Future Tarot

(From the March 10 Future-Tarot chat.)

[Cyn] The man can be frustrating. Should I stay or should I go in this relationship?

[Serenity Bly] *blinks* Well THAT is interesting. We’ll come back to interesting later.

[Cyn] A frustrating man, imagine that!

[Serenity Bly] In the past, we see the Five of Swords. You’ve had your pick of men. You had a hard time choosing this one and that is a large part of your uncertainty now. You’re still not sure you make the right choice. That makes me suspect your OTHER choices are still on the horizon, as if you’ve got one foot not quite into this relationship because you’re leaving yourself room to change your mind. The Page of Wands (reversed) in the present tells me that you’ve got to be all in or all out. The cards are all Minor Arcana, making the choice entirely up to you. You’re in command of your destiny and there is no influence outside of yourself making or breaking this deal, but your lack of commitment is possibly what makes him so frustrating. If he senses that you’ve got a foot half-way out the door, he’ll act out, if that makes sense. He’s testing your commitment, because he wants you to be sure, to be all there and 100% on his side and he won’t settle for less.

[Cyn] But he wants so much so soon! Seriously, can’t being exclusive be enough right now? Really though, you’re right on so far.

[Serenity Bly] The Future shows this clearly. Either you go all in, give up those other choices, settle with the choice you made, and MAKE it work. (The Ten of Pentacles (reversed) shows it can work but you’ll have to work together to make it work.) OR if you don’t make a choice to be all in, it’ll slowly come to an end. (The Death card (reversed) shows a slow demise of the relationship being pulled apart at the seams.) It sounds like he’s tossed an ultimatum at your feet and the decision is yours to make. Can you love this man? Can you picture spending the rest of your life with him? Would you feel a great sense of devastation if this relationship ended? The Tarot says it can work if you choose to work it, but the freedom of that choice is yours to make.

[Cyn] See where I’m stuck? It’s been only about 2 months, so much intensity so soon.

[Serenity Bly] I’m going to come back to the Page of Wands because it steers ME on a personal sense. You see, the Page of Wands is my “go for it” card. It’s my throw caution to the wind, stuff the risks, go with it, and make it happen. So, if that were MY reading, it would be saying to jump in feet first and don’t look back, but if you’re not comfortable with the idea, that could be the sign from the universe saying this choice isn’t right for you. and you need to listen to your gut on that.

[Cyn] I’m reserved because it seems too good to be true as well. He has money, he’s grounded, and so on

[MoonlitKim] *nods* A lot of my relationships were “all in” right away. If that’s what he’s expecting, it may bother him that you haven’t leapt yet. Perhaps once you do, he may get more comfortable and tone down the intensity.

[Serenity Bly] If you’re holding back out of fear, then the message says, “Don’t hold back.” It’s not too good to be true, Cyn. If you commit to this, there is marriage, babies, family, a stable home, and a secure and happy life over the horizon. It’s not going to be easy, but it will be a very good situation for you. You don’t need to be afraid of that choice, assuming it’s the fear of that holding you back. If you’re held back because you’re not in love with him, then it’s different again. Yes, you could fake it, and make it work. Avariciously, you could “marry him for the money” and you’ll have a fairly good life, but you deserve better than that. You deserve to be with someone you can love. If it’s not this man, let him go and choose another.

[Cyn] That’s not me at all.  I’d hate that person- I pick up the tabs not to be that person. So I guess I need to evaluate where my feelings really are for him.  Lots to think about here.

[Jen.N] But on the other hand, letting him pick up the tabs sometimes doesn’t make you that person either.

[Serenity Bly] Just because he is a good man and has money doesn’t make him someone you can’t be with and it doesn’t make him too good to be true. They DO exist. You need to find your heart in this question. Seek that within yourself, Cyn, and listen to those feelings, but don’t wait too long because he really does need to know you’re 100% into this.

[Serenity Bly] The relationship will end if you don’t make a choice. Not immediately. It’ll take time, but that is where it’s landing here. So, seek within, decide how you truly feel, even if it means considering your other options in your head, and then either get in or get out. Know that neither choice is wrong, Cyn. Whichever you choose, you WILL eventually be in that Ten of Pentacles. Either way, it’ll take some work to get there.

[Cyn] I’ll do that, Serenity.  I suppose I’m just being pessimistic here, which is uncharacteristic.

