For Shakespeare: Another Career Reading

Shakespeare asked: My husband has an interview with a job in the Southeast. Could I have a reading for it?

Yes, yes you could. I assume you want to know how it will go and/or if the job will be good for him. Given that I've read for you and your husband before, I'll forgo the past card.

So, I'll pull a present situation card, a card to represent outlook for success with the interview and a card that would represent the prospects for him if he lands/takes the job.

Present - Wands IX - looks like the anticipation of change (or problems)

Outlook - Wands I (reversed) - In the reversed position, this card is not hopeful that the interview will go well. This is a card of false starts and thwarted goals, specifically a career prospect that fails.

Prospects - Coins VII (reversed) - This card (in the reversed position) speaks of empty promises and disappointment, a situation that does not go as planned. Perhaps it's for the best that the cards see the interview being less than successful.

But it begs the question, if this isn't the right opportunity, will another come that bodes better? I'll ask.

Swords I - from this card, which speaks of victory and success, it would seem so.

Any hints on what to look for, I ask?

Swords IV (reversed) - Hmm, in the reversed position, this card speaks of wise management and prudence.

I hope that helps.

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For Willow: Career Advice

Willow wanted to know: I am contemplating three distinct paths, can the cards indicate the better/best fit for me? They are:

a. pursuing a MFA in Creative Writing, a 2+year course that would involve extensive commuting;

b. a diploma in Massage Therapy that would last 8 months, and reduce the time spent with my husband to only weekends;

c. combining certification in yoga for kids with an associate's degree in early childhood education with the objective of providing a niche daycare service for yoga-savvy moms.

I will not make a decision made purely on your readings, of course, but I am very curious to know what the cards might say about my choices, and about me.

Thanks very much!

Well, this is a new one. I can't fault the specificity of the question, but I wonder if the cards will be able to make a distinction between these fields. But, you know, they've surprised me before. Let's see what we get. I'll do my standard past, present and future and see where I should go from there.

Past - Knight of Wands (reversed) - This card, in the reversed position, argues that your past is plagued with more talk than action, that getting realistic and focusing on a future path has been a struggle for you.

Present - Coins VI (reversed) - This card carries on the theme of the last: indecision and a need for assistance perhaps insight from without.

Future - Cups III - But, if this card is any indication, whatever you choose brings you great satisfaction. This card is all about emotional satisfaction, abundance and fulfillment. Unfortunately, that doesn't really help me narrow your choices except that this is a card that focuses on communication, caring and sharing. There is also a focus here on fertility and hospitality, too. From this card alone, if I were guessing, I would see an edge for option c.

However, it's hardly definitive so I'll see if we can get a bit of clarification.

Page of Cups - a card about caring and loving and imagination that exemplifies service with definite indications involving children (including another hint, like Cups III, of becoming a parent.

If I'm going to make a recommendation base on the cards, I'd have to say they seem to favor option C - and they expect it will work for you.

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For Boris: What Would I Do?

Boris asked: If you had to choose your line of work again, would it still be the same, i.e. awesome rocketry with NASA (personal bias showing through)? What would be your second choice?

Good question, Boris. It should be one I can answer in a few short sentences. But I can't.

It's an excellent question because I'm not sure how much I "chose" this one. See, I am a rare beastie, an accidental engineer. I'd never had the slightest interest or inclination to do anything math related. Oh, science and math were fun and I enjoyed it, but only about as much as I enjoyed history and literature. I always intended to be a writer/novelist. The only thing in question was what would I do for a day job while I waited to get my book(s) written and sold. Stephanie likes eating.

I could do math, of course, in fact, it was so easy for me it was boring to me, which is likely one reason I never intended to pursue it. I think I'd always assumed I'd do foreign languages (which I enjoy great deal) or journalism or genetic engineering. I know, weird choices. Except, journalism, in high school, bored me silly. Writing the "truth" didn't hold any interest for me compared to fiction and I wasn't sure how to make money with foreign languages short of teaching. And genetic engineering wasn't offered at any of my immediate college choices.

