Archangel Mermaid Tarot Dream

Had an interesting dream the other night, involving a family of another country and culture (true; I really know these people but not listing those details here) but, in this dream, involving music, dance and drumming, among other things, the following:

I'm in the room with this family, and lots of other people as well. Up on a little platform, is a long table with a dark haired (long dark hair) woman (around 40? maybe 50) who is reading from a deck. I assume it's a tarot deck, but can't get close enough to see. The backs of the cards are beautiful; greens and blues, mermaids.  

I can't hear the woman too well; can't tell if it's a traditional tarot deck or an oracle deck. I notice the woman doesn't have any clients; she just starts reading out loud to no one. Is she giving the whole room a reading? Reading to someone invisible? I still can't see the deck up close. I want to, because it's so beautiful, from the backs. I'm all about mermaids! But I'm confused as to the nature of the reading. Also, I realize I don't much like her. I don't like her style; she seems almost rude, and very loud. Not my approach.  

Yet after awhile, I realize what she's saying is more important than the way she's saying it. And, with a sudden awareness, I just know that she's more than human, if she's really human at all. She's an archangel! She's a mermaid archangel.  

When I understand this, I feel better. I'm awed, actually. And I realize her reading to the room is for anyone out here who cares to listen. It makes sense now. It's not important that I don't dig her style; it's not about that.
I want this deck!

David Bowie Tarot: The Starman Deck

The artwork is stunning! Very beautiful. I'm sure anyone who is a David Bowie fan (who isn't) will enjoy this deck, if only for the artwork and Bowie's legacy.

Alien Grey as The Chariot

 Posted this on my Orange Orb: UFOs, Forteana and More blog.

Another area of passion and interest of mine,  (see my blog OrangeOrbTarot) aside from the UFO, paranormal realm, is the tarot. I was searching for various decks, since I collect them as most readers do, I have several, and came across this image from the Bifrost tarot deck.

This is a Major Arcana card -- specifically, The Chariot -- from theBifrost tarotdeck. There is a distinctive alien grey ET figure, floating in outer space, giving the peace sign.

According to the deck's creator, the meaning of the Trump or Major Arcana card The Chariot is:

The Chariot of the information age is the mind.  This is symbolized by both the flying saucer behind the Roswell alien's eyes and the magic carpet at his seat.  The blood in his grail and the strand of DNA show that no matter where he travels, he will always find himself. [Tarotsmith.net/bifrostTarot]

The flying saucer is in the place of the third eye. The location is specific: Roswell.  The alien is peace loving, since he/she/it/gender neutral alien is flashing the peace sign. And, the ET is on a magic flying carpet, floating out there in the starry void.

What to make of this?

Assumptions that ET, as 'the grey' is a good vibe, well meaning, peaceful hippie alien. All is groovy and cosmic, flying around on the magic carpet.

Traditional, The Chariot, Waite-Coleman-Rider deck

Traditionally, The Chariot is depcited as having stars above (hence the alien I suppose) which represents the influences of the stars in this card. There is also the crescent moon. The wings have to do with Hinduism -- the Bifrost tarot interprets this image using the third eye.

There are actually a few tarot decks that use aliens in as symbols. I don't know how I feel about using a deck with this image, for myself, it seems too strange. In one sense, accessing memories of UFO encounters as a sort of tarot card reading, in order to make sense out of what happened, is useful. I try to do this for myself at times. But I don't know about integrating both. However, it's not a judgement
 and others might find newer, non-taditional decks using alien motifs useful.

Tarot Client Synchronicity

Made an appointment with a client  -- I'll call her Angela -- for a reading. In getting ready, tidying up. I came across a little basket, with lid, that I had forgotten about. I had started a gratitude basket two years ago; was going well with it, but hadn't related to it for a good year or so. In the basket, were several slips of paper that I had written things I'm grateful for. I took the basket, with the lid on, and shook it up, then pulled out a slip of paper.

The paper, dated two years back, was:

"I am grateful for the wonderful opportunity and reading I did for Angela, and, the equally unexpected donation! Thank you."

