Kipper Horoscopes

This month’s horoscopes are delivered by the Mystical Kipper fortune cards by Regula Elizabeth Feichter, illustrated by Urban Trösch (AGM Urania). The original Kipper cards made their appearance around 1900, but we really don’t know their precise origin. It is thought that the cards were used mainly by the “common people.”

Since there are 36 cards in this deck, I decided to pull three cards for each zodiac sign. I decided not to return the pulled cards to the stack. I derived the significant number by adding the number values of all three cards and reducing to a single digit.

Aries: Military Person / Grief and Adversity / Expectation

A person in a uniform or symbolic working clothes (example: a doctor’s white coat) suggests security, stability, and order in the presence of grief or adversity this month. Your expectation that everything will work out is likely to be met as long as you refrain from “jumping the gun.” Significant number: 2

Taurus: Short Illness / High Honors / A Change

Discomfort or an illness this month should not last too long, but be sure to take persistent symptoms seriously. Have them thorough checked out if they do not disappear within a short space of time. High honors – perhaps a promotion or new assignment – are likely to bring long-term success as well as change in that area of life, perhaps a change in location or a new beginning being set in motion. Significant number: 2

Gemini: Hope, Big Water / Theft / Living Room

A big improvement you are hoping for this month may be delayed or thwarted due to a loss of some sort, someone “robbing” you of energy, time, or something else. This very likely has to do with your home, your physical location or your “inner home,” your innermost Self. Significant number: 9

Cancer: Main Person / Good Gentleman / Main Person

Major interpersonal stuff going on this month for you, involving a female person, a male person, and a “good gentleman” with a pet lion. Well, maybe not that last bit. The man in the middle is likely to be an older man or very mature for his age (father, older brother, grandfather, uncle, acquaintance, colleague, boss). He may be in a position to broker an agreement between the female and male, or may be intervening to keep them away from each other. Significant number: 8

Leo: Gloomy Thoughts / Unexpected Money / Rich Good Gentleman

Well, well, well, Leo. It seems that even though you may be besieged by gloomy thoughts this month, there will be a silver lining in the form of unexpected money, perhaps from a rich good gentleman! So don’t give into the negative “suggestions” offered by those gloomy thoughts. Don’t take action when you’re feeling so discouraged. Unexpected money may come in the form of a pay raise or simply a contract or business deal that sets everything up. The rich good gentleman is likely to be younger than you, and thanks to him, a good solution is possible. Significant number: 1

Virgo: Bereavement / House / Work, Occupation

Something comes to an end this month, Virgo, perhaps something related to a house or apartment building. It is possible that a person might pass away at home, but that is not the only possible interpretation. You could be looking at the loss of a formerly secure relationship – but you also might see the sale of a house, signifying the end of ownership. Work or an occupation that involves physical activity plays role this month as well. Significant number: 1

Libra: Gaining a Lot of Money / Good Lady / Court

Have you played the lottery lately, Libra? This might be your lucky month. In any case, it seems likely that you will gain financially or materially, perhaps thanks to an older or mature woman. The appearance of “Court” in the mix could suggest a literal court settlement in your favor or may simply be an indication that balance needs to be created or will be created in your financial or material situation. Significant number: 4

Scorpio: False Person / A Journey / Success in Love

An interesting mix here, Scorpio, as you may encounter a false person, wrong cause, or wrong plan – or maybe just an inappropriate attitude or decision, especially in matters of love (as suggested by the appearance of “Success in Love” in this group of cards). Be careful when dealing with a potentially insincere or jealous person. Getting away from it all may be the best answer for the moment – either literally by bus, train, car, plane, etc. or a journey of the soul, new orientation, or aiming for a new goal. Significant number: 6

Sagittarius: A Long Way / A Little Child / Sad News

Well, this may not look like a very cheerful month, but it points, first of all, to a long path, great distance, or longer period of time – perhaps an uncomfortable situation that you simply have to “wait out.” This may relate to a literal “little child” or to something new coming into your life, a new way of looking at things, new hobby, new job, or new attitude to life. More importantly, it can suggest a fresh new start after a painful ending. Unfortunately, the “Sad News” card could indicate more unpleasantness, for example, a mild illness or confrontation with a neighbor. Significant number: 4

