Future Tarot

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.

Tom’s job position was made “redundant” in January and, since then, he’s been depressed and struggling. What do Tom’s career prospects look like in the near future?

Your Past Experience in your Career: The Knight of Swords supports our mundane knowledge that Tom was laid off. Swords indicate unexpected change and rapid action. We can tell that he had no idea it was coming. In fact, by the look of this Knight – which represents Tom’s boss — as he charges forward on his horse, it was a spur-of-the-moment decision and possibly not in anybody’s best interests.

Your Current Job Experience: The Major Arcana, Judgment in this slot tells us that Tom has been looking for work. His professional life, lately, involves a lot of assessment by others. They are gauging his resume, comparing him to other candidates. Tom feels this on a very subconscious level, too, and doesn’t particularly care for others examining his work under a microscope.

What You Want From a Job: A court card – the Queen of Rods – in this slot actually reveals characteristics of Tom’s ideal boss. He would do better under a woman, who would nurture his talents and abilities. Since this Queen often finds herself doing charitable work, something in the non-profit sector may suit Tom well – a situation where he knows what he is doing is for the greater good; a paycheck is secondary.

What You NEED From a Job: Three of Pentacles. Right now, in Tom’s depressed frame of mind, he shouldn’t try to stretch himself beyond his capabilities. Now is not the time to become the high-rolling corporate workaholic. Look for “wood-cutting” jobs that will put food on the table while you learn and grow and decide what you really want. It’s impossible, of course, to think clearly when money is a concern. Take whatever you can find for that steady pay and benefits, and invest whatever you have left in courses or professional training to help you find your passion.

What you have to offer – Your Greatest Strengths: Eight of Cups / Two of Cups. Tom’s strengths include keen intuition, but a lack of faith in himself is holding him back. Miss Michele drew a clarification card to help assess the meaning of this odd Cup card in this position and drew the Two of Cups. This only reinforces that Tom’s ideal job involves helping people and finding emotional fulfillment over a hefty paycheck. His ability to relate to people means he’ll do well in any job working with the public, whether it’s service industry or psychology.

Your Career Future – Your Action Plan: The Page of Swords and Eight of Cups both stand as cards indicating deception. Miss Michele wonders if Tom was actually a spy, as unlikely as this scenario might be. More likely, Tom needs to watch out for those in his career who are trying to pull one over on him. This may have been what happened in his last jobs – things were not as he expected them to be. Moreover, he’s encountering more than his fair share of people who are less than honest in his job search.

Again, however, people skills figure prominently in the Page of Swords, who is a skilled diplomat. Perhaps a career in customer service for Tom? Pages are messengers and swords indicate change so, whatever field it may be in, a job offer will come soon.

One of the tidbits I forgot to share last week was that I am from the United States, where Spring is just beginning to bloom! In honor of this great time of flowers and romance, I decided to try a spread that I found on Aeclectic Tarot. The Spring Birth and Rebirth spread introduces the new influences that are entering your life this season, and indeed could be used any time of year. This time I used the Lo Scarabeo Enchanted Tarot, a deck featuring mystical creatures that reminds me of Spring.

Spring Birth and Rebirth

1. Birth – What will be new this Spring?

2. Rebirth – What will be brought to back or to new life this Spring?

3. Tied together – How will the Birth and Rebirth be tied together throughout Spring?

Today’s Draw: King of Pentacles – Queen of Wands – Nine of Pentacles

King of Pentacles: This King looks very smug and satisfied with himself! He looks like a dwarf, with grey hair and a light periwinkle cloak. He wears a gold crown topped with a mushroom, and lined with diamond shaped sapphires. In his lap he holds a large pentacle, with an image of what could be a younger version of him. His investment in his kingdom has matured, and he is prosperous. He sits on a gray stone throne with a Taurean bull carved into the headrest.

This Spring, I can expect to see a return in my own investments, which include my work at home career and supporting my household. The goals I set will be met, with some hard work and solid principles. I can be sure and steady, knowing that keeping my nose to the grindstone is a worthwhile effort!

Queen of Wands: The first thing I noticed on this lady was the sly smile on her face! She is looking away, as if she already planning something. She has red fiery hair, and is wearing a covered crown with a gold cross on it. Above that is an orange veil, pushed back and cascading down her shoulders. She is wearing a gold breastplate with arm and leg guards, and is ready to fight to pursue her ideals. She is brandishing a wand that looks more like a spiked club, with a gold encrusted top. A black and yellow lizard sits next to her on her covered throne, and fire is lapping up the branches all around her.

My previous energy and passion that I had will be renewed in the coming months, as I pour myself back into my work. I can draw upon her ingenuity and cunning as I blaze a trail for myself. There is nothing to fear when I have the tools at my disposal to succeed! I may even find time for my pet projects as well, and truly enjoy myself.

Nine of Pentacles: This gruff little dwarf presents a far different image of this card than I have ever seen before. He looks like a weary traveler, or perhaps even a pirate, as he sits on his bags of treasure. He wears a leather eye patch, and a large brass belt buckle over his red tunic. His legs are wrapped with brown leather, reminiscent of how athletes wrap their hands and feet. Surrounding him are nine pentacles, with a picture of a ship inside a laurel wreath.

The invested effort of the King and the drive of the Queen will both manifest them through my own self confidence and hard work. I will earn every penny I make, and have the tired satisfaction of a job well done. I can take a well deserved rest, after putting forth the necessary energy to make things happen.

