The Lovers

The Lovers is numbered six and is a card of innocence, trust, exhileration and joy. The couple (often seen intertwined or standing side by side) are soulmates, each being one half of a perfect union. The figure flying above them is Cupid, blessing them with the might of Universal Love.

The Lovers are the embodiment of the harmony of opposites. This is how we are before the fear and prejudices of life intervene. We give our love freely to others and we need no other to make us whole.

Love is much misunderstood. It is subjective and the word ‘love’ is so overused that it has almost lost its original meaning. We are all capable of the immense power of deep feelings. Love happens when we step out of the darkness of fear, pain and doubt into the light. Love can move mountains. Love breeds love – a happy smile breaking through another’s melancholy proves this.

Loving ourselves is the first step to touching the mighty power of Universal Love. We must live each moment as though it were the only one – rejoicing and celebrating, loving the soul within us rather than fighting with the reflection the rest of the world sees.

(via angelpaths.com and Alan Blackman)

The complaint: Excessive spending, inflation of currency dilutes value, and impoverished person’s?

Intentional Transcendence is cosmic equipoise this equivalence is my validation as being a necessary factor passing beyond, stretching, lavishing upon consciousness awareness this invigorating torrential stream of quality [ A Priori ] as a functional differentiating influential inspiration, logos of successively constant causation, the only principle instrumental melody of living in this reality that works. 

–Richard Branam

The ultimate guide to balancing relationships, workplace communication and self-care in the coming weeks

BY HASINA KHATIB 12 May 2022 (vogue.in)

Laptop crashing during important meetings? Ex sliding back into your DMs? Blame it on the Mercury retrograde. As the planet of communication, the occurrence of a retrograde can appear to tip all forms of technology and everyday conversations into upheaval. If you are hoping that the second one of the year doesn’t leave a trail of destruction in its wake, here’s what you need to know.

What is Mercury retrograde and how does this affect you?

The planet Mercury orbits the sun in 88 days, whereas the Earth takes 365 days. Given our vantage point on Earth, it creates an optical illusion that Mercury is moving backwards—the same way that a speeding car appears to be moving backwards when it passes by you on the highway. Since Mercury does a lap around the sun faster than Earth, it can appear in retrograde several times this year:ADVERTISING

• First retrograde: January 14 – February 3, 2022
• Second retrograde: May 10 – June 3, 2022
• Third retrograde: September 9 – October 2, 2022
• Fourth retrograde: December 29 – January 18, 2023.

So, what does the passing of Mercury mean for you? Life coach and astrologer Sheetal Shaparia explains, “When Mercury appears backwards in the orbit, it is said to retrograde. In astrology, Mercury powers communications, and a retrograde has the potential for chaos in life.” The changing astrological landscape and the resulting energy can affect your mental as well as your physical state. She adds, “From getting weird urges, technology issues or challenges while making decisions like your skin and diet, one is expected to have more or less in terms of energy and mood. Either you’ll feel super energetic and creative like you want to dance all day or you’ll feel completely lethargic, chaotic, unfocused or anxious,” she adds.

However, Shaparia asserts that there’s more to Mercury’s backpedalling than just sticky communication. “When Mercury is on its backwards journey, it offers the chance to get things done with greater care and mindfulness to negate any room for error. Retrograde periods are the time to reflect and re-evaluate the situation. It’s about taking the time to look around and analyse what needs to be done, while being careful with ego trips and temper tantrums,” she says.

How to survive the second Mercury retrograde of 2022

If you are looking to make it through the coming weeks unscathed, the Mumbai-based astrologer has drawn up a handy guide for balancing all aspects of everyday life:

Workplace

Offices are often considered as a mix of different energies, such as pressure, jealousy and competition, during this period. It is essential to take the time to collect your thoughts and decide what you want to say, as opposed to speaking first and regretting later. When signing a contract, read slowly, take your time and go through it twice. The same rule applies to all forms of communication—proofread everything and double-check every text. Think and choose your words carefully before making any significant decisions. Also, backup your data in case of any emergency or loss and plan alternatives for mishaps.

