9 of Cups crossing. 10 of Swords outcome.

I recently did a Celtic cross reading for a female asking a very popular question, “will my relationship work out with so-and-so?”

spot #2 The Crossing Card.

When I saw the crossing card 9 of Cups,

I was optimistic for her question, however, when I placed the last card in spot #10 revealing the outcome I was quite surprised to see the 10 of swords.

spot #10 The Outcome

The remainder of the cards in the Celtic Cross were very, very positive including card #8 in the spot of OTHERS.  Others in this case would be the male’s influence or thoughts about the female.  Here fell the Ace ofCups which is the offer of a relationship.

spot #8 OTHERS. What the male is thinking about the relationship.

It took me some time to synthesize this reading in lieu of the last card. Honestly, I was not sure why the heck this sword card appeared.  As you know when you read for someone else you can’t very well say, “could you come back after I have some more time to study this layout”.  Well, you could say that but I think the client would lose some confidence in your ability.  I have folded (ended) readings in the past when I wasn’t getting the gist of the reading or found it too difficult to read for the person either because they resisted or the overall connection between me and them wasn’t there.  This happens even if you have thousands of readings under your belt.

For the first time in quite some time I searched my heart to find the words in explaining the final card.  How was I going to advise this female about the relationship.  I knew the male had hopes in the beginning stages of this connection. (Ace of Cups)  This card can also be used to time events such as the possibility of the summer of 2010.

I took a deep breath each time I spoke and I asked for guidance to find the right words. Instead of coming out and saying, “fat chance on this one” I stated that the swords rule the intellectual realm where we find our thoughts and ideas.  I told the female that perhaps the relationship would not work out in the way she thought or hoped and that maybe subconsciously she is thinking it will fail.  The cards in the reading promise this relationship with the male but the last card is telling her to stop expecting the worst because she will attract that to herself.

The outcome card does not necessarily mean the relationship is doomed even though it appears to be saying that.  The 10 swords are strongly indicating that she needs to prepare for some changes and I think most of this changes need to occur in her attitude about the relationship.

I have not interpreted the 10 of swords in this way before but because of the strength of the cards in the remaining Celtic Cross layout I knew I had to study this card from a slightly different perspective.

It was my responsibility to offer hope in this case because if you notice in the card the yellow sky is visible in the horizon. Also, whatever else happens it can only get better.  10=1 Magician, Aces. One’s dark and gloomy attitude can destroy potential positive situations.

Tarot Moon

1910 Public Domain

The image you see is the Moon card from  one of the most popular Tarot decks.

When I see the Moon card in a reading I am reminded of the traditional associations such as illusions, lack of clarity, and the psychic realms.  Over the years I have known this card to represent different aspects of illusion. The card does not always mean a situation or person is deceitful or hiding something like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Sometimes we imagine things about a situation or person.  When this happens it’s called suspicion.  As far as the psychic elements of this card, intuition is not always clear and can be clouded. There is a very fine line between getting a gut feeling about someone and feeling suspicious.  Only the practiced person knows the difference.

We become so busy in our lives that we do not listen to our intuition or often mistake it for other emotions.

When I asked a question about a situation several months ago I received the Moon card as my answer.  This happened several times.  At first I started to think the situation required more scrutiny and that perhaps it was not what I thought.  I thought this way because of the associations of the Moon card.

Then I decided to look at this card in a different way, a change in perspective much like the Hanged Man teaches.  I came to the conclusion that it was me who did not see the situation for what it was instead of the other way around. Basically, I was not looking at the card anymore, I was inside of the card looking out.   This was a great exercise.

I think one of the lessons of the Moon card for me was to address some previous issues which were deep rooted in a similar situation.  A type of habitual pattern.  It all boils down to trust which is the positive element of the Moon card.

No matter how good you think you are as a card interpreter there is always room for another perspective.  My journey with cards and in particular with the Tarot has reached many transformations. I learn new things about the cards all the time and I am not shy about admitting that either.  

XX Judgement + King of Wands

Recently I was asked about a work situation.  It seems more and more people are concerned about the stability of their employment.  This uncertainty prevents many major decisions involving the purchase of homes, vehicles or even the planning of  extensive holidays.

