Future Tarot

Auria Cortes is taking advantage of the last four days of the New Year Spread sale.

It will be a balanced year, with lots of action and activity in the areas of career and learning. As is a Universal theme this year, things will get done for Auria–not considered, not planned, but accomplished!

Miss Michele is struck by one particular card in this reading, the Devil in July. For some reason, this card resonated with Miss Michele from the second she pulled it. She double-checked Auria’s blog, because, although she didn’t know why, she had a feeling this card had a very different meaning from the standard interpretation, and the answer might be found there.

The working title of Auria’s book is The Devil’s Playground. This fact was buried deep in Miss Michele’s subconscious. Looking at the card surrounding it, Miss Michele is going to jump ahead and say Auria will complete her novel in July.

But let’s start at the beginning.

January – It’s been a month of rapid, unexpected change for Auria, exemplified by the Ace of Swords. 2008 is a significant year for many people; more so than any other year in recent history, there was a marked change in the Universe’s energy from 2007 to 2008. People around me have seen it… I’ve never witnessed so many people sticking to their New Year’s Resolutions!

This same energy is strong in Auria’s life this year, and it all started with the Ace of Swords, a struggle to start a new project or switch directions (quite unexpectedly) on an existing endeavor.

February – The launch in January leads, not surprisingly, to new opportunities and new responsibilities, with the Knight of Pentacles. Knights can represent, quite literally, a person coming into your life to spark this change, or the end of a long-term condition to enter the new phase of a journey.

March – March brings Auria with an important choice to make in her life. The lack of cups in the reading tells Miss Michele this is not related to love, but in the overall way Auria lives her life and makes her income. Her very political, moral and sociological beliefs may be called into question, and she will have to either defend or deny everything she has stood for in her life.

April – April’s card, the Seven of Wands supports the Lover’s meaning, and, following 6 to 7, shows the continuation of this cycle. Auria may find herself battling with colleagues or co-workers, but it won’t be for naught. She will come out a changed woman.

May – In May, she emerges from the fight battle-scarred but stronger for it, shown by the Nine of Wands. Victorious, in fact, for the moment. But the cause of the fight (and Miss Michele wants to say this fight is an ongoing feud with someone very close to Auria) still haunts.

June – Auria is haunted because there’s something she’s still not seeing about the situation, represented in the haunting 8 of Swords card. The powerful image depicts a woman bound and blindfolded. Auria feels trapped by convention, perhaps by someone who started arguing against her chosen lifestyle in the Spring.

July – In context, now the Devil makes even more sense. The card of debauchery and immorality (or merely that which society frowns upon) Auria will feel tempted to say, “the heck with it all!” and do what she believes is right, go back to what she fought so hard for and follow it through to fruition. As noted earlier, she could reach a major turning point in her novel, either completing or selling the manuscript. If she gets a request from an agent to see the full manuscript, this will mean a lot to Auria (more than any non-writer would understand!)

August – The Six of Pentacles indicates Auria will finally get money, or a raise, she has been waiting for. But money’s not that important to Auria–as long as she has enough to live, she’s happy. She’ll donate to a charity, or donate time to charitable causes, or buy practical but appreciated for those close to her.

September – In September, Auria finds the inner Strength necessary to finally leave all the conflict of the Spring and Summer behind her. She’ll forgive those who wronged her and find greater compassion moving forward.

October – October will find Auria busy, juggling multiple projects, shown by the Two of Pentacles. It could indicate she’s still on the fence about a major life decision… now is not yet the time to make the move, but weigh all your options and consider the consequences.

November – November will bring happiness and fulfillment, with the only Cup card in this entire spread. The Ten of Cups indicates support from family and close friends, which Auria will need as she exits one phase of her life to enter another.

December – The holidays are a time of learning for Auria, as the Three of Pentacles shows up. She’ll be studying to decide on her next phase of life/project, and may even be feeling emptiness after having completed her novel, which took up so much of her life for so long.

