Energy Forecast: Week of March 26

This week brings a gestalt of several intermingling forces which you can read any way you like. They consist of: FREEDOM, EGO STRENGTH, STANDSTILL, and VISION, with the personal archetype of THE WOUNDED CHILD entering the picture.

What does this mean? By "gestalt" I'm describing a landscape of energies interacting synergistically on many many levels: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, psychic, local, global, and personal. The ways in which these energies affect your week will depend largely on who you are, what forces are already at play in your life, and how you choose to focus.

What will be important to you this week? You can decide how these energies will work for you. In the midst of kajillion possibilities at work, YOU are the field in which they collide and work. YOU are unique in your talents, abilities, life circumstances and all that jazz, so how you focus on these psychic impulses will largely determine the outcome. What would YOU like to see happen? I like to emphasize this because "divination" in any form can be a useful tool when you realize that the universe plays through each of us a very individual song, and we are cowriters of the song. The "notes" of the song may be given to us in any particular moment, but how we arrange and rearrange the notes is up to us.

So let's look at the field, or landscape for this week.

First, we are given FREEDOM. Freedom FROM what? Freedom to DO what? These are two very different "freedoms." "Freedom from" implies a release, a letting go from a previous condition or situation; while "freedom to do" is a green light moving from this moment toward possibilities that only you can decide.

Look at the image of the card. There you are on top of the world, looking at it from a great height that seems impossible to scale. Yet, despite vertical walls and dizzying height, you have reached a pinnacle from which to raise your hands in exaltation. You have arrived! You are FREE! You inhale deeply; your lungs fill with oxygen and your body pulses with vitality and life. There are other mountains in the background, other pinnacles to climb nearby; but for now, relish and savor your victory. You made it, after a long and treacherous ascent.

Maybe this sounds too grandiose for the circumstances of your life. Perhaps you are unaware of such a dramatic shift in perspective; because no doubt about it—freedom FROM brings a new lease on life, a new viewpoint, a different vantage from which to see. Freedom TO DO is also exhilarating. The energies have opened where they were closed before. Some long anticipated goal, dream, or vision (another one of our cards this week) has been delayed or dismissed. But not now. Move forward with freshness. You have been freed from a previous encumbrance that no longer exists. What will YOU do with this freedom? Initiate something this week as you ride on the coat tails of FREEDOM.

My own Freedom train begins on thursday when I decamp from the house I own in Santa Rosa and drive up to McMinnville, Oregon to live temporarily with my daughter Angelina and her family. There I will await and recover from hip replacement surgery and then strike a course to Portland where I imagine myself enjoying an urban existance. I have been released from job and relationship commitments so nothing holds me back. The only concern I have is leaving a primary residence before my two years is up, making me subject to capital gains tax when I sell my California property. But I am going to trust the universe that all will work out in the end. Maybe I'll be making so much moola by then that the tax will be insignificant. Maybe I'll never sell it. So why worry? It's been my philosophy not to let money dictate important decisions in life. I believe in following the energy. And it is heading north.

EGO got a bad rap from the 60s to the late 70s until the 80s "Me Generation" started to think of Number #1. Apart from those days of pendulum swinging excess, I encourage you to view EGO STRENGTH as a positive, life-affirming quality that enables us to stand up and be counted.

Check out the dude in this card. He's bristling with muscle, not to mention the lightning bolts in his left hand. The left hand is the tool of the right-brain, center of feeling and creativity. He is sculpted with classic Grecian beauty and screams "strength." Ego strength is a sign of a healthy psyche. Unfortunately, life circumstances can play havoc with ego strength. From the time we are babies, our parents look into our eyes and coo, telling us how much we are loved and how beautiful we are. At least, that is how nature intended it to be. Unless, the parent's natural instincts have been corrupted or the child is damaged at birth. In that case, some of us have to fill in the "love" blanks in order to build our own ego strength.

Are you feeling good or bad about yourself? Is there some part of your self that you continually berate and diminish? Take a long look at your thoughts; your internal dialogue will tell you. How do you describe yourself to others? What picture of yourself do you see in your mind's eye? Be honest. Now, can you separate truth from judgment? Judgment puts a positive or negative spin on the truth. Can you see yourself withOUT judgment? Try it this week as you work on ego strength. If you have low self esteem, try this for 30 days: take time each day, preferably in the morning when you are fresh, and write a list of all the things you appreciate and love about yourself. That's it! Build your psychic muscles this way, and you just might notice a shift in your perception, and others might notice it also.

