FEELING IT: FASHION FROM THE THIRD EYE OF IAMVIBES

iamVibes is a street fashion label from singer songwriter Tom Hardless, with designs revolving around the Islamic symbol of the Hamsa, believed to provide defence against the Evil Eye. In other words, essential kit. And from our email conversation, Tom also seems like the mystical kind of guy you find yourself getting deep and having a “moment” with at some random house party. Enjoy.

Third eye beanie, £25

SO WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND IAMVIBES?
iamVibes was created officially in 2012 through a vision that came to me in a heightened state of awareness whilst meditating. I was in a very clear headspace and this image of a hand with an eye in the center of it came to me. I did not know what it was or why it was meant for me, but following this, I had a channelling of the word “HAMSA.” When I say channelling I mean that  in opening your mind fully to the universe, it shows you things and makes you feel things to help you be a creative, happy, balanced human. With a little bit of research and learning, I came to understand what this symbol stood for, what it meant to me and how I could incorporate my energy into this symbol to make it my own.

White geometric HAMSA tee, £30

WHAT DOES THE HAMSA MEAN TO YOU?
This Hamsa is me. It is my life experience of where I have been and where I am going. It is every thought and feeling. It is every connection, good and bad, accumulating into a beautiful symbol to inspire myself and others around me. It is my creative freedom and tool of sustainability. It is everything I am and wish to become.

White cosmic leotard, £35

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO TAKE THE PROJECT TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
Over the course of the next two to three years, I found myself connecting to two very interesting beings, both dealing with some dark traumas as a result of abuse at a younger age. One of these beings became my main muse for turning iamvibes into a serious creative endeavour. As a young model, struggling to make her mark, she made me realise you really have to push your creative channels, even if you’re hurting. That sometimes you must endure tough times to reap great cosmic rewards. She is now one of the most well known models out there and has walked for all the top designers and is best known for the colours in her hair.

Men’s varsity jacket, £165

SO THIS IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST FASHION, RIGHT?
When my beautiful journey with this being came to an end, I felt the need to stay connected with her by holding onto the emotions she inspired. So I took it upon myself to really push my creative vision, without any education of business or fashion and only pure emotion and creativity to guide me. Through these experiences and more, I realised the clothes I produced could represent protection against negative forces as well as projecting positive energy to hopefully inspire others to look for a deeper perspective and understanding of this life.

Unisex Cosmic Karma sweater, £50

HOW DOES YOUR THIRD EYE INFORM THE DESIGN PROCESS?
The actual eye in the designs is there as a representation of the Universe at your core, projecting pure energy. But my physical third eye (the pineal gland) and my metaphysical third eye guide me through the design process. Both these “eyes” have to be relaxed so I can tune into higher realms of creativity to move forward. Everyone is different and has different techniques to learn to do this, each must find their own way of opening their “eyes” but a good place to start would be learning some breathing techniques which resonate with you, and help relax and open your inner Universe.

www.iamvibes.co.uk
@iamvibes

PROWL MAGAZINE: TALKING DIY CULTURE AND DMT WITH LISA LUXX

Lisa Luxx is the self-declared “preditor-in-chief” of new London counter culture ‘zine, Prowl. In this interview she talks to Ruby Warrington about; why you need your ego to succeed, why anonymity will be the greatest luxury for generation Z, how to prep your face for an ayahuasca trip and how switching off from technology felt like an “everlasting climax.” Among other, equally fascinating subjects…

Lisa Luxx by Olivia Sykes

SO HOW DOES A GIRL MANIFEST A WHOLE MAGAZINE THESE DAYS?
Visualization. I very much believe that I can get what I want by thinking about it enough…and I couldn’t take my mind’s eye of this project for a long time, like a song on repeat. I believe it manifested itself through that energy.

DECLARING YOURSELF “PREDITOR-IN-CHIEF” SURE TAKES SOME BALLS, TOO…
Luckily I have pretty big ego and, as an Aries, heaps of pride, and I really believed that what we were doing with PROWL was going to have some worth among the underground creative scene. I also talked about it a lot in the beginning, and as soon as I announce that I’m going to do something I absolutely will!

Jacob Escott

THE MAGAZINE OPENS WITH A MISSION STATEMENT: “LOVE EVERYONE, PLEASE NO-ONE.” WHERE DID YOU GET THIS AND WHY IS IT SUCH AN IMPORTANT AN IDEA?
Jacob Escott (the illustrator behind this and Art Director of PROWL) and I came up with this together, which seems to be the ethos of a whole generation of creatives making up this independent renaissance. The current DIY scene is very cooperative and collaborative, where love is the driving force behind success – perhaps because so many people understand the power of positive vibes nowadays. However, there is also a sense of revolt – we are writing, drawing and performing whatever we like because we have nothing to lose and no one to answer to.

Chenoa Gao

IS THIS WHY “COUNTER CULTURE ISN’T DEAD”?
As long as there are still people going against The Man, there will be a counter culture – and there has never been more to counter! Right now, humans still don’t know how to live alongside the mechanisms we’re putting into place in our everyday life. There’s also is a vast awareness of our environmental issues, the backend of a grim recession plus an increasingly more right-wing government to contend with.

SO WHAT WILL COUNTER CULTURE LOOK LIKE FOR GENERATION Z?
Anonymity. I mean, do you ever get that feeling you’re not being watched? People have started to react against our overexposure by hiding away. In fashion I expect to see a lot more facemasks, headpieces and full body outfits with less skin on show. Imagine space age Victorians. “Unseen” is already the trendiest thing to be now, think about all these hidden bars or the online Darknet, for example. As a result, the counterculture of Generation Z will be almost undetectable.

