Animal Totem: Opossum

Opossum teaches the lesson of using and enhancing appearances and deceptions and illusions. He also aids in resting when needed (playing dead), and the art to act or behave in strategic manner as appearing to be fearful or fearless in spite of true feelings. Opossum gives courage to pretend for a while in order to cope with mental and spiritual constructs. He teaches wisdom and sensibility and knows when to fight if needed. Is it time to fight for things or to rest?

The opossum is a crafty animal that shows us how to play different roles. It knows when to act, when to hide, and when to show its true colors. Opossum is a master at recognizing truth as well as falsehood. When it wants attention it gets it. When it wants to be left alone it plays dead. It is a strategic animal that knows how to mold each situation according to its needs. It has the ability to decode hidden messages and read between the lines. 

A supreme actor, the opossum can be aggressive or submissive depending on the situation. The opossum knows that each situation has commonalities as well as differences and reflects on them carefully before it responds. This links the opossum to the energies of practicality and ingenuity. 

Always full of surprises and unpredictable opossums are masters at playing dead. When the time is right they can suddenly spring back to life. Playing dead is a self induced state in which the heartbeat actually slows and the pulse becomes minimal. This ability serves to confuse many predators giving the opossum an escape from life threatening situations.

Opossums are nocturnal and raise their young in a pouch on their mid section. The young are born blind and rely on their feelings to guide them to their destination. They learn to sense their way around at an early age developing strong instincts by the time they reach adulthood. These instincts are complimented by their inherent ability to disguise themselves. The opossum is a multifaceted actor that continually changes its appearance. It does not allow its emotions to consume its actions and partakes in the game of life with strategic maneuvers. Part of what the opossum teaches to those with this totem is emotional and mental stability. 

The opossum is a craftsman in the art of appearances. When it appears in your life it is telling you to wake up and pay attention. Things are not what they seem to be. By observing your actions, reactions, thoughts and feelings, deeper insights emerge. This emergence leads to self-empowerment.

I don't recall ever really seeing an opossum before. I'm sure I have on many occasions, just not very often. An interesting animal totem that I wanted to share.













Now Playing: "The Gaudy Side of Town" by Gayngs 
*The best of the best background music. Could play it all night long.

On It

I've mentioned once or twice that I'm loving the holographic trend for spring/summer 2013. Stella McCartney's designs are a major inspiration for this season's hottest looks. If a holographic shoe, legging or dress is a tad outside of your comfort zone, a hologram manicure, handbag, jewelry piece or tech accessory is a great way to go.

I think this trend makes a fun statement. It's a fresh and innovative way to ring in the warm-weather seasons in style. When I think of holograms, my mind wanders back to grade school and my sticker collection. I had books of holographic stickers filled to capacity with everything from NHL playing cards to Lisa Frank unicorns. While holograms were all the rage in the 90s, there's something quintessentially futuristic about its aesthetic (was that sentence pseudo-intellectual enough for you?). These pieces bring me back to the future and that's a place I'm always eager to explore.















Now Playing: "I Can't Live Without You" by Soul Brothers Six
*So good!

My Palmistry

My Dominant Hand.

• Downward branches early in the Heart Line may indicate heartache.
• Long, curved Heart Line shows warmth and emotional depth; romantic in nature.
• Heart Line extending toward middle finger shows ability to love; sexual, idealistic.
• Fork at the end of the Heart Line shows loyalty and desire for harmony.
• Curved Head Line displays creative and artistic ability.
• Upward branch in the Life Line indicates achievement, glory, success.
• Wide sweeping Life Line into the Plain of Mars shows independence and travel.

Now Playing: "Wake Up" by Arcade Fire

The Times New Tarot: Queen of Wands

via Facade.com
The essence of fire behaving as water, such as a rainbow: The natural embodiment of passion and sensuality, who is always the center of attention. One who reflects the desires and ambitions of others, and ignites them. A radiantly vital person, cocky and charismatic, who sees what she wants and goes after it.


via LearnTarot.com


Attractive

is appealing and popular

creates a powerful first impression

makes friends easily

has great sex appeal

is warm and outgoing



Wholehearted

is loaded with enthusiasm

tackles a task with total dedication

gives the utmost in any situation

is open and sincere

doesn't hold anything back



Energetic

leads a busy and active life

is vigorous and strong

radiates health and vitality

has an inner vibrancy

is a natural athlete



Cheerful

is optimistic and upbeat

has an encouraging word for all

brightens whatever room he or she is in

has a warm and sunny disposition

can shake off the blues easily



Self-Assured

quietly demonstrates self-confidence

handles any situation with aplomb

can't be easily rattled or provoked

is spontaneous and gracious in defeat

has faith in his or her abilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Now Playing: "Between the Sheets" by The Isley Brothers

11:11

Over the past couple days, I've been glancing at the clock at exactly 11:11 as well as other interesting times. What's weird is that I recently talked at length to one of my clients about the phenomenon. A self-fulfilling prohecy, perhaps? There's a lot online about the spiritual significance of number sequences. Coincidence or not, it's interesting to think about.

