New Moon Readings

[wyld_dandelyon]

Hello! It's been a busy year, and the end of winter is always hard on my health. I've been working on getting out the vote for Wisconsin elections, and we got a progressive woman elected to Wiscosin's Supreme Court, a Judge with a lot more experience than either her Democratic challenger in the primary or her Republican challenger. But it was a lot of work, and exhausting in a time of year when my energy is low anyway.

To facilitate this, we ended up doing a bunch of work on the house, and I'd share a couple of photos here, but I still haven't figured out how to get DW to actually display my photos, and I want to get this post up. So, I finally got the cool dragon towel holders on the walls in the downstairs bathroom, and they look great.

And then there were taxes, which I wrote about in my Patreon, over here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/artist-and-tax-18012188 The piece is called The Artist and the Tax Monster.

And then the power thingy in my backup computer broke. The plastic is visibly cracked and I can't get power into the thing, so until that's fixed, that computer is not doing a dang thing. Then my partner accidentally knocked my primary computer to the floor and disconnected the screen from the rest of the computer, so that computer will need to be sent away for weeks to find out if it's even worth fixing. Aaaaaugh. That decidedly less pleasant photo is also on facebook instead of here.

So on the new moon this month, I got a new tiny computer that is partially set up now, and to celebrate I'm doing New Moon readings. Doubtless with typos. I apologize ahead of time.

As always, New friends and old are very welcome.


About the readings,

You can simply ask for a single card with no obligation to tip (though tips are very much appreciated, and allow you to ask for a clarifying card if the reading is not clear). The guitar case below is my personal PayPal link, featuring my own artwork, which does inspire me even though it isn't Tarot-related. Supporters of my Patreon at the $5 level get a two-card reading instead of one.

I am also offering a three-card reading for $20 or a five-card reading for $35, or if you want a larger reading we can discuss costs. A signal boost for readings or for my Patereon will also allow you to ask for a clarification card on some part of this reading, if you wish.

Regardless of the length of the reading, you may ask about real life or a creative project, even for a character you play in a game. I can draw a card for you to meditate on, to represent the Guide you need right now, or to get you unstuck. I can draw a card for your protagonist or villain, or can draw a card or cards for you to use as writing or art prompts, and I can modify a more-traditional five-card spread into a prompt for a story focusing on plot or characters or a little of both. Let me know if you have any particular request.

For free one card readings, you can pick from my decks, including the Brian Froud's Faeries Oracle, the Daughters of the Moon Tarot (one of the round decks), or the Shapeshifter Tarot. If you want a Guide to companion you in the new year or the holidays, the Susan Seddon Boulet art cards or Fairies Oracle both work well. If you don't pick a deck, I might pick from any of the decks available to me.

The first card is free (though tips are always appreciated). I understand all too well that when people don't have cash or spoons that is generally when they most need inspiration. Don't be afraid to ask for a card if you can't tip.

When you tip, it's helpful to me for you to mention it here so I can connect your Paypal information with your request. Tips should be at least $2 (Paypal charges fees). If Paypal doesn't work for you, drop me a message and we'll work something out. It's also helpful to remind me if you're a Patreon supporter, especially a new one!

I will reply to all requests. If I start to get overwhelmed, I will close to free readings; in that unlikely event, that will be in nice bold letters afte word Status below. I plan to stay open until late Friday for free readings. After that, you can ask for a paid reading, if you want one.

Thank you, Blessed Be, and may your new year be full of joy and dreams made happily true!

Status: Open!

As always, while I work hard to offer insight and inspiration, all I can legally promise is entertainment. See my "Dandelyon's Readings" page for a little more about my readings.

Comments

[acelightning]

The usual, and I've left a tip. This is not the proximate reason for the request, but it might give you some background.

And welcome back! I've missed you!

[wyld_dandelyon]

You should check out my Patreon page from time to time, some of the posts are public (initially or after a few days). (Edit--and it's really cool to get comments over there!)

