Playing Card – Three Card Draw

Today I drew three playing cards for insight and guidance:

• Jack of Spades
• 3 of Spades
• 7 of Diamonds

When a court card falls in the initial position of a three-card spread, the cards that follow usually pertain to the person represented by the court card.  The JS usually represents a young person of either sex (although most often male) with darker coloring.  Personality wise, he’s decisive and in control, and able to take charge of any situation.  I have no idea whatsoever who he or she may represent in my life.

The 3S denotes confusion or deception.  Falling directly on the JS, it would represent someone not to be trusted, but the meaning is modified by the next card which is red.  The 7D represents a change for the better in a financial situation.  It could represent a raise in salary, or rewards and recognition for one’s efforts. 

Since the 3S is covered by the 7D, it modifies it’s meaning toward the positive, so I would interpret it as confusion or a misunderstanding as opposed to lies or deceit.  If the 3S had fallen on top of the 7D, these three cards would have carried a much more sinister meaning.

These cards suggest to me that a young person I know is feeling confused and may be forced to make a choice regarding a financial situation.  The 7D can refer to stocks and investments as well, so this may have something to do with an investment of a good amount of money. 

The third card in a three-card fan will indicate the outcome of the matter, and the 7D indicates success, so the right choice will be made to ensure a good financial outcome.

The Answer Deck – Three Card Draw

Today I felt like drawing cards from a deck I’ve not posted before.  I recently received The Answer Deck as a surprise gift from a friend, and the more I play with it, the more it surprises me.

The cards I drew for today are really surprising since I can’t immediately place where they fit into my day–and my life.

• Deception
• Doubt
• The Lovers

I don’t have a lot of experience working with The Answer Deck, but what I get from these cards is that I’m feeling undecided about whether or not there is deception in a relationship. 

Oooooh, you know how sometimes when you write something down, it suddenly crystallizes?  Well, suddenly I think I know exactly what these cards are referring to…I feel moved now to draw an additional card to see if I can determine an outcome here for the doubt.
 
Hmmm…the additional card I chose is Change.  That doesn’t really offer any clear outcome, but I’m reluctant to continue pulling cards for fear of totally muddling up the reading.  I think the cards are saying that I will never know the truth surrounding the situation, but that my continued doubt has brought changes, and that is definitely true. 

Another idea that comes to mind is that the card Change could refer to timing.  The card clearly depicts an autumn scene with tree branches that have lost most of their leaves.  Perhaps there will be an outcome after this coming summer.

I really like these little cards.  They are meant to be read intuitively based on the card images and keywords.  The little booklet that accompanies the deck offers specific interpretations for only a few of the cards that carry special meaning. 

The Answer Deck comes with specific instructions for a 9-card spread that covers the past, present and future of a situation, and includes a fold-out glossy paper template with card placements for using this layout.  I tried the layout a couple of times, and found it confusing–perhaps because I’m still learning to use this oracle.  On the other hand, I’ve gotten some amazingly accurate answers from this deck by simply concentrating on a question and then drawing from 3 to 5 cards.

Wisdoms Oracle Cards

Today I decided to bring my Wisdoms Oracle deck out of retirement.  I found this unique, little black-and-white deck in a metaphysical shop in Clearwater, Florida back in the early 1990s.  I find this deck particularly interesting because it includes astrological signs as well as Lenormand-type symbols.  The illustrations are hand drawn, and very simple, which I think adds to the appeal of this deck.  It has an organic, homemade quality that I really like.  My readings with this deck have always been very accurate and insightful.

Today I drew:

44 Destiny

31 Fear

8 Scorpio

The Destiny card is represented by the moon, and indicates that the energies at work in a situation are set by fate or destiny.  It can reveal something that is in alignment with my higher purpose, and almost always indicates change.  In the way that the moon phases affect the earth, the Destiny card can affect one’s life.

The Fear card will usually point out where my emotions are blocking me.  Fear can be healthy when it protects us from taking unnecessary risks, but it can also be unhealthy when it prevents us from reach for something we desire.

The Scorpio card represents the energy of the sun sign Scorpio, and indicates that the Scorpio energy is affecting the matter at hand.  Scorpio is sensitive and easily hurt.  When slighted, Scorpio can retaliate with a vengeance.  This card usually indicates a time of careful planning, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to succeed.

These cards represent a fear of change, and the need to evaluate the situation carefully, and initiate a plan to overcome the problem.  Destiny would suggest that this change is something I have no control over, and the ’scaredy cat’ shows that I don’t like situations that I can’t control.  Very true.  Scorpio tells me that I have the energy and resourcefulness to face and conquer the fear that is preventing me from fulfilling my destiny. 

I find it interesting that a similar message came up recently when I drew the three daily cards from The Bright Idea deck.  I guess I need to realize that I have a hard shell and a nasty stinger available when needed to help me overcome my fears and go after what I want.

