Seeing through water with the Five of Hearts

One of the best things about going back to our readings and reassessing them is how much it can help us to learn about the cards. My latest New Moon reading is proving very accurate. Not only has this cycle been very centred in my home (like the 6♥ suggested), but it has also made me aware of the many defence mechanisms I use when I'm emotionally unstable.

And… It has also made me aware of the origin of such instabilities, and how they are expressed through the 5♥, also called Fata Morgana.

The 5♥ is one of the cards that does not change between the Playing Card Oracles and the Doors of Somlipith (it is different in the Fate & Fortune deck, though). It portrays a maiden in a lake, playing harp. At first glance, she looks like a seductive nymph, but when you look at the water, you realize that her reflection is that of a hag! Now, who is real: the maiden or the hag? Both? Or neither? This is Morgana's spell, which gives the card its main keyword: illusion.

Recently, however, I've come to think that a better keyword for the 5♥ would be distortion, rather than just illusion. Because illusion creates something that isn't there, while distortion takes something that already exists and twists it into something else. The sorceress of Fata Morgana is not a hallucination; she exists, but the way she reveals herself is distorted. This card is a bit like trying to see through water: although you can perceive things through the liquid, the details are distorted because the water ripples and reflects, becoming an inaccurate mirror of reality. This is how Morgana's spell tends to distort what it touches.

But what if the card is dignified? I don't think it automatically becomes a positive presence, but there are contexts in which exposing ourselves wholly can be detrimental. In this case, Fata Morgana can appear as an advice to be aware of how we are presenting ourselves. Maybe we need to be smarter, to show the parts that benefit us and to conceal that which, in a given situation, could place us in a vulnerable position. But, for better or for worse, there's always some form of distortion involved. Hence, Morgana's spell must be used carefully.

In my New Moon spread, this card appeared in the Throat position, which is ruled by Clubs, and thus connected to mental activity. Here, the 5♥ seems to cast her spell on our thoughts, often worsening worries or distorting our perception of things (and usually through strong emotions that keep us from thinking clearly). And for me, this made perfect sense, as some recent events in my life caused spikes of anxiety that impaired my ability to think rationally about my situation (and I'm not normally an anxious person!). Everything was coloured by my own emotional distortion, and it was only after realizing that my feelings were not indisputable facts that I was able to lift my head above water and see clearly again.

PCO: Of cats and dignified cards

I am thinking about adopting a kitten, but I already have a cat. I am concerned about the adaptation period, especially since mine is used to being a single cat. On the other hand, I think it will be great for her to have a companion, since I work outside the home and she has to stay alone for hours.

I decided then to do a quick reading about what to expect if I do, indeed, adopt the new kitten. And it ended up being a good exercise in dignified cards!

In the Present spread of the Playing Card Oracles method (also called WITN - Window Into The Now), each position is assigned to a certain suit and element. So the Head position is connected to ♦/Fire, the Throat position is connected to ♣/Air, the Torso position is connected to ♥/Water and the Foot position is connected to ♠/Earth. That means that when a card falls into the matching position of its suit/element, it is said to be dignified.

But how does a dignified card change a reading? According to Ana Cortez in the Doors of Somlipith: "A dignified card has an increased ability and authority within the layout. It's perfectly 'suited' for the task at hand" (p. 117). That means the card is in a comfortable place to express its energy. While this doesn't turn a challenging card into an easy one all of a sudden, it tends to emphasise its beneficial traits.

Let's look at our layout: we have three dignified cards, the 6♦ in Head position, the K♥ in Torso position and the 2♠ in the Foot position. Off the bat, we can tell there is a big chance this adaptation process will go well, even if there are tricky points to be mindful of.

The 6♦ says it's important to make sure both cats feel safe, so isolation is recommended in the first few days. The 2♠ suggests some hissing and growling are to be expected and I must endure this initial tense atmosphere without losing my loving heart (K♥). The K♥, Nicomiah, is a generous, patient and loving king. He reminds me to guide the process from a loving place, without panicking or mistaking hurdles for failure.

But what about the undignified card, the 8♥? Well, the Garden is not a negative card at all…One of its meanings is a loving support or environment. In Clubs position, it reinforces that I should 'communicate lovingly' – keep my voice low and sweet, avoid radiating stress and aggression, and make the environment alluring for both cats, so they will feel safe and loved. Even if I feel a bit emotionally chaotic (the 8♥ can mean being 'intoxicated' by emotion), I must consciously keep a loving approach. And if anything difficult happens, I can always call out loved or trusted ones to support me.

