By Angela Kaufman, Moonlight Tarot LLC
The heart of winter is a great time for introspection. This month’s Querent, a woman we will call Marsha, writes to ask about whether her dream of owning her own business- a store that features services and goods-will come to fruition. Her reading indicates this dream involves life lessons and Spirit is taking the opportunity to point to these lessons as they are enacted in Marsha’s quest for her store.
In preparation for Marsha’s reading I perceive the presence of the fox, an animal guide known to her, who seems to be encouraging her to tap into her witty and outgoing nature. The cards that emerge present a message that in some ways contradicts their positions, the majority being reversed suggesting delays and obstacles, yet with meanings that suggest prosperity and advancement. The reading produced a “leaper” or a card whose fall from the deck signals time to proceed to the reading- it is the 6 of Hearts. Following this are the Two of Acorns, reversed, Empress reversed, and Five of Leaves, reversed.
A great deal is “up in the air”. This seems particularly true because the suits that present correlate with water and air, love and inspiration but lack of grounding and action. I sense there is room to overcome these obstacles. While Marsha has a lot of work ahead of her, it seems she is nevertheless being guided to fulfill her mission, though perhaps differently than she originally dreamed.
The Six of Hearts is a card of reunification and connection to people from the past. As the leaper suggests a warm homecoming for Marsha. I do feel it is with the assistance of another- or rather two others- that things will begin to take shape. One I sense as a business savvy young man, the other seems to be a mature woman. It is not clear to me if these two are related or in what time frame they present. I feel that the woman is in the periphery, and the Empress reversed points to this. The Empress is not only abundance personified, she is also the matron figure, the stable leader and she is prosperity. Her reversal does not negate her meaning, but it does suggest her essence not being fully utilized. A strong mentor, a potential source of materials or funding, a leader whose knowledge has not been enlisted thus far. Expansion is possible but I feel this character in particular is a keystone. This is an earthy person, a practical business minded woman who nurtures growth in others. She is in some ways larger than life and may also represent an institution or agency that provides startup service. The number three will be significant and it may require three attempts that initially seem unsuccessful.
I have jumped ahead to the Empress, but….well, she’s the Empress, and commands instant attention. Back to the Two of Acorns, reversed. The Two of Acorns holds the energy of indecision, lack of movement due to a stalemate. Marsha has halted necessary actions early on in this process. This stalemate can cast doubts but Marsha will need action to overcome stagnation. Even actions that take her dream down an altered path will still break up the energy and invite movement again. Before this vision can manifest Marsha has to come to terms with why her vision has stalled. If Marsha can see her options flexibly, the struggle can be released.
Then the final card, the Five of Leaves, also reversed. Conflicting ideas and conflicting messages have kept Marsha stuck, this time the focus is not so much on the stagnant energy, but on a breakdown in communication. If Marsha is able to be receptive to communication with others, she will find ways to carry her message and refine her mission. This may require her taking alternative routes to the end goal she has in mind. It seems there are potential sources of guidance but the lines are crossed, paperwork has not gone through, in general it seems like a “Mercury Retrograde” situation. Marsha may need to be the one to round up her available mentors and foster cooperation and understanding, and she should be mindful of being pushed to defensiveness, as this may be a natural reaction to her frustration with lack of results but will not serve bringing others on board to help make this dream a reality. It seems she has several valuable connections with influential people. Review the relationships from the past, colleagues, mentors, those who have a common understanding of her business’s mission and her own talents. The turn of events will happen as a result of relationships and networking, carry the message and be open to how others can help you implement steps to make it happen.