But I wasn't set or picky. After all, I was going to write. So, since I was bright (and had excellent SAT and ACT scores - types of proficiency exams), I started applying for scholarships, a lot of them, anything. I figured wherever I had scholarships, I'd pursue.

Which is how I ended up with Engineering Physics - because I could get a scholarship from the Engineering department and a scholarship from the physics department. And, once I started in what I soon discovered was the "hardest" major on campus, I was too stubborn to get out. I wasn't going to let it beat me. I found my job with the same sort of muddling. I wanted to live somewhere "warm", didn't particularly want to do defense or quality assurance and definitely not petroleum. That left NASA.

Why did I tell you all that? Because, knowing what I know now and having an opportunity to get any major I wanted and work wherever I wanted, I think I'd do the same thing. I was exposed to all the science and every major type of engineering, and I like what I ended up with better than anything else. It's more real and practical that straight physics, more predictable than biology, smells better than chemistry, yet it's also far more versatile than any straight engineering field. But it also incorporates bits and pieces of all of it.

I used to think I would have been better off working for NASA directly (which I missed because I'd already accepted an offer with a contractor). Now, I'm glad that my background is more diverse (bioengineering, human factors, environmental science, robotics, calibration, safety, EVA, etc. etc.). And I love where I work now, more freedom, more variety.

So, honestly, if I could do it all over again, I probably wouldn't have changed anything. I wonder sometimes about genetic engineering. But I'm not unhappy, even with some of the frustrations I've run into along the way. I believe in what I do and believe I've made a difference.

So, call that I'd choose the same, with genetic engineering as a second choice.

However, I do have some regrets. I wish I'd pursued some singing training. I wish I'd pursued languages more so I was actually fluent. And I wish I'd pursued the writing itself more assiduously.

But, all in all, I'm good.

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Twofer: Jen and Wondering

I'm trying to catch up since I fell somewhat behind, so today it's two tarot readings for two people.

First, for Jen, who asked, "I have that same question, when will I find love again. I've been divorced for five years now and am pretty tired of it. I have dated but so far no one I have met has given me the butterflies in the stomach, I want that again. Am I wasting my time and should I just settle for a good man? Even if he doesn't thrill me?"

Let's see what the cards say.

Past - Page of Swords - This seems like the description of someone. Since the question is about love, I'd assume it was someone in a past relationship. There are several conflicting meanings, but I get the sense that this someone was apparently intelligent, friendly and full of plans, but the plans were vague and the individual in question was both suspicious and stubborn.

Present - Cups X - Your present seems to be ripe with the promise of contentment, harmony, fellowship. The individual this card sees has the potential for a permanent relationship, someone who balances you and potentially completes you. There are no violins, no butterflies connected with this card, but, if this is your "good man," he appears to be a good man indeed, not just good, but good for you.

Future - Wands IV (Inverted) - Your question was fairly specific and the cards have been, too. In the reversed position, this card speaks of unfulfilled romance, lost tranquility, hasty decisions that lead to disappointment.

In the end, no one can tell you what you need or don't need, but the cards seem quite convinced that you have an opportunity for happiness right now. The possibility exists that, no matter how good your potential lover is, he will never be able to give you what you need. But there is another possibility that what you think you need won't make you happy like you'd like it to. Wands IV inverted could very well be potential with someone who seems exciting and romancing - only, in the final analysis, he doesn't work for you.

Aside from the reading, I want to tell you my viewpoint. I'm inherently against settling, in that you stay with someone because you don't want to be alone, but they can't give you what you need. Having said that, nice guys get a bad rap and you should be very sure your view on what you need isn't skewed before you give up on a relationship that has everything but fire. Fire is beautiful, exciting, but can be painful, destructive and short-lived. Sometimes, being warm is enough. Good luck!