Marco Zaffino

ONE OF MY FAVORITE STORIES IN THE MAG IS ON “BEAUTY TIPS FOR ACID HEADS” – HOW SHOULD ONE PREP ONE’S TOILETTE FOR AN AYAHUASCA CEREMONY?
Well, you’re gonna be puking a lot on ayahuasca so the most important thing to do is tie your hair back in a loose bun. Give your face a good cleanse before you start and apply a tiny amount of non-oily moisturizer – like Neal’s Yard Yarrow & Comfrey Moisturizer. It will see you through the long trip but won’t get clammy. The white robes at an ayahuasca ceremony are also prone to washing out your complexion, so don’t wear any black around your eyes that might look spooky when smudged. When you come out of this you’ll want to look as good as you feel, so have a hit of blusher with you to bring yourself back to the land of the living zen.

AND WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST REVELATION YOU GAINED FROM RESEARCHING “THE ANTI-NET KID” (WHERE YOU WENT TWO MONTHS ON THE ROAD WITH NO PHONE OR EMAIL)?
When I reached Yosemite National Park, I found this open meadow and I let the wind lay me down in the long grass while the sun graciously bore itself upon me. As the gentle breeze passed through me I felt myself shift into a nook of harmony with my surroundings. My edges blew away and I existed as one with the universe – I could feel our energy coming together in the throes of one great everlasting climax. It was a real moment of enlightenment for me and the moment I wrote the poem that would become my first published piece.

Marco Zaffino

WOW. COULD WE ALL ACHIEVE THIS IF WE JUST SWITCHED OFF OUR iPHONES FOR A MINUTE?
This was the result of being without modern technology for two months and submerging myself in natural beauty. As a twenty-three year old I’ve never been in the moment. I grew up with mobile phones and the web always connecting me to times and places that didn’t exist in my immediate surroundings, so I’ve spent a lifetime being tremendously longsighted – thinking it made me stronger to exist further afield, when really I wasn’t existing anywhere wholly.

Jacob Escott

HOW HAS IT AFFECTED YOU IN THE LONG RUN?
Following that time in Yosemite, it became clear that if I continued to use technology the way I had become accustomed I would not be a fully fuctioning human being – unable to concentrate, meditate, explore or really touch things and mean it. I have since translated this lesson into conversations, work and sex – suddenly I was better at everything and enjoying it all at a much deeper level.

WHAT DOES THE NUMINOUS LOOK, SOUND AND FEEL LIKE TO YOU?
As an abstract and rather psychedelic reply to that, here are some notes I once wrote while lost in the beatific vibrations of a DMT trip…“The red and purple Amorphous Androgynous rain falls down on me but instead of wetting me it tickles. This is the summertime of consciousness. The cosmic vibrations of the universe and constantly in orgasm. It’s glorious; let yourself go to the spectacle of lights and colors. I’m in meadows of joy and light, listening to trumpets of energy and serenity. There’s a real language of cosmic love but words don’t exist here. I’ve been to the edges of existence and it’s glorious. I’ve been to the riverbanks of gentle being. I’ve watched the sun come up on the hazy valleys of our essential being. I’ve witnessed the willows weep as the seasons of peace pass on our insignificant magnificence.”

“Sweet Thoughts” by Jacob Escott

AND NOW I’VE READ PROWL, WHO SHOULD I GIVE MY COPY TO?
Pass your copy on to a real underground artist who could become one of the Predators or someone else who wants to join the party. PROWLHOUSE is about building a network of creatives and celebrating our worth, while marking the next big movements. Or give the copy to someone who might want to invest some cash into our next issue! Remember to write your name inside so as the copy gets passed on you will always exist with it and the next reader can look you up and make friends.

Issue one of Prowl magazine is available now. The editors encourage sharing. For information about events go to www.prowlhouse.info

 @ProwlHouse

DESERT ROSE: ERICA JAGO ON SPIRIT, SEX AND CREATIVITY

Jago Yoga founder Erica Jago talks to Ruby Warrington about finding her freedom at the Burn and creative collaborations her her twin flame. Images by Michael Chichi.

I first came across the work of Erica Jago and Michael Chichi in Art of Attention, the book Erica co-authored with NYC yogini extraordinaire Elena Brower.

The book opens with instructions for a fast-paced flow sequence to Reduce Tension and Find Forgiveness, and I was blown away by Michael’s accompanying images of Erica and Elena, set against the backdrop of Burning Man’s Black Rock City.

This was yoga FROM ANOTHER PLANET. One where fierce postures were infused with fashion, sex and a powerful and raw femininity. At the time, The Numinous was still in the very earliest phases of conception – but; “look,” I would tell people, “THIS is Numinous.”

When I reached out to Erica and Michael about creating some images for the site, I was beyond psyched when they said yes. Here are the results. And here is Erica on her yoga, her man and how she believes “my spirituality, sexuality and creativity” are one and the same thing.

ERICA, I FIRST CAME ACROSS YOUR WORK IN ART OF ATTENTION. HOW DID YOU AND ELENA FIRST CONNECT?
Elena’s poetic yoga classes came into my life right when I needed support and inspiration. I was transitioning out of a 13-year relationship, my job had just laid me off and I had no choice but to take my dreams seriously. Terrified of failure, I reluctantly sent her a pdf of my book and within days she responded with; “Could we / should we work together?” DREAM COME TRUE! Our relationship since has completely changed the course of my life. Not only did Elena bring me into her world, but she encouraged me to elevate mine on every level.

AND HOW DID YOU AND MICHAEL FIRST MEET?
Michael! My twin flame. I was kind of stalking him online, because his photography and artwork made me swoon. It’s like he spoke the language of my heart through his visuals. Again, it came down to ASK and you shall receive. When I first reached out, we agreed to met in person about web design and photography. What I thought was a “business meeting” turned quickly into a discussion about relationships, spirituality and…Burning Man!

