2018 - A Year of Connection and Cooperation

This year - 2018 - resonates to the energy of the “2”. It will be a year when our focus shifts to cooperation, harmony, diplomacy and connections with others. It is a less me-centered year, and a more us-focused time frame. 

This year we can expect:

• To slow down and enjoy the process a bit more. This is in contrast to 2017 which was a year of busy-ness and seed-planting. A lot of effort and hard work went into 2017. This year, 2018 will be about seeing our efforts take root and sprout.

• To connect with others. Relationships - both old and new take center stage. We will be striving for more genuine and deeper interactions with others. Our socializing will be busy yet selective.

• To strive for peace, harmony and cooperation. The “2” is a number of pairing. It means we try to find a common ground with others. We focus on what we have in common rather than where we are different. In 2018, the focus will be on closing rifts and working toward a common goal. We may find ourselves avoiding difficult people/situations.

• To increase our compassion and understanding for each other. This ties in with the one above, and basically says we are going to work harder to be nicer in general.

• To improve our relationships (especially intimate ones) or welcome new love into our lives.  This is the year of realizing that together we are stronger. This is especially true in our closest relationships so expect some extra attention to be placed in this category.

• To learn a lot about patience. While we will be strive for peace, love and harmony, it doesn’t mean these experiences will come easily. Actually, it will take a lot of compromise and alterations on our parts to make this happen. It’s not like we have the ability to blink our eyes and make it happen. This is an area on which we will have to work and expect the gift of patience to be one of your biggest lessons in 2018.

Tarot - Level 1 Workshop

Have you ever wanted to learn the ancient art of Tarot reading? Well now is your chance to understand the intricacies of this obscure form of divine communication.

Perhaps, you are not interested in Tarot, but you know an awesome someone who would be. If so, this could be a fantastic surprise gift for that special person. 

Maybe both you and a friend have talked about how fun it would be to learn Tarot.

Regardless of which scenario fits you, don’t let this unique opportunity pass you by.

In this four-part workshop, attendees will participate in 90-minute sessions of direct and applicable Tarot instruction. After attending all four classes, participants should gain a basic understanding of the Tarot. This will include a thorough introduction to the parts of the deck, an explanation of the meanings of each card, and ample practice with at least three different Tarot spread. At the conclusion of the workshop students will have enough background knowledge to give a Tarot reading to partners, family and friends.

Each class will have its own topic of study and will follow a very orderly session of instruction:

Class 1 – Intro to the Tarot, History of the Tarot, Major Arcana, Practice with the 2-card spread

Class 2 – Brief review of the Major Arcana, Introduction of Minor Arcana, Practice with the 3-card spread

Class 3 – Brief review of the Minors and Introduction of the Court Cards, Partner practice with 3-card spread

Class 4 – Brief review of Majors, Minors and Court, Pulling it together with the 5-card and 7-card spreads

Because of the need individual attention class size is limited to 10 people.  Sessions will be held Sundays January 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 2-3:30 pm at Simply Sidney’s Floral Design and Home Accents at 268 Broadway in Saratoga Springs.

The early bird registration rate is $80 for all sessions if paid in full by December 27, 2017. After December 27, 2017, the regular price for registration is $90. Unfortunately, due to limited spacing, there are no refunds after December 31, 2017.



Please note - attendees will need to bring the following materials to each class:

Materials for the Tarot – Level 1 Class

1. A Tarot deck

Any deck can be used, but one of the following are most recommended: 

* Rider Waite Tarot (This includes, the Radiant Rider Waite, the Universal Rider Waite, the original Rider Waite, etc)

* Morgan Greer Tarot

* Connolly Tarot

* Anna K Tarot

* Hanson-Roberts Tarot

* Llewellyn’s Classic Tarot

2. A notebook or binder with looseleaf to record information

3. A genuine interest in the topic of Tarot

Release the Stress, Embrace the Mess in November

For many of us, November has been a bit of an emotionally turbulent month. That’s because November resonates to the energy of the 11/2.

The 11/2 is a master number energy so we may be feeling like we are pulled to extremes. At times, we will resonate to the peaceful, balanced, harmonious feeling of the ‘2’. We will feel as though things are good and contentment reigns. Our sensitivity to others as well as our environment will be well under control and channelled into creative and productive pursuits.

Other times, things won’t be feeling so smooth. There will be internal instability which causes discomfort about our surroundings and disconnect in our interaction with others. As a result, we may be feeling argumentative, impatient or overly sensitive.

The message is to not get overwhelmed by these challenges because the 11/2 energy of November is about change and evolution. We are navigating new territories that fosters personal growth, and this can be frustrating.

Basically, the 11/2 energy is a conflicted one. It’s about seeing where we want to be (the energy of the 2) and releasing all the situations, false-beliefs and fears that block our path to our desired destinations (the energy of the 11).

