Saturday, April 25, 2009

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:



(Click on image to enlarge)


****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.

Card images © Lo Scarabeo ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Used by Permission