Future Tarot

Miss Michele struggled to draw a card of the week this week. Several times I shuffled my deck. I even drew cards a few times. But none resonated as “true.”

This evening, down to the wire, I drew the High Priestess… and I realized that the tarot was telling me to trust my intuition – and trust the cards.

I had a conversation today with a woman I consider a mentor. I explained my theory of tarot to her… that the cards simply guide us through creating a future we desire. For instance, if the tarot portends an undesirable outcome, we can change our future by changing our course of action. If the cards say things will work out well … we believe they will. We create our own future.

Having said that, I find the tarot to be a powerful tool to inspire and motivate us – to help us view situations from new perspectives we may not have considered – and to uncover the Truth that, deep within our true selves, we know, but may want to ignore.

That, to me, is what the High Priestess represents. Our inner power to be our true self. To live our passion and to live with passion. To let our intuition guide us and to be open to all the ideas the Universe may send our way.

The High Priestess has already manifested in my life this week in my conversation with my mentor. I’m excited to see what else she will bring me.

Your thoughts? What does the High Priestess represent to you?

A few weeks ago, Plaid returned to Future-Tarot and joined us in our Wednesday Chat. She asked: What can I do to improve my current situation? An INCREDIBLE Chat session followed that saw four talented women come together with synergistic ideas and insights that inspired and excited Plaid, moved her into action and began the upward swing to improve her situation.

Experiences like this are rare and special but I’ve noticed our Wednesday Tarot Chat often evolves into creative, empowering sessions that offer incredible value for all those who participate. If you want a reading with the energy and dynamic back-and-fourth then Tarot Chat is the best place to start. I hope you’ll join us this week!

Plaid: Or, more exactly I should ask: Will Plaid’s finances and luck improve very very soon? We’ve had a run of bad luck lately, the TV quit, one of my cats died, I can’t get paid, we replaced brakes on the van, and I posted the whole laptop rant on Absolute Write, etc…

Miss Michele: Wow, you wanted empowering… We have… I drew 4 cards… The Emperor, The High Priestess, Death and the Nine of Swords… (because Serenity likes to see the cards first). *Disclaimer: Ashley bent the Death card today… so it’s interesting to see how it plays out in this reading. I may have drawn it because it WAS sticking out. That’s why I drew the fourth card.*

Miss Michele: My overall impressions, Plaid, was that for some reason, you NEEDED this shakeup. The Emperor in the past is very by the book, things are going smoothly.

Serenity Bly: *nods* I like to avoid ‘timing’ questions when it comes to “will my situation improve” because the cards like to provide a ‘when’ for me anyway. That Death and then 9 of Swords indicates having to make a sacrifice to avoid continued challenges. The when is empowered by your action, if you take no action, difficulty will continue.

Miss Michele: I agree… It indicates that you need to let go of what isn’t working. Essentially, Plaid, things were going smoothly but it was lulling you into complacency. You wanted to “control” a bit too much of your life.

Serenity Bly: I feel like you are The High Priestess, Plaid. Are you trying to control everything? lol I must be in Miss Michele’s head.

Miss Michele: (and is more diplomatic about it.) lol

Plaid: I’m a flipside card… I’m in control of some things, but nothing I plan ever goes accordingly.

Miss Michele: Yes! It doesn’t for The Emperor either–not all the time BUT the High Priestess tells us you CAN control that which you are good at controlling–ie, yourself, your skills, your business. And you can NURTURE others.

Serenity Bly: Needing to have a sense of order could lead you to micro-managing which will increase your stress. You may find that this need for control is holding you back. Releasing control, going with the flow, and allowing others to fill the void gives you the freedom to approach life differently.

Miss Michele: I’d say what Serenity talks about is what got you into this fix–on some level.

Serenity Bly: True control comes from developing trust and responsibility in those around you.

Miss Michele: And THAT is shown in the High Priestess, in the near future. Death indicates the need to get rid of that desire to micromanage–along with anything else in your life that isn’t serving you. I mean, obviously, mourn the cat. (I’m sorry for your loss!) But the TV and the rest of it-including the whole “I’ve had bad luck lately” meme – discard it.

Plaid: I’ve spent a lot of time lately doing things for other people, but I haven’t had enough time and resources for my own work. I do have a serious problem with trust. I always feel like I’m left holding the bag, and have to come through for everyone.

Serenity Bly: The Emperor can use a heavy hand, and that is shown in the past but I also feel like this is outside of you. Someone else in your life has had you under thumb which is perhaps why you feel a need to maintain control over those things you can. Having felt like someone’s puppet makes you cling to your sense of self-identity, your sense of managing your own future. I feel this is a knee-jerk reaction from fear; having come out of that situation into this one you’re instinct is to wrap your hands around your freedom which in truth creates a whole new kind of prison.

Plaid: Very true.

