Songs of Near and Far Away: A Fairytale Oracle

{<style> img { display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; } </style>}{(display: "Initialize")}''Songs of Near and Far Away: A Fairytale Oracle:'' [[<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/4ybqp847m2nr4l0/0_CardBack.jpg">->Draw]]</img> [[Consult the Oracle|Draw]] or [[Explore the Cards Individually|Explore the Cards]] An oracle by <a href="http://marilynroxie.com/" target="_blank">Marilyn Roxie</a>. Coming upon the compelling, fairytale sweet, and mysterious pictures and verse of Edith Richardson's //Songs of Near and Far Away// (1900) during a search through <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=12403504%40N02&view_all=1&text=imagesfrombook003093646" target="_blank">The British Library’s public domain collection</a> inspired the creation of this 33 card oracle deck based on her charming book. |1)[(display:"Learn More")](link:"Learn more about Richardson and her books.")[(show:?1)] Read the PDF of //Songs of Near and Far Away// at the <a href="http://access.bl.uk/item/pdf/lsidyv3475920d" target="_blank">British Library</a>. |2)[(display:"Credits and Special Thanks")](link:"Credits and Special Thanks")[(show:?2)]

{(set: $draw to 0)}{(set: $explore to 1)}[[Telegraph Songs]] [[Golden Streets]] [[The Silver Ship]] [[Mountains That Reach to Heaven]] [[November]] [[The Fishers]] [[You Can Open the Hidden Doors]] [[Lend Me Your Wings O Swallow]] [[To Seek For Fairyland]] [[All the World]] [[The Third Time]] [[April Songs]] [[Night Fairies]] [[Far Across the Sea]] [[The Frogs]] [[Across the Window of My Dreams]] [[The Road to Fairyland]] [[Cobwebs]] [[The Long Long Day]] [[In the Wood I’ll Build My House]] [[Dark Dark Are the Pine Trees]] [[The Stream]] [[The Lost Child]] [[The Hilltop Line]] [[The Old Days]] [[The Chestnut Tree]] [[There is an Angel Who Watches the Corn and Catches the Children Who Run in the Corn]] [[The Cloud Boat]] [[Dandelion Clocks]] [[Magic Forges]] [[The Winds]] [[Each Leaf a Tale Can Say]] [[The Sand Maiden]] [[<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/axz2l2wflokwa3f/GoBack.jpg">->Songs of Near and Far Away]]</img> [[Draw Again|Songs of Near and Far Away]]