Wondering asked: How about this: Will I get this job I interviewed for? And, if not, will I have other career options? Hope this isn't too much! :) Thanks.

In these uncertain times when so many are struggling, I always hope I can find happy answers. Let's see.

Past - Swords IX (reversed) - You've had hardship in the past, suffering, anxiety, worry, hopelessness, loss, perhaps illness. I get the sense from this card that it was not one thing, but several things that compounded to make the situation very challenging, where you felt you had nowhere to turn.

Present - Pentacles (Coins) VII (reversed) - In the reversed position, this card doesn't offer much hope on a specific option you were hoping for right now. It speaks of disappointment, dashed hopes, impatience and a fear of failure. But it isn't without hope as there's a potential for something you have to wait for. Let's check the last card...

Future - Pentacles (Coins) V - This is more hopeful. The card still speaks of adversity and challenges, but it also speaks of success through hard work, common sense, perhaps some physical labor. My sense is success will be slower in coming than you'd hoped and there are still tough times ahead, but there are options and, with intelligence, perseverance and hard work, you can find success.

I wish I could have found you an easy answer, but it looks like hard work's ahead and success may be a bit further away than you'd hoped. I'll tell you one thing, though, there is no sense of accomplishment like doing something challenging well. I wish you the best possible in finding a career that works for you and that brings you eventual success. Good luck!

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For SWAD: Going Abroad

SWAD asked: My husband has some job offers, some from our country, a couple abroad... earlier things did not work out when we went abroad... would luck be with us this time? What do your Tarot cards say?

Before I start this reading, I think I'm overdue for my disclaimer. I've been asked many tarot questions by several new readers and I don't want to be misleading. I read tarot as a hobby, not a profession, but even if I was the latter, I'd recommend anyone take a reading with a healthy dose of skepticism, especially since it's all remote. I'm not saying tarot's hooey, but then I can't say it's not either. At best, the tarot reading should help clarify what you would like to do or give you confidence in a path you already want to take. If you feel it's pushing you into something you're not comfortable with, don't do it. Never discard your judgment for anything the cards might tell you.

When I wrote short stories on tarot (the reason I learned to read them), one of the points I made was that even hearing what they said (and noting it was always true) didn't always mean you knew what they really meant. So, I'm saying, use your best judgment. Seriously.

Alright, to the reading.

Past - XII The Hanged Man (Reversed) - I'm sensing a need for sacrifice that seemed more than reasonable.

Present -Wands V (Reversed) - This is a card that speaks of complexities, contradictions and indecision. Apparently you are faced with a difficult choice that concerns you. Which is why you're asking the question.

Future - Wands III (Reversed) - Interesting card. Another one that goes more than one way. On the one hand, there's the potential for a lessening of trouble, help with plans and wariness of that help. But there's also a potential for a delay in traveling, delay in attaining career goals, with the career suffering. From this card, I get a sense that it's either/or, as if your reticence to travel could adversely affect your career (or rather your husband's in this case).

I'm going to pull a couple cards for clarity.

Coins (Pentacles) VIII - Intelligence, cunning, craftsmanship, diligence, and respect. Clearly, this is indicative of what a job will require and hints at what can be gained by doing the job well.

Coins (Pentacles) IV - There's a real chance here, according to this card, with financial gain, career advancement, success.

I guess I'd have to say not to let your fears make this decision but to take the job with the best future prospect, and that will work out for the best if you do a good job. At least, according to the cards.

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For DC: Any Career Changes

DC asked: Hi...just happened to land on your site and found it very very interesting...see you have helped a lot of people with advice on their careers and such...could you give a reading on where my career is headed? Any change in position?

The tarot readings do come in spurts. Alright, let's see what the cards have to say.

