Future Tarot

[Jen.N] This one’s a perennial that crops up from time to time. The timing never seems to be right, though. Work and/or relocation.

[Miss Michelle] As in leaving your job and relocating?

[Jen.N] Stress is getting to me again. I know it’s because I let it. More than the actual work, though, it’s more … too much togetherness and bringing emotional junk to work. My coworker (an aunt) is annoyed with her husband and brings it to work. Grandma and her husband both work for us. They are always bringing junk with them. I find myself not caring and wanting a major change.

[Miss Michelle] Very interesting cards… you ARE reaching the end of a cycle; you’re getting to the point where you’re throwing your hands up and saying enough is enough.

[Jen.N] Very much so.

[Miss Michelle] The Nine of Wands in the past shows you felt mastery of the situation, previously. You really thought you had this under control, settled, and were celebrating, albeit cautiously. He’s the victory card, but on some level you were waiting for the other shoe to drop.

[Jen.N] That’s pretty accurate. lol. Things had really been going well work-wise.

[Miss Michelle] It was as if you were saying “yay” while looking around, like “Um, Yay, right?”

[Jen.N] Oh so VERY true. lol

[Miss Michelle] I’ve always had that same problem Jen, I can relate.

[Jen.N] I always get a sense of… “Am I coming back this time or not?” when I go out of state for an extended time.

[Miss Michelle] But in the present to near future, the Judgement card  shows you actually assessing your situation. You’re passing judgement on others but also taking inventory, as it were, of your own life. If you’re still doing Secret Abundance Files, this makes even more sense.

[Jen.N] I’ve been looking realistically at job possibilities.

[Miss Michelle] Lessons three and eight are all about judgement of yourself.

[Jen.N] Yes, I’m still doing SAF.

[Miss Michelle] Which chapter?

[Jen.N] Finished the original course, actually. Starting again with chapter one this week because I really feel like I need to do it again.

[Miss Michelle] With the tools you’ve learned — and I do this myself too — you’re having less tolerance for other people’s bull.

[Jen.N] …and being more vocal about it, which probably isn’t a good thing in this particular setting.

[Miss Michelle] That comes partly with increased self-confidence and partly from just KNOWING our own potential now… and seeing untapped potential in others. YES! Well… It is a good thing if you make it work for you. Ha–the Angel on the judgement card is literally–blowing her own horn. So basically, you are (finally) judging yourself favorably while judging others poorly. Never saw that element of the card before, but it’s very obvious in this case. And with that… the scales are going to tip so you will MAKE that judgement. Now, I’d love to say it will be easy…

[Jen.N] In this setting, true. I typically work at not judging anyone in a negative light.

[Serenity Bly] The trouble with using “Judgement” in that way is that it’s like telling an alcoholic they need help. You can’t help them until they come to that realization for themselves, telling them, judging their way of life and the people they are only serves to damage relationships. You have to accept loved ones, faults and all, and, when they ARE ready to change, THEN step in with answers for them.

[Miss Michelle] Or–in the case of co-workers, simply not accept them. You have the power to manifest them out of your lives at this point.

[Jen.N] I don’t try to change anyone. Especially after last July.

[Serenity Bly] Co-workers ARE family in this case, thus part of the difficulty. But I remember past readings recommended a change of job too.

[Jen.N] Yeah. In this case, coworkers are literally family: aunt, grandma, step-grandfather, cousin, and mom.

[Miss Michelle] Yes… I was going to say, I’d love to say the road will be easy, but whatever you choose, you have your work cut out for you. I’m reminded of Robert Frost, “miles to go before I sleep.”

[Serenity Bly] And the Ten of Wands gives a clear sense of feeling “trapped” here. I get the impression that the ten shows that even if you change jobs you can’t change your family. You’ll STILL have to deal with their “issues”.

[Jen.N] Yeah. I do. I definitely feel trapped. And if I don’t work with them, it’s easier to handle their issues. I know that one from past experience.

[Miss Michelle] I agree with that. Also, if you do strike off on your own, it will be MORE work than you’ve ever dreamed possible. I would say, don’t just “take another job.” It’s TIME to follow your passion. And whatever you’re doing, don’t PERCEIVE it as work. Perceive it as a love and passion, and bring the same enthusiasm you do for your writing and teaching to whatever you decide to do to pay the bills.  I have a friend who, even when she’s doing fun things, phrases it as, “I have to….” I swear, the girl would say in a whiny voice, “I have to go to Disneyworld this week.” LOL

[Jen.N] “I have to” for fun? That should be “I want to” or “I am…”

[Miss Michelle] Yes… and I’m not saying you’re like that.