AH, THE BURN. IT’S IS OBVIOUSLY A SPECIAL PLACE FOR YOU TWO…
When I finally started attending these transformational festivals with Michael, I found myself moving my body and expressing myself ‘wildly,’ in a way that used to invoke caution to be careful, to be realistic and remind myself of my own limitations. Instead these experiences liberated and revolutionised my self-confidence. After years of putting out the request to learn self-love, I believe the Universe conspired the union between Michael and I that brought me to the Burn through the spiritual law of attraction.

WHAT ARE YOUR SIGNS, AND WHAT PART DOES THIS PLAY IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP?
Michael is Sagittarius, I am Leo. Both Fire signs! I believe Michael appreciates the way I’m not afraid to shine and take the lead, and I respect his outward focus on the world.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER ON A CREATIVE LEVEL?
Michael’s favorite line is; “When two people are saying YES, anything is possible…”

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THIS PROCESS TO ME?
You can count on me to take the lead in many, if not all of our creative projects. Michael shows up with a willingness to work as a team and there is a clear understanding on both our parts that there is something much larger at work here. We both know our place in the process, and our fiery passion to express beauty is magnetic to the type of work we attract. Hence working with The Numinous!

 

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THE PROJECT YOU SHOT FOR US?
Our inspiration for this shoot was really the sculpture. Michael knows both the artists, so we sought their pieces out specifically. Also, we always tried to shoot at 6am or 6pm, which we call ‘magic hour,’ that cinematic time of day with its soft luminosity.

YOU REALLY KNOW HOW TO PUT A LOOK TOGETHER. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR CLOTHES AND HOW DO YOU STYLE YOURSELF?
My favorite designer is Lurdes Bergada. I found them in Barcelona while biking near the Rambla Catalunya. The window display stopped me in my tracks; feminine in nature but with that REVOLUCIÓN androgynous feel. I seek contemporary clothing with soft lines, clean shapes and natural fabrics for practicing yoga in, but which still have a sensual side for bopping around town and meeting friends out. The saris women wear in India are a huge inspiration for me and I love to adorn my body with bangles and bracelets…and body paint!

ANY RULES FOR THRIVING IN THE DESERT ENVIRONMENT?
Love your camp. Have a cushion for your bike seat. Plenty of baby wipes

SO WHAT’S THE PHILOSOPHY OF YOUR YOGIC PRACTICE?
When we meet on the mat, I believe we are doing the work to become whole. This is an act of remembering who we really are, when all the outside programming and input is brought to a minimum and we resolve to stay present in the heart. In fact, the heart breath is an excellent way into our wholeness. Keeping our awareness right above the heart and below the throat is how we align all aspects of ourselves with love. It means seeing this life as a gift that we are the caretakers of.

AND DO YOU HAVE A PERSONAL LIFE PHILOSOPHY?
I think everything we say, do and think has to be a “win, win” for all concerned, otherwise it’s not worthy of the heart space. And that if we practice together, we are in it together..

WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR NATURAL AFFINITY FOR SPIRITUAL TEACHINGS?
My grandmother was one of the first evangelical women preachers in Ohio and my father has saved cassette tapes of her voice in church. When I listen to those teachings I can hear the same inflection in my voice when I’m guiding a group. So there’s a lineage here that my soul signed up for, and it’s like my body is equipped to further the universal messages of love through art and design. I know my grandmother is very proud.

FINALLY, IN WHAT WAYS IS ‘BEAUTY’ AN EXPRESSION OF THE SPIRITUAL?
I love this question. I see no difference between my spirituality, sexuality and creativity. All three are working to evolve us into the next level of love through beauty and attraction. Beauty drives the feeling of peace and until each one of us knows how to find that place in ourselves, and to align with it, we will never have world peace.

Art of Attention by Erica Jago and Elena Brower is out now.

www.jagoyoga.com
@jagoyoga

M.I.A. MATANGI: “BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU THINK”

“We all tweet incessantly the way parrots in the jungle do; we never consider how far the smallest idea can travel and how it can affect the people it reaches.” M.I.A. (a.k.a. Matangi)

Music with a message has always been M.I.A.’s MO. As global consciousness expands, her latest release, Matangi, is like a missive from another realm on the the power of our thoughts. If there has been a theme to 2013, our first year on post-Mayan planet Earth, then isn’t that exactly it? We are what we think.

With this understanding comes an awesome responsibility – because, oh s***, now the ball is in our court. For M.I.A. Matangi is here to remind us all that we better beware of our thoughts, and that we better back that up by speaking (not to mention tweeting) our truth.

Everybody’s favorite rap-tivist explains the story behind it all.

WHO IS MATANGI?
Matangi is a 5000-year-old concept of a Goddess who fought to keep thought and information pure. She sits on a gem-studded throne with a sitar. In Hinduism, the Goddesses have different life roles, and when Matangi is in a tranquil, meditative state, she plays the sitar.  Her instrument symbolises each part of the human experience…the consciousness, the breath, the heart, the body…and she plays to keep the universe and the people in harmony.

WHAT’S THE MESSAGE IN HER MUSIC?
She’s here to remind us that information needs to be spoken from the heart. If it’s not it’s false, and she defends that and fights for that. She fights the pollution of frequencies – which is all to do with words and how they come out, the articulation of inner thought to outward expression – which can happen through music, or any of the 64 ways to express your inner thoughts.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HER?
She’s the ninth of the ten Goddesses that Shiva’s wife splits into when he’s at work – because when she’s not being Shiva’s wife, she’s got s*** to do! His wife is called Parvati – and Wikipedia says she’s also the Goddess of power, because if Shiva is the god of destruction, you can’t destroy without power. In Hinduism it’s all about couples – and while the men are alright they’re not the main thing, which is really cool.