Another aspect of ego strength is standing up for ourselves, our beliefs, and what is true. This week, pay attention to opportunities for you to do just this. Is this difficult to do? Why? Are you not worth it? Old negative thinking habits can erode your positive sense of self.

This might be a good time to play the personal archetype card. THE WOUNDED CHILD is putting in an appearance this week, which might play a little havoc with your ego strength.

What is the wounded child? First, we ALL have a part of our selves that is wounded. It is a basic, deep wounded that occurred in childhood, often in infancy. It is part of the human condition, and no one gets off without a little wounding. Second, some wounds are big, some small and the size of the wound is entirely subjective. Your wounded child may feel vulnerable, at risk, and insecure this week. Triggering events will be ideosyncratic: each person has their own particular triggers. Some major triggers are being tired, hungry, or stress. Make sure you get enough sleep, good healthy regular meals, and when you get angry, try deep breathing and meditating. Triggers make the event seem all the more stressful, and the little child inside takes everything personally.

The best cure for the wounded child is whatever you would do for your own children, if you have them. Kiss the owie, give yourself a hug (or better yet, get lots of hugs from friends), treat yourself to goodness, surround yourself with loving, supportive people. The wounded child can be triggered by good things too. Freedom may be frightening to a small child. Too much wide open space and unlimited possibilities might trigger withdrawal. Be gentle, but don't back away from the excitement that awaits you either. Reassure your wounded child that you will hold its hand every step of the way if necessary, but you ARE moving forward. I've had some frightening nightmares after I made the decision to move to an urban area. Boogey men lurked in underground parking structures, homeless zombies grabbing at me from dark alleys. My little girl was definitely freaking at the idea of a big city. I've been thinking a lot about her lately, and the ways I can make this a gentler experience.

And then there is STANDSTILL. This card shows dead barren trees forlornly reaching their tortured branches upward. Are they praying for deliverance? Their roots are slowly rotting in still flood waters as wisps of fog creep through. So while some part of your life has a green light, another part is on hold. Perhaps stagnating. Even rotting at the root. It might be time to cut loose from the decay. Or it might be time to infuse new energy into something that has been languishing. You must first determine what aspect of your life is in standstill; then you can decide what course of action to take.

What part of my move is in standstill? Only a year ago I completed a local move from one part of the city to another, but because of a foot injury, I stuffed junk into boxes for "later." Now, it's my hip causing problems. I have been at a standstill for 9 months, unable to work. My entire life has been standing still, but not decaying. Still, as I face another move, this time I am forcing myself to go through the old boxes and give away, pass along, and make decisions about what to bring to my new life. It goes against every bone in my body... they all want to stand still. But I am getting enough help so I can sit down a lot. My little wounded bird inside doesn't want to go anywhere, but by this thursday, the nest will be dismantled and I and all my stuff will be headed north, no longer standing still.

The last card to consider for this week is VISION. Native americans use animal totems as archetypes of universal energies. I like the nature reference and use them frequently in my work, and in the cards. Eagle represents VISION because of his far-seeing eyes. Even in the anglo culture, "Eagle eyes" applies to people who see needles in haystacks.

This week promises to be an excellent time to sharpen your eagle eyes to home in on your personal vision. This card may also be referring to seeing a truth about a person or situation that was previously clouded. Notice the huge strong wings this eagle has to carry him to wherever he sees juicy tidbits. Whatever your mind can conceive this week is possible to achieve if you trust in your abilities as a creative force in the universe. Do you have big dreams, or are you content to let life happen to you?

On a personal level, my dream level has been pretty low this year. But now, I'm entertaining ideas, big ones. Like, where do I want to live? What do I want the neighborhood to be like? What kind of job will be enjoyable and allow me to utilize my unique strengths and abilities? Do I want an apartment or a house? I'm picturing myself walking everywhere, to parks, shopping, museums, restaurants. I am visualizing my hips and legs getting healthy and strong, my body getting lean and flexible again. I can feel my lungs pumping new breath into old skin, seeing it become younger with vitality. I see the old fat accumulated from standing still melting away with each step into this new vision. This is a vision I can live with and make real in the months ahead.

