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 18 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 18, 2015 — Nine of Cups

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Nine of Cups

Who says you can’t have it all? Who says that every single thing that you could possibly wish for isn’t right there within your reach?

Think about what makes you truly happy and chances are good it’s the simple things in life. Home, family, friends, health, material comforts and peace of mind. This is what the Nine of Cups is all about and if you’re not where you want to be just yet, think of ways to change that.

The Nine of Cups — this version from the beautiful Cosmic Tarot — is about manifesting your heart’s desires. Nothing is taken for granted and nothing is left to chance. It’s about aligning yourself with the universal laws of attraction and getting what you deserve.

The Nine Cups in this card are always full. They’re filled with love, gratitude and abundance, which are endlessly intertwined. They’re filled with hopes and dreams and miracles which are yours for the taking.

The Nine of Cups is a card of satisfaction, fulfillment and contentment. It speaks of being more than just satisfied with your lot in life, but also feeling truly blessed and grateful with where you are.

This card is called “Happiness” in some decks and the “Wish card” in others. But those aren’t always the same thing. So be careful what you wish for as it may or may not bring you happiness.

Take some time to think about what you really want today — and don’t forget to be grateful for what you already have. There’s an intricate balance between gratitude and personal fulfillment, so make sure you’re putting enough energy and effort into both.

Oct 17 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 17, 2015 — Six of Wands

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Six of Wands

Today’s Mars / Jupiter conjunction makes it a good day to strut your stuff and show the rest of the world what you’re made of.

It’s a day for being recognized and validated for a job well done. Whether it’s on the job or in your personal relationships, chances are good you’ve accomplished something you can be proud of.

You may have been putting a lot of effort into your work and not even realizing that others have taken notice. Or you could be unexpectedly pulled aside by a loved one, just to tell you how much you’re valued.

The Six of Wands is a card of appreciation and admiration. You “win” something and have earned the right to be satisfied with the spoils of your victory. This isn’t about ego or conceit and it’s never at someone else’s expense. There’s a strong sense of being supported and lifted up by others who rejoice right along with you.

Like the cat with his mouse in this version of the card — from the Phantomwise Tarot — you should be feeling proud of what you’ve accomplished and not afraid to bask a bit in your glory.

If you’re in line for a promotion, an award or some other form of external validation, be ready to embrace it as confirmation that you’ve earned it and deserve it. But don’t forget to thank the little people — those who have lifted you up and helped you along the way.

Oct 16 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 16, 2015 — Eight of Cups

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Eight of Cups

Today you may be asking yourself just what is it that you are trying to hold on to? This is the Ceccoli Tarot’s version of the Eight of Cups, a card typically associated with finding yourself caught within the confines of your own self-created prison.

The image on this card shows that there are things, whether outer or inner, that you are holding on to or bottling up inside. But notice there are only seven birds — six inside one on the outside: where is the final bird? It’s you of course if you’re ready to free yourself from your cage.

Something like this usually comes out in the end and you may need to do some serious thinking to work out what you are going to do next.

Be careful that you do not find yourself holding so much in that it explodes like fireworks causing an argument or friction with someone close to you. With Mars trining Pluto today the urge to purify and release whatever pent up energy you’re holding onto is strong.

If you have been doing too much or burning the midnight oil a little then you need to slow down.

There is light at the end of the tunnel as can be seen from the bird outside the cage yet you need to let go of something first to be able to feel free as this will lead you onto your next step down a path that is not as constricting as the one you are now on.

If you find yourself holding onto old grudges, thinking to settle or even a score then perhaps it is time to let go as the only person this will hurt and hinder is yourself. Remember the eighth and final bird is you, so be willing to open the door on your cage and set yourself free.

Oct 15 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 15, 2015 — The High Priestess

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High Priestess

Today it’s going to be all about getting in touch with your intuition, listening to your inner voice and exploring the intricate workings of your psyche.

