Strength, Alchemy, and Justice ~ Tarot for 19 Jan 2017

Under a crescent moon, the Priestess kneels in ritual, encircled by a snake rising upward from a pool of water. Her nakedness denotes strength born from Source Presence balanced with her earthly self reflecting the influence of as above, so below. She represents unconditional love and the wild wisdom of the Goddess, acting with courage, faith, and compassion. A card of Leo, the numerology of Strength is 8 or wholeness, structure, and abundance. Sowilo appears in the top right corner suggesting awakening and healing.

Alchemy is called Temperance in other decks and involves blending together elemental energies into the creation of something new. It also suggests restored equilibrium. The card splits into two sections, blending Elemental Water and Fire, the grail cup appearing on both sides. An image with horns appears in the bluish section depicting Spirit while a more angelic image appears in the reddish section, blending physical and nonphysical aspects of Self. A clown and skull appear below indicating the joy of rebirth. The moon and sun align together, our emotional and catalytic aspects in balance.

As the 14th card of the Major Arcana, its numerology is 5 or change. Laguz from the Elder Futhark represents a strong, assertive woman and as the rune of the occult signifies the witch as alchemist. Invoking her magick, the witch gathers her strength, her intuition, to cast her intentions to the universe.

The 11th card of the Major Arcana, the scales of Justice bring illumination and balance to the reading. The background is filled with peacock feathers finding their own balance. The scales are suspended on their own as if supported by unseen forces. A card of Libra, Nauthiz appears in the upper right hand corner, a Norn rune regarding the future and positive change. Justice encourages us to live in the present moment with integrity and honor.

If you soften your eyes a bit and look again at Alchemy, you’ll see in the background of the bluish section the partial image of a woman. She is the Priestess, the witch as alchemist, her magickal considerations before her. The witch aligns her will with her emotions as she casts her intention of balance and justice to the collective consciousness. In doing so, the witch aligns in her Source Presence, her will flowing freely.

The final numerology of the reading is 6 reflecting the Higher Self. In alignment with her Higher Self, the witch’s strength is found in nonresistance and away from judgment. She manifests her will in alchemical balance, her need for justice her only focus.

It seems as if justice has abandoned us. The world as we know it is about to change and time will tell if any justice is even possible, at least for the foreseeable future. If we manifest our will in direct response to everything we read or hear then our will is ultimately led around by others. It may be better in the long run to observe and gather as much information as possible before we take action, reserving our strength and will for when it can manifest the best outcome.

Influenced by a higher truth, we refrain from overreaction, waiting for events to play out. We may have more allies than we realize and given time they may reveal themselves. And as we know, we’re stronger together than when we work at cross purposes.

I created a bindrune from the runes appearing on the tarot cards for some rune magick tomorrow. Sowilo, Laguz, and Nauthiz combine together in recognition of our intrinsic need for clarity, balance, and justice. The bindrune can be used during ritual to manifest these principles or can be carried or worn as a talisman or focus. I’ll use it tomorrow during a planned ritual. I can’t bear to watch any of tomorrow unfold, so it seemed best to spend my time with Goddess.

We each have the choice over whom we serve. Some may choose service to self over service to others, surrounding us in darkness in an attempt to control or destroy all that we’ve built. They never understand that it just feels better when we live in unity with each other, where we appreciate others and actually care about what happens to them. Alignment in Source Presence keeps our focus on the greater good, knowing that any beneficial change requires that awareness.

Kindness and compassion costs us nothing and gives us everything.

Blessings to all!