Capricorn: Meetings / Marriage Card / Rich Girl

The “meetings” referenced in the first card typically involve happiness and harmony, teamwork and projects, cooperation and negotiations. That leads rather naturally into the Marriage Card, which symbolizes not only marriage but all relationships with partner, friends, or family – even business connections. Very nice harmony here also. The Rich Girl is just the icing on this cake for you, Capricorn, as a symbol of success, joy, pleasure, and well-being. This could literally involve a young woman up to the age of 40. Significant number: 1

Aquarius: His Thoughts / Receiving a Gift / Court Person

Someone’s thoughts, ideas, and inspirations play an important role for you this month, Aquarius. This education, thoughtful person may be considering giving you a gift, as per the second card (or perhaps you are the thoughtful individual in this scenario). If not a physical “gift,” the Receiving a Gift card could refer to courtesies, praise, or recognition, joy, cheerfulness – perhaps even a pregnancy! Finally we have the involvement of someone who is associated in any way with legal matters, up to and including driver’s licenses, taxes, or insurance. You may be facing a dispute concerning one of these areas. Significant number: 9

Pisces: Great Happiness / Prison / Pleasant Letter

This is what’s left of the deck, Pisces. I suppose it could mean that you will experience great happiness in prison when you receive a pleasant letter. However, I am going to take that first card as an indication that a project will succeed or “take a happy turn” – wishes coming true, pure bliss, contentment, and all that. The “Prison” could well be simply a self-made trap that has you wondering how to extricate yourself. Your concerns in that area may be relieved by a communication – letter, postcard, email, text message, phone call – that gives you cause for optimism.

My Roles: Past, Present, Future

We all play many roles in our lives, from birth to death (and perhaps beyond!) I thought it might be interesting to take a look at how the Tarot *sees* my “performance” in some of the roles I have played, play now, or will play.

In spite of its name (“Hidden”), the Tarot of the Hidden Realm by Julia Jeffrey and Barbara Moore (Llewellyn Publications) caught my eye as I searched for a deck to use in this reading.

I am asking the cards not to “rate” my performance in each of these roles, but to offer understanding of how I relate(d) to each of these roles; my thoughts, feelings, or actions in the roles; and any other insights that would be helpful to me.

To further complicate matters, I feel the need to look at Past, Present, and Future for each role – except for “Afterlife,” which for obvious reasons relates only to the Future. Here is the layout I created:

And here are the cards that came forward:

Child/Daughter

Past: THE EMPEROR – At first it seems odd to think of my role as a “child” being represented by The Emperor, but upon giving it some thought, I can see a few connections. I was the first born child in my family, and ended up being the eldest of three. In a lot of ways, I think I was the “emperor” of my own little kingdom/life as a child, even though of course my parents were in control (or were they? LOL) Growing up, I never wanted for anything. To many, my life would seem idyllic, I know. Certainly it was a time of great stability and security.

Present: THE LOVERS – I am no longer physically a “child” but I am still my mother’s daughter. These days, I do my best to keep up with her health issues (at 94, she is still very sharp but doesn’t hear well and doesn’t always understand what doctors are telling her). I moved to this part of the country in order to be available to her in her last years. The Lovers can simply be about a union or a “good match” in a partnership not necessarily related to one’s love life.

Future: FOUR OF CUPS
In the future I see my role as “child/daughter” diminishing in significance (from Major Arcana to Minor). This card is often described as “bittersweet,” a state of being dissatisfied and perhaps overlooking something that would bring me great joy. This could refer to my relationship with my mother changing or coming to an end in this life. There may be a sense of longing for the “child” role of years gone by as I come to terms with a loss.