Relationships

During Mercury retrograde, don’t let poor communication mess with your romantic relationships, family dynamics and emotions. Stay calm and give some space to your partner. In challenging moments, keep the faith and re-examine your partner’s actions because things aren’t exactly as they appear. Mercury retrograde is also the perfect period for reflecting on your love life. So if you have lost love or have been pining for someone, go ahead and find them because this could be your time to get them back.

Self-care

Since this is a period of chaos, it can help to practise self-care by taking care of our skin and focusing on routines that relax the senses. Allow yourself to take a break and breathe in some fresh air, it also helps to do a few minutes of exercise every few hours. You can also look to crystals for navigating this tricky transit time in astrology:

• Aquamarine helps in providing intellectual and emotional stability and boosts your connection with your higher self. It creates a protective layer around your energy field.
• Blue lace agate is a gentle stone that gives grace and peace. It helps when things feel dark and twisted by allowing you to release fear, anger and burdens.
• Rose quartz helps achieve a new level in your current love life or offers a sign if you need to leave your partner. As this stone is full of unconditional love, it opens you to all types of connections with family, friends and other things on earth.
• Turquoise helps you to speak the truth. When you fear communicating, it gives you the strength and courage that you need to speak what you need to.
• Chrysocolla is an ideal stone for balancing your emotions and healing your mood during this period of upheaval.

Also Read:

How to make the best of Mercury retrograde, according to your zodiac sign

This is what it actually means for you when Mercury is in retrograde

The Astrology Podcast May 29, 2022 An overview of the astrology of June 2022, with astrologers Chris Brennan, Austin Coppock, and special guest co-host Catherine Urban. The astrological forecast for June begins with Mercury coming out of its retrograde and stationing direct in Taurus, while squaring a stationary Saturn in Aquarius. Later in the month there is a Full Moon in Sagittarius on June 14, and a New Moon in Cancer on June 28. Mid-month, the mood shifts after Mercury’s return to Gemini, when we get four planets in their own domiciles: Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Saturn. We open the episode by talking about the recent eclipses and other world events, and then transition into talking about the forecast for June. This is episode 354 of the podcast: https://theastrologypodcast.com/2022/… Ephemeris Astrology Birth Chart Pendant https://ephemeris.co/ Get a 10% discount with the promo code: ASTROLOGYPODCAST About the Astrologers https://www.chrisbrennanastrologer.com https://austincoppock.com https://www.catherineurban.com Patreon Get early access to new episodes and other bonus content on our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/astrologypodcast Auspicious Date for June The most auspicious astrological date for June is: ? June 26, 2022 at 10:55 AM (Virgo rising) For more lucky dates in June see our electional astrology podcast: https://theastrologypodcast.com/auspi… For good dates later in the year, see our 2022 Year Ahead Electional Astrology Report: https://courses.theastrologyschool.co… Please be sure to like and subscribe! #TheAstrologyPodcast Timestamps: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:43 Planetary alignments for June 00:02:10 Welcome to Catherine Urban 00:03:20 Austin at NORWAC 00:04:46 May eclipses and transit stories 00:30:35 Mercury direct and Saturn retrograde on June 3 & 4 00:39:55 Mars conjunct Jupiter 00:44:35 Venus in Taurus 00:52:04 Full Moon in Sagittarius on June 13 01:03:45 Venus-Uranus conjunction 01:07:34 Venus square Saturn 01:10:18 Ephemeris pendant monthly sponsor 01:16:50 The Sun enters Cancer 01:20:40 Venus in Gemini 01:25:21 Auspicious election for June 01:32:55 New Moon in Cancer on June 28 01:37:48 Mars square Pluto on June 30 01:40:57 Neptune stations direct on June 29 01:44:20 Time 01:45:34 Catherine’s website and YouTube 01:47:26 New Sphere & Sundry series 01:49:16 Chris’ upcoming rectification course and Patreon 01:50:19 Sponsors and patrons

The Knight of Swords

When the Knight of Swords comes up to indicate a man, he will be intelligent, subtle and clever. His capacity for abstract thought will be well developed. He is also highly intuitive and perceptive.

His nature will be elusive and ethereal, yet he has a strength and fascination that is hard to deny. He compels attention, except when he doesn’t want it, and at those times you will not even notice him pass by.

