In numerology, the year 2010 is reduced down and becomes the number three. The Tarot Card for the year 2010 was 3, The Empress. Collectively this past year we have all been reminded to be more nurturing and creative in our lives. Perhaps we were reminded in one way or another to recognize beauty in every little thing, or to appreciate the mothers in our lives. Perhaps we were reminded in one way or another that we must nurture and pamper ourselves from time to time in order to keep our personal energy clear and healthy. Maybe we were inspired to be more nurturing and caring for those around us. Perhaps our trials and deep emotions sparked a flow of creative energy. Whatever way we learned these lessons, I'm sure we can all look back and find The Empress' lessons present in our life over 2010.
At this time, the energy of the Empress is giving way to the Emperor, as the year 2011 is numerologically reduced to the number 4. The gentle earthy urgings of the Empress now give way to the powerful and fiery energy of the Emperor. This year we will be encouraged to find our personal empowerment, stand up for what we believe in, and become the leaders of our own lives. Whatever 2011 brings, trust that you are in charge of the situation. Like an emperor leading his country, it is how you choose to react to situations that will determine the outcome and success of your kingdom. Another thing to be aware of, whatever lessons that the Empress tried to teach you in gentle patience, if you did not truly embrace those lessons, now it's The Emperor's turn to try and teach you the same thing. He's not quite as gentle in his teaching style as the mothering Empress can be; think of him as the Military Father that teaches through "Tough Love" and strict, structured lessons. But fear not! Because whatever it is you are learning in 2011 will teach you strength, wisdom, independence, and great empowerment. If you go into 2011 with these goals in mind, and recognize that in truth, your Spirit already IS Strong, Wise, Independent, and Empowered, than this year should be amazingly special for you!--------------------------------------------------
Happy New Year friends! I hope that you're all having a great time seeing out 2010 and welcoming in 2011... and being safe!! It is COLD here in Arizona... and while I'm sure many of you have seen colder days than us, this 35 degrees at 9:30 pm is NOT something we're used to seeing! In fact, this is the coldest New Year's Eve in the recorded history of Arizona! I'm drinking a glass of wine... it's helping warm me up a little bit. The kids are playing on the Wii, the husband is reading a book, and the house is mostly clean, warm, and cozy-feeling. I spent the day doing house work, as I feel it's important to wake up to a clean house on New Year's day. I discovered that this is tradition in many cultures, especially in Scotland; to clean the house on New Year's Eve. Here are some other traditions I learned about and thought I'd share with you;
"New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are times steeped in household magic, most of which ensures that the home and it's residents will have a safe, comfortable, plentiful new year.
There are many traditional New Year's Eve rituals. Burning seven candles on this night brings household luck. If you want more than luck, light a candle on each side of a mirror five minutes before midnight on New Year's Eve. Then look into the glass, and you'll see a vision.
A few minutes before midnight on the eve of the new year, open the doors and windows for a few minutes to release any negative vibrations from last year.
New Year's Eve is also an excellent time to increase your beauty. At midnight, wash your face in well water, look into a mirror by candle light, and you will improve your appearance.
If you have a fireplace, you might want to try this spell. To be rid of last year's banes an pains, bind your now obsolete calendar with wool yarn. Place it in a hot fire while chanting;
"Burn, burn, you day-book burn;
Last year's worries ne'er return!"
At one time in Scotland, each resident of the household washed his or her entire body in water into which three live embers from the household fire had been placed. Next, clean clothing was donned, the house thoroughly scrubbed, every lock opened, and a shiny knife left near the front door. A light burning in the window all night topped off the ritual.
On New Year's Day itself, there is much to do in the way of good-luck rituals. First off, ensure that your pockets and your cupboards are full on this day; that way you'll have money all year. If you have greens in the house on New Year's Day, you'll have plenty of "green" cash during the following 12 months.
Juniper incense ritually cleanses the home and is highly traditional. Bayberry candles are also said to bring prosperity and luck. An old saying goes; "Bayberry candles, when burned to the socket, bring luck to the home and gold to the pocket." Burn candles in fireproof containers as they must be allowed to burn all the way out.
Grass and water can also be brought into the home to ensure plenty of food and drink. Eat black-eyed peas and cabbage on New Years Day to bring luck and prosperity into your life in the new year.
On New Year's Day, NOT BEFORE, it is permissible to hang up new calendars and almanacs."
From "The Magical Household" by Scott Cunningham
So today I cleaned the house... the floors have been swept and mopped, the carpet has been vacuumed, most areas are free of clutter, flat surfaces have been dusted, dishes washed, etc. There are some dishes from dinner in the sink right now but I will be washing those and shining that sink before midnight! Just before I go to bed, or before midnight (whichever comes first... I might not stay up till midnight) I am going to open the windows and doors to the freezing winter night and smudge the house with sage; clearing away any negativity that may be lingering from the previous year. I also plan on doing this beautiful ritual from the book "Moon Magick" by D.J. Conway -
"New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are times steeped in household magic, most of which ensures that the home and it's residents will have a safe, comfortable, plentiful new year.
There are many traditional New Year's Eve rituals. Burning seven candles on this night brings household luck. If you want more than luck, light a candle on each side of a mirror five minutes before midnight on New Year's Eve. Then look into the glass, and you'll see a vision.
A few minutes before midnight on the eve of the new year, open the doors and windows for a few minutes to release any negative vibrations from last year.
New Year's Eve is also an excellent time to increase your beauty. At midnight, wash your face in well water, look into a mirror by candle light, and you will improve your appearance.
If you have a fireplace, you might want to try this spell. To be rid of last year's banes an pains, bind your now obsolete calendar with wool yarn. Place it in a hot fire while chanting;
"Burn, burn, you day-book burn;
Last year's worries ne'er return!"
