Future Tarot

The other night while doing a spread for a reader, my daughter, a six-month old Libra, selected a card of her own. I managed to grab it and interpret it before it went in her mouth.

Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be the perfect card to describe her, right now: The Ace of Swords. I’m not sure what card I would have selected on my own to represent my daughter if you had asked me. For myself, I heavily identify with the Queen of Pentacles.

But she selected the Ace of Swords for herself and I’m not going to argue – it’s not smart to argue with anyone holding a sword

Swords represent intellect, while an Ace in this situation represents as-yet-untapped potential. Without going off on a boastful “my daughter is so advanced” tangent, (because doesn’t every parent feel that way?) let me just say I definitely see the untapped intellect in her eyes. The Ace of Swords is double-edged, however; she can use her power for good or evil and at some point she will have to make that decision.

The Ace of Swords is about balancing sharp intellect without cutting yourself off emotionally. Libras, represented by scales, should be masters of balance but, instead, often struggle with it.

Libras are very open-minded, mainly because they want to see and weigh all sides of a situation before making the decision. This can make them great diplomats, but also easily swayed by “the next big thing.” The Ace of Swords shows my daughter won’t be as easily swayed as many Libras by folly.

In fact, she’ll have the knack for condescending to people she knows are wrong to avoid an argument if it is in her best interests to do so. She will have the potential to easily manipulate others; whether or not she chooses to do so may depend largely on her upbringing. It is my job to sharpen this sword to a fine edge but not so sharp it cuts anyone who approaches. Definitely a challenge.

Then again, the question exists: This is what I see in her, but will I help this personality to manifest merely by foreseeing it? Remember, the tarot guides us but we always make our own future and, in some cases, the future of those around us. How many times have people met your expectations? Were you simply right about them, or did their actions manifest from your thoughts?

But I digress: Readers, what card do you use to represent yourself? Please post a comment to tell us which card and why!

Yet another RadioXShow listener came to use seeking answers to love. I’m starting to wonder if John is really hosting a dating service rather than a radio station. *grins* But what insight can we offer Becky in regard to love in her life?

Overview: Love is a new adventure for you, Becky. I sense a great deal
of insecurity, an inability to trust and a need to feel loved and
protected. These cards show that while you might want to cling to the
people in your life you’ll find greater happiness in seeking a greater
sense of freedom and independence. Independence doesn’t mean being a
hermit, but rather finding the love within yourself that makes it ok
to be with others but not needing to be with them. Love is another of
life’s experiences and it’s time to let go of your fears and embrace
adventure.

Becky’s past experiences in love: The Star
Love has been an adventure of faith and blind hope. With an eagerness
to love and be loved it is easy to ignore signs of discord and to
wallow in the bliss of a new romance without building the solid
foundation a lasting relationship needs to survive. Becky’s
experiences in love have released their share of confusion and pain
but Becky has clung firmly, perhaps unfulfilling relationships, in the
hope that love will find a way.

Becky’s current romantic state: The Hierophant
Now you’ve come to accept a need for greater depth and understanding.
You’re seeking answers and looking for meaning. Perhaps you’ve tired
of the more youthful ‘fling’ and want to discover what love can truly
be like in a relationship that is committed and fulfilling. You’re
seeking a guide to these emotions, someone who can share his
understanding of the heart and show you how to let love blossom in
your life.

What Becky wants from love: Nine of Swords
I feel like this card is telling us that you’ve been manifesting your
greater fears in your search for love. Anxiety, guilt, and envy can
color your true desires, overshadowing what you want and deserve in
your relationships. If your focus is constantly one of worst possible
outcomes, or what you don’t want, you’ll find these aspects coming
into your life. The Nine of Swords tells us to examine your feelings,
to seek out their source, but to ultimately let them go and allow
yourself to seek what you DO want, rather than trying to avoid pain.

What Becky needs from love: Ace of Swords
Inspired challenges and a sense of determination are what you truly
need from love. I get the feeling you’re used to getting your own way
but the man who will truly light the fire within will have the
strength to stand up to you. It can create some interesting sparks of
contention, particularly early in a relationship, but as depth grows,
so too will harmony and balance.

Why Becky deserves love: The Fool
You’re young, vibrant, and full of life! You want to leap out into the
world and explore. Love is perhaps life’s greatest adventure. It’s
time to explore the depth of emotions you’re capable of. I get the
feeling that relationships, deeper, meaningful, enriching
relationships are new to you and now is the perfect time to learn the
importance of giving. The Fool, who thinks only of himself learns that
the needs and desires of others, and more importantly taking part in
fulfilling those needs and desires are what make life worth living.

Becky’s Romantic Future: Knight of Wands
The Knight of Wands embraces adventure. It tells us that you’re not
ready for commitment and now is the time to be enjoying yourself and
experiencing life. Don’t settle for dull, solid, stable, you need
excitement! For the moment, love isn’t about finding that special
someone, it’s about embracing the wonder of life, of sharing that
wonder with others.
Right now, You are your one true love and everyone
else is just the chocolate cake of life.

Teri writes:

Dear Miss Michele: I’d like some insight into the themes I will be
working with in my love life. Specifically, I’d like some insight into the chance of reuniting with an old love (2006 old!). Thank you.

Past experience in love: Two of Wands: Referring specifically to your old love, this partnership worked well and you thought it would have longevity. Then one of you moved away and the distance was too much to bear. You had to make the painful decision of separating.

Current experience in love: King of Cups: Now, you view this past lover, once again, as your ideal mate. In fact, no other person has lived up to the standards you set. He is kind, loving, thoughtful—your ideal pair in every way. However, you currently have a sense of security in your life you could lose if you pursue your past lover. You feel a reconciliation may not be “a sure thing.”

