Under the Roses Lenormand Reading: Will She Get the Loan?

I am continuing to work with a Yes-No spread using a Lenormand deck. This time I am using the Under the Roses Lenormand by Kendra Hurteau and Katrina Hill (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)

This reading is about a friend’s efforts to get a loan to refinance her home. So my question is: Will she be able to get a loan?

In the method I’m using, the answer is based on the playing card association for each card. Reds (hearts, diamonds) are taken as a “yes” answer and blacks (spades, clubs) as a “no.”

The answer is:

Fox – (14 / 9 of Clubs) - black

Bear – (15 / 10 of Clubs) - black

Sun – (31 / Ace of Diamonds) – red

The short answer here seems to be that it is “unlikely” that she will get the loan (two black cards and one red). However, The Sun feels like a very strong card, maybe because of the way I read it in the Tarot? In the Lenormand as well, it seems to be a strong positive message, perhaps representing an ultimate victory in this case.

Meanwhile, we have The Fox, which can suggest a job, skills, or employment. Interestingly, one reason the loan is being questioned is because my friend’s income is not high enough. Previously, she was married and two incomes were taken into account when the original mortgage and subsequent second mortgage were put in place. Now, she is on her own and apparently does not earn enough to satisfy the lender. The Fox also can represent hidden intentions, deception, and conniving. Perhaps that has something to do with the problems my friend is facing in getting the loan approved.

The Bear can represent “something or someone overbearing, especially in business or career” (from the LWB). Could this refer to someone at the lending institution or the institution in general? There is possession of great authority and power in this card. Interestingly, in stock trading, a “Bear Market” is one that occurs in crisis situations, representing a general decline in the stock market over a period of time. Could the lender’s reluctance to grant this loan be based on fears and restrictions that have evolved in response to the lending crisis of the past few years?

The Sun card does help me hold out hope for my friend in this situation, but it’s clear there are issues that stand in her way.

Sherlock Holmes Card of the Day: 7 of Analysis

The Sherlock Holmes Card of the Day is:

SEVEN OF ANALYSIS

(7 of Cups)

In The Sherlock Holmes Tarot by John Matthews and Wil Kinghan (Sterling Ethos), the suit of Analysis (represented by a magnifying glass) is comparable to the suit of Cups in traditional decks.

The quotation chosen to represent the entire suit of Analysis is “There are fifty who can reason synthetically for one who can reason analytically” from A Study in Scarlet. This comment is made, as you might expect, by Sherlock Holmes himself. It is prefaced by the following: “In solving a problem of this sort, the grand thing is to be able to reason backwards. That is a very useful accomplishment, and a very easy one, but people do not practise it much. In the every-day affairs of life it is more useful to reason forwards, and so the other comes to be neglected.” I love that.

The Holmesian Wisdom for the 7 of Analysis is “Never have I risen to such a height, and never have I been so hard pressed by an opponent” from The Final Problem. Again, as you might expect, this is Holmes talking about his nemesis, Professor James Moriarty. The card shows Moriarty “standing on the roof of a building, gazing out over the city of London with a look of cruel satisfaction.”

Keys for this card, upright, are: “self-deception, illusion, an over-active imagination, unrealistic fantasies, the glamour of esoteric practices, a need for emotional discipline.” Reversed meanings: “plans, desires, clear thinking, an intelligent course of action.”

The book that accompanies this deck also provides interpretations for each card under the headings “The Game” and “The Fog.” The former elaborates on the upright keys, while the latter expands on reversed meanings. An example from “The Game” for the 7 of Analysis: “delusional belief in the power of the self. . . wishful thinking. . . caught up in unrealistic dreams.” Examples from “The Fog”: “cleaning the lens to get a clearer picture of the clues. . . implementing or manifesting your dreams. . . anticipating what the public needs.”

In the traditional Rider-Waite based 7 of Cups, the figure on the card seems to be trying to choose from among seven options that float in the air before him. With Moriarty, however, we have the distinct impression that he feels no need to choose. He wants it all, and he shall have it.

Astrological Oracle Cards Reading for Angular Houses

Proving once again my inability to resist temptation, I recently acquired the Astrological Oracle Cards by Lunaea Weatherstone, with artwork by Antonella Castelli (Lo Scarabeo).

In the Astrological Oracle Cards, there are 12 Zodiac Sign cards and 9 Planet cards, which include the luminaries, the Sun and the Moon.

I am going to do a variation of the well-known “horoscope” spread. Rather than looking at all twelve houses, I am focusing on the four houses that sit on the “angles” of the zodiac wheel:

First House: identity, ego, what makes me uniquely me

Fourth House: home and family, what makes me feel secure

Seventh House: committed partnerships

Tenth House: ambition, career, social status

What I am looking for in this reading is insight into what I might need to deal with or be aware of in each of these areas of life over the next six months. The messages in quotes, below, are from the guidebook that accompanies this deck. I am finding these messages to have great meaning for me in this reading!

