We’ve already mentioned in a previous blog post that Balance was one of the last cards to make it into the deck. At the time it consisted of 57 cards (way over our original intended number) but it didn't feel right to us and, when consulted, the deck told us it still wasn't complete or finished! 

We reviewed the deck. We went over every card and the meanings attached and looked for any holes in our story or any scenarios we had missed. Balance came first, not surprising as we were focused on balancing the deck.

And our final card that was added to the deck? Well we needed a touch of magic, something that would take our working cards and transform them into The Chronicles of Destiny Fortune Cards – we needed a touch of Alchemy. 

After applying the finishing touches we consulted the cards again and were happy to find the deck agreed. Finally, it was complete. 

As promised, here are the original questions together with the answers: - 

1)  What is the significance of the story being set in a forest?

Trees. Books contain paper, which is made from wood pulp.

2) The start of one fictional passage in a chapter has a shared similarity with a famous children’s book that became a movie: can you tell us which card chapter, and name the book or film?

The start of the fictional passage in 13. Time Flies, is a loving nod to Alice’s’ Adventures in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll, 1865). In the Alice in Wonderland film, (Tim Burton, 2010) the Mad Hatter states, “Alice! You’re terribly late you know. Naughty.” 

3) One passage encompasses a similarity with a Greek legend within it: which card, what myth, and how have we included it?

The Greek myth is Pegasus (card 19) to connect with the Muses and the thunderbolts he carried for Zeus. There was also a reference within card 20. The Warlock, as it shows the way Pegasus was captured by Bellerophon, and how the rider was ultimately unseated. (Either answer was acceptable.)

4)  The Chronicles of Destiny is a book within a book, within a book, within a book – can you list how that is so?

The Book of Destiny is a card (1) and chapter within the fictional Chronicles of Destiny (the deck – 2), contained within the handbook (3) within the box designed as a book (4)

5) We have placed a significant reference in the book that ties up with an event in one of the chapters of the story; can you tell us which card chapter, what it is, and where to find it?

The reference written for you related to the fictional section in the Mastery card, which referred to the dedication page we made for you at the beginning of the book, which reads, “For You, Dear Seeker”  with the illustrated golden key underneath. We hoped this would be your “Aha!” moment when you realised you were living through the journey in the story of the book you had just entered :) 

There was also an initial clue leading up to this regarding the bookplate (inside box cover and inside book cover) in the Book of Destiny fictional passage.

6) What is the significance found in the Mastery card, (page 156) can you explain how it applies?

The fictional passage is talking to you the reader, to take forward what you have learnt within your journey and now apply it to helping others. The Chapters are the cards from the Chronicles of Destiny and you now become The Guardian of The Books.  

Our winner provided beautifully detailed responses, so we could see she had really thought them through. Here is the answer to the final question in her own words:

"The Mastery card represents the knowledge that was gained from the experience of understanding the Chronicles of Destiny quest. Now that the Seeker has the symbolic key, they in turn, become the new Guardian of the Books. If they choose to use this knowledge to enlighten others to the secrets of their individual destinies, the Seeker is duty-bound to do so ethically and responsibly. Using respect for the process and the individual, along with sensitivity and confidentiality, the Seeker has the ability to assist others in finding solutions and a sense of understanding to the trial, tribulations and complexities of life. By offering new ways to look at situations and problem solving strategies, card readers can give others the needed confidence to change their lives for the better, prepare for rough roads ahead and most importantly, realize that they hold the key to their own destiny."

Well done, Nancy! 

Lady Spring calls the earth forth to awaken from winter’s dream, heralding a time of renewal as she breathes new life into the seeds that have slumbered all winter long. A new cycle of life commences as nature responds with green shoots, gradually painting the landscape in cheerful colour, and creatures begin courtship rituals.




This Friday marks the start of the vernal equinox for us here in the Northern Hemisphere: the first day of spring! Many cultures and religions around the world celebrate spring as a time of rebirth. There is Easter, Ostara, Passover, Maslenitsa, the feast of Cybele, the festival of Isis, No Ruz and Higan – to name just a few! 

Traditionally, the first day of spring was important to our ancestors, marking the return of lengthening days and the warmth of the growing sun. This was cause for much celebration with the start of the new year cycle; the marriage of the sun (male) and the moon (female) bestowing the earth with fertility and new life to blossom forth.

The Easter rabbit originates from Pagan mythology, with the rabbit (or hare) as a messenger of the moon gifting the goddess with precious coloured eggs, symbolising life. Many cultures have their own folk lore and legends associated with painted eggs as a symbol of fertility and birth; nowadays we tend to enjoy chocolate eggs and decorate the house with baskets of spring flowers.   

Whatever our beliefs, we observe spring as a time of new beginnings, starting afresh and sowing seeds for the year ahead. And this Friday promises to be quite spectacular: Eclipses and Supermoons and Equinox, oh my! 

If you haven’t already seen mum’s article on charging your cards on the Solar Eclipse you can read it here. We've got ours in the window ready :-) And don’t forget to make your wish on this powerful new moon!

Ems x

The other day my father-in-law asked me how I dealt with negative cards appearing when I read for others. He said it must be hard to deliver bad news, so did I skip over them? I answered of course not!

When friends or clients come to us for a reading we would be doing them a disservice just to gloss over the thorny issues. More often than not they've come for a reading because they’re facing a problem, so to downplay the cards or ignore them completely is counter-productive. Look at it this way; you wouldn't go to a doctor if you thought they weren't going to tell you the whole truth.

Yes, giving bad news can be unpleasant, I cringe a little bit when I lay the cards down and there they are . . . the “baddies”. But I would feel awful if I hadn't covered them and then watched my friend go through a difficult situation without warning.

Because that’s what the cards can be, not everything is set in stone and some situations can be alleviated or even avoided, a favourite quote of mum’s: forewarned is forearmed. If the future of their finances doesn't look very promising then they know to budget now and delay that spending spree!

So how do you approach giving bad news? We try not to be so subtle that we skim over it, but equally not so blunt that we seem inconsiderate – find a happy medium. Imagine how you would like to hear it; practise your delivery with your own personal readings – because at some point it will be needed!

This gives them the opportunity to take different steps to improve the situation. Responsible reading is being able to deliver the good news and the bad, in a way that is sensitive to the seeker’s needs.

Ems x

It's World Book Day today! 

Since 1998 in the UK, on the first Thursday in March, school children have received a £1 book token, which can either be swapped for a World Book Day special release or used as a £1 voucher against any book in all UK bookshops. 

As a charity, it supports Book Aid International (http://www.bookaid.org/) and Readathon (http://www.readathon.org) - their work brings books to those less fortunate.

As a schoolchild I used to love getting my token and heading off to the bookshop, as a bookseller today I loved seeing all the children come in to choose a book to dive into! One young man in particular stood out today, he told me that he helps out in the school library, and proudly pointed at his "Librarian" badge, bless!

Another fun part of World Book Day is the costumes! Children get to dress up as their favourite characters for school, and there are some fantastic outfits (just thinking about it gets me all broody and itching to make costumes for our not-as-yet-existent children)! And as someone who loves fancy dress, I think the adult costumes are brilliant too.

So for this week's blog I've compiled a collection of some adorable, clever, and imaginative costumes over on Pinterest. Has your child taken part in WBD today? Have you worn/made a literary costume you were particularly proud of? If you have photos please share them with us (we love pictures!) In the meantime head over to my World Book Day board and be amazed :-)

https://uk.pinterest.com/Emsleby/world-book-day/


Happy Adventures!

Ems x