Future Tarot

A year later it is wonderful to welcome back, Maisy, with another 12-Month Spread. Maisy’s husband and his strength figures *very* prominently for her this year. Her over-riding theme for the year is the King of Cups, and this is definitely Maisy’s husband; her protector, watching over her with love and kindness, but also strict when he needs to be about certain situations.

I feel like deception is a major force in Maisy’s life… I pointed this out last year, and I’m wondering, now, if it’s not self-deception in some way. The Five of Swords, Eight of Cups and The Moon all show up in this reading at different times, and they all *can* indicate deception, subterfuge or holding back the truth. (Maybe not intentional deceit, but concealing the truth.) I wonder if there’s someone in Maisy’s life who keeps returning – or even a “type” of client she keeps encountering – who is less than trustworthy? If not, it’s quite possible that Maisy has been concealing the truth from herself in a certain matter.

The Four of Pentacles, which was last year’s theme, shows himself in December, too. That’s the time of year when we should be most giving and generous, but Maisy may feel as if she does not have enough and so clings tightly to what she does have.

There’s no over-riding emphasis on any of the suites. We have two swords, three cups, two rods, one pentacle and five major arcana—another big year with lots of ups and downs, but a lot less emphasis on business and finance. Is Maisy undergoing fertility treatments? Certain cards in this spread, including the wands and swords, lead me to believe that may be the case. She has many cards showing transitions through a cycle – fours, fives, sixes and sevens. But The Magician in July shows the start of something big.

Okay, month-by-month:

June: Knight of Swords

Springtime brings the Knight of Swords, a card heralding rapid change. Maisy is jumping head-first into a project and I think that project may be what sparked her to get this tarot reading. As the flowers bloom and the Earth undergoes re-birth, Maisy is enacting change. She is not contemplating it, she is charging forward headfirst.

July: The Magician

This card, represented by the Number 1 and showing the start of a cycle, shows that Maisy’s “go for it” attitude in June has paid off. Now she is learning to use her talents to get what she wants and manipulate forces to her advantage. If this Magician indicates the decision to undergo fertility treatments, it could be successful.

August: Seven of Cups

This card, coupled with a fertility card (the Moon) in September *could* indicate a pregnancy. I’m not getting a strong feeling of that, though, and the cards nine months down the line don’t correspond. I suggest Maisy keep it in the back of her mind as a possibility. The Seven of Cups is the daydream card … the sky’s the limit for Maisy’s imagination. This card also sometimes indicates a spacey feeling, where she is in a surreal state (sometimes common in pregnancy). It could also indicate a period of planning for a business or any other aspect of life, and that’s what I am getting here. Maisy is having fun imagining all the possibilities ahead of her. Some people may call her a dreamer, but that’s okay. Let them laugh. Maisy knows what she is doing.

September: The Moon

This card indicates many things – self-deception, fertility, feminine intuition. I’ll take “door number 3” in this case. Maisy’s feminine intuition is just so strong, nothing can hold her back. It’s a good thing that Maisy’s husband, the King of Cups keeps her somewhat grounded in reality. The Moon and king together make a great partnership!

October: Six of Rods

As Autumn approaches, the Six of Rods indicates reaping your harvest. Known as the Victory card, the Six of Rods in the Hanson-Roberts deck shows a man on a horse and his younger sidekick riding off into the blazing sun, victorious, his bags full with the spoils of war. You’ve done it! Something tells me Maisy is on a spiritual voyage and this card marks a huge milestone for her in personal growth and development.

November: Wheel of Fortune

With victory comes good fortune, shown by the Major Arcana Wheel of Fortune in November. After the mid-year struggles, everything has fallen into place. Maisy, be generous with your wins.

December: Four of Pentacles

This greedy little gentleman in December, holding tight to his pentacles so no one steals them, knows plenitude but not true abundance. Abundance means having so much that you’re not afraid to let it go – you know the Universe has more to deliver your way. The Four of Pentacles often serves as a reminder, “give and you will receive; stop keeping score.” For Maisy, this could apply to money, gifts or even her time and energy. The holidays always seem stressful. Take a deep breath, act as if you have all the time in the world – and you will, Maisy!

January: Eight of Cups

This card indicates that Maisy is nearing the end of her spiritual journey, but is afraid to let it go. She has learned all she needs to in this cycle and winter 2010 is the time to reinvent herself completely. With the Eight of Cups, Maisy has learned to stop lying to herself—or purged the people from her life who have been lying to her, now it is time to move on because better things await.

February: Death

This card strongly reinforces the Eight of Cups. In fact, as the Number 8 Major Arcana, it is simply the Eight of Cups in its strongest incarnation. The Death card demands you to let go of a situation that isn’t working… step forward. Maisy must do this, to pave way for much better things. (Didn’t I say that already?) Seriously, this winter, get ready to let go – perhaps kicking and screaming – to old beliefs, people, tasks, places… whatever isn’t working for you, Maisy, get rid of it.

