7 of Swords

VII of Swords

3rd Decan of Aquarius (Saturn-Uranus), February 9th-18th

Ruled by: Venus in Libra

Constellation: Cygnus

Element: Air, Venus in Yetzirah (Formative - Vav)

Keywords: Trickery, futility, instability, deception, getting away with "it", infiltration, avoidance, hoarding, strategy, sneaking around, cheating, lying, stealing.

Description: The Seven of Swords is riddled with conflict. Resolution and compromise, which is so desired, tends to be mere wishful thinking and is unlikely. Failure or falling short are pressing possibilities. It's Murphy's Law.

"Best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." - Robert Burns

Cutting corners, procrastinating, doing as little as possible, or attempting to take the easy way out. All, of which, are also indicated by this key. Selfishness and complacency are emphasized. It's all play and no work -- shirking responsibilities in favor of pleasure and entertainment. It's going after desired results without putting any real effort in. Half-assing it. Expecting reward and recognition for doing the bare minimum. Taking credit for (or copying) someone else's hard work.

This key may also imply that there's a feeling of uncertainty about what one truly wants and/or why. Perhaps a desire is conflicting with long-held beliefs, values, or a series of mental complexes. Maybe one is approaching their goals with scattered effort, confusion, and/or clouded perception. Victory, here, is unlikely or partial, at best.

The Sphere of Netzach's (Victory; Venus) influence in Yetzirah, the Formative World. This is desire impressing itself upon mental processes and/or thought patterns -- whether that be through (or resulting in) flights of fancy, fantasy, or imagination. With this, though, the capacity to delude and deceive self as well as other. There is also an element of manipulation present, a recurring theme in the Suite of Air.

Communication may be muddied. One may feel misunderstood, unheard, or lost in translation. Old thought-forms no longer resonate, but are still being (unsuccessfully and inappropriately) utilized. The old is crumbling, and yet one is still resting on their laurels of past success. One might be hoarding outmoded mental constructs -- maybe even with the wish to recreate the fruit those paradigms once bore. But that fruit is now rotten or ill-gotten.

Much is tugging it one's awareness, which may be pulling the querent in too many directions. New ideas may be competing for the limelight. Clinging to the old modus operandi may be hindering future progress, and is sending one down an unsavory path. Tried and true may one day be proven false. Sometimes it's worth it to take a risk and be more impractical. Either way, success is never a sure thing.

Pisces

Pisces asks: "Where do we go from here?"

Symbol(s): Fish, Back of the Head

Element and Modality: Water, Mutable

Planetary Rulers: Jupiter, Neptune

House: XII, The Unconscious

Bodily Function(s): Feet, Cerebellum, Medulla Oblongata

Tarot Card: The Moon

Hebrew Letter: Qoph

Governing the feet, Pisces is the pathfinder and trailblazer. The feet, planted on the ground, might be used as a symbol to represent the substrata of the mind. It is the seeds rooted in the subconscious that give rise to the conscious bodies -- mental, emotional, and corporeal. Pisces represents the foundation of the man, and the foundation is the blueprint upon which you build your home. The feet hold up and carry the weight of the rest of the body. They also take the body in whatever direction it needs to go. The same can be said for the well of the unconscious. All of the necessary vital functions of the physical body lay under our threshold of awareness. We do not have to consciously direct our lungs to keep breathing or tell our heart to keep beating. This is all guided unconsciously. And this is the dominion of Pisces.

All of our hidden hopes, desires, and fears pool in the subconscious. Within our subconscious is a library of perfect memory, a recollection of all of the experiences we've had. Certain events that have transpired may have temporarily "slipped our minds", but that doesn't mean that they've been lost forever. Nothing can ever truly be forgotten. Whatever isn't consciously integrated or processed lay dormant or asleep there, certain to arise in one form or another. Depending on the nature of the unconscious content, this could be positive or negative. If negative, we have nightmares, health complications (healing crises), neuroses, or behavioral problems. If positive, we become creatively inspired, better integrated, and all of our bodies are strengthened. A shoddy foundation seeks crutches for its crippling deterioration. A strong foundation is confident, resolute, and can persevere life's storms.

The imagination rests upon this foundation of enduring memory. The organization of all of our body cells is reliant upon the subconscious. There is a direct link between our mental imagery, or fantasies, and the building up of the body. When we enter into sleep, or into the unconscious, we are allowing the repair and restoration of our body and psyche. One could compare this process to the defragmentation of a computer. The goal is to integrate or deduce as much of the information accumulated as possible for optimal efficiency. What happens while we sleep? We dream. What is another name for a fantasy? A daydream.

This pool of the unconscious is also universally shared. While we may have our own individual wading pool of experiences, we all share in a deeper primordial ocean of memory. This could be likened to the Akashic Records.

Complementary/Opposing Sign: Virgo

When contemplating a Zodiac sign, it is always important to compare it to its complementary sign -- and all that that entails. As the body and the mind are one interlocking unit, these correspondences can open up a window into how it all fits together.

To metabolize is to integrate. Virgo presides over the intestines, specifically the small intestines, and its processes of assimilation. This involves both the selection and rejection of the nutrients derived from the food we eat. Once this food has been broken-down, it is then absorbed into the bloodstream and delivered to all of the cells.

The operations of digestion generally happen without much conscious thought. So we can see how these Zodiac functions relate to one another within the mindbody. The subconscious influences our food choices and portion sizes, positively or negatively. It also selects what to absorb and what to excrete in order to nourish the body and the mind. With the co-operations of Pisces and Virgo, the consciousness can be properly distilled. Here, the gross is divorced from the body, from the consciousness, and only what is pure and useful remains.

Jupiter and Neptune

Jupiter rules the Solar Plexus, the area where the abdominal brain resides. Here we will find the turning of the wheel, where straw is refined into gold. With Virgo, Libra, and Scorpio situated at the area of the womb, all of their operations must be taken into consideration. The womb is the cauldron where we brew up our magical potions. Jupiter is associated with the Tarot card, "Wheel of Fortune". Cyclic activity: Ascending and descending. Our magical potions are distributed via the circulations of the blood.

Jupiter shares domicile with Neptune over the sign of Pisces. Jupiter also has domicile over Sagittarius. Sagittarius is associated with the Tarot card, "Temperance". In some versions, the imagery includes a cauldron with different ingredients being added.

If we are balanced, that straw is sure to turn into spiritual gold. If we are in a state of internal disharmony, that straw will remain exactly what it is and the serpent will not ascend to the crown. The solar forces are either liberated here and turned upward, or wasted. Liberation en-lightens our load and allows us to vibrate at a higher frequency. When in harmony, there is a conjunction of feminine Soul (via generative waters) and masculine Spirit (via brain, spine, and central nervous system), and the light of solar Christ is born (in the blood) to ascend to the crown. The pineal and pituitary glands are not protected by the blood-brain barrier. So, that spiritually-charged energy in the blood is able to nourish these glands. This goes both ways. They absorb and they also secrete. Jupiter deals with the ascent of the solar forces and Neptune with the descent.

Mythological and religious imagery often depicts Christ washing the feet of his disciples or having his feet washed by a "sinful" woman. Christ had twelve disciples. There are twelve signs in the Zodiac. The sinful woman is a representation of the sexual, generative waters (Scorpio). We know that Pisces and the feet relate to the subconscious/unconscious. If the feet are being cleansed, then the subconscious elements are being purified. Water is always related to sexuality, desire, emotions, imagination, and to the subconscious/unconscious.

Transmutation is the changing of one state of being into another. Pisces is a mutable sign. E-Motion, emOcean. Energy in Motion. In-Transit. Trans-mutable. "The Moon" is the ruler of the tides, and the currents (currency, current-sea) are always changing, ever-circulating. Lunar cycles and menstrual (fertility) cycles. Women bleed during menstruation. Blood, circulation, fertility, sexuality, and cyclic activity. Nothing is hidden. The truth isn't "out there", it's all inside: Intel Inside.

Epiphanies arise from the murky waters, much like the answers arise in the viewfinder of a Magic 8 Ball. Or a lotus ascends to the surface of the water. Or magical beans produce a beanstalk that takes us to a majestic kingdom in the sky. Or a golden egg (egg, fertility) that gives us good fortune. Or the pot (cauldron, womb) of gold at the end of the rainbow. This is our stairway to heaven, our yellow-brick road, and the path of bread crumbs that will return us home.

But first we must descend into those the darkened recesses of the subconscious/unconscious to retrieve those hidden treasures. This is the work of Neptune. Mythology depicts Neptune as the God of the sea. He controls the tides with his trident, which is a potent symbol in itself. Neptune is the controller of the waters of creation, the waters of genesis. Combine creation and genesis and you get: Generation.

