Osiris, behind him are his wife Isis to his right and Nepthyus to his left with their arms around his shoulders. Before him perched on a lotus stand the four sons of Horus; Mesta (guardian of the liver), Hapy (guardian of the lungs), Tuamutef (guardian of the stomach), and Qebehsenuf (guardian of the intestines).(the 4 elements sit respectively Along the sides of the wall each on separate thrones, are; sun-god Ra/Atum, Shu, Tefnut, Geb, Nut lady of the sky, Horus, Hathor lady of the West, Hu and Saa.

A great Balance stands in the center of the hall, surmounted by Thoth, lord of wisdom, karma and magic, inventor of hieroglyphic writing and Anubis guardian of the tomb and guide of souls. The deceased was given a barrage of questions to judge his innocence. With each question his heart would be weighed against Maat's Feather of Truth and Justice. If the heart weighed equal with TRUTH then, all was well, but if his heart were to weigh heavy it would betray him and he would meet his doom. This fate was to be devoured by Ammut, a monster, her body part hippopotamus, and part lion with the face of a crocodile.

This threat would certainly keep one true to one's heart. In spite of this impressive display of divine Justice, the deceased was found innocent in every case and admitted to the Afterlife without issue.

The Libra moon represents a time for balance between winter and summer. It is the time when Light overtakes Darkness and the winter surrenders to springs warm days. The Libra moon has the attributes of life awakening from death and the weak and oppressed finding liberty and justice from the forces that oppress them. This theme is reflected in the story of Passover, when Hebrew slaves were released from bondage and set free by the pharaoh god-king of Egypt.

As a small child going to Catholic school and attending Catholic mass every morning the words of the Apostles creed and consecration of bread and wine into body and blood were etched into my mind. As an adult woman who has studied ancient Egyptian religious practices I see the world though different eyes. The words "descended into hell and ascended into heaven" * of the apostle's creed pop out at me because of their similarity to the secret initiation rites of ancient Egyptian priests. The Egyptian priests descended into hell and ascended into heaven as well. During their descent into hell the initiate priests faced the horrors known to the goddess Isis who reassembled her dismembered husband Osiris. If the initiate could handle the initiation he was anointed as a priest of Isis with all of its rank and privilege. There is very little known about these initiations as they were veiled in secrecy.

*I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.
Although Christian legend has it that the Apostles wrote this creed on the tenth day after Christ's ascension into heaven, this is not the case. The Symbolum Apostolorum was developed between the second and ninth centuries. This particular verse is the most popular creed used in worship by Western Christians. Its central doctrines are those of the Trinity and God the Creator.

My personal view of the passion of the Christ is that the Jews had become so oppressed by the Romans that they waged a rebellion. The public death and resurrection was necessary to gain political support of the masses during this age of 'god-kings'.

In the Old Testament God was hidden after a veil, and the man was behind the veil... but that "veil" was torn the day of the crucifixion, in Mat.27: 51, and now we can enter into the presence of God at any time, because Christ has laid the way to us. It is Final Judgment (Rom.2:5-11, Mat.25:31-46, Rev.20:11-15).


It seems apparent to me that the timing of a rebellion was critical to the Jews for reasons of sympathetic magic established for them by their history. Although a favorable outcome could not be guaranteed this was the optimum time based on past success commemorated by the Passover holiday to stage such an act. Any rebellion that may have occurred against Rome did not make it into the historical record, however. This rebellion may have been squelched by the Romans as there is not much evidence handed down to the 21st century to prove there even was a rebellion. Only trace evidence like the crucifixion itself, a political act, sending the public a form of warning against political rebellion. There is evidence of a rebellion waged approximately 30 years later that speaks of the continued unrest. The new religion 'of women and slaves' born of this cause was not so easily squelched. This religion became so powerful that the only way for Rome to control it was to adopt it as the state religion some three centuries later. This is when Rome was able to gain back full control over the hearts and minds of the Christian people. As the state religion of Rome, Christianity was given the attributes of the previous state religion Mithraism. 'Jesus the Savior', rebel against Rome, has been put to death every year and will be for as long as the religion exists. One of the most telling and peculiar attributes of the Christian religion is its need for conversion and constant and vigilant quest for members. I feel this behavior is a remnant of the recruitment for the cause and the need for large numbers of rebels to wage a rebellion against Rome.

As a pagan woman I can not help but see the similarity between the ancient scene of Osiris judging souls before the scales of Justice and the Judeo/Christian father god who also judges the dead and to whose right hand Jesus ascended to after he spoke to Mary Magdalene in the garden. Jesus did not let Mary touch him. Is there a connection between the celibacy rules for initiates of ancient rites and the current practice of the priesthood? At this point we can only guess.

Other names: Maat; Mayet; Truth


Attributes: time for initiations; Puberty rites; Tests of Soul and self; Rites of passage; Death and resurrection ceremonies; Divine comedy; harmony; balance; the Law is Love; honesty; light heartedness

Symbols: scales; ostrich feather; hearts; wombs and tombs; life and death; eggs; rabbits; hares

Full Moon in Libra key phrase: "I balance"

MAAT Tarot card of the week New Moon in Pisces

MAAT Tarot card of the week
New Moon in Pisces
"I believe"

“The new moon phase symbolizes always being at the beginning and end, seeing life as an ever opening bud. The intuition rather than logic rules here, the projection of self on other's motivations. Very powerful for beginnings and endings ."
4 of Wands
Planetary ruler Neptune
The image for the four of wands is a late winter garden patch; the snow has begun to melt exposing the brown mud beneath. Remnants of last year’s garden markers protrude through the shrinking ice reminding us it is time to start planning for the growing season. Winter and summer merge in the gardener’s fertile imagination, as he plots out his summer garden. Sunny window ledges begin to fill with small soil filled containers and seeds from last year's harvest. Seeds planted at the new moon use the extra bonus of waxing energy from the moon and sun to grow. This is the last new moon of winter and there is a sense of life awakening, the air itself seems energized.
This is the very best moon for starting spring garden plants indoors at least here at 44° latitude. So for all of you gardeners this is it! Get those seed trays out and get started.


Traditional tarot meaning: a celebration, coming of age, the harvest


In a Reading: This is a card that represents planning for an event. The timing is right to initiate the drafting of a plan for some important future activity or construction.

