Future Tarot     -     Tarot Chat: Wednesday 9.30pm EST

(From the March 10 Future-Tarot chat.)

[Miss Shin] My question is: I am just wondering whether I am at the right place in my life with my recently made decisions (in terms of relationships and friendships) and whether I am going in the right direction in my life

[Serenity Bly] Great question.

[Miss Shin] Thanks

[Serenity Bly] *ponders* Interesting cards.

[Miss Shin] Hmmm.

[Serenity Bly] Two of them have very distinct meanings that differ on the situation, so I’m just taking an extra moment to tune in on the right one.

[Miss Shin] Hmm. Ok.

[Serenity Bly] I’m pretty sure The Devil in this case is a sense of having felt manipulated and controlled in the past. *big hugs* What I feel here is a sense of abuse, perhaps a boyfriend/husband or father figure. For a long time, that influence had you dancing to his tune and feeling dominated by his arrogance and the choices he made for your life.

[Miss Shin] Wow. That’s true. My boyfriend is really particular about my past.

[Serenity Bly] You weren’t in charge of your own destiny. You were managed by this influence and it was his wishes you obeyed and his opinions that mattered. Your life was his to commend. The energy is very domineering and uncomfortable, like you had to shrink the light inside you to avoid the pain he could bring upon it with the hurt and harm he caused.

[Miss Shin] I guess it was more of an emotional abuse of judgments.

[Serenity Bly] The Ace of Swords in the present shows that you’re just starting to learn to talk about that, to bring it out into the open. Perhaps it’s upsetting your friends or family to know, as if they’d seen your light and had no idea that this was going on in that relationship. They’re surprised, but it’s very good that you’re giving voice to what was going on then. And doing so is shaping a beautiful future. I get the impression there is already a new partner in your life, or on the horizon of your life.

[Miss Shin] Yes! Wow! You’re awesome.

[Serenity Bly] The Ace of Swords is helping you in this new relationship because your new partner senses the timidity that’s below the surface. You hold back when he wants you to give; you’re still protecting yourself.

[Miss Shin] Hmmmm. But in terms of coming to terms with the past, I guess my new partner is not doing too well with that.

[Serenity Bly] And the cards here say, “You don’t need to.” This Ten of Cups is a beautiful union. He’s a wonderful, loving, giving man. Using the Ace of Swords as you are, you can open yourself up with him. Let go of the past influences of your former relationship.

[Miss Shin] Okay. That sounds good.

[Serenity Bly] Be free with your new partner. He loves you, but he NEEDS you to be present with him, to at least be open with how you’re feeling in the moment.

[Miss Shin] Okay. How about friendships?

[Serenity Bly] He’s strong. I think he’ll stick it out, but there is a sense of uncertainty in him that stems from him feeling like he needs kid gloves. He needs to be careful how he handles you. You’re like an injured bird and he’s afraid you’ll disappear if he moves to fast around you or says the wrong thing or touches you in the wrong way, so he needs your assurances. The Ace of Swords was talking about your friendships.

[Miss Shin] I guess his uncertainty is how I move on from here and whether I am able to fit into his mold of social norms. I have decided to remove acquaintances in my life.

[Serenity Bly] About your friends being shocked by your revelations. If they can’t get over it, it’s ok to let them go. He’s NOT judging you Miss Shin. You don’t have to fit into his mold. He just wants you to be the real you with him.

[Miss Shin] Okay, thanks, Serenity.

[Serenity Bly] My pleasure, and good luck.

[Miss Shin] It’s just some of his statements interpreted as he was judging my past.

[Serenity Bly] I suspect it’s you judging your past and it feels like him because your past experience was a judgmental man. Don’t let the ex-boyfriend shadow this new man for you. They’re nothing alike.

[Miss Shin] Okay. Thanks.

Cindy asks, “I just recently started a relationship with a new man. What is the significance of this relationship? I’m looking for whatever guidance or insight they want to share. Thanks so much for your help!”

1. Your Present Self – Eight of Cups

You’ve had your share of heartbreaks and love gone wrong. You’ve learned to walk away from pain and sorrow. You’ve developed relationships that grew, for a time, and ended. I get the impression you’re not long out of a deeply emotional relationship and you are still carrying the wounds of that relationship within your heart.

2. The Crossing Card – The Lovers (reversed)

The way your heart it still tied to your past love is also reflected in The Lovers (reversed) as a crossing card. Often, The Lovers represent choice and in this case I feel like you’re doubting your past choices. A part of you reserves your heart because you’re yearning for an old love and feel like your choices are no longer yours to make.

