Archeon Tarot: What a Nightmare!

I have been feeling disconnected from reading tarot for myself over the past couple of weeks, but today I wanted to get back into my groove. The only deck that called out to me was the Archeon Tarot, which has the gothic-esque atmospheric mood that suits my disconnect at the moment. We're having a glorious thunderstorm today, and I feel beautifully Archeon-like today, in a good way. I love the rain, and when the thunder booms and rolls strong and long, it feels as though the sound is coming from within my core. I feel a strong connection to rain and thunder, so today my spirit is happy. As for my cards, not so much.

Today as I was shuffling, The Hanged Man fell out. I set it aside and continued shuffling. The Hanged Man in this deck is harsh. You really can't sugar coat the message in this card. You can't put that positive spin on it, saying that it's about patience, a different perspective, or even a happy sacrifice. The person who was hanging in this card has been dead for a long time. It's not a message that bodes well, from my point of view.

The cards I turned over were also eerily ominous. And it was quite striking how similar they were in imagery, with the pattern of 9-10 vertical parallel lines running throughout all three cards. When I turned over the second card, I made that connection, and when I turned over the third card I was shocked at the consistency of the pattern.

The man in the Nine of Wands seems to be resigned to his fiery fate. He looks heavenward and stands still among the flames. He makes no attempt at escape, which reminded me of the Hanged Man. The fire from the Nine of Wands travels on into the Ten of Wands. And it's not a happy ending. The Ten of Wands, like the Hanged Man, is another one that demands seriousness. The lighthearted interpretation of "lightening your load", or the encouragement of "you're almost there" doesn't really apply here. It looks like a dead end to me. The ones who have passed the line before have ended up dead, with the skulls on the wands to prove it. Again, I think of the deathly surrender of the Hanged Man. This is what faces the man in the Nine of Wands, and he knows it's inevitable, so he's not fighting it.

The Nine of Swords looks like the women he has left behind. Maybe a lover and a sister? His sacrifice, (maybe a noble one, to save them?), has left them in mourning. One woman comforts another, and though she may also feel somewhat distraught, her dark wings and calm demeanor indicate that she is more at peace with the situation. The tips of the swords below them are descending from the top of the card, just overhead. It's a nightmare from which they cannot escape.

WTF? What does all this doom and gloom have to do with my day? I don't know. I briefly wondered if the cards were describing what will happen next in the book I'm currently reading, as I am obsessed with my novels right now. (I'm reading the Twilight series, which may also explain my happily gothic mood right now.) I can only say that I hope this is the case. Because there's nothing in today's cards that I would like to see play out in my real life today.

Oh, oh, oh! Wow! Looking back at the cards, I wonder if they are illustrating my daughter's nightmare last night. She came to me in the middle of the night, cuddling up to me, telling me that she had a nightmare. In the morning, she told me what it was about. In her dream, I had foreseen a flood coming, and she knew it meant our family was going to die. At one point in her dream, she said "Gravity was pulling me upside down. My legs were floating up" ... putting her in the exact inverted position of the Hanged Man!! The Nine of Wands is the inevitable surrender to the deadly flood coming, and the Ten of Wands was the tragic outcome. The Nine of Swords often indicates a nightmare... which ties it all together quite neatly. And there are even two females in the card, which would be me comforting my daughter. Amazing.

Although I feel terrible that my daughter had to endure such a frightening nightmare, I'm glad to have figured out that the cards are referring to something that has already passed, and not something that is to come. (Unless my daughter's dream was precognitive... which I won't even give the benefit of consideration.) I do wonder though, whether her nightmare came first, or the thunderstorm.

(Note: I have trimmed my Archeon deck of its borders, so the images I feature this week will reflect that.)

Deck: Archeon Tarot (by Timothy Lantz, published by US Games Systems, Inc.)

~ Kiki
Tarot Dame

If you'd like to book a tarot reading with me, please visit my website for details.

Crystal Wisdom

I'm finding it strangely difficult getting back into my tarot groove after more than a week off. And the week before that, I was focused on the playing cards. So it's been awhile since I've used the tarot for myself. Since my folks left, it's felt like wading through mud trying to get myself to pick up a tarot deck. So I haven't. I've never felt that way before.

