Career Path Query

Heartchakra, too, is asking about her career path. Heartchakra says:


I'm a friend of Joanna's and I am blown away with how accurate your reading was for her. I am struggling with similar issues. In my case, I am a book designer and published writer struggling with debt and trying to find work. My degree is in fine arts, something I left behind a long time ago and never fully embraced. I would like to go into illustration, while continuing to write and design, as a way to reconnect with that side of myself. I am wondering if illustration is the right path for me.


Miss Michele did another five card reading for Heartchakra. Well, tried to. Some sticky cards made that difficult... (No, they weren't really sticky, they're clean! But two kept coming out at a time.) Let's explore the original five cards, and also see if the clarification cards add greater insight.

In the past, the Six of Swords, Heartchakra began to move away from hard times. She may have taken a literal journey, or this could indicate leaving one path (which she found challenging) for another.

The present shows still more Swords, the Six, (and the Nine, holding on for dear life!) There have been a lot of shake-ups in Heartchakra's life in the recent past, and she faces the potential for yet another move and career change.

Additionally, she's been cheated or wronged in some awful way. The Nine of Swords, the Nightmare Card, corresponds to this. The damage was very bad and Heartchakra is left wondering how she will recover.

The Hidden Influences, shown in the Major Arcana, the Hermit, demonstrates a need for isolation, for Heartchakra to be alone with her thoughts. Her desire for solitude to nurture her creativity is influencing her career move. The Hermit is the number nine card, the second nine in this reading, which shows a life cycle coming to an end. The focus is on letting go of the old.

Nines also indicate possible self-deception (supported by the Seven of Swords.) Is this change really what you want, or are you just running away from a bad situation? Make sure you are running toward something, not away. Nines say that this is the time to tie up loose ends.

The Tarot's Advice is to wait, exemplified in the Hanged Man, the proverbial card of "slow action." Take time to look at things from a different perspective, re-evaluate goals and priorities, and be true to yourself.

Now, Miss Michele is not saying "don't follow your heart" if you believe illustration is the path for you. The tarot isn't written in stone and it only shows one possible outcome. Just explore your motives carefully before making any changes in your life and go slowly. Build a strong groundwork.

Rarely does Miss Michele do a reading where so many cards say the same thing. They are practically screaming answers. The King of Swords, throwing in his two cents in the Advice position with the Hanged Man, is a card of truth, careful consideration, control, rationality and objective judgment. And, again, he speaks of tumultuous change, as shown in the suit of Swords.

The last card, The Lovers, points to a very positive Outcome. Three major arcana in this reading definitely point to a major life change on the horizon! The Outcome says you will make a choice between two divergent paths--it could be an either/or situation in your career--not both--which is why the tarot advises caution. But the Lovers is all about Choice, and you are entirely free to choose.

You will face a test before you discover which choice is correct, and it may be quite an ordeal, but you will know which answer is the right one when the time comes.

A Regular Visitor Poses a Difficult Question

Joanna Sandsmark asks:
I want to know if what I'm doing now is going to get my professional life back on track or am I driving down a blind alley headed for more disappointment?

First, Miss Michele would like to thank Joanna for visiting and commenting. She noticed Joanne over at Miss Michele's not-so-secret identity's blog, It Had to Be Said and appreciates it! :)

A little background for our readers. (Since Miss Michele already knew this, it seems fair to share). Joanna is an accomplished author, with multiple titles to her name. (Including books about cats and runes! YAY!) You can check them out at her blog, Life in the Middle.

Still a member of the "book-less" freelance writing community, Miss Michele, and her not-so-secret identity!, hold in great esteem anyone who has completed a book--AND had it published.

Without digressing too much, Joanna's question was a bit of a reality check for me (wearing my writer hat, rather than my psychic hat!) I've always felt once a writer published a book, she'd "made it." Rationally, I know that's not true--there's promotions, marketing, and one book usually can't sustain a writer, financially speaking, for her whole life.

Even multi-published authors can have "rough years." Let's ask the cards if Joanna is on the right track and if 2008 will be any better for her, professionally.

The Two of Cups, when referring to career, indicates a mutually beneficial contract or partnership in the past.

In the present, we move on to the only major arcana card in this reading, indicating major, life-changing events are occurring right now or are just about to. The Chariot indicates conflicting thoughts and feelings. Joanna is on the cusp of a major career decision, and she needs to make that decision and stick with it--stay the course.

