Future Tarot

Stacey aka Wyntermoon, good friend, fellow writer and soon-to-be business partner here at Miss Michele’s Tarot, tagged me with a meme. You know that’s love.

The idea is to share seven random or weird things about yourself. Here are the rules as Wynter posted them:

1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share seven random and/or weird things about yourself.
3. Tag five people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Since this is a tarot blog, I decided to add a twist. Miss Michele will draw seven cards and use the inspiration behind that card to come up with an odd fact to share.

Let’s see how this goes:

1. Ace of Swords… I’m going to share a funny random story about myself for this one. When we first moved into our current place, the cable guys arrived to hook up our modem, cable and phone lines. Since we were still in the process of moving in, we had random thing scattered all over the place. Including several realistic-looking paintball markers and a few swords in my husband’s collection. (Including one that is made of wood.)

Our paintball tank is also parked in the driveway. One guy asks “Is that tank real?”
“Real?” I ask, unsure how to answer. It’s not virtual, of course, generated by holographic technology. But nor is it “real,” as in manufactured from steel. (And I would think this would be pretty obvious looking at it!)

We walk down the hallway to the spare room to install the cable modem. Now, I’m in the house alone with these two guys in the middle of the workday and I catch them scoping the placing out. The same one who asked about the tank notes the swords leaning against the wall in the hallway and goes, “Wow, are those real?”

“Yes,” I say.

“Are they sharp?”

“Yes,” I say.

“Wow,” he says. They continue their work until he sees the paintball guns on the floor.

My response to the inevitable question: “The tank is real, the swords are sharp, the real guns are still packed up. Any other questions?”

2. Wow… didn’t that first answer cover it all? Ah, more swords… this time, the Ten of Swords. Since this is the card of illness and possible surgery, here’s my deep dark secret. I am terrified of doctors. Wrap a blood pressure machine around my arm and my blood pressure spikes automatically. I’m not sure where this came from. Perhaps from being an overweight child and picked on by an overweight doctor but never given any real *solutions* for weight loss, other than, “eat more chicken and fish,” to which I would reply: “I don’t like fish.”

Until a few years ago, I was also terrified of scales.

3. Hmmm… the Five of Pentacles. I don’t necessarily see this card, the card of poverty, as describing me at all. So let me turn this around. Two of my favorite books are The Richest Man in Babylon and Rich Dad, Poor Dad. They have helped me keep my finances in order.

4. The Ace of Cups. I’m going to go for the mundane here: I collect coffee mugs. I have one from almost every state I’ve visited, except Utah. One day, I plan to go back and finally pick up a mug. I don’t know why I never have.

5. The Wheel of Fortune. Okay, here’s something I can work with. I don’t believe in luck. You make your own luck through hard work. I really resent it when I come across something fortunate, such as a new writing gig, and someone says, “Wow, you’re so lucky.” No. I work hard and eventually (sometimes) good things come to fruition.

6. Queen of Pentacles This card, as depicted in the Hanson-Roberts deck, is the card that I always think of as myself, so it’s fitting that it should come up. I hope to have a friend do a cartoon depiction of me as the Queen of Pentacles once Stacey and I revamp the site to reflect our partnership!

7. And… the Star… Since this is the card of intuition and psychic matters, I’m going to use this card to share a bit about how the Tarot works, according to Miss Michele (and only according to Miss Michele).

The Tarot is a combination of learning card meanings by rote and relying on intuition. I keep in my brain several alternate meanings for each of the cards, and trust that the Tarot will lead me to the right definition at the right time. Every so often, I hear “whispers” in my mind that offer greater insight into the reading. Some people are easier to read for than others and, when I read for certain people, I can pretty much ‘hear’ the Tarot whispering the truth in my mind.

When a reading is “incorrect,” it is because I have misinterpreted the cards–not because the cards themselves were wrong. This sometimes happens when I have bad news to deliver and try to sugar coat it. I am getting better about simply revealing the truth at the cards share it with me, even if it is not what the person wants to hear.