While out and about with my parents last week, I picked up the Crystal Wisdom Kit. I thought I'd give it a whirl today, and put off the tarot until next week.

I haven't even read the accompanying book yet. I just followed the instructions, blindly selecting five crystals from the bag and casting them on one of the included charts. Following is information on which crystals fell into which positions, and a summarized version of what they mean.

Snowflake Obsidian: The Self
This crystal fell directly on the symbol for the rune Jara, which represents the perfection of will and a powerful personality.

"There is an opportunity for you to realize your own soul purpose at this time. A challenging and difficult phase is coming to an end."

I have recently acquired several books which reference personal power. It's something I guess I'm drawn to at the moment, so it was interesting to see it referenced here as well. I do like the "challenging and difficult phase coming to an end" bit.


Snow Quartz: Communication
This crystal fell on the Footprints symbol (uniquely expressing myself through the imprint I leave on Earth as I journey through life) and also on the Tree of Knowledge symbol (communication between Heaven and Earth).

"Speak your truth at all times whilst considering those who must listen to you. Express yourself with purity at every level of communication."

This bit speaks of expressing my life with integrity, specifically in how I impact the Earth, and in my communications between Spirit and Physical. I was thinking yesterday (Earth Day) about how my family could further lessen our ecological footprints. Though we already do a whole lot in that area, there is always room for improvement. Also, regarding Heaven & Earth, I feel this was a heads up, reminding me to align my spiritual values with the way I live my physical life.


Blue Lace Agate: Community
This crystal fell on the World Peace symbol (universal peace on earth) and also on the Beehive symbol (community spirit cooperating for a common goal).

"Think globally and act locally. Balance the needs of your community and your commitments to group issues with those of your close family."

This made me think of getting my kids more involved in community issues, and for me, it ties in with the previous message of lessening our negative impact on the earth. I will have to think of a way the kids and I can think globally and act locally to better our community.


Aventurine: Pleasure (Outside the border)
This crystal fell outside the border of the Pleasure category. This indicates that its influence is far reaching, if at all, and not immediate in its urgency.

"Make more time to have fun and enjoy life. Children should be a source of great joy and healing for you at this time."

I feel like, since this was outside the border, it was just something to keep in the corner of my mind. When my parents went back home, I think I had it in mind that the fun was leaving, and it was back to the same old same old. I needn't think that way. While my kids and I won't have a schedule completely jam packed with activities to the point of exhaustion, we can still enjoy our days and have fun, even though we're not on a vacation break.


Unakite: Dead Center, slightly in Pleasure
This crystal landed smack in the center of the spread, making it all-encompassing. It addresses every aspect of my life right now. In addition, its point just rests on the number 5, titling the Pleasure category.

"Allow time for pleasurable pursuits which fulfill you spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Let your inner child guide you in play."

Again, another slight nod to not letting the fun slip away from me. Since this stone fell in the center, I wanted to look more at its properties, since its presence is touching every facet of my life.

It's funny that the book mentions that the green in the stone is sometimes called "pistacite" for its pistachio nut green color, as I had just eaten several pistachio nuts immediately before casting my stones. Unakite is a rock made of several minerals (Quartz, Pink Feldspar and Green Epidote). I was fascinated to read that Unakite was originally found and identified in the mountains of North Carolina. The way this stone fell on the chart, indicating that it was all-encompassing in my life right now, accurately describes my pressing desire to move to North Carolina. I take this as a very interesting sign. Also, "kite" is a symbol near and dear to me, as it includes the first initials of me and my three kids. And "una" is a prefix indicating unity as one. (I'm thinking of purchasing a larger piece of this stone now, just to have for myself, as its various attributes are meaningful to me.) ... Just saw online that the zodiac sign that correlates with this stone is Scorpio (which is my sign)!

Unakite is associated with the Heart Chakra, and is used by healers for its balancing and harmonizing properties. This stone speaks of uniting spirit and matter, which was also a message I received with another stone, earlier in the reading. I am being encouraged to strike more of a balance in my life right now.

