Future Tarot     -     Tarot Chat: Wednesday 9.30pm EST

[Justine] I want to ask about my ex-bf. Just around December last year, we were trying to be friends again, but I cut him off when I learned that he is dating someone new. And just around last month he emailed one of my close friends and was asking about me. I guess I’m just curious how his doing and his new relationship.

[Serenity Bly] Ok, Justine, in the past the Three of Wands (reversed) makes me feel like your relationship with your ex never really got a good start. Things always seemed to come up that would kill the mood and it never felt “right” to be with him.

[Justine] True.

[Serenity Bly] I get a very “young” feeling, from you both as people and from the manner in which you both approach your friendships/relationships. It’s as if you’re both quite new to this and don’t know how to act with each other. The Two of Pentacles in the present shows that he wants to work on that with you. There are no cups here so I don’t think he’s looking for a romantic relationship with you, he wants a friend.

[Justine] Ok.

[Serenity Bly] And he’s willing to work at being your friend. He’s ready to take a more mature stance and approach your friendship with a more adult eye. Know that even friendship is hard work because of your past together. The Two of Swords in the future indicts a very strong potential for conflict. Because he isn’t looking for a romantic relationship with you, chances are he IS still going to be dating others. And your personal feelings might be in conflict with that. If you’re attached to the outcome of this relationship and you WANT to be romantically involved with him you may have trouble seeing him with other women. Especially if you allow yourself to become his shoulder to cry on when things aren’t going well with him which is what I really feels this card is about.

[Justine] Does it say anything about him being happy with the relationship that he has now with this other person?

[Serenity Bly] It’s possible he’s looking for you now because things are rocky with his current relationship and he “needs” a friend who understands and will listen and take his side.

[Justine] I seem to be that friend that he turns to starting from his divorce and a break up

[Serenity Bly] There is no sense here of the future outcome of his current relationship. But I get a very strong impression that he takes advantage of you. That’s not healthy.

[Justine] Then we dated and didn’t work out but it’s weird how he keeps coming back when I keep cutting him off because I can’t be a friend anymore.

[Serenity Bly] “Port in a storm.” To me the message that comes with those words is a very real sense of how young and immature he is. When things aren’t working the way he wants he’ll pull into any port in the storm. You deserve better than that, Justine.

[Justine] Yes, thank you, that’s why I searched for answer in different way rather than letting him in so he can pour out his problems.

[Serenity Bly] As a friend, you can be a friend, be his shoulder to cry on, but if you want more than friendship with him his interest in other women will tear down your self esteem.

[MoonlitKim] If he only comes around when things aren’t working out, it will bring you down with him. That’s not a healthy relationship, even as friends.

[Justine] He always says he is looking for a lasting love and I always felt bad for him when things aren’t working out for him.

[Serenity Bly] From what I see in the cards, Justine, he IS looking for love, but not with you. And he’s too young for any of his relationships to be “lasting” at this point.

[Justine] Do you think the cards that you drew for me says if he will be pushing his way back in my life as a friend in need or let me be?

[Serenity Bly] HE will push for friendship. You have to decide if you want to be only a friend. You get to choose if his wants influence yours. You might find it better for you to turn down his friendship and give up the idea of being with him.

[Justine] Ok. The question just popped in my head while reading through. Thank you.

