Spread: Walk in the Woods

1. Stepping out into the crisp Autumn air, you go for a walk in the woods. This is where you are starting from.

2. As you walk down this path, you hear a twig cracking in the brush. These are the fears you will encounter.

3. So you wrap your shawl tightly around you, and grasp it tightly as you quicken your pace. This is that which you will find comfort in.

4. Off in the distance you see a deer with it’s fawn crossing appearing in your path. This is what you don’t expect.

5. A wise owl swoops above your head and lands on a far up branch. This is what you will learn along this path.

6. As you reach the end of your journey, you ponder all that has happened and what has resulted. This is the outcome of your journey.

Reading:

1. Where you’re starting off from: Tower RV
There was a recent situation of a coworker spreading bad gossip. The situation is over and this gossiper is no longer working on the same team as A, but its aftermath is still affecting the A’s relationship with her colleagues. This is at the root of A’s concerns about returning to work.

2. What you fear = Lovers
This indicates a strong partnership with others. A interpreted this card pretty quickly: it concerns her partnerships with coworkers, one in particular, whose relationship with her was negatively affected by the gossiper mentioned above. A really wants to rebuild this relationship, so we drew two more cards for advice:
What to do about this situation = Wheel of Fortune RV
What NOT to do = Death RV
A should not focus on “restarting” the whole relationship over, but rather acknowledge what it has been and know that it can (and will) change in due time.

3. What will comfort you = Sun
A thinks that her own confidence and self-assuredness will be her source of comfort through this situation. This interpretation also came to A pretty quickly. (Interestingly enough, this occurred in a reading for her new baby, indicating a gift from the baby’s father and A’s husband. However, we think this is pointing to her own strength and confidence rather than comfort being provided by her husband.)

4. What you don’t expect = Hanged Man
The ability to let go of one’s control over a situation and accept what is there and what is happening. The best quote for this card: the serenity prayer.

5. What you will learn = Knight of Pentacles RV
Clarification card = 5 of Cups
The Knight of Pentacles RV card took us a little while to figure out in this position. When I described the clarifying card, we saw a new concern come up that she had not mentioned at the beginning: often when losing a case (she is an attorney) she finds it to be a personal insult or attack. She thought she had developed an understanding with the jury, and then they make an opposing decision. A described this as a feeling of being stabbed in the back. We decided that these cards mean she will learn to strengthen her Knight of Pentacles qualities at work (methodical, thorough, slow but steady on the course) instead of taking work too personally. It calls for her to shift her focus to what she brings to her work rather than the outcome — which is out of her hands and she must accept, like the Hanged Man.

6. Outcome of this journey = Queen of Pentacles
The outcome of her return to work and getting resettled into her job and career looks promising. The way things are heading, she will come to embody the qualities of the Queen of Pentacles: trustworthy, dedicated, financially secure, etc.

Reading:

1. Situation = Justice RV
Learning to balance new responsibilities of motherhood.

2. What to Do = Queen of Wands
Be fully confident in your skills, abilities, and your drive to make sure things go well.

3. What Not to Do = Wheel of Fortune
Clarification: How does it relate to this card position? = 8 of Wands RV
Don’t focus on the details of what you want for your daughter and for your relationship with her. Widen your perspective and see the big picture.

The Spread:

The parents’ gifts to the child surround her spread (cards 1 and 2). She also receives a main source of support from the world around her (card 3), and will be aided by her own best strength (card 4). She will need to overcome her biggest challenge (5) in order to fulfill her life’s purpose.

The Reading:

1. Father’s Gift = Sun RV
Enlightenment, radiant confidence and joy, vitality, self-assured and acting with purpose. I interpret the “reversed” to mean that it will be a while until this gift will finally be realized. I also find it interesting that this is generally defined as a masculine card, and it comes from the father.

2. Mother’s Gift = Ace of Cups RV
Aces are often seen as a gift, and cups are feminine and “yin,” so this alone makes it seem quite fitting for this position! Ace of Cups is the gift, the first drop of potential for creativity and emotional stability/balance. Again, I interpret the “reversed” to mean that it will be a while until this gift will be finally realized — as in, the gift will be a long-term one, and will be more identifiable later in her life.