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/fyv7frw29mrfkij/1_TelegraphSongs.jpg" alt="Telegraph Songs"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' news, online communication, pen-pals, developing technology, discovery of treasure or knowledge, delayed travel //All the world is far away, All the world is wide, I must always work and play On this countryside. But the great tall telegraph Whispers songs to me, Makes me cry and makes me laugh At things I cannot see. Grown-up people say they hear News along the wire, But they never lay their ear Or perhaps they'd tire. But it whispers while I stay Tales of all the world All the things perhaps some day I shall see unfurled. Lovelier and lovelier still Are the songs it sings, Marvels hid behind the hill, Tales of distant things. All the world is far away, All the world is wide, I must always work and play On this countryside.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|The Sand Maiden]] | [[Next Card|Golden Streets]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/3w4uv0gfeq12n4l/2_GoldenStreets.jpg" alt="Golden Streets"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' clear weather after rain, joy, contentment with a simple lifestyle //The rain has ceased, the sun comes out, The streets are paved with gold, As in some town they tell about In the fairy tales of old. The raindrops sing the merry song They have brought from heaven to earth As they ripple, race and chase along And join the sunshine's mirth. And why should I pine for a kingdom fine? Or for money more than hand can hold? For here when the sun and rain combine The streets are paved with gold.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|Telegraph Songs]] | [[Next Card|The Silver Ship]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/libnejptbs9gsj6/3_TheSilverShip.jpg" alt="The Silver Ship"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' fantasy, news from a distant land, creativity, overcoming obstacles through imagination //Oh ship with your sail of silver That shines across the sea, To what far countries have you been Before you come to me? Have you seen the fiery dragons, And the horses that can fly, And the centaurs and the phoenixes, And the cyclops with one eye? Have you seen the tiny pigmies, Not half as big as me, Who live in the gloomy forests The other side of the sea?// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|Golden Streets]] | [[Next Card|Mountains That Reach to Heaven]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/qtblnnw6yzs674u/4_MountainsThatReachToHeaven.jpg" alt="Mountains That Reach to Heaven"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' cold weather, isolation, uncertainty, spirituality //Have you seen the great big giants, Taller than any tree, Who can almost lift a mountain And can step across the sea? Have you seen the burning mountains In the land where no man goes, And those that reach to heaven And are covered with eternal snows? Will you tell me all the stories When you are come to shore, When you are tired of wandering And put to sea no more?// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|The Silver Ship]] | [[Next Card|November]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/t4a1vngoyorew0a/5_November.jpg" alt="November"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' misty or cloudy weather, conclusion of a project, reminiscence of days gone by, reconnecting with a friend //The light, the light has departed, The days are dead, No more shall we dance light-hearted With the blue o'erhead. For the gloomy mists of winter Obscure the sky, And no chink will let ever a splinter Of the light pass by. Light and laughter fade together, For the days are done To rejoice in the summer weather, Or the light of the sun.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|Mountains That Reach to Heaven]] | [[Next Card|The Fishers]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/y65l39od0cia41t/6_TheFishers.jpg" alt="The Fishers"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' quick travel, racing to complete a project, water, sailing, cruises //The boats with their golden wings Fly right across the bay, And the white-winged seagull sails and swings, And will not a moment stay. "Whither away, so gay, so gay, O gild wings, whither away?" "To seek the ground where the fish are found That my little ones need to-day." "Where do you fly, so high, so high, O white wings, whither away?" "To seek the place where fishes race That my little ones feed to-day." And the golden wings and white Fly far across the bay, Over leaping waves and out of sight, For they cannot a moment stay.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|November]] | [[Next Card|You Can Open the Hidden Doors]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/rpvsguf7eazjrru/7_YouCanOpenTheHiddenDoors.jpg" alt="You Can Open The Hidden Doors"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' fairies, elves, mysticism, connection with higher self, accessing hidden wisdom, finding out the truth //O child with the elfin eyes That see so far, Where the little people dwell, And the brownies are, You can open the hidden doors And can enter in, And join in the merry sport Of your fairy kin. At the foolish things of men You smile and smile, With a silent sweet disdain Of them all the while. For you see beneath the earth And beyond the skies, O child with the tangled locks And the elfin eyes!// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|The Fishers]] | [[Next Card|Lend Me Your Wings O Swallow]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/vk1jmcl5axh5i0a/9_ToSeekForFairyland.jpg" alt="To Seek For Fairyland"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' luck in spite of near-misses, some things lost are not meant to be found //Through every wood and meadow, And across each hill and dale, Through sunlight and through shadow, We seek without avail; We have found the four-leaved clover, We have found where the rainbows stand, Found fairy-rings over and over, But we cannot find their land. When summer's heat is stifling, Or winter's winds are bleak, At morning and at evening, And from dawn to dusk we seek; We have found the glow-worms crawling, Torchbearers to the band— We have heard fairy voices calling, But we cannot find their land.