[Serenity Bly] It can be very hard to accept when good things do happen.

(From the Future-Tarot March 10 chat.)

[Jen G] I got the lease on the building. My husband got a full-time out-of-the-house contract gig and he’s got clients coming into the marketing business. What the HELL? Yes, my question is technically, “What the hell?”

[Serenity Bly] Yeah, I’m with you on the What the Hell???

[Jen G] Uh oh. Weird cards? Just please, for the love of Jehosephat, no Seven of Cups. *fingers crossed*

[Serenity Bly] Not even shuffled yet, but I couldn’t make heads or tails of your question. lol

[MoonlitKim] So busy your head is spinning, Jen?

[Jen G] With so much going on, what needs to be my main priority? He has a full time job and a business and I have a business and we have three kids 5 and under. Something’s got to give, methinks, but I’m not sure. Maybe we really can do it all.

[Serenity Bly] Why don’t you want a Seven of Cups?

[MoonlitKim] Wasn’t it in last week’s reading?

[Jen G] Because that would represent my fear and I don’t want to know about my fear. We’re already well acquainted. lol

[Serenity Bly] *ponders* What were the cards from your last reading again?

[Jen G] Chariot, um, King of Pentacles. The first one is escaping me.

[Serenity Bly] Ok, not these cards then, but these are funny.

[Jen G] What are they?

[MoonlitKim] I could be wrong too. It just sounded familiar.

[Serenity Bly] In the past you’ve got my favorite, Page of Wands. Ideas, fire, energy, running with it, and get a complete mess of everything going on in your life because it’s all exciting and filled with passion.

[Jen G] Check.

[Serenity Bly] But, now you’re pregnant again. *hopes she’s joking because Miss Michele is the one who does pregnancy predictions not me*

[Jen G] Not pregnant, so that’s a bonus.

[Serenity Bly] The Empress comes up in the present, and, assuming you’re NOT actually pregnant again, it shows a sense of nurturing, growth, and development.

[Jen G] Or just owning all the chaos in my queen-like way, but probably more what you said.

[Serenity Bly] You are cultivating what you already have, harnessing your strengths in the feminine to make your existing ideas flourish and become something great and mighty in their own right.

[Jen G] True.

[Serenity Bly] Your Queen-like way is the Queen of Wands in the future.

[Jen G] SWEET! YES!

[Serenity Bly] It’s showing you really and truly harnessing all that, taking charge, and pulling everything into line. “I am woman, hear me roar,” Jen G style.

[Jen G] Less whiny wife and more my normal self.

[Serenity Bly] And, despite you saying Miss Michele and I don’t know you as well as we think, what I see here is the Jen G. I THINK I know.

[Jen G] I had a discussion with hubby last night that this new biz was MINE not his.

[Serenity Bly] The one who knows how to make things happen and get things done.

[Jen G] I have a split personality that’s pretty dramatic. Not like Sybil or anything, but two sides that are way different.

[MoonlitKim] You’re going to rock it all! Bam-pow!

[Jen G] Most people only know the one half.

[Serenity Bly] There is definite take charge going on here and I’m not sensing any negative from you using your strengths to make this happen. There isn’t a sense of stealing his thunder or stepping on his toes.

[Jen G] Oh, thank goodness!

[Serenity Bly] So, I’m not really sure how to tie all that into “What The Hell?”, but hopefully you’ve already figured it out. lol

[Jen G] So I’ll either get a part time nanny or take the kids to the office. Whatever. It will all be good. That was the most perfect reading ever. Not just because you said exactly what I needed to hear, but hey, it doesn’t hurt.

[Serenity Bly] I see this as you juggling those priorities beautifully, Jen. You can do it all.

[Jen G] Not needed, more like desperately craved.

[Serenity Bly] It’s the kind of superwoman the rest of us working mothers aspire to be.

[Jen G] Thank you so much!

[Serenity Bly] And, Jen, whatever this is, The Empress wants me to remind you, “It’s your baby.” That’ll make more sense to you than me.

[Jen G] Ok. I’ll keep it in mind. I called the business my baby last night, but that’s probably not it.

[Serenity Bly] Actually, that’s probably exactly it.