Sibling/Sister

Past: FOUR OF WANDS – As I mentioned above, I am the eldest of three. I have a brother who is three years younger and a sister who is seven years younger than I am. The Four of Wands celebrates friends and family, a union that is created and enhanced through music. As the “big sister” I did not always live in complete harmony with my siblings, but we did build a bond that remains to this day. At times we have a lot of fun together. I played piano and guitar; my brother played clarinet; and my sister also studied piano. As young adults, my sister and I would sing together while I played the guitar. Celebrations were frequent – birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving – and later, weddings and the birth of our own children.

Present: QUEEN OF WANDS - These days I play more of a “Queen of Wands” role with respect to my siblings. This queen is described as loving good company and bringing out the best in those around her. I do try to use my confidence and good will to encourage my brother and sister. However, I don’t see myself as the extroverted, energetic, social being the Queen of Wands seems to be. My Sagittarius Sun would like me to be, but with Virgo rising and a Taurus Moon, I tend to be more subdued and quiet.

Future: STRENGTH - My role as sibling/sister takes on extra importance in the future, as shown by this Major Arcana card. It not only involves my relationship with my brother and sister but my relationship with my Self, with the parts of myself that are wounded or that I consider undesirable or unacceptable. This kind of Strength will be needed in the future, and I need to work on developing it.

Friend

Past: KNIGHT OF PENTACLES – In the past, my best qualities as a friend included steadiness, caution, reliability, patience, and a quiet demeanor. Unlike a lot of girls, I was never one for “drama” in friendships. I might have seemed “dull” or even “lazy” at times, but this was simply a lack of interest in being dramatic or flashy.

Present: TWO OF CUPS – These days, I seek friends who are “simpatico” in any number of ways, people with whom I feel a strong connection and an interest in sharing what we do and who we are. I have never been one who cultivates a large group of friends. Rather, I prefer a small number of close friendships.

Future: PAGE OF PENTACLES – The steadiness, patience, and down-to-earth qualities of the suit of Pentacles emerge as important in future friendships. With the Page, there is the need for a willingness or eagerness to learn and to reach out with an almost childlike optimism and openness.

Spouse/Partner

Past: PAGE OF WANDS – I can certainly see the relevance of the Page as a “young” or “immature” energy, open to all possibilities, inexperienced. Combine this with the optimism, confidence, and high energy of the suit of Wands and you have a pretty accurate picture of me in my role as spouse/partner in the past.

Present: NINE OF WANDS – Here again we have optimism, confidence, and high energy of the Wands suit, but with the number Nine, we are looking at more experience, strength, and maturity than we would see in a Page. I am fascinated by this quote from Barbara Moore’s Journey into the Hidden Realm: “Stronger now, he rose, truer and purer, from that which destroyed him, or perhaps from that which created him.”

Future: THREE OF CUPS – In the future, my role as spouse/partner takes on a gentler, more easy-going quality than we saw in the Past and Present. There is happiness, contentment, and a spirit of sharing and appreciation.

Professional/Career

Past: TEN OF PENTACLES – In the past, I built my role as a professional over time, building each step on the one before it as best I could. I love Barbara Moore’s comment on this card: “This is an ongoing cycle of a strong past, a contented present, and a hopeful future.” The roots go deep, continuing to keep my professional endeavors alive.

Present: KNIGHT OF WANDS – Passion and energy motivate this Knight, and he acts quickly because he is certain of his decisions. Currently, I am passionate about my work/profession and I do spend a lot of energy (and time) on those activities. I am self-employed these days, an apt position for a Knight of Wands. I see Wands as the suit of creativity as well as career.

Future: SEVEN OF PENTACLES – An interesting image for my future role in the “professional/career” category. It suggests patient waiting and calm, peaceful confidence that when the time is right, I will enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Parent / Mother

Past: PAGE OF CUPS – I can see how this card relates to my role as a parent/mother in the past, when my children were young. The Page has a youthful energy that reflects my own emotional and intuitive nature at the time. I was easily able to identify with the openness and enthusiasm of my children for new experiences, their imaginations, and their creativity.

Present: EIGHT OF PENTACLES – These days, my role as parent is rooted in the physical, material world (Pentacles) as I do what I can to help my children build their own lives as adults. I am committed and disciplined in this, steady and stable.

