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.
Ten of Wands
Upright
Burden, extra responsibility, hard work, completion
The Ten of Wands signifies that you are carrying on additional responsibility, a larger workload. Even though it is pulling you down and making things harder for you, you realize it is only temporary, so you are ready to put in the hard effort now to fulfill your goal and pick the awards later.
In some cases, the Ten of Wands shows up when you are unintentionally taking on additional responsibility and finding yourself feeling burdened and burnt out. The Ten of Wands invites you to pause and observe your current lifestyle. Evaluate which tasks are more important, particularly connected to your goals.
Number Ten in Tarot deck symbolizes the completion of a cycle, and with the Ten of Wands, the end is in view! You have been forcing yourself to your limits and working very hard towards your purpose. Now, you are taking those last steps on the path to realizing your dreams.
The Ten of Wands can also note that even with the completion of your goal, some important responsibilities appear. When you reach a point of fulfillment, you become fully aware that you must now carry on with the responsibilities you have set out for yourself. The problem is, however, that these responsibilities may grow too much to sustain. The inspiration that came with the original vision disappears. Thus, it is essential to let go of or transfer some of your duties to free you up to still enjoy life.
Reversed
Doing it all, carrying the burden, delegation, release
When the Reversed Ten of Wands shows up in a Tarot reading, it is often a hint that you are attempting to do too much by yourself. In your attempt, you have found yourself fighting under the weight of it all. Share the work – you don’t have to do it alone. Otherwise, you’ll burn yourself out.
Sometimes, the reversed Ten of Wands points that you are holding on to this weight when you do not need to do so. If you are feeling pulled down by your current situation, look at ways you might ease the pressure. On the positive meaning, if you are going through a difficult time, then the reversed Ten of Wands encourages you that this time will soon pass.
You may also be actively recognizing those activities that do not bring you any advantage in your life, and you are freeing yourself from these extra responsibilities. Consider going through a purging period, removing out old clothes and exchanging old furniture, to simplify your life. You will profit from better organization and enjoy the grace that comes with such freedom.
Eight of Cups
Upright
Disappointment, abandonment, withdrawal, escapism
When the Eight of Cups appears in a Tarot reading, you may feel forced to walk away from a frustrating situation. It could mean ending a relationship, job or project that was once a cause of pleasure to you but now only causes you sadness. You gave yourself emotionally but, despite your best attempts; it hasn’t turned out the process you had assumed, and you understand that you are no longer getting anything out of this. Now, the only option is to move on, even if it brings you sorrow as you say goodbye.
The Eight of Cups implies you feel that something is missing and instead of waiting around, you know you need to leave that disappointing situation. It may not make sense to other people because on the surface, it looks as if you had all you had wanted – although, you know it’s not serving your Highest Good.
The Eight of Cups can be a hint that you are trying to leave a problematic situation or avoiding some major emotional problems. The Cups in the front symbolizes emotional issues that are present in your life. Yet you are trying to act as if they don’t exist, refusing to solve them.
The Eight of Cups calls you to ask yourself what causes you joy, happiness, and satisfaction on a deep level. Without it, you might track goals that don’t give you the fulfillment you’re endeavoring. So, if you find yourself repeatedly in these Eight of Cups states, spend time examining what will give you real happiness and recreate your aims with your preferences.
Reversed
Trying one more time, indecision, aimless drifting, walking away
The reversed Eight of Cups shows that you may be stuck between walking away from an unpleasant situation or giving it one more chance. But the true question is, ‘Can the situation progress, or is it a lost faith?’ Check-in with your feeling to know whether you should give this circumstance one more opportunity, or if you should let go.
If the reversed Eight of Cups is joined with more inactive cards such as the Hanged Man or the Four of Swords, then it may be a hint that you want to try one more time. Though, if this card combined with a more dynamic card (for example, Eight of Wands or Chariot), it could be time to move on.
The reversed Eight of Cups calls you to listen to your feeling about your next action. Others may have an idea, but it comes down to what’s essential to you. Only you know if this circumstance is serving you and if there is hope.
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.