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 Cups
Upright
Meditation, contemplation, apathy, reevaluation
When the Four of Cups shows up in a Tarot reading, new offers and opportunities are coming to you, but, you’re turning them away. Perhaps the chances do not interest you, or your cup is full (there are too much on your plate). Use your judgment to determine on what is actually important to you, and don’t be scared to reject new projects that don’t adjust with your path.
The Four of Cups can also indicate a time when you are turning your energy inside, to align to this new stage of your life. You are creating the space inside yourself so that you are ready to receive new possibilities later and give them the best chance of achieving. Use this time for inner contemplation before accepting the next ‘significant thing’.
The Four of Cups can show up when you are bored or unsatisfied with your daily life. You may feel detached, indifferent or unambitious – maybe life has become boring. The Four of Cups invites you to bring your awareness inside and find a more enthusiasm in what you do. You may have found yourself separated from your inner truth, and need to re-establish this contact so you can get a more comprehensive sense of direction. Now could be an great time to switch off from the disturbances of the external world and allow you the space to listen to your inner knowing and achieve more transparency.
The Four of Cups could also note that you have shut yourself off from new chances because you have been hurt before. You may have had a break-up or experienced disappointment in your job and now want to avoid getting in the same spot again. However, you may miss new possibilities that are an better fit for you. Indicate whether closing yourself down is the best way of action, or if it’s time to open up to the opportunities accessible to you.
Reversed
Retreat, withdrawal, checking in for alignment
The reversed Four of Cups indicates a period of withdrawal. You are leaving into your inner world so you can focus on what is essential to you. Just be mindful that you don’t shut off your loved ones or seem indifferent in their lives.
If you are feeling isolated, don’t push yourself to go out. Just ‘be’ in this place, and when you’re able, start to mix with the external world again. It’s just a temporary phase of life. Acknowledge it and gain the most of it.
At times the reversed Four of Cups hints that you feel disappointed with the world around you. Everything seems difficult, and instead of solving, you’re choosing to leave. You may avoid the difficulties of the external world believing that if you step out, the difficulties will go away.
The reversed Four of Cups might indicate you are unwilling to open your heart to someone or to show your true feelings, wishing to withdraw. Be careful of how this could affect those who are close to you and recognize their desires along with your own.
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 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!