Hop Inquires About a Job Opp

Hi, May I have a tarot reading please? I'm having a hard time finding a job . Will I succeed soon ? Thanks. -Hop

The cards were virtually jumping out of Miss Michele's hands for this reading. in the past, Hop, you had it all, as exemplified by the major arcana, The World. You had a job you loved, that paid well, and were fulfilled in every area of your life. Things were easy, which makes what's to come even more difficult.

You will find a job, but you have a lot of hard work ahead of you, as shown in the Ten of Rods. You may have left your past job at a time when you were in danger of burn-out, and it's taking some time to recover. That "vibe" is coming across to potential employers. You are tired. However, on a good note, you are nearing the final stretch and will soon come out refreshed.

The Final Outcome shows another major arcana, Strength. You need self-discipline, inner strength and a thick skin to face the future, but you will prevail. Have patience, and be diplomatic in your dealings with others and success will follow.

Editorial Dilemma

Anonymous writes in:

Miss Michele,

I've been trying to get extra money freelancing - emailed several sources between April 1-7 and heard back from one editor who gave me an assignment and needed the freelancers to dig up sources for the story, which I did and I emailed her April 11 and again April 14. Still no reply. this could mean a lot of money and I could really use it. What should I do? Thank you in advance.

First, Miss Michele offers her apologizes for being as absent and uncommunicative as the editor in question! We were expecting to have Web access during vacation, but found ourselves without it. (And enjoying the situation! LOL)

You couldn't ask for a better spread when asking about a new career opportunity!! I phrased the question as, "What will be so for our writer friend in regard to this assignment?"

The first card, indicating the past or heart of the matter is the Nine of Cups, the Wish card. This card indicates how badly you want this job and how you viewed this opportunity as a dream-come-true.

The near future is the Wheel of Fortune--this major arcana tells us that things will change, to your benefit, shortly!

The Ace of Rods shows us the final outcome--Rods, or wands, mean things are moving quickly, and the ace indicates a new beginner, the start of a new venture.

This combination of positive cards also tells me that you have made the right choice to pursue freelance writing and can look forward to a lucrative career in the long term.

Now, if you don't hear from the editor shortly, this combination could mean that *another* opportunity will arise, right when you least expect it. This is what my instincts are saying as a reader. I just don't believe the opportunity will be with this editor, but another door will be opening for you--and soon! Things will change unexpectedly, a reversal of fortune, as indicated by the Wheel. Keep your eyes open, continue pressuring Editor #1, but not at the expense of pursuing other opportunities. In either event, wherever the opportunity comes from, it will be long-term and lucrative. Good luck!

Is Marriage in the Cards?

OrganizedWriter asks: I have a feeling I may see some new developments on the relationship front. Is my boyfriend planning to propose soon?

The past, or heart of the matter, shows a card that clearly represents the boyfriend--a stable force in OrganizedWriter's life, who has been there for quite a while. The King of Pentacles provides financial security, and may also indicate that boyfriend has been saving for a ring...he's doing this the smart way!

This card also indicates positive changes regarding organization, business plans, and devotion to entrepreneurship going on in Organized Writer's life. She may have recently undergone a self-improvement program--okay, Miss Michele *knows* she has--that is bringing financial and business success.

We often find that when we make improvements in our life, taking matters into our own hands, it comes to pass that we get what we need and want from others, as well. This is the situation here!

The near future shows the Six of Cups, a card often indicating "the good old days." In this case, what OrganizedWriter wants is not her *own* past, per se, but a typical happy family unit, complete with marriage and possibly even more kids. It will happen... actually, it IS happening...but not with the conventional symbols (ie, proposal and marriage) just yet.

The Nine of Pentacles in the Final Outcome supports the tarot's assertion that a pregnancy/new child could be in the future. The Nine of Pentacles is the card of fertility. It also represents newfound self-sufficiency, which is what OrganizedWriter is experiencing right now. Emphasis seems to be on business and finance. I would say financial obstacles may be blocking the proposal at this moment, but it will happen when the stars align and the timing is right.

Mrs. Cogan's Career Question

Mrs. Cogan requests a five-card spread and asks:

I just launched two new directions with my writing. I'm entering every contest I can (I'm a semifinalist in the Amazon.com novel contest!) and I've started blogging seriously. I basically need to know if I'm going in the right direction.