Miss Michele: Well said, Serenity.

Mysti: Plaid – just my thought process here, but is Demand Studios holding you back?

Miss Michele: DS, that whole type of work, can BE the Emperor, too. Rigid, not a lot of room to expand or room for growth. Very by-the-book.

Plaid: Not really, Mysti. But it’s a double-edged sword. It takes a lot of time, but it’s been the only thing buying groceries, since hubby’s check is swallowed instantly by other bills. I am beginning to resent the feeling that I have to work every. single. day. just to earn a living. The stress of it is wearing me down.

Serenity Bly: I’m not familiar enough with how Demand Studios work, but that sense of over-responsibility and feeling trapped into this job because you don’t have choices could be what the Nine of Swords in this reading is all about. Especially since “it’s the only thing buying groceries”.

Plaid: I had planned to take tomorrow ‘off’ and work on my book proposal and Sat. Evening Post submission.

Miss Michele: Ok, I went off on a whim here and drew a fifth card… I don’t know if I’m ‘cheating’ but I wasn’t satisfied. And the fifth card is the Nine of Pentacles… You are tending your garden, Plaid, and from it, things will grow.

Plaid: Geez, I never learn things the easy way, do I? lol

Mysti: If DS is what is buying the groceries, it’s quite the proverbial thumb.

Miss Michele: There’s a powerful feminine energy here fighting with the rigidity of that schedule, the burden of earning money, and the whole lack of creativity involved with work like DS. (No offense to it, at all! I find content work enjoyable, too!)

Serenity Bly: Ah, and the fifth card makes all the difference, Plaid. If you can release and give up the things in your life that create stress you WILL come out in a better financial and material position.

Miss Michele: Becca, I literally felt my hand guided to draw that final card. It was quite strange actually. lol

Serenity Bly: If Demand Studios IS the Emperor, if you are hating the gig and finding it oppressing you but are worried because it is all that’s paying the bills the Nine of Pentacles shows you that there are other financial opportunities and you may have to let go of the false sense of security DS offers to take on these other opportunities.

Miss Michele: From a practical (non-tarot) standpoint, I’d see if there are areas in your life you can cut back a bit financially in order to take less DS work to pursue other things.

Plaid: That’s possible. I enjoy writing for them at my own pace, and I’ve learned a lot, but the pressure is making me a little crazy. Not much I can cut back on at this point, though.

Miss Michele: If the bills are credit cards, can you call for lower interest rates? Consolidate? Downgrade anything?

Plaid: LOL, I wish. I’m even washing clothes by hand.

Serenity Bly: *chuckles* I love coupling Dawn’s ‘practicality’ with my ‘trusting fate’. *grins*

Mysti: Here’s what I’m getting. If you can spend 45 minutes a day applying for gigs that will produce a better (time/income ratio) living, you will open the doors while continuing to push forward with DS.

Miss Michele: Wow, okay you’ve cut back as much as you can. So yes… now’s when you have to simply trust fate. Even if you make one day a week, or 30 minutes a day too look for other things.

Serenity Bly: *ponders* Washing clothes by hand may be counter-productive. Does it take you more time to wash by hand? Could you have used that time to make more money? Would what you have made in the time it took to wash clothes have more than covered the expense of running the washing machine?

Miss Michele: Now I’m in Mysti’s in my head. lol

Plaid: I feel that a cork will pop open when Stamats finally pays me for the work I’ve done. I’m wondering if it’s time to end my nine-year relationship with them.

Serenity Bly: That’s where leverage and outsourcing really finds its head. In learning the value of your time. Sometimes it really does make more sense to spend a little so that someone or something else can do jobs you can’t do as effectively as you can do others.

Mysti: And Beth – it feels to me that there’s something out there – feels to be blogging related, by the way, that you are missing or need to really look for. It’ll bring in a steady income, won’t take too much of your time and will allow for more balance between writing and living

Miss Michele: Are you continuing to work for Stamats without pay? I mean, with them not paying you yet?

Plaid: Nope, they just owe me for 2 stories. My assignments through them have dropped to a trickle this year, I know my professional landscape is changing

Serenity Bly: You could get very persistent about the money they owe you.

Miss Michele: Ouch… Yeah, that will help a lot I’m sure. As far as whether you continue for them — YES! Spend at LEAST 15 minutes each day harassing them in one way or another.

Serenity Bly: Well, I’d spend 5 every other day. Because don’t forget, your time is valuable. If you spend 15 minutes every day over four days that’s an hour you could have spent earning money elsewhere. But an email, two days later, a reminder, two days later, reconfirm any specific aspects mentioned in your contract, two days later, specify your intention to take legal action, etc. And keep stepping up the pressure depending on their response or lack of. The trouble is, yes, money is tight (that’s universally true at the moment btw) but their integrity and good relations is on the line. By not paying you money owed they are devaluing you. YOU are worthy of being a priority on their books.

