Readings
Three Cards
The three card tarot spread is one of the oldest methods. You can get to the heart of your question with a simple three-card Tarot reading. In this spread, there are three different positions which can be changed by to your preference, Past – Present – Future (or Situation – Action – Outcome, Situation – Obstacle – Advice and etc.).
The meaning of the card you choose varies according to it’s position.
This opening provides a GENERAL perspective to the period you are in. Or you can evaluate the comments in the frame of your question.
Four of Swords
Upright
Rest, relaxation, meditation, contemplation, recuperation
The Four of Swords suggests you take a pause before you take on the next challenge. You have arrived at the first milestone and must renew your energy before the next period begins so you are restored and ready to go. Even if you are highly motivated, take time out from your busy program to recover your energy and rejuvenate the body and the mind. Persistent stress and tension will break even the strongest of people but short periods of relaxation allow you to refresh your energy and focus.
If you have been going through hard times recently then the Four of Swords appears as a hint to take a step back and reacquire viewpoint. Take a day off, go for a walk, or spend time with your friends – whatever you need to take a rest.
In fact, the Four of Swords offers a new trial: to stay silent and still. Now is the time to strengthen up your mental health by cleaning your mind of stress. Meditate and stay in a place that creates peace and calmness for you.
In a functional sense, the Four of Swords is a sign that you need to take some time to evaluate your journey so far. Make time and space to assess what has worked properly, what has not, and what you need to improve. Delaying to evaluate after each significant challenge will support you well for achievement in the future.
Reversed
Exhaustion, burn-out, deep contemplation, stagnation
The reversed Four of Swords carries a message that you need to take time out to rest and restore your power. You may be working extended hours, giving all of your time and energy to other people, or included in a very stressful and difficult task. You are close to fatigue, and your energy resources are running low. If you do not pause and take some rest now, you may burn-out entirely, making yourself completely incapable.
The reversed Four of Swords can tell that you are very restless and trying to do all of your tasks at once. Even if your body is notifying you that you need to stop and rest, your mind may force you forward, and making you unhealthy as a result. Some ‘busy time’ is good but be mindful not to force it so far that you end up damaging your health and happiness.
The reversed Four of Swords can also signify stagnation leading to prolonged failure. For example, marriage has become empty after a long time has passed. You may need to take a pause and come back to it when the love is flowing again.
Furthermore, the reversed Four of Swords could sign that you are disappointed with the absence of flow and change in your life. This lack of change may be because of your passiveness.
The Emperor
Upright
Authority, establishment, structure, a father figure
The Emperor is the father figure of the Tarot deck, suggests that you are adopting this protective role (regardless of whether you are male or female), affording for your family, and protecting your loved ones.
Similarly, the Emperor represents a strong and charismatic leader. Status and power are necessary to you, and you are most comfortable in a leadership role where you can direct others. You have a clear vision of what you want to manifest, and you arrange those around you to manifest your goal. You listen to the advice of others, but you prefer to make the final decision.
The Emperor reflects a system defined by rules and regulations. You create law and order by applying policies or guidelines to a specific situation. Be strategic and highly organized in your approach by sticking to your plan until the end.
The Emperor card also implies world knowledge and expertise. You have gained valuable wisdom and living experience, and now you enjoy offering guidance to someone who might benefit from it. You may be a teacher, coach, boss, or just a good friend who likes to take the knowledge and pass it on so that others can be as wise and powerful as you.
Reversed
Domination, excessive control, lack of discipline, inflexibility
The reversed Emperor requests you to assess your relationships with responsibility and discipline. Are you expressing too much or too little of these in your life right now? Are they serving for you or against you?
In the reversed position, the Emperor can be bossy and inflexible in his thoughts. The card can suggest an over-use of authoritative power. It could be you or another person, often a boss, partner or family member. And it may be because of deep insecurities and self-doubts.
Recognize the position of power in your life. Are you declaring your power and dominance in a way that leaves others feeling weak? Or are you giving away much of your personal power to please others? Try to find a solution where you start from a place of personal power and enable others to do the same. Power can be equally distributed – you don’t need to take it from others, nor do you need to give yours away.
Sometimes, the reversed Emperor asks you to stand up to authority. You may feel fed up with an oppressive boss or a hierarchical organization and feel forced to enter a more flexible and adaptive environment. Maybe you aspire to be your own boss and work independently by starting up your own business.
In a love reading, the reversed Emperor hints that you may be in an unbalanced relationship and it‘s making you unhappy. Your partner has become overbearing, possessive and dominating. This dynamic is putting tension on the relationship and blocking the flow of energies between you.
The Chariot
Upright
Control, willpower, success, action, determination
The Chariot is a card of willpower, courage, and strength. You have learned how to make decisions according to your values with the Lovers card, and now you are taking action on those decisions. When the Chariot arrives in a Tarot reading, take it as a sign of motivation. You have set your goals and are now directing your inner power with a deep commitment to bringing them to fulfillment. When you apply discipline to achieve your goals, you will be successful.
You may be pulled in conflicting directions for your conviction to be tested. Chariot is an invitation to move upon your willpower and home in on what’s necessary to you, so you can push past the barriers in your way.
The Chariot calls you to be courageous. Be clear in expressing your desires and defining your boundaries.
In a very exact understanding, the Chariot can describe travel. You may even be considering taking a road trip to roam the country!
Reversed
Self-discipline, opposition, lack of direction
Unlike the upright Chariot which is a green light to move ahead, the Reversed Chariot advises you to ‘back up the truck’. You might be trying to push a project forward too hard when really, you must back off or change direction. Or you might have lost your urge and no longer feel as committed to the result as you did when you started. So, if something is not moving forward as you planned, re-evaluate the situation and check-in to see whether it’s a hint that you need to change direction.
At times, the reversed Chariot is a warning that you are letting challenges get in the way, preventing you from accomplishing what you set out to do. It’s all getting too hard, and you don’t have the will to go on. If that resonates think about the things that mean most to you and why you want to complete this goal. Will you allow other people’s judgments to affect you or give up as soon as the going gets hard? Or will you follow through on your dedication?
If you like to have control over your fate and know where you are heading, this is the time to tighten the controls and become more disciplined in what you are doing. While feeling a loss of power can be quite demotivating, the key is to know what you can control and what you cannot. Focus your energies on what is in your control. Examine what you can do to enhance the situation.
Similarly, the Chariot reversed advises that you may be trying to control every small detail in your life. Loosen your fist and let things run their way. You do not always have to sit in the driver’s seat!