From Future-Tarot Chat on March 10:

[Mindy] Lately everything has been piling up on me, including work (aka babysitting), school/web design, writing, etc. I am just wondering if all of this stuff keeps piling up on me, am I going to break? If so, is it going to be bad? I’m having a hard time stopping the continuous pile up.

[Serenity Bly] I’m going to rephrase your question Mindy, because YOU WON’T BREAK. I already know that. Perhaps you’d rather have insight into calming the overwhelm and bringing a sense of order into the chaos you’re feeling now. Focus.

[Mindy] Yes, that’s right.

[Serenity Bly] OK, bringing Mindy’s life into balance. I want your life.

[Mindy] lol

[Serenity Bly] In the past, you’ve been fired up with the Page of Wands. IDEAS OUT THE WAZOO! It’s energy and excitement and creativity. And you’ve run with ALL of them.

[Mindy] That is so true. My mind never stops.

[Serenity Bly] That’s the “go for it” card. I LOVE the Page of Wands. Now of course, you have The World (reversed). Everything is possible for you right now and that can be a little heady. You’re learning to harness this amazing energy and right now need to work on developing systems to make doing all of this easier, more orderly. It’s also advising you to “finish” at least a few things. Be steadfast enough to take one thought to completion.

[Mindy] Serenity, you’re too good. I have so much I want to finish.

[Serenity Bly] You have the resources around you to do amazing things with the information and ideas you’re having. Your sense of influence is fantastic and the energy is wonderful. Use it.

[Jen.N] Not only use it (for The World), but also enjoy it.

[Serenity Bly] The Ace of Wands (reversed) in the future shows that new ideas are going to keep coming, so it’s vital that you learn to streamline your ideas to get them to work with each other. Find out how each of your strengths work together to create the whole. While each of these projects feel disjointed, they’re part of something greater and they come together to play off each other. And, yes, lots of fire in this reading means HAVE FUN. Let the fires of energy, intuition, and creativity burn. Enjoy the inferno and relish in the energy and excitement without fear. Don’t let “will I crash” hang over your head. Fires do ebb, but the coals will still be warm and you can continue like this for as long as you want to or feel comfortable doing.

[Mindy] Okay. Good to hear. Thanks.

This is a year Chryselle’s youthful exuberance pays off in big ways. She’ll find fortune comes her way. Her biggest challenges will be in remaining true to herself. She may encounter a man, possibly a love interest, who wants to dominate her but should never let it happen.

In the latter half of this year, people attempting to deceive Chryselle will be a recurring theme. The events of last year really shook Chryselle’s trust and faith in people. However, the more she expects people to do wrong by her, the more mistrust, she attracts into her life. Your beliefs are proven true, until you begin to change that belief system. It’s hard when those we trust betray us. But the expression of “not letting a few bad apples spoil the bunch” is very true in this case. Chryselle, don’t let these brief dark spots put a damper on your year – overall, you can look forward to fun, celebrations and good times, with little struggle (and those struggles you do have will be minor, and self-made.) Don’t be afraid to take a chance this year; it will work out for you!

January: Wheel of Fortune

The year began with a change in your fortune from 2009. You may have experienced a windfall of money, or a new, fun opportunity.

February: Eight of Swords

You are feeling trapped by circumstances, as if there’s no way out. It could be this winter weather getting to you, too many commitments that you’re not enjoying, or an overall sense of restlessness (or all three.) This card shows a woman tied up, with a blindfold over her face, surrounded by eight swords that create a sort of prison. What’s holding you back?

March: The Empress

These feelings pass with the arrival of the Empress in March… when you are learning to harness your feminine intuition, kindness and nurturing nature to create pleasant things around you. The focus is on creativity. You may have found work that is fulfilling. If you are in school, you’re taking classes that inspire you. Ideas run rampant – the key is to focus your energies. But after February’s stagnant feelings, you are moving forward.

April : King of Swords

This card represents a powerful male influence coming into your life. He may try to dominate; you’ll need to harness the inner strength of last month’s Empress to stand up against him. This is important, as, based on the cards surrounding it, this person could be a new love. I drew a clarification card, the Three of Wands, and it indicates that yes, this person is either a new love or perhaps a business partner. In either case, equality and balance are important in this relationship.

