Written by Annette Noyes

Temperance is how Siddhartha found enlightenment and became Buddha. He started his last incarnation as a prince who enjoyed every physical advantage: money, comfort, food, girls, entertainment, the best schooling…you name it, he had it. He never saw anything remotely sad, sick, old, or icky. After he married his wife, he began to wonder if there was more to life than this gilded cage he was in. He came to understand there was, and set upon his new path.

Thinking he needed to turn his back on all his previous pleasures, he made his life as plain and bleak as he could. At one point he was trying so hard to be “holy”, he damn near starved himself to death. He then realized, like it or not, he was stuck in a human body and needed to take care of it so he could then become enlightened. The destruction of this body would mean he had to start all over again!

That’s when Siddhartha recognized the need for Temperance…The Middle Way. Therefore, this coming month your goal is finding balance in all things. Have a glass of wine, a scoop of ice cream, exercise without killing yourself, read a good book, take a nap if you need it, and generally be nice to yourself and your body. You need it to be healthy in order to do your work, look after those who rely upon you, and seek your higher purpose. Aim for just a glimmer of enlightenment each day balanced with down-to-earth human-ness. Spring is coming and we’re waking up!

Annette Noyes

The Emerald Box Turtle

Written by Annette Noyes

The High Priestess represents, among other things, knowledge that doesn’t come through language. Her main representation is that of intuition—she’s the queen of the subconscious and your gut instincts. Add to that the concepts of preparation, study, and being receptive and we’ve got our advice for the month.

What does this mean practically speaking? I think there’s some kind of negotiation coming up. It could be for a new job, with your kids for more privileges, you asking for a raise, strategizing with your team, or anything that requires you to work with another person towards a goal. The High Priestess is telling you to “listen” with your guts and your eyes, not just your ears. Understand what’s NOT being said. Watch for nervousness, darting eyes, fiddling with pens, frowns, flashing teeth in fake smiles, or any of the little physical “tells” that people unconsciously make when they’re not being 100% forthcoming.

When there’s not 100% openness, that means something is being held back in reserve or there are hidden motives or truths. I don’t feel this less-than-perfect-honesty is malicious…it’s more like savvy negotiating and this could influence things one way or another. Therefore, when you go in knowing this, you’ll watch others more carefully, feel the energy of the room, and gather all the information that isn’t conveyed in words. Sometimes what ISN”T said is waaaaay more valuable than what is.

Happy February!

Annette Noyes

The Emerald Box Turtle

Written by Annette Noyes

It’s highly appropriate that we get The Fool at this time of year. The new year, and decade, is fast approaching. This means we have the potential for ANYthing! However, with the reversal, it indicates some of your may be feeling nervous about new ideas, challenges, and adventures rather than embracing them fully. Generally, this trepidation comes from not wanting to make a mistake, appearing foolish, having your brilliant ideas judged stupid, or being embarrassed in any way.

The sad thing about this fear is you restrict or deny your innate free-spiritedness and joy in exploring life. This locks you into a stagnant cage that allows for little to no expression of self, creativity, or even breath.

What to do? Examine all the pros and cons of your situation, clever ideas, and prospective adventures and then go forth and solve the problems! invent the next best widget! and hike the Appalachian Trail! If you don’t make mistakes or try something new, you won’t fulfill the true possibilities of your life. So what if you goof! Ask yourself “What’s the BFD?” Is there Blood? Is there Fire? Was there Death? No? Then fix the goof and move on. LIVE your lives, people! 

Happy December, folks!

Annette Noyes

The Emerald Box Turtle 

Written by Annette Noyes

As the year and the decade begin winding down, we move into the time where it seems there are parties every weekend! The Two of Pentacles urges you to find balance in your life despite all the hubbub and glitter and food and obligations. Juggling your family life with work and social events becomes so difficult at this time of year, but it’s vital that you do so. Otherwise, you’ll spend all of January in a state of “holiday hangover.”

Not only do you have to maintain balance between the facets of your life, but you have to maintain balance in your diet (all that holiday food and treats!!!) and budget. Along with all the parties goes gift-giving. If you MUST give a gift, make sure it doesn’t put you in debt just to keep up with Karen in accounting. Practice healthy boundaries and don’t be shy about enforcing them!

Fun times can, and do, devolve into agitation. You get two people into a room and you can have conflict. Add more and the probability for snark, embroilment in other people’s business, and attack goes way up. Add liquid “holiday cheer” and it’s likely there will be turmoil. That’s when personal boundaries really come in handy by having you put down your ginger ale and heading for the door. If you’re not there, you can’t get involved or hurt!

Happy November!
Annette Noyes
The Emerald Box Turtle

Written by Annette Noyes

This card has inherent disappointment woven through it. This disappointment can come in the form of a loss, betrayal, unkindness from a friend, or other form of heartache. Perhaps you’re seeing something for what it truly is and that’s a bit of a slap in the face. Rather than experiencing a loss or betrayal, plans may have fallen through or things didn’t turn out as well as you’d hoped. At any rate, this glum mood can prevent you from being awake to and available for enjoying the good things in your life. 

I don’t mean this to be a wet blanket for your entire month of October, by any means. I’m not feeling like the near future is filled with one disaster after another; it’s more like a lesson is being offered to us. IF we suffer a setback, we have the choice to wallow in a lousy mood or reflect on what went wrong and figure out how not to do “that” again. Accept your lesson, accept the past is gone, accept what is now—and not what you’d hoped— and turn your face forward.

Because life is all about contrasts, having a less-than-happy moment is an opportunity to feel your heart in a heavy state. Therefore, nurture your bruised feelings, recognize them, and remember them in times of joy. Your high times will feel even higher when you can compare them to the low times. 

Let’s hope you have no low times this coming month, but if you do, give thanks to Universe for the reminder and move forward.

Happy October Everyone!
Annette Noyes

The Emerald Box Turtle

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