Future Tarot

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.

Yesterday’s Daily Reading came to fruition early in the day. A phone call jolted me out of my Hermit-like state with a job opportunity.

I had to draw myself out of my shell and negotiate. I’m certain the interviewer found me a bit eccentric but qualified. In the end, I offered to look over the material I’d be editing and see if I could do it within the client’s budget. I’ll be posting later on about negotiating for writers at Anything That Pays.

Following this phone call, I retreated back into my shell to write, and completed one article, a press release and several product descriptions. A good day, overall.

Today’s throw bring us the Hierophant. Male cards has been an ongoing theme in my life lately. What I wouldn’t give to see a Star or Queen of Pents lately!

The Hierophant, much like the Hermit, tells me I can expect another quiet day. The Hierophant focuses on moral values, and tells me I should do the right thing, right about what I believe, and finish the projects on my plate. It says more than that, but I’m not comfortable posting it here.

As I shuffled, the Ten of Pents jumped out of the deck. Not only did it jump out, but when I tried to put it back in, it wouldn’t go! This card keeps coming up lately… for Mysti moments ago, several times during my on-air readings… I feel like it’s telling me this is the year that TJ and I will enjoy stability and strong family grounding, financial security, and begin moving forward. I love the look of the happy family on this card… I feel like today will be a significant day in that regard… spending time together, getting things done around the house, writing…

Faithful reader Mysti Linne poses a question for the tarot: “Is “By The Fire” the way I should go?”

A three-card spread of The Heart of the Matter, Advice, and Outcome should give Mysti some insight.

The first card, the Heart of the Matter, is the Ten of Pentacles. This project has the potential to give Mysti financial security, enough time with her family, and plenty of cash, but Mysti is concerned that may not be the case. The Pentacles are associated with Earth… Mysti hopes this project will give here some grounding.

The Advice is represented by the King of Swords… The tarot is telling Mysti she should behave as this Court Card would in this situation… analyze all the facts, look before you leap, use your head. Should you decide to take this project, take control as a strong leader, don’t allow others to influence your views too much.

The Outcome is represented by the Five of Wands, the Fire element, which relates to the name of the project. You’ll face an exciting challenge if you do this. There may be others who believe they know the best way–stick to your guns (re: King of Swords). If you do take over the project, be careful. You *may* be taking on too much and will, literally, burn yourself out. This is a fear Mysti’s has mentioned in the past and seems to be a recurring them in her professional life. It could happen again. In relation to the Five of Wands, I’d say the King of Swords is warning you to consider this VERY carefully.

However, all minor arcana in the reading tell us a very important thing: it’s YOUR decision, 100 percent, no one will influence it or present new information that causes you to change your mind. Whether you do or don’t take this on, the results won’t be earth-shattering. If it doesn’t work out, you can withdraw with little consequences and move on.

Interesting… Miss Michele drew a clarification card asking the tarot simply: Yes or No, should she do this.

The Wish card came up, the Nine of Cups. We have a balance of all four suites here… which shows that this decision won’t influence any one area of your life greatly. You won’t get rich–or poor. You won’t get emotionally burnt out. It really seems as if you have nothing to lose, and the tarot, with the Nine of Cups, seems to be saying, “Do what you think is best, you’ll be fine.” (Note I did not say “feel is best.” There were no “intuition” cards in this reading… the Tarot is saying look at the facts, the spreadsheets, and your time, and make a wise decision based on that information).

On her blog, Mysti Linn has given a mid-month update on the tarot reading Miss Michele did for her at the start of the New Year.

Miss Michele thinks it’s about time to do the same. In my 12-month Horoscope Spread, I wrote:

The year begins with the Three of Pentacles, an emphasis on work and learning in January. This card shows a financial endeavor off to a good start. With new bookkeeping and tracking software and a clear vision and goals for 2008, this card makes a lot of sense already. Miss Michele may also undertake a small home renovation project, such as painting.

Just yesterday, I entered negotiations for two regular freelance jobs. Stay tuned to Anything That Paysas these positions come to fruition. One project would, indeed, involve learning about new topics and niche markets, while another involves learning even more about a field I already write in.

Finally, RECON will go to the printer sometime within the next week or so, and I believe we’ll be doing well with finances related to the magazine. Money from newsstand sales of our Fall issue should be coming in soon.

And now, a card for the day: The Hermit.

Considering yesterday was a completely social day, with networking, phone calls and interviews, today will be a quiet day where I can relax and write. That’s what I was expecting and, according to the tarot, that’s what will be so.