The High Priestess — this version from Daba Driscoll’s beautiful Tarot of Trees — represents a need to turn inward and look for the deeper meanings in your life; it challenges you to look beneath the surface and find hidden nuggets of information that can help you round out the vast reservoirs of knowledge you already possess.

It speaks of insight and awareness, psychic perceptions and intuition, and a sense of “knowing” even when there is not a factual basis for it.

In this version of the card, the High Priestess is represented by an ornate and mysterious tree, seated in a crescent Moon and framed by twin pillars which curve around it like an all-seeing eye.

The tree’s branches curve intricately up toward the heavens while the roots hold pomegranates, which are seen as fertility symbols in some cultures and forbidden fruits in others.

The High Priestess is at home in the world of arcane knowledge and esoterica. She’s both young and old, masculine and feminine, innocent and wise. She is the keeper of secrets, knowledge and mystery.

You may be getting more in touch with your own intuition or experiencing profound instances or deja vu or synchronicity. It’s important to embrace these visions and try to understand them, rather than shying away from them. They can bring insights into not only your own personal choices, but the direction you need to be heading in the coming days.

Oct 14 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 14, 2015 — Two of Water

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Two of Water

Today is a good day to reach out to someone who needs a helping hand and show them how much you care.

The Two of Water is the Vision Quest Tarot’s version of the Two of Cups, a card most often associated with a mutual attraction, love at first sight and the initial stages of falling in love. It’s called “Love” in this deck and the hands that are joined together — one male and one female — are reminiscent of that very ideal.

In addition to the pair of hands, there are two flowing streams and two sets of vines, both of which join together to become one. Bonds are created throughout the imagery in this card, all merging together in perfect harmony.

The Two of Water seems to be as much about coming together and supporting one another as it does the romanticized idyllic version of love. And we know that love takes on many forms and is experienced in a multitude of ways.

It’s the process of falling in love that reveals to us ourselves at our very best. It’s where we put our best version of ourselves forward and the Universe responds by opening up unanticipated doors.

The Two of Water can refer to that love at first sight sense of finding your other half. It’s the mutual attraction card, the soulmate card, and so much more. It’s the process of falling in love or renewing a love connection that replenishes itself over time.

If you meet someone new today consider it an opportunity for growth. It could be the yin to your yang — or it could just be a friend who shows you the true meaning of the word. You may also be working on revamping your current connection or reuniting with a loved one. Whichever it is, be grateful for the opportunity to see yourself through someone else’s eyes.

Oct 13 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 13, 2015 — The Moon

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The Moon

Today’s New Moon in Libra is good time to get in touch with your feelings and emotions, and to work on getting a better understanding of your doubts, insecurities and fears.

The Moon card is tied to the hidden and mysterious realm of the unconscious, from which all of our instincts and emotions arise. When we’re aligned with that part of ourselves and in sync with our emotions, everything seems to just fall into place — and when we’re not, all hell can break loose.

The key is to cultivate a willingness to embrace these elements, like the woman in this card — from the gorgeous Tarot de St. Croix — who plunges to the depths of a shimmering pool, reaching for the Moon. The Lunar cycle is represented here with the New Moon high in the Night Sky and the Full Moon deep in the realm of emotions (water).

The Lotus blossoms symbolize purity and enlightenment and the pillars upon which they rise represent the union of opposites which is also expressed through the waning and waxing Moons.

You may be grappling with irrational fears and anxieties, wondering how much of what you’re feeling is real. The Moon card can indicate a distorted perception of reality, based on your own apprehensions.

The Moon card can also represent confusion, uncertainty or paranoia, especially if you’re trying to analyze things logically, which is foreign to the realm of the Moon. It can make you feel disoriented and unsettled. Just as we can’t fully appreciate the beauty of the Moon in the light of day (consciousness), we struggle to grasp its archetypal meaning through the lens of logic or reason.

You can quiet your fears by reminding yourself that you won’t be left permanently in the dark. The Moon card reminds us that things are still “up in the air” and that the future has not yet been written. There’s still much to do and still time time to achieve the outcome you desire. You can work on curtailing some of the more harrowing elements of this card (doubt, fear, suspicion and paranoia) and tap into the more uplifting aspects (intuition, perception, sensitivity and discernment) instead.

