String Theory – A personal experience of cosmic causality

My violin is a family air loom and, whilst not a Stradivarius, it needs to be kept in the family and loved. I last recall it being played by my older daughter some 25 years ago. And I also remember having to continually repair it. 

Every time the case opened, it needed new strings and bits and pieces. It has stayed in that state of disrepair until a couple of months ago when I thought I would get the violin restored.

Just this week, the music shop phoned to say it was ready.

I thought: that was nice and it would be pristine with no children destroying it.

Within half an hour of that phone call, my younger daughter phoned: “would I baby sit this weekend?"

Yes of course (my grandson is 7 and so sweet.)

She continued: “By the way, he has just started violin lessons”.

Arggh. It is time to hand down this air loom to the next generation - she can continue the practice of getting it repaired.

I think I must be 'in tune' with the universal energies.

Talk at the London Tarot Study Group 11th September 2016

Gillian and Anton (with halo!)

The aim of the talk was to present Gillian Avart’s “Create Tarot Naturally” book to tarot enthusiasts.

The talk started with an introduction to Gillian’s “psychic” history including a memorable precognitive dream as a child, running a New Age shop in the 90s and onto creating her own tarot cards then her book: “Create Tarot Naturally”.

The audience were particularly appreciative of the “Learn from my mistakes” chapter which included some comical incidents. Gillian continued by saying that she had found her personal cards opened up the tarot experience and that the same could apply to those who also made their own decks using her methods which perhaps, challenged established views. Anton, who led the meetup, concurred as she has previously encountered the notion of historical restriction. Gillian suggested that old truths could be rediscovered and maybe even new truths emerge. 

A chance to be creative came when Gillian asked the audience what tarot card images they could see in the room? The two of swords easily presented itself as an ornamental feature on the wall and the ace of cups, a wine glass of course!

A bell rang, what was that? There was something in the air. It was naturally the ace of swords (swords being the suit of elemental air).

This sparked an interesting discussion regarding swords and the effect on the nervous system together with the ethics of using tarot to indicate health issues.

The audience also saw some of Gillian’s “work in progress” cards and had the opportunity to pick a card for a mini reading from her working deck.

A "tantalising educational" book review of Create Tarot Naturally

A practical but enjoyable journey into creating an accurate set of Tarot cards that reflect a more personalised reading for the creator and a deeper connection or understanding when providing a reading for others.
I was interested by the concept, comforted by the 'learn from my mistakes' section and energised by the notion that I could actually create my own Tarot cards, despite being a beginner.
A useful manual for those with a good understanding of Tarot yet also tantalising to the appetite of those willing to learn.


Geraldine Nichols
(61yr old female currently employed in Education in West Yorkshire)

Autumn Equinox - a bit on the dark side

Shine on the September Harvest Moon

The autumn equinox falls on the 16th September this year. This is when the days and nights are of equal length. The seasons close the door on summer and open up to the autumnal months ahead when the days become colder and darker.

The moon is also eclipsed, but not fully. You are unlikely to see it from the UK. It is neither “total” nor “partial” but “prenumbral”.

A prenumbral eclipse occurs where the Moon’s distance from the Earth is too great to line up completely for a total eclipse effect. The edges of the Sun are visible throughout the event.

The full moon that falls closest to the autumn equinox is known as the “Harvest Moon”. Although they seem to harvest earlier these days, it used to be around this time when the final harvests of crops were made. In the times before electricity, the light of full moon meant that work could continue into the night….depending on the weather!

Full moons are given names. Whilst they vary country by country, they represent what the locals reckon the weather might be in the ensuing month.

For example, July saw the “Thunder Moon”. We had no thunder here but it must have been somewhere!

It is not an exact science!

What is a blue moon?

Commonly meaning a rare event, the traditional definition is:

The third of four full moons in a season. 

This occurs approximately every 2.7 years.

However, more recently a “blue Moon” is identified as:

The second full moon in a calendar month.

As there are 13 full moons (and new Moons) in a year, this is going to happen at least yearly.

Shown as simply a circle, most diaries and calendars show the days when the Moon is full. 

Many also show the days when the Moon is new which is noted as a dark circle. …but you cannot see it on that day unless it is fully eclipsing the Sun. Cloud dependant, you can normally spot the sliver of the new Moon a day or two after new moon when the evening Sun will not be so bright as to obscure it.

This sliver,  the bit that is illuminated forms the crescent. The remainder is in shadow so you cannot see it unless Earthshine lights it up!

What is Earthshine?

Earthshine is the light “bounced “off the Earth from the Sun.

Alternatively

Moonshine – illicit liquor distilled in America

Earthshine – illicit liquor distilled in the dark side of the Moon.

Cheers!