Future Tarot

The start of a new year is the best time to layout an 12-Month Spread. In January, Jenine asked us to discover what she can expect and prepare for in the year ahead. Lets break it down, month by month.

January: Strength

This month began with personal growth for you, as we’ve seen. You’ve learned how to harness your inner strength to begin making positive changes in your life, and also learned how to capitalize on your own strengths for business success. In the process, you’ve learned you’re stronger than you’ve always believed.

February: Four of Wands

Expect a celebration of your successes in February, gatherings with friends and plenty of social invitations.

March: Justice

This month, you are able to balance discipline with kindness. You have fabulous ideas and are able to view things from unique perspectives. This card represents your getting in better touch with your classroom persona – you are strict, but kind and wise. Remember to maintain balance in all you do. Watch out for responsibilities that may drain you of time and energy, but offer little in return.

April: Two of Swords

The spring, March and April, is also about balance, indicated by the coupling of Justice with the Two of Swords. When I look at May (Four of Cups), and the clarification card I felt called to draw, it all comes together. You may be doing too much! You were on a whirlwind of utter excitement and success, but began neglecting certain health matters. (For instance, pay attention to eating balanced, frequent meals to keep your blood sugar on an even keel?) You may feel as if people – family, clients, your day job, other commitments, are pulling you in too many directions.

As shown by the Two of Swords, a powerfully graphic card showing a woman, arms crossed, blindfolded, there are factors you are choosing not to see. People who may want, want, want, without being willing to give back. And in this case, there is nothing in it for you. You’re better to walk away…for your health.

When I pulled a clarification card, the Four of Swords came out, and the Five of Cups kind of hitched a ride with it. Granted, my Robin Wood deck is smooth and slick, especially on the graphite surface of my new desk, but the meaning is clear… You must be aware of your health or, (Four of Swords) a rest will be forced upon you. The Five of Cups indicates loss, disappointment, poverty and mourning of what may have been. Again, this could be your feelings if you don’t do what’s necessary. Now is a good time to evaluate all your balls in the air and decide what isn’t crucial and most importantly, what doesn’t provide you joy.

As friends and colleagues of yours, both Serenity Bly and Miss Michele would like to remind you of the support system you have here. Turn to us for help, whether for additional readings, professional support or simply a shoulder. You also have other strong support systems… use them. It’s important not to retreat in the spring.

May: Four of Cups

The Four of Cups represents the aftermath of what is admittedly, a rough April. Again, I want to remind you it will only be rough if you make it that way. By being aware of those factors, acknowledging them, and choosing to focus on making things otherwise, you CAN change it! The Cups in the Four of Cups may be empty, but empty cups mean potential to fill them.

June: Ace of Pentacles

That opportunity comes in June when you literally face a new beginning, perhaps a new business idea. It certainly indicates a renewal of your energy. And what better time for a rebirth?!

July: Nine of Cups

I absolutely love this card, the Wish fulfillment card, and it’s perfectly suited for you at this stage. You are seeing that truly, whatever you ask for, the Universe offers. Your job is simply to allow it in and know you deserve it. Conceive – believe – receive… where have you heard that before?

August: Ten of Cups

Success continues in August… there’s hard work ahead, but you are fit and ready for the task.

September: The Devil

There will be more pulling and demands of your time in September… challenges similar to what you faced in the Spring will rear their heads again. You’ll need to stand your ground against people who want a piece of you – and may not deserve it, appreciate you or be willing to pay what you’re worth. Additionally, the Devil indicates a desire to bury your head in the sand, ignore all the work and demands you face, and goof off. Resist that desire, as then tasks will only build. Do what you can, and say “No,” (or, better yet, “Not now, thank you”) to the rest.

October: Tower

You experience a significant breakthrough in October, that begins paving the way to the “new you.” You realize, after that “Devil moment” in September, that things absolutely cannot continue the way they are. I’m wondering if this doesn’t indicate your leaving your day job… under circumstances that surprise you but ultimately, wind up for the best. You definitely do NOT emerge the same woman you were in the beginning of October by month’s end.

November: The Magician

Following your Tower breakthrough, you become a master at harnessing your skills and talents to achieve success. The Magician’s number, 1, indicates you’re still at the beginning of this journey, but that’s okay. The Magician is proficient at what he achieves when he uses his special skills.

