I’ve just started to follow a number of tarot-related blogs, one of them being Llewellyn’s (the publisher).
Today there was a post about an Hourglass Spread that looked interesting. I haven’t yet tried to do a spread of more than three cards, so I thought I’d give this one a try and see what happened.
Cards 1-3 represent the past, and things to reflect on.
I drew 16: The Tower, the Page of Cups, and 13: Death.
Together, those cards seemed to suggest that the most difficult parts are already over, at least for the time being. I’ve closed down my old business, although the realisation that it wasn’t working out was a very difficult process to go through, and I tried to avoid it for a long time. It seems as though it’s time to leave behind trying to do a bit of everything and try to understand which aspects from the past I can bring with me. The Tower can suggest a spiritual epiphany and the Page of Cups can represent intuition and emotion. I’m taking this to mean that it’s okay to talk about my interest in tarot cards and gemstones as well as organic cosmetics and herbal remedies.
Cards 4-5 represent the very recent past, and things that are on their way out of your life.
I drew 4: The Emperor, and the 6 of Cups.
The Emperor talks about reason and daydreams working together, and gives permission to be more assertive about the things you truly believe in. The 6 of Cups can represent using something from your past to create the foundations for your future. Once again, I think this is to do with making a new business out of the good things that are left of my former ventures, and also giving me the reassurance that it’s okay to rekindle my interest in the more spiritual aspects of life.
Card 6 represents right now.
I drew the 3 of Pentacles.
I was actually really nervous about turning over this card. I was concerned that it was going to say something worrying, or something difficult. The 3 of Pentacles couldn’t have been a nicer card to see! In my Mystic Dreamer tarot, the imagery is of a woman up a ladder, putting the details to a lovely painting. Two women are standing in the foreground, admiring her work. I couldn’t have asked for anything better! I don’t know whether I’m quite in that situation yet myself, but it’s definitely a place I aspire to be. (Having people respect my work, not necessarily standing up a ladder painting a tree!)
Cards 7-8 represent influences that may enter your life in the near future.
I drew 2: The High Priestess, and 7: The Chariot.
The High Priestess talks again about a spiritual journey, but also stresses wisdom and the importance of taking time out to learn. Once this is done, it’s important to share that knowledge with others. The Chariot also talks about learning, and about achieving success through practice and honing your skills. Conflicting forces can be brought together if there is a common goal. So, if this blog is going to be the place where I concentrate my time, then learning and studying with the specific intent of sharing that information seems like a very good goal to be working towards. If I can make the time to do the research, perhaps some of the elements I want to write about that seem quite disparate can be brought together in a successful way.
Cards 9-11 represents things that might come to pass in the coming year.
I drew the 9 of Cups, 21: The World, and the 5 of Wands.
The 9 of Cups and The World are all about success, and wishes being granted, which was very nice to see! The World suggests the successful conclusion of long-term goals, and the celebration of aims achieved. The 9 of Cups is more to do with contentment, and leading a satisfying and enjoyable life. The 5 of Wands however, suggests that if I want to reach this happiness and contentment, I’m going to have to fight for it, or at least be able to defend myself.
I went into this reading without any particular question in mind, viewing it more as an exercise in linking groups of cards together and seeing whether I could relate their meanings to one another.
I’d be interested to know what other conclusions I might have drawn from these combinations of cards – does anybody have any suggestions?