How Shall I Proceed?

I am using a spread created by sapienza on Aecletic Tarot. It should help explain why I feel like I am already plateauing out on my workouts and what I can do about it. (Vapid, I know! But this is my mode de jour, if you will...)

...for someone who felt "stuck."

..............3
.......2......
1.............

1. Where am I now?
2. What is keeping me here?
3. How can I get moving?

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10 of Pentacles for "Where am I now?" says that I am doing what I can with what I have, for now. It is a maxed out card. Not only is it Earth-based, elementally, but it is the highest number in the minor squence that I can get. This suggests that it is only a mental things for me that I have platueaed. I am currently beginning to handle more weights the more I go. It has only been three weeks. The idea of patience is not only here, because of the influence of The Wheel, but in the next position, where The Wheel actually shows up!

The Wheel of Fortune for "What is keeping me here?" is the idea of the act of waiting. Perhaps it is the patience that I have with myself that is preventing me from going any further? There is a fine line between patience and procrastination. How fast does the wheel go? Should I make it spin faster? Can I make it spin faster? Last week, Zorian commented that I need to listen to the body---svardharma. In order to help with this I created a workout plan to guide me day-by-day. More detail is needed to help me remember what I did on what day. Not only does the influence of the 1oth House (Ruled by Virgo) suggest a careful accountability as I proceed but also the segments, arcs and degrees of The Wheel.

6 of Pentacles, another very physical Earth card, for "How can I get moving?" reminds me that physically I am in the Tiferet stage of my life. According to A Kabbalistic Universe, by Z'ev ben Halevi, this is a stage "when the individual is organically fully grown and all his physical potential is seen." He goes on to say, "This occurs between the ages of about thirty and forty [135-136]." As I enter my middle years, the Jupiter and Mars stage, it is only fitting that my intuition guide me into not only a new, more physcial career, but also into a more fitting healthy lifestyle than that of a sedentary elementary school teacher.

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Short and Sweet Fitness Spread

What do I need to know about "getting physical" this week.

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1. What is known... 9 of Wands
   
2. What is unknown... 5 of Wands
   
3. What I should do... 3 of Swords
   
4. What I shouldn't do... 10 of Cups
   

The 9 of Wands means that I am almost peaking on my workout routine. Currently I am pyramiding weight and doing many reps. I think this is an indicator that I need to do a steady amount of (significant) weight, with fewer reps, with more sets.

Skipping over to the "What I should do" card, since it is apropos to the 9 of Wands we just discussed. The 3 of Swords is about doing what is uncomfortable. Funny that my New Moon Reading talks about coming out of my comfort zone this month (Taurus, or Shor in Hebrew). The phrase "no pain no gain" comes to mind. And this is a phrase that I have been far removed for almost 5 years, as it has been that long since I seriously trained with weights. As most of already know, I have been a yogi for quite some time.

With the 3 of Swords in mind, taking the 5 of Wands into account for "what is unknown" makes me think that there will be a struggle as I manage to get myself on track this week (my physical trainer moves into town on Tuesday). I see the fives as cards that involved the body and health. As we constantly struggle against the elements and our environment in an effort to stay healthy and alive, I somehow find this card strangely reassuring. Sure there will be struggles, and aches, and pains, but it is something that I am going to have to work through. This will have been my third week of training. Echos of the V Hierophant prevail as someone or something that is very structured in his approach. This is difficult for a IV Emperor-type personality such as myself, used to thinking off the cuff! Time to ratchet up my mental acuity and breaking through the plateau...

10 of Cups as "What not to do?" This one is easy―don't sit around the house eating bon-bons!

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Weekly Reflection

A Self-Help Spread

This spread is based on The Four Agreements, a book by Don Miguel Ruiz.

1
4 2
3

1. "Be Impeccable With Your Word," This will help me guard against gossip
2. "Don't Take Anything Personally," This will help me rise over the negative thinking of others
3. "Don't Make Assumptions," This will help me communicate effectively
4. "Always Do Your Best," This will help me put my next best foot forward

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2 of Wands is a card of concentration and focus. This card reminds me to think twice before I say something. There is a rule that concerns saying something about another person: Is it kind and is it necessary? "Taste your words, you may have to eat them later." Another aspect of this card is the energy as reflected in II High Priestess, which reminds me of patience. Why not wait before I say my opinion. Will it be just as important, or as close to my heart, twenty-four hours later? Important enough for me to remember to say the same thing the next day? If it isn't, then perhaps it is best not to say anything at all.

