Question from J.: Is this new guy I met a good romantic match for me?

Judgment, 9 of Pentacles and the Hierophant. I drew another card for the Hierophant to look upon, as he was looking into space. We got the 9 of Swords for him to gaze upon.

The first thing that struck me was that he has a lot of power, and/or, you are giving him a lot of power. The people in the Judgment card look to be worshiping the angelic trumpet player, and the two people in the Hierophant card are most certainly worshiping/revering the main figure there. In each card, there is someone in obvious control, with attending 'worshipers'. Notice, too, that each dominant figure is not looking at his 'people'. I feel a sense of ego in both of these images--like the guy is not concerned with who he's affecting--he's just preoccupied with his own work and with his own methods.

Then we have the number 9 showing up in the other two cards: the 9 of Pentacles and the 9 of Swords, which the Hierophant is looking at. Among other things, 9 represents our unconscious and it is ruled by the moon. I think with the 9 of Pentacles in between Judgment and Hierophant, we have an indication of unconscious desires manifesting. Is there a desire, (expressed or not) to have someone for you to look up to? To have a sense of connection to someone who exudes a lot of spiritual authority?

With the Hierophant looking at the 9 of Swords, there is a sense that this man may be really tapped into acting out in an 'elevated' manner due to unconscious desires to be right and to be perceived as an authority. The 9 of Swords also is tied into the idea of mental pain, so I'm wondering why he's focused on this card. Is there some issue he has not cleared up? I'm tending to think so by looking at these cards.

I hope this helps you--please let me know how it goes and tell me if any of the images bring anything up for you.

My Shift...

I have been reading Tarot cards since age 14. Memorizing, studying, meditating--all bringing me to this place of somehow being able to 'read' people's concerns, thoughts and aspirations via the cards. The number of corresponding systems that can be applied to card interpretations is vast, and requires years of study in themselves: astrology, numerology, archetypal symbolism, and kabalah are a few. It can all get complicated. To properly apply this knowledge to a dynamic human being sitting in front of you is a monumental task: to do so with care, with sensitivity and a degree of clarity is an art-form that I've taken very seriously.

In October of 2008, my consciousness shifted. I stumbled upon a place of solace, where l realized that all I now need to read the cards are my eyes and the pictures, and the ability to release all I've learned about Tarot. My inspiration came via the chance/synchronistic finding of a blog by Enrique Enriquez (www.enriqueenriquez.net). Through him I was awakened to the power of simply looking; of reading the cards using only their raw 'optical language'. It is as if an older part of my humanity has been brought to life--as if I've been called to start at the very beginning--to understand the world using a primal, pre-verbal language. It works, and simply so. I feel akin to the painters of Lascaux. My brain doesn't hurt so much now. Using fewer cards, my readings are richer, and far more accurate.

Thank you, Enrique, for building the bridge.

There are Four Men I Know-Who is Best for a Long Term Relationship?

Man 2: Empress, Knight of Pentacles, Knight of Wands

The ‘Mother’ card is present in association with two cards signifying he's a mover and a shaker. He appears to be energetic, yet grounded enough to be very focused on whatever task is at hand. This relationship looks to be tapped into the Mother archetype, though. It can be successful if your relationship is focused primarily upon accomplishing creative projects.

Man 3: The Hanged One, Page of Swords and Page of Wands

This combination shows us someone who is a deep, original thinker, yet he embodies naiveté. He very much wants to learn how to please people. We have a picture here of an inability to move forward with much authority--he may shoot himself in the foot, figuratively speaking and/or have a difficult time making decisions.

Man 4: 9 of Wands, 6 of Pentacles, 8 of Pentacles

Here is a picture of physical and emotional work. The 6 of Pentacles is a measured, balanced give and take. It is flanked by a card of literal work (8 of Pentacles) and one of having expended a lot of energy (9 of Wands). The relationship certainly seems to be grounded and stable. It feels like the first card of fire is happy existing next to the two earth cards. I think this is an excellent picture of having done the work to achieve security and stability. The question is, don't we want to see at least one Cup card in a relationship question? The only Man with that emotional aspect showing up is Man #1.

Should I Move to Tahoe Within a Year?

The 2 of Swords, IV The Emperor, III The Empress

With the 2 of Swords, we have a clear picture here of your indecisiveness--of someone gathering more information--of a wait-and-see attitude. Is this indecisiveness due to the Emperor and Empress? Is there an actual couple (Mom & Dad, a friend and his wife) who is influencing your decision? This is one level of the message. If it applies, it seems they have a strong pull on your decision, and you are told to look to them for more clues.

On a deeper level, when we see this royal couple together, we see the male/female archetype that we all carry within us--the animus/anima. They are trying to get your attention--to open you up past the point of the two of swords--to talk to you about letting down your guard so that you may learn something from them. What typically does the anima/animus seek to teach us? Inner wholeness, completion and balance.

According to the great Carl Jung, these figures are the differentiated energy within that we seek to harmonize. We do this most often by identifying with the energy of one of them (men choose to adopt the male/animus energy and females choose the feminine/anima) and then we project the energy of the other onto our mate, thus only feeling 'complete' when we have found a partner who embodies the other archetype.

Ideally, if we are fully conscious, we come to realize that we carry both of these figures inside of us--in other words, we have all we need inside to be complete, thus we don't need to rely on another person for that feeling of completion. Jung would say that in essence, to seek your other half through another person is to avoid discovering the reality of your full power as an individual soul. Neither he nor I am saying relationships aren't important and satisfying, but rather that often we look to them to be our salvation. This can be dangerous and harmful to both parties, often accounting for the crazy dynamics we see in some relationships.

How does all of this apply to your question about moving? I take this combination to mean if you do move to Tahoe, these powerful archetypes will be surfacing. Will you meet that special someone, and/or will you find that Tahoe is a place where you will seek and find inner completion? Both sound good to me.