Ace of Hearts: The Dolphin Take a leap of faith. Sometimes we can get stuck on what we KNOW in life and forget about what we DON’T KNOW. The unknown can always surprise us, especially when we are open to it. Miracles happen, especially when we pray. This card signifies a new spiritual path or new spiritual influence. The qualities of gentleness, humility, acceptance and kindness open new doors.
The Dolphin still lives in the sea, “the mother” as the French call het, from whom all life originally emerged. The Dolphin speaks of healing waters, the Christian sacrament and the sign Pisces for which was the original glyph before Dolphins were lost from the Mediterranean. She advises spending time by the sea.
Shealso speaks of the heart chakra as the bridge between the higher and lower selves. The dolphin leaping out of the water symbolises the leap the soul makes when it moves from the lower to higher self. She also speaks of the need to descend back to the lower self, to keep a powerful connection with it. The heart chakra is fed by the energies of the higher and lower self, the higher and lower chakras. The Dolphin is emotionally fed by strong social relationships.
This card also speaks of self-awareness. The Dolphin is one of the few animals that have been proved to have self-consciousness, demonstrated by her ability to recognise herself in a mirror (and appearing very entertained by the sight). So this card also asks you to be aware of your identity: Who are you? Do you appreciate your personality? It may not be fully channelling the spirit within you but it is trying! Self-acceptance will help you further with this. Love the person you are – as you are, including your unfulfilled aspirations and what you or others may see as “failings”.
Two of Hearts: The Nightingale The Nightingale draws our attention to romance. They remind us that trust is the greatest aphrodisiac. Do not apply the rules of reason to love. “All is fair in love” – this is not quite true but some indulgence is sometimes required. “The path of love never did run smooth”. This is certainly true! The passionate music of the Nightingale is ready to flood your life. Are you ready for this great adventure? It used to be believed that it was the female Nightingale that sings but now we know that it is the male. The female Nightingale was fabled to pierce her breast with a rose thorn to alleviate the agonies of love producing the great bursts of night time song for which this bird is famous. Whilst we know now it is the male that sings rather than the female there is still a tradition of referring to all birds as female (likewise cats). As well as romantic love the Nightingale refers to other forms of “true love” such as very special friendships and can also mean a great passion in your life that the Nightingale asks you to embrace or the romance of life itself.
The Nightingale reveals an affinity with music. The Nightingale rarely shows himself when singing; the quality of mystery and the unseen is something also to be aware of at this time.
Three of Hearts: Dawn Chorus A time of sharing, of celebration and healing. The dawn chorus is the music of the planet itself. Be haunted by the beauty of life. Let your heart break open to receive the new day and ask yourself, who do you need to share this with? In togetherness suffering is reduced and joy is increased. The false sense of an individual, disconnected self is replaced by the knowledge of something greater. The whole is more than a collection of all the individual parts. Like the different instruments in an orchestra each bird contributes to a song greater than itself. This is a very auspicious card for the arts.
Four of Hearts: Snowdrop Purity: A new life is beginning. A person of innocence comes into your life. A slow but sure new beginning. Let the clods of Winter drop from you. Like Sleeping Beauty at the end of the 100 years of sleep the Snowdrop emerges from Winter. It takes determination for such a little flower to break through. And yet it is meant to happen. The cycle of the seasons has turned and you should don the white robes of the Snowdrop. This card can be about emerging from an oppressive situation. It also has affinities with the Wild Rose, or Dog Rose. You may be able to feel the push forward literally in your heart chakra or at the back of your chest.
Five of Hearts: Sweet Violet There have been losses in your life but now there is coming forward fresh sweetness to sustain you. Be open to a new outlook and consolation and do not hold on to disappointments as these belong to the past. Cherish the love you receive and allow it to take you forward, even if it comes from an unexpected direction. The scent of Violets is uplifting and opens the Crown chakra.
The Violet also refers to contemplation. Pansy, a form of Violet, is “pensee” or “thought” in French. Sweet Violet asks you to find a balance between contemplation and action and acknowledge improvements as they occur.
Six of Hearts: Otters and the Sankofa Bird The otters symbolise the joy of childhood and having children around you. Also, the pleasure of looking after others more generally. There may be a revisiting of childhood places. “It is not taboo to return for what is forgotten” as the Ghanaian proverb tells us, symbolised by the Sankofa Bird. New responsibilities emerge and the discovery of greater competence. A child around you may require attention or a different approach, or you may be tending someone's inner child.
Seven of Hearts: The Unicorn Why does a mythological creature appear amongst the other animals in an eco-therapy deck? Well, who’s to say it isn’t real too? Is it any more wonderful than the animals we love and know? Does a young child know the difference? Far from being unreal the “mythological creatures appear to help us truly see reality in all its wonder. The Unicorn relates to vision and the Third Eye. They ask you to hold to your true vision and strive for it. To be strong enough to dream. But also to have discernment as it is sometimes necessary to choose one path and pursue it single-mindedly to make progress. It is very important to choose carefully and be guided by your intuition.
