So, um, how are we handling things, folks?  We'll be called upon to be disciplined creatures, leaders, this week, and it'll be important for us to have learned from any frustrations that may have surfaced last week and to have a plan of action in place.  We need to keep certain flames in control, right, kids?  Passion is fantastic.  It is boiling passion, anger, frustration, impatience and other similar emotions that we need to handle with care because these can get us into trouble. 

Moving on, the King, or Emperor, is a card that teaches us that Rome surely wasn't built in a day.  What do we consider our "Rome"?    Are we content with our empires?  Or have they caused us more troubles and grief than they are worth?  Let's finish what we've started either way.  Regardless of what our empires are at the moment, they will be taking us somewhere else.  It might not appear this way now, but everything we do is a step.  We don't remain in the same spot forever.

Now, the King and Emperor are more emotionally detached figures than the queen.  Both the King and Emperor represent the fire sign, Aries, who operates on impulse.  He's driven and self-reliant and motivated, and these are precisely the kinds of energies we'll be receiving, this week. 

In the good and in the bad. 

Many of us just want that boost, we want to trust ourselves and just go for the gold.  And we'll have that push.  We'll get serious about what we need to accomplish... beeecause (and take this in, carefully, my friends)...

                                                       ... WE DESERVE IT. 


                                  
I know.  Very difficult a concept for some to grasp.  But a very smart person told me that, rather than just give myself permission to do things, I should tell myself that "I deserve ________".  I never realized how powerful I deserve it is.


                      

It's been kinda hard to believe the I deserve it mantra when I've had the rug pulled out from under me numerous times.  When the famous Al Bundy storm cloud loomed over my head for years.  They're just three little words, but they pack quite a nice punch, don't they?  I deserve it.  Especially in this challenged planet, they're powerful as hell.  I mean, those of us who are succeeding and who are fortunate in the midst of unemployed, struggling people may tell ourselves how lucky we are to be where we are, and we might be grateful to Allah, Buddha and God and the Big Electron.  But let's face it: how many of us had it easy getting to our happy places?  Not many of us had the money of mommy and daddy to see us through.  Many of us started with sh*t and made it to the top, and so we have to be proud of where we are.  We owe it to ourselves to live contentment.

These are the kinds of empires we want to sustain in this world, not those of spoiled brats who care about nothing more than their drinking binges.  And these are the kinds of empires we will witness as the underdogs rise to the top.


                                      


Let's watch where we're exercising our authority or whatever.  We, too, can be Humpty Dumpty.



                                  

I strongly suggest that we don't put our lives on hold for those who are suddenly coming out of the woodwork, these days, inching over politely because they need a favor.  That favor may result in something more than we're bargaining for.  Wanna tell me where the f*ck these flakes were when we needed them, anyway?  Let's focus on those who have been there through and through because flakes don't change.  Once a flake, always a flake.  Let's straighten up our priorities, folks.

We shouldn't feel guilty about success.  We shouldn't take on the burdens of others, some of which are crippling.  And we shouldn't fear good-standing or success.  An awesome loved one couldn't have been more clear when he asked, "how else are people going to be inspired enough to try without successful people around them?"  Some of us need to stop being afraid of expressing, or being, of celebrating our successful selves.

Our happiness may be too good, but it's true.  Let's enjoy it.

Others will be learning this week's lesson the hard way.  The most obvious example I can offer is how we treat our bodies.  If we feed it sh*t, it will operate like sh*t.  Yup, our bodies will pretty much ooze sh*t from unusual pores at the most inconvenient times if we mistreat them.  But, yeah, feel free to customize your experience.  And clean up yon acts because there will be no way of getting around our responsibilities or bending the rules, this week.

Every King runs the risk of being a tyrannical douche if his heart is not in the right place.  If your heart is not into your empire anymore, it's time to let it go.  We did a fantastic job.  Now it's time to say goodbye...  Otherwise, let's not be surprised if our toddler tantrums turn people away and we wind up sitting on our velvet thrones all by ourselves.  That's exactly what will happen.  No one wants to feel as though they're walking on eggshells when it comes to our emotions.


                          

Yet, the storms, emotional or tyrannical and not, have been brewing and they are a-comin. 

Let's have our bases covered and our "armies" ready.

Both the King and Emperor stand for admirable and supportive males in our lives, be they parents, siblings, partners, spouses, superiors, pets, children and so on.  We'll be enjoying them, thinking of them, reuniting with them, bidding them farewell... and/or missing them.

Those of you with children may find that they're shaping up to be fine men... or fine brats.  If the latter proves to be true, I'd suggest ensuring that they don't rule the roost!  Who's the squishy-wishy parent, again?  Pull your pants up, parents.

Overall, these cards indicate a great start.  Yep, contrary to what some of us might be feeling at the moment, we're off to a great start.  A stellar recovery.  Our luck will be turning around.  So let's keep our chins up, our eyes on the prize, and put our best feet forward!

Have a super week.