So, what is the answer? Well, ultimately, it’s about ‘rolling with it.’ It’s about staying in our power even when it seems like there is tumult all around us.

For November, we should remember to not let the stressors of the upcoming holidays get to us. We are being encouraged to go with the flow, and not psyche ourselves out about potential problems that may or may not occur. In addition, it is about honoring the traditions that feel right to us and releasing the ones that no longer resonate with our soul.

Overall, the 11/2 is known as the Master Teacher number. That’s because it signals the acquisition of important lessons. Like any learning process, our most powerful lessons often come slowly and take a while for us to internalize. This month we should not stress about the learning process. Instead, we should just trust that things are unfolding exactly as they should, and that everything will be okay in the end.

Slowing Down Could Speed Things Up

October 2017 resonates to the energy of the “2”. This number, the “2” is all about balance, cooperation, partnerships, problem-solving, and harmony. With the “2” as our focal-point this month, we will be less aggressive in our pursuit of solutions, and more focused on working together to get issues addressed.

In addition, we will be moving at a more methodical pace. Our actions will be more planned out and thought-through. We will be goal-oriented, and our attention will be be on achieving peace in all areas of our lives. Diplomacy, tactfulness and understanding will be our hallmark behaviors this month.

This doesn’t mean the month will go off without any issues or challenges. What is does mean, however, is that we will take a more gentle approach to handling challenging issues. For instance, conflicts - whether they occur at work, in society or at home - will have a solution-oriented approach to them. Rather than finger-pointing and ultimatums, individuals will work to find a middle ground where all parties can have a happy outcome.

In affairs of the heart and important personal relationships, we can expect to feel a closer connection with the people we care about most. Time will be carved out with which to spend time with each other, and an emphasis will be placed on making special memories. An atmosphere of mutual-appreciation and genuine caring will be the primary focus of individuals. While it may not be an overly exciting month, it will have a special feeling of connectedness where individuals show true attention and love to the people around them.

On a final note, October could be the month where relationships take a healthy evolutionary step into the future. This could be a time where people decide to jump into emotionally deep waters or decide to make a long-term commitment they may have been hesitant about for a while.

Wherever the “2” energy shows up in our lives, October is sure to be a month where things slow down so a greater appreciation for the more emotional connections to each other can manifest and be appreciated

September Encourages Us to 'Go For it''

September is all about beginnings, opportunities and re-starts. That is because the energy of the month resonates to the number 1.

The number 1 inspires creation, inception, and the planting of seeds. It is also a very assertive, dominant, and sometimes, aggressive energy. That’s because the energy of the 1 represents the bridge between idea and action, and we will feel more compelled that we have in a long time to make things happen.

Compounding this situation is the fact that the  overall feel of 2017 is also resonating to the energy of the 1 (2+0+1+7= 10/1). This means our focus will be on overdrive this month as we attempt to firmly plant the seeds to manifest some of our biggest desires and goals before the year

comes to a close.

For most of us, this means we will be working hard to inaugurate positive growth in one or more areas of our lives. These include but are not limited to home, love, career, finance, etc. 

Now this doesn’t mean we are functioning from a brand new perspective. Rather, it most likely means we are re-evaluating the efforts that were started nearly a year ago which were designed to facilitate healthy, new beginnings in our lives. These ‘starts’ could have begun anywhere from between October 2016 and February 2017.

So how do we apply this to our lives? Well here are a few ideas:

Home - Invite fresh change into your house. Initiate plans for renovations, repairs and general updates. Make contact with a reputable contractor and get estimates for either necessary or desired home improvements. Envision what it you hope to create and get excited about the possibility of new growth. Don’t have the money for the repairs right now? Explore options for how to make this happen. Implement a plan to find or raise the necessary funds.

Love - Make a special effort to open up your heart to friends, family and intimates. Set time aside in your schedule to do fun activities. Start a tradition. If you are single, join a dating service or take a friend up on that offer to set you up on a date. Who knows where it will lead but it is certain to be fun.

Career - Okay… you have been complaining about your job for far too long. It’s time to stop because that is a useless approach to problem solving. Instead, find that resume, update your information and send it out. With the number 1 energy at play this month, there are sure to be some great opportunities out there. It is up to us to find them and take advantage of them!

Finance - Don’t be surprised if some extra dough crosses your path this month. Perhaps it’s a raise. Maybe it is the result of an unexpected windfall. Use this additional cash as a way to accomplish some important financial goals. If the money doesn’t show up on its own, don’t panic. Rather sit down and review your income and expenditures. Look for ways to increase the input and decrease the output.