At one time in Scotland, each resident of the household washed his or her entire body in water into which three live embers from the household fire had been placed. Next, clean clothing was donned, the house thoroughly scrubbed, every lock opened, and a shiny knife left near the front door. A light burning in the window all night topped off the ritual.
On New Year's Day itself, there is much to do in the way of good-luck rituals. First off, ensure that your pockets and your cupboards are full on this day; that way you'll have money all year. If you have greens in the house on New Year's Day, you'll have plenty of "green" cash during the following 12 months.
Juniper incense ritually cleanses the home and is highly traditional. Bayberry candles are also said to bring prosperity and luck. An old saying goes; "Bayberry candles, when burned to the socket, bring luck to the home and gold to the pocket." Burn candles in fireproof containers as they must be allowed to burn all the way out.
Grass and water can also be brought into the home to ensure plenty of food and drink. Eat black-eyed peas and cabbage on New Years Day to bring luck and prosperity into your life in the new year.
On New Year's Day, NOT BEFORE, it is permissible to hang up new calendars and almanacs."
From "The Magical Household" by Scott Cunningham
So today I cleaned the house... the floors have been swept and mopped, the carpet has been vacuumed, most areas are free of clutter, flat surfaces have been dusted, dishes washed, etc. There are some dishes from dinner in the sink right now but I will be washing those and shining that sink before midnight! Just before I go to bed, or before midnight (whichever comes first... I might not stay up till midnight) I am going to open the windows and doors to the freezing winter night and smudge the house with sage; clearing away any negativity that may be lingering from the previous year. I also plan on doing this beautiful ritual from the book "Moon Magick" by D.J. Conway -
Wishing Night
The end of December was the celebration of Wishing Night in Mexico, when wishes were said to be granted to those who deserved them, rather like gifts from Santa Claus. Since this falls on what we now call New Year's Eve, it becomes a kind of combination gifts and resolutions time.
If it is safe for you to do so, go outside when it is completely dark. If it isn't safe or possible, at least stand near a window in a totally darkened room. Look up at the sky. Listen to the night sounds. Try to hear the music of the stars and the Moon. Think about the night as if you were in an isolated country with the dark woodlands nearby, the owls ghosting silently across the snow covered hills. Let your primal being thrill to the call of wolves in the distance.
Have in mind what is important to you in the way of desires for the coming year and what things you would like to delete from your life. Don't be shy; this can include troublesome people. Just be prepared to accept what will come when your desires are answered.
Breathe each thing you want gone, one at a time, into the palm of your hand. Then blow them away into the darkened sky on the winter winds. Do the same with each desire you wish to enter into your life. Take your time.
When you are finished, go inside and light a red candle. Place it in a safe place to burn out completely. This candle is a symbolic guiding spot to draw your desires to you.
The end of December was the celebration of Wishing Night in Mexico, when wishes were said to be granted to those who deserved them, rather like gifts from Santa Claus. Since this falls on what we now call New Year's Eve, it becomes a kind of combination gifts and resolutions time.
If it is safe for you to do so, go outside when it is completely dark. If it isn't safe or possible, at least stand near a window in a totally darkened room. Look up at the sky. Listen to the night sounds. Try to hear the music of the stars and the Moon. Think about the night as if you were in an isolated country with the dark woodlands nearby, the owls ghosting silently across the snow covered hills. Let your primal being thrill to the call of wolves in the distance.
Have in mind what is important to you in the way of desires for the coming year and what things you would like to delete from your life. Don't be shy; this can include troublesome people. Just be prepared to accept what will come when your desires are answered.
Breathe each thing you want gone, one at a time, into the palm of your hand. Then blow them away into the darkened sky on the winter winds. Do the same with each desire you wish to enter into your life. Take your time.
When you are finished, go inside and light a red candle. Place it in a safe place to burn out completely. This candle is a symbolic guiding spot to draw your desires to you.
Clutter and mess and not even a clear space to set down my coffee mug? Why is it that even though I know the importance of keeping these flat surfaces and "hot spots" clear of clutter, I tend to neglect the one area where I spend the most of my time? No wonder I've been procrastinating on giving readings.... I don't even have enough room here to lay out my cards. No wonder I have a sense of anxiety and depression... when I come here to "take a break" and escape from stress, I'm surrounded by clutter. This picture doesn't show it all... but there is even clutter on the floor all around this area. Well... there WAS. But then I got up and cleaned it. In a matter of 30 minutes I cleared away the clutter, threw out the trash, and added some items to help this area become a peaceful, sacred place to rest, do readings, meditate, listen to music, etc.
I began to feel better almost immediatley. Like.....LOTS better. I could kick myself for not doing this sooner.... for letting it get to this point to begin with. I get so occupied with trying to keep the kitchen, livingroom, bathroom, etc. clean that I tend to put off cleaning my personal areas. (Speaking of which... my bedroom and altar area are a mess right now! But that will be for another day) I tend to put off those personal areas, sacrificing the cleanliness of my personal spaces because I "don't have time", or the other areas seem more important. But you know what? I spent 30 minutes clearing this space... felt immensley better... and my energy started flowing again. I cleaned more of the spaces in this room. Then I cleaned the kitchen.... really good. I mean, my kitchen is SPARKLING like a Cullen Vamp. AND I still had time to give the kid a bath, have a phone conference with my daughter's teacher, and cook dinner. I'm sitting here right now, not worrying about what I didn't get done today... but relaxing with my candle lit, a cup of hot tea, and getting ready to catch up on my favorite TV series Fringe by watching the episode I missed last week. Life is good, and yes, it CAN be as simple as clearing a sacred space for yourself. 
