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: Megan Garner

The information below is piled from the Charley Project.

Megan was last seen in a playground near her family's residence in the 4600 block of Paluxy Drive in Tyler, Texas on March 27, 1991 at approximately 11:00 a.m. She was accompanied by her brother and cousin at the time. The other children turned away from Megan for a few moments and she disappeared. She has never been seen again. Few details are available in her case. 

The information below is piled from the Charley Project.

I can find little information on Megan. But from what I can see, she appears to be a cheerful child. Let us hope that there will be a happy ending for this girl.

1.       Knight of Swords. Travel, migration, change of residence, taking action, clever, energetic, spontaneous, a tour guide, actor, soldier, electrician or someone working in marketing and promotions or professional sports.

This card focuses on the topic at hand. The idea of travel and a change of residence, as opposed to someone leaving, implies to me that Megan was taken by someone intending to keep her. There are pyramids in the card, but I doubt that she went all the way to Egypt. There’s a Palestine, which is not too far from Tyler, and a Sudan. Maybe she’s in Memphis?

2.       Strength. Inner strength, self-assurance and self-control, lacking courage, enjoying power, sex, lust, potency, confidence without arrogance, compassionate.

The lustful part of this card worries me, especially as the second card represents Megan’s obstacle. However, it could simply mean that she might have been TOO confident. This card can refer to people who work as animal trainers, negotiators, circus performers or animal rescuers. The lion in the card makes me think again of the pyramids from the Knight of Wands. Perhaps they are connected in some way? There are also trees, a hill and a mountain the card. Could Megan be in close proximity to trees and a hill? I do not know how many mountains are in Texas, unless she was taken some distance from Tyler.

 

3.       Two of Cups, reversed. Separation, the end of a relationship, rejection, love withdrawn, falling out, business deals gone awry.

I think this refers to when Megan was taken from the playground. Either love was withdrawn from her by whoever took her, or she refused to love them if they took her to be their child. This card can refer to a couple, unrequited love or rejection or friendship. Could a couple have taken Megan? A hill comes up again, so perhaps she is near one.

 

4.       Ten of Wands, reversed. Some relief from tough circumstances, burdens being lifted, trying to fulfil obligations but failing, losing control, weightlifters, construction workers, rescue workers, lumberjacks.

There may have been some relief for Megan in this difficult time, as unlikely as it may seem at first. Maybe she was told that her family wanted to give her away. It would be easy to trick a three-year-old. Wands represent days or spring (she disappeared in March). Could Megan have been relieved after several days? The idea of construction workers makes me wonder for a moment if the ‘relief’ she received was bittersweet, but I truly hope not.

 

5.       Six of Cups. Pleasure, nostalgia, happy memories, gratification, family support, families and siblings, child minders, teachers, youth workers.

The card shows one child handing a cup other to another. Could there have been another child where Megan was taken, either at the time or after she arrived? Cups refer to summer and months. Was Megan in a – mildly – cheerful situation by the time summer arrived? This reading seems to be quite positive despite being about a missing toddler. While people looking to become parents tend to abduct newborns or very young babies, it is not out of the question for them to take someone Megan’s age. Or perhaps the family she came to live with did not know that she was kidnapped.

 

6.       King of Swords, reversed. Dictatorial, domineering, untrustworthy, cowardly, impatient.

This is what Megan had to work with. Her abductor may have been a man (although this does not rule out the possibility that she was taken to raise) and a cruel one at that. He could be a civil servant, doctor or a military officer. This may not be the person that took Megan, but someone that she has encountered after she was last seen. He was likely over forty in 1991. Swords tend to indicate people with grey or light hair and a light complexion.

 

7.       Queen of Pentacles. Motherly, caring, prosperity, luck in business, a teacher, cook, works with animals, someone with an affinity for gardening and nature.

This card represents the Querent, in this case Megan. This card COULD mean that she has grown up as a Queen usually means a woman over the age of eighteen years (Megan would be 33 as of this reading), sometimes with dark hair and brown eyes. If Megan grew up, this might described her physical appearance. While this card meant mean a woman involved in Megan’s abduction, the fact that the seventh card to be drawn symbolises the Querent, I would say that it is more likely that this card represents Megan herself. She might be an Earth Mother, someone who spends time outdoors, often into health and exercise. If she works then she may be a multi-tasker and is organised and reliable.

 

8.       King of Wands, reversed. Bossiness, self-righteous, smooth-talking con artist, shameless, possibly optimistic, a businessman, energetic and far too charismatic.

This card points towards features in Megan’s environment. He might have fair or red hair and blue eyes. This is someone in close proximity to Megan. Whether he is involved in her disappearance or not, I am uncertain, but he is definitely within close range of wherever she is at the present time. Lions and lizards are illustrated on the King’s throne, which makes me think that these animals are somehow connected to him.

 

9.       Six of Swords. Mental clarity, ideas coming together, using your intellect, an inner journey of discovery or an actual journey, possibly over water. Travellers, teachers, mentors, tour guides, travel agents.

This card signifies Megan’s hopes and fears. This card might mean that she will travel home over water, or has travelled somewhere overseas. Egypt again pops into my mind. Perhaps she wishes to travel, or wants to be a tour guide or a travel agent. The inner journey of discovery might mean that she wishes to know more about her past, if she is adopted or believes that those looking after her are not her parents. If she is, then I hope that she comes across a genealogy website.

 

10.   Eight of Swords, reversed. Being released from obligations, taking steps to empowerment, overcoming fear, seeing the situation clearly, finding freedom.

This is an extremely cheerful card to end this reading on. The woman in the card is blindfolded, but if she could see, then she will notice that she is in no danger. Perhaps Megan, now that she would be an adult, could finally get away from her abductors – if they are still ‘caring for her’ – and will see the situation clearly. Perhaps she will find a genealogy website. All in all, I believe that this means that Megan will come home.