The Bright Idea Deck

Today I decided to pull my daily cards from the Bright Idea Deck.  Technically this is a Tarot deck since it includes 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana cards (divided into four suits), but the modern interpretations of the tradtional symbols make it seem more like an oracle deck than Tarot.

I was looking for a modern Tarot deck that veered away from the tradtional Rider-Waite imagery, and a friend suggested the Bright Idea deck.  I felt an immediate connection to these cards, and since my friend did not feel any affinity with the deck,  she kindly gifted her copy to me.

The Bright Idea deck was created by Mark McElroy as non-threatening way to introduce Tarot into a corporate environment to be used for creative brainstorming.  The illustrations by Eric Holtz are fresh and innovative, and the deck is not immediately recognizible as a Tarot.

The familiar suits have been replaced by the colors blue (Cups), green (Pentacles), yellow (Wands) and red (Swords).  The tradtional Tarot images have been replaced by modern concepts, and keywords replace the standard card titles.  For example, a segway transporter is used to represent the concept of Arcana VII The Chariot, and the card is titled Advancement. 

Despite the modern adaptations, the tradtional Golden Dawn correspondences are deftly hidden in the modern illustrations (although the astrological are not quite so well disguised), so the deck also serves admirably as a modern version of a conventional Tarot deck.

Daily Card Draw

This morning I drew:

• I Capability
• Learning-Validation
• VII Advancement

The fact that two of the three cards I drew for today are from the Major Arcana, this is an important message for me today.

The key card is Learning-Validation which corresponds to the Tarot Page of Swords.  The image is of an apprentice chef receiving a ‘thumbs up” approval from the head chef’s after he tastes her soup.  This card suggests a need for approval.

Card I of the Major Arcana, Capability corresponds to the Tarot Magician.  The image is of a man floating in the sky on winged shoes, and juggling the various objects which represent his daily life.  An obvious reference to Mercury and the Tarot Juggler, this card suggests skills and ability.

Card VII Advancement corresponds to the Tarot Chariot.  I love this card!  The image is of a woman on a segway crashing through a fence.  She is in danger of running over a small crab (astrological sign of Cancer) in her path.  This card suggest moving forward even at the risk of one’s emotions.

Today’s cards suggest to me that I continue to look for validation or approval from others even though I have the necessary skills and abilities to break through my barriers and move forward, make progress, etc.  I think the message here is that I need to trust more in my own abilities, and not look for approval or validation from others.

Titania’s Fortune Cards – Three Card Draw

Today I felt ready for my very first three card draw with Titania’s Fortune Cards.  The more I play with this deck, the more I like it.  I’ve decided that for this draw I will forget everything I know about the Lenormand Oracle cards, and interpret the spread based on the Titania meanings only.

• The Bear
• The Book
• The Snake

The key card is the Book which represents something unrevealed or as yet unknown.  It could also refer to books, or study and learning.  It’s a positive card.  The Bear represents something big and important, and it’s also a very positive card.  The Snake is a tricky card that can denote deceit when surrounded by negative cards, or wisdom when influenced by positive cards.  Since both the Book and the Bear are positive cards, I’m inclined to read the Snake as wisdom rather than deceit. On the other hand, the Book + Snake could indicate a dark secret…darn! I knew I should have pulled another card for clarification.

Two interpretations come to mind depending on whether I choose to read the Snake as a positive or negative influence.  On the positive side, these cards could be referring to an important learning opportunity that will require wisdom to handle successfully.  This interpretation makes sense to me, and I think I know what it could be referring to. On the negative side, these cards could refer to a big secret deception that will be revealed.  It will be interesting to see what turns up.

PS~ Grrh!  I know I wasn’t going to pull in my Lenormand meanings, but this spread screams of some financial hanky panky going on…  I’d better double check receipts and make sure my checkbook is balanced correctly over the next couple of days just to play it safe!

Tell A Fortune – Three Card Draw

Today I drew my daily cards from Daphne’s Tell A Fortune deck.  This is one of my favorite oracle decks, and I’ve always found it to be accurate and insightful.  This morning I pulled three cards with nothing particular in mind.

• 10 of Hearts
• Queen of Clubs
• 3 of Diamonds

I really like the idea of reading the center card as the ‘key card’ for the spread.  In this case the key card is a woman in my life who is  reliable and fun and ambitious.  The 10H represents emotional security or career advancement, but it could also refer to a party or celebration.  The 3D carries a lot of meanings including a promise or contract, a small sum of money, part-time work, communication (usually regarding money) or unsustained efforts.

These card suggest a couple of different interpretations to me.  First the QC could represent my sister since it is the card I usually use to represent her.  She is currently helping to put together a baby shower for a friend of her which is taking up more time and energy that she had originally anticipated–almost like a part-time job.

