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astrology
December 2008 
A Creative Undertaking
VisionSpaRetreat
I think this is largely because they help me to think out of the box, and provide some wonderful imagery and inspiration for my present moment life. It doesn't matter if they are 'real' if they lift me out of habitual patterning into something new.
The online version I'm often tempted to use is http://facade.com/ since you have lots of choices there. So I thought I'd step out here by sharing the reading I did recently to keep me on track with my creative projects, some of which I am sharing on Gaia.
The Creative Process spread is designed specifically to peer into the nature of a project or creative undertaking, and shine a spotlight on the evolution of its parts.
Card to embody the project and the focus of the reading....
The Magician: Mastery over word, mind, and matter. The ability to turn ideas into actions, handle problems, and control one's life. The initiation of new projects, great works, or a new way of life.
Right now I'm building my ideas in the virtual world and every so often I get worried about that. But I'm also finding that the virtual world increasingly brings genuine and swift contacts with people of like mind (Gaia being a good example).
Creative force behind the project, be it a person, organization, or other entity....
Three of Pentacles (Works): The commencement of business, commercial transactions, or employment. The constructive use of creative talents, and the expression of artistry in workmanship. Skill and labor turned to the crafting of things of value.
Well, of course, I'm very happy about this. Just over 18 months ago I experienced a huge loss - my partner, work and beloved home - all in one fell swoop. It was a 'whack on the side of the head' that knocked me off my path it seemed.
But, I now realize that it created an unexpected freedom, rubbed off all my soft edges and forced me to really get down to what matters to me. Can't say that was easy but I'm finding ways to be grateful every day.
Imagination - the prophetic image that stems from the creative force of the previous card to initiate the project. This is the poetry or voice of the undertaking...
Knight of Cups: The essence of water behaving as fire, such as a rushing river: A passionate romantic, full of charm and beauty, but prone to extremes. Forceful idealism blended with gentle kindness. An eager and intense person, forward with their emotions and tender in their support of others.
The meeting of water and fire has been very much part of my life. Turns out that astrologically speaking I have these in equal measure in my birth chart. I've been afraid of fire in others and fire in myself, always chose water.
Now I'm learning to use fire as it appears positively. So I love images like the above which help me to see that and use it. In the I Ching, another oracle, water and fire are often mentioned ... more about that in later postings perhaps.
For those who know a little astrology, I have Mars in Leo, Pluto and Venus in Virgo in my first house; Moon and Neptune in Scorpio in my third house; Sun in Cancer in twelfth. I'm learning alot from Joe Landwehr - Astropoetics.
Emotion - the feelings aroused by or surrounding the ideation of the project that takes place in the previous card. This is the music or scent of the undertaking.
Eight of Cups (Indolence): Being forced to abandon something in which you had invested great love and devotion. Emotional withdrawal and lethargy.
This is the frequent point in a reading when I realize that this is perhaps not all mumbo jumbo. As I mentioned above, it was an unwished for abandonment (in the face of my partner's increasingly distressing behavior) that stopped me in my tracks.
I've been through huge waves of unattended sorrow and grief and I emphathize with anyone who has faced this also. Luckily for me, I've had wonderful support for that process which means largely alot of open space and time in nature to regroup.
(Two wonderful books that supported me also: Unattended Sorrow by Stephen Levine; Eat, Pray, Love by Elizath Gilbert.)
Thought - the analytical process of organizing the project and capturing the emotional content of the previous card. This is the science or vision of the undertaking.
Eight of Pentacles (Prudence): Dedicating yourself fully to a task. Learning a new craft or skill. Applying painstaking attention to detail. Industriousness and the efficient completion of tasks. Sticking with a project long enough to see it through.
Finally, I came to the place where I felt balanced enough to recreate my vision - Vision Spa Retreat. That meant learning about web 2.0 - internet social networking and blogging - how to use these professionally and authentically.
I've actually found this to be very compatible with my nature. As a spa-retreat owner and host, I loved taking care of people and anticipating their needs. In a odd way, that's what I am doing now but in the virtual world.
That said I want to get back to the real world. I thrive on my work, on the interactions with people, and especially on sharing my passion for water and water therapy in the context of promoting planetary as well as personal health.
My first career was in publishing and I've probably always been a writer, a lover of words. So now I get to combine all my skills and bring them to fruition in new ways of service.
Manifestation - the real work involved in completing the project, and the form it will take upon culmination. This is the painting or touch of the undertaking.
Ace of Cups: The seed of a new relationship or spiritual journey - perhaps as yet unseen. An opportunity for joy, contentment, fertility, or enlightenment. Coming to understand the emotional needs of those around you. May represent an unexpected message, a chance meeting.
The Ace of Cups in the highest of water signs for me so I'm very happy that this came through here. It reminds me of the grail which has always had strong messages for me. Here's a prayer I wrote for a special water ritual:
Oh Chalice of the Grail
Guide me through the mists
that separate
Reveal to me the land
within the land
Free the waters
of the sacred spring
That I may wet
my wisdom
Legend has it that the Grail castle is surrounded by water and invisible to those who do not choose to see beyond what they are told about the world. Once upon a time Maidens of the Sacred Wells gave pilgrims spiritual refreshment and a glimpse of the hidden realm of the unconscious or hidden land.
Water is a well-known metaphor for that which is unconscious and which when made conscious can be healing.
Access: Public
I think this is largely because they help me to think out of the box, and provide some wonderful imagery and inspiration for my present moment life. It doesn't matter if they are 'real' if they lift me out of habitual patterning into something new.
Exactly! I feel just the same way; I love how readings and oracles are such a wonderful and evocative way to push me into another perspective or way of looking at a problem or possibility or situation. They're these beautiful little exercises in stretching the way I think–or feel. Thank you. :)