© Stephanie Pui-Mun Law

© Stephanie Pui-Mun Law

I am puzzled by this draw.  Moving forward with the change in careers continues to be a good move and, at first glance, this is puzzling.  With the 4 of Cups, I've been dreaming, and withdrawn from the world; the Hermit suggests introspection to either give or receive guidance.

Tarotteachings suggests that this card is about ideas, lessons, contemplation, an epiphany.  This mermaid has escaped from the rat race that is her home; she is thinking.  That would be an accurate description of how Ronnie and I have been lately.  He and I are both working through a career change and thinking before we act, being careful not to burn bridges we may need later has been a high priority.  Stepping out of our lives to view 'things' for another angle.

The Hermit is my reminder to be deliberate and conscious of my steps; listen to my intuition, which may be contrary to the world's incessant babbling.  This change, for me anyway, flies in the face of what my family would suggest or even like.  It actually flies in the face of what I see happening in the world around me. 

Confirmation, part 2

Earlier I posted about reading a spread instead of just a few cards, to get the whole picture on my career shift from insurance agent to massage therapist.  The last three cards provide the final confirmation that I am on the right tract.

© Stephanie Pui-Mun Law

© Stephanie Pui-Mun Law

The 'To Do's are the 3 and 9 of Wands.  The 3 of wands is familiar to me; take a step of faith - the path will materialize before you.  The 9, vigilance, being prepared.

Following this advise, leads me to the Queen of  Swords; she is a force to be reckoned with.  From the site:

The blinding white is the color of purity, honesty, clarity, uncompromised balance; but also of distance, and sometimes death, for sometimes to get to truth one must cast off the old to discard pretense and guile.

© Stephanie Pui-Mun Law

She advises to get my thoughts organized and trust my instincts.

Ok, I am on the right track!

Confirmation, part 1

Today I decided to use more than just a two card draw.  My dilemna is in the career change from anal insurance agent to massage therapist.  Not just anyone can walk in off the street and become an insurance agent.  There is passing the test to get the license and then there is passing the background check.

The cards tell me one thing while others advice in an angled direction.  I believe that direction can be provided from both sources and perhaps a two card draw is not enough to confirm (or deny) that verbal advise.

This spread, from the Shadowscapes Companion, is called Dream Come True.

6                          Outcome, if you take the advise of the reading
45                        To Do list: two things one can take to progress towards the goal
123                      1: Strongest Aspect (build upon this) 2: Helpful Energy
                            3: Weakest Aspect (where the most help is needed)

I drew the following cards:

1.  Strongest Aspect = King of Pentacles
2.  Helpful Energy = 10 of Cups
3.  Weakest Aspect = Queen of Cups
4 & 5. To Do = 3 of Wands and 9 of Wands
6.  Outcome = Queen of Swords

At first glance, I see lots of Royalty: one King and two Queens, the only suit missing is of Wands.  Needs I see mostly Cups and Wands, with each suit represented.

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Not sure I wanted to break this down too much, but let's see where this goes.  Court Cards, as a rule, deal with the human psyche and personality; there are parts of my psyche that will help and hinder this endeavor.  As I already have an idea of what those are, let's see what the cards say.

The strongest aspect is the King of Pentacles.  This card, I believe, represents Ronnie.  He is steadfast and loyal.  He has been employed for the last 20 years and only closed his business when the paperwork and taxes (he had 3 employees) became too much.  He has the experience.

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Helpful Energy shows the 10 of Cups.  Family support, lasting success, attaining the hearts desire.
The family support is key here. 

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The last card I'll cover in this post is the weakest aspect; the Queen of Cups.  Doubting my instincts.  Those instincts fly in the face of what I perceive to be going on around me.

Time for a change, just be clear on what you want to change

© Stephanie Pui-Mun Law

I can talk about this here as it will create less panic with you than with those that follow The Ward House...like my Mom and landlord.

This Four appears at an interesting time;  I am moving from an insurance agent job to massage therapy.  Being a NCMT (nationally certified massage therapist) will provide a more generous income though, perhaps, not as consistent.  The consistency will be what I make of it - developing a devote client base will be key.  As mentioned before, Four's represent stability, structure, or stagnation.  I am stagnant in the insurance job and my health is beginning to pay the price.  It is a guaranteed income each month and that is nice...Back to, my health at what price?

© Stephanie Pui-Mun Law

Aces deal with beginnings and Swords with thoughts and awareness.  The Ace of Swords usually deals with aligning oneself; focus on the issue at hand and align accordingly.  This is a power card, carrying the same 'weight' as a Major Arcana card.  A time to cut away old ideas and make way for a new perspective; a better way.  Swords are sharp therefore, the intent needs to be clear before beginning (credit to tarotteachings.com).

These cards stem from my upcoming/current career change.  I have worked for a corporation since 18 and, well, going to work for myself is a new frontier for me.  Ronnie has been self employed for several decades so it is his knowledge and expertise that I am looking to as I move from a desk job to a massage table.  The monetary and health rewards will be worth the move; the paperwork and change in paradigm will be new.

A pair of 9s

© Stephanie Pui-Mun Law

© Stephanie Pui-Mun Law

Sounds like I know a little sumthin about poker yes?  Umm, no.  This was an interesting pair up though.  Nine's represent attainment and completion.  As with all endings, there follows a beginning.  For example, when we move through the Tarot, 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9 = 45 and when reduced 4+5=9; yup, back to the beginning.  Not convinced?  Take any number times 9 then reduced it down and guess what?  Reduces down to the number 9.

The 9 of Pentacles: Pentacles represent the material.  I am at the end of and yet the beginning of another monetary cycle.  This is a balance between the material and spiritual; "understanding and appreciating the wealth that one already possesses." Notice how she plays a song from memory, that flows from her fingertips.  The snail's shell spiral is reflected in the branches of the tree from which the piano 'grows'.  Growing up, Daddy often spoke of the spiral and how it represents the 'golden mean ratio'.  The golden mean is...well..complicated - to me anyway.  I know it is related to phi and understand what I read about it; it is too complicated for me to try to explain here.  Let's just say, it is proof of  planned creation.

The second 9 for today is the 9 of Cups.  It looks as if he is basking in the light and essence that swirls up from the cup.  Fish are a symbol of prosperity, health, and good fortune.  This card indicates that future bounty is assured.

I need to get a gold fish for my massage practice.

Fourth New Moon of 2011

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April's new moon occurred on the 3rd bringing with it the Page of Cups.

Sentimental, romantic, sympathetic, intuition

Interesting that she should appear for April; Ronnie and I were married on April 10th.  How ironic!  On a whim I drew a card on April 10th and it was the lovers.

This month is about listening to that still voice from within that speaks with understanding and intuition; look beyond the hustle and bustle of the everyday for the quiet beyond.  Enjoy the simple and the now.

Third Moon of 2011

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Yup, just a little late.  From the annual draw, the March new moon card is the Page of Pentacles.  Pages, overall, represent dreamers; the forces of creativity, devotion, sensitivity, a messenter (from tarotteachings).  The element of Pages is earth and they are the essence of transition, showing us how to move smoothly from one life phase to another; a muse.

Because this is the Page of Pentacles, she is sharing news of the material world: finances, or domestic issues.  Notice how she is perched on a stone, the dragon slumbers at her feet, curled around the base.  She holds an orb in her hands. I touched on dragon symbolism when writing about the second new moon of 2011.

In retrospect, I see this as the herald of Ronnie's and my marriage in April.  Marrying Ronnie creates a financial challenge, especially next tax season.  This is the month that I began my massage business. 

Interesting. . .