18 - The Moon / Shadowed a.k.a."State of Equilibrium"-by Julie Luke

(Thanks Julie !)

The Moon...an object of wonder and mysticism. To know "how" it was placed in the heavens to fly about the sky as it does may not be fully understood...but the "why" has many people of all races and beliefs with their answer at the ready:

• It is nature's time piece for the weeks and months and years (greater than the sun's 24 hour cycle) by waxing and waning..very accurately to modern scientists delight.
• It is the "night light" while the sun sleeps which when full can illuminate the night sky with it's soft white glow.
• It is master of the oceans pulling them up towards it while the Moon is out dancing in the night's horizon.
• It can play on the emotions of people, too, mezmorizing them both with its beauty and secrecy.

Whatever the reason, the Moon is quite important in our lives whether we deny the fact or not, and is a powerful icon to use in life...especially when in the "Shadow/Reversed" position.

 From the Tarot of the Fey, we have a card I used before in this position, but not with Julie's work. The wise elf priestess with her staff of the crescent moon is drawing out a plan based on the moon's position, which is full and at it's most powerful stage. She is not showing emotion like some cards do of the animals scampering about at the moon's presence.

No...she is focused on the Moon's message directly and harnessing that energy into a plan well thought out. She is the Shadowed version....where truth is revealed, not hidden...where practical considerations are thought through and applied...where love wins over hate...foresight over haste...clear communications of intentions....and your true inner self speaking loud and proud directly to YOU! It is in Julie's painting "State of Equilibrium" that I see this best !

At first glance I thought this might be about Temperance...seeing as there is a balance here of images. But if you look further you will notice the hands are not "mirrored" reflections at all but at opposite angles. Then I saw the light in the middle...the glow of a 'WHITE ORB"....a similar orb like the kind Julie always seems to catch in camera shots and views around her life. This glow is representative of the Moon: her inner self trying to commune with Julie in a calm approach as if not to frighten her, but to still get her attention....and IT HAS !!

The Moon shadowed is like the sun shadowed....using the power and energy within the card to create with certainty, with conviction, never second guessing your actions because you already thought them through thoroughly beforehand.

As the Sun needs a tool like a sundial or a prism to unlock its full potential, so the moon needs an attentive ear, sensitive heart, and understanding mind to use its energy properly in order to direct the psychic power from within OUTWARD in a positive, constructive matter. By staying still and listening to yourself...your own best friend...you will know for sure what paths to take and what goals to achieve.

These hands are from Julie's feminine and masculine selves (Empress and Emperor) since they only have 4 "fingers" (3 plus a thumb each)

They show a need to be complete and that's where the "State of Equilibrium" comes in with the Moon (5th) which joins the two together, both the male and female sides of Julie's creativity as ONE !

This also brings her closer to her inner true self where she can commune in honesty and no shame.

Julie...you now have an answer for your husband as to why you see these "orbs"...you're just trying to tell yourself "Hello !!"

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Remember the message of the Moon Shadowed:  time to listen calmly at what your heart wants to say and let your mind lead the way on how to make it manifest !! This is a good time to hear yourself out now....

...for YOU have much to SAY!