The overall theme for the year is shown in the Page of Wands, an active little messenger. This will be the year Auria takes on any challenge, grabs life with both hands, nurtures her creativity and brushes self-doubt aside!

Please come back and let us know how things go, Auria, and thank you!

Miss Michele has neglected herself lately, with readings, so we’re going to try to get back on track with daily throws.

Feeling professionally frustrated and disheartened today, I pulled a three-card spread, to gain insight into my feelings, seek advice from the tarot, and determine the most likely outcome.

Two Major Arcana came up, along with the Nine of Rods, which shows this cycle of depression is ending soon. I’m not sure why there’s such a heavy masculine influence in the cards… perhaps I should stop being so girly-whiny lately and blaming hormones on my state of mind?

The Hierophant seems to be precisely the opposite of what I’m feeling right now. It speaks of abstinence, morality, and discipline. But a lack of discipline is exactly what I have. I thought this would be better in the New Year, but it’s not! I’m looking for meaning and purpose, and not finding it anywhere.

The Nine of Rods, advice, tells me I have the strength to face this, I just don’t realize it. Suck it up and get it done, I think the tarot is saying.

If I do, mystical forces, The Magician, will step in and help. My natural writing talent will come through and make it all easier.

This is what I’m meant to be doing. Why can’t I just do it?

TJWriter wants to know:
Should I take the leap to pursue the career path my heart desires?

Without looking at the tarot, Miss Michele can answer this question: Yes. Always pursue your heart’s desires.

For greater insight into the situation, and awareness of some of the challenges TJWriter may face in trying to achieve her dreams, Miss Michele relied on the six-card, simplified Celtic Cross Spread.

A lot of cups in this reading reveals what the wording of the question also tells us: TJWriter relies on emotions.

Her experience to date is shown by the Five of Swords. TJWriter may have been subjected to humiliation, ridicule or deceit in the recent past. She emerged victorious, but did not feel good about the “win.” She was succesful but unfulfilled, so TJWriter began to dream about a different life path.

Putting the past behind her, she has found a support network in her family and friends, as exemplified by the Ten of Pentacles. The emphasis, however, is on major life transitions. A commitment to stay home with children or perhaps just spend more time with loved ones? Family figures prominently.

The near future shows a Major Arcana, the Empress. There’s a lot of emphasis on femininity, caregiving, and the realm of emotions in this reading. The Empress shows still more family commitment and may indicate a birth on the horizon. It also could indicate the start of a new business, especially if that business is related to caregiving or creativity. (The birth of a book?) TJWriter is moving from one stage to another.

TJWriter in the environment of the future is shown by the Ace of Cups. More new beginnings! Follow your heart wherever it leads, TJWriter. You are at your best and most successful when you are following your motherly instincts, your heart and emotions.

Once again, the card indicates pregnancy or birth of a new creative venture. Since you asked about a career path, Miss Michele is inclined to say that the “birth” is figurative only… a new book or other creative venture. This is more than just a new client, however… this is a long-term commitment that can change your life! However, Miss Michele would advise you not to ignore your nurturing side… whatever creative venture you attempt, you’ll find success AND fulfillment helping others!

Now is also a good time to remind TJWriter that the future is not set in stone… these cards show only the most probably outcome if you continue on the current path.

With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s move on to Card 5, the best outcome you can hope for. The Nine of Wands says that, once again, you will be in a position of having to defend yourself and your beliefs. You’ll be faced with one last obstacle before victory (and victory will come!) Don’t be afraid to demand what’s yours. Most importantly, don’t change your course of action; the end of the race is near and you will emerge the winner.

Finally, the Outcome, the Ten of Cups. There are few cards in the deck better than this one, which symbolizes joy and harmony, especially in the realm of family life. You’re going to have the success you want in your career, which will give you the opportunity to focus on your family. Good relationships–business and personal–are on the horizon.

What a positive reading, it makes Miss Michele feel all warm and fuzzy (oh, wait, that’s the cat…sigh)

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.