Feb 16 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Feb 16, 2014 — The Chariot

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

The Chariot

Today you’ll be thinking about taking greater control of your life and being a more active participant in your destiny.

The Chariot card speaks of getting into the driver’s seat and taking charge of where you’re heading — and that means you must also be willing to take responsibility for any missteps along the way.

In the past it may have been easier to blame outside forces for setbacks in your life. Or it may have felt safer to remain passive and allow others to take control. But the Chariot card says it’s time to step up, stop making excuses and start living your own life.

Traditional versions of this card are often more aggressive and chaotic, with the charioteer struggling to harness and rein in opposing forces. The emphasis is on concentration, restraint, determination and drive.

But this is a softer more zen-like version. The figure in the card with her long wild tresses streaming behind her is at “one” with the creatures on whose backs she glides. Her stance is placid and her command is gentle as she holds the reins in one hand and uses her other to remind them of just who is in charge. All three have their eyes closed and appear to be completely in sync as they move toward their destination.

Feb 15 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Feb 15, 2014 — Wheel of Fortune

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

Wheel of Fortune

Today you may be looking at the ups and downs in your life and thinking about how they’ve led you to where you are today. The Wheel of Fortune card is associated with fate, destiny, “karma,” life cycles and both good and bad luck.

Sometimes we blame ourselves for the down times (assuming we’ve “brought it all on ourselves”) while viewing the up times as outside of our control.

We all experience these up and down cycles — and we all try to maximize the former while minimizing the latter. But the Wheel of Fortune tells us that both are necessary and that the good times wouldn’t be good without the frame of reference of the not-so-good times.

In traditional (Rider Waite and Golden Dawn) style versions of this card, there are more ominous connotations of those up and down times, but as this deck was designed for children, the imagery is more positive, playful and whimsical.

We see a roulette wheel in the center with four sets of lucky symbols — hearts, 4-leaf clovers, horseshoes and brass rings — and eight sets of numbers around the perimeter.

The “eight” theme is repeated there in numerical increments as well. Rounding out the imagery is a pair of lucky white rabbits at the top of the card and a pair of unlucky black cats at the bottom.

Feb 14 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Feb 14, 2014 — the Lovers

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

the Lovers

In honor of Valentine’s Day, today’s card is the Lovers card — Salvadore Dali’s Los Enamorados.

It doesn’t matter if you’re single, dating, married, separated, divorced or widowed, chances are good you’re going to be thinking about relationships today.

The Lover’s card is about “love.” But it’s not always an easy or definitive love. Sometimes there are feelings of ambivalence or uncertainty, and sometimes there are choices to be made that can complicate things even more.

You may be wondering where you stand in a relationship or whether someone you care about feels the same. You may be ready to fall head over heels in love and wondering when someone new is coming in.

This version of the card is somewhat reminiscent of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The male and female figures are poised between two columns and leaning in to one another. Their stance is somehow seductive and demure at the same time. The male figure’s nakedness is discreetly hidden behind a giant blue butterfly.

The butterfly and pitchfork are common symbols in this deck and appear to be referencing male (pitchfork) and female (butterfly) energy.

Feb 13 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Feb 13, 2014 — Ace of Cups

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: 4 Comments

Ace of Cups:

Today’s card — from the Alchemical Tarot — is another Ace. This time though it’s the Ace of Cups (Vessels in this deck), which refers to feelings, emotions, intuition and most importantly “love” in its purest form.

This isn’t necessarily a romantic version of love; it has more to do with falling in love with oneself: an alchemical process if ever there was one. When you think about it, it’s this process that reveals to you — at least for a brief moment — all that you are capable of giving and receiving.

Aces in general represent raw, unformed energy. The spark of intuition (wands), the seed of an enterprise (pentacles), the origin of an idea (swords). And the most powerful potion of all — love (cups).

The imagery in this version of the card is rich with esoteric symbolism. We see a fish carting a precious (and fragile) vessel across a body of water. The vessel contains a heart which is floating in a pool of red (the blood of Christ) and from which sprouts a grape vine (the fruit of life).