With each (Western) Zodiac sign, you have a set of two symbols. One symbol is an image of an animal or a human figure. The other is a glyph that somewhat resembles its symbolic imagery. Pisces' symbol shows two fish encircling each other. Its glyph resembles a curvy "H". Utilizing our intuition, we can relate the encircling fish to the glyph of Cancer. The encircling fish and the glyph of Cancer both resemble a toroidal Yin-Yang (complementary forces: Dark, Light; Female, Male; Negative, Positive). Two soles, two souls. One masculine and one feminine. The Divine Spirit and the Human Soul. Masculine fire (consciousness), feminine water (subconsciousness). The inner child carried in the wind -- like the story we tell young children of the Stork delivering the baby into Mother's belly. They all unite in the earth (body, also feminine).

Cancer is ruled by the Moon, and has a crab as its symbol. Pisces is attributed to "The Moon" tarot card, and there we can see a Lobster (sometimes shown as a crawfish or a crab) rising out of the water. These are the waters of Genesis, or creation. That is where our fish (semen, ovum) swim. The union of complementary forces (Male and Female) give rise to our physical body upon conception. Two red lines in a home pregnancy test indicate a positive conception. The Piscean glyph has these two lines, or curving half-circles, yoked together by a central bridge. When we overlay the lunar triple goddess symbol over the Piscean glyph, we see, yet again, that reference to fertility.

The Piscean task is to retrieve the golden treasure buried within the darkness of these waters, the darkness of matter, of the psyche. This is done through Neptune and the transformation of our sexual energy. We can use our sexual energy to create a child of the flesh, or we can unite the masculine Spirit with the embr-YONI-c feminine Soul to grow the immortal fetus. This is the true meaning behind the concept of "Twin Flames". It is a huge error to externalize this concept and project it onto another physical hologram. While those relationships are vital sharpeners, they should never be used as an excuse to shirk off Divine Duty. The flesh is a fantasy and merely a reflection of what's going on within. A true marriage is a coming together, a union, of the masculine and feminine forces within. This happens on many levels. When all of the forces of the mind and body come into harmony with Spirit and Soul, the work has begun.

A honeymoon is an electromagnetic yoking of the pineal gland with the pituitary gland. Their secretions produce a neurochemical substance akin to a golden nectar, or honey, that drips down the spinal cord. As it descends, it cools and crystallizes. This fertilizes and arouses the waters of creation that we have at the base of the spine. It is then lifted back up to the crown to recharge and regenerate the glands. This process recycles repeatedly and the nervous system is set ablaze, carving new neural PATHways. These new pathways allow the initiate to perceive the interior "higher" dimensions.

Imagery that comes to mind: Sap flowing from the trunk of a tree. The sap is the vital fluid of the tree, containing its nutrients and minerals. The secreted sap heals and protects the wounds of a tree. The exposed sap crystallizes into an amber-tinted resin. When temperatures are freezing, the sap is sucked upward from the roots of the tree in relation to the atmosphere. When it is warm and sunny, the sap descends back down towards the roots.

That feminine force is of the negative polarity, just as electrons are the negative charge of an atom. So we can infer that the kundalini is related to the electrons of an atom. The origin of the word "electron" is derived from the Greek word "elektron", which means "amber". This reminds us of the vital fluid of the trees.

Neptune is assigned the tarot card, "The Hanged Man". In that card, we see a man hanging upside-down from a "T". His head is illumined. Some versions have him under the sea scooping up pearls or opening up treasure chests. His upside-down position is similar to the position of a newborn baby at birth. It also reminds me of the uvula located in the back of the throat. We know that Neptune is related to the pineal and pituitary glands. They, too, appear to be hanging upside-down like an uvula. All of this imagery seems to be hinting at the downward flow of these secretions into genitive waters, down through the spine. The enlightenment of the subconscious mind -- and the conception of Cosmic thought-forms.

Exaltation: Venus

Detriment(s): Ceres (Asteroid/Dwarf Planet)

Other Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio

Other Mutable Signs: Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo

6 - The Lovers

Key 6 - The Lovers

Gemini (Diurnal Mercury)

Air +

Zain - sWord

Path 17 - Binah to Tiphareth

Discrimination

Keywords: Sub-cosnciousness, Smell, Breathing, Communication, Duality, Division.

Description: Reciprocity requires polarity: Give and take. Left and right. Male and female. Self and other. Discrimination is the ability to discern difference, as well as similarity. The sword divides and, consequently, sorts out this from that -- the wanted from the unwanted.

Leo

Leo

Braveheart

Symbol(s): Lion, Serpent

Element and Modality: Fire, Fixed

Planetary Ruler(s): The Sun

House: V, Pleasure

Bodily Function(s): Heart, Sides, Back, Digestion

Tarot Card: Strength

Hebrew Letter: Teth

Leo is ferocious. Leo is valiant and brave. Leo is a gambler, a risk-taker. Leo is a Wild Card, and is, therefore, a Fool (Uranus). With Leo, you get a little bit of everything, and you get it in a big way. Fixed but expansive (Jupiter). The forces of Leo are so powerful that they dominate all of the lower Kingdoms and the majority of the Human Kingdom. So, the lion of the Zodiac appropriately has his crown in the heart, proudly radiating his solar vitality for all to see. And speak about, no less! Pleasure-seeking Leo would love nothing more than for one to stoke and stroke the fires of his glorious Mane (Ego).

It is at the level of the heart that the awakening of the consciousness is determined. This all depends on the individual's intentions, aspirations, and actions. What do they tune into? What desires do they harbor (and act upon)? What initiative do they take to set things in motion? How do they treat their fellow brethren? How do they respond to conflict?

That first question is an important one: "What do they tune into?" What are we taking into our hearts, our minds, and our bodies? Soul food or eye candy? What 'food for thought' do we select? Consumption and digestion are two of the activities that Leo oversees. We consume things on many levels: The food we eat, the things we buy (material), the books we read, the shows we watch, the activities we partake in, and the people we spend 'time' (energy) with. As the House of Pleasure, many are unable to pass the Lion's Gate because they have yet to cultivate the self-discipline of balance (Libra).

The quality of the food we eat (be it for physical nourishment or otherwise) says a lot about what our intentions are. While we all have days of overindulgence (which, if properly managed, relieves stress and actually promotes equilibrium), I am referring here to our long-term habits. Our daily habits surrounding food, activity (or a lack thereof), and pleasure. Quality of food reflects the quality of thought. This doesn't mean that you must be a vegan or lead a certain type of lifestyle to establish a healthy balance, but mindful habitations are the stepping stones of enlightenment.

Quality of thought can be easily veiled from others, but it can never be kept a secret from the heart. Don't go on autopilot. Don't let your thoughts and emotions zip past you unchecked. When something doesn't go our way, it is so easy to allow our thoughts to turn sour. We complain (sometimes expressing ourselves vocally) and we fantasize. We replay old scenarios in our heads, magnifying all the ways things went wrong and all the ways we were victimized. We give away our power to phantoms. Phantoms of the past. Phantoms of how we imagine others perceive us. We fantasize about how we could have done or said things differently during a confrontation. We also like to replay a particularly satisfying moment where we triumphed. Complacency sets in as we mentally and emotionally relive our 'glory days'. Or we become prideful and stubborn by refusing to forgive, refusing to take our share in the blame, and/or refusing to move on.

When we do this, repeatedly, we are not living in the present. We are not being conscious. Rather than be the driver (consciousness) of our vehicle, we become the passenger and allow, instead, the subconscious to take the wheel. This is the same as falling asleep at the wheel. While the phenomenal world is a manifestation of all subconscious/unconscious activity, we cannot consciously affect (Will) change (breaking old cycles) if we simply run on autopilot. This is what separates the Animal Kingdom from the Human Kingdom: Our ability to consciously influence and impregnate the receptive subconscious with higher thought-forms and values.

Complementary/Opposing Sign

The circulatory dual-chamber of the heart (Fire) receives all of the cellular waste and, with the cooperation of the lungs (Air, Gemini), filters it out through the expulsion of the breath. The inhalation of fresh air through the lungs is transmitted back through the heart. This allows the heart to push forth and circulate the purified blood. So the heart transmits toxins to the lungs, which the lungs expel. The lungs then transmit fresh oxygen to the heart, which allows the heart to expel the purified blood to the rest of the body. Here we see another giving and a receiving (Libra). We see, again, rotation and movement (Jupiter and Saturn).

The circulation (Jupiter) of the blood and the "catching and releasing" returns us to Aquarius. Not only is Aquarius another fixed sign, but it's also co-ruled by Saturn and Uranus. Uranus is traditionally said to have its detriment in Leo, but I have actually noticed a harmonious connection between the two. However, I must first discuss Leo's relation to Sirius, the Dog (God) Star. The light of Sirius represents Spirit, which steps down in vibration (sacrificing itself) for the sake of creation (Saturn; appearance of matter in 'time' and 'space').