On Sunday the new moon in Pisces is eclipsed.

Other Pisces Moon cards
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first quarter moon in Pisces (Nov.21-Dec.20)Dreams become the connection with the Other World. Prophetic dreams, spirit contact and things that go bump in the night.

Now is the time when the creative power of the waxing moon is visiting the realms the deepest subconscious. The dark month before the winter solstice is the month when we tap into the collective subconscious. Our days are filled with memories of holidays gone by...cultural traditions as well as old family traditions and the memories of loved ones who have passed away fill our minds. We prepare gatherings to celebrate life and the power and mercy of the mysteries of the universe. The power of the sun continues to wane until the winter solstice all the while the moon's light remains the same and as the nights grow longer sleeping and dreaming become paramount. Become aware of your dreams if you keep a dream diary this will help you to record your dreams. Take note of long lost relations that pop into your head as well as your dreams as you prepare for the celebrations ahead. Listen for the wisdom of familiar voices as you continue the traditions they began... they are all gathered around you... the ones you know who have passed and the ones who you will know who are coming into being ...embrace the mystery.

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full moon in Pisces (Aug 23-Sept 21)

The Princess of coins has come to represent for me the peri-menopausal and menopausal woman. She still feels young and yet she is getting all the signs that the change is coming and that she needs to adjust to her changing self. She is at the peak of her life many of her hard fought dreams are manifested all around her. She is a metaphor for the time of the year that is the full moon in Pisces. Fulfillment also means completion and then it is time to move on. The garden now full will need to be harvested its beauty cut down and stored away. It is sad to say good-bye to the summer's sweet fertility but there is joy in the activity of the harvest. Then when the work is done and there is time to rest again and remember firm in the knowledge that spring will be indeed be coming again.

She also personifies the goddess Hecate woman at the cross-roads‚'she who works her will‚' or‚'with the bright headband' was said to have witnessed the abduction of Persephone. She is the patron of all those who stand at the border of life and death; especially the midwives, witches and healers. She rules dark intuitive wisdom.

Traditional tarot meaning: a child with dark hair and eyes, and the element earth

In a Reading: This card represents the mature woman who has reached many of her goals she is apprehensive about what growing older will bring and yet she realizes she is the happiest and she has more freedom than ever before. She knows who she is.

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last quarter moon in Pisces (May 21-June 20)

Building a healthy emotional life together understanding and dealing with the ups and downs of love relationships. Realizing discourse is a natural part of partnership. This couple is successful because they have learned to weather any storm. The rainbow in the sky symbolizes the ability to let the sun shine through the rain. A reflection of the rainbow in the sky is seen in the puddle on the sidewalk reminding us that the people of earth are expected to complete the circle of that rainbow.

Traditional tarot meaning: the happy family, success, a new house.

In a Reading: This card represents the successful family. Both partners have worked hard to create a happy home. They have learned live in peace with each other to trust each other. They do not keep score on each other's behavior nor do they feel the need to teach the other a lesson for momentary bad behavior. They have learned to live with each other's little annoying characteristics and have become each other's sunshine through the rain. Love and loyalty through thick and thin.

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Full Moon Cycle of Pisces-TEMPERANCE(Aug 23- Sept 21)

The magical alchemical connection between the opposites. Reconsiling and recognizing the connection between the opposites. The legends of the dark goddesses Isis and Lilith, of Isis and Ra in which Isis tricks her father Ra into telling her his secret name. And of Lilith the first wife of Adam who calls out the secret name of YHVH and flies away after refusing to be Adam's subordinate. The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are also found within the Temperance image to rivers that start out coming from opposite directions and then merge as one in to the Gulf sea. The Tigris and Euphrates River valley is also an ancient flood plane like the Nile as well as another cradle of early civilization. The Full moon cycle of Pisces is the last month of Summer. The month before The Autumnal Equinox.

The legend of Ra and Isis-MAAT Tarot book page 246-247

Have a great week,

Julie

MAAT Card of the Week

MAAT Card of the Week
Full Moon in Virgo
"I analyze"


The Princess of Wands

Planetary Ruler Neptune

The image for the Princess of Wands is a pre-contact Native American girl who stands unabashedly naked next to a dormant oak tree. She is a metaphor for the Virgin Earth of late winter, a time when the snow begins to melt yet it is still too early for any real plant growth.
She represents a person, place or thing that is full of potential which is as of yet a hidden or untouched, resource. Within that potential resides hope, endless possibilities and dreams still fully intact, unrealized. The future seems endless and yet there is awareness of the future and getting ready for something important. She is also symbolic of the mystery and importance of the feminine. She is the unleashed hidden talents and dreams that connect with greater realities, the sleeping seeds in the ground waiting to be stimulated by the Sun's warmth. She is all dormant power. She is like a knock at the door and the anticipation and musing that occurs just before the door is opened.

The Virgo moons seem to be able to get us to look at basic issues. To bring us back to singular moments just before everything shifts, before we lost our innocence. I received this card during a Samhain ritual last fall and realized I had been given back my "voice". I was brought back to the moment when I had stopped singing with others in public. The moment when I was about eight years old at morning mass with other classmates, there was a girl near me who was trying to out sing me. I noticed myself trying to sing louder to hear my own voice and also so I couldn't hear her. As I sang louder she would sing louder to drown me out again. My inner voice said "This is not praying" and it was at that moment that I decided I would never sing in church again and I didn't. I would sing when I was alone or with my babies but never with other people.

That moment had changed me forever until this year while blind folded at a Samhain ritual I sang out loud with the others for the first time in 40 years, it was difficult at first and then it was fine it felt good. Later I was given this card and at first I didn't get it. The suddenly I looked into her face and saw my own angry little face. The one who had decided based on one incident that I do not sing in public. What a stubborn little Scorpio child!




Traditional tarot meaning: a blond child, and the element fire


In a Reading: This card represents the discovery of hidden talents. It also signifies the joy of trying something new without the ego's fear of failure. This is a powerful card for sticking to your own plans and doing something you have always wanted to do without any guilt holding you back from unbridled selfish fun. When seeking information about timing this card would represent the beginning or just before.



