Articles By Mel and Chris

About Mel and Chris

We’re both full-time professional astrologers with more than 30 years experience (studying, teaching, writing and consulting) individually. We met several years ago while doing online consultations and have been collaborating on weekly and monthly horoscopes for the last five years.

Oct 29 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 29, 2015 — Queen of Wands

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

Queen of Wands

Today is a day for expressing yourself a little more colorfully and dramatically than you’re probably used to.

It may be a call for you to step outside of your comfort zone and show the rest of the world what you’re made of.

This is the Steampunk Tarot’s version of the Queen of Wands. She’s creative and charismatic, with a keen sense of fashion and a flair for drama.

She may be someone in your life, an event or a part of yourself. She may be a supervisor, a parent, a friend or even some facet of yourself that has long been dormant.

She has a lot of fiery Goddess energy and can teach you a thing or two about leading with your heart.

The reds and golds in this card bring to mind things like like passion, drive, energy and creative self-expression. But there’s an enigmatic quality to this Queen as well, with the self-conscious draping of her bold costume against the backdrop of such a vibrant setting.

If you’ve been hiding in the shadows or downplaying some of the more expressive aspects of your personality, now is the time to step up and be seen. The Queen of Wands encourages you to get out there and put your best foot forward, in whatever capacity you can.

Oct 28 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 28, 2015 — Heron

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Heron

Today you may be feeling torn between two competing interests or desires and at a loss as to which one one you want to follow.

You may be thinking about where you fit in in the world and the contributions you’ve made. Or like the Heron in this card, you may be reflecting on what you want for yourself.

As difficult as it is to balance these dual desires, you may find yourself at an impasse. It’s hard to feed one set of urges without feeling like you’re neglecting the other.

You may need to take the time to reflect, much like the Heron in this card. This is the Animal Wisdom Tarot’s version of the Two of Swords — called the Two of Feathers in this deck.

Here we see him gazing down at his reflection in a tranquil pool. A crescent moon shines in the night sky, illuminating the pair of feathers that are crisscrossed on the water’s surface.

As the Two of Swords often refers to inaction and immobility, you might take a page from the Heron’s book and use that inertia to reflect on your options before you make a move.

While you may normally be prone to “act first and think later,” today it’s probably going to be best for you to hold back and weigh your options instead. In doing so you may just be able to find a way to satisfy both sets of urges.

Oct 27 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 27, 2015 — The Stars

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The Stars

Today’s Full Moon at 3° Taurus is in the sign — and at the exact degree — of its exaltation. The Full Moon lights up the night sky so brightly that it makes it difficult sometimes to see the Stars. But that doesn’t mean they’re not there.

Look at the figure in this card — from the stunning Samurai Tarot. He kneels down in a shallow tide pool and gazes up at the night sky, only to be rewarded by its panoramic splendor.

This card is about getting perspective. Putting your faith in the Universe. Seeing where you fit in in the Cosmos. Getting in touch with your own capacity for awe and reverence. And feeling inspired by nature and the beauty that surrounds you.

Notice how ocean spray seems to come to life in this image, brought on by the glow of the Full Moon and stars. Animal and human figures take shape, only to shift and change before your eyes. (For me what started out as a ceremonial dragon turned into Samurai warrior and oriental lion).

This tells you that things aren’t always as they appear and that you do have some say in the reality you create.

This card is all about synchronicity and serendipity. It’s a card of Hope and Faith in the Universe. It tells you that in spite of all your trials and tribulations, everything is as it should be, and in the end everything is going to be alright.

It invites you to open your eyes and see the vastness of the world around you, the billions of stars in the night sky and the billions of people that make up humanity.

It comes as a reminder that even in in the midst of all the chaos that surrounds you, there is still room for growth. There’s still love, peace, beauty, harmony and compassion. There’s still the promise of forgiveness, redemption and salvation.

Oct 26 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 26, 2015 — Knight of Pentacles

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Knight of Pentacles

Today’s Venus Jupiter conjunction (with Mars nearby) is still shining brightly in the sky. These planets are all lined up in Virgo now — visible in the early morning hours — the sign associated with work, duty, discipline and service.

If you’re thinking about ways to increase your income or conserve the income you already have, it’s a good time to get an early start.

But the Knight of Pentacles is not just about about making money. It’s about preserving your resources while maximizing your potential so that you’re always at least one step ahead of the game.

This is the essence of the Knight of Pentacles. Taking advantage of opportunities as they present themselves so that you’re always working toward your goals. It’s that unique combination of instinct and strategy that guarantees your success.