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|Lend Me Your Wings O Swallow]] | [[Next Card|All the World]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/pbjzfuitzogtyqn/10_AllTheWorld.jpg" alt="All the World"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' windy weather, music, singing, gardening, being at one with nature, everything in its place //All the wood is full of songs, Everywhere you look They are written just as plain As in a printed book. For the stream sings to the pebbles, And the bird sings to the sky, And the wind among the branches Lisps a song and passes by. The trees grow in time to music Greener every hour, And a song is hidden In the heart of every flower. All the world is full of songs, Gay and sweet and fair. Hear what Nature sings to you, For all the songs are there.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|To Seek For Fairyland]] | [[Next Card|The Third Time]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/9pnk7zeeotuh7vk/11_TheThirdTime.jpg" alt="The Third Time"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' attempting the impossible, night-time, moonlight, hope beyond hope, twist of fate, finding help in unlikely places //I. I will walk to the moon! And all the long evening I walked and I walked, But on The horizon She vanished too soon. II. I will walk to the moon! And all the long morning I walked and I walked, But high In the heavens I Lost her at noon. III. I will walk to the moon! The quest was so sweet The I would not be baulked, Behold! At my threshold She lies at my feet.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|All the World]] | [[Next Card|April Songs]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/virpnqrb17t3pac/12_AprilSongs.jpg" alt="April Songs"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' calm after the storm, blossoming talent, powerful audience reception, favorable event //Who would write songs to April? It is itself a song To which the loveliest music The fairest words belong. Overhead the small birds carol, Underneath is a mist of green, And the white clouds gleam through the branches, And the blue, blue sky between. After the winter's silence The voice of earth grows strong, Who would write songs to April? It is itself a song.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|The Third Time]] | [[Next Card|Night Fairies]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/g7gehx5zep7qppo/13_NightFairies.jpg" alt="Night Fairies"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' lucid dreams, games with friends, spirit guides, mentors, unexpected gift //The dark is full of fairies, and alive, They dance about my bed, All sorts of games and fun they can contrive When all the light has fled. Sometimes when I am sleepy they will sing So soft and dreamily, And when I'm fast asleep they go and bring Such funny dreams to me. Sometimes they come and lead me by the band Along the moonlight way, To some delightful sunny flowery land, And there all night we play. When it is time to wake and to get up, They call across my dreams, Until to play far better than to stop In bed so idly, seems. But when I'm wide awake they go away, Perhaps they go to sleep, I never see them all the long light day, Though everywhere I peep.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|April Songs]] | [[Next Card|Far Across the Sea]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2n671bb4a6jtkqh/14_FarAcrossTheSea.jpg" alt="Far Across the Sea"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' magic, authority, persuasion, aesthetic beauty, invitation, seduction, safekeeping of goods, fortresses //Far across the sea there is a castle, Very tall and magical it stands, Guarded by the noisy waves that wrestle Round its yellow sands. In the morning the great sun behind it Sends a golden ladder down to me, Tempting me to venture out and find it Far across the sea. In the evening all its towers are gilded— Rosy flame against a rosy sky; Towers by some great magician builded In the days gone by. In the night when all the world is dreaming, Still it shines a welcome back to me, Lights from every point and window gleaming Far across the sea All the treasures of the world are hidden By those walls wherein all wonders dwell, Gathered in by giants who were bidden By some magic spell. Far across the sea there is a castle, Still it stands and beckons aye to me, Every elf and fairy is its vassal Far across the sea.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|Night Fairies]] | [[Next Card|The Frogs]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/6zpjkziyq7wtjev/15_TheFrogs.jpg" alt="The Frogs"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' playing pretend, donning a false mask, carelessness, freedom, not knowing when to quit, humor //When summer days are bot and dry, And dust is lying thick, Then all the frogs in chorus cry "Come quick, come quick, come quick!" O joy to splash about the pond, To sail upon a log, To swim the river just beyond, And grow into a frog! But when the heavy night-dews fall And all the trees look black, Then all the frogs in chorus call "Go back, go back, go back!"// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|Far Across the Sea]] | [[Next Card|Across the Window of My Dreams]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ylivwxqh9bpbm9w/16_AcrossTheWindowOfMyDreams.jpg" alt="Across the Window of My Dreams"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' prophetic dreams, daydreaming, escapism, utopian thinking, hope //Across the window of my dreams A fairer world and braver gleams, And every night it opens wide To let me see the world outside. All day another world is here With different things and not so dear, Sleep comes with night and sets me free To go wherever I would be. Sometimes I fly so far, so far I almost reach the furthest star, Sometimes I cannot pass at all, Then I sit down and watch it all— A pageant gay for my delight, A story fresh for every night And every night more fair it seems Across the window of my dreams.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|The Frogs]] | [[Next Card|The Road to Fairyland]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/dupsiq9nwv8zyg0/17_TheRoad.jpg" alt="The Road to Fairyland"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' reading, research, libraries, teachers, looking at the issue holistically //I find such store of books to-day, In rows and rows they stand, And every book can point the way To the road to fairyland. And as I read strange sights I see, Strange sights and fair and grand, And every book will a milestone be On the road to fairyland. Until at last its lawns I see And upon its threshold stand, For every book contains a key Of a door of fairyland.