What you want from a love relationship: Queen of Pentacles: This card of fertility and growth shows you are seeking a steady, committed “grown-up” relationship—a home and family. You want someone who will bring out the best in you, both your nurturing side and your fierce intelligence.

What you need from a love relationship: Ace of Swords: Again, supporting the fact that an intellectual match is even more important than a physical or romantic match, the Ace of Swords shows you need an equal partner in life. The double-edged sword foretells a “new beginning,” albeit with an old flame.

What you have to offer in a relationship: 6 of Swords: You can offer a sense of adventure. Paired with the Two of Wands, Miss Michele wants to interpret this card—showing a traveler rowing a boat toward shore—quite literally. You are now willing to travel, even relocate, to be with this person.

Possible future experience: 6 of Pentacles: Yet another six in this reading  shows your desire to settle down. Six is also a number representing choice; you are at a crossroads. To try again or not?

With no Major Arcanas in this reading, the decision lies entirely in your hands, Teri. That may not be what you want to hear, as you are clearly torn about the matter, but if you pursue this relationship it should give you what you need… but it may take time.

The wealth of Pentacles in this romance reading tells Miss Michele that you value platonic friendship – a true cerebral and well-grounded connection – with a lover over lust and romance. You are ready for a mature love.

Serenity Bly adds: The King of Cups is more how Teri views her past love, not necessarily how he really is. The Ace and the Two, which are “young” cards, represent him, and he’s not quite ready for the commitment she’s dreaming of.  If she wants him, she’ll have to be patient.

The Tarot cautions Teri to beware of rose-tinted visions of the past. It is important that she look at WHY they didn’t work in the past and if anything has changed.

* Miss Michele used the Robin Wood Tarot Deck for this reading, with intuitive insight from Serenity Bly. *

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.

Our one-year spread is always a big seller this time of year, and Tilanthis kicks it off with our first reading.

In 2008, he experienced a new job, a major move and several other life changes related to his associates and hobbies, predicted here by Miss Michele.

Let’s see what 2009 holds in store…

Overview: Looking at the year as a whole, by this time next year, Tilanthis will once again experience intense changes. His life will be very different. Lasting love was not in the cards in 2008, but January kicks off with a new love interest. The Hermit, the card for the year, indicates introspection and Tilanthis “reinventing” himself.

January: Queen of Pentacles: Tilanthis will meet a nurturing, strong-minded career women who complements him perfectly.

February: Three of Cups: This will be a honeymoon period (though not in the literal sense) for Tilanthis and his new love, marked by celebration, happiness and getting to know one another better.

March: Ace of Swords: Tilanthis faces a turning point in the relationship, when his lady’s strong wit and independence “cuts” him. There will be disagreements. It’s that magical “three-month mark” of a new relationship, and they will enter a new phase.

April: Three of Swords: March’s love problems may result in a break-up or broken heart. The combination of the Ace and Three of Swords indicates a rough spring for Tilanthis.

May: Five of Swords: May looks brighter as Tilanthis and his love interest begin talking again, but there are trust issues. Miss Michele would also like to introduce the possibility that this card doesn’t relate at all to his love relationship. Tilanthis’ “karmic debt” is that he attracts gossipers and backstabbing people. In 2009, he can begin to better deal with these personality types, taking the higher ground in all his relationships and also being more aware of this force in his life.

This assertion is supported by June’s card…
June: Nine of Wands: Tilanthis repeatedly finds himself in a game of one upmanship with people, but he will win by taking the higher ground.

July: Knight of Swords: Positive change comes in July with this Knight. Knights are action just beginning. Tilanthis is tired of sitting around waiting for what he wants to come to him. He takes initiative to go after it. However, in mid-year, he begins to lose his focus on all things romantic. Things come easily to him in career and social matters, but not in love. When it gets hard, he steps back and re-prioritizes his life.

But he’s taking some positive steps to get what he wants in Summer 2009, by going after it. Miss Michele keeps thinking of the phrase: “Storming the Castle.” But Tilanthis needs to learn balance between love and life.

August: Ace of Rods: The summer’s changes began violently, but by August, he begins to draw an effective plan, taking a systematic approach to his life changes. Miss Michele sees a new job or a promotion, or possibly even a new hobby and a whole new group of friends. Think lifestyle overhaul.

September: The Magician: This card has come up frequently in Miss Michele’s readings for Tilanthis, and is the first Major Arcana in this spread. Tilanthis will begin using his talents to the best of his abilities, taking on a leadership role or possibly even starting a new business endeavor. His networking abilities are effective and that is a key part of his life come the fall. In the spring, he felt restless and unfulfilled… he desires control, leadership and social activities and goes after them in the fall.

October: The Hanged Man: The second Major Arcana in this reading shows Tilanthis re-evaluating his life. He’s gotten what he thought he wanted, but is it really him? He tends to be a chameleon but, as such, has lost touch with his true self. The Hanged Man indicates a period of waiting in which Tilanthis looks at things from a different angle. He’s going to find a new life, new friends, new job or hobbies… but it’s really just what he had before, albeit with a fresh coat of paint. It’s not true change. Is it what he wants? Is this the path he’s destined to walk or is there something more, something different he can manifest?

November: The World: When Tilanthis makes the choice, the “World” is his for the taking.

December: Page of Rods: The Page of Rods in December shows Tilanthis looking at everything with a child’s eyes. With everything else in place, Tilanthis can once again begin his search for true love, opening his heart to the opportunities.

It’s going to be a significant fall and winter for Tilanthis. The overall theme for the year is indicated by the Hermit… it will be a year of introspection which will benefit Tilanthis come year’s end.

Please come back and tell us how the Tarot’s observations manifest!