Heart of the Matter - The Hanged Man in the past/heart of the matter slot shows Mrs. Cogan's writing career at a standstill. She knew she needed to find a new direction, new perspective and different goals before things take off.

Near Future - Strength - It's not easy, and her new writing direction won't meet with success right away, but Mrs. Cogan has the strength of character to push ahead.

Hidden Influences - The Universe has many opportunities in store for Mrs. Cogan, exemplified in the Knight of Cups. Her best assets as she pursues her writing career are her feminine traits: intuition, kindness, gentleness. This is supported in nearly all the cards in the reading, other than the Hanged Man. As she moves out of the phase of "wondering what to do, waiting for the next opportunity" she is embracing her feminine strengths.

Tarot's Advice - The Ace of Cups - The card of new beginnings, this card clearly tells Miss Michele that Mrs. Cogan has selected the right path, and that she should grasp the opportunities offered to her!

Possible Outcome - The Sun - Her new pursuits will lead to a chance for greater creative expression, personal fulfillment and happiness. Number 19 of the Major Arcana, the Sun corresponds to a "10," the fulfillment of a cycle.


Overview: Two cups in what should be a question about career shows that, while Mrs. Cogan won't get rich from her new pursuits, she will find greater fulfillment and more time for her family. Sometimes, that's more important than material gain. However, the lack of Wands or Pentacles show Mrs. Cogan may lack some of the drive and ambition to take her business where she really wants it to go, financially. She's got more important things on her mind. She's still "dabbling," (emotionally, if not in reality) but opportunities are coming up, nonetheless, and there's potential to carve herself a nice little niche.

Three Major Arcana show Mrs. Cogan is in a major life change right now, and Miss Michele suspects it may have a lot more to do with personal relationships and children than with business. Something more important than career is on Mrs. Cogan's mind right now, and the Tarot is seeing that. Additionally, her writing pursuits could turn into a much bigger decision than she suspects, putting her on the path to major (and very, very positive!) changes!

Nancy's Career Question

Nancy, who runs an informative writer's blog over at Writerly Stuff, wants to know about her financial state in the new year.

Miss Michele, 2007 was a horrible year, personally and financially. It's the financial part that has me discouraged. Hubby hasn't worked in almost a year, and, well, my job isn't paying enough (especially with living expenses so high). Plus, the company I work for was just recently bought out, so my job isn't too secure (I'll add here that I had to take a fairly big loan on my 401k and needs to be paid back, and that's scaring me even more). I've tinkered with the idea of doing freelancing on a part-time basis, but I'm not sure I have any skills or ideas that someone will pay me for. So...three things: Will I keep my job, or will I have to look for a new one? Should I go into freelancing? Will I bring in enough extra money to pay off the 401k and pay off a major chunk of our credit card debt? Sorry for the ramble. I look forward to your reading - and thank you!

That's a lot for three cards to reveal, so Miss Michele will ask the tarot: "What is in the future, career-wise, for Nancy?"

The cards indicate 2008 will not be as bad as Nancy fears. The card in the past, Strength, is one of Miss Michele's favorite Major Arcanas, showing that Nancy weathered the storm with incredible inner strength. She doesn't realize it, but she has the self-confidence, power, patience and faith to improve her situation. The eight shows the end of a cycle to make way for new growth.

In the Near Future, we see the situation that is ending in the Knight of Swords. Swords show sudden, tumultuous change. New people may be coming into your life with new opportunities. (That's a good thing!) But beware of "quick fixes" for your problems. Don't be tempted by a scam. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Now I'm sure Nancy won't get bamboozled by Publish America, but beware of temptations more subtle that look like a way out of debt.

This card also indicates Nancy's forthrightness. When she wants something, she goes after it, and this will work in her favor.

The Outcome could not be better: The Nine of Cups. The jolly fellow on the "wish card" arrives to tell us that all Nancy's worries will be assuaged. She will get what she needs.

Unsatisfied with the conclusion, Miss Michele draws one more card, asking, will there be a career change for Nancy?

It looks like a new job opportunity will come about, with the Page of Swords. There is an emphasis on creativity, paperwork, inspiration and creative writing. I can't say Nancy will leave her job, but she will definitely pursue her writing with a new vigor, and, in conjunction with the Nine of Cups, I'll go so far as to say she'll see income from the endeavor.

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!