Future Tarot

Here we are, Cyber Monday. It’s not surprising that our card for the week is the Page of Pentacles. To the Page, everything is new, fresh and exciting. The emphasis is on money, career and spending — but he warns us not to overspend.

If this Page of Pentacles brings one message, it’s that it’s not the price of the gift that matters. He’ll aim for practical gifts that will be greatly appreciated by the recipient. He may be known to spend a lot when he finds that perfect gift for the special someone — but only if he knows he can afford it.

I bet he shops online for the best deals, uses all sorts of smartphone apps to comparison shop, and never, ever waits till the last minute. The Page of Pentacles is all about using the tools at his disposal to learn, and then implement what he’s learned to create wealth and security for himself. He *gets* it.

Personal implications
Ouch! As I look at my personal finances for the coming months, it’s hard to deny the Page of Pentacles has a message specifically for me. As my income streams have shifted again — along with my expenses — it’s time to budget again. And yes, I was guilty of overspending this weekend.

Next week brings invoicing and the welcome end of a dry spell in terms of solid income and big checks. I’ll begin experiencing some of that security the Page of Pentacles represents — and if I heed his advice this Christmas, that sense (and reality) of having more than enough should continue into the new year.

Universal implications
The first of the month before the holidays is perhaps a good time for everyone to re-evaluate their expenses. It may be tempting to wait until the new year, but a healthy reality check may curb over-spending at Christmas.

Reports of Black Friday sales exceeded estimates from a variety of sources. While the recession isn’t over, this winter is looking brighter than last, certainly.

The Page of Pentacles, with his wisdom in money matters, practical spending, and emphasis on education to increase his income may carry a message for us all.

Highlights of the Page of Pentacles

- Practical money management
- Emphasis on education
- New opportunities
- Using the tools at your disposal to achieve financial security

An old superstition (Serenity Bly discussed how we feel about superstitions here) says it’s “bad luck” to buy your first tarot deck for yourself. Some believe the deck won’t “work” if you buy it for yourself – you must receive it as a gift.

I’ve even heard people say that not only must you receive your first deck as a gift, but you should receive every deck as a gift. I know many people with massive collections of tarot card decks who wouldn’t have any if they sat around waiting for someone to give them one.

Where did this superstition come from? It seems no one knows, but the tarot is steeped in mystery and superstition. In all likelihood, tarot beginners at one time purchased their own decks, and began using them before they were proficient. They may have gotten frustrated with their inexperience, muddling along with no support other than a small black and white guidebook included with the cards.

Meanwhile, other people who received a deck as a gift also received mentoring from the gift-giver. With someone to guide them on their tarot journey, they advanced quickly, getting accurate information from the cards nearly immediately.

But that is only a guess! The truth is, no one I’ve spoken to knows for sure how this silly superstition got started, but serious tarot enthusiasts all agree that it’s just not true.

It’s perfectly fine to purchase your own deck of tarot cards, whether it’s your first deck or your tenth.

4 good reasons to buy your own tarot deck
1. Tarot cards work best if you forge a personal connection with the deck you use. The imagery should speak to you. It may even take several decks before you find one you really like. If someone buys you a deck, sight unseen, it may not be a deck you particularly like.

2. Many tarot readers are also tarot deck collectors. It’s lovely to receive a new deck as a gift, but I don’t know one person who doesn’t like to add to their own collection of anything – be it stamps, books, Precious Moments figurines, teddy bears or tarot cards. If you want a deck – buy it.

3. I know many talented tarot readers who might still be waiting if they had to wait for someone else to buy their first deck.

4. The tarot is all about empowerment. What’s more empowering than selecting your own deck from the thousands on the market to begin your personal tarot journey?

Tarot decks do make great gifts!
Having said that, as we enter the holiday season, tarot decks (and books, and even personalized readings!) do make great gifts. Whether you’re buying someone their first deck or just adding to their collection, a tarot deck is a kind, personal gift that shows you put some thought into their present and that you have some idea of their tastes.

If you’re beginning your tarot journey, we’d like to invite you to shop our online store for a large selection of tarot decks and books, including some of our favorites. If you’ve already been reading for a bit, why not treat yourself – or a loved one – to a new tarot deck for the holidays?