Eight of Hearts: Chrysalis The word “chrysalis” means “golden” as chrysalises often have a golden sheen as if to hint at the gorgeous creature inside. The card indicates a time of transformation. Have patience as change can happen slowly, and courage as it can also be fast! At this time you may feel that you do not know what is happening to you. You must trust the process of transition. It may feel like a time of loss but it is really a time of change and fear can make you perceive losses that sometimes are not there or will look different to you at another time. It is important to let the changes happen and try to understand them from a higher perspective.
Chrysalis can refer to teenage years, the menopause or other major life changes.
Nine of Hearts: The Robin This cheery bird speaks of good times, of satisfaction and happiness. But there is another side too. Perhaps our best singer and certainly our most loyal and unstinting, the song of the Robin, like a human song, seems to tell a story. Their song is cheering but it also has depth of emotion. So the challenge of this card is to see the deeper meaning in times of happiness so that you continue to progress on your spiritual path.
It is a good practice to try to achieve something each day to your own satisfaction. But sometimes it is also good to let go of that and just be happy. As Zhuang Zi said, “Do not let the artificial destroy the natural, do not let effort destroy destiny, do not sacrifice fun for fame.” There is also an opposite to whatever you attempt and that is also worth considering, a pearl of wisdom to balance every other pearl of wisdom. Looking to the opposite keeps you moving forward and allows you to see other people’s point of view.
The Robin is confiding and confident and you should be these things too.
Ten of Hearts: The Rainbow Fairy The Rainbow Fairy does not only appear in rainbows. She also appears inside you. You have a rainbow arching through you from the soles of your feet to the crown of your head. Sometimes the Rainbow Fairy wants to be released to do her job. She can be released through a laugh or simply believing in her. Then wonderful things happen. This is a very auspicious card for marriage, family life and the healing of the planet
Jack of Hearts: River A spring becomes a waterfall. A waterfall becomes a stream. Eventually that stream becomes a great river. One drop of water goes through many transformations on its journey! And yet it is the same drop of water. Likewise, you may go through several changes during your day. You may be quite a different person at 8am., 1pm. And 6pm. Be sensitive to these changes in yourself. If you feel tired, find ways to rest. Often cravings are due to tiredness and the sweetness of rest and meditation can compensate. The “sweetness” of meditation has been likened to honey descending from the third eye to the heart. Often in our towns there is nowhere to sit down. Maybe you can’t even go to the toilet without queuing and paying! Is this the way to treat our most basic needs? The Jack of Hearts appeals to you from the bottom of his watery heart to get down to basics. Go with the flow of who and what you are and who and what others are. This card also speaks of compassion.
Queen of Hearts: Barn Owl (old name Screech Owl) The Barn Owl is our link to the spirit world. The spirit world is very close to you, supporting you, guiding you. You have mediumistic abilities if you choose to use them (you do have a choice either way – this is very important). The Barn Owl also indicates someone who is an excellent listener. Now is the time to use your listening abilities or to turn someone with those skills.
I always think that this Owl should be called Snowy Owl but that name is taken by another Owl. Their truly beautiful plumage, silent flight and wise expression appear to be the essence of purity and peace. You should seek these qualities with all your heart. Remember to listen to nature, the spirit world, yourself and others.
People used to be afraid of this bird appearing as they did from out of the darkness like a ghost or screeching unseen. In Native American traditions they are seen as sacred but tricky, their messages to be interpreted with care. This card also indicates artistic ability.
King of Hearts: The Swan - Mute or Whooper? Swans strike us human observers as protective fathers, devoted partners and very dignified creatures. This card speaks of responsibilities towards loved ones or the community. They represent someone who is generally respected for their service. Like the Swan you are part of the nature around you but also glide above it, a cut above the rest! Could it be that you are feeling lonely or have some talents that you are not using? Do not allow yourself to be put down.
The Children of Lir is an Irish Legend about a father who was unable to protect his children from their jealous stepmother who turns them all into swans and condemns them to live this way for 900 years. Their only consolation is that they retain the power of speech and beautiful singing voices that can ease the most troubled heart. Fingula, the daughter, is the leader and protector of her three brothers and has the foresight to see the danger their stepmother poses but is unable to stop the enchantment. It is only when St. Patrick arrives back in Ireland that one of his missionaries is able to place a silver chain upon each of them and bring them back to their human forms .... alas, only to die after being baptised!
But beneath this tale is clearly an older one of shamanic powers. Irish bards dressed themselves in pelts of swan to contact the realms of the Gods and fairies were said to appear in the shape of swans. A silver chain on a bird was a sign that it was of otherworldly origin with the power to pass between the two worlds. Tales abound also of Swan Maidens who spent half the year as swans and half as maidens. Other tales concern companies of 150 men and women who could turn themselves into swans. Perhaps some of these tales are about the migratory Whooper Swans which travel to and from the Arctic each year, appearing and disappearing in a manner which seemed extraordinary.
The Swan is best approached through your own intuition for its meaning. Find your nearest swan and ask them what message they have for you!