Pull the tarot card first. This will set the tone for the bit of practical advice the Lenormand cards will offer!

I did a quickie reading this evening with the question, “What lesson do I take away from today?” One of the ways I like to use tarot and Lenormand together, is to draw a tarot card for a “high theme” and then draw a string of Lenormand cards for “actionable advice”. Of course, you can see how there would be many variations on these spreads, but for a daily draw (and I don’t even recommend daily draws, honestly), no more than four cards are really necessary.

I used my Jolanda Tarot (I have lovingly cut the cards down so that they’re easier for my small hands to shuffle — which is why you see them devoid of the purple borders). And I used my Judith Bärtschi Lenormand. Don’t you love my lovely cell-phone picture illustrations?!?!

The tarot card I drew was Judgment. Fitting for Easter. In the Jolanda, it’s actually illustrated by a woman and a just-born baby (the umbilical chord is still attached), a stork, which is carrying the child, and the standard trumpeting angels in a cloud – city of gold on the horizon. (I know this is a very strange deck, but it’s working for me these days.) I get the sense that even though the scene takes place at night, and it’s a cloudy night (full of musical cherubs, no less), the woman’s vision is clear — the scene in the background is crystal clear. And she looks up with confidence and a sense of enlightenment about her situation. For me, this rings true of having this opportunity to really figure out who I am and what I’m made of. Judgment isn’t a card that is painful in my view — it’s a card that says, “You are being awakened to a new level of consciousness!” And I can get with that. That sounds pretty awesome, actually!

From the Lenormand, I drew the Tower, Child and Fox. Children in both the tarot and the Lenormand… children are kinda my full-time job. The story I put together is – “Don’t get distracted from what’s most important – providing structure and stability for my children.” The Tower + Child (welfare, structures surrounding the child), and then the Child + Fox (smart kid) seem to indicate that my children are thriving, so I should let go of the guilt (Judgment).

I suddenly realized this in the Bärtschi though — which I thought was super fascinating:

We’ve used the same image to illustrate the card!! (That is the Melissa Lenormand on the right — it’s a super fantastic little deck of cards, if you didn’t know!)

And then I was curious, because I’m heading to New York in a few days to give a little talk about Lenormand cartomancy and one of the criticisms I hear about these cards is that they all “look alike” and that it doesn’t even matter which deck you buy because the cards all mean the same thing (as opposed to a tarot perhaps being read differently based on how it’s illustrated), so I did a bit of a comparative exercise:

The top row is the Tower + Child + Fox with the Melissa Lenormand. My Tower is a little more onimious, but I was really trying to convey “modernity” with this card when I created it. The Child in my deck holds a bowl full of berries and the Fox — in the background, a woman dances with a fox. These three cards verses the Bärtschi – they’re still very whimsical, but when I see the Fox in the Melissa Lenormand, I get the sense that there is an issue I’m avoiding — and that I need to focus at what’s really important and make it happen.

The bottom row of cards is from the Lenormand 2009 deck by Michael Bock — which I also love. But when I put them on the table, the message I get from them is “I’m a light for my kids, I have to protect them (that Fox with the white bird!!).”

Certainly they’re all similar, and admittedly, I read Lenormand like a tarot card reader (which doesn’t invalidate my readings, by the way). But I think that seeing the same reading from these three very different decks should settle any questions over whether or not they even can be read intuitively. Ok, I’m done. And I feel much better this evening after going to the cards. And that’s what they’re for, right? To make me feel better…

Happy Ostara, Easter or irreverent chocolate-coated bunny day!! Hugs and kisses from my basket of chickies to yours!

Download the instructions for this really easy Solstice ritual here and then listen to me babble on about the process (I only got tripped up once or twice this time! ).

ETA: The times I mention in the video are TOTALLY WRONG! So disregard that part. Here’s info on when the lunar eclipse is actually happening.

When I was going through the notebook of tarot spreads I’ve collected and hastily scribbled down, I found a three card spread that gives advice regarding one’s voice as a reader. I pulled the three cards with my Morgan-Greer and here’s what I came up with (as illustrated in Orphalese):

The first position refers to my strengths as a reader. The seven of pentacles is telling me that I’ve done my homework here. I’ve put in my dues and I’m on the brink of finding the payoff. I find tarot to be personally satisfying and fulfilling and because of the years I’ve spent studying and in personal practice — planting the seeds of success, I have the confidence it takes as a professional. And there’s even more still to reap. This card is a process card. It’s not necessarily an outcome right now. I’ve got the Lenormand on deck and two other tarots I’m developing in conceptual phases. This card is telling me that there is no reason to believe I’ll fail so long as I keep growing what I most love.

