Future Tarot

Sometimes making choices that are in your families best interest isn’t as straight-forward as one might originally believe. At one of our recent Future-Tarot Live Chat Sessions, our good friend and host at The Echo of One, Mysti, was faced with just such a choice. To stay with a job that was demanding more of her time than originally promised or to spend more time with her children…

As a mother, I know how difficult it can be to weigh up considerations like income and me-time with the needs of two small children and Mysti’s decision could influence her life in so many ways. What advice would the Tarot offer for this difficult question?

[Mysti] Am I making the right choice in this job.

[Serenity Bly] *ponders* Interesting, lots of introspection, thinking, choices, right now especially. You’re examining your options, carefully and I feel like that’s the right way to go about it. Six of Cups in the past. Four of Swords in the present. Knight of Cups in the future.

[Mysti] I’m struggling with this as the agreement made when I took the job isn’t being upheld. One person has made changes and I can’t adjust my schedule.

[Miss Michele] YES… you’re WISHING it could have been differently, back to what it was before.

[Serenity Bly] You’ve had to seriously consider your… I want to say ‘moral’… outlook. You want to be true to what you believe is right and good and you’ve embraced that, letting things happen as they will but really wearing your heart when it comes to your decisions.

[Mysti] Given the situation in our home with J, it is a very emotional decision to make.

[Serenity Bly] The cups is very much your focus being on your family and wanting to keep that for yourself. You got into it because it was something you could bend around your families needs, not the other way around. The four of swords brings you to the point where you’re looking at your options.

[Mysti] My time is truly more valuable at home with the kids than in a paycheck. That’s exactly it!

[Miss Michele] About the cups–was just going to say exactly that! I think it also indicates a need for rest. So family first, decisions second & family in the future. Step back and look at what is lacking in your life and how you can best fill that void.

[Serenity Bly] And just from the vibe I’m getting from you and the knight of cups odds are you’re going to choose to walk away from the swords and really return your focus back to the family. But that doesn’t really mean giving up an income. The knight isn’t all on the home front. He’s in transition, on the move, making choices that will bring the family to a firmer ground.

[Mysti] You’re right about the income thing.

[Serenity Bly] It’s time now to look at what the best choices are for your family, where do they need you most. Can you make this job work around that? Because the swords shows that you really do have the chance now to turn things to your favor. If what their asking you to do doesn’t suit what you need to be doing, negotiate. These minor arcana puts everything in your hands.

[Mysti] So I’m very much on the right path in the choice I will make. I just need to prepare everything so that it’s an easy transition with full instruction. As it was stated, there would be no room to negotiate. And I absolutely cannot spend 8-10 hours in the office in one day. Especially not with all that’s going on, and that’s okay.

[Serenity Bly] With today’s technology 8-10 hours in an office is a waste of time. Get them a copy of Tim Ferriss’ book, The Four-Hour Work Week. If they gave you 2 hours in the office you’d get as much done as you would in 8. Tighter deadlines often lead to increased productivity. And everything else you don’t have to do IN the office.

[Mysti] Considering what I do and their fear of any info getting out about the business they won’t work out an arrangement like that. I can’t do billing at home and payroll must be done in office. It’s really ridiculous!! But that’s my boss for ya. lol

[Serenity Bly] What kind of environment is the office? If it’s closed (not public), and clean, you could always set up the kids to come into the office with you.

[Mysti] I did that… On Monday afternoon and it was HELL. There ended up being all the kids that work on the crew in the office… DOGS in the office… I was going WTH!

[Serenity Bly] *raises eyebrow* Wow, sounds like a nightmare.

[Mysti] I’m going to carry through with my plan for the week then. I’ll get everything organized (as they really stink at that! They had 2008 files in with 2009!!!!) leave full instruction in the work holy grail and leave it ready for transition.

[Serenity Bly] I guess it comes back to following your heart. Things in your family changed for very serious reasons recently so they’ll understand if you opt to put your focus 100% back to the boys.

[Mysti] Yes, Serenity! Major changes and complete disruption in our own family. Not to mention lack of sleep for me = a much harder time focusing on small details like this position entails.

[Serenity Bly] Some things you just can’t plan for, Mysti. And you’ve had an experience, you know going back to work won’t be so daunting next time you do it because you’ve done it and survived. Sometimes we just have to roll with the punches life is giving out.