There may be “mysterious forces” at work here too. Notice the Knight’s stallion in this card from the beautiful Prisma Visions Tarot. It’s not a stallion at all, but a magical unicorn feasting on the giant berries that flourish at its feet. And the tree is etched with colorful esoteric symbols. Call it luck or call it fate, there are indications here that you’re able to align yourself with unseen cycles and trends.

Whether you’re working on generating more income, saving for the future or paying down debts, you can make a lot of headway toward securing your financial independence. The spirit of adventure is not lost here: it’s still a big part of this process. But it’s the foresight and efficiency with which you go about achieving your goals that makes them so achievable in the end.

Oct 25 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 25, 2015 — Ten of Cups

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Ten of Cups

Today’s Venus / Jupiter conjunction should bring feelings of gratitude and fulfillment to the forefront for you.

This aspect — and today’s card, the Ten of Cups from the gorgeous Archeon Tarot — speaks of achieving something worth acknowledging and celebrating, as seen in the imagery of this card.

It represents fulfillment and security; a solid foundation of abundance and prosperity, and the sense that you have built something you can take pride in.

This extends well beyond financial or material security. It’s more about family, lasting friendships and a sense of comfort — in your home and your community — surrounded by people you love.

You want to align yourself with a vibration of gratitude as the Ten of Cups speaks of not only getting what you’ve “asked” for (via the principles of law of attraction) but also being thankful for all that you’ve received.

It’s not the time to think about what is lacking in your life but rather what makes it complete. And while you don’t want to be resting on your laurels, it’s important to acknowledge those who are most important to you and who keep your cup continuously full.

Take time today to let those nearest and dearest to you know how important they are. While the Ten of Cups is also said to indicate the culmination of something, that doesn’t mean you’ve come to the end of the road. This card is all about embracing all you’ve established through your connections and interactions with those who matter most — with your family, friends and loved ones.

Oct 24 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 24, 2015 — Two of Rods

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Two of Rods

You may feel like you’re at a cross-roads today — fretting over decisions that are weighing heavily on your mind, and afraid of making the wrong move.

This version of the Two of Rods — from the Anna K Tarot — illustrates this dilemma beautifully. There are several different paths to take but no clear direction. And no idea what is on the other side.

In this respect the Two of Rods is as much about trust as it is about action. Trusting that whatever path you take will lead you to where you need to be.

Mars and Uranus are in inconjunct today. This is a rather tense aspect that can see you at odds between what you are motivated to do (Mars) and whatever curve-balls the Universe wants to throw your way (Uranus).

It may be frustrating, but look at the figure in this card. He’s not getting anywhere by plopping himself down on the side of the road and worrying about taking the wrong path. He may be avoiding pitfalls by sitting there doing nothing, but he’s also missing out on potential opportunities.

The Two of Rods says that while you may not have all the information you need to make an informed decision, you’re still better off doing something rather than allowing yourself to become paralyzed by fear. This card encourages you to pick yourself up and dust yourself off and be willing to take a stand.

Oct 23 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 23, 2015 — Page of Cups

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Page of Cups

Today is a day of getting in touch with your feelings and working on processing your emotions.

The Sun moves into Scorpio today, just as the Moon moves into Pisces and Venus trines Pluto. With all this watery emotional energy, is it any wonder you’re feeling self-conscious or maybe even a little shy?

These transits fit in beautifully with this version of the Page of Cups — from the Mary-el Tarot — and the intricate fish and water symbols etched on the Page’s skin.

You may be feeling overly sentimental or self-protective today. Or like the Page in this card you may feel like keeping your feelings to yourself. The Page of Cups is gentle and tender-hearted, but can have difficulty expressing emotions.

Although the pale blues in the background of this card are linked to the throat chakra and the concept of expressing ideas, you may be feeling so sensitive and vulnerable that you have trouble putting your feelings into words.

It may be preferable for you to think about ways to tap into your own rich inner world today, rather than reaching out to others for comfort.

The soft hues in this card and the gentle energy exhibited by the Page are also reminiscent of healing, purity, and a soothing calm energy that you can access to restore peace and harmony. Take some time today to bring these images to life and hear what they have to say.

Oct 22 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 22, 2015 — Three of Swords

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Three of Swords

With Mercury squaring Pluto today, you may have to work to keep your troubled thoughts at bay.

This transit can intensify fears and insecurities and leave you questioning what you believe in and what you know to be true.

Look at the figure in this card — the Three of Cups from the gorgeous Sun and Moon Tarot. He’s probably seen better days.

He sits on a cloud and ruminates on his broken heart… or is it all in his imagination? This is one of the problems that can arise with Mercury square Pluto. The focus is on what could possibly go wrong, bringing doubts and fears and paranoid delusions to the surface.

