Future Tarot

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).

Shenie seeks clarification of the matter. While the Tarot gave her some insight into the situation, telling her to work through this, Shenie would like a clear-cut Yes or No answer.

Shenie asks:

Is he in my future? Does this have long-term possibilities?

Shenie, you wanted a clear cut answer, and the Tarot has provided exactly that! Although we need only one card (the future) to tell us the answer, I’ll share what all three revealed.

In the past, the Two of Swords indicates the deception that took place; he pulled the wool over your eyes. However, he was not solely to blame. You closed your eyes to the facts in front of you. The hints were there all along, you refused to see them until this “make-it-or-break-it” trip took place. You can’t blame him exclusively; you permitted this behavior by closing your eyes to the signs.

The Eight of Wands in the present symbolizes your thoughts rushing–all these questions! Also, a decision will be made quickly–it’s time to act. Your reconciliation will be rapid and passionate (both in the negative and positive connotation of the word). Additional travel could be on the horizon, too.

The Outcome card, the Two of Cups, says that yes, a meaningful compromise will be reached, a commitment made. Compromise and cooperation are the keys here. There must be give and take on both sides. You’ll find common ground and emotional equilibrium. Let go of your pride during the holidays and let the future take its course.

Once again, Shenie, all the cards are Minor Arcana. The future lies in your hands–it’s your decision. This is NOT the standard disclaimer. When only Minor Arcana appear, it means the Universe has stepped back to allow you to do what you feel is best. The Universe won’t hit you with a whammy; whatever happens is in your control. He is committed if you will forgive him and move forward.

Happy Holidays, Shenie, and good luck!

Heartchakra, too, is asking about her career path. Heartchakra says:

I’m a friend of Joanna’s and I am blown away with how accurate your reading was for her. I am struggling with similar issues. In my case, I am a book designer and published writer struggling with debt and trying to find work. My degree is in fine arts, something I left behind a long time ago and never fully embraced. I would like to go into illustration, while continuing to write and design, as a way to reconnect with that side of myself. I am wondering if illustration is the right path for me.

Miss Michele did another five card reading for Heartchakra. Well, tried to. Some sticky cards made that difficult… (No, they weren’t really sticky, they’re clean! But two kept coming out at a time.) Let’s explore the original five cards, and also see if the clarification cards add greater insight.

In the past, the Six of Swords, Heartchakra began to move away from hard times. She may have taken a literal journey, or this could indicate leaving one path (which she found challenging) for another.

The present shows still more Swords, the Six, (and the Nine, holding on for dear life!) There have been a lot of shake-ups in Heartchakra’s life in the recent past, and she faces the potential for yet another move and career change.

Additionally, she’s been cheated or wronged in some awful way. The Nine of Swords, the Nightmare Card, corresponds to this. The damage was very bad and Heartchakra is left wondering how she will recover.

The Hidden Influences, shown in the Major Arcana, the Hermit, demonstrates a need for isolation, for Heartchakra to be alone with her thoughts. Her desire for solitude to nurture her creativity is influencing her career move. The Hermit is the number nine card, the second nine in this reading, which shows a life cycle coming to an end. The focus is on letting go of the old.

Nines also indicate possible self-deception (supported by the Seven of Swords.) Is this change really what you want, or are you just running away from a bad situation? Make sure you are running toward something, not away. Nines say that this is the time to tie up loose ends.

The Tarot’s Advice is to wait, exemplified in the Hanged Man, the proverbial card of “slow action.” Take time to look at things from a different perspective, re-evaluate goals and priorities, and be true to yourself.

Now, Miss Michele is not saying “don’t follow your heart” if you believe illustration is the path for you. The tarot isn’t written in stone and it only shows one possible outcome. Just explore your motives carefully before making any changes in your life and go slowly. Build a strong groundwork.

Rarely does Miss Michele do a reading where so many cards say the same thing. They are practically screaming answers. The King of Swords, throwing in his two cents in the Advice position with the Hanged Man, is a card of truth, careful consideration, control, rationality and objective judgment. And, again, he speaks of tumultuous change, as shown in the suit of Swords.

The last card, The Lovers, points to a very positive Outcome. Three major arcana in this reading definitely point to a major life change on the horizon! The Outcome says you will make a choice between two divergent paths–it could be an either/or situation in your career–not both–which is why the tarot advises caution. But the Lovers is all about Choice, and you are entirely free to choose.

You will face a test before you discover which choice is correct, and it may be quite an ordeal, but you will know which answer is the right one when the time comes.