Miss Michele: I wouldn’t say tell them you quit… but certainly drift away from them… as seems to be happening anyway.
-> Serenity is right. There is no need to burn a bridge or even step back. If they’ve always paid in the past, be honest with them; tell them WHY you need the money. It totally depends the relationship you had w/ the editor beforehand, but do whatever it takes.

Plaid: I’ve emailed my editor… again. Hopefully, something will break soon! Their downturn is due to the economy, our relationship remains good.

Miss Michele: I’d love to pursue a little of what Mysti said about blogging… Plaid, are you considering any prospects like that?

Plaid: Good ideas, all. I’ll keep hammering. Maybe if I sent them a pic of the kitties staring into a food dish, LOL. Who am I kidding? They’ll always get fed, one way or the other. I haven’t looked into any blog openings. But I can see now that I MUST rework my writing schedule so I can have full days to myself again.

Mysti: It’s vital for your well being, Beth

Miss Michele: And the potential is out there. That Nine of Pentacles on the horizon, combined with the High Priestess, shows you always DO take care of it all, and will continue to.

Plaid: This is true. I’ve tried to adopt the thought, Life flows as it goes, and just ride it out. Then I get stressed. But at this point, my Panic Button is broken. I’m right at that point, where I’m ready to jump off the cliff into the next adventure. That calm before the bungee. lol

Mysti: By blog related, looks like a site that’s constantly building, growing, increasing information – can see new pieces added often, check b5media. I see linking on the right side of the site, seeing greens, blacks, touch of purples, text and images on the left side. It is constantly being added to. It feels very much like b5 — there’s strong structure and a stable calendar that goes with what is required. There is some pressure with it, but far less than you’ve felt with other positions of the writing type. It seems to be a close group, working together.

Miss Michele: Wow you’re actually SEEING it? That’s so cool.

Mysti: Okay, apparently I’m not allowed to search out the particular blog for you. Four times I’ve tried – four times it’s crashed.

Plaid: Ah well, the universe has always wanted me to find my own path, but thanks for trying, Mysti! It would be awesome if I could make this happen. So many people in power have dangled opportunities in front of me and they’ve never materialized. It is time to take hold of my own camel knees and make them work for me!

Serenity Bly: YES! BETH! Definitely!

Plaid: Thanks, guys, for the encouragement. I was beaten as low as I could go today, I really needed this.

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.

Cici has ordered a 12-month spread from Miss Michele and good things are in the cards for her.

The year 2009 is shaping up to be characterized by: “If you can dream it, you can do it.” Your dreams know no limits, and you have the power, strength, intelligence, and skills to realize every dream you have, everything you can possibly imagine. Miss Michele wouldn’t be surprised, with the plethora of Cups in this spread, if you’ve been searching for Mr. Right for some time – perhaps may have given up hope of ever sharing your life with someone special. If that is the case, this will be the year for romance for you!

Rarely have I seen so many Major Arcanas in a 12-month spread, which means this is a BIG year for you. Lots of significant changes are on the horizon. The year’s overview is represented by the 7 of Cups, the card of Daydreams. You may feel somewhat “off,” as if you can’t focus your mind on reality. That’s okay, though, because it is your wild imagination and ability to “dream big” that will bring you success this year – in career fulfillment and matters of the heart. Don’t worry if the money isn’t forthcoming this year; 2009 and the beginning of 2010 is all about emotional and spiritual fulfillment, which you will receive.

May: Knight of Pentacles: This month kicked off with preparations for some major changes in finance and career, which could have sparked your ordering this spread. You want to see which direction is best to take. Knights indicate changes on the horizon, but still in the early planning stages. Based on surrounding cards, moving forward will serve you well at this time.

June: Strength: You’ll need to harness your strength and most importantly, your feminine intuition, loving nature and above all, strength in character in order to succeed in your new – or simply expanded – business endeavors. The card Strength represent feminine strength of character rather than brute force. You can finesse your way into positive situations.

July: Eight of Wands: Things are moving full speed ahead for you. This card typically represents a new job offer or incredible business success. You may just be swamped with orders – so much that you need to hire help for certain aspects of you’re business. Your business is growing, and your income with it.

August: The Emperor: Come August, you’ll want to do things by the book, to avoid any issues or legal hassles. Someone may question the validity of your business, but you will be able to prove its worth with logic and calm grace. Also look for a male to figure prominently, perhaps in a management role; he can help take your business to the next level.

September: The Chariot: This card often indicates literal travel – perhaps for business or it could be time for a vacation. It also indicates, in this spread, that things are moving quickly for you. This entire year represents rapid growth and development.