The fish is said to be a messenger of the unconscious, but also represents wisdom, knowledge and transformation. The vessel — a symbol of mystery, sustenance and fertility, is also an alembic, within which the alchemical process of distilling, refining and transmuting occurs.

Feb 12 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Feb 12, 2014 — Ace of Wands

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

Ace of Wands

Today is the perfect day to think about re-inventing yourself — courtesy of the spark of passion, inspiration and creative potential that is associated with the Ace of Wands.

The Ace of Wands — like all Aces — represents the pure unadulterated essence of its native element: in this case Fire. It’s a very dynamic and transformative energy that can be shaped and fashioned at will. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination — or your wildest dreams.

This version of the card is loaded in referential symbolism, with representations of fertility, creativity, inspiration, passion, expansion and growth.

The wand itself is part of a tree, with roots stretching deep into the earth and branches reaching high into the sky. A rainbow spans the sky behind it, illuminating the tiny buds that are just starting to bloom.

Feb 11 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Feb 11, 2014 — Five of Swords

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

Five of Swords

Today you may need to look at all the different aspects of an argument or disagreement and decide your next move. Do you surrender? Finish off your opponent? Turn and walk away? Or do you go back in and clean up the spoils in the hopes that there’s something left to be salvaged?

The Five of Swords is traditionally associated with conflict and turmoil, not seeing eye to eye, and fighting for the sake of fighting. There are elements of ego, pride and “reputation” in the mix — not wanting to give in or to admit to being wrong — these are what keep the conflict alive.

In this version of the card we see a pair of eagles involved in a skirmish, and while one appears to be “winning” at the moment it’s apparent that that could easily change. Five Swords are lined up behind them, three of them broken and two still intact.

If you think about the disagreements in your own life, you’ll see that Ego is almost always to blame. The “death before dishonor” aspect of this archetype is so beautifully rendered here, right down to the Sun and Moon in the background and the Ouroboros (or World Serpent) behind the battling birds.

Feb 10 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Feb 10, 2014 — Two of Swords

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

Two of Swords

You’re striving for equilibrium today, as a means toward balancing all of the dichotomies in your life.

Whether you feel yourself being pulled in two different directions — between head and heart, for example — or just need a break from the chaos surrounding you, this card encourages you to take a step back, be still in the moment and reflect on what you want, removed from any external distractions.

You may wish to “rise above” all of the turmoil that is festering beneath you, but as with the imagery depicted in this card, you won’t be able to completely escape it.

The juxtaposition of opposing forces (moth vs. snake, day vs. night, life vs. death, hibernation vs. metamorphosis) reminds us that there is a brief moment in between. And it’s in that moment — the stillness and the presence of mind that occurs only there — where clarity, perspective and understanding are born.

Trust your instincts and work on following your intuition. This card requires you to access both hemispheres of your brain, whether that relates to creative, practical or even spiritual considerations.

Feb 09 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Feb 9, 2014 — Knight of Swords

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: 2 Comments

Knight of Swords

Today you want to be “on your toes” and prepared for whatever opportunities — or peril — that comes your way.

The Knight of Swords is sharp, focused and purposeful, aware of his (or her) environment and quick to act if need be.

In traditional Rider Waite type decks the Knight of Swords is literally a knight in shining armor, charging ahead into battle or to rescue his fair maiden.

But here we have a young hipster-soldier girl standing watch under a bird-filled sky. She herself resembles a bright and colorful bird, from her hair to her coloring to her clothing to her complete immersion in the scene before her.

But these birds aren’t flying south for the winter: they’re circling above her in what could be a menacing formation. She keeps her sword ready but holds it behind her until she knows for sure.

The Knight of Swords often delivers news. Sometimes it’s good news and sometimes it’s not. But like the young warrior in our card, your main objective should be to stay alert and be prepared to act quickly and decisively either way.

The Knight of Swords is quite good at getting to the point, but comes up short when it comes to tact and diplomacy. Therefore if it turns out that it’s you delivering the news today, be mindful of your tone, manner and especially your choice of words.

