Future Tarot

What do you do when a friend in trouble asks for advice? What do you do if you read Tarot and your troubled friend asks for a reading? Giving bad news in a Tarot reading is always painful but when that bad news is for a friend it can be truly heart-breaking, it can even damage friendships. But when a friend needs help, is there really a way we can say no?

Deb’s friend needs help and has asked Deb to give her a Tarot reading. Like all of us, Deb isn’t keen to give bad news. Miss Michele and I have our own thoughts on the matter but in this case, the Tarot had it’s own advice to give.

[Miss Michele] Deb first I believe?

[Tilanthis] Yes. I’ll wait my turn.

[Amanda] Yes, go Deb.

[Serenity Bly] What’s up Deb?

[Tilanthis] Can I add my interpretations too?

[Deb] Okay, I’ve been asked to do a Tarot reading for someone tomorrow, and I’m not sure she is gonna be ready for the response. She is in a high-stress situation, and has been dreaming of suicide. I’ve been trying to help her get on her feet, but it’s a lot worse than I had thought at first.

[Amanda] Oh dear!

[Miss Michele] Wow… I’d not do it. Just personally, and based on what you’ve told us so far about this particular situation.

[Deb] She asked me to do a reading for her today, but I begged off until tomorrow.

[Miss Michele] At Future-Tarot we make it clear that Serenity and I are not psychologists, life coaches, therapists, or anything of the sort. You are a better friend than I.

[Serenity Bly] Sometimes, when a situation is out of our depth, it is better to refer the querant to a professional.

[Deb] I’m gonna have to do it sooner or later, and this ties in to my stuff about not doing readings that are will upset people.

[Amanda] You know, in moments of crisis sometimes a reading can be a great way to get some perspective. It’s a cry for help… which means she may not be the suicidal type.

[Deb] Yes, I know. I have already told her what needs to be done to get herself out. She needs to disengage.

[Serenity Bly] I recommend doing a PRE-reading, draw cards before she is there. Prepare in advance for the sort of reading she’ll be getting so that you can temper the reading based on what you already know about her situation. But, I would actually say, GET SOMEONE ELSE to do the reading. Because you already know this person, you have an emotional attachment to the outcome and the result. She won’t be as receptive to your reading as she would be to a strangers and is more likely to be hurt by the home truths that may come up.

[Deb] She is determined that I do it. I’m less worried about the emotional attachment

[Miss Michele] If you’ve already been “counseling” her as a friend to a degree, then it’s good to do the reading. You can back up what you’ve been saying. Both in YOUR mind, that confirmation, plus sometimes hearing it from the cards makes a difference.

[Deb] She’s been listening to me, as best she can but I know that until a person is ready, they won’t jump. I told her already to discuss some of this with our WW leader, since he’s really good at getting people to reframe things.

[Serenity Bly] If you do go ahead with doing the reading yourself, draw cards before she is there so you know in advance if any ‘bad’ news is likely to come up. It’ll give you time to seek deeper into the situation for the good that goes with the bad. And remember, there ALWAYS is some. Every bad situation has a purpose, a reason, an upside. It still sucks but the important thing is to shine the light down the tunnel.

[Deb] I know that — I’m sure this has been presented to me as an opportunity to overcome some of my stuff about doing readings that aren’t happy.

[Serenity Bly] But as Artgra mentioned, she most likely isn’t suicidal. Because those who truly are don’t ask for help.

[Deb] True. I’m less worried about her being suicidal than about her sabotaging herself. Her brother is a real piece of work. He makes my sister look like an amateur.

[Amanda] I think you should do the reading. Like i said earlier, maybe it’ll sink in if conveyed through a ‘third party’ so to speak.

[Serenity Bly] And there would be several (some theorize 9 specific and separate) issues that create the trigger for suicide. Basically, in the mind of someone who will go to that extreme life seriously sucks and there are no other options. It sounds like this woman is still looking for options.

[Deb] Yes, she is, but she still wants a magic fix, and those are few and far between.

[Miss Michele] They exist? Where can I order my fairy dust?

[Serenity Bly] I think you’ll find, the worst that can happen from your reading is absolutely nothing.

[Deb] I refuse to rule them out completely, though – know too many people whose lives changed in a flash.

[Miss Michele] And that may very well BE the worst thing–to do nothing–for this woman.

[Serenity Bly] It’s worth doing the reading because it’ll sink in on some level. Even if she’s not really receptive to the idea of “helping herself”.

[Miss Michele] You know, in a lot of ways, the universe gives us magic when we’re open to it.

[Deb] I’m still sure this has come up because this is my stumbling block when doing readings.

[Tilanthis] That is a powerful statement Miss Michele

[Deb] Any advice from the cards, ladies?

[Miss Michele] Oh! You want a reading, too??? lol Just kidding!

Deb thwaps Miss Michele

Miss Michele giggles.

[Miss Michele] ROFLMAO! (at the cards this time)

[Deb] Oh?

[Miss Michele] Let go of your blocks, they say. (in the form of the Death card.)

[Deb] Gee, how did I know that would come up in a reading for me.

[Serenity Bly] Deb, you might want to read our new Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. It might help empower you to do ANY reading.

[Miss Michele] Followed by Four of Swords, indicating… this card has meant so many things for me over the past few days… I’m not sure how to interpret it anymore. I see this as you’re weighing your options… meditate on it. The card is literally a “rest.”

[Serenity Bly] I suspect the Four of Swords is echoing my earlier advice, to take the time to pre-prepare before the reading. It talks about introspection, pausing, gathering your resources.

[Miss Michele] YES!! The good news is that this WILL be ‘popping the cherry’ so to speak on difficult readings. It will work. And sorry, couldn’t think of a less crude way to phrase that right now.