As co-creators in the universe, I believe it is our job to do the dreaming and visualizing, and the universe's job to handle the "how to" part. If we are unwavering in vision, the universe creates with us by moving the energies around so our dreams can come true. So I'm not going to worry about how this all happens. The universe will be my guide and "show" me by synchronous brainstorms and events, leading me to the right people, places, and circumstances that will reveal what actions I should take next. This has worked in the past quite well. So, I'm brushing the dust off my fairy wand and getting ready . . . How about YOU?

Do you have a question about a person or situation in your life you'd like clarity about? Let the cards reveal your special landscape. While in transit, I may not be set up to present an energy forecast next week. More will be revealed, later. Have a great week and happy trails to you.

Dream On: Out with Evil Emperor Zorg Minor

Speaking of fluffing up the dream pillow and getting down to brass tacks for a brighter future, I plan on starting BIG. For instance, it's time to give the presidency a major overhaul now that Congress has morphed into a new animal with a conscience. Let's get rid of Evil Emperor Zorg the Minor (translated from space alien-speak into English: George Bush Jr.) who is puppet to Evil Emperor Zorg the Major (pain in the butt) and his many minions of cyborg flesh-and-oil eating zombies. See him smile in his uniform.

Who is George Bush Jr., spiritually speaking anyway? I asked the cards. The cosmic gypsy winked and drew two cards, coyly fanning them out on the velvet table next to the big crystal ball which sees nothing, nor ever really has. Well, no big surprise. Bush is a CLOWN and an EXORCIST! Who didn't already know that? But really, the universe is backing us up here, if you had any doubts about the veracity of your perceptions.

BUSH THE CLOWN.
We've all seen Bush on TV making a fool of himself, clumsily tripping along, bumping into emergency vehicles as he surveyed the hurricane damage in Florida. Or heard his bumbling speeches sprinkled with famous "bushisms," now immortalized in little books guaranteed to make you laugh if you didn't simultaneously feel shame and guilt for being in a country that elected the big boob to start with.

Most of the world ridicules Americans for our stupid fascination with celebrity that compels us to award actors and clowns with the highest honor in the land. Other parts of the world, the ones we are vandalizing in the name of democracy, only wave uzis and drive car bombs in our face, hoping the stupid Americans will get the message and go home.

BUSH THE EXORCIST. Hmm.
Exorcists usually pull devils out of people, but in this case Bush and his bully-devil-cronies are exorcizing smaller countries of their power and riches, while robbing our own country's juju through a lame-duck congress too afraid to buck up against the too-too touted "Support the troops" defense.

Puh-lease! Most of our troops in Iraq are on their third tour of duty... don't tell me they want to stay longer.

While Bush's ratings are at an all-time low, it appears that many previously fooled Americans are getting savvy. Isn't it obvious now that the WMDs weren't there after all; that Bush and Cheney really did lie? American's are such gullible, soft, sometimes stupid (did I say that already?) people. Even Clinton, who got his dick stuck in his zipper, has resurrected himself. How will we regard Bush the Clown, Bust the Exorcist, Bush the Invader in years to come? Will we be able to look back with a sigh of relief, acknowledging that a sordid chapter in American history has finally passed, that the American people are learning not to hand over the keys to kingdom blindly? That they will not be so trusting of their leaders? That trust must be earned?

So besides the smaller dreams that propel me into future worlds of my making and unmaking, I cast my lot with the big Kahuna cosmic powers that (I pray) will smile upon us little people and bring sweet justice and long-awaited honesty to the biggest little democracy in the free world. While we're out fighting in the name of democracy everywhere abroad, I vote we bring it on home and dethrone the despot and his power-eating goons.

When the 60s revolution fizzled, I hoped instead that our brave ideas sprouted in salons of culture, university ivory towers, and on the lips of the homeless and disenfranchised on the mean streets, would fall on fertile ground. Hoping that maybe later the average jane and joe would wake up and realize there is a fox in the hen house and that to leave the driving to a company endorsed by an ex-footballer who murdered his wife and her friend would only land us ... where we are now! In the end, do as smart buddhists say: "Abandon all hope!" Which means, stay in the NOW.