King of Chalices is one of my Significators. This card tells me that I need do nothing except to be myself and all will be well. Even if others do end up gossiping about me or if I overhear or listen to gossip, the best thing I can do is excuse myself. I need to mind my own business and attend to my own affairs. 

7 of Coins is all about the inner-direction. One of the keywords I may use for this deck is "metacognition." Because of the 7 Days of of the Week notion of this card, perhaps all that is needed is for a daily meditation for helping me to stay focused on what is important each day.

King of Wands, the second court card, is a bit of a paradox in this reading. I see this card as cardinal fire, or Aries. This is a very egocentric card. But I think in this contexst, the advice here is to be concerned only with myself when it comes to others' business. I should only be intent on improving myself and not worried about, what others are doing.

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Changing Careers (Eventually)

This week I am doing a career change reading. I found an interesting and introspective spread on Aeclectic Tarot here. This seems to answer all the questions I have, for now, about my current plan:

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****2****
**4*1*5**
****3****


1. You in the profession. How you will feel about yourself, your life, your work, if this profession is chosen

2. Contributing Attributes. Qualities that you have that will help you in this profession

3. Attributes to overcome. Your qualities that will need to be overcome or dealt with to work in this profession

4. Why the profession appeals to you. What is it about yourself that attracts you to this profession

5. Direction. The direction you should take to make this your profession

My plan is to leave teaching after next year and be an EMT-Firefighter, with the firefighter option open to becoming a paramedic alternatively. Money is an issue, as I do not want to spend too much money retraining. Paramedics have extensive training in addition to the EMT certification, but not much more than Firefighter School. It is only more expensive. My first step is to take night courses beginning in late-Summer/early-Fall and continue through a leave of absence from work onto Firefighter School (again, option A). So enough background.

2 of Coins (Balance) means that it is time for a change. I am the sly fox in the card, making a strategic move to another field of my choosing. This is a job of service and of helping others and thus mirrors my current profession as an elementary school teacher. At the moment, the grass is greener, but I can see how both jobs are quite similar. It is comforting to see this card because it seems to confirm what I believe: that it is not jumping out of the pan into the fire but simply continuing a life's path of public service and feeling good about myself in my profession.

3 of Coins (Works) reminds me that I have been successful at whatever I have undertaken. This is not because of an special talents but of hard work. I have lain the groundwork over the past 8 years, learning patience, among other things. This reminds me of a saying I learned in college, "Talent will only get you so far, but technique will see you through."

King of Chalices (Sign of Cancer) is one of my Significators. It is difficult to admit that there will be the issue of my being my usual emotional self as I go through training. This is actually something that bothers me in my current profession, as it is challenging not to become caught up in issues that I see in the lives of my students. One can see how controlling the emotions would be the greatest obstacle for anyone to overcome in the EMT-Firefighter profession, not just a Sun Cancer, Moon Leo like myself!

2 of Wands (Dominion) contrasted with the 2 of Coins shows that this is certainly not about the money but about feeling personal accomplishment. This is about making a difference and not just maintaining the status quo. I feel like a seel-out on many levels with my current job. This is a feeling that I do not find particulary conducive to my well-being or my health. I am stagnating and need to find a more active lifestyle, and this is a big part of my wanting to change careers.

XVIII The Moon is the only Major in this spread and so carries a special message. I am struck my the rapidity that the moon changes in the sky. It is a contast flux. The cyclical nature of The Moon indicates that I need to be prepared for things to start moving very quickly for me. School starts just around the corner. There is also a sense of calmness about this planet. It is my natal planet, and I should remind myself frequently that this is what I feel I was born to do: be of service to others. Another important message is that of fear. There will be times when the unknown arises (as it already has merely in the application process) but these may be met with faith and courage that everything always works out as it is supposed to.

