Future Tarot

Your Past Experience = Five of Pentacles

Over the years you’ve worked hard to build your skills but often felt like you should give up one path to follow another. The Five of Pentacles shows a man walking away from a job that paid well and offered a sense of satisfaction but no real joy. He feels a sense of loss and has sacrificed the hard work of the past.

Your Current Experience = Page of Cups

Now you spend a great deal of your time in reflection and, perhaps, regret. The Page of Cups (reversed) knows how talented he is and believes that he deserves to do something remarkable with his life and with the direction of his career. You want to make lasting change but by spending so much of your time and energy looking into your own reflection you may be missing the opportunities for growth and development that are around you.

What You Want = Ace of Pentacles (reversed) & Knight of Wands (reversed)

You’re either starting to feel the penny pinching, the tightening of belts, and want to feel more financial freedom, or are afraid to lose the income you currently have. The Ace of Pentacles (reversed) represents and almost miserly sense of financial instability. You may find that the way you ‘cling’ to what you have prevents you from feeling the sense of true abundance you desire.
Tied together with the Knight of Wands (reversed) in this position I get the impression that you want the freedom of choosing your own goals and outcomes. You’d rather not work for ‘the man’. You want to set your own path and be able to create new and interesting opportunities. You don’t want to be tied down but I suspect you also fear too much freedom.

What you Need = The Tower (reversed)

The Tower tells me that what you truly need is to give up your old perceptions, your old realities, and take a chance on a new direction. You may have been clinging to a position that hasn’t made you happy simply because it’s all that has kept food on the table. If you’re considering taking the plunge to freelancing or going into business for yourself rather than keeping your day job this Tower says it could be exactly what you need. Change, while scary, is always an adventure that brings new and exciting potential into your life.

What You Offer = The Devil & Nine of Wands

You’re passionate and have the ability to set in single-minded pursuit of your goals and interests. The Devil is highly charged, he’s emotional and earthy, he’s in command of his reality and understands how to influence and manipulate other people and situations to suit his own interests.
When the Nine of Wands joins the Devil we see bright new ideas and a potential for successful inspirations and ventures. Out of rough seas you’re generating new concepts and approaching what feels like a new business venture with fresh energy and enthusiasm.

Your Action Plan = Nine of Swords (reversed)

The Tarot suggests that you trust your instincts and ignore the negativity others are throwing at you. Choose not to let those who express concerns and disbelief in your abilities or in the global economy to sustain new opportunities. You may be feeling dragged down by the ‘logic’ and ‘rationale’ arguments being presented and the Nine of Swords (reversed) expresses a need to tune out those discouraging influences. Choose your path based on what you feel within yourself to be the right course of action. Trust your own judgment and take chances based on your gut despite what others might think.

[gcgal] We’ve had some issues with work and I feel we are very dependent on my income. What should I know to help us create a more stable financial future?

[Serenity Bly] mmm interesting cards. In the past we have the Five of Pentacles. It denotes the struggle you’ve had in the past. I get an impression that it represents multiple short-lived jobs and a general sense of insecurity. Whatever you managed to earn didn’t feel enough, especially since you worked so hard for every dime.

[Miss Michele] You’re not looking for a free lunch but for a more ‘beneficial’ way. Poverty–lacking, and a desire to change that!

[gcgal] True there, I don’t want a free ride. Wow Serenity Bly… that’s so fascinating and does tally with how things have been.

[Serenity Bly] In the present the Seven of Swords supports this. But it also shows a sense of gathering your resources, building your ramparts so to speak. You’ve got your defenses built up but you are concerned that you’re uncertainty and desperation forces you to make choices that go against your inner desires and personal beliefs and mantras.

[gcgal] That is how it’s felt for a couple of months.

[Miss Michele] You’re in the planning stages right now w/ the Seven of Swords. Ready for a change, but don’t feel quite brave enough to charge into battle (so to speak).

[gcgal] I have to agree with that.

[Serenity Bly] Right now you’re doing what you can to prepare for what is coming but you might be creating a bunker for yourself out of fear. Remember, even when you feel like you have nothing you will gain from giving more than you will from hording what little you have. I don’t know WHY it works that way, but you don’t need to be afraid that everything is falling out from under you.