For not being at all knowledgeable about gemstones, the reading surprisingly made a lot of sense to my life right now. I will definitely reflect on its messages for me, and do what I can to use them to better my life, and the impact I make on the world around me.

The Crystal Wisdom Kit (by Stephanie Harrison & Barbara Kleiner, published by Journey Editions)

~ Kiki
Tarot Dame

If you'd like to book a tarot reading with me, please visit my website for details.

Blog Vacay

My folks are visiting us this week, so I won't be blogging until next week.

...And just so you know, I would never say "vacay" in real life.

Have a great week!

~ Kiki
Tarot Dame

If you'd like to book a tarot reading with me, please visit my website for details.

Emily the Strange PC: Dedicated Toil Breeds Financial Success

Today's draw looks promising. I had the feeling that they were also more far reaching than just encompassing this single day. On a small scale, the Six of Clubs (work/toil/effort) describes what I will be doing all day. Organizing and cleaning the house to get ready for my parents' arrival tomorrow. I know it will be a physically exhausting day. The Two of Hearts (personal success) shows that at the end of the day I will feel a successful accomplishment. The Ten of Diamonds is a neutral card, simply indicating money. Maybe while I'm putting by blood, sweat and tears into cleaning house, the Universe will send some money my way. Would be nice, at the end of the day, to see some unexpected money in my account.

I guess this could possibly be my cue to plug my new Faerie readings available on my website. (I mentioned this awhile ago on my Facebook page, but I don't think I've announced it here yet.) The faeries were on me for weeks, letting me know they wanted me to make their services available, at a very affordable rate. Readings start at only $5! So if you're interested, head on over to the page where they await your inquiry (faeries.tarotdame.com).

On a larger scale, this reading tells me that all the hard work that I've been putting in, literally for years, taking care of my family, will pay off in a big way financially. I recently received a reading that told me the same thing. It would be nice if the cards could put a date on these things, wouldn't it?

I had fun working with the playing cards this week for my daily draws. I invite you again to join the Psychic Card Reading group and corresponding Facebook page. Learning to read with the playing cards has turned out to be such an exciting and rewarding experience for me, so I'm enthusiastic about extending the opportunity to others!

Deck: Emily the Strange Playing Cards (by Dark Horse)

~ Kiki
Tarot Dame

If you'd like to book a tarot reading with me, please visit my website for details.

Antique Playing Cards: Hospital Hounds

Today I'm using my Antique Playing Cards. It's a transformational deck, where the suit symbols are integrated into the image on each card. (I turned the horizontal cards around so you could better see the imagery.)

The 3 of Diamonds (conflict) + Ace of Spades (ending) tells me that either a conflict will come to an end, or a conflict will result in an ending of some sort.

The Three of Clubs tells me that this probably won't happen today, but will happen soon. This is the card that tells you something is hurtling right toward you. The "3" is significant with this card, indicating something happening in 3 hours, 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months, etc. (I will have to look more into the method and see if it's exactly 3 hours/days/etc. or within 3 hours/days/etc., as that can be a significant difference in timing.) I didn't have a disagreement with anyone in the three hours since I drew these cards, so I assume it's something that will be a little while coming.

The Three of Diamonds can illustrate a tug-of-war type conflict between two people, each person stubbornly pulling on their end of the rope. This reminded me of the medical bill I received yesterday for my daughter's recent ER visit. In fact, I already received a reminder bill in today's mail (just one day after the initial bill), and they also called my contact person's phone (I don't have a phone). I just got the bill yesterday for godsake, and they are hounding me like I have ignored them for months! The bill is much more than I can afford to pay in one lump sum, so I will need to contact them to arrange a payment plan. I wonder if the Three of Diamonds is telling me that the negotiations for this arrangement won't be entirely smooth. But the Ace of Spades reminds me not to worry too much about it in advance, as the debate can't last forever. It will have to come to some sort of conclusion. I hate confrontation and debating with people, so this is something that will be helpful to keep in mind.

