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 07 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 7, 2015 — The Devil

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

The Devil

As Mars opposes Neptune today, you may be thinking about ways to escape from the limitations in your life that have been holding you back. As Neptune is associated with confusion, uncertainty, escapism and avoidance, it’s very possible that the restrictions you find yourself struggling against have all been self-imposed.

The Devil card — this version from the gorgeous Japaridze Tarot — encourages you to move past some of the restrictions you’ve imposed on yourself, particularly with respect to the more unsavory emotions — jealousy, anger, paranoia, fear, etc.

The Devil in this card is a vibrant yet frightening combination of ominous symbols and machinery. There are spikes and gears and flames and misshapen wheels, with a dark and gloomy tower in the background and bats flying overhead.

It’s a surreal painting — the stuff the nightmares are made of and things that go bump in the night. Much like a Mars / Neptune opposition, it’s hard to tells just what is going on here, other than the fervent desire to wake up and make it all go away.

The chains that bind you are not only holding you back but are largely self-imposed. Ask yourself what is preventing you from breaking them? The answer is negative emotions, self-doubts and fears.

If you have a bigger monkey on your back — such as addiction or another unhealthy form of debauchery — now is also the time to come clean with yourself about it and get it taken care of. Whatever it is, know that the Devil card is here to remind you that only you can reclaim your power. You can liberate yourself from the chains that bind you only if you’re brave enough to face them first.

Oct 06 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 6, 2015 — Knight of Vessels

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Knight of Vessels

Today is a day for going after your heart’s desires with the kind of purpose and agility that can take you as far as you’re willing to go.

This is the Wildwood Tarot’s version of the Knight of Cups, the card that is generally associated with a man who’s ready to fall in love and who’s not afraid to wears his heart on his sleeve.

In this version it’s the Knight of Vessels, portrayed by an eel, weaving in and out of danger as he glides toward his objective.

As a water spirit animal totem, the Eel is representative of the Kundalini life force energy. It’s associated with focused energy, creativity, sexuality, passion and transformation.

The Eel is a mutable and “electrifying” shapeshifter. He’s purposeful and swift, yet he glides through the water (emotions) with such ease and agility that he’s able to adapt his physical form to accommodate the ever-changing tides.

The Knight of Vessels invites you to adopt this same sort of adaptability as you go off chasing your own goals. It invites you to weave in and out of the opportunities to present themselves, steering clear of “danger” while moving effortlessly toward your own objectives.

You may be thinking about going off on an adventure; if so don’t be surprised if it includes romance. Alternately you may be planning a trip on your own, getting away from it all, or heading off into the unchartered territories. Whatever you decide, this card calls for you to unleash your power and go after your goals with the same kind of purpose and passion that is demonstrated here.

Oct 05 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 5, 2015 — Nine of Pentacles

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Nine of Pentacles

Today’s Sun / Jupiter inconjunct may have you thinking about all of the opportunities in your life while still trying to find a way to keep your feet planted firmly on the ground.

The Nine of Pentacles — this version from the beautiful Yoga Tarot — refers to a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, not just for all you’ve achieved but also for all that is still out there and yours for the taking.

This is a good time to count your blessings and to express gratitude for all of the wonderful things you’ve accomplished in your life. speaks of shifting your attitude to one of gratitude. It speaks of seeing your ship coming in and knowing that you’ve called it to you — via the laws of abundance and attraction.

The Nine of Pentacles represents that intricate and fulfilling balance between expressing gratitude and achieving prosperity. It refers to developing a prosperity consciousness, knowing that the Universe offers up unlimited abundance to those who do.

It also refers to that sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing that you are where you are not because you’ve been lucky or have been the benefactor of someone else’s generosity. It’s been your own hard work and determination (seen in the Eight of Pentacles) that’s led you to where you are today.

We all know (in theory) that all the money in the world won’t buy us happiness if it’s acquired without passion. Yet we keep on wanting more of it, and find ourselves struggling with the idea of figuring out how much is “enough.”