[Serenity Bly] Ah ha! It’s officially 9.30pm who wants a reading?
[Deb] I do. I’m looking at what to do job-wise.
[Miss Michele] Deb, I’ve drawn your cards. Three minors. They are saying the choice is entirely yours. In the past is the Two of Rods, and I’m feeling like I should read this as it came out – reversed. As if, rather than the start of a venture, something is ending… or rather, has ended.
[Deb] Okay
[Miss Michele] You’ve got so many choices in front of you, it’s impossible to pick just one.
[Deb] I’m sort of in job limbo, at the moment.
[Miss Michele] But you know you were unhappy — or rather, “bored” — where you were.
[Deb] well, yeah, and it was gonna end anyway
[Serenity Bly] *ponders* I feel that Two of Rods (Wands) also echoing a lack of confidence or courage to make a choice over what to begin next. There is so much potential for success in many of your options that it is difficult to choose.
[Deb] *nods* Yeah. Right now I have been concentrating on other things, just sort of coasting as this plays out and trying to prepare for whatever is next.
[Serenity Bly] Obviously that then creates a lack of focus because you’re juggling the choices. *waits for more cards*
[Miss Michele] Well, I hate to say things will get worse before they get better.
[Deb] In my deck, that card is the Trapper, part of doing that successfully is learning to bide one’s time
[Miss Michele] Er, Five of Pentacles is the near future, then we have Three of Rods in the outcome. I’m reading the Two of Rods almost as a milder version of the Hanged Man, if that makes sense. Especially since it came out upside down… the cards even resemble each other in my deck. Unlike it being the Hanged Man, though, you weren’t lacking energy. You were in planning stages–which I know for a fact with your going through Secret Abundance Files.
[Serenity Bly] *chuckles* I was just thinking that, it’s a Hanged Man of choice, you’re ‘biding your time’ as you said but are not inactive or unable to proceed like a Hanged Man would be.
[Miss Michele] The Five of Pentacles shows you’re going to bring about something upon yourself that will be a blessing in disguise. It’s really going to look like it sucks. But it’s just to shake you out of that “What should I do?” It’s going to force you out of the waiting stages.
[Serenity Bly] And it’s going to look like a lot of hard work and effort, possibly without much recognition and probably something that will benefit others before it begins to benefit you.
[Miss Michele] Which parlays into the third card. sure…
[Serenity Bly] The opportunity coming up will challenge you which might seem daunting at first but by pushing your boundaries you have an opportunity to grow and develop your skills. I also feel like you’ll be working with others and perhaps this is unusual for you, needing to deal with more back and fourth teamwork than you might normally expect.
[Deb] Okay – in my deck Five of Pentacles is cultivation and Three of Wands is joint effort, which makes sense. Right now I’m working on getting my body to represent who I am
[Miss Michele] Yes… About Three of Wands, it definitely indicates a business partnership, joint venture. I think of it as the ultimate entrepreneurial card.
[Deb] Oddly, I’m cultivating teamwork at work right now, and the ladies I am working with seem appreciative.
[Miss Michele] You’re not going to go into “a job.” You’re going to come up with another career.
[Deb] Pretty sure of that myself, MM
[Miss Michele] Remember, though, Three of Wands is still very early in the game (3). You’re still in the planning stages, looking ahead at all the possibilities off the shore. (not offshore… LOL) What you’re doing at your “job” now will pave the way toward your career. You’re cultivating and planning. But remember, decks don’t always translate directly from one to another.
[Miss Michele] My Hanson-Roberts Five of Pentacles is not yours.
[Deb] True, and we read differently to begin with.
[Miss Michele] Yes… And I do see the cultivation, but expect tough going… being prepared for it will make it easier. (Kind of like cultivating bad soil to yield a better crop.)

I decided to do this morning’s Card of the Week with The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck. This basic tarot deck (sometimes called a beginner deck) has straightforward imagery. I’ve grown accustomed to the bright colors of Hanson-Roberts Tarot Deck or The Robin Wood Tarot, so it’s a challenge for me to glean the true meanings from the washed out yellow and blues of my (admittedly faded) R-W deck.

Nonetheless, the Queen of Cups in today’s reading speaks to me clearly. She looks pensive and somewhat stern holding a yellow chalice; it is as if I can read into her heart and know her thoughts. She is thankful for all she has. She knows her cup is overflowing with good things. A river runs in front of her throne. She sits in front of the riverside amidst brightly colored circles (precious gemstones, gold, riches?) She knows there’s plenty and is holding her cup out for all to share. She knows the way to ensure abundance is to give freely and generously.

