Earth, Moon, Sun Spread

My lovely Animal Dreaming Oracle Cards (purchased on a trip to Australia) were calling me to come and play, so I am using them for a 3-card reading provided by deck creator Scott Alexander King in his guidebook to the deck (deck and book published by Blue Angel Publishing).

The spread is called the Mother Earth, Grandmother Moon and Grandfather Sun Spread. Here is the layout:

And here are my cards:

(1) Connection to the Earth Mother

Here I am looking for a card that represents my connection to the Earth Mother, one that reminds me to honor every living thing as my brother or sister.

BROLGA (Dance)

The brolga is a type of crane formerly known as the “native companion.” This is the first time I have heard of this bird by this name. The “Dance” association in this oracle deck comes from the brolga’s elaborate mating dance. In my case, this creature is showing me that dance can be my bridge into other worlds, and that I can experience the unity of the Universe through dance. I love the mental image this gives me of joining all creatures of the Earth in a life-affirming dance.


(2) How to honor primarily feminine influences in my life

Here I am being advised how to honor the mothers, grandmothers, sisters, wives, and daughters in my life.

BAT (Rebirth)

It is quite appropriate here that the Bat symbolically recreates the act of birth when it exits its cave, with the cave being an ancient symbol for the Womb of Mother Earth. I am being encouraged to face any emotional issues I might have with any woman in my life, to remove any obstacles that might prevent life from flowing smoothly. I must be open to being reborn.


(3) How to honor primarily masculine influences in my life

The influences this card helps me to honor are those of fathers, grandfathers, brothers, husbands, and sons.

PLATYPUS (Women’s Wisdom)

I almost cheated and drew another card for this position. “Women’s Wisdom” seemed like a really odd thing to try to associate with “primarily masculine influences.” But I decided to persevere with the Platypus. Before now, I did not know the Aboriginal legend of how the Platypus was birthed from the forbidden, unlawful union of two souls. In retribution, the Elders turned her into a Duck and him into a Water Rat. From the egg the female produced emerged what we call the Platypus – a furry duck-billed creature with webbed feet.

The Platypus is said to look to her inner yin and yang for guidance, honoring her innate masculine and feminine qualities. Here then, perhaps, is how I honor the masculine influences in my life – by allowing them to complement, blend with, and balance my feminine influences rather than rejecting or repressing them as being foreign to my “female nature.” The deck’s creator writes: “Women are natural dreamers, visionaries and mystics, but they must embrace their masculine aspects in order to realise the full potential of these gifts.”

Past Life Relationship Reading: Llewellyn Tarot

Many of us are fascinated by the idea of past lives and past life relationships. I am doing this reading for a friend who is in a new relationship, and wondering what connections (if any) she and her partner might have from a past life.

The spread is from Sasha Graham’s 365 Tarot Spreads (Llewellyn), so I thought it would be fitting to use the Llewellyn Tarot by Anna-Marie Ferguson (Llewellyn Publications).

Layout:

1……………………..2
…………..3………….
4…………5…………6
7…………8…………9

(1) Who was she in a past life?

THREE OF WANDS

I get the impression that she was an entrepreneur, a person who was not afraid to launch new enterprises, investigate new directions, and explore adventure. Perhaps she was a merchant involved in trade across the oceans. In her book Tarot Life Planner (Hamlyn), Lady Lorelei associates each card with several careers. For the 3 of Wands she lists “sailor, explorer, prospector.”

(2) Who was her partner in a past life?

PAGE OF WANDS

I get the sense that her present partner was, in a past life, a youthful person (perhaps immature or naïve, or maybe just young at heart), someone with a lot of potential and flexibility, open to new ideas and to broadening horizons. Perhaps they worked together in some enterprise, as mentor and apprentice? Lady Lorelei lists the following likely careers for the Page of Wands: “religious counsellor, church worker.”

(3) What was their relationship?

EIGHT OF WANDS

Interestingly, the companion guidebook for this Tarot deck states that this card can suggest “falling in love” or a “whirlwind romance.” An opportunity for adventure plays a part, but we might also be looking at the potential for “quarrels amidst partners and friends” or “choosing to let an opportunity or love die.”