The Nine of Pentacles challenges us to not only answer that question but to examine our personal values as well. Money is just one form “values” and is usually the one we pay the most attention to. We need to be mindful of the temptation to overlook one set of values for another, especially when it involves compromising our principles.

Oct 04 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 4, 2015 — King of Pentacles

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King of Pentacles

It’s good to be “King!” Especially the King of Pentacles which is all about abundance, affluence, benevolence and an appreciation for the finer things in life.

This card refers to a prominent, enterprising, success-oriented individual. He (or she) has a bit of the Midas touch, knows how to attract wealth and knows how to make good use of it — neither squandering it nor spending it frivolously.

The King of Pentacles is clothed in the finest royal attire. Yet he’s also very open and generous.There’s not an ounce of stinginess or pettiness about this King. If this is someone coming into your life, know that he or she is there to teach you those qualities. Qualities like shrewdness, discipline and business acumen.

If this card represents you in your current capacity, don’t forget the little people — those who’ve helped you get to where you are today and have celebrated your success. Perhaps you’ve invested your energy into a business that’s paying off, or maybe you’re seeing results in other areas, such as a relationship that’s showing signs of renewal, or a child that has blossomed under your careful guidance. Whatever it is, you can be sure that it’s your skill and acumen that’s steering the course of success.

But if, on the other hand, you’ve been focusing too much on what you lack or what’s been missing in your life, it’s time to rethink the messages that you’re sending out to the Universe. You may be reluctant to delegate responsibility to others. The phrase “if you want something done you may as well do it yourself” speaks directly to you, but may not always be in your best interests.

If you struggle with trusting that things will get done without your input, keep in mind that giving up control and allowing others to show you what they’re made of can benefit you more in the end. Remember the universal laws of attraction: they’re as present as ever in this card. You ‘ll need to shift your energies to those of gratitude and prosperity-consciousness in order to fully appreciate the blessings of this King.

Oct 03 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 3, 2015 — Five of Wands

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Five of Wands

You may be feeling like you’re being tossed about in a sea of uncertainty today as the turbulence that surrounds you threatens to disrupt the calm you so desperately crave.

The Five of Wands — this version from the Connolly Tarot — can indicate a sense of feeling overpowered or ganged up on. It commands you to take control of a situation that’s creating conflict in your life.

You may be embroiled in bitter disagreements with others (the traditional meaning of this card) or — like the figure we see in this version — moving against the tide.

In this respect you may feel like you’re out of sync with the rest of the world, fighting a losing battle, or up against insurmountable odds.

The Five of Wands represents conflict, strife, obstacles and challenges. It compels you to put up your dukes and fight, but before you do you might want to ask yourself, what exactly are you fighting for?

If you’re engaged in a battle of wills with someone, you may have to look at your role in the conflict. Pushing your views on others (or refusing to acknowledge theirs) can result in your winding up alone.

The important thing to remember is that most disagreements are based on misunderstandings in the first place. The inability to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes –- coupled with the need to be heard — is behind almost every argument out there. And this combination can be a recipe for disaster.

If you’re involved in a power struggle, you can bet there’ll be no winners or losers, only the tattered remains of what once was a unified front. The Five of Wands encourages you to move past the chaos and calamity, and work on restoring the peace. If you can see past your pride to work with others rather than against them, it will be much smoother sailing for you from here on out.

Oct 02 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 2, 2015 — The Hanged Rabbit

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The Hanged Rabbit

Today you may feel like the Universe is forcing you to put certain aspects of your life on hold. Plans you’ve made may he held up or delayed, or you may feel the need to take a step back and regroup.

This card — the Rabbit Tarot’s version of the Hanged Man — refers to things slowing down or even coming to a dead halt. It could be due to circumstances beyond your control, or it could be a decision you make when you realize the path you’re on is leading you in a direction you don’t want to go.

You could be frustrated over something that’s taken too long to manifest, or have the sense that nothing is happening despite your best efforts.