Oct 12 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Dec 9, 2015 — Queen of Wands

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Queen of Wands

This is a good day for standing out in a crowd and showcasing your many talents.

Whether you’re trying to make an impression at work or are hoping to leave your mark on the world in other ways, you should have no problem making your presence known.

The Queen of Wands — this version from Dana Driscoll’s Tarot of Trees — is warm, vibrant, confident and creative. She knows how to lead with her heart and to garner the respect of others.

She embodies the feminine or yin aspects of Fire (wands) energy: warmth, enthusiasm, energy and drive. She’s regal and majestic; dynamic and refined; confident and authoritative. She’s creative, expressive and passionate. She’s also very worldly and knowledgeable.

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.

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 12 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 12, 2015 — Page of Pentacles

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Page of Pentacles

Today you may be feeling more inspired and ready to put some of your bigger ideas into practice.

The Page of Pentacles speaks of a enthusiasm, anticipation and a sense of promise over plans that may have been swimming around your head for some time, but that you haven’t done anything about. Until now.

It refers to dreams and ideals that may not even be fully formed. There’s an air of anticipation that goes with wanting to see them come to fruition and that may have just needed a nudge to turn them into reality.

The Page of Pentacles — this version from the beautiful Gypsy Palace Tarot — is a both a self-made individual and a work in progress. But it’s not all about “work” in the sense that it’s tedious or uninspiring. It’s about craftsmanship and inspiration as seen in the colorful figure in this card.

You could find yourself putting the finishing touches on half-finished projects in order to clear the way for something else. You could be polishing off your resume, purchasing business attire, or boning up on your studies, in anticipation of something bigger and better on the horizon. Or you could be getting ready to start something brand new — like heading off to college.

The Page of Pentacles is excited about creating something and perfecting it, whether it’s on the job or in other areas of his life. Whether this refers to you personally or to someone in your life who reflects these qualities, the idea is to take the ball and run with it. While you may be overwhelmed with the work that’s set out before you, if anyone is up to the task it’s you.

Oct 11 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 11, 2015 — Nine of Swords

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Nine of Swords

Today you may have to confront your fears or face the music about something that you’re not too comfortable with.

The Nine of Swords — this version from the beautiful Prisma Visions Tarot — speaks of needing to face your fears and acknowledging your own part in whatever predicaments you’re facing.

This is sometimes called the “nightmare” card. It refers to the apprehension and fear we experience upon waking up from a bad dream. And when we’re forced to confront a real-life situation that has taken on nightmarish proportions, it can be just as traumatic.

There’s a true sense of terror and foreboding in this card. A young boy stands in the the midst of a snowstorm, barefoot and unprotected from the harsh winter elements. Before him flaps a giant squawking bird, his menacing teeth bared and ready to strike.

He may not know how he’s called this situation to him, but it’s clear to him now that he must stand up and face it. He has no other choice.

Like the boy in this card, you may have created a situation — or contributed to one — that now has you terrified of the consequences. You may feel like running away from your problems, or pulling the blankets back over your head.

But you’ll find that not confronting your demons and tackling the situation head on only makes them more harrowing. While it may be hard to admit, avoiding responsibility for something you’ve created yourself will only exacerbate your problems.

The Nine of Swords is strangely empowering as it forces you to face your fears. There’s no more hiding or avoiding, as the circumstances in your life put them right in your path. You may have to remind yourself that it’s never as bad as it seems; that it was only a nightmare and that everything will look better with the dawn of a new day.

Oct 10 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 10, 2015 — Eight of Nature

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Eight of Nature

The Moon’s North Node moves into Virgo today, for the first time in around 19 years. Because the Nodes are always in polarity with one another, this moves the South Node into Pisces.

One potential manifestation for the Nodes moving into Virgo / Pisces is a collective shift in consciousness toward toward service to others, which begins with an understanding of ourselves. As in where we fit in in the world as mirrored through our own perceptions.

