Tarot Spread: Desiree Carroll

 

The information below is piled from the Charley Project.

Desiree was last seen near her family's residence a few miles southwest of Kosse, Texas on March 25, 1983. She resided with her mother and older sister. Her parents had been divorced for about two years and the mother had custody, but the children's father saw them regularly. He last saw Desiree about two weeks before she went missing.

Desiree's mother stated she dropped the children off at the lane leading to their house at 1:00 p.m., then drove away in her pickup truck. Desiree's older sister walked to the house and Desiree followed the truck. She disappeared a short time afterwards and has never been heard from again.

Desiree's home in 1983 was in a rural, heavily wooded area. Extensive searches in the woods turned up no sign of her. Her case remains unsolved and she is presumed to have been abducted by a non-family member.

There is only one photograph available of this girl. This implies that either the family could not afford to buy film or have photographs developed, or that they did not love the child. I do not want to point fingers, but it does puzzle me all the same.

The problem with Desiree’s case is that there is very little information to go on. However, I will do my very best with this reading.

1.       Seven of Wands, reversed. Feeling daunted, losing your nerve, suffering losses, having an accident. Bodyguards, nightclub doormen, public defenders.

The figure in this card appears angry, as if he is not satisfied with his lot. The loss could mean Desiree being separated from her family, although whether this card indicates Desiree or her loved ones I am not certain.

 

2.       Nine of Swords, reversed. Prolonged anxiety, going over old ground, mental exhaustion, seeing an end to despair, a turn for the better.

The second card represents the Querent’s – Desiree’s – obstacles. Could it be that the search for her has been exhausted? Was someone suffering from anxiety? Will Desiree be found in a place that was already searched?

 

3.       Eight of Swords, reversed. Being released from obligations, overcoming obstacles, finding freedom.

This card points towards what the Querent wants, but is not theirs at present. Desiree was unable to find freedom. I am not sure if this means that she was killed after being kidnapped, or if she was simply unable to leave the place where she was being held, but it means that she was not able to get away. There are some hills and a stream in the card, so she may be close to these geographical landmarks.

 

4.       Sun, reversed. Partial success, sadness, feeling under the weather, reduced vitality, delayed success or happiness, things are not as rosy as they seem, false impressions.

The fact that the card suggests that ‘things are not as rosy as they seem’ make me think of the Carroll household. The police accused them of having sold or killed Desiree. I do not know why they believed this (they could simply have been rogue cops). This card might refer to the immediate investigation and the officers’ beliefs concerning the family. I do not wish to accuse anyone, but this card is something to keep in mind.

 

5.       Temperance. Harmony, moderation, blending opposites, angel communication, self-acceptance. Therapists, counsellors, chefs, cooks.

The number that Temperance represents is 14. State Highway 14 goes through Kosse. I think that this might mean that Desiree was taken either northeast or southwest. There is a pond with lilies present in the card, as well as the sun peering out from behind some mountains. Could it be possible that Desiree is somewhere close to a pond with lilies?

 

6.       Five of Pentacles, reversed. Coming out of a dark period, a turn for the better, finding sanctuary, finding hope, temporary setbacks at work or home.

This might mean that there shall be a break in the case. Could Desiree have gone somewhere relatively pleasant? This might mean that the police were right and she was sold – whether or not her parents took any part in this – to someone who cared for her? They may not have known that she was kidnapped if this is the case. I read something about a child-selling ring in Texas that same year, supposedly connected to missing child Tanya Williams. Could Desiree have also been a victim?

 

7.       Emperor. Authority, structure, rational thought, responsibility, law and order, asserting yourself, fathers, heads of family, hoteliers, CEOs, financial controllers, department heads.

The seventh card always represents the Querent. This may refer to someone connected to Desiree. The Emperor covers the period between March 21^st and April 19^th, which includes the date that Desiree was abducted. Maybe this could have been the person who brought Desiree, if she was sold. It may even refer to Desiree herself, but I do not believe this is likely.

 

8.       Seven of Swords. Feeling ineffectual, pessimism, theft, mental procrastination, falling short of the mark, working beneath your own standards, being underhanded. Researchers, loafers, fairground workers, festival workers, pickpockets, thieves, burglars.

I apologise for the same card being used to signify both fairground workers and thieves. The tents in the background do indicate that Desiree’s environment may connect somehow to a fair or festival. Maybe one is held frequently close by? Or it could represent the people that took Desiree, if not the people she is with at present.

 

9.       Hanged Man. Letting go, sacrifice for gain, surrender, seeing from another direction, detachment from material.

The ninth card signifies hopes and fears. Perhaps Desiree hopes that she can let go of what has happened to her, or something else connected to her if she is still alive. Maybe she hopes that whoever took her will surrender.

 

10.   Queen of Pentacles, reversed. Narrow minded, selfish, immoral, wasteful, greedy, insecure, obsessively clean, phobias, a gold digger. A teacher, cook, interior designer, shopper, businesswoman, administrator, jeweller, designer.

The Queen of Pentacles can also refer to a woman with dark hair and eyes, usually over forty years of age. I wonder if this refers to someone involved in Desiree’s kidnapping or selling. Or maybe even Desiree herself. She would be forty as of this reading. It is sad to think that an innocent child may have grown up to be a selfish and cruel person. However, as I said, this may not necessarily have been the case. Whatever happened to Desiree, a selfish woman was involved.