Putting hope aside, my dream is that we continue to wake up and notice the Bush sleights-of-hand and other diversionary tricks that have kept us focused on Weapons of Mass Destruction (sounds like a video game) while Cheney and Bush grab up the oil interests in the Middle East. I say, let's usher Bush out with a round of "Impeach him!"

In my BIG dream for the future election in '08, I imagine Leonard Cohen running for office. Schwartzenegger's campaign lawyers find a foreigner loophole, and Cohen my man brings poetry, art, honesty, and rock and roll vision to the land. We'll be making love again and press conferences will be uttered in poetic ballads ...

"Sail on, sail on
o mighty Ship of State!
To the Shores of Need
past the Reefs of Greed
through the Squalls of Hate
Sail on, sail on
—Leonard Cohen, "Democracy"

Energy Forecast: Week of March 19

The cards are like roulette ... you never know what will show up. Let's face it, some weeks you can draw a royal flush and other weeks can be "ca-ca." But not this week, unless you are overdue for one of those karmic loop-de-loops that come out of nowhere and knock you on your butt. The energies this week are gangbuster! Looks like we're in for a warming trend!

As Spring moves forward, the energy is looking great for other kinds of springing forward. For instance, now's the time to focus on DREAMS. Dreams are unconscious feelings, ideas, poetic musings, and creative impulses upon which your soul feeds. Dreams keep sparkle in your eyes, a spring in your step, a positive outlook in your mind. The trick is exploring the subconscious and coaxing its juicy juju into the light of day where you can work it like a wet lump of clay. You have to spend time with the raw material and shape it just how you like it. When it's just right, practice the magic of materialization. That's where you use your passion and mind powers to shape goals and objectives, with time lines and flow charts, if that's how you like to work it. Or maybe, if you're more of the artistic type, you might like to make a "treasure map" of magazine cut-outs in a collage of your dream-come-true.

What dreams of yours have been languishing during the cold winter months? Time to check in and do a tune-up. After all, dreams are wannabe futures, and if they're given enough care, they can really blossom into fruitful realities. And they really do need frequent tune-ups. Since needs and desires change with time, so must your dreams.

Ask yourself these questions: Are your dreams in touch with your current desires? Have you given up on them and left them to die? Have you spent enough time visualizing what and how you want your life to be? Are they zany enough inspire, but grounded enough to be realistic? Time to take them out of the closet, shake them out, and dust them off. Maybe put a little iron to them too. This is the perfect time to shape newbie realities, so that by summer's end you might just have more than vegetables to harvest.

Going right along with the dream theme, expect a BREAKTHROUGH of one kind or another this week. Consider the expression: "Breakdown is an opportunity for breakthrough." Have you been experiencing any breakdowns recently? Breakdowns can mean car or appliance trouble, disruptions of plans or goals, friendships gone awry, emotional upsets ... you name it. Breakthroughs can occur on any level this week. For some people, it might mean simply, digging in the earth to get a start on the garden. In the words of my favorite poet and prophet Leonard Cohen, "there is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." Expect insights, inspiration, new surges of creative juice and ideas, the start of projects, and of course, possibly even new dreams. What could be better for spring?


Looks like the universe is serving up an extra helping of CREATIVITY this week to go along with dreams and breakthroughs. Don't you just love it? What could be more appropos? Creativity is another one of those subconscious jujus that bubbles up and sprinkles fairy dust on ideas and inklings. So what needs a little fairy dust in your life? Maybe you want to spice it up between the sheets, or try a new recipe for dinner, or surprise your children with a new activity you can all do together. Perhaps you can sprinkle a little magic at the job too. Put an anonymous spring flower on the desk of someone you don't particularly like. Practice random acts of kindness. Send someone you love a handmade card, just because. Write a poem, or begin a novel, instead of watching TV. Rearrange the furniture in your living room. See your life from a different angle. And give lots of thanks for what you already have (tip: major key to manifesting your heart's desire).

More good news: the HEALING trend from March 5 is still with us. That means the universe supports us in feeling better every which way to Sunday. This is not passive energy. You get to shape it and play with it to suit your needs. Does a friend or family member need healing? Is there some past "owie" that could use a little kiss to feel better? Does your house or car need some extra TLC? If I could see you face to face, I would be able to get into this in a more personal way, to discover what specifically is going on for you. But you can do it on your own by focusing. Ask yourself: Do my dreams need more creativity? What breakthrough could be healing for me right now? What dream would heal my life? How can my dreams break through into the light of day? Who needs a healing from me? What part of my life would benefit from a shot of creativity?