First House: identity, ego, what makes me uniquely me
NEPTUNE in PISCES – “Be a vessel of deep compassion”
I have to love this one. Neptune (planet of visions and dreams) rules Pisces (dreamy, imaginative, psychic, spiritual), giving Neptune-in-Pisces a lot of power. Over the next six months, my identity or Self is likely to experience expanded, strong energy that fuels my imagination, visions, and perception. However, there is also a need to beware of wishful thinking, illusions, deceptions, and escapism. A periodic “reality check” will be helpful.

Fourth House: home and family, what makes me feel secure
JUPITER in VIRGO – “Don’t miss the big picture by obsessing over details.”
In the area of home, family, and security, I see the energy of Jupiter (planet of generosity, good fortune, and expansiveness) in Virgo (clarity, attention to detail, critical). What I will want to do is put Jupiter’s expansiveness to a positive use to expand Virgo’s devotion to service and gift for healing, taking care not to allow Virgo’s overly critical, sensitive, detail-focused nature to get out of hand.

Seventh House: committed partnerships
MERCURY in ARIES – “Assert your point of view but don’t bully.”
Over the next six months, my relationship with my husband may experience the energy of Mercury (planet of the mind, intelligence, wit, and communication) in Aries (force of will, impulsiveness, boldness). I would boil this down to the need to think before I act, communicate my intentions, and temper my willfulness with careful consideration.

Tenth House: ambition, career, social status
SATURN in LIBRA – “Do not let fear immobilize you.”
Saturn (planet of limitations, boundaries, and duty) rules the 10th House, so his appearance here should be helpful. Furthermore, Saturn is exalted in Libra (harmony, the arts, partnerships, fairness). What I see here is the importance of recognizing appropriate limitations or duties with respect to my ambitions, career, and social status – while at the same time not allowing Saturn to cramp my style to an extreme degree. Libra feels like a positive presence in this area of my life as long as I don’t let the sign’s famous indecisiveness and vagueness keep me from accomplishing what I want to accomplish.

Old English Tarot: 6 of Swords

In today's blog entry, Helen Howell continues her exploration of cards from the Old English Tarot by Maggie Kneen (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)

Old English Tarot

6 Swords

by Helen Howell

I’ve always liked the 6 of Swords in most decks as it has represented the opportunity to change what has not been working. Of course if we remember it is a Swords card, then we know that the card relates to our thinking and our ability to communicate. But of course this card has a general meaning of travel associated to it as well.

As other cards have shown, the Old English image differs slightly in its message to that of its traditional brother the Rider Waite. Of course we all know the image of the Rider Waite card of the six swords in a boat with its passengers and the ferry man. What those six swords seem to me to represent is that unless you understand why the original thought patterns you have, have caused you problems, then moving won’t solve them, as you just take them along for the journey! However, the card image does show us in its depiction of rough water on one side and smooth on the other, a degree of moving away from a difficult situation and towards something less fraught. So that sense of a brighter future exists.

The Old English doesn’t show us that transition from rough to smooth in its image, but it does most definitely show us movement. We have a female on a horse galloping along and ahead of her running two dogs. They all seem to know where they are heading: The direction is forwards! This card’s image then seems to speak to me of travel and of moving towards something new. Although it’s a Swords card, the image of the swords crisscrossed does seem to me to form some sort of barrier, and perhaps again it’s an indication that we must first understand our thought pattern in order for it not to be something that holds us back. The trees in this image are all in full leaf and fruiting. That sort of gives me the impression that the potential exists for a goal to come to fruition, but also the trees seem to be blown about by the wind, maybe reinforcing the air element of the Swords suit.

In the final conclusion, to me both the Rider Waite and the Old English speak of moving oneself towards something better. However, they both caution that in order to move into that new space one needs to understand the thought pattern that created the undesirable situation that they are now attempting to move out of.

I really do like these little drawings on the bottom of each of these Old English cards. They bring an extra dimension to my understanding of the traditional meanings to the cards.

LWB says:
Journey, travel exploration, overcoming difficulties, success after anxiety.
Reversed: Stalemate, unsavoury proposals.

Sherlock Holmes Card of the Day: Mycroft Holmes / The Hermit

The Sherlock Holmes Card of the Day is:

Trump 9 / MYCROFT HOLMES

(The Hermit)

 In The Sherlock Holmes Tarot by John Matthews and Wil Kinghan (Sterling Ethos), The Hermit card honors Sherlock’s elder brother, Mycroft. Considered by Holmes himself to have a mind of even greater genius than his own, Mycroft is a “shadowy figure of power within the British government.”

