Tarot Spread: Michelle Jolene Lakey

Jolene visited her mother at Mercy Hospital in their hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania on August 26, 1986. She was last seen walking on north Washington Avenue towards her home, which was in the 1300 block of that street. She was planning on spending the night at a female friend's house on Myrtle Street.

Jolene may have entered an unidentified light yellow car approximately one block from her family's residence. She has never been seen again. Authorities believe she was abducted by a non-family member.

Frank Osellanie is considered a possible suspect in Jolene's case. He was convicted of kidnapping, raping and murdering a nine-year-old Scranton girl in 1990 and has been in prison ever since. He is considered a person of interest in several other cases, including the 1978 disappearance of Joanne Williams.

Osellanie admitted to knowing Jolene and said she sometimes visited his auto shop and he gave her rides home. He maintains his innocence in her disappearance, however, and investigators are not sure whether he was involved.

Jolene's parents are divorced; she had not seen her father for three years prior to her disappearance and he was not notified of her abduction for seven months afterwards. Her mother moved away from Scranton shortly after her disappearance and now lives in Oxford, New York. Her case remains unsolved.

This seems to be a case of grabbing a child off from the streets; a crime of opportunity. I am not certain as to whether the suspect involved was responsible, but I shall keep an open mind.

1)                  Nine of Pentacles. Gain, reward for your efforts, success in projects and business deals, realizing your goals, a kept man or woman.

This card signifies the Querent’s present – in this case when Michelle was last seen. I wonder what ‘project’ refers to. The card shows a woman surrounded by tall bushes. Maybe Jolene is surrounded by bushes or there were bushes close to where she was abducted.

 

2)                  Two of Wands, reversed. Self-doubt, loss of control, scattered energy, abuse of power, being dominated, disrupted plans and interruptions. Business partners and office workers, travel agents, hoarders and collectors, silent partners.

Might Michelle have been taken by someone she knew? Or at the very least someone she trusted. She might have had doubts about this person or persons’ plans soon after entering their house or vehicle. The idea of disrupted plans appears to me to link to her disappearance.

The card shows a man standing behind a wall as he looks out onto other buildings and onto water. Could Michelle be behind tall walls, or perhaps be close to a large body of water? Lake Wallenpaupack is the nearest large body of water that I can think of. Might she be there?

 

3)                  Fool, reversed. Folly, chaos, lack of direction, poor judgement, being gullible, blocks, restrictions.

I think that Michelle must have been tricked somehow, whether or not she knew her abductor.

 

4)                  Justice, reversed. Miscarriage of justice, imbalance and unfair treatment, being discredited, not being able to speak your truth, making or receiving the wrong decision, jail.

The fact that Justice happens to be reversed makes me think that Michelle may never receive justice, which is a horrible thought, especially when it concerns a child. However, the jail and unfair treatment might imply that she was held for a time after her abduction. I still cannot work out if she will receive actual justice, however. It is rather interesting that Justice represents the number 11, the age Michelle was when she went missing.

 

5)                  Five of Swords. Defeatism, arguments, negativity, troubles, disturbances, feeling broken, spite and malice, selfishness, revenge.

The fifth card symbolises the best that the Querent – Michelle – can hope to achieve. If so, then this is a very unhappy card and therefore she was in an unhappy situation. Or perhaps these were feelings that Michelle herself had, either before or during her ordeal. Were there problems at home? Child predators can easily spot a child who is in need of love. This happens far too often, I am sad to say.

 

6)                  Seven of Swords, reversed. Being caught out, being ashamed of your actions, blaming others, making excuses, walking away at a crucial point, uncovering a sham. Private investigators, researchers, festival staff, fairground or attraction workers, thieves, burglars.

This card shows a man walking away from a group of tents. Might this mean that Michelle was taken out of Scranton? I wonder if her abductor will be caught, if he has not been arrested already for another crime.

I think again of the suspect. I CANNOT say for certain that he is involved, but this is something to take into account when looking for Michelle.

 

7)                  Magician, reversed. Deceit, con artist, liar, communication blocks, abuse of power, ill intentions, manipulation. Electricians, communications workers, the self-employed or technologically minded.

This card links to Michelle’s environment. I believe that this card signifies the person who took her, especially if she currently shares his environment. He may have known her and abused that trust to get Michelle to come with him.

