museofhestia

[museofhestia]

The Seven of Cups: This is the minor arcana tarot card that is associated with the 3rd decan of Scorpio. It is a card of Scorpio, and it is a Card of Venus. You could also interpret this as a card of Venus in Scorpio, but I think it is best to just remember that this card brings us lessons of both Scorpio and of Venus, regardless of where Venus is.

Key Words and Concepts of the Seven of Cups:

Choices

Creative potential

Confusion

Decision-making

Dreams

Emotional complexity

Escapism

Illusions

Imagination

Options

Possibilities

Reflection

Temptation

Vision

The 7 of Cups in the Tarot deck depicts an array of diverse possibilities, dreams, and choices. Depicting a figure gazing at a set of ethereal cups containing various symbols, this card symbolizes a moment of decision-making amid a myriad of options. It suggests a time of imagination, fantasies, and the potential for wish fulfillment.

However, it also carries a cautionary note about the importance of discernment and focus in the face of abundance. The 7 of Cups invites individuals to explore their desires, dreams, and aspirations but advises against becoming overwhelmed by illusions or getting lost in impractical fantasies. It encourages thoughtful consideration of the available options, prompting a balance between the allure of diverse possibilities and the need for grounded decision-making to manifest one's true desires.

Read the full post on the Seven of Cups: https://www.patreon.com/posts/7-of-cups-tarot-93238892

Review the podcast episode about the Seven of Cups: https://youtu.be/S48OyTX89uc?si=_0wa-YQeDRGiKfjY

[museofhestia]

"Ground and Center" is advice you hear a lot, but what does it mean?

Being "grounded" is being fully present, in this moment, in your body. It is the opposite of detached or disassociated.

Being "centered" is to find the calm center within yourself, it is mindful, aware, present.

When you are grounded and centered you are existing in this present moment, not in fear of the future or regret of the past - it is radical acceptance of where you are right now, what is happening right now. And from here - from the space of "grounded and centered" you can make a calm and clear choice about what your next step is, what is the immediate need in this situation?

The best way to become grounded and centered is through the breath. Simply bring your mindful awareness to the breath, and through the breath you can connect with your body and this present moment. Other visualizations might be helpful for you, but truthfully it is all in the breath.

Follow the breath into the body, and out. Exist here in this moment with each breath, and then the next. Once you have connected with your body and this present moment, you are grounded and centered and can better problem solve or see what you need to do next.

[museofhestia]

Sun and certainty, Phoebus and Helios. Courage and wisdom, Ares and Pallas. Passion and love, Aphrodite and Eros. Protection and guidance, Hekate and Hermes. Purity and patience, Artemis and Selene. Plenty and direction, Deo and Poseidon. Work and revelry, Hephaestus and Bacchos. Power and union, Zeus and Hera. A steady home, the blaze of Hestia. Pray, so many blessings to call forth. So many Gods to give thanks for.

[museofhestia]

Witchling tips

Read all the books and other info you can, but learn to read critically.

Don’t be afraid to read things you might not agree with or identify with. Study is study and just because you read it doesn’t mean you have to believe it or incorporate it into your practice.

That being said, don’t appropriate cultures or cultural practices that do not belong to your or that you have not be trained and/or initiated in. There are ways to study cultures that are not appropriative, pay attention and be respectful.

Let your personal curiosity lead your study. What are you interested in about witchcraft? History? Divination? Plants? tarot? sigils? candle magic? charms or talismans? knot magic? Energy work? Study what you are interested in and see where it goes. There is a learning theory called “unschooling” that believes humans are naturally curious and that we should follow that curiosity to create our study. So, seek what interests you about witchcraft and find information about that.

You don’t have to buy all the fancy witchy stuff, especially if you don’t know if you are even going to use it. Stuff you already have is fine.  Things from thrift store are cheap, and work just as well. You might not ever use that cheap athame from the witch shop, but you might fall in love with a thrift shop mason jar.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to practice witchcraft. Walk around your neighborhood and get to know the plants and animals, even urban spaces have unique magical things. Check out the spices in your spice rack and look up their correspondences. There are lots of books on witchcraft online for free as well as phone apps that could suit your needs.