December: Queen of Pentacles

An extension of the Magician, with an emphasis on the feminine, you see the fruits of your labors from November. This card also indicates your role as a caregiver of those around you, and a hostess for the holidays. You are in “nesting” mode, preparing your home for the holidays, baking, shopping, and making things.

Overview: 5 of Pentacles

This overview card, often signifying poverty, seems to contradict the positivity in the rest of the reading. In fact, in this case, the card represents Recovery. Rather than showing the year, it shows where you were – in despair, with both health and financial problems, coupled with a dose of self-doubt. Unfortunately, these shadows of your former self still haunt in you—even in the face of your great successes in 2010.

The best way to contradict these feelings is to be aware they are there. Do not forget your roots, or what can happen if you stop working, change paths or give up your dreams. By the same token, it’s important not to harp on it. Acknowledge it as part of your past, and move on. It is no longer you. In the Robin Wood deck, the person with the can, with one leg and a bandage over one eye, is forging ahead, in contrast to the destitute person crumbled on the floor beside them. You, too, must forge ahead in spite of any of your perceived in adequacies – because that is all they are. YOUR perceptions. Other people view you as the Strength card of January, the Queen of Pents, and the Magician – all figures which feature prominently in this year for you.

With all the Cups and Pentacles in this reading, along with Major Arcana, this will be a significant year of you learning to make money doing what you love. It will be about finding personal fulfillment and, from that, the money will follow. Most cards are lower – ones, fours and fives, indicating you are in the beginning stages of this development. However, bright spots include that 9 and 10 of Cups in the summer. It is a year to look forward to, to dive in headfirst and accept all the good the Universe is offering you.

Ed requested a general five-card spread.

Without having a question or specific area to read, Miss Michele focused on Ed’s energy and drew cards. Not surprisingly, there is overlap between this reading and his 6-card L-for-Love spread that help us provide further guidance for Ed in multiple areas of his life.

Past – The High Priestess – In Miss Michele’s Hanson-Roberts Deck, the High Priestess is a stern, no-nonsense type of woman. It seems that a past relationship – likely with his mother but possibly a romantic relationship – has created conflicting emotions in Ed about the opposite sex. While he finds himself attracted to strong women, at the same time, he feels a need to diminish their strength by dominating them. The High Priestess in the past wanted nothing to do with this, cutting herself off emotionally and leaving Ed to struggle with a lack of feminine affection in his life.

Near Future / Present –Strength – This continues to be an ongoing theme in Ed’s life as he seeks to find his own inner strength.

Tarot’s Advice / Unseen Factors – Seven of Cups – Ed may have a “pie-in-the-sky,” somewhat unrealistic view of what is possible in his future given his current personality traits, desires, habits and typical courses of action. However, it never hurts to dream. What the tarot asks now is: How can you best turn these fantasies into reality? What needs to take place inside to manifest the future you want?

Best Course of Action – The Magician – The answer comes clearly in our next card; Ed’s best course of action is to study. The Magician is a master manipulator (in the most positive sense!) to use his knowledge, powers, and intuition to get what he wants. Learning self-control, and then control of the tools he has at his disposal can put the world at Ed’s fingertips. The Number One Major Arcana in the deck, The Magician, like Ed, is just beginning this journey.

Possible Outcome – Three of Pentacles – In this spread, the final card is not so much a final outcome as evidence of a continuing journey. If Ed first follows the path of the Magician, abandoning old habits that don’t serve him to find new and better ways of living and relating to others, he will continue on a road to self-improvement. The Magician reminds us to use all resources available in our self-growth. Ed may consider help in the form of coaching or counseling as he progresses on his journey. Whether he chooses to go it alone or seek guidance, it will be work, but anything worth having is worth working for and Ed will soon begin to see the fruits of his labor in positive changes in his romantic life, career and finances.

It was lovely reading for Susie, who has the energy of a vibrant young lady in a learning and transition stage of her life. The next 12 months bring adversity but Susie stands up to it all with a powerful inner strength to come out achieving her dreams. Miss Michele relied on her go-to deck, Hanson-Roberts, for this reading.

