Today’s I Ching Hexagram for July 26th is 14:Abundant Blessings

14: Abundant Blessings

Hexagram 14
 
General Meaning: Supreme success! Like the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, a person whose fortunes have turned for the better shines as bright. At the core of this success lies unselfishness and modesty, for it is the tendency of a flexible or yielding nature to bind powerful forces to it, particularly when prosperity begins to manifest. When power is wielded with grace and dignity, there is supreme success and great abundance!

Ah, but be careful. Along with any accumulation of wealth or influence can come pride and arrogance. Fight such tendencies if you intend to continue enjoying your bliss. Stay attentive enough to manage your affairs well. And remember that while material prosperity certainly beats the alternative, it is only one of many elements of a satisfying life.

Your Daily Number for July 26th: 7

You may find yourself changing your priorities today and engaging in self-criticism. A confrontation with a loved one is possible, so keep your cool. Today is about your own spiritual realizations, wisdom, and hope. You’re comfortable being alone today and will probably be in a somewhat self-reflective frame of mind.

Fast Facts

About the Number 7

Theme: Quiet, Insightful, Analytical, Mystical, Intuitive

Astro Association: Cancer

Tarot Association: Chariot

Astral Travel Oil

Astral Travel Oil

5 drops Sandalwood

1 drop Ylang-Ylang

1 drop Cinnamon

Add these to the base oil as usual and mix. Anoint the stomach, wrists, back of the neck and forehead (but remember–these essential oils are added to a base). Lie down and visualize yourself astrally projecting.

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Denning and Phillip’s Astral Projection (Llewellyn Publications, 1979) is an excellent guide.

Today’s Tarot Card for July 26th is The Lovers

The Lovers

This Tarot Deck: Etteilla

General Meaning: Although it has taken on a strictly romantic revision of meaning in some modern decks, traditionally the Lovers card of Tarot reflected the challenges of choosing a partner. At a crossroads, one cannot take both paths. The images on this card in different decks have varied more than most, because we have had so many ways of looking at sex and relationships across cultures and centuries.

Classically, the energy of this card reminded us of the real challenges posed by romantic relationships, with the protagonist often shown in the act of making an either-or choice. To partake of a higher ideal often requires sacrificing the lesser option. The path of pleasure eventually leads to distraction from spiritual growth. The gratification of the personality eventually gives way to a call from spirit as the soul matures.

Modern decks tend to portray the feeling of romantic love with this card, showing Adam and Eve at the gates of Eden when everything was still perfect. This interpretation portrays humanity before the Fall, and can be thought to imply a different sort of choice — the choice of evolution over perfection, or the choice of personal growth through relationship — instead of a fantasy where everything falls into place perfectly and is taken care of without effort.

Daily Horoscopes for Tuesday, July 26th

The jittery Gemini Moon can heighten our senses, diversify our interests and increase our overall curiosity. We are easily distracted by anything that appears to offer new information or a different perspective. With restless Mars also in Gemini, we are prone to scatter our energy, start several projects and perhaps leave them unfinished. Thankfully, the Moon’s harmonious midday trine with disciplined Saturn enables us to concentrate for a while.

 

Aries Horoscope
Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You are naturally inclined to be a pioneer, exploring unknown territories and courageously doing things for the first time. Today’s fidgety Gemini Moon encourages you to add even more activities to your already busy schedule. Although you might enjoy running off in several different directions at once, narrowing your focus now and concentrating on one task at a time will enable you to be even more productive.

Taurus Horoscope
Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

The Moon’s visit to your 2nd House of Self-Worth today motivates you to reevaluate your possessions and what they mean to you. A realistic assessment of what you have versus what you need can produce some pretty interesting results. You might realize that it would be easier to get by with less, but are unwilling to make the adjustments necessary to change your lifestyle. Although no immediate action is required, a fresh perspective will do you good.

Gemini Horoscope
Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

It’s hard for you to decide what’s best for you today because the Moon in dualistic Gemini has you seeing double. Even after you have made your choice, a single destination morphs into two distinct possibilities — just like the many-headed Hydra who grew two heads every time one was cut off. There’s no need to answer every question posed to you; some dilemmas are better left unresolved for now.