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|Across the Window of My Dreams]] | [[Next Card|Cobwebs]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/bzfe4r0pe775ehd/18_Cobwebs.jpg" alt="Cobwebs"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' hard work, teamwork, clothing, fashion industry //Sow every grass and tree-stem Down in the forest glade, Each thistle on the moorland To a fairy loom is made. And there each fairy spinner Lays out its silver line, And draws it thin and thinner To make a robe more fine. The morning dew has lent its pearls, The morning sun its gold, That fair and fit may be the robes That fairies fair enfold.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|The Road to Fairyland]] | [[Next Card|The Long Long Day]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/1jcvtq8qcvab5u6/19_TheLongLongDay.jpg" alt="The Long Long Day"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' travelling long and far, dedicated work, diligence //O to sail far out in a magic boat Beyond the emerald bay, Blown by the summer wind to float All through the long, long day. Out to the uttermost edge of things Out, out, and away, To reach the isle where the syren sings All through the long, long day. Where the mermaid and the watersprite And the whale and dolphin play, While the wind blows warm and the sun shines bright All through the long, long day.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|Cobwebs]] | [[Next Card|In the Wood I’ll Build My House]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/nz3doum1qwld3ea/20_InTheWoodIllBuildMyHouse.jpg" alt="In the Wood Ill Build My House"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' becoming a recluse, building, architecture, silence, contemplation, meditation, cooking, delicious food, self-care //In the wood I'll build my house Far away from houses, Where is heard no human voice, Where the water drowses. Leafy walls between each tree, Where the light comes greenly stealing, Greenest moss shall the carpet be, Bluest sky the ceiling. Mossy bank shall be my seat, Mossy stone my table, Blackberries and hips I'll eat, And mushrooms when I'm able. Leaves upon the mossy ground Thickly, softly spread, With branches green for curtains round, That shall be my bed. I shall wash my face and bands Where the waters pass, And the pool that silent stands Shall be my looking glass. All the birds shall sing to me When music I desire, And the sunshine will far warmer be Than ever any fire. In the wood I want to dwell Where the green things grow, Where the trees can talk and waters tell All that I want to know// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|The Long Long Day]] | [[Next Card|Dark Dark Are the Pine Trees]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/9j2fsm3qelmwbo0/21_DarkDarkAreThePineTrees.jpg" alt="Dark Dark Are the Pine Trees"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' trouble on the horizon, turning back in the face of adversity, heeding guidance, innocence lost //Dark, dark are the pinetrees, And the setting sun is red, And it blinks through the purple treetrunks As if it watched and said— "Dark, dark are the pinetrees, O little girl so fair, With your snowy frock and golden curls, What are you doing there?" "Dark, dark are the pinetrees, And on the other side The pixies and hobgoblins And the gnomes and brownies hide." "Dark, dark are the pinetrees, And if you longer wait I will shut my eye and leave the sky, For now the day grows late." "Dark, dark are the pinetrees, And the elves begin to roam, If you longer stay they will come to play, O little girl, go home."// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|In the Wood I’ll Build My House]] | [[Next Card|The Stream]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/4g5prbexaqdy8um/22_TheStream.jpg" alt="The Stream"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' listening to the counsel of a trusted friend, music / sound therapy //The branches bend above the stream, The grass grows green and lush, The waters, as they gleam and dream, Murmur their song of 'hush.' But the child sobs and pays no heed, for she has lost her way, And is far away from her home indeed, And has wandered all the day. Half-hidden by the grass she cries, Half-heard above the rush Of water that in passing tries To drown her sobs in 'hush.'// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|Dark Dark Are the Pine Trees]] | [[Next Card|The Lost Child]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/wdh3jgrtqmcya56/23_TheLostChild.jpg" alt="The Lost Child"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' homecoming, reunion, tears, sadness //But she hears nothing of its song, And her salt tears fall alway Into the stream, which sails along And carries them away. Her little frock all torn and soiled The lingering waters brush, As if to reach and cheer the child With their soft-whispered 'hush.' And at the last its voice prevails, Though still the tears fall fast, She follows where it calls and sails, And it leads her home at last. And murmuring unceasingly, With many a weary gush, It dances onward to the sea, Singing its song of 'hush.'// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|The Stream]] | [[Next Card|The Hilltop Line]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/v6vk09dxwegxas6/24_TheHilltopLine.jpg" alt="The Hilltop Line"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' strategizing, formulating plans, assessing the situation, minor obstacles //Beyond the houses and the hall, Beyond the river's shine, Away and high above them all There is the hilltop line. It rises, rises towards the light, It runs to reach the sky, And hides so many things from sight That most I want to spy. If I could reach the hilltop line, If I could find the way, How many things so fair and fine I first should see that day! Out to the very edge I'd creep Whatever wind might blow, And look far down the hillside steep At the whole wide world below.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|The Lost Child]] | [[Next Card|The Old Days]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/n403tu7tmbnj1ut/25_TheOldDays.jpg" alt="The Old Days"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' diaries, calendars, planners, log books, learning from past mistakes and successes, rumination //Where do the old days go to? Where do they stay? Why do they never come back again Once gone away? Do they wander away on the water? Are they hid in the moon— The sad days that seem unending And the good that go soon ? Do they wander for ever and ever With nothing to do? Or does old Father Time remake them And use them anew? Where do the old days go to? They go so fast. And never again I see them When once they are past.