(4) Was it a stable relationship?

THREE OF SWORDS

This positional definition is phrased as a yes-or-no question, which can be tricky to interpret in Tarot. I tend to avoid doing that in readings, but decided to leave this as is for this reading. My impression here is that it was NOT a stable relationship. The 3 of Swords is typically a card of heartache, hurt, distress, severance, perhaps even unrequited love. Certainly the more negative meanings of the 8 of Wands (above) make sense when paired with the 3 of Swords. I have seen the number Three appear in readings with reference to a love triangle.

(5) Did they have children?

KNIGHT OF SWORDS

Again we have a yes-or-no question and must decide what qualities of this card would suggest a “yes” answer and which ones might suggest a “no” answer to the question. One method I have used with some success assigns a “yes” answer to the two active elements (Fire/Air, Wands/Swords). Here we have not only an active suit (Swords) but the Knight, who generally symbolizes activity.

(6) Were they together a long time?

THE MAGICIAN

Another yes-or-no question. In general, I view Major Arcana cards as providing a “yes” answer to such questions. Not only that, but The Magician is linked to the active element Air in many systems. I think perhaps they were together a long time (whatever that means), plus I feel that The Magician (as a Major Arcana card) reinforces the idea of a soulmate and/or past-life connection between them.

(7) What lesson did they learn together in their past life?

FOUR OF CUPS

In their past life they seem to have learned what it is like to feel discontent, isolation, doubt, and loss. And perhaps they also learned that it is possible to focus entirely on what one does NOT have, thereby failing to see or appreciate what one DOES have.

(8) What lesson are they learning in this life?

FIVE OF WANDS

Back to the suit of Wands we go with a card that typically represents confusion, erratic energy, stress, clash of ideas and principles. They seem to be learning how to deal with this type of conflict and inconsistencies in their lives, possibly within themselves and from people around them. They need to learn how to resolve these conflicts and channel conflicting energies toward a common goal.

(9) Are they evolving and moving forward?

NINE OF WANDS

This yes-or-no question is answered by a Wands card, which suggests a “yes” answer (see my explanation above). The 9 of Wands seems to me to indicate the importance of guarding one’s assets and preparing to defend one’s position or place. In order to evolve and move forward, they will need to anticipate possible hostility towards their relationship, outwit adversaries, and use the experience to grow and refine their own characters.

Listen to the Animals: Pelican

For this Tarot Notes feature, I pull one card from an animal-themed deck to represent an important message from that animal.

If you are interested in finding out who your own Animal Guides are, you can get an Animal Guides Reading through my _Etsy shop_ or my _Web Site_.

Today I am consulting The Secret Language of Animals Oracle Cards by Chip Richards (Blue Angel Publishing).

Our animal for today is the WHITE PELICAN (22)

Ease, Optimism, Grace, Cooperation

The deck’s creator, Chip Richards, tells us that in alchemy, Pelican symbolized the Philosopher’s Stone (a stone that turned base elements into gold). The pelican (Henet in Egyptian) was associated in Ancient Egypt with death and the afterlife. In medieval Europe, the pelican was thought to be particularly attentive to her young, to the point of providing her own blood by wounding her own breast when no other food was available.

Like many birds, pelicans glide in formation with each other to create draft and lift. They nest colonially, typically in groups of tens or hundreds. Cooperation is key.

Pelicans dive into the water for food, but literally cannot sink, thanks to air sacs beneath their skin. When we imagine ourselves sailing on air currents and floating on churning waves, while also feeling at home on the ground (where white pelicans nest), we begin to understand the ideas of  “ease” and “grace” as traits of the pelican.

The great white pelican is the national bird of Romania. The US state of Louisiana is known colloquially as the Pelican State; the bird appears on the state flag and state seal.

Richards concludes his “Message” for this card as follows: “From the outside, your life appears like a symphony of movement that defies nature. But within your soaring ways, it is the most natural, effortless and joyful expression of who you came to be.”

Here are some photos I have taken of pelicans.