[gcgal] That makes so much sense.

[Serenity Bly] Finally, the Ace of Cups in the future shows the start of something new. It’s prompting you to follow your heart, follow your passion. Don’t settle for something that pays the bills when holding out just a little longer will give you the chance to work in a field where you can really enjoy working on a personal level.

[gcgal] I would rather do something that gives me personal satisfaction.

[Miss Michele] That’s on the horizon with the Ace of cups.

[Serenity Bly] This ace of cups may also represent a need to be open and honest about how you’re feeling or a need to express your concerns with others so that they can help you. A clarifying card, the Nine of Swords, is warning you to be careful of gossip and rumor. Don’t allow others to manipulate you and don’t listen to the naysayers who want to pull you down. Follow your heart and trust your instincts.

[gcgal] You don’t know what that means to me that you said that!

[Miss Michele] I would also say, with the nine of swords, don’t be afraid to take a break if you need one. Regroup emotionally. You are almost “there.” Nine is coming toward the end of a cycle. And the nine means your worst fears WON’T come true. It will be a lot better than you are imagining. The phrase “Do what you love, the money will follow,” rings true in this case.

[gcgal] Thank you. Wow, I am totally blown away.

[Serenity Bly] One more aspect to note is that these are all Minor Arcana which puts your future firmly in your own hands. You’re 100% in control of your destiny, shape it the way you want it.

[gcgal] Now THAT is music to my ears. You know, those cards… it was like someone just looked into my head!

[Miss Michele] Cool! My greatest advice… and based on the Tarot, too, would be don’t sell yourself short. Treat everything as a business (there’s the Seven of Swords telling you to get your ducks in a row, etc.) and you will succeed!

[gcgal] thank you. great advice! I was just looking at your Future-Tarot.com site too while we’ve been chatting and I see you offer some great readings at a really reasonable price! You’ve just found a new customer (especially after this reading!)

[Serenity Bly] *grins* Always love to hear that. Thank you so much, gcgal. We love doing this so it’s always a pleasure.

[gcgal] I’m just sitting here in stunned silence, you two are just amazing at what you do and I’ve never in my life experienced something so accurate

[Miss Michele] awww… wow, thank yoU! That makes our day to hear that.

[Serenity Bly] *blushes* Thank you, gcgal. It does us amazing things to hear that.

[gcgal] hahaha it’s a sincere compliment, you two and the cards just seemed to tap into all the hurdles and fears

[Serenity Bly] Thank YOU, gcgal. Made our Wednesday chat this week way better than the two of us sitting about twiddling our thumbs. *grins* It really was a pleasure and I look forward to seeing you again.

It is wonderful to have this opportunity to welcome Brighid of Tarot & Pendulum Practice to Future-Tarot. Miss Michele and Serenity Bly are looking forward to having Brighid visit us again in the future.

I first discovered the Tarot around summer 2000. Since then, I’ve dabbled, been serious, and dabbled a bit more. My first deck was the Universal Waite. I have also used Tarot of the Cat People and the Unicorn Tarot. I no longer have the Cat People. It got lost in a move. The Unicorn Tarot no longer seems to speak to me, though I have it still because I like the images in it.

In recent years, I largely neglected my Tarot journey. Now I am back to a dabbling stage. I have decided recently that I want more from it than to be just a dabbler. This reading focuses on the past, present, and future of my Tarot journey. The cards for this reading, and the ones I currently use, are from the Diamond Tarot.

Past: V of Pentacles

The card shows two people, one using crutches, walking against the snow. The taller figure is bent forward somewhat, as though walking in a strong wind. There is an adage that says problems shared are halved. Five pentacles are arranged in a free-hanging stained glass window above them. These two travel together, sharing the difficulties of the journey and finding help in each other.

That is a fair representation of myself when I first discovered Tarot. I was looking for something to help me understand myself, the world, and possibly even beyond. I traveled for some time on this part of my journey.

Present: II of Wands

A single person stands holding the world in one hand and holding a wand in the other. Another wand stands nearby. The pastel colors of the sky remind me of morning. The person is looking to his/her left, almost as if back at the two figures in the previous card, and seems to be in thought.