And wow--sounds like I should be welcoming you back!

As I remember, your usual is a card from any deck?

[acelightning]

Alas, my finances still aren't as predictable as they should be; I can't sign up for Patreon because I never can tell whether the money will be in the account when the payment is due.

Yes, basically just whatever the Universe things my husband and I need to know right now. Thank you!

Patreon

[wyld_dandelyon]

I understand about the finances. But you don't have to sign up to read the public posts, and I'd welcome your company there.

Re: Patreon

[acelightning]

I thought I did have to sign up to the Patreon page in order to read the posts. How do I sign up to read the posts?

Re: Patreon

[wyld_dandelyon]

Well, I switched to a different web browser and went to Patreon's main page and clicked on "Explore Creators" and then was able to search to find people. (There's two Deirdre Murphys there, I believe me and Catie Murphy's sister.) I also think you can click on the link here (or paste it into the browser) to see my page without all that extra work:

https://www.patreon.com/Wyld_Dandelyon

Some of the posts will note that they're for supporters, of course. But you can click "continue reading" on any of the ones that aren't locked to read the whole post.

I do some posts public just for people like you, and set some other posts to go public after my supporters get a chance to read them first. Others will remain patrons only, of course. If nothing is locked, there's nothing to lure people who do have the money to subscribe into doing so.

I do have to get better at letting people know they're there, though!

Re: Patreon

[acelightning]

Okay, I've signed up! :-)

Re: Patreon

[wyld_dandelyon]

Yay! Welcome.

The Dark Lady

[wyld_dandelyon]

Come on in. Don't mind the boxes of clip boards and Tammy Baldwin literature--unless, you're interested, of course. This desk that the Habitat for Humanity Restore wouldn't take is coming in handy now--did I tell you my sister said I'd turned most of my first floor into a precinct office? Metaphorically, anyway.

And look--we got the chandelier cleaned! The one in the foyer, anyway. The one in the dining room has to be done yet. But come in, have a seat, can I get gsomething to drink?

We get into the dining room, and stop. There, in the center of the lazy susan that sits in the center of the round table, the Dark Lady is sitting, legs crossed, long fingers bent into a meditative state. I fall silent.

She is relaxed in the silence, powerful, waiting--but not for us. At least, not for us to fill the silence. She is the guardian of things not-yet-known, of seeds sleeping in the ground, of ideas almost ready to become conscious. It is the dark of the moon, which is her time, and the end of winter, which is also her time.

She looks up and smiles gently. "Welcome."

It is my house, it feels odd to have her welcome us--and yet it feels just right too. Faeries don't follow human logic unless they want to, after all.

She gestures and we join her in sitting, though we use the chairs. It feels good to just rest, to draw in energy to replace what we've used, and to be open to the mysteries, the energy of the new things that are to come. The promise of the coming spring, real or metaphorical, fills the air. To me, it's like stardust and dark chocolate, and the scent of roses.

I will have roses, I always do, because I planted them. What have you planted, that sleeps right now due to the weather or your health or lack of time, energy, or other resources? Whatever it is, it is not dead, just resting. Like we are just resting, right now.

I close my eyes, the next chapter of my cozy mystery almost at the tips of my fingers. I'm drawn into the plot, the motives of the characters, all the little details, and I don't notice you for a bit. Perhaps the Dark Lady speaks to you, or perhaps her message to you is as apparent to you as her message to me is to me, in the silence.

Eventually, I open my eyes and she is gone. I go to get us some fresh, cold water, three glasses. I don't expect her to return, really, but it feels wrong not to include her in the ritual libation. I offer you food as well, something simple, since eating can help a person come back from deep meditation or ritual, but you should only accept if it feels right. Everybody's different.

Re: The Dark Lady

[acelightning]

This is the perfect response! Being a Crone myself, I deeply value the advice of the Dark Lady. My husband agrees (this time, anyway), and we are learning how to wait. Thank you, and thank Her!