The prevalence of two fours, a five and a seven in this reading indicate a struggle that upsets the status quo. In the great life cycle, Joanne is in the middle of a phase--no culmination yet!

Looking at the Hidden Influences, Joanna is just plain tired! The Four of Swords indicates a need and desire for rest, vacation, or even a possible illness that puts Joanne at a standstill for a time. She should use this time to re-group, re-charge and re-energize in order to face the challenges ahead.

The advice the tarot offers, in the fourth slot of this reading, is to not overextend yourself. Don't get trapped in a deal that you feel may not be in your best interests. This is shown by the Five of Pentacles, the "poverty" card.

It appears from this reading that there are two paths before Joanne: one, if she sticks with it, will lead to happiness and prosperity, but the other will lead to burnout, bad business deals, and financial strain. Let's draw a clarification card to find a hint as to which path is which.

Another "money" card... this time, the lovely Queen of Pentacles. And it is becoming clear to Miss Michele. One prospect will offer steady income, as well as a chance to nurture your feminine, caring side, focus on family, and use your great creative talents.

The other will make false promises, and will offer all sorts of constraints, sucking up your time and energy.

Select the job which speaks to your heart, talents and strengths. Trust your intuition, which will be in top working form after your rest (which will hopefully be self-imposed and not forced!)

The Outcome, the Four of Pentacles, shows a return to that peaceful "holding" state of security and knowledge. You'll once again find financial security and ownership of a project. You'll also be nurturing your creative side and your talents--overall, a fulfilling path!

Stay your path! You may be offered something else that will *seem* more attractive in the short run, but you had the right idea the first time!

The Card of the Day is... Strength

A propitious reading for a chilly, windy, busy fall day.

The Strength card, number eight in the deck, shows that Miss Michele's luck is finally beginning to turn. The cycle of frustration is ending and new opportunities arise.

This card places an emphasis on self-confidence, faith in our own abilities, patience, empowerment and (once again) self-discipline.

Miss Michele is still amazed (although she shouldn't be) by how much can be accomplished when she sets her sights on her goals, makes a practical plan to achieve them, and then applies herself to the task at hand!

Queen of Swords: Cool Practicality and Discipline

It's a bit late for Miss Michele's tarot card of the day, but it's still before midnight. I had to take some time to meditate on this card. It spoke to me loudly, but I couldn't quite understand its point.

The first feminine card I've drawn in weeks, the Queen of Swords symbolizes intelligence and cool practicality; head over heart; strong will and independence.

This shows my current emphasis on building up my business. I think I have passed a threshold. It is time to stop whining about what could have been, what was supposed to be, and get on with making the best of what is. Cool rationality wins out over raw emotions. Miss Drama Queen becomes Mrs. Professional.

Interestingly, the Queen of Swords emphasizes both teaching and journalism. My course for paintball writers begins tomorrow and I have recently helped a few fellow freelancers with in-depth critiques. I feel most motivated when I am teaching, instructing and guiding. It inspires every aspect of my life.

Let's hope for more readings like this one.

What kind of day will I have today?

It's amazing how a tarot card can change your outlook!

I woke up tired, cranky, cold (the first signs of autumn are here!) and in no mood to work. I was going to ask the tarot which project I should focus on today. At the last minute, as I shuffled my Hanson-Roberts deck, the question popped in to my mind: "What kind of day will I have today?"

After a bit more shuffling, I drew the...

Wheel of Fortune



After The "World", the Wheel of Fortune is one of the most propitious cards in the deck. Its number, 10, reduces to the number one, which corresponds with the beginning of a cycle. But 10 is better--indicating an advanced cycle, the first step of the next phase.

The card shows good luck, a change for the better, advancement and opportunity.

The reading says all my fears about RECON Magazine will be unfounded. The contract jobs I applied for yesterday may yield positive results and increased income. Perhaps the checks I've been waiting for will come in today.

Sometimes, the Wheel of Fortune forecasts the purchase of a new vehicle. That wouldn't be all bad either, considering the battery died on the Blazer this morning. But I don't think that's what it means right now.

With my e-mail box full of monthly bills, seeing this card gives me the ambition to plow ahead. Things will get better if I keep working.