The second position refers to my weaknesses as a tarot reader and this card is (obviously) the Lovers. As an aside — I really love this card. I think it’s one of the greatest Lovers cards in all the decks I’ve ever seen — hairy bum and all… In many ways I can see my relationship to tarot as an affair. And like affairs, it wanes and cycles. Often in the fall and winter when I’m kept indoors more often I find myself turning to the cards — and then, once spring hits, all I want to do is go out in the garden. Love is fickle — and at times, my voice as a reader is also fickle. I fall passionately for a deck one day only to give it away the next. I keep questing for the mythical “ONE” tarot deck. My feelings on reading for others cool when I experience burn-out. And the Lover’s card often indicates that a conscious choice is being made. I know that when I’m totally obsessed with tarot I leave my crafting self in the dust — and vice versa. When I’m working on the Lenormand or reading for myself, I feel guilty for not playing with the kids — and when I spend a whole day with my kids, I get itchy to shuffle cards. Love is often misunderstood as well, and as a reader, I sometimes hesitate to try to “explain myself” to people who just don’t see a value for tarot in their lives (or worse, fear it). I don’t want other people to judge my relationship with tarot and I’m ill prepared to defend it if necessary.

The third card reveals the tension or dynamic between the two. I find the four of pentacles in the Morgan-Greer especially to be a mixed bag. On the one hand, I see this card telling me that I’m steadfast in my practice and that I’ll hold on to tarot in my life as long as I can. On the other, I see this card as a bit of a warning that my “all-or-nothing” attitude holds me back. I need to work on establishing a practice that works with my life as it is — and does not compete with my other selves (the mother, the artist). I also think this card is telling me to not be so defensive and try to trust that the people who will reject me for my love of tarot probably wouldn’t fit in my life anyway.

So that’s my reading for today — and quite typical of my three card readings anyway. I’d love to hear any comments or insights any other readers might offer. What is your voice as a tarot reader?

If you don’t read cards, which version of “you” would you benefit the most from learning about? I can see myself pulling cards for myself as a crafter, as a mother, as a student, as a writer…

CollegeGrad writes:

Hi, I am a recent college grad who is looking for a new job, one that has decent pay and has good health/dental benefits, because right now I have neither of those things in my current job. I’ve been applying for jobs since May, mostly in the Customer Service field because that is the field where I have the most job experience. Will a new job come along soon?? Am I looking in the correct field?? I’m really tired of being anxious and sad all the time about this situation, it keeps me up at night…..and its the first thing I think about in the morning…

I thought this would be a good opportunity to use my Talismans of Success oracle deck, published by Lo Scarabeo. It’s a strange little deck of 32 cards. Reminds me of reading playing cards with the 2-6′s removed. Each card has a number and a talisman on it, which is defined in the LWB as “an object, a symbol, or a figure belonging to the realms of nature, to which man has attributed supernatural protective powers since very ancient times for help in confronting daily life and fulfilling desires.” Now that sentence is quite a mouthful!

I haven’t really investigated this deck much because the cards are sort of funny and the colors are weird, but lately I’ve felt like I should give it a second chance. I see a lot of potential in these talismans for meditation and energy work (in terms of manifesting certain energies in your life). The LWB suggests two spreads and the one that follows is a modified version of the four card spread in the book. From top right, clockwise:

1. The Situation
2. What is coming
3. What direction to take
4. What you will find

1. The situation: #9 Equilibrium. The LWB definitions are extremely limited and don’t make a whole lot of sense on their own. It reads, “Bamboo strenghtens spiritual serenity, inner balance, accordance within couples and willingness toward success.” Equilibrium is also defined as “a stable situation in which forces cancel one another” or “a state of dynamic systems in which there is no net change”. My feeling on the situation at hand is that CollegeGrad’s current job is too comfortable to force her to make the drastic changes she needs break out. While equilibrium can be good if you’re happy and comfortable, homeostasis isn’t ideal for building momentum. My thought is that in your current situation, you’re not yet thinking outside the box. Try to shake things up and see where the cards land.

2. What is coming: #22 Honor. The Talisman is a purse that promises money and success in professions. I would say that you’re definitely in store for a much needed break! Make sure you take the reward for what it’s worth because you deserve it. This card is a sign of an offer you should not refuse. Stop losing sleep over this. You’re going to have a great career if you just trust your…

3. What direction to take: #14 Intuition! Ah ha! I love it when the cards do this. The talisman of intuition is a key that you hold within yourself. Trust your gut. You will make the right decisions which will lead to…

4. What you will find: #12 Study. Gentian, the flower of temperance. Satisfaction of the intellect and body (gentian as a digestive aid, for example, you might find your stresses melting away) all in one. I’d say you don’t have anything to worry about, CollegeGrad. I know that it’s hard to see your situation from the outside, but you’re already so much ahead of so many of your peers!

Here’s another little hint I can give you, CollegeGrad:

If you add your birth date to the current year and reduce (11+6+2007= 2024 and 2+0+2+4=8) you’ll come up with the current “year card” for you which is Strength. Patience and stamina are very much a part of the lessons that Strength carries with her. Try some meditation exercises with this card and see if your moods change. You just might find, by welcoming this challenging energy rather than resisting it, the struggle you’re having right now will dissipate and you’ll at least be more at peace.

