“Is this relationship worthy of my efforts?"

A sample reading using

Tarot of the Animal Lords

by Angelo Giannini (Illustrator)

(Lo Scarabeo)

QUESTIONS 

“Is this relationship worthy of my efforts or is it time to let go and move on?” 

"Is he my soulmate or do I move forward and never look back?"

ANSWER

Before I continue with your reading, I would like to share with you my understanding of what a soulmate is. I believe that the soul has many facets. A soulmate is a reflection of one of the facets -- a connection to something in yourself that connects to the same thing in the other person. Thus we can have (and usually do have) more than one soulmate in a lifetime.

For your 3-card reading I am using Tarot of the Animal Lords. This intriguing deck by artist Angelo Giannini uses humanized animals to represent traditional Tarot card meanings. I drew cards to represent (1) strengths of this relationship, (2) obstacles or problems in the relationship, and (3) what will be most helpful to you in making a decision about the relationship.

1. Strengths: KNIGHT OF PENTACLES (Wild Boar)

This card suggests that the relationship has had a certain sturdy, stable, secure quality to it. The boar usually represents fidelity and strength. The suit of Pentacles is the suit of Earth, associated with practicality, material matters, physical condition or experiences, finances, security, family values, and domestic issues.

2. Obstacles or problems: EIGHT OF PENTACLES (Chimpanzee)

The obstacles or problems with the relationship seem to be in the same area as the strengths (Pentacles / Earth). With this card there is a suggestion of "rough edges" or "work needed." Chimpanzees are self-aware, social creatures. They can also frequently use deception to get what they want. The 8 of Pentacles calls your attention to a possible unwillingness to work on the relationship, to resolve differences in an open, honest manner.

3. What will be most helpful to you in making a decision: DEATH (Crow)

In this position, the Death card suggests change -- an end and a beginning. It points to the fact that life is made up of cycles: birth, life, death, and rebirth. The crow is black, the color of night -- but it is out of black darkness of night that the new day is born. This card indicates that something "new" is needed. Something old and outworn needs to be set aside so that something new can be born. Does this mean you should end the relationship? Not necessarily. You must also consider the possibility that the relationship can be improved if both of you are willing to make changes and discard behaviors, attitudes, or circumstances that are no longer useful or beneficial. It is clear, however, that the relationship will probably not thrive if things remain the way they are

It is my hope that the insight gained through this reading will help you make decisions and take action in line with your best interests. Always remember that your future lies in your hands.

Is She Being Truthful? A Sample Reading.

A sample reading using 

The Animals Divine Tarot

by Lisa Hunt

(Llewellyn Worldwide)

QUESTION

“Is T---- being truthful with me about what she wants with me?
What is my future with this woman,
and will she ever love me?"

ANSWER

I don’t want to disappoint you, but I need to let you know that I cannot read people’s minds or tell you what they are feeling. Also, I do not predict the future or "tell fortunes." Your future is not predetermined. You and T---- have free will, and are constantly making decisions and choices that affect your future. What I can do is ask the cards what you need to understand about your relationship with T----. For your 3-card reading, I am using the Animals Divine Tarot. Below are the positional definitions I used, the cards I drew into those positions, and my interpretations.

Position 1. Situation: EIGHT OF WANDS (reversed) - the Ant

This card suggests confusion and delays, lack of cooperation, and failure to maintain individuality. This looks like a one-sided situation to me. It doesn't seem like you and T---- are on the same page, singing from the same songbook, or whatever expression you choose to employ to indicate two people who are not progressing toward the same goal. 

Position 2. Challenge: TWO OF PENTACLES (reversed) - the Panda

The challenge is to achieve a balance between seemingly opposing choices. You seem to be between a rock and a hard place (sorry -- these expressions just keep coming to me, and they actually seem to be appropriate!) Making a sacrifice or compromise now may or may not result in a more harmonious situation in the future. You can't tell right now. That's the dilemma.

Position 3. Opportunity: TWO OF WANDS (reversed) - the Dragonfly

This is another card referencing a choice (the number Two). You have the opportunity to see past potential illusions and choose how you will direct your energies. You are being encouraged to flow with your intuition and make a decision based on your gut instinct. Don't be deceived by appearances or what may seem immediately attractive. Look at how things might evolve in the long term and plan carefully.

The way you have phrased your questions tells me that you already suspect that T---- is not being truthful. The cards do not seem to dispute that suspicion. Only you can decide what you want, who you want to be, and where you want to go -- with or without T----. I have known people in relationships who are aware that they are being deceived, yet they want to be with the other person so much, they are willing to accept that. 

