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Daily Divination 4/23/16 ~ Storm in Motion

Today’s reading comes with a strong theme of movement and change. Powerful, maybe even chaotic forces are at work but do not let that scare you.

Disruption breaks us free of our old habits and even our old selves. That which doesn’t serve us anymore can be set free to create space for new habits, new mindsets, and new opportunities. Let’s dig in.

Runes 4/23/16

Hagalaz is our first rune, the storm rune of disruption. It gives us our modern letter ‘H’ and translates to hail, reinforcing the idea of the storm of natural disruptive forces. It warns of challenges and possibly the delay of action due to unforeseen complications. Like many others that can be perceived as negative, it takes a deeper interpretation to see their necessary place in your life.

Strong winds that change or even destroy your plans may save you from going too far down the wrong path. They might highlight weaknesses in yourself or your projects that may need to be mended and strengthened before moving forward. A house that cannot survive a storm is not a safe house for you and your family.

Our second rune is Raido, the rune of the journey or the travelers rune. Above all, it is linked to motion. It may indicate that travel is necessary or that movement is required, or the travel or return of loved ones. To move up one level, it can also refer to the spirit quest of your life.

We humans are busy by nature, moving constantly just to stay alive and always striving to make things better. We yearn for experiences outside of our comfort zone and we long to see exotic places. True travel is one of the most liberating experiences we can have, and it rewards us with a sense of wonder. We see our small place in this world and though it is small, it is grand.

Together we see the storm in motion. Raido acts on Hagalaz to produce change and movement in an already chaotic environment. The forces at work will be jarring for sure, and often frightening. Today, look at it for what it is. The movement is you moving forward through your life unafraid. You come upon challenges and you stare them down. You walk through doors and you take opportunities that were too frightening just last year. You’re a new person with a new set of strengths, and a vast knowledge of who you are and the mission you are on. Carry on and do not give in to worry or doubt. You are ready to stand in your power and take on whatever may come.

Alistair & Forest

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5 Universal Traits of A Wise Soul

What does it mean that the Soul is mature? If, during your spiritual Journey, you ask yourself the question: “What do I expect from life?” and you give an honest answer, the quality of that answer contains the response the question of the Soul’s maturity.

old-soul1. The mature Soul is beyond its desires and ambitions bound to shapes and forms. The realization that achieving the goals and ambitions did not bring it real happiness, made it mature.

It may have brought temporary satisfaction, but not lasting happiness.

2. The mature Soul experienced the nature of desires, the constant variability of the world of shapes and forms, where nothing is lasting, everything is dialectical, changeable.

3. The mature Soul is able to abandon its materialistic desires and ambitions, and live life minimally. It understands that this life is only temporary, and physical objects can only provide a certain amount of happiness. True happiness is found within connection between souls, not in buying items.  Continue reading

Understanding the Energy of Tonight’s Full Moon in Scorpio

There is a full moon in Scorpio tonight! Scorpio is the eighth astrological sign in the Zodiac and quite an intense one. The most used word to describe Scorpio’s is intense. Much like a scorpion, scorpios can act with a tough exterior, when they are much more sensitive on the inside.

shutterstock_273508055The ruler of Scorpio is Mars, the planet of passion and fire, which are naturally more intense than other traits. Pluto, the planet of depth, secrets and power is also a sub-ruler of Scorpio. There are always opposing signs, so now that the moon is in Scorpio, the sun is in Taurus.

So there is a pull between the intensity of the scorpion and the push of the bull. Taurus is all about the push, the motion and moving life forward. It deals with practicality, solidity and staying true to yourself. At times, it can seem pushy, greedy and insensitive. Those are the two poles that are reflecting each other.

Scorpio’s energies come through many different ways, is it up to our perception to deem them either positive or negative. The up side of scorpio is about transformation, love and passion. The down side reflects obsession, control, jealousy and manipulation.

Continue reading

Daily Divination 4/21/16 ~ Fire & Ice

No doubts on this one, this is the ultimate meeting of two very powerful, very opposing runes. Before we dive in, let’s consider the day that we are talking about. Yesterday we celebrated cannabis day and tomorrow we move on to Earth Day, and with a full moon to top it off. Mars is officially in retrograde and soon 4 other planets will join. This is a powerful time with powerful forces at work. Be weary, be sharp, and be well. Taking care of yourself during these uncertain times is paramount.

rune42116 doneFirst we draw Kenaz, the rune of the torch. The beacon light, or torch light, is what leads the way in time of darkness and uncertainty. We travel with a torch to light our next few steps ahead, illuminating who and what is immediately around you. Kenaz suggests the burning flame of creativity, vision, and inspiration that is necessary for new growth. The fire of life fuels you, giving you a reason to get up in the morning and meet the day with fervor, skill, and passion.