Roadblocks are put in your path — often for your own good. You may have been running at a break-neck pace, never stopping to look at what you’ve accomplished. Or you may have found yourself losing steam over a project that just hasn’t panned out.

Either way, it may be time to put things on hold — at least long enough to evaluate your commitment.

The Hanged Rabbit can refer to delays and sacrifices and when it does, you can bet they’re necessary. You’ll have to trust that there’s a reason, even if it’s not readily apparent, and that it will reveal itself to you in time. It indicates a need to back down, even if what you really really want to do is push forward. Your best bet under these circumstances will be to surrender to a higher power, or at least give up the resistance, for now.

Oct 01 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 1, 2015 — Four of Coins

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Four of Coins

Today you want to be thinking about what you’re holding onto that’s keeping you from moving forward.

“Coins” is often automatically presumed to mean money, but it can extend to other areas as well, such as personal values, principles and belief systems.

The concepts of hoarding and squandering are depicted in this version of the Four of Coins (from the gorgeous Tarot of Delphi) by the Greek god Narcissus, who became so enamored with his own reflection that he was unable to turn away, causing him to miss on opportunities to experience the love of another.

Ask yourself, what are you holding onto too tightly and what potential opportunities are you missing out on as a result? It could be money or material possessions; or it could be loved ones or ideals. Whatever it is, remember that in protecting your own assets and keeping peril at bay, you’re also preventing new experiences from getting in.

One of the more positive aspects of this card is the idea of falling in love with yourself. We all know that this is the first step toward establishing healthy relationships with others. But taken too far it can lead to the degradation of love’s purest essence.

Remember that fear — along with greed, stinginess, avarice, etc. — is a symptom of a much greater problem. It can stop you in your tracks and prevent you from acquiring the very things you want. The fear or not having enough — or of losing what you already have — can reverberate endlessly like the ripples in Narcissus’ stream.

Embracing this philosophy can act as a springboard for you to make some important changes. The Four of Coins encourages you to let go of your fears and open your heart.

Sep 30 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Sept 30, 2015 — King of Swords

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King of Swords

As the Sun and Mercury come together today in Libra, you may find yourself needing to bring forth your problem solving skills.

Like the King of Swords in this card — from the Anna K. Tarot — you may need to stay one step ahead of the game as you plan your next move.

The King of Swords is intelligent, strategic and analytical. He’s inherently impartial. He doesn’t mince words, and he doesn’t listen to excuses. He makes his decisions based on logic and reason rather than compassion and empathy.

He’s a no-nonsense individual who is expected to mete out justice with a fair and authoritative hand. He may be a parent, a supervisor, a judge, or even a friend that steps in to give you a reality check when you need one most.

As with all court cards this can also refer to you — or to a state of mind that you need to develop in order to preserve a sense of order in your life. You may have felt taken advantage of by someone who’s overstepped their bounds and this card encourages you to resolve that problem by taking a more authoritative stance.

The King of Swords encourages you to be decisive and to start thinking ahead. It asks you to clear away the debris and work on attaining better focus. And it challenges you to step away from emotional attachments and make your decisions based on what is right, fair, and most importantly best for you in the long run.

Sep 29 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope –Sept 29, 2015 — Queen of Wands

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Queen of Wands

If you’ve been hiding in the shadows or downplaying some of the more expressive or dramatic aspects of your personality in recent days, now is the time to step up and be seen.

The Queen of Wands is not someone who goes unnoticed. Especially this Queen of Wands — from the gorgeous Love and Mystery Tarot. She’s bold, creative and colorful, 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.

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 possesses strong leadership qualities and elicits respect from others. She’s also very worldly and knowledgeable.

If she’s someone in your life, know that she’s here to introduce you to the qualities she represents.

If however this card refers to you, see it as a reminder that you do possess these qualities and may need to re-incorporate them into your personality. You may be called upon to act in a leadership role or to channel your creative energy into a project of your own.

The Queen of Wands represents feminine strength and power. She’s bold, confident and courageous, and knows how to make things happen in a big way. The presence of this card today encourages you to recapture the essence of the Queen of Wands and to put her to good use.