Past - Wands X (reversed) - This card in the reversed position talks about duplicity and intrigue but also seeking a job that you could enjoy. I get the feeling that your work in the past has been reflective of you looking for jobs that suit you, that fulfill you, that make you happy, but that you've found that the jobs have had unforeseen issues, largely because of the people you worked for or with ruined much of what you would otherwise have enjoyed.

Present - XII The Hanged Man (reversed) - In the reversed position, this card, which can be a very uncomfortable card, can go one of two ways - either a sacrifice you've made pays off or your fear of sacrifice, your preoccupation with protecting yourself keeps you from moving forward. Which path you're on is determined by where you are right now. Have you made the sacrifices, withstood the nonsense, grin and born it? If so, this card argues that things are looking up. If not...well, let's check out the last card.

Future - King of Swords - Well, this card is just reinforcing the last one. This card is all about justice, reaping what you sow, specifically patience and perseverance paying off. This card argues not only that you have been patient and paid your dues, but that it will finally work to your benefit.

I hope that's the answer you were looking for. Good luck!

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For Shakespeare: Hubby Part 1

Shakespeare asked: I'd like a Tarot reading for my husband, or perhaps two--one for career, one for domestic life. How likely is change in his immediate future, and how will that affect his family overall?

In the interest of doing a single reading per post, so we'll start with the career. You, I know, know the drill.

Past - Cups II (reversed) - disappointment, short term relationships, not seeing eye to eye. Given what I know about Richard, this argues that his work to date has involved interpersonal friction, has never been a long term commitment and hasn't been as fufilling as he had hoped from a work standpoint.

Present - V The High Priest (reversed) - This one's harder to interpret, but I'd have to say that there's a conflict between what someone expects him to do and what he thinks is the right thing to do. I have the sense that it starts small but, as it progresses, it becomes more and more uncomfortable.

Future - IV The Emperor - So far, the cards are not clear on the choices that he faces or whether he'll remain where he is now or not; however, this card makes a strong case that the eventual outcome will be very good. This speaks of a position of power and material strength, a position that requires structure and organization, but also charisma and skill. It speaks of a position where he can follow his own thoughts and call his own shots, make a difference.

Since I'm guessing you're looking for insight in his career path, I'm pulling two more cards:

Page of Swords - This just appears to be a card representing Richard - vigilant, flexible, stubborn, managerial and perceptive

XIV Temperence (reversed) - Lots of related but not identical concepts with this one so I'm going to pick the definition(s) that seems most likely. Inability to work with others and the proven proves inconsistent. I would say, from this card, that the conflict reflected in the present card may make where you work now untenable, but the outlook, even if you break from your normal pattern, is still good.

Let me remind you again to be wary of putting too much faith in remote tarot readings...

Oh, and yes, I did my workout.

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For AP: What about my career?

A.P. asked: could you pleas ask your tarot cards about my career?

Yes, I could. Hopefully, everyone's familiar with the drill:

Past - Queen of Cups (reversed) - this card is not the most responsible card in the reversed position. It argues frivolity and self-indulgence. My sense from this card is that you've had a somewhat glamorous job, or one associated with glamor, that you reveled in that, but that you weren't particularly careful with money or didn't really look ahead at other options. Either that or it was a job where egoism and greed are part and parcel, whether or not you indulged in either yourself.

Present - Coins (Pentacles) III (reversed) - This card (in the reversed position) is an effective follow-on to the last card. In this card, egoism and greed cause a reversal in fortunes. It's not clear that the egoism and greed are yours, but I get the sense that they affected your fortunes, financial and perhaps otherwise.

Future - Cups III - Ah, but things look up in the cards for you. Ahead I see fulfillment and friendship, apparently in a job that involves communication. It doesn't look like a job as glamorous nor as ruthless as what you've done before, but one that will be satisfying to you.

Again, this seems pretty clear given the question. If you have more questions or would like me to pull a clarification card, let me know.

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For Swad: Tarot on my Career

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Swad asked: could you give me a reading about my career?