Ideas? Thoughts?

Ok now the babe is most certainly awake!

I’m very interested in a Cancerian romantically, and wonder if there’s interest on his part, and if there’s the possibility of a relationship sometime in the near future?

Well J, Cancers are very easy to love… and I’m not just saying that because I am one!

I looked a bit for a spread I liked and when I couldn’t find one that really fit, I made one up. Mel’s seven card love spread! Here’s how it works:

13X6
XX5X
24X7

1. What he means to you
2. What you mean to him
3. What you want
4. What he wants
5. Your biggest obstacle to a relationship
6. Do this if you want to be in a relationship
7. Don’t allow this to happen

And here’s the cards I pulled (best viewed on the flickr webpage full size):

The first thing that I notice in this reading is an overwhelming majority of reversals. That’s okay, I’m comfortable with reversals! I read them as a blocked form the energy of the (upright) card. I see the cards in reversed as something the querent is either avoiding or should avoid (or denying or resisting, etc.). What that tells me though is that there’s much confusion, denial and general muck to work through for these two hearts to come together. At my first glance I say it is possible for a relationship to develop, but it will only happen through much soul-searching and honesty. Let’s work through the cards one by one now.

1. What does he mean to J? 8 cups reversed. I see this as a definite fear of the unknown. J is unable to make a move on her Cancerian dreamboat though she is aware that the season for doing so is ripening. The eight of cups is all about letting go of old emotional baggage to begin on a new journey — a journey that you perhaps haven’t even packed for yet! You don’t know how it will end, but you feel a great sense of adventure and it is a courageous climb to the top of your dreams. I see that a healthy relationship with sweetie may be her goal, but previous attachments are weighing her down. J, you’ll never get what you want unless you go for it!

2. What does she mean to him? 6 wands reversed. Perhaps our Romeo crab doesn’t exactly see J as a suitable love-interest. And it’s not because he doesn’t enjoy her company, but rather, is unsure whether or not he even deserves a relationship with her! I don’t want to get too ahead of myself, but the five of cups in reverse right next to this card suggests to me that he’s had some bad luck with relationships in the past and he’s not exactly sure what he wants — except that he doesn’t want to suffer another loss. There are definitely self-esteem issues with him and Cancers have a tendency to avoid calculated risks, especially in matters of the heart.

3. What does she want? Princess of wands (Princesses in the Victoria-Regina deck are akin to Pages). Well here’s a pretty straight-forward card! It’s upright even! J wants to cut through all the crap. To reach the heart of the matter and clear away all this confusion surrounding their relationship. The Princess here represents her need for a relationship grounded in honesty and clarity, where they can use their critical processes to overcome obstacles, rather than letting melodramatic emotions fuddle everything up.

4. What does he want? Well, Romeo doesn’t want to make another mistake! He’s just had enough and he’d rather be numb and detached than risk a broken heart. He’s going to drive J away though, unless he can learn to get over his disappointments. To know great love is to know great loss. Or better to have loved and lost… or any of the other clever spilt perfume sort of sayings. His biggest desire is to avoid heartache, but I fear he’ll find it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy in the end.

5. The biggest obstacle to a relationship: The High Priestess. Oh my gosh. You know, sometimes I read for people and I just want to scream “JUST TELL HIM HOW YOU FEEL ALREADY!” The High Priestess here, her obstacle that she’s throwing at these two — the overarching theme of their relationship at this point is mystery! Neither one of them knows what is going on with the other one because they are not willing to take a chance in revealing true feelings and intentions. I mean, it could be worse! It could be a falling tower or a temperamental king! But nope, it’s just their unwillingness to make the first move. Well, here’s some advice from me to you J; go up to Romeo, wrap your arms around him and whisper in his ear, “I think you’re wonderful!” It worked on my husband!

6. Do this if you want a successful relationship. 7 cups reversed. Here’s my take on this: until your relationship energy is fully mature — and I’m talking Princess of Swords kind of honesty between you two — don’t give in to flights of fancy, lingering doubts, nagging fears, etc. You really need to stand firm in your resolution to stand by each other and avoid the 7 of cups if at all possible. Perhaps another reader would have a comment on this card in this position. While you can go ahead and wish for the stars for your relationship, don’t go pushing those dreams of happy family, growing old together, etc., etc., until your feet are firmly planted in reality.

7. Don’t do this! Death, reversed. For goodness sakes, any romance worth its salt is going to completely transform who you are. Don’t resist this, go with it! Don’t lose your sense of self, but don’t expect to come out of this the same person either.

I’ve found it extremely helpful in my relationship with my husband if we hold each other accountable for honesty and if we do little “check-ins” with each other now and then, where we discuss openly and without fear of rejection, the state of our relationship. This might be something you’d want to consider in your pursuits of your Cancer, J. Good luck, in any case! The future is yours to make, remember that.