[Mysti] Thank you!!! I know all about rolling with the punches!! Mr. S assured me of that!

With travel agents and exotic ideas filling her mind, Stephanie wanted to know what she might expect during her two week cruise through exotic waters and how spending those two weeks ship bound with her oldest daughter might affect their relationship. We drew a Celtic Cross Spread to find out what was in store for Stephanie.

The Three of Cups, the heart of the matter, shows your upcoming holiday with your daughter as a period of growth, an opportunity for you to explore your relationship together and, also, quite literally, just a time of celebration and fun. There’s nothing to worry about in that regard. You will have a good time.

Forces crossing you, in this case, forces working in your favor, shows up in the Nine of Pentacles… The purity of the mother/daughter relationship will be very strong, where your daughter will look to you as her female role model and mentor, and you will have the opportunity to give her what she needs. To plant the seeds that will help her solve her life’s problems and grow as a woman.

The past influences are showing in the third card, the Five of Rods. In the past, you’ve had battles of wills with your daughter. You never fully trusted each other, and there were patterns of trying to “one up” each other. This is your fear this time around, but it should not manifest as long as you keep your awareness of your role as the Nine of Pentacles mother-figure in your mind.

Influences passing out of existence are shown in the King of Rods. This trip, being “just the girls” will actually allow you personal growth, away from your husband. You will re-establish your own sense of independence and your daughter will be happy to see you not only acting on your own, but leading the way. You have the opportunity to temper this leadership with your feminine caring and softness and bring it back to your everyday life. This trip has the potential to change many areas of your life if you grasp the opportunity, which leads us to the fifth card in this spread.

The King of Cups “crowns” you, showing your goals, options and the possibilities that lie ahead. Maintain that sense of responsibility, tempering it with your feminine guidance and abilities as a good listener to maintain the energy of the trip and the strong relationship with your daughter that manifested on this trip.

The Three of Rods sits before you, showing, quite literally, the trip you’re taking, but, much more than that, the possibilities in front of you—both to explore your own independence and to strengthen your relationship with your daughter. Expect deep, potentially life-changing conversations along with fun memories on this trip, incidents you will laugh about for years into the future. Miss Michele loves this card, as it shows a man standing on the seashore, looking out onto the horizon, in awe of the possibilities in front of him, packed, and eager to embark on his journey, both practical and spiritual. This is also a card of detail, so be keenly aware of things like remembering your passport, tickets, following signs so you won’t get lost, confirming reservations, etc. There’s no bad cards in this spread that show hassles on this journey, but the Three of Rods is a well-prepared traveler.

The seventh card, The Chariot, is used to describe yourself and your state of mind. You’ve been looking forward to this journey for a long time. It’s been a major focus of your life and you want to make the most of it.

In the eighth position, the Eight of Rods, shows your environment and those around you. Things are moving rapidly, change is happening. Expect an element of adventure on the trip… be aware not to overextend yourself. Balance fun and activity with relaxation and self-exploration.

In the Ninth Position, the Seven of Cups shows your dreams, hopes and expectations about this relationship. The Seven of Cups is, literally, the daydream card… *nothing* is impossible on this trip! Dream of doing something wild and crazy? Go for it. Sit on the beach all day sipping margaritas? Do that. The world is your playground and nothing is out of reach. This card works with the Eight of Rods to show you will stretch your personal boundaries and try things you’ve always imagined but never had the gumption to do. Your daughter will experience this growth right along with you!

The Four of Swords in the tenth position shows what will come with this trip, and it holds a warning… for starters, you may return tired, possibly ill (nothing serious). Here is where the Three of Rods’ warning comes into play, as well. Don’t neglect the details of taking care of yourself, rest when you need it, balance fun with relaxation to emerge refreshed.

In reference to your relationship with your daughter… there will be a struggle to maintain all you’ve learned together on your trip when the stress and busy-ness of everyday life returns for both of you. Sit back, relax, and bring yourself back mentally to the mind-frame of the trip… remember that whenever things get challenging and you and your daughter fall back into your old behavioral patterns. This trip has the potential to change your lives, but you have to be open to that possibility and allow it to.

