[Tarot] Dreams and signs, I'm on a strange incline

[balsamandash]

Iiiit's card draw time again! Yes, it was just card time a little while ago. Yes, the last card draw time lasted longer than I meant it to. But I'm still nervous about in-person readings for the festival this month and I'm hoping doing more draws now will prepare me for it a little better, so here we are.

I am offering free one-to-three card Tarot readings. Let me know if you have a question or a focus, and if you know how many cards you want or if I should choose. Feel free to ask questions if you're not sure; I'm happy to discuss and figure out what will fit best.

Decks available are under the cut, or, if you feel adventurous and want to help me test a gimmick -- give me your Hogwarts House and I'll draw from the appropriate deck! You can also let me pick the deck if you have no preference.

Or, if you'd rather pick yourself, this time around I have:
* Tarot Draconis
* Linestrider
* Ghosts and Spirits
* Robin Wood (testing; subject to being swapped out, but if you have a strong preference for it, I'll see what I can do)

Comments

[alexseanchai]

Sure, I'll help you test your gimmick: I'm a Slytherin.

I...general guidance, please? As many cards as seem to fit?

[balsamandash]

From Tarot Draconis; the first card jumped out at me, and I drew the second to accompany it:

The Emperor and the King of Swords

Both of these cards can signal very similar personalities -- traditionally, but not necessarily, masculine; intelligent; sometimes appears cold, even if that's not their intention; often a good judge of situations. More than that, they both come with suggestions of leadership, even to the point of control.

It could be warning you of a figure like that in your life, or pushing you towards one -- but it could also be giving you something to model yourself after. It might be good for you to take control of the situations in front of you, and along to way, it might be good, not to forget passion or emotion, but to try and let logic have the last say.

[alexseanchai]

Thank you very much. *ponders*

[kayim]

I've never requested a tarot reading before, but I would love to know if I'm finally on the right career path.

And I'm Ravenclaw through and through :)

Do you need anything else from me? #TarotVirgin

[balsamandash]

Nope, you're good! :D

My Ravenclaw deck is Ghost and Spirits, which gave me three cards for you; since you're unfamiliar with the cards, I'll go through them one by one before giving you the overall meaning together. Feel free to ask questions if you have any.

Seven of Cups: The "daydream" card. There are many options in front of you, and you're too busy imagining where they might lead to pick one. Maybe it's fear or worry that has you stalled, trying to figure out every consequence before deciding, or maybe you're enjoying the freedom of choice, but sooner or later, you're going to have to choose.
Four of Swords: Rest and relaxation, particularly after a turbulent time. This doesn't always mean things are over -- it often can be the eye of the hurricane, the calm in the middle of the storm, but it's a time to gather your strength before the next fight.
Five of Cups: It's easy to get distracted with what you've left behind and ignore what you have. Don't cry over spilled milk -- there are good things, if you pay attention.

So, applying this to your question about your career path:

I think it definitely could be the right one. But in the end, I don't think the message is necessarily that there's one right path and you're definitely on it -- I think the message is that you absolutely can MAKE this the path that you need. There may be temptation to dwell on other options you haven't tried (Seven of Cups), there may even be a surge of nostalgia for something more familiar (Five of Cups) -- don't let those things distract you from where you are.

The Four of Swords in the middle tells me that you're in a good place right now -- what you've picked is good for you, but don't overload yourself immediately. Take a minute to relax, regroup, and maybe even reform your plans, and then head forward, with your eye on the prize and your strength intact.

[kayim]

Are you going to laugh if I say I almost cried when I read that?

But thank you - it's probably a lot more accurate than you know. Thank you x

[balsamandash]

Not at all. I have nearly cried at many tarot readings before, both out of relief and frustration -- I spent about two or three years getting the same thing over and over and over and I very nearly cried and threw some decks at the wall in that period.

I hope it can help. <3

[rootsofthestories]

Can I have a current state/action to take/direction it will take me spread for writing/work stuff? Or for spirituality stuff, 'cause we don't circle the same topics or anything.

As for houses, I have no idea, tbh. XD Go with what you'd put me under.

