Articles By Mel and Chris

About Mel and Chris

We’re both full-time professional astrologers with more than 30 years experience (studying, teaching, writing and consulting) individually. We met several years ago while doing online consultations and have been collaborating on weekly and monthly horoscopes for the last five years.

Sep 01 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Sept 1, 2015 — Two of Cups

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Two of Cups

With Mars and Venus coming together today in Leo, the emphasis is on the romantic, creative and expressive aspects of falling in Love.

But as these two planets are moving in opposite directions — Mars moving forward and Venus moving backwards (retrograde) it reminds you that in order to do so you must first learn to love yourself.

This version of the Two of Cups — from the stunning Ceccoli Tarot — illustrates this concept beautifully, with the two figures (identical twins) as exact mirror images of one another.

Whether you’re in a relationship or just looking, the Two of Cups is all about falling in love — either opening yourself up to new experiences or reigniting a connection with someone you’re already involved with.

It’s this process of falling in love that reveals to us — in perfect clarity — ourselves at our very best. It’s where we put our best version of ourselves forward and the Universe responds by opening up unanticipated doors.

The Two of Cups is known as the “Love” card as it refers to that love at first sight sense of finding your other half. It’s the mutual attraction card, the “soul mate” card, and so much more. It’s the process of falling in love or renewing a love connection that replenishes itself over time.

There’s a synergy that pulls two people together and echoes their feelings back to one another. In this respect the Two of Cups is more about falling in love with yourself, as seen through your loved one’s eyes.

Aug 31 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Aug 31, 2015 — The Fool

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The Fool

As August comes to an end are you thinking about where you’re heading or what you’re leaving behind?

The Fool card begs this question, as it brings the past, present and future together into one fleeting moment in time. It asks you to suspend your beliefs and rely on your instincts as you take a leap into the unknown.

In this version of the card — from Maria Kuara’s fantastic Black Cat’s Tarot — The Fool is a beautiful white cat waltzing along a rocky trail without a care in the world.

She’s so confident in her footing that she doesn’t even bother to open her eyes. Or she may just trust in the Universe so completely that she knows wherever she winds up is exactly where she needs to be.

Like the Fool in so many versions of this card, she’s got everything she needs right along with her. In this case it’s her trusty companion — a little grey field mouse — holding on for dear life. She also has a set of bells dangling from her collar and her shadow at her side.

She could miss a step and end up falling into the abyss. But it doesn’t look like she’s in any danger of that. Even with her eyes closed she knows the Cat in the Moon is watching over her.

This is the ultimate “leap of faith” card. It’s about jumping into the unknown and trusting the Universe will provide a net. Think about what new adventures are in store for you, and how suspending all beliefs and concerns can get you in the necessary mindset.

Aug 30 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Aug 30, 2015 — The Tower

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The Tower

Sometimes you can walk straight through a crisis although you may need a little help in doing so and sometimes you take a fall when you are at your most vulnerable.

The Tower — this version from the Steampunk Tarot by Charissa Drengsen — is a card that shows you that all can come undone at the drop of a hat and there is nothing you can do about it.

If you are lucky enough to be still standing — like the figure of the man in the top right hand side of this card, even though he’s precariously balanced and at a great height — you may also need to ask yourself whether you’re still hold onto something that’s blown up and smashed itself apart.

Perhaps it’s not luck at all but desperately clinging to something that is no longer serving you.

Other people seem oblivious to your obvious distress and pay no heed to what is around. This is in keeping with today’s Moon / Chiron conjunction, which can make you feel unsupported or even invisible.

The ship in the lower right hand side of the card gives the impression that it may be launching or wrecked and this is also true of the card of the Tower. You can pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start over again or you can sit within the wreckage and feel sorry for yourself.

Aug 29 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Aug 29, 2015 — King of Stones

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King of Stones

Look at that great big Full Moon the Wolf is howling at in this card. It’s also a Blue Moon and a Super Moon, loaded with Myth and Magic.