May: Page of Wands

This Page supports the fact that the new person in April could slowly grow into a love interest. You approach this new relationship with vigor and enthusiasm. This also represents continued interest in creative endeavors. You are at a great age – the enthusiasm of youth, but also with wisdom beyond your years that you are just beginning to use. You’re developing greater self-confidence this year. In 2010, I see a young woman blossoming into adulthood, becoming more certain of her abilities, and a brilliant future beginning to fall into place!

June: Four of Wands

June wedding? Maybe not for you, but it’s definitely a month of celebration. You may be a maid of honor or bridesmaid for a friend, and that suits you perfectly well at this stage of your life. You bring something special to every celebration you attend, whether it’s a wedding or just a small dinner party. You’ll look to hosting your own events this month, too. You are the consummate organizer, getting everyone together for that awesome beach trip, and packing the lunches for everyone, too!

July: The World

Your talents, abilities and creativity pays off in July. You’re enjoying the summer to its fullest, with plenty of everything – sun, friends, money, fun! This Major Arcana symbolizes the fulfillment of everything you could possibly want in life and, for the moment, that’s exactly what you have. Don’t forget to take a few moments to be grateful for it all, to absorb it in silent (or vocal) appreciation. Truly, the better it gets, the better it gets!

August: The Magician

It’s a powerful summer for you with these two Major Arcana cards in a row. Major Arcana symbolize important – often life-changing—events. Often, the Magician represents our own ability to use our special skills and talents to get what we want. The Magician is a master salesman, manipulator (in both the positive and negative sense), politician, and business success, with the creativity and intelligence to attract success. In this case, I believe you will encounter a very strong Magician type person. Just be sure this person doesn’t overpower your own strong personality or steal the spotlight. There’s more than enough for everyone; there’s no reason for you to shrink into the shadows just because someone else has come on the scene.

September: Eight of Cups

My intuition tells me September’s happenings have to do with that Magician. Remember I said the Magician is a Master Manipulator? You’re going to be getting plain old Bad Vibes about this guy. Trust your intuition. Remain on your guard and seek out positive, trustworthy people with which to spend your time.

October: The Sun

Yes, another vacation may be in the cards for you… after summer’s celebration, you have another opportunity to enjoy sun, surf and sand. Take the opportunity – there’s absolutely no reason not to! You’ll find the getaway, however short it may be, will give you a boost in creativity and a second wind to face the impending winter.

November: Two of Swords

Once again, you have to contend with factors you may not WANT to see… these people (I don’t know if there’s more than one) are still coming into your life – ones you can’t quite trust. I don’t think you’re fully rid of the Magician, or the King of Swords. You feel trapped. This card also indicates a need for balance… after all the partying, it’s time to focus on your goals.

December: Four of Swords

The holidays have you worn out, plain and simple. On top of all the partying and the drama with other people, you’re ready to simply lie down and rest. That’s a good idea. The Four of Swords tells us if we don’t take a break, it will be forced on us. Say no – to social invitations, commitments, etc. — especially if you can’t come up with a compelling reason that you want to attend! Surround yourself with peaceful, spiritual people who have your best interests at heart.

January 2011: Three of Pentacles

With the New Year (and possibly new semester) it’s time to hunker down. The emphasis is on work and learning, possible internships, and action that will help you advance on your chosen career path. You’re ready for a mentor, and you’ll find one. After all, this reading shows the Universe gives you what you want.

February 2011: Eight of Wands

This card typically indicates an amazing job offer. Things are once again moving quickly – what you learned in your Three of Pentacles time paid off. Don’t stop learning, even as you begin to profit from your skills.

Overview: Page of Swords

The Page of Swords as our year overview shows you charging full-speed ahead into everything you do. This is a great attitude to have. Most times, it works out well for you!

The Tarot would warn, throughout 2010, to be aware of those “ups-and-downs.” Things are great, then, Crash! Only, the crash isn’t really as bad as you perceive it to be when you’re in the thick of it. Take the time to count your blessings when things are going well, and you’ll encounter more blessings. You are someone other people may consider “lucky.” But there’s really no such thing as luck. You create everything you receive, because you believe you deserve it. When you let self-doubt creep in or begin to take things for granted, that’s when you experience that emotional crash.

Maribel wrote in for a L-for-Love Spread. She offered no details on her current relationship or situation, but the tarot revealed insight into her deepest thoughts and desires, along with her best course of action to avoid the future she does not want.