Sep 28 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Sept 28, 2015 — The Eclipse

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The Eclipse

Today’s card honors the total lunar eclipse that takes place on the evening of September 27th into the morning of the 28th. This is a Full Moon at 4° Aries 40′ that will peak at 10:50pm ET on the 27th (2:50am UT on the 28th).

The Eclipse card is the Whispering Tarot’s version of the Moon card, which from an astrological perspective is tied to feelings, emotions, intuition and primal instincts, as well as the unconscious mind. It relates to security issues and needs which can translate to insecurity, uncertainty, fears and apprehensions. And these are all emphasized in the Tarot’s version of the Moon.

It can manifest as confusion, uncertainty or paranoia, especially when we try to analyze it logically, which is foreign to the Moon. 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 reason.

The Eclipse card takes this a step further by bringing in some of the symbology associated with the dark side of the Moon. It can refer to anxiety and confusion, based on instincts that you can’t make rational sense of.

Sep 27 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Sept 27, 2015 — Queen of Pentacles

Author: Mel and Chris • Discussion: No Comments

Queen of Pentacles

Have you been thinking of ways to establish more security for yourself and your loved ones? Not just financial security, but security in other areas of your life as well?

The Queen of Pentacles — this version from the Connolly Tarot — represents stability and durability. She appreciates the finer things in life and is not afraid to work for them. But she also wants to see returns on her investments, whether those investments are material, physical or emotional.

She’s is practical and efficient. She also tends to move a little more slowly and cautiously. For two reasons. One: she knows from experience that practical choices are more likely to pay off than get rich schemes in the end. And two: she wants to savor the life she’s built rather than scramble to earn her next buck without taking the time to appreciate what she’s gained.

The Queen of Pentacles likes to stay grounded. And she needs to feel that she’s contributing to her future and her financial security. But she knows that there is so much more to life than wealth and success. She knows you can work and earn and save to your heart’s content, but unless you can find a meaningful outlet for it, you’ll never be fulfilled.

She may appear calm and gentle, but she’s not a pushover. She stands firm in her convictions and does what it takes to achieve her goals. As a solid practical business woman, she weighs all of her options before she makes a move. At the same time she is sensuous, loving and supportive. She’s a devoted friend and ally.

She may be a person in your life, and if so you will know her by her calm, practical and efficient demeanor. But she may also represent qualities that you need to incorporate into your own personality. Qualities like wisdom, reliability, consistency and inner-strength. Comfort. Courtesy. Common sense. Warmth, generosity and compassion.

Take some time right now to think about “business;” as in how you deal with security and what steps you’ve made toward planning for your future. It may require you to make some short-term sacrifices. But what you gain in return — through hard work, discipline and perseverance — will make it all worthwhile in the end.

Sep 26 2015

Free Daily Tarotscope — Sept 26, 2015 — Eight of Cups

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Eight of Cups

Today may see you needing to take a serious look at what (and whom) in your life you need to put behind you. You may find yourself having to make a difficult decision to let go of a situation that has not been healthy or rewarding for you.

The Eight of Cups refers to the realization that you’ve put more into something — invested more of your time, energy, heart, etc. — than you’ve gotten back, and now it’s time to face that reality and walk away.

This may be associated with feelings of disappointment and disillusionment, brought about by the realization that what you’ve worked so hard for is not going to turn out the way you’d hoped.

The Eight of Cups — this version from the beautiful self-published Animism Tarot — speaks of walking away or leaving something (or someone) behind that you’ve given your all to, and resigning yourself to the understanding that it was just not meant to be.

This should be a period of cleaning out closets, weeding unhealthy relationships from your life and letting go of fears. It can be cathartic in the sense that it forces you to look at what’s no longer working for you and to do something about it.

While you may be facing some painful realities today, the Eight of Cups reminds us that no one is immune to the twists and turns that are a part of life’s natural rhythm. And while you may not have much say in the direction the current takes you, where you end up is almost entirely in your hands.

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