Future Tarot

From Future-Tarot Chat on March 10:

[Jacqi] My question is: Where is my love life going?

[Serenity Bly] OK, the cards are trying to confuse me.

[Jacqi] No, my life is just confusing. lol

[Serenity Bly] OH! It’s the reversal that makes all the difference. lol I was thinking, hang on, this says “you’ve got it all” but it’s reversed so you’re GOING TO have it all. Let’s go back to the beginning. In the past, we see the Six of Pentacles. Working for the man. I like to say that with some really weird accent, “Worken fur tha maaannnn.”

[MoonlitKim] LOL Exactly right, Serenity!

[Serenity Bly] And, in a sense, that’s what life has been about for you Jacqui, earning your bread by working for others but not really focused on the love life. You’ve been building your sense of security, creating a stable home for yourself.

[Jacqi] Yes, that’s pretty much correct.

[Serenity Bly] The Ten of Pentacles in the present would indicate that you’re living it now. You’ve got the “happy family” and the “abundant home life,” which is why I thought it was confusing me. But, that’s where reversals become important.

[Jacqi] Oh, OK. Go on.

[Serenity Bly] This reversal indicates a sense of building into that. It’s possible you’ve already made great leaps toward it, that sense of security and contentment is right on the fringes. Perhaps it already exists within you but you feel incomplete because your personal sense of “having it all” is different to the common perception. You’re happy, but OTHERS think things are missing from your life, so it creates a sense of doubt and uncertainty about your life choices for you.

[Jacqi] Yes, but *I* also feel things are missing as well.

[Serenity Bly] I’d almost wonder if you were gay. But that’s thinking outside of the box.

[Jacqi] *touches nose* ding ding. Semi. In a lot of ways, yes, outside the “box” thinker here.

[Serenity Bly] Ok, then what I’m sensing here is a resistance to settle into the “mold” of society. You don’t have to settle for one or the other, Jacqi. It’s completely fine to enjoy living life without settling down.

[Jacqi] The thing is that I want to settle down, but I can’t seem to get the swing of that. I keep getting blocked.

[Serenity Bly] What I see in the future with this Ace of Pentacles is a sense of using your material worth to create your future.

[Jacqi] So I’m going to buy my love? Does that make me Richard Gear? I don’t have pearls or a nice coat. Darn.

[Serenity Bly] But that could be my own influence. Because, like you, I swing both ways, but I’m NOT interested in getting married. I’d like to have another baby, so I’ve been considering sperm bank donations. In my world, that would be the Ace of Pentacles I see here, buying my family in the sense of using my material worth to get that ball rolling, but it’s not necessarily the same for you.

[Jacqi] So maybe a paid dating site?

[Serenity Bly] The Ace is simply the beginning of something entirely new and the Pentacles ties it to your sense of finance, wealth, and career.

[Jen.N] Can I put in something just real quick?

[Jacqi] Sure!

[Serenity Bly] Sure, Jen. I would appreciate the backup since I can’t nail this one down.

[Jen.N] For me, the Ace of Pentacles represents a — to borrow from my little book — “great love.” It’s also symbolic of a very content/harmonious life when it comes up in my readings.

[MoonlitKim] Meeting someone at work? Or going to ritzier places to meet partners?

[Serenity Bly] Oh, love that insight, Kim.

[Jacqi] It’s OK, Serenity, I’m a hard read. I work from home.

[MoonlitKim] Well…

[Serenity Bly] It could also indicate taking your focus away from what you think is “missing” and putting it into the areas of your life that are going well.

[Jacqi] Unless there’s a good man hidden in my couch, not sure how that would go.

[Serenity Bly] Focus on the work, and when you’re not looking for it, the love will find you.

[MoonlitKim] A stable partner, someone who has your same hardworking attitude, perhaps someone interested in working side by side with you?

[Jacqi] I’d like that, but don’t know how to find that.

[MoonlitKim] Yeah, it’s rather tricky. I bet they’ll sneak up on you.

[Jacqi] Can you possibly give me a smidge of insight as to when this person may appear?

[Serenity Bly] I think the biggest message that comes up in this reading is that it’s OK to be happy with where you’re at. Yes, you can be wanting a stable relationship, but it’s not belittling your life not to have one. There is the potential for that in the future. You’re growing into it and it is coming to you. Alas, I never deal in dates. That’s Miss Michele’s area of expertise. I’m always too much in the ether where time doesn’t exist.

[Jacqi] Oh no, I just meant like many, many moons or a few moons.

