Lilias is an energetic 80-year-old whose favorite pastimes include rambling, horse riding, and salsa! I have had the good fortune to read for Lilias for over a decade and look forward to seeing her. I also read for her daughters and several friends.
Lilias strongly prefers palmistry and Tarot — specifically the Colman Smith and Waite Tarot pack. Unlike many, this was neither my first Tarot nor one I have a long connection to. However, I keep a copy for Lilias and a few others who prefer the familiar drawings of Pamela Colman Smith.
Due to coronavirus, I read for Lilias remotely. After a general reading (using the temple and pyramid spreads) and follow-up questions, Lilias asked me to read about her granddaughter’s work situation.
Lilias is a retired teacher, and her two daughters pursued this vocation, as did a granddaughter, Mina.
Mina started work last September but has now resigned. Lilias is concerned Mina is throwing in the towel as Mina has no other role and doesn’t seem keen on teaching. So Lilias wanted to know if Mina was giving up teaching and making a big mistake? Would she be OK?
Due to time constraints, I used the Horseshoe spread.
Based on Lilias’s description, and as Mina is a woman under 35, I chose the Page of Wands as the Questioner card.
Here are Mina’s cards:
In Mina’s past, we find the Three of Pentacles, which has several meanings. First, Mina has qualified as a teacher (gain in rank) and enjoyed the benefits of a salary (paid employment). Another of the traditional significations of the Three of Pentacles is the “commencement of matters to be established later.” The qualifications she possesses will not go away. It would be possible to return to the profession after a break.
When I saw the Knight of Swords, I knew immediately that Mina was working in an all-boys’ school. Lilias confirmed this. The Knight falls between two Pentacles’ cards and is therefore undignified, bringing his more difficult qualities: obstinance, aggression, and unreliability. It’s a pressurized environment, and Mina is taxed.
The Seven of Cups, signifying the obstacle, supports that. Although often read as choices and imagination, it is more a card of false hope, deception, error, and “slight success at outset, not retained.” Between two fire cards, this is exacerbated. Mina feels cheated as her dream job has not surpassed the ideal in her head. She is jaded.
Consequently, as shown by the Four of Wands, she has decided to leave and take time for herself. This is not a card of walking away but a respite. It would seem that her decision has partly been influenced by the Queen of Wands, a woman who is quite kind and supportive. I felt that this was Mina’s supervisor and a sign that Mina had taken advice rather than just acting of her own volition.
Certainly, Mina’s financial future appears secure, as shown by the Four of Pentacles. Combined with the Nine of Wands as the outcome, it is pretty clear Mina will return to teaching after a break. The Nine of Wands emphasizes Mina has the strength to make a success despite this poor start (“Victory, preceded by apprehension and fear”). At the same time, the Four of Pentacles doesn’t support a career change (“little enterprise or originality”).
Taken together, she is entirely okay, despite a shaky start. Lilias was relieved.
A week after the reading Lilias called me to say Mina was planning to travel but has full intentions to return to teaching.
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Deck: Tarot Cards, published by Rider/Waddingtons.
Journal of a Cartomante 