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Other Virgo Moon Cards...

new moon in Virgo (Aug.23-Sept.21)
The miser. The farmer and his wife at harvest time save for the lean months of winter

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first quarter moon in Virgo (May 19-June 20)

The wish card. The power and responsibility that comes with the potential of dreams.

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last quarter moon in Virgo (Nov. 22-Dec.20)

Betrayal and backstabbing as the result of creating reality for others.

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The High Priestess

Full Moon Cycle of Virgo

(Feb. 21-March 20)

The earth of late winter lies sleeping and dreaming waiting for a warm kiss from the sun. which will awaken her potential.


This year the shadow of the Earth falls on the full Virgo moon and she is eclipsed. This means the Earth will align perfectly between the Sun and the Moon causing the Earth to cast a shadow on the Moon. For some people this means things will flow just right for a change for others it is "fruit basket upset".

Hope you have a great week,
Julie

Week of the First Quarter Moon in Gemini

"The first quarter moon phase symbolizes the power of reconstruction. After foundations are destroyed rethinking and reconstruction of a situation is brought to the forefront."
3 of Wands
Planetary ruler Neptune

The image for three of wands is 18th century students and scholars taking notes on a model of the heliocentric solar system. This card suggests the use of tools and materials to grasp a progressive knowledge of the universe. Passing knowledge from one generation to the next by use of the written word, mathematics, art, music and oral instruction. The card symbolizes greater awareness through education and innovation. This card also reflects the student who learns from his teacher, the teacher who learns from his student. Expanding on what you know through experimentation that leads to a profound discovery. Being at the edge of discovery use of the microcosm to understand the macrocosm. Inspiration and understanding comes from the use of scale models, math formulas, blue prints, preliminary sketches, and the rough draft, a few notes jotted on paper.

I think the most important thing about this card is the sense of discovery. Once you have learned the 'information' indicated by this card it is one of those "eureka" moments that you are forever changed by. Much like when people first realized the planets were orbiting the sun and not spinning around the earth. Or that the earth was round and not flat. This card is all about explaining new information that you can build on... note in the Gemini moon cards below the phases show how the differing phases impact the idea of learning new information. Looking to the opposite moon phases is also interesting. The first quarter moon in Sagittarius is the 3 of coins it is all about manifesting new ideas as opposed to just explaining.

Traditional tarot meaning: turning away from the past with hope for the future



In a reading: This card represents the understanding of complex systems by the use of scale models. Technology used in the process of teaching.

Other Gemini moon cards...

new moon in Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Embarking on a journey or quest, with the lesson learned a relationship ends.
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full moon in Gemini (Nov.22-Dec.20)

The Widow
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last quarter moon in Gemini(Aug 23-Sept 22)

Deja' vu

This is the time of the year when the sun crosses back over its path and begins its journey toward shorter and shorter days.
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Full Moon Cycle of Gemini

(Nov22-Dec 20)

The Ancient Egyptian myth of Shu and Tefnut twin lions.

Have a great week,
Julie

5 of Wands

MAAT Card of the Week
Last Quarter Moon in Scorpio
Planetary ruler Uranus

An old man and a boy play chess on a small table by a window. It is one of those gloomy spring days. The buds on the trees let us know that it has been warm enough recently to make us think spring had arrived, but the snow and clouds are moving in and it would seem that winter is still in play.

While I was out in California last September for LATS Dr. Art Rosengarten sat down with me while I was showing some folks the new MAAT Tarot cards. He asked me which card of this new deck was my least favorite. I had not really thought about that but had an answer right away. It was the 5 of Wands.
He went on to ask me why I didn't like this card. I really had to think to pin point why I didn't like it.
I admitted that it could be because I don't enjoy playing board games in general.
So we went through the details of the card. I liked the window, I liked the boy and the board, I loved the gloomy overcast lighting. I guessed it was really just the old man that I didn't like. Dr. Art encouraged me to go deeper into the card. "Who is winning?" he asked me. And I didn't really know. I knew the boy who represented spring would eventually win out over the old man who represented winter. Art said, "Now if we had a chess master here they would know just by looking at the chess pieces who was going to win this game." Now I hadn't even thought of that. This is one of the best things about hearing what other people see in a card there is so much more in it than I know about. I looked at Art and confessed, "Art you are making me like this card!" And now I think of that conversation everytime I see it.

Seeing this card here today also made me think of something my best friend and I were laughing about a couple days ago about unconscious competitions like who has the longest hair or who can be the skinniest. Real adolescent stuff we still do to ourselves without realizing. We both had cut our hair pretty drastically quite out of character. When she mentioned how liberating it felt not to be in the who as the "longest hair contest" anymore. I just started laughing because she was right.

For deeper understanding of the Scorpio moon check out the meanings of the other Scorpio moon phase cards:

New- 5 of Swords- (Oct.22-Nov.21)This card puts you on notice that mischief is afoot. There is some kind of deception taking place. Something is not what it seems to be. When seeking information about timing this card would represent just when you think something is over it is not or just when you think you have just begun something you will find you are done with it.

First Quarter- 6 of Coins-(July 23-Aug 22)This card represents a gift. It represents giving a gift or receiving a gift. There are many kinds of gifts. The little girl is the gift of a child but she also is the gift of future fertility.What is it about a gift that is so pleasurable or not? Is it the mystery of the unknown, the unexpected abundance or the knowledge that you are focus of someone else?Äôs affection. Some may find a gift an uncomfortable prospect some may suspect strings are attached to gifts and not be able to enjoy them. Which are you? And why?


Full Moon- Queen of Cups (April 20-May 20)She is the newly pregnant wife. She is idealistic and dreamy about her new baby and hasn't got a clue what she has gotten herself into. She can be a bit of an emotional drama queen due to hormonal changes. This is can be the warm and fuzzy period of pregnancy. This pregnancy of course in most readings is meant to be symbolic, it represents something that we are emotionally committed to manifesting. It is the excitement and infatuation we have with the idea of what it is we are about to embark on, without any of the hardships of reality creeping in.