As I said above, I cannot read T----'s mind and I do not predict the future. I can only hope that the insight provided by this reading will help you make choices and decisions in line with your best interests. Always remember that your future is in your hands. 

Easy as STU…

In this Tarot Notes series, I will be pulling a card for each letter of the alphabet. Each card will be from a different deck. To add to the cleverness, of course, the name of the deck will begin with the letter being used, if at all possible. (Deck attributions are provided at the end of this post.)

To read the blog post for the letters ABC, click HERE. 

For DEF, click HERE. 

For GHI, click HERE. 

For JKL, click HERE. 

For MNO, click HERE. 

For PQR, click HERE. 

Background image by Daniel Albany from Pixabay

S is for SIBYL. 

Well, why not? In Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery, The High Priestess is portrayed as the ancient pagan prophetess Sybil. Her open scroll “displays the symbol for consciousness in the center of the seven-pointed star and the circular anagram relating the words TAROT, ROTA, and ATOR.” In this case, “S” can also stand for Symbolism,  and the number Seven: for the Seven Virtues of Temperance, Strength, Justice, Prudence, Faith, Hope, and Charity.

T is for TYPHON.

Typhon is the character descending the wheel in the Thoth Tarot representation of the Wheel of Fortune card. According to Greek mythology, Typhon was a Titan (another “T”!), a terrifying, huge monster who had nothing but serpents below the waist. When the card is reversed, Typhon ascends to the top of the wheel, a representation of dark times and bad luck. We might also say “T” is for TEN, as seen in the ten-spoked wheel on this card. “T” might also represent “TIME,” as the position of the wheel changes, and Typhon rises and falls, with time.

U is for UNDERTAKING. 

The Ace of Wands is often seen as representing creation, a beginning, or the start of an undertaking. This card has appeared before in the ABC series, representing the letter P for “Potential.” This time we are using the Universal Waite Tarot. Synonyms for “undertaking” include enterprise, venture, project, campaign, scheme, plan, operation, endeavor, effort, task, assignment, charge, activity, pursuit, exploit, job, business, affair, procedure, proceeding, process, and transaction.

*********
S: The Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery by Robert M. Place  (Hermes Publications)
T: Thoth Tarot by Aleister Crowley (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)
U: Universal Waite Tarot with drawings by Pamela Colman Smith and coloring by Mary Hanson-Roberts (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)

Does my partner of 15 years still love me?

A sample reading using 

Tarot of the Old Path

created by Sylvia Gainsford and Howard Rodway

(AGMuller)

QUESTION

“Does my partner of 15 years still love me?”

ANSWER

I don't want to disappoint you, but I cannot read your partner’s mind or tell you what they are feeling or thinking. What I can do is ask the cards for insight into the energy currently surrounding this relationship. Using Tarot of the Old Path, I drew three cards to represent the Situation, Challenge, and Opportunity. Below are the cards I drew into those positions and my interpretations.

Position 1. Situation: THE STAR

On this card, a woman pours nourishing ambrosia onto the land (conscious awareness) and into an estuary flowing forth to the sea (intuitive unconscious). In the foreground we see an iris, symbol of hope and power. This is a very encouraging card to draw in this position. It conveys a sense of harmony, balance, success, inspiration, satisfaction, and a bright future.

Position 2. Challenge: SEVEN OF SWORDS

On this card, a man dressed in protective leather clothing and gloves clutches four swords and glances back over his shoulder with a grin. He appears to have stolen these weapons. As he darts quickly away, he leaves three swords standing in the background. The challenge that faces this relationship appears to involve someone not telling another person everything he or she needs to know. The "theft" shown on the card is in the area of the mind and communication. Concealed information is likely to cause conflict and insecurity.

Position 3. Opportunity: TWO OF CAULDRONS, reversed

On this card, a man and woman stand facing each other. They hold small cauldrons towards the other's lips in a gesture of love and union. Cauldrons is the suit of Water, representing emotions. Reversed, this card warns of separation, disillusion, and a troubled romance. However, in this position (Opportunity), I see this as an indication that you have an opportunity to avoid these things by heeding the messages of the other cards. Open communication and frankness is needed to restore emotional balance and allow all the positive potential indicated by The Star to shine forth.

My goal in providing this reading is to help you feel empowered to make practical, life-affirming decisions or changes. Always remember that your future lies in your hands.