Clinton and Trump: A Tarot Perspective

As most of you probably know, the presidential election in America is, well, interesting in many ways. I thought about using the Tarot or Lenormand cards to predict the winner, but decided instead to ask several of my decks their opinion of the two major party candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, along with the chance each candidate has of winning (Fire, Air = strong chance; Earth, Water = poor chance).

Before I continue, I must warn you that I am going to pursue this in a spirit of fun, and I fully expect the cards to enjoy playing along. My guests are:

• Tarot of the Gnomes by Antonio Lupatelli (Lo Scarabeo)
• Tarot of the Cat People by Karen Kuykendall (U.S. Games Systems)
• Tarot of the Animal Lords by Angelo Giannini (Lo Scarabeo)
• The Fantastic Menagerie Tarot (Magic Realist Press)
• Shapeshifter Tarot by D.J. Conway and Sirona Knight, illustrated by Lisa Hunt (Llewellyn Publications)

Tarot of the Gnomes

Opinion of Clinton: The Hierophant (Earth / Trump 5)
The gnomes see Clinton as a wise guide and advisor, a representative of “the establishment.”
Chance of winning: Regina di Spade (Queen of Swords/Air)
The gnomes see her chance of winning as being strong.

Opinion of Trump: Cavaliere di Coppe (Knight of Cups / Water)
For the gnomes, Trump is a seducer, presenting himself as courageous and courteous to win and keep supporters.
Chance of winning: Re di Spade (King of Swords/Air)
The gnomes also see Trump’s chances of winning as being strong.

Tarot of the Cat People

Opinion of Clinton: Knight of Swords (Air)
Bravery. Skill. Capacity. Opposition and war. Impetuous rush into the unknown.
Chance of winning: 4 of Pentacles/Earth (not strong, but she can improve those chances by overcoming selfishness, envy, or bad debts)

Opinion of Trump: 8 of Wands (Fire)
Sudden progress or movement. Hastily made decisions. Too rapid advancement.
Chance of winning: 9 of Wands/Fire (strong)

Tarot of the Animal Lords

Opinion of Clinton: Knave of Pentacles (Earth)
Student, new ideas; need for a guide, loss of money
Chance of winning: King of Wands/Fire (strong)

Opinion of Trump: Temperance (Fire / Trump 14)
Moderation, patience, agreement; dislike, tension, tiredness
Chance of winning: The Tower/Fire (strong)

The Fantastic Menagerie Tarot

Opinion of Clinton: 6 of Coins (Earth) – “The Benefactor”
Generosity, generosity with strings attached; lack or excess of generosity
Chance of winning: Ace of Swords/Air (strong)

Opinion of Trump: Queen of Swords (Air)
Intellectual and witty; mean and spiteful, a shrewd gossip
Chance of winning: The Fool/Air (strong)

Shapeshifter Tarot

Opinion of Clinton: 2 of Cups (Water)
Love, harmony, kindred soul, preparation for positive changes
Chance of winning: Ace of Wands/Air* (strong)

Opinion of Trump: The Star (Air / Trump 17)
Illumination, inspiration, psychic energy, hopes and ideals
Chance of winning: God of Fire / King of Swords* (strong)

Although the polls currently show Clinton gaining ground against Trump, the cards in general seem to feel both have a strong chance of winning. Tarot of the Cat People had reservations about Clinton, but offered suggestions on how she could improve her chances.

To summarize:

Clinton:

• The Hierophant / Queen of Swords
• Knight of Swords / 4 of Pentacles
• Knave (Page) of Pentacles / King of Wands
• Six of Coins / Ace of Swords
• Two of Cups / Ace of Wands

Trump:

• Knight of Cups / King of Swords
• Eight of Wands / Nine of Wands
• Temperance / The Tower
• Queen of Swords / The Fool
• The Star / King of Swords

Perhaps not surprisingly, the cards linked Trump with four Trump cards to Clinton’s one. Clinton has two Aces up her sleeve, which is interesting given that if she wins, she will be the FIRST female President of the United States.

Clinton is represented by a total of four Earth cards (counting The Hierophant, associated with the Earth sign Taurus), whereas Trump has no Earth cards representing him. Could this have something to do with stability or dependability?

Trump has a total of two Cups (Water) cards to Clinton’s one. Trump has a big lead in the Fire and Air category with nine cards to Clinton’s five.

