Future Tarot

Concentrating on the flip of the cards, I make mental notes of the colors, the facial expressions, the attitude of the ones the Universe has chosen fit to show me as I start a new project. Tarot embraces the creative side of seekers, showing us we have unlimited sources for our inspirations. How you choose to express it is as individual as a reading and as unique as the querent. Painting? Writing? Music? All are within the creative scope of Tarot; how can we turn this energy from a reading to a manifestation of art?

I always start with colors. For me, my Gemini yellow stands out immediately in the Knight of Pentacles, Four of Wands and others in my “working” Rider-Waite Deck, demanding my attention. It attracts my eye and I’m drawn to the card to look deeper. The shade of the background color affects the reading, is it vibrant or muted? Is it a pale wash of color or something more sinister? The soft blues depicted in the Three of Cups or the midnight-black of the Devil or Nine of Swords visually invite us to stare into the card and take from it what we can to promote our art. By incorporating these colors into a drawing, we release what we’ve learned from our reading into the world.

If you are starting a new project, use them to determine what is the prevalent mood of the cards. Can they be interpreted as a dark introduction to a piece of music? Are the characters celebrating or despondent? The suits can help to determine the pace of the song: Swords are quick and agile, they lend a sharp, almost aggressive note to the music; Wands seek harmony, a melody is wrapped within its walls; Pentacles show determination and hard work, a perfect accompaniment to a complicated solo and Cups denote joy, love and the mystery of the self.

When writing, take into account the entire spread; weave a story around the beginning, middle and ending inviting the reader to join you on the journey outlined by the cards. The characters within the cards become your heroes and villains, write down their expressions as well to what is embodied in the card to help you develop their background stories. What is their hair color? Manner of dress? Are they alone? What is the most important thing they’re doing in the card: clutching at pentacles (money) or holding the hand of the one they love? By using your spread to map out a story, half the work is done for you, Tarot itself being the ultimate reflection of your own story.

Using Tarot as a tool to delve deep within your natural creativity may open new avenues. Trying journaling about the cards within your spread to see patterns evolve as you learn more about Tarot and how it fits into your life. Take the time to put your reading to work for you as a partner for your imagination as new worlds await. Good luck!

Wynter Moon

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FUTURE-TAROT!

Amazingly, it’s been a year since Miss Michele and I joined together to form Future-Tarot. From time to time, Miss Michele and I, consider our direction and purpose with the Future-Tarot website and what better time to seek answers then our first anniversary. Frequently we discuss the site from both a business and spiritual aspect, working together to decide how to proceed and what exactly we want to accomplish. From time to time we also ask the Tarot for guidance and support.

This July, Future-Tarot has been very quiet. Miss Michele and I both have busy lives outside of Tarot that split our focus and when we are away from the site it tends to give us the break we subconsciously seek. Continued growth, however, is a primary interest both for us as Tarot readers and specifically for the difference we want to make in your life.

The Nine of Wands – Past

In the past year we’ve traversed rough waters. The journey of personal growth is often one wraught with dangers. It is a long, difficult path build of ideas and inspiration and steering a ship of this girth with two hands at the helm has not always been easy. The Nine of Wands shows that journey and our progress from our earliest beginnings to the point where we’ve become quietly confident of our purpose and direction.

The Page of Wands – Present

Now we are riding initial inspiration. Perhaps it is a case of holding on and allowing fate to guide our course but I also firmly believe that we are in control of our direction and the way we reach our future path. The flame of our ideas burn brightly, guiding our forward momentum and with all journeys we must be prepared and learn as we go forth.

The Page of Wands also indicates a dissatisfaction with our present being. I feel stagnated and a little guilty that we haven’t updated as frequently this month as we have in past months. I haven’t promoted the site at all or made particular effort to encourage interaction. Admittedly, I’ve been very ill the past two weeks but a commitment to writing regularly, giving readings, and embracing Tarot needs to be a priority if we want to see Future-Tarot flourish and this month I’ve allowed myself to do very little.

Ace of Wands / Two of Wands – Future

*ponders* It is interesting to see four wands come out in this reading. Obviously, our focus is on creativity, inspiration, ideas, and the mental aspect of discipline and dedication to craft for the future success of Future-Tarot. An Ace of Wands indicates a sense of finding new motivation, new passion, for the long road ahead. Opportunity is before us but having the courage to act on that opportunity will require commitment.

The Two of Wands shows this new uprush of energy and commitment formulating into solid plans and goals. Miss Michele and I recently talked with Rebecca Laffar-Smith, our web designer, about some theme changes for the website. This is perhaps part of the new creativity and inspiration the ace and two point to but I also feel like these cards are showing us the importance of taking regular action with promotion.

Perhaps it is also a sign that we need to focus on what YOU want. What brings you to Future-Tarot and what direction would you like the site to take?

Today’s card gives Miss Michele some of the balance she’s been seeking. The Page of Rods means I will have an active and fun day, with child-like, playful energies prominent.

Today’s relaxation will put me in a better state to face all I have to do next week and to complete all the tasks in front of me. (And that’s no small feat!)

My creativity will be flowing and tasks will be fun! Additionally, since the Page can indicate the very early stages of an endeavor, it represents this very blog, which I changed a bit yesterday!

Nancy, who runs an informative writer’s blog over at Writerly Stuff, wants to know about her financial state in the new year.

