Sally Blumenfeld - The Drumming Astrologer ~ finding the rhythm in your life...

Introduction to Word of the Week: The Word of the Week is divined out of the dictionary. I started this exercise several years ago to help develop my intuitive abilities. I got the idea from Psychic Development For Beginners: An Easy Guide to Releasing and Developing Your Psychic Abilities. There are several exercises in the book, but I stuck with this one because it worked so well for me. For example, the day before the 35w bridge collapse I divined the word project. I have a collection of these words that I divined each week for The Bead Ladies. Sometimes the word turns out to be quite profound and sometimes quite mundane. Perhaps you would like to try it for yourself and see what comes up. Also, I would like to hear from you with your comments about the Word of the Week.

Word of the Week (8/18/08): outshine v.t. 1. to surpass in shining. 2. to surpass in splendor, excellence, etc. v.i. 3. Archaic, to shine out or forth.

My comment: It seems appropriate to divine this word during the Olympics. This is definitely the time for some of the best athletes in the world to prove their excellence. The best are truly outshining the rest with their medals of gold, silver and bronze.

Word of the Week (8/11/08): effector n. 1. Physiol. an organ tissue or cell that carries out a response to a nerve impulse. 2. a person or thing that effects. Also, effecter.

My comment: Are you an effector? Do you have the power to get things done? Surely we all have an effect on our environment and the people in our community. Hopefully the impression we make is a positive one. Try to be more conscious of your effect on others.

Word of the Week (8/4/08): brigadier n. 1. Brit. Army, a rank between colonel and major general. 2. U.S. Army Informal, a brigadier general. 3. Hist. a noncommissioned rank in the Napoleonic armies.

My comment: Are you pulling rank? Does something in your life demand that you show that you are in control? Or is someone controlling you?

Word of the Week (7/28/08): method n. 1. a plan or system of action, inquiry, analysis, etc. 2. order or system in one's actions. 3. the manner in which one acts, esp. in conducting a business. 4. an order or system, as of classification or arrangement. 5. the Method, Also called Stanislavski Method, Stanislavski System, a theory and technique of acting in which the performer identifies with the character to be portrayed.

My comment: Is there a method to your madness? Do you have a plan of action? If not, maybe this is the time to get started. It may make a big difference in your life.

Word of the Week (7/21/08): confidence n. 1. full trust; belief in the reliability of a person or thing. 2. (esp. in European politics) the wish to retain an incumbent government in office, as shown by a vote of support. 3. self-reliance, assurance, or boldness 4. certitude; assurance. 5. a confidential communication 6. Archaic, ground of trust 7. in confidence, as secret or private matter, not to be divulged or communicated to others.

My comment: May you have confidence in others and, perhaps more importantly, in yourself.

Word of the Week (7/14/08): supposition n. 1. the act of supposing. 2. an assumption or hypothesis.

My comment: How often do we suppose something to be true when in reality it may not be? This can be dangerous. If a scientist has a hypothesis he needs to test it many, many times in order to prove that it is true. However, how many times do we really "test" our theories about other people? Let's start a new trend. Instead of assuming you know what a family member or close friend would do, have an open mind. You just might be pleasantly surprised!

Word of the Week (7/7/08): chirp v.i. 1. to make a short, sharp sound, as small birds and certain insects. 2. to make any similar sound v.t. 3. to sound or utter in a chirping manner. n. 4. a chirping sound.

My comment: Aah, the sounds of summer...chirping birds and chirping insects. There is something about it that is comforting. It's mother natures way of reminding you to relax and take it easy. Be grateful for what you have and soon you will be chirping too.

Word of the Week (6/30/08): clever adj. 1. mentally bright; having quick intelligence; able. 2. superficially skillful, witty, or original in character or construction; facile. 3. adroit with the hands or body; dexterous or nimble. 4. showing inventiveness or originality; ingenious. 5. Dial. suitable; convenient; satisfactory.

My comment: Perhaps you are working on a project that requires a quick wit and/or dexterity. Maybe you will be recognized for these skills during the week.