Full Moon Cycle of Scorpio: The Empress(April 20-May 20)
http://www.newmoontradingco.com/moon/fullmoonscorpio.htm
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To see all of the cards for this month's Full Moon Cycle of Leo(January 19-February 18)visit:
http://www.newmoontradingco.com/moon/fullmoonleo.htm

Have a great week !
Julie

Oimelc-February 2nd

The full moon in Leo falls on the Cross-Quarter Day Oimelc this year. Oimelc or Candlemas is
the halfway point between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Oimelc means ewe's milk. Few urban
dwellers today would know or even care that it is lambing season, the time of the year that lambs are born.
But to our ancestors the birth of lambs would be the first signs of spring approaching and the abundance of life
returning. The lambs meant there would be meat, milk and wool and that autonomy could be maintained.

Most Christians will say "Lions lay down with lambs". Yet no where in Scripture is that ever mentioned.
It is the wolf that lays down with the lamb, not the lion. The New Testament always contrasts lamb with
wolves, not lions. This interesting phrase came from somewhere... perhaps it came from some old folk
knowledge that Ewe's lay down to lamb when in the month the moon is full in Leo. The constellation of the Lion
is clear and prominent in the late January and February sky. The whole point of Isaiah 11:6 is to foretell a time
of peace.

The weather in the north can be brutally cold and yet on a snowy day even the sound of cars going by
is softly muffled. There is a peace that we feel while watching the snow fall covering the landscape with white softness.
The freshly fallen snow reminds us of when we were children playing in the snow.


For deeper understanding of the Leo moon check out the meanings of the other Leo moon phase cards:


New-7 of Coins-(July 23-Aug 22) Represents the Native American concept of the 7 sacred directions, east, south,west, north, above, below and as important within. The self as a part of the divine. As the centered being we recognize our role in the great whole we learn patience and hard work before rewards. It is symbolized by peasants toiling in a field but could just as well be someone at the gym working out for better health. Simply it is the benefits received from working hard.

First Quarter- 6 of Cups-(April 20-May 20)The influence of childhood on personality and relationships with others, feelings of nostalgia. A sense of "here we go again" for positive or negative

Full-King of Wands- (Jan.20-Feb.19) The poet, the wordsmith, the politician, the writer, the lodge member. The genius of the common man.


Last Quarter- 7 of Swords-(Oct.22-Nov.21) The thief- being aware and protecting yourself when others use your energy and time without compensation. Death and time as the only real thief.

Major Cards of the Month:
Moon Cycle of Leo: The Chariot
http://www.newmoontra...

Cross-Quarter Day-February 2- Oimelc: The Wheel of Fortune
http://www.newmoontra...


Have a great week,
Julie

First quarter moon in Taurus

MAAT Tarot card of the week
First Quarter Moon in Taurus

6 of Wands
Planetary ruler Uranus
This snow white owl is perfectly camouflaged against the stark white winter landscape. This camouflage helps him/her to hunt nearly undetected by its prey. The owl has been a symbol of wisdom in some cultures while it has meant death in others.

In the Medicine cards by Jamie Sams and David Carson the owl's key word is deception. This is because if you have owl power you will NOT be deceived.

The owl is able to hear the nearly inaudible sounds of mice beneath the snow. The owl can see perfectly in darkness. To have the skills of an owl is to have great abilities to detect and capture that which we seek. In the MAAT Tarot this owl also represents a healthy immune system in the body it could also represent other systems that protect and detect trouble.

Traditionally this card represents victory in war. For MAAT it is a victory over dis-ease of all types. The waxing moon symbolizes the creative power of death(Taurus). When you receive this card it should let you know that due to close attention the healing of a situation is close at hand.

Taurus key phrase-
"I have"

Immortality and transformation of self is the main feature in all Taurus cards.


Other Taurus cards to think about...

-5 of Cups-
new moon in Taurus (April 20-May20)
Death in the midst of life. We will never find happiness if we focus only on the negative.


-Princess of Swords-
full moon in Taurus (Oct.23-Nov 21)
The Huntress.

-5 of Coins-
last quarter moon in Taurus (July 23-Aug 22)
The suppression of death, healing from the holy springs, fresh food and warm sunshine.


-Death-
Full moon cycle of Taurus
Death and immortality the rhythm of silence and sound. The time of the year when the the veil between the worlds is thin.




Have a great week!
Julie

New Moon in Capricorn on Thursday January 18th

Other Capricorn cards to think about...



First Quarter- 3 of Swords


Full-The Queen of Coins(June 21-July 22)


Last Quarter- 4 of Cups (March 21-April 19)


Full Moon Cycle of Capricorn-The Hermit(June 21-July 22)


Have a great week!
Julie

MAAT Tarot card of the Week- Last Quarter Moon in Libra

MAAT Card of the Week


The 8 of Wands

Planetary Ruler Saturn
The 8 of Wands represents messages of all types. The best way to let others know what is on our minds and our hearts is to communicate. Today this comes in many forms so pick your medium! The waning moon signals that communication will bring some kind of resolution to a situation which will open the way for a new beginning.

For deeper understanding of the Libra moon check out the meanings of the other Libra moon phase cards:
New-( Sept 21-Oct 22) 2 of Swords- the balance of live and death, traditionally a truce or stalemate

First Quarter- 9 of Coins-(June 21-July 22) The 3 fates/ Mother, Maid and Crone- The celebration of the turning of the wheel, the love between women, women working together on a cherished project.

Full - Princess of Cups-(March.21-April.22) The Bride. Virginal but committed she is on her way to unity with her hearts desire.

Justice- Full Moon Cycle of Libra-(March.21-April.22) Laws of all types, man-made as well as natural laws.
The greatest of all natural law is LOVE. This full moon cycle always contains the holidays of Easter and Passover. as well as Eostar (the Vernal Equinox). This is the month when the increasing light overtakes darkness.

Have a great week,
Julie

Full moon in Cancer -The Queen of Wands

MAAT Card of the Week


The Queen of Wands

Planetary Ruler Saturn
The Queen of Wands represents the beginning of the sun's return, the return of hope and inspiration. The sun which had stopped death in the sky of disappeared completely for a number of days is visibly on the move again. It would appear as if a universe which had stopped spinning had begun to spin again.

The MAAT Tarot Queen of Wands is a spinner like the tradition of spinners that came before her she is a skilled visionary and artisan. She has a wealth of knowledge that will keep her family alive and well.

In the background of this card resting on her fireplace mantle is an image of the ancient bird goddess. The bird goddess stands with arms raised up in a gesture of prayer which also looks a lot like a posture of a spinning woman. The art of spinning and weaving, predated by felt making was key to the survival of humans.