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How Did the Interview Really Go?

Okay, so I am insecure. I want to know how the interview for the job I really want went! I used a horseshoe spread from from Aeclectic Tarot for this reading:

..............4..............

.........3........5..........

....2.................6......

.1........................7..

1. The past XI Justice

2. The present XXI The World

3. Hidden influences Queen of Wands

4. Obstacles to overcome 5 of Swords

5. Attitudes of other people III The Empress

6. What I should do 8 of Pentacles

7. The outcome 10 of Wands

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XI Justice is often about contracts and agreements. In the past, I have worked for the same employer for three years and (finally) awarded a services contract, meaning that I am "guaranteed" employment in the county. (NB: the quotation marks because there may not be enough jobs to go around!) This card has come up multiple times in Lenormand readings as The Ring, by the way. This is a good base for the reading, as the outcome (not of the reading but in real life) hinges on this issue, contract liability, as well as other issues.

XXI The World in the present is me, "top of my game." The interviewer told me that so far I was the most viable candidate and the only one, so far, qualified specifically for the job. In other words, it seems that the position is almost tailor-made for me. He couldn't tell me whether or not he would hire me for the position because there were other people he had to interview first as per guidelines handed down to him (again, a contract issue), but he hinted around that I would be the top choice. This card certainly doesn't refute what he told me.

Queen of Wands is the hidden influences position is almost certainly a person or persons. Three of his oldtime friends (and church members) and fellow workers happen to be with me at my current assignment. They are more or less my personal references. This is a strong card, as in my "Ace in the Hole," to have coming into the interview. These are stronger influences on his decision than I had supposed going into it.

5 of Swords are the obstacles to overcome. As this is Venus in Aquarius, eliminating my own selfish desires desires in this matter is paramount to success. It is funny how tarot sometimes is so direct, as if saying, "Don't worry about it, you fool! You are going to get the job or else it will all work out!" There is also the aspect of patience here, of which I have little in this matter. And the idea that I will probably be offered my current position again as others start to transfer from the job center to go other places, to retire, to relocate to other parts of the country. I am going to be *not* lazy and take the plunge, moving all my crap outta from where it is now to a new cost center? It is a pain in the butt, and something I will have to almost force myself to do. I look at this card as if it were me, reluctantly collecting my things and looking back as if to say, "Well, maybe I should stay..."

III The Empress is the "you're at home" card. I was told at the interview that I would "fit right in" at this school. It is very, very rural and country, and I am not comfortable in the higher echelon, fon-fon schools, at it were. [I interviewed at one of these types yesterday and couldn't stand it, actually; some people take themselves way to seriously!] This attitude expressed towards me yesterday, therefore sincere. This was one of the most burning questions I had, others sincerity. It is good to see this card here because it makes me feel that the sentiment expressed was real and not manufactured political bullshit.

8 of Pentacles tells me that I should remain vigilant. I was told to call at a definite time on Tuesday to learn whether or not I get the job. I was even given the interviewer's direct line into his office (how many Principals are going to do that? lol). I was told also not to accept the first job offered, if it was, because he was going be ethical and do the right thing and wait, unlike others in the county, he insinuated, until the entire field of candidates was cleared (a plus in my book!). As Sun in Virgo, it is the "do the right thing" card. Of course it reflects The Strength card in this deck, as well. And since Pentacles or the Working suit, also good to see here...

10 of Wands is normally seen as a negative card, but this is a great example of how a supposed negative card can be one of the *best* cards in a throw, depending on position! It is a fin de siècle

card, if you will. It has been a long and arduous journey, navigating the politics and professional wranglings over the last three years for this county. And although this new job will be a whole lot of work, perhaps a burden even, it is a welcome break to what I have been teaching. It is Saturn in Sagittarius is a limitation in the upper intellect and Ruler of the House of Higher Education. My work may be cut out for me because of the, shall we say intellectual, limitations of the population at this particular school. It is no surprise to see this card here, then.

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What If I Change Careers?