The timing of the Three of Clubs seems to be relating to the Ace of Spades ending. Maybe I will somehow miraculously be able to pay off the bill within three months. Though I won't hold my breath for that scenario. Hopefully it won't take three years! I did wonder at first if it just meant that I would have the payment plan worked out within (or in) three days, but I won't have access to a phone until next week, so that's out of the question. (Hopefully the eager beavers won't start busting down my front door before then!) So I'm not too sure about the "3" timing method with this card just yet. I'll have to see how it all plays out. Of course, the cards might be referring to something else entirely. If something else comes up, I'll update the post.

Deck: Antique Playing Cards (B. Shackman & Co.)

~ Kiki
Tarot Dame

If you'd like to book a tarot reading with me, please visit my website for details.

Heart-Shaped Playing Cards: Negative Nelly

It's ironic that I chose a heart-shaped deck for today's draw, when they brought up someone who would least likely warrant a heart-shaped anything. The Queen of Spades is my ex-stepmother. Have you ever met anyone who only had negative things to say? I mean literally, ONLY negative? I didn't think it was possible until I met this woman again, after over 20 years of not having seen her. She is a hypochondriac and claims to have every medical condition known to man. And some not yet discovered. It appears to physically pain her to give anyone a compliment, and on the incredibly rare occasion she forces one out, it is immediately followed by a negative stipulation. I honest-to-goodness, cross my heart, can't remember the last time I heard her say anything nice to anyone, including the kids. It's incredible, really. At first, it bothered me, but I learned to have a sense of humor about it, so that her negativity wouldn't bring me down (by having negative feelings about her negativity!). I instead started to see her as some ridiculous larger-than-life character on a TV sitcom, one where you couldn't help but laugh at, because no one could possibly be like that in real life.

So anyway, she is the Queen of Spades, and what else could naturally follow her but the Seven of Diamonds (gossip)? This card tells you someone is talking about you behind your back. No shocker there. This woman gossips like nobody's business, telling everyone in her path "Just between you and me...". And of course it's all negative. Whoever you are, if you know this woman, you can be 100% certain she is talking behind your back. And whatever she's saying is not good. Falling in my reading today, it's a definite heads-up that she'll be talking crap about me today. Just minutes after pulling these cards, I received a note from my dad saying he was visiting her this afternoon. There ya go!

The Ten of Spades denotes travel. I have told this woman that I want to move out of state. I've been wanting to move since last year. Just last week she brought it up to me, asking me when we were moving. She's only too eager to have me move. Negative people don't like happy, laid back people. It unnerves them. So I am certain she will be talking to my dad today about my plans to move. How fast can it happen?

I also thought about my folks visiting from California when I saw the Ten of Spades. I have a feeling my dad will be telling her that my mom and stepdad are visiting me next week. I can't imagine what sort of negative spin she could possibly put on that joyous occasion, but she doesn't know how to put any other type of spin on anything, so she'll find a way. I'm just glad I don't have to be there to hear any of it today.

Deck: (Unnamed) Heart-Shaped novelty deck

~ Kiki
Tarot Dame

If you'd like to book a tarot reading with me, please visit my website for details.

Elvis Playing Cards: A Surprise Gift

Today I'm using my Elvis playing cards. I was quite giddy to be shuffling 52 images of this dreamy hunka hunka burning love. :)

The King of Clubs is my dad. He carries the Five of Hearts (a gift), so it seemed that he would be presenting either me or my kids with some sort of offering today. I had a quick psychic flash of chocolate soy ice cream for the kids, but I shoved the vision aside, as it's a rare occasion that he brings us something out of the blue, even something as small as ice cream. The Two of Spades indicates an abrupt change of direction, and I wondered what this event could be that would have something to do with his offering us a gift of some sort.

A couple hours later, he showed up at the door with grapes and chocolate soy ice cream! for the kids! He was supposed to be working at that time of day, but surprisingly got the day off, since he worked overtime the other day. His unexpected day off was the abrupt change seen in the 2 of Spades.

Reading with the playing cards is just too much fun! Not to mention how fun it was to see my ice cream vision come true within hours. :)

Deck: Elvis Playing Cards (US Playing Card Co.)