WHY DOES MATANGI’S STORY RESONATE WITH YOU?
I found about about her because my birth name is Mathangi, and how funny that her mantra is “aim” – which is M.I.A. backwards. But right now you can apply her myth to what’s happening in the world. Matangi also carries a parrot – she’s got her sitar and she has a sword in one hand and a parrot in the other, which represents the nature of humans.

WHAT PART OF HUMAN NATURE?
It’s an intelligent bird because it can repeat words, but it doesn’t have the consciousness to understand what it’s saying – and how funny, today we have a thing called “Twitter” – where we tweet, and then we re-tweet! And we’re judged on how many re-tweets we get. Not by the one intelligent thing we said that no-body re-tweeted, but because we said something stupid like; “I’m having a cheeseburger” and 1000 people re-tweeted it. Hinduism works in symbols, and the parrot means nothing in itself. It’s there to remind us to be conscious of what we say.

Matangi by M.I.A. is out now.
@MIAuniverse

MY MYSTICAL LIFE: MS LOUNIVERSE

Louise Androlia (a.k.a. Louniverse) is the beautiful white witch behind our monthly Tarotscopes. Also a gifted psychic and holistic life-coach, she reveals the day-to-day details of a very mystical life.

WHAT DID YOU DREAM ABOUT LAST NIGHT AND WHAT DID IT MEAN?
I’m currently on a major energy clear out and recalibrating myself after moving house so I’ve been having all sorts of super intense dreams about ex-crushes and old fears. Everything that needs to be zapped is getting worked out via my dreams. So I’ve been waking up a little tired but feeling like I’m dissolving emotional weight.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FEEL-GOOD BREAKFAST AND WHY?
I’m obsessed with breakfast. My ultimate favorite is cooked porridge oats with berries, cacao and chia seeds, aka chocolate porridge! Ideally I’ll eat it in the bath. That said I just got a juicer so I’m switching it up and currently dying everything in my house with beetroot juice.

WHAT MANTRA DID YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE WITH THIS MORNING?
“I SURRENDER” goes with me everywhere, I stand by it being the quickest way to shift obsessive thoughts or worries. It’s a way of asking for help from a bigger place, and it works.

WHAT’S YOUR LUCKY CHARM?
I’m totally un-superstitious and have never in my life had “lucky” items but I often carry something to suit my mood, very often for me a black tourmaline crystal to help with grounding.

WHO IS YOUR GO-TO GURU?
I adore Mike Dooley for his ‘Notes from the Universe.’ Mainly though, my gurus are my friends, who I can talk about everything with, who light up my ideas and work with me as we all better ourselves. Friendship is power!

WHAT’S YOUR STRESS-BUSTER?
Helping other people cope with stress is a passion and speciality of mine, and to do this I need to look after myself. This means taking my own advice and slowing down, eating well, resting and, most importantly, being present as opposed to overwhelmed by the bigger picture. This often means taking time out on my own just lying on the floor in my room, painting or taking a walk in one of my favorite parks.

RETAIL THERAPY IS…?
Treating myself usually means indulging in some holistic therapies or good food. That said I’m definitely ready for some new winter clothes!

WHAT DO WEAR WHEN YOU’RE FEELING LIKE THE QUEEN OF THE WORLD?
A vintage cream silk dress that I bought in LA a few years ago from Shareen’s Vintage in LA. It’s perfectly dreamy, and makes me feel good.

YOUR LAST CONVERSATION WITH THE UNIVERSE WENT SOMETHING LIKE…
“I’m ready.”

YOUR MISSION IN YOUR CURRENT EARTHLY INCARNATION IS…?
To learn, heal and teach.

AND WHEN DID YOU LAST WITNESS MAGIC IN ACTION?
All the time! My favorite kind of magic is when I witness clients realizing a shift that they have been creating in their life. On a more mystical tip, on recent full moon trip to the Lake District I was up lucky enough to witness energy, lights and orbs dancing around while visiting the stone circle in the early evening. And I see magic every time I look at an animal.

www.louiseandrolia.com
@louniverse

Sound therapy: Babe, can you run me a gong bath?

Spiritual scene queen Victoria Keen on the ancient healing modality that suddenly feels so modern.

Being a seeker and practitioner of Sound myself, I’m excited to check out Petroglyph this November 8th at Sage Center for the Healing Arts in groovy Woodstock, NY. Petroglyph brings together indigenous instruments like Gongs, Didgeridoos, Native and Shamanic sound tools and unfolds them to create frequency domains that are excellent for journeying and transformative dreamtime experience.

The Sage Center for Healing Arts is dedicated to increasing awareness around Sound therapy, and the founder Phillipe Pascal Garnier, former magazine art director turned Sound Healer, was kind enough to answer a few of my burning questions. Garnier found Sound after seeking alternative therapy from a recommended surgery for the vertigo he was experiencing brought on by Meniere’s disease. He travelled to the Upper Amazon in Peru to work with indigenous spiritual healers, profoundly altering the course of his health and his life.

So what is Sound with a capital S?
Everything around us vibrates, thus makes sound to which we are all interconnected. Heard and unheard sound are actually the make up of our reality. Once we accept this truth, we can see reality as a myriad of tunes we have to harmonize with. Some will resonate with us more than others. Resonance is “the magic word” when it comes to opening up and connecting with the awareness of the vibrational world we live in, and it can teach us how to live it better.

