Notes of a Desolate Libra

For background see previous post. Poor Water Rat only had time to do one reading (though he was rather happy to find out I had my cards) even though he had a ton of questions he didn't get to ask.

He is also currently at crossroads (well that's when Tarot works the best anyway). There are many potential paths and projects ahead of him and he is not sure if he should concentrate on all or just one of them. Since we didn't have time to go through all the projects (had to do with the fact that Tea Spot apparently closes at 10!!!), I was only able to do a simple spread for him.

Question: Should he concentrate on one project or all of them? (1 in 2)
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Current situation: Eight of Swords
Take on one - present: Ace of Cups, future: Fool (R)
Take on all-present: Seven of Wands (R), future: three of wands (R)
Fell out while shuffling- Knight of Swords (R), Knight of Wands (R)
Suggestion: Ten of Cups

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Unfortunately, he later indicated to me that he did not know which project in particular that he was considering while he shuffled the cards, so even though the conclusion was that he should concentrate on one - which one?

If he takes on one project, he currently has the full capability to perform it to perfection. In fact, he may have the tendency to overdo it. Whether or not this is a wise choice remains to be seen. In the future, he may come to doubt himself, whether or not he had made the correct decision or perhaps he had taken the fool's path. But the Fool's energy is immense because it's based on faith. If you put your trust in that faith, then you shall be able to walk your path without fear.

If he takes on all of his projects at the same time, he will be facing pressure and difficulties from sources that may still be currently unbeknownest to him. There may be confusion as to course of action, and there will be stress and anguish. The trouble will be so great and the tasks at hand so divided that he will lose his vision of the future and thereby missing some opportunities that may await him, chances for partnership or new ventures. He will be too busy dealing with inner demons and not looking outward.

10C indicates that regardless of which project he chooses, he will still receive the maximum result. The reading seems to indicate that he should (at least for now) concentrate on one project, get that going, and then explore his actions.

I think the most important part of this reading was the two cards that fell out of the deck while he was shuffling. The KS was (R), but the KW charges on with full speed. These two are the most active cards in the minor arcana. However, KS acts with more harmful energy than KW. KW relies on solid foundationn as well as plan of action, whereas KS often tend to end up hurting himself and others in his endeavours. KS is prone to arrogance as well as extreme actions. KW is more steady and being that he is upright, his energy should be the one that you allow to dominate your plan.

This past Monday I met up with two good friends and had dinner at Boqueria and then onward to Tea Spot around the NYU area to do some readings. It was actually an accident that I had my cards (and no I do not carry them with me everywhere), but they certainly came in useful.

Ms. F had two questions, for which I did two different spreads.

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1) Should she stay in New York or move to San Francisco? (1 in 2)

Current situation/state-of-mind: Six of Pentacles
NY - Current: Justice, Future: Eight of Swords (R)
SF- Current: Ten of Pentacles, Future: Eight of Cups (R)
Suggestion - Five of Wands
Fell from deck while shuffling - Six of Wands, High Priestess

She is in a very unique and (some may consider) enviable situation. She has just finished her studies and basically is free to go where ever she chooses. She loves NYC but wants to explore other locations while she is young and has the drive to move elsewhere. So she asked this question, wondering if it would be a good idea for her to move to SF, where she feels like she'd good a fair share of culture but it would still be very different than New York. She is currently in a position of prosperity, with the ability to share her "wealth" (this could be mental or financial riches) with other people. [/column]

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But internally and in terms of next step in life, she is at crossroads and at battle with different parts of herself - which initiative should she take?

New York - as a fellow Libra, I can totally understand the importance of Justice. New York is the place that drives her, that fits her, it's where she can realize all her dreams and wishes. 她在紐約，將會如魚得水，機遇無限。 This is an overwhelming drive in her life and she cannot avoid it. No matter what she does, this drive will still remain. However, if she continues to stay in New York, in the future, she will start feeling trapped beyond her own control. S8 is in most parts self-inflicted, but when it's in reverse, it's a situation you cannot foresee, feelings you cannot control, situations you cannot predict. Therefore, there will be major mental drama waiting for her should she stay in New York. 劍8在很大方面是自身思想所帶來的困鎖，但是，如果逆了，就代表你自己並不能控制自己的思緒，而且淨是往不利的方面倒。Home is within reach, but S8 is unable to see it anymore because she is unable to take off her blindfold.

