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The Tarot

The fool  My children are really good at doing Tarot readings.  My son Ahren is a master at it, and has been teaching his sister Sara.  While up at our quilting retreat this last weekend, Sara brought along her Tarot card deck and her reference book and offered to do readings for all the gals who were attending.  This activity was the hit of the weekend, and nearly everyone entered into the fun and sprit of it.  Several people said their readings made the hair stand up on the back of their necks, it was so accurate. 

Tarot isn't so much fortune telling as it is a tool for divination.  A reading involves a "seeker" who is asking a question and a "reader" who interprets the cards.  Each position in the card draw has significance, as does each individual card.  Typically, the Tarot cards would be consulted if the seeker has a challenge or problem they are trying to resolve. The seeker is instructed to keep a general question in mind–personal, work, relationship or other situation.   Yes or no answers are not what you are going to get out of a Tarot reading.  The seeker shuffles the cards and then picks out four of them, representing the Past, Present, Future and Overview.  One woman at the retreat had questions regarding the repurcussions of moving to Europe.  Another woman had concerns about undertaking back surgery.  I had some questions about my current job situation.  Nobody left feeling that they had to follow the indications the cards suggested, but it sure was interesting food for thought.

I was pretty shocked at the cards that I selected.  Seriously, I thought at first glance that I should just shuffle them right back up into the deck and go eat a fudge brownie and forget about the Tarot reading.  To tell you the truth, things haven't been going so great at my new job, and I have been greatly troubled about what course of action to take.  My question was pretty much along the lines of "what the heck is going on here?"  These are the cards I drew.

IMG_2048 

The first card, the ten of Wands,  represents The Past.  Here is this poor schmuck, struggling to control all these poles and sticks that are refusing to stay organized and are falling every which way.  The poor guy can't even see where he is going for the burden he is trying to shoulder.  The second card, which represents the Present is the Death Card.  Good Golly Miss Molly, you don't want to get this dude in your reading.  It isn't as bad as it looks though.  Yes, there is the Grim Reaper, but there in the foreground is a baby, which represents rebirth.  One door closes, another one opens, don't you know?  Something ends, and something else begins.  I'm not going to die, but something is about to come to a close, that's for sure.  Then the third card I selected, representing the Future, if I don't watch out,  is the greedy four of Pentacles.  He is hanging on to everything he has with all his might.  He is materialistic and not accepting of change.  Make your own interpretaion of this card–I know I did. Collect that paycheck at a job you hate, at least the bills will get paid and your standard of living won't change.  He represents the future, if I don't mend my ways.  The final card is the Overview, "what can be" if I pay attention and think things through properly.  She is the nine of Pentacles, an elegant lady who represents all that is high minded and civilized.  It is a card of self reliance and a card that symbolizes showing restraint and sacrificing for the moment so that you may achieve your best efforts in the long run.  Take matters into your own hands is what she is saying.

Interesting answer, don't you think, to my question of "what is going on with this job situation I find myself in?"

20 responses to “The Tarot”

  3. Nice job.
    I’ve read the tarot for years and it is always an eye opener. I recall, once, when I read for my mother-in-law about thirty years ago. I used a different layout and it kept saying over and over that she was likely to get some real estate. She was not a believer in such things but got a little rattled – turns out that she and my father-in-law had just bought a new house (without telling anyone). They were planning to surprise everyone for some reason. Because I didn’t know anything about the new house, there was no reason for me to keep coming up with that message.

  4. Nice job.
    I’ve read the tarot for years and it is always an eye opener. I recall, once, when I read for my mother-in-law about thirty years ago. I used a different layout and it kept saying over and over that she was likely to get some real estate. She was not a believer in such things but got a little rattled – turns out that she and my father-in-law had just bought a new house (without telling anyone). They were planning to surprise everyone for some reason. Because I didn’t know anything about the new house, there was no reason for me to keep coming up with that message.

  11. Tarot cards are very interesting and the readings even more so. I’d love to find someone to do a reading for me sometime.
    Good luck with your decision – it’s all in the cards!

  12. Tarot cards are very interesting and the readings even more so. I’d love to find someone to do a reading for me sometime.
    Good luck with your decision – it’s all in the cards!

  15. My aunt used to read the tarot. She used the deck like in the picture and a different layout. It was more like a cross. And you had your card you picked first, the one representing you, which for me was the Chariot. It was very hair on the back of your neck!!! I have often thought of my aunt and her readings and the guidance they offered.Glad you had fun. xo

  16. My aunt used to read the tarot. She used the deck like in the picture and a different layout. It was more like a cross. And you had your card you picked first, the one representing you, which for me was the Chariot. It was very hair on the back of your neck!!! I have often thought of my aunt and her readings and the guidance they offered.Glad you had fun. xo

  19. I’ve been fascinated by the Tarot for ten or fifteen years now. I have a couple of decks and books, and I pull them out occasionally. Frankly, I tend to avoid it because it always so on the money, and often tells me what I already know, but don’t really want to hear. Two jobs have ended badly and the deck indicated that it would happen. I’ve tried single card “thought for the day” readings, three card “past present future” readings, and even full Celtic Cross spreads with a dozen or so cards. Every time I get a surprisingly insightful take on my question. One in particular that I remember was about an art class that I wanted to take. It was an adult class through the local community college, but it was during the workday. I wasn’t sure if I should ask my boss if I could get out early one day a week for two months, so I pulled out the deck. Would you believe, the first card I turned up had a guy with an artist’s palette, painting on a door! I ended up taking the class.

  20. I’ve been fascinated by the Tarot for ten or fifteen years now. I have a couple of decks and books, and I pull them out occasionally. Frankly, I tend to avoid it because it always so on the money, and often tells me what I already know, but don’t really want to hear. Two jobs have ended badly and the deck indicated that it would happen. I’ve tried single card “thought for the day” readings, three card “past present future” readings, and even full Celtic Cross spreads with a dozen or so cards. Every time I get a surprisingly insightful take on my question. One in particular that I remember was about an art class that I wanted to take. It was an adult class through the local community college, but it was during the workday. I wasn’t sure if I should ask my boss if I could get out early one day a week for two months, so I pulled out the deck. Would you believe, the first card I turned up had a guy with an artist’s palette, painting on a door! I ended up taking the class.