Re: The Dark Lady

[wyld_dandelyon]

You are very welcome!

RE images

[anke]

You need to upload them somewhere that allows hotlinking (that is, embedding images elsewhere) and then use an html img tag to display them in your post.
https://www.w3schools.com/tags/tag_img.asp

Re: RE images

[acelightning]

You don't need to find another place to store your images - you can do it right through your Dreamwith account, very much the same way you could with YouTube.

Re: RE images

[wyld_dandelyon]

Is there a link to how to do that? The LJ method (click on the insert picture icon thingy) has an "upload photo" option, the DW insert picture icon thingy does not.

Re: RE images

[kelkyag]

FAQ: How do I use Dreamwidth's image hosting?

ETA: Also How do I post an image in an entry?

Re: RE images

[wyld_dandelyon]

Thank you! I will read them tomorrow.

Re: RE images

[anke]

All the better! Thank you, I hadn't known they'd added that. :D

Re: RE images

[acelightning]

I don't know how long it's been since they initiated that - over a year, at the very least.

Re: RE images

[wyld_dandelyon]

Hi Anke!!! Good to see you here.

[pyraxis]

Good to see you! I was wondering what had happened.

Something different this time... I'd like to request a card(s... Patreon supporter) for my protagonist Fiona.

At this moment she is on the run with a small group of allies. She's seventeen, in over her head, reluctant caregiver for a little boy with too much magic for his own good, and in denial about her own shapeshifting ability. (This is her, for reference.) She's led the group to her homeworld to hide them from their pursuers, but she herself will be in plenty of trouble there if the wrong people discover she's back.

Problem is, one of the group was injured and taken to the settlement of those wrong people for healing. She has to get back in contact with him. The rest of the group don't understand why they can't just walk in there peaceably and ask after him.

I know how the scene ends - I'm in the editing phase now, not first draft, and patching up holes. It's violent and not good for her. But I've been struggling with how to get from point A to point B, and she has no idea what to do.

I'm thinking shapeshifter's deck, but open to suggestions if something else feels more right to you.

Thank you!

[wyld_dandelyon]

I really wanted to do Blue Moon readings, and was just too tired. Wisconsin's Supreme Court election was scheduled for April 3, and the weather was horrible that weekend, but a ten-year term matters.

Still, it would have been fun to do readings for the Blue Moon, or even April Fool's readings, something light-hearted and letting the trickster out to play a bit. I enjoy the teaching stories of the Trickster in different cultures, and never mind that I try to avoid experiencing those kinds of story first hand.

I've hit that point where I'm sleepy and have lost focus, so I'll do your reading tomorrow.

Edit: wow, my short trip to the grocery store took quite a while in the rain and/or sleet and/or snow and/or hail! Thank you for your patience.|

I'm going to do the reading a bit in character. I hope you enjoy it, as well as getting inspiration.

Re: Thank you!

[pyraxis]

Looking forward to it!

A trickster reading would have been cool and... interesting. Trickster stuff is smack in my blind spot. (Though it was a really important aspect of my partner's... medicine, uza, whatever you want to call it.) In its way, it often ends up telling me stuff I really didn't want to but needed to hear.

Re: Thank you!

[wyld_dandelyon]

Yeah, trickster lessons are often like that. :)

I will consider doing it another time. If not sooner, maybe next April 1. Feel free to remind me!

Sorry the reading took so long, this keyboard is slowing me down, and somehow I deleted it halfway through and had to retype part of it. But I'm starting to get used to this keyboard, so I'll count that part a win.

Rejection / Seeker of Air / The Seer

[wyld_dandelyon]

For some reason, Fiona remembers a street fair they visited, quite a while back, before things got so complicated. There was a bright-colored tent, covered in images of cats in blue, purple, and gold. In front of the tent was an actual cat, with short black hair and bright green eyes. The cat stared at her, then yawned and turned to head into the tent.

