Little Nudge vs a Big Whack

I kinda like the 3 card yes/no readings. 


I know that is a direct contradiction to my philosophy about "predictions". Readings really are food for thought, a way to solve problems more creatively, a way to ease stressful emotions.


The problem with readings and "predictions" is how seriously you take them. Sure they are fun when you are trying to predict your favorite hockey team (the Pens) will win the Stanley Cup against all odds, or that you'll get a date with your latest crush, or hoping against hope that you'll get that dream job...it's all good, until we make big, serious decisions based on readings. It can really ridiculous really fast. 


But for just yucks and chuckles, why not?


As I see it, these small, fun "predictive" readings can have a place too. Sometimes we need serious food for thought to whack our lives in the right direction, or something a little out of the ordinary (like an on-target reading) to get our attention so we can learn important lessons.


Other times all we need is a little nudge in the right direction, or a small pat on the back. That's where the magic-8-ball-paper-fortune-teller-gypsy-at-the-fair kinds of readings come in handy. 


Readings can be deep inspiration and communion with your personal spiritual beliefs. Or it can be putting a quarter into the Great Rigatoni machine at the arcade. All kinds of readings have value...it is just a matter of matching the right reading with the right person and situation...which isn't easy. People hate it when I tell them their fate is up to them...the future is decided by their choices, their actions control what happens... when all they want is a pre-packaged, no-brainer, easy way out.  


When it comes to whacks and nudges, I tend to get Confucian about it.


I've heard that one time Confucius gave two totally different answers to two different students who had asked him pretty much the same question. One student he told to act immediately. The other he told only to act after getting advice and permission from his father. When asked why he gave such opposite answers, he answered that each student had very different needs. One was very shy, and overly-reticent - that's the guy he told to jump in. The other one was impulsive, even reckless. That's the one he told to cool it. It was based on the needs of the situation, and the needs of the individual, not slavish adherence to principle. Luckily, Confucius wasn't a fundamentalist.


So why do I rant against "predictions" yet still enjoy "predictive" yes or no readings?


If the Confucian reason is too boring, think of it as the candy bar principle. The old candy commercial said "sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't"...when it comes to psychic intuitive and tarot readings...sometimes you need a whack, sometimes you don't (and a fun little nudge in the right direction will do just fine instead).


Ok, now...raise your hand if you have that candy jingle stuck in your head... 

Three card reading about career change

Q. With the changes in the economy, I've taken my career in a new direction. It is a little un-nerving to start something new at my age. Am I headed in the right direction?

A. I've been working with my mentor, and re-reading some of her writing...I feel drawn to approaching this like a 'yes/no' reading, amped up a little bit. Adding a little of my own spin to her card lay-out, let's approach it like this. Three stacks of cards (like we've done before), but with the left stack being the main yes/no indicator, middle stack is cautions, things to watch out for, the right stack things you are doing particularly well or working in your favor. Ace is yes, no ace is no (easy enough, right?)

Things in your favor - ACE of swords

Cautions - Judgement

yes/no ACE of wands

The ace of swords is associated with the element of air, and the sword on the rider-waite deck is straight up. "Up" is a strong energy and concept around this card. Ted Andrews reads this a "Unique new rhythms of success" in his Animal Wise Tarot (www.dragonhawkpublishing.com). I think this speaks of two basic reassurances...that your new path is on the UPswing, and holds a very positive energy right now. I understand from my Mentor Joy (www.psychicjoystar.com) that the astrology right now is powerful and positive as well, which crosses right into the second point...good timing. Your natural rhythm is spot-on for switching...I 'hear' "good timing".

I picked up the "Animal Wise" cards since you've liked them before. In this deck, Judgement is associated with whales, who can dive to incredible depths, so it is read as "new depths of creativity". Does your new career use your creativity more than in the past? Often creative work is more free-form and less structured than more traditional, didactic jobs. The are also more insecure in a lot of ways. The caution here is in second guessing yourself. The first-impulse feeling I got from the card was "trust your judgment". I've heard self-employment is a big trend, and it feels like being "on a trapeze without a net"...but it is also a big opportunity to learn, and one of the big lessons is to hone your judgement, and to trust your judgement.

Finally...drum roll please...ACE of wands, so yes, you are on a good path with this choice. It is 'frog' read as "fertility and new beginnings"...perfect for what you are doing, and encouragement for your new beginning. The from on the photo is bright green...green is, remember, associated with growth, healing, and to some degree wealth. (not everyone uses green money...but there are traditional reasons, I suppose, that we chose that as the color of our currency...green, growing, is a good thing to associate with it anyway)

Like they say, it's all good. Hope this helps. Keep up the good work!