Under the Beaver Moon

Stability and security begins in the heart, with the love of friends and family and in acts of everyday kindness.

A Serbian translation of this post is available below.

The full moon in November – the “Beaver Moon” in North America – rises this year in Taurus on Sunday the 17th, while the Sun is in Scorpio. The name originated among the Algonquin peoples of the North Atlantic coast, marking either a time to set beaver traps for winter fur or a time when beavers build their winter dams.

The Full Moon in Taurus illuminates a need for security and stability; that it occurs while the Sun is in Scorpio speaks of what we must relinquish in order to serve that end. How do we go about filling this need?

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The keycenter of the casting is B Descending, indicating higher wisdom coming down into us through the crown chakra. The first scalepoint that appears is do descending, the point of Inception, with a Conductor of Strings below: a time beginning when the heart leads. The second position is the axis of the casting, and so its central focus; here we find the scalepoint of te ascending, of Effort Required, with diminuendo crossed by a Major Triad of Strings above. Together, these first and second positions speak of conducting our affairs with a soft heart. It is from this softening, this diminuendo, this gentle opening to our deepest heart and the hearts of those around us, that we find both emotional fulfillment and the security and stability we seek: we become grounded through love, not through grasping or clinging.

Fulfilling as it is when we come to such a place of connectedness, there is a tendency to want to exit quickly, to hurry back to our comfy cocoons, to our self-absorbed dramas and notions of self-control. The third position – ra ascending with fermata above – speaks to this. “Fermata” means “hold that note till the conductor says otherwise.” The broad challenge here is not just to experience a moment of connectedness, assume we’re enlightened, then move on – it’s to hold the heart open, even as what’s in front of us shifts.

The fourth position, so with Ossia below, indicates finding vitality in taking the path less traveled. That path might be the scary one – if it involves ditching what is no longer of service, take it.

The fifth position, ti with a Major Triad of Voices below, speaks of a blossoming spiritual fulfillment. Musically, this triad is a half-step higher than the Major Triad of Strings found in the second position. The emotional fulfillment found in softness blooms as spiritual fulfillment in the broader context of our lives as a whole. Lovely.

The sixth and final position is under mi, the point of Opportunity. The moon sets, the Scorpio Sun rises, and we find the sickle of the culling card: Editing. This relates to the path choice in position 4: softening our hearts, we see what is no longer needed – and gently cut it loose.

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Pod Dabrovim mesecom

Stabilnost i sigurnost počinju u srcu, ljubavlju ka prijateljima i porodici i u svakodnevnim postupcima ljubaznosti.

   Pun mesec u novembru, u Severnoj Americi znan i kao "Dabrov mesec", naći će se ove godine u znaku Bika i to u nedelju, sedamnaestog novembra, dok je u isto vreme Sunce u znaku Škorpije. Naziv "Dabrov mesec" potiče od nekoliko plemena, grupno nazvanih Algonkvin, a koja nastanjuju severnu pacifičku obalu i označava, ili doba godine kada je vreme za postavljanje zamki za dabrove kako bi se nabavilo krzno za nadolazeću zimu, ili doba kada dabrovi grade svoje brane na rekama.

Pun mesec u Biku osvetljava našu potrebu za bezbednošću i stabilnošću, dok nam u isto vreme Sunce u Škorpiji govori šta je to čega se moramo odreći kako bismo imali i jedno i drugo. Kako postupiti da bismo ispunili ovu potrebu?

 "Keycenter" (početak) ovog otvaranja je "silazno B" i označava neku višu mudrost koja silazi u nas i to kroz Krunsku čakru (na temenu glave). Prva notna skala koja se pojavljuje je silazno do, tj. polazna tačka, sa "Conductor of Strings" kartom ispod: početak je vremena onda kada sledimo svoje srce. Druga pozicija je srž otvaranja, a samim tim i pozicija fokusa. Ovde nalazimo notnu skalu uzlaznog te, tj. neophodnog napora i zalaganja sa diminuendo kartom preko koje se našla Major Triad of Strings karta. Zajedno, prva i druga pozicija, govore o obavljanju svakodnevnih aktivnosti otvorenog srca. U toj otvorenosti, tom diminuendo-u i nežnosti ka sopstvenom i srcima ljudi oko nas, nalazimo emocionalnu ispunjenost, sigurnost i stabilnost za kojom tragamo: ljubav nam donosi prizemnost kroz davanje, a ne kroz grabežljivost i posesivnost.