Check out your local library. If they don’t specifically have books on witchcraft they will still have books on plants, history, and folklore. you might also be able to check things out with inter-library loans.

You don’t have to publicly document your path. I’m really happy there isn’t a public documentation of my witchling years or my baby punk years. Seriously, so much stumbling embarrassment. However, it is always helpful to document your progress for yourself; a hidden blog, a notebook, or google doc are just fine to start.

There is no universal witch. If you don’t want to work witchcraft in a religion, don’t. maybe secular witchcraft is for you. If you don’t want to work with deities, don’t. If forests give you the creeps and you love cities more, great, maybe urban witchery is for you. Make your witchcraft, your witchcraft.

There is little good in arguing with people that disagree with you, especially on the internet. If someone is not being hurtful and they just happen to believe differently than you, leave them alone. A witch that believes differently than you does not diminish what you do.

Remember that witchcraft is a collected set of skills and practices. These are things that you hone as you find what works for you. It is not something that will be given to you or that you will have instantly. It is something to be worked at that you can always learn more.

Basically, if you study and practice witchcraft, whatever that means to you, you can call yourself a witch. Also, if you do those things and don’t want to call yourself a witch, you don’t have to.

[museofhestia]

So Mote It Be

My dream for the election is that it’s definitive. I want a 2012-style Election Day where everyone built it up beforehand to possibly be close but then the results start rolling in and it was like “Oh, nevermind. It’s obviously Obama. Everyone go to bed.”

I just want voters to put a stake right through the heart of Trumpism so that it crumbles to ash before our eyes. That’s the dream.

[museofhestia]

Happy Halloween! Blessed Samhain! Please enjoy this Halloween Party Playlist that I made!

[museofhestia]

hi! not about astrology, but what does "io" mean?

Hi! Great question! io is a joyful statement of praise, a happy exclamation. it is like saying "Hail" or "Praise" but with emphasis on joyfulness. In my community we pounce it "Eee-oh!"

So if I say io Hermes it means "Hail Hermes" or "Praise Hermes" with implied joy. It is my understanding that it comes from Latin and ancient Greek, and was an exclamation of joy which later may have become an origin of the exclamation point! (The letter I with a small o under it becoming "!")

[museofhestia]

Lilia, you did it. You saved us.

[museofhestia]

The Greek for “divine possession” is enthusiasmos—enthusiasm. To be enthused or enthusiastic is to be “engodded,” to be divinely inspired.

—Stephen Fry, Mythos

[museofhestia]

Mercury Opposition Uranus

Mercury will come into opposition with Uranus on October 28, 29, and 30.

When these planets oppose each other, the result can be a clash between conventional thinking vs the urge for radical ideas or breakthroughs. This transit may bring sudden insights, flashes of genius, or unexpected news, but it can also cause mental restlessness, erratic communication, or difficulty staying focused.

The lesson here is to remain open to new perspectives and embrace innovation, while also being cautious of impulsive decisions or reactions. It’s a time to balance creativity with grounded thinking, using the energy for productive change rather than letting it create unnecessary disruption.

This aspect also urges another perspective on finding the balance between Taurus and Scorpio - an energy that will be revisited in mid-November with the Taurus Full Moon. We are heavy in the Scorpio lessons and energy right now, and Taurus is the antidote, offering us some balance. The only planet currently offering us that Taurean balance is Uranus - and Uranus does things in unexpected or disruptive ways.

[museofhestia]

Why is Wicca not a preferred way of practice? I’ve read a couple of posts, and Wicca isn’t favored.

Moral puritanism and performative outrage, plain and simple. There's nothing inherently wrong with Wicca or Wiccans. Some people in the community just aren't doing the work and seem to think that decolonizing our thinking begins and ends with screaming BOYCOTT at anything they deem even remotely reprehensible.