Congratulations to Rachel, who won the auction at Simon’s Auctions for a Spirituality Package. Rachel asked: Last year, I had a lot of success, work-wise. Will that continue, will I struggle… or will I do even BETTER?

1. The Significator

The Knight of Cups in this position shows that you are full of passion and a proud sense of accomplishment. You’ve had great success and are doing what you love. You are on a journey that, with each step, takes you closer to your desires and in knowing the path ahead you feel a great joy, your step is light and all the world is beautiful.

2. Crossing Card

Blended with and inhibiting this buoyant sense of love and harmony is The Tower. It forces you to recognise change. Change is always a positive force but the process can be painful. The Tower reminds us to let go of that which will not aid us in our ultimate goals, they will inevitably fall away no matter how hard you cling to what feels safe and real in the moment. Learn to embrace change rather than fear it.

3. Crowning Card

Your current joy and your fear of change are founded in the King of Pentacles. You’re doing very well, you feel secure in your financial footing and the material world around you is abundant.

4. Base of the Matter

The greatest issue you may not see shows itself in The Chariot. This is a conflict, usually a struggle within yourself to find balance between your baser instincts, your competitive nature, your sense of self-righteousness, arrogance and aggression war against a calm, easy-going attitude. Here, you must learn to bring both sides of yourself to a harmony where they can work together.

5. Past Influences

The Ace of Wands and Ace of Swords come together to show your past, a new and exciting venture. Business that embraces your intelligence and creativity. You have had a great deal to learn and often felt out of your depth but you embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and even excitement. It has been an adventure of new learning.

6. Forthcoming Influences

You’ve come away from those Aces as you gain experience and are coming into the Three of Wands. You have skill and a little experience. The earlier lessons are behind you. You have created a firm footing in your career and go forward knowing there is still much to learn. You continue to grow and as you continue to grow you come to greater knowledge.

7. Where One Finds Oneself

The Six of Wands shows that as you and those dearest to you celebrate your successes, you feel as if all eyes are upon you. You’ve attained a glorious victory and have good reason to celebrate but don’t allow this celebration to overcome your forward momentum.

8. How Others See You

Around you, others see you as The Hierophant. You are the teacher, the mentor, ready to pass on what you know to others. They look to you for guidance and direction, perhaps imitating you in the hopes of achieving similar success.

9. Hopes and Fears

Serenity’s favorite deck, The Mythic Tarot, describes the Seven of Pentacles in your situation perfectly. Your hopes and fears are highlighted with a question, “whether to continue to develop what one has already built, or to put energy into a new project.”

10. Final Outcome

The final outcome shows me that your fear of needing to start over is unfounded. You are on the right path and swiftly moving toward a greater understanding of your career and all that is involved in being successful. The Queen and King of Wands come together here, united in their dominance of thought and power. Your warmth, loyalty and compassion rise to the surface allowing you to guide others. You will be in a position to teach and to create lasting change for yourself and for those around you.

Kate Boddie writes in:

I shall pose one more question before the start of the new year. My California dreaming–will it become a reality or will I stay there in my dreams? This question is not necessarily pertaining to whether it’ll happen this year (I am going on vacation there in October) but within the next few. I’ve put myself on a five year plan to get out there (as in a permanent move) but I’d like some perspective on it, if you could, please, Miss Michele!

It’s no secret Miss Michele loves reading for her tri-state area friend, Kate Boddie. Let’s see if a move to the left coast is in the cards for Boddie in the next few years. And don’t worry about the tarot becoming confused by your trip planned for next year, Boddie. In Miss Michele’s experience, a short trip or vacation shows up very differently than an all-out relocation.

Well, Boddie, it looks like the choice is yours. Destiny won’t stop you. The Major Arcana haven’t come out to play, which tells us it’s completely in your hands. It looks like there will be a time of juggling–your heart will be in California while you’re stuck here, perhaps because of a job or other financial issues. But Miss Michele is getting ahead of herself.

Wands indicate stages of preparation before rapid movement, and that’s where you are now. The Queen of Wands shows your career is building in the present. (Miss Michele wonders if your last question about a permanent job position isn’t just about ready to come to fruition in the beginning of 2008.) Outspoken, witty and sometimes caustic, Boddie’s innate and strong personality influences her move. She doesn’t fit in where she is, and views California as better suited to her personality. No, Miss Michele wasn’t going to say ‘sunny personality.’ The Queen of Wands shows Boddie is currently on the right career path and it won’t be long before her endeavors bare fruit.

The Two of Pentacles in the present points to the financial and career constraints that are keeping Boddie here. The next year or so will be torturous in that regard, as opportunities call her to the West Coast but obligations keep her here. This card also shows Boddie’s time divided between her writing and her day job.

The Tarot’s advice, shown in the Ace of Pentacles (another money card) tells Boddie to grasp the new beginning offered to her. It could be here or on the West Coast. She may receive money that will make the move possible–take it!

Hidden Influences are shown in the Ten of Cups… An opportunity for travel, and support from friends and family (here at home) shows itself.

Thus far, none of the cards blatantly indicate a move. And the Five of Swords, the possible Outcome, shows us why. A move will reveal only empty victory. You won’t be any happier, more successful or richer out West. The Five of Swords warns the querent to be careful, she may just get what she wants. Miss Michele is reminded of the old cliche, “Wherever you go, there you are.” And, of course, the whole Wizard of Oz analogy… There’s no place like home.

This move will happen if you want it to, Boddie. The tarot’s leaving it up to you. But remember, friends and family here are just as willing to give you a helping hand if you open yourself to the possibility.