Geomancy seems a little less positive. Albus and Caput Draconis as witnesses, and Fortuna Minor as the judge. Albus relates to careful deliberation and planning, which I have tried to do. Cauda Draconis probably speaks of my... nerve-wracking tension about my decision, and the fear of a chaotic disruption at home. And Fortune Minor speaks of a quick, but not permanent success. Perhaps the adaptation will happen faster than expected, but from the cats tolerating each other to becoming cosy companions (which is what I want, ultimately) is a much bigger step... 

Well, I will take the kitten home today, and keep her for a week, to see how it goes. If it all goes south during this period, the foster home will take her back, no problem. I really hope this doesn't happen, though... and this reading feels like a really good sign!

New Moon Reading: Protecting the small flame

For this cycle, we have quite a watery reading, with three Hearts cards and one Clubs card.

The low numbers and combination of Hearts and Clubs tells me this is likely to be a more introspective, domestic cycle, that focuses more on internal processes than on external achievements. The 6♥, called The Castle, usually speaks of a familiar place where we can find healing and rest and, being in the Head position, it lends its atmosphere to the reading as a whole.

However, the inner waters won't necessarily be still, with the 5♥ as the only upright/odd card and in the Throat position! And it's interesting how Fata Morgana seems to be holding the Chalice (2♥) upside down, and 'pouring' onto the Moon Fire (2♣). In the Doors of Somlipith book, Ana Cortez describes the 2♣ as "the light of quiet discovery as we encounter new facets of our own being" (p. 59). It's like a small fire or awareness is trying to be born, and I must be careful not to let the excess of Hearts (or illusory emotions) drown it.

The Chalice (2♥) is also in a dignified position, but it's reversed, showing its 'helmet' aspect. Ana also writes in the book that the 2♥ can offer "the ability to advance under guardianship, but also potentially a way to deflect those things that would ultimately serve us" (p.60). Deceptive emotions might be feeding certain defence mechanisms, which might keep one safe but also blocks new forms of insight and communication.

Lastly, I like how the rocks seem to be supporting the naked woman in the 2♣. Although she is a Clubs card, I see a subtle connection to the Earth element, reinforced here by the position of this card in the spread (Foot). The small fire needs some connection to earth, to what is real and palpable, to keep burning and not be extinguished by Morgana's spell.

On the other hand, the card is undeniably upside down, and the combination of Hearts (Water) and Clubs (Air) makes for a shaky ground. I feel like the two missing suits – Diamonds (Fire) and Spades (Earth) – are potential tools to help balance the excess of Hearts in the coming cycle.

In a nutshell: The past cycle helped us to come into contact with certain truths about ourselves and our lives that were hidden. This can awaken emotions within us that can confuse or deceive, causing us to misinterpret the insights gained, or even to abandon them out of fear. We must be careful not to believe our emotions to such an extent that we lose sight of everything else. We will also need to confront the emotional defences that prevent us from growing. A cup can be filled – a helmet cannot.

How to train your dragon... playing card style!

This post was inspired by a reading by a fellow member of the Order of the Black Ace. One of the cards in his monthly spread was the 9♥, which is one of the most difficult cards in the deck. In the original Playing Card Oracles, it was called Gilles de Rais, and in the Doors of Somlipith, it's Bluebeard.

Just to give you an idea of how challenging this card is, some of its meanings in the original PCO book include: overwhelming emotion; extremes of behaviour; compulsiveness; fears and insecurities; suspicions / jealousy; flowing tears / sorrow; compassion; humanitarian love. In the Doors of Somlipith, its keyword is dragon! Eek!

Definitely not a walk in the park, right? And it's very easy to get trapped in the illusion that this card means either total wretchedness or total holiness – in fact, I recall analysing the 9♥ many years ago from this perspective. But recently, my understanding of this card has evolved a bit.

More than just a sign of hazard, I'm beginning to see the 9♥ as a call to emotional mastery. Without recognizing our own inner voracity (the dragon), we cannot transform naturally selfish instincts into altruistic love. So, the following text summarizes some of my conclusions about it.

I think the 9♥ is one of the hardest cards to unravel, because of the way we tend to be susceptible to emotions. I can't think of anything that could throw us off balance and make us act unpredictably as much as emotions. Perfectly rational people can become nigh unrecognisable in the grip of powerful emotions such as passion, rage, grief...

But to merely cut away this possibility of extreme would be to block the waters of life itself. If you ever want to see what a world without the possibility of emotion is like, I recommend watching the 2002 film Equilibrium, in which a totalitarian regime maintains peace by subduing the populace's emotions with a drug. It goes to the opposite extreme... and still fails to solve the 'human problem'.