Let's do some of the work and dig a little deeper, shall we?

The main complaint is that Wicca started with people who had problematic worldviews and has had some growing pains and issues with racism, sexism, cultural appropriation, and bad actors in the community as it has evolved, reaching into the present day.

But here's the thing - SHOW ME A RELIGION THAT DOESN'T HAVE THESE PROBLEMS SOMEWHERE IN ITS' HISTORY OR CURRENT CULTURE. GO AHEAD, I'LL WAIT.

It's neither fair nor reasonable to judge a religion based on its' beginnings, or to dismiss the ability of a community to grow and evolve over time, or to pretend that the modern witchcraft movement doesn't owe a large part of its' existence to Wicca. Like it or not, if it weren't for Wiccans, we wouldn't have the kind of organization or recognition that we do, nor would we have had certain landmark legal cases that led to pagans being able to claim the protection of law against religious discrimination in the States.

(And because someone somewhere is going to demand the encyclopedia answer - This is not to discount the contributions of other groups, but the historical fact remains that the people responsible for the foundations of Wicca kickstarted the movement in the UK and subsequent practitioners brought it into public view in a positive light during the counterculture movements of the 1950s and 1960s. And it was Wicca that was first pagan religion in the US to be recognized and therefore included under the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. This does not change the CULTURAL AND SOCIETAL response to witchcraft or paganism, or the problems that witches and pagans still face in other places, only the presence of civil rights that were not there before. And that has, in fact, contributed to an increase in wider normalization and acceptance. We may not owe EVERYTHING to Wicca and Wiccans, but we would not be where we are as a movement or a community without them.)

Not to mention, Wicca hasn't even been around for a whole century yet and already it's being judged like it has the same kind of cultural and political clout that, oh say, Christianity does in much of the Western world. And it's no coincidence that a good number of the criticisms leveled at Wiccans are the same ones flung at Christians.

Wicca DOES have a strong influence on modern witchcraft, because Wicca and Wiccans were such a big part of the foundation of the movement. Furthermore, many of the published works viewed as standard beginner texts were written by Wiccans or heavily influenced by Wiccan ideas and concepts. Admittedly, there was a tendency for quite some time to think of Wicca and Wiccan tenets as the default for modern witchcraft, and now that we're moving away from that and discovering just how much of our thinking relies on that framework and the ideas present within it, there's backlash happening.

It's important to try and decolonize your thinking as much as possible when it comes to witchcraft. But that involves more work and more effort than just pointing fingers and broadly condemning anything remotely problematic or anything that's ever been touched or influenced by people whose moral and ethical codes don't pass muster under a modern lens. We cannot and should not expect people from 50+ years ago to toe the line when people living today can't even do so reliably.

So to wrap it all up - there's nothing wrong with Wicca and there's nothing wrong with being Wiccan. We are none of us completely unproblematic and until we address the fact that issues with racism, sexism, manipulation, cultural appropriation, and so forth exist in MANY parts of the modern witchcraft and pagan community, we don't get to tar and feather any one group. A bit of critical thinking and self-reflection, and a great deal of Knowing Our Own History, is the key to moving forward here.

Because until the people voicing these complaints most loudly can realize the head-splitting irony of condemning Wicca in one breath and celebrating the Wheel of the Year or venerating a Maiden-Mother-Crone-model goddess in the next, we're not actually getting anywhere.

Anyway, I hope this helps to answer some of your questions. For more information, I highly recommend reading Margot Adler's "Drawing Down The Moon" and Ronald Hutton's "Triumph of the Moon" for a more comprehensive overview of the history of the modern witchcraft movement. Both are written from an outside scholar's perspective and are presented as research rather than rhetoric. Part of knowing where we are and deciding where to go next is knowing where we started and where we've been, after all.

