Mercury Shadow

Mercury - that little planet that effects communications in all types.  When he goes retrograde it means he is moving backwards in the sky.  It is said it will effect all forms of communications, contracts and negotiation.  Many things have to be reworked or redone or revisited during retrograde times.  Breakdowns and misunderstandings are the theme.
Now before you say this is all hokey - how often have you heard someone ask, "Is it a full moon or something?  Everyone seems to be acting crazy!"
It's not all bad news.  Mercury helps to boost creativity and encourages us to slow down. It's the perfect time for holidays and creative endeavors.
Now some RX if Mercury is effecting your chart big time....

1. Smudge - you could use sage, lavender/salt water to spray around your home (a pinch of salt, 8 drops of lavender oil and distilled water)
2. Burn yellow candles - they are said to bring clarity & intellegence
3. Meditate... Mercury is the messenger after all and will offer some terrific insights.
4. Relax and just be.  Give yourself & others space until it's over.  Hold off on any large decisions &/or conversations. 

Look at your chart to see where Mercury resides ... which house is it in?  This will offer some insight on how/where you will be effected.
Enjoy
Tam
xo
PS.  And just throwing this out there.  My Astrological Colouring Book which offers space for you to record special occasions and dates to remember.  It's adorable.


PPS.  Here's a link that offers even more info on this specific retrograde:   http://astrologyking.com/mercury-retrograde/

Retrograde Planets

April brings four planets in retrograde.  Those of you who love astrology and study the planets probably are aware of this.  For everyone else when a planet is in retrograde it is said to be moving backwards.  

Currently, or very soon anyhow, there will be four planets in retrograde:  Venus, Saturn, Pluto and Mercury.  One of my students this week said, "Oh, that can't be good!"  LOL.. that's the thing; it's not good, nor bad, it just is.

So among many things to look forward to this month we've got Mercury who will make us revisit communications of all kinds, Venus who will reexamine your relationships, Saturn who will bring karmic retribution and Pluto who brings change and endings.

None of this should be feared, but experienced.   Here's a longer link to consider these themes: http://astrologyanswers.com/beneficial-thought/retrograde-survival-guide/  

Yogi Bhajan taught a meditation technique back in the 70's to help us modify the effects of the Saturn retrograde.  It helps to shift the energies from negative karma into dharma (our job to serve).   It has a specific mudra and chanting of "Hari, hari, hari, hari, hari, hari, har"  for 11 or 31 minutes while keeping the hands in Shuni Mudra.

Here's a link to guide you:  http://www.harinam.com/la019-780315-shuni-mudra-kriya/  

We can say this planetary awareness is all hogwash and if you don't believe it that's fine.  However consider when people say, "Is there a full moon or something?  Everyone is acting crazy!"  Maybe it holds some merit?  

You can decide.

Until next time,
Tam

x

PS.  Awhile ago I created an astrology colouring book: 

Here's the link so you can go buy the book

Astrology

I'm a Sagittarius and love Astrology.  I love to hear YouTuber's discussing what elements of the planets are effecting us each week.  And find a lot of the time the advice is worth listening to.  Sometime it's exactly what you need to hear.  A number of years ago I did a poster series on each Zodiac sign.  Here's my Aries poster... you can find all of these over on Pinterest:

I've taken the original posters, made them grey scale and added 'my girls':

This one is actually the cover of My Secret Amazing Delightful Life book and not included in the new book, but gives you an idea.  One for each of the signs with areas to record birthdays etc.  Here it is!

Inside there are the 12 signs (traits, elements, qualities, gemstones and more), other influencing planets (Venus, Mars, Neptune etc.,) as well as their main traits and the 12 houses featuring their main themes. You'll find descriptions of the Four Elements (fire, earth, water air) and the Qualities (cardinal/fixed/mutable). 

Artwork is simple, easy and whimsical. There is space to record your personal details or areas you may use to journal. Keep track of important dates to remember ; birthdays, anniversary’s or other dates.  

Would love you to have one!  It would make a great gift also.  Please share & thank you for your support!

Love,

Tam

x

PS.  This version is 8.5 x 11 and there is another which is smaller but exactly the same.  The small version is 5 X 8 so it's easier to store for those dates you don't want to forget!

Believe in Love

I love this piece!  It was so fun to create.  

I had some extra bits of mounting foam left over from another project so I decided to use it here.  I adored the background and couldn't think of what to do with it so Zentangles and birdhouses made their way in. I especially love the little kite dangling down - the sideways written words came from font I saw over on pinterest.

Here it is again with better lighting.  The birdhouse on the right didn't mount straight.  It's stuck like that now...

Here is my Pinterest account btw... 

http://www.pinterest.com/tammycymbalisty/

Check out my astrology board.  I can't believe how many hits my Zodiac pictures are getting and being shared/pinned.  I'm grateful some are enjoying the hard work that went into them. And oddly enough it is the Aries picture that is winning with 160 re-pins!  Isn't that awesome?

Ok...have a great week and enjoy the beginning of summer

Tammy

x

Chinese New Year

Here's my art journal post inspired by the Year of the Wooden Horse. 

 From another perspective - I find it hard to get good lighting for pictures right now but here it is...

Say look at these more closely and tell me if you can see the lady on the right side of the page (so kewl)!  

This one is on a flat canvas board which will eventually make it over to my Etsy shop (yes I've been lazy with that recently).  Again the picture doesn't do the painting justice, but you get an idea....

May the Wooden Horse gallop into your life & find you prosperous and well!  

PS.  I'm also fully addicted to astrology & horoscopes (always have been although before it was always about tarot cards and psychics).  Truth be told I don't question the future as much anymore and work toward being here and now.  Which I guess is why I adore art journaling so much. 

Anyhow... a great site if you are interested in learning about your sign and the year of the horse is:

http://chinese.horoscope.com/

I'm sure there are many other sites, but I do enjoy this one.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Forewarned is forearmed and all that

Last weekend when the moon was in Cancer it was an emotional roller coaster of a time; not just for me, but for many.   I missed hearing about it from the astrologists that I listen to on a daily/weekly/monthly basis as I was without internet access (there's enough stress in simply that fact, right?  LOL)  I find most of the time these guys have a knowing that if listened to can shift and change our experience.

I heard about the emotional roller coaster weekend after I exited the ride. 

If I had known beforehand maybe I would have dealt with things differently or at the very least had been better prepared.  Not that it was all that bad (in fact it was fairly good).  I just found people to be emotional and as an empathy I sucked it all in.

Half the time lately I'm not sure if its me being pre-menopausal or the others, but I know I'm growing and stretching into the mystic from what I'll call the river rocks ride.  (That time when you are tumbled around to smooth out your rough edges....yes it still happens to me and it's far from pleasant experientially.)

So this time I'm ready for it! 

Here's the Mantra from Kaypachya & the video I'll post the link below for the weekend.....

"As I speak my truth I must be prepared,
For others to feel, react, and share,
If I can get over feeling threatened and scared,
I will learn the lessons Life has for me there."

As I'm off to a family reunion - this is good information.... and reminder to stay unreactive.

And to pack emergency homeopathics in case I get a case of menopausal erratic emotions showing up ontop of the 'look at me' Leo zaniness. 

Here's my mantra for the weekend - when in doubt... drug yourself!  LOL

Play safe & remember to breathe!
Love
Tam
xo

PS.  Here's the link to Tom's video:  http://youtu.be/d3UJIOuRHho