3. Source of Support = Ten of Cups
The full support of a lovingfamily: emotional needs met and creativity fostered.

4. Best Strength = Seven of Pentacles
Putting the time and effort to create something in the world, and being able to see and delight in the fruits of her labors. knowing when to keep working at something and when to harvest. May also indicate connection to nature or gardening, or a particularly grounded and down-to-earth personality.

5. Biggest Challenge = Ten of Swords RV
Overcoming misfortunes of life, ones that can’t really be helped or changed by her own actions. I think this is saying that her biggest challenges won’t be her own issues, but rather life circumstances. The 10′s mean that this is the end of a cycle (further emphasized because it’s reversed), which indicates that these periods of time are limited. By letting go and moving on, she’ll be just fine for the next chapter of her life.

6. Life’s Purpose = Queen of Pentacles RV
Generous, warm, embodying creative energy, secure in her material possessions and her position in life. The Pentacles also connect to mastery of a skill, particularly one that brings a product related to acquiring wealth, in addition to a connection with nature. (I also think this emphasizes her best strength, indicating that her strengths will directly aid her fulfilling her life’s purpose.) Once again, I interpret “reversed” to mean that it will be later in life when this will become more apparent and realized.

I stand upon the rough edge of the peak,
The rock cuts into my bare feet, fragile.
Above, through lowly clouds, I wish to seek
A thing that, when I see, will make me smile.

The ocean roars, and now my trembling knees
Do threaten to undo themselves, and I
Will fall into the merciless, foul seas,
And that much further I’ll be from the sky.

But what will happen when I leap in faith?
Will wings of angels catch me ere I fall,
Or will the chains of earth be as a wraith
And curse me to a never-ending brawl?

I can’t resist the urge to leap, to try,
So powerfully I hear the call to fly.

This fabulous spread was shared by Sandy (ladygaladriel3) at the Tarot LiveJournal community. Can’t wait to try it out!

8-7-9
–6–
–5–
2-3-4
–1–

1. Your Acorn: where you are now
2. Soil: what resources you need to get started
3. Sunshine: what you need to know to help it grow
4. Water: what you need to do to nurture it along
5. Knot: what unexpected delay you can plan for and maybe circumvent
6. Trunk: what will help you be strong
7. Your Oak: your goal
8. Branches: benefits of your oak
9. Leaves: unexpected gifts from your oak

Card 1 & 7 you consciously pick from your deck of cards. Choose a card for each which you feel represents your goal as you see it and where you feel you are now in your path to acheiving that goal. The rest of the cards are shuffled as usual and place down in the other positions of the spread. I found this to be a great spread for guidence on your path to a particular goal.

1. where I start – Death
2. fears (twig snaps) – Wheel RV
3. comfort (shawl) – 10 of Wands
4. unexpected (deer) – Tower (clarification: Page of Wands)
5. lesson learned (owl) – Temperance
6. where the journey ends (outcome) – Judgement

This is a real majors-heavy spread: only one out of six cards was a minor (except for a seventh card for clarification).  This is not very typical for me, and I take this to mean it’ll be a pretty “big” time period, one that will have a big impact in my life — but this is something I could guess beforehand.  It starts with Death, which is appropriate, because I’m leaving one life and starting another.  I’m afraid that this is not what I’m supposed to be doing (Wheel of Fortune RV); I originally planned to go for two semesters starting this fall, but last October decided I would also go for this spring.  I’m particularly afraid it will have negative consequences for my relationship with B, not just the long-distance-relationships-are-tough kind, but rather the relationship-on-the-verge-of-ending kind.  This plays on some earlier fears and guilt I’ve had about going adventuring in a new country while B stays in a job that he hates, even though he’s assured me I have no reason to feel guilty.  However, I’ll have a lot on my plate to keep me busy (10 of Wands), which may help me have less time to fret about stuff.

There will be some unexpected event that could really shake things up (the Tower), not quite sure if I can do anything in advance for this except to be brave and creative in my reaction to it (Page of Wands).  The main lesson I’ll learn this spring will be finding balance in my life (Temperance).  Actually, one of my hopes is that my time in China will help me be a more independent and mature person, especially in my ability to juggle a physically and spiritually healthy lifestyle, rewarding but demanding job, my relationship with B, and a social life with new friends and social networking — a balance I wasn’t able to find in China, but I’ll need to find in order to be a sane public school teacher with a family.