For the longest time I kept receiving messages about the cat people from Sirius. Whenever I would meditate on this, I would see a cartoon representation of a cat fused with a dog. The cats were always warm (solar), like tigers or lions. As I probed into these visions deeper, I began to intuit the feminine nature of the feline and the masculine nature of the canine. So, clearly, another nod toward the fusion of opposites. The imagery is metamorphic as the opposites reveal that they share in each other's traits: Solar typically being masculine, but felines possessing the more feminine qualities. This eventually lead me back to Leo (and the heart).

In the constellation of Leo, there is a star named Regulus. Regulus is known as the heart of the lion, and is one of the Four Royal Stars (the other three belonging to the other Fixed Signs: Taurus, Scorpio, and Aquarius). In the Harry Potter stories, we see a character named Sirius who has a brother named Regulus. Sirius, the character, is an Animagus. An Animagus is a person that can transform into an animal at will. Sirius transforms into a dog. So, there again, is the relationship between the cat (Leo) and the dog (Sirius). This hints that Leo's influence is that of transformation. The Animal Kingdom entering into the Human Kingdom, and the Human Kingdom returning to the realms of Spirit (Sirius), which is filtered through the sphere of Uranus.

The Sun (Leo) veils Uranus, just as the Moon (Cancer) veils Neptune. Remember, also, that The Fool card is ruled by Uranus. In that card we see a dog, which represents the Lower Self. The Dog (Lower Self) veils God (Sirius).

These relationships only reveal that All influences All. This is why it is equally true to say that (the elevated influence of) Saturn is the Holy Spirit just as much as Sirius is. The separation doesn't really exist, but you may distinctly experience the influence of one more strongly than the other. The one in the forefront of your mind may actually be a veil or a lens for the other, which is a veil/lens for another influence (and so on). This is why the feminine can easily take on masculine traits and vice versa. The separation between the genders don't really exist, but we can see the effects of their influences (causes). The separation between myself (the writer) and you (the reader) also doesn't exist. I am you, reminding you of yourself. And all I am actually doing is reminding (writing) myself.

Sirius makes us think of the color blue. Blue is the color of emotions, water, and compassion (Mercy, Jupiter). Where do we find compassion within ourselves? We find it in our hearts. Compassion is an expression of love. When we get to the root of word, 'compassion', we find that it translates to: "To suffer with passion". Passion and desire, the roots of suffering. Suffering as the seed of wisdom. Wisdom is mental (air). This creates a coherency between the brain (wisdom) and the heart (compassion), and they, too, begin to share in each other's traits. Intelligence, then, arises from the heart, and the brain becomes an intuitive receiver. It is because of our own suffering that we can connect with others through empathy.

For the Animal Kingdom, Leo represents the point where the process of individuation (graduation into the Human Kingdom) begins. Cancer is the sign of the Mother, the Gate of Birth (into matter), and represents mass consciousness. Cancer (ruled by the Moon (unconscious), which is a veil for Neptune) is very mechanical. Cancer represents the lowest form of herd consciousness, which is necessary for the survival of the lower kingdoms. Aquarius is similar to Cancer in that it represents the larger body of consciousness as opposed to the individual (Leo, in this example) consciousness.

As the animals of the Animal Kingdom evolve, they begin to shift out of this herd mentality (Cancer) into the eventual realm of Man (Aquarius) for further individuation (Aries). The blood and its circulations can therefore be seen to fall under the dominion of the personality. With practice, one can learn to consciously influence and eventually control the pulse, just as the personality is subdued by the Soul and Spirit.

The blood also has its duality. While it is under the influence of the personality, it delivers oxygen and nutrients (individuals contributing information to the collective) to the rest of the body. Aquarius represents an elevated version of the group consciousness. This group consciousness differs from the herd in that it is self-conscious (solar (Leo)) but not self-centered. In Aquarius, the personality has been integrated, fully aware, into the Cosmic Consciousness. Although dissolved into the collective, the personality still exists but no longer dominates. Mass consciousness, represented by Cancer, is unconscious (lunar) and automatic. There is some individuality, but it is in early stages of development and is mostly selfish and driven by survival instincts -- with care and consideration limited to the personal self and close family and friends. Aquarius, through Leo, is infused with the all-encompassing solar warmth that extends its love and consideration to the All.

With the relation of the personality and the blood, and the influence of the individual within the collective, we can begin to understand how important our thoughts and emotions are. While an awakened consciousness has a larger degree of influence than an unconscious being, both still have a voice within the collective. When we purify our own thoughts, emotions, and actions, we are strengthening our own voice within that collective. In doing so, we are increasing the light of awareness in all beings, conscious or otherwise. To truly affect positive, lasting change, we must return inward and surrender to the Soul.

Sol and Mars

Leo is both the diurnal and nocturnal house of the Sun. The Sun veils Uranus, just as The Moon veils Neptune. Teth is the letter that is ascribed to Leo and is the ninth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Nine connects with Yesod (Foundation), with The Hermit (Virgo, Yod), with Temperance (Sagittarius, Samekh), and is the number of completion. It is the number of completion because you have 0 (or 1) through 9, before you must shift back to 0 (or 1) again. After 9 comes 10, but 10 is really just the start of a new cycle (a recycle). Double digits can be broken down to single digits. but there is no single digit beyond the number 9.

Yod, Teth, and Samekh are the fiery forces that sustain, activate, and regenerate creation. Yod is the unknowable root that contains and sustains all of the archetypes. Why is it unknowable? Earlier I mentioned that Sirius represents Spirit, but now I am saying that Yod is the unknowable root of creation? Endless veils and lenses: Unknowable but omnipresent, with varying degrees of influence. Certain spheres seem to have a stronger influence because they appear closer to us, and are more widely known. But other spheres of influence that appear to be farther out (like Sirius) because they represent a loftier influence: The lesser known. Appearances can be deceiving. Objects in the mirror are always closer than they appear. There is no separation between the observer in the observed. Yod, then, represents the darkness (unknown) that veils the light we've not yet perceived. The unknown (unborn) wants to be known (shown, shone).

Teth (Fixed, Leo) and Samekh (Mutable, Sagittarius) both represent the ouroboros. It is only through the heart that we are granted the keys to ascend to the next level of evolutionary development. The heart triggers the fiery wrath of purification. The light trickles from the crown (Yod), through the heart, and condenses into the formative world. What descends must again ascend (return). So the serpent of temptation comes forth to test us. With Temperance and Strength, we persevere.

Equilibrium (Libra, Venus) is maintained through perseverance (Severity, Mars), patience, and mercy (Jupiter). The Tower (Mars) of destruction (correction) requires Strength (Leo) and persistence. With Mars, what imagery comes to mind? Redness, heat, fire, passion, tension, initiative, activity, and the Divine Masculine. Venus, its planetary complement, is passive, receptive, patient, sensuous, and Divinely Feminine. The passionate embrace of Mars and Venus can be seen in the pink and red lips of the flowers. Mars is like a red ink that saturates and excites the fertile Empress (Venus), as the golden rays of the sun christens their procreative union.

Exaltation: Neptune

Detriment: Uranus

Other Fire Signs: Aries, Sagittarius

Other Fixed Signs: Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius

Awakening the Inner Senses

It's important that, once our inner sensorium has been awakened, that we don't try to color the information that we receive with our personal longings. Higher intuition is never how the linear intellect will expect it to be, although there is a touch of familiarity to it. Because it's simply remembering what's always been. Still, when most people are attempting to awaken their "sixth sense", their intentions are for personal gain. The actual experience is quite the opposite, as it entirely behooves the personal self.

Frequently I witness those that are in the preparation stages of awakening and aligning wrongly interpret "the signs". They take their synchronicities and try to apply them to a romantic or financial situation. While I don't want to totally disregard those as possibilities, this is very limiting. Viewing everything through the lens of a personal desire creates illusion and distortion. The only way for the Higher Self, then, to snap the Ego out of it is through personal hardship. Wake up calls are rarely pleasant, are they?

The truth is laden and latent in everything, which is "no thing" at all. The truth is both strikingly simple and yet infinitely complex. Any barriers are illusions and must eventually be overcome. All one needs to do is examine the stories that we've collectively imagined. The common elements in all our tales can be easily found with a little discrimination. The parallels are quite obvious and "in your face". So obvious that we don't even bother to see or draw them because we're always so focused on what is "different". Individuality and unity, how can we reconcile them? They're both true. The individual is an expression of Spirit's diverse traits and qualities. There is value in the appearance of individuality. But the individual is merely a piece, an apparition, of a much larger body: A collective soul.

The ego likes to come up with conspiracy theories to justify itself. It's much easier to play the victim then it is to take responsibility for the state of our personal and group affairs. It's easier to be lazy, selfish, and greedy. Easier to point the finger and place blame on another for our unhappiness. But that is so silly in the face of the truth: We are all ONE. The "them" is "us". We did it to ourselves: The good, the bad, and the horrendously ugly. We are all equally responsible, because the collective experience is a personal and collective effort. We are of hive mind, whether we are consciously aware of that fact or not. Each person influences the whole.

