Lit Clue (Oct. 18)
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 18 Oct 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| OakDragon |
18 Oct 2004 |
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Thanks for your patience everyone. Here's my clue:
"The Cremation of Sam McGee",
by Robert Service
There are strange things done in the midnight sun
By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee.
Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows.
Why he left his home in the South to roam 'round the Pole, God only knows.
He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell;
Though he'd often say in his homely way that "he'd sooner live in hell."
On a Christmas Day we were mushing our way over the Dawson trail.
Talk of your cold! through the parka's fold it stabbed like a driven nail.
If our eyes we'd close, then the lashes froze till sometimes we couldn't see;
It wasn't much fun, but the only one to whimper was Sam McGee.
And that very night, as we lay packed tight in our robes beneath the snow,
And the dogs were fed, and the stars o'erhead were dancing heel and toe,
He turned to me, and "Cap," says he, "I'll cash in this trip, I guess;
And if I do, I'm asking that you won't refuse my last request."
Well, he seemed so low that I couldn't say no; then he says with a sort of moan:
"It's the cursèd cold, and it's got right hold, till I'm chilled clean through to the bone.
Yet 'tain't being dead — it's my awful dread of the icy grave that pains;
So I want you to swear that, foul or fair, you'll cremate my last remains."
A pal's last need is a thing to heed, so I swore I would not fail;
And we started on at the streak of dawn; but God! he looked ghastly pale.
He crouched on the sleigh, and he raved all day of his home in Tennessee;
And before nightfall a corpse was all that was left of Sam McGee.
There wasn't a breath in that land of death, and I hurried, horror-driven,
With a corpse half hid that I couldn't get rid, because of a promise given;
It was lashed to the sleigh, and it seemed to say: "You may tax your brawn and brains,
But you promised true, and it's up to you, to cremate those last remains."
Now a promise made is a debt unpaid, and the trail has its own stern code.
In the days to come, though my lips were dumb, in my heart how I cursed that load.
In the long, long night, by the lone firelight, while the huskies, round in a ring,
Howled out their woes to the homeless snows — Oh God! how I loathed the thing.
And every day that quiet clay seemed to heavy and heavier grow;
And on I went, though the dogs were spent and the grub was getting low;
The trail was bad, and I felt half mad, but I swore I would not give in;
And I'd often sing to the hateful thing, and it hearkened with a grin.
Till I came to the marge of Lake Lebarge, and a derelict there lay;
It was jammed in the ice, but I saw in a trice it was called the "Alice May."
And I looked at it, and I thought a bit, and I looked at my frozen chum;
Then "Here," said I, with a sudden cry, "is my cre-ma-tor-eum."
Some planks I tore from the cabin floor, and I lit the boiler fire;
Some coal I found that was lying around, and I heaped the fuel higher;
The flames just soared, and the furnace roared — such a blaze you seldom see;
And I burrowed a hole in the glowing coal, and I stuffed in Sam McGee.
Then I made a hike, for I didn't like to hear him sizzle so;
And the heavens scowled, and the huskies howled, and the wind began to blow.
It was icy cold, but the hot sweat rolled down my cheeks, and I don't know why;
And the greasy smoke in an inky cloak went streaking down the sky.
I do not know how long in the snow I wrestled with grisly fear;
But the stars came out and they danced about ere again I ventured near;
I was sick with dread, but I bravely said: "I'll just take a peep inside.
I guess he's cooked, and it's time I looked"; ... then the door I opened wide.
And there sat Sam, looking cool and calm, in the heart of the furnace roar;
And he wore a smile you could see a mile, and said: "Please close that door.
It's fine in here, but I greatly fear, you'll let in the cold and storm —
Since I left Plumtree, down in Tennessee, it's the first time I've been warm."
There are strange things done in the midnight sun
By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee.
Guesses so far:
Strength
The World
The Chariot
The Hanged Man
The Devil
Judgment
The Emperor
The Lovers
Temperance
Death
The Star
Justice
The Fool
2 of Pentacles
3 of Pentacles
5 of Pentacles
6 of Pentacles
7 of Pentacles
Page of Pentacles
Knight of Pentacles
King of Pentacles
8 of Wands
9 of Wands
10 of Wands
Page of Wands
Knight of Wands
King of Wands
7 of Swords
9 of Swords
10 of Swords
Queen of Swords
King of Swords
Ace of Cups
2 of Cups
3 of Cups
6 of Cups
8 of Cups
9 of Cups
10 of Cups
Page of Cups
Queen of Cups
King of Cups
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| Mesara |
18 Oct 2004 |
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Strength
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| OakDragon |
18 Oct 2004 |
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Nope. Try again!
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| arcanalefait |
18 Oct 2004 |
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9 of wands?
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| OakDragon |
18 Oct 2004 |
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Sorry, that's not it either.
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| tmgrl2 |
18 Oct 2004 |
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The World
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| Tarot Sparrow |
18 Oct 2004 |
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I had to read that passage in the 7th grade and I always liked it :D
I'll guess...5 of Pentacles.