I have to say that the last month of being on this rollercoaster wide has got me thinking whether this is my cue to change careers voluntarily or not. Should I think about going back to school for respiratory therapy, paramedic, fire safety or some other training? I actually did two throws. One was a Four Square on what if "I Stay;" the other, what if "I leave." I will only discuss the second one:

1-3

2-4

1. What is known. The Chariot. It would be a struggle for me, that's for sure. There are financial issues that would be difficult to overcome. But that being said I think I would be able to overcome these issues with the help of my partner and perhaps my father (if I were to go back to school or some other training). The Chariot is "my card," meaning that it is the sign Cancer. I could more likely be myself in another profession. It is likely that there is a better fit for me than what I am doing currently. This is largely for health reasons. My current job prevents me from getting in the shape that I would like to see myself in because of the work hours, work load, and energy required to do the job. I am mostly unhappy with the lifestyle I feel I am forced to lead in my current job situation. It involved a lot of sedentary work and it isn't as physical as I would like or need to have at the moment.

2. What is unknown. 9 of Chalices. I have been studying the dacanates system over the last week and notice that this is Jupiter in Pisces. (This becomes important later in the reading.) The 9 here is the end of a cycle. It is possible that I am ready to switch careers, but I have to take that leap of faith and actually leave teaching. If I take a voluntarily leave of absence (can take up to a school year), I would be ineligible for unemployment. But I have to consider this as the "wish come true" card. Is my dream job right around the corner? Probably. I cannot lose sight of the fact that my current was supposed to be a temporary job till I found a comfortable fit. What happened?

3.What I should do. Ace of Pentacles. This one seems self-explanatory! Start new. Begin again. It could be that I need to branch out now before I get stuck in one profession. After too long, I will be unhirable in any other besides teaching. Is this the place that I want to be? Tarot often provides more questions than answers.

4. What I shouldn't do. 8 of Swords. This is Jupiter in Gemini. I shouldn't close myself off to other ideas. In comparison to the "What is unknown" card, it is quite the opposite but compliments it well by virtue of the positional meanings---what I don't know, on the one hand, and what I shouldn't be doing, on the other. The expansive quality of Jupiter indicates a time of movement, clarity and purpose. The Chalices card is outward and positive and the Swords card is inward and negative. Getting too caught up in thinking about the situation will certainly lead to me spinning my wheels and not being able to make a decision.

What this reading boils down to is that there is fear in the unknown, yes, but if I take that leap of faith, then there could be a wish fulfilled there somewhere. The uncertainty is there, and since there are no guarantees in life, will always be there. So why not make the move? Am I that insecure? Lazy? Is my inability to branch out or my comfortability in my current job situation preventing me keeping a realistic eye on the future?

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Zenith and Nadir Spread―Two Job Options

This is the Zenith/Nadir Spread, the only tarot spread that a friend of mine, Chris Ritchie aka puckinfl (RIP), published.

"Zenith and Nadir are polar opposites and when reading this spread each grouping should be treated as such. This spread is useful when confronted with a double question, as well as when trying to seperate two options or advice:

****3
2*******4
****1
7*******5
****6

The 1 is the Significator or the Querent. (If this card does not relate to the question or the querent, throw out the reading.

  Zenith Trio: 7 ~ 3 ~ 5  

The 7 is where the right path (option or advice) started and represents a past positive influence on the current question. This influence may still be acting on the querent. The 3 is the zenith and the most optimal choice for what the querent should do presently. The 5 is the outcome (immediate or distant) of following the zenith path.

Nadir Trio: 2 ~ 6 ~ 4  

The 2 is the past negative influence on the current situation. There is a good chance that this influence has passed physically out of the querent's life, but still remains as an emotional block. The 6 is the nadir and is the least optimal decision to be made. The 4 is the outcome (immediate or distant) of following the nadir path.

(Note: Make sure not to interpret this too literally. As the cards may show two paths that both have favourable or unfavourable conditions, so sometimes it is the querent who must decide as to which path is most optimal for them.) ..."

My query aligns with the second option for this spread, "trying to seperate two options or advice." I am debating whether or not I should stop looking for a job if this elementary position is offered, or if I should continue interviewing for a possible middles school position. There are pros and cons to both, with both options equally promising.