Another interpretation that comes to mind is that my sister will get an opportunity for some recognition and a small raise in pay at work (she does work part time).  She’s a hairstylist, so a promotion is not likely, but a change for the better in her career is certainly indicated if she is willing to put in more effort–extra hours, etc. for success.

All images and interpretations © Daphne Weld Nichols 1985, displayed here for analysis, comment and appreciation only

Oracle of the Triad – Success + Choice + Seal

Today I was feeling brave, and decided to try another daily card pull from Oracle of the Triad.

• 10 Success
• 22 Choice
• 12 Seal

The cards turned out to be more positive than I had expected.  I find it particularly interesting that I pulled the same card 22 Choice in the same middle spot in my daily draw from March 21st.  The choice or decision must be still pending, or still yet to come.

The card ‘Success’ refers to getting what I want.  I could also represent winning a contract, or receiving an award or recognition of accomplishment such as a diploma, etc.  The card ‘Seal’ denotes acceptance or agreement–as in putting one’s signature or seal of approval on something.  These are both great cards indicating a positive outcome.

The combination Choice + Seal makes me think of ’standing up for what is right.’  Success show that there are rewards for doing the right thing.  I have no idea what these cards could be referring to, but they clearly show I’ll be making the right choice to back the right horse and earn the laurel wreath. 

Lenormand Blue Owl – Three Card Draw

Today I drew my daily cards from the Blue Owl Lenormand.  I charged card 28 to represent myself, but did not focus on a particular question or issue.

• The Moon
• The Key
• The Lily

The Key represents something important, a solution, or that destiny is at play in a situation.  the Moon suggests that it is of emotional or spiritual significance, and the Lily represents wisdom, or a mature man. 

These cards suggest a couple of different interpretations to me.  First, they could refer to a spiritual insight that resolves a problem or issue I’m experiencing.  Also, they could indicate that the spiritual insight comes from an older man who plays a key role in my life.  He could be a father figure, or a spiritual mentor.  In either case, the Key denotes success in a spiritual matter.

Titania’s Fortune Cards

Titania’s Fortune Cards have been on my wishlist since I first became interested in the Lenormand Oracle just after Christmas of last year.  I’d heard mixed reviewed of the deck, but many successful Lenormand readers cut their teeth on the Titania cards, so I had decided it was a ‘must have’ deck.  Finally last week, I won a bid on ebay for this these cards, and the deck arrived in the mail yesterday.

Although I didn’t have high expectations for the the quality of the cards themselves based on the reviews I read, I was sorely disappointed when I opened the deck.  The cards are of very light-weight stock, and they have a matte finish that make them very difficult to fan out on a smooth surface.  I had expected the fluorescent negative images to pack more of a punch, and was surprise by how muted the colors are in natural light.

The accompanying book is what makes the deck worth owning.  Surprisingly, the book is of excellent quality.  The pages are glossy and nearly as thick as the cards.  It’s unfortunate that the true beauty of the deck shines through on the glossy images in the book, and not on the actual cards.

Now that I’ve finished whining, I will admit that I’ll enjoy working with these cards.  In my opinion, the book is a real treasure.  Titania provides a fresh perspective in her modern interpretation of the Lenormand symbols without out losing sight of the traditional meanings.  My only complaint about the book is that it provides so few meanings for the card combinations that drive the Lenormand oracle.  On the other hand, leaving the interpretation of the combinations to the reader’s intuition is probably not such a bad idea.

I need to spend a few days becoming familiar with the Titania cards before I attempt my first draw.  I’m also looking forward to experimenting with the 7-card spread provided in the book which can be used for daily forecasts.  Stay tuned…

Playing Card – Three Card Draw: 6H + 3D + 10S

This morning I pulled three playing cards for insight and guidance for the day. 

• 6 of Hearts
• 3 of Diamonds
• 10 of Spades

The 6H represents a male loved one such as a brother, son or boyfriend.  The 3D denotes unsustained efforts, sporadic progress, or part-time work, and the 10S indicates worry and fear.  The three-card fan is interpreted from left to right, and the final card carries the most weight in the interpretation.

I would read the 6H to represent my brother who’s been staying with me while he recovers from a chronic health problem.  The 10S shows that I’m worried about him, and because the 10S falls last, it indicates that the concern is justified.  I could read the 3D two different ways.  In a general sense, it could indicate the sporadic progress he’s been making in his recovery that I’m concerned about.  More specifically the 3D can refer to the fact he’s returned to work part-time, and today he decided to put in some extra hours.  I’m concerned that the extra work could cause a relapse of his health issue.  Both readings would be accurate.

I always find it interesting that the playing cards can refer to several different things, and all of the interpretations prove valid and meaningful.