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.
- 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?"
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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?
- 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.
- 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!
- 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)
Card images © Lo Scarabeo ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Used by Permission
