It’s the first time in a few years Omiwatari has appeared. It happens when ice on the water expands and contracts due to temperature changes from day to night.

And apparently, when it occurs, it’s a chance for some divination.

According to tradition, Omiwatari is caused by the footsteps of the god Takeminakata-no Mikoto when he crosses Lake Suwa to visit with the goddess Yasakatome-no Mikoto.

In honour of its occurrence Shinto priests performed a purification rite, and gathered data for predictions on this year’s social situations, weather, and the prospects for crop harvests.

This year’s Omiwatari patterns were compared to patterns from the past, and it was determined that they were similar to ones observed in 1897 and 1963.

Thus, the priests predicted unseasonable weather and adverse conditions. But despite the weather, they still expect a good year with an abundant harvest.

Watch the video below to see the Omiwatari and the priests doing their work. It’s in Japanese, but even if without understanding the language, you can figure out what’s going on.

And that Omiwatari is pretty awesome.

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Ace of Cups

Thursday, February 23, 2012
Ace of Cups

Emotional renewal is the name of the game today.  A new way of feeling about something and/or somebody is about to emerge.  Perhaps you’re feeling it already – it’s like that first hint of spring or when a magnolia tree finally blossoms after a long cold winter.

Joy and hope are in the air and accessible to you.  Throw away any gloom you’ve been dragging around and wake up to the inspiration of postive emotions.  There’s a sense that anything can happen and it’s probably going to be good. Be receptive to the love that’s around you and give it back in kind.

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Two guys imagining what an actual psychic battle might look like …

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#19 The Sun

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
#19 – The Sun

You’ve made it!  Enjoy!  It feels great to be alive.  After the long journey you’ve finally managed to get to the other side of the night.

There’s no need to be shy – express yourself and let everyone see you smile.

You have confidence now and boundaries no longer pen you in.  Creativity carries you forward as if in a dream.

Focus your imagination and you can manifest what you will.  Be open, free and alive.

Let’s see you shine!

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But the Stolen Child Tarot has made a reappearance, and this time Monica Knighton, creator of the Tarot of the Dead, has already raised the funds she needs to print her new 24 card deck.

Though she’s met her goal, I’m writing about her project again anyway, just in case you missed it before and/or didn’t know that there was a new opportunity to get yourself a copy.

The Stolen Child Tarot is inspired by the poem of the same name by William Butler Yeats. It features changeling children and magical creatures of the natural world.

In it, the mystic meets the adorable, and no adult humans are allowed.

Take a look for yourself by visiting Knighton’s Kickstarter page. Or watch the video below.

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The Moon moves into Pisces today, and stays there until Friday.

Described in Tarot cards, this transit would be like the High Priestess is dressed as the Moon.

She’s lost her material body and has disappeared into the celestial body that usually rests at her feet.

The Moon in Pisces, or High Priestess dressed as the Moon, is a time of increased perception, ill-defined understanding and what might be described as night vision.

During this time you could find your dreams feel more real than your daylight hours and what’s not said is louder than what is.

Fears might grow like a boogieman under the bed, but if you just take a peek, they’re as likely to be dust bunnies as demons or ghosts.

Be still, aware and fearless. It might be dark outside, but if there was ever a time you can navigate the unknown, this is it. Listen, breathe, flow.

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#17 The Star

Tuesday, February 21, 2012
#17 – The Star

And again we have the Star – three times in less than a week ….

Optimism and rejuvenation are the themes for the day.  Active generosity and compassion come easy so don’t hold back.  Give and you will receive.

Embrace the Universe’s capacity to provide you with what you need when you need it most.  That’s what miracles are and the Star is the goddess of miracles.

If things have been tough lately, now’s a time when you can finally lean back and take a bit of a break.  Surround yourself with as much beauty as you can.  It will help to replenish your soul.

Art, music, and the glory of the night sky are all worthy subjects of meditation.  Let them fill you with the inspiration you need for the next leg of your journey.

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Created by students Thorvaldur S. Gunnarsson, Jonatan Brüsch, Ágúst Kristinsson, Arna Snæbjørnsdottir, Esben J. Jespersen, Touraj Khosravi, and Polina Bokhan, it’s an ode to sci-fi cartoons from the 80’s.

I’ve posted it here primarily because I think it’s amusing and a fine waste of four minutes. But it does, inadvertently I’m sure, feature some Tarot imagery as well.

Most obviously, the four main characters Optica, Ion-Ray, Sun-Ray and X-Ray represent exactly the same energies as the Knights in the Tarot deck do.

Each are young, eager, powerful, and working together to master their elements. They’d do very well as the Knights of Cups, Swords, Wands, and Pentacles.

And with the Empress energy of the Mother Mustang on their side, they’re sure to overcome the Devil nature of Destructo, and get that poor guy off the terrifying Wheel of Fortune.

Take a look for yourself. And enjoy the Space Stallions song, it’s really catchy.

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Prince of Disks

Monday, February 20, 2012
Prince of Disks

It’s a good time to get to work.  Nothing exciting, just keep moving forward step by step.  It’ll go a lot faster now that you’re seriously on your way.

Enjoy this building process.  You’re making steady progress.  If you keep moving like this, you’ll reach your goals soon.

And if you’re feeling a little dull because all you do is work, work and plan for more work, that’s okay.  That’s what the energy is right now and you might as well go with it.

Creating stability is worth the effort.  There’ll be plenty of time for fun soon enough.

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Sun as the Moon

The Sun moves into Pisces today and will stay there until March 20th.

Looking at this transit through the eyes of the Tarot, it’s like the Sun is wearing the Moon’s clothing. He’s still smiling, but most of him has been eclipsed.

The Sun is open, enthusiastic, and bright. He wants nothing more than a good time, and celebrations for all.

There’s nothing hidden with him. He’s bare as a baby, direct and clear, no artifice or masks. He’s unafraid because really he’s in charge, of himself at least, if no one else.

The Sun seeks freedom and awareness. His consciousness is clear, and his joy in living unbound. He’s victory over darkness, a retired warrior at play.

The Moon is quite different. She’s dark and moody, uncharted and unclear.

She feels her way around, sensing and emoting. And she’s not one for overt displays, you’re more likely to feel her power than see it.

The Moon is the unknown in all mysteries, she’s our deepest inner self. Though she’s more a mirror than a lantern, she can still guide our way.

The Sun is completely out of his element here, but he’s not afraid to dive in. It might be really dark, but he’s still going to shine.

The Sun in Pisces, or the Sun dressed as the Moon, is a time when what’s hidden is brought to light, and what’s been unconscious can suddenly be known.

Clarity is likely to arise from the haze and your own inner wisdom may be exposed.

So might be some elements of yourself and others you’re not as fond of, but at least now you can see what’s normally not so apparent.

Let your intuition guide you, and your dreams act as messages to help make you stronger.

It’s a powerful time when the Sun and Moon get together. Conflicted though it may be, it can open up a whole new world.

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