[balsamandash]

... Man I don't even know. I'm going with the angry deck since nobody else's request seems quite right for it. Gryffindor doesn't seem like the worst option. *shrugs*

And because I really need to test the angry deck, you get both. Also cause I love you most. Everyone else can deal. >>

WRITING/WORK:
Current State: Eight of Wands. Travel. Forward motion. Long road ahead and both excitement and trepidation to begin. You know where you want to go, and have a vague idea of the direction to wander in -- you're starting a new chapter.
Action to Take: The Page of Swords. Start! Think! Communicate! The pages are beginnings, and since your writing is words -- communication falls under the swords -- I'd say the message here is... well, what you've been getting everywhere. You know where you want to go. You just have to start. (Please don't hit me, I'm just the messenger.)
Direction It Will Take You: Three of Cups. Friendship, harmony, joy. You will be a lot happier once you've got the forward momentum going than you will sitting here stalled. I'd also take this as a good sign -- it may not be a road totally without bumps along the way, but I think the road to writing for yourself will be much smoother than the one you were on before.


I will come back with spirituality after I get a couple more done. <3

[balsamandash]

SPIRITUALITY:

Current State: The Hierophant. Tradition, religion, and often, teachers and study, which is I think what this represents for you -- you're in a place of learning, of seeking out information and figuring out where to get it from.

Action to Take: King of Pentacles. There are a couple of things this might mean; paired with the Hierophant, it could mean taking control of your own learning, rather than trying to find people to teachers. It could also mean time to get your hands dirty, so to speak; shift your focus from theory and consideration to practice; personally that's the interpretation I lean towards, as a step forward from the Hierophant's much less hands on teachings. On the flip side, it might signal a time to get your more grounded ducks in a row, and take care of the mundane side of life before you focus on the spiritual, which is an interpretation tied closer to the next card:

Direction It Will Take You: Justice. Balance, fairness, finding equality. You're going to find an equilibrium that satisfies you -- either in your spiritual practice or in balancing that with the life around it, I'm not sure.

Bonus card that flipped out of the deck: Three of Wands. The "hurry up and wait" card, but also a herald of good things coming; a spot of stasis, but with brightness on the horizon, if you can deal with how long it'll take for them to get there.

[finch]

I'm a Hufflepuff and Advice For New Project would be nice.

[balsamandash]

Linestrider is a very pro-new-project deck, fittingly enough. I did a two-card do/don't reading for you, since it seemed fitting to the question:

Do: Three of Swords. Betrayal, pain, being left or separated from. In context, what I think this means is: You know the old writing advice, "kill your darlings"? I don't know if the project in mind is a writing one, but adapt that to whatever you are doing. You might be tempted to hold onto something because you particularly like it, because it was part of the inception of the idea, because you really wanted it to work -- but don't get so tripped up trying to force something to work that really isn't. Be aware of where you have to let go.

Don't: Two of Wands. Open paths, opportunity, new ventures. There are two options for what this might be saying: One is that it'd be easy to get distracted by something else that's new and shiny before you're done with the project at hand (or maybe that this is the new and shiny, and don't forget to wrap up what you were working on before). Don't be distracted by all the roads around you -- focus on the one in front of you.
This card has also come up in readings before in context of being so spoiled for choice that you don't end up choosing anything. Don't get distracted trying to see so far down every possible path that you never choose one at all. Pick the best path in front of you, or hell, if there's nothing quite suitable, forge your own way -- just don't get stuck and never choose at all.

Both very general pieces of advice, I'm afraid, but I hope something helps, and good luck.

[worlds_of_smoke]

I'll take a reading of however many cards you think I need. I'll take a general reading for now, but if I think of a topic before you post my reading, I might poke you on Discord. XD

IDK what house I am, so I'll take the Ghosts and Spirits deck.

[balsamandash]

So one card jumped out for you, which did not feel like the whole story, and the second followed pretty fast:

Eight of Swords: Trapped, loss of control -- but Ghosts and Spirits sometimes takes its own spin on things, and this one specifically adds to take time to listen to what others have to say, which goes with the next card:
Six of Pentacles: Charity, though not always in the monetary/physical goods sense -- it represents both giving and receiving, and often specifically the flow of doing both, wherever you can, or of repaying/being paid for old debts.

So: I don't know if there's a specific situation it's referring to, but I'd say that if there is something right now, or coming, that's making you feel like you're trapped, the solution might be to look towards other people, for help or advice or bonding together wherever you can.

[worlds_of_smoke]

-headskritch- Hm. I'll have to think about this. I have an idea about what's going on here, but I'll have to ponder some more.

[james]

I don't know what your cut off is, but if you get to me: any deck, and omgwtf job/moving situation. Three cards, please. I don't know what House I am.