Fiona found herself following the cat into the tent. When she got past the flapping door hangings, there was no cat, just a slender, dark-haired woman with green eyes that glowed in the darkness. She was seated behind a table, which was covered with a rich dark purple cloth, the color so deep that in the shadows it was nearly black. On the table, in a nest of sheer golden fabric was a deck of Tarot cards. “Welcome. You’ve come here for a reason, I think. Would you like a reading?”

Fiona considered, trying to tell if the woman was actually magical or not. It wouldn’t be hard to buy a cat with eyes that matched your own, not in a city as full of cats as that one.

“You can pay what you think it’s worth, or accept the reading as a gift, this once.”

The people of this world took gifts and hospitality seriously. If she accepted a gift, there would be no hidden magical or legal entanglements. “A gift then, freely given and accepted.” Fiona could always offer a gift later, of course, but this way she was free to just enjoy the reading, without worrying whether she would even still be in the city later.

The woman gestured, and Fiona took the other chair. “Should I shuffle the cards?”

“If you want.”

Fiona picked up the cards and looked at them. The backs were a dark blue with a lovely knotwork triskele centered on the card. She shuffled until the cards felt right in her hands, and handed them to the woman.

The woman held them, for a moment, then nodded. Swiftly, she laid out three cards.

“Your first car is Rejection, the five of the water element, titled Rejection. This is the foundation, so to speak, for the situation that leads your feet here.” The picture shows a cliff made of unhappy faces. A stormy ocean crashes against the rocks below, and a gold-tone octopus has been driven onto the rocks, or perhaps is clinging there for safety. Out in the water, under thick clouds, is a shadowy cloaked figure. “I wonder if you are the octopus, or that person, out there? And who has done the rejecting? Of course, that part could easily be mutual. But that’s likely the part of this that you know.”

She moves her hand to point to the next card, and Fiona realizes her fingernails are painted with tiny galaxies. “The next card, the problem to be solved, is the Seeker of Air.” The image is another cloaked figure, though now the cloak is feathered, and has glints of all the colors of the rainbow. The person in the cloak is young, and has dark hair. Behind this figure is a pale bird-woman, perhaps whispering messages in the young one’s ear, or perhaps standing guard while the younger person quests. Above, the night sky is full of stars. “Odd that this is the problem card. Is the person here your opponent? Maybe, but that doesn't feel right to me. Perhaps the person here isn’t the problem, but the problem-solver? Or they could be, anyway, if they start to find what they’re seeking.”

”Finally, the resources you can bring to bear, the key, if you will.” She moves her finger. “The seer.” The image is an older person, most likely male. He is blond, half griffin and half human, and holds a glowing gem in his human hand. The trees behind him are serene, with big green leaves shining in diffuse sunlight. His eyes are focused on the gem, as if he can see something inside, some insight or information that is needed, or perhaps he is just viewing a scene remotely. “Your problems and solutions are all people. Hmm…”

The woman and Fiona stared at the cards for a bit. “this could be read as a coming-of-age story—see? The rejected person here,” she points at the gray figure in the first card, “grows and learns and starts to glow with power under the care of a guardian, then learns to control the power and steps out confidently alone. I like that interpretation, it’s nice and neat. If you were a normal querent, I’d say that was the message and be sure I had a happy customer.”

She looked up and smiled. “But your life is more messy than any simple fable like that. Look well at the cards. I think they will tell you different stories amet different times in the future. But I do see hope in the storm leading to darkness and then day.”

Fiona looked down at the cards, trying to memorize the images. When she looked up again, the woman was gone. The black cat was curled in the chair, sleeping. She looked back at the cards, but they were now all back in their neat stack, the gold cloth wrapped securely around them.

Fiona felt kindly dismissed, and got up to leave, not waking the cat. She had wanted to bring some catnip as a gift, but when she went back the tent was gone. At the time, the encounter had been a pleasant reminder that chance-met people could be friendly and magic could bring a little light into the world.

But why was she remembering that odd meeting now?