With so much hanging in reverse I wanted to see more clearly what is required to break through the barriers. The Empress repeats, she’s opinionated like that, and another Major card, the Hanged Man, presents as well as the King of Hearts. These cards again speak to making the connections that will bring opportunities. I sense this business will form in smaller stages than Marsha may originally imagine, thus opportunities for startup may be overlooked because they do not show the end result. That is because the Hanged Man energy is asking Marsha to look at things from a different angle. Imagine a movie in which the hero is trapped, about to be demolished by his adversary, the hero puts up a commendable struggle and then reaches a moment of surrender…realizing that perhaps they will not save the day this time, perhaps the treasure is lost forever…..and in that moment of acceptance a light shines down and the answer becomes apparent. In the moment of acceptance that control is lost, empowerment is found. Marsha is not being asked to abandon her dream, she is being challenged to step away from the vision of the trophy and contend with the nature of the win itself. What better way to be in the moment than when dangling from a tree by the foot? Well, maybe that is a bit extreme. The lesson however it to take stock of the opportunities now, the talents and relationships and outlets already in place but overlooked because they don’t seem to fit the puzzle. Surrender judgments about how the process should happen and open up to the ways your calling is being shaped in the present. I sense that an initial offer or opportunity will break the ice- it will bring exposure, a foundation and from this foundation the end result can be built.
The King of Hearts, reversed and the Empress reversed also echo the role two key figures, a man and woman, although the woman carries more influence. She may be intimidating but she has resources that will be helpful. The King of Hearts is a helpful connection, there is great happiness found in this relationship, this individual expresses themselves generously and compassionately and is more understanding than the Empress figure who may be more a detached authority- a lending office or financial institution. He is a mentor building confidence and fostering relationships that help Marsha get the start she needs.
The Hanged Man is numbered 12, which echoes the pattern of the Empress, 3, as the sum of the digits equal 3. Three is significant for expansion and growth. This business may take three years to materialize fully, but these three years are significant formative stages. The next 12 months the Hanged Man is requiring Marsha to observe with acceptance the barriers present. Don’t give up on the dream, but be flexible with expectations of how it will come about. Hang in there, literally, as the solutions exist but are easily overlooked. This coming year is surrounded by indicators of relationships. Networking will be the key to release from stagnation. Marsha need to promote herself through relationships and to accept guidance from sources that previously seemed intimidating. Taking every opportunity to promote her vision, Marsha can harness the energy of the Hanged Man to explore options that arise while the bigger goal seems to be “on hold”, as these small steps will lead to the larger opportunities ahead. Paperwork and calculations may need to be reworked and the immediate stages of this business adjusted to fit the present as a starting point leading to full development of her vision in its completed form. This is not a defeat, it is simply a smaller start that gives way to connections and support that will pave the way for the end result. Marsha may need to work in collaboration with others who have conflicting opinions or some digression in verbal or written planning may take place this year- she should keep careful records and copies of paperwork and not overlook aspects of this plan that involve putting ideas to paper covering all aspects of this business- it seems likely there is part of her written plan that needs to be revised but that getting assistance putting the details in writing will be helpful.
Best of luck to Marsha, and I eagerly await the ribbon cutting ceremony! Remember, no matter where you are reading this all readings are conducted for entertainment purposes in accordance with NYS law.
Interested in being the Querent in next month’s column? Contact Angela at Trionfi78@gmail.com.
About Angela Kaufman:
Angela Kaufman has been exploring divination through Tarot cards for over a decade. She is a Certified Professional Tarot Reader and formed Moonlight Tarot in 2009 which would become Moonlight Tarot LLC in 2010. Angela uses the Tarot to assist clients in exploring personal growth and development, and in accordance with New York State Law offers readings for entertainment purposes. Angela began providing readings on a professional, “Moonlighting” basis in order to provide affordable readings to those seeking guidance, inspiration and fun. Angela is also co-author of the new book “Wicca, What’s the Real Deal? Breaking Through the Misconceptions.” And the newly released “Sacred Objects, Sacred Space, Everyday Tools for the Modern Day Witch” (Schiffer Publishing, 2011). In 2006 she joined ISIS Paranormal Investigations and has accompanied the team on numerous investigations in private residences and businesses throughout the capital region, Adirondacks, Vermont and Massachusetts.
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This month’s reading was conducted using the Fairy Tarots created by Antonio Lupatelli and by Lo Scarabeo and published in 2000 by Llewellyn. For more information visit http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Tarot-Antonio-Lupatelli/dp/0738700061.