Lots of Activity for Auria

Auria Cortes is taking advantage of the last four days of the New Year Spread sale.

It will be a balanced year, with lots of action and activity in the areas of career and learning. As is a Universal theme this year, things will get done for Auria--not considered, not planned, but accomplished!

Miss Michele is struck by one particular card in this reading, the Devil in July. For some reason, this card resonated with Miss Michele from the second she pulled it. She double-checked Auria's blog, because, although she didn't know why, she had a feeling this card had a very different meaning from the standard interpretation, and the answer might be found there.

The working title of Auria's book is The Devil's Playground. This fact was buried deep in Miss Michele's subconscious. Looking at the card surrounding it, Miss Michele is going to jump ahead and say Auria will complete her novel in July.

But let's start at the beginning.

January - It's been a month of rapid, unexpected change for Auria, exemplified by the Ace of Swords. 2008 is a significant year for many people; more so than any other year in recent history, there was a marked change in the Universe's energy from 2007 to 2008. People around me have seen it... I've never witnessed so many people sticking to their New Year's Resolutions!

This same energy is strong in Auria's life this year, and it all started with the Ace of Swords, a struggle to start a new project or switch directions (quite unexpectedly) on an existing endeavor.

February - The launch in January leads, not surprisingly, to new opportunities and new responsibilities, with the Knight of Pentacles. Knights can represent, quite literally, a person coming into your life to spark this change, or the end of a long-term condition to enter the new phase of a journey.

March - March brings Auria with an important choice to make in her life. The lack of cups in the reading tells Miss Michele this is not related to love, but in the overall way Auria lives her life and makes her income. Her very political, moral and sociological beliefs may be called into question, and she will have to either defend or deny everything she has stood for in her life.

April - April's card, the Seven of Wands supports the Lover's meaning, and, following 6 to 7, shows the continuation of this cycle. Auria may find herself battling with colleagues or co-workers, but it won't be for naught. She will come out a changed woman.

May - In May, she emerges from the fight battle-scarred but stronger for it, shown by the Nine of Wands. Victorious, in fact, for the moment. But the cause of the fight (and Miss Michele wants to say this fight is an ongoing feud with someone very close to Auria) still haunts.

June - Auria is haunted because there's something she's still not seeing about the situation, represented in the haunting 8 of Swords card. The powerful image depicts a woman bound and blindfolded. Auria feels trapped by convention, perhaps by someone who started arguing against her chosen lifestyle in the Spring.

July - In context, now the Devil makes even more sense. The card of debauchery and immorality (or merely that which society frowns upon) Auria will feel tempted to say, "the heck with it all!" and do what she believes is right, go back to what she fought so hard for and follow it through to fruition. As noted earlier, she could reach a major turning point in her novel, either completing or selling the manuscript. If she gets a request from an agent to see the full manuscript, this will mean a lot to Auria (more than any non-writer would understand!)

August - The Six of Pentacles indicates Auria will finally get money, or a raise, she has been waiting for. But money's not that important to Auria--as long as she has enough to live, she's happy. She'll donate to a charity, or donate time to charitable causes, or buy practical but appreciated for those close to her.

September - In September, Auria finds the inner Strength necessary to finally leave all the conflict of the Spring and Summer behind her. She'll forgive those who wronged her and find greater compassion moving forward.

October - October will find Auria busy, juggling multiple projects, shown by the Two of Pentacles. It could indicate she's still on the fence about a major life decision... now is not yet the time to make the move, but weigh all your options and consider the consequences.

November - November will bring happiness and fulfillment, with the only Cup card in this entire spread. The Ten of Cups indicates support from family and close friends, which Auria will need as she exits one phase of her life to enter another.

December - The holidays are a time of learning for Auria, as the Three of Pentacles shows up. She'll be studying to decide on her next phase of life/project, and may even be feeling emptiness after having completed her novel, which took up so much of her life for so long.

The overall theme for the year is shown in the Page of Wands, an active little messenger. This will be the year Auria takes on any challenge, grabs life with both hands, nurtures her creativity and brushes self-doubt aside!

Please come back and let us know how things go, Auria, and thank you!

Astrology reading for AJ

AJ writes:

I have nothing specific other than "what does this year hold for me?" I have to add that the latter half of last year sucked, though not as hard as some years I've had. Life has been hard up until four years ago.


