These will be simple 3 card spreads. First card represents your past, second card represents the present and third card is your future. I will
include the cards meaning and may add what I feel it means. Simon your first
First card-PAST-King of Cups
The King of Cups is a strangely ambivalent figure. Such a powerful male form seems almost out of place amidst the element of Water, just as the Queen
of Wands is somewhat uncomfortable in the realm of Fire. This is why the King of Cups is often seen as a card of contradictions. He represents someone
who is calm on the surface, yet passionate and volatile underneath. He shows a situation that is not entirely what is appears to be at first glance.
Under his facetious exterior the King of Cups hides ulterior motives. He can be found in our lives as another person or as a facet of our own
personality.
Usually a man of art or religion, the King of Cups appears as a wise advisor and a noble healer. He listens to the suggestions of others, even when
they are in conflict with his own carefully formed opinions. He never judges, never blames others for their faults, and is always a sympathetic
supporter. In return, others always gather around to hear what he has to say because his wisdom speaks directly to the heart. He is a natural
diplomat, a romantic to the core and a stimulating partner, whether in conversation, friendship or a sexual relationship. He rarely lacks confidence,
and in those rare cases when he does, nobody realizes it.
In fact, the King of Cups is almost always hiding something. He enjoys the quiet power he holds over others, and his personal agenda is as
well-crafted as his speeches. He is a seducer who thrives on the company of women, and he is often selfish and unfaithful. Though he does have an air
of innocence to him, his character is often not deep enough to reach it. All of this comes about as a direct result of the battle between his fiery
soul and his watery heart. The two opposing influences pull him in totally different directions, and often he does not know which to follow. As you
might expect of such a combination, he is insecure and indecisive, often letting others act for him.
The appearance of the King is often a sign that you should employ peace and tolerance to solve your problems. Use diplomacy rather than force, and
accept different points of view. Do not blame others for their failures, but help them to see how they can succeed again. When the King of Cups
represents a part of yourself, you must make sure the King of Cups is not manifesting his energy in a negative form. The moderation theme of the Cups
suit is critical. If you strive too far into the fiery side of the King you will be burned by his inner flames, but if you slip into the deep water of
his emotions you could be overwhelmed and drowned. Stay in the middle and you'll be safe.
Second Card-PRESENT-The Empress (reversed)
The Empress represents a departure from the dualistic philosophy of the first three Major Arcana, as well as from the strongly spiritual teachings of
those three cards. Rather than simple dichotomies of positive and negative, the Tarot now starts dealing with the unfication of spirit, mind and body.
The Empress is the latter leg of this triad, representing the physical body and the material world. From her comes all the pleasure of the senses and
the abundance of life in all its forms. She is also the mother archetype, and through her we get a first glimpse of the power of love in the Tarot.
The world of the Empress is an ideal and perfectly beautiful place, totally natural, untouched by artificial colors, lights or sounds. This is a place
of bounty and fertility, a living representation of the process of creation and birth that the Empress herself symbolizes. She doesn't just live in
this place, she is this place, just as much as the Priestess is the balance that keeps apart positive and negative. The Empress is no less beautiful
than the flowers that throw their scent across her fields, no less fertile than the soil that lies underneath her throne. If anything represents the
idea of Mother Earth in the Tarot, then it is the Empress.
Her primary power, like the two Arcana before her, is the power of creation. But her creation is not based on creating the world she wishes to live
in, or the person she wants to be, because she has that world and is that person. She creates life in all its myriad forms. The Empress is the
archetype of the mother, the ultimate creator and giver of life; thus her associations can be extended beyond creativity into fertility, pregnancy and
the daunting task of motherhood, which she always faces with a smile and a happy heart. She takes pleasure in all things, particularly her own
creations - and everything in nature is her own creation.
Tying into the theme of motherhood is the notion of unconditional love, which the Empress also represents. She makes no demands, sets no conditions,
just loves everything equally and with all the power she can. From this, it can be said, derives her only real weakness, and it is something that all
mothers deal with at some point. She is often over-protective of her creations, and wishes no harm to come to them at all. That would disrupt the
eternal bliss and happiness of her realm. But as it is, the realm of the Empress is both the picture of beauty and of stagnation. So while the
Empress' love can make you feel as secure as if we are in your mother's arms, it can also turn into a prison if experienced for too long.
When the Empress appears in your life, you should make special effort to open up to her perfect and unconditional love. In that way you can become
more like her: gentle and affectionate, gracious and elegant. Such qualities are often neglected, but they are also useful in a world of harshness and
apathy. So instead of plodding through life, take some time to celebrate it! The Empress can often herald the conception or the birth of a child, and
in that circumstance there is even greater reason to celebrate. Inspire others to do the same; the Empress is a leader, and the power she holds over
other people is firm, but loving. Know this and lead as she would.
Know also that the perfectly abundant world of the Empress is always free for you to enjoy. Even if you know that you have to go back to the "real
world" eventually, a vacation from the hectic and artificial life that most people live these days will certainly be welcome. Spend some time
outdoors, in the fresh air, enjoying every aspect of creation. And then, when you go back to where you were, the Empress' creative power and beauty
will remain to inspire you and give you power. Strengthen your innate connection with the Earth's creativity and you will, by association, strengthen
your own creative power. Cultivate your creativity and plants the seeds of a bountiful harvest.
Third Card-FUTURE-2 of Pentacles
The duality of the number Two is particularly strong in the Two of Pentacles because it implies both balance and change, a combination of the inactive
and the active that at first seems rather absurd. After all, if something is constantly changing, how can it be kept in balance? Seeing that balance
is also a dynamic quality is the key to understanding the energy of the Two of Pentacles. It's like a juggler who keeps his balls in constant motion
but always under his control.
The Two of Pentacles is often a sign that a change in your life in general, and your financial situation in particular, is almost certain. This card
embodies the principle of "life at the edge of chaos" - too much change and life falls apart, too little change and it stagnates. Constant change
and self-improvement is the only way to develop the body and the mind, and the Two of Pentacles is certainly an advocate of this philosophy. If you
have been feeling bored lately, have some fun for a change! But if you are not working at all because you're playing all the time, cut back a little.
The principle of balance is the one that ultimately rules here.
In terms of the material world alone, the Two of Pentacles is often a sign that you have several projects underway all at once. These projects can be
work related, personal hobbies, or other matters. This card can even show the dynamic balance between family and career. It is usually a sign that you
have everything under control, for the moment. But even a master juggler cannot juggle forever, and this card is often a reminder that you will have
to cut back sooner or later. This could mean neglecting one project in order to finish another. Dropping one project is preferable to dropping them
all.
Going hand in hand with this idea is the warning that trying to take on any more projects at this time would probably be a bad idea. When a juggler
has perfectly balanced two balls, and a third ball is added, he may continue to juggle them dextrously - or they may all fall to the ground. In times
like this, the Two of Pentacles tells you to be flexible. If an opportunity comes along that you can't afford to miss, but you already have a lot of
projects to watch already, one of those may have to be sacrificed so you can take on the new opportunity. Above all, balance must be maintained in the
face of sweeping changes.
Simon, interesting spread. I see you have some mysteries in your past
The Empress in the reading I would say is about a relationship you are
currently in or it could be balancing of your spirituality. The 2 of Pentacles, is also about balance, don't take on too big of a load and take time
to have some fun. There will be a nice change coming financially.
William your next
[Edited on 12-9-2003 by iconoclast]