 

8)                  Queen of Pentacles, reversed. Narrow-minded, selfish, immoral, insecure, obsessive, neurotic, a gold-digger. Teacher, cook, interior designer, career woman, manager, works with animals.

This card symbolises Michelle’s hopes and fears. There might have been a female involved in her abduction. This woman likely has dark hair and eyes and may be over forty.

I see an animal-themed park close to Lake Wallenpaupack. I wonder if this could be a clue as to where Michelle is now.

 

9)                  Lovers, reversed. A broken love affair or relationship, infidelity, business falling apart.

The ninth card connects to the Querent’s hopes and fears. Perhaps Michelle is afraid of love or trusting the wrong person. I would not be surprised, especially if she already knew her kidnapper. Or maybe if a business fell apart then somehow Michelle would be found. Could evidence be buried underneath a business’ foundations?

 

10)               Ten of Cups. Fulfilment, perfect harmony, satisfaction, a happy family unit, your dream becoming reality, a growing family, a happy communal living. Landscape gardeners, festival organizers, youth workers, churchgoers, charity workers, community workers, volunteers.

This is a very pleasant card to end a reading on, despite the circumstances, as the Ten of Cups is always a joyful card. I believe that whatever the outcome, Michelle’s loved ones will receive closure and, if Michelle was alive as of the reading, she will be found alive. The card shows a house on a hill with two adults and two children underneath a rainbow. This links back to my theory that she is not in Scranton, but in the countryside.

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.

Tarot Spread: Patricia Lynn Taylor

 

 

Patricia's case is interesting to me because she may have started off as a runaway, but could easily have become something else. The information below is piled from the Charley Project.

Patricia was born in California. Some time later, due to problems at home, she went to live with relatives in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Six months later, she was taken to Oklahoma and placed in the care of Oklahoma's Department of Human Services (DHS).

Initially she stayed at the Oklahoma Baptist Home for Children's Owasso campus. She was transferred to the Tulsa Girls Group Home in July 1981. Patricia was last seen on August 31, 1981. Authorities classified her as a runaway.

Patricia left behind a large family, including at least five half-siblings. The Oklahoma DHS closed her case when she turned eighteen, but in 2015, after over 30 years without hearing from Patricia, her family asked the police to open a missing persons case for her.

Why did people chose to close missing children's ages when they passed their eighteen birthdays? Or decide to go for years, even decades, without opening up the case again? True, the latter instance may be due to people mistakenly believing that the police would follow procedure or that someone else had reported their loved one missing, but it still baffles me.

 

1.                   Four of Pentacles, reversed. Greed, isolating yourself, loving your savings or possessions, unstable foundations, feeling insecure.

As Patricia was in foster care when she went missing, this card does not surprise me in the very least. She may have felt angry at the world. Did she lose any important possessions while in foster care?

 

2.                   Ten of Swords. Ruin, a sudden ending, grief, a negative outcome, falling just before the finish line, being stabbed in the back.

Was Patricia betrayed in some way by the people who were supposed to be looking after her? I am not referring to physical or sexual assault, but rather neglect or lies being told. For once in these readings I think the obstacles card does not connect to an abductor, but the position Patricia found herself in. How miserable was she? Did she really run away, at least at first? Whatever caused her to abscond she was a very unhappy young woman.

 

3.                   Ten of Cups. Fulfilment, satisfaction, a happy family unit, your dream becoming reality, stability in personal relationships, a move to the country.

This card shows four happy figures, two parents and two children, underneath a rainbow. You do not have to be a psychic to work out that this meant that Patricia wanted to be part of a happy family. From what I have heard she had at least five half-siblings. She was being pushed around from foster home to foster home and although I do not know the reason why, she was clearly miserable. The third card signifies what the Querent – Patricia – wants but is not theirs at present.

 

4.                   King of Cups, reversed. Petty, spiteful, a weak man, lazy, sometimes violent and possibly abuses alcohol and/or drugs.

I wonder if this man might have been in a position of power at the place Patricia was living in. Could this have been the man that let Patricia down in some way? He is possibly older, most likely over forty at the time.

 

5.                   High Priestess. Mystery, intuition, emotional stability, things yet to be revealed, a single woman, a chaste woman, information withheld, secrets, not trusting your intuition, being lied to, led astray, immorality. Teachers, mentors, nuns, librarians, spa workers, mediators, educators.