3. The Crowning Card – Three of Cups

The Three of Cups shows clearly this new union. It’s a fond partnership that has the potential to be loving and giving. This new person in your life cares for you but also senses your reserve. He’ll champion for you, and your friends support your union, but you’re still not totally committed within yourself.

4. Aspects You Cannot See – Seven of Swords

Unfortunately, this could mean that your current love interest is shoring up his own defenses and preparing to walk away. He can sense your hesitation and is contemplating his own choices.

5. Influences That Are Ending – Page of Cups

In the past you’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on your own situation. You might have come across to others as being a little self-centered and insensitive but you’ve needed to discover your personal worth and that is one of the things the Page of Wands does best.

6. Influences That Are Beginning – Ten of Wands (reversed)

After spending time in introspection you’re beginning to feel caged and dominated. A part of me feels like your current love interest may be a domineering force but I also get the impression that much of your caged sensation comes from within your own thoughts. You’ve been very hard on yourself and unless you consciously take action to let go of dis-empowering thoughts you’ll continue to create obstacles to your own happiness.

7. Attitudes You Need To Change – Knight of Wands (reversed)

One of the obstacles that come from within is a strange sense of reserve. I’m literally getting a “jolting” sensation, stop, start, stop, start, stop. Like every time you let yourself go and live a little you catch yourself and slam on the breaks. The Knight of Wands needs to be free to chase, free to dream, free to charge forward with his inspiration and ideas. You need to embrace your inner knight and charge forward. Put aside fear or decorum and give into your passions and natural spontaneity.

8. How Others See You – Queen of Wands

You ARE a woman who is in command of her destiny. At least others see this in you. To the outside world you’ve already mastered your desires and you get what you want. You rule the animal kingdom with a core of strength and certainty. If others see this in you then it IS in you. Do you need to believe it of yourself?

9. Your Hopes and Fears – Two of Cups (reversed)

The fears that show up readily in the Two of Cups (reversed) are clearly the cause of past pain and anguish. You’ve felt abandoned and unloved in the past and you’re afraid of rejection and heartbreak. You don’t want to be alone and while you desperately hope to find a lover who can be “the one” you’re thoughts often linger on all the reasons you feel loving others is dangerous.

10. Potential Outcome – Ace of Swords (reversed)

Ultimately, going back to your original question, “What is the significance of this relationship?” the final card in this Celtic Cross Spread tells me that the answer is, “Learning to communicate.” For a very long time you’ve kept your own counsel. You’ve held your tongue instead of sharing your doubts, concerns, and pain. You’ve shown the strength of the Queen of Wands in yourself but hide your weaknesses. Doing this creates a sense of detachment and distance. Your new love interest has one foot on the threshold of your relationship, he’s not sure if he wants to leap in or leap out because he’s not getting clear signals from you.

The Ace of Swords in the final position shows a growing ability to communicate with the people in your life, to let them into your inner sanctum. Learn to let down your guard and open up to the people in your life so that you can embrace the true joy that comes with love. Heartbreak is real, yes, loving can hurt, but if you turn your back on the risk of future pain you’ll miss opportunities in the present to be very happy. Express your fears, talk about what you truly want, what your hopes and dreams for the future are, to this new love. Talking openly will strengthen the bonds of this relationship, but more importantly it will give you the tools you need to deal with all the people in your life that you care about.

Last Wednesday, Miss Michele and Serenity Bly read for Stacey in the Echo of One chat room. Join us Wednesday morning, 10 AM EST for more free readings and Tarot chat.

Stacey wants to know, now that she’s home, what aspects of her career should she focus on?

[Miss Michele] Wow, Stacey… okay I’m using my Rider-Waite Deck.

Serenity Bly is looking forward to the cards.

[Miss Michele] The Hermit in the past shows that you have been in a sort of self-imposed mental exile, learning, planning and plotting.

You achieved some great insights about your self, discovered you want to do something “different” but aren’t quite sure what.

The second card, in the near future, shows you’re very ready to take the leap… it is The Fool. You are very much in the *start* of your journey. Whatever you do, it will be a great departure from what you’ve done in the past.

[Serenity Bly] The Fool is always all about taking risks, Stacey. Don’t be afraid to do a little leaping before you look.

[Miss Michele] It seems that, just as you aren’t sure WHAT you want to do, neither are the cards.

[Serenity Bly] The cards, for those just joining us, are The Hermit in the Past, The Fool in the Present, and Future, MM?

[Miss Michele] The Hermit (past), The Fool (near future), and the Seven of Swords (final outcome). But I’m thinking of drawing a clarification card since that seven isn’t really giving Stacey a definitive answer.