[museofhestia]

Venus Square Saturn

Venus in Sagittarius will come into a Square aspect with Saturn in Pisces between the dates of October 26, 27, and 28.

Venus in Sagittarius squaring Saturn in Pisces. With both these planets in mutable signs we will feel a challenging transit that can create tension between love, commitment, and practicality.

On the positive side, this aspect can foster a sense of responsibility, discipline, and a willingness to work hard for relationships. It can also lead to a more mature and realistic approach to love and intimacy. However, this transit can also create feelings of insecurity, rejection, and a fear of commitment.

The challenge lies in balancing the desire for love and connection with the need for stability and security.

[museofhestia]

VESTA IN LIBRA: October 27 - Jan 7

The Asteroid Vesta in Astrology represents The Goddess Vesta (counterpart of the Greek Goddess Hestia). Vesta is the Goddess of the Sacred Flame; representing Purity, Devotion, Service, and Sacrifice. In modern astrology, the Asteroid of Vesta can represent a place of devotion and dedication in the chart - it is where we are tending an inner Sacred Fire.

Fire needs tending, care, and mindfulness so that it doesn't burn out; or burn too hot and get out of control. We give offerings of fuel (service, time, energy) in order to keep the fire lit. We must practice care and dedication, paying close attention to this fire so it does not go out.

The transits of Vesta can show us an area of life which we are feeling called to direct more care, devotion, and service. The sign that Vesta is transiting through represents the archetype or energy that is asking for more dedication, focus, and devotion.

Vesta also embodies the archetype of service and self-sacrifice. It suggests a willingness to dedicate oneself to the service of others or to a higher calling, even at personal cost. We can look to the transit of Vesta to receive guidance as to what aspects of life we should direct some extra dedication, devotion, and service to.

Think of the Asteroid Vesta as a Sacred Fire that helps us connect with something Sacred in each sign that it visits. When we discover something sacred, we recognize that we have a responsibility to protect, preserve, and serve that sacred thing.

When the asteroid Vesta is in the sign of Libra, whether in a natal chart or during a transit, it merges Vesta's themes of devotion, focus, and service with Libra’s qualities of harmony, balance, relationships, and beauty. The archetype of Libra embodies the energy of balance, harmony, and relationships, focusing on the pursuit of fairness, justice, and aesthetic beauty.

Governed by Venus, Libra is deeply concerned with creating equilibrium in all areas of life, from personal relationships to social interactions and decision-making processes. This sign values diplomacy, cooperation, and the art of compromise, striving to foster peace and understanding between individuals. Libra’s lessons center around finding middle ground, cultivating mutual respect, and recognizing the importance of both giving and receiving in partnerships.

Additionally, Libra teaches the appreciation of beauty, grace, and refinement, encouraging a life enriched by art, culture, and meaningful connections.

Here are some associations of Vesta in Libra:

Vesta in Libra: October 27, 2024 through January 2, 2025

• Focus on Relationships: When Vesta transits through Libra, relationships and partnerships come into sharper focus. People may feel a heightened desire to invest time and energy into strengthening their connections with others, particularly through creating harmony, balance, and mutual respect.

• Harmonizing Energy: This transit often brings an opportunity to bring balance to areas of life that may have become out of alignment. People may feel motivated to create more equilibrium in their relationships, work-life balance, or personal routines. It’s a good time to focus on restoring peace and calm in relationships.

• Commitment to Fairness:  Vesta’s transit through Libra can inspire a deeper commitment to ideals of fairness and equality. Individuals may be drawn to work for causes that promote justice, human rights, or equality. Diplomatic efforts are favored during this transit, as there’s a strong focus on resolving conflicts through cooperation and compromise.

• Artistic Devotion: This transit can also highlight a deep appreciation for beauty, art, and design. People may feel called to devote time and energy to creative projects or to beautifying their surroundings. Artistic expression, especially those related to balance and harmony, can be particularly fulfilling.