I wondered for a moment if this card represented Patricia. The fifth card symbolises what the Querent is moving away from. However, this could mean the situation in 1981 or even things yet to be revealed that occurred AFTER she was last seen. Those over the age of 14 are usually represented by Pages, but I wonder if this card in fact means Patricia had a secret of some sort. Was she being led astray at outside influences? A ‘B’ and a ‘J’ might come up somewhere.

 

6.                   Queen of Wands. An energetic and lively woman, creative, self-confident, ambitious and determined, expressive, enjoys socialising.

This card is the complete opposite of what Patricia was going through. This card might refer to embarking on a period of self-discovery or learning to be more daring and bold. Somewhere along the line Patricia learnt to be brave in some capacity. Queens often refer to a woman over the age of eighteen years and when describing people the Wands depict people with red hair and those with Fire Signs (Patricia is a Sagittarius). Could this mean that Patricia lived long enough after she was last seen to become a legal adult? The sixth card represents the future, so is it entirely possible? Anita Drake and Crystal Haag were both teenagers when they disappeared, but were found to have survived for YEARS after they were last seen (Anita was dead by the time she was identified, but had died of cancer after almost thirty years). Patricia may not be dead, although I will speak about this.

 

7.                   The Devil, reversed. Breaking free from unhealthy relationships, becoming less sexual, freedom from restraints and starting a new life. It might refer to prison guards, interrogators, smugglers or house thieves.

The seventh card might mean that Patricia chose to leave the foster home of her own free will. Something fascinating is that the number associated with this card is 15, the age Patricia was when she was last seen.

 

8.                   King of Swords, reversed. Dictatorial, domineering, suspicious, a liar, spineless, coward, arrogant, impatient.

However, things were not as rosy as Patricia expected after she left the foster home. This card represents the environment around a person. This might link to a current environment as opposed to a previous one. She may have met someone – most likely a male with grey or fair hair or a light complexion and possibly in his forties or older – who might have taken advantage of her. Due to being in tough living conditions at the foster homes, I do not believe Patricia would have fallen for tricks, but that is my own opinion.

 

9.                   Fool, reversed. Folly, stupidity, lack of direction, poor judgement, being gullible, naivety, blocks, restrictions.

It seems as if I was wrong. Patricia MIGHT have been taken in by this person’s charm or his lies. Maybe he offered her a lift back to her family. This card can refer to a traveller or a wanderer or even pleasure seekers.

 

10.                Chariot. Drive, willpower, ambition, victory, confidence, overcoming obstacles, mastering a skill, energy.

From what I have seen in the previous cards, this one may have two different interpretations. The first is that Patricia was able to overcome her misery and begin a new life. The second is that she entered – willing or unwillingly – a physical vehicle, probably driven by the person represented by the King of Swords, which might have sent her towards a tragic end. This does not mean, of course, that she entered a vehicle and was not killed, but considering the dangers of hitchhiking I tend to lean towards darker outcomes when it comes to this activity. There are tall buildings in the background of the card, which makes me think that she might be near a city or somewhere with tall buildings.

There is one more factor that I would like to address and that is if Patricia has sadly passed on, where could she possibly be? Has she been found and is still unidentified?

Some time ago I came across a picture of an unidentified girl whose body was found in Campbell County, Tennessee in 1985. She is suspected to have been a victim of the Redhead Murders (I talked about this at length in Nancy Baird’s reading). She was aged between 9 and 15 when she died, between 1981 and 1985 (remember that the deceased was skeletal and had therefore died some time before discovery, as well as the fact that she was found more than 35 years ago). I believe that the latest reconstruction by the NCMEC resembles Patricia.

If someone out there reading this knows Patricia’s family then I would recommend that you tell them about this unidentified young lady, if they do not know already. It may help to bring some closure.

https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/1577

Tarot Spread: Lauren Maria Pico Jackson

This little girl has been missing for over thirty years and yet there seems to be very little about her online.

The information below is piled from the Charley Project.

Lauren was last seen digging in the dirt with other children near her mother's apartment complex in Spring City, Pennsylvania on October 4, 1988. When her mother, Christina O'Donnell, went to check on her later, she was gone. One of Lauren's playmates said he saw her walking towards her home; she was about 100 feet away from her front door at the time. She has never been heard from again. An extensive search of the area turned up no clues as to her whereabouts.

O'Donnell and the child's father, Michael "Mickey" Jackson, shared custody of her at the time of her disappearance and he lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He had planned to seek full custody of Lauren because he was concerned about the living conditions in her mother's home. Michael described O'Donnell's neighborhood as a haven for drug activity. O'Donnell herself was arrested on drug charges prior to Lauren's disappearance, and she later admitted she had a substance abuse problem.

Tracker dogs traced Lauren's scent away from her mother's apartment, along Park Road to Route 724 and along there to the Vincent Motel, nearly a mile from the apartment complex, before the dogs lost the trail. Due to the lack of evidence in Lauren's case, investigators believe she was most likely abducted. Her case remains unsolved.

I have a personal suspect in mind, although where exactly he was and when seems to be a bit spotty.

https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/vicap/homicides-and-sexual-assaults/richard-william-davis

Richard William Davis murdered Siobhan McGuinness in 1974. He was only connected to the crime in 2020, six years after he died. He had links to Pennsylvania, but no matter how far I have searched, I cannot work out where. However, he is not the only child murderer with links to Pennsylvania. Lauren might very well have been taken by someone else and could still be alive. We must never give up hope.

1.       The Moon, reversed. Secrets being revealed, deceptions are seen, insomnia and unusual sleeping patterns. Irrational thoughts and behaviours.

Was Lauren or her mother suffering from insomnia when she went missing? The Moon also links to the number 18 and the element of water. Could there be a link to the Schuylkill River?

 

2.       Knight of Swords. Active, energetic, sudden changes. A soldier, lawyer, negotiator, surgeon, hairdresser or graduate.

This card symbolises Lauren’s obstacles. She was taken from her home suddenly, that is for certain, but perhaps this card might describe her kidnapper. He was most likely over the age of forty, or someone who could be considered a stern leader. He may have been the head of his family or household, if he had one. His hair may be black or dyed. Kings and Queens also tend to mean people who are married.

 

3.       Queen of Wands. A mother, flirty, dynamic, creative, open-minded or a femme fatale. A businesswoman, counsellor, manager, performer or executive.

A woman might have been involved in Lauren’s disappearance. She could be an energetic and lively woman, or perhaps a tough businesswoman. But whoever she was, this does not sound at all like Lauren’s mother. A cat is featured on the card at the feet of the Queen, with more cats decorated on her throne. Maybe cats are a bit part of this woman’s life, or maybe she is named Cat or Catherine. Something important is that this card represents the best that the Querent – in this case Lauren – can arrive at.

 

4.       King of Cups, reversed. Petty, spiteful, lacking in commitment, a weak man or philanderer, betrayal, laziness and sometimes violent. A negotiator, veterinarian, doctor, judge or bar owner.

The idea of a veterinarian makes me think again about the possible connection to cats. This card shows a large body of water, but as Lauren was last seen in Pennsylvania, I wonder what this might mean. Perhaps she was taken east or even north to the Great Lakes. The search dogs followed her scent to a motel north of her apartment complex. Her abductor could have been going to, or even lived, close to the Great Lakes. This man might be violent at home, but appear kind to the outside world.

 

5.       Five of Pentacles. Material loss, worries, setbacks, desolation, feeling isolated, losing your home, financial hardship.

The fifth card represents what the Querent is moving through. Lauren was definitely taken from her home and would have been worried and perhaps even physically isolated. The card depicts two figures walking by a church, oblivious to the fact that warmth and even happiness might be inside. Lauren could have believed that there was no hope for her. This is quite an upsetting card, as the meaning that this particular card illustrates means that I am unsure if this even means if she is dead or alive.

 

6.       Six of Wands, reversed. Self-doubts, loss of confidence, delayed success, being ostracized.

This card signifies the Querent’s future. Lauren may at present – whether she is dead or alive – have no confidence in herself. The delayed success could refer to the investigation; perhaps there has been a significant clue but it was not followed up on for one reason or another.

 

7.       Three of Wands, reversed. Loss of direction, lack of ambition, difficulties in business, disarray at work, disorganization.

This card represents Lauren herself. She may feel lost – both physically and emotionally – and this may be the reason why this reading appears to be muddled. This card shows a figure overlooking a stretch of water large enough for boats to sail in. She could be close to some docks, a beach or, as I have suggested, by the Great Lakes.

 

8.       Knight of Wands. Travel, movement, change of residence, courage, clever, witty, charming. A tour guide, soldier, sportsman, illusionist or electrician.

Now we go onto Lauren’s environment. The idea of travel makes me think again of ships and oceans, but it could just as easily be an airport or a major highway. The Knight of Wands rules the Six of Wands, causing me to think that this card somehow connects to Lauren’s personality. Did she want to travel? Was she a charming sort of child?

 

9.       Two of Pentacles, reversed. An imbalance between work and home, resisting change, discord, a turn for the worse, incomplete projects, buckling under pressure.

As this card symbolises Lauren’s hopes and fears, I think that she hopes that her abductor – if he is still alive – will buckle under the pressure if he is accused. Resisting change could refer to the situation she is in if she happens to have passed on. This card can also refer to accountants, shift workers, people with multiple jobs, buyers and sellers or market traders. Yet again I see ships on the water behind the figure and I really do think that Lauren is close to a large body of water.

 

10.   Eight of Wands, reversed. Delays in communication, disruption to plans, stalling or moving slowly, descending into chaos, targets missed.

This card represents the outcome. There shall be some delays and disruptions, which makes me wonder if they will catch Lauren’s kidnapper – again, if he is still alive – but there shall be some delays in finding her or prosecuting him. Perhaps he is dead and the complications therefore refer to finding Lauren.

Tarot Spread: Jillian Cutshall

I have decided to go from runes to the tarot. I shall still use runes from time to time, but for now I will be using the tarot.

My apologies for being absent for five years.

This spread will be focused on Jillian Cutshall, who was nine years old when she was last seen in Norfolk, Nebraska on August 13th 1987. The information below is piled from the Charley Project.

'Jillian was last seen at approximately 6:30 a.m. on August 13, 1987 in Norfolk, Nebraska. Her parents are divorced and she lived in Grand Bend, Kansas with her mother, Joyce Cutshall, and her brother.

She was visiting her stepmother and her father, Roger Cutshall, in Norfolk when she disappeared. They lived in McNeely Apartments. She didn't like to stay in their apartment alone, so when they left for work early that morning, she started walking to her babysitter's residence four blocks away.

Jillian never arrived and has not been seen again. Her babysitter assumed she'd decided to stay home, and she wasn't missed until after 3:00 p.m., when her stepmother went to the babysitter's home to pick her up and found out she wasn't there.

Three months after her disappearance, her clothes, shoes and keys were found in the Wood Duck Wildlife Refuge in Stanton, Nebraska, ten miles from her father's home.

In 1988, a tip led Joyce to David C. Phelps, a man who lived in Roger's apartment building and had met Jillian. Police interviewed him twice in the spring of 1988.

In the second interview, he told a detective he had been molesting children since he was in his teens and preferred blonde girls between the ages of four and six. He described six incidents of sexual contact with girls. Charges were never filed in connection with any of the alleged assaults.

Phelps stated he liked Jillian's blue eyes, but that she was "too old" for his liking.

In January 1989, a private investigator hired by Joyce drove Phelps to the wildlife refuge where Jillian's clothes were found. Later that day, Phelps gave a statement to a television crew the investigator had waiting and stated that he and another neighbor, Kermit Baumgartner, who had a record for sexual assault, took Jillian to the refuge.

Phelps described the child's clothes and undergarments correctly and said he held her down while Baumgartner molested her. He stated he became nervous and left Baumgartner and Jillian alone in the refuge and drove back home, and he never saw the child again.

Baumgartner denied having had anything to do with Jillian's disappearance and he has never been charged in connection with it. When police interviewed Phelps, he recanted his previous statements, stating they were coerced by the private investigator.

He was released without charge, as authorities didn't think they had enough evidence. Both men left the state shortly afterwards; Baumgartner went to California and Phelps to Iowa.

Joyce started a petition drive that forced a grand jury to convene and open an investigation. The grand jury indicted Phelps for abduction with intent to commit sexual assault. He was convicted in the spring of 1991 and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

No one has been charged with causing Jillian's death, although she was declared legally dead after Phelps's conviction. She has never been located.'

It seems as if this might be an open-and-shut case, albeit without a body. However, I shall try my best to be fair about this situation.

1.       Four of Swords, reversed. Refusal or inability to make a decision, forced exile, isolation, being unable to rest, insomnia, healing.

This seems to be quite an unpleasant card to start a reading off with. As this card may represent the present time, the forced exile could mean Jillian being taken from her home. Being unable to rest could have different interpretations whether she is dead or alive – it could mean that her spirit is unable to rest, or that she is unable to enjoy herself for fear of someone or something. Her kidnapper, perhaps?

 

2.       The Lovers, reversed. A broken affair or relationship, fear of commitment, business failing and going awry, one partner leaving the other.

This card represents Jillian’s obstacle; her abductor. Could he perhaps have been angry with his significant other and decided to take his anger out on a female? This may seem far-fetched, but it has happened before. The number six appears with the Lovers.

 

3.     The Magician, reversed. Deceit, a con artist, abuse of power, stagnation, ill intentions, manipulation, fake skill-set.

I think this card might indicate her abductor. He could have tricked Jillian. Maybe he knew her parents, or her babysitter. Maybe he had seen her around. Something interesting is that the Magician’s count is 9, the age Jillian was when she went missing.

 

4.       Seven of Pentacles, reversed. Failure in business, fruitlessness, a turn in either direction, fear of success, self-sabotage. It might mean a planner, farmer, long term investor, garden centre worker, plant grower or tree surgeon.

Could Jillian’s abductor have had one of these jobs? A turn in either direction makes me wonder who this would have benefited. Jillian, or her abductor? Most likely her abductor, but what does that mean for Jillian?

 

5.     Justice, reversed. A miscarriage of justice, adjournment, lies and hypocrisy, legal flaws, making or receiving the wrong decision.

I am said to say that it looks as if there has been a miscarriage of justice. I thoroughly believe that the two men accused of killing Jillian could indeed be guilty. They were eventually released without charge, which is what this card could refer to. HOWEVER, the tarot picks up on anything surrounding a question, so this may not be the case, although the fact that Justice is featured in this reading causes me to believe this.

 

6.       Eight of Pentacles, reversed. Wasting resources, a poor effort, cheating, leaving education unfinished, slovenly work.

Yes, I think that the Tarot is referring to the investigation following the arrest of the two suspects. As the sixth card represents the future, I wonder if this means that there will be further problems at hand. I just feel sorry for Jillian.

 

7.      The Emperor. Authority, order, structure, leadership, father, ambition, firmness with yourself and others, rational thought, responsibility, stability.

As the seventh card represents the person in question, I think this refers to Jillian herself. Was she a rational and responsible child? Or could this card imply that she loved her father very much? The Emperor connects to fire, the number 4 and is related to Death.

 

8.       The Empress, reversed. Laziness, creative or business stagnation, wasting resources, financial difficulties, problems within the home, depression, laziness.

This card refers to the environment around the Querent, in this case Jillian. The problems within the home might connect to the fact that her parents were divorced. Did they have any financial difficulties? The idea of wasting resources comes up again. The Empress is shown in a field of corn or wheat, near a river and a forest. Perhaps Jillian is near or in a place with these geographical features. This card connects to the element earth and the planet Venus. However, when it comes to the Empress, timing is according to conditions. The planetary trump for the Empress is also a 9, perhaps a distinct reminder that Jillian did not survive her encounter.

 

9.      The Hanged Man, reversed. In limbo, narrow minded, re-entering life, inability to release, holding back.

The Hanged Man is ruled by the Empress, the previous card in this reading. The ninth card always refers to hopes and fears. Maybe Jillian is in limbo and doesn’t want to move on until justice is served. The sad fact is that I do not know if this will be the case.

 

1   Death, reversed. Delayed endings, resistance to letting go, depression, repeating mistakes.

This is a tragic card to end a reading with, particularly in the case of someone so young. I think that this might point towards the fact that if Jillian’s case is reopened, law enforcement might make the same mistakes regarding the culprits. If this is true, then perhaps Jillian will never be found. BUT I do not give up easily and neither should those who are actively searching for Jillian. The Hanged Man offers some hope in the form of ‘re-entering life’, which may mean that Jillian is able to move on from what happened to her at some point. This COULD mean that her body will be found, or if that is impossible, closure for her family.

John David Gosch

John David Gosch

http://www.johnnygosch.com/

Now, for the first American case. Most of you will be familiar with Johnny Gosch.

Johnny disappeared from Des Moines, Iowa, on September 5^th 1982. He was twelve years old. There is a conspiracy theory that Gosch was taken for a government conspiracy ring, one which possibly involved pedophilia.