The Judgement card came up as an outcome, which I see as a few different possibilities: perhaps I’ll finally not feel guilty about going to China while B is in the U.S., which is good, because I’ll be going back again this fall after a few weeks visiting B; however, perhaps I won’t feel guilty because B will be in a new city and starting a new career by going to law school, rather than because I’ve learned to not feel guilty.  Or maybe this represents the feeling of triumphantly returning to the U.S. after many lovely adventures and experiences, successfully completing a first semester of teaching and living in the culture and language I’ve studied.  This is actually my first time getting Judgement in a reading, so I’m still figuring this card out.

I first heard about the spread from Episode 37 of the Tarot Connection podcast.  Though familiar with astrological signs, I’m certainly no expert, so the associations with each house are based on the version from this episode.

1. Aries – Knight of Cups (clarification: Queen of Swords)
2. Taurus – 6 of Pentacles
3. Gemini – Hanged Man
4. Cancer – 3 of Pentacles RV
5. Leo – Death RV
6. Virgo – 5 of Swords RV
7. Libra – Magician
8. Scorpio – Emperor RV (clarification: 9 of Wands RV)
9. Sagittarius – Strength
10. Capricorn – Ace of Swords
11. Aquarius – (pulled 2 simultaneously by accident) 9 of Cups RV, 7 of Cups RV
12. Pisces – Ace of Pentacles

This is a long entry, because it basically looks at pretty much every different aspect of my life for 2009.  The details are mainly for my own reference.

Summary/Overview
This is a pretty complex reading, which I take to mean will be a pretty complex year for me.  To make it a little easier, I’m going to break it up into some categories.  There will be a lot of challenges, but primarily personal ones rather than outside forces.  I sub-categorized the rest of this summary:

Relationship with B
The Magician and 3 of Pentacles RV points to me and B, particularly me striving to maintain our relationship and us postponing our efforts to build a home and new family together.  No surprise here.

Work/Career as English Teacher in China
The 6 of Pentacles discusses my position of power and privilege in my new line of work and location, and along with the self-interest and aloof isolation of the 5 of Swords RV, I’ll probably face some challenges in collaborating as a teacher and figuring out how to really serve my students’ needs instead of just my own needs, or my own perception of theirs.  However, the salary does have its perks, and will help me feel more comfortable about my financial situation (Ace of Pentacles).  In addition to issues regarding my job, this spread may talk about culture shock and my attempts to try (or try not) to become accustomed to a new culture with different rules, norms, etc (Emperor RV + 9 of Wands).

Social Life
This reading makes me question my desire to be the popular social butterfly, making me value my own way of connecting with people: I socialize with fewer people than most, but I strive for more meaningful relationships with these people.  The Ace of Swords also points out that I need to cut to the truth in my social relationships, implying that not only should I examine my own nature more honestly, but also that more genuine relationships will be more beneficial.  Others will see me as a creative, reflective individual, possibly also temperamental and unrealistic.  This year will also see a complete overhaul of who I socialize with, as I’ll be leaving one country and living in another, though it will probably take some time to adapt and make new friends (Death RV).

Spiritual Growth, Interests, Hobbies, Activities, Etc
Two of the majors in this spread point to my personal growth and well-being: the Hanged Man and Strength.  This year I’ll need to learn to let things happen rather than trying to over-plan and control what experiences I have in China.  Death (RV) and the Hanged Man together imply a need to let go of the unnecessary and surrender to other forces at work rather than my own plans.  I need to have patience and welcome new opportunities, and when/if I do this, I’ll be able to make room for a lot of personal growth.

Personality

I consider myself to have many sides to my personality, and this reading shows it: there’s the Knight of Cups’ sensitive, imaginative ways, and also the Ace of Pentacles’ grounded, practical nature.  Both of these influences will be particularly beneficial this next year (though to be fair, I guess they’re almost always beneficial, especially when working in tandem).