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|The Hilltop Line]] | [[Next Card|The Chestnut Tree]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/12vx34w0ecns8u9/26_TheChestnutTree.jpg" alt="The Chestnut Tree"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' an embrace, gentleness, contemplation, a tender parting //The chestnut leaves, like fingers five, Reach down to touch my hand, And seem to struggle and to strive To make me understand. The sun of spring has touched the line And set the flowers alight, Like candles in the green they shine And make the wayside bright. They make the spring still gayer seem, They help to light the day, Till summer comes that needs no beam And sends these flowers away.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|The Old Days]] | [[Next Card|There is an Angel Who Watches the Corn and Catches the Children Who Run in the Corn]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/zm7mtuez117qo35/27_ThereIsAnAngel.jpg" alt="There is an Angel"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' getting caught, cleverness, minor damage, trickery, mild irritation //Gay are the poppies that grow in the corn, Aflame With the heat of the summer this sunshiny morn They greet with acclaim. Would you gather the poppies that grow in the corn? Take care! For there is an angel to watch and to warn All trespassers there She catches the children who run in the corn And play, She will grieve if the cornstalks are trampled and torn, Oh come, come away!// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|The Chestnut Tree]] | [[Next Card|The Cloud Boat]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2eio868xmxlomhr/28_TheCloudBoat.jpg" alt="The Cloud Boat"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' safe passage, depending on a friend or colleague, seeing a long project through to the end //You are my boat that sails and sails, Cloud so big in the blue; Untouched by weather, unharmed by gales, No trouble can come to you. You sail past headlands of long white cloud, Through stretches of clear blue sky, And when the wind calls long and loud Away from its voice you fly. Oh, sail with me to Heaven's gate And through the golden door, To where the singing angels wait With their harps on the golden floor!// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|There is an Angel Who Watches the Corn and Catches the Children Who Run in the Corn]] | [[Next Card|Dandelion Clocks]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/3d4irdduyitbicw/29_DandelionClocks.jpg" alt="Dandelion Clocks"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' timeliness, making appointments, watching the clock, setting a timer //One, two, three, four— it's four o'clock, That is the time, you say, And, like the hours, your downy tufts Have all been blown away. How did you learn to know the time They say the sun can tell, And have you watched him till at last You know it quite as well? They say the sun makes all the time Since ever time begun, Perhaps you know because your flower Is like a little sun.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|The Cloud Boat]] | [[Next Card|Magic Forges]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/wdcs2w165a4mfni/30_MagicForges.jpg" alt="Magic Forges"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' stormy weather, supervising, teaching, giving advice, being in an authoritative position, surveying the land, starting a business //Upon a stormy evening To the dark wood I came, And saw beyond the pinetrees The fairies' forges flame. The air was full of noises Of hammers light and small Falling on tiny anvils That rang with every fall. They shod their magic horses To ride by air and sea, But when I came to look for them They had fled away from me.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|Dandelion Clocks]] | [[Next Card|The Winds]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/juypmz875t5k7pa/31_TheWinds.jpg" alt="The Winds"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' wind-chimes, intuition, instinct //Winds that whisper and winds that sing, Murmuring in my ear, What is the wonderful word you bring, What would you make me bear? From all the ends of all the earth, From every land and sea, The winds come whispering in their mirth And bring their songs to me. And the child who listens, bears All the music of the spheres, Which the wind that knows it whispers as it blows; For the wind blows near and wide, Round the world and far outside, And it gathers up its music as it goes.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|Magic Forges]] | [[Next Card|Each Leaf a Tale Can Say]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/skm1vn2kylu6818/32_EachLeafATaleCanSay.jpg" alt="Each Leaf a Tale Can Say"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' being in touch with the real world, comparing and contrasting, waking up from a dream, consciousness-raising, day-to-day-life, balancing work and play //Not all the lovely things are bid In the Land of Far Away; There are things as fair to be found amid This world of everyday. For the world is full of wonders For those who have eyes to see, Not only when it thunders Or the sun sets gloriously. For each pebble holds a story, And each leaf a tale can say, And this world has as much glory As the Land of Far Away.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|The Winds]] | [[Next Card|The Sand Maiden]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/0w17toczws9dzi0/33_TheSandMaiden.jpg" alt="The Sand Maiden"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' romance, love, delight in small pleasantries, playfulness, flirtation, working for a reward, steadfastness //On the sands of lone sea-beaches Where the sad sea makes its moan, Where but gull or petrel reaches, The sandmaiden lives alone. Blue and green the sea behind her Shines and shifts and will not rest. If you there would wish to find her, Long the way and hard the quest. For the yellow sand around her Almost hides her where she lies, And the waves perchance bad drowned her, But indeed she never dies. On her breast and arms are gleaming Shells—the jewels of the shore, Purple, green, and gold in seeming, Fairer, princess never wore. And the yellow sandflowers growing All about among the sand, For her own delight are blowing, Tended only by her band. Blown about by the sea-breezes, Seaweed like, her long hair flies And her look compels and teases, For all the sea is in her eyes.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|Each Leaf a Tale Can Say]] | [[Next Card|Telegraph Songs]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