This card of the week should remind us to begin slowly and take care of the details of life as the details of life make up the greater portions of life. The whole is only as great as the sum of its parts. Making sure all those little parts have integrity insures integrity in the greater project or goal. These are the slower days of January
when weather can force us indoors this is the perfect time to spin a yarn or two. There is no better time to focus on that long term project.

For deeper understanding of the Cancer moon check out the meanings of the other Cancer moon phase cards:
New-( June 21-July 22) 10 of Coins- Inheritance

First Quarter- 3 of Cups-(March 21-April 22) The 3 fates/ Mother, Maid and Crone- The celebration of the turning of the wheel, the love between women, women working together on a cherished project.

Last Quarter- 4 of Swords-(Sept.21-Oct.22) The Ice man. Knowledge discovered through forensic science, anthropology, and history. The connection of one generation to another. Learning from the past.

Have a great week,
Julie

MAAT Tarot card of the week- First quarter moon in Aries- 9 of Wands

MAAT Tarot card of the week
First Quarter Moon in Aries

9 of Wands
Planetary ruler Saturn

The 9 of Wands is traditionally a rest between battles. The image in the MAAT Tarot 9 of wands depicts the archetypical hero god being
raised in secret for his own protection. Traditional archetypes, who fit into this role, the Egyptian god Horus who was raised on the marshes in secret to protect him from his uncle Set( the god of desert and destruction). King Arthur who was taken from Uther and Igraine by Merlin and raised by common farmers his identity kept secret. Moses who was floated down the Nile in a basket to be raised by Egyptian royalty. Jesus whose parents fled into Egypt to protect him from Herod. All of these hero/god archetypes were raised in secret and when they matured became the saviors of their country/people.

The first quarter moon is of the waxing/ creative power of the moon. Aries is the beginning of the zodiac cycle. Together the message seems to say in order to get the job done right we must pace ourselves and delay self gratification. This signifies the beginning of an important long term project.
This is not a quick project that is just for fun that can be completed in a couple of hours. This project will take careful planning and meticulous and steady work over time. You will also need to take time away from this project for contemplation and renewed inspiration. In the end however all the time and effort will be worth it. This is the project or event of a lifetime and how you begin now is very important. Do not rush take your time be thorough in your plan and execution.

Other Aries cards to think about:
New Moon(March 21-April 19)- 2 of Cups- partnerships of all types create an ending and a new beginning for the self. Marriage especially marriage with children creates the beginning of new mortality.

Full Moon- (Sept.22-Oct)-King of Swords- The Archetypical hero/god, the annual king, savior/hero of people and country. Faces mortality and
realizes one has a duty to act.

Last Quarter Moon-(June 21-July 22)- 8 of Coins-The apprentice- trying new things learning from the master craftsman and becoming the master
with the obligation to pass on the knowledge to the next generation.

Have a Happy New Year!
Julie

New Moon in Sagittarius Today...

Well folks we have made it through the entire suit of Swords. The new moon in Sagittarius is Today around 9AM EST.(8 of Swords)In just a few hours the moon moves into Capricorn this may mean we have some influence from the 10 of Wands(new moon in Capricorn) as well.
Any thoughts on the blending of the energies between the 8 of Swords and the 10 of Wands? Funny that in traditional tarot the 10 of wands is known to not be able to 'see' what lies ahead because of the burdens he or she carries. I guess the difference between the 8 and the 10 seems to be, movement and struggle for the 10 and paralysing fear to move for the 8. They both can't see what is going on.
This seems somewhat appropriate for the darkest days of winter. The 8 is afraid to look or move. And the10 can't see but is maybe trying to see and muscling on regardless, with the need to keep moving forward to a place where his/her burdens can be released. My husband has a Capricorn moon and he is like that, he seems to need to keep moving. Sometimes I think he only stops when he is asleep.

The Winter Solstice on Friday morning officially opens the suit of Wands. This year the dark moon coupled with the dark sun signals an ending followed by a new beginning. This is an interesting opportunity to have the dark sun so close to the dark moon. Could this be a signal for a whole year of new beginnings? We should note that this is special and does not happen every year.
Julie

MAAT Tarot card of the Week- Last Quarter Moon in Virgo

10 of Swords

The 10 of Swords is no doubt one of the most graphic images in this deck. One should know that this card should be taken symbolically and not literally. It is a card of burning emotions as are many of the sword cards. This image should be taken as how we feel on the inside when we are betrayed and backstabbed. This card puts us on notice to watch our need for perfection, domination or control of others BEFORE it comes to this... Overkill. This card which traditionally means overkill or being backstabbed by friends or co-workers can and should be taken as a warning to ease up a little.

Sometimes in the quest to create our reality we may overstep our bounds and start to create the reality of others. This can lead to conflict if other people don't see things your way. Be sure your dreams stay your own and don't infringe on the dreams of others.

This week we find ourselves in the midst of the holiday season. There is a lot of pressure to make the holiday perfect, making sure that all the traditional tasks get done while every year it seems we MUST improve as well somehow make it even better than the year before. This pressure realized or unrealized can have our nerves as tight as a bow string. Take a moment and take a breath if the kids put all the ornaments in the same three lower branches its okay. No one will care. Enjoy the moment forget what you were expecting the holiday to be and allow it to be what it is. If some of the traditional cookies don't get baked this year that's okay too.

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For a deeper look at the Virgo moon check out the other Virgo moon cards;

Virgo symbolized as ~ Our Dreams for ourself, single minded and inner knowing through the phases of the moon...

New-(Aug 23 - Sep 22)-4 of Coins-Traditionally 'the miser' this card depicts a farmer and his wife in their root cellar storing away their harvest for use through the winter. A card that reminds us to save some of the abundance of the now for the future.

First Quarter(May 21 - Jun 20)-9 of Coins Traditionally the 'wish' card reminds us to be careful what we wish for as the person in the card blows dandelion seeds(wishes) into the air we see the results as a field of dandelions.

Full-(Feb 19 - Mar 20)-Princess of Wands- an unabashedly naked pre-European contact native American girl stands in defiance. She is symbolic of the infertile earth of late winter. Her prepubescent body symbolizes un-awakened potential. Her body, her talents, her hopes and dreams are all on the edge of awakening. She is innocence.