IN DETAIL: HOUSE BY HOUSE

1. Aries – Knight of Cups (clarification: Queen of Swords)
First House – House of Self: Self-Awareness, Self-Expression, Individuality, Personality, Outward Appearances & Stimuli

This house is all about one’s personality, especially those parts seen by others.  I remembered someone previously interpreting the Knight of Cups as the romantic champion, the Prince Charming who perhaps is more in love with love than with the person s/he is supposedly in love with.  I couldn’t get this interpretation out of my mind when I drew this card, which really confused me, because I don’t think I generally act in such a manner.  I drew the Queen of Swords, and got the distinct impression that she told me to look again at the Knight of Cups.  Looking again, I see someone who seems happy-go-lucky, joyful, and kind-hearted in an outgoing way.  In the distance there is hope yet for a home, but now I’m adventuring and looking for love, not romantic love but rather love of self, of life, of new things to know.  This makes more sense to me.  Joan Bunning attributes these qualities to the Knight of Cups:

romantic/overemotional
imaginative/fanciful
sensitive/temperamental
refined/overrefined
introspective/introverted

To be fair, I think that I could be seen as any and all of these things by others, depending on the person and the times they observe my behavior.  Since being in a new place will be emotionally straining, I’m also sure that some overemotional and temperamental qualities will be seen.  However, I also think that I’m a sensitive and imaginative person who is reflective and introspective, and I think these qualities will easily be seen by the people I will work with and socialize with in China.

2. Taurus – 6 of Pentacles
Second House – House of Possessions: Sustenance, Resources, Money, Self-Worth, Wealth Values, Luxury, Talents.

I recently looked at the 6 of Pentacles for study. I think this represents where I’m getting my resources and money: from being a person of greater wealth than most around me (currently making a decent salary in a wealthier country, and I also will be making a very good salary by Chinese standards) to a person of greater status than most around me (an American, a teacher at a university, an English speaker).  I’m the “have” who will be surrounded by many “have-nots”, and while I’m working in a profession that gives them knowledge of Western culture (which is in a more powerful position in the world) and the skills of English (the language of power), even though it may not be solving the greater issue: there shouldn’t be the emulation of one culture and language above others.  However, that is how I will earn my living.  That is how I will feel important and valuable in the world.

In addition, the last time I went to China was the first time in my life that I saw beggars, numerous beggars, every day as I went about my daily life, so this could also have a very literal interpretation of where some of my money will be going.

3. Gemini – Hanged Man
Third House – House of Communication: Logic, Mental & Spiritual Development, Curiosity, Hobbies, Short Journeys, Siblings

First off, I have to say it: I love the Hanged Man.  Seriously, I get really happy when I see this old friend in a reading.  A lot of people are apprehensive about him, but not me, I’m a big fan (albeit not the most faithful follower).  I think most people could use a good helping of this card in their lives, including myself.  Also, I’m a Gemini, a sign that lends itself to needing a little extra Hanged Man in their typically busy lifestyles, so I’m personally quite thrilled the two could come together in a reading!

I see this card playing out in a lot of possible aspects of this house, but in an overall similar way.  I have the tendency to create little tasks for myself in order to improve any given aspect of my life.  Health?  Develop a better routine of taking vitamins, doing x type of exercise for x amount of time, going to bed promptly at x time and therefore getting a strict x amount of sleep.  Chinese learning?  Study x chapters of x textbook a week, read x number of news articles or song lyrics, make flashcards and study them daily, complete little essay assignments.  Spirituality?  Meditate every day, do yoga x number of days a week, journal about a spirituality topic every week, do a daily tarot reading, research some list of topics … and so on and so on.  It’s just how I deal with things: perhaps it’s a symptom of my love of school, or my love of order and organization, but whatever it is, it gets old real fast.  It doesn’t take long for me to get sick of my routine assignments and rebel by just not doing anything.

It’s a problem.  Anyway, I think this card is telling me to watch out for this tendency, and instead, just let it all go.  I won’t become a more spiritual person by writing out a to-do list to check off.  I won’t become better at Chinese while living in China by completing little independent assignments rather than getting out there and communicating.  I need to just let go of my need to keep things orderly, and instead just embrace the opportunities for growth and learning that come my way.

4. Cancer – 3 of Pentacles RV
Fourth House – House of Family & Home: Domestic Scenes, Environment, Roots, Security, Comfort, Tradition.

When I saw this house, even before drawing a card, I cringed.  This house is going to be severely neglected this next year, because basically everything it stands for is going out the window: I’m away from everything familiar and comforting and going to something entirely different and new, which is exhilarating but scary as hell for a homebody like me.