[Serenity Bly] So, it could be now it could be ten years from now, I’ve no clue. lol

[Jacqi] All right.

(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.

Stephanie is entering a phase of learning this year. She will be learning balance, discipline, money-making techniques and a stick-to-it-iveness that will serve her well throughout life. The Six of Pentacles in the year’s theme, while not a Major Arcana, Stephanie’s victories will be small but significant. Think: one step at a time.

A powerful man is a strong influencer, or perhaps it is a woman with male-dominant traits who figures prominently. This person is Stephanie’s inspiration as well as her drill sergeant, who gives her the strength and energy to keep going when she’d just rather not.

June: King of Swords

The person referenced above makes his first appearance in June, ruling with a bit of an iron fist, sword poised not so much for battle as to let Stephanie know it is there. The King of Swords will poke her with it if appropriate, if only to get her moving “for her own good.”

July: Wheel of Fortune

And move Stephanie does, straight into good things. The Wheel of Fortune heralds an unexpected windfall of time, money and energy puts Stephanie on the path toward what she wants to accomplish.

August: Three of Pentacles

This card indicates a journey of learning, honing a craft or skill into profits. It may also indicate a business endeavor with others, where the other person takes the lead in many areas. Just because Stephanie is behind the scenes, however, does not mean her contribution is inconsequential. To the contrary, the Three of Pentacles shows she is learning all she can, absorbing like a sponge, so she can take over.

September: Ten of Pentacles

This card indicates the fruition of that which was begun. Sometimes called the “Happy Family” card, the Ten of Pentacles is a Minor Arcana version of the Wheel of Fortune, which we saw earlier in the year. Hard work has paid off and profits are flowing in.

October: The Hermit

After a season of success, Stephanie is pulling back to re-evaluate her goals and ambitions. It may be time for a complete change of focus, or perhaps just a rest. Based on the cards surrounding this Major Arcana, The Hermit, too many people are counting on you for you to stay away long.

November: Page of Swords

It’s a young man! Or woman! With a great idea!
Miss Michele’s tongue-in-cheek exclamation points reflect the Page of Swords’ enthusiasm. There is no room for pessimism or naysayers here. Change is in the air, and it’s all for the better. Perhaps a new business idea, or a new direction for the existing business. Either way, this youngsters enthusiasm (and when we say youngster here at Future-Tarot, we mean the young at heart) will lift Stephanie out of October’s doldrums and won’t take no for an answer.

December: King of Wands

Here’s that strong male influence again, only he’s softened around the edges this time. The King of Wandssees the progress Stephanie has made and he’s willing to step back and gently guide her this time around.

January: Queen of Swords

This card, more than any other in the reading, represents Stephanie and her evolution over the past six months. She went from being a person easily led down whatever path others saw as best for her, to stepping up to be a queen in her own right, ruling with that sword. Miss Michele’s only warning would be to not lose touch of the softness that makes her uniquely Stephanie. Strength is good, so long as it’s tempered by tenderness. The Queen of Swords is sharp and shrewd, but it’s wise to remember she doesn’t know everything – yet.

February: The World

Just as Stephanie steps into her own, The World is waiting for her. Quite literally, February sees the culmination of everything she has worked so hard for in 2009. With her business going strong, it’s time to sit back, relax, and await the next challenge.

March: Two of Swords

And, as always, life moves in cycles and the change of seasons brings the start of a new cycle. The Two of Swords reflects a need for balance and factors Stephanie may not have considered in the past. For instance, with this reading for the last half of 2009 so filled with Swords and Pentacles, there wasn’t much time for romance, tenderness or even fun. What areas of her life was Stephanie neglecting and how can she make room for them?

April: The Chariot and Four of Pentacles

The Chariot holds the answer, as this Major Arcana predicts a journey. The journey is literal in this case, as well as figurative. Stephanie seeks direction – a cosmic and spiritual GPS if you will – to tell her what’s next in her life. A clarification card, the Four of Pentacles, provides that direction. Now that the Universe has been so kind as to grant your wishes, it’s time to let go a bit. You can afford to be generous – with your time, money and emotions. Take The Chariot, enjoy your vacation, let all your worries drift away… and tip generously. The Universe has plenty more where that came from.

May: The Tower

May brings a time when Stephanie wants to reinvent herself once again her trip brought new perspective, but she came home to a perhaps unwelcome surprise. Like the phoenix rising out of the ashes – that’s the preferred analogy for The Tower Major Arcana – everything will only be stronger with the rebuilding. She may come home from her trip to startling news, a home break-in, or simply changes beyond her imagination.