[Serenity Bly] Ah ha! It’s officially 9.30pm who wants a reading?
[Deb] I do. I’m looking at what to do job-wise.
[Miss Michele] Deb, I’ve drawn your cards. Three minors. They are saying the choice is entirely yours. In the past is the Two of Rods, and I’m feeling like I should read this as it came out – reversed. As if, rather than the start of a venture, something is ending… or rather, has ended.
[Deb] Okay
[Miss Michele] You’ve got so many choices in front of you, it’s impossible to pick just one.
[Deb] I’m sort of in job limbo, at the moment.
[Miss Michele] But you know you were unhappy — or rather, “bored” — where you were.
[Deb] well, yeah, and it was gonna end anyway
[Serenity Bly] *ponders* I feel that Two of Rods (Wands) also echoing a lack of confidence or courage to make a choice over what to begin next. There is so much potential for success in many of your options that it is difficult to choose.
[Deb] *nods* Yeah. Right now I have been concentrating on other things, just sort of coasting as this plays out and trying to prepare for whatever is next.
[Serenity Bly] Obviously that then creates a lack of focus because you’re juggling the choices. *waits for more cards*
[Miss Michele] Well, I hate to say things will get worse before they get better.
[Deb] In my deck, that card is the Trapper, part of doing that successfully is learning to bide one’s time
[Miss Michele] Er, Five of Pentacles is the near future, then we have Three of Rods in the outcome. I’m reading the Two of Rods almost as a milder version of the Hanged Man, if that makes sense. Especially since it came out upside down… the cards even resemble each other in my deck. Unlike it being the Hanged Man, though, you weren’t lacking energy. You were in planning stages–which I know for a fact with your going through Secret Abundance Files.
[Serenity Bly] *chuckles* I was just thinking that, it’s a Hanged Man of choice, you’re ‘biding your time’ as you said but are not inactive or unable to proceed like a Hanged Man would be.
[Miss Michele] The Five of Pentacles shows you’re going to bring about something upon yourself that will be a blessing in disguise. It’s really going to look like it sucks. But it’s just to shake you out of that “What should I do?” It’s going to force you out of the waiting stages.
[Serenity Bly] And it’s going to look like a lot of hard work and effort, possibly without much recognition and probably something that will benefit others before it begins to benefit you.
[Miss Michele] Which parlays into the third card. sure…
[Serenity Bly] The opportunity coming up will challenge you which might seem daunting at first but by pushing your boundaries you have an opportunity to grow and develop your skills. I also feel like you’ll be working with others and perhaps this is unusual for you, needing to deal with more back and fourth teamwork than you might normally expect.
[Deb] Okay – in my deck Five of Pentacles is cultivation and Three of Wands is joint effort, which makes sense. Right now I’m working on getting my body to represent who I am
[Miss Michele] Yes… About Three of Wands, it definitely indicates a business partnership, joint venture. I think of it as the ultimate entrepreneurial card.
[Deb] Oddly, I’m cultivating teamwork at work right now, and the ladies I am working with seem appreciative.
[Miss Michele] You’re not going to go into “a job.” You’re going to come up with another career.
[Deb] Pretty sure of that myself, MM
[Miss Michele] Remember, though, Three of Wands is still very early in the game (3). You’re still in the planning stages, looking ahead at all the possibilities off the shore. (not offshore… LOL) What you’re doing at your “job” now will pave the way toward your career. You’re cultivating and planning. But remember, decks don’t always translate directly from one to another.
[Miss Michele] My Hanson-Roberts Five of Pentacles is not yours.
[Deb] True, and we read differently to begin with.
[Miss Michele] Yes… And I do see the cultivation, but expect tough going… being prepared for it will make it easier. (Kind of like cultivating bad soil to yield a better crop.)

The 2009/2010 year will be a busy one for Dawn. Ultimately, there is balance within her focus but, as is so often the case, balance is rarely found in a single moment. Balance tends to be seen in hindsight or from a distance. The coming months will be a mixture of excitement and hard work with the new year offering an emotional start to 2010 and an opportunity to grow and learn. Lets look more closely at what the year ahead has in store for Dawn.

June: The Fool

June heralds a new beginning, a brand new venture, or a new youth and energy to your existing projects. I feel like you’ve opened your eyes to a new way of living and rediscovered the joy that can be found in each simple breath. The Fool is young and exuberant. He rushes blindly, taking risks, and is just beginning his journey. Like the Fool, Dawn has had the opportunity to begin again and to approach life with a fresh, untarnished perspective.

July: Judgment

With inside knowledge I have a strong impression that this card foretells the successful financial and legal settlement of Dawn’s new home. Judgment often implies dealing with paperwork and the finer details involved in closing a deal. In some ways it is an end to one process but as one ends a new adventure begins.

August: Five of Swords

After two highly charged months, August brings forced reflection, pause, and confusion with the Five of Swords. You’ll be facing daunting choices and may find that you’re not in a position to know which option is the best. Adjusting to the recent changes in your life is going to be a greater challenge then you expected and you may feel like you’ve lost power and momentum as you’re forced to reestablish balance and security.

September: Knight of Pentacles

The Knight of Pentacles in September shows that you’ll soon find your feet, rebuilding your home and family around you. The knight begins establishing a more permanent place in the world and brings his skills to the fore creating an environment that suits his needs and those of his loved ones.

October: King of Pentacles

You’ve done everything right and will reap the rewards of your earlier planning and careful consideration. The King of Pentacles is blessed with all he desires in the material world and in October you’ll be in a position to truly appreciate your situation in life. October may introduce a positive influence who will be a role model or guide you want to emulate for continued success.

November: Three of Wands

In November you’ll again begin looking ahead at all there is still to do. The Three of Wands reminds you that you’ve completed one stage of the grander project but it is not time to rest upon your laurels. More work is ahead of you but you have the knowledge and the inspiration to flourish.

December: King of Swords

When I first picked up this card he came out on his head but I got the sense that this King of Swords is a masculine influence that will come into your life. Coming in December he could be Santa Claus, or perhaps, he simply brings the gift of new knowledge and an opportunity to learn. He may even be offering you the chance to teach what you already know but more likely is a teacher himself who brings you new understanding.