I once read an interpretation of this card that said this is when one’s hard work will be recognized, when learning a new skill or practice is finally starting to pay off.  The fact that it’s reversed here is no surprise: the home life and partnership with B that I’ve (we’ve) worked hard at, while not totally worthless, is going to be put on hold for this year, and since reversals sometimes imply delays, this is talking about the very long delay of the comfortable home life I love so much.

Joan Bunning says this card is about teamwork and planning, and I guess this makes sense too: our joint planning for living together, starting a new family, etc is on hold.

5. Leo – Death RV
Fifth House – House of Pleasure: Beauty, Creative Expression, Romance, Social Activities, Recreation, Children.

The Death card came up in a recent reading about China, which is appropriate, as I’m leaving my life here and starting a new (albeit temporary) one in China.  This certainly is the case for my social activities and recreational activities; in fact, these will be two of the biggest aspects of my life facing this sort of complete and total change.  I hadn’t considered some of the other aspects of this house though, particularly beauty and creative expression.  Certainly these will also change; I will find very different kinds of beauty in my new life, and if my hobbies change, then certainly my creative expression will too.

6. Virgo – 5 of Swords RV
Sixth House – House of Health: Work, Duty, Responsibility & Personal Growth, Employment, Service.

My job will have me feeling quite isolated.  As I pick up the pieces after some struggle, I will be distanced from everyone I typically depend on, and I will have to clean up my messes without help or even much of a morale boost.  Sure, someone can listen to part of the story and be on my side, but that doesn’t mean their standing next to me, supporting me.

Joan Bunning says this card is all about self-interest.  That made me really think: maybe my work is too focused on my own goals, my own needs as a developing teacher, rather than my students’ goals and needs.  Certainly this would also cause me to feel isolated: I am not alone if I am helping others.

7. Libra – Magician
Seventh House – House of Partnership: Marriage, Friendships, Business Relationships, Karma, Compromise, Contracts.

I’ll be putting forth a lot of effort and willpower into maintaining a long distance relationship with B.  I’ll also be concentrating on building new contacts, friendships, networking, etc, so this makes a lot of sense.

8. Scorpio – Emperor RV (clarification: 9 of Wands RV)
Eighth House – House of Sex, Death & Rebirth.  Shared Resources, Inheritance, Support From Another, Regeneration.

I must say, I’m always confused about the Eighth House.  Another description of this spread says that this is the House of Extremes, but I’m not sure if that’s much help to me either.  The Emperor is usually a card of authority, structure, and regulation, and while I might be a fan of structure, this is one of my least favorite cards.  I think he’s pig-headed, and I think this deck agrees with me, because the Emperor is literally a pig.  All I can think is that the Emperor means I will have a difficult time happily following the rules and authority of a different society with different values.

I asked for clarification and got the 9 of Wands RV, which wasn’t particularly helpful.  I generally see this card as someone tired but feeling accomplished after some struggles.  Joan Bunning points to defensiveness (building a wall) and perseverance.  I can see that I may have a difficult time adapting to a different society’s rules, but I’m unclear how this pertains to sex, death and rebirth.  Perhaps this is the Tarot’s way of describing culture shock and developing a competence interacting in another culture — a death of old perspectives and values and the development of an appreciation and acceptance of new perspectives and values.  This is actually the only meaning I can glean from these cards at this time.

9. Sagittarius – Strength
Ninth House – House of Philosophy: Expanding Inner & Outer Selves Through Travel, Education, & Spirituality.

I think this is the part of my life that will help me recharge, find my inner strength and patience: by doing what it is I intend to do during my year and a half in China, namely traveling, learning Chinese language and about Chinese culture, and (another goal simultaneously) becoming a more spiritual, whole person.  This will be a gradual process, but soul-feeding and worthwhile.

1/4/09: This line in a Rumi poem reminded me of this card:

Be patient.
Respond to every call
that excites your spirit.

- “Cry Out in Your Weakness” by Rumi (from The Essential Rumi)

10. Capricorn – Ace of Swords
Tenth House – House of Social Status: Career, Society, Public Reputation, Place in Community.

I love having aces on my side.  In my career, this is the beginning of a pursuit of knowledge and truth, specifically regarding a better understanding of Chinese language and culture, which will be a foundational starting point for my career path (teaching Chinese as a foreign language).  For my reputation in society or place in community, this represents honesty, cutting to the truth of things, which will be a helpful influence in such a high context culture.  Joan Bunning also says that this can represent the fortitude to overcome adversity and solve problems, which is always welcome.