San Francisco - in the short term, SF seems very plausible. She has all the resources in her environment and abilities to make such a move. She does not feel as naturally drawn to SF as she to New York, but she feels that she can gain security and happiness there, especially in terms of financial success and perhaps even a potential "family", build a great life for herself. Although at first it seems as if she turned away from the happiness and fulfillment of a good life, but she knew she is taking a journey for a high purpose, and with C8(R), she will find this direction and what she is seeking. C8 is an interesting card. The person within is dejected and disappointed, but he is not giving up his search. And when in (R), turning back on what everyone thinks is a fully fulfilled future turns out to be the better answer.

So although her natural instinct is to stay in NYC, for the outlook, SF is a better option for her.

She dropped two cards while shuffling (not very careful or good at shuffling), 6W and the High Priestess. 6W is victory and HP clearly indicates that she is an intuitive and wise woman who already knows what she wants to and has to do. 6W is a card of action - victory from actions performed. Regardless of which direction she chooses, she will find her victory.

2���What will her outlook for the next three months be like? (three month look)

April: Page of Pentacles, King of Pentacles (R)
May: Knight of Pentacles (R), the Devil(R)
June:  Ten of Pentacles (R), Eight of Cups (R)
Suggestion: Lovers (R)

First off, I told her to give up on the relationship. Lovers (R) indicates that even if she finds a romantic interest, it's not for her own good and it won't last long even if something does come to fruitation. 就是説，桃花會有，但會是爛桃花，不會長久，也不會讓你覺得滿足。

Her cards are dominated by Pentacles, which speaks to her need to concentrate on her finances. There may be an opportunity or opportunities for a job in April, but they are the stable and steady type, and if she takes them, she may end up feeling bored and trapped - too controlled by the sense of stability. For May, on one hand, the concern with money still continues and life calls for her to be more sensible and choose a steady lifestyle, but there's a stronger wish to break through it all, to break free from the grasp of the Devil. She does not want to be hold down to bondage anymore because it will only lead to unhappiness. June seems to be an interesting month. The struggle against the Devil has led to clarity and direction.

An observant reader will find that the 10P and 8C(R) both appeared in her previous spread (just to make this clear, Water Rat actually did his reading between Ms. F's two readings so the cards were thoroughly shuffled) in the SF side. The 10P in the Present position is now reversed and leads to 8C(R). This means that whatever stable situation she had in the SF reading (whatever gave her a sense of security) changed and she shall make a decision to take a journey to achieve the happiness that is in the 8C(R). Whether or not this indicates that she should move to SF in June remains to be seen.

It was GuyA's birthday and we had a (sort of) surprise dinner for him at a lovely Japanese restaurant, we ventured over to Apple (fail), then Cha-An (fail), and finally settled at Saints Alps. For those of you who are familiar with the area, the place is often filled with teenage youngsters drinking bubble tea. But no matter! Tarot does not wait for anyone! Rather... it seems people's curiosities really tend to overcome circumstances. So over a nice cup of Lichee Green Tea w/ 2 slices of Lemon and a cup of herbal jelly, I did a few readings for the crowd.

GirlA:

Q1) What can she do to improve her health? [Diamond]

Fell out of deck: Hermit
Past: 8 of Wands (R); Present: Queen of Cups+Hierophant(R); Future: Wheel of Fortune

The questioner has been sick on-and-off for quite a long period of her life and has just found an assortment of specialists to help her. She is hopeful yet unsure about the future of her health and thence asked this question. It has been a rough and unnecessarily long road for her to get to the current moment. She hopes to be able to finally become open and receptive of advice and help from others, but she still lacks trust in the authorities. There may be due cause for her lack of faith in the doctors and professionals because although there are many, will they truly help her? Unfortunately, the future is a toss-up, falling back on the mercy of luck and fortune. The wheels are slowly turning for her, but they are out of anyone's control. All she can do at the present moment is to seek for guidance from more experienced friends and family around her and achieve an inner peace, whatever it may bring.