Re: Rejection / Seeker of Air / The Seer

[pyraxis]

Fiona had never been able to work out who was in the second card. The first one had been abundantly, painfully clear. In the two years since she'd left Karn, she'd done her best not to think about the circumstances of her leaving. She didn't fault the green-eyed woman for calling it back - she just wished the rest of the message had been equally obvious.

She recognized the man in the third card - it was Elder Shawmus, one of the priests at Eilieah. Not being keegrah herself, she'd had little opportunity to spend any time around him, but he'd seemed a rare decent sort, at least from a distance. She didn't know why he'd appear to her even after she was gone. But now, standing on the mountain slope, looking up again at the standing stones of Eilieah, she wondered if he were still teaching there. He had been there, that last night, but she didn't remember him speaking against her the way Elder Cailtoh and the other men had.

Would it be even remotely possible to sneak into the compound and speak to him?

But if she were sneaking in, she might as well go straight to the healing rooms where they were probably holding Auben.

She wondered if he would recognize her if she held onto her disguise and openly walked right up the main trail.

No. Her voice wasn't convincing enough to pass.

Which put her back to sneaking in. If only she could explain to Amber why they needed to do it that way.

She made a face. Maybe Amber was the woman on the second card. Her hair was the wrong colour, but she was certainly opponent enough. That meant Fiona should probably try talking to her.

Re: Rejection / Seeker of Air / The Seer

[pyraxis]

In other words, thank you!

Re: Rejection / Seeker of Air / The Seer

[wyld_dandelyon]

You're very welcome! That was a cool response.

[kelkyag]

Welcome back! No card, just warm fuzzies.

Sympathies on the broken electronics. Much appreciation for your political work, and even more sympathy for how exhausting that is.

[wyld_dandelyon]

Thank you. Warm fuzzies are muchly appreciated!

[calliopes_pen]

Welcome back!

I would greatly appreciate a one card draw from either Brian Froud's Faeries Oracle or the Shapeshifter Tarot. Whichever one you feel best with. Thank you in advance.

The Journeyman, reversed

[wyld_dandelyon]

Ah, the fool of the fairies! The artwork is clear, the young fellow is stepping off, away from the wisdom of his mentor, with a stick and a lovely, glowy faery-satchell. "It's an important part of life," says the Mentor, as the smaller faery steps off his bald head toward whatever path he's chosen. "But I'm worried about him. Something feels off. Is this the right journey? Is he ready? Is he ignoring the journey he needs to take and instead checking out every detour possible?"

"You're asking me?" I ask. "How would I know?"

"You're right." He spreads his pointy ears wide and looks around and spies you. "Perhaps I should ask you--this is your reading, right? So, perhaps I'm really worrying about you, and not young Oengus there. What journeys of the body or spirit have you been planning?"

He doesn't wait for an answer, at least not yet. "Have you considered carefully whether this journey you have planned is taking you in the direction you want to go? What are your life goals? No, don't tell me, tell you.

His words remind me of a talk by Neil Gaiman, where he talks about his life goals as a mountain in the distance, and he said he considered, with each project and book contract whether they took him toward the mountain or away.

I was going to say that aloud, but the master's attention has been distracted. "Oh, dear--he's gotten himself tangled in your rose bushes! I'd better go get him right side up before he does some damage to them or to himself!" The old faery dashes out into the snow, leaving me with my mouth hanging open.

I close it, and then decide to use it to better effect, and offer you some tea. I'd offer some to the faeries too, but they seem quite preoccupied with themselves. If they want some, if my tea will help them get to their respective metaphorical mountains, they can find their way back in here, and be welcome.

[alexseanchai]

May I get a card for direction on this story? Thanks :)

The Oak Men

[wyld_dandelyon]

It's snowing outside, and the Oak Men are sleeping. Or at least I thought they were. When you were walking up to my porch, one of them slipped out of his tree and joined us, slipping inside as easily as if he had feet instead of roots.