Keeping strong reminders of the trip—photographs, a scrapbook, special, wacky souvenirs—will help you maintain perspective.

A year later it is wonderful to welcome back, Maisy, with another 12-Month Spread. Maisy’s husband and his strength figures *very* prominently for her this year. Her over-riding theme for the year is the King of Cups, and this is definitely Maisy’s husband; her protector, watching over her with love and kindness, but also strict when he needs to be about certain situations.

I feel like deception is a major force in Maisy’s life… I pointed this out last year, and I’m wondering, now, if it’s not self-deception in some way. The Five of Swords, Eight of Cups and The Moon all show up in this reading at different times, and they all *can* indicate deception, subterfuge or holding back the truth. (Maybe not intentional deceit, but concealing the truth.) I wonder if there’s someone in Maisy’s life who keeps returning – or even a “type” of client she keeps encountering – who is less than trustworthy? If not, it’s quite possible that Maisy has been concealing the truth from herself in a certain matter.

The Four of Pentacles, which was last year’s theme, shows himself in December, too. That’s the time of year when we should be most giving and generous, but Maisy may feel as if she does not have enough and so clings tightly to what she does have.

There’s no over-riding emphasis on any of the suites. We have two swords, three cups, two rods, one pentacle and five major arcana—another big year with lots of ups and downs, but a lot less emphasis on business and finance. Is Maisy undergoing fertility treatments? Certain cards in this spread, including the wands and swords, lead me to believe that may be the case. She has many cards showing transitions through a cycle – fours, fives, sixes and sevens. But The Magician in July shows the start of something big.

Okay, month-by-month:

June: Knight of Swords

Springtime brings the Knight of Swords, a card heralding rapid change. Maisy is jumping head-first into a project and I think that project may be what sparked her to get this tarot reading. As the flowers bloom and the Earth undergoes re-birth, Maisy is enacting change. She is not contemplating it, she is charging forward headfirst.

July: The Magician

This card, represented by the Number 1 and showing the start of a cycle, shows that Maisy’s “go for it” attitude in June has paid off. Now she is learning to use her talents to get what she wants and manipulate forces to her advantage. If this Magician indicates the decision to undergo fertility treatments, it could be successful.

August: Seven of Cups

This card, coupled with a fertility card (the Moon) in September *could* indicate a pregnancy. I’m not getting a strong feeling of that, though, and the cards nine months down the line don’t correspond. I suggest Maisy keep it in the back of her mind as a possibility. The Seven of Cups is the daydream card … the sky’s the limit for Maisy’s imagination. This card also sometimes indicates a spacey feeling, where she is in a surreal state (sometimes common in pregnancy). It could also indicate a period of planning for a business or any other aspect of life, and that’s what I am getting here. Maisy is having fun imagining all the possibilities ahead of her. Some people may call her a dreamer, but that’s okay. Let them laugh. Maisy knows what she is doing.

September: The Moon

This card indicates many things – self-deception, fertility, feminine intuition. I’ll take “door number 3” in this case. Maisy’s feminine intuition is just so strong, nothing can hold her back. It’s a good thing that Maisy’s husband, the King of Cups keeps her somewhat grounded in reality. The Moon and king together make a great partnership!

October: Six of Rods

As Autumn approaches, the Six of Rods indicates reaping your harvest. Known as the Victory card, the Six of Rods in the Hanson-Roberts deck shows a man on a horse and his younger sidekick riding off into the blazing sun, victorious, his bags full with the spoils of war. You’ve done it! Something tells me Maisy is on a spiritual voyage and this card marks a huge milestone for her in personal growth and development.

November: Wheel of Fortune

With victory comes good fortune, shown by the Major Arcana Wheel of Fortune in November. After the mid-year struggles, everything has fallen into place. Maisy, be generous with your wins.

December: Four of Pentacles

This greedy little gentleman in December, holding tight to his pentacles so no one steals them, knows plenitude but not true abundance. Abundance means having so much that you’re not afraid to let it go – you know the Universe has more to deliver your way. The Four of Pentacles often serves as a reminder, “give and you will receive; stop keeping score.” For Maisy, this could apply to money, gifts or even her time and energy. The holidays always seem stressful. Take a deep breath, act as if you have all the time in the world – and you will, Maisy!