What is the lesson of the 9♥, then? I think 'humanitarianism' is too vague a word, to be honest. I believe the challenge is to acknowledge inside ourselves the possibility of extremes. We can be the cure, but we can also be the disease. So, our best shot is to recognise where our inner waters might be getting dammed up, poisoned, murky, even violent. Check if there are external or internal forces feeding this state. And, if the pressure is too much, seek proper channels of release, so that the dam doesn't collapse suddenly one day.

I once wrote that I believe Gilles de Rais / Bluebeard is the "vengeful twin" of the K♥, Nicomiah. He often shows up when the heart is thwarted for too long, bursting forth as a tidal wave to set things 'right'... usually by going to the other extreme. The way to deal with this is to learn to dialogue with this inner dragon, so as not to allow it to react emotionally in our place.

The dragon doesn't need to be killed, or locked away, It needs to be trained. It needs to be taught that it is not the only force that has a say in our lives. And it needs to be listened to, because it knows where our worst blockages – and our most dangerous emotional blindspots – are.

The 9♥ is a powerful card, and I don't think we are ever done mastering its lessons!

Revisiting the health reading

Keeping up my promise, here is a follow-up to the health reading I did last month, after going to the doctor.

Basically, the doctor doesn't know exactly what could be causing the intense pains after my ovulation. I have always been a bit achy during that time in my cycle (especially on the side of the ovary that is releasing the egg), but the discomfort has increased a lot in the last 6 months, and is actually impacting my day-to-day life.

Anyway, based on her clinical assessment, the doctor believes it may be a case of a more severe mittelschmerz, likely provoked by hemorrhagic cysts that cause peritoneal irritation. It's not uncommon and, although painful, it's not a symptom of anything dangerous. And it can be made worse by the fact that, around my age (late 30s), hormones can swing unpredictably.

I asked the doctor if other factors, unrelated to reproductive hormones, can contribute to the issue. She said that the usual – stress, bad sleep and unhealthy habits – can heighten pain sensitivity and increase inflammation.

So how does that relate to the reading I did? Well, apparently there is no lack of hormones, which is how I interpreted the 3♠ . However, the sudden hormonal swings can be contemplated by the 8♥, which I saw as a 'disorderly communication' between the head and the body. And the K♣ points to a 'disconnection' from one's body, probably due to stress caused by excessive mental demands.

How does the 3♠ connect to all this then? Well, as I have stated previously here, this card has appeared to me before as representing a "depressed state", regardless of the area it is referring to. In the Head position, it can mean a depressive mindset, with focus on scarcity and self-victimisation that takes away one's sense of agency and potency in life.

One thing I noticed only now is that the 3♠ is holding what appears to be a bundled baby. I'm a childfree woman and quickly approaching the age where pregnancy becomes riskier, if not inadvisable. So the symptoms could be unconsciously connected to the biological clock I have been pretty much ignoring. Not because I'm sure I don't want a child, but mainly because I have not reached the financial stability needed to provide for one.

And it's interesting to see that the spread has no Diamonds - the suit connected to financial resources -, and that the card of 'poverty' is in Head position, the one ruled by Diamonds too. The 'scarcity' mindset might be affecting me in more ways than I thought.

To sum it up, I think the reading did show that the body is imbalanced by a combination of sudden hormonal shifts (8♥) and a lifestyle that is not being very considerate to it (K♣). The problem is centred on the uterus and reproductive matters, as the A♥ has suggested to me. I kinda missed the mark when interpreting the 3♠, but this review has helped me to recover another interesting thread of interpretation.

As an extra note, this month's New Moon reading has inspired me to slow down a bit and become more mindful of my body to hear what it is saying. My habits are not 100% yet, but I'm working on them. I am also using herbal medicine to rebalance my hormones and ease my abdominal inflammation. Lo and behold… this month, I did not have such horrible pain!

A quick one with the Witch's Runes

I always keep a Witch's Runes set in my purse... just in case! I have two sets, one made of stone and another made of wood, both crafted by me, which makes them even more special.

Anyway, I don't usually get asked for instant readings but, a few of days ago, a friend asked for help. She was very upset about her working situation, as she has decided to change careers a couple of years ago, and the process is proving to be slower than she thought.

Recently, she has found an opportunity at a new office, and at first it seemed like a chance for a breakthrough. Now, a few months later... nothing seems to be happening and she is getting deflated again.

Her question was: Should I expect any changes in my professional situation in the coming months?