[balsamandash]

Generally I pretty much don't cut these things off, so. <3 I chose Linestrider, which is good with advice on life stuff, and I aimed for goal/obstacle/advice, although I think it ended up slightly more open than intended:

GOAL: Eight of Wands. Travel, forward motion, possibly physical and possibly metaphorical. A long, probably not very clear, road ahead. Usually one you're facing with both excitement and nervousness, each for their own reason. I'm thinking there might be more emphasis on the nervousness, with how you're describing it! I'm also not sure this represents that goal so much as where you are.
OBSTACLE: Two of Pentacles: Juggling. A balancing act. There's a lot going on, and maybe it's hard to keep all the balls in the air at the moment - or maybe it's hard to see past the balls you're currently juggling to where you're trying to get, to get out of the present moment and start on the forward motion heralded above.
ADVICE: Queen of Wands. Passion, warmth, strength, confidence, sureness in your own capability -- you're going to need to be the Queen, or at least fake it, to get through the road ahead. You can do it! I don't think that's a question here; but what you need is to know you can do it. There also might be a warning here, to be aware how much you can do and not overload yourself, lest the balls start dropping. (It's also possible the Queen is another person in your life, one who will help you get through.)

[james]

Thank you!

Yes, but...

[analise010]

...can I read for you in return? :D I've been doing readings on Instagram and 95% of the time it's, "Will I get back together with my ex???" (To which I want to scream WORK ON YOURSELF FIRST!!!!! *shakes fist*)

Can I ask for a reading from the Night Vale deck? If not, then I'll take the Draconis deck. They dragons have always been good to me.

[balsamandash]

Yeeeees, absolutely! I'm always happy to trade readings, really. (Also you are not the only person who seems to be having this problem lately, if it's any consolation. Love is in the air or something?)

Let me know if there's anything in particular you need from me -- I'm happy with whatever amount of cards/layouts you want to test, and would love to know what the cards have to say about work and money, if you need a focus.

[analise010]

Thank you! If you need a focus, I'd like a reading on where to go next in life. I'm confused in general about what to do next and I'm not sure where to turn. If that's too broad, then work/career for me too.

[balsamandash]

I can definitely do that for you. I am away from home til tomorrow so I will do yours then -- but I'm having something else come up I think I might be able to use a reading on if you don't mind me switching on you? I will PM you the details in a little while as I'd rather not talk about it out here at the moment and I'm running around between doing things right now, but I wanted to head it off at the pass before you started the other reading. <3

[analise010]

So glad you sent a message. I was about to pick for you right now. Feel free to PM or email, whatever is easiest for you.

[rootsofthestories]

*pokes you gently* Hi! :D I've been meaning to ask for ages if it's okay if I add you because you are one of Aug's people and seem like a lovely persona and also, I am in the middle of learning tarot and oracle reading too, so like, we can cheer each other on and such.

Yes? Maybe? *bounces eagerly*

[analise010]

I wholeheartedly agree with this! It's so great to be going through this with a friend. :)

[rootsofthestories]

Yesss, it is super great. I am enjoying doing the thing so much and I'm just really pleased with how it all jives with my brain.

Slytherpuff (more Slytherin most days)

[novel_machinist]

I'd love a draw.

I'm wondering if I'll have any job luck soon.

[balsamandash]

My Slytherin deck is also my go-to deck for financial and job stuff, actually, because Tarot Draconis does quite well with that.

For the inital draw I got the Ten of Wands -- burden, stress, struggling to get through. I'd say it's a no -- and that if there is something on the horizon, it might not be a healthy situation for you to be in.

I hope you don't mind, but I'd hate to just leave it at that for you, so I also asked if there's anything you can do that might help or change that result, and I got The Lovers. This could go one of two ways: it could represent a need for self-reflection, maybe even doing some rethinking about what you're looking for; or, it might represent something social, maybe somebody in your life who can help that you should keep an eye out for.

[novel_machinist]

Thank you very much. I appreciate it. It makes sense for what I'm doing right now.

[silveradept]

I could use a "Start/Stop/Continue" on my life right now. Of however many cards it takes to get the point across.

I turn up Hufflepuff every time I test,
Which didn't make me better,
And initially, kind of depressed.