</div>

Your card of the day: {(set: $draw to 1)(display: "Shuffled Deck")}{(print: (1) of $shuffledDeck)} {(if: $telegraphsongs is 1)[(display: "Telegraph Songs")](if: $goldenstreets is 1)[(display: "Golden Streets")](if: $thesilvership is 1)[(display: "The Silver Ship")](if: $mountainsthat is 1)[(display: "Mountains That Reach to Heaven")](if: $november is 1)[(display: "November")](if: $thefishers is 1)[(display: "The Fishers")](if: $youcanopenthehiddendoors is 1)[(display: "You Can Open the Hidden Doors")](if: $lendmeyourwings is 1) [(display: "Lend Me Your Wings O Swallow")] (if: $toseek is 1) [(display: "To Seek For Fairyland")] (if: $alltheworld is 1) [(display: "All the World")] (if: $aprilsongs is 1) [(display: "April Songs")] (if: $thethirdtime is 1) [(display: "The Third Time")] (if: $aprilsongs is 1) [(display: "April Songs")] (if: $nightfairies is 1) [(display: "Night Fairies")] (if: $faracrossthesea is 1) [(display: "Far Across the Sea")] (if: $thefrogs is 1) [(display: "The Frogs")] (if: $acrossthewindow is 1) [(display: "Across the Window of My Dreams")] (if: $theroad is 1) [(display: "The Road to Fairyland")] (if: $cobwebs is 1) [(display: "Cobwebs")] (if: $thelonglong is 1) [(display: "The Long Long Day")] (if: $inthewood is 1) [(display: "In the Wood I’ll Build My House")] (if: $darkdark is 1) [(display: "Dark Dark Are the Pine Trees")] (if: $thestream is 1) [(display: "The Stream")] (if: $thelostchild is 1) [(display: "The Lost Child")] (if: $thehilltop is 1) [(display: "The Hilltop Line")] (if: $theolddays is 1) [(display: "The Old Days")] (if: $thechestnut is 1) [(display: "The Chestnut Tree")] (if: $thereisanangel is 1) [(display: "There is an Angel Who Watches the Corn and Catches the Children Who Run in the Corn")] (if: $thecloudboat is 1) [(display: "The Cloud Boat")] (if: $dandelionclocks is 1) [(display: "Dandelion Clocks")] (if: $magicforges is 1) [(display: "Magic Forges")] (if: $thewinds is 1) [(display: "The Winds")] (if: $eachleaf is 1) [(display: "Each Leaf a Tale Can Say")] (if: $thesandmaiden is 1) [(display: "The Sand Maiden")]}[[Draw Again|Songs of Near and Far Away]]

{(set: $draw to 1)}{(set: $deck to (a: '(set: $telegraphsongs to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/fyv7frw29mrfkij/1_TelegraphSongs.jpg" alt="Telegraph Songs">', '(set: $goldenstreets to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/3w4uv0gfeq12n4l/2_GoldenStreets.jpg" alt="Golden Streets">', '(set: $thesilvership to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/libnejptbs9gsj6/3_TheSilverShip.jpg" alt="The Silver Ship">', '(set: $mountainsthat to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/qtblnnw6yzs674u/4_MountainsThatReachToHeaven.jpg" alt="Mountains That Reach to Heaven">', '(set: $november to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/t4a1vngoyorew0a/5_November.jpg" alt="November">', '(set: $thefishers to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/y65l39od0cia41t/6_TheFishers.jpg" alt="The Fishers">', '(set: $youcanopenthehiddendoors to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/rpvsguf7eazjrru/7_YouCanOpenTheHiddenDoors.jpg" alt="You Can Open The Hidden Doors">', '(set: $lendmeyourwings to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/jj4uj23c5kxr4ia/8_LendMeYourWings.jpg" alt="Lend Me Your Wings">', '(set: $toseek to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/vk1jmcl5axh5i0a/9_ToSeekForFairyland.jpg" alt="To Seek For Fairyland">','(set: $alltheworld to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/pbjzfuitzogtyqn/10_AllTheWorld.jpg" alt="All the World">', '(set: $thethirdtime to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/9pnk7zeeotuh7vk/11_TheThirdTime.jpg" alt="The Third Time">', '(set: $aprilsongs to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/virpnqrb17t3pac/12_AprilSongs.jpg" alt="April Songs">', '(set: $nightfairies to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/g7gehx5zep7qppo/13_NightFairies.jpg" alt="Night Fairies">','(set: $faracrossthesea to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2n671bb4a6jtkqh/14_FarAcrossTheSea.jpg" alt="Far Across the Sea">','(set: $thefrogs to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/6zpjkziyq7wtjev/15_TheFrogs.jpg" alt="The Frogs">','(set: $acrossthewindow to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/ylivwxqh9bpbm9w/16_AcrossTheWindowOfMyDreams.jpg" alt="Across the Window of My Dreams">', '(set: $theroad to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/dupsiq9nwv8zyg0/17_TheRoad.jpg" alt="The Road to Fairyland">', '(set: $cobwebs to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/bzfe4r0pe775ehd/18_Cobwebs.jpg" alt="Cobwebs">', '(set: $thelonglong to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/1jcvtq8qcvab5u6/19_TheLongLongDay.jpg" alt="The Long Long Day">', '(set: $inthewood to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/nz3doum1qwld3ea/20_InTheWoodIllBuildMyHouse.jpg" alt="In the Wood Ill Build My House">','(set: $darkdark to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/9j2fsm3qelmwbo0/21_DarkDarkAreThePineTrees.jpg" alt="Dark Dark Are the Pine Trees">','(set: $thestream to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/4g5prbexaqdy8um/22_TheStream.jpg" alt="The Stream">','(set: $thelostchild to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/wdh3jgrtqmcya56/23_TheLostChild.jpg" alt="The Lost Child">','(set: $thehilltop to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/v6vk09dxwegxas6/24_TheHilltopLine.jpg" alt="The Hilltop Line">','(set: $theolddays to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/n403tu7tmbnj1ut/25_TheOldDays.jpg" alt="The Old Days">','(set: $thechestnut to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/12vx34w0ecns8u9/26_TheChestnutTree.jpg" alt="The Chestnut Tree">', '(set: $thereisanangel to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/zm7mtuez117qo35/27_ThereIsAnAngel.jpg" alt="There is An Angel">', '(set: $thecloudboat to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/2eio868xmxlomhr/28_TheCloudBoat.jpg" alt="The Cloud Boat">', '(set: $dandelionclocks to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/3d4irdduyitbicw/29_DandelionClocks.jpg" alt="Dandelion Clocks">', '(set: $magicforges to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/wdcs2w165a4mfni/30_MagicForges.jpg" alt="Magic Forges">', '(set: $thewinds to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/juypmz875t5k7pa/31_TheWinds.jpg" alt="The Winds">', '(set: $eachleaf to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/skm1vn2kylu6818/32_EachLeafATaleCanSay.jpg" alt="Each Leaf a Tale Can Say">', '(set: $thesandmaiden to 1)<img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/0w17toczws9dzi0/33_TheSandMaiden.jpg" alt="The Sand Maiden">'))}{(set: $shuffledDeck to (shuffled: ...$deck))}