Word of the Week (6/23/08): hunt v.t. 1. to chase or search for (game or other wild animals) for the purpose of catching or killing. 2. to pursue with force, hostility, etc. 3. to search for; seek; endeavor to obtain or find 4. to search (a place) thoroughly. 5. to scour (an area) in pursuit of game. 6. to use or direct (a horse, hound, etc.) in chasing game. 7. Change Ringing. to alter the place of (a bell) in a hunt. v.i. 8. to engage in the pursuit of game. 9. to make a search or quest. 10. Change Ringing. to alter the place of a bell in its set according to certain rules. n. 11. an act of hunting game or other wild animals. 12. a search; a seeking or endeavor to find. 13. a pursuit. 14. an association of huntsmen. 15. an area hunted over. 16. Change Ringing. a regularly varying order of permutations in the ringing of a group of from five to twelve bells.

My comment: Are you pursuing something or is something pursuing you?

Word of the Week (6/16/08): drachma n. 1. a cupronickel coin and monetary unit of modern Greece, equal to 100 lepta and equivalent to about .033of a U.S. dollar (according to Random House Dictionary, circa 1968) 2. the principal silver coin of ancient Greece. 3. a small unit of weight in ancient Greece, approximately equivalent to the U.S. and British apothecaries' dram. 4. any of various modern weights, esp. a dram.

My comment: Are you planning a trip to Greece? Or perhaps something is weighing on you, that is of small consequence.

Word of the Week (6/9/08): carousel n. 1. U.S. merry-go-round. 2. Hist. a tournament in which horsemen executed various formations.

My comment: Perhaps you have already visited the amusement park with children in tow. Did they go on the merry-go-round? Did you go also? Or perhaps you feel you are going around in circles and not really going anywhere.

Word of the Week (6/2/08): cobbler n. 1. a person who mends shoes. 2. U.S. a deep-dish fruit pie with a rich biscuit crust, usually covering only the top. 3. an iced drink made of wine or liquor, fruits, sugar, etc. 4. Archaic, a clumsy workman.

My comment: Either your shoes need mending or you are planning on making a pie. Which one is it? Better yet, why don't you just opt for the drink and forgo the rest?

I was out of town last week at UAC (United Astrology Conference) in Denver. I didn't have access to a computer, so I wasn't able to give you a WORD OF THE WEEK. I hope you were able to carry on without a word to guide you. :) Without further ado, here is this week's

Word of the Week (5/26/08): caudex n., Bot. 1. the axis of a plant, including both stem and root. 2. a stem bearing the remains of scars of petioles. 3. the woody or thickened persistent base of a herbaceous perennial.

My comment: My first reaction is from an astrologer's perspective. The axises in a chart (ascendant/descendant and Midheaven / Nadir or IC) are very important. The root definitely points to the IC or your heritage. How is your family tree? Is it strong? Does it carry some scars? How has what you have inherited from your family affected you?

Of course this word could also simply mean that you are in the mood for gardening. Are you planting perennials?

Word of the Week (5/12/08): lord n. 1. a person who has dominion over others; a master, chief, or ruler. 2. a person who exercises authority from property rights; an owner or possessor of land, houses, etc. 3. a person who is a leader in his profession. 4. a feudal superior; the proprietor of a manor. 5. a titled nobleman or peer. 6. Lords, the Lords Spiritual and Lords Temporal comprising the House of Lords. 7. Brit. a. the title of certain high officials b. the formally polite title of a bishop c. the title informally substituted for marquis, earl, viscount, etc. 8. (cap.) the Supreme Being; God; Jehovah. 9. (cap.) the Savior, Jesus Christ. 10. Astrol. a planet having dominating influence. 11. interj. (often cap.) (used in exclamatory phrases to express surprise, elation, etc.): Lord, what a beautiful day! v.i. 12. to play the lord; assume airs of importance and authority; domineer (usually fol. by it): to lord it over someone.

My comment: I'm leaving tomorrow for UAC (United Astrology Conference) in Denver. There are expected to be over 1,000 people in attendance! There will be many persons of authority or lords of the subject. There will also be some talk about which planets have a dominating influence (def. 10) in a chart. And even though I'm really looking forward to this event, I know there will be a few "lords" who will be "assuming airs of importance and authority." Have a great week!

Word or the Week (5/5/08): humorous 1 adj. 1. characterized by humor; funny; comic. 2. having or showing a sense of humor; droll; facetious.
humorous 2 adj. 1. Old Physiol. pertaining or due to the bodily humors. 2. Archaic. moist; wet.