[balsamandash]

<3 You offered to go with whatever deck, so I'm going with Robin Wood, because I think it's one of the better ones for this question:

Stop: Ace of Cups. The Aces are very much the raw element of the suit, and the Cups are, more than anything else, emotions -- it's the proverbial heart in the heart-versus-head. If you've been reacting instead of stopping to think lately, it's time to take a step back from your emotions -- they can be hard to ignore, but sometimes, you have to try to reign them in anyway. Cups is also one of the suits most related to relationships with others; if you've been spending most of your energy on other people, you might need to rein it in and keep some for yourself.

Start: The Moon -- mystery, hidden things, confusion. There's something you don't know quite yet, and it's time to start figuring it out. If there's things you've been hesitating on diving into -- because they make you nervous, or because you feel like you weren't ready, or didn't know where to start with them -- it's time to take a breath and wade in. If there's something you think might be hidden from you, dig around and try to figure it out. If something's confusing you, do whatever you can to pin it down.

Continue: Two of Cups. Are there people you care about, who you can rely on, who you trust with things? Continue nurturing those relationships; they're a strength right now, and they're going to continue doing you good. If you're beginning to bud new relationships, it also might be a sign to continue trying to get to know people (maybe specific ones, or maybe just spending time with people in general).

[adelate]

Oh I'd love one, actually. I'm a Hufflepuff, and since I'm pretty focused on getting better mentally, I'd like to know about that. Three card? Thank you for offering!

[balsamandash]

I went with a specific three-card spread that seemed like it might work, with the Hufflepuff deck, Linestrider:

Something you can change: The Sun. The Sun is all about hope and optimism -- you may not be able to control your surroundings, but you can control how you face the world and whether or not you stop trying. (Note that I'm not trying to say it's as easy as not letting it get to you or anything -- I know how frustrating it is to hear that and how impossible it can be, in a lot of situations. But you can work on climbing forward and not let setbacks knock you back forever, and that's much more important.)

Something you can't change: The Seven of Swords. Thievery and deception. People are going to try to take things from you -- maybe physically, or maybe your good moods, your attention, your energy; maybe they want to try and take your progress even, by claiming credit for what you've done or telling you it's not enough. You can keep an eye out, you can fight them, but if someone's trying to take things from you or lie to you, you're not going to be able to make them see why they're hurting you or doing you wrong. Focus on keeping yourself safe and recovering from your losses when they do happen, not on changing them.

Something you're unaware of or advice going forward: Linestrider gave me two cards for this: the Six of Swords and the Queen of Pentacles. The Six of Swords is change, travel, and slowly moving towards better times coming; the Queen of Pentacles is grounded and calm, nurturing, and stable. I think the message is that you're heading in the right direction -- there's still a road ahead of you, but it's one you're capable of making your way through. You have a lot of good and even ground ahead of you, and you've got it in you to get there, even if there's a few rocky spots along the way for now.

[adelate]

♥ Thank you for this. A lot of it rings true.

[bookblather]

Test the gimmick, sure! I'm a Hufflepuff.

I've been antsy lately, for no reason I can tell: if the deck could tell me why or how much longer it's going to occur, I'd appreciate it.

[balsamandash]

From the Linestrider, I did a two-card cross from the Celtic Cross for you, for the situation itself, and then an advice card, to try and get an idea of how to help resolve it:

What covers you: Knight of Pentacles
What crosses you: Wheel of Fortune

The Knight can be travel and restlessness, or it can be adolescence with all its growing pains, and the Pentacles specifically mean stability, material things, finances; Wheel of Fortune can be luck or randomness. For you restlessness, I'd think maybe it points to something recently in progress, something that you have no set idea of how it's going to turn out, that's maybe more under your skin than you realize? The two other things that come to mind with that combination are wanderlust, or maybe a person who's been irritating you.

Advice: The Hanged Man

As annoying as it can be to not get any actual ways to help, the Hanged Man is a card that signifies a need to stay where you are and wait for things to happen or the time to be right. Try and keep an eye on what's around you to see if anything can make you more comfortable, but unfortunately, the message on this one is a pretty clear "wait it out".

[itsamellama]

Me please? :DI don't really have a question or focus, but I think I may be a Hugglepuff? :D

[balsamandash]

I did a general one-card with Linestrider for you, then! :D

The Magician. Creativity, power, potential, new beginnings, new projects -- this is an action card, and particularly one in relation to creative endeavours, or personal projects that you feel passionately about.

[longmagpieroads]

Slytherin ... surprise me?

[balsamandash]

<3 I'm actually doing pretty okay on the two I needed readings for, so I went to the Slytherin deck for you after all. Tarot Draconis gave me two cards:

Justice: Truth, fairness, balancing the scales.
Ten of Cups: Fulfillment, particularly emotionally; happiness, family life, security, friendship.