Čak i u ispunjenosti, takvoj kakva jeste, kada dosegnemo takav nivo povezanosti, postoji tendencija brzog bega nazad u našu udobnu čauru, sopstvene drame i ideje o samokontroli. Treća pozicija, uzlazno ra sa kartom fermata iznad, upravo govori o tome. "Fermata" znači "zadržavati odredjenu notu dok dirigent ne pokaže drugačije". Ovde nije izazov samo doživeti taj trenutak povezanosti, već nastavljati dalje, zadržati otvoreno srce i tad kada se stvari pred nama menjaju.

Četvrta pozicija, so, sa kartom Ossia ispod, indicira nalaženje vitalnosti u koračanju putem kojim se ređe ide. Put bi mogao biti zastrašujuć: i ako zahteva odbacivanje onoga što nam više nije od koristi, krenite njime.

Peta pozicija, nota ti (si) sa kartom Major Triad of Voices ispod, govori o procvatu duhovne ispunjenosti. Muzički gledano, ova trijada (glasova) je za pola "koraka" viša nego trijada žičanih instrumenata u molu koju ovde imamo u drugoj poziciji. Dakle, emocionalna ispunjenost se razgranava i širi i u ostale sfere našega života. Divno.

Šesta i ujedno poslednja pozicija u ovom otvaranju, donosi nam notu mi, a koja označava priliku! Mesec zalazi, sunce se rađa, a mi kao poslednju sliku ovog otvaranja imamo srp i to na karti Editing (redigovanje, korigovanje, montiranje). Ovo je svakako povezano s izborom puta (pozicija četiri): otvarajući svoja srca, spoznajemo stvari koje nam više nisu potrebne i s osmehom ih ostavljamo iza sebe.

Desire as Burden: Almost Daily One-up with Tarot, 10/13/13

The desire for success can be a burden. Who has defined our notions of success? What within is driving us to achieve? Are we having desire, or is desire having us? 

There is sacred desire, that longing that bubbles up from an essential, grounded place within; and there is obsessive desire, that which quietly begins in fear and gorges itself into a monster that overtakes us. It can be surprisingly difficult to discern which is operating within us and to what degree – often, what starts out clean gets stealthily polluted by insecurity and selfishness – fear, in a nutshell – along the way. 

Many traditions would have it that all desire is poison. I would counter that such a notion is poison – it stinks as much of attachment as any addiction, and denies an essential force of nature. The problem is not that we want, or even what we want, as long as no harm to others is involved – the problem is how we want and why.

Everything, from our marriages and career paths to getting out of bed in the morning, is driven by desires, large or small, borrowed or built, hidden or in plain view.  This casting provides an opportunity to step off the train for a moment and consider where we’re going, to consider what it is we’re wanting in relation to who we deeply are.

Casting notes. The keycenter of F descending speaks of energy flowing downward from the Heart into the Solar Plexus Chakra, from the seat of deep feeling into the seat of power and identity. The scalepoint of re descending references the last note in a descending scale, and speaks of that which is needy and draws energy: the weight on a pendulum, the pull of the moon on tides. The Minor Sixth of Strings expresses feelings of longing. The Three of Pentacles speaks of fulfillment of a creative venture, with an emphasis on working with others. My overall sense of this casting is that of an emotional neediness slowing a success that is surprisingly close at hand.

So Are We Together

Beware of judging others based on past experience. What is driving him or her—now? Where are you—now? Listen quietly for the deeper current.

When we think “harmony” we tend to think “harmonious,” as in things blending in a pleasing way. “Harmony,” though, can be consonant or dissonant – it really speaks simply of relationship. In this casting, the Harmony Card arises from the scalepoint of le, from unconscious or habitual response. The whole casting is in the key of G descending, indicating the Throat Chakra and issues of communication, of understanding and being understood. We are called, then, to examine our reactions and assumptions with regard to relationships: under what preconceived notions are we operating? We nod our heads knowingly, we think we’ve got their number; others do the same for us. What we’re really doing is swimming in our own stew.