Overview: In spite of your proclamation to Miss Michele that acclaim is what brings you satisfaction, the cards show a huge emphasis on emotions, and seeking “parent figures,” mentors. Although Miss Michele hates to say it, based on the placement of the cards, your parents *may* be returning into your life, leaving you with a difficult choice to make. Let’s go month by month and see what the Tarot has to say.

January – Five of Cups - Not surprisingly, the Five of Cups starts off the year. This shows a certain emptiness in your life, perhaps still recovering from years of hurt or just starting to show these feelings. Whatever happened in the latter half of the year that “sucked” continues.

February – the Fool – February will bring you out of your doldrums in a *big* way. I see the last half of the year’s events letting go to bring you into a new phase, in which you really let your ‘inner teenager’ out, but with positive consequences, rather than having people view you as immature. Your thoughts and words will be put into action, and you may even see some opportunities, as a direct result of your personality, pop up.

March – The Six of Cups – often described as the “good old days” card. AJ admitted himself that he missed out on “fun” teenage years. February and March will blur into one adventure of fun and immaturity, but with little danger of negative consequences.

April - The Three of Rods further reinforces the Fool, urging you to take action on the opportunities offered. You won’t plunge blindly, but will take time to consider how best to proceed and will do so with knowledge, perhaps taking on a leadership role in your chosen community, be it the blogosphere or the office.

May - The Empress reveals that a female mentor may step up to help you in this role… She will, additionally, help you confront your own feelings about your mother, and your very definition of the word as you perceive it. Very appropriate, in the month of Mother’s Day. Additionally, you will be enjoying the bounty that the opportunities in April have presented you. The two consecutive Threes in this reading show your ability to enjoy life, and the Spring will give you the means to do so…everything will come together as you begin to enjoy the fruits of your labor. It’s going to be a good Spring!

June – King of Pentacles - June brings us a curious card, a father figure/mentor card in the Court Card, King of Pentacles. So funny that the exact cards you wished not to see appeared in this throw. That which we think about manifests… in the positive or negative. When you say, “I don’t want to see my parents,” the Universe hears “parents” and acts accordingly… giving you lots of parent substitutes and cards that leave Miss Michele shouting, “mother and father!”

The King of Pentacles follows our theme of grasping opportunities and seeing them through to completion to bring you wealth, satisfaction and career success. Oddly, once again, June is Father’s Day. This card could indicate a male mentor who assists you on your quest. You are ready and eager to learn all that he can teach.

July – July brings us the Lovers, another major arcane indicating a choice must be made. The scenario as I see it: your parents come back into your life, you make a choice to either repair or not repair the damage done. (Too much information often clouds the interpretation… )
Alternately, you may have a decision to make about this opportunity… in either event, the decision leaves you…

August – Feeling lonely in August, as the Four of Cups surfaces. Far from your gregarious self this month, you have retreated for careful contemplation. The decision in July has left you closing your emotions off again. However, this contemplation is opening the door for a better future. The up-turned, yet empty, cups shown on the card show a willingness to receive love and acceptance once you release the hurt you’re feeling.

September – Seven of Swords – The Seven of Swords indicates a lack of trust. You opened yourself up in the spring and summer, only to find yourself alone and more cynical come the fall. Be wary of a depression that will cloud your thoughts, creativity and abilities to work creatively.

October – Six of Pentacles – October brings you out of your doldrums, where you find yourself repaying a karmic debt. After the help given to you in the Spring, you decide to “give back” by helping others in a similar way and will feel fulfilled by it. You realize there is more to life than just yourself and what you can get from others, and learn the beauty in giving and sharing, mentoring others with your own wealth of knowledge. Or you don’t. That’s your choice. But the Tarot advises that fulfillment awaits if you do.

November – Seven of Cups – November finds you with your head in the clouds a bit, with big dreams and visions but not sure how to put them into place.

December – Knight of Swords – It becomes clear in December, when you employ logic to fulfill your pie-in-the-sky visions. After a turbulent “emo” year of letting your emotions get the best of you, you take positive action. The danger is in become too serious and focus on facts.

Overall, the year’s focus is represented in the Queen of Pentacles. This will be a pivotal year for you in terms of learning how to give and take—tangible objects, advice and information, as well as love and acceptance. You’ll be more sensible in business manners—earning enough to pay that killer mortgage and then some, but will learn the rules of “the Secret,” you give back what you put out to the Universe.
I see you in the ‘middle phase” of your learning experience with the universe. No high-number cards have come up, but you started with “zero” in the fool and worked up to a seven, with ideas in the intangible thoughts phase. This is supported by the cups in the reading.

Please come back often, and tell us how the year is progressing for you!