{(set: $explore to 0) (set: $telegraphsongs to 0) (set: $goldenstreets to 0) (set: $thesilvership to 0) (set: $mountainsthat to 0) (set: $november to 0) (set: $thefishers to 0) (set: $youcanopenthehiddendoors to 0) (set: $lendmeyourwings to 0) (set: $toseek to 0) (set: $alltheworld to 0) (set: $aprilsongs to 0) (set: $thethirdtime to 0) (set: $aprilsongs to 0) (set: $nightfairies to 0) (set: $faracrossthesea to 0) (set: $thefrogs to 0) (set: $acrossthewindow to 0) (set: $theroad to 0) (set: $cobwebs to 0) (set: $thelonglong to 0) (set: $inthewood to 0) (set: $darkdark to 0) (set: $thestream to 0) (set: $thelostchild to 0) (set: $thehilltop to 0) (set: $theolddays to 0) (set: $thechestnut to 0) (set: $thereisanangel to 0) (set: $thecloudboat to 0) (set: $dandelionclocks to 0) (set: $magicforges to 0) (set: $thewinds to 0) (set: $eachleaf to 0) (set: $thesandmaiden to 0) }

Edith Richardson was a British poet and illustrator born in 1867 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England. She authored a number of books, many for children: //Sun, Moon, And Stars: An Ownty Downty Book of Pictures and Verses for Children// (1899), //Songs of Near and Far Away// (1900), //Artist Songs// (1908), //Doors: Fantastic Adventures of a Boy Who Would Climb// (1911), //Seeking: Plays for Children// (1911), //The Dim Divine// (1914), //Wither Goest?// (1918), and //Neutopia// (1925). //Neutopia// stands out as rather different from the rest, a science-fiction title wherein male explorers happen upon “a socialist Utopia...founded by women” who appear at first glance as telepathic but in actuality “read thoughts [in] sympathy” as a kind of language with one another. Richardson’s author name appeared in publishers’ listings or title pages as E. Richardson, Emmeline Richardson, or Eva Richardson, so uncovering details about her has proven a challenging task. As I began work on this oracle, I searched deep and finally found //The Dictionary of British Women Artists//, which lists Richardson’s first name (at birth) as Edith: "The daughter of David Richardson, a leather tanner. Her brother, Arthur Richardson was also an artist. Educated at Cheltenham Ladies' College. Studied at Armstrong College (later Newcastle University) and in Paris. Awarded Lady Literate in Arts in 1888. Returned to the family home on Tyneside and established herself as a professional artist and illustrator. In 1900 moved to Hertfordshire where she remained for the rest of her life." Richardson was aunt of actor Sir Ralph David Richardson, initially an art school student before pursuing theater and film who appeared in such features as //Doctor Zhivago// (1965), //Time Bandits// (1981), and //Watership Down// (1978). Richardson exhibited at a number of art galleries, including the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours. At the time of this writing, one of her paintings appears in auction databases: //Spring Awakening//, which shows a child with cropped hair in blue kneeling with flowers behind their back in a forest, the forest floor covered with bunches of flowers. Further titles of Richardson’s paintings includes //The Path//, //The Boy and the Winds// (1899) and //White Butterflies// (1900). Richardson was said to have “ran a doorstep library” in Hertfordshire a few years before her 1935 death. In //Brush and Pencil: An Illustrated Magazine of the Arts of Today//, (Volume IX, October 1901 to March 1902) //Songs of Near and Far Away// is reviewed: "A collection of simple verses for children, much after the style of [Robert Louis] Stevenson's //Child's Garden of Verses//, though Miss Richardson strikes quite a distinctive note of her own. The book is charmingly illustrated in colors by the authoress, the effects (attained by very simple means) being refreshingly novel and beautiful." The review appearing in the London St James Gazette of December 19th, 1900 noted that: "Perhaps children will best like Miss Eva Richardson's bright, simple illustrations to //Songs of Near and Far Away// (Cassell). Grown-up readers cannot help comparing Dark, Dark