• Challenges in Balance: The need to balance devotion to others with self-care is especially important during this transit. People may feel pulled in multiple directions, trying to meet the needs of others while also maintaining their own well-being. Learning how to find balance in relationships, work, and personal life is a key theme during this time.

Overall, Vesta in Libra emphasizes devotion to relationships, fairness, and beauty. It encourages individuals to seek balance in their personal and interpersonal lives, with a focus on harmonious connections and creative expression. Both in natal charts and during transits, the lessons of Vesta in Libra revolve around finding equilibrium between serving others and maintaining personal well-being.

Additional Insights: 

Look to your birth chart to see what HOUSE is ruled by Libra. This house can give you additional clues to the area of life that Vesta is encouraging more devotion to right now.

If you have Vesta in Libra in your Birth Chart, you are having a Vesta Return! These themes come naturally to you and are likely a focus through your whole life. Let me know in comments if you have Vesta in Libra and how you feel about the above description of this placement. If you don't know where Vesta is in your birth chart, contact me to schedule an Astrology Session and I can help you find Vesta as well as interpret other parts of your chart.

VESTA is joining the Asteroid HESTIA in Libra for a brief period. Hestia has strong similarities to Vesta - so we have already been feeling some of this in our lives thanks to Hestia in Libra. These feelings are amplified with both Hestia and Vesta in the same sign - although Hestia will be moving into the sign of Scorpio on November 21. You can review this post about Hestia in Libra here:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/hestia-in-libra-111430324

[museofhestia]

Astrology of Oct 25 - Nov 1

* more detailed reports found on my blog

Oct 25: Moon in Leo

Mars Trine Neptune

Mars Opposition Pluto

Oct 26: Moon in Virgo

Mars Trine Neptune

Mars Opposition Pluto

Venus Square Saturn

Oct 27: Moon in Virgo

Vesta enters Libra

Venus Square Saturn

Mars Trine Neptune

Mars Opposition Pluto

Oct 28: Moon in Virgo

Venus Square Saturn

Mars Trine Neptune

Mars Opposition Pluto

Oct 29: Moon in Libra

Waning Dark Moon

Mars Opposition Pluto

Mercury Opposition Uranus

Oct 30: Moon in Libra

Waning Dark Moon

Moon + Black Moon Lilith

Mars Opposition Pluto

Mercury Opposition Uranus

Oct 31: Moon enters Scorpio 10:29 am PDT

Waning Dark Moon

Mars Opposition Pluto

Mercury Trine Mars

Nov 1: Moon in Scorpio, New Moon

- Moon and Sun exact Conjunction at 5:47 am PDT

Mars Opposition Pluto

Mercury Trine Mars

[museofhestia]

Astrology Update:

Mars Opposition Pluto

Mars in Cancer will be in Opposition to Pluto in Capricorn for the next couple of weeks.

This is the first of three Mars-Pluto Oppositions we will have over the next six months, but it is the only one that happens through the Cancer- Capricorn Axis. The next Mars-Pluto Oppositions will be through the Leo-Aquarius axis. First, let's review the energetic lessons of Pluto in Capricorn and Mars in Cancer:

The Final Month of Pluto in Capricorn: Oct 12 - Nov 19

Pluto in Capricorn represents a profound period of transformation, particularly in structures related to authority, government, and long-standing institutions. Pluto is the planet of power, transformation, and regeneration, while Capricorn rules over ambition, discipline, and societal frameworks. When Pluto moves through Capricorn, it brings a powerful urge to reform and restructure these areas, often exposing underlying weaknesses or corruption. The lessons of this transit involve facing the truth about outdated systems or personal ambitions that no longer serve a purpose, allowing them to be dismantled or reformed. It's a time for embracing change, even when it feels challenging, to create more resilient and authentic foundations for the future.