Future: THREE OF PENTACLES – I’m not quite sure how to interpret this card in the sense of my future role as parent/mother. The number Three could represent my two children and me. Pentacles, again, represents the physical, material world. Perhaps we are looking at them providing practical assistance to me at some point in the future.

Afterlife

KING OF PENTACLES

What a lovely image for the final position in this reading: the King and the child. “All that he has, he shares with her. . . She is in his care, and cared for she will be until the end of his days” (Moore). This image does lend itself to the traditional Christian interpretation of an Afterlife, with God as the King and me as his child. In a broader sense, I get a mutual love and care between “old” and “young”, perhaps two parts of one person’s spirit. In any case, it is a comforting image.

Eternal Crystals: Unakite

Continuing what I started in my previous blog post, I am taking a look at UNAKITE, card 42 in the Eternal Crystals Oracle deck by Jade- Sky with card artwork by Jane Marin (Blue Angel Publishing)
.

Card 42 - Unakite - is subtitled "Live in the Present" and it links unakite with the Heart Chakra.

This unusual looking, beautiful stone is an altered granite composed of pink orthoclase feldspar, green epidote, and generally colorless quartz. It exists in various shades of green and pink and is usually mottled in appearance.

In the Eternal Crystals Oracle Cards guidebook, Jade-Sky tells us that unakite can help us live in the "now" by balancing and grounding us. We can find satisfaction by focusing on the things and people that bring us the most fulfillment or happiness at the moment.

I love the colors in unakite. For the bracelet shown below, I used a large unakite stone and unakite chips, then complemented the pink color in the unakite with rich mahogany jasper squares and tiny peach colored vintage glass pearls. I call this bracelet "Earth Mother." To read more or to purchase, just click on the link below the photo.

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Eternal Crystals: Prehnite

Once I realized the existence of the Eternal Crystals Oracle Cards, I knew I wanted to do some blog posts using this deck and pieces of jewelry I created from the stones pictured on the cards.

Eternal Crystals Oracle Cards

by Jade-Sky

Card artwork by Jane Marin

Blue Angel Publishing

As you probably know, gemstones and crystals are associated with various traits, qualities, and metaphysical properties and with certain chakras. The Eternal Crystals Oracle features gorgeous borderless cards showcasing the color and appearance of 44 different crystals, from Amethyst to Zincite.

Today, I am going to share some of this oracle’s wisdom related to PREHNITE.  My research tells me that the gemstone prehnite was named after its discoverer, Colonel Hendrik von Prehn (1733-1785), a Dutch mineralogist and an early governor of the Cape of Good Hope Colony. The stone occurs in a soft yellow-green to apple-green color. Many specimens have an intriguing luminous quality. Deposits of prehnite are found in places including South Africa, Australia, China, Scotland and the United States.

PREHNITE is card number 33 in the Eternal Crystals Oracle deck. Keywords for this stone are “Release/Declutter” and it is linked to the heart chakra.

Jade-Sky writes that prehnite can “help you to move forward in your life by releasing anything that is holding you back.” This can apply to objects, ideas, or even emotional attachments to people.

Below are a couple of pieces of jewelry I made using prehnite. Both the necklace and bracelet are made of prehnite and yellow jade, along with wood beads and metal. If you are interested in purchasing either of these pieces, just click on the link below the photos.

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Click here to shop.

Sherlock Holmes Card of the Day: 3 of Analysis

The Sherlock Holmes Card of the Day is:

THREE OF ANALYSIS

(3 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 3 of Analysis is “Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use, and a chronicler still more so” from The Man with the Twisted Lip. The card shows Dr. Watson at his writing desk, putting the finishing touches to his latest story, enjoying the satisfaction of a job well done.

Keys for this card, upright, are: “generosity of spirit, solace, fulfilment, fortunate conclusion, the power to communicate joy and gladness, a job well done.” Reversed meanings: “endings, setbacks, delays, over-indulgence, accidents.”