Miss Michele, 2007 was a horrible year, personally and financially. It’s the financial part that has me discouraged. Hubby hasn’t worked in almost a year, and, well, my job isn’t paying enough (especially with living expenses so high). Plus, the company I work for was just recently bought out, so my job isn’t too secure (I’ll add here that I had to take a fairly big loan on my 401k and needs to be paid back, and that’s scaring me even more). I’ve tinkered with the idea of doing freelancing on a part-time basis, but I’m not sure I have any skills or ideas that someone will pay me for. So…three things: Will I keep my job, or will I have to look for a new one? Should I go into freelancing? Will I bring in enough extra money to pay off the 401k and pay off a major chunk of our credit card debt? Sorry for the ramble. I look forward to your reading – and thank you!

That’s a lot for three cards to reveal, so Miss Michele will ask the tarot: “What is in the future, career-wise, for Nancy?”

The cards indicate 2008 will not be as bad as Nancy fears. The card in the past, Strength, is one of Miss Michele’s favorite Major Arcanas, showing that Nancy weathered the storm with incredible inner strength. She doesn’t realize it, but she has the self-confidence, power, patience and faith to improve her situation. The eight shows the end of a cycle to make way for new growth.

In the Near Future, we see the situation that is ending in the Knight of Swords. Swords show sudden, tumultuous change. New people may be coming into your life with new opportunities. (That’s a good thing!) But beware of “quick fixes” for your problems. Don’t be tempted by a scam. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Now I’m sure Nancy won’t get bamboozled by Publish America, but beware of temptations more subtle that look like a way out of debt.

This card also indicates Nancy’s forthrightness. When she wants something, she goes after it, and this will work in her favor.

The Outcome could not be better: The Nine of Cups. The jolly fellow on the “wish card” arrives to tell us that all Nancy’s worries will be assuaged. She will get what she needs.

Unsatisfied with the conclusion, Miss Michele draws one more card, asking, will there be a career change for Nancy?

It looks like a new job opportunity will come about, with the Page of Swords. There is an emphasis on creativity, paperwork, inspiration and creative writing. I can’t say Nancy will leave her job, but she will definitely pursue her writing with a new vigor, and, in conjunction with the Nine of Cups, I’ll go so far as to say she’ll see income from the endeavor.

Kate Boddie says:
I’ve always been rather scattered, hopping from project to project. While it’s all in the same realm, I never really finished anything major.

As of late, things have been starting to fall into place, albeit slowly and I wanted to know if I’ve finally found my track.

Am I headed down the right path? Are my aspirations where they should be?

Miss Michele has a confession.

She sat down to do your reading last night, and the Tower fell out of the deck. Thinking this had no relation to your question—and realizing that Miss Michele was quite tired—she put the cards away to do the reading in the morning.

She shuffled and concentrated, focusing and meditating. And chose the Tower. She continued with a five card reading with the Tower as the first card.

The Tower in the Past shows a complete collapse of your old way of life, some catastrophe or upheaval that made you begin anew. Boddie, the disarray and chaos is behind you now.

But whatever it was, Wow! It sure woke you up to get focused and find your path!

The Four of Wands in the Present position shows that, after your tumultuous past, you’ve found refuge, a well-deserved rest. You’re laying the foundation for successful creative pursuits. You’re enjoying the fruits of your labors and resting before you embark on phase two of your project.

The Unconscious Influences behind your decision—card 3 in your reading—shows the Wheel of Fortune. You have a huge yearning for success—monetary and emotional/spiritual. Your desire for it will make it so. Deep down, you are more confident than you realize! Once again, this card shows massive life changes, the end of a phase and start of a new one. You are always on the go, girl—change, change, change, turn, turn, turn!

The Tarot offers Advice in the form of the Three of Wands, the fourth card in this spread. The suite of Wands show creative and entrepreneurial spirit. Though not quite as “active” as Swords, which are sure harbingers of change and tumult, the Wands show lots of action in the thought realm. These are the cards of “ideas,” the beginning of a new project.

The advice offered in the Three of Wands is to “go for it;” you are on the right track in your new creative venture. Business will move forward swiftly. Keep an eye on your goals. Publicize yourself. If a mentor should cross your path, take their advice and rely on their assistance. The emphasis is on cooperation— you don’t have to go it alone.

Miss Michele drew a *very* curious card signifying the Possible Outcome. The Ten of Swords indicates a need for rest, the death of an illusion, plans not working out. Everything will be going well and then, bam, out of nowhere… deception from a business colleague leaves you starting back at square one. This could also indicate (likely!) burnout after working full throttle on a project. Miss Michele warns Boddie to pace herself, tread carefully as your venture reaches its culmination. There is more work ahead. Take a break and look at the situation with fresh eyes after a much-needed rest.

After all, that’s what’s happened in your past projects… burn-out, being unable to run the full course.

Not wanting to end on this sour note, Miss Michele asked the Tarot:

What is Boddie’s Best Course of Action to prevent this Outcome?

The Seven of Wands gives us the answer: Hold firm against the opposition, fight for your ideals and stand your ground. It will take courage. You will feel like giving up. Don’t!
You are on the right track!

And feel free to come to Miss Michele for guidance throughout your journey.

Keep those questions coming, everyone!  Readings are FREE for the rest of 2007!