March: Four of Rods

The Four of Rods provides great incentive to listen to the tarot’s advice to let go. This card indicates a happy celebration. A birth. The purchase of a home. A wedding, anniversary, party.

April: Five of Swords

Miss Michele had trouble reconciling this card with the rest of the reading… earlier in the year, it would have made sense, as it represents Maisy still clinging tightly to things – material or beliefs. The only thing I can say is that she has taken a few steps forward, and now she is taking one back. This is the storm AFTER the calm, if you will. The Five of Swords may also indicate empty victory – Maisy thought she had achieved all she wanted, and now discovers there are other paths to conquer.

May: The Chariot

You’ll do it… when Maisy sets her mind to it, things will move rapidly and she will regain the spiritual and emotional ground she lost – and then some. The Chariot also indicates a much-needed journey, a change of scenery. It might indicate an actual trip, or another change of mind that puts Maisy in a different “place,” so to speak.

Again, the King of Cups as the over-riding theme is Maisy’s anchor, her sanity, in a year characterized by many emotional ups and downs and personal growth. Maisy, you will not be the same person in May 2010 as you are today, but you will like – ACCEPT – the new “you” much better.

“The Knight of Wands is full of energy and life.” * An adventurous risk-taker, he is eager to get out into the world, to begin a new quest, and to leave behind old ways of doing things. He is vibrant and generous, willing to leap into new opportunities with abandon, and thinks creatively.

“He’s a boisterous, confident card that’s going on a great journey. He may step on some toes, but it’s a wild ride!” ~ Kimberlee Ferrell

This guy has an abundance of confidence and is fearless in the face of adversity. His passionate energy is fantastic when you want to generate momentum and enthusiasm. When he appears he is also a reminder to be aware of details because this fellow is so rambunctious and eager that he hasn’t paused to consider the consequences.

Stacey Graham says, “When I get this card in a spread, I know I’m taking a new turn in my career. He comes in all enthusiasm and excitement so I follow his lead and see where it takes me.”

When the Knight of Wands appears in your life it is the perfect opportunity to do some public speaking, approach investors, share your ideas, embrace social networks, and talk with others. The spark and light you feel toward your project will shine through your voice and demeanor, drawing listeners to you and inspiring them to take action.

As elements go, this knight is “fire of fire.” He is the energy you need to begin a project, or charge forward through an endeavor, but beware because the flame of action he creates burns swiftly. When you’re riding with the Knight of Wands you might only get halfway to your destination. He is easily distracted and sidetracked onto other paths so it is important to use his energy wisely.

This Knight is hasty in all he does and takes action where others would not. He is sudden and impatient, but he is strong and always enthusiastic. He doesn’t like dilly-dallying! ~

The Knight of Wands asks you to leap into adventure. He’s that wild risk-taker who lives on adrenaline but isn’t particularly reliable. When he appears in your spread he often heralds a time of charged action, energy is at its peek, but it is important to temper the flame of this knight to avoid the pitfalls that he commonly stumbles into.

When the Knight of Wands shows up in your reading, it’s time to ask yourself these questions: How am I growing? How much energy am I putting into my own self-growth? Who is radiating creative or sexual energy in my life? How am I changing? What opportunities are entering my life right now that I feel passionate about? *

Jen Nipps says, “I like it when he pops up in a reading because he generally has good news to share.”

Isabel Kliegman’s, “Tarot and the Tree of Life: Finding Everyday Wisdom in the Minor Arcana“, tells us that this Knight knows he is not his choices. When he stumbles along his path, makes a mistake, or goes in the wrong direction he takes it in stride and continues moving onward.

When the Knight of Wands appears he may be asking you to stand up for something that matters, and which is unable to defend itself. He is a compassionate soul, deeply engaged and giving, particularly to his family.

What new adventure are you beginning this week? Where can you feel this Knight’s influence in your life? What else do you know about the Knight of Wands?

Miss Michele has a reader question!! Happy dance!

Siddow asks:

What is the best way to deal with the obstacles in the path to my goal?

There is no way around it. Miss Michele feels called to do a simplified Celtic Cross spread to uncover the answer to this question.

Six cards for the price of three, a two-for-one sale. Consider it a “thank you.”

P.S. to readers… Miss Michele is joking… for the month of November, tarot readings are free! Just post your questions here!

On to Siddow’s question and answer:

At a glimpse, your answer is: hard work and learning.

Patience will help, too. Two major arcana cards in this spread indicate these obstacles are big ones–you are striving for a lifestyle change. You feel like you are almost there, but outside influences are holding you back. That is true–only because you are allowing them to.

Card #1, The Two of Rods, shows your experience to date.