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| Mesara |
18 Oct 2004 |
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The Chariot
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| OakDragon |
18 Oct 2004 |
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Sorry, no one has it yet. Keep guessing!
Edited to add: Dead Star, I'm not surprised! I had to memorize it in third grade. Seems to be a popular poem for school lessons.
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| Yemanja |
18 Oct 2004 |
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The Hanged Man?
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| OakDragon |
19 Oct 2004 |
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Nope, it's not the Hanged Man, either. I'm looking for the attitude of the narrator here.
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| arcanalefait |
19 Oct 2004 |
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10of wands?
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| Yemanja |
19 Oct 2004 |
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The Devil?
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| Mesara |
19 Oct 2004 |
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Judgement
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| OakDragon |
19 Oct 2004 |
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It's none of those, either. The 10 of wands is the closest so far, I guess... sort of.
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| Catpaw |
19 Oct 2004 |
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9 of swords or 8 of cups?
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| Mesara |
19 Oct 2004 |
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queen of swords
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| Semiramis |
19 Oct 2004 |
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seven of swords?
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| OakDragon |
20 Oct 2004 |
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Nope, no one's got it yet. In my last hint, I alluded to the fact that the narrator is being rather 10 of wands-ish. The angle I'm after is WHY is he being that way?
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| Yemanja |
20 Oct 2004 |
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8 fo Wands?
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| OakDragon |
20 Oct 2004 |
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Sorry, Yemanja, that's not it either. Keep trying!
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| arcanalefait |
20 Oct 2004 |
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Knight of wands?
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| OakDragon |
20 Oct 2004 |
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No, but you're getting closer!
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| kwaw |
20 Oct 2004 |
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King of Wands
Kwaw
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| OakDragon |
21 Oct 2004 |
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Originally posted by kwaw
King of Wands
Kwaw
Nope. Sorry, kwaw.
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| arcanalefait |
21 Oct 2004 |
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Page of Wands????
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| OakDragon |
21 Oct 2004 |
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No, that's not it either.... not sure what else to say without giving it away.
It's not a Wand card.
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| Yemanja |
21 Oct 2004 |
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Knight of Pentacles for how dogged and determined he is to finish his task??
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| Semiramis |
21 Oct 2004 |
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Seven of Pentacles?
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| OakDragon |
21 Oct 2004 |
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Sorry, but none of those are what I was thinking either. Doesn't the narrator seem to be going through a lot to fulfill the last request of a friend? That's loyalty, friendship, dedication and honor, isn't it?
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| Semiramis |
21 Oct 2004 |
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Two of Cups! And that's my final answer! :P
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| Mesara |
21 Oct 2004 |
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page of wands. That is my last guess too!!
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| OakDragon |
21 Oct 2004 |
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No. :(
But semiramis is close.
I must be going insane... how come no one can see it but me? Maybe I have an unusual interpretation of the cards? I don't think so, but I don't know how else to explain it.
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| Semiramis |
21 Oct 2004 |
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Three of Cups?? and that's my final final answer. (you've got me hooked on this thing!)
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| OakDragon |
21 Oct 2004 |
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Well, if that's your final answer, then you won't get it either, unfortunately. Sorry. I thought this one would be fairly easy. I must be going insane. That's the only possible explanation.
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| arcanalefait |
21 Oct 2004 |
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How about the King of Pents?
This is driving me crazy!
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| OakDragon |
21 Oct 2004 |
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Originally posted by arcanalefait
How about the King of Pents?
This is driving me crazy!
:(
How do you think I feel?
Sorry, no.
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| Semiramis |
21 Oct 2004 |
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(starting to tear her hair out and kick her feet on the floor...)
The Lovers???
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| OakDragon |
21 Oct 2004 |
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No.
Y'all are going to hate me forever, I can tell... yet I think I'm justified in the card I chose.
Originally posted by OakDragon
That's Loyalty, Friendship, Dedication and Honor, isn't it?
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| Semiramis |
21 Oct 2004 |
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Okay, this is my final guess before I give up and go get my daughter from school... Temperance?
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| OakDragon |
21 Oct 2004 |
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No, that's not it either. I can think of one other clue that will almost give it away (famous last words). But I don't know if I should give it. We have gone through a third of the deck already. Should we put this poor beast of a thread out of it's misery?
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| kryztyna |
21 Oct 2004 |
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9 of cups?
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| Yemanja |
21 Oct 2004 |
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Yaaarrggh!!!! 3 of Pentacles?????!!??
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| OakDragon |
22 Oct 2004 |
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No, it's neither of those either. I feel so silly. I must be way off base.... and yet... I don't think I am.
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| Yemanja |
22 Oct 2004 |
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2 of Pentacles?
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| OakDragon |
22 Oct 2004 |
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No, . I'm starting to think someone may have guessed the right answer already and I didn't notice. . No, no one has it yet. Keep trying!