Lately, I have been thinking about becoming more practiced with Tarot, studying it more. In thinking about it, I’ve thought back on how I was when I first discovered it. I wanted to know more. And here I am again, wanting to know more and looking for help in the Tarot.

Future: V of Swords

There are a few figures on this card. Two of them appear to be walking away in the background. The third, in the foreground, holds two swords in one hand, is picking up another with the point facing down, and has two others on the ground at his/her feet.

I’m picking up where I left off. I didn’t lose any ground despite the years of neglect. I’m learning new aspects, but there is still plenty I don’t know. When I become anxious, thinking I don’t know enough, I need to acknowledge it and continue on instead of backing away.

This seems to me an accurate description of my Tarot journey so far. With the V of Swords in the Future position, I am reminded that there is no true mastery of Tarot as interpretations can vary depending on other cards in the spread, the situation the reading is for, and circumstances in my life.

I have to say that the Celtic Cross in my favorite spread. Miss Michele loves giving the six card readings but I broke my teeth on these meatier ten card readings and feel a real sense of journey from cards 1 through 10. When Teri asked, “How can I get closer to living my everyday life (job mostly) in a more fulfilling way?“, I thought the Celtic Cross was exactly the kind of spread to shed light on the issue. Lets see what they share with Teri.

The Significator: Knight of Cups
Teri’s life to this point has been an emotional journey, she has come a long way on a hard road and knows that the path continues ahead.

Crossing Card: King of Wands
I get the feeling, this King, while normally a very positive herald of new ideas, indicates a lack of focus. With so many ideas, new projects, and shifting interests it can be hard to give time or mind to any one aspect long enough to make significant progress.

Crowning Card: The Chariot
When I see The Chariot I often think of it as a fork in the road. Teri is at a point where life presents two choices but both create an inner conflict and confusion. Neither is a better or worse choice but remaining at the crossroads is not an option either.

Base of the Matter: Queen of Wands
What Teri cannot see about the choice above is the Queen of Wands who sits in command of her kingdom. The Queen is a warm, considerate, and creative woman, full of life and heart. She often heralds a time of personal growth and is a supportive influence in the near future of which Teri may not yet be aware.

Past Influences: Ace of Pentacles
The past shows a sudden influx of finance perhaps through a legacy or sale of material goods. The windfall is short lived but often comes when most needed.

Forthcoming Influences: Nine of Wands
It has been a challenging few months but there are calm waters just beyond this final hurdle. The Nine of Wands reminds me of the ultimate call of hope. When we are at the edge of reason, exhaustion wearies our features, and life has become weightier than we feel we can bare hope tides us through the final battle. Teri must gather her resources and know that things are about to get a whole lot easier.

Where One Finds Oneself: Seven of Swords
Because of the tough path behind her, Teri has set up barriers to her inner being that wards off those around her. In the past these defenses have served her cause but courage calls for Teri to let down her guard a little, to welcome the Queen of Wands into her heart. It is in taking a chance on others that she will flourish in the future.

View of Others: The Emperor
I suspect in large part because of the barriers Teri has built around her heart those around Teri often think of her as standoffish, high and mighty, even arrogant. What they believe and what is true are rarely the same thing but be careful of keeping apart from others. The Emperor is a powerful being, he wields lightening bolts and shapes the world, but also leads a relatively solitary life that may not give Teri the happiness she is looking for.

Hopes and Fears: The High Priestess
After the earlier cards The High Priestess in this position is rather interesting. In standard divination she is a spiritual being, deeply focused on the occult, seeing beyond the physical world into the heavens. She has a gentle nature and a central order to the way things should be done. I get the feeling that in this position she indicates a fear of structure, order, rules, and restrictions or perhaps an inner need for such things.

Final Outcome: Five of Pentacles
To find a greater fulfillment in life Teri may, ultimately, have to give up what she currently has. Teri, make a sacrifice of your current beliefs or securities rather than clinging to the little you have now. It is easy to feel we have too little and need to horde for the ‘rainy day’. The Five of Pentacles often shows a very real sense of walking away from what you’ve accomplished so far, of giving up what little you have. In a sense, you may need to begin again, to accomplish what you desire.

I have to admit that knowing nothing about Erica makes this reading an intriguing one for me to give. I find myself being more cautious about my responses (*blushes* Yes, even I am still wary to trust outright my intuition and instinct).