You’ve been given (or created for yourself) some wonderful opportunities that got you on the path to success, perhaps jump-started your quest. But you were restless–change wasn’t (and still isn’t) coming quickly enough.
You’ve paved the way, built a strong foundation.

Card #2, the Eight of Cups, tells us where you are now.

Travel or a move is indicated; this assertion is supported by the Two of Rods and the Wheel of Fortune. This could be a physical change of residence or simply a shedding of your old lifestyle or a change of workplace. (Miss Michele isn’t clear on this!)

With the foundation firmly in place, you’ve said goodbye to your past lifestyle to focus on your new path. And though you feel as if anything would be better than your past situation, you don’t know what you’re walking into, and it’s scary.

Eights indicate progression to a new phase, moving on, and setting new priorities. You have two 8s in this reading! Keep moving forward. The only thing holding you back is fear of the unknown. (The obstacles will take care of themselves when you are ready).

The Near Future, the card in the #3 position, is the Three of Pentacles. You’ve got a grasp on things, now, and are using your talents to move ahead. You begin to enjoy the first rewards of the work you’ve been putting in. Hang in there!

Card #4 symbolizes you, Siddow, in the environment of the future. The Hanged Man, is the #12 Major Arcana–which breaks down to the number three.

That means you’re in a period of personal growth and creativity. But you’re tired of waiting. Things are at a standstill. Your business moves slowly. You’ve put in the work, you’ve reaped some rewards, but you believe it’s time for things to come to a head.

It’s not quite time, though. The Universe knows this. Take this waiting period to look at things from a different perspective.

Card #5 tells us the Best You Can Hope For, if you continue the path you are on. Remember–your fate is not pre-determined. The cards show only one possible path.

However, this isn’t a bad situation at all! The Wheel of Fortune (number 10, then end of a cycle) shows financial and emotional success!

As the Wheel turns, your luck will, too. You’ll need to make a decision and jump full-throttle into this new life, if that is what you want! Grab it, it’s yours!

Finally, card 6, the Outcome, shows more work ahead, in the Eight of Pentacles. The opportunities presented lead to still more chances to learn and improve. Overall, your work will be fulfilling–your time and effort is paying off.

The only obstacles in your path seem to be a desire to have everything today. Keep doing what you’re doing, keep learning, don’t give up.

A change of residence could be indicated to help you better fulfill your goals. If you are contemplating a move, go for it!

Our brave reader, Plaid Earthworm, asks:

To the great and mystically-enhanced Miss Michele, I have a question:

Will my upcoming conference be a positive experience for me, possibly resulting in some new work?

Miss Michele asks the Tarot:

What’s in store for our little Plaid Earthworm at her writer’s conference?

An overview of the cards reveals a highly positive reading. New beginnings, creativity, and wealth! Let’s delve deeper into this three-card spread.

The Ace of Cups appears as the first card, the heart of the matter. It reveals her wishes of new work. Not just any new project, but an emotionally-fulfilling, financially-profitable, steady client.

The Cups suite indicates activity primarily in the realm of emotion. She will leave the conference feeling renewed and invigorated—something she’s needed. Perhaps the daily toil of “submission, rejection, re-write, submission,” with the occasional acceptance letter thrown in, has gotten to our earthy little Worm. But money alone will not satisfy; she wants a project that means something.

The second card, the near future—let’s take that to mean events at the conference—is the major arcane, the Star. The presence of a major arcane indicates this won’t be just any conference, but will mark a significant step in this writer’s life. The Star indicates Plaid Earthworm did the right thing asking for guidance from the Tarot—it’s time for her to rely on her intuition, inner wisdom, and perhaps even psychic abilities.

Incidentally, this card often arises in people who have a renewed or newfound interest in the occult. Perhaps Plaid Earthworm regularly reads her horoscope or meditates. Now would be a good time to take this interest to the next level, in whatever form makes her comfortable. (Which she has, by consulting Miss Michele!)

This conference will not only mark a stage of professional growth, but spiritual growth, as well. The desired results are on their way. Miss Michele encourages you—don’t be afraid to exert yourself. You have the talent, you’ll make the connections… ask and ye shall receive.

The King of Pentacles in the spot of the third card, The Outcome, supports the Star’s assertions. Keep your eyes open for an older, fatherly-type editor, ready to hire you. This person may be blustery, changeable—a strong character—but you’ve impressed him!

Just remember, don’t sell yourself short on the money side just because someone is offering you a “dream project.” Or perhaps, dream projects—the King of Pentacles, corresponding with the Gemini astrology sign, indicates an ability to juggle multiple tasks and do two or more jobs at once. Financial security is important in the future, and it can be yours after this weekend.

Remember, the Tarot points to just one direction the future *may* take. You remain in charge of your destiny!

Readers, post your questions for Miss Michele in the Comments section of today’s post! *For entertainment purposes only*