January: Five of Wands and Ten of Wands

The mix of these two wands is interesting. January brings with it a challenge that will spark your passions and bring out your fighting spirit. There is no way you’ll let this latest hurdle frighten you. The Five of Wands shows you making strategic battle plans but the Ten of Wands leaves you feeling deflated. After the excitement and adrenaline of conquest the prize is less than you expected.

February: Eight of Pentacles

And so, you take your Eight of Pentacles back to the work station, returning to what you know best. You’ve done well in the past and have solid skills that give you success in business. February may feel repetitive but the solidity of steady work you are familiar with is exactly what you need after the chaos January presented.

March: Five of Cups

For ten months you’ve been focused primarily on home and business. You’ve been clear-headed and professional, facing down any challenge with determination and reveling in your success with dignity and calm. The Five of Cups in March shows emotional upset that could be related to the tragic loss of a cherished relationship. This separation leaves you grieving for what you once had and the turmoil of emotion will linger through the months ahead.

April: Knight of Swords

The supportive encouragement of a friend, The Knight of Swords, gives you strength to charge onward through the melancholy of March and into April. This friend may make life a little unruly but the chaos and disruption keep your mind busy. Ultimately, this friend’s purpose is to shake you out of a rut and bring change and action back into your life.

May: Seven of Cups

May finds you quietly seeking guidance and advice. You’ll find yourself reflecting on past choices and reevaluating the direction you’ve taken with an eye to future happiness. The Seven of Cups asks you to listen carefully and head the warnings and direction you’ll be given at this time.

June/Outcome: Queen of Wands

I felt a need to draw another card making this 12-Month Spread actually 13 months. This final card brings us full circle which allows me to draw on the strongly positive and empowered influences of this Queen of Wands who has come through stronger, inspired, and empowered from the last few challenging months. She is you, Dawn, embodied in confidence and in command of her environment. Her message is clear, you’re a beautiful and intelligent woman who has the inner strength to face any of life’s challenges. Take time to reflect on how far you’ve come and all you are today whenever you feel daunted by the future.

With travel agents and exotic ideas filling her mind, Stephanie wanted to know what she might expect during her two week cruise through exotic waters and how spending those two weeks ship bound with her oldest daughter might affect their relationship. We drew a Celtic Cross Spread to find out what was in store for Stephanie.

The Three of Cups, the heart of the matter, shows your upcoming holiday with your daughter as a period of growth, an opportunity for you to explore your relationship together and, also, quite literally, just a time of celebration and fun. There’s nothing to worry about in that regard. You will have a good time.

Forces crossing you, in this case, forces working in your favor, shows up in the Nine of Pentacles… The purity of the mother/daughter relationship will be very strong, where your daughter will look to you as her female role model and mentor, and you will have the opportunity to give her what she needs. To plant the seeds that will help her solve her life’s problems and grow as a woman.

The past influences are showing in the third card, the Five of Rods. In the past, you’ve had battles of wills with your daughter. You never fully trusted each other, and there were patterns of trying to “one up” each other. This is your fear this time around, but it should not manifest as long as you keep your awareness of your role as the Nine of Pentacles mother-figure in your mind.

Influences passing out of existence are shown in the King of Rods. This trip, being “just the girls” will actually allow you personal growth, away from your husband. You will re-establish your own sense of independence and your daughter will be happy to see you not only acting on your own, but leading the way. You have the opportunity to temper this leadership with your feminine caring and softness and bring it back to your everyday life. This trip has the potential to change many areas of your life if you grasp the opportunity, which leads us to the fifth card in this spread.

The King of Cups “crowns” you, showing your goals, options and the possibilities that lie ahead. Maintain that sense of responsibility, tempering it with your feminine guidance and abilities as a good listener to maintain the energy of the trip and the strong relationship with your daughter that manifested on this trip.

The Three of Rods sits before you, showing, quite literally, the trip you’re taking, but, much more than that, the possibilities in front of you—both to explore your own independence and to strengthen your relationship with your daughter. Expect deep, potentially life-changing conversations along with fun memories on this trip, incidents you will laugh about for years into the future. Miss Michele loves this card, as it shows a man standing on the seashore, looking out onto the horizon, in awe of the possibilities in front of him, packed, and eager to embark on his journey, both practical and spiritual. This is also a card of detail, so be keenly aware of things like remembering your passport, tickets, following signs so you won’t get lost, confirming reservations, etc. There’s no bad cards in this spread that show hassles on this journey, but the Three of Rods is a well-prepared traveler.

The seventh card, The Chariot, is used to describe yourself and your state of mind. You’ve been looking forward to this journey for a long time. It’s been a major focus of your life and you want to make the most of it.