After all that, I have no idea who I’d like to tag. Come back later to see if you’re “it.”

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 attended a tarot reader herself on December 30. The reading, for the most part, was on the money. She said, however, that my Chakras are unbalanced. I did a bit of reading on the subject and still find it about as clear as pea soup.

But I came across a Chakra reading in Power Tarot the other day, so I decided to see if that would offer some insight into *which* Chakras were unbalanced.

For sure.

The Root Chakra, which represents my energy level and sense of self-preservation is represented by the Fool. This manifested itself today in business negotiations. I am so unsure of myself, so ungrounded, that I continually sell myself short in business dealings. I have energy. This was not the case last week, or at the time of the reading, so I wonder what the cards may have said then? Anyway, my energy is often misdirected and scattered. I have so much work in this area!

The Spleen Chakra, representing sexuality and nurturing, came up as the Five of Swords. Quite curious. There are many, many cards I would consciously select to represent my sexuality. Not this one. But it makes sense. I have a certain rivalry going on and it needs to end. It gets to be about what I want and what is best for me and when I release this negative energy, things will get even better than I could have imagined!

The Solar Plexus chakra, the ego and how I use my energies, along with digestive functions, show no problems at all. The Eight of Pentacles, the work card, shows exactly where I’m directing my energy right now, and, in a lot of ways, “freelance writer” is my identity, my ego, if you will.

The Heart Chakra, too, is functioning properly. The Ace of Cups shows my open, welcoming, nurturing heart. It also shows how many new friends I’ve met recently, and I’ve opened my heart to them without issue. But that’s me.

Throat chakra represents communication, a key for me… The Six of Swords here is not a surprise… because my writer’s block is over and communications issues *are* going well at the moment, however, the shadow of what I went through in regard to writing–and people listening to me–is still lurking in the background. I had huge communications issues in the past, but that influence is passing out of my life now.

The Four of Wands represents my Third-Eye Chakra, my intuition. In this case, I am enjoying success based on my intuition–the growth of Miss Michele’s Tarot Readings. Could also represent a possible partnership related to psychic ability in the near future.

Finally, the Crown Chakra is represented by the Three of Wands– the universe has me set up for a new opportunity that will involve cooperation with others. Several projects come to mind. This card tells me I work better as part of a team, albeit, not a *large* team. I am good in writer/editor relationships, whichever side I’m on. There are THREE partners involved in my business…this is a good number for me.

So all in all, the cards are telling me that I need to stop competing to in areas of sensuality and sexuality, and that I am ungrounded at the moment. There could also be an imbalance because I am investing so much of who I am into my work as a freelance writer/editor.

What to do? I’ll focus on improving these areas, and do another Chakra reading in a month to evaluate my progress.

Mysti, a freelance writer, blogger and mother wants to see what the New Year has in store and, thus, becomes Miss Michele’s first customer of 2008.

Mysti’s blog, My Journey is one of Miss Michele’s favorites. Providing an eclectic blend of life, writing and parenting, Mysti posts from the heart. You never know what you may find.

Let’s see what Mysti’s journey looks like for 2008 with a 13-card month-by-month spread. Remember, a 13-card spread is available for only $10 (through Paypal) now through January 31, 2008.

The tarot gives us a lot of high cards (8s, 9s and 10s) toward the end of the calendar year, telling us that this year will represent the end of a phase and the start of something new for Mysti. With two Pages in the spread, she will receive significant news. Pages, too, support the start of something new. Several cards point to a marriage or proposal on the horizon. Multiple swords and cups in the reading indicate changes in the realm of love, romance and relationships. Overall, the year will focus on family and love developments over money and career, although the Wheel of Fortune, Nine of Cups and Ace of Pentacles tell us Mysti won’t be lacking in those areas, either!