[Serenity Bly] *chuckles* That’s a terrible turn of phrase. How about ‘turning point’, ‘catalyst’, ‘paradigm shift’?

[Tilanthis] Quite matter of factually… it is the hold the reins, gather your forces and focus your mind and intent.

[Deb] That’s okay. So what’s the last card?

[Miss Michele] The Knight of Wands – Knights are messengers and harbingers of change. You will be FREE, Free as the wind, which is the element associated with wands, to do all manner of readings in the future. BUT you need to let go.

[Deb] That is good to know.

[Serenity Bly] I love the Knight of Wands. It’s the “go for it” card! The advice here seems to be to put aside your personal reservations, face the situation from a subjective perspective, and do the reading as you would if you were expecting good news not bad. Who knows, maybe there is good news ahead for her. Good luck Deb and we’ll look forward to hearing how it goes.

As anyone who follows this blog knows, we launched Future-Tarot to help others through our intuitive abilities and knowledge of the tarot. We continue to offer extremely low cost readings because, when you get down to it, Future-Tarot is largely a labor of love.

Along with the one-year anniversary of Future-Tarot this month, we are also celebrating a very special first birthday. On July 28, 2008, Simon Gabriel (son of Mysti and Rob) was born at 24 weeks gestation, weighing only 1 lb 7 ounces and measuring 12 inches long.

In honor of Simon’s first birthday, for the next week, beginning today and continuing until Friday, July 31 (Midnight, EST) we will donate all money from tarot orders to March of Dimes, the nonprofit organization devoted to pregnancy and newborn health and dedicated to helping prevent infant mortality, birth defects and premature birth. We can think of no better way to honor Simon’s very existence, as well as his mom’s perseverance and strength of character.

Miss Michele will be appearing Live on the RadioXShow next Wednesday night, July 29, around 11:00 PM. While she will be offering free readings, as always, on the show, she will also graciously accept donations to the March of Dimes during her appearance.

Ellen requested an L-for-Love spread with no specific question. Miss Michele’s Hanson-Roberts deck revealed some interesting insights and a positive outlook where Ellen will see her needs fulfilled as she gets what she has worked for.

Past Experience in Love: Two of Swords: Ellen may have been the victim of cheating in the past or, at the very least, a situation she didn’t like. The blindfolded woman, swords crossed, shows a strong sense of balance but also hidden factors that Ellen isn’t seeing. She removed the blinders which, based on the next card, brought forth a transformation. I’m getting a strong feeling that perhaps Ellen was with a man her family and friends disapproved of, but she failed to see his faults for a long time.

Current Experience in Love: Judgment: It’s put-up or shut-up for Ellen’s lover, as she’s passed judgment on him and the case is closed. He can either right past wrongs or hit the road. Once Ellen opened her eyes, she saw the problems but is working to forgive him and trying to work things out.

What You Want in a Love Relationship: Two of Cups: Simply stated, Ellen wants a fair partnership, filled with love. She’d like marriage in the future, with someone who returns her passion. Ellen is an extremely loving person and just wants someone who can give that back to her.

What You Need in a Love Relationship / Hidden Influences: Page of Pentacles: Ellen may need not only a new perspective — often indicated by this card — but a new relationship. Miss Michele gets a strong sense that this isn’t one of those situations where it just feels like a new relationship because both parties have changed so much. Once Ellen starts seeing things in a different way, she will get a fresh start with a new lover and it will feel very much like young love. The pentacles also indicate that they will match each other on a platonic and intellectual level as well as romantically, which is always an ideal situation in a relationship!

What You Have to Offer in a Relationship: The Nine of Cups: Ellen is ready to share all her love, her whole life and her dreams with the right person. The “Wish card” in this spot indicates that Ellen is ready to grant someone’s wishes while her own will come true. Ellen is extremely nurturing, loving and kind, as well as generally upbeat. She deserves – to put it bluntly – a man who deserves her, and nothing less!

Possible Future Outcome: Justice: She will get exactly that, while her potentially former partner will also get what he needs and wants out of life, what he was truly seeking all the while. It seems to me that, while he’s not a bad person, he just wasn’t a fit for Ellen. Her friends and family picked up on this before she did; it took a dramatic turn of events for Ellen to see what she was sacrificing by standing in an unbalanced and love-less relationship. Prospects on the horizon for Ellen are much happier; she’s a stronger person as a result of her turmoil and even better prepared for her true love to find her.

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.

Gearing up for my appearance at 11 PM tonight on the RadioX Show, I drew a card of the day. I drew the Six of Pentacles. The interesting thing about this card is that as I drew it, I had an e-mail opened on my computer screen regarding the Relay for Life American Cancer Society fundraiser.

And I reached a conclusion. For the month of March, all money from the purchase of tarot readings from Miss Michele will be donated to the ACS Relay for Life.

The Six of Pentacles, in a word, indicates “charity.” But it’s not wanton “I’ll give to anyone who asks” charity. The balanced scale in the main character’s hand indicates “charity with justice,” showing a philosophy of “God helps those who help themselves.”

I can think of few charities more worthy than the American Cancer Society. My niece is participating in the Relay for Life event late this April and is trying to raise at least $100. Her mother (my sister) successfully battled lymphoma several years ago. We (my sister and I) lost our mother to cancer in 1996.

I am  going to make a small donation to help my niece reach her $100 goal. But I wish I could give more.

That’s when I decided that for the month of March, money from any Miss Michele readings will be donated directly to the American Cancer  Society Relay for Life.

Since there are only a few days left in February, I’m beginning this now, so please order your reading below!