Full Moon Cycle(Feb 19 - Mar 20)-The High Priestess-The sleeping goddess, The dormant virginal earth on the verge of awakening. She is the dream within, inspiration, the muse, the wisdom that comes from within.

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Have a stress-free week,

Julie

*This article may be reproduced for personal use and educational purposes.

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Free upgrade to overnight express delivery or 2-3 day global airmail from now until Dec.21st on all MAAT Tarot orders. Happy Holidays!

MAAT Tarot card of the Week- Full Moon in Gemini

The Queen of Swords

Planetary ruler Jupiter

The Queen of Swords represents the light in the darkest of times, as the sunlight in the northern hemisphere continues to wane we experience the darkest longest nights of the season. Yet the full moon's light remains with its brilliant light unchanged.
This moon is symbolic of the archetypical widow/ or sister of the historical/mythical male hero archetype. They are forever linked as a duo long after his death. There is usually some mystery to which only she knows the truth. Some classic Queen of Sword female archetypes, Mary Magdalen, Cleopatra. Morgana Le Fey, Hatchepsut, in modern times Jackie O. They all know the 'truth' yet the 'stories' spun about them and reported to the mainstream population lacks 'something' we all 'know' there is more to their stories yet we are not privilege to this information.
Just as we know woman's role historically has been down played simply because She was way too busy or tired to record her own story. Her work is often passed off as the work of Santa Claus, the Easter bunny or the tooth fairy, often goes without notice unless it is left undone. However the minute we grow up we learn the 'truth' behind the 'magic'. She is the archetypical mother of heresy(her-say) with little influence in classical history(his-story). The established male power systems of the past developed safeguards to ensure her power would be kept in check.
Her spark of knowledge still lies dormant within the collective unconscious it is during the darkest quietest nights of winter that it is easy to see her ancient truth shining through.

For deeper understanding of the Gemini moon check out the meanings of the other Gemini moon phase cards:

New-8 of Cups (occurring between May 21 - Jun 20)
with emotional lessons learned it is time to move on, a journey. The eight of cups can represent the short-lived romance this is the short but sweet relationship that teaches something and then after the lesson is learned the beloved moves on. The eight cups also seems to suggest an understanding of the cycle or journey of the sun with a cup for each one of the eight cross-quarter days we see that the sun like the moon has a cycle of waxing and waning light.

First Quarter- 3 of Wands (occurring between Feb.19-March 20)
Shows one type of tool we can use in order to convey a message or idea to others, the use of scale models is one way to help others to understand your ideas. Learning something new can enlighten us and raise our consciousness causing us to turn away from the past with hope for the future This card represents the understanding of complex systems by the use of scale models. Technology used in the process of teaching.

Last Quarter in Gemini- 2 of Coins ( occurring between Aug 23-Sept 22)
Deja'vu
The 2 of Coins represents the blending of the two worlds, the world of the physical and the world of the spiritual. This card represents the ability to understand the physical and spiritual worlds and the ability to live with both worlds simultaneously. Once you become one with the two worlds you can never go back and live as if there is just one world. The two worlds coexist much like the to lobes of the analemma.** Our contact with the spiritual realm is only as clear as our ability to understand 'their' symbolic language or understand how the other world communicates with us. Our cultural fears of 'evil' and the pressure of a prevailing cultural bias's that a world just as real as the physical world does not exist only limit us.
**The analemma (seen in the 2 of Coins, Strength and The Magician) can be captured with the help of time-lapse photography. If you take a picture of the sun from the same spot at the same time of day the analemma(figure eight of suns) is formed. The figure eight is also the symbol known as infinity. Interestingly enough the crossing over point that forms the top loop shape of the figure eight occurs around August 30th every year. The analemma in the 2 of Coins card floats an image of the ancient Egyptian Ra in his sun boat symbolizing the sun's journey.

MAAT Tarot card of the Week- First quarter moon in Pisces 9 of Swords

MAAT Tarot card of the Week
9 of Swords
Planetary ruler Jupiter
Full Moon Gemini cycle (November 22-December 20) major card-Strength

First Quarter Moon in Pisces-Prophetic dreams, spirit contact and things that go bump in the night.

Now is the time when the creative power of the waxing moon is visiting the realms the deepest subconscious. The dark month before the winter solstice is the month when we tap into the collective subconscious. Our days are filled with memories of holidays gone by...cultural traditions as well as old family traditions and the memories of loved ones who have passed away fill our minds. We prepare gatherings to celebrate life and the power and mercy of the mysteries of the universe. The power of the sun continues to wane until the winter solstice all the while the moon's light remains the same and as the nights grow longer sleeping and dreaming become paramount. Become aware of your dreams if you keep a dream diary this will help you to record your dreams. Take note of long lost relations that pop into your head as well as your dreams as you prepare for the celebrations ahead. Listen for the wisdom of familiar voices as you continue the traditions they began... they are all gathered around you... the ones you know who have passed and the ones who you will know who are coming into being ...embrace the mystery.


Traditional tarot meaning nightmares, loss of sleep from stress


In a Reading: this card represents a significant dream, spiritual encounter or a dream that changes your view of reality. When seeking information about timing this card would represent the eternal, time overlapping into the timeless spiritual realm leaving an accessible doorway.

For a deeper understanding of Pisces Moon check out the other pisces moon phases,

The 4 of Wands (new moon) This new moon is the best time for planning and planting the seeds for the summer's garden. It is still winter yet our imaginations have merged with summer. The energy of the waxing moon is perfect for germinating seeds.

The 10 of cups(last quarter moon) This card represents a couples ability to weather any emotion. It represents dreams coming true and sunshine through the rain.

The Princess of Coins(full moon) This card represents the peri-menopausal woman her body is going through changes yet she still feels young. She is the woman at the cross-roads.

Temperance (Full Moon Cycle August 23-September 22)
The point where the summer is coming to a close and the
harvest has begun. She tells the story of the Legend of Ra and Isis.

MAAT Tarot Full Moon cycle of Gemini Nov 22 - Dec 21

Wednesday marked our entry into the full moon cycle of Gemini. Ruled by the planet Jupiter the planet of expansion, luck and even indulgence. The key phrase for Gemini is "I think". This is all very appropriate as we move into the darker shorter days before the Winter Solstice. Imagine for a moment how concerned our ancestors must have been as the daylight became shorter and shorter and in some latitudes disappeared entirely. This is when Strength would be essential as well as a good sense of how the cycles of nature progress. And here is where the twin symbolism comes into focus.