January: Eight of Cups

This card indicates that Maisy is nearing the end of her spiritual journey, but is afraid to let it go. She has learned all she needs to in this cycle and winter 2010 is the time to reinvent herself completely. With the Eight of Cups, Maisy has learned to stop lying to herself—or purged the people from her life who have been lying to her, now it is time to move on because better things await.

February: Death

This card strongly reinforces the Eight of Cups. In fact, as the Number 8 Major Arcana, it is simply the Eight of Cups in its strongest incarnation. The Death card demands you to let go of a situation that isn’t working… step forward. Maisy must do this, to pave way for much better things. (Didn’t I say that already?) Seriously, this winter, get ready to let go – perhaps kicking and screaming – to old beliefs, people, tasks, places… whatever isn’t working for you, Maisy, get rid of it.

March: Four of Rods

The Four of Rods provides great incentive to listen to the tarot’s advice to let go. This card indicates a happy celebration. A birth. The purchase of a home. A wedding, anniversary, party.

April: Five of Swords

Miss Michele had trouble reconciling this card with the rest of the reading… earlier in the year, it would have made sense, as it represents Maisy still clinging tightly to things – material or beliefs. The only thing I can say is that she has taken a few steps forward, and now she is taking one back. This is the storm AFTER the calm, if you will. The Five of Swords may also indicate empty victory – Maisy thought she had achieved all she wanted, and now discovers there are other paths to conquer.

May: The Chariot

You’ll do it… when Maisy sets her mind to it, things will move rapidly and she will regain the spiritual and emotional ground she lost – and then some. The Chariot also indicates a much-needed journey, a change of scenery. It might indicate an actual trip, or another change of mind that puts Maisy in a different “place,” so to speak.

Again, the King of Cups as the over-riding theme is Maisy’s anchor, her sanity, in a year characterized by many emotional ups and downs and personal growth. Maisy, you will not be the same person in May 2010 as you are today, but you will like – ACCEPT – the new “you” much better.

Last week Future-Tarot Chat at The Echo of One (10AM EST every Wednesday) seemed to create a central theme focusing on the need to be true to ourselves when making choices that affect our individual lives. The advice in each of the free live readings seemed to gravitate toward making financial sacrifice in the short term the would lead toward greater fulfillment and emotional balance in the long term. Have you ever had to make a choice like that?

Stephanie was facing just such a choice and wanted to gain some advice and guidance from the tarot. Faced with exhaustion and swiftly plunging into emotional detachment she knew that something in her nursing career had to give.

Will quitting nursing lead Stephanie toward a happier lifestyle?

The Past: The Lovers

[Serenity Bly] In the past we have The Lovers. I phrased the question as if quitting is the present and these lovers are showing the difficulty you’ve had in choosing to quit or not quit.

The Present: Seven of Cups

[Serenity Bly] The Seven of Cups in the present shows her pointing toward the choices she is making with her heart. You’ve been asking for guidance and you’re getting it but you need to listen and embrace the message you’re being offered.

[Serenity Bly] The Seven of Cups is very literal in this reading. On the card the woman is kneeling in prayer, gazing up at the higher self or goddess who is pointing at one of the seven cups in the sky.

[Stephanie] I need to make a decision but I’m holding back while I am in this headachy fog. I had a headache and fatigue before calling in sick today after the call I was all up and chirpy again.

[Serenity Bly] Maybe the ‘headachy fog’ is part of the message.

The Future: The Star

[Serenity Bly] The future, The Star, shows that the time head, having quit your job, is not going to be easy. You will release pains and sorrows and hardships.

[Serenity Bly] In The Mythic Tarot Deck, The Star represents the story of Pandora’s box. She kneels over the box, holding the lid open with a hand as all the troubles of the world are released. It seems like a terrible accident, once free in the world there is no way to get them back into the box but when she looks closely she can see the star of hope that remains with her always.

[Serenity Bly] Like Pandora, quitting your job releases conflict, anger, depression, and pain. You may find the coming months an emotional struggle as you rebuild your confidence and bring your life back into balance. But, in the end you’re left with this shining ray of HOPE, you have the strength to face whatever life is going to throw at you and yes, it might be hard, but you’re given an opportunity to discover something new and wonderful.

