General Meaning: Traditionally entitled “Empress,” this major arcana or “trump” card portrays the energy of the Great Mother. She is Nature, around us but also within us, the ever-unfolding Source of life-giving power. She is often pictured as a pre-Christian Goddess, as the one whom the High Priestess is channeling down to earth for the rest of us.
In medieval Europe, the Empress card was painted to represent whatever Queen currently ruled the land, probably to satisfy the Inquisitors. But the scholars of the Renaissance and beyond had no doubt of her true identity, although she could not be fully revealed on Tarot cards as the “woman clothed with the sun” until after the French Revolution.
This supreme archetype of femininity also symbolizes fertility. It is She who provides us nourishment and security. She is also sometimes seen as delighting us with flowers and fruit. A potentially terrifying aspect of this archetype manifests itself whenever karmic mood swings wipe out our plans, like a storm that has come upon us. Whatever happens, the Empress is the Source of our Embodiment and of Natural Law. She might even be called “the Great Recycler.”
Although the tension between expansion and contraction continues to grow, we receive a reprieve today as the philosophical Sagittarius Moon harmonizes with Mercury, Venus and Neptune. Our dreams may become more believable now, but the Moon’s squares to feisty Mars and volatile Uranus can set us on edge emotionally. We are ready to take life more seriously and do the work expected of us when the Moon enters conservative Capricorn at 9:57 pm EDT.
Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)
Your efforts to prevent everything from falling apart may be futile today because your life grows more complex each time you succeed. It’s similar to playing a video game; you are given a harder level to solve once you successfully finish your current level. It may be the right time for an entirely new strategy. Don’t waste all your resources on maintaining control; just stop playing for a while. Giving up your authority may be the easiest thing you’ll ever do.
Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)
It isn’t your normal style to say something before thinking it all the way through. However, now you may be feeling mentally on edge, especially if you are trying to keep a secret. Hiding something only makes you more anxious. There’s little reason to worry about offending someone today; it makes more sense to concern yourself with your own motives instead. If your intentions are good, then the details of what you say won’t matter as much as you think.
Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)
Instead of successfully doing damage control for something you recently said or did, you could inadvertently dig your hole a little deeper today. Even with the best of intentions, you can still raise someone’s anger. Naturally, a sincere apology works wonders, but it only has an impact if you truly mean it. Nevertheless, this little drama may still take another day to play out before your relationships begin to make sense again.
Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)
You might not be willing to back down from a confrontation today, even if it would be to your advantage if you did. You may feel as if you are beyond the point of no return which encourages you to take a risk for your beliefs. You don’t have as much to lose as you think. Just be certain that the current issue is important enough before you jeopardize what you have already gained.
Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)
Your plan of attack may be a fine one, but it certainly isn’t perfect. When your current situation changes, you must be willing to adapt or you can lose your competitive edge. Unfortunately, you’re more rigid in your thinking than you realize, and your refusal to modify your agenda could alienate your closest friends. Pay careful attention to what’s happening now so you can respond intelligently, instead of stubbornly holding on to a fading dream for no reason.
Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)
Although you may be in a state of high anxiety today, you should be able to transform your uncomfortable tension into useful productivity. Throw away your expectations and admit that you don’t know exactly where you are going. Nevertheless, say what’s on your mind, even if it puts you in a socially awkward position. Remain open to a completely different approach and then get ready to follow your new plan with confidence.
Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)
You should receive cooperation and support from others today, but it might not arrive in the manner you would prefer. It may even seem as if your best friend or partner is working against you, but that’s not what is occurring. Everyone appears to be marching to their own drummers and you would be smart to let them. Your friends and colleagues will show up to help you if you give them the latitude they need now.
Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)
You might have a breakthrough on the financial front today, but you’ll probably still need to scale back your plans prior to initiating action. Fortunately, you’re not afraid to try something you’ve never done before. You’re able to learn new techniques so easily now that others are surprised by your adaptability. The downside is that they may not be able to grasp the complexity of your life. Even if you are tempted to accomplish a lot, don’t bite off more than you can chew.
Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
Everyone thinks they know just what you’re feeling today because the upfront Sagittarius Moon encourages you to wear your heart on your sleeve for all to see. There is no easy escape now, for denying your emotions gives them additional strength. Your best choice is to freely express your feelings to a trusted friend on a regular basis to keep the drama at a minimum.
Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
Although you’re being challenged as instability continues to plague you today, you still want everything in perfect running order. You prefer not to worry about where to focus your attention. But you cannot forget about your responsibilities and just turn your back on your work. Nevertheless, it makes sense to wait and see which way the currents of change are flowing before you take irrevocable action.
Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
You probably have too much on your plate now, and it may be helpful to lean on your friends. You are quite surprised when others quickly come to your assistance, demonstrating that you are not alone. But you should be careful about how you communicate or you might anger someone with your sarcastic humor. Slow down and think before you speak. Being extra polite can make everything go smoother.
Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
You become more pensive throughout the day, which could lead you into a weekend without too much to do. However, exercising self-restraint is not the same thing as suppressing your feelings. Spending a bit of time by yourself will help you process the most meaningful images from your daydreams. Contemplation is fine as long as you keep your feelings flowing.
Before choosing a tonic for yourself or a loved one, allow yourself to attune to the needs of the recipient. First, choose a tonic that most suits the symptom.
Is the symptom acute or chronic and recurring? Acute symptoms need quick-acting, bitter, sedating, or cooling tonics. Chronic, recurring symptoms require warming and nurturing herbs. Roots and barks often have nurturing qualities. Leaves and flowers are cooling and can reduce the vitality of one with chronic, symptoms if used without building roots and soothing barks. Plan a tonic with long-term results for long-term or recurring problems. Stimulating herbs and spices may be used sparingly to allow the system to accept their warmth. Long-term and heavy detoxification is not recommended for chronic disease.
Choose herbs that support the personality and awareness of the recipient. It is normal to have emotional manifestations when the body’s chemistry is not in balance. If the individual is displaying anger, choose herbs that will not overstimulate or heat up their system, such as spearmint or chamomile. Do not choose a heating root like ginseng in the combination. If the individual is weepy, choose herbs that promote diuresis. When the kidneys flush they will move out excess fluids and metabolic wastes. Use the tonic long enough to achieve the desired effect. Longer duration is only acceptable for longevity tonics recommended by an experienced practitioner. If someone tells you “it’s natural, it can’t hurt you,” run home and make a tension-reliever tea. You probably know more about herbs and have been blessed with greater common sense.
Become acquainted with as many herbs as you can grow organically or obtain locally. It is better to be well-acquainted with a few herbs than to know little about many. When in doubt, use local compresses, external applications, and aromasignatures before ingesting a questionable tonic.
Hearsay and what works for your neighbor is not the safest way to choose a tonic. We wouldn’t think of sharing a prescription drug. Make sure you use tonics as a good and not a drug. Each individual has a body that knows how to heal itself. Give yourself that chance as you enjoy the rapport you will experience from growing organic herbs and cooking a tonic as an elixir for radiate health.
Tea has been cultivated in China since AD 500. Today, there are over two-hundred varieties made from green or black tea. Green tea is unfermented. Tender green leaves are picked from the top of the bush and dried. Black tea, allowed to dry on the bush, is gathered, dried, and fermented. The flavor is strong and full. The Chinese refer to it as red-tea because it looks red after it is brewed. Oolong tea is only partly dried and fermented, producing a rich pungent, tea and served after dinner. Only the Cantonese serve tea during meals. Scented teas are balanced with flowers. They are served between meals and at special occasions. The most popular flowers are jasmine, rose petal, and Chinese chrysanthemum. The tea-plant itself is a species of the camellia family.
Freshly brewed tea is clear and has a fragrant bouquet. Bew tea, in porcelain or glass, as metal containers change the flavor. Alway boil the water, then pour it over the tea leaves and allow it to steep up to five minutes in a covered teapot. For each cup of water, add a half teaspoon of tea leaves. A second infusion can be brewed from Chinese tease (the Chinese believe the second infusion is the best). The benefits of tea drinking are perhaps best said in this traditional Chinese tea drinking song:
Tea in the morning stimulates thinking, revives one’s spirit.
Tea after meals clears the throat, helps digestion.
Tea during the day quenches thirst, does away with frustration.
Tea after work soothese the muscles, melts away fatigue.
Thought for the Day
The Witchcraft Chronicles 
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