Early astronomers observed the heavens and watched as the morning stars would disappear into the sun and then a 'twin' star would appear in the early evening sky. The moon would also do this as day by day it became thinner and thinner in the early morning hours just before dawn and then would disappear into the sun in the eastern sky only for its 'twin' to appear in the early western sky during sunset. During the full moon cycle of Gemini it is the waning sun itself that disappears into the body of the Great Mother with the promise of a new waxing sun which would be born at Winter Solstice.

In the image of the Strength card we see the Egyptian twins (usually twin lions) Shu and Tufnut with the sky goddess Nut. Shu (the Egyptian Atlas) who often took the form of a man holds up the sky goddess Nut. The Sun was thought to have been devoured each night by Shu's twin sister Tufnut who took the form of a lion. In the image of Strength we see the sun being devoured by Tufnut as it heads toward point of Winter Solstice on the analemma (figure eight). In the story of Shu and Tufnut it is Shu that also takes the sun back from his sister each morning and places it back in the sky. This is really a beautiful metiphor for the relationship of these twins. the female twin in the darkest month takes the 'light' into her body (to protect it?) and her brother returns it to the sky (when the time is right?). I couldn't help but see images of the traditional images ofthe Herculean Strength in this Egyptian myth. Coupling this image with full moon cycle of Gemini seemed to be good fit with the idea of twins. As well as the use of lucky,expanding and indulgent Jupiter energies to get us through the darkest month of the year by focusing on preparations for the pending celebration of the sun's return.

This card also explores the 'Oneness' of all things, eternity, and being a part of another, soulmates, twinsouls and relationships that continue beyond time and space. All very appropriate for a month full of many cross cultural holiday traditions. Remembering the source for all family traditions whether great or small begins with single couples in love who combined their family traditions into their own.

Julie

New Moon in Scorpio Monday November 20th

This year the last moon phase for the month of the Full moon in Taurus cycle is the new moon phase. This sets a tone for the need to tie up loose ends before moving forward to something new. The new moon phase symbolizes the point where something is ending and something new is just beginning, the moon literally becomes completely dark from our point of view as it merges with the sun and then slowly becomes visible again as it moves past the sun and begins to catch more and more light.

The month of Full moon of Gemini cycle begins on Wednesday. For more information visit:
http://www.newmoontradingco.com/moon/fullmoongemini.htm

The Five of Swords is a tricky card that tells us, looks can be deceiving and sometimes people, places or things we trust can end up being unpredictable. This is a good card for warning us to keep our eyes open not everyone is playing by the rules. This is the time of the year when weather can also be unpredictable being unseasonably warm or cold. The surrounding landscape can do strange things too. For example our forsythia decided to bloom.

The moon in Scorpio beckons us to look into the unknown a little further... to connect with what we are attracted to. To do what we have always wanted to do. Sometimes what we are attracted to can be more than we bargained for, provoking us into new and greater awareness as well as personal growth.

For deeper insights into the lessons of Scorpio moon check into:

5 of Wands- last quarter moon in Scorpio with unraveling and resolving energies- The mock battle

Queen of Cups- full moon in Scorpio with complete and giving energies -the newly married wife

6 of Coins First -quarter moon in Scorpio with creative and developing energies- the gift

Have a great week,
Julie

MAAT Tarot-Cards of the Week- 7 of Swords

Week of the last quarter moon in Leo

"The last quarter moon phase symbolizes the power of an acute awareness of ideals and high standards and the implementation of these standards into daily life. Disappointment can occur if these standards are not met."

7 of Swords

The 7 of swords shows us the many layers of being human. There is the self image and the image that the world perceives, the masks we wear to hide or protect ourselves from being hurt, or the masks we wear to project an image we would like the world to see. The mask of age that hides who we were in our youth. We have emotional layers and intellectual layers and there is the physical layer/body that is the container for our immortal soul, the physical body that is our vehicle so we can fulfill the tasks we choose to fulfill in a material world.

This card often warns against theft and speaks of protecting against theft. But if we are strong in the understanding of our self and what our needs are then death is the only real thief and even in death we find we are part of the greater whole. However, there are those who would steal our energy and time to fill their own emptiness. Their emptiness is due to the fact that they are themselves leaking energy and are not whole within themselves. They would seek your energy to fill themselves with, but of course this will not keep them full. As long as they are still leaking energy thus wasting your energy and more of theirs. It is up to you to have good boundaries and recognize a situation when you are encountering an energy vampire. Knowing what you are willing and not willing to give or do, will keep your energy and your self intact. You were not put here to work someone else's 'will'.

The 7 swords in this card represent the 7 main chakras of the human system which align with points on the body. Chakra means Wheel in Sanskrit. For more information on Chakras visit:

http://www.sacredcenters.com/chakras.html

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To go deeper into a better understanding of the Leo moon energies in MAAT Tarot. We can look to other Leo cards which are The Chariot full moon cycle of Leo. The King of Wands full moon in Leo. The 6 of Cups first quarter moon in Leo. And the 7 of Coins new moon in Leo.

The Chariot- speaks of polarity and the recognition of opposites; solar and lunar, male and female, yin and yang, right brained and left brained, even republican and democrat. It symbolizes polarity within the 'system'. Whether the system is a government, a community, a family, a mechanism or the greater universe itself. It is the polarity that keeps the system/the chariot moving.



King of Wands(full moon)-represents the politician, the fraternity brother, the poet, the statesmen, the writer. The man who with his words and his comrades creates change.

6 of Cups(first quarter moon)-represents emotional patterns we learn from our parents, our community, our environment, our childhood relationships and our traditions. These patterns for better or worse color our behavior flavor our expectations of self and others. These memories of emotional imprints can play a huge unconscious role in our adult life.

7 of Coins(new moon in Leo)-represents the sacred as we find it within ourselves and within others. This card helps us to understand that we are each a part of the divine and our work is sacred. It teaches about the seven sacred directions; east, south, west, north, above, below, and equally important the within.



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Other cards still in play this week...

