Future Tarot

Otherwise known as the classic three card spread “Body, Mind, Spirit,” this tarot spread provides a quick glance at a person’s overall health and wellness. This is good for when you need to easily see which areas are going well, and which areas need improvement. I’ve been feeling a little drained lately, and decided to do this spread for myself with the Gilded Tarot Deck.

Body – Mind – Spirit

Today’s Draw: Eight of Cups – Temperance – The Devil

Eight of Cups: This is the card of letting go of past influences, and you could say that I have let my body go! I haven’t been keeping up a good exercise routine, and have indulged in a few more sweet treats than I should have. In this card, a young man with two feathers in his cap is turned away in pursuit of a new adventure. He has his walking stick in hand, and is looking out towards the moonrise above the mountains. In the foreground is eight cups, some overturned. There is also a small brown creature, which I am really not sure what it is. At first glance, I thought it could be a platypus, but it could also be a mole. Either way, it is lying there, asleep and not traveling with the adventurer.

This card advises that I should let go of old habits that aren’t serving me well, and pursue new adventures in diet and exercise. Try a new sport that I’ve never explored before, along with new healthy foods. I cannot let my fears and confusion prevent me from doing what it takes to have good health.

Temperance: This is the card of alchemy and synergy, of blending two opposites to create a new force. This fire-haired lady hold two cups, one filled with fire, the other with water. The two blend together seamlessly as a river of energy flows between the cups. She is dressed in a sheer orange dress, and floats in the sky in front of a planet, perhaps Mercury.

In the mind position, this card suggests that I reconcile opposite opinions in my mind. The confident and bold side of my personality and the shy, cautious side need to work in harmony. Opposing thoughts can either create conflict in the mind, or can be integrated and used when appropriate. As I reach for the stars, I need to ensure that I am not at war with myself, and am thinking correctly to reach my goals.

The Devil: Unlike the Rider Waite Smith Deck where the Devil is a demon-like creature, this devil is a man who is dealing with his inner demons. He wears a mask with ram horns, and a star on the forehead. Surrounding him is a lake of fire, which illustrates how succumbing to our inner indulgences can burn out our strength, energy, and spirit.

This card shows that I have been a tad too indulgent lately. While we all need to relax and have fun once in a while, letting ourselves follow every whim can lead down a path of trouble. Spiritual discipline is important, as it allows us to explore our emotions and desires in a controlled manner. We can determine what the best course of action is logically, and not be slaves to our inner desires. To be able to remove the mask, and see ourselves for who we truly are, is a great gift that brings self-awareness and healing.

Overall, it seems like I have a lot of work to do, to bring myself into a healthy state. That is the beauty of the tarot cards, as they allow you to see where you have room to grow and blossom. Allow the tarot to point you in the right direction, and your life will reach unexpected new heights of success and healing.

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.

The utterly patient Virginia Lee has asked a question of Miss Michele.

And Miss Michele stalled and waited, dallied and dawdled.

But she responds well to poking so now, here it is.

Virginia Lee asks:
Is now the time for me to be focusing on my writing and will such come to fruition before too horribly long?

An interesting reading, to be sure… Wands, Wands and another Wand. Let’s keep it clean! The presence of many Wands simply indicates an emphasis on career, power, business opportunities and entrepreneurship. Activities are in the “idea realm” right now, but moving forward quickly. You are in the early stages of achieving your goals.

Looks good so far, Virginia Lee!

The fourth card in this three-card reading (Stay with us, Miss Michele will explain) is of the Pentacles suit —an emphasis on money and learning.

The suit of Wands also corresponds to spring time. It may be that long before Virginia Lee’s efforts come to fruition. But the time to start is NOW.

Card by card…

The first card, which indicates situations in the Past or the Heart of the Matter, is the Ten of Wands. You’ve had a lot on your plate. Heavy work burdens, financial loads, and all of it creating stress. You see writing as a way out of it, but proceed only to find even more work in front of you.

The Present, exemplified by the Four of Pentacles, shows a good business sense and financial security. Something may have happened recently that puts you in a more secure situation to take a chance on freelance writing. But your fear of returning to that past state may be holding you back. Now’s the time to take that chance.

When Miss Michele pulled the third card, indicating the Future, she selected the Nine of Wands. But stuck to that card was the tricky little Eight of Wands. Yes, Miss Michele shuffled the deck well. Sometimes these things happen.

Miss Michele is proud to say she has a 100 percent record— whenever the Eight of Wands has revealed itself, that person has gotten a new job opportunity, raise or promotion.

The Eight of Wands shows things are moving swiftly, and for the best!

The Nine of Wands?

This shows a need to stand up for yourself or your principles. It represents your final challenge before the success shown in the Eight of Wands. Don’t make any major changes, just plunge ahead with your plan and success will follow. And stand your ground against any naysayers. The Eight of Wands shows rapid success— weeks instead of months.