A question was posed to me by a female wanting to know if her job was in jeopardy in any  way over the next few months.  I threw the cards in the traditional Celtic cross on her behalf to see if I could offer any guidance.  The majority of the cards did not indicate any major upheavals.  In fact, the very last card in the #10 spot (outcome/result) was the King of Wands.  Usually when a Court card appears as the last card in this layout it suggests the involvement of that person.  Often Tarot readers take the last card and re-do the Celtic cross to gain more information on how this person (court card) would affect the future in relation to the question.

1910 Rider public domain. Card #10 - outcome

The KING of WANDS is known as the businessman.  I see this card as being very positive and powerful.  I suggested to the female that a male would be instrumental in a short time.  As it turned out, the very next day she was called into a meeting by her supervisor (male).

This is fine and dandy.  But I also see the KING of WANDS as a potential aspect of the female’s personality.  She can adopt the attitude of this King by tapping into the mastery of this suit.  She could become more assertive in pursuing her goals associated with her job.

I was immediately drawn to another card after I meditated on the KING of WANDS for a bit.  I noticed only 1 Major Arcana in the entire layout and it was XX JUDGEMENT.  This major fell in spot #8 (typically the thoughts of Others spot).  In this case, it would be her employer.

1910 Rider public domain. Card #8 - Other people

Here is a partial quote taken from my e-mail to this female.

……

There was nothing overly negative in the cards.  The last card was a King so maybe there’s another talk coming up.  (this prediction happened the next day, you know, one of those talks you dread about job performance)

The only card that bothers me is Judgement falling in the others spot (your employer). This could mean you will be judged harshly.  It could be a possible discussion to address what needs to be corrected. No matter what is said, don’t lose sight of your worth with that company. (yes, there was a discussion and yes, she was given a serious warning about not meeting her sales quota thus far)

I have seen this card to mean a reward as well….it’s almost like a double edged sword. (what I meant by this statement was that in one instance she could be getting reamed out and in the follow up meeting she could be getting a pat on her back for meeting her sales quota at the end of this month)

……..

In my last quoted sentence, I saw the seed of hope.  The seed of a possible reward for some hard work which could occur if this female adopted the fiery disposition of the final card the KING of WANDS.   This King is both the supervisor and also offers this female a hint at what type of “hat” she should be wearing over the next several months.

Even though this discussion poses a serious threat of job security I could not find any cards to tell me she would lose her job.  I think this female will overcome the challenge ahead of her.

High Priestess

 

 

1910 Rider

Gimel – the 3rd letter of the Hebrew alphabet is associated with key 2 The High Priestess.  It means ‘camel’.  Camels are the means of transportation through the desert.  When exploring our subconscious world we need  reliable transportation or we will lose our way.  

I enjoy getting this Major in a reading or as a one card draw.  She always reminds me that the answer is within my grasp if I stop and listen to my own Inner voice.  Much can be written about the traditional meaning of the symbols found in the High Priestess card.

Many people are not interested in knowing such a vast amount of knowledge as it can become quite complex and difficult to understand.  I think some of the core meanings are good to study so that your insights have a focal point in which to begin.

I’ve studied Qaballah to quite an extensive degree but only in relation to the Tarot cards.  I prefer to keep the learning process as simple as possible.  There needs to be adequate information but not to the point of being mind boggling which you will discover if you ever study the Qaballistic Tree of Life. 

The High Priestess has been making her appearance on a regular basis in some of my own readings.  You know how it is.  Some weeks the same Major keeps coming up.  This means the message or lesson associated with the card needs to studied and understood.

As you may know the Moon rules the High Priestess and from this we get a relationship with the water sign Cancer (ruler-ship).  In the image you can see the moon at the foot of the High Priestess.  It sits in the watery part of her gown.  She holds the partial hidden Torah in her right side with her left hand of receptivity on it. Tradition teaches all that needs to known in written in the Torah teachings.  Memory is linked to this card as it is with the Moon.  All memory is in the subconscious. The Torah is a visual symbol of the subconscious.

So what does all this mean?  I’m sure many of you don’t even think about some of these traditional associations when you see the High Priestess.  You probably connect her to the ‘unknown, or future to be revealed’ key words.

If the High Priestess is the outcome card she isn’t telling you much directly.  It’s not a cut and dry answer.  It could be yes and it could be no.  In cases like this, I like to draw a clarification card in the hopes of receiving further clues.  Sometimes I will just meditate on her and let her speak to me.  In this process,  she is reflecting what I already know but have not recognized consciously or blocked out.

The High Priestess is sending a telepathic message that when the time is right the answer will be acknowledged.