In this case, I think the message is you're going to need to be fair to yourself -- it's a time (maybe a necessary time, maybe a good time, I'm not sure) for you balance things so that your emotional well-being is one of your higher priorities. It might also mean a need to let people take care of you, or take care of things for you.

[alexseanchai]

*pops over from Bast's Friday check-in*

I am curious the general opinion of my ancestors-not-of-blood on Recent Events. (I can probably guess the general opinion of at least my recent ancestors-of-blood :P ) If that is something that you think you can get an answer on from Ghosts and Spirits or from Robin Wood, and you're willing to try.

[balsamandash]

I'll be honest -- communicating with specific things is not my wheelhouse; I'm not sure how good a conduit I am. Ghosts and Spirits is good for this, though, so I gave it a shot; I just want the disclaimer out there:

Three of Pentacles jumped out, and then I pulled the King of Pentacles. The three is about teamwork, planning, and leaving the prep phase of a project and moving on to actively starting. The King is being in control of and in charge of either your own or someone else's stability, finances, or otherwise physical and/or material situation.

Considering that, if you're asking about the situation I think you are, this is a step that brings you into an even more independent state, especially in a physical/material sense -- I think that's a big thumbs up.

[alexseanchai]

I probably am asking about the situation you think I am!

I am relieved to hear this. Thank you.

[kailing]

just took two hogwarts tests; one said slytherin, the other ravenclaw. i have no real idea :P [i tend to think there's arguments to be made for each house fitting most people, to be honest; folks are complex].
Im game for you picking any deck, and have a slight preference for 3 card draw but anything you wish and would help you practice the most is fine! as for question, i just feel really at sea in life right now...not sure if i am looking for direction or ...whatnot else...

[balsamandash]

I agree entirely to be honest -- but the campout has a Harry Potter theme, so I thought having House decks might catch people's eye. XD (It's also why I like the idea that it's more based on what you value than what you are, but that's a whole other story.)

I used Ghosts and Spirits, and I thought this three-card setup might work for what you're looking for:

Where you are: The Lovers -- this can represent relationships with other people, but it can also represent internal conflict, not knowing yourself well, your state of inner harmony. There's some problem with understanding or accepting yourself and where you are that you're struggling with.

Where you could go: The Chariot. This is a card of decisive, forward motion, and of taking action. I don't think the destination or the direction matters so much here -- it's not about where you're going, it's about what you're doing on the way. What matters is you taking the reins and putting yourself in control. Taking charge is the best way for you to feel less like you're drifting.

How to get there: The King of Swords -- having control over your logic and your mind. You need to step back and be completely honest with yourself about what you're doing and where you want to go. It's time to focus more on what your head is saying about it more than what your heart wants.

[teigh_corvus]

You're reading at a festival? Awesome! I'd be happy to help with practice. I'm a Ravenclaw, but if there's another deck you need more practice with, feel free to use that.

Let's see... a three card spread on either an overview on creative work or the resources I have available for an upcoming Big Life Change.

Thank you and best of luck with your face-to-face readings!

[balsamandash]

My Ghosts and Spirits deck, which I need a little more time with, happens to be my Ravenclaw deck as well, so. :D

Resources for a Big Life Change, as I had a three-card layout that I'm hoping can offer what you need:

Something that can help you: King of Swords -- your greatest resource is going to be your mind. Logic, intelligence, communication, knowledge -- rely on your head to get you through.

Something that can hinder you: Five of Swords. This is the conflict card -- you're going to face outside challenges that are going to make things difficult for you. Keep an eye out when it comes to dealing with other people, and approach carefully. Try to defuse situations as much as possible.

Something to keep in mind: Queen of Cups. This advice might tie into both the other cards -- first of all, don't focus on logic so much that you forget the emotional side of things. Second, the Queen of Cups is a nurturer, a caretaker -- you may be able to solve some of the conflict by listening to your heart, and not relying entirely on logical arguments to win people over.

[this_ascension]

I'd love a one card, please. I usually get Ravenclaw for a House. Nothing really to focus on, just assitance on a life path.

Thank you.

[balsamandash]

From Ghosts and Spirits:

Two of Cups: Friendship, bonds, relationships. Generally this is a positive card, representing healthy, flourishing relationships. Consider reaching out to people around you, or, if you already have, keep those you can rely on close. They'll help you along.