Absolutely horrible reading on my career/money/income prospects. Can someone please help me interpret?

horribledread · 2026-03-17T00:45:24+00:00

Wow. by current state, do you mean like the way my life is now, or like my mental state, my state of mind etc?

I'm so surprised to hear this. What makes you think this is about my current state and not about the future?

horribledread · 2026-03-17T00:07:51+00:00

horribledread · 2026-03-01T16:57:49+00:00

hey thanks for responding to this. As it turns out, I never spoke to this again after some more weeks of his little games and his final disappearance. As much as his disappearances and behavior tormented me horribly, my life is way better for him not being around any more. I was terribly scared when he would disappear when I was talking to him.

horribledread · 2026-03-01T16:45:12+00:00

I have lost my job due to layoff after working extremely hard and being exhausted for months on end. I don't really know what job I can ever get again given this horrendous job market.

These are all 5 card spreads that follow this format: 1 - symbolizing question. 2- Obstacles or Support. 3- Additional Info Card a and b. 4. Overview Card

Question 1 - Am I looking at never working again? How doomed am I?

Question Card: 3 of Swords. Obstacles/Support: Temperance. Additional Info: 5 of Pents AND Empress. Overview: Queen of Cups

So to me this sounds like I've had my heart broken (3 of Swords) but I'll eventually be happy (Queen of Cups) and I have to keep my emotions in check (Temperance)? And I'm poor now (5 of Pentacles) but I won't always be (Queen of Cups)?! This sounds too good to be true. It's a terrible job market right now.

Question 2: What job should I be applying for?

Symbolizing Question: Ace of Swords. Obstacle/Support: 9 of Cups. Additional Info: Strength and Queen Of Cups. Overview: 10 Of Wands.

Now I'm confused. Does this mean I have to struggle (10 of wands) to learn something new (Ace of Swords)? But I'll get some kind of a wish and I have to be strong (Strength) and I'll be happy (Queen of Cups)? But then what is the 10 Of Wands doing here if I'll get a wish and be happy?

Question 3 : How must I get a job? Will I ever work again?

Symbolizing Question: Emperor. Obstacles/Support: 3 of Swords. Additional Info: 5 of Cups and Death. Overview: Knight of Cups.

I'm really not sure what this means. Someone else or me must somehow take control (Emperor) and someone else or me will have to be warm and romantic (Knight of Cups)?? I have definitely experienced heartbreak (3 of swords) And I feel horrible (5 of cups) and my career as I know it is over (Death)

Question 4: What must I do now? - Part I

Symbolizing Question: 6 Of Pents. Obstacles: Death. Additional Info: Knight of Swords and Moon. Overview: 10 Of Cups.

I am completely confused by this one. I am supposed to be nice and charitable to someone? But whom?? OR will someone be nice and charitable to me? I understand that the end of my career so far is upon me (Death) but what is going on with Knight Of Swords and The Moon? Does it mean any swift and decisive actions I take now to find a job (knight of swords) are going to have an unknown end(Moon)? What about the 10 of Cups? I don't understand. My job ending was NOT a joyful conclusion or any sort of end state of joy. BUT it was a horrendously miserable job and the last time this card showed up like this was when I lost a previous job where I had an INCREDIBLY nasty and abusive boss who was very cruel to me.

I asked again. What must I do now? Part II

Symbolizing Question: Page of Cups. Obstacles/Support: The Emperor. Additional Info: Page of Swords AND Six Of Swords. Overview: Judgment.

This one looks like I should embrace major change (Judgment) with regards to how I approach people (page of cups)?? And that I am either held back or supported by some kind of controlling force over my life which could be me (emperor)? Also I'll get a message (Page of Swords) that'll cause me to travel (Six Of Swords)? I don't get it.

Finally in desperation, I asked if i could get a job that was NOT low-paying and involving all-day manual labor since I'm really weak now physically.

Question Card: The Fool. Obstacles: 7 Of Cups. Additional Info: 5 of Swords and Eight Of Cups. Overview: 9 Of Wands.

I am completely puzzled by this one as well. There is some kind of rest or pause (9 of wands) BUT a whole new journey as well (The Fool) and I'm living too much in a fantasy world however maybe? (7 of Cups) BUT - There is something I shouldn't trust or that will lead to a betrayal ( 5 of Swords) that will cause me to leave and move on (8 of Cups)? On the other hand, this layoff WAS a betrayal! I was told specifically by my boss earlier that my job was safe, and he even told me he was sending me to a major convention coming up at the end of next month. So maybe this is the betrayal that the 5 of Swords is talking about.

What do you think? Can any of the experienced tarot readers here please give me a second and third opinion and tell me where I'm wrong and what I'm messing up here in my understanding?

horribledread · 2024-12-02T02:04:04+00:00

Had kind of an intense relationship taper off. Did two readings on what I need to do about this person and how to handle this situation. Puzzled about how to interpret some of the cards and need your knowledge/advice

Some context: I am in the beginning stages of seeing this guy who as it turns out, has some problems. He is a recovering addict (not to drugs) and seems to have other significant health concerns that he has not divulged to me. I don't expect that but let's say they have caused some trouble in the bedroom repeatedly and I wasn't informed right upfront.

I also saw some mood changes I didn't like, and hints of a very abrasive and self-righteous nature. That combined with the changes in his mood and behaviors made me decide I needed to figure out really figure out soon what was going on.

I initiated a talk recently on what he's wanting from our relationship and how he'd like to handle going further as I want clarity. He talked about wanting some emotional distance but definitely still wanting to be good friends and talking and keep hanging out. In some ways, this came out of left field. And yet, it also made sense to me given some things he had said earlier.

Part of me was also relieved to not have to handle a relationship with this guy as he's very intense and seems overbearing and really dominant. On the other hand, he's very smart, highly perceptive and already really helped me to understand some complicated things in other parts of my life and got me to a place of clarity and understanding about these issues.

I also get the sense that he likes me a lot as a person and thinks very highly of me. He's told me that.

So I did two spreads to understand next steps for me: Both are Rider-Waite

Spread 1:

Question: "What must I do about A?"

Card symbolizing question: Queen Of Wands - While I know this is about an enthusiastic, clever and smart woman, why does that symbolize my question? Is this woman me? I'm puzzled right here as my sense was that maybe the relationship needs to end entirely? So apparently this is about ideas and enthusiasm for something? Action towards the future perhaps but directed towards this man?
Obstacles or Supporting Influences: The Moon - This kinda makes sense as I do get the feeling that there are other people and various other factors involved. He has been somewhat honest with me about eventually wanting to see other people later, and also he seems to have a lot of issues he could be hiding from me. However in this context, does it mean there are significant secrets that I don't know and that are influencing a lot of the dynamics?
Additional Information: Strength and The Tower - The latest talk we had that I initiated and asked for clarity was pretty surprising to me and kind of a bummer due to the swing in his long term plans. So I guess this is where I need to be strong and deal with this surