Future Tarot     -     Tarot Chat: Wednesday 9.30pm EST

Congratulations to Rachel, who won the auction at Simon’s Auctions for a Spirituality Package. Rachel asked: Last year, I had a lot of success, work-wise. Will that continue, will I struggle… or will I do even BETTER?

1. The Significator

The Knight of Cups in this position shows that you are full of passion and a proud sense of accomplishment. You’ve had great success and are doing what you love. You are on a journey that, with each step, takes you closer to your desires and in knowing the path ahead you feel a great joy, your step is light and all the world is beautiful.

2. Crossing Card

Blended with and inhibiting this buoyant sense of love and harmony is The Tower. It forces you to recognise change. Change is always a positive force but the process can be painful. The Tower reminds us to let go of that which will not aid us in our ultimate goals, they will inevitably fall away no matter how hard you cling to what feels safe and real in the moment. Learn to embrace change rather than fear it.

3. Crowning Card

Your current joy and your fear of change are founded in the King of Pentacles. You’re doing very well, you feel secure in your financial footing and the material world around you is abundant.

4. Base of the Matter

The greatest issue you may not see shows itself in The Chariot. This is a conflict, usually a struggle within yourself to find balance between your baser instincts, your competitive nature, your sense of self-righteousness, arrogance and aggression war against a calm, easy-going attitude. Here, you must learn to bring both sides of yourself to a harmony where they can work together.

5. Past Influences

The Ace of Wands and Ace of Swords come together to show your past, a new and exciting venture. Business that embraces your intelligence and creativity. You have had a great deal to learn and often felt out of your depth but you embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and even excitement. It has been an adventure of new learning.

6. Forthcoming Influences

You’ve come away from those Aces as you gain experience and are coming into the Three of Wands. You have skill and a little experience. The earlier lessons are behind you. You have created a firm footing in your career and go forward knowing there is still much to learn. You continue to grow and as you continue to grow you come to greater knowledge.

7. Where One Finds Oneself

The Six of Wands shows that as you and those dearest to you celebrate your successes, you feel as if all eyes are upon you. You’ve attained a glorious victory and have good reason to celebrate but don’t allow this celebration to overcome your forward momentum.

8. How Others See You

Around you, others see you as The Hierophant. You are the teacher, the mentor, ready to pass on what you know to others. They look to you for guidance and direction, perhaps imitating you in the hopes of achieving similar success.

9. Hopes and Fears

Serenity’s favorite deck, The Mythic Tarot, describes the Seven of Pentacles in your situation perfectly. Your hopes and fears are highlighted with a question, “whether to continue to develop what one has already built, or to put energy into a new project.”

10. Final Outcome

The final outcome shows me that your fear of needing to start over is unfounded. You are on the right path and swiftly moving toward a greater understanding of your career and all that is involved in being successful. The Queen and King of Wands come together here, united in their dominance of thought and power. Your warmth, loyalty and compassion rise to the surface allowing you to guide others. You will be in a position to teach and to create lasting change for yourself and for those around you.

“The Seven of Wands is all about taking a stand.”*

In the Rider-Waite Deck, The Seven of Wands depicts a young man taking stance against six unseen others. When I see this card, it reminds me of the training involved in martial arts. The six wands are practice targets with whom we build our skills. By this time, we know what it is we are fighting for and are honing the craft, mastering the grip required, the balance needed, and the various techniques involved, for a battle of wits and determination that may be on the horizon. In this way we become prepared.

It also involves repeating an activity out of necessity. Just as one must continue to practice martial arts every day to maintain the body and mind in peak condition, so do we commit to routine tasks that strengthen and maintain our external world. We take a stand, commit to action, and carry out the steps involved on a regular basis.

The Seven of Wands can also indicate strong convictions. In order to take a firm stand, you must believe in your position and yourself. You’ll need integrity and strength of character to see you through. If your cause is just, use the energy of the Seven of Wands to make a difference. ~

Just as you train against invisible opponents so too might you be fighting against a foe that is not there. In this case, the Seven of Wands reminds us to acknowledge the true battle, evaluate its worth, and consider the sacrifices involved. The Seven of Wands asks, “Is this true? Is this just?” Learn to put aside those things that are not for the greater good or for which you fail to find passion. Your time is better spent accomplishing the goals that inspire you.

Jan Shepherd of Angel Paths says, “Life is full of challenges. And sometimes we find it difficult to seize the moment, grasp our opportunities and live life to the full. The Seven of Wands comes up to indicate that you are facing one of those momentous happenings in life, and advises you to believe in yourself, grab your courage in both hands and go forward.”

Generally, Wands focus on intellectual aspects; the power of the mind and the creativity of the spirit. The Seven of Wands asks us to stand up for what we believe in. With these wands we embrace our fears and discover our courage. With this Seven of Wands we have all we need to face what is ahead of us, others may be jealous of our accomplishments, or talents, but we are able to walk our own path despite any petty attempts they make to undermine us.

The Mythic Tarot describes the Seven of Wands as “a struggle with other people’s creative ideas – stiff competition. The individual is challenged to improve upon and develop his or her project in the face of an envious and competitive world and needs to learn to value his or her ambition and competitive instinct.”

“Objectives must be defined – it is time to know exactly what they are. And then go for it. In fact, if you’ve already reached the seven (a sacred number), then you already know what they are -so the time is ripe to develop them. What is the point of having a strategy and then not following it up?” says Diana in a discussion about the Seven of wands on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum

At this time of year, the Seven of Wands reminds us that we must remain determined. We’ve set new goals for the year ahead and with commitment and dedication we will accomplish those goals. Your path is laid out ahead of you but only you can take each step along it to your destination. You are self-empowered and ready.

What does the Seven of Wands mean to you?

I have to admit that knowing nothing about Erica makes this reading an intriguing one for me to give. I find myself being more cautious about my responses (*blushes* Yes, even I am still wary to trust outright my intuition and instinct).

Being tuned into Erica was a warm and touching experience. I know she’s a generally empowered, positive woman who stands tall in the world. She is bright and I feel like she represents a great lake. Her surface is smooth, calm, unruffled but beneath she is shifted by emotional currents of uncertainty.

I feel like it is these deeper elements that manifest the challenges the cards reveals through the second half of the year. Thankfully, overcoming inner demons is one of this years greatest universal elements. We will all be forced to gaze upon ourselves and account for our true being.

I can tell that Erica will grow and that this year she’ll overcome some of the greater challenges she has found recurring through her past. She’ll inspire others with her courage and confidence and go into 2010 with a new sense of purpose and an exciting new opportunity.

January: The King of Cups: The year begins on a solid foundation of emotional strength and warmth. A firm, capable masculine influence creates a harmony in the home, filling Erica’s life with a loving atmosphere and a strong sense of security. He encourages her to seek out the healer within and turn her thoughts to being a positive influence in the lives of others.

February: The Sun: Having discovered her inner potential for bringing light and happiness to others and in doing so bringing about peace within herself, Erica is blessed with The Sun in February, ordaining light and joy.

March: Three of Cups: In March the warmth, love, and romantic happiness the surrounded Erica in the earlier months of the year founds a new beginning, perhaps a marriage or romantic commitment. March gives an emotional gift that is both the culmination of a joyous occasion and the beginning of a greater journey with greater emotional depths to explore.

April: Eight of Wands: My first thoughts on seeing this card after the original three was Honeymoon. While a marriage may not have been the Three of Cups intentions in March, April’s atmosphere has a relaxed get away in mind. The Eight of Wands usually indicates travel, a new adventure, a journey.

May: Six of Swords: After the upheaval and changes through March and April, Erica will finally be able to move at a slower pace. May brings with it calm serenity and the opportunity to find her footing as her new reality settles about her.

June: Two of Cups: June’s cups point to a new relationship or new depths for an existing relationship after times of trouble. It’s possible that Erica will welcome someone into her life. If she is planning a family then it wouldn’t surprise me if a child is on the way in June.

July: Five of Pentacles: Thoughts of family and romance turn to finance in July. Erica may find her financial footing is not as secure as she once thought and needs to reconsider the way her finances are managed. It is important to evaluate past mistakes but know that this period will lead to greater security if she chooses to make sensible choices.

August: Page of Swords: The winds of changing thoughts and personal growth flow from the Page of Swords in August. From an almost boyish sense of petty self-mindedness it’s time to reach a new level of awareness that is outside of one’s self. Erica might feel a sense of self-loathing or frustration. When the mind seeks to disable us it is important to learn from our past mistakes but do not allow them to shield us from making future choices.

September: Five of Cups: September will be washed in a haze of regret and a sense of betrayal, perhaps because of the depression and turmoil blown up by the Page of Swords. It is important to remember that this misunderstanding does not foretell an ending. It is a speed bump in Erica’s happiness that can be overcome with patience, love, and communication.

October: Eight of Swords: Things seem to be just getting worse. From regret and betrayal Erica sinks deeper through October until she feels trapped. A choice must be made but there is no single choice that feels right and every choice brings with it trouble and risk.

November: Page of Cups: November offers release from the frustrations of the past months. The Page of Cups plants a seed of emotional warmth and tenderness into the situation and from that grows a new strength in your relationships, both with yourself and with others.

December: Eight of Pentacles: Erica’s year ends on a positive note with an exciting and exhilarating opportunity to hone and harvest her craft. She may discover a new hobby and forges a great sense of achievement. This could be the foundation for a business venture.

Overview: Ten of Swords: When it comes down to it, 2009 is about letting go and creating something new and beautiful from past hardship and grief. Erica has faced her own struggles and unfortunately they are not all behind her but her strength of being and purpose remains. There are challenges ahead and I feel that Erica needs to know she does not go into battle alone. Her loved ones stand close and want to be given an opportunity to help. Don’t be afraid to ask.

Erica, enjoy the tranquility and warmth in the beginning of the year. The happiness in those earlier months will strengthen you for the challenges to come. Remember, that every difficulty you face is transient, you will overcome and there are new joys just beyond the horizon.

All the best for 2009!

Tuesday, at 9 PM EST, Miss Michele will be giving away a FREE one-year, 13-card tarot spread to celebrate Tammy Munson’s Birthday.

Stop into the Business & Learning Conference Room to be eligible to win.

Happy Birthday, Tammy!

“The Ten of Swords is the Dark before the Dawn.” *
Any hardship culminates in an apex of fatigue and horror. One is surrounded by the sense of the insurmountable, faced with what feels like an inevitable failure and crushing defeat. The Ten of Swords embodies this darkness. When all the odds seem turned against you and you cannot see beyond this moment to the brightness beyond.

When I see the Ten of Swords in a reading it reminds me of a great battle. Surrounded by the enemy, the remaining troops are torn between throwing down their swords and ultimately feel that their fight is one that ends in their death and has been for naught. From this perspective, we are the men, gazing into the maniacal faces of our enemy, our muscles heavy, blood seeping, swords an half-height, weary with fatigue and awash in hopelessness.

What we fail to see, hidden from us by the shadows of the army on every flank is the golden gleam of fresh armor, bronzed horses, glimmering swords, and the banners of long awaited reinforcements just cresting the horizon. Here, in the darkness of what seems like imminent defeat we fail to see our salvation.

That, is the Ten of Swords.

Kimberlee Ferrell describes the Ten of Swords as, “hitting rock bottom, being a martyr, or having a “woe is me” attitude. Things couldn’t be worse, but the bright side is that the only way left to go is up.”

This card shares similar qualities to the Major Arcana, Death. The card itself shows that in it’s most literal sense and offers a dark image of hopelessness and defeat. Yet on the horizon is a bright new day and we are reminded that every ending is a new beginning as the circle turns.

In a reading, the Ten of Swords might indicate a need to find acceptance within yourself and to allow change to occur. Often, the greatest pain is caused by attempting to hold back the winds of change. One must create room for new life by letting go of that which no longer aids.

The Ten of Swords portends a difficult experience of loss or release, but a new awareness and a positive sense of relief that the difficulty is finally finished will eventually follow the pain of this experience. Though this card may seem negative at first glance, it is a card of hope and an indication that our troubles will not be permanent. ~

This card might also be telling us that things are not as bad as they seem. The Ten of Swords often appears as melodrama or even hypochondria. It is the making of a mountain out of a molehill. When the card appears in a spread it may be advising us to reevaluate our position and to look at the bare facts without emotional excess.

The Ten of Swords appears to be a card of terrible misfortune, but surprisingly, it often represents troubles that are more melodramatic than real. The man on this card has quite a few swords in his back. Wouldn’t one be enough? Isn’t ten a little excessive? Perhaps this gentleman’s suffering – though sincere – is exaggerated as well. *

On the other hand, it may mean “you need to convince someone that it IS that bad while they are insisting that you are exaggerating.”

What are you letting go of this week? Have you felt hopeless and fatigued by your situation? Perhaps you can see the light of a new dawn on the horizon. What insights do you feel the Ten of Swords brings?