|  |     Well, I started this conversation and then couldn't get
    to the conference to finish what I started!
    
    Cartouche cards are similar to Tarot cards.  The deck con-
    sists of 25 cards, with Egyptian illustrations and hiero-
    glyphics.  The first 10 or so (someone correct me when I'm
    wrong please) represent major gods or goddesses.  There are
    also cards to represent the four elements-fire,air,water and
    earth.  And cards to represent emotions, or states of being
    such as love, partnership, change etc.  There is only one
    "negative" card and it's a rather "diluted" card.  
    
    The book which accompanied the cards explains 2 layouts, a
    horoscope spread and a "star" spread.  I prefer the star
    spread myself.  And it gives the possible meanings or con-
    notations of each card.
    
    Now, I have noticed that particular cards show up very fre-
    quently in my readings.  I have finally realized that these
    cards are not only suggesting situations, but also represent
    actual persons in my life.  But-I'm not sure how to really
    interpret these cards, and how to understand who they are
    representing.  I'm sure the answer is in the cards themselves,
    if I can only figure out what they are trying to tell me.
    
    Any suggestions, hints, etc?
    
    As a side note, I have a crystal that I wear on a chain around
    my neck, almost constantly.  I've used the crystal a few times
    as a pendulum (that is, letting it hang and asking a yes or no
    question).  I was amazed at the accuracy of the answers.  At
    one point I held the crystal over a specific cartouche card,
    representing my situation/question, and the answer was most
    definite.  The situation in question did indeed occur at a later
    date, exactly as the crystal suggested.  I must admit, when I
    asked the question, and the crystal began trembling before making
    it's swinging motion, I has almost hypnotized.
    
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|  |     Thanks, Mary!  The cartouche book mentions astrological
    signs loosley relating to certain cards.  I'll check in-
    to that.  I keep getting Ureaus (frankly I don't understand,
    or relate, to that card at all), Nepthys, Bast and Annubis.
    Lotus is one of my favorite cards, and it comes up a lot,
    as do Ankh and The Twins.  I've only drawn Set a few times
    in the past year.  Now why didn't I think of using my crystal?
    I knew the answer was there somewhere-I just couldn't see it!!
    
    
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|  |     This will be digressing somewhat, but then I'm sure all things
    are related....on Sunday I will be 35 years old.  So I am in
    my birthday period, which should be significant to me.  And 
    shortly after my husband and I separated (just a year ago this
    month) I started seeing the person I am currently living with,
    who will turn 30 next month.  That's a significant birthday for
    sure!  It's interesting that we are both Libra.  I don't recall
    ever being involved with a Libra, although Scorpio and Taurus men
    show up all the time in my life...time to get out my Tarot card
    workbook and find out what's happening in my life, overall.
    
    Your comment about this being a critical period, a crossroad, is
    what started me thinking about these things, and I suspect that
    
    you are correct.  
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