[Serenity Bly] This card turns the original question and gives it a fairly solid ‘yes’. Maybe it won’t happen in the way you expect, and maybe you’ll want to put things back into the box, but you’re going to grow and gain insight into yourself and what you want from life by making this choice now.

[Stephanie] I was inspired today to ask for leave instead of resigning. Last time I asked for 7 weeks off they said I would have to resign and reapply when I came back. ‘Extended’ leave means there isn’t a time frame so I am flexible and I haven’t burned my bridges. I don’t want to burn my bridges. It’s not that I want to leave the company, the staff, the job itself, I just want time to myself for a while. I may or may not go back.

[Serenity Bly] Extended leave could be a good choice if they’ll let you do that. It will give you some security if you know you can come back to the job if you need it. Like having a lifeline.

[Stephanie] I have a few days more to make up that final decision. I want to be more rested before I do that so I am sure it isn’t a knee jerk decision from a foggy mind.

[Serenity Bly] It sounds to me like you already know what you want to do. Now you just have to do it. Good Luck!

Don’t forget, we’re hosting free live readings at our regular Tarot Chat (Wednesday 10am EST) again this week. You can also tune in to the RadioXShow (11pm EST Wednesday) where host John, invites Miss Michele back to do free live readings for listeners. Call in or ask your question in the chat room to hear your three-card reading live!

“The stars signal comfort… By their very design they instill wonder in the deepest parts of our hearts, and allow hope to spring forth.”*

In Tarot, the word Hope encompasses the true depth of Major Arcana card, The Star.

In The Mythic Tarot Deck, The Star represents the story of Pandora’s box. In Greek Myth, the Titan Prometheus once stole the sacred fire of the gods and gave it to mankind. This angered the Gods who vowed to punish the human race for the crime. It was told that the King of the Gods, Zeus, ordered a exceptionally beautiful woman to be made of clay and water into whom the Gods put idleness, lies, and a selfish temperament. Zeus sent this woman to Epimetheus, Prometheus’ brother, along with a very special chest.

Before he was captured, Prometheus’ warned his brother to never touch the chest. Epimetheus in turn, told Pandora of the dangers the chest might contain but she cast aside his concerns. When she lifted the lid of the chest she released terrible Spites – Old Age, Labor, Sickness, Insanity, Vice, and Passion – which escaped into the world and infected mankind. All that remained in the box was Hope, which had somehow been locked inside with the Spites.

“Stars have long been seen as symbols of hope, regeneration, vision and new life. When this card appears, you know somehow that life is just about to become easier and brighter. Life’s forces combine to assist rather than hinder.” says Jan Shepherd at Angel Paths

Like Pandora, the Star often represents the release of conflict, anger, depression, and pain. It reflects an emotional struggle and a need to rebuild confidence and find balance. But, in the end you are left with this shining ray of HOPE, you have the strength to face whatever life is going to throw at you and yes, it might be hard, but you’re given an opportunity to discover something new and wonderful.

“The Star means ‘knowing’ that you will achieve what you want. – Amenti Anuket on Twitter

Joan Bunning of Learn Tarot says, “The Star is most welcome when grief and despair have overwhelmed us. In our darkest moments, we need to know that there is hope,that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The Star is the opposite of the Devil who strips us of our faith in the future. Card 17 holds out the promise that we can eventually find peace of mind.”

“The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future.” ~

The Star often comes as a message to the querent that things will get better very soon. Despair is a crushing force which can sometimes overwhelm the shafts of light that burn from The Star. It is at times when despair is about to pull us into the darkness The Star will appear to remind us that change is just around the corner.

It may also be warning against depending too much on blind faith. It is one thing to trust that things will improve but another to do nothing, waiting for The Star. Hope is just the beginning, action is needed to bring about the change and ultimately, hopes purpose is to encourage action as despair begets inaction. If The Star appears in your reading it may be telling you not to give up. The hardest part is almost behind you but you have to keep moving forward to reach the new horizon.

“To me,” Serenity Healing on Twitter says, “The Star means a light at the end of the tunnel. A glimmer of hope and guidance.”

How does The Star affect you this week? Have you found emotional release that leaves you feeling free of burdens and has renewed your hope and faith? Have you learned to trust yourself to fate and push forward into a brighter future with your dreams?