Not This Ren's Day But Next Ren's Day: Martian Disappointment

Moon: Hi Mars! Thanks for seeing me on such short notice. Come on in. 

Mars: Uh, thanks, Lady Moon. [hesitates sitting down]

Moon: Have a seat right here. [gestures to chair]

Mars: OK. [walks slowly toward chair]

Moon: Am I making you nervous, Mars?

Mars: FUCK NO! I mean, goddammit! Fucknuggets! Venus will be pissed if she finds out I swore in front of you, ma'am.

Moon: It's OK, Mars. You're not in trouble or anything. And anything we say in here stays with me; I won't say a word to Venus. [pats chair]

[Mars sits]

Moon: It's nervous to be called into the office, Mars. You don't know why I've sent for you. 

Mars: [relieved] Yeah, I was wondering what in the blue fuck I had done now. Goddamn fucknuggets! I did it again! Puppy shit!

[Lady Moon chuckles]

Moon: The Sun asked me to meet you so you wouldn't be as...defensive, I guess, is the best term to use. I knew beforehand that it wouldn't matter, that you'd be guarded either way.

Mars: Yeah, I'm always ready for some kind of attack. 

Moon: I'm sensing that. Well, you're supposed to meet with John's mentee Ren later today, right?

Mars: Oh yeah! Been watching her for years...she's totally one of mine. Adore that girl...but you're right. She'd have to be pretty mental to be working with John! He's nuts. 

Moon: No, Mars, not "mental". Mentee. You know...his protégée? [Mars looks confused] On second thought, let's go with "student". Does that make sense?

Mars: Yeah, I can understand that. John's teaching her?

Moon: Precisely! Anyway, I wanted to be the one to tell you there's been a slight change in plans and she will have to cancel her meeting with you today. But she'll reschedule as soon as she can get together. 

Mars: What? That bitch is gonna diss me? For what?!? What the fuck is more important than ME??

Moon: As I understand it, she's...[digs in Erin Condren planner] away on a Mars-ruled vacation with her boyfriend. 

Mars: I'm not thick, Lady Moon. And I know "trips with boyfriends" are NOT in my line of work. That sounds more like a Venus vacation to me. Unless it's like paintball or fencing or a mud race, or some shit! Otherwise no fucking way!

Moon: Please understand that she is incredibly upset to have to reschedule her visit with you, so much so that she thought you might react this way. So she asked me to assure you that it is a snowboarding vacation with her exceptionally well-muscled boyfriend. Does that help at all?

Mars: [pouting] I guess a little, Lady Moon. But that girl just gets me. I can't wait to talk to her; her nickname is "Daughter of Mars" if you didn't know!

Moon: I actually did know that! You should be proud to have someone that completely epitomizes what you stand for.

Mars: [confused] Ummm, yeah, that sounds good I guess.

Moon: [smiles] She's a lot like you, huh?

Mars: AMERICA FUCK YEAH!

Moon: That's the spirit. I think.

Mars: [singing] All I do is win win win no matter what...

Tarot Tuesday: Six of Swords

Six of Swords

Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot Deck

US Games Systems, Inc. 

Greetings everyone, and welcome to Tarot Tuesday!

Today's card is one of the few in the Swords suit that doesn't truly suck: The six. 

Check out the water on the card! You already can see there's an emotional component...see the rough on the right and the smooth to the left of the boat? The situation that this card describes is improving slowly; the boat will be through the rough waters soon. 

It can also represent feeling a little bit down...one might call it "the blues" as well. 

One of the more common meanings is the idea of travel or movement. When I get this card, often I tell people to take a trip, ideally one that is on or near water, or even overseas. Any type of water will do: Whitewater rafting, deep sea fishing, or a cottage by a river are all good examples. Water helps restore people and it is healing. 

This card is particularly important for me this week as I prepare for a vacation near water! I'm taking my own advice and getting away from my business for a while. I won't be seeing anyone professionally until March 12.

Until next time, good people! Catch you on the flip side. 

Ren's Day: Venus Knows Best

[Ren walks up to Ms. Venus’ door and knocks. The door opens to a striking and shapely woman with a smile of perfect pearls.]

Venus: REN!!!

[Venus throws her arms around Ren and engulfs her in what can only be described as a python like grip.]