The Three of Swords can refer genuine feelings of loss of course. It can represent a breakup or heartache or even a sense of being stabbed in the back. But make sure that what you’re dealing with is real (and deserves your attention) and not just all in you head.

If you’re dealing with the aftermath of something real today, take some time to tend to your broken heart. It won’t do you any good to ignore it, but sitting around ruminating on your loss can make it seem so much worse than it is.

You may be hurting to the core of your very being — but know that it may be a necessary part of your story and that you do have it within your own power to prevail. The Three of Swords serves as a powerful reminder that each of us has it within us to overcome adversity and to come out stronger and wiser in the end.

Oct 21 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 21, 2015 — Six of Pentacles

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Six of Pentacles

Today you may be called upon to open your heart and loosen your purse strings, as a measure of generosity and goodwill.

The Six of Pentacles is a card of abundance and good-will. It’s about aligning yourself with the concept of money as energy that both flows to you and from you with ease. You neither hold onto it too tightly (as with the fours) or worry that you don’t deserve it (as with the fives).

The Six of Pentacles is all about benevolence — giving what you can afford to give: whether it’s of your time, your money or your energy — to someone who needs it more than you do.

This card speaks of understanding the pathways between giving and receiving, to the extent that there are no expectations for being repaid. You give because you can and because the gratitude you receive in exchange is more than enough reward.

The woman in this card — from the Crystal Visions Tarot — collects ripe fruits and berries from the trees in a forest clearing. She shares them with the birds that flock around her, or are they sharing them with her? This is a reference to the give and take that is a theme in the Six of Pentacles, and a reminder that what you put out there comes back to you in one way or another. In this respect the Six of Pentacles invites you to pay attention and be grateful for the blessings you receive.

It represents prosperity, generosity and benevolence. So while you may be called upon to lend a helping hand, you may also be the benefactor of someone else’s generosity. Either way this card speaks of both “spreading the wealth” and “paying it forward,” each of which requires a measure of gratitude.

Oct 20 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 20, 2015 — Four of Swords

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Four of Swords

You may feel like you need to take a breather today or just focus on getting some much needed rest.

This version of the Four of Swords — from the World Spirit Tarot — stresses the need for a spiritual retreat as much as it does a physical recuperation, although both may be on your radar today.

Three of the four swords are placed within the stained glass church windows that are positioned above the woman in this card. They point up toward the heavens. The fourth one is mounted horizontally beneath her, a reference to the need for stillness and quiet.

The crutch off to the side indicates a need for rest and recovery. It may be figurative or literal. You may have overextended yourself in recent days or pushed yourself past the point of exhaustion and are now faced with the consequences of having taken on too much.

Like the woman in this card, you may just need to take some time away from all the noise and distractions that surround you.

Take some time today for yourself, and listen to the needs of your body (and your soul). If you can’t get away there are other ways to regain your sanity. Meditation, breathwork, self-imposed silence, etc. — any one of these can help you to de-stress and restore your equilibrium.

Oct 19 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 19, 2015 — Six of Vessels

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Six of Vessels

Today’s card — the Six of Vessels from the Wildwood Tarot — is this deck’s version of the Six of Cups.

It’s a card of innocence and purity, pristine beauty and a joyful, lighthearted playfulness that is seen in the pair of otters who are just getting ready to test the waters.

This is clearly a sacred space which picture postcard beauty made up of lush foliage, a trickling waterfall, and six glowing bowls that float on the surface of a tranquil pool like a scattering of lotus blossoms.

A grove of trees springs up from a hill in the background, shielding this scene from the rest of the world. And this in many ways is the essence of the Six of Vessels.

This card is called “Reunion” in this deck, a reference perhaps to reuniting with your true purpose. Getting in touch with your childhood, your roots and yourself.

The Moon is in Capricorn today, conjuncting Pluto at some point and trining Venus, Mars and Jupiter. All of this Earth energy (the North Node is in Virgo now too — another earth sign) can awaken in you a desire to get back in touch with nature.

Take some time today to find your own sacred space; and reflect on the things that have brought you to where you are today. If you can’t get away you can still recapture some of the magic of those simpler times, and use it to restore your sense of peace.

Oct 18 2015

Weekly Astro Forecast — Oct 18 – Oct 24, 2015

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Here is the Ask the Astrologers Weekly Astrology Forecast for the week of Oct 18 – Oct 24, 2015:

This week starts with Mars / Jupiter conjunction visible in early morning hours over the eastern skyline. The conjunction itself was exact on the the 17th (late in the evening) but will be visible — with Venus visible as well and inching closer — for the entire week.