~ Kiki
Tarot Dame

If you'd like to book a tarot reading with me, please visit my website for details.

Alice in Wonderland Playing Cards: An Ultimatum

Today I used my new Alice in Wonderland cards, an awesomely thoughtful gift from my dear friend, Hannah. I love all things Alice, and have been wanting these cards for about a year now. They are even more charming in person than they appear online. Each card (including the Jokers) have quotes from the book.

The King of Spades is the card that represents someone in my life who I wrote about just a few days ago in this post. I had been worried about him due to his lack of correspondence for so long. He emailed me that day, and I wrote back basically telling him I'd rather cut ties with him completely than wonder for months, almost a year, at a time if he was okay. I made that email my official good-bye. I had it in my head that it would be the last time I communicated with him. The Ten of Clubs marks something official. I felt a little lousy writing him off, but I meant business. I received another email from him today telling me he understood my concerns, and he would be better about keeping in touch. So I guess I'm still in it. For now.

The Jack of Clubs is another side to this man. (In the Personal Prophecy method of reading, the querent is always off to the left of the cards.) While the cool King of Spades looks away, not concerned about keeping regular correspondence, the younger and more enthusiastic Jack of Clubs is looking right at me, eager to please. There are two sides to this guy, and right now, his Jack of Clubs persona is giving me his attention. Between these two face cards, I'm getting the yo-yo treatment, and I'm not entirely sure his communication skills will be reformed for long. The quote on the Ten of Clubs card says it all:

I wish you wouldn't keep appearing and vanishing - you make one quite giddy!

I am Alice, and he is the Cheshire Cat in this scenario.

I look at the other quotes and find humor in their sentiments. The Jack of Clubs, dramatically representing my friend's new eagerness to please me, says:

Their heads are gone, if it please Your Majesty!

And the King of Spades in him does not wish to be threatened with such an ultimatum again:

If you do such a thing again I'll have you buttered!

I love how all three quotes end in exclamation marks!!! :)

Deck: Alice in Wonderland Playing Cards (by Prospero Art)

~ Kiki
Tarot Dame

If you'd like to book a tarot reading with me, please visit my website for details.

Synchronous Finding of Cards!

So how cool is this? The day I begin using playing cards on my blog, I'm taking a walk with my kids, and I find playing cards strewn about on the grass next to the sidewalk, scattered over an entire street block. For years, I have wanted to find random cards on the street as a sign. I was so happy! On our way, we found five cards, and on our way back we discovered eleven more. It was like a little treasure hunt!

I kept the cards in order of how we found them. I may lay them out and use them for a reading later on.

Side note for those curious about the backs: The cards are made by a tobacco company, advertising their snuff, which I couldn't be more grossed out by. I won't name the company because I don't want to give them any advertising. There is even a little disclaimer on the backs of the cards that says, "Warning: This product may cause mouth cancer." Nice. Other than that, it was a cool find. :)

~ Kiki
Tarot Dame

If you'd like to book a tarot reading with me, please visit my website for details.

Bicycle 1800 Vintage Series: Very Helpful Scandal Warning

This week I'll be using regular playing cards for my daily draws. There are many cartomancy systems out there, and the one I currently use is Deborah Leigh's Personal Prophecy method, as shared in her book, The Message: Your Secrets in the Cards. The playing cards give much more of a nitty-gritty look at daily life, as opposed to the more philosophical side of tarot, and I'm enjoying learning this new method of reading.

Today I'm using the most kick-ass playing card deck ever created (for lack of a more eloquent but fitting term.) The Bicycle 1800 Vintage Series by Ellusionist is a deck designed to look aged... cracked, faded, stained and worn. The detailing is amazing, and the deck is just gorgeous. It immediately became my favorite playing card deck, and it's the only one I've been using since I got it last week.

Today I drew the Two of Diamonds, King of Clubs and Seven of Diamonds. It was a warning. The King of Clubs is the card I have assigned to my biodad. The Two of Diamonds represents keeping something secret, and the position it falls in indicates that I am the one keeping a secret. I'm keeping a secret for, from, or about my dad. The King of Clubs carries the Seven of Diamonds which is a scandal.