Cancer Horoscope
Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

You have the ability to sound more certain today than you actually feel. Although you may be lost in self-doubt, your co-workers might not realize that you are so unsure of yourself. Ironically, you could receive support from others and be more successful professionally if you share your current concerns with a trusted friend, rather than trying to hide your insecurity. Being honest now really is the best policy.

Leo Horoscope
Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You Lions usually prefer to play in a pack, but today you might want to go your own way. You like the idea of doing things as part of a group, yet you also need to maintain some autonomy or you will feel trapped by the very same people that you want in your life. Don’t sacrifice your individuality to be accepted by others because you will likely need more freedom, rather than less, over the next few days.

Virgo Horoscope
Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You might feel as if you’re struggling to maintain your sense of purpose today. You have a very clear sense of what you need to do, but circumstances may pull you in several different directions at once. While you prefer to drill down on the details of what you already started, responsibilities demand that you spread yourself thinner to cover the workload. Recognize your limits; staying within them now will make everyone involved happier.

Libra Horoscope
Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You may have grandiose ideas about what you want to do in the future, and adopting a common-sense approach actually enables you to live out your dream. However, this is not an overnight project; your long-range planning might take months to manifest. If you find yourself getting restless now, remember the old adage, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

Scorpio Horoscope
Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Sometimes when you dive into an emotional situation, you do so with such intensity that you lose perspective. However, today you’re able to be fully involved without being hooked by someone else’s melodrama. Your rational approach gives you a cool head now, so others may lean on you even more. It’s a gift to share your thoughts as long as you don’t attempt to control what happens next.

Sagittarius Horoscope
Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You are a champion at gazing far off into the distance, but not as good sometimes at seeing what’s right under your nose. A close friend or partner may attempt to change your perspective by inundating you with information about something that’s occurring right now. Unfortunately, you may think that the current events are merely a distraction from your more evolved perspective. Don’t be so quick to judge others; instead, be open to what they can teach you in the present moment.

Capricorn Horoscope
Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You may want to talk today instead of doing your work, but too much idle chatter will only lead to trouble. Thankfully, the interactive Gemini Moon’s current visit to your 6th House of Daily Routine is stabilized by self-restrained Saturn. Although it’s hard for you to settle down now, it becomes easier if you stay focused on your immediate goals. Remember, your actions have more impact than your words.

Aquarius Horoscope
Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You are buzzing with creative ideas today, but all your innovative thinking could be for naught unless you take the time to turn your thoughts into action. However, initiating a new project doesn’t ensure automatic success; you must have the necessary persistence to finish whatever you start. Following through with your intentions is possible if you keep your eyes on the distant prize of success.

Pisces Horoscope
Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Although you might like to space out and lose yourself in a daydream today, there’s way too much going on for that to realistically happen. You may be drawn from one project to another, without having enough time to settle into any of them. Instead of working yourself up into a state of high anxiety, remember that this level of noise won’t last. In the meantime, set your fantasies aside until you have taken care of business.

Using Oils

Oils are used in  innumerable ways in magick. Remember: Always use oils with visualization and with power.

Most often, they’re rubbed onto candles which are then burned in ritual. The magickal goal determines the types of oil and the color of the candle used. The oil’s powers mix with that of the color and the candle flame. All these energies are further boosted by the Practitioner’s personal power and are sped toward the magickal goal through visualization.

Oils are also simply used to anoint the body to bring their energies within. Thus, rubbing a Love oil onto the wrists, the neck, and over the heart infuses the Practitioner with love-attracting energies. Courage Oil similarly imbues her or him with the strength to forge ahead in the face of adversity.

A simple bath can be transformed into a ritual by adding several drops of oil to the water. Slipping into it and inhaling the fragrance, the Practitioner once again brings the oil’s energies inside.

Talismans and amulets (Often termed “charms” or “sachets”) may be anointed with a few drops of the appropriate mixed oil. This is done, of course, with the specific magickal goal in mind.

Quartz crystals and other stones are also rubbed with oils to boost their energies during spells and rituals. The stones are then worn, carried or placed in mystic patterns to bring about specific magickal goals.

Other ritual uses of oils will become apparent once you start using them.