Synchronicity!!!

Witches, Women and Elderberry Tree

One of my favorite tarot decks, The Deviant Moon deck created by Patrick Valenza. Here is the 7 of Pentacles, with a woman as witch, beneath the branches of  an elderberry tree. Women, witches and the elderberry tree have a relationship in lore:

She may provide a potent link with the Mother Goddess and facilitates contact with spirits of other trees. In a sense she acts as a mother figure within the woodland. She carries the wisdom of the Crone, and is mistress of the deepest magic. 

Witches were said to be able to turn themselves into elder trees. Gypsies believe that it is very bad luck to cut down and burn elder wood and that the Elder Mother will take revenge. This superstition arises from an instinctive realization that a lack of respect for Nature is dangerous, ultimately, to the human race. Elder's unruly growth hints at the untamable aspect of Nature, the black heart of the earth to which we owe our being. 

Elder fairy has an aged, feminine wisdom, too long mispriced in our culture, but with a little respect she will act as teacher.

The Fairy Bible, Teresa Moorey/

The Goddess Tree.com 

Tarot cards: a tool of cold tricksters or wise therapists? | Aeon Essays

Worth reading. Academic, and of course, no one knows the "truth" about Tarot or much else, for that matter. Tarot cards: a tool of cold tricksters or wise therapists? | Aeon Essays

Heliotrope Metaphysical Tarot and Oracle Shop

I move to a small touristy town up North. (Northern Oregon? California?) I buy a metaphysical bookstore/shop that has been in business for decades. In this delightful small community, the place has been a real fixture. Tourists love it, the staff has been dedicated and stable, the town considers it a good addition to the local economy and reputation. So everyone is very wary of me -- an outsider, a newcomer -- coming in and taking over. 

I assure everyone that I have no intention of changing anything. I want to keep the staff and let them know how valuable they are. I tell them I will learn from them, and I appreciate them. I only plan to add more, not take away. Become even more involved in local projects and issues, etc. Everyone seems more relaxed and trusting after this. 

During the dream I kept getting a sense of purple, violet, and a word that sounded like "heliotrope." The name of the shop? I think so.
The only real change I make in this shop is setting up a reading spot. At the top of the stairs (the store is in a charming converted two story house, sort of a small Victorian) is a small room with a large window and built-in bookshelves. I set up a table and two chairs, place all my tarot decks and books and pendulums and other divinatory tools on the shelf. A cozy space for doing readings. I start to read for a client, get up to get something to show the client, when I come back, there is a woman giving a reading at a table near mine. I am very upset. I tell her I am the owner, she does not have permission to read, it's distracting to myself and the clients, and a disservice to the clients. So I apologize to the clients, do their readings for free, and kick this woman out. She doesn't even work there, she just showed up.

I looked up the metaphysical aspects of heliotrope. I don't know how much of the following is accurate, but according to Witchipedia: (italics are mine)

Magical Attributes of Heliotrope

Heliotrope is associated with the Sun and the element Fire.
Heliotrope represents devotion, that to lovers as well as to a God or a cause.
To dream of heliotrope means unrequited love. You can place heliotrope flowers under your pillow to encourage prophetic dreams, especially related to finding lost things and people.
The essential oil can be used to anoint candles and other objects used in divination and in spells for wealth.
Heliotrope can can be burned for banishing. (Witchipedia.com)

And finally, while reading Brent Swancer's piece on the Djinn at Mysterious Universe, the reference to David Morehouse's book Psychic Warrior gave me a jolt. Last night, I had a dream I was back in this shop, and someone (unseen, and above) handed me a silver bracelet with the words Psychic Warrior engraved on the silver.

The Fortune Teller's Secret - 'Synchronicity'

Interesting article on a bit of history and reader/"fortune teller" Nell St. John Montague (1875-1944)  on reading playing cards from Mark Russell Bell: The Fortune Teller's Secret - 'Synchronicity' | Interesting Articles, Links and Other Media

Kind Words from Skylaire Alfvegren

I am very grateful for the following words and testimonial from a wonderful Fortean writer. (Google her!) Her name is Sklylaire Alfvegren. Many years ago, when I first entered the world of the weird, I came across Skylaire's writing. I was so damn impressed by her skill, her insights and her skewed perspectives and humor. And now, years later, I consider her a friend. We both tumble down that rabbit hole, encountering the strange as we fall.

As a native of Los Angeles who began orbiting “new age” and occult circles years before I could legally drink, I have come to know more than my fair share of psychics, mediums, astrologers, oracles and readers of runes, palms, tarot, and pretty much everything but the contents of the kitchen sink. The glut of “sensitives” hawking their “gifts” has kept me on my guard and somewhat skeptical although as the saying goes, “I want to believe.”  

In this age of 99-cent-a-minute happy horoscopes, many settle for the broad, candy floss generalizations. I can’t do that. I prefer the truth, even if it hurts, and it often does. I trust one astrologer - but I often leave somewhat crushed because he tells it like he sees it. I don’t want lip service but I also want to walk away from a reading with at least a shred of hope! 

During a time when I was more lost and confused than usual, I began reaching out to my various circles to find “the” tarot card reader… I wanted to have my cards read by someone truly gifted, someone capable of great depth as well as an elegant turn of phrase. After numerous recommendations, I reached out to Arianna at Orange Orb Tarot. She was kind and imaginative and in the first reading, saw all kinds of things I had no idea were coming. It was only in the following months that what she saw, actually materialized. My second reading was just as prescient. She referenced my past, the present and future possibilities and it really made my head spin! She was detailed and thoughtful and offered just the right-sized spoonful of sugar to accompany the unpleasant stuff. She touched on some of the same themes in both readings - all extremely relevant to me specifically. She is thoughtful, detailed and full of good magic. She gave me the best readings I have ever had, and I would recommend her to anyone seeking an in-depth, personal, expansive and truly helpful tarot card reading. 

Skylaire Alfvegren, Los Angeles

From Alley Valkyrie: "my polytheism"

Alley Valkyrie is an artist, activist and an excellent writer. She's written a wonderful piece on polytheism. Her perspective reflects my own views on this. Visit her blog The Scallop and the Dusk for more personal and poetic posts. Below is a passage from her article on polytheism:

 I don’t think anyone has the right to gate-keep or dictate what polytheism is. Polytheism is not a new concept. Those who are attempting to control the meaning of ‘polytheism’ seem to have forgotten that this is a concept that goes back thousands of years and spans across cultures all over the world. To define it in a way that excludes more ideas than it embraces is a form of cultural erasure. It is colonialist, and it is abusive. My polytheism begins and ends with “there are many gods and they are real”. [Alley Valkyrie,my polytheism – the scallop and the dusk]

In the Biz, What to do When You Mess Up

Doing readings for clients is simply an amazing thing! I love it. Sometimes it's frustrating for me, the reader. Those of us that do readings professionally sometimes get stuck. It happens. Sometimes the client is the, er, issue. They're a skeptic/debunker and are out to "prove" you're a fraud, they're under the influence, they want to argue, etc.






But sometimes, it's you, the reader, who just, simply, messes up with a client. I am embarrassed and sorry to say this happened to me recently.

I had a returning client who left me a not so hot rating because I had not responded to her request for a reading, nor refunded her money, which she had paid for back in April! I have NO idea what happened, none, but for whatever reason, I had no idea this order was pending.

Naturally I felt awful. And the client --who could blame her for never coming to me again? All I could do was apologize profusely, refund her money, AND, here's the thing, offer her three readings using any decks, any type of reading, for free. That's the least I could do.

It's important to be honest with clients, and do what it takes to make things right. This is not the same as letting clients take advantage, that's a different scene. But in this case, I was dismayed to find I had let things get spacey and took this as a message to stay focused on my goals. Which, by the way, a recent reading I had done for me pointed out! Hmmm…

Tarot readers, psychics, etc. are human, just like everyone else. We make mistakes, goof up, -- we're not pure and magic and above making errors. But if and when we do, it's important to own it and do what we can to make it right.

Animal Spirit Oracle: Susan Boulet

Animal Spirit Oracle, Susan Boulet

A friend of mine did a mini-reading for me using the beautiful Animal Spirit Knowledge Cards Oracle, created by Susan Boulet. (Boulet died in 1997.) I fell in love with the deck and ordered one as soon as I returned home. They arrived the other day, and I've been enjoying exploring this deck.

Crow, Susan Boulet

Some readers feel  that the deck is not used for "divinatory" purposes but  more for personal use. I haven't tried using them in a reading for another, but I will try that just to see. I've had good readings using other animal decks, the Medicine Cards in particular. I'm also curious about using these cards in a multi-deck reading, maybe with the Angel Dreams oracle. (Doreen Virtue.)

The cards are on the smaller side, with full picture on the front, and the meaning on the back. I like the fact that there isn't any text on the front. Just the image, there for you to meditate on without words. The slightly smaller than usual size for tarot or oracle cards doesn't detract from the artwork. There are 48 cards in the deck.

Back: Animal Spirit Knowledge Oracle
Source: Aeclectic Tarot

One slight criticism: I would have liked more diversity in the key words with the descriptions, and some of the images are sideways or "landscape" while the majority are vertical. I found that to be a little distracting.

Reading at Eugene, Oregon Pagan Pride Day

Eugene is having a Pagan Pride Day! I'm honored and excited to know I'll be one of the tarot readers at the fair. If you're in the area, please come! Contact eugenepaganpride.org for info.  Here's their poster:

Witches: Make Your Beds

WITCH: "Over my last decade of both intentionally and unintentionally studying energy, I’ve realized how the organization of space has a huge effect on a person’s creativity, mood, and ability toaffect reality. This is especially important for those who are sensitive to that which exists beyond the mundane." (Carolyn Elliott, WITCH)

image source: pixabay.com

As someone who is -- I am dejected that I need to acknowledge this -- a slob, this article makes perfect sense to me, and clicks in that place where other similar philosophies have failed.  The stagnation I've felt in my own life, that stuck feeling, has much to do with my external environment. As a witch, (fumbling and learning on my twisty path) this article from WITCH speaks to me. One example: we have what we call the "room of doom." Every now and then I go in there to clean it up. I just can't seem to work in there for more than half an hour. My husband doesn't even try. One time I literally passed out in there, just looking at all the chaos and trying to decide where to start. I've placed black stones, mainly obsidian, in corners of the room and that helped for awhile. Granted, there is a weird energy in there -- we felt it when we moved here. Some energy, some residual spirit, is hanging around keeping the creepy chaos intact. Well, off to practice mindful, intention focused, straightening up.

Six Signs You May be a Disaster Shaman – Fractal Enlightenment

This is beautifully written, and very, very intense. By Gary 'Z' McGee,  author of Birthday Suit of God and The Looking Glass Man. Six Signs You May be a Disaster Shaman – Fractal Enlightenment. For those of us who feel as outsiders, who recognize the imbalances, who know that Nature is assaulted moment by moment , who are artists and creators. . .

Tarot Card Synchronicity

One meditative exercise related to tarot I like to do is to mentally do spreads in my head. I decide what deck I'll use, then visualize two or three cards. I don't stop to think about them or decide before hand; I accept whatever pops into my mind. The other night, I was "using" Patrick Valenza's Deviant Moon deck, and the two cards that immediately came to mind were The Star and Two of Cups.  

The next night, I was practicing with the same deck. The first two cards of the first spread were The Star and Two of Cups. An amazing message of synchronicity! Full disclosure: I did not previously have these two cards in a reading, the deck was shuffled very well before hand. I simply picked up the deck, shuffled, and when I laid out the cards, those were the cards. 

According to my mathematical minded husband, the chances of that happening are about six thousand to one. 

Synchronicity! Deviant Moon Tarot, Patrick Valenza

1919 Ouija via Phantoms and Monsters

Lon Strickler at his blog Phantoms and Monsters (his blog has a new look; nice!) has a piece on use of the ouija back in 1919, and one family's experience.



I found the following interesting, concerning reactions by the University of Michigan to using the ouija board:

Phantoms and Monsters: Pulse of the Paranormal: At the University of Michigan, Ouija boards were reportedly “replacing Bibles and prayer books,” so that a local nerve specialist was treating female students for “extreme nervousness” brought about by “too close association with the Ouija board and too great belief in its wandering. They had become fascinated by its message and had come to place so much trust in them that they were in a serious condition when they were turned over to him.” Men were also vulnerable, and a member of the staff warned that “[T]he ouija is becoming a serious menace to this country.”

The Twin Peaks Tarot | The Daily Grail

Oh this is good! A tarot deck based on one of my favorite television series, Twin Peaks. The creator, Benjamin Mackey, utilizes the Rider deck as the foundation for his take using characters from Twin Peaks. The Daily Grail (a site you must visit -- every day!) has more.

"The Twin Peaks Tarot | The Daily Grail: I think there are certain characters that David Lynch was purposefully basing off Tarot archetypes. There's one scene where Major Garland Briggs, he's talking about his experiences in the White Lodge, and there's a scene where he's sitting on this stone throne and he's surrounded by this lush greenery, and the pose he's striking is almost exactly the pose that the hierophant strikes. Then there's also a scene with Blackie at One-Eyed Jack's, she's at her table and she's playing the Tarot Cards. And it's a really small thing, you don't see her doing it a lot and they don't make a lot of direct references to it...but something like that, makes me think that maybe David Lynch has more of a conscious connection to the Tarot." (Benjamin Mackey,creator of the Twin Peaks Tarot)

From Patheos: "Scrying Over You"

Scrying Over You: In the end, the magic’s not in the physical tool. It’s in you, and you can start out with some simple household or inexpensive items. So feel free to use an old, black coffee cup filled with water as a scrying pool. But once you start using it for that, it’s probably best not to also use it for your morning coffee. The first step in scrying is perceiving the spiritual aspects of the world. The second (and often more difficult) part is being able to understand what you see, and interpret what it means back here in the everyday. (Patheos)

Good advice and insights on scrying. Something I've tried, and continue to explore, and I agree with the author that it's not all about distinct and dramatic pictures -- like a movie -- but something more subtle. I also like the advice that anything can be used for scrying; a bowl of water, etc. It's fun as well as comforting, for myself, to use mirrors (especially if you made them yourself) but not necessary. Also not necessary to use a crystal ball, which, depending on the size, can be very expensive. It's not always about the tools, but it is always about you, your intentions, and your relationship with the spirits.

LeGrande Circus & Sideshow Tarot

From the Aeclectic Tarot site, this new deck with a circus theme. Here's the blurb from the site:

LeGrande Circus & Sideshow Tarot: The LeGrande Circus & Sideshow Tarot was created by a former professional clown, and has 78 cards illustrated in the style of vintage circus posters. Each major arcana card features a well-known circus archetype (from the magician to the balanced elephant), while the minor arcana show everyday scenes from life under the big top and its sideshows. - Created by Joe Lee
Tarot Deck - 78 Cards - US Games 2015

I am both intrigued and repelled (mostly repelled) by circus and carnival themes. (And I intensely dislike clowns. Disgusting things.)  After all, I come from circus folk. Really, I do. You can find my I Come From Circus Folk pages on tumblr and Facebook, as well as the following two poems about my circus folk experiences on my blog fragments, found: Big Duke, and Goat.

My grandmother, Louise Gladstone Lee, of the Tom Mix Circus

Another reason I despise circus and carnivals: exploitation of animals.

But back to tarot. I do enjoy the artwork, especially vintage circus posters and related items. I like The Magician card shown here. These cards do look like fun. I don't know if I would personally use them, doesn't seem to be a good fit for me. But as I've learned, you never know what you'll decide works for you in the future.