The visual was a bit distracting, but I reminded myself that faeries follow their own magickal logic, not the mundane physics that you and I and the squirrels must use.

I don't say anything, but he notices, and looks down at his roots with me. "The roots of things matter, you know. A tree's roots are as wide and deep as my crown, you know. If you want to understand the tree, you have to take the time to understand more than can be easily seen. Understanding a situation is similar, it is important to take the time to learn about the history and the science--or the magick, of course. If you want to understand people, you need to consider motivation in depth. Consult experts, if you need to--though, of course, the best expert about a person is themself. But use your own wisdom too. Not every character is honest about themself, even to themself, much less you."

Then he turns to me. "I was all ready for spring, you know. I might look old, but as oaks go, I'm still young and it's embarrassing to admit it, but I'm feeling impatient. I'm tired of sleeping in the cold. Might I have some tea?"

I nod and head to put the kettle on, and he turns to talk to you some more.

Re: The Oak Men

[alexseanchai]

*tilts head*

That helps a great deal, yes.

That said, I was kind of hoping not to dive into the research trench! That thing's deep, I could get lost down there! XD

Thanks

Re: The Oak Men

[wyld_dandelyon]

I bet the Oak Men would be happy to give you a hand back up to the sunlight when you've got what you need.

Re: The Oak Men

[alexseanchai]

Good to know! :)

Re: The Oak Men

[wyld_dandelyon]

Trees know that the balance between drinking deep from the roots and breathing deep in the sunlight is important.

[ellenmillion]

I would love a card to meditate on through the rest of this wild month. Sending a tip via EMG. :)

The Friends

[wyld_dandelyon]

Of course! Wow, you're busy. I mean, you're always busy, but this month more than most.

I'd be happy to welcome you into a warm spring, but the weather has been unseasonably like Alaska the last few days, and we have snow and ice here. There will be no pruning roses this April!

But come on in, we can have tea or plot together or paint or something. I have some washable markers for the guppy, if she wants to join us.

We get into the dining room and find them there, Laochan and Fairy Nuff, digging through the colored pencils and markers and tossing them about with abandon. "Look--green!" "No, let's use purple!" They compare the markers they've chosen. "How about both?" The short, portly guy with the pastel-smudged wings asks.

Laochan is already digging into the markers again. "I can't decide, they're all so pretty! Let's use all of them!"

"I don't think--"

"But I want to use them all!"

"Have you been talking to The Glanconer again?"

"I always talk to him. He helps me dream big!"

"Dreams are all very well and good, but The Glanconer is one of the tricksters. He shows you what you want to see, lets you get all dazzled by wonderfulness--"

The skinny faery is nodding, and joins in the last bit, "--and wh8le there's always something marvelous there, it's all covered with hopeful glamour."

The chubby one nods, setting his glowing antennae to bouncing. "The glamour isn't bad, but--"

"No, it's good! Like wine!"

"Yes, exactly like wine. It can cloud your judgement."

The skinny faery sighs. "But it's so much fun." Then he notices us and gets totally excited all over again. "Hey, Nuff--it's her! The coloring book artist! She's come to see us color her new book!"

The faeries somehow have a copy of Splendrix, and they call you over and ask your advice on coloring, forget to wait for your words and give each other advice, and help each other find the best colors. When they settle down a bit, they start to color a page together. "This might be too hard for us to do alone."

"Or at least less fun!" Laochan grins up at you. "Thanks for stopping by to lend a hand. We'll remember this forever! Let us know if you need help sometime."

You smile graciously--they're helping each other quite marvelously, and if some of the bits end up with the most unlikely color combinations, that doesn't make them any less beautiful.

Re: The Friends

[ellenmillion]

That was so fun! Thank you!

Re: The Friends

[wyld_dandelyon]

You're very welcome!

[alexseanchai]

I've got a question on a different issue, I just sent you $20, and I'll PM my question :)

[wyld_dandelyon]

Thank you. I assume you'd rather get that reading privately. :)

[alexseanchai]

Precisely :)