Mars in Cancer: Sept 4 - Nov 3 (and again Jan 6 - April 18)

Mars, the planet of action, drive, and ambition, typically encourages direct and bold behavior, while Cancer, a water sign, is associated with emotions, home, and nurturing. When Mars transits Cancer, our actions and motivations become closely tied to our feelings, family, and need for security. This transit can lead to protective and defensive behavior, as well as a strong desire to care for loved ones or defend personal boundaries.

Mars is "Fallen" in the sign of Cancer, in opposition to Capricorn where it is exalted. Fallen Mars struggles to assert itself in the sign of Cancer, where empathy, emotion, and compassion are prioritized. The lesson of Mars in Cancer is to learn how to channel assertive energy in a way that respects emotional needs and prioritizes the well-being of oneself and others. It's a time to balance action with empathy, using passion to support and protect rather than to confront or compete.

Mars is also in the Pre-Shadow of it's upcoming retrograde. While the Mars Retrograde will not begin until December 6 in the sign of Leo, it will come back to Cancer while retrograde in January - and it is currently in the section of Cancer that it will revisit during the retrograde. The lessons of Mars in Cancer that we encounter now may be revisited during the Mars Retrograde in early 2025.

Mars Opposition Pluto

Mars is in Opposition to Pluto through this entire week, and the aspect gets stronger and more intense as Mars approaches the last degree of Cancer. This aspect is building a lot of tension and holds a potentially explosive energy that we will likely all feel just below the surface. Pluto is in the critical anaeretic degree of Capricorn, and Mars is in Detriment while in Cancer, so there is added volatility here from both sides of this aspect.

This is a potent and transformative transit that can bring to the surface intense power struggles, deep-seated emotions, and significant life changes. On the positive side, this aspect can fuel ambition, determination, and a strong drive to succeed. It can also empower individuals to confront their fears, break free from limiting patterns, and undergo personal transformation. However, this transit can also lead to destructive tendencies, obsessive behaviors, angry outbursts, and a desire to manipulate or control others. The challenge lies in harnessing the intense energy of this aspect in a constructive way and avoiding destructive impulses.

Be aware: This transit really starts to amplify around October 25, building in intensity, and it will finally start to ease up a few days after Mars enters Leo - around November 7. In the USA this aspect is a major player during the election, so it will be very important to avoid outbursts and try to find soothing activities to relieve stress and tension.

[museofhestia]

Tarot card of the Decan:

Five of Cups

Oct 22 - Nov 1

The tarot card that corresponds with the first decan of Scorpio is the 5 of Cups. This is a card of Scorpio, as well as a card of Mars.

This card holds a poignant symbolism that speaks to themes of loss, disappointment, and emotional upheaval. Depicted by a figure standing before three spilled cups while two remain upright, the card suggests a focus on what has been lost rather than what remains. The individual in the card may be grappling with feelings of regret, sorrow, or nostalgia, often arising from the recognition of missed opportunities or shattered expectations.

Despite the prevailing sense of grief, the 5 of Cups also serves as a reminder that there is potential for renewal and growth. The two standing cups symbolize the possibilities that still exist, urging the individual to redirect their focus towards the positive aspects of the situation. It encourages introspection, acceptance of emotions, and the understanding that healing and progress can emerge from acknowledging, processing, and ultimately moving beyond the setbacks depicted in the spilled cups.

Loss and Grief teach us so much, but mostly they teach us about what we value.  When something ends or is taken from us, we suddenly realize how much it meant to us.  Perhaps we now know that we want to seek out something similar to what we had, but with greater attention and care this time.  Perhaps we recognize that we are taking other things for granted, and we treat those things or people with more care and caution because we are reminded how everything in life is temporary.  

From this loss and pain comes a deep motivation - and Mars is the planet of our Motivations and Drives.  From this loss and pain comes a reminder that we must protect that which we value - and Mars is the planet of protection and defensiveness.  From this loss and pain we find resilience and renewed focus on our reasons to keep going - and Mars is related to these things as well.  

[museofhestia]

✨T H E M✨

Just trying new things 😙 Which one is your favorite? 🤠