It is said we never cross the same stream twice; the landscape may look the same, but the water is ever changing. Our inner state at any given moment is a confluence of many streams – worry, joy, gratitude, frustration, calculation, obsession, pleasure, pain… and a lesser or greater degree of self-awareness, all flowing from the past into the ever advancing present. So it is with others. When we meet, we find ourselves in a bigger stream – not one that belongs to us, but to which we belong. What has brought us here? What is this place, so magically shifting beneath our feet?

Harmonics – and by extension, harmonies – arise within every sound. The one becomes many. So are we together: separate, in relationship, and of the same. The Harmony Card reminds us to remember.  

Almost Daily One-up, 08/14/13

What is it to maintain bodily awareness while communicating with others?

The solemn and serious minor third can imply a kind of quiet finality. When it sounds in Percussion, in the realm of the physical, it references sacred space.

The Musician’s Die in this casting is at G# ascending, indicating energy moving upward from the Throat to the Third Eye Chakra, from communication into insight; the hermeneutic for G# ascending is being understood. The scalepoint of ra descending indicates vitality, a point in process when energy sources are defined and/or tapped.

What we see here, then, is sacred space as an energy source that allows us to effectively communicate. While “sacred space” can refer to an external place, a place at home or in nature, it may be more useful here to consider a sacred space within: a quiet bodily presence, an awareness of sensation. How might maintaining such an awareness, such quiet connection to the body, affect communication with others? Can I hold this awareness and talk at the same time?

Musical notes. In the context of a G# ascending major scale, an A with an F# below sounds, implying the Phrygian mode.

Please feel free to share your experiences here or on the Muzoracle Facebook page in the comments section regarding this post.

Almost Daily One-up, 07/19/13 (with Tarot)

A higher calling compels us to act, yet we are weary. Seeing this, we move forward nonetheless, but in a measured way, expending our energy with care.

Casting notes. The keycenter of B descending indicates energy moving downward through the Crown Chakra. That the Musician’s Die points strongly to the right indicates an eye toward the future. The scalepoint of le ascending indicates unconscious, habitual response; the Stanchezza card above it is a directive to play ploddingly, expressing weariness and fatigue. 

Above Stanchezza is the Knight of Wands ascending, speaking of courage, commitment, and energetic action. The Knight, however, can be compulsive and rash. Left to battle in the unconscious, the two cards will stalemate; if seen, and if the true calling is remembered, the cards may indicate a more tempered path.

Musical notes. In the context of a B descending major scale, a G sounds. The accompanying piece is simply a piano improvisation based on this and the feeling of the casting.

Almost Daily One-up, 07/03/13

“A profound lack is preventing us from functioning as masterfully in the outer world as we do inwardly in the creative world. What is this gap, and how do we bridge it?”

The keycenter of D# Ascending indicates energy moving upward from the second to third chakras: that which drives the mostly inward facing creative process is concentrating and moving upward into the seat of personal power, into a place of identity and function in the outer world. The scalepoint of fa ascending indicates a time of revelation in this process; what is being seen is a lack in the realm of being and spirit, as indicated by the Major Seventh of Voices. 

The bad news about the Major Seventh is that it’s a great big hole; the good news is there’s a lot of ways to fill it. A profound lack is preventing us from functioning as masterfully in the outer world as we do inwardly in the creative world. What is this gap, and how do we bridge it?

Musically, the major seventh in this case, while presenting this large gap, is not particularly dissonant: both notes in the dyad are native to the casting’s keycenter, and in context actually sound a bit sweet. That means it might be so ubiquitous we don’t see it –  a big hole, perhaps, that’s easy to miss. Musically, it also means it’s pretty obvious which note fills the hole best, if we’re seeking consonance: a C, which along with the Eb root, makes a very pretty inversion of a G# Major Seventh chord. 

The note C suggests the Root Chakra; the interval between C and the Eb root is that of a major sixth; and the hermeneutic for the Major Sixth of Voices is faith. We wish to function successfully in the world with our creative integrity intact, but there’s an emptiness, a kind of unasked question, a dull blankness, hanging in our way – and the response that heals is faith.