My comment: Well, hopefully this means this week will be full of good cheer. I could use a few good laughs. I could do without the archaic meaning, moist and wet. I've had enough of that!

Word of the Week (4/28/08): condition n. 1. a particular mode of being of a person or thing; situation with respect to circumstances; existing state or case. 2. state of health 3. social position 4. a restricting, limiting, or modifying circumstance. 5. a circumstance indispensable to some result; prerequisite 6. something demanded as an essential part of an agreement. (For more definitions, please consult your dictionary)

My comment: Are you feeling hemmed in by the conditions of your life? Who or what is limiting you? Are the limitations binding or are your fears holding you back? Perhaps all you have to do is fulfill a prerequisite. Are you willing to hold up your end of the agreement?

Word of the Week(4/21/08): Derby n. 1. a race for three-year-old horses run annually at Epsom Downs, near London, England. 2. a race for three-year-old horses run annually at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky. 3. any of certain other important annual horse races, usually for three-year-old horses. 4. a race or contest, usually one open to all who wish to enter. 5. Also called, esp. Brit., bowler, a man's stiff felt hat with rounded crown and narrow brim.

My comment: The Kentucky Derby is a week from this Saturday (May 3). I suppose it would have been more appropriate if this word was divined next week instead of this week. However, it is probably on a lot of horse lover's minds this week, especially in Louisville where preparations, I'm sure, are in earnest.

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Word of the Week (4/14/08): floor n. 1. that part of a room or the like which forms its lower enclosing surface and upon which one walks. 2. a continuous, supporting surface extending horizontally throughout a building, having a number of rooms, apartments, or the like, and constituting one level or stage in the structure; story. 3. a level, supporting surface in any structure 4. one of two or more layers of material composing a floor 5. a platform or prepared level area for a particular use 6. the flat bottom of any more or less hollow place 7. a more or less flat extent of surface 8. the part of a legislative chamber, auditorium, etc., where the members or attendants sit, and from which they speak (for more definitions, please consult your dictionary).

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My comment: Well, this certainly makes sense to me. We have to put in new flooring in our basement. Last Friday our sump pump failed to work and our basement flooded. The carpeting, of course, needed to be removed. In a way I feel that last week's word, evaporate, ties in with this as well. Yes, the water is evaporating (we have a dehumidifier working right now). We also had to get rid of some things that got wet. Right now Saturn is transiting my 4th house, which can mean getting rid of things you don't need in your home. I know that I needed to clear out the clutter. I just wish it wasn't so dramatic!

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Word of the Week (4/7/08): evaporate v.i. 1. to turn to vapor; pass off in vapor. 2. to give off moisture. 3. to disappear; vanish; fade v.t. 4. to convert into a gaseous state or vapor 5. to extract moisture or liquid from, as by heat, so as to make dry or to reduce to a denser state 6. to cause to disappear or fade; dissipate.

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My comment: Perhaps this means that the rest of the snow on the ground will disappear this week! One can only hope.�

Word of the Week (3/31/08): center n. 1. Geom. the middle point, as the point within a circle or sphere equally distant from all points of the circumference or surface. 2. a point, pivot, axis, etc., around which anything rotates or revolves. 3. the source of an influence, action, force, etc. 4. a point, place, person, etc., upon which interest, emotion, etc. focuses 5. a principal point, place, or object 6. a person, thing, group, etc., occupying the middle position, esp. a body of troops. 7. the core or middle of anything 8. Govt. a. the part of a legislative assembly, holding political views intermediate between those of the Right and Left. b. the members of such a part of an assembly who often sit in the center of the chamber. c. the position of persons who hold moderate political views. d. politically moderate person, taken collectively. (For the rest of the definitions, please look up in your dictionary)

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My comment: Do you feel like you are stuck in the middle? Are you the center of attention or would you like to be? Perhaps your political take is towards the center. What does this word mean to you?

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Word of the Week (3/24/08): revert n. 1. a person or thing that reverts. v.i. 2. to return to a former habit, practice, belief, condition, etc. 3. to go back in thought or discussion. 4. Biol. a. a reappearance of ancestral characters that have been absent in intervening generation. b. a return to an earlier or primitive type; atavism. 5. Law. to go back to or return to the former owner or his heirs.