The King of Stones is the Wildwood Tarot’s version of the King of Pentacles. He’s an authority figure, a boss, parent, or mentor. He’s a natural leader — whether he’s leading a pack or acting as a lone wolf, as seen in this card.

He knows how to make his presence known without causing too big a ruckus. He may seem imposing but his bark is generally worse than his bite. He’s a steadfast and solid individual who refuses to back down.

The King of Stones also knows how to protect his assets. Whether this relates to material possessions or his family and loved ones, he’s known for being territorial. He’s not about to let anyone to trifle with what he has.

Whether this is someone in your life or an attitude that you need to adopt, the King of Stones is here to teach you the importance of letting your intentions be known. This isn’t the time to cower in the shadows. It’s time to step up and mark your territory, without stepping on anyone’s toes.

Today’s Full Moon is in Pisces, which brings in the idea of following your dreams. There’s a gentler edge to this Moon which makes it more about finding your inspiration that blindly accumulating trinkets. Take some time to figure out what you want, and then go after it with the determination and enthusiasm that gets you howling at the Moon.

Aug 28 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Aug 28, 2015 — Six of Pentacles

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Six of Pentacles

Today may just be your lucky day!

The Six of Pentacles is a card of giving and receiving, sharing the wealth, being willing (and able) to lend a hand to others while being open to receiving the same for yourself.

You may run into unexpected good fortune or find yourself the recipient of someone else’s generosity. Or if you’re in a position to help someone else then by all means do so.

This version — from the gorgeous Tarot of Durer — shows an eagle flying high with a sack full of coins and dropping them from overhead. They scatter in multiple denominations onto the kingdom below.

The Six of Pentacles is about giving and receiving. It’s about sharing. It’s about random acts of kindness. And it’s about the exchange of energy — which often takes the form of money or financial assistance.

This is something to think about today. Kindness and consideration, compassion, generosity. But most of all gratitude. These are all Six of Pentacles attributes.

This isn’t about giving what you can’t afford to give. That can create hardship and ultimately resentment. And it’s not necessarily about giving money anyway.

Whether you’re the benefactor today or the recipient, know that this is a never ending cycle and you’ll find yourself in both roles. Be prepared to jump in and participate fully — either through offering help to another or expressing gratitude for the help you receive.

Aug 27 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Aug 27, 2015 — Knight of Swords

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Knight of Swords

Today is a day for putting your head down and thinking about the choices you have to make as you plan your next move.

As Mercury moves into Libra, you may be wavering over important decisions. You may be weighing your options or figuring out what your best course of action may be.

The Knight of Swords is traditionally associated quick thinking and quick action. But this is a kinder, gentler version of the card. This version, from Jane Lyle’s Lovers’ Tarot — appears to be lost in thought.

He’s in no hurry to get moving, even though his horse is raring to go. He may be daydreaming about the journey ahead, or he may be contemplating all of the different routes that can lead him to his destination.

As with all court cards this can refer to someone in your life, a frame of mind you need to adopt, or it can refer to you personally. If it’s someone in your life, you will know him by his gentle demeanor and sense of fair play. These are both Mercury in Libra qualities that you’d do well to incorporate in your decision-making today.

The Knight of Swords is known for being frank, blunt and outspoken. And even in this gentler version you can count on him to be honest.

If it takes you a little while to get your bearings today and to make an informed decision, know that there’s a reason for holding back. Mercury in Libra wants to be fair and just. So make sure you have all the facts before you jump to any conclusions.

Aug 26 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Aug 26, 2015 — Four of Fire

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Four of Fire

With the Sun conjuncting Jupiter today, it’s a good time to count your blessings for the world you’ve created and the loved ones who surround you.

You could be the recipient of good news, or an unexpected surprise; or you may celebrating an achievement that involves friends, family and those who’ve supported you along the way.