How is Sound Healing so ancient and so modern at the same time?
In modern times we have come to understand that Sound Encoded Intention was the first medicine used by our indigenous ancestors and, in fact, continues to be used to this day. All cultural traditions of the world used sound as vibrational medicine or as gateways to travel energetically in what is called a shamanic trance, to gain a better awareness of who we are in relation to the universe and to bring healing to individual members of their communities.

So, to some people that could mean loosing your s*** to a sound system at Burning Man?
Let’s make an important distinction between sound healing and modern music. Music is organized sound that the brain can make sense of. It can easily follow where the notes are going, and expect the next one to be, where as working with unorganized sound brings the mind to the present moment, to the now. The cascading effect of an untamed scale brings the mind of a patient to “still point,” open to receive the energy flowing with the frequencies to manifest a sound massage.

But you still use instruments, right?
Sticks, stones and whistling hallow bones were the first tools used by our ancestors, then the sacred conch shell and didgeridoo came to be used as more elaborate healing instruments. Most of the instruments used today by Sound Practitioners come from the past, ie. Himalayan Singing Bowls, Gongs, Chimes and Bells, etc.

I’ve heard Sound Therapy described as the medicine of the future, and it certainly seems like all the cool cats are into it…
Sound has always been used to expand our consciousness, and it’s an important key to the awakening taking place around our planet. It just brings you to the present moment. That’s why it is also sometimes called Sound Meditation. It can be seen as a type of meditation, and enough research has been done on the benefits of meditation for creating wellbeing in modern life.

What would the world look like if we all took a regular Sound bath?
The more people who come to the realization that we live in a world of frequencies, the more awareness there will be about the connectivity of all things. The root of the word “healing” is “wholeness,” and Sacred Sound shows us the road to the Unified Field Of Consciousness, a future of Oneness and Equanimity.

A last word on Sound Healing?
My advice to all: BE THE SOUND YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR.

Petroglyph perform live at the Sage Academy of Sound Energy on Friday Nov 8 2013. For information and tickets click here.

www.v-keen.com
@V_Keen

TAROTSCOPES: NOVEMBER 2013

SCORPIO – THE FOOL

Happy Birthday! It’s Scorpio hour. Did you know that Saturn is currently touring through Scorpio too? The planet in charge of ass-kicking, Saturn works its hardest to open our eyes to change so that we can align with our true path. The journey isn’t easy but the thing is, Saturn and Scorpio have much in common. I reminded you last month’s tarotscopes that as a Scorpio you are the Zodiac’s master of evolution and that change can be your very best friend, if you let it. Keep this duet in mind, for the next two years are your golden opportunity to grab life by the universal balls, as it were, and transform into the super you that I know you can be. Last month I talked about getting to grips with the material world a little more, and as a Scorpio myself I can say that October was pretty intense. I found myself having to cope with a lot of very ‘human stresses’ as I called them. How was it for you? The Fool is a bright guiding light for you Scorpio, an opportunity to welcome in a new cycle in your life. It is such a positive sign for the end of your year, so shiny! I know you are sometimes a little afraid of shining your brightest but this is your green light to push forward. This card assures us that there are no endings or beginnings, just a revolving door of moments in your timeline. So this of course heralds more change, in a positive way, and try and see all change as that, an opportunity to move ahead – every moment is taking you somewhere, and when you look back in retrospect it will make sense. You have so many things that you want to do, places to go, people to meet and teach. Don’t let this be an overwhelm, instead put some practical stepping stones in place as this month is all about stepping up a level, materially and spiritually. You are supported, friends and family in both realms are here to help, just remember to ask for help when you need it Scorpio. There is no such thing as failure or weakness, only opportunities to move to better things and top up your personal power. So be confident, even if you don’t feel it, work completely with your intuition this month and take the leaps of faith that your heart desperately wants you to. This month is your chance to make changes and heighten your earthbound experience. So allow fear to transform to faith and surrender. I have a feeling you have an epic twelve months ahead of you Scorps, life changing in fact, so stay awake so you don’t miss out.

SAGITTARIUS – FIVE OF CUPS

How did last month go for you Sag? Manage to sweep away some of the cobwebs that were hiding your magnificence? I hope so, as a Fire sign it’s important that you direct your leading element in the right direction. We have a pretty deep card for you this month and I want to address that glow of yours and talk about perspective and perception. You always have your eye on the prize, something that’s very admirable about you, and you are very capable of getting what you want. What happens though when change swoops in and knocks your vision a little off balance? Sometimes it is easy for us to deem changes as failures or time wasted, and there may be a little foot stamping in line for you this November. I want you to be ahead of the game so that if you feel swung off track you know how to handle it. The simple message with the Five of Cups is to see your glass as half full, not empty, to not go off and have a big old pity party when something doesn’t go quite how you planned. However old we are, we’re all still capable of childlike tantrums, or a little fuming from within. The Cups hold the water element and as a Fire sign sometimes you get a little bit annoyed if you feel like your feelings are all up in your face, making you take a break in your schedule. Feelings however are your magical keycard this month, enabling you to go deeper with your questions about life, enhancing your fluidity beyond what’s written in black and white. I wonder if last month you unearthed some of things that can hold you back? When we come to a realization about why we have a certain habit or belief, it’s essential that we address that epiphany in the right way. It’s no use just saying; ‘Oh well that’s why I do this,’ and using that as your excuse to continue the habit. In November I want you to make a promise to yourself that you will not celebrate your losses. There are Five Cups in your eyes and three of them are overflowing with love, compassion and opportunities. Focus on the possibilities and not the past. Remind yourself of that Magician card from last month – you still have all the skills you need, so use them wisely, not against yourself. Keep up your gratitude practice and finally, on a health note, if this card finds you feeling a little energy zapped, especially with the seasons changing, keep up your self care and allow yourself a bit of blanket time!

