Future Tarot

In  the first of our readings since the official launch of www.future-tarot.com (with all proceeds going to “Supporting Simon,”) visitor Erin wants to know what the future will hold for her business.

Miss Michele used the Hanson-Roberts deck to  draw five cards, and came up with some unusual findings for a career spread. The lack of any Pentacles would indicate that Erin’s business is largely a labor of love. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have the potential to make vast amounts of money, merely that Erin launched it to follow her passion.

Card by card…

The Fool in the past shows that Erin may have recently launched a new business endeavor or changed her focus in her current business. While she may have done research and preparation, a large part of this change was a “leap of faith” as she entered uncharted territory. It also shows this may be the cause of any challenges—whether Erin is truly unprepared or merely feels that way.  (And Miss Michele suspects the latter.)

The Ace of Cups, again, supports the launching of a new business endeavor, showing the present… Erin began with an open mind and unfettered optimism. Her business is truly a labor of love—her true passion. Miss Michele commends Erin for following that passion!

However, Erin’s fears manifest themselves in the Unseen Factors of the third card, the Six of Cups…she may be thinking things were better before, or that she should take a few steps back, re-think her path, maybe even go back to her previous career.

The Strength card, however, a Major Arcana showing Erin’s best course of action, advises her to plow on. Yes, go back and re-think some of your tactics, perhaps re-write your business plan or, if you don’t have one, put one together in order to solidify your goals. While the carefree optimism of the Fool gave Erin what she needed to launch her business, a lack of Pentacles in a business/career spread shows a need to focus on the “nuts and bolts” now. Without proper preparation, the business faces some risks, shown in the Final Outcome card, the Seven of Swords…

The Seven of Swords indicates trickery and deception, along with competitors who may not play by the rules. Someone who is less than trustworthy could sweep in, under the guise of trying to help. Again, be STRONG and rely on past experience and knowledge to resist the urge to work with them. In this case, Erin would be better off going it alone than taking help that is a wolf disguised in sheep’s clothing.

The lack of Pentacles in this reading makes Miss Michele wonder if there are not other factors on your mind—new beginnings—that are holding back Erin’s business from the amount of growth it could be experiencing.

Mrs. Cogan requests a five-card spread and asks:

I just launched two new directions with my writing. I’m entering every contest I can (I’m a semifinalist in the Amazon.com novel contest!) and I’ve started blogging seriously. I basically need to know if I’m going in the right direction.

Heart of the Matter – The Hanged Man in the past/heart of the matter slot shows Mrs. Cogan’s writing career at a standstill. She knew she needed to find a new direction, new perspective and different goals before things take off.

Near Future – Strength – It’s not easy, and her new writing direction won’t meet with success right away, but Mrs. Cogan has the strength of character to push ahead.

Hidden Influences – The Universe has many opportunities in store for Mrs. Cogan, exemplified in the Knight of Cups. Her best assets as she pursues her writing career are her feminine traits: intuition, kindness, gentleness. This is supported in nearly all the cards in the reading, other than the Hanged Man. As she moves out of the phase of “wondering what to do, waiting for the next opportunity” she is embracing her feminine strengths.

Tarot’s Advice – The Ace of Cups – The card of new beginnings, this card clearly tells Miss Michele that Mrs. Cogan has selected the right path, and that she should grasp the opportunities offered to her!

Possible Outcome – The Sun – Her new pursuits will lead to a chance for greater creative expression, personal fulfillment and happiness. Number 19 of the Major Arcana, the Sun corresponds to a “10,” the fulfillment of a cycle.

Overview: Two cups in what should be a question about career shows that, while Mrs. Cogan won’t get rich from her new pursuits, she will find greater fulfillment and more time for her family. Sometimes, that’s more important than material gain. However, the lack of Wands or Pentacles show Mrs. Cogan may lack some of the drive and ambition to take her business where she really wants it to go, financially. She’s got more important things on her mind. She’s still “dabbling,” (emotionally, if not in reality) but opportunities are coming up, nonetheless, and there’s potential to carve herself a nice little niche.