Compare this fire energy with Isa, the Ice rune, representing stillness and the slowing of movement. Isa calls on us to draw inward during these times and seek clarity through patience. This rune will often come to us when it is time to slow down and take care of ourselves, perhaps after a long period of hard work or excessive fun. In either case, the rejuvenation that accompanies periods of rest is what prepares us for what’s ahead. This gives us the chance to review our intentions and how they compare to our habits. Hopefully, we use this energy to elevate ourselves to live the lives we truly want, and truly deserve.

Together, we see Ice acting on Fire. This time of year, spring in full swing, spirits and kinship high, we see time speeding up and plans coming into fruition. We see connections being made, paths becoming fulfilled. The time is ripe to make great strides ahead in your mission. Whether you achieve this or not will depend on your ability to adapt to the circumstances and maintain your composure in the midst of a whirlwind of opposing forces. You will see emotions run high and you will see relationships strained, especially when they rest upon half truths.

Keep in mind that this time is powerful. We are all powerful beings full of light and intention, and we are all ready to bloom. Keep your head up and be strong, positive changes are coming to you. If you are feeling rushed, overwhelmed, or like you might need a minute to catch up, this is your day. Where we see delay we also see preparation. Consider all of the activity around you to be of benefit to you. Consider it to be the breath of fresh air that you need to forge ahead. Breathe it in and be well on your journey.

Alistair & Forest

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For The First Time In Over 10 Years: 5 Planets Are All Going into Retrograde

When you hear the term “Mercury retrograde”, what do you think of?

Many people get stressed, scared or anxious around this time because of the intense energies that translate into physical situations or emotions.

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Many people dread a planet going into retrograde because, well, once during a Mercury retrograde, my entire face swelled up in the middle of the night because I hadn’t been honest with the people I was living with and was “holding a lot in”.

People get a lot more sensitive, emotional blockages and miscommunications finally get resolved, and sometimes it almost feels like we’re forced to be more open.

So what’s really going on? Continue reading

The True Origins of “420”

So here we are on April 20th, national weed day or the international stoner’s day. Where did this tradition come from?

420 is an urban custom that refers to the yearly consumption of marijuana and cannabis and a way to identify with cannabis culture. This is celebrated every year on April 20 and also daily at 4:20 in the afternoon. A group of high school kids in San Rafael California who dubbed themselves the Waldos because of their hangout wall/meeting place outside of their high school used the term back in 1971 for the first time.

The phrase began when the students were looking for a rumored abandoned marijuana crop and they met at the Louis Pasteur statue at 4:20 to try to search for the crop. After several failed attempts to find the crop they just started using the term to describe marijuana smoking events in general. A writer from High Times was responsible for making the story a cult phenomenon. There are also stories about Grateful Dead practice sets in San Rafael that helped spread this like wildfire.  

weed smokerThough the term may only date back to 1971, the use of cannabis in spiritual celebration and ritual does not. In fact, cannabis is known to have been used in India and Nepal in the Vedic period, somewhere between 1500 BCE and 2000 BCE. There were even references in Greek mythology to a powerful drug that eliminated anguish and sorrow, thought to be cannabis. The herb is also associated with the ancient Norse goddess of love, Freya. Our modern word ‘Friday’ comes from ‘Freya’s Day’, which we still associate with letting loose and enjoying ourselves at the end of a hard work week.

One cannot write on the history of cannabis without mentioning the Rastafarian influence. The Rastafari see the plant as the sacramental and profoundly beneficial medicine that is the Tree of Life depicted in the bible. Peter Tosh referred to it quoting Revelations 22:2, “…and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of nations.

forsaleToday the marijuana laws are becoming a lot more relaxed. There are at least 23 states and the District of Columbia that at this current time have laws legalizing marijuana in some form or fashion. There are also four states including DC that have legalized marijuana for recreational use. Marijuana is becoming decriminalized in many more states and I’m sure it is only a matter of time before it will be legal everywhere in this country.

Today we have public and private 420 celebrations all around the country. This may very well be one of the most important holidays of the year for cannabis connoisseurs. Given the herb’s history as a botanical aide for the enlightenment for mankind, it may be a celebration for something more divine. Enjoy today, enjoy the creation, and enjoy the blessed herb.

Forest & Alistair