The first rune I pulled from the bag was the Crossroads and… it's definitely not a very good rune in this context. The Crossroads points to obstacles and delays in the situation at hand, requiring patience and ability to withstand frustration. Usually, our efforts go unnoticed or do not yield the expected results.

The second rune was the Romance, which apparently seems rather out of place in this reading. But we should not let its name mislead us, because Romance is not only about office affairs (although it can mean that!). It's about getting a spark, and having one's heart suddenly awakened by someone or something. Susan Sheppard writes that "the Romance rune denotes excitement and getting fired up by daring new plans and options" (p. 58).

The third rune was the Man, another rune of incredible dynamic power, that tends to speed things up. Rapid changes and surprising developments are to be expected. And, of course, as the name suggests, it can also represent a man.

Bring it all together, I think she can expect to remain in the doldrums for a while longer before the situation picks up. But this period of calm will end with a sudden inspiration or infatuation with a certain aspect of her work, which will likely involve the help of a man, perhaps a colleague or superior. Susan Sheppard says that the Romance rune is not only about sexual or romantic connections, but can also represent a mentor-student relationship. It makes me think that the final rune represents a male mentor, whose appearance will kick things into motion for my friend.

So yes, she should expect changes, though they will come slowly at first. She should be aware of opportunities to learn from others, especially more experienced professionals, who can open new doors to her and show her new possibilities.

A little YAY moment!

This is going to sound a bit silly, but I want to share my latest YAY moment!

I have owned my original Playing Card Oracles book since 2007. I took good care of it, but after almost 20 years of handling and reading, it started to become... worn. The inside pages were great, but the covers suffered. Over time, the transparent lamination started to peel off and became all wrinkled... Of course, none of this stopped me from reading and using the book, but it still made me sad, because it's one of my favorites!

A few days ago, I took the book to a local print shop that does bookbinding, and asked if they could transform it into a hardcover. And they said yes!

I must say, the result was incredible! If you didn't know what the original cover looked like, you wouldn't be able to tell it had been changed. Luckily, I managed to get high-resolution images of both the front and back covers (one of the advantages of working in the publishing industry), so the print quality is excellent. 

Some books really feel like friends to me, and my OG Playing Card Oracles edition is no exception. So I'm really happy to have it renewed and ready to accompany me on oracle adventures for another 20 years!

New Moon Reading: In the reflection pool of the self

I won't lie – this spread has been puzzling me for days. This is more like a tentative exercise of interpretation than a definite forecast.

First, this reading has a mirror-like quality to it. The two top, upright Hearts cards seem to be reflected by the two bottom, upside-down Spade cards. We even have two Ladies, the 10♥ (Allegra) and the 10♠ (Terrene), and it is as if they were looking at their own reflections in a lake, the water surface represented by the 4♥ (West Wind). And the A♠ acts as the bottom of the lake, the earthly basin that contains the waters of emotion.

Second, we have the suits, Hearts and Spades, Water and Earth. They are complementary suits, and Ana Cortez calls them 'the gravitational pair'. This tells me the coming cycle is more likely to focus on stability, comfort, and emotional responses connected to physical reality (as opposed to emotions awakened, say, by fantasy or creative work). The cards in this spread are mostly positive, so this suit combination feels cosy to me.

Third, we have a dignified card: the A♠ (Terra Incognita) in the Foot position. This card is all about things that are yet to be unveiled or unearthed. In the Doors of Somlipith, this card's keyword is "I am", and I feel this is Terra Incognita's riddle to us: who are we? What kernel of inner truth makes us remain us through the constant changes of reality? And how do we reconnect with this kernel, in order to not be swept away by surrounding hullabaloo?

The A♠ is always a reminder that, behind our masks, we are all bones. And this 'stripping down' appears in the sequence of the spread too: from passionate Allegra, blindfolded and following the whims of her heart, to humble Terrene, naked and communing with the Earth itself. We need to quiet our endless seeking and sit down with ourselves a bit. Look at our own reflection and ponder what complementary aspects of ourselves still need to be developed. Ways of changing and becoming that do not involve tearing down what was, but rather building upon what already is, in ways that create balance.

In a nutshell: I feel that this Lunar cycle will be an introspective one, focused on the physical and emotional needs, rather than on creative expression, spiritual fulfilment or intellectual goals. Perhaps we will not feel as inspired or passionate as we would like, but the still waters will invite us to look at our own reflection – and beyond. The transformation we seek will not come from a soul-shattering revelation, but rather from a quiet unveiling of who we are when all veneer is stripped away. Here, we have the opportunity to move from 'chasing' to 'being'.