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My comment: Depending on the meaning, this word can have either a positive, negative, or neutral connotation. Are you returning to an old habit that is not good for your health? Were you visiting family lately and reverted to old behaviors? Or did you think a piece of property was yours only to discover a previous owner wants to claim it back? Maybe you just need to rethink your ideas on a subject before making your final decision.

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Word of the Week (3/17/08): sylph n. slender, graceful woman;sprite.

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My comment: Perhaps this word came up this week because of St. Patrick's Day at it's association with leprechauns, which are woodland elves. Elves, fairies and sprites are sometimes used interchangeably. Is there something magical in the air? Spring does officially start this week. After a long, hard winter the promise of spring truly seems magical.

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Word of the Week (3/10/08): revenge v.t. 1. to exact punishment or expiation for a wrong on behalf of exp. in a resentful or vindictive spirit. 2. to take vengeance for; inflict punishment for v.i. 3. Obs. to take revenge n. 4. the act of revenging; retaliation for injuries or wrongs. 5. something done in vengeance. 6. the desire to revenge; vindictiveness. 7. an opportunity of retaliation or satisfaction.

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My comment: What are you so angry about? Think twice before seeking revenge. It may feel good at first, but it will most likely make things worst in the long run. Take the higher road and "forget about it."

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Word of the Week (3/3/08): rural dean, a cleric ranking just below an archdeacon, in charge of an archdeaconry.

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My comment: This is a position of honor, although obviously not as high up in the pecking order as an archdeacon. Rural can mean the country side or rustic. To quote the dictionary the word can "have either favorable or unfavorable connotations." In an unfavorable sense, it can mean crude or rough. In a more favorable light it can mean homey or pleasantly simplistic. So, even though this is technically considered a favorable position in the church, we may not really revere this person, depending on our point of view. Do you feel like a rural dean in your position in the community? Perhaps you aren't sure if you are revered or an object of ridicule. Maybe that's not the point. Perhaps one should just consider the honor of the position and do good work. Never mind the naysayers.

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Word of the Week (2/25/08): fire-resistant adj. noting construction meeting standard requirements when exposed to fire of a certain heat for a certain length of time.

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My comment: This makes me think of clothing, such as children's pajamas that are labeled fire-resistant. We could also think of this word in a more symbolic sense, such as someone who is able to "take the heat." What is happening in your life this week in which you need protection or to be "fire-resistant?"

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Word of the Week (2/18/08): Osterreich n. German name of Austria.

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My comment: Is someone planning a trip to Austria?

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Word of the Week (2/11/08): guillotine n. 1. a device for beheading persons by means of a heavy blade that is dropped between two posts that serve as guides. 2. Surg. an instrument for cutting the tonsils. 3. a machine with a vertical blade for cutting stacks of paper.� v.i. 4. to behead by the guillotine.

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My comment: This is not a very pleasant word. It's especially a little unnerving to be the word of the week in which Valentine's Day occurs. Perhaps someone is feeling a little less love and a little more hate towards a love one? Maybe it is time to sever ties with a person(s) who does not support us. Or it could mean that you are making your own Valentine's Day cards using a large paper cutter.

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Word of the Week (2/4/08): intrusive adj. 1. intruding; thrusting in. 2. characterized by or involving intrusion. 3. tending or apt to intrude. 4. Geol. a. (of rocks) having been forced between prexicting rocks or rock layers while in a molten or plastic condition. b. noting or pertaining to plutonic rocks. 5. Phonet. excrescent (def. 2).

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My comment: Who or what has been intrusive in you life? Perhaps you are the one who is intruding. Know your boundaries.

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Word of the Week (1/28/08): overclothes n. clothing worn outside other garments.

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My comment: My guess is that this means you are going to need plenty of overclothes this week. In case you haven't heard it's going to get very cold in the next few days.

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Word of the Week (1/21/08): gerbil n. any of numerous burrowing rodents of the genus Gerbilius and related genera, of Asia, Africa, and southern Russia. Also, gerbille

My comment: So, are you planning on getting a gerbil this week? Or perhaps your pet gerbil needs a little extra attention. Or perhaps it is symbolic. Maybe you have the desire to burrow in your home and not come out into the cold. Or maybe it's indicating that you need to do some research. What do you think?