Beyond that, I will let you make your own explorations and form your own conclusions.


* Note: Unlike the other four decks I used, in the Shapeshifter Tarot, Wands are linked with Air and Swords with Fire.

Hidden Influence Spread: Winged Enchantment Oracle

For today’s reading I am using The Winged Enchantment Oracle Deck, written by Lesley Morrison with artwork by Lisa Hunt (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.) To read my review of this deck, click HERE.

I am using a spread provided in the guidebook that accompanies this beautiful deck. Titled “The Hidden Influence Spread,” it employs five cards with the following positional definitions:

(1) This card shows your past actions that have led you forward.
(2) This card represents you now.
(3) This card reveals what is on the immediate horizon.
(4) This card shows influences that are holding you back.
(5) This card reveals hidden influences that are supporting your past.

The Layout:

I am including a brief “By the Numbers” comment for each card, my own idea incorporating numerology based on the card numbers reduced to a single digit.

The Reading:

(1) This card shows your past actions that have led you forward.

PELICAN / 27

The Pelican demonstrates careful observation and planning, the use of skills that are needed to reach a goal, determination, and teamwork. These are characteristics that have led me forward. At the same time, Pelican observes that my viewpoint in the past may have been too restricted, and I may have let my expectations control me instead of releasing those expectations and allowing things to unfold naturally. I may have tripped over my own feet or lost sight of the bigger picture. Even so, I do feel the more useful qualities of the Pelican have served me on this journey.

By the Numbers: The number 9 (2+7) usually points to completion and transformation, the end of one cycle or stage while entering, transformed, into a new cycle or stage.

(2) This card represents you now.

STARLING / 33

The Starling represents a relinquishing of the ego and the ability to embrace a powerful relationship with society. I do this by teaching what I have learned to others, blending myself into the bigger picture. I share my work, seeking unity and wholeness with the world.

By the Numbers: The number 6 (3+3) is often about peace, harmony, and balance as well as resolution of tensions and social responsibility.

(3) This card reveals what is on the immediate horizon.

DUCK / 9

The Duck offers the idea of exploring and understanding my inner motivations, the complexities of my emotions, and how feelings can propel me forward or drown me. On the immediate horizon, there is a need to equalize polarities, to avoid being overly emotional while still allowing my emotions to play a role. Heavy emotional entanglements can overwhelm me, but healing is only available when I accept my emotions and allow them a place in my life.

By the Numbers: As mentioned above, the number 9 usually points to completion and transformation, the end of one cycle or stage while entering, transformed, into a new cycle or stage.

(4) This card shows influences that are holding you back.

HAWK / 15

On the positive side, the Hawk is a majestic visionary, seeing everything from every angle. In the guidebook for this deck, Lesley Morrison writes: “If I [The Hawk] am circling overhead it is because you are not yet aligned with your future.” Influences that are holding me back might include a lack of vision that prevents me from constructing and shaping my path ahead (rather than just *seeing* it). I can imagine and project, but I must also act in a way that supports what I seek to accomplish.

By the Numbers: As mentioned above, the number 6 (1+5 in this case) is often about peace, harmony, and balance as well as resolution of tensions and social responsibility.

(5) This card reveals hidden influences that are supporting your past.

LARK / 19

It is interesting to see this card here because when I initially removed this deck from the box for this reading, The Lark was face up on top, causing me to look at it for a few seconds before carefully shuffling the deck. Clearly it had no intention of being buried! Hidden influences that are supporting my past might include the influence of sound – words, expression, songs, any use of my voice. This is about my ability to direct my voice toward my destiny clearly and with intention, depth, and purpose. The positive qualities of the Lark supported those of the Penguin (position 1, above) to lead me forward.

By the Numbers: The number 1 (1+9 = 10, 1+0 = 1) often references purposeful behavior along with independence and new beginnings. All of these have certainly played a part in bringing me forward from my past.


This is an interesting collection of birds: pelican, starling, duck, hawk, and lark. Some are known for their voice, others for their hunting prowess. The pelican and the duck are masters of both air and water, where the lark, hawk, and starling travel the airways. For numbers, I have 9 twice and 6 twice, with 1 in the last position. Transformation, harmony, and a clear direction.

