“Mod R, you can only tell me, I promise I won’t post about it but I neeeeeeeeeeeed to know what the spider-millipede-scorpion things in the tower are for in the Purpose snippet.”
Reply to newsletter post about the St Marcos tornado:
“Who is Elara? Who who? Or WHAT?!”
Weekly posts in the Facebook fan group I get tagged in:
“Anybody else been obsessively wondering who Marten’s Dad is?” “Is Red Marten’s dad?” “Will Marten have a dad reveal?”
Beloved spoiler-seeking Horde, I’m afraid I do not know!
I wouldn’t tell you if I did, of course, my name doesn’t start in G or end in Ordon, but I am in the same boat as you.
Since certain among us seem to be two buttered crumpets away from Horde anarchy, and we can let our speculation flag fly free because House Andrews are on holiday, I thought we could think outside the box today and ask the tarot!
Disclaimer: These are obviously just for fun, none of the information corelates with canonical answers. Until it’s not in a book, it’s not set in stone. Despite my deep love for Cherny, the gods of Nav are not guiding my hand.
Who/What is Elara?
How did the merger between Elara and the “Entity” come to pass?
The Hierophant speaks of ritual and tradition, spirituality but sometimes placed in the service of formality and conventions: for example, arranged marriages. The reversed Nine of Pentacles is the card of rapid or ill-gotten gains. Elara wasn’t instrumental in her communion and the reasons for it did not start off with good intentions.
The identity of the possessor (money shot!):
The Knight of Swords represents a power that cannot be contained, pure unlimited potential. It deals with facing challenges head-on, charging in like the Knight.
The High Priestess- the unconscious mind, otherworldly power. She embodies the mysterious and esoteric aspects of high power, tapping into the subconscious and the unseen forces that influence reality.
Finally, the Seven of Cups can mean choices and new opportunities, but in our context we’ll focus more on the meaning of chaos it brings. The seven cups facing us each contain different, often fantastical items, symbolizing the confusing array of illusions and overwhelmed mental state. Peep the snake and dragon in there!
The outcome of the merge:
The Chariot reversed: challenges and obstacles. You don’t say. We don’t need to be told that one.
There we go: unwilling possession, headed for challenges, by an otherworldly unseen power, maybe to do with chaos, maybe with illusion.
What do you think? Is it a god of chaos, like Tiamat? Or maybe a multidimensional monster like the Star-Spawn Cthulhi? A demigod, like Melinoë, who rules over nightmares and madness?
Who is Marten’s father?
The small street urchin Julie rescues, who eschews all surveillance and leaves with Namtur to be his apprentice by the end of the book. Her real name is Deira, and she tells Julie that her mom died in childbirth and her dad is a nice man who tells her stories and shows her magic tricks, but he can’t be with her now.
Somehow, this all solidified in the main fan theory being that her father is Red, the shaman ex-boyfriend of Julie, who was taken by Morrigan to be her next Hound in the Mists. I can see the “can’t be with her now”, but where are we getting the “nice man” and the “telling stories” from? Either way, Ilona confirmed it is absolutely not Red, who will not make another appearance in the series. Nor, before you ask, anyone related to Red, such as random cousins.
Let’s see what the cards say:
Well, well, well. The thot plickens.
The father’s personality:
The Moon. Uncertainty and illusion, when nothing is what it seems, and the need to see beyond appearances. Hmmm. It also depicts a dog and a wolf, the tamed and wild aspects of our mind.
The father’s traits:
Death. A time of significant transformation, change, and transition.
I can see a theme. It could definitely be a shifter – or, hear me out, a polymorph, even if it’s not THAT particular polymorph, you know who I pervert mean. Or…not what it looks like, hound and wolf duality, death…
Has anyone seen Grendel lately?!
What are the Hrrrts for in Purpose?
They definitely *would* hurt, but what are they for and why have they been sealed in a tower by the Pale Queen for so long?
Who wields them?
The Queen of Swords. Seeing what we’re divining for, we don’t need to go for the traditional interpretation. That’s definitely Kate. Ok, so she’s likely to make the Hrrrts her own somehow.
What is their function?
The Seven of Wands is a card that speaks of protection, defensiveness, determination, maintaining control (including territorially).
UNLEASH THE HRRRTS! You know, it does have a certain ring to it. Keep your Hrrrts close and your snacks closer! You better Hrrrt before you flirt! I could do this all day.
Advice on using them?
The Two of Swords can signify meditation, but it also has a more literal meaning of someone who cannot see clearly what the battle or challenge ahead is. Like, say, a threat that our Queen of Swords might not be aware of yet? Interestiiiiing.
Potential impact of the Hrrrts?
Ten of Swords, potential painful endings, deep wounds, betrayal, loss, crisis and finality. Let’s hope they manage to shift that outcome, with their fluffy, nurturing, protective erm…spikes?