The Four of Fire speaks of rejoicing in the moment and keeping things fresh and alive, all the while thinking about the future.

It can be a joyous celebration, a gathering, a reward or surprise — the affirmation that all of your hard work has paid off and is now worthy of being celebrated.

You could be planning a party or casual get-together; or you could be making plans to attend one on someone else’s turf. Either way, it’s a time for rejoicing rather than isolating or withdrawing from social opportunities.

The Four of Fire can mark a happy occasion, such as an anniversary, engagement, wedding party, or the birth of a child. It tells you that “this is only the beginning” of something you’ve already established and that it’s bound to just keep getting better.

This card — the Japaridze Tarot’s version of the Four of Wands — heralds the completion of the first stages of a project and acts as confirmation that things are moving forward. It says that you are making progress, building on something that’s well on its way to being established, and have every reason to feel good about the foundations you’ve already laid down.

It can be as extravagant as a full-blown party or celebration and it can be as simple as developing a renewed sense of appreciation for all that you have. EIther way the Four of Fire represents an understanding that “Life is Good!” and “It’s Great to be Alive!”

Look around you and take note of all you’ve accomplished thus far. Chances are good there’s a lot to be grateful for and a cause for celebration right there in front of you.

Aug 25 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Aug 25, 2015 — Two of Swords

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Two of Swords

You may feel like you’re being pulled in two different directions today, or you may be struggling with an important decisions that have been weighing heavily on your mind.

The Two of Swords can refer to an impasse or stalemate that’s more likely than not a result of your own indecision.

It can refer to a pivotal moment in time where you recognize that the options before you are equally appealing (or terrifying) and that whatever decision you make will have a huge impact on your life.

In this respect it can refer to inaction and immobility. Sometimes this is due to fear: “What if I make the wrong decision?” But it’s just as often related to a desire to not have to choose at all.

The Two of Swords — this version from the Tarot of the Magical Forest — is called “Peace” in some decks, and as you can see from the image in this card, there is a certain harmony that comes from being still.

The cat in this card is blindfolded with her swords (decisions) crossed in front over her, each of them perfectly balanced. She isn’t leaning one way or the other; she hasn’t yet taken a stand.

The Two of Swords tells you that while you may ultimately have to make a decision, each one has value. And you can’t know the exact outcome of either choice until you do decide.

You want to weigh your decisions carefully today, knowing that they can have far-reaching repercussions. While you may have to sit back and consider your options carefully, in the end you’ll have to decide and then abide by your decisions.

Aug 24 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Aug 24, 2015 — The Hermit

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The Hermit

Today is a day for seeking answers to life’s most pressing questions by meditating and reflecting on your goals.

The Hermit card represents a retreat from all the noise and distractions that surround you in order to access your inner reserves of knowledge and wisdom.

In this version of the card — from Vanessa Decort’s gorgeous Sun and Moon Tarot — the Hermit stands before a faded parchment marked with esoteric teachings. She holds an hourglass in one hand and the trident of Shiva (Trishula) in the other.

The symbols on the parchment are in ancient Sanskrit with the Om symbol at the top and the Hebrew letter Yod (representing the omnipresence of God) at the bottom.

As the Hermit card also refers to turning inward, there is an entire spectrum of information — from the depths of the psyche to the heights of conscious awareness that can be accessed through this process.

The Hermit card is not about avoidance, it’s about finding your inner light and choosing to follow it. Or like the woman in this card, choosing to understand it and share it with others.

Today you get to choose whether you’re lighting your own way or acting as a guidepost for those who have wandered away from theirs. Both are valid endeavors, and only you will know which is the right path for you.

Aug 23 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Aug 23, 2015 — Prince of Pentacles

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Prince of Pentacles

As the Sun enters Virgo today you may be thinking about pursuing your goals with more dedication and dogged determination than ever.