Faith in what? In ourselves? In our worthiness as creators? In the creative process? The voices sing: we need no minor faith, no blind beliefs nor gung-ho confidence nor feel-good platitudes, but profound, deeply grounded faith. Every sound that arises finds its fifth harmonic, it’s consonance, and its seventh harmonic, the dissonance that brings rise to the new and decay to the old. We are momentary densities of vibration in a vast, undulating harmonic fabric, and a part of that fabric as well, and under the same laws, and born of the same unfathomable source: this is home. Trust, surrender, gratitude: that’s the kind of faith we’re talking.

There’s an opportunity here to explore the nature of the Third Chakra, of identity and personal power. Our notions of these things are so often narrow and closed: identity implies boundaries, power implies “mine.” Identity, though, is most functional when fluid and responsive, and true power arises simply from functionality, and not as power over but as power through and with. Perhaps bridging the gap between creativity and a functional identity that includes it is best accomplished from the top down, by letting go of our boiled-down, hardened notions of having to be this or that and allowing the consonance – and confidence, and faith – to rise.

Summer of Love: Midsummer and Marriage Equality

Midsummer is upon us, sweet as strawberries. Friday was the Summer Solstice, the day the Sun shines longest: bonfires were lit, herbs were gathered. Tonight – now –  the full Moon rises in Capricorn, a perigee full moon, closest to the Earth and huge in the sky.

On March 26, the full moon of Easter, two cases came before the Supreme Court of the United States regarding marriage equality, and I cast the Muzoracle. Now the court is on the verge of handing down their decisions, possibly as early as tomorrow, certainly by the 27th. Midsummer is a time of gratitude and celebrating abundance – and love, and marriage. Much has happened since Easter: more states, more people, have come onboard; there seems to be a worldwide transformation of the heart underway. What lies in store for us here in the good ole USA? On Friday I cast the Muzoracle - it’s been stewing here on the casting table since. Tonight, just before moonrise, I added in some Tarot. 

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The keycenter of B ascending indicates energy moving upward from the Crown Chakra: the vitality that bubbled up from the Earth and was drawn up through us is given back to the stars. The Midsummer Sun shines down most abundantly, and we beam back thanks: we are transformers between the Earth and Sun, and are so transformed. 

The first position in the casting is at se descending, the point of inception; the card is Con Amore, “with love.” Here, at the beginning, love shines down. Con Amore is also a directive card: it directs us to give love ourselves, to let it enter us from above and take seed below through us. The Tarot in this position is the Six of Cups – the remembrance of love, a nostalgia for love. Looks like we’re in for another Summer of Love, folks!

The final three positions of this casting are all ascending, speaking of our personal aims, roles, and challenges. The first of the three is at mi ascending, the point of “effort required.“ Here, at the casting’s axis, we find the Silence card crossed with a Minor Second of Voices. The minor second speaks of a deep, pervasive, even spiritual discord: there are those who find the notion of a world where love in all its forms is respected a serious threat. We are called to respond to this discord with silence – not verbal silence nor inaction, but inner silence, the peace of truth. There is no wrong love: that truth lies in the silent part of everyone. How do we engender such silence, within ourselves and others? There’s the effort – there’s the work. The eight wands sailing through the sky in the Tarot card in this position indicate moving ahead with enthusiasm and optimism.

The next position is at fa ascending, the point where the deeper nature of what’s at hand is revealed. The card: Repeat. Perseverance is key: if we lose one, we keep at it. If we win one, we keep at it. Love is not a single act but countless acts in a way of life. The very purpose of all that’s at hand may be to learn the lessons perseverance teaches. The Knight of Pentacles coming down speaks of the pragmatic nature of this perseverance. 

Finally, with the Devil card at do ascending, we find ourselves setting our intention while assuming the mantle of the oppressed. The Devil card, though, is about delusion: the people in it are in chains so loose they could easily slip out of them if only they thought it possible. The Pivot card says it is possible, and so shall be. A pivot refers refers to a point in music where the melody doesn’t change key while the harmony underneath does. Imagine facing a wall then pivoting on one foot to suddenly face a room full of people, or the sea: “I am I: not that, but this.” This is the kind of clarity called for here at do, the point of intention. As long as we claim the mantle of the oppressed, we most certainly will wear it; the Pivot card allows an opportunity to redefine ourselves. 

Musical notes. In the context of an ascending B major scale, an F natural announces itself most lovingly. In response, a D# and E natural are sung horrifically; the response to that is silence. E strikes again, this time without the D# – and again, and again. Finally, do, hinting at what the opening tritone promised.