#arellawho

My illustration of The Greek Muses

In the Ancient Hellenic world, it was said that the king of the sky, Zeus, joined with the goddess of memory, Mnemosyne, and from them the nine great Muses were born. The Muses reigned alongside the Olympian deities at Mount Olympus, where they were worshipped for their expertise in art and science. With cult followings throughout all of Greece, these nine goddesses were venerated beside Apollo, ruler of the Sun and one of the most beloved Greek gods. Moreover, they inspired numerous classics, such as Homer's “Odyssey” and the “Iliad.”

Although Western society has grown further from Pagan traditions, the relevance of the Muses remains. The fact that these female figures were able to play such a significant role in a patriarchal religion is valuable for society still and speaks to the many divine qualities which women continue to offer.

NOV. 15, 2020

hello all. i did a reading for the new moon in scorpio tonight, and i thought i’d share it here. maybe the message will resonate with you.

as the new moon passes through the constellation of scorpio tonight, it marks a time of new beginnings, heavy emotions, and profound energy. we may see continued conflict brought over from the prior lunar turning in libra during this cycle, including personal and collective tensions and woes. as such, it is especially important during this time to be mindful and find a sense of stability and clarity within yourself. scorpio calls attention to the mysteries and inclinations that lie within, and invites you to reflect on your journey thus far. 

the five of wands was reiterates this continued wave of conflict, tension, competition, polarization, and stagnation. although we might have hoped to resolve relational and other external disagreements this month, the five warns us that this resolution or release will not come immediately. paired with the sign of scorpio, we should understand this as a sign to turn inward. instead of trying to force external cooperation, we will find more solace by working within.

the wheel of fortune is associated with the four fixed signs of the zodiac, these being taurus, leo, aquarius, and scorpio. when the wheel passes through the quadrant of scorpio, it marks a time of regeneration and transmutation of dormant mental and emotional energies. the wheel of fortune reminds us all of the impermanence of nature and the tides of life. no one condition can last forever, and all hardships will in time pass.

the four of swords is a card of grounding in spite of whatever is to come. It guides us through periods of challenge and teaches us how to soften and secure our minds. this card signals a time for rest and retreat. as with the five, we will see no movement or resolution right now in the external environment, yet this directs us to instead focus on the internal environment. the four speaks to the importance of quiet, stillness, introspection, and reflection. 

at last, we see the hanged man, which always precedes a period of change in tarot. this is a reassuring sign, as it means the theme of worldly conflict that has presented itself all throughout last cycle and into this cycle will soon come to a close. yet the hanged man teaches us that this can’t happen without some form of surrender or release. the card depicts a person hanging upside down, indicating that this “surrender” may be one of old perspectives or mentalities. this is an invitation to welcome pause and introspection into your life. by taking the time to slow down and to get in touch with your emotional self, you can start a conversation with your subconscious mind, identifying automatic patterns and processes that hinder or help you. In so doing, you can change the inner to change the outer. 

A Future to Believe In

There was a Bernie Sanders rally in Madison, WI today. I am awed that Space Raft had the opportunity to play in support of Bernie, and to meet not only him, but also speakers such as Shailene Woodley and Rosario Dawson. (The band pictured above, Bernie speaking today in Madison can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G73IKu4g7cU).

There is an up-and-coming rally in Milwaukee tomorrow, and Space Raft will be playing there as well! The link to RSVP is below, thought I’d share.

https://go.berniesanders.com/page/event/detail/rally/44zbm