Three Major Arcana show Mrs. Cogan is in a major life change right now, and Miss Michele suspects it may have a lot more to do with personal relationships and children than with business. Something more important than career is on Mrs. Cogan’s mind right now, and the Tarot is seeing that. Additionally, her writing pursuits could turn into a much bigger decision than she suspects, putting her on the path to major (and very, very positive!) changes!

Miss Michele would like to start off this morning by stating how *thrilled* she is to read for Amy Mullis, the Erma Bombeck of the 21st Century. If you’re a woman between the ages of, oh, about 20 to 200, you’ll love Mind Over Mullis. Amy’s personal essays have also appeared in Chicken Soup for the Chocolate Lover’s Soul and on the Christian Science Monitor web site.

Knowing Amy’s penchant for turning her own life into humor and inspiration, Miss Michele is hardly surprised about a possible entanglement between Amy’s professional and personal lives. She suspects, by the tone of Amy’s question, that this entanglement goes a bit deeper than talking about her son sharing the same ranking as Hannibal Lector on a personality test.

Amy writes:
I’m worried about an entanglement and possible collision between my professional life, my personal life, and my writing career. The decisions I make in the next few days will set the course for what could be a benchmark year or a big, smelly mess. Also, I’m cheap. So, please start me off with a freebie, and perhaps we can tell if I need to delve deeper to get out of this tangled mess without serious damage to life and limb (mine or anybody else’s). Thanks! AmyDoodle

Since this is Amy’s first reading–and as a thank you for keeping us all entertained over at Mind Over Mullis–Miss Michele is going for a bit extra with a free five-card reading for Amy. Let’s see what the cards have to say about Amy’s predicament.

The card in the past, The High Priestess, gives us insight into Amy’s character. An intuitive woman, she has searched her subconscious for answers on whether or not to proceed with this project. She has laid the foundation to proceed, studying and learning her craft, but past experience forces her to hesitate.

The present card, The Hermit, shows that Amy is still deep in an introspective phase and this is right where she needs to be now. Amy will receive advice from a variety of well-meaning sources, but a dear, old friend from her past comes along with good advice. Listen to this individual, but, most importantly, listen to your heart. The cycle is in the final stages before its culmination. You will be forced to make a move shortly.

Dual swords show up in the Hidden Influences and Advice spots: The Five of Swords tells us that if Amy pursues her desires, she may come out ahead, but it could be an empty victory. She will achieve financial and career success but hurt those close to her.

This is not Amy’s fault, however! Those close to her are acting out of jealousy and spite. Deceitful, hurtful influences make this worse than it has to be. It’s not as big a deal as they are making it out to be. Unfortunately, Amy can’t control the behavior of other people, only herself, but there are influences trying to control her and her career decisions.

Through the Page of Swords, the Tarot advises Amy to outsmart these negative influences. She will have to act quickly. After the period of introspection, things will move rapidly. Amy is prepared to sign papers, but the tarot advises her to read them carefully and make sure it is absolutely what she wants. Amy should continue to be on guard against malicious individuals who spread rumors and want to see her fail. The project may be delayed, but that is as it should be.

When things get going, the final outcome will be the project, perhaps in a slightly different form, coming to fruition and leading to great, unprecedented success for Amy. Yes, a landmark year to be sure. The Eight of Rods indicates job opportunities, great success, recognition–even fame. This does not have to come at the price of hurting those close to you, as long as you weigh all your options. Once things are in motion, they will move rapidly.

Miss Michele will even go out on a limb with a time frame and say that this will manifest within the next two to three months.

Kate Boddie writes in:

I shall pose one more question before the start of the new year. My California dreaming–will it become a reality or will I stay there in my dreams? This question is not necessarily pertaining to whether it’ll happen this year (I am going on vacation there in October) but within the next few. I’ve put myself on a five year plan to get out there (as in a permanent move) but I’d like some perspective on it, if you could, please, Miss Michele!