Ren: You must be Venus! It’s a pleasure to meet you.

Venus: Please, sit down. Cookie?

[Venus motions towards a giant worn leather chair, next to it a plate of cookies. Ren takes one.]

Venus: They’re butterscotch…I made them fresh this morning. Or perhaps you’d like white chocolate macadamia?

Ren: I’m fine, really. Thank you.

Venus: So what can I do for you, kiddo?

Ren: I’m trying to find my path and my purpose in life.

Venus: Well well well! That is certainly a mountain you are taking on. It’s a lot of effort, but if you are willing to put in the work I’m sure you’ll go far.

Ren: I was hoping you could help me try and find some sort of direction or meaning.

[Venus leans back in her chair with a pensive look, wrinkles forming between her manicured brows.]

Venus: When I was younger, life was about love first and money second, but then for a time money took over. Now I’m more in a love and money phase, and I think having both is good. At times, it can be too easy to lose yourself entirely in both. I think you need an anchor in one to keep you from going overboard in the other, if that makes sense.


Ren: It definitely does. But I have a problem of going big or going home.

Venus: You certainly are Mars’ daughter!

[Venus and Ren laugh]

Venus: I see you have a new love in your life. What does that feel like?

Ren: Honestly? It feels like breathing again when you didn’t even realize you had been holding your breath. It’s like suddenly my world is filled with color, but I hadn’t realized it was grey before. I have hope again and it’s the best feeling in the world.

[Venus squeals]

Venus: YES! This is what I've wanted for you for so long, and I’m so happy it’s finally here. And with one of my signs, a mighty Taurus man! He suits you well, my dear.

[Ren blushes.]

Ren: Thank you. I’m really happy. I’ve never been this happy for this long before. I’ve never been this happy, ever.

Venus: Wonderful! Now, what is work like?

Ren: I used to love it, but recently I’ve been feeling burned out and angry.

Venus: Well, I see you have a snowboarding trip with your Taurus man coming up, so you’ve got a Venus and Mars outlet. I recommend turning your phone off and forgetting about work the entire trip. Relax and cherish this time you get to have with your love. Time away from work might help you regain your love of the job.

[Ren nods in agreement.]

Venus: Well, I called ahead and let Lady Moon know you won’t be in next week. Oh! I also made you a doggy bag of cookies!

Ren: Thank you! Meeting you has been a treat.

Venus: Goodbye my dear, and have fun on the slopes! And off of them!

Astrology by Tara's Solar Eclipse Forecast, Part 2

February 15, 2018

1551, Washington, DC

The Sun and Moon will be at 27 Aquarius, which is conjunct the point of the south node during the Eclipse sets of August 2017. Solar eclipses represent the beginnings of new cycles, and during this solar eclipse we are essentially on the flip side of last August’s eclipses.

All of these astronomical, astrological, and religious celebrations are tied to the Sun and its movement. The Sun represents where we are physically in calendar time, and astrologically the Sun represents who we are on a spiritual level. This is why astrologers always compare the natal chart with current planetary movements known as transits. We are a combination of our natal imprint (birth chart) and our own evolution (transits).

When the solar eclipse is exact, Mercury, Venus and Neptune in the 8th house join the Sun and Moon. Having the planets of self (Sun), soul (Moon), communication (Mercury), love (Venus) and the higher mind (Neptune) all in the 8th house reveals a lot. The 8th house represents deep motivations; transformations; release; temptations; spirituality; shared matters; financial matters; sex; death; and support we receive from others. With four personal planets in this house, it’s easy to see that this is where the focus is: A deep self-quest.

Now is the time to make some uncomfortable choices, whether you want to or not, to maintain your ability to grow into the person you are destined to become. With the north node in the 1st house, you must make yourself a priority now.

Neptune in the 8th house says that there is a possibility for you to not be entirely real with yourself; you may dilute the reality of the situation in order to save yourself from personal pain. Ask yourself, would you rather rip off the Band-Aid quickly or torture yourself? That’s what’s being asked of you now. What do you need to do to effect the greatest change on your personal life and spiritual, financial, and sexual interactions with others? It may seem difficult to disentangle yourself, but difficult situations call for inner strength. This solar eclipse is saying the time is NOW.