Theme: Six of Pentacles

The emphasis is on balance, learning and, above all, fairness. Her karmic lesson for the year, shown in the Six of Pentacles is to think more about others than about herself and, from that, good things will come.

Overview: This year marks a period of change for you. It is a year of big ideas tempered with careful contemplation. In numerology, 2009 is a “number 11″ year, and your thematic card for the year is also an 11—the Major Arcana, Justice. You are extremely spiritual and will continue that path in 2009, but I also see a lack of justice in your life.

You will feel that others are getting what you want and deserve and won’t understand why. You believe strongly in people “paying their dues” and this will manifest in 2009. You asked about an old flame coming back into your life… he will, but you will be over-thinking the relationship. Does some part of you want him back only to reject him? You’re more focused on wealth, learning, spiritual development and even manipulation than love in the first half of the year.

January: You seem to be over-thinking everything, as shown by the presence of The Hermit. This careful introspection may be what you need, but be aware of overanalysis.

February: The month of The Magician; you are learning to manipulate your skills and powers (and other people) to your advantage. This is not a bad thing, necessarily. The world is in front of you, and yours for the taking. You don’t quite capitalize on your talents, however…

Come March, the Ten of Swords shows that you are extremely tired, physically and emotionally exhausted. You’re weary of the games you’ve been playing with your lover, and it’s becoming hard to trust.

April: The spring, however, brings good news and change in the form of the Knight of Pentacles in April. New developments in your career put romance on the back burner. You may be contemplating an academic course… I feel a strong pull toward learning in 2009 for you.

May: The Ten of Pentacles brings enhanced wealth, career success and even joyous family times. All the tens in this reading (three out of four in the minors!) shows you are very near the end of a spiritual cycle, bringing with it career success, material gain, and increased social status. The only thing missing—pointedly—is the Ten of Cups, which would mark an ongoing relationship.

In June, something you hadn’t seen will be brought to light with the Eight of Swords. You will come to the conclusion that you were closing your eyes to some significant piece of information.

July brings the Seven of Cups, the Daydream card. You begin to realize that if you can dream it, you can do it. You begin putting the plans in place for a trip, journey or perhaps even a move. It could be that getting away from it all, for a fresh start, could be exactly what you need!

August: The Chariot, the card of travel and yet another seven. Like 11, the number 7 is steeped in mysticism. It is a number of introspection and thought. If you plan things out properly, your move or trip will go well, without incident, and even pave the path to new opportunities in your life.

September brings a new love with the Two of Cups. With your past lover gone from your life once again, the door is open for new romantic possibilities, as well as friendships and joyous social occasions and celebrations.

October is characterized by lots of work in the Ten of Rods. You are carrying a huge burden, and believe it is yours to carry in order to get what you want. This is, again, the theme of Justice manifesting. “You reap what you sow” may be the theme of the year, and you can certainly turn your hard work into positive rewards.

The Major Arcana, The Emperor, carries his message for you in November. The Emperor, like the Magician, shows your control over your environment. On your 2009 tarot journey, you are learning not only to control yourself but others… in a good way. However, toward the end of the year the burden is getting too heavy to bear… the Ten of Rods, Four of Pentacles (December’s card) and the Emperor combine to show this. Can you relinquish some of your hard work and the resulting rewards for peace of mind and fun?

The year ends in December with the Four of Pentacles. While it’s been a prosperous year for you, it may be a good time to think about the less fortunate. What you give away will be returned, multiplied by 10. Give love to the Universe, and that’s what you will receive back. In 2009, you are sending out hard work, intelligence, teaching and learning… and in return, you grow along your spiritual path as well as reap material gains.

Today’s card was the Eight of Cups, drawn late last night. After seeing all these Major Arcana, recently, I was glad.

The Eight of Cups seems to say I’m still in that same phase of walking away from things that aren’t working for me to embrace those that are. In this case, after a revelation I had last night… I know that I am walking away from my doubts and fears.

Tomorrow’s card is, once again and not surprisingly, the Hierophant. I’m going to take this at face value. I need to be disciplined.

A fellow reader over at Aeclectic Tarot interpreted all these 10 of Pents lately as saying that I need to “stop playing with the cards and get back to work.”

I suspect that’s what the Hierophant is telling me right now, and his message will be the same in the morning.

Also, I could take it quite literally– I am completing an article about a church installation tomorrow!