[Serenity Bly] There is no such thing as “have to.” Choose to, or choose not to.

[Miss Michelle] Yes. AND, if you’re CHOOSING to do something, you may as well enjoy it.

[Jen.N] Very true.

[Miss Michele] My point is actually that, whatever you CHOOSE to do, approach it with the “I want to…” attitude. Also make sure it fits into your 5-year plan and helps you move toward your goal.

[Serenity Bly] Anything you “choose” to do, you choose to do because NOT doing it is worse than doing it.

[Miss Michelle] I think I can honestly say, this time, the timing IS right.

[Jen.N] That would be such a good thing!

[Miss Michelle] Trudge out of there.

[Jen.N] Lately, I’ve been viewing all the transcription as research for writing since I tend to be so fond of throwing everything I can at my characters.

[Serenity Bly] Do you enjoy doing transcription Jen? Because that’s a job you could Freelance. If you wanted to do transcription for OTHER people.

[Jen.N] Actually, no. Not medical anyway. I have a USB pedal so I could accept digital files now if anyone could/would send them.

[Miss Michelle] Well, you know, Jen… too… the cards don’t set the time. YOU DO. It’s time when YOU decide it’s time. You now have that power.

[Serenity Bly] You might find taking on other types of transcription jobs, and editing jobs (where you’re rewriting transcripts) could give you more for your characters. And it wouldn’t all be medical.

[Jen.N] True, on all counts. And it would be a filler/standby until the creativity coaching/consulting and other things in the works takes off.

[Serenity Bly] You could even approach people so that you get transcription work on topics you WANT to know more about. Imagine, for example, being the one who transcribes writer’s conferences and workshops.

[Jen.N] That would be pretty cool.

[Serenity Bly] Yes, and since you’d be freelancing you could give it as much or as little time as you need to make ends meet while you build your creativity coaching business.

[Jen.N] I’m getting a handle on that side of things. I just haven’t been sure about the timing of it all.

[Serenity Bly] But, decide what it is you WANT to do, then manifest that into your life. If things are coming to a head then it’s time.

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.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FUTURE-TAROT!

Amazingly, it’s been a year since Miss Michele and I joined together to form Future-Tarot. From time to time, Miss Michele and I, consider our direction and purpose with the Future-Tarot website and what better time to seek answers then our first anniversary. Frequently we discuss the site from both a business and spiritual aspect, working together to decide how to proceed and what exactly we want to accomplish. From time to time we also ask the Tarot for guidance and support.

This July, Future-Tarot has been very quiet. Miss Michele and I both have busy lives outside of Tarot that split our focus and when we are away from the site it tends to give us the break we subconsciously seek. Continued growth, however, is a primary interest both for us as Tarot readers and specifically for the difference we want to make in your life.

The Nine of Wands – Past

In the past year we’ve traversed rough waters. The journey of personal growth is often one wraught with dangers. It is a long, difficult path build of ideas and inspiration and steering a ship of this girth with two hands at the helm has not always been easy. The Nine of Wands shows that journey and our progress from our earliest beginnings to the point where we’ve become quietly confident of our purpose and direction.

The Page of Wands – Present

Now we are riding initial inspiration. Perhaps it is a case of holding on and allowing fate to guide our course but I also firmly believe that we are in control of our direction and the way we reach our future path. The flame of our ideas burn brightly, guiding our forward momentum and with all journeys we must be prepared and learn as we go forth.

The Page of Wands also indicates a dissatisfaction with our present being. I feel stagnated and a little guilty that we haven’t updated as frequently this month as we have in past months. I haven’t promoted the site at all or made particular effort to encourage interaction. Admittedly, I’ve been very ill the past two weeks but a commitment to writing regularly, giving readings, and embracing Tarot needs to be a priority if we want to see Future-Tarot flourish and this month I’ve allowed myself to do very little.

Ace of Wands / Two of Wands – Future

*ponders* It is interesting to see four wands come out in this reading. Obviously, our focus is on creativity, inspiration, ideas, and the mental aspect of discipline and dedication to craft for the future success of Future-Tarot. An Ace of Wands indicates a sense of finding new motivation, new passion, for the long road ahead. Opportunity is before us but having the courage to act on that opportunity will require commitment.

