Welcome all! My name is Kimberlee (aka MoonlitKim among tarot circles) and I have been invited to contribute here for Miss Michele and Serenity. I’m happy to be a part of the excellent tarot studies and readings they are doing here.
Today, I am going to share my three card reading of the day. My technique is to draw one card from each of my three tarot decks: the Gilded, the Deviant Moon, and the Fenestra, using these meanings for each card:
1. Gilded – Daily Focus
2. Deviant Moon – Subconscious Influences
3. Fenestra – Source of Healing
Today’s draw: Queen of Wands – The Hermit IX – Nine of Cups
Queen of Wands: This lady could easily be me today, as I did wake up with more energy than I have in the past few weeks. She is dressed in an opulent orange gown, with gold sleeves and a purple cape trimmed with blue. At first, I thought her hair was the same orange highlighted with gold, but it is actually a hood, completely masking her hair. She stands next to a giant flaming wand, a tall pedestal with a golden disk set aflame. In her hand is another wand, which she is holding at an angle, as if she were expecting the flame to come out of the bottom of the wand instead of the top.
Her message is to harness the energy that I’ve been given, to reach my goals with enthusiasm. Use the tools I have in whatever way is necessary to get the job done. I am to expect that things will go my way, through my own efforts. I can feel rich and confident, because I am fully capable of doing what needs to be done. The light comes from within me, not from inside the wand.
The Hermit: This Hermit is unclothed, sitting under a bridge in an industrial city. He reminds me of a homeless person, who is down on their luck. He is curled up, knees together, one arm over his head. His other hand covers his eye with the fingers spread, as though he were merely peeking out in fear. Beside him, there is a dead fish, with a skull, which could have been his companion or his evening meal. He looks both afraid, and withdrawn, as if the outside world were too much for him to handle. However, his eye that is closed looks at peace as he reflects on his inner self.
His message is to not be afraid of what I find today. I need to take the time to reflect, to do the interior work needed to get through the day. Explore the depths within myself to find peace of mind. The world outside may be scary, and present me with lots of challenges. Yet if I withdraw and find myself, I will be able to face them at my own pace.
Nine of Cups: This lady looks very smug and sure of herself. She is sitting on a plush blue pillow, with the nine cups on ledges behind her. She is wearing a simple red robe, yet it is lined with a thick fur collar. She wears three necklaces and three bracelets on each arm. Her dark hair is flowing down around her face. Her hands are folded, one atop the other. Her eyes are turned up ever so slightly, as though she knew a secret that I don’t. Her mouth is in a slight smile. She reminds me of the Mona Lisa, very mysterious and satisfied with her secrets.
She is giving me the chance to be just as satisfied as she is today. I can be perfectly comfortable in my own skin and circumstances. Although life is often not extravagant, there are many simple pleasures I can be happy with and proud of. I can relax, and be at peace.
Anonymous writes in:
Miss Michele,
I’ve been trying to get extra money freelancing – emailed several sources between April 1-7 and heard back from one editor who gave me an assignment and needed the freelancers to dig up sources for the story, which I did and I emailed her April 11 and again April 14. Still no reply. this could mean a lot of money and I could really use it. What should I do? Thank you in advance.
First, Miss Michele offers her apologizes for being as absent and uncommunicative as the editor in question! We were expecting to have Web access during vacation, but found ourselves without it. (And enjoying the situation! LOL)
You couldn’t ask for a better spread when asking about a new career opportunity!! I phrased the question as, “What will be so for our writer friend in regard to this assignment?”
The first card, indicating the past or heart of the matter is the Nine of Cups, the Wish card. This card indicates how badly you want this job and how you viewed this opportunity as a dream-come-true.
The near future is the Wheel of Fortune–this major arcana tells us that things will change, to your benefit, shortly!
The Ace of Rods shows us the final outcome–Rods, or wands, mean things are moving quickly, and the ace indicates a new beginner, the start of a new venture.
This combination of positive cards also tells me that you have made the right choice to pursue freelance writing and can look forward to a lucrative career in the long term.
Now, if you don’t hear from the editor shortly, this combination could mean that *another* opportunity will arise, right when you least expect it. This is what my instincts are saying as a reader. I just don’t believe the opportunity will be with this editor, but another door will be opening for you–and soon! Things will change unexpectedly, a reversal of fortune, as indicated by the Wheel. Keep your eyes open, continue pressuring Editor #1, but not at the expense of pursuing other opportunities. In either event, wherever the opportunity comes from, it will be long-term and lucrative. Good luck!

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.
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).
Mysti, a freelance writer, blogger and mother wants to see what the New Year has in store and, thus, becomes Miss Michele’s first customer of 2008.
Mysti’s blog, My Journey is one of Miss Michele’s favorites. Providing an eclectic blend of life, writing and parenting, Mysti posts from the heart. You never know what you may find.