I could indeed. If you've been here before, you know I favor a three card spread for remote readings and just ask for clarification as I need it. The three cards represent past, present and future.

Past - Wands IX (reversed) - this card can speak of illness or obstacles and I think I'm favoring the second one, setbacks, a plan gone awry through circumstances outside your control. Not saying it couldn't be illness, but I'd say that your career didn't go down the path you'd envisioned for whatever reason or took much longer than you thought it would.

Present - XX Rejuvenation - for you, this card is just what it says it is, a change that give you a restart and recharges your career. It might be a promotion, but I think it's a change in career path, perhaps doing something you hadn't envisioned or even going back to a path you thought you'd abandoned. I wonder if you're wondering if this is a better path for you. Let's look.

Future - Cups VI - This is a card that speaks of contentment, finding yourself and finding fulfillment. Perhaps not where you expected it or how you expected it, but here, it looks like, you find your ease and serenity. It's not exciting, but doing this job gives your steady progress and satisfaction. I sense it's a path that can take a lifetime and that's pretty appealing especially in these uncertain times.

Your cards are pretty clear so I don't feel the urge for a clarification card. If you want to know anything more, let me know.

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Jeff King: Dream Job

Jeff King asked: if you could pick your dream job, what would it be?

Paid novelist.

There are the practical reasons. I can hang around at home with my kids and choose my own hours (which works because I'm a serious night owl). Vacation and time off are at my own discretion.

But the real reason is that I would get to paid to do what I'm going to do anyway: tell stories. It's what I've always wanted to do and always will. It's what I make many sacrifices to slice out time to do now, because I need to write. Of course, if I was paid, I'd have to spend more time promoting books and worrying about the market and suchnot, which isn't my bailiwick. And I might lose that absolute autonomy I have now of writing what I want and (and only that) instead of what might sell better.

But it's what I'd like to do profession-wise more than anything.

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For Aron: Eschewing Love

Aron said:

While developing my moral system, I used these passages to support why I won't date, marry or have pre-marital sex:

Matthew 19:10-12
...his disciples said to him, "If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry." But he said to them, "Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can."

1 Cor 7:6-9
...This I say by way of concession, not of command. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain unmarried as I am. But if they are not practicing self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.

1 Cor 7:24-35
...In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters, there remain with God. Now concerning virgins, I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. I think that, in view of the impending crisis, it is well for you to remain as you are. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife... Yet those who marry will experience distress in this life, and I would spare you that. I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, but the married man is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin are anxious about the affairs of the Lord, so that they may be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord.

1 Cor 7:38-40
...So then, he who marries his fiancée does well; and he who refrains from marriage will do better. A wife is bound as long as her husband lives. But if the husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, only in the Lord. But in my judgment she is more blessed if she remains as she is.

Is my conclusion logical? Is is better not to date and only focus on my mission in life which I feel is my calling?

No one, Aron, can make that decision for you. I, personally, would be leery about making such an important decision based on a few hand-picked passages of any book, but it's not about me. I don't think the passage matter as much so much as your reaction to them. And it's not about me. I can't tell you that your reaction is wrong for you.

Those passages may speak to you because that's what's best for you or because you feel it might be best for you. I honestly don't know.

I know you're awfully young and, when you're young, it's easy to see the world as black and white, all or nothing. I know from experience that what you often expect for yourself and what you actually get are often far different. I've also discovered that love can be hard to gainsay and it comes in the most inopportune times.

But, those are my experiences. Perhaps that's just not the path for you. I don't know, Aron. You have a great deal of life to go.

If I were to give you advice - and you've asked me too - I'd say to follow where your heart leads. If it leads only to work, that is undoubtedly the right path. If it leads elsewhere, I suggest following.

One more piece of advice. There's no harm in making a plan, for your immediate and long term future, but don't hate yourself if the path diverges and don't close any doors unnecessarily. You never know when an unexpected detour leads to fulfillment.

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