Overall, we are being compelled to act in September. Sitting on the sidelines would be a huge waste of a golden opportunity. The Universe wants us to start something new or re-energize an old plan or dream. And, regardless of where our efforts are placed this month, our goal is to move courageously and tenaciously in the direction of our dreams so that we can live the life we desire most. 

August Encourages Both Connection and Detachment

The tumultuous energy of August has people on pins and needles both in our personal spheres and our global arena. That’s because there are a few factors at play which appear to be creating a ‘perfect storm’ effect on the world. One major astrological event is the new moon solar eclipse in Leo that will occur on August 21. 

This is an extra special solar eclipse event because this is a ‘black moon’. A ‘black moon’ is an astrological event similar to a ‘blue moon’. Basically, this ‘black moon’ is the second new moon in the same astrological sign - something that is very rare. To compound it, this black moon is happening during during the fiery, combative energy of Leo, and will create a complete solar eclipse across the main body of the United States. 

 So what does this mean for us? Well, it’s the darkness before the dawn. New moons usher in new ideas, new possibilities and new beginnings. That’s good, right? However, many people despise change - both personally and in general. This is especially true if they live in a comfortable “don’t-move-my-cheese” approach to thinking. Because of this, one would be foolish to think these kind of big opportunities for change will happen without some sort of push-back. 

 And, this push-back has been happening since early in August. To add more fuel to this proverbial fire, these changes will be happening internally - within the individual (that’s you and me) who is looking for ways to improve one’s life. We will become aware that the way things are operating now, may be somewhat dysfunctional and in need of an overhaul. 

 This push-back will also be happening externally. The behavior of people close to us may suddenly appear a bit squirrelly. Or, the squirrelly-ness that was once tolerable, exacerbates and becomes particularly annoying. The key here is to try and be patient. We must try to understand that this person (or these people) are having that same disconcerting awakening within themselves that we ourselves are feeling. Instead of frustration, we should try to find a compassionate common ground if possible. If not, we should walk away (at least temporarily) to avoid serious conflicts which could cause permanent damage. 

 Finally, this push-back will come globally. It’s as if the world is on the verge of a great epiphany about how we want to live, and about what type of future we want to create for our children. The moral compass is moving, we must do our part to see it swings in the direction of cooperation, tolerance, acceptance and love. 

 Which leads me to the numerological energy for the month of August. It’s the number 9. 

 This is an emotional, spiritual, compassionate number. It’s a number that brings completion, endings and healing. This month, we are being encouraged to manifest that ‘9’ energy in our lives. This means being a true humanitarian. It’s about cultivating a connection to others regardless of color, orientation, religion and even species. It’s about recognizing the divine energy that exists in all creation, and being kind to all living beings simply because they have as much right to be here as we do. 

 Once we have mastered that task, our second step is to practice the ‘9’ lesson of detachment. This means choosing to release all that is destructive to or interferes with healthy forward motion. And, this starts with us. This month, we must work to connect with others while at the same time releasing any anger, resentment or perceived slights against us so we can move forward to the new beginnings waiting for us in the ‘1’ month of September. 

 However, if you can’t do that because you are just not ready, then at least do no harm. Instead, as I mentioned earlier, walk away (at least temporarily) to avoid serious conflicts which could cause permanent damage.

A New Season of Thinking is Upon Us

The month of June has a very interesting energy to it. At its core, it is resonating to the ‘7’ energy. However, it is also affected by the ‘1’ Universal year energy and the baseline ‘6’ energy of the month because June is the sixth month of the year.

Soooooooo…… what does that mean for us? In a brief summary it means our thinking is changing regarding how we view our important relationships, and it suggests it is moving us in a direction that is healthiest for us.

Let me explain. The ‘7’ is a very reflective number. It suggests we may be a little lost in our head as we contemplate new ways of thinking about old concepts. Basically, we are at a point where we realize the need for fresh ideas and a fresh approach to how we have been interacting with others. We are ready to make a positive change, but don’t know exactly how to go about doing that.

This is what this June-energy is all about.

This month we can expect to be reviewing how we perceive certain people and relationships. We may contemplate some housecleaning to exorcise ourselves from some unhealthy connections.

We may also consider opening up to others and allowing new people into your lives. The Universal ‘1’ energy of the year encourages us to try new things - to plant new seeds per se.

However, most importantly, we will be reflecting on how we relate to ourselves and how we bring that person - our true inner being - out into the world. Are we comfortable with our relationship with ourselves? Is our internal dialogue positive or negative? Do we let people see who we truly are? These are the types of topics we will be pondering in June.

So, while this may not be a month of obvious outer-action, don’t worry about that because things will be speeding up in July. Right now, there is plenty of action going on inside our heads, and the conclusions we draw from these thoughts will lay the groundwork for the dynamic events that will be taking place in the next couple months.