Let’s see what Mysti’s journey looks like for 2008 with a 13-card month-by-month spread. Remember, a 13-card spread is available for only $10 (through Paypal) now through January 31, 2008.
The tarot gives us a lot of high cards (8s, 9s and 10s) toward the end of the calendar year, telling us that this year will represent the end of a phase and the start of something new for Mysti. With two Pages in the spread, she will receive significant news. Pages, too, support the start of something new. Several cards point to a marriage or proposal on the horizon. Multiple swords and cups in the reading indicate changes in the realm of love, romance and relationships. Overall, the year will focus on family and love developments over money and career, although the Wheel of Fortune, Nine of Cups and Ace of Pentacles tell us Mysti won’t be lacking in those areas, either!
January: The year will get better as it goes along, but it won’t exactly start on a high note. The Two of Swords indicates a decision Mysti must make, to release the old and make way for a new path to be paved as the year progresses. She feels as if her hands are tied, but is, in fact, closing her eyes to the facts. What is Mysti not seeing about her current situation, which is slowing her progress? Mysti feels like her life is in a holding pattern, a stalemate. Mysti, the tarot says you would be wise to get your feelings out in the open–only then, can progress be made.
February: A new business proposition or opportunity appears for Mysti in February, indicated by the propitious Ace of Pentacles. Based on the cards surrounding the Ace of Pentacles and the overall theme of the year, February could be a time of enhanced fertility for Mysti and her partner, a good time to conceive if they wish to do so or to simply begin laying the emotional and financial foundation for their family to grow.
March: With the appearance of The Hermit, March becomes a time for introspection for Mysti. She will step back from preparations made and work done in February to carefully consider her next step. While Mysti may feel frustrated that everything is taking too much time–she wants to move forward–this is what is necessary right now.
April: April brings more good things, the final stages of effort before culmination. Work on wrapping things up, not new projects. The Nine of Cups, the “wish card” shows up here, indicating good news. This is one of the many cards pointing to a marriage for Mysti.
May: Thematically similar to the Nine of Cups, The Wheel of Fortune points again to a completion of a cycle. After a quiet period in March, the spring will blur together in a flurry of activity as projects are completed. However, the tarot warns Mysti she cannot control everything… let go and let fortune carry your life where it may, at this point. It will be good!
June: With the Eight of Cups, the change Mysti has been waiting for finally manifests itself. Mysti will begin to let go of things, people, or situations that are not working in her life.
July: Another Major Arcana, The Moon, shows big discoveries in July. Mysti may embark on a new project, more creative than her past work–perhaps fiction of some sort, a novel or a screenplay. Be aware… the Eight of Cups and the Moon, together, indicate deception is possible. Keep your eyes open. Trust the other guy, but always count the cards. Most importantly, do not deceive yourself.
August: The entire summer could be a period of mistrust and deception. The Page of Swords, in August, again warns that someone may be lying, or Mysti could be lying to herself. Someone’s behavior, perhaps her own, will disappoint. Mysti may overextend herself, or sign a contract she’s not sure about. Things may not turn out as Mysti had expected or hoped, but this setback is only paving the way for another new beginning in the fall. This could involve her son and a selected school or educational program.
September: September brings another card of new beginnings, the Ace of Cups. After a rough summer, Mysti will experience emotional renewal in an important relationship. This is another card that supports marriage and/or pregnancy for Mysti in 2008. It could also indicate sending her son off to school and, with that, finding a newfound freedom once again.
October: After this emotional renewal, things are going almost too well, but Mysti feels trapped in her situation. The Eight of Swords shows she is overworked and confused if she has taken the right path. Everyone is pulling on her, and she’s anxious and longing for quiet time alone, but feeling guilty about taking it. Hang tight. The feeling will pass.
November: As the year draws to an end, the Major Arcana, The World, shows itself. You have reached your goal. All you have hoped for in the past year has manifested itself. Take a break, relax, and enjoy your accomplishments!
December: The feeling of success and attainment continues through the holiday season with the Six of Wands. You will be recognized for your efforts. After a year of hard work and struggles you even *feel* like a winner. Travel and a vacation is possible.
The overall theme for the year, as Miss Michele alluded to earlier, is shown in the Page of Wands. Surrounded as he is by powerful Major Arcana such as the Wheel of Fortune and the World, he tells of a landmark year for Mysti, built on dozens of *small* accomplishments and bits and pieces of good news. Romance will be passionate, intense and sexual, with the tangible results of both starting a family and strengthening her relationship with her significant other. Mysti will have a successful, healthy year, and her energy will be high.
Mysti, if you have any specific questions about what the tarot has seen for you in 2008, please post here and Miss Michele will do her best to clarify.