Q2)How can she get past her aversion for trusting people and her fear of being taken advantage of? [Celtic Cross]
Situation-as-is: 2 of Pentacles (R); Obstacle/assistance: Queen of Wands (R);
Best that can be achieved: 3 of Cups (R); Past: Star (R); Present: 5 of Wands; Future: Ace of Swords
Self: 10 of Swords (R); Environment: 5 of Pentacles; Hopes/fears: 9 of cups (R); Outcome: Ace of Pentacles

There is anxiety and turmoil underneath the situation and she lacks the will and desire to change it or resolve the trouble within. In the current state of mind, she will remain shy of groups and shut in her own world, only with a few whom she trusts around her. It seems odd, that although there are no specific situations she can base her fear of strangers or groups on, she feels an intrinsic distance and need to avoid. She feels disappointed by certain truths of humanity and she does not know where to seek hope. This fear has permeated her life and continues to affect her. Currently there is conflict around her, but she can resolve them with a clear mind and initiative. Then she will realize how trivial they are. She wishes to be rid of her (perhaps unfounded) fear of betrayal, but there are very few supportive elements around her. She is afraid of getting disappointed, in losing herself or what she has given out, but truly, if she is fulfilled and grounded in her heart (and she has all the resources to be), she will be able to break out of her situation.

GuyA: What should he do with his career? [Diamond]

Past: 4 of Pentacles (R); Present: 3 of Swords (R)+9 of Pentacles; Future: King of Wands (R)
Suggestion: Lovers

While shuffling he almost accidentally flipped over the 9 of Pentacles. I saw it but left it to be shuffled with the other cards because he had not seen it. As expected, the card turned up in his present situation, which indicates that it is an issue he is very concerned with at the moment. He has always been someone who didn't spend much and although money had been somewhat of an important issue in his life, it is being transformed. He is no longer satisfied with  money without emotional or intellectual development. He is unhappy and wants to be able to find something that stimulates him, that makes him want to build and create. He longs for something artistic, something more important than money. If this tug-of-war continues without resolution, he will end up depleated of his energy and drive, which makes life even the more boring and frustrating. In order to break out of the situation, he would need to build out his social network. Seek things/people that move him on an emotional level and form a connection. Many things in life are not just about the money or the practicality.

He and I had a slight disagreement over the 9 of Pentacles. I saw it as money not being that important and him having enough of it so that he can (wants to) focus on more spiritual things, but he insists that he does not have enough of it. Indeed we may both be right. Although the person in P9 is more focused on the luscious garden, it is out of the comfort of having enough money already stored away. If that source is depleated, or is not built properly, then he would not have the leisure to enjoy life. So perhaps the important thing is to find a balance between finding an artistic pursit and also making sure everything is taken care of on the practical front.

GirlB:

Q1) Will she be financially and professionally successful in this year (2009)? [no spread]

3 Cards: Ace of Cups, 9 of Wands (R), 6 of Wands
Suggestion: King of Cups (R)

She has been struggling in both her career and also her financial situation (I mean this is NYC, you can trip on a struggling artist every other step). She has high hopes for a pitch she and her friend is doing and things are looking up for her. The  power of the 6W assures her that victory is on the way, and she will definitely be very happy and satisfied by it. However, on the money front, she has been waiting long and hard, but unfortunately, the waiting is not over. It's also likely that she is so focused on this issue that she is neglecting to set her foundations (i.e. she has no Pentacle cards, which denote proper monetary and actual foundation). Perhaps she must be aware that this drive for success has the danger of turning her into someone non too gentle.

Q2) Will her family's financial situation improve? [no spread]

3 Cards: 6 of Swords, 10 of Wands (R), Temperance (R)
Suggestion: King of Swords (R)

To add to her troubles, on the family front things have never been smooth. Unfortunately, again she has no Pentacles. It's a long and frustrating journey, one filled with anxiety and fear, and it is far from over. She and the others may wish to evade the responsibilities, but no one can run away. The lack of balance in her family situation and a male element's desire to use his intellect and power to manipulate the situation will only make things worse - and she must be wary.

In general, doing readings in public places are discouraged. I am only recently beginning to do these readings although I do not prefer to do them out in the open. It is harder to concentrate and also speak about more private matters. The good thing about being in NYC is that even though everyone may be thinking: %@(*, they just cast a causal glance in our direction occasionally, but no one actually comes and asks what going on. :)