11. Aquarius – (pulled 2 simultaneously by accident) 9 of Cups RV, 7 of Cups RV
Eleventh House: House of Friendships: Friends, Society, Philanthropy, Aspirations, Free Time, Ideals & Goals.

I inadvertently picked up two cards at once, so I’m going to interpret both of them.  Joan Bunning says the 9 of Cups is often known as the “wish card”, meaning a wish will be fulfilled, though not always for the best (kind of a be-careful-what-you-wish-for situation).  The 7 of Cups in this House reminds me of an ideal I have in my mind of me easily socializing with new friends, going out in the evenings to do social things, and being generally popular.  However, this is not at all a realistic image of myself: I’m not a social butterfly, and though I occasionally try to be, I usually don’t enjoy being in such situations; on the contrary, I’m typically simultaneously bored and uncomfortable by them.  I prefer less friendships, but closer and more meaningful ones.  I don’t want a social buddy, I want a confidante, a kindred spirit, a human connection.  I don’t want to go out on the town, I want good discussions, quiet evenings, appreciation of the arts.  I think this pair of cards is having me question my daydreams about being the savvy social butterfly so that I can see beyond the illusion and figure out what friendships, relationships, and leisure activities will actually bring joy and fulfillment.

12. Pisces – Ace of Pentacles
Twelfth House – House of Subconscious: Psychological Health, Emotional Experiences, Unconscious Memories, Seclusion, Secrets.

Another ace, though this one is more elusive; go figure, it’s the House of the Subconscious, so I’m guessing it’ll take a while to figure out.  All I can guess for now is that I will probably feel financially stable and won’t be worrying about day to day expenses quite so much, which will likely make my mind at ease.  I’ll be earning a very good salary by Chinese standards, and so my everyday life will be quite comfortable: I can eat out however often I like (especially because of so many inexpensive restaurants), I can travel within China quite easily, etc.  This could also point to a sense of groundedness and practicality that will serve as an underlying base to the rest of my life, assisting especially in my psychological health and emotions.

I pulled a Tarot card for 2009, which was the 8 of Wands/Staves.  An excerpt from my favorite Tarot website:

Before acting, we think, imagine, speculate, talk and dream. This is the realm of air – the sky. Then, finally, we decide to make our move. We bring our ideas down to earth and put them into action.

In readings, the Eight of Wands is often a sign that now is the time to declare yourself. All the elements are ready and will work for you as long as you don’t hesitate. The iron is hot – so strike! If events are in motion, they will proceed rapidly. You may feel caught in a whirlwind, but soon the dust will settle, and you see how your plans have fared.

I found this quite suitable, as I’ve been planning to go to China to teach English for a few years, and now suddenly it’s only a month away.

Actually, I initially interpreted this card quite differently.  This card is a beautiful golden landscape in the background, with a small patch of trees, rolling hills, and distant castle, but in the foreground are 8 staves or wands, striking from the top left to bottom right of the card.  I interpreted this to mean that there would be lots of obstacles in the near future, but they lead to some wonderful things in the more distant future.  There’s also a lot of drive or fire behind my actions for this year.

This is not the first time I interpret a card totally differently from its typical meaning, but I find I’m not really bothered by it.  I don’t think there’s only one right answer to most things, not only because of different perspectives, but also because life is a little more complex than one cut and dry answer.  This is one of my favorite things about Tarot cards: so many possibilities in every card!

(I also wrote about this reading on my main blog, though not in as much detail.)

There’s an interesting Tarot spread I heard of recently involving two cards. The first card is the Window — the window is what you need to learn from, see, or new thing the universe is trying to show you. The second card is the Door — that which you need to work through or get to, in order to get to what you saw out the Window.

Also, now the About Me page has information about how I got into Tarot and what decks I own and use.  Just FYI in case you’re interested.

The Page of Cups asks you to show your emotions, be intimate, loving and intuitive. He is suggesting that you should feel free to express and enjoy your feelings. Oh yeah … well let me tell you something pal … my emotions right now is in the moody pissed off category.

Go ahead and read the full entry here, and you might want to add the blog to your RSS feed or something if you’re interested in Tarot, it’s a good one!