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WORD OF THE WEEK (1/14/08): This week's word is: mule1 n. 1. the offspring of a male donkey and a mare, valued as a work animal. 2. any hybrid between the donkey and the horse. 3. Biol. a hybrid, esp. a hybrid between the canary and some other finch. 4. Also called spinning mule, a machine for spinning cotton or other fibers into yarn and winding the yarn on spindles. 5. Informal, a stubborn person. mule2 n. a backless slipper for a woman, esp. such a slipper for informal wear at home.

My comment: So, perhaps you're going shoe shopping this week for some mules? Or perhaps you plan to spin some cotton on your spinning mule. Or maybe that mule you are living with is driving you crazy. The "mule" couldn't be you, could it?

Word of the Week (1/7/08): blast n. 1. a sudden and violent gust of wind 2. the blowing of a trumpet, whistle, etc. 3. a loud, sudden sound or noise 4. a forcible stream of air, as from a bellows 5. Mach. a. air forced into a furnace by a blower to increase the rate of combustion b. a jet of steam directed up a smokestack, as of a steam locomotive, to increase draft, c. a draft thus increased. 6. Slang. a party, esp. a wild, abandoned one. (For the rest of the definitions, please refer to your dictionary).

My comment: This would have been appropriate for last week. It would have fit in well with the New Year's festivities. However, since the word came up this week, it may mean that one of the other definitions may be more appropriate, such as No. 16 Informal, to censure or criticize vigorously. Why do I say that? I'm thinking of the 2008 presidential candidates. What do you think it means?

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Word of the Week (12/31/07): ervil n. a vetch, Vicia Ervilia, grown in Europe for forage. Also called ers.

My comment: I'm not sure why this word would come up in the winter time. Perhaps you're planning your garden for next spring...

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Word of the Week (12/24/07): chalone n. Physiol. an endocrine secretion that depresses or inhibits physiological activity.

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My comment: It may be time for a physical check-up. Take care of yourself.

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Word of the Week (12/17/07): bring v.t. 1. to cause to come to the speaker or to accompany the speaker to another person or place. 2. to cause to come to or toward oneself, as by attracting the attention. 3. to cause to happen to one. 4. to cause to come to mind 5. to cause to occur, or come into a particular position or state. 6. to persuade, convince, or compel 7. to sell for; fetch 8. Law. to commence 9. bring about, to accomplish; cause.......

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My comment: Once again there are too many definitions to put them all down here.� Perhaps all it means this week is a reminder to bring a gift to that holiday party you're invited to.

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Word of the Week (12/10/07): courier n. 1. a messenger, usually traveling in haste, bearing diplomatic messages, important reports, etc. 2. Chiefly Brit. a person hired by travelers to take charge of the arrangements of a journey.

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My comment: To an astrologer this sounds like Mercury. This time of the year many of us are receiving messages, reports, gifts, etc. that may very well be important to us if not to the rest of the world. Also, many of us are traveling to other places and may be in need of a courier. I hope that whatever this word means to you that all important messages and travel plans will be delivered carefully and without delay.

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Word of the Week (12/3/07): body n. 1. the physical structure and material substance of an animal or plant, living or dead. 2. corpse; carcass. 3. the main or central mass of a thing, as the hull of a ship, fuselage of a plane, or chassis of a car. 4. Zool. Anat. the physical structure of man or an animal not including the head, limbs, and tall; trunk. 5. Print. the shank of a type, supporting the face. 6. Geom. a three-dimensional figure; a solid......

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My comment: Since there a so many different meanings for this word, I'm not going to include them all here. You'll have to look the rest of them up in your dictionary at home. As for why this word came up this week? Hmm, there could be a lot of different reasons as to why, some more gruesome than others. Let's just wait and see what happens.

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Word of the Week (11/26/07): gift wrapping n. decorative paper, ribbon, etc., for wrapping objects intended as gifts.

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My comment: Well, if this isn't obvious...Of course it's that time of year when a lot of us are shopping and gift wrapping packages. Earlier this morning I was making little gift boxes to sell at the Holiday Sale at Coffee Grounds on Sunday, December 2. The hours of the sale are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be many hand-made items for sale. So please come and see us. The Bead Ladies will be there!