My mind immediately darted to the computer habits of my father. Remember this! jaw-dropping OMFG post I wrote several months ago? Yeah. Occasionally my dad still asks me to borrow my computer for the night, and I give him the kids' netbook. After that first shocking discovery about what he was looking at on my computer, I made it a habit to check the browser history every time he returned it, so that my kids wouldn't accidentally click on something he had viewed. After doing this for a couple months, that one time turned out to be the only time he had visited such ads (thankfully). But when these cards came up today, I jumped up and immediately went to turn on the netbook.

Sure enough, about a week ago, the browser history revealed many of the same types of Craigslist ads. I deleted the history, very thankful that the cards had warned me, so that I could prevent my kids from stumbling upon the pages.

Deck: Bicycle 1800 Vintage Series (by Ellusionist)

~ Kiki
Tarot Dame

If you'd like to book a tarot reading with me, please visit my website for details.

Heart of Faerie: Removing Stitches

I have come to know that when I pull the Queen of the Day, it means I'm going to have a good day. This Queen hands out blessings in the morning, and I'm always happy to be in line. The Big Behind cheekily (no pun intended) illustrates my putting something behind me today. The Crone is me today... wise woman and healer. I love the Crone in this deck. While some might see a scary old hag, this fae is most interesting to me. I want to hear what she has to say. I can just tell it will be fascinating. Today she's telling me that I will be adding a new experience to my belt.

This afternoon, I removed my daughters stitches. She had seven sutures in her leg, and the nurse at the ER told me I could remove them at home after ten days. My aunt, who is a nurse, mailed me a set of suture scissors, so it would be easy peasy for me. I have to admit, I was nervous this morning. But it ended up being simpler than I had anticipated. The Queen of the Day was with me and my daughter, and made the experience go as smoothly as possible. I look at The Big Behind, and am very glad to be able to put this whole episode behind me now.

Deck: The Heart of Faerie (by Brian and Wendy Froud, published by Abrams Books)

~ Kiki
Tarot Dame

If you'd like to book a tarot reading with me, please visit my website for details.

Heart of Faerie: Wondering About a Friend...

Today the cards immediately brought to mind someone from my past. The Speaker of Truth reminded me of his stature. While there is no facial resemblance, this fae seems tall and thin, but strong and solid. The Faerie of Youth reminded me that this was someone from my past, and also relates to his youthful appearance and state of mind. Though nearly 50 now, he could easily pass for early 30's. And his spirit is as young, if not younger, than his looks.

The Captive Man is what I've been wondering about him lately. He is probably the most intelligent man I've ever known, so I was shocked to find out that he had spent several months in prison a few years ago. I hadn't spoken to him for a few years, and during that time, he had done something stupid and landed himself in jail. He's the only person I've ever known that has been in jail, and out of everyone I've ever known in my life, he's one of the people I would think was least likely to get into trouble like that. He's very responsible, careful about his decisions and extremely cautious and slow to make changes. I haven't heard from him in almost a year now. I've been wondering if he's back in jail, and the Captive Man shows me this possibility, whether it's a reality or just something I've been wondering about.

These cards probably came up because I emailed him yesterday. Another failed attempt to find out how he's doing. My concerned emails have gone unanswered. Looking back at The Speaker of Truth, I just want to know that he's okay. I'm wondering ridiculous things like, do they have email in jail? And would he be stupid enough to make another serious mistake/lapse of judgment? He's a great guy, with a world of potential, smarts like you wouldn't believe, and a heart of gold. He is not his mistakes. And I hope he's okay.

Update: Well, it must be faerie magic, because I heard back from him today! After nearly a year. Amazing. He's staying out of trouble, says he's living an ordinary boring life, and apologized for his lack of correspondence. The faeries must have whispered in his ear today, as they know how much I wanted to hear that he was okay.

Deck: The Heart of Faerie (by Brian and Wendy Froud, published by Abrams Books)

~ Kiki
Tarot Dame

If you'd like to book a tarot reading with me, please visit my website for details.