Past Experience in Love – Page of Wands

The reading begins with our Page of Wands standing on the seashore looking off into a bright future ahead. Love was new, pleasant and full of surprise and wonder. Maribel spent hours planning the future with her lover, down to the minute detail, and had every expectation it would go as planned.

Current Experience in Love – The Sun

Things are still currently good and in a growth stage, as shown by the major arcana, The Sun. This card often indicates fertility, a birth or family planning, but can also relate to a spiritual breakthrough.

Maribel is ready to move on from the fresh new Page of Wands stage of the relationship to something more intense and serious. She seeks a spiritual connection from her lover but he is still only interested in “fun in the sun.”

Factors you’re not seeing currently – King of Pentacles

Maribel is not seeing the “King of Pentacles” traits in her lover. In her eyes, he hasn’t grown up. The tarot would urge Maribel to take a second look – perhaps he is the mate you dream of, a strong influence, a financial provider, a caregiver and partner in all things – spiritual and material. He could be the perfect partner to “set up shop” and maintain a home with – but you’re not giving him that chance to be. This is revealed in greater depth later, when we see that what you offer a relationship, Maribel, are the traits of the Hermit: deep thoughts, pensiveness, introspection. Don’t let your partner’s lighthearted ways fool you – he’s deeper than he lets on. I want to say “still waters run deep,” but your partner is anything but still waters. On the contrary, he is the Page of Wands in action – he’s poetry and dance and energy and fire.

What you Need from a Love Relationship – Three of Cups

More than anything else in this spread, this card tells us you’re so ready for marriage, children – that greater commitment. In fact, that need is so strong, you’re willing to sacrifice what you do have in the pursuit of the commitment your current partner has been, so far, unwilling to make. With the Three of Cups tarot asks you to examine things from all angles. A wedding is one day. A ring, only a symbol of love. Can your partner, perhaps, be your King of Pentacles even without those things?

Your greatest strengths in a relationship/What you Offer – The Hermit

No doubt, Maribel, you bring maturity to the relationship. More so, this card indicates your discontent, even restlessness. But The Hermit tells us now is not the time for hasty decisions – more thought and consideration is needed. The Hermit in the Robin Wood Tarot Deck is on a quest, his lantern above his head illuminating the way. Continue seeking what you need. It may be time, in the future, to move on, but don’t be too quick to give up what you have.

Maribel’s Hermit is a strong counterpoint to her lover’s Page of Wands. He’s in the spotlight, she prefers the dark corners of her mind. He loves action. She likes to think. Rather than being a bad thing, though, this could strengthen their relationship. Vive la Difference!

Possible Future Outcome – Three of Swords

Maribel, your restlessness, if things continue on this path, could end in break-up. It will be painful but, like cutting away a dead branch so the rest of the plant will thrive, you feel it would be necessary. In this case, the Three of Swords indicates that sacrificing this relationship is not necessarily the best course of action, though. There’s a thread going through this reading – psychic intuition, if you will – that the two of you are meant to be together.

Serenity Bly corroborates my thoughts on this: “The Three of Swords indicates the contention going on simply because he’s fundamentally unchangeable and she’s unsettled by his liveliness. But I don’t get any sense that this relationship is doomed. I actually feel like this man is perfect for her. She NEEDS his sunshine. Without it she’ll disappear into the darkness. She is more of herself, she reaches higher, goes further, and becomes greater, because of his influence.”

Clarification Card – Page of Cups

With this in mind, Miss Michele couldn’t let the reading rest in this way. She drew a final card to determine how Maribel may best avoid this outcome if careful thought shows it’s not what she truly wants.

A card that has been sharing many different messages with us lately comes up: the Page of Cups. And so we’ve come full circle with yet another new beginning, another Page. Like the Page of Wands, the Page of Cups is full of adventure and wonder. Highly-creative, he is also as pensive as the Hermit at times. This Page of Cups is telling Maribel to look outside herself, and to also look at her lover with new eyes. Is he giving you what you need? Let loose, have fun. Remember how to play again.

Serenity Bly adds: “The Page of Wands might be difficult to tie down but he will listen if she can communicate without blame. Yes, she needs to experience the Page of Cups first, introspection, look within herself for any issues she might have that are internal rather than external. When she’s come to terms with what she truly needs from him, talk to him about those needs because he has the fire and love to want to make her world beautiful and he will do everything in his power to make her happy.”