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.
The Lovers
Upright
Love, harmony, relationships, values alignment, choices
The Lovers card represents understanding connections and meaningful relationships. The appearance of this card in a Tarot reading shows that you have a beautiful connection with a loved one. You may have found your soul mate or life partner, and the sexual energy between you both goes way beyond lust to something that is very spiritual and almost Tantric. While the Lovers card usually refers to a romantic bond, it can also represent a close friendship or family relationship where is the flow of love, respect, and compassion.
Lovers is a card of open connection and raw honesty. Showing that the man and woman are naked, they both have learned to open their hearts to one another and share their sincerest feelings by being in their most vulnerable states.
On a more personal level, the Lovers card represents getting clear about your preferences. You are figuring out your own philosophy. Having gone through the instruction of the Hierophant, you are now ready to establish your spiritual experience and decide what is and what is not essential to you. It’s time to go into the external world and make choices for yourself, also staying authentic and genuine in all your efforts.
At its core, the Lovers is about choice. The choice about who you want to be in this lifetime, how you connect with others. To make good choices, you need to be transparent about your personal beliefs and values – and stay true to them. Now, more than ever, you must prefer love. Choose the best version of yourself.
Finally, the Lovers card inspires you to unite dual forces. You can bring together two parts that are seemingly in contradiction to one another and create something that is ‘whole’ and harmonious. In every decision, there is the same amount of advantage and disadvantage, opportunity and challenge, positive and negative. When you accept these dualities, you build the union from which love flows.
Reversed
Self-love, disharmony, imbalance, misalignment of values
While The Lovers card signifies pure love and harmony, reversed, it can indicate a time when you’re not in tune with those elements around you. You may find your relationships are troublesome and communication is challenging. Does it seem as if your relationship is cold and you are just not on the same page? If so, look back to the reason you have this person in your life. If you love them, know this moment will pass and the best you can do is bring love and compassion to the situation. In some cases, you may realize that you have simply grown apart and it’s time to move on. If your relationship continues with arguments and a lack of respect for one another, then it could be time to let go and do what is best for you both.
The Lovers reversed can also indicate that the feelings within a relationship are not common. One person may be more emotionally connected than the other, and this could lead to failure later down the path. You may be hesitant to open your heart to the relationship for fear of getting hurt.
If the Lovers reversed shows up in a reading, you might face a difficult decision with significant results. Instead of making a decision based on your values, you try to avoid responsibility for your actions. Reversed Lovers urges you to think again because you can’t just get away with it and choose the path most in alignment with Highest Good – no matter how tough it might be.
Reversed Lovers may also recommend being in conflict with yourself rather than with external forces. It shows a struggle to balance your inner world. They will lead you to make better decisions next time. You may want to go back to the energy of the Hierophant card and search for the guidance and advice of a spiritual mentor.
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 Hierophant
Upright
Spiritual wisdom, religious beliefs, conformity, tradition,institutions
The Hierophant card is often associated with religion and other formal theories and signifies an established collection of spiritual beliefs. Before you can discover and build your own spiritual experience and make your own decisions (as associated with the next card, the Lovers), the Hierophant encourages you to learn the fundamental principles from trusted sources.
Work with a teacher, mentor, or guide who nourishes your spiritual consciousness and helps you access the Divine by learning the traditions and core principles. Also you may be taking on the role of teacher to others. In this position, you honour and recognize your responsibility to share your knowledge in a structured way.
The Hierophant‘s appearance hints that you are following customs and staying within the bounds of a ‘tried and tested’ pattern. You are not yet willing to go out or offer any innovative ideas. Instead, you rely on the key principles and rules that you know will take you to a successful result.
The Hierophant may call you to acknowledge your family traditions or sacred rituals that is forgotten. You are being asked to commit to spiritual tradition in its most complete form – no customisation, no adaptation, no bending the rules. Sometimes, in love reading this card can also indicate commitment or marriage.
The Hierophant Tarot card often speaks to group membership or being part of an organization. You may enjoy a deep sense of comfort being surrounded by people who have well-established belief systems and specific preferences.
Reversed
Personal beliefs, freedom, challenging the status quo
The reversed Hierophant hints you that you are your own teacher. All the wisdom you seek arises from within – not from external world. You are being led to follow your own path and start your own spiritual joruney rather than blindly following others’. You will learn to trust your inner voice and step into your inner knowledge over time. Others may question your urges to go against tradition, but you will know that now is the time.
You see alternative methods of seeing the world and are ready to test and evaluate the very ideas and theories you were taught were the ‘truth’. You no longer follow the crowd and accept the firm structures, tradition and dogma around you; instead, you seek out opportunities to reclaim personal power. If you feel restricted or constrained, now is the time to make your own rules and get back your sense of freedom.
The Hierophant reversed is like a rebellious and revolutionary teenager who begins to question society. There may be a conflict with a parent or authoritative figure.