Today’s card, the Prince of Pentacles — is the Druid Craft Tarot’s version of the Knight of Pentacles. It knows that slow and steady wins the race, even though that pace may be maddeningly frustrating for others.

There’s a tendency to get too caught up in the details, with both the Prince of Pentacles and Sun in Virgo. And there’s a tendency to be almost too cautious and practical. While it’s good to be prepared, you don’t want to be so focused on preparation that you risk letting important opportunities pass you by.

The Prince of Pentacles wants to think about where he’s going before he sets off toward his destination. He wants to consider his options before he expends any unnecessary energy. And once he gets going he knows how to conserve his resources so he can get to the finish line without having used them up.

There’s no question that he’ll meet his goals, and if this is someone in your life you can bet he’s here to teach you to do the same.

The Prince of Pentacles knows how to conserve his energy, establish goals and get the job done. The presence of this card today — and the Sun moving into Virgo — invites you to take a page from his book and work on planning for your future.

Aug 22 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Aug 22, 2015 — Five of Blades

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Five of Blades

Today you may find yourself at odds with others, thanks to a stressful aspect (square) between the Sun and Saturn. This aspect generates tension between these two planets and can manifest as power struggles and conflicts with others.

The Five of Blades is the Tarot of the Zirkus Magi’s version of the Five of Swords. It’s called “Opposition” in this deck, referring to a situation in which egos take center stage.

While the Five of Blades can be combative, this is not about physical conflicts. It’s going to be verbal, mental or in some way related to communications. Religious / political differences are one example of the stale-mate that can arise where the Five of Blades is concerned.

There’s a certain smugness or an air of superiority seen in the figures on this card. Neither of them are about to hear what the other has to say, nor are they going to admit defeat.

Both are so convinced that they’re right that they see no reason to hear the other person out. Compromise is out of the question. Agreeing to disagree is about as close as they’re going to get and as you can see from the figures in this card, that’s not getting them anywhere.

This is the problem with the Five of Blades. You may be so invested in being right — and being in the know — that you’re unable to see what those investments are costing you. You may be at odds with someone who has different values, or you may feel the need to show them the flaws in their reasoning. But neither of these are going to win you any friends or strengthen the friendships you do have.

Ask yourself whether being right is worth jeopardizing the important relationships in your life. You can go a long ways toward salvaging your relationships — or at least doing some damage control — by acknowledging the value in someone else’s point of view.

Aug 21 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Aug 21, 2015 — Seven of Cups

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Seven of Cups

So many choices, so little time! You’ve got a lot going on right now and have so many different options available to you, that staying on track can seem like a huge challenge.

You may feel torn by competing interests and pulled in different directions — either away from the things you really want to do or towards the kind of mindless diversions that cause you to lose sight of your priorities. As you can imagine, neither scenario is ideal.

The Seven of Cups — this version from the Dame Fortune’s Wheel Tarot — is a card of temptations, often fueled by irrational thoughts or fantasies. There can be too many choices available to you, which makes it hard to decide. But it’s often a case of wishful thinking and foolish day-dreaming that can interfere with actual progress.

This card is called “Debauchery” in some decks, referring to the superficial appeal of things that most of us only think will make us happy. We may have to remind ourselves that all that glitters is not necessarily gold. All the enticing representations of fame, glory, power, wealth and acclaim may just be hollow victories in the end.

This is the dilemma with the Seven of Cups. What you long for looks so appealing while what you have appears so drab. But it’s just an illusion and even if it weren’t — even if it were perfectly attainable — it’s not going to come about by sitting around daydreaming about it.

There are elements of seduction also inherent in this card. Being seduced by something intangible or just out of reach, or being lured in by a fantasy that falls short in the harsh light of day. While you may think that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, chances are good that when you got there you’d want nothing more than to return back home.

The message behind this card is to aim for reachable goals and to participate in attaining them rather than allowing yourself to fall into the trap of wishful thinking.