Is it true, then, that there are varying degrees of influence? Yes. One can increase their influence by increasing their vibration. Those stoking the fires of a higher frequency will always have more influence than those vibrating from a lower level. But this works to the benefit of all. Again, the lower will always try to rise to meet the higher. The higher is always bringing the lower "up to speed". Just think about these words. I frequently say "frequently" to describe something that happens a lot or quickly. Frequently, frequency. See? In your face.

When we become aware of the mental mainstream, we can then extricate ourselves from the rigid consensus. With a higher vantage point, we bring awareness to where there was darkness because we can see from a new perspective. That affects the consensus positively. Slowly, everyone liberates themselves from going about life on autopilot. This aligns us with higher schools of thought on the inner planes (in-tuition).

The sleeping masses are endlessly looping themselves in a limited broadband of thought. They're not even aware that they're not aware. Those that awaken from the illusion, then, become "real human beings". An automaton cannot accelerate organically except through experience. The personality is a robot being manipulated by its own programming, its personal whims and motives.

These personal desires often create pain, suffering, and karmic debt. But it's precisely these experiences that also turn around to produce self-awareness. By suffering, by causing suffering, or by witnessing suffering, the ego begins to observe more carefully. The ego develops compassion and empathy. The ego, then, begins to take the ramifications of its actions more seriously and starts thinking on a broader scale. This eventually leads them to seeking the creator, the true Self.

This awakening process can extend over a multitude of incarnations and/or be expedited in one particular life. We all go at our own pace and are only ever given what we can handle. There is no desirable far-off date to begin. To awaken is to be fully present, here and now. NOW! Whenever we get stuck in a fearful worry, anger, the victim mentality, or mentally replaying past experiences—we are not present. 

Within each of us are "sleeper cells". If we continue to operate on autopilot, they will remain imprisoned or static. These sleeper cells can be taken literally and symbolically. They can also be seen outside of us whenever we see others behaving unconsciously. But when we have a quickening of awakening, these sleeper cells come online. With these cells active, we can then carve out new pathways. Hidden paths within, previously overlooked. This frees us from unconsciously reliving the same narratives over and over.

Despite our shared unity, the individual experience of psychic unfoldment varies from person-to-person. There really is no "one guide fits all" (and, yet, the "One (transpersonal) Guide" is within us all -- to be experienced in deeply personal ways). We all come in with our own unique set of gifts. Still, there are some commonly-shared terms that can be discussed which may help one navigate this inner blossoming.

When the fire of liberation ascends the spinal column to reach headquarters (kundalina arousal), the individual has been initiated. This electric fire stirs these sleeper cells into activity, and they allow that person to perceive in unusual ways. The person can then see and experience the reality behind the world of manifestation. Intuition is heightened, and the newly initiated begins to realize that they are truly the beginnings of a star. That's right, we are all star seeds. Science has already told us that we are all made up of star stuff, so it shouldn't be too much of a stretch to grasp this. We can look to the stars above for guidance, for the macro is in the micro.

The initiate may be flooded with patterns, shapes, colors, and unusual symbols. There is a sudden reorganization of thought and information. Reserves within the individual and collective cluster together to be recognized in a new light. So, while these may be memories of what we might call the past, they arise for illumination rather than for nostalgia's sake. Waves of synchronicity come closer and closer together, much like contractions during labor. Deja vu is not an unusual feeling, and that, too, comes in more frequently.

The person becomes a walking "bullshit detector". They've activated their "X-Ray Vision" and can see through any form of subliminal messaging (please see plot for Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist). Symbolic breakdown becomes much easier and occult imagery becomes transparent to them. Although it still takes a little while to discern coded messages of antiquity, it's now possible with intuition alone.  The deeper meaning of parables, riddles, fables, myths, and fairy tales are readily grasped. The inner teacher is contacted.

The boundary between the outer world of appearances and the inner planes of thought begin to blur -- the Fourth Wall is broken. It can feel disorienting discerning up from down, in from out, and me from the we. It's perfectly normal to have mixed feelings about all of that, too. In truth, this is reorientation.

When submerging into the collective unconscious, we can be met with many frightening specters. It can make one want to turn and run the other way, and try to tune it all out again. But just like with a nightmare, if we have the courage to turn around and face whatever is plaguing us, we can cast a light on it and it will be neutralized by a corrected understanding.

Before I continue, I would like to make a statement about the unfoldment of psychic abilities. The development of these inner faculties should only serve as a means to serve and to "know thyself". The heart knows the true intent of any aspirant, and you cannot fool your own heart. If the goal is Divine Communion and the growth of the soul, you will be successful in your awakening. If the goal is to know yourself and to liberate yourself, you will be successful in your awakening. Petty, inferior desires will not allow you to open up that Lion's Gate. The heart always knows. Can these innate gifts be abused? Yes, but any form of abuse will retard overall unfoldment. 

Psychic Abilities

The following articles will briefly detail the many ways psychic expression can be experienced. Click on the title to read the article:

Clairvoyance: Clear Seeing.

Clairaudience: Clear Hearing.

Claircognizance: Clear Knowing.

Clairsentience: Clear Feeling. Empathy is also discussed, as it shares similar elements.

Clairalience: Clear Smelling.

Clairgustance: Clear Tasting.

Astral Projection: Out of body experiences. Remote Viewing and Lucid Dreaming also discussed as they also bear relation.

Telepathy: Also referred to as Telempathy. Ability to communicate with others beyond the five physical senses.

Telekinesis: Ability to move objects with the mind. Poltergeists also discussed under this category.

Paranormal Activity and Mediumship: High Strangeness surrounding the psychic; conscious interaction with disembodied spirits.

Telekinesis

Telekinesis, also known as psychokinesis, is the ability to move things with the mind. It is a mental power which, through conscious will, the telekinetic individual can affect changes on a molecular level (molecular kinesis). With this, the movement of an object and the potential to heal diseases, is possible. Disease is rooted in the molecular (lunar astral double) body—in our desires and emotions. Therefore, "mental health counseling" can meet, reconcile, and "move" these dis-eases. This, in turn, inspires liberation from suffering which is the liberation of consciousness.

This principle is similarly applied to the objects we perceive to be outside of ourselves. Objects and environment are not separate from the observer. Mind interpenetrates all matter, as the mental body is one of the higher bodies. The physical form is several steps down, but not separate from, the mental body. Matter is a product of the psychic aggregates that have concretized and condensed into the appearance of a material form. In-Form-At-Ion. 

"Where there is a will, there is a way."

It can then be said that telekinesis is incredibly rare but also quite common. We're influencing matter with our minds and desires all the time—consciously or not. When one is aiming to lose weight, before there is ever any visible evidence, one must focus on the "desired" result. One must picture the goal in mind and channel all of their energy and will power (through the solar plexus) into a biochemical and molecular transformation. This requires motion or move-ment (-ment, mental). Mind directs the body, inspiring it into action. This requires overcoming any obstacles to bring about the desired result. All obstacles (inertia or resistance to change, movement) are mental and emotional.

It is the same with telekinesis. Movement is born in the mind and executed through the core. Before there is ever any external evidence, the aspirant must concentrate and channel all of their energy into the "desired" result. The three major keywords are: Desire (motive), molecules (composition), and effects (products of thought). Desire is that which inspires us to take any action, it is the "motivating" vehicle. Just like we get into a car to drive from one place to the next, desire pushes us onward toward a goal.

Telepathy

Telepathy is a form of communion between minds, hearts, and souls. There are several distinctive forms of telepathy involving multiple centers in the mindbody unit. In the lowest center resides a more primitive form of telepathy, or more accurately put; telempathy. Close familial bonds exist here. Considering the location of the umbilical cord, it should be obvious where that primary location dwells. The intuitive bond between mother and child occupies the region of the solar plexus.

The solar plexus, being the magnetic center of our personal will power, is where our lower animal nature transits to unite with the higher spiritual centers. "Gut instinct" is an accurate cliché. That center of animal instinct, however, exists in the human organism so that it may evolve into a more refined intuitive brain. “Animal instinct” evolves into “Divine intuition”. Telempathy is innate within every human being. Those living below the diaphragm are unable to contact the higher centers. By satiating animal desires and feeding lower thoughtforms, the kundalini will not ascend. The life-preserving influx of solar forces are eliminated by being turned outward or downward. This creates blockages in the higher centers which leads to degeneration.

The solar plexus is an emotional center. Our lower emotions belong to this region while the higher emotions are in the heart. I employ the term telempathy since it involves emotions or feelings. This is a combination of telepathy and empathy. I am not the first to use this term and cannot take credit for it. I first heard it used by an author named Joan Ocean. She is famously known for her multidimensional communication with cetaceans and extraterrestrials.