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| lunakasha |
22 Oct 2004 |
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OK.....could it be....Death???
(sorry if this one has been tried already)
:) Luna
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| OakDragon |
22 Oct 2004 |
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Nope. That's not it either... Oh, well... I'm pretty sure we'll get through the whole deck soon!
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| Semiramis |
22 Oct 2004 |
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Six of Pentacles!
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| kryztyna |
22 Oct 2004 |
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shuffles and cuts ..... the star?
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| lark |
22 Oct 2004 |
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Justice?
Did you do Justice yet?
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| OakDragon |
22 Oct 2004 |
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Nope, still remains unguessed!
kryztyna - LOL! When all else fails, eh? I swear I did not shuffle and pull a card to come up with the answer! The card I chose fits, at least to me, though I may be the only one. I fully expect (or at least to hope) to hear the sound of a dozen or so mental lightbulbs going on and foreheads being slapped when the answer is revealed.
lark - We're doing justice to this poem, I hope, though that's not my answer.
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| Yemanja |
22 Oct 2004 |
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Urrrgh!!!! The Fool????
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| OakDragon |
22 Oct 2004 |
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:( Nope. At least I'm helping you release your aggressions, right, Yemanja?
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| Yemanja |
22 Oct 2004 |
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Yes indeed, Oakdragon!!! :D OK here goes again...
Snaaarrgle!!! The King of Cups!!!
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| OakDragon |
22 Oct 2004 |
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No, but I think that's the closest guess yet. :D
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| xviiirkna |
22 Oct 2004 |
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Page of Pentacles?
- Sally Anne
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| Yemanja |
22 Oct 2004 |
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ooohh!!! OK!!
hmmmm..........Page of Cups?
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| OakDragon |
22 Oct 2004 |
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No, and no. :(
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| Yemanja |
22 Oct 2004 |
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Bleaaarrrggh!!! (sniffle.....sniffle)
Ace of Cups?
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| OakDragon |
22 Oct 2004 |
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No.
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| Yemanja |
22 Oct 2004 |
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Waaaaaaahhh!! Waaaahh!!
10 of Cups!! For being such a wonderful and loving friend??
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| OakDragon |
22 Oct 2004 |
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You're on the right track with the reasoning, but that's not the right card.
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| Yemanja |
22 Oct 2004 |
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(sigh)........hmmmmm.... 6 of Cups???
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| OakDragon |
22 Oct 2004 |
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:( Keep trying!
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| Yemanja |
22 Oct 2004 |
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Yurgle!!! OK, Queen of Cups because he is a wonderful friend and will do anything at all to help but sometimes too much and to almost to his own detriment.......... (please!!! ;))
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| OakDragon |
22 Oct 2004 |
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:( No.
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| Osher |
22 Oct 2004 |
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Ten of Swords, of course! Er, but if wrong, just being deliberatly wrong (hey, I'm a Gemini, I can disagree with myself)
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| OakDragon |
22 Oct 2004 |
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Sorry, Osher, that's not it either.
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| Osher |
22 Oct 2004 |
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Originally posted by OakDragon
Sorry, Osher, that's not it either.
Of course it's not right, I was just teasing, it's, er, another one
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| OakDragon |
22 Oct 2004 |
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Originally posted by Osher
Of course it's not right, I was just teasing, it's, er, another one
Umm, you're right, it is... but that's not specific enough! :D
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| Yemanja |
22 Oct 2004 |
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(after more than a couple of stiff drinks.......)
King of Swords?
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| OakDragon |
22 Oct 2004 |
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:( Better have another!
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| Yemanja |
22 Oct 2004 |
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Knight of Cups
(hmm...maybe I will get to 500 posts by the time this is solved and then I can have my own avatar...yay!!!)
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| OakDragon |
22 Oct 2004 |
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Originally posted by Yemanja
Knight of Cups
(hmm...maybe I will get to 500 posts by the time this is solved and then I can have my own avatar...yay!!!)
Well this time I get to disappoint you again... but only because the thread won't get you to 500 posts!
You guessed it right, it's the Knight of Cups!
The narrator is carrying out the last request of a friend. He's a dedicated, honorable, loyal, trustworthy person. Everything a Knight of Cups should be... you could even say he's on a quest fo fulfill his friend's final wish.
Your turn, Yemanja... take it away!
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| arcanalefait |
25 Oct 2004 |
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Knight of Cups makes perfect sense....don't know why it was so hard to see!
Arcana
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| Yemanja |
27 Oct 2004 |
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Dear All!!
Writing to request some more time in coming up with a devious Lit Clue for you all, as I am still looking for books in English in this place that have passages that remind me of the cards. Hopefully I will have that done within the next day or two. Ta very much!
love and light
Yemanja
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The Lit Clue (Oct. 18) thread was originally posted on 18 Oct 2004 in the Tarot Games & Fun board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Games & Fun, or read more archived threads.
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