CAPRICORN – THREE OF CUPS

After a string of months where the energy for you has been much more focused on work than “woohoo!” November holds the promise of a more fun fuelled time for you Capricorn. The Three of Cups is here to remind you about, let me whisper it…f.u.n. I feel  you’ve been pretty full on in career zone for the most of the second part of the year and I doubt there has even been much time to relax, but this month if you don’t see time then you must make time. As with last month you have the number three, which is a number of expansion and creativity. With the Pentacles I asked you to share work ideas with friends and spread your knowledge as a teacher, and this month, with the Cups, the number encourages you to expand socially and get out of your solo routine. I feel you may have been in a bit of a you bubble recently and you will benefit from opening up your inner conversation with others. On the subject of stress, it will help you to put the world to rights with your closest friends, whether that means joining forces for a night out or having a massive catch up with your nearest and dearest over Skype. Let this joyous sharing energy uplift you and bring in elements of self care too. It’s a great time to join a group yoga or meditation class to get a blast of community (mind body) spirit. Of course the cups are also about feelings and if you are coupled up then this month expand your routine to include double dates, introduce your partner to a friend of yours they’ve never met before and be open to sharing new experiences together. If you are single then “mingle” is the word for you. Ever thought that one of your best friends could be hiding the love of your life? Go out and be seen. With a theme like this the main thing is to be open to new opportunities. You know the surrender practice, so this month use it to surrender to positive social experiences. Finally let this card remind you to look on the bright side, avoid doomsday thought processes and give peace a chance.

AQUARIUS – FOUR OF CUPS

You’re still on a personal development curve sweet Aquarius, and this November I want you to make sure you don’t shift to an apathetic frame of mind when you feel that things aren’t shifting as fast as you want them to. The point here is that you are ready for things to be different, and in a sense don’t want to be patient and surrender anymore! There is a little stubborn voice inside your head that sometimes says “well I may as well just give up just to avoid repeating a pattern again.” This card can pull you up on those moments when you head inwards, but in more of a punishing than productive way. Your message for this month is to just keep fighting the good fight, keep being open and celebrating all the great things you’ve got. As I was saying to Sagittarius, you must be viewing all ‘cups’ as half full, not half empty. It may be that you are entering a period of newness and it’s seems a little scary to you, feelings that could be a bit risky are making you want to take a step backwards to a ‘safe’ place. But sometimes that can be a negative space that has just become familiar. This is where it’s a good idea to view the unknown as something exciting, not fearful. Be careful of interpreting your own frustrations as an external negative energy. You may also have to practice patience a lot this month. This is only for your own good growth as you have plenty that you are working on and the stakes are high, with exciting times ahead. Focus on keeping your eyes on the prize and not giving up on your dreamiest dreams. Things can feel unpredictable around you with this card and again it’s about maintaining your own consistency so that others doings don’t shake you up. Focus on cultivating a steady flow within your life, and avoid other peoples drama queen moments because you are susceptible to joining in. Instead keep working on your own inner growth and you will get there. Health wise, nurture yourself and swot up on holistic thinking and how to bring about a mind, body, spirit balance. I feel you might be surprised at how quickly you take to this way of thinking. Your sign, although an Air sign has a lot of Water elements, and so healing on a deeper level will always be beneficial for you. Ground yourself by focusing on your highest intentions and a clearer mind will ensue.

PISCES – TEN OF WANDS

This card with its feeling of overwhelm is a common one for the water signs among us, who are very capable of feeling overwhelmed in general, what with all those feelings to confront! The Ten of Wands can often appear just as you’ve realized you have maybe taken on too much, or put too much pressure on yourself, when things are a bit of a slog and you are definitely aware of trudging uphill. However, I’ve grown to kind of love this card as I turn it over so often for myself and always get its message; which is really a little hint to say, ‘hey  workaholic, remember what it’s like to just go and call up an old friend or allow yourself an evening sitting in the middle of your floor painting or singing or staring at the ceiling? You’re allowed.’ This November make some time for YOU – which means less thinking of what you ought to be doing, and more time actually doing the things that you know feel good. If you sit and watch movies all day but then berate yourself for being lazy you’ll counter the act of self love. The Tens always remind us of the cycles in life and again with this card you are at a tipping point, the top of the hill is just there and breakthroughs are abundant if you are open to them. I always like to give you the energy of the Ace along with a Ten, and the Ace of Wands is about new projects, creative enthusiasm, gifts of passion from the Universe, things that make you ‘pop.’ I feel you are much more on the abundant side of this 10/Ace balance, so now’s the time to get ahead of the game. Dilute feelings of overwhelm with self care so that you are ready to start the new cycle that’s just around the corner. You’ve been working to be more open to opportunities and different ways of thinking, so honor what you have started and keep at it. I feel like I keep reminding you to meditate, and I’m going to say it again. Mantras and meditation are the key to calming your mind when you get overwhelmed or over emotional. You need to release your stress rather than run away, no swimming backwards Pisces, only forward fishing from now on. Ask for help, share creatively with other people, so seek out art parties and winter study groups. Change should appear with a silver lining, be ready to say yes. You know the drill. I love you.