Sherlock Holmes Card of the Day: 8 of Evidence

The Sherlock Holmes Card of the Day is:

EIGHT OF EVIDENCE

(8 of Wands)

In The Sherlock Holmes Tarot by John Matthews and Wil Kinghan (Sterling Ethos), the suit of Evidence (represented by a shoe print) is comparable to the suit of Wands. The quotation chosen to represent the entire suit of Evidence is from The Copper Beeches: “Data! Data! Data! I can make no bricks without clay!”

The Holmesian Wisdom for the 8 of Evidence is: “Make a long arm, Watson, and see what V has to say.” This quote is from “The Sussex Vampire.” Holmes is asking Watson to reach up and take down the “V” volume of a reference book. The first part of the quote reads: “But what do we know about vampires? Does it come within our purview either? Anything is better than stagnation, but really we seem to have been switched on to a Grimms’ fairy tale. Make a long arm, Watson, and see what V has to say.”

The image on the 8 of Evidence shows a train steaming towards its destination with Sherlock Holmes aboard. As the deck creators tell us: “Holmes and Watson lived in a time when the rail network spanning Britain was second to none. . . The underlying meaning of this card has to do with swiftness, expediency and communication.”

In the Sherlock Holmes movies, I always love the scenes aboard the train, with Holmes and/or Watson sitting in their private car as they rumble along the tracks to the sound of the piercing train whistle.

Keys for this card, upright, are: “swiftness, expediency, hasty perpetration of intuitions, prophetic insight, speedy progress, communication.” Reversed meanings: “quarrels, disputation, setbacks, stoppages, regrets, lack of scruples.”

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 8 of Evidence: “The freedom to move forward without hindrance. Things moving fast – sometimes too fast. . . The swiftest means of communication.” Examples from “The Fog”: “Delays hamper you. . . Lack of control makes quarrels flare. . . Stagnation follows, upon dealing with too many issues at once.”

Eternal Crystals: Tiger Eye

The gemstone I want to share with you today is Tiger Eye, sometimes spelled Tigereye, Tiger’s Eye, or Tiger’s-Eye. I love the name of this stone, of course, in addition to its silky luster and rich yellow and golden brown stripes.

For those who are interested in gemology, Tiger Eye is a chatoyant quartz, one of three varieties that have a cat’s-eye effect. Tiger Eye is black, with iron oxide staining that creates its coloring. The most important source of Tiger Eye is in South Africa, although chatoyant quartz is also found in Australia, Brazil, India, and the USA.

I’m going to start with the Tiger Eye card from the Eternal Crystals Oracle deck by Jade-Sky with card artwork by Jane Marin (Blue Angel Publishing). Next I’ll share the Tiger’s Eye card from The Tarot of Gemstones and Crystals by Helmut G. Hofmann, illustrated by photos of stones (AGMüller Urania). Finally, I will share some of the jewelry I have made using this beautiful and versatile stone.

In the Eternal Crystals Oracle deck, Tiger Eye is card number 39, connected to “Animals – Solar Plexus Chakra.” The stone is said to highlight our connection with the animal kingdom. It is also associated with our own personal will power and the solar plexus chakra, located between the navel and solar plexus, representing the core of our personality, our identity, our ego.

In Hofmann’s Tarot of Gemstones and Crystals, Tiger’s Eye is given the role of the Ten of Coins. Hofmann writes, “The tiger’s eye teaches us to tolerate different points of view, making it possible for us to see unity. It strengthens our inner eye, increases powers of concentration, and makes us more flexible.” These qualities can of course lead to security, success, wealth, and fulfilled relationships – common keywords for the Ten of Coins.

I use Tiger Eye gemstones quite a lot in my jewelry creations. Here are a few of my favorites. All are easy to purchase through my Etsy shop. I am happy to offer you FREE SHIPPING (USA orders only). Just use FREESHP as a coupon code when you check out!

Click HERE to see more photos or purchase.

Click HERE to see more photos or purchase.

Click HERE to see more photos or purchase.

Click HERE to see more photos or purchase.