The herd mentality is located within the solar plexus. In animals, this is the center where individuality (personality) first develops. This development leads that animal to its eventual graduation into the Human Kingdom. An animal evolves into a human, and a human evolves into what might be called an Angel. The human is still possessing of its animal body and inferior desires. The root chakra, sacral chakra, and solar plexus are belonging to this lower nature. Tamed, they grant passage to the higher centers. An individual still under the illusion of separation (survival-driven and entirely self-serving) has not opened the higher centers. While they may be more self-conscious than an animal, they’re still unconsciously ruled by the herd and their animal desires.

Collective trends register in the solar plexus. The majority are impressed upon here, motivated by popular (or cultural) opinion. The masses are unaware of how easily swayed they are by these trends and only have a surface-level understanding of them. A trend is an archetype that has been recycled under a new guise. The personality finds itself attracted or repulsed by trends, but fails to recognize that’s it’s all more of the same. An illumined individual not only picks up on these trends, but also recognizes them as a pattern that mechanically recycles. This grants the adept with the ability to foresee trends and influence them.

Heart to heart telempathy is a higher form of psychic communication. Here is the communion of souls. Because feelings are still involved, this is also accurately called telempathy. Conscious communion blossoms here, because that individual has aroused the life force to open the heart. Both centers, then, can be engaged for elevated telempathic exchanges. Those with opened hearts can consciously commune with the centers of the initiated and uninitiated alike. Pure love, which resonates in the heart, is quantum entanglement.

Several forms of telepathy/telempathy can be engaged at once or separately depending on which centers are active. Interior telepathy occurs within the individual and their own mind, body, and soul. Exterior telepathy occurs between multiple individuals or groups. Again, both can be employed at once by one that has sufficiently brought their chakras and vehicles into harmony. The highest form of telepathic communion engages the whole unit—but concentrates within the higher centers. This means that the chakras from the heart on upward are awakened.

There can be some confusion, however, when communicating telepathically. One individual may be only able to communicate through the solar plexus, whereas another is transmitting from their heart. The recipient utilizing the lower center may not be able to decipher the message properly. Fortunately, if that confused recipient opens their higher centers later on, that message can be better assimilated. The message has no expiration date. What may be confusing at a lower frequency may come in with crystal clarity when we’ve reached a higher rate of vibration.

When one is able to detach themselves from the turbulence of emotion, transpersonal Cosmic Truths are unveiled. Emotional filters often color and cloud the perception. Detachment enables high-level thoughtforms to be grasped. The Universal Mind is contacted at this level. The throat, the head, and the heart centers must be open for this to occur.

Astral Projection

The solar astral body is one of the subtle bodies that needs to be roused and developed. The astral double is lunar in nature, and is the body of desires. The astral double is linked to the sexual centers in the body, as well as the heart. The lunar astral double (molecular) is ruled by lower emotions and desires. The true astral body is connected to the higher emotions of pure love, altruism, and compassion. It is the servant of "Good Will to All". The astral double is purely mechanical. It’s like the autopilot of the astral bodies, or the astral body running on default settings. Its purpose is to be evolved into a higher (conscious) solar vehicle. This is something I am still learning about and growing within myself, so I cannot say too much more on this at the time of this writing. I will, however, endeavor to outline the basics of astral projection—lunar or otherwise.

Astral projection is an out of body experience and is often related with lucid dreaming. Lucid dreaming is a term used to describe conscious dreaming. When you are lucidly dreaming, you are aware that you are asleep. With this, you can consciously conjure up whatever scenario you desire (see what I did there?). Lucid dreaming can also a means to remote view—past, present, or future potentials. I would imagine parallel timelines of the past, too, can also be accessed this way. The astral body is linked to the fourth dimension. Without some development of the solar astral body, the fourth dimension would be inaccessible to the conscious mind.

Many describe seeing a silver umbilical cord tethering themselves to their physical vessel when they are astral projecting. Astral projection often begins with the experience of floating above oneself while sleeping at night. Others remember having an aerial view of breathtaking landscapes. Common recollections include soaring among the cosmos and seeing the planets in our solar system. Astral projection, or out of body experiences, are commonly reported during near death experiences.

Astral projection can also be experienced when one is in a meditative or hypnagogic trance. Earlier, when I described seeing myself from multiple viewpoints, I am describing a type of astral projection. I frequently have these out of body experiences.

Another ability that I would group into this category is called "bilocation" or "multilocation". This is the appearance of a person being seen or heard in multiple locations at once. This is something that has been confirmed to have happened to me twice, thus far, in my present incarnation. The first incident occurred when I had a friend over for the night. She is also going through these initiations. She and a fellow guest were sitting in the kitchen talking while I was in the bedroom sleeping. I had gone to bed earlier because I was being hit heavy with the “Angelfire” (systemic saturation).

First, I will recount my perspective and then I will describe her testimony: In the darkness, I vaguely recall talking to some other being. My conscious mind has no understanding of the verbal communication that we were using, except that it was in a foreign or alien language. It was purely telepathic, non-physical. My eyes were wide open, even though I was supposed to be asleep. I wasn't conscious of my eyes being open until the bedroom door opened and my friend came in. Her appearance snapped me out of my stupor and the memories of whatever had transpired rapidly faded. Before she spoke, I said something along the lines of, "Wait a second! Wait a second! I was talking to someone! I can't forget what they said!" My friend suddenly broke out into tears.

From her viewpoint: She was chatting with her friend in the kitchen while the windows were open. After a little while, they both faintly heard two people talking right outside of the window. They didn't understand what these people were saying, except that it sounded incredibly odd. Thinking someone was lurking outside of the house, they went to the front door and stood outside to listen. She said she recognized that one of the voices was mine and that I was talking in a foreign tongue. The other being sounded strange but muffled. If I remember correctly, she said called out to me with no response. Knowing that I was supposed to be in the bedroom, they came back into the house to double-check on my location. That's when she barged into the bedroom and snapped me out of my trance—where she found me lying in the dark with my eyes open. I remember that my eyes hurt and felt very dry after that.

The second incident happened on February 28th of 2017 with my then-boyfriend. I was living with him and was, again, asleep. He was busy cleaning in the kitchen when he heard what sounded like a clicking noise. He said the clicking noise reminded him of what sounded like someone clicking with their tongue. He turned around and walked into the living room. As soon as he reached the front door he saw a tall figure outside one of the windows. He said the entity was taller than the window, with the window extending to about 7 feet high. As soon as he saw it, he said it started to run away. As it ran, it was making a reptilian-sounding gurgling noise. After disappearing, he stepped outside to check the parameters. He didn't see anything but could hear the neighbor's dogs barking like crazy at whatever had run past.

After its disappearance, he came back into the house to finish cleaning up the kitchen. He had turned to take some medication when he saw me out of his peripherals. He said I was standing in the entrance to the dining room area, about where he'd stopped to see what he'd described as some sort of alien. He thought that I'd woken up to come and get a drink of water. When he turned to face me fully, I was no longer there. He then ventured into the bedroom to check up on me, and saw me sound asleep. He was unable to wake me up.

That next morning, after he'd gone to work, I woke up to channel like I always do. Without having yet talked to him about the night before, all the information that came through was related to "extraterrestrials". I hesitate to use such a label, but that’s what came to me during my morning meditation. When we later discussed what had happened the night before, I showed him what I’d channeled that morning. While I may have no memory of that out of body experience, something was obviously retained.

Clairgustance

Clairgustance means "clear taste" and is the ability to taste spiritual essences. Clairgustance is one of the rarer or lesser-known abilities. With the tongue always moist with saliva, we can obviously associate taste with water. Since what we are tasting is of the earth, the element of earth is also responsible for this sense.

With this ability, one may spontaneously taste a substance on their tongue as if it had been placed in the mouth. It may, again, lend insight into future potentials. It might represent the cravings of those nearby, or could be an intuitive dietary suggestion. It’s also worth contemplating the deeper symbolic significance of the flavor. For instance, let us say that the you tasted a potato. What can we associate with potatoes? Off-hand I know that potatoes can be used as batteries (power, energy). Potatoes are also used to make vodka. Vodka is an alcohol, or a spirit, and is flammable. 

Personal examples of clairgustance: I was texting a friend and as I was in mid-text, I spontaneously tasted chicken. Since this friend is also intuitively inclined, I knew it’d be okay to say something about it. I told them that I tasted chicken and asked if they were eating chicken. Shocked, my friend exclaimed that they’d just gotten done eating a chicken burrito. I had a similar instance come about during my last relationship. I was living with my boyfriend at that time and he had just gotten home from work. He planted a close-mouthed kiss on me, and as our lips met, I tasted tacos. He drew back and I asked, “Tacos?” His jaw dropped and he said, “How did you know? I was going to ask you if you wanted tacos for dinner tonight!”