ARIES – FIVE OF SWORDS

I’m seeing November as time for a little clear up after last month’s overwhelm. October was a bit of a wild one, hey? You have had a really complex year with a lot of change and a definite cycle of highs and lows. For you it’s been a series of great achievements with a spatter of healthy burnout, which you’re more aware than ever is just the cycle of life. So I see the Five of Swords as a piecing together of the self for you. November may still be a month of intensity, but instead of it feeling so jumbled, you have the opportunity to organize your chaos. Last month especially you became aware of where your thinking had become scattered, and now, with a clearer head, you want to collect yourself back together, but in a new and improved way. I’ve been waving the self care banner at you and this month we move on to you reclaiming your new and improved power pack. After a bit of a health wake up cal,l it’s likely that you might have reevaluated some aspects of your lifestyle so there is a sense of a ‘new’ you which might feel a bit strange to begin with, like reacquainting yourself with a part of you that has been swept under the carpet. Instead of feeling a bit defeated by life, use the Air energy of this card to get excited about expanding your thought processes, choosing to grab these Swords and use them to your advantage. It’s likely you might be in a position where suddenly everyone around you has an opinion about what you’re doing, some of which will be welcome and some very much the opposite. This card can give us a lesson in how we respond to tension in our environment and how to choose our battles wisely. I always will fly the flag for taking the high road, but that  doesn’t mean looking down on your ‘enemy’ and judging them, it’s more about staying aligned with your highest intention. Keep in tune with your intuition around other people and If you feel shaken by external energies in November, remember just that – focus inwards and examine your own potential reactions rather than throwing out whatever comes up first. I feel that you might surprise yourself this month by having a few ‘reactive’ breakthroughs where you suddenly realize that you’ve outgrown some of your negative habits. Now that’s what you call personal power.

TAURUS – FOUR OF PENTACLES

More earthbound lessons in November Taurus. With the Four of Pentacles we take a look at your attitude to change within your material world, and how to overcome fears associated with your relationship with.. gasp.. money! You have been successful with work projects recently or at the very least you know you have some damn good ideas! And there is a very Taurean aspect to this card, in that it’s here to remind you of your own ability to get a little stuck, purely out of fear of taking the next step. One way to read this card can be about becoming a little too possessive over your material gains, as if you’ve worked hard to gather together some comforts and you are worried that they might be taken away from you. Without your permission! A fear of risk-taking may be present this November and so that is not too hard to work with, because again it’s just a reminder for you to at least try and open the door to change. It’s not always easy as an earth sign to be fluid, but as a Taurus you actually have secret access to flow which you may not have realized yet. You know that saying – ‘The more you give, the more you get’? I feel this is relevant for you as a mantra this month is to keep things in a giving and receiving energy. You will become less afraid of loss if you keep sharing positivity with the world, which is about making friends with the material rather than letting it worry you. Make gratitude your only attitude this month and celebrate your friends and their achievements. Be thankful for all that you have achieved and keep cracking yourself open to a new you. This would be a great time also to take some positive personal power over your finances, so get a new filing cabinet, set up an online accounting system, or organize in another way that works for you. Don’t be afraid that a recent milestone was just a ‘one off’, and think of it more as a doorway for a whole new season of success. In fact, be ready for a new attitude this month across the board. In relationships, the same applies, so consider this; if one way of communication isn’t working, all you need is a new direction

GEMINI – SEVEN OF SWORDS

Ah November, November…the card I turned for you is full of many lessons and is so valuable for personal growth in the material world. The depth within this card is all about the energy of betrayal and what is hidden. On the surface it may be that you have recently been feeling let down by others, or discovered layers in situations that you had no idea existed leaving you faced with some unexpected changes. It’s important to remember you can use this as a time to reconnect inwards again, to hone your intuition so  you feel less unsure when you are taking on new projects or friends. If you have a feeling something just isn’t right for you then honor that. Within the realms of this hidden world you must also check in with yourself about your own motives for yourself and others. Have you been trying to take the easy road with a particular situation in your life, worrying about facing it head on? This procrastinating energy can be a way of pushing your fears to the back of the cupboard. Jut remember that covering up fears sometimes means they only end up coming back with more gusto. The concept of personal power is really the basis of the Tarot, and you must rise up and take charge of yourself again, don’t drift along with your own worries or other peoples’. We only feel a loss if somewhere we have allowed it, through a lack of self worth or a fear of moving ahead. This is an ideal time and place for you to work on your trust issues, and also ideas about how you view other people and yourself. Remember everyone is a mirror, so those people you feel free to judge or mistrust, what is it about them that is hitting a nerve with you? This can be a chance to practice forgiveness towards yourself in order to move forwards in a more loving way. Try not to refer to your skills or self with a sense of lack. Practice confidence by choosing to trust in yourself, and be your own cheerleader because this always heralds the start of new successes. Stay grounded, be practical but intuitive.

CANCER – MOTHER OF PENTACLES

I feel a blast of good vibes coming through for you sweet Cancer! The nurturing energy from last month is still around, but this November it comes with a boost of inner strength. The Mother of Pentacles carries with her all the wonderful aspects of the Earth energy. You feel more on top of the world than you have in a while, so revel in that strength, step into your personal power and allow yourself to believe it. There is quite a celebratory energy for you this month Cancer, with a very strong hold over your Water element too. This card shows a really wonderful connection between the spiritual and material world, career strength as well as social comforts. You’ve been practicing a better handle over your feelings, so keep at it. I’m encouraging you to keep balancing out your emotions with practical steps, this will keep your feelings from overflowing and getting the better of you. In your work life, know that you now have a place  to ground your dreams and that the key is to keep balance in mind. This means that you must continue making a place for self care amongst a calendar that is filling up with social engagements and meetings. There is time and space for everything, and you have the power to build yourself quite the success schedule. There is an aspect of expansion for you also in the coming weeks, use that to shout up and out about what you are proud off. Your love and social life can also benefit from this energy and you need to make sure you are ready  to connect with others. Make way for some surprising new friends and potential lovers, a meeting of minds may be imminent. Finally always remember the elements you are working with. The Mother of Pentacles is Earthy, while you are all Water. If you feel stuck or stubborn or weighted down, let creativity be your guide, your Water feeding the Earth. Thrash your fears out with music or painting. Try some Feng Shui decorating tips to reconnect yourself to a grounding and flow filled energy. On the subject of your environment, you might also feel ready to make a move, to a home that more suits your new ways of thinking. As a Cancer your home life is so important, it will forever be your grounding tool, so make sure that your space is safe.