Because of the enquiring and analytic nature of his mind, you will often find him involved in occult study, and following spiritual pursuits. Whilst tolerant of those who know less than him, he will not divulge his knowledge easily. Rather those who wish to learn from him must fight to see him clearly, rather than falling for the projections he readily casts around him.

If this man is badly dignified his subtlety turns to manipulation, and his fascination to glamour. In this way, he becomes unprincipled and self-seeking. There is a certain ruthlessness present in the Knight of Swords at all times.

Even when we meet him at his best, he makes a hard task master, and an acutely keen observer. The sword in his hand will quite often be used to cut to the heart of things – and sometimes we will not be comfortable with what is revealed.

When this card comes up to indicate a state of mind in a man not normally seen as a Knight of Swords, we are then dealing with quite another issue. Now we must address the darkest qualities of the card. This is an angry man, who has quite possibly been emotionally hurt, and may well be looking for revenge.

He has the potential to be physically violent and mentally cruel. He is a nasty enemy and somebody who needs to be treated with the utmost caution.

(via angelpaths.com and Alan Blackman)

Basic Writings

by Anselm of Canterbury, Thomas Williams (Translator) 

Ranging from his early treatises, the Monologion (a work written to show his monks how to meditate on the divine essence) and the Proslogion (best known for its advancement of the so-called ontological argument for the existence of God), to his three philosophical dialogues on metaphysical topics such as the relationship between freedom and sin, and late treatises on the Incarnation and salvation, this collection of Anselm’s essential writings will be a boon to students of the history of philosophy and theology as well as to anyone interested in examining what Anselm calls “the reason of faith.”

(Goodreads.com)

“Most of us need illusions to go on living the life lie.”

–Henrik Ibsen

Manufacturing Intellect Nov 25, 2018 This program, narrated by Ibsen biographer Michael Meyer, charts the development of Henrik Ibsen’s style over four periods: his early years of failure; his epic dramas; his sociological plays, such as A Doll’s House, Ghosts, and Rosmersholm; and his final plays, including Hedda Gabler, The Master Builder, and Little Eyolf, in which he dealt with the dark interior of the human soul. Televised productions and theater excerpts showcase Ibsen’s works, while writers John Mortimer and D. M. Thomas and psychologist Anthony Storr consider their complexity and treatment of daring themes such as women’s rights, venereal disease, and parental responsibility. Join us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/Manufacturing… Donate Crypto! https://commerce.coinbase.com/checkou… Share this video! This is part of the Ten Great Writers of the Modern World series: Ten Great Writers Seminar: https://youtu.be/yiJC_piyJJI Franz Kafka: https://youtu.be/1t-GbIbVHCI Fyodor Dostoevksy: https://youtu.be/7ZlB2t_fKkE Henrik Ibsen: https://youtu.be/U2Glw642vWM James Joyce: https://youtu.be/Ob3NWUtCCJI Luigi Pirandello: https://youtu.be/YB2yae1t5IY T.S. Eliot: https://youtu.be/UoEHySQ9Gmo Joseph Conrad: https://youtu.be/yjq19I3U8H8 Virginia Woolf: https://youtu.be/jYySvYKGong Thomas Mann: https://youtu.be/we0Ubj1Qtq0

Gemini New Moon

The Gemini New Moon draws us towards multiple potentials for new projects and pathways, thanks to the natural duality of the sign — and its rulership by Mercury, with its ability to move in various directions, not to mention hobnob with a great variety of people! Developments occur at the early stages of a New Moon, by virtue of its invisibility. This also translates into a lack of available data, like the first moments of a news story breaking when little is known about an event. But given time — and capacity for human imagination, along with ability to physically take matters forward — a greater picture could form quite quickly.

Since Gemini is linked with thought, conversation, movement, and travel, this promises to be a time for network development and bustling activity. Earlier ideas that popped into our minds should now be harnessed and acted upon after the Retrograde is over — according to the Moon’s sextile with Mars and Jupiter, as their fire nature can make things happen.