In the eighth position, the Eight of Rods, shows your environment and those around you. Things are moving rapidly, change is happening. Expect an element of adventure on the trip… be aware not to overextend yourself. Balance fun and activity with relaxation and self-exploration.

In the Ninth Position, the Seven of Cups shows your dreams, hopes and expectations about this relationship. The Seven of Cups is, literally, the daydream card… *nothing* is impossible on this trip! Dream of doing something wild and crazy? Go for it. Sit on the beach all day sipping margaritas? Do that. The world is your playground and nothing is out of reach. This card works with the Eight of Rods to show you will stretch your personal boundaries and try things you’ve always imagined but never had the gumption to do. Your daughter will experience this growth right along with you!

The Four of Swords in the tenth position shows what will come with this trip, and it holds a warning… for starters, you may return tired, possibly ill (nothing serious). Here is where the Three of Rods’ warning comes into play, as well. Don’t neglect the details of taking care of yourself, rest when you need it, balance fun with relaxation to emerge refreshed.

In reference to your relationship with your daughter… there will be a struggle to maintain all you’ve learned together on your trip when the stress and busy-ness of everyday life returns for both of you. Sit back, relax, and bring yourself back mentally to the mind-frame of the trip… remember that whenever things get challenging and you and your daughter fall back into your old behavioral patterns. This trip has the potential to change your lives, but you have to be open to that possibility and allow it to.

Keeping strong reminders of the trip—photographs, a scrapbook, special, wacky souvenirs—will help you maintain perspective.

Future-Tarot reader Hannah wants to know: “How is my current relationship going to turn out?”

Overview: Miss Michele is happy to report good news for Hannah. The reading reveals a new relationship that is going to turn into a significant endeavor. Hannah and her partner complement each other in a variety of ways. Things move rapidly, as evidenced by the two Wands in this reading, while three Major Arcana show great significance in the relationship. In fact, the possible final outcome, the Three of Rods, may well indicate a marriage or other significant commitment.

I am also sensing, from the last two cards in this spread, that there is debate about a possible move.  Hannah might be ready for the change that a new setting will provide; even if it doesn’t quite add up to the best decision on paper, it may be worth it to go for it – and the outcome if she moves should be better than a long-distance relationship or a break-up.

Past experience in love: The Magician: Hannah actually had pretty good luck with love in the past. The Magician shows that she was able to use all her talents to create the experience she wanted. These relationships didn’t work out simply because they weren’t “meant to be” but AH is taking what she learned from them to make future relationships stronger.

Current experience in love: The Sun: This Major Arcana shows the start of a very good, albeit young, love. However, this is not a relationship of blind lust; it is well thought-out, with an emphasis on analysis. This is supported by the Magician in this spread. Hannah, you are a smart woman and are applying what you know to this relationship.

What you want from a love relationship: Six of Wands: Be aware, however, of overthinking the relationship or over-analyzing it. Let go and enjoy! You want someone strong and capable of fighting by your side in any battle. Together, you are an unbeatable force. The Six of Wands, the Victory card, shows just how much you want this relationship to succeed; and it seems to be doing just that. It feels as if things couldn’t get better. I get the sense, however, simply by your asking this question, that you are waiting for the other shoe to drop. And, true, the Six of Wands can indicate “success for now” but all the other cards support the assertion that this relationship is meant to last.

What is hidden, what you want but don’t realize it: The Fool: You need someone to counter your maturity and your analytical mind. Sometimes, you are too thoughtful for your own good, and you seek a bit of spontaneity. Is your current partner the type to whisk you away for a weekend jaunt with just the clothes on your back and a change of (racy) underwear? That’s what you need. While it’s an oxymoron to try to “plan” spontaneity, you can work at it. Talking it out is never a problem for you, so tell him exactly what you’d like him to do; send him the link to that base-jumping vacation or, if that’s a bit too extreme for you, suggest a weekend in the country: no shirt, no shoes, no cell phone.

What you have to give your lover: Knight of Swords: Miss Michele is not at all surprised to see a Sword representing your strength in love, or what you have to offer a lover. After all, Swords are the cards of sharp intellect and you have that—if you’ll pardon the pun—in spades! However, the Knight of Swords is the court card who is always ready for a fight. You will challenge your lover to be a better man for you. Don’t be ready to call it quits on him if he doesn’t comply right away, however. There is a future here. Hang in there.

Possible future experience in love: Three of Wands: The Three of Rods indicates a possible journey—figurative or literal. It also often signifies a marriage proposal, and this change in “status” is supported by the Knight of Swords. Stay focused, communicate and don’t be afraid to move forward in this relationship.

Don’t forget to join us at 10am EST over at The Echo of One. We’re doing free three-card readings and talking Tarot. Everyone is welcome!