What a kind, pleasant thought for this holiday season!

On a Personal Note
The past few weeks have been tight, financially, but the Queen reminds me that is not what’s important. I have a home filled with love, a beautiful daughter, and I make a living (from home) helping others and doing what I love.

Lately, I’ve become even more of a “catalyst” for making things happen between colleagues, seeing connections between business owners and suggesting they chat to see what comes of it. Our Wednesday evening tarot chats help in this regard. Those who drop in get much more than free tarot readings!

More importantly, the Queen reminds me there is always enough for everyone and I have the means to provide it. We get by giving, but that should not be *why* we give. We should give for the pleasure, the emotional rewards and to help others. (It’s so obvious, but still needs to be said.)

This is where the Tarot’s strength lies for me. To remind me of what I already know, to hammer home the point. It’s often that way for our querents, too.

Universal Implications
I wasn’t surprised to see the Queen of Cups today, the week of Thanksgiving in the U.S. We will fill our cups, our plates, and ultimately our bellies with friends and family on Thursday. Hopefully, we will remember to fill our hearts, as well — with love, joy and peace.

While the Queen has plenty of everything, she also knows what’s important. Would she wait in front of Wal-mart at midnight to get 50% off on a Zhu-zhu? Probably not. But if her child wanted one, she’d have faith that the Universe would provide a means to get one — and she’d have it.

Keep the Queen of Cups in your hearts this holiday season. And Happy Thanksgiving to all our U.S.-based readers!

Your Past Experience = Five of Pentacles

Over the years you’ve worked hard to build your skills but often felt like you should give up one path to follow another. The Five of Pentacles shows a man walking away from a job that paid well and offered a sense of satisfaction but no real joy. He feels a sense of loss and has sacrificed the hard work of the past.

Your Current Experience = Page of Cups

Now you spend a great deal of your time in reflection and, perhaps, regret. The Page of Cups (reversed) knows how talented he is and believes that he deserves to do something remarkable with his life and with the direction of his career. You want to make lasting change but by spending so much of your time and energy looking into your own reflection you may be missing the opportunities for growth and development that are around you.

What You Want = Ace of Pentacles (reversed) & Knight of Wands (reversed)

You’re either starting to feel the penny pinching, the tightening of belts, and want to feel more financial freedom, or are afraid to lose the income you currently have. The Ace of Pentacles (reversed) represents and almost miserly sense of financial instability. You may find that the way you ‘cling’ to what you have prevents you from feeling the sense of true abundance you desire.
Tied together with the Knight of Wands (reversed) in this position I get the impression that you want the freedom of choosing your own goals and outcomes. You’d rather not work for ‘the man’. You want to set your own path and be able to create new and interesting opportunities. You don’t want to be tied down but I suspect you also fear too much freedom.

What you Need = The Tower (reversed)

The Tower tells me that what you truly need is to give up your old perceptions, your old realities, and take a chance on a new direction. You may have been clinging to a position that hasn’t made you happy simply because it’s all that has kept food on the table. If you’re considering taking the plunge to freelancing or going into business for yourself rather than keeping your day job this Tower says it could be exactly what you need. Change, while scary, is always an adventure that brings new and exciting potential into your life.

What You Offer = The Devil & Nine of Wands

You’re passionate and have the ability to set in single-minded pursuit of your goals and interests. The Devil is highly charged, he’s emotional and earthy, he’s in command of his reality and understands how to influence and manipulate other people and situations to suit his own interests.
When the Nine of Wands joins the Devil we see bright new ideas and a potential for successful inspirations and ventures. Out of rough seas you’re generating new concepts and approaching what feels like a new business venture with fresh energy and enthusiasm.

Your Action Plan = Nine of Swords (reversed)

The Tarot suggests that you trust your instincts and ignore the negativity others are throwing at you. Choose not to let those who express concerns and disbelief in your abilities or in the global economy to sustain new opportunities. You may be feeling dragged down by the ‘logic’ and ‘rationale’ arguments being presented and the Nine of Swords (reversed) expresses a need to tune out those discouraging influences. Choose your path based on what you feel within yourself to be the right course of action. Trust your own judgment and take chances based on your gut despite what others might think.