LEO – THE LOVERS

Now this card is really a lot less about actual ‘Lovers’ than the name suggests, and we have to go way deeper into the meaning of connection than simply predicting a new relationship. I feel this November is going to take on the bigger energy of this card for you Leo, which is about choices and decision making. What is the real meaning behind the term ‘soulmate’? if you think about it,  it’s all about depth of connection, something that makes you shift your way of thinking and opens your mind. So think of that energy and apply it to all aspects of life, and you’ll see how it’s as much about your own inner strength to make choices that will work for you in a positive way. You just don’t have time to be conducting your day to day life from a place of anything less than optimum energy. You have to make a choice right now to let go of any low level ways of thinking, as you’ll only end up spinning in circles, blinded  from participating in the fun of your own life. Love, love, love, love, is the most powerful way of thinking! When you craft every thought and action from a place of love, your energy is then pure. I also feel a sense of ‘flocking’ for you, inspired by the imagery from this deck, and you might be feeling that you actually need a physical change of environment in order to make a few shifts. Moving house might not be totally out of sight over the coming months. Find comfort in familiar friends and trusted loves, let them remind you what a meaningful connection is and try to apply that to meeting new people going forward. Most of all, this November is about digging deep and remembering who you are and what you want – which is easy to say and so much harder to do. But let your past be your teacher and your healer, enable nostalgia to accelerate your progress by showing you what definitely hasn’t worked. That is the only push you need to move forward. I feel very strongly that if you focus on your own self worth and connection to your highest light, you will be way ahead of the game and on board to tackle and welcome any changes that may arrive in the next few weeks.

VIRGO – THE STAR

Star light, shine bright. You are glowing with the energy of this card over the next few weeks Virgo and all because you survived the past few months. Well done! I see a big leap forward out from the darkness and so much possibility and opportunity around you. This is a very magical card with a real focus on self expression. Any worries or concerns this month, work them out in a creative way. Let ideas flow, have pens, paint, thread and music at the ready, get it all out and you will see how things shift. You are upping your game too, you’ve planted loads of seeds and seen them grow and now you want more of that same. You know that the art of manifestation works so keep going. You also have a voice so be social, which is not about over doing it – but you will want to find the times and the places to get out there and feel part of something, whether it’s teaching about some of your biggest passions or sitting amongst like minds with your thinking cap on. I feel it’s really important that you’re open to see the change that you’ve been trying to manifest, as in November the Universe may be sending you some heavy winks and nudges. You are allowed to be proud of the life you have built and the things you have worked so so hard for, so give yourself recognition and celebrate this magical life. If you’re reading all this thinking ‘this is SO not how I feel,’ then at least have a go at working with the energy of The Star. This card is about inspiration and beginnings. You are encouraged to have your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground. Know that even your biggest dreams are achievable by simply placing one foot in front of the other. I would love to you work on any struggles with your self esteem and know that you are worthy of the things you wish for. To regain your personal power you must allow yourself to have it! You know deep down that self punishment doesn’t get you anywhere, and it’s time to dust off that way of thinking and allow loving thoughts to flow through you. Keep practicing the positive and it will eventually outweigh the negative. You are the darling of the Tarot deck this month, so have faith.

LIBRA – FATHER OF PENTACLES

Snap. Out of a whole deck I have turned the same card for you as last month, so together, let us expand on the energy you felt around October. I spoke to you before about the dominant energy of this card and how it might be reflecting the opinions of others around you. This month I would like to work on you channeling the power of this card for your own personal advantage and strength! As I said before, confidence is a key word with this card and I want you to think about what this Father represents. He holds all the power of the Earth element. This means that he has learned to make the material world work for him, which is really something to celebrate. This is your lesson for November, and it comes with a need to be willing to accept material success and celebrate it when you have it. A lot of us have issues surrounding money, and it can be so easy to take on a lack mentality; thinking, for instance, ‘I can’t afford that’, ‘I don’t have enough’ etc. You can see how this way of speaking only encourages negative energy and gives away your personal power. By doing that you also invite yourself to feel trapped and fearful of the material world. There are practical steps to help with this. Don’t be afraid of organization! If you feel totally overwhelmed by the idea of instigating order and structure in your affairs, then teach yourself a way that works for you. Procrastination can be overcome by practicality, as step by step little shifts enable you to move forward. This is especially important for those of you with a very creative mind, where order can be your biggest friend and help you gain the success you deserve. See this card as also showing a continuation of what you have been working on over the last few weeks, including a second chance with some particular struggles. Keep pushing on with the ideas you were cultivating back in the end of Summer, I know you have things that you want to see come to fruition and it’s likely by the end of the month you really notice some changes. This card can really signal new stability and the fact that it has come up twice makes me feel that you are in a truly transformational time regarding this earthly plane. Keep reminding yourself what it is that you want, have your abundant life in your mind’s eye so that you can shape it around yourself. I’m excited to see how things develop next month. Go Libra go!

Cast using The Wild Unknown deck.

Like what you’re reading? You can connect with Louise at [email protected] to discuss a private tarot session, or a reading for your event or party! More information about her coaching and holistic therapy sessions can also be found at www.louiseandrolia.com.

@louniverse