The Two of Wands shows this new uprush of energy and commitment formulating into solid plans and goals. Miss Michele and I recently talked with Rebecca Laffar-Smith, our web designer, about some theme changes for the website. This is perhaps part of the new creativity and inspiration the ace and two point to but I also feel like these cards are showing us the importance of taking regular action with promotion.

Perhaps it is also a sign that we need to focus on what YOU want. What brings you to Future-Tarot and what direction would you like the site to take?

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.

Our one-year spread is always a big seller this time of year, and Tilanthis kicks it off with our first reading.

In 2008, he experienced a new job, a major move and several other life changes related to his associates and hobbies, predicted here by Miss Michele.

Let’s see what 2009 holds in store…

Overview: Looking at the year as a whole, by this time next year, Tilanthis will once again experience intense changes. His life will be very different. Lasting love was not in the cards in 2008, but January kicks off with a new love interest. The Hermit, the card for the year, indicates introspection and Tilanthis “reinventing” himself.

January: Queen of Pentacles: Tilanthis will meet a nurturing, strong-minded career women who complements him perfectly.

February: Three of Cups: This will be a honeymoon period (though not in the literal sense) for Tilanthis and his new love, marked by celebration, happiness and getting to know one another better.

March: Ace of Swords: Tilanthis faces a turning point in the relationship, when his lady’s strong wit and independence “cuts” him. There will be disagreements. It’s that magical “three-month mark” of a new relationship, and they will enter a new phase.

April: Three of Swords: March’s love problems may result in a break-up or broken heart. The combination of the Ace and Three of Swords indicates a rough spring for Tilanthis.

May: Five of Swords: May looks brighter as Tilanthis and his love interest begin talking again, but there are trust issues. Miss Michele would also like to introduce the possibility that this card doesn’t relate at all to his love relationship. Tilanthis’ “karmic debt” is that he attracts gossipers and backstabbing people. In 2009, he can begin to better deal with these personality types, taking the higher ground in all his relationships and also being more aware of this force in his life.

This assertion is supported by June’s card…
June: Nine of Wands: Tilanthis repeatedly finds himself in a game of one upmanship with people, but he will win by taking the higher ground.

July: Knight of Swords: Positive change comes in July with this Knight. Knights are action just beginning. Tilanthis is tired of sitting around waiting for what he wants to come to him. He takes initiative to go after it. However, in mid-year, he begins to lose his focus on all things romantic. Things come easily to him in career and social matters, but not in love. When it gets hard, he steps back and re-prioritizes his life.

But he’s taking some positive steps to get what he wants in Summer 2009, by going after it. Miss Michele keeps thinking of the phrase: “Storming the Castle.” But Tilanthis needs to learn balance between love and life.

August: Ace of Rods: The summer’s changes began violently, but by August, he begins to draw an effective plan, taking a systematic approach to his life changes. Miss Michele sees a new job or a promotion, or possibly even a new hobby and a whole new group of friends. Think lifestyle overhaul.

September: The Magician: This card has come up frequently in Miss Michele’s readings for Tilanthis, and is the first Major Arcana in this spread. Tilanthis will begin using his talents to the best of his abilities, taking on a leadership role or possibly even starting a new business endeavor. His networking abilities are effective and that is a key part of his life come the fall. In the spring, he felt restless and unfulfilled… he desires control, leadership and social activities and goes after them in the fall.

October: The Hanged Man: The second Major Arcana in this reading shows Tilanthis re-evaluating his life. He’s gotten what he thought he wanted, but is it really him? He tends to be a chameleon but, as such, has lost touch with his true self. The Hanged Man indicates a period of waiting in which Tilanthis looks at things from a different angle. He’s going to find a new life, new friends, new job or hobbies… but it’s really just what he had before, albeit with a fresh coat of paint. It’s not true change. Is it what he wants? Is this the path he’s destined to walk or is there something more, something different he can manifest?

November: The World: When Tilanthis makes the choice, the “World” is his for the taking.

December: Page of Rods: The Page of Rods in December shows Tilanthis looking at everything with a child’s eyes. With everything else in place, Tilanthis can once again begin his search for true love, opening his heart to the opportunities.

It’s going to be a significant fall and winter for Tilanthis. The overall theme for the year is indicated by the Hermit… it will be a year of introspection which will benefit Tilanthis come year’s end.

Please come back and tell us how the Tarot’s observations manifest!