With Aquarius on the cusp of the 8th house, Saturn rules the house by classical traditions and Uranus by modern traditions. Aquarius is the sign of large groups, friendships, science and causes. Aquarius does not conform to anyone’s standards.

With Saturn in Capricorn in the 6th house of health and daily tasks, and Uranus on the MC in the 10t house, this says to me that much of this transformation can involve : your health, your daily tasks , your social groups or your career / job; the areas of your life where you share time and space with nonfamily members.

This solar eclipse energy should carry us through late July when the next lunar eclipse occurs. Change is definitely on the horizon, my friends, so check your natal charts and look for your transits. If any of your natal planets are close to the nodes or the moon or sun during this solar eclipse you may experience more change that you were expecting.
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Thanks for tuning in, Sky Watchers! See you next time!

Blessings,

Tara

Astrology by Tara's Solar Eclipse Forecast, Part 1

February 15, 2018
1551, Washington, DC

Greetings, Sky Watchers!

Welcome back for another eclipse discussion. I discussed the super blue Moon lunar eclipse on January 31st in my last article. Today we will be focusing on the solar eclipse of the New Aquarius Moon on February 15th. Eclipses come in sets: lunar and solar, and usually within two weeks from each other.

Lunar eclipses occur during full Moons when the earth‘s shadow is cast on the Moon, and they represent our hidden selves and our emotions. Solar eclipses occur when the Moon crosses between the earth and Sun, at an exact angle creating darkness that covers the Sun. Solar eclipses represent our vitality and new energy being offered for changes to come.

It’s no coincidence that our ancestors and many people today celebrate religious rites around the time around February 1st / 2nd, as we are a quarter of the way through the cycle of light. The Winter Solstice marks the darkest day of the year, The Summer Solstice offers us the most light, and both the spring and fall equinoxes represent the balance between darkness and light.

Eclipses are very rare events. Our ancestor’s treated eclipses as portents of great change and they used astrology to help them navigate through the changing energy.

When the solar eclipse is at its zenith, the zodiac sign of Leo will be on the ascendant of the eclipse chart. Leo is the sign of the Sun and ruling the chart of this Eclipse, adding more power to the Sun in this instance.

As astrologers, we also look at the placement of the planets and angles to calculate the dominate element and modality of the chart. This is called the charts signature and sub-signature. Both the signature and sub-signatures of the eclipse chart are fixed Fire, which is Leo. Again the emphasis is on the sign Leo and the Sun.

With Leo on the ascendant, and the north node in the first house of Leo, this highlights our direction forward. The Moon’s north node is where we find our soul’s path and with the north node in the first house we are being asked to focus on ourselves and find our inner truth. The Moon’s south node is the other half of the nodal axis, and it represents what we have already done and what we can release. The south node is in the seventh house of personal relationships. Almost immediately we can see what this solar eclipse energy is offering us: More of self and less from others.
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Ren's Day: Ren Visits with Mercury

[9:54am: Ren knocks on Mercury’s office door]

Ren: Mr. Mercury?

[Ren can hear someone talking on the other side of the door, but no one answers. Ren knocks again.]

Ren: Mr. Mercury?

[Still no answer. Ren turns the handle and opens the door into a sleek room. The furniture and fixtures are all modern in design, with stainless steel being a staple. The man on the other side of a stainless steel bureau looks like if he could, he would also be made with steel.]

Ren: Mr. Mercury?

[Ren taps the shoulder of the sleekly dressed man. He jumps in surprise.]

Mercury: Ahhhh! You scared me! Who are you?!

Ren: I’m sorry, Mr. Mercury. I did knock. My Name is Ren Armstrong. I have a 10:00am meeting with you?

Mercury: 10:00am? But it is only now just 9:55. You’re early!

Ren: I’m sorry. Do you want me to go back out and wait?

Mercury: No no no! what would be the point of that when you are already here? Please sit down.

[Ren takes a seat in one of the uncomfortable looking chairs.]

Mercury: So I took the liberty of checking your resume and your transcripts. Graduated with a B.A. in English with a focus in Creative Writing. Works for Amazon as a problem solver. Uses social media regularly...very amusing Gemini meme you shared this morning, by the way!