[Stacey] So far you’re right on target

[Miss Michele] The advice from the Tarot would be, be careful of self-deception.

[stacey] LOL– Greeeeeeeeeeeat.

[Miss Michele] Make sure you are going in a direction that is what YOU want… not what is expected of you and if you decide to partner with anyone–be wary.

[Serenity Bly] This moment, and the ones surrounding it have major significance in your life. The Hermit and The Fool being Major Arcana are cards that show your path being mapped. They’re life-changing concepts and the only way to truly accept the direction your life is taking now is to embrace what comes to you. Follow your heart. The Seven Swords of the future insists you also take action. Work at it, set your feet to the ground and start running.

[Miss Michele] Might be a good time to do a personality profile type thing, or simply journal — write down as many things you can think of that you love. That will reveal hints.

[Miss Michele] Yes, Serenity, thank you– I meant to get to that. When I saw the first two majors I was like holy sh–… she’s going through some life-changing stuff.

[Miss Michele] The clarification card is the Two of Cups. Do what you LOVE. Figure out what that is, regardless of how illogical it may seem, and jump in with both feet. Two of Cups is ALL about following your heart–Serenity was typing that before I even revealed the card. She knows.

[Stacey] LOL, very interesting.

[Miss Michele] Remember, with the Two and the Fool and the Hermit–it’s the beginning stages. Don’t expect immediate results, although the Seven of Swords does point toward some measure of success right away. But don’t listen to naysayers.

[Serenity Bly] I want to just also mention that since no Pentacles or money cards came up whatever path you choose probably won’t be the one that appears to be more financially rewarding than other opportunities. Part of the risk taking you need to do as The Fool is to accept what might be less financially rewarding because it will be more emotionally and mentally rewarding.

[Stacey] I was JUST working on opening up a new Tarot business while still writing. I have a talent for doing what I love instead of doing what is $$ rewarding. I love the cards you’ve drawn, they’re right on the money. Thank you!

Tom’s job position was made “redundant” in January and, since then, he’s been depressed and struggling. What do Tom’s career prospects look like in the near future?

Your Past Experience in your Career: The Knight of Swords supports our mundane knowledge that Tom was laid off. Swords indicate unexpected change and rapid action. We can tell that he had no idea it was coming. In fact, by the look of this Knight – which represents Tom’s boss — as he charges forward on his horse, it was a spur-of-the-moment decision and possibly not in anybody’s best interests.

Your Current Job Experience: The Major Arcana, Judgment in this slot tells us that Tom has been looking for work. His professional life, lately, involves a lot of assessment by others. They are gauging his resume, comparing him to other candidates. Tom feels this on a very subconscious level, too, and doesn’t particularly care for others examining his work under a microscope.

What You Want From a Job: A court card – the Queen of Rods – in this slot actually reveals characteristics of Tom’s ideal boss. He would do better under a woman, who would nurture his talents and abilities. Since this Queen often finds herself doing charitable work, something in the non-profit sector may suit Tom well – a situation where he knows what he is doing is for the greater good; a paycheck is secondary.

What You NEED From a Job: Three of Pentacles. Right now, in Tom’s depressed frame of mind, he shouldn’t try to stretch himself beyond his capabilities. Now is not the time to become the high-rolling corporate workaholic. Look for “wood-cutting” jobs that will put food on the table while you learn and grow and decide what you really want. It’s impossible, of course, to think clearly when money is a concern. Take whatever you can find for that steady pay and benefits, and invest whatever you have left in courses or professional training to help you find your passion.

What you have to offer – Your Greatest Strengths: Eight of Cups / Two of Cups. Tom’s strengths include keen intuition, but a lack of faith in himself is holding him back. Miss Michele drew a clarification card to help assess the meaning of this odd Cup card in this position and drew the Two of Cups. This only reinforces that Tom’s ideal job involves helping people and finding emotional fulfillment over a hefty paycheck. His ability to relate to people means he’ll do well in any job working with the public, whether it’s service industry or psychology.

Your Career Future – Your Action Plan: The Page of Swords and Eight of Cups both stand as cards indicating deception. Miss Michele wonders if Tom was actually a spy, as unlikely as this scenario might be. More likely, Tom needs to watch out for those in his career who are trying to pull one over on him. This may have been what happened in his last jobs – things were not as he expected them to be. Moreover, he’s encountering more than his fair share of people who are less than honest in his job search.

Again, however, people skills figure prominently in the Page of Swords, who is a skilled diplomat. Perhaps a career in customer service for Tom? Pages are messengers and swords indicate change so, whatever field it may be in, a job offer will come soon.

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.