From The Inside Out Mag.
For Personal Healing, Spiritual Growth & Development

"Parents can only give good advice or put [us] on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands." --Anne Frank

May brings with it the energies of the number Eight (the reduced single-digot sum total of May=month #5 and, when added to 2010, becomes 2+0+1+5=8). I relate many of number Eight's traits to mom: executive, self-disciplined, powerful, authoritative, supervisor, protector, Eight is also associated with equilibrium, justice, and strength.

What's in store for you and mom this month? Strength for any task, to withstand any pressure, to find the solution to any problem, will be as close as our very breath. We are offered, moment by moment, opportunities to experience the rapture of Life. Our strength increases as we flex it, not unlike muscles. The more we turn to that great inner power, the more available that source of strength becomes.

The number Eight is particularly emphasized in the mythology and religious symbolism of the Orient. The Chinese revere the Eight Immortal saints, eight symbols of a scholar, and eight directions of the wind. And there's also Buddhism's eight auspicious emblems and the Eightfold Path leading to enlightenment.

There are eight petals on the lotus flower. Eight planets rotate around the sun. The Hindu god Vishnu has eight arms corresponding to the eight guardians of space. In kabbalistic teachings, the number seven symbolizes perfection—perfection that is achievable via natural means—while Eight symbolizes that which is beyond nature and its inherently limited perception.

To be "behind the eight-ball" is to find oneself in the middle of a dilemma with elusive solutions on each side. And to confront an eight-sided red sign while driving urges us to "stop." Throughout the world, we find the octagon symbolizing the eight lunar cycles, as well as the I Ching's eight trigrams, or stages of transformation.

The tarot's major arcanum number Eight is titled Strength. Not "strength" measured in terms of how much you can lift, or how long you can run. True strength is fortitude (tarot card 8's classic title) of character, and the ability to not only control the emotions, but to rise above them, and triumph over all our lower impulses and desires. Card Eight belies courage and patience. Courage is the antithesis of fear; patience, the control over worldly desires. There is no emotion with an 8, just determination and action. Indeed, mom and 8's qualities are very simpatico, eh?

In the tarot's minor arcanum, recognizing when it's time to move on, or remove yourself from difficulties, is the primary theme of the Eight of Cups, The Eight of Pentacles implies a reward and sense of security when commoited to a task. This commitment is not limited to the material world, however. The Eight can be a sign of dedication to a relationship, or a genuine interest in learning new skills. It is at this point that the spiritual meaning of the Eight becomes apparent.

The appearance of the Eight of Swords in a tarot layout suggests that you may be holding yourself back because you are afraid of getting hurt by a new situation. Eight's "lesson" is all about finding a way to overcome such apprehension, and free yourself from the bonds of fear and doubt.

Like mom getting ready for an important home celebration, the Eight of Wands tarot card speaks of swift and decisive action. Its appearance suggests that obstacles will be swept from your path and will free you to advance as fast as you'd like, provided you refrain from acting impetuously.

May's 8-lessons are the stuff that mom taught us as children. We must take responsibility for ourselves, for who we become, for how we live each day. We may have blamed our parents for not loving us enough. We may have labeled our mom the villian. Today is a new day. The month of May is giving you many solid options for growth. We can meet our personal needs now. We can, with anticipation, chart a clearer course for the days ahead. The time for passivity is over, if we choose to move ahead with this day.

By Lady Joy