August: Temperance: Susie is in a learning period, where she is learning balance, caring, sharing and equality. She’s undergoing a major life change – which may have actually prompted her desire for a tarot reading. She is on the right path with the steps she is taking, and will reap the rewards in September.

September: Four of Rods: Miss Michele is getting a strong vibe of a powerful romantic relationship, and possibly even an engagement in September, represented by the Four of Rods. The Knight of Pentacles as a clarification card, supports this notion. Knights bring a change in status, and this one shows that, moving into the future, Essie will be well-protected, financially-stable and in a much more mature partnership than any she’s experienced in the past.

October: Seven of Swords: Someone may not be straightforward with Susie. Her best bet is to walk away from those she can’t trust. It could be Susie, in fact, who is simply not acting like herself. Has the stress of wedding planning permitted Bridezilla to emerge, or are there other stressors in Susie’s life causing her to act out of character?

November:The Magician: The Magician indicates learning to manipulate your surroundings to your advantage. Susie is growing, and again, learning how to best influence people. When the Bridezilla act fails (and I’m using Bridezilla as a metaphor – it could be any situation in which Susie simply wants her way and doesn’t want to hear the other side), she uses diplomacy to her advantage. Susie may also be learning a new skill to advance her career.

December:Eight of Rods: The Eight of Rods frequently heralds a new job, purchase of a home, or other significant event. Actions move swiftly, leaving Susie with little time to think before she gets exactly what she hoped for. This card also signifies the whirlwind nature of the holidays; Susie will be able to accomplish everything she takes on, with none of that dreaded holiday burn-out.

January: The Tower: The new year brings a Tower moment for Susie, when everything she knows seemingly comes crashing down around her. It’s important to remember, in times like this, that the old guard *must* fall away to make room for new, better opportunities. When one door closes, a window opens — and all those other clichés! Miss Michele also hopes that, with warning that this situation is coming, Susie will have a better chance of handling it. After all, bad things are no fun, but it’s even worse when you’re blindsided. This card could also indicate a complete change in Susie’s thought processes, the next level of her growth. There’s no reason to dread the new year.

February: Five of Cups: January’s “Tower moment” leaves Susie feeling emotionally empty, depressed and distraught. She feels lonely and unsure where to turn. But she’ll get through it.

March: Strength: In March, Susie finds the strength to face everything the Universe has tossed at her in the past few months. She pushes through and comes out a stronger woman for the experience. Miss Michele loves this card, the pure love of the woman petting the lion. The woman in the card gets her strength through unconditional love, a true spiritual and metaphysical acceptance of everything in the world. Hang in there, Susie, you are the woman in the card and you can do it all!

April: Six of Pentacles: April finds Susie feeling stronger and more sure-footed. She’s receiving the rewards she has deserved for her hard work and persistence. Now, she finds it extremely important to be just and fair in her dealings with others. Her fortune will be doled out to those who deserve it.

May: Nine of Pentacles: After such a rough new year, May brings Essie greater fortune and more confidence. Susie is beginning to get in touch even more with her feminine side. Pregnancy may be on her mind, which is supported by the Empress, the overview card for this 12-month time period. Logically placed following the Six of Pentacles, the Nine of Pentacles is a card of “reaping what you sow,” and the Universe owes Susie some very good things.

June: The Lovers: This card often indicates a choice. In this case, however, it indicates a true (and very deep) love relationship. It’s the honeymoon before the wedding. It’s romance and roses. It supports the “fertility” cards in this spread indicating a move toward procreation.

July: Three of Cups: The Three of Cups, like the earlier Four of Cups, can indicate a celebration or a wedding. Miss Michele is reading this card very literally and exactly in that way. If Susie isn’t a June bride, July may be the month.

Overview: The Empress: One of several “fertility cards” in the deck and in this spread, the emphasis this year is not only on Susie actually bearing a child, but also on her building and growing her own world and her family. It’s so inspiring and fun to read about a young woman in this stage of her life.

That Tower card seems extremely out of place in the beginning of 2010 but, not surprisingly, Susie uses her strength, intelligence and all she has learned in the six months prior to overcome the surprising news of change.

Cards: Two cups, three pentacles, two rods, 6 major arcane – The preponderance of Major Arcana show an extremely significant transition year for Susie

Miss Michele and Serenity Bly wish her all the best and hopes she will check back and let us know how the next 12 months are going.