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Word of the Week (11/19/07): Celaeno n. Class. Myth. 1. one of the Pleiades. 2. one of the Harpies.

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My comment: In the dictionary Pleiades is defined as " 1. Class. Myth. seven daughters of Atlas and half sister of the Hyades, placed among the stars to save them from the pursuit of Orion. One of them (the Lost Pleiad) hides, either from grief or shame. 2. Astron. a conspicuous group or cluster of stars in the constellation Taurus, commonly spoken of as seven, though only six are visible."

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I googled Celaeno and discovered that the "Lost Pleiad" is commonly thought to be Celaeno. Some references say that she was the mother of Balius and Xanthus, the two supernatural horses of Achilles.

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Harpies, on the other hand were known as female "winged death-spirits." They also represented different kinds of storms. Celaeno represented dark storm clouds.

For more information about Celaeno and other stars, go to Stars.

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Word of the Week (11/12/07): schedule n. 1. a number of duties, events, etc. listed usually in sequence with the time each will occur or will be allotted. 2. a series of things to be done within a given period. 3. a timetable. 4. a written or printed statement of details, often in tabular form. 5. Obs. a written paper v.t. 6. to make a schedule of or enter in a schedule.� 7. to plan for a certain date.

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My comment: I have been working all morning scheduling my trip to Denver in May for UAC (United Astrology Conference)

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My comment on last week's word: My brother became a grandfather for the fifth time on the very day that I divined grandsire, 11/5/07. I didn't know about the birth until after I divined the word and put it up on my website.

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Word of the Week (11/5/07): grandsire n. Archaic, a grandfather

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My comment: Perhaps you are thinking of your grandfather this week. Are you going to see him soon at Thanksgiving or is he deceased and you are remembering him from Thanksgivings past? Perhaps someone reading this is becoming a grandfather for the first time.

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Word of the Week (10/29/07): bandoleer n. a broad belt worn over the shoulder by soldiers and having a number of small loops or pockets for containing a cartridge or cartridges.

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My comment: If only humanity didn't feel a need for something like this...If only there were no more wars...

Word of the Week (10/22/07): gestic adj. pertaining to bodily motions, esp. in dancing. Also, gestical.

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My comment: Perhaps some of you will be dancing at a Halloween party in the next week.� Or maybe you'll need to make large gestures across a room in order to get someone's attention. Have fun!

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Word of the Week (10/15/07): intermediate frequency Radio, the middle frequency in a superheterodyne receiver, at which most of the amplification takes place.

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My comment: Huh? Whoa, "superheterodyne?" I looked it up in the dictionary and I'm still not sure I entirely understand it. Here is the definition of heterodyne: Radio, adj. 1. noting or pertaining to a method of changing the frequency of an incoming radio signal by adding it to a signal generated within the receiver to produce fluctuations or beats of a frequency equal to the difference between the two signals. v.i. 2. to produce a heterodyne effect. v.t. 3. to mix (a frequency) with a different frequency so as to achieve a heterodyne effect.

So why did this word come up this week? I'm not really sure. What do you think?

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Word of the Week (10/08/07): fang n. 1. one of the long, sharp, hollow or grooved teeth of a venomous snake by which poison is injected. 2. a canine tooth. 3. a doglike tooth. 4 .� the root of a tooth. 5. a pointed, tapering part of a thing.

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My comment: This sounds like a warning.� Is a "snake" about to inject you with his "poison?" Watch out. This is a time to by cautious.

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Word of the Week (10/01/07): publicness n. quality or state of being public or being owned by the public.

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My comment: What can be more public than the web? Anybody who has access to a computer can see what is posted on the web.� However, there is so much on the web that there is no guarantee that anybody will see what you want them to see or that, more importantly, the people you hope to reach will see your website. If you are reading this, let me know what you think.

Word of the Week (9/24/07): interceptor n. 1. a person or thing that intercepts. 2. Mil. a fighter airplane with a high rate of climb and speed, used chiefly for the interception of enemy aircraft.

My comment: This word certainly seems apropos to me. I'm just learning how to add things to my website by myself. A good friend has been helping me in this endeavor. However, last night I was having trouble entering my site to edit it. It did indeed seem like someone was intercepting my efforts. Well, as you can see the problem was solved!