Will Julie and Derek get together in the Blood Heir sequel?
And finally, a question which has been with us for the longest time. Tricky, but the fates will answer. I will pull from my most special deck for this one.
I believe that’s clear enough.
Honestly, Mod R, you’re the best of all. Like. Just the best. 💕
+1
🥰
+111
+1
+1
seriously dig the personal deck
+100000000!
Thanks, Mod R! I like the artwork on your “special” deck! 🙂
I have resisted buying a Tarot deck for decades. The card reader I was personally acquainted with used a modified Standard European deck to make a reading.
I hope I can continue my resistance because I have many more important things to do, like wait for a new HA book or Chronicles 2 coming in.
I have a few, from the classical Rider Waite to a couple of indie ones, but I always come back to the Morgan-Greer 🙂
Sputters…..What is clear about that Julie/Derek answer?
Remember in book 2, Derek sculpts a metal foil heart using only his claws and strength and gives it to Julie? And she still has it? Of course they are getting together! Eventually. . .
Love it! Your card reading skills are amazing Mod R! So multi-talented!
Love love love love this!!!!!
Do we have special term for BDH-canon? I mean besides “crazy speculation that has no basis in reality, but we’re emotionally attached to it anyway?”
Also hoping that ModR has powers to manifest things into reality. 🙂
I’m a devotee of the Tin Foil Hat Theories 😀 https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/funniest-bdh-theories-part-2/
TFTH Ahoy! ModR, Admiral of the Fleet (of Ships)! Herder of the Horde! Keeper of the Theories.
Oops. That should TFHT.
Thanks Mod R!
Your rose is beautiful 😍 I can’t wait for metal rose
I have a metal rose. I even sent a picture of it to ModR, alongside my metal rose mug.
Fess up, ModR. How many times did you use the Tarot to see into Roman’s future?
Thank you Mod R. I laughed and laughed. I needed that!
Could Marten/Deira’s father be Derek?
My first thought was Saiman.
Couldn’t be Roland since he’s sworn off having children after Kate.
The mystery continues! 🧐
what about Saiman’s frost giant cousin?
Could be. 🙂
I don’t think it’s Derek. He wouldn’t leave his kid alone, especially to live on the street.
Derek doesn’t know about her?
“her dad is a nice man who tells her stories and shows her magic tricks, but he can’t be with her now” – that implies she has a relationship with her dad.
And now that I re-read it, it does sound like it could be Roland.
Hah! Hah! Hah! I like this. Kate would have a half sister! Much younger but this could be great.
No. She’d be a shifter if he was, and she is most definitely not one.
I enjoyed the tarot + self drawn cards. <3 That's what a romance trilogy is forrrrrr. <3 Thanks for keeping us entertained Mod R!
Mod R, you rock! I needed some guffaw today and you delivered. thank you!
“…two buttered crumpets away from Horde anarchy. ” 🤣🤣🤣
ModR *knows* us. ❤️
When I read “who’s Elara”, I automatically said “she’s Hugh’s wife” (or as Hugh would put it major pain the posterior). Then I kept reading. Then it dawned on me that the question is actually what is Elara. 🤦♀️
The other pieces of possible information is going to keep the speculation going until further notice.
Thanks for the fun, Lady Mod R, reader of the cards and BDH wrangler. 😊🤔🥸
To throw a spanner in the speculation arena: I wonder what Derek saw after he bit into the Sphinx’s heart at the end of Blood Heir?
If Moloch doesn’t tear Julie and Derek apart with his machinations, the last picture (lovely rose, Mod R) will most likely come true. Maybe bloody, tired, and saved the world type of ending, but they will be together. 😀
To be continued………
…doesn’t start with G or end in Orion
Way to make me start my day with a spit take, Mod R! There were several other near misses as I went along, but I managed to turn them into snorts and keep my tea where it belonged.
TMR 4EVA!!
Love it, and love the deck you chose! I go between that one and the Aquarian deck. Fun way to answer the questions or to look for interpretations.
Yep, I’ve always been team Derek!
Love it! Thanks for a bit of fun. And, I love your deck.
😀
Your deck is impressive! I like the scale of the pictures to the card. I have the Russian Tarot of St. Petersburg by Yuri Shakov. When I bought it my kid was a teen and reading taro cards at her friends’ block parties and such. I got her one that was pretty and also had the people wearing clothes! I put it away and had to hunt for it. It is in a crazy quilted silk bag made from silk scraps from neckties and scarves with a bit of purchased silk solids thrown in. Just make a foundation fabric rectangle on light cotton fabric an inch or two bigger than you need to wrap around the deck and embroider it before you measure twice and cut it out. I lined mine and put in a drawstring. You can also make dice bags. I should probably see if my grown daughter wants it back yet!
That sounds great!
Thank-You!
the Hrrrts web could be used for weaving Kate & Curran’s “royal” garments 😉
Elara – I always end up in a rabbit hole looking at pantheons, etc. for what fits her magic. As Ronald to recognize the feel right away, probably middle eastern.
Marten – love her sass & evasive maneuverings. I don’t mind waiting (ooops) for the reveal when ever that be
lovely post Mod R….. always keeping the BDH occupied
Awesome thank you
Had lots of chuckles 🤣
Team Metal Rose!!!! 4Ever!
Crazy quilt style bag fun idea (and appropriate for TFHT BDH). 🙂 distracting myself from pondering which god is Marten’s father, which goddess Ilona is merged with (and how), where the hrrrts will appear next, how much longer can I wait for Roman’s Sanctuary, and other BDH questions with embroidering a pouch in honor of Roman’s devoted critters. Small unclean things on tree on one side and Aspid on other.
Hehehe, which god Ilona is merged with 😀 , that’s an awesome typo. My money is on one of the Tricksters!
Through typos will the truth be revealed. 🙂 🙂
Mode R, you are so, so good! Thank you! 🙂
I thought maybe Marten’s father is also Kate’s father? Can Daddy Dearest visually visit anyone on Earth? While still held in durance vile?
Ok, maybe that’s a stretch. I’ve got nothing else. Sure don’t think it’s Red!
That was fun! Thanks for enlivening a dull day!
This is amazing Mod R! Thank you 🌼😁🌼
Team metal rose! Team metal rose!!! Derek and Julie, up in a tree, k-i-s-s-
err….killing a hodag.
Mod R, you are the best!
Martens father is.. wait for it…. Roland. Discuss.
Kate would love a baby sister. Conlan would have a best bud.
Mod R: You’re fab.
Also, I like Melinoe for Elara.
LOL ModR you are too much fun! Love to you and the Author Lords on vaycay
lol I thought the reveal for Marten was going to be that she was the child of an avatar of Moloch! I had no idea that Red was a theory hahahaha
Mod R, can we be friends? This was absolutely hilarious. And now I want buttered crumpets. And tea. And scones made in the UK. 😂
Haha!! The last tarot deck is the best
Love you Mod R, witty cryptic and funny. I am Metal Rose 4 ever too.
I can be a patient horde person: well occasionally.
Loved this post! #TeamMetalRose
I wouldn’t tell you if I did, of course, my name doesn’t start in G or end in Ordon <— 💀
🤣👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Maybe Bran was Marten/Deira’s father? Too lazy right now to see if the timing would work.
Very entertaining, Mod R! You were born for this!!
There should be a t-shirt saying ‘BDH be crazy’ – it works in all ways because some if our genuine theories are totally nuts!
+1000!
love all of this!! also so good to return to the purpose snippet . this is the best horde. ❤️❤️❤️
I can’t believe the Tower didn’t appear in the reading about the hrrrts.
Roland certainly could play the “nice man” and all, but what if Marten’s dad is Teddy/Thanatos? Or one of Hugh’s merry band of bad boys? Some of Elara’s senior staff are pretty sketchy, too….
Lots of possibilities, probably wrong on all of them!
OK, I have my suspicions about Marten’s father. I thought it was Saimon due to a few things she said. Besides, he’s a selfish mother hubbard, so abandoning a child he made for his own benefit kind of fits. I never considered Red, and now I won’t give it a second thought.
As for Julie and Derek, I would be completely surprised if they didn’t end up together in the end. The clues are there, but nothing’s set in stone until it’s written. I’m personally wholly invested in a Julie and Derek relationship.
This was fun, we need to laugh at ourselves
I think HA absolutely struck gold with you Mod R. You are the best and how insightful with the card readings !! The last one is great. I’m sure the horde collectively fist bumped the air lol
.. also I think they gave it away with the name. The Hrrrtts hurt and probably have a terrible poison where you die a slow painful agonizing death. You wouldn’t call something nice and magical a hrrrt. But I bet the cards would say a certain tall dark Volhv will know ! I think Roman will be like “oh these guys will do great under my house”
😆😆😆🤣
BWAHAHAHA!!! I love you, Mod R. You’re such a lovely addition to the Hoard. Those last cards were magical.
A hilariously entertaining post, Mod R!
Once upon a Q&A I think I got confirmation that whatever Elara has buried down deep isn’t any part of Lovecraft, including Cthulhu. I asked if enough people in Kate’s universe believed in that mythos to bring elements to life, and Ilona replied that there were many beliefs running around long before HPL that linked to the cold between the stars and a mind-twisting physical presence.
My money’s on something from somewhere far North. Nothing like living with weather actively trying to kill you to look up and think how cold it is there.
As always, I’ll enjoy the answers whenever they appear in HA’s good time. 🙂