October: The Magician: You are becoming a master at using your skills and talents to manipulate situations the way you want them. If you can visualize it, you can complete it this year. Lots of masculine energy in this reading makes me believe a male mentor will come into your life, probably showing up as the Emperor in August, and you will really begin to apply what he has been teaching you come October.

November: Four of Cups: The approach of the holiday season leaves you feeling a bit “off.” All these celebrations seem empty and devoid of meaning, and you don’t have any desire to be lifted out of your doldrums. This isn’t how you usually act – you may be missing someone who was close to you. Perhaps the strong male influence has stepped out of your life for reasons you don’t quite understand. The tarot’s advice? Step back to the roots of it all, why you do what you do. Devote time to a favorite charity and then step back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. You may have simply lost direction in your life… step back and consider what it is you really desire.

December: Knight of Cups: Things turn around with the Knight of Cups – Knights literally represent change, and Cups show an emotional change, a complete turn-around from November’s mood. You’ve re-connected with your dreams and goals and begin pursuing them again without hesitation or doubts.

January 2010: Nine of Cups: The New Year brings the fulfillment of the dreams you began to pursue with the Knight of Cups in December. The Knight may also represent a new love, and January’s Nine of Cups signifies the development of that relationship.

February 2010: Ace of Wands: As the Nine of Cups indicated the fulfillment of your dreams, you enter the next phase of your development with the Ace of Wands in February. Combined with the High Priestess in March, I wonder if a marriage, pregnancy or birth could be in the cards. You are bursting with ideas and the discipline and energy to execute them! It’s an exciting time of year for you.

March 2010: High Priestess: The High Priestess, shows that your feminine intuition serves you well in making upcoming decisions, in both business and your personal life. Don’t be afraid to open your heart and reach out, particularly in the realm of personal relationships – it is time! Do your research, though, and the answers will come easy.

April 2010: The Lovers: You’ll face a crucial decision this month, perhaps in regard to a new love. You will make the right choice.

Melissa, a regular listener to the RadioXShow, where Miss Michele and Serenity Bly appear to offer free readings on the fourth Wednesday of every month, wrote in requesting an L-for-Love Spread.

Overview: We have an L-for-Love spread with only one cup in the reading, which indicates that you are approaching romance with an analytical mind. Two Major Arcanas in this reading, however, tell Miss Michele that your current relationship might be “the big one.” There is significance here beyond just a fling!

Your past experience in love: Five of Swords: When we look at your past experience, revealed by the Five of Swords, it makes sense why you’re approaching romance in such a philosophical manner. You have been tricked in the past—hurt—when things were not what you expected and your lover turned out to be much more selfish and cunning than you imagined. Now, you are always counting the cards in the game of love, afraid to trust.

Your current experience in love: Seven of Cups: You are currently in the beginning stages of a very happy romance, one that seems almost too good to be true. Or, you may be involved in a romantic fantasy, perhaps with an Internet acquaintance, with dreams of something more. Either way, right now you are floating on clouds, heady with the possibilities in your future. However, because of your past experience, you are waiting for it all to come crashing down. Remember the Law of Attraction; you attract what you fear. In the sentence, “I don’t want him to leave me,” the Universe hears only the word “leave.”

What you want from a love relationship: Two of Swords: At first, this card seemed an odd draw for this position. Why would someone want to close their eyes, to not see things as they are? But the Two of Swords has dual meanings and both apply. You want to continue living in your fantasy land of the Seven of Cups… you want everything to remain perfect, even if it means keeping your eyes closed to your lover’s flaws. (While at the same time, you worry that he will be like your past lover and deceive you.) On the other end of the spectrum, what you seek in this relationship is balance, plain and simple. Someone who compliments your best traits and adds to your life without allowing you to lose yourself in the relationship.

What you need from a love relationship: The High Priestess: The High Priestess represents, once again, the number two, a need for balance. You need someone who will match you intellectually. Since the High Priestess represents a platonic relationship, friendship, trust and a strong partnership are much more important to you right now than carnal pleasures.

What you have to give your lover: Death: This is another card that seems unusual at first glance, but as we put the pieces of the puzzle together, it makes sense. You have it in yourself to give your lover a new beginning in life; the Death card, more so than a sad goodbye, welcomes a new beginning—a position, frame of mind, or life event. For this relationship to work, you must let go of your past, your fears, your relationship baggage. You have this potential. What you have to give your lover, quite literally, is a “new you!”

Possible future experience in love: Page of Wands: The outlook is good as Wands reveal action and pages are messengers, so we see a future relationship with a man who will make you feel “young at heart.” As indicated by the Seven of Cups you have jumped into the relationship head-on and it just feels right. Enjoy this time. The tarot does not want to reveal anything further than the start of your relationship, which could mean that you will have the feeling of “young love” for a long time before it transforms into a more mature relationship.

Remember, Melissa, let go of the past to manifest this great future!