Are the Pine-Trees, with Stevenson's Dark brown is the river. Stevenson's "little birdie" sang “Ain't you 'shamed, you sleepy-head?” Miss Richardson's fairies are less direct." Further reading and sources: <a href="https://www.blouinartsalesindex.com/147984-147984-results.action" target="_blank">Blouin Art Sales Index: Edith Richardson</a> <a href="http://benbeck.co.uk/fh/collaterals/second%20cousins/4O206cousins.html" target="_blank">Edith Richardson's Genealogy</a> <a href="http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/richardson_e" target="_blank">Science Fiction Encyclopedia: Edith Richardson</a> <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=cQhke8K9G60C&pg=PA136&dq=neutopia+simpkin&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjQktHb9ozVAhXLqFQKHWy4A-4Q6AEILDAB#v=onepage&q=neutopia%20simpkin&f=false" target="_blank">Encyclopedia of Fictional and Fantastic Languages: Neutopia</a> <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=k9dLAQAAIAAJ&q=%22edith%22+richardson+%22newcastle%22+%221867&dq=%22edith%22+richardson+%22newcastle%22+%221867&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj2q-uR-IzVAhVIs1QKHW78D8oQ6AEIJDAA" target="_blank">Painters in the Northern Counties of England and Wales</a> <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=UFApAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA284&lpg=PA284&dq=%22richardson+miss+edith%22+newcastle&source=bl&ots=KSszouABZj&sig=YwQuOhbsNZMfIefHs1nhAnqY9Cw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj9h92B-YzVAhUCj1QKHbjkBKIQ6AEIJDAA#v=onepage&q=%22richardson%20miss%20edith%22%20newcastle&f=false" target="_blank">The Royal Academy of Arts: A Complete Dictionary of Contributors and Their Work from Its Foundation in 1769 to 1904, Volume 6</a> <a href="https://newspaperarchive.com/london-st-james-gazette-dec-19-1900-p-5/" target="_blank">London St James Gazette</a>

{(if: $explore is 1)[<center><img src="https://www.dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/jj4uj23c5kxr4ia/8_LendMeYourWings.jpg" alt="Lend Me Your Wings"></center>]}''Divinatory meanings:'' achievement with the assistance of another, surpassing the odds, birds, flight, travel by plane //Lend me your wings, O swallow, Lend me your wings, Then I could fly and follow Each bird as it flies and sings. I could find where its nest was hidden, And up to the topmost bough I could reach, which was never ridden By any child till now. Lend me your wings, O swallow, Lend me your wings to fly, To fly over hill and hollow, And up to the windswept sky.// {(if: $explore is 1)[###### [[Explore the Cards]] | [[Previous Card|You Can Open the Hidden Doors]] | [[Next Card|To Seek For Fairyland]] ]}{(if: $draw is 0)[ [[Do a Reading|Songs of Near and Far Away]] ]}

Credits and special thanks: The background image is a photograph taken by <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/4qZq7xlqpvM" target="_blank">Dustin Scarpitti</a>, the cursor icon is by <a href="https://opengameart.org/content/patreon-public-domain-art-tarot-arcana-icons" target="_blank">MadameBerry</a>, and the passage background is by <a href="http://free-paper-texture.com/rough-cardboard-paper/" target="_blank">Paper-co</a> all licensed in the public domain. Special thanks to Jason Simpson for encouraging this project early on in its development. This project was created for the <a href="https://itch.io/jam/twine-games-jam" target="_blank">Twine Games Jam</a> on February 14th, 2018.

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Songs of Near and Far Away: A Fairytale Oracle:

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An oracle by Marilyn Roxie. Coming upon the compelling, fairytale sweet, and mysterious pictures and verse of Edith Richardson's Songs of Near and Far Away (1900) during a search through The British Library’s public domain collection inspired the creation of this 33 card oracle deck based on her charming book.

Learn more about Richardson and her books.

Read the PDF of Songs of Near and Far Away at the British Library.

Credits and Special Thanks