Because these planets are in Aries, we’re energized into a new phase of action by means of a meaningful motive. Intentions are stronger and more pointed when personally significant, and we can infuse force and vigor behind what we try to achieve.

Chiron also sextiles the Moon, albeit in a later degree to Mars and Jupiter, hinting that the root of desire to heal a past situation emerges from deeper meaning. The dualistic nature of the Gemini Moon offers a second chance at something previously out of reach or with a scenario that we mishandled.

Many people experience the feeling that a relationship ought to reach another stage — maybe marriage is the obvious next step — but it doesn’t happen. Or if it does, children should be the outcome of the union, but they don’t happen for whatever reason. It’s possible that the connection with Chiron and the Moon is linked with a void in a relationship context, and some degree of healing may be available in one form or another. With Neptune still in Pisces, there’s great potential for a creative or artistic outlet, spanning writing, music, visual artistry, furnishing and decor projects, acting, cooking … you name it!

During the continued climate of dealing with the results of isolation — or the sense of it — that the COVID-19 pandemic created, such entertainment represents a stronger connection with the inner self and an opportunity to feel a bond with the universe in a positive way — instead of held hostage to feelings of fear, anxiety, or panic. New creative expression may be a way to harness connection and to be grounded, while feeling happy and productive. This could be important for anyone who previously managed more bonded connections and lost them and for someone who felt that the relationship they wanted never really happened.

This article is from the Mountain Astrologer written by Diana McMahon Collis

On May 30th, 2022 we have a New Moon in Gemini.

The Gemini New Moon is that time of the year when we’re invited to embrace our inner Gemini.

Even if you’re not a Gemini, Gemini still rules an area of your chart (the house where you have Gemini on the cusp). When there’s a New Moon in the sign, you’re invited to explore that particular area of your chart.

Every New Moon comes with the opportunity to press the reset button and start afresh.

New Moon in Gemini – The Aspects

The New Moon is at 9° Gemini. This is our first lunation out of the Eclipse season window. Things are slowly getting back to normal.

The New Moon in Gemini makes a harmonious aspect – a wide sextile – with the Mars-Jupiter conjunction, giving us a celestial go-head to go for what we want.

Mars conjunct Jupiter in Aries is fueling us with drive and determination. This is a bold, action-driven transit that asks us to MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. Whatever you put into motion now will have a long-lasting impact.

The New Moon ruler, Mercury – now stationary – is trine Pluto and square Saturn. Mercury is about to go direct and will point to what we still need to address if we want to move forward in our journey.

While Mercury square Saturn makes us aware of the limitations (change takes time, energy and resources), Pluto reminds us that however difficult the journey, our end goal is totally worth it.

There is a sense of “I’m almost there” with this New Moon. Mercury is drawing our attention to a big decision we need to make. We can see what’s on the other side – that type of life we can have if we don’t give up on our dream.

The New Moon in Gemini tells us that we can have what we want, but there is one more step. One more thing to figure out.

Mercury is in Taurus, the most fixed and stubborn sign of the zodiac. Mercury retrograde in Taurus asks us to focus on that part of us that is most resistant to change.

Big change doesn’t necessarily happen when we blindly jump into the unknown like the Fool in the Tarot deck. Big change happens when we finally say no to what’s no longer working.

At the New Moon in Gemini, ask yourself: Where am I resistant to change? Where do I feel comfortable, but bored and inspired? What would my life look like if I would get out of my comfort zone?

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Saturday, May 28th, 2022 (schwartzreport.net)

Link: How about we treat every man who wants to buy a gun like every woman who wants to get an abortion –Stephan:  

An SR reader sent me this. All I can say is, yes, let’s do that.

• Face a mandatory 48-hr waiting period, 
• Make him show a note with parental permission, 
• Make him show a note from his doctor proving he understands what he’s about to do, 
• Make him watch a video about the effects of gun violence, and 
• Make him submit to an ultrasound wand up the ass (just because). 
• Let’s close down all but one gun shop in every state and make him travel hundreds of miles and take time off work, and stay overnight in a strange town to get a gun. 
• Make him walk through a gauntlet of people holding photos of loved ones who were shot to death, people who call him a murderer and beg him not to buy a gun