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. Examples from “The Game” for the 3 of Analysis: “celebration of alliances. . . friendships you can rely upon. . . mutual support and appreciation.” Examples from “The Fog”: “dissipation or doing things to excess. . .friendship strained by events. . . feeling left out of everything goind on around you.”

I Love Them All - a Reading

For the Basic Tarot class I teach at the Magical Circle School, our textbook is the Complete Book of Tarot Spreads by Evelin Burger and Johannes Fiebig (Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.)

Recently, after reading an assignment by one of my students based on the “I Love Them All” 9-card spread in that book, I decided it would be fun to do a reading using that spread here on Tarot Notes.

The title “I Love Them All” refers to all the parts of our personality, including:
(1) the child. . .
(2) the angel. . .
(3) the devil. . .
(4) the nameless. . .
(5) the feminine. . .
(6) the masculine. . .
(7) the special. . .
(8) the insignificant. . .
(9) the mature . . .
. . . person in me

Layout

Joining me in this exploration is the Otherworld Tarot by Alison Williams, with artwork by Sarah Nowell (Schiffer). Let us begin!

(1) the “child person” in me

SIX OF SWORDS (Tranquillity)

My “inner child” is overcoming sources of stress and negative thinking, emotional upsets and periods of unhappiness, leaving those in the past and moving forward on a path that leads to tranquillity.

(2) the “angel person” in me

EIGHT OF WANDS (Movement)

My “inner angel” is becoming more active, putting things in motion, perhaps related to my career or work. This is positive movement in the right direction.

(3) the “devil person” in me

ACE OF SWORDS (Growing Mental Energy)

My “inner devil” is trying to dissuade me from taking a new mental approach to a difficult situation. I have an opportunity to put my emotions to one side and be more rational, but that would not please the inner devil.

(4) the “nameless person” in me

THE HIEROPHANT (Spiritual Guidance)

The “nameless person” in me is The Hierophant. This seems appropriate when you think of the high spiritual nature of this card, sort a “he who shall remain nameless” thing going on. The title of the card – Spiritual Guidance – tells me that this is what the “nameless person” within me needs and seeks. The Hierophant also carries a sense of tradition and organization, a certain way of doing things or looking at things.

(5) the “feminine person” in me

FIVE OF WANDS (Conflict)

My “inner female” appears to be in conflict or perhaps even in danger, struggling with something, hung up for a time in a battle of some sort. There’s a lot of potential stinging going on with this card, given the huge scorpion and the little bee in each corner.

(6) the “masculine person” in me

THE STAR (Renewal)

Seems a little odd to see my “inner male” represented by a nude female, but let’s see what we can do with that. Key Words for The Star are Renewal, Hope, Enlightenment. When I compare this with the “feminine person” (number 5, above), it seems my “masculine person” is much more positive, optimistic, and upbeat. We might even say it is “tuned to a higher vibration” (Major Arcana card).

(7) the “special person” in me 

SIX OF CUPS (Nostalgia)

The “special person” in me is nostalgic, a bit attached to the distant past, to childhood and a less complicated existence, to a time when all the possibilities for happiness lay ahead. At the same time, this “special person” also tends to remember and revisit negative experiences from the past that re-create the negative feelings they engendered at the time.

(8) the “insignificant person” in me

THREE OF SWORDS (Pain)

This is a very interesting positional definition, in my opinion. Does it mean a genuinely insignificant aspect of my inner person or an aspect perceived to be insignificant that needs to be noticed? The Three of Swords suggests emotional pain and mental anguish. Is the card telling me that any emotional pain or mental anguish I currently experience is “insignificant” in the long term? Or is it telling me that I need to deal with that pain and anguish and NOT treat it as insignificant?


(9) the “mature person” in me

THE HIGH PRIESTESS (Meditation)

It’s hard to imagine anyone more “mature” than The High Priestess! She is peace and quiet, internal exploration, balance, and an understanding of hidden mysteries. Indeed, the “mature person” in me focuses on these things, bringing me closer to achieving inner peace.