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The Significator, Card 1, for this reading was VII Strength, which is my ascendant, Leo. This is also the fatherly or paternal aspect of my job as an elementary teacher. Since my job experience is mostly in the primary grades, I think that the "Zenith Trio" of this spread refers to this age-group. The Card 7 position, XII Hanged Man indicates that what I am doing now, waiting to hear from a recent interview I had for work at a new school. "Good things come to those who wait," and patience will be of utmost importance in the weeks to come. It will be a month yet before I find out yea or nay about this particular teaching position. The Ace of Swords is the contract itself which will accompany the job offer in about a month. This is the most optimal choice, Card 3, that I could make when the opportunity soon strikes. "When the tarts are passed around, take a tart." Knight of Chalices as the outcome should I follow this path or advice, may leave me guessing if the grass is greener, etc., but this may be a settling issue especially in this era of financial and economic insecurity.

The past negative influence on the situation, Card 2, we get King of Wands. This card represents a strict taskmaster-type personality. This stands in stark contrast to the fun-loving Knight of Chalices aka "Jack of Hearts" or "The Dancer." It seems that I wouldn't have half as much fun as the King of Wands (middle school teacher) as I would being emotionally fluid and mutable as the Knight (elementary). The Ace of Coins reminds me that the second job choice scenario would be simply for convenience sake, as if only in it to collect a paycheck. Teaching should be more than just crowd control, an unfortunate reality in some middles school classrooms. The Six of Wands is, literally, "resting on ones laurels." With the Fire cards in the "Nadir Trio" and the Earth card supporting these tow fire cards, it would take far more energy to teach middle school than it would elementary.

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The Light & the Shadow

For this week I am using Alta's Light & Shadow Spread from Aeclectic. I have had a motivation issue with readings simply because it has been increasingly difficult to come up with a query each week. Lately I have been preoccupied with my job situation, as my previous readings have shown.

But allow me to set that aside for now and focus on this excellent general reading for today.

Here is the spread:

 5

 4 1 2

 3

1.  Significator
   
2.  The Light 
   
3.  How you sometimes move into the shadow.
   
4.  The Shadow
   
5.  How you can move further into the light.

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My Significator was King of Swords for this reading. It is the combination of my ascendant Leo and my sun sign Cancer (because Fire and Water make Air).

3 of Swords as "The Light" is a bit confusing, but if I look at it as "strength in adversity" then it make a little more sense. When I was in school, I had a teacher tell me there is such a thing as "good stress." I didn't know what he meant until later in life. This card is a bit like that. "When the going get tough, the tough get going." Sorry for all these clichés, but somehow they seem apt for this card in this position.

My King of Wands represents my passion and hotheadedness. This is the Leo side of my personality that I must take care not to allow to take over. I have my Moon in Leo and she is square with Mars in Scorpio. I have a tendency to wear my heart on my sleeve, and to react instead of act on issues that face me.

II High Priestess as the shadow means that there is still some little voice inside my head that plants that seed of doubt. This is the "what if" or the "not yet" phenomena that can be the destroyer of worlds and of confidence. The self-doubt of self-discovery seems to be a paradox, but how can I improve myself unless I can identify my shortcomings to begin with?

7 of Chalices answers this question nicely! This is a card of choice, obviously, but also that of spiritual perfection. I realize that perfection is a 10-letter word for insanity, and am reminded that it is about spiritual progress, not spiritual perfection. The Shadow of the II High Priestess is there to whisper in my ear, "Your best isn't good enough" because she is all about Perfection with a capital "P."

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Changing Locations for Work

I learned Friday that I have been offered my tenure in my school district. That is the good news. The bad news (not "bad" bad, just not "the best") is that I will have to switch schools because of redistricting and budget cuts. Although I am guaranteed a job somewhere in the school system, it is up to me to find job listings there and get interviews around the county. My certification is such that I am free to teacher any grade level. My decision lies therefore in choosing between elementary and secondary levels. Enough background!