Ren: Thank you, sir.

Mercury: Now, what writing projects are you working on right now? Have you been sending your work out to publishers and literary magazines?

Ren: I haven’t been sending out any work, mainly because I haven’t been writing. I only just now started to get back into it by writing these blog posts for Johnny’s blog.

Mercury: You have got to stay active in your writing. Set yourself assignments every week and meet the deadlines you set for yourself. You can’t call yourself a writer if you don’t write. And when you do write, get it out there! Send it to every publisher you can. Promote it on every social media platform you’ve got, and even those you don’t have. I’ve got this great one, but it only works in Japan. Don’t ask me why.

[Ren stares at Mercury, shocked]

Mercury: Do you have a boyfriend?

Ren: Yes. 

Mercury: Well, I want you to commit to your writing like you do your job and the important people in your life. You need to get back to writing regularly. No excuses. You’ve got the education, you’ve got the degree, and you’ve got the talent. Don’t waste them.

[Mercury types something into his tablet. A ding goes off, and Mercury jumps.]

Mercury: Okay, I’ve sent Lady Moon an email and she has scheduled an appointment with Lady Venus for you next week.

Ren: Thank you very much, sir.

Mercury: Of course! Failing to plan, Ms. Armstrong, is planning to fail. 

Ren: Got it! Thank you again.

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[Ren leaves feeling somewhat confused as to what just happened, but fairly certain she got his message.]

Tarot Tuesday: Do You Tell A Client Everything?

When I first started reading cards, I had clients who would ask me to "Only tell me the good stuff!" As time has gone on, however, that attitude among clients has shifted to "Please make sure to tell me everything, including the bad stuff!"

Generally speaking, I look at that change as a positive; people being more open to things they don't like is a good thing, in my opinion, because into each life some rain must fall, as they say.

But with this question what I want to focus on is "everything". That's a loaded word right there.

My job as I see it is to tell the client everything that comes up in the reading, no more and no less. I want to address the client's areas of concern, to the extent that I can, without infringing on the privacy of other people not involved in the reading.

In other words, if I see that something has the potential of happening that could impact a client, I say it. This includes things like breakups or the loss of someone or something close to them.

If you're not prepared to tell the client everything, here are a few things to consider.

Maybe it's the client; in other words, is this someone for whom you're not comfortable reading? Or could it be that you're not ready to read for other people in general? 

One other possibility is that you're afraid of your delivery. You aren't sure how to say what you're seeing in a compassionate way. We'll talk about that in another blog, but it is a skill you can learn and hone.

So yes, I tell a client everything I see--I don't hold back. And if the cards are in your hands, neither should you.

Ren's Day: Ren's Welcome and Visit to the Sun

[Ren arrives in the Sun’s office suite]

Moon: You must be Ren! [stands up] John has told us so much about you! I’m Luna, and it’s a pleasure to meet you.

Ren: Good afternoon, Madame Moon. The pleasure is all mine. Is the big guy in?

Moon: He is, and he is waiting for you in his office.

[Moon shows Ren to The Sun’s office and she enters the warm, glowing room, covered in floor to ceiling mahogany bookshelves and matching furniture. The whole space is warm and illuminated in a soft golden afternoon glow.]

Sun: Ren, we meet at last! Please have a seat.

[Ren sits down in a large brown leather chair]

Sun: John brags about you all the time, so your reputation precedes you. What brings the Daughter of Mars in to see me today?

Ren: Well, sir, I was wondering if you could help me with something that's kind of important.

Sun: Absolutely, name it!

Ren: Why am I here? What is my purpose?

[The Sun chuckles, grinning from ear to ear]

Sun: Wow. You certainly cut to the chase, don’t you?

Ren: Why pussyfoot around?

[The Sun erupts into booming laughter]

Sun: Your reputation is well deserved. Mars does favor you indeed. So I have a question for you. If you’re a daughter of Mars, why did you choose to come see me first?

Ren: I thought I should start at the very beginning; it’s a very good place to start, don’t you think?

[The Sun chuckles]

Sun: Young lady, if I have that song in my head all day it’s your fault. And I do have an answer for you, but you’re not going to like it much.

Ren: I didn’t come all the way here to go home empty handed, sir. Try me!