Clairalience

Clairalience means "clear scent" or "clear smell". This is the ability to detect scents or spiritual essences that transcend the physical sense of smell. Scent is closely linked to memory and emotion (element of water). Whenever we detect an aroma, we recall situations or people that might’ve been connected to that odor. Certain perfumes or odors can make us nostalgic. They can also repulse us, especially if the fumes are associated with a negative memory.

Intelligence and wisdom are often associated with a keen sense of smell. If scent is linked to memory, then someone with a good nose probably has a sharp memory. These associations are reasonable when we dwell on some of our common phrases. We “sniff out” the competition. A person (example: Detective) with their mind in everyone’s business is often considered to be “nosey”. But we keep our “nose clean” by staying out of the affairs of others. If we’re called a “brown-noser”, it means we’re desperately trying to get on someone’s good side. This usually involves the “brown-noser” trying to charm or flatter someone. They can only do this successfully with the proper wit.

Although water is clearly an active element in scent, earth and air are the primary elements of rule. However, when we’re discussing a psychic faculty rather than the physical, ether (the “fifth element”) is always at the top of the list. This also applies to the previous points of discussion.

There are circumstances in which we may pick up on scents that are linked to the memory of a deceased loved one. This is quite common, even among persons not involved in occult or psychic practices. Often, these essences arise during times of distress or times of celebration. This may serve as a loving reminder of support from those we believe we’ve lost. The mask of the personality may have passed on, but the spark is eternal. Just listen to your heart.

Clairalience can also serve as form of precognition. Scents may foreshadow an impending event or the arrival of a person associated with it. It may also indicate the presence of an entity in another dimension. There are many accounts of extraterrestrial or mysterious beings reported accompanied by pungent smells. Cinnamon or a sickeningly sweet aroma are among some of these reports. I bring these up because I, myself, have had similar experiences on numerous occasions. I hesitate, however, to draw any final conclusions on such matters.

Clairsentience

Clairsentience, which translates to "clear feeling", is similar to empathy. Whenever we are dealing with some sort of state that involves feeling or emotion, we know that the element of water is deeply involved. When emotionally moved by something, we tend to "turn on the waterworks", and tear up. But feeling can also be relative to the sensation of touch, which has the nurturing quality of earth. Water and earth are feminine elements, and we typically see a more outward display of emotion in the female gender.

Water and earth are feminine elements, so it should come as no surprise that the female cries more readily than her masculine counterpart. Her tears are salty, like the salt in the oceans—the salt (mineral) of the earth. It's essential to a woman's overall well-being that she be allowed to cry without criticism.

If we look at Mother Earth, we see that she has a lot of emotional reactions. They are both creative (life-giving) and destructive. We drill up her precious life-blood (oil) and use it as fuel to power pretty much everything. Since she is constantly in a state of growth, adaptation, and reformation. On Earth we have storms, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, avalanches, and explosive geysers. Just like any woman, she must find some way to "let off some steam". If too much has been held back, dams will burst and she will flood her lands. The same is true for a woman. A woman bleeds during menstruation, lactates to nourish her young, and lubricates for sexual intercourse. She comes fully loaded as the creative carrier of life.

When we have an emotional reaction to anything, what happens to the body? It heats up and energy is generated. The same is also true with desire. The buildup of this heat is potentially explosive, like the climax of an orgasm. Unexpressed emotion (energy or desire) leads to its opposite: Dis-ease. A healthy outlet for emotion is through crying. Crying allows us to release any pent-up frustrations, pain, or anger we may have with very few casualties. Yet we've been taught at a very early age to hide our emotions, and then wonder why cancer has become such an issue in society. This is unexpressed or unresolved energy, which leads to decay. In Astrology, Cancer (Gate of Life) is a water sign. If we have too many energetic blockages, cancer will destroy the physical vessel to free those trapped life forces. In death, these forces will then generate a "new (mod-ern) and improved" vehicle for expression. Mod-ification through trial and error.

An empath is a person that can feel what others are feeling—usually those physically or intimately close to them. But this isn't limited to a closed range of people. Empaths can feel the emotional state of entire cities, regions, and even the world. Everyone is an empath, but at varying and often unconscious degrees. A developed empath can inspire healing in others just by healing their own emotional wounds. This is true for anyone doing any form of inner shadow work.

Empaths can soak up emotions and memories from objects, animals, humans, buildings, and events (past, present, and/or future). Water is relative to emotion and to memory. An object, being matter (or earth), can retain particularly strong energetic impressions of the past. The same is true for a building. All potentials exist and converge into the Now. So, it's entirely possible that an empath can pick up on channels from parallel or future timelines.

Empaths are excellent at detecting and reading auras. Empathy can feel like both a blessing and a curse. It's difficult to like to an empath without them detecting uneasiness. While they may not always be able to "put a finger on it", their keen senses have them on alert.  Sometimes an empath may mistake the emotions and feelings of others for their own. They soak up every tiny nuance like a sponge. The emotional boundaries of a normal person are much stronger than that of a sensitive empath. Everything bleeds into an empath. This can be both devastating and empowering. It's important that an empath becomes aware and educated about their gifts.

Empaths gravitate towards Reiki practices, massage careers, healthcare fields, nursing, hospice, and make excellent counselors. Empaths typically have their heart chakra wide open, but also can experience many blockages there too. "Wearing your heart on your sleeve" applies to an empath.

Someone with clairsentient abilities active might pick up on subtle pressure shifts in the atmosphere or slight temperature changes. They're also very good at detecting the presence of invisible forces. The element of earth comes into play here, because psychic touch is felt by clairsentients. They may experience things like prickling on the back of the neck, the feeling of water or heat on the skin, or an unseen hand grabbing them. Goosebumps can indicate a major shift in energy or the presence of an entity. This is something I experience as I enter heightened states of communion with my Higher Self.  

I had a clairsentient, clairvoyant moment during Middle School in front of the entire gym class. We were playing dodge-ball and it was down to only myself and two other individuals. I had my back turned toward the others, not seeing that one person had eliminated the other. But I saw and felt the ball coming at my back. In fact, I felt exactly where the ball was going to hit my back. Mere moments before this happened, I doubled over and the ball flew right over me. Had I not been crouched over; the ball would have struck me out exactly where I had felt it. It barely missed me. There was a collective gasp from the onlookers. And even though I ended up getting eliminated a minute or so later, the crowd was impressed. Several classmates asked how I did it. I shrugged and told them that I just felt it coming.

Claircognizance

Claircognizance means "clear knowing". One of the easiest ways to describe this very broad term is to say that it's just knowing. Hunches are, quite often, a form of claircognizance. When you have a strong hunch, you just know it to be true without knowing how or why. And when a hunch is unshakable, it's because it's usually right on the money.

Clear knowing is like having a light bulb or series of light bulbs lighting up inside your head. It's the "Aha!" (Uranus) moment. This is like the archetypal Archimedes running through streets screaming, "Eureka!" It's a massive download of information in a flash. We should always carry something on our person to record down these lightning-fast insights (The Tower). Because they can come on so suddenly, they are also quick to fade from memory unless it's been recorded.  

With claircognizance I’m able to receive large overlays of information. An example: A series of characters or movies will pop into my head all at once. I instantly know, before even considering the "why" or "how", that they're all connected. So, I write down everything that popped into my head, and then I busy myself with researching it to decipher the code. First, I will look up imagery relative to what was received, and an intricate pattern comes to light—a "web sight" (website). For instance, I will look up images and character details. I will also look up the movie posters and the plot lines. If I feel a particularly strong pull, I may even watch the movie or movies. What I typically find is an underlying message of unity.

As I dive deeper into the character personalities or the movie plot themes, even more similarities emerge. They're all doppelgangers or perfect copies of each other even though they came from different minds. When I connect the stories or patterns, a larger story comes into focus: The cosmic story. It doesn't matter if these characters are fiction or even if they're based on real people. All consciousness arises from a unifying source. Imagination easily dips into these primordial archetypes. There really can't be anything but. We're all constantly recycling these original blueprints, adding mutant flavors to them. We're telling the same stories over and over under differing guises and masks. Each essence (Divine Spark) puts a new spin on an old tale. We're teaching an old DoGod new tricks through trial, error, and modification.

When I receive these overlays of information, it reminds me of layers in an image-editing program like Photoshop. Say you have a background or base, which we will call this the primordial backdrop of nothingness. The first layer is just one filter for the archetypes of consciousness to pour through and emerge. Then there is another layer on top of that one. This layer is another filter for consciousness to pour through and condense into a grosser but more tangible emanation. What was transparent or void begins to pool into something apparently solid but multidimensional. If the backdrop is this nothingness, then the filters might look like a fluid thickening into a frothy foam with a top layer of crust settling on the surface. That crust would be the visible forms of bodies and objects.