The Moon’s Nodes are naturally retrograde, which means they move backwards (or counter-clockwise) through the zodiac. There’s emphasis on clearing up past life karma through this retrograde motion, and creating new karma in the process.

The Eight of Nature card is the Tarot of Origins version of the Eight of Wands. This version focuses less (way less) on the movement and activity usually seen in the Eight of Wands and more on introspection and soul searching.

There are also elements here of history, progress and evolution. Notice the man’s face which has been carved into the driftwood. One side has a primate-like appearance and the other depicts the visage of an ancient man. The driftwood curves upwards and branches off in two different directions, one side circling the rising sun and the other off into unknown regions.

The Eight of Wands is known as a messenger card, and notice the tiny blackbird perched on the branch. Is he bringing a message to you or ready to deliver one of your own? The blackbird as an animal totem is tied to consciousness, the higher mind, mystery and magic.

Today is a day for unraveling secrets of your own. Looking back over your past, retracing your heritage, and thinking about the steps that have been taken to lead you to where you are today. Pay attention to messages you receive during this time and be mindful of those you send out to others.

Oct 09 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 9, 2015 — Ace of Swords

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Ace of Swords

Mercury goes direct at 0° Libra today, bringing with it the need to move forward again in terms of problem-solving and communication skills. After three weeks in retrograde motion, we can expect to see these areas to move ahead again, and to clear up some earlier communications missteps and misunderstandings.

Mercury in Libra calls for more discretion, diplomacy and harmony, and encourages us to be more objective in our thinking. Much like the Ace of Swords — this version from the Crystal Tarot — it invites us to cut through the confusion and uncertainty, and adopt a clearer perspective.

You can see the Libra need for balance in the mirror images of the crescent moons that frame this card, They represent the Crescent and Balsamic Moons, which fall on either side are the new Moon. The current Moon is in fact Balsamic, as it moves toward the Libra New Moon. These crescent Moon symbols are repeated on the Sword’s hilt.

Today’s Moon also conjuncts Mars, an aspect that is beautifully referenced here with the Sword plunging into the depth’s of the ocean (emotions) and piercing the crab on its floor. The Crab is associated astrologically with the sign Cancer, which is the ruler of the Moon.

It reminds us of the need to get a handle on our emotions as we strive for more clarity and perspective.

It’s up to you to decide how you want to wield your sword. Are you ready to stand up for what you believe in, even if it goes against status quo expectations? Are you ready to make a decision about something you were unsure about in the past? Are you ready to take back your power?

You want to be conscious about what you “put out there” today — through your words and through your actions. The Ace of Swords encourages you to speak truthfully, but to do so from the heart. Be considerate of the feelings of others: remember that words can be both helpful and hurtful, so use yours wisely.

Oct 08 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 8, 2015 — Eight of Pentacles

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Eight of Pentacles

As Venus enters Virgo today, you may be thinking more about perfecting your skills and honing your craft.

The Eight of Pentacles — this version from the Sun and Moon Tarot — is called the “apprenticeship” card, a reference to the dedication that is put into refining everything you do into something you can be proud of.

It refers to taking on an interest — a brand new one or a lifelong dream — and devoting yourself fully to it. It doesn’t have to be career related, but because it’s a labor of love wouldn’t it be great if it were? Doing what you love and seeing the money follow is something we all aspire to achieve.

It can be as simple as being 100 % focused on your work and wanting to show the powers that be your level of dedication and service. And it can be as innovative as taking something you are uniquely capable of and turning it into a career.

The Eight of Pentacles (as well as Venus in Virgo) can refer to an all-work / no-play mentality. But this is all relative, as the hours that you’re putting in will likely not feel like “work” at all. Not if you truly love what you do. This is about being fully engrossed in what you’re learning, creating or developing.

Take some time today — even if you’re still somewhere punching that clock — and think about what you really want to be doing. Chances are good that once you start seriously thinking about your options, taking steps toward making them happen will come to you naturally.