Now Playing: "Circuital" by My Morning Jacket

Reading Between the Lines

I've been interested in palmistry since about the fourth grade. I remember I bought a book at a little magic store that talked about the meanings behind each line. I took it to school with me. During recess, I gave my classmates "readings" with the ten minutes of experience that I had to back it up. Being a Catholic school, I'm sure some of the more conservative teachers didn't appreciate my swift leap into the world of New Age philosophies. Religious fanaticism aside, to the best of my knowledge, there's no scientific evidence to support palmistry either; but it's something that's fun to think about. I'm far from an expert, so if palm reading peaks your interest, there's a lot of information out there :)

Now Playing: "Change Your Mind" by Sunlounger

The Times New Tarot: PAGE OF CUPS

I really enjoy learning about tarot. For those who associate tarot with boardwalk gypsies or sketchy advertisements, there is so much more to it. Tarot has been practiced for centuries and studied by some of the greatest minds in history (Carl Jung for example). Every once in awhile, I like to give myself a reading. It's a nice way to examine my thoughts and feelings about the way things are going in my life. At the very least, it's fun to read into the symbolism and story behind each card. I wish more people had an open mind about things like tarot. Whether they laugh at me or ask 100 questions following their reading, tarot is one of my favorite things to do for other people.

The card that I drew in my reading today was the Page of Cups:

CARD DESCRIPTION via Biddy Tarot:

The Page of Cups, like the Pages in all the suits, represents some sort of beginning or renewal. The young man stands alone at the seashore with a single golden goblet in his hand. Surprisingly, a fish pops its head out of the cup and the young man's face. The young man simply expects to raise his cup for a toast or a drink, and instead is confronted with the ominous appearance of a fish which even appears to be speaking to him. Thus, inspiration is seen to be something which comes upon us most unexpected.

The Page of Cups is a fellow, who is somewhat effeminate in appearance. He is dressed in a blue tunic with floral print all over it and sports a bohemian type of beret on his head with a long, flowing scarf attached to it. He holds in his right hand a golden chalice with a fish peering out of it. He also wears a pair of boots, while standing in the sand with a body of water, that appears to be a flowing, like a wavy sea in the background.

CARD MEANING:

The Page of Cups signifies the beginning of creativity or the start of a new project or creative venture. It may also signify the beginning of a new relationship or the dawning of a new perspective on a difficult situation.

The fish, in Christian terms, represents Christ or Christ consciousness. In other mythological systems the fish often represents the unconscious, the spirit, or the life force within us. The Page of Cups indicates the surprising and unexpected nature of inspiration that comes to us from the realm of the unconscious and the spirit. Inspiration is seen to be something which comes upon us most unexpectedly and often in a manner which we do not understand.

If you encounter the Page of Cups in a spread, it is an indication that there is creative energy trying to burst forth into your consciousness. The unconscious is trying to speak to you, possibly through your dreams or through synchronistic encounters with significant people. The message to be taken is that you must be open to the unexpected, occasionally bizarre impulses of the creative spirit and not shut out inspiration simply because it does not fit in with a rational point of view.

This Tarot card signifies the beginning of creativity or the start of a new project or creative venture. It may also signify the beginning of a new relationship or the dawning of a new perspective on a difficult situation.

The Page of Cups meaning can indicate dreams coming true particularly in relation to love and relationships. It promises hope and opening of your heart to receive true love. When this Tarot card appears relating to spiritual issues it can indicate the beginning of a spiritual journey undertaken for emotional reasons.

The Page of Cups in a Tarot Reading can also foretell news of a birth, a wonderful idea or plan, or a message of emotions involving new or renewed love.

If this Tarot card is prominent in a Tarot Spread it can predict that you may come into contact with, or already recognise in your life, a gentle, romantic individual with a high degree of sensitivity and compassion. He is caring, warm and responsive and very in touch with his emotions and is likely to be highly creative and artistic.




Now Playing: "My Sweet Prince" by Placebo