January: The year will get better as it goes along, but it won’t exactly start on a high note. The Two of Swords indicates a decision Mysti must make, to release the old and make way for a new path to be paved as the year progresses. She feels as if her hands are tied, but is, in fact, closing her eyes to the facts. What is Mysti not seeing about her current situation, which is slowing her progress? Mysti feels like her life is in a holding pattern, a stalemate. Mysti, the tarot says you would be wise to get your feelings out in the open–only then, can progress be made.

February: A new business proposition or opportunity appears for Mysti in February, indicated by the propitious Ace of Pentacles. Based on the cards surrounding the Ace of Pentacles and the overall theme of the year, February could be a time of enhanced fertility for Mysti and her partner, a good time to conceive if they wish to do so or to simply begin laying the emotional and financial foundation for their family to grow.

March: With the appearance of The Hermit, March becomes a time for introspection for Mysti. She will step back from preparations made and work done in February to carefully consider her next step. While Mysti may feel frustrated that everything is taking too much time–she wants to move forward–this is what is necessary right now.

April: April brings more good things, the final stages of effort before culmination. Work on wrapping things up, not new projects. The Nine of Cups, the “wish card” shows up here, indicating good news. This is one of the many cards pointing to a marriage for Mysti.

May: Thematically similar to the Nine of Cups, The Wheel of Fortune points again to a completion of a cycle. After a quiet period in March, the spring will blur together in a flurry of activity as projects are completed. However, the tarot warns Mysti she cannot control everything… let go and let fortune carry your life where it may, at this point. It will be good!

June: With the Eight of Cups, the change Mysti has been waiting for finally manifests itself. Mysti will begin to let go of things, people, or situations that are not working in her life.

July: Another Major Arcana, The Moon, shows big discoveries in July. Mysti may embark on a new project, more creative than her past work–perhaps fiction of some sort, a novel or a screenplay. Be aware… the Eight of Cups and the Moon, together, indicate deception is possible. Keep your eyes open. Trust the other guy, but always count the cards. Most importantly, do not deceive yourself.

August: The entire summer could be a period of mistrust and deception. The Page of Swords, in August, again warns that someone may be lying, or Mysti could be lying to herself. Someone’s behavior, perhaps her own, will disappoint. Mysti may overextend herself, or sign a contract she’s not sure about. Things may not turn out as Mysti had expected or hoped, but this setback is only paving the way for another new beginning in the fall. This could involve her son and a selected school or educational program.

September: September brings another card of new beginnings, the Ace of Cups. After a rough summer, Mysti will experience emotional renewal in an important relationship. This is another card that supports marriage and/or pregnancy for Mysti in 2008. It could also indicate sending her son off to school and, with that, finding a newfound freedom once again.

October: After this emotional renewal, things are going almost too well, but Mysti feels trapped in her situation. The Eight of Swords shows she is overworked and confused if she has taken the right path. Everyone is pulling on her, and she’s anxious and longing for quiet time alone, but feeling guilty about taking it. Hang tight. The feeling will pass.

November: As the year draws to an end, the Major Arcana, The World, shows itself. You have reached your goal. All you have hoped for in the past year has manifested itself. Take a break, relax, and enjoy your accomplishments!

December: The feeling of success and attainment continues through the holiday season with the Six of Wands. You will be recognized for your efforts. After a year of hard work and struggles you even *feel* like a winner. Travel and a vacation is possible.

The overall theme for the year, as Miss Michele alluded to earlier, is shown in the Page of Wands. Surrounded as he is by powerful Major Arcana such as the Wheel of Fortune and the World, he tells of a landmark year for Mysti, built on dozens of *small* accomplishments and bits and pieces of good news. Romance will be passionate, intense and sexual, with the tangible results of both starting a family and strengthening her relationship with her significant other. Mysti will have a successful, healthy year, and her energy will be high.

Mysti, if you have any specific questions about what the tarot has seen for you in 2008, please post here and Miss Michele will do her best to clarify.

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.