With each overlay, the energy solidifies into a multiplicity of bodies. What may be the seed of one archetype can take on many visible forms. The spark of consciousness is buried within the shape of the form it's been molded into. This spark may initially perceive surrounding forms to be separate from itself. But as the consciousness begins to see through the layers, the embodied archetypes are more clearly seen. The illusion of separation become obvious and a grid-like ladder of energy is revealed. Coiling intersections can be seen as the fractals curve back onto themselves. Each cycle, or revolution, is a recycle. The same patterns will repeat, and this looks like a webbed coil. It's the same image coming back around, but on an ascending frequency. We are eternally frozen in motion.

Clairaudience

Clairaudience, or "clear hearing", is the ability to hear tones beyond the three-dimensional world. This psychic faculty of hearing is largely influenced by the sphere of Venus, and her corresponding Zodiac sign of Taurus. Taurus relates to the throat chakra and the inner ear. Here we are connected to our inner guides through this inner hearing. Libra, also ruled by Venus, as well as the planetary sphere of Mercury are relative influences. Libra and Mercury are known mediators and messengers. Mercury is the sphere of communication. 

There are two major forms of clairaudience: Objective clairaudience and subjective clairaudience. Objective clairaudience comes in the form of disembodied voices or noises that can be heard as if they came from the outside. This can happen selectively or it can be heard by a group of people. For instance: A disembodied voice calls out from another room. In a nearby room, there is a group of people. Only one person might hear it or only a few of those people might hear it, but not everyone hears it. On the other hand, the entire group may hear the voice. The voice sounds physically audible, yet there is no discernible source.

Then there is subjective clairaudience. Subjective clairaudience is just the opposite in that it is internalized. The voices or sounds are heard mentally. This, too, can happen to several people at once or just the one person. This can be likened to, and can be a form of, telepathy.

Clairaudience is rather simple to develop. Silence your mind completely. Contrary to widespread belief, it doesn't have to be for very long. Allow whatever words or thoughts to pop into your head without trying to rationalize them away. Write them down and find yourself a dream dictionary to help you interpret the message. That message was conjured up by your subconscious mind and is richly symbolic for whatever life situations you are currently in. It really is as simple as that. The messages get muddled when we are being too critical or in a state of doubt.

The more you practice, the better you get at channeling and interpreting messages from beyond the veil. Even if it's something that doesn't make sense to you, like a name you've never heard. Search for the etymology of that name. Ponder it without trying to diminish it by being overly rational. A little discrimination is healthy, but too much will close us down.

It's just like tuning a radio. Sometimes it takes a little while to get the station to come in just right, but once you do, it gets easier to hit that "sweet spot". Just like when learning any new skill, you must practice. You must lift weights daily to sculpt out muscles. The more you run, the farther you can run. It's the same thing.

Clairvoyance

Clairvoyance literally means "clear viewing" or "clear seeing". Fire is the primary element associated with both physical sight and spiritual vision. One furnishes this fire in the furnace of the womb, and then raises it up to the crown for this enlightenment.

Clairvoyance promotes overall clarity of perception. Other abilities of like kind would include remote viewing, precognition, premonition, and claircognizance. Clairvoyance is just as you would suspect: Highly visual and imaginative. Wherever there is fire, or light, there is vision. We carry torches, flashlights, or lanterns to see in the dark. Fire gives off light and water reflects it. When gathered around a campfire, we find ourselves drawn into a trance-like stupor as we stare into the flames. Visual storytelling is common campfire entertainment. The archetypal prophetic Shaman can be found there.

Leo, ruled by the Sun, is a fire sign. In the astrological house of Leo, we find the themes of fun, pleasure, recreation, and entertainment. What is entertainment? It's typically a visual spectacular. One goes to a "show" (sight) to "see" a performance. Without the light (fire) of the Sun, all would be dark, and we wouldn’t be able to see well.

When the serpent of fire reaches the crown, a brilliant display of molten colors can be seen behind closed lids. A pattern that often coincides with this are the sudden appearance of pineapples. They can be seen popping up everywhere. Pineapples, spelled similarly to "pineal", have a sunny-colored interior. Because of their alkaline-forming nature, they promote the decalcification of the pineal gland. This decalcification is necessary to reactive spiritual sight. When we inquire into the etymology of the word "alkali", we find that it means to "roast" or "fry". 

Whenever I state that an object or symbol begins "popping up everywhere", I am referring to the world around us. Always reiterating: As within, so without. This can come in the form of t-shirt logos, advertisements, toys, food, et cetera. Wherever you see an object or image of any kind, you're seeing the projection of an internal symbol.

If I am laying in a dark room when this happens, the oil slick patterns I see begin to morph into moving images. If I take the time to write them down, they always significantly pop up "later". Clairvoyance can provide a window of foresight into events of immediate potential. I say potential because the future is never set in stone and is always shifting fluidly. The very act of this internal observation powerfully molds and remolds the world seen without.

Whatever we receive serves to shine a light on what was previously unknown to the conscious mind regarding a specific thoughtform or mental complex. This is meant to alter the perception to a higher degree. Clairvoyance can simply mean deeper insight: In-Sight.

Another form of clairvoyance that I regularly experience takes place when I am reading or looking at something. A word or set of patterns will stick out in my mind, as if they're being "highlighted". Highlight, high-light, enlighten, or illuminate. It happened just there as I was writing the word "highlighted". A "highlight" could be interpreted as a point of a higher light, which is another way of saying a degree of higher perception. One can gain many insights by writing whatever naturally flows into the mind and then reflecting on it. Reflecting (light) grants us "hindsight". There is always more to see. Infinite heights and infinite depths. You really can't do it wrong. But we still must open our minds. Self-doubt, cynicism, or firmly-held beliefs will shut down true gnosis. 

Although this has been a rare occurrence for me, I have been able to see into the past of an individual I was interacting with. This came on spontaneously, but I suspect I will eventually be able to will it with practice. While I was speaking with her, she began telling me about something painful from her past. As she spoke, I could see it all from her point of view. I continued to have these visions, or flashbacks, even after she had left. I recounted what I saw, felt, and experienced to a different individual—one that had been a part of the memories. This person confirmed that my visions were accurate and true. This retrocognition was made possible through empathy. 

Bursts of clairvoyance are not uncommon in the general populace, especially between close family members, friends, and lovers. You may have the image of a close one (or even someone you haven't seen or heard from in years) flash in your mind's eye. Unexpected, at first, until they resurface in your life shortly thereafter. Clairvoyance can be tethered to traumatic or dramatic events: Such as a premonition of a loved one falling ill, getting injured, or passing away. Sometimes it even heralds a revelation of a pregnancy or the gender of the baby. Psychic connections between twins and siblings are potently strong and quite common.

Capricorn

Andromeda in Chains

Symbol(s): Sea-Goat, Eye

Element and Modality: Earth, Cardinal

Planetary Ruler(s): Saturn

House: X, Social Status

Bodily Function(s): Knees

Tarot Card: The Devil

Hebrew Letter: Ayin

Appearances can be deceptive. Our physical eyes can blind us to the truth. If we look at the state of the world, we can see that this true. But if we dig deeper, we can also see that there is more to even that. There are many degrees of truth, but it is our level of consciousness that determines how that truth will manifest. Will it be slow and low? Will it be fearful and negative? Or will it be swift and liberating? All truths are half-truths until there is that reconciliation of opposites. And, even then, there can be no final truth. There can be no final frontier. Consciousness is always glowing. The light is always growing. And so the truth, too, is always expanding. Your truth is your light, eternal.

There are, however, certain immutable laws. But rules can always be bent. Rules can be broken. How far we can push the envelop? How far can we stretch? What can we bend? What can we go beyond? If there is a limit somewhere, it must be surpassed. Consciousness has no boundaries. But, Capricorn likes to play with that concept. Capricorn is Mercurial, Capricorn is a Trickster. The Devil is a liar. The Devil is a tempter. We foolishly believe our own lies, and we suffer for it. We throw temper tantrums. But through tantric temperance, temptations are overcome, and we see that we always get what we need. Karma gives us what we need, not what we want, until whatever we are facing is neutralized. The struggle in overcoming illusory obstacles strengthens us. Like the rub of a whetstone, we are sharpened. Sharpness implies clarity. Do we want to see through a glass darkly? Or would we rather radiate through the prism with crystal clarity? Prism or prison? Perception determines. Diverging in angles or converging in angels? If you're anywhere but the center, you cannot tune into the bigger picture.

Capricorn can imply severe materialism. "Keeping Up With the Joneses" is a befitting statement for this archetype. Capricorn oversees the house of social status. Like Taurus, they value material wealth and security. Like Aries, they value authoritarian power. Where there are horns, there are thorns. But every thorn has a rose, and every horn has plenty. That same externalized desire can be inverted to radiate the spiritual gold, which is truly evergreen.