My “inner self” seems to consist of a lot of Fire and Air power with all the Wands and Swords and just ones Cups card to represent Water. If I use elemental associations for the Majors, I have Earth (Hierophant), Air (The Star), and Water (The High Priestess). Those three Majors (nameless person, masculine person, and mature person) are so positive, hopeful, stable, and strong – I see them as anchors of stability and wisdom for my Inner Self.

Lenormand Horoscopes for June 2016

Approach, my pretties, and find out what may (or may not) come your way this month. Today I am consulting the Dreaming Way Lenormand, written by Lynn Araujo with artwork by Kwon Shina (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.) To read my review of this beautiful deck, click HERE.

Aries: MICE (23)
Something is likely to “nibble away” at you this month, Aries, and you may not even be aware of it at first. This gradual loss could be in any area of life, but you need to be on the lookout for something eroding or deteriorating. Significant numbers: 23, 5

Taurus: MOUNTAIN (21)
The song from The Sound of Music says “Climb every mountain,” and that’s certainly one option for you, Taurus. But there are other ways to surmount the obstacle or challenge you face this month. Go around. Go through. Step back and start over. Or simply tolerate a delay. Significant numbers: 21, 3

Gemini: MOON (32)
It’s a magical month for you, Gemini, filled with dreams, reflections, and inspiration. You may notice how things tend to move in cycles, like the phases of the moon. Intuition, instinct, perception, and creativity are illuminated this month, and you have a chance to take full advantage of that. Significant numbers: 32, 5

Cancer: MAN (28)
It’s a “guy thing” this month for you Cancers – with the focus on a husband, lover, partner, soulmate, mentor, father, brother, or colleague. In this layout, he happens to be gazing towards the Stork (Leo’s card), so June could be calling your attention to an important new development. Significant numbers: 28, 10, 1

Leo: STORK (17)
Expect the “birth” of something or someone this month, Leo, whether it be an idea, a change, or a honest-to-goodness baby. Whatever it is, it’s likely to a positive experience for you as you receive something you desire and deserve. Significant numbers: 17, 8

Virgo: BOOK (26)
June looks to be a learning month for you, Virgo, as you increase your knowledge or wisdom in some area of life. This could be literal “book learning” in a class or workshop or it could be a self-education process of some sort. New worlds open up as you open your mind to experience inspiration. Significant numbers: 26, 8

Libra: TREE (5)
Your focus this month is likely to be on health and well-being, Libra, whether it is your own, someone else’s, or that of the planet. You have an opportunity to nurture or give a longer life to someone or something as you honor the vital connection between all living things. Significant number: 5

Scorpio: CROSS (6)
Yes, dear Scorpio, the Cross is usually about suffering, sacrifice, or burdens – but it also represents the gift of faith or devotion that allows us to rise above such experiences. Keep in mind that whatever it is you are being asked to bear,  you have resources within and surrounding yourself that can ease that burden. Significant number: 6

Sagittarius: CHILD (13)
Such a great card for Sagittarius, the “eternal child.” Interaction with a child or an experience with your own “inner child” is indicated for June, and this could give you a fresh perspective on something you thought you understood. Keep an open mind and don’t let inexperience prevent you from discovering something wonderful. Significant numbers: 13, 4

Capricorn: FOX (14)
Be on guard for trickery this month, Capricorn! Someone you think you know may be manipulating you or using you to further their own agenda. Do not allow yourself to be charmed into accepting things at face value. Remain vigilant and responsible (shouldn’t be difficult for a Capricorn). Significant numbers: 14, 5

Aquarius: KEY (33)
Aquarius, prepare to be empowered this month as you discover the answer to a mystery or problem that has perplexed you. There is a sense here that you are “destined” to solve a puzzle and open a door that was previously closed to you. Significant numbers: 33, 6

Pisces: CLOUDS (6)
Unfortunately, confusion and a tendency to daydream are both pretty common experiences for a Pisces, but this month those qualities could create more problems than usual. An issue or distraction comes at you suddenly, and you’ll need to sit up and take notice. Significant number: 6