Sun: There is not a doubt in my mind that you are Mars’ girl.

Ren: I’m serious, sir.

Sun: I know my dear, but I’m afraid I can’t tell you what you want to hear.

Ren: What do you mean? You don’t know?

Sun: I can’t just hand you the answers; that wouldn’t be fair to you, as I’d be depriving you a great journey and many lessons. Besides, you wouldn’t be who you needed to be to get there. Does that make sense?

Ren: Yeah, it does. I guess I was just hoping to at least get a hint in what direction I should be looking.

Sun: I think you should look in all directions; leave no shadow uninvestigated. There’s so much out there to choose from, so many fields you should look into. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find your answers in an unexpected place.

[The Sun leans back in his chair with a pensive look on his face. An idea seems to dawn on him.]

Sun: I’ve got a little assignment for you if you’d oblige me?

Ren: Anything!

Sun: I want you to go around and interview each of my colleagues and find out what it is they do and how they found their purpose. You might find it illuminating. Do you think you are up for the challenge?

Ren: I’m willing to try anything to find my direction.

Sun: Perfect! I’ll have Madame Moon set up an appointment with Mercury for next week. I look forward to hearing back from you as you go along.

[Ren looks uncertain]

Sun: Oh, no true daughter of Mars would go soft now. You’ve got this! They don’t bite...well, to be honest, Mars might.

[Both burst into laughter]

Sun: So, you’ll meet with Mercury next week?

Ren: What could it hurt?

Sun: Fantastic! And you’ll be catching him when he isn’t in retrograde, so you should have his full attention.

Ren: Sounds good!

Sun: Well, I’d say good luck, but I know you won’t need it.

Ren: Thank you, sir! I won’t let you down.

Sun: I know you won't, my dear. Give Mercury my warmest regards.

Ren: I will, sir. Thanks again!

Sun: My pleasure! Have a wonderful evening. I have some things to finish out here.

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Welcome to Ren Armstrong!

Hello everyone...

It's always great when you can feature those who have a bright future on your blog. In this case, it's my honor to introduce Ren Armstrong, who will present her first blog EVER tomorrow morning here on Metaphysical Meanderings!

Her series will premiere tomorrow and will continue for a time on Wednesdays, hereafter known as "Rensdays". She'll meet the astrological planets, and while I've helped her get started, the work is primarily hers.

I hope you'll enjoy her writing as much as I do. Thanks so much for tuning in and for your continued support!

Astrology by Tara's Full Blue Supermoon Forecast, Part 3

Lunar Blue Moon Eclipse
January 31, 2018
Washington DC
Start Time: 0551 hours /Zenith: 0829 hours

One other important note: All the cardinal points of the chart are now in mutable signs. Pisces is on the 1st, Gemini is on the 4th, Virgo is on the 7th, and Sagittarius is on the 10th. "Mutable signs are where the magic happens” is a common astrological axiom; the flexibility of mutable signs allows for us to select and choose what works best for us. 

This Super Blue Moon Eclipse is giving us the opportunity to look deep within (Sun in our 12th house), clear out the cobwebs, and create a daily routine which can restore balance to our lives. Essentially this Full Moon is like hitting the re-set button. So it’s time to ask yourself, what will you change, what cob webs and built up non-essentials will you finally rid yourself of, and what daily \practive will you do to establish a healthy , vibrant and well balanced life.

Another aspect of this eclipse, along with its trigger of last August's eclipse set, is that with the nodes at 14 Leo/ Aquarius essentially the nodes are conjunct what astrologers consider points of fame. These occur at 15 degrees of the fixed signs. They indicates the natural placement of the solstices and equinoxes both in our current calendar. Seasonal midpoints are points of fame, or what can be called anchors. At the dead center of a fixed point it carries strength to it. And more importantly it remains focused on what it desires. 

If you add the points of fame conjunct the nodal axis of this eclipse, it's very easy to see why this is being so intensely felt. 

Essentially, this eclipse feels like you're taking a direct hit. But look closely at your natal chart between 11 to 14 degrees of Leo and Aquarius and see if this is being felt in a personal way or just part of the collective consciousness.

Thanks as always for joining me, Sky Watchers! Stay tuned here for my blog in two weeks about the next eclipse!