Feb 08 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Feb 8, 2014 — The Magician

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

The Magician

Today may see you tapping into your own creative energy and harnessing “powers” that you didn’t even know you had. The Magician card refers to making something happen through your own skill, cunning and initiative.

Think about areas in your own life where you’ve felt you didn’t have what it takes to accomplish your goals.

It could be a career move or a relationship decision or even a personal change such as dieting, quitting smoking, tackling self-defeating thought processes, etc.

The Magician cards tells you that you not only do have the powers to make these things happen, but you’ve had them all along.

This has to be one of then most beautiful and colorful renditions of this card I’ve seen. The Magician is high up in the mountains amidst the clouds and open air.

The four cardinal points of the compass — the Black Tortoise, Red Phoenix, White Tiger and Green Dragon — are all here.

They correlate archetypally to the four elements (fire/wands, water/cups, air/swords and earth/pentacles respectively.

The Magician himself is poised gracefully in their midst. This is a common theme among the different versions: having all of the necessary resources within reach.

Feb 07 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Feb 7, 2014 — Four of Swords

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

Four of Swords

Today you may be ready to get away from it all. You could be feeling the strains of mundane chores and responsibilities; or maybe you just long to escape from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life.

The Four of Swords encourages you to disengage from all the noise and distractions around you and to find your strength through recovery.

It could be as simple as getting out of town for the weekend to relax and recharge your batteries. And it could be as profound as going on a life-altering pilgrimage or spiritual retreat.

The figure in this card rests peacefully under a starry sky, He’s tucked in to his own personal sanctuary — a sumptuous tent, luscious blankets and pillow, his sword and helmet resting outside. The four swords also seem to cast a protective shield above him.

If you’re able to get away this weekend then by all means do it! But if you can’t there are other ways to restore your sanity. Meditation, breathwork, self-imposed silence, etc. — any one of these can help you to de-stress and to restore your equilibrium.

Feb 06 2014

Free Daily Tarotscope — Feb 6, 2014 — the High Priestess

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

High Priestess

Today you may be given cause to delve into the deepest regions of your psyche, where instinct, perception and intuition all reside. The High Priestess — seen in this version as the goddess Persephone — is a dynamic, mystical force that relies on harnessing inner knowledge and wisdom.

Persephone started her descent into the Underworld as a frightened and lonely girl, dragged into the darkness against her will. But here we see her transformed from the fearful child and into her rightful position as Queen.

She stands between two pillars (one black and one white) as guardian of both worlds — with a pomegranate in one hand and bouquet of narcissus flowers in the other.

Each of the these symbols reflect important stages in her journey, as well as the dual forces of nature that are implicit in this card.

The High Priestess refers to getting in touch with your intuition. Listening to your inner voice. Heeding your psychic impressions. And tapping into the vast reservoir of wisdom that you may not have taken the time to nurture in recent months.

While you may be apprehensive about exploring those realms, the answers to your most pressing concerns are right there at your psychic fingertips, if you only you allow yourself to trust in them.

Feb 05 2014

Valentines Day Email Reading Special

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: 1 Comment

Happy Valentine’s Day!

This month we’ve joined forces with Fiona Beck, tarot reader, relationship counselor and author of Relationships: What you Need to Know, to offer a special low-cost Valentines Day email reading promo.

We’re offering two packages — one for singles and one for couples — for $50 each. The first package — for singles — includes an astrology assessment and a tarot assessment.

The astrology assessment — via Ask the Astrologers — includes your natal chart, a computerized natal astrology report (approximately 8-10 pages, around 3000 words) and a page or so of personal insights (300-500 words) into specific areas of your natal chart that outline your strengths and weaknesses as well anything that stands out or that you should be made aware of.

This portion will be different for each person, but will likely include insights your natal “love planets” (Venus and Mars), your needs (the Moon) and your relationship house and rulers.

The tarot assessment — via Fiona Beck — includes a six-card reading that looks into your past, your current situation, where you’re heading now, what you can do improve your life, obstacles that stand in your way and the potential outcome. You can also ask a question if you want to, but it’s not required, you may just want to be open to what comes up.