Maybe you've noticed that I've used a slightly different format this week. Instead of dividing the cards into physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual categories, I've allowed the cards to speak generally to any level of being that might happen for you. I think this simplifies the forecast. So keep me posted on your progress this week. As I consider how these energies impact my life, I'll share any insights I get with you too. All in all, I'd say that there is a fair wind blowing on your back this week, dear readers, so use it to your advantage!

But I LIKE being spiteful . . .

Since my last blog, there have definitely been changes. Including letting go of being spiteful toward a certain someone I've had some resentments toward. And let me tell you, letting that go ain't always easy. Uh uh. Ever notice how delicious resentments can feel, I mean, sometimes? You know, those delightful mental scenes where you are finally the victor, where you get to say the things you couldn't think of at the perfect moment, or where the tide of events turns in your direction and away from that other person? Yep, there definitely can be secondary gains to holding onto resentments.

So there's a certain person I've had to let go of since my last blog. I've relished my resentments and righteousness right up until that reading, when things started shaking loose. Until the discomfort overcame the resentment. I should explain. Maybe you can relate.

This person has been a friend for 14 years. The main bond was art and "running with the wolves." We both saw life as the hero's spiritual journey, in which troubles and setbacks were seen as "initiations" and challenges as "opportunities for growth." We looked for messages from the gods, visitations from the spirit world in the form of animal totems and other archetypal self manifestations. Our friendship was cemented in alchemical glue and a delicate dance of energy. In this friendship, I was the leader, because I had led the most unusual, adventurous, and dangerous life between us. I had been laughing into the wind of status-quoness already for 25 years before we met. I had lots of interesting battle scars to show for it. She looked to me for guidance and we delighted in ritual art to celebrate new passages. When I led tonal healing circles on the land, she was my ally. It was all good.

Then she met someone older, more experienced, and that was it. Until one day she didn't confide in me anymore. I felt loss, but we never spoke of it. Perhaps because from her perspective, she had lost nothing. Occasionally she'd show up, on the phone, or in real time, when she needed something, but little was given back. An incident finally broke the dam and created a real parting, acrimonious on my part. Still, we never much spoke of it, nor spoken of it since. Clearly, time to move on, but impossible while holding grudges and hurts like I was doing.

Then came the energy forecast of March 5. On the physical level, HEALING was called for. As I mulled over satisfactions gained from replaying scenes of "getting back," I knew I'd have to drop all that if I really wanted a healing. I guess I was ready because it was effortless as I stepped into the flow of letting go! As I did (and it's taken two weeks for me to get to this point), I got perspective and understanding.

I decided to consult the cards for further wisdom on the matter. After all, on the emotional level, the energies were calling for WISDOM. Why not get in line for a helping of that too, while I'm at it? I mean, if the universe is dishing out, I'm willing to take it on.

So I asked the universe to explain what archetypes my friend and I were playing out in our relationship. The cards revealed me as THE FATHER, which I took to mean the parent role. The older, wiser, more experienced person. That made sense. She, the cards told me, was playing THE ARTIST. Well, that made sense too. That's what drew us together. I've been an artist since before I was 12, and she wanted to be one. I taught her a few tricks, and we became art buddies, but I was still the teacher. Now, she's moving ahead to become an artist for real; while I am moving beyond being an artist. You can't stop being an artist, but it's not my main focus anymore. I'm a therapist now, and I use art and creativity for growth. So far, the cards made perfect sense.

Then I asked how we saw each other. In my eyes, I saw her as an ATHLETE. She's very disciplined with her physical routines and maintains a healthy body and diet. She sees me as a HEDONIST. Yep, I do love to eat and drink; and it shows. I've got some work to do on that score; and as soon as I get a new hip, you betcha I'll be right on it.