The Holmesian Wisdom for The Hermit is: “The Diogenes Club is the queerest club in London, and Mycroft one of the queerest men” from "The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter," which first appeared in the Strand Magazine in September, 1893. It is the first story in which Mycroft Holmes appears.

Keys for this card, upright, are: “guidance, spiritual truth, illumination, wisdom, wise counsel, introspection, a necessary space for reassessment, maturity.” Reversed meanings: “self-inflicted isolation, fear, disguise, sullen silence.”

The book that accompanies this deck also provides interpretations for each card under the headings “The Game” and “The Fog.” The former elaborates on the upright keys, while the latter expands on reversed meanings. An example from “The Game” for The Hermit: “As plans mature, allow for a period of stillness and thought in which answers can be uncovered. Take the advice of an older or wiser person.” Examples from “The Fog”: “Operating without a guide or compass causes you to lose focus. Failing to listen to your inner certainty leads to false clues.”

Mycroft Holmes is generally seen as being a less energetic version of his brother, which is reflected nicely in this deck by having Sherlock represent The Magician and Mycroft represent The Hermit. The Hermit comes across, in general, as a much quieter, subtle character than The Magician. Whether following his own path of introspection or leading others down that path, The Hermit does not make a show of his activity and we often don’t even realize he is involved.

DotD: 6 of Swords and Owl

My Day of the Druids reading involves asking the DruidCraft Tarot* and the Druid Animal Oracle* what I need to be aware of today.

The positional definitions are:

(1) Not only... (2) But also...

Let's see what my message is for today...

(1) Not only... SIX OF SWORDS (DruidCraft)

Today I need to be aware of a need or opportunity for a journey that can lead to solace or healing. There is a chance for me to blend my inner and outer natures, my unconscious and conscious minds, my otherworldly and mundane selves. Whatever has been weighing down my thoughts and limiting my perspective can be left behind as I travel across spiritual waters towards renewal and rebirth.

(2) But also... OWL (Druid Animal Oracle)

At the same time, the Owl preaches detachment, wisdom, and change – the ability to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. The detachment aspect of this card intrigues me the most, given the message of the Six of Swords. It is quite possible that I need to detach myself mentally from something or someone before I try to set out on my journey to a new place (or perspective or perception). A study of esoteric lore may play an important part in the journey represented by the Six of Swords.

(Please Note: I am aware that the DruidCraft deck is not strictly a "Druid" deck. The word "Craft" in the title alerts us to the fact that this deck incorporates both Wicca and Druidry.)

* Sources:

The DruidCraft Tarot (deck and book set). Text copyright 8 Philip and Stephanie Carr Gomm 2004. Illustrations copyright 8 Will Worthington 2004. This edition copyright 8 Eddison Sadd Editions 2004. ISBN 0 312 31502 3.

The Druid Animal Oracle by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm. Card Illustrations by Bill Worthington. Fireside: Simon & Schuster, Inc. Text copyright 8 Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm 1994. Card illustrations copyright 8 Bill Worthington 1994. This edition copyright 8 Eddison Sadd Editions 1994. ISBN not known.

Inspired by the Tarot: Haiku, Part 3

Our Haiku experiment has taken a new turn. This time, Helen and I each wrote a Haiku for the cards we took turns selecting. Helen’s poems are in green and mine are in purple. Here are links to _PART 1_ and _PART 2_ if you’re interested.

WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Old English Tarot

by Maggie Kneen

U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Life goes up and down
The motion cannot be stopped --
a balancing act 

Rising to the top,
falling to the lowest point.
Stay centered, my friends.

JUSTICE

Dreaming Way Tarot 

by Rome Choi & Kwon Shina

U.S. Games Systems Inc.

Weigh the facts fairly
No room for indecision
Wield the sword of truth.

Balance is the key
Logic outweighs emotion
Fairness is achieved

THE HANGED MAN

Tarot of Dreams

Ciro Marchetti  & Lee Bursten 

Self Published

Be still in mind, body
take in a different view
life always changes.

Patience is needed
see life from a new angle
a new way forward.

DEATH

The Dragon Tarot

by Nigel Suckling

Illustrated by 

Roger & Linda Garland

Cico Books Ltd.

Change, loss, upheaval
Will you ignore the warning
or be born again?

Death comes to all things
Acceptance is the saviour
Transformation dawns

TEMPERANCE

The Pamela Colman Smith Tarot

of 1909 Aquatic Tarot

Andreas Schröter

Unpublished, not available in print

Blend life’s elements
Moderation is the key
to peace, harmony

Seek a compromise
combining past and present
Create the best mix.

THE DEVIL

Otherworld Tarot

Alison Williams, Sarah Nowell

Schiffer

The red glare of fear
blinds us to our true calling
The puppeteer laughs

Who controls your dance?
Do you like the frenzied tune?
Make the music yours.

_Part 4_