Black and red are colors that I often see associated with Capricorn -- pregnant with multitudinous meaning. Capricorn (Saturn) is situated there near the root, overseeing minerals and the lead of the soul. This makes sense when we think of the rings around Saturn. Rocky minerals. And what do goats do? They climb (ascend) dams (that hold great reservoirs of water) to eat the nutritious mineral salts. Capricorn also governs the kneecaps. When we are seeking guidance from God or liberation from our problems, we get down on our knees to pray. Salt of the earth. Inertia. Salt in the seas. Seagoat. The earth and water temper the air and fire. The form, then, creates restriction or resistance. But, it also provides a channel for that energy, so that it can come to see itself. The dam, the cup, or the container allows that essence to pool into a new expression. That shape, that form, or that expression is temporary. New paths, new rivers, new avenues are always being carved, always branching off. Dams eventually burst and new seeds eventually crack. The wheel in the sky keeps on turning, by hand of the unmovable mover. That hand is the cause. The revolutions are the effects.

We are victims only when we identify ourselves with the effect rather than the cause. When we blame others, we project our fears and frustrations onto them, seeking out scapegoats (s-CAP-e-GOAT-s). This causes unnecessary destruction and suffering. However, if we can learn from the suffering we have created for ourselves (and others, being extensions of the Self), and seek to correct it through changed behavior, we can neutralize our Karma. Capricorn can either break us down and keep us there, or break us down in order to rebuild us. The destructive forces of Capricorn (Saturn) can be used for good. That which destroys us is also that which redeems us. Satan can then become Lucifer, which is the Christ -- the Bringer of Light.

When we look at the Tarot card of "The Devil", we see a plethora of symbolism. There is an inverted pentagram, a horned man and a woman ("The Lovers" -- complementary forces) with tails of fruit and fire. Both the male and female are shackled to a black cube, where a creature perches. The creature is an anthromorph. It is bat-winged ram or goat, with an overweight human torso, hairy legs, and birdlike claws for feet. In one hand he has a torch pointing downward and his other is upward with the palm spread open.

Don't you ever wonder where the term "horny" originated from? This is a slang term we use to describe lust, and it is no accident. When we see a horn of plenty, we think of "hunger", "abundance", and "fruitfulness". When we look at the imagery in the card, we can see that the female has a tail with fruit attached to the end. The fruit (seeds) of our loins is our horn of plenty. On one level, she represents the procreative forces. Outward use of this creative force generates a child of the flesh. The male, then, represents the masculine solar fire of Spirit that fertilizes the seed. When we repeatedly abuse this function, we are wasting those precious life-giving forces. That energy goes outward or downward. That they have tails means that they have given into their animal natures and are allowing themselves to be ruled by their desires and animal appetites (all manner of vices). That is, in part, the significance of the inverted pentagram and downward facing torch.

Seen in another way, the downward-pointing torch and the inverted pentagram is also an expression of the sacrum and the descent of the Holy Spirit into the fertile subconsious. The Holy Spirit (Saturn) is The Giver (and Taker -- think of Karma and Father Time) of life. Saturn relates to the pineal gland, the descent of the solar forces into the genitals ("The Hanged Man"), and their returning ascent. "The Devil" resides in the fiery Underworld (Hades/Pluto, Unconscious/Subconscious). This is within the sacrum and the solar plexus, where the secret fire (sleeping giant) lay coiled. The image of Baphomet can be exchanged for this archetype. If we superimpose Baphomet's head and the inverted pentagram over the top of an image of the pelvic region, we will see that they all miraculously align. That is their underlying (or overlaying) significance. 

When the trumpet (life breath, kundalini) is blown, the fire of Judgement will rise up (serpent of holy fire ascends to the crown). The pentagram will then point upward rather than downward into the subterranean realms. Capricorn is uneasy in the sphere of the Moon. The Moon is its detriment. Saturn is considered to be the higher octave of the Moon. This lunar force represents the sphere of Yesod, the feminine soul that is "trapped" in matter. Capricorn and Aquarius connect the sphere of Malkuth (matter or physical body) to the sphere of Yesod (the vital body) on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. So its weakness, then, can be transformed into its strength (through regeneration). The same forces that bind are the forces that liberate (perception). Always two sides of one coin.

Capricorn heralds the Winter Solstice, which is the "death" of the sun. This symbolizes the "Dark Night of the Soul". Saturn's (both Capricorn and Aquarius) metal is lead. This is the heaviest metal, the most dense. So it has the most gravity. The same can be said for the planetary spheres of Jupiter and Saturn. They're the heaviest in our solar system, so they have the most gravitational pull. This also gives them a significant amount of spiritual influence over us. Saturn has rings of rocks, minerals, and ice around it. This is symbolic of a boundary or a limit. Wherever you see a circle or a line drawn, you see a boundary. Our bodies and our minds are that way. We're constantly perceiving boundaries and limits. We're constantly facing obstacles due to alleged mental, physical, or emotional limitation. They're self-created. They're also temporary.

The form needs structure and stability. The consciousness also requires that in order to focus itself into a point of concentration. It is this same constricting force that matures and evolves the consciousness. In the struggle to go beyond limitation, virtue takes shape within the psyche. When we figure out what is harmful to us and to others, we take steps to correct our actions. In doing so, we cultivate habits that enable further growth.

In that dark night is the seductive light of the Moon. We know that this is not true sunlight, but is reflected light. When we are feeling desperate or impatient, we have a tendency to give in to temptation. We feed the shadowy vices lying in the subconscious. We give in to our animal natures, we give in to sensual pleasures, we feed our diseases, and we get lost in our fears. The dream, then, becomes a nightmare. We lapse into depression and hopelessness. We stop taking care of ourselves. And the horrors start stacking up. These are karmic debts we've accrued through misunderstanding and harmful actions. We all know it's a crime to abuse another, but we should also be aware that self-abuse is just as criminal. You are the vehicle of and for God. But the light of Divinity cannot shine through you if you are destroying the temple.

Complementary/Opposing Sign

On the globe we will find that the Tropic of Capricorn is South of the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer is in the Northern hemisphere. The Gate of Death and the Gate of Birth. The shortest day of the year and the longest day of the year: The Winter Solstice and the Summer Solstice. Cancer's designated ruling planet is the Moon, which, as we know, is Capricorn's detriment.

Saturn

Adding onto what we've previously covered with the planetary sphere of Saturn, it is also the ruler of Capricorn. Saturn is the disciplinarian. Saturn, therefore, is our most fearsome adversary or our greatest ally. The Reaper is the Harvester. Melancholy, mechanicity, and malady are the negative expressions of this sphere of influence. Here we find grief, decrepitude, and darkness. Darkness, too, has dual meaning. In darkness there is death, but there is also the potential for rebirth, regeneration, and transformation. In darkness there is uncreated potential. While unfulfilled potential eventually expires, there is always that eternal seed of hope should we choose to unearth it. But we must have the courage to dig under the surface rather than safely wading in shallow waters. The comfort zone is an illusion. Security can always be ripped out like a rug from underneath us. Saturn is always waiting in the wings with the scythe, ready to reap should we hesitate too long to act. (When consciousness stubbornly stagnates. When we trap ourselves in one mode of consciousness, replaying it on a loop, refusing to see things in "another way".)

Darkness represents ignorance, self-imposed bonds. Our minds are the prisons. Our emotions, thoughts, and desires are the criminal inmates. But the realization that it is all a self-creation illusion is the key that unlocks the cells. Think of that in terms of the physical body. The body is a holographic representation of our psyche. It, too, is an illusion (although that should NEVER be used as an excuse to abuse or stop caring for it). This self-made illusion locks up mysteriously powerful spiritual forces. Our negative thoughts, vices, and emotions being the jailer. Forces that are patiently awaiting transmutation and transfiguration.

Time, too, is a construct of the mind. One that we've given power to by stepping down into matter. This is the mechanicity of nature at work: Seasons and cycles ever-revolving. Day passes on to night, night gives way to daybreak, and so on. Atoms in the body are always on the move. Creating electric current-seas. Moments in time, a streaming chain of thoughts. Never ceasing, always flowing. Apparent circumstances shift. The light of awareness grows brighter. Consciousness evolves. The body changes. A veil that we outgrow and cast aside. Then we don (dawn) a new mask. One that is much "lighter", one that better reflects the steady growing light of our consciousness.

There is only Now. The ascent goes on forever. The inner sun never reaches its zenith. There's no getting off this train. This is the never-ending story, and the uni-verse is a collection of many verses ("yours" and "mine", "us" and "them"). Every conceivable and inconceivable (uncreated potential) possibility. It's all happening, now.

By releasing limiting (negative, fear-based) thought-forms and emotions, we can start to liberate the limitless power stored in the animal body. The body, then, ceases to be burdensome. We live as grounded flight, soaring intuition. With our Eagle Eye in the heavens, we have the best of both worlds. We can enjoy our creations but not become overly identified with them. Change is inevitable, but we are eternal. "This, too, shall pass."

Exaltation: Mars

Detriment(s): Moon

Other Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo

Other Cardinal Signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra