A comfortable fit

I asked my Nine Coins Oracle if it liked the new bag I got for it...

I'll take that as a Yes. 😊

Map Reading

The first thing you look for on a map is the phrase:

“You are here.”

Find out where you are currently in your emotion.

Now look at the map and determine where you would like to go.

Enjoy your walk.

deck: Rainbow Brainskull Oracle Deck, Ramin Nazer

So what *have* I been doing?

The Issue -

Root: I'm fed up with not having the supportive real-life tarot friendship I crave...

Solar Plexus: but it's in my nature not to put myself out there socially.

The Fix -

Crown: I need to rekindle my connection with Spirit...

Third Eye: because I've been neglectful of this constant and caring support system.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I pulled one card just for a "weather report". Of course, the theme took me back to last week's post. So I pulled the rest for "Okay, what do I about it?"

This is the second time recently that I've had it pointed out to me that I'm not spending enough time with Spirit. I think it's time I listened.

deck: Feel Your Chakras Oracle by Andi Taylor

But How?

My previous post, Why I Read For Other People, was prompted by a ‘chat group’ conversation among fellow card readers. It made me stop to consider how I actually operate as a reader. And out of that grew the post.

That post then prompted someone to ask me how I knew when I was supposed to read for someone.

In my attempt to answer that question fully and coherently it basically became a whole ‘nother post in its own right. 😏

“May I ask how this was, and continues to be, revealed to you?”

“Revealed” is too strong a word for the process. It’s nothing as mystical or powerful as that.

My upbringing and my personality made the idea of being able to communicate with spirit an obvious possibility. I just embraced that possibility. 🙂

Basically, we “talk". I don’t get audible words back (except very, very rarely) but more a kind of immediate “awareness”. 

For context, I should explain that I no longer do paid readings. I hang out in various free reading groups, mainly on Facebook, and occasionally people will contact me directly as well.

Here’s an example, from just the other day, of how I “knew" when to read for someone. It’s a somewhat atypical example, but it gives a sense of how it feels for me.

I’m scrolling through one of those free reading groups. I look at each post... nope, no connection, scroll on.

Nope, 
scroll, 
nope, 
scroll, 
nope, 
scroll,
.
.
.

Then I get to one that I have no more personal interest in than all the others I’ve just scrolled past. But as soon as I lay eyes on it I know the answer to their question is Yes. 

Ah. 

I guess I’d better tell them. 

Because I’ve already been told it’s Yes there’s no need for an actual reading this time, so I pull one card just to confirm and support the answer and I tell them what I get about their situation. End of.

It’s a bit like that. Generally, I just get a “spirit nudge” when I’m supposed to read for someone. Nothing, nothing, nothing, 'That one'.

The vast majority of the time I haven't got a clue ahead of time what the answer is going to be. I’m not a capital “P” Psychic. I just somehow know that I’m meant to pass on a message to this particular person. That’s where the reading comes in. Spirit then gives me that message through the language of the cards.

Those people who contact me directly are a bit more problematic. In those cases, unless there’s some clear reason not to read for them (like they’re rude, you’d be surprised how often, or it’s obviously a dodgy account) I just trust that they were “sent”.

Why did spirit direct me to this person and not that one? I don’t know. Ask them. 

Actually, until I typed this just now I’d honestly never given it a thought. I guess I’ve always figured it was none of my business.

Why I Read For Other People

The Spiritual Path I have taken through life has led me to be a card reader (and witch).

Not a yoga instructor, not a medium, not a reiki practitioner. 

A card reader. 

Therefore, to honour my Path, I must read cards.

I’m compelled by Spirit to read for others. But I’m not going to read for every person who knocks at my metaphorical door. 

Some people are led to me by Spirit. Some just find me. I’m shown which is which and I’ll read for the former. Some readers may define it differently, but this is what I mean when I say I’m “drawn" to read for someone.

I think it’s fair to say that I don’t see this as a personal “service to mankind”. I am not a Light Worker. It’s not my show.

I read because it’s my Spiritual Calling and I go where Spirit sends me.

Wishing Everyone a Happy & Healthy 2022! 🎉🥂🔮

Click for full-size image

 

Blood Moon Oracle by Kristen ~ Over The Moon Magic

Update - The deck is still available for download but is now behind a minimum pay wall.

The lovely Kristen, teacher of art-meets-oracle classes and maker of tarot and oracle decks, has added a FREE TO DOWNLOAD "Spooky Season" themed 32-card oracle over on Ko-Fi.

link: Blood Moon Oracle

image by Kristen - Over The Moon Magic

Adorbs or what? 😁

Thank you, Kristen!

Random Reading - #116

How is it I've never used this pretty deck for an RR?

⁘  You're ready to open your heart again and take cautious steps towards making your dreams a reality.  ⁘

Kamienie wróżą, "Gemstones Oracle" (or "Stones Predict the Future"), by Edyta Hedger, published by Dosłońce, Kraków (2008). 

I did a search before posting to see if the deck was still available. I found only one source that appears to have decks for sale but I'm dubious about the genuineness of the site. I have found copies on eBay in the past. There was also a boxed edition that came with a book rather than just a LWB, entitled Kamienie mówią, "The Stones Speak" (2007).

Each card shows the name of its gemstone and a single keyword in Polish. I chose to write the translations on the cards (in the appropriate colours 🙂) to make life easier.

There are six "suits" of gemstones –
     Clear & White
     Blue & Purple
     Yellow Orange & Brown
     Green
     Pink & Red
     Black & Grey

The cards in each suit are ranked. From the LWB -
     "Number One is a kind of 'ace', stones numbered as One are the ones
     of purest vibration in each group.
     Number Two signifies division and movement.
     Number Three stands for synthesis and spirituality.
     Number Four indicates matter and Earth.
     Number Five represents excellence and human being.
     Number Six marks balance and intuition.
     Number Seven states fulfilment and a full circle."

The ranking appears as varying numbers of "sections" in the little circle below the image. Turquoise, for example, is 4, Amethyst is 3.

Random Reading - #108

Recently, Cynthia, in her Cartomancy Club Facebook group, suggested we all share our Viking themed decks. I posted my Norse Tarot by Clive Barrett, and the deck I'm using today – The Viking Cards, by Gudrún G Bergmann and Ólafur G Gudlaugsson (US Games 1996).

I realised I'd had the deck for 5 years and never worked with it. Oh dear.

(Okay, so the first thing I noticed is that the cards are a bit too long (5½", 14.1cm) for my small hands to shuffle comfortably. Almost an inch longer than a US Games RWS. 🙂)

⁘  Someone will reveal a personal truth to you, which will allow for reconciliation.  ⁘

There are only 32 cards in the deck, but I like the range and type of concepts it includes. I'm not particularly drawn to Norse mythology, but I can see now, or perhaps recall, why I was attracted to this particular deck.

"Oracle" Jigsaw Puzzle for Easter 2021

I'm having an "Easter" break from RRs today. Instead, I've set up another

JIGSAW PUZZLE

for your entertainment.

I chose an appropriate card from the Magdalene Oracle
by Toni Carmine Salerno.

Have fun!

Random Reading – #105 – Jigsaw Puzzle Edition

I was this week old when I discovered that you could create and post jigsaw puzzles online with Jigsaw Planet.

I hope you like jigsaw puzzles, because today you're going to have to solve your reading. 😁

I've kept it really simple for this first run. Just one nice colourful card from this deck – 

– and the advice from the back.

But you do have a choice of cards. Or you can do all three, if you're a mad-keen puzzler. 😉

RR105 Oracle Card #1  

RR105 Oracle Card #2  

RR105 Oracle Card #3  

Please let me know if you have any technical issues. And have fun! 

deck: Cat Comfort Cards, by Kat Lover and Kitty Wisdom, published by Hay House (2005)

Random Reading - #101

 Keeping it light today 'coz I've got a lot on. 🙂 

⁛ You've been working on or towards something for a while now and are beginning to run out of steam. You're in need of fresh motivation.

Remember who you're doing this for. That is the source of your power. ⁛

deck: Morgan's Tarot, by Morgan Robbins, art by Darshan Chorpash (1970). It was later taken up by US Games and reissued twice, and is currently in print.

Random Reading - #100

The problem with doing a "random reading" is that I go into it with no context. I have to glean the context from the reading itself. If I'm lucky, the cards drawn relate in such an obvious way that I just *know* what they're talking about.

I had an urge to use the Amethyst Oracle* today. With oracles (and fortune-telling cards) I find it helps to use five cards rather than my usual 'Tarot Trio'.

⁘ You've been building up to doing something, creating something, presumably working on it for quite some time. But fear is stopping you from fulfilling your dream. If you don't break your silence, your reticence about sharing this idea with others, your fear of letting anyone else in - it will die a death. ⁘

In this case, I needed to know if the "process" was meeting resistance or being resisted. The following two cards made it clear. Fear was the bottom card of the deck, and showed where that would lead.

*Amethyst Oracle, by Jessica Bott (2013)

Random Reading - #96

I pulled these cards* out for a reading yesterday, and since they're out… 

Marigold - "Do not despair, your desire will eventually be fulfilled"

Wild Carnation - "I am sick with love for you"

Bird Cherry - "How happy you have made me!"

⁛ Something you have your heart set on will be delayed, causing much distress. Give it time - it will come good in the end, much to your joy and relief. ⁛ 

If you'd like a quick message from this or one of my other "flower" decks (turns out I have 8 😱) check out this post in my Facebook group "Judy Reads Cards – for free!". 

*Оракул Селам или Язык Цветов / Selam or the Language of Flowers Oracle, by Vladimir Sitnikov and Natalia Plakhina, published by Silhouette, 2016.

Random Reading - #93

Brought to you this week by Le Grand Oracle Celtique, "The Grand Celtic Oracle", by Alan Borvo, (Grimaud, 1989). A 72-card deck comprised of 18 "major arcana" cards, and three suits – Clover, Thistle, and Ermine – also of 18 cards each: numbers 1 to 9 and 9 court cards. 

The Mother (major) – Hero of Clover – Druid of Clover – King of Clover – 2 of Clover 

Clover is the suit of Art – creativity, imagination, feeling. This whole reading centres on creativity and renewal. And yes, just like last week, the deck *was* well shuffled. 

 ⁛ You have the opportunity of a "rebirth" this week. Deep healing - and a chance to begin again. 

 Flex your creative muscles. Dream big. You are in the best position to go it alone and get the job done. 

But don't be so focused on yourself that you neglect your obligations to others. Fulfil your responsibilities. Then no one will have cause for complaint or to feel justified in trying to bring you down again. ⁛

Random Reading - #84

Gayan Sylvie Winter, author of the Vision Quest Tarot and Oracle of the Goddess, also produced a darling little – and I do mean little, only 4.2 x 6.8 cm – oracle deck called Das Glückskäfer-Orakel, "The Ladybird Oracle", described as Große Weisheit im Kleinen Format – Great wisdom in a small format.

There are 40 cards, all featuring ladybirds or "luck beetles" as their known in Germany. Each card represents a way of thinking or behaving that can bring luck into your life. For example –

8  Ast mit Apfel
Glück bringt, wenn du dich beizeiten darauf besinnst, dass du in jeder Gemeinschaft neue Kontakte und Freunde finden kannst, die dich dazu ermuntern und dir helfen, die fruchtbaren Seiten des Lebens wieder mehr zu genießen.
8  Branch with Apples
It brings luck if you remember in good time that you can find, in any community, new contacts and friends who encourage you and help you to enjoy the fruitful side of life more again.

(Cheers, Google Translate 👍; I should be able to read German, but no 😕)

13  Cheese with Bread - 24  Spaghetti

21  Thistle Flower - 7  Purple Poppy Flower - 15  Pair of Cherries

Seeing as the first two cards I pulled show food, and the next three all show plants, I'll read them as separate statements.

⁛ 13, 24 - Be thankful for what you receive this week, even if it's not quite what you wanted or expected. Keep an open mind and you may discover you actually quite like it.

21, 7, 15 - You may experience a setback this week but don't be discouraged. Join forces with a friend and try something different. It's all part of your journey.

These two statements seem to tie into each other in a way. Whatever "goes down" this week, just accept it as an opportunity to take a different, and potentially more fruitful, path. ⁛


Das Glückskäfer-Orakel, by Gayan Sylvie Winter, illustrated by Lynn Aman, published by AGM AGMüller Urania (2005), printed by CartaMundi.

Random Reading – Rebel Deck edition (including gifties 🎁)

I've given up on doing the usual RRs for now because the messages are all being influenced, unsurprisingly, by… current events.

So, in the immortal words of Shannon Gomez, creator of Rebel Deck: The Oracle with Attitude – "F*CK IT!" Let's have some "bad a$$" cards instead.

Don't wind yourself up over the stuff going on around you. You have zero control over that sh*t.

Focus your energy and emotional resources on doing the right things.

< < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < ◇ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

Now to the gifties.

Shannon is giving her Rebel Coloring and Rebel Pages digital downloads away for FREE “during the COVID-19 crisis”. 👏👏👏

Stay home. Stay well.

Random Reading - #69

I've had a serious case of the blahs the past week or so. Maybe the colourful silliness of Cat Comfort Cards will perk me up a bit.

As you can see from the image, with interpretive phrases on the card backs, the deck practically reads itself.

The overall message I'm getting here is that whatever it is you're wrestling with right now, time is on your side. You can stop, take a few steps back and check in with yourself as to how you're really feeling and what you really want. Perhaps the direction you're currently headed isn't serving you.

If it ain't fun, don't do it.

Hmm. Maybe I should take a dose of my own medicine. 😏

Cat Comfort Cards by Kat Lover and Kitty Wisdom (srsly) - 50 cards, published by Hay House

Random Reading - #68

I've finally printed, cut out, laminated*, and trimmed all of the cards from Wayfinder Tarot's free "Altar to the Soul Oracle" deck that I shared a week and a bit ago. Now to put it to work.

I pulled the top card to set the theme, and the pair below to speak to it.

We have a situation of something endlessly repeating, without, I feel, ever reaching fulfilment. You need to come up with a new plan of action. Not necessarily throwing away everything you've already done, but taking what you've learned so far and using it to make some fundamental changes to your approach.

Bottom of the deck card – Doorway/Key: This way lies the Breakthrough.

Make what you will of the obvious sexual imagery in both of those two central cards. Actually, all of them are a bit that way. 😉


*I don't have a laminator. I use an iron. 🙂 For this project, I cut each sheet into four pieces, each one big enough to accommodate one card. I then took a "sandwich" and placed it on the ironing board, covered with a handkerchief (any cloth thin enough to see through will do; it helps to be able to see what you're doing). Pre-heat the iron (for me, it works best with my iron set between the wool and cotton settings; ymmv), and once it's good and hot, position it over half the card and slowly press towards the outside of the sandwich, then repeat in the other direction. I highly recommend you practice on some scraps to get a feel for how much pressure is needed (not too much, I've found, or it warps the card), and what temperature and speed works best.

Random Reading - #66

I would like to see Rainring Cards* get more exposure. Why? Because it's a system of unique and delightful complexity, and because it delves deeply into "the inner nature of people and of things" (A Guide to Rainring Cards, back cover).

And how many decks do you know that have Umpires to direct or comment on the cards? Why yes, it was created by an Englishman. How did you guess? 😉 

Today I'm using one of the spreads from the aforementioned book – the Centred Triangle. I'm interpreting the positions as Inward, Outward, Balance and Result.

Inward – Attraction (Set 8, Group 2), Umpire: Heart
Outward – Ebb (Set 1, Group 9), Umpire: Bull
Balance – Sensuality in the Will position: Sated (Set 8, Group 4), Umpire: LBW
Result – Self (Set 1, Group 9), Umpire: Form

Note: The Umpires, of which there are nine, are not normally placed in the spread, as there is only one example of each, and each one can potentially appear for more than one card in a reading. Instead, a note is made of the Umpire pulled for a card, the Umpire card is then returned to the Umpire pile which is reshuffled for the next card.

Taking into account the meanings of the cards, the effects of their orientations, the influences of the umpires, and the significance of the sets and groups - even before you add intuition to the mix - you can see there's a lot to work with here.

For the purposes of a quick weekly RR, I'm just going to give you the bottom line.

⁘ Someone is concerned that their lack of sex drive/loss of libido has adversely affected their relationship. Painful as it is to accept about someone you have strong feelings for, if that's all they wanted from you, let them go and move on. Your sense of Selfhood and acknowledgement of your value as a person are way more important, and what you should be focusing on right now. ⁘


*Rainring Cards - "94 cards offering us an opportunity to explore the inner nature of people and of things". Published by Peter Ryley and available through the Rainring website.