Ace of Swords

The season of Autumn, the element of Fire, deconstruction, the harvest, the increasing darkness, and the journey within. It is with intense heat of Fire and great effort and patience that metal is extracted from the rock. The suit of Swords symbolizes this transformation. With heat, strength and skill the smith creates the tools that transform the lives of his people. These powerful tools are then used to transform life or destroy it. The suit of Swords in MAAT Tarot faces living with the bittersweet reality of our mortality. It is Love that gives us the pain of loss and Love that moves us to go beyond and face the fire of our own transformation. What is it that inspires us to look with in the rock for the prize within?

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Full Moon Cycle of Taurus

Death

Planetary ruler Pluto

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Tuesday October 31st

Samhain/Halloween

Judgment


to purchase the 7 of Swords original painting

http://www.newmoontradingco.com/pips.htm

This article may be reproduced for the purpose of personal or group study of the MAAT Tarot.

Post election day Blues...two steps forward one step back

Well I read a very good article from one of my yahoo lists and thought I would share it here.
At least some people are speaking up!! Thanks Sam Harris keep up the good work!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15566391/site/newsweek/

A Dissent: The Case Against Faith

By Sam Harris
Newsweek
Nov. 13, 2006 issue - Despite a full century of scientific insights attesting to the antiquity of life and the greater antiquity of the Earth, more than half the American population believes that the entire cosmos was created 6,000 years ago. This is, incidentally, about a thousand years after the Sumerians invented glue. Those with the power to elect presidents and congressmen-and many who themselves get elected-believe that dinosaurs lived two by two upon Noah's Ark, that light from distant galaxies was created en route to the Earth and that the first members of our species were fashioned out of dirt and divine breath, in a garden with a talking snake, by the hand of an invisible God.

This is embarrassing. But add to this comedy of false certainties the fact that 44 percent of Americans are confident that Jesus will return to Earth sometime in the next 50 years, and you will glimpse the terrible liability of this sort of thinking. Given the most common interpretation of Biblical prophecy, it is not an exaggeration to say that nearly half the American population is eagerly anticipating the end of the world. It should be clear that this faith-based nihilism provides its adherents with absolutely no incentive to build a sustainable civilization-economically, environmentally or geopolitically. Some of these people are lunatics, of course, but they are not the lunatic fringe. We are talking about the explicit views of Christian ministers who have congregations numbering in the tens of thousands. These are some of the most influential, politically connected and well-funded people in our society.

It is, of course, taboo to criticize a person's religious beliefs. The problem, however, is that much of what people believe in the name of religion is intrinsically divisive, unreasonable and incompatible with genuine morality. One of the worst things about religion is that it tends to separate questions of right and wrong from the living reality of human and animal suffering. Consequently, religious people will devote immense energy to so-called moral problems-such as gay marriage-where no real suffering is at issue, and they will happily contribute to the surplus of human misery if it serves their religious beliefs.

A case in point: embryonic-stem-cell research is one of the most promising developments in the last century of medicine. It could offer therapeutic breakthroughs for every human ailment (for the simple reason that stem cells can become any tissue in the human body), including diabetes, Parkinson's disease, severe burns, etc. In July, President George W. Bush used his first veto to deny federal funding to this research. He did this on the basis of his religious faith. Like millions of other Americans, President Bush believes that "human life starts at the moment of conception." Specifically, he believes that there is a soul in every 3-day-old human embryo, and the interests of one soul-the soul of a little girl with burns over 75 percent of her body, for instance-cannot trump the interests of another soul, even if that soul happens to live inside a petri dish. Here, as ever, religious dogmatism impedes genuine wisdom and compassion.

A 3-day-old human embryo is a collection of 150 cells called a blastocyst. There are, for the sake of comparison, more than 100,000 cells in the brain of a fly. The embryos that are destroyed in stem-cell research do not have brains, or even neurons. Consequently, there is no reason to believe they can suffer their destruction in any way at all. The truth is that President Bush's unjustified religious beliefs about the human soul are, at this very moment, prolonging the scarcely endurable misery of tens of millions of human beings.

Given our status as a superpower, our material wealth and the continuous advancements in our technology, it seems safe to say that the president of the United States has more power and responsibility than any person in history. It is worth noting, therefore, that we have elected a president who seems to imagine that whenever he closes his eyes in the Oval Office-wondering whether to go to war or not to go to war, for instance-his intuitions have been vetted by the Creator of the universe. Speaking to a small group of supporters in 1999, Bush reportedly said, "I believe God wants me to be president." Believing that God has delivered you unto the presidency really seems to entail the belief that you cannot make any catastrophic mistakes while in office. One question we might want to collectively ponder in the future: do we really want to hand the tiller of civilization to a person who thinks this way?

© 2006 MSNBC.com

Card of the Week -Princess of Swords

Week of the Full Moon in Taurus
"The full moon phase indicates generosity and the need to give to others. There is an intuitive objective understanding of the self and others."

Princess of Swords
Planetary ruler Pluto(the now defunct ruler of the underworld too?;-))

The full moon known in these parts as the Hunter's Moon. It is the time of the year when the white tail deer goes into the 'rut'. They are active at night with the light of the moon and then become hungry during the middle of the day which causes them to come into the sights of the hunter.
Before there were hunting regulations... and you have to go way back almost to hunter gather societies for this sort of freedom. You would be hunting for your food and you would pretty much be living on what you were skilled enough to catch and kill. There would be a bit of mystery to the hunt as you never would know what was going to offer itself to you. You might leave a bit of bait out to lure in hungry prey. You would have to be very in tune with the behaviors of the animals. What skills or senses you lacked may have been enhanced with the use of hunting animals like dogs or falcons.
When the Princess of Swords comes up in your spread you may want to ask yourself. What am I on the hunt for? Does my hunt stem from an actual need?
What skills do I have to assist me on my hunt. What friends can I bring along to assist me. Will I show gratitude for what I am given. What is my bait to draw in what I need? How will I preserve my quarry and who will I share my prize with?
Have a good week,
Julie

for more information visit:
http://www.newmoontradingco.com/moon/fullmoontaurus.htm

See vintage Julie 30 years of painting evolution 1976-2006
a project for Mercury retrograde...
http://www.newmoontradingco.com/new/vintagejulieindex.htm