Rarely do I use such a large spread, but to do any less would be taking away from an important life-choice. I think it deserves more attention and detail. I am using a spread of my own design called Another Two Paths Spread:

Path option 2-------------------Path option 1

--9----------------------------------6-------

---------8---------------------5-------------

--------------7-----------4------------------

---------------------3-----------------------

---------------------------------------------

---------------------2-----------------------

---------------------------------------------

---------------------1-----------------------

----------------The present-----------------

Option 1 is where I am now, elementary, and Option 2 is secondary (aka middle school Science). It is obvious which way I am going.

1. What is the basis for your question? 9 of Wands. As I mentioned I have been recommended for tenure. So this card represents the end-of-the-road for in terms of having to be under vigilance for the past three years, during which I had not been guaranteed employment from one year to the next. A keyword that I used when learning the minor arcane was "Respite," or rest after strife. The frog looks like he's saying, "What next?"
   
2. What about the present will most greatly affect your decision? 10 of Chalices. I feel quite comfortable where I am at now in terms of the age-level that I teach. That being said, I feel that perhaps I have already done all that I can do professionally in this area. 10s, of course, are as much about endings as they are about beginnings. Since this is a Cup, the positional meaning might as well read "How I feel about the present that will most greatly affect my decision." I have toyed with the idea of moving up in age group over the last two years for more reasons than one, such as health considerations and workday hours. But more will be revealed in this reading.
   
3. What will divide the two paths? XIII Death. This is one of those "No $#!+ cards." The change is involuntary, as I would rather stay put. Moving locations is not fun. I have done it upwards of 6 times of the past 7 years of teaching. I guess I should be used to it by now. Since there is no longer a position for me at this school, I do not have a choice but to move. Again, I have been thinking about it for quite a while. Being involuntarily transferred is a much-needed push out of the nest. Baby birds either fly or they die.
   
4. What about my past suits this path? 2 of Swords. This is Option 1, elementary education. Since this is my current assignment, I decided it should be Option 1. The 2 of Swords is about choices. I decided long ago (2003, to be exact) to make the move into generalist field (a fancy word for Kindergarten through 3rd grades). This was a necessity because of the jobs that were available and where we wanted to live at the time.  It was an excellent choice and we enjoyed a peaceful and laid-back lifestyle for nearly four years. I am comfortable in my own skin at my current grade level.
   
5. What about the present suits this path? 10 of Coins. Another 10 here reflecting turn-of-The-Wheel aspect of the 10 of Chalices and my comfort level. Since this is an earth card, it suggests that I am a little too comfortable. I could be lulled into a false sense of security, as I could suffer consequences later due to further budget cuts and needing to transfer at a much later date when there are fewer options close to home to choose from.
   
6. The outcome should you choose this course of action. XIV The Tower. Referring back to the last interpretation: I feel that if I stay put (which there is a high-probability of being able to do), then later I will be more forcibly uprooted, again, needing to move to another job center that is not my ideal place to work. I will be able to interview for my choice locations almost immediately (within the next two weeks). But which grade level to choose? Option 1 or Option 2?
   
7. What about my past suits this path? King of Chalices. I am much more spiritually awakened having taken up yoga. When I started elementary, I did not have the practice that I do now. These are well-grounded emotional tools that I have now to guide me through life and perhaps help me deal with moving up to an older age group. My first year, I taught middle schoolers, and enjoyed it, but in hind-sight it was less enjoyable than what I am doing now. Perceptions change. 
   
8. What about the present suits this path? Queen of Chalices. And this card highlights this change. She is fixed and secure in her emotions. Nothing can sway her. She is a stalwart and champion. I love having this card here. In fact, in readings for others, this pair has shown up twice with an important message. Now I have this message!
   
9. The outcome should you choose this course of action. Knight of Swords. Another court card suggests change yet again into a different state-of-mind. This is not a bad thing. I happen to like change, myself. I feel it is important to my life and my mental health. This card, therefore, is about health―mental, physical and in some respects spiritual. Part of the reasons that I would like to move up to the higher grades is simply that the working hours are more compatible with a healthy lifestyle. I would start later and finish around the same time (because of difference in driving distances). Although this is not the only factor entail in the job search, it is certainly one of the main mitigating factors in it. This card in this position is a good augury for my making a major professional change that will in turn affect a lifestyle change. And it ain't no Tower!

(Click to enlarge)

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