Being tuned into Erica was a warm and touching experience. I know she’s a generally empowered, positive woman who stands tall in the world. She is bright and I feel like she represents a great lake. Her surface is smooth, calm, unruffled but beneath she is shifted by emotional currents of uncertainty.

I feel like it is these deeper elements that manifest the challenges the cards reveals through the second half of the year. Thankfully, overcoming inner demons is one of this years greatest universal elements. We will all be forced to gaze upon ourselves and account for our true being.

I can tell that Erica will grow and that this year she’ll overcome some of the greater challenges she has found recurring through her past. She’ll inspire others with her courage and confidence and go into 2010 with a new sense of purpose and an exciting new opportunity.

January: The King of Cups: The year begins on a solid foundation of emotional strength and warmth. A firm, capable masculine influence creates a harmony in the home, filling Erica’s life with a loving atmosphere and a strong sense of security. He encourages her to seek out the healer within and turn her thoughts to being a positive influence in the lives of others.

February: The Sun: Having discovered her inner potential for bringing light and happiness to others and in doing so bringing about peace within herself, Erica is blessed with The Sun in February, ordaining light and joy.

March: Three of Cups: In March the warmth, love, and romantic happiness the surrounded Erica in the earlier months of the year founds a new beginning, perhaps a marriage or romantic commitment. March gives an emotional gift that is both the culmination of a joyous occasion and the beginning of a greater journey with greater emotional depths to explore.

April: Eight of Wands: My first thoughts on seeing this card after the original three was Honeymoon. While a marriage may not have been the Three of Cups intentions in March, April’s atmosphere has a relaxed get away in mind. The Eight of Wands usually indicates travel, a new adventure, a journey.

May: Six of Swords: After the upheaval and changes through March and April, Erica will finally be able to move at a slower pace. May brings with it calm serenity and the opportunity to find her footing as her new reality settles about her.

June: Two of Cups: June’s cups point to a new relationship or new depths for an existing relationship after times of trouble. It’s possible that Erica will welcome someone into her life. If she is planning a family then it wouldn’t surprise me if a child is on the way in June.

July: Five of Pentacles: Thoughts of family and romance turn to finance in July. Erica may find her financial footing is not as secure as she once thought and needs to reconsider the way her finances are managed. It is important to evaluate past mistakes but know that this period will lead to greater security if she chooses to make sensible choices.

August: Page of Swords: The winds of changing thoughts and personal growth flow from the Page of Swords in August. From an almost boyish sense of petty self-mindedness it’s time to reach a new level of awareness that is outside of one’s self. Erica might feel a sense of self-loathing or frustration. When the mind seeks to disable us it is important to learn from our past mistakes but do not allow them to shield us from making future choices.

September: Five of Cups: September will be washed in a haze of regret and a sense of betrayal, perhaps because of the depression and turmoil blown up by the Page of Swords. It is important to remember that this misunderstanding does not foretell an ending. It is a speed bump in Erica’s happiness that can be overcome with patience, love, and communication.

October: Eight of Swords: Things seem to be just getting worse. From regret and betrayal Erica sinks deeper through October until she feels trapped. A choice must be made but there is no single choice that feels right and every choice brings with it trouble and risk.

November: Page of Cups: November offers release from the frustrations of the past months. The Page of Cups plants a seed of emotional warmth and tenderness into the situation and from that grows a new strength in your relationships, both with yourself and with others.

December: Eight of Pentacles: Erica’s year ends on a positive note with an exciting and exhilarating opportunity to hone and harvest her craft. She may discover a new hobby and forges a great sense of achievement. This could be the foundation for a business venture.

Overview: Ten of Swords: When it comes down to it, 2009 is about letting go and creating something new and beautiful from past hardship and grief. Erica has faced her own struggles and unfortunately they are not all behind her but her strength of being and purpose remains. There are challenges ahead and I feel that Erica needs to know she does not go into battle alone. Her loved ones stand close and want to be given an opportunity to help. Don’t be afraid to ask.

Erica, enjoy the tranquility and warmth in the beginning of the year. The happiness in those earlier months will strengthen you for the challenges to come. Remember, that every difficulty you face is transient, you will overcome and there are new joys just beyond the horizon.

All the best for 2009!