It’s no secret Miss Michele loves reading for her tri-state area friend, Kate Boddie. Let’s see if a move to the left coast is in the cards for Boddie in the next few years. And don’t worry about the tarot becoming confused by your trip planned for next year, Boddie. In Miss Michele’s experience, a short trip or vacation shows up very differently than an all-out relocation.

Well, Boddie, it looks like the choice is yours. Destiny won’t stop you. The Major Arcana haven’t come out to play, which tells us it’s completely in your hands. It looks like there will be a time of juggling–your heart will be in California while you’re stuck here, perhaps because of a job or other financial issues. But Miss Michele is getting ahead of herself.

Wands indicate stages of preparation before rapid movement, and that’s where you are now. The Queen of Wands shows your career is building in the present. (Miss Michele wonders if your last question about a permanent job position isn’t just about ready to come to fruition in the beginning of 2008.) Outspoken, witty and sometimes caustic, Boddie’s innate and strong personality influences her move. She doesn’t fit in where she is, and views California as better suited to her personality. No, Miss Michele wasn’t going to say ‘sunny personality.’ The Queen of Wands shows Boddie is currently on the right career path and it won’t be long before her endeavors bare fruit.

The Two of Pentacles in the present points to the financial and career constraints that are keeping Boddie here. The next year or so will be torturous in that regard, as opportunities call her to the West Coast but obligations keep her here. This card also shows Boddie’s time divided between her writing and her day job.

The Tarot’s advice, shown in the Ace of Pentacles (another money card) tells Boddie to grasp the new beginning offered to her. It could be here or on the West Coast. She may receive money that will make the move possible–take it!

Hidden Influences are shown in the Ten of Cups… An opportunity for travel, and support from friends and family (here at home) shows itself.

Thus far, none of the cards blatantly indicate a move. And the Five of Swords, the possible Outcome, shows us why. A move will reveal only empty victory. You won’t be any happier, more successful or richer out West. The Five of Swords warns the querent to be careful, she may just get what she wants. Miss Michele is reminded of the old cliche, “Wherever you go, there you are.” And, of course, the whole Wizard of Oz analogy… There’s no place like home.

This move will happen if you want it to, Boddie. The tarot’s leaving it up to you. But remember, friends and family here are just as willing to give you a helping hand if you open yourself to the possibility.

Mysti trades car advice (“go with a Honda!”) for a Tarot reading. She poses two questions to Miss Michele:

Is this marriage going to finally happen? Will our family finally grow?

So Miss Michele asks the tarot, “What will be so between Mysti and her significant other?”

What a great reading to begin a New Year! Miss Michele started with a three-card spread, but felt called to draw two more cards. The short answers to Mysti’s questions are: yes and yes.

Temperance, a Major Arcana, in the past indicates an equilibrium in the relationship. Life is moving on, both parties are happy. They have learned the art of compromise, sharing and all that a happy relationship entails. They are content.

The present, the Queen of Cups, indicates Mysti’s desire to give more. In fact, the card represents Mysti herself, the nurturer and caregiver. Mysti’s intuition tells her it’s time to take this relationship to the next level.

The Tarot’s advice comes in the Page of Rods. Pages often indicate the delivery of good news. They herald change of a good sort. The Tarot advises Mysti to use her intuition, keep her eyes open for hints and indications that her significant other is ready to take the next step. Rods indicate the final stages of activity before a change. The Tarot advises Mysti to be patient. This card may also symbolize Mysti’s son, who will play a role in this next step of their life… perhaps he will figure in to the proposal or be a ring bearer in the wedding?

Hidden Influences show all good things in the future. The World card, the epitome of the Major Arcana and all that is complete, reveals itself. The hidden influence isn’t that hidden at all. The Universe has a desire to give Mysti all she wants. This is the end of a phase and the start of a new one. The Tarot tells Mysti to prepare for the next step in life.

The Outcome, logically following the culmination of all that is good, is the Ace of Cups, a card of new beginnings. This card can indicate gifts, the next stage in a relationship, or a pregnancy.

The Tarot didn’t give us a time frame, but coming as it has at the beginning of the New Year, Miss Michele is inclined to say the events will be put into motion in 2008.