Then I asked the universe what we each needed from the relationship now. She needed STANDSTILL, PURIFICATION, and COMMUNITY. The cards are open to interpretation, so after I scratched my head a bit, and decided that she wants me the way I was, wishing I'd get my shit together, lose weight, look better, and live up to her standards. Perhaps now she sees me as part of her community of friends rather than a best friend. The cards show that I want CYCLES, CELEBRATION, and DREAMS. "Cycles" means friendships that can swing with the changes, without judgment. Cycles also tells me it's time for change. I enjoy friendships that can be silly and full of laughs, and ours has stopped doing that. "Dreams" speaks to the unconscious, the dreamtime, the archetypal energies at play, and bringing them into consciousness. It speaks to one's relationship to Self. My desire for a one-on-one friendship is opposed to her desire for a community of friends.

So there it is, spelled out. After I finished the card ritual, a sense of relief and (don't you hate this overused word) "closure" swept over me, along with understanding and maybe even a bit of WISDOM. Friendships go through cycles, and this one was a nebula that had burned up its last fuel. It was good to admit it was over. I could let go of those spiteful mental scenes, knowing we want different things, and that's OK. There are new friends out there waiting to be made.

So how did it go for you out there in virtual land? Did the cards help you zero in on a changing landscape in your life? Do tell.

Energy Forecast: Week of March 5

Soulmapping took a break for a couple weeks for travel time, but now we're back with a new forecast. We are gradually inching up on spring. Carnivalle and Lent have come and gone and we are in the countdown to when we celebrate another year of rebirth. The buds of flowering trees and new green shoots of growth can be seen everywhere in temperate places, but in others there are still storms and snows to come. Wherever you are, you might be feeling the sap rising in your spirit and your body's longing for more light reaching a crescendo.

On the PHYSICAL LEVEL, expect some HEALING to take place. This would be an excellent time to initiate a cleansing program of light foods, fresh air and exercise, to take advantage of the healing energies that are adrift this week. Healing can occur on any level, so don't limit your sights on the body; you might experience emotional and mental changes as well. Consider letting go of old hurts and resentments, finding in your heart forgiveness for past grievances and trespasses, releasing old patterns of thinking or behavior, and outdated relationships that don't serve your new commitment to Self. Pre-spring tune-ups are guaranteed to free up your spirits to push you through the last of the winter doldrums.

On the EMOTIONAL LEVEL, a well-earned dose of WISDOM is available to you now. Past experiences, no matter how painful or awkward, bring their own rewards in time, so sit back with a cup of tea, relax, and review the last few months. Winter energies driven underground have been subtly working magic under the guise of storms, snow, rain, and cold. Beneath the freeze a new energy is stirring, born of past troubles and hard lessons. Knowledge gives way to understanding; acknowledgment of what underlies the lessons—the hard kernel of truth—offers the gold of Wisdom. Yes, lessons learned translate into wisdom; knowing your self, your limitations, your challenges, and your strengths. Understanding allows you to move forward in a positive way while Wisdom releases us from the wheel of karma. When we pay attention to the lessons and make whatever restitutions are due, we are free. Savor the gold; you have put in your time and the rewards are yours.

On the MENTAL LEVEL, the keynote is GLOBAL FAMILY. What does this word mean to you? Images of planet Earth from space cuddled in a bird's nest conjure thoughts of the Family of Man. "No man is an island," could never be more true than now. How do you contribute to the Global Family? Consider doing charitable works, recycle with a vengeance, ride a bike to work one day, or read a book about alternative fuel economies and talk about it with friends. Watch Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth." Again. At the end of the movie, there are a number of suggestions to follow. Do one thing this week for the Global Family. If everyone did one thing a week, or a day, what a difference that would make!

On a SPIRITUAL LEVEL, you might have to come up with some COURAGE this week. Bravery isn't something we are or aren't born with. Courage is the reward for acting in spite of fear. Is there someone you've been afraid to stand up to? Perhaps some words need saying? Some action you've been too afraid to take? This week, make a concerted effort to stand tall and speak and act on your truth. Ask for support from friends, family, and guardian angels. Be ready to accept en"courage"ment from unexpected places—a song on the radio, bits of overheard conversations, a snippet from a book that has special meaning for you. The universe supports those who support themselves; so if you take a Warrior's stance this week, you will not be alone. Keep your fears close and talk to them as you would a small frightened child. After all, they are just a frightened part of yourself, hoping for an adult voice to soothe and comfort them. Once this is done, your fears will not be as loud or prevalent, and heroic action will be so much easier.

Be well, fellow travelers, and enjoy your journey this week.