Welcome to 2016. Last year I had some insights in to how a personal love, fairytales and myths, fit and work into my life. I have been fiddling with the concepts around the reality and myth of unicorns and narwhales. What I have learned so far is that unicorns were originally mentioned by the Greeks in their “encyclopedia” of animals as wild untamable beasts and are thought today to actually be an extinct one horned rhinoceros. No really myths were around them until later with Christianity in Europe where they became associated with virgins and purity. The Vikings took advantage of the unicorn myth and sold narwhale tusks as unicorn horns to the European aristocracy; even Queen Elizabeth had one in her Cabinet of Curiosities at court. As far as narwhales are concerned we know very little about them. Except that mostly males but some females grow their left canine tooth out of their lip and it spirals into that tusk shape. So the interesting thing is we know more about the “mythological” unicorn and less about the very really narwhale. So I challenge you this week to pick a mythological beast and a really animal and do some compare and contrast.
P.S. I added to your reading some suggestions of mythological beasts that are loosely associated your cards to give you a place to start. Remember signs that have * it’s a big week for you.

Aries – Three of Pentacles- With the Tower card last week, the Three of Pentacles gives you some more time to shore up your foundations and start work on what new habitats and goals you want to build in 2016. Mythological beast: Gryphon

Taurus – Eight of Rods- I hope you got some time alone last week because this week is full. The Eight of Rods is suggesting that you will be getting a lot of messages from your environment. Usually these messages will have some important information for you to use in the near future so pay attention. Mythological beast: Pegasus

Gemini – King of Cups- Last week with The Devil I hoped you identified where, when and the how you lost focus in 2015. Because the King of Cups is already here to challenge your resolve of focus. He is the first trial of how your emotions can take you off track. Also, on a more mundane note the King of Cups suggests it is time to detox from the holidays. Try to take this week to eat clean and drink lots of water. Mythological beast: Kappa

*Cancer – The Hierophant- So last week with the Empress you were challenge with envisioning things you need to create so you would feel nurtured and comfortable to create. Now with the Hierophant it time to set up the schedules and structures you need to do that creating. If you haven’t bought your calendar, written your to do list or set up a work space this is the week to get your ducks in a row. So you will have the time and space were your muse, the Empress, can work her magic with you. Mythological beast: Hippocampus

*Leo – The Sun- Wow, Leos you got the Sun your card again. You all had it back in the beginning of November 2015. I believe it has come back so soon because you have not let yourself shine enough in your birth year (that’s birthday to birthday). The sun reminds us all to celebrate ourselves, be playful, and creative. This energy is what makes things grow in our lives. The challenge, especially with the past two weeks readings, is you need to let go of the last bit of jadedness lingering from 2015. Mythological beast: Airavata

Virgo – Queen of Swords- Last week with the Ace of Pentacles you thought up some new projects. This week the Queen of Swords suggest that it is a great week for planning and finding someone to be your soundboard for what you want to do. Make sure you find someone that is more logical and structured like the Queen of Swords. If you do it by yourself you might be more critical than necessary. Mythological beast: Almiraj
*Libra – The Star- The Star is one of your ruling cards. Your ruling cards are your gifts to the world and your biggest challenges for yourself. Your gift with the Star is that you are a nurturing and caring person for others. But your challenge is that you are not as optimistic and caring for yourself. So can you spend sometime this week looking back on 2015 and see all that you have done for others and give yourself a gold star? Mythological beast: Fenghuang

*Scorpio – Judgment- Did you find your mental mantra for the new year? The cards are saying no not yet. Week one was to start the mental process, week two was to make sure your mantra made you feel balanced and centered and now Judgment is here. It is saying that you need to be more drastic in your mental changes. So go back to the drawing board. Looked back at 2015 and ask the questions: Where did I fail? What big lessons did I learn? Be honest with yourself. Judgment is giving you another week to tune into your higher calling and create that mantra! 2016 really is another phase of your life where those dream of yours are doable. You just need to be honest with yourself and create the your mental mantra to motivate and remind you of your possibilities. Mythological beast: Phoenix

*Sagittarius – Five of Swords/The Magician- I don’t normally do this but you are going to get two cards this week. Because I think one scenario or the other applies to you. Last week you all got the Seven of Cups asking you to use that amazing imagination that you all have. Except I think some of you didn’t. The Five of Swords means self defeating practices. So for the people that didn’t sit down and do some imagining last week of your best possible future, recognize yourself defeating behaviors (procrastination being one of them). Then spend part of this week doing some imagining of the great 2016 you are going to have. And then move on to the Magician which is to start making that magic happen. For the other Sagittarians that did do there imagining homework, you all get the Magician straight away. Which means you all can start making 2016 your best year yet. However, your challenge is still the Five of Swords. So ask yourself where do myself defeating behaviors make my best possible future hard to reach? Mythological beast: Chimera

Capricorn – Nine of Swords- The Nine of Swords represents the worries and fears in our life. The positive thing with worry and fear is when they are based on reality they help us solve problems. However, when they are based on unrealistic outcomes they keep you from action. So the challenge is to really look at your worries and fears this week. The ones that are based in reality will help you find a solution, and the rest ignore so you can get through this cycle and on to the “tens” of completion. Mythological beast: Kraken

Aquarius – Ace of Pentacles- Ace represents new beginnings and the pentacles represent work and the material plane. This is a great week to start new projects. Look to your environment there will be help and information if you look for it. The challenge new beginnings can be like a blank page a bit overwhelming with all the possibilities. So look to your environment, there will be help and information there. And if you are really stuck, move your space/furniture around. This process will help you see things with fresh eyes. Mythological beast: Jackalope

*Pisces – The Lovers- Last week’s challenge was if you felt something missing in your life to make it a priority for this year. And the Lovers card is giving you a bit more time and some help in your contemplation of what your priorities are for 2016. The Lovers remind you at this time in your life you should follow your heart when prioritizing your list of “to dos”. Once the heart work is done the mind, the physical world and the spirit will follow. Mythological beast: Kitsune