But I am NOT going to see if the THEORIES are true. I’m going to see what happened to Johnny.

The first rune is Fehu, merkstave. Loss of personal property, esteem, or something put into an effort to keep. Some sort of failure. Greed, cowardice, stupidity, slavery, bondage.

Maybe the personal property was Johnny’s newspapers, or Johnny himself for his parents? Perhaps he noticed he was being followed and tried to run or get attention? Failing to get away.

The slavery and bondage idea makes me think of a Stockholm situation, maybe one that he is still in emotionally?

The second rune is Isa, merkstave. Dullness, blindness, treachery, illusion, betrayal, ambush, plots. Maybe he was ambushed as he made his way there? Or someone he thought he trusted had a hand in this? I’m not suggesting anything, but most crimes are committed by people the victim knows.

Followers will know that before I did a reading for Suzanne Lawrence, I got this rune. This meant she is now dead. I do not know if this is the truth for Johnny, but I am just putting this out there. Anyway, I have not felt, whenever I see his picture, of him dying as a child.

The third rune is Sowilo, merkstave. False goals, bad counsel, gullible, justice, ending vanity. Could this perhaps be a future in store? The idea of ‘bad counsel’ reminds me of the theory, but I am NOT SUGGESTING ANYTHING!

The justice could one Johnny will come home one way or another, so this is something positive.

It’s interesting that the two runes were ‘ice’ and ‘sun’. Maybe this could refer to a contrast of yin and yang, total opposites in close proximity, how different his home life and life after the abduction are? Someone who appears to be good but is bad, or vice versa? Or maybe I’m just thinking too much into it.

The fourth rune is Kenaz. Vision, knowledge, creativity, harnessed power, fire of transformation and regeneration, to create your own reality, open to new strength, energy and power as of now. Passion, sexual love.

Another fire one. Interesting. Maybe this is emotional strength Johnny is experiencing by being with these people? The sexual love does indicate pedophilia, but maybe he is not showing emotion, a ‘stiff upper lip’? (Which were actually invented by the Americans, by the way)

The fifth rune is Nauthiz, reversed. Constraint of freedom, distress, hard work, want, need, emotional hunger.

As would any child in this situation, I feel Johnny wants to go home. Maybe he is physically tied up on the way to wherever he was taken. The hard work by his captors or Johnny trying to escape? He wants to go home.

The sixth rune is Perthro, merkstave. Addiction, loneliness, depression. The abductor? Maybe Johnny himself after living with this for so long? Johnny could now be the strange guy you see at a bar who comes in once a week; the guy who refuses to share his past, even though you’ve known him for years; the guy who works with you that said he used to live in Iowa or the Midwest and won’t talk about it?

These could be just the tip of the iceberg or what could have happened to him. I could describe any missing person.

The seventh rune is Mannaz, merkstave. Depression, mortality, blindness, cunning, slyness, manipulation, craftiness, calculation. The cunning and slyness could mean the abductor. The craftiness especially if it is a pedophilia ring. Blindness...can Johnny no longer see? Just a suggestion.

Depression comes up again. Perhaps he is feeling depressed that he has missed out on so much with his family? This probably increased if he saw his mother again in 1997, as she claimed. How must he have felt, if he did visit? Knowing that he could never live with her again?

It pains me to say this, but perhaps that made Johnny start drinking or do something like that. He may have a criminal record under another name for being under the influence.

If that is true, it could be a start.

The eighth rune is Thurisaz, merkstave. Danger, defencelessness, betrayal, torment, lies. Rape.

Again, all the pedophilia ring allegations. I feel as if this is a really sad circumstance and that Johnny is a victim of injustice. If he is alive, then he could be depressed, maybe in an institution. He would also be a victim of rape and wouldn’t be able to tell anyone.

For his sake, I hope we find him before it’s too late.

The last rune is the blank rune. Historically, it was not used but can mean this is in the hands of the universe.

So, I feel as if Johnny is not living happily, if he is alive, and his abductor got away. If his abductor is still alive, I genuinely hope he is found and punished soon.

So, where is he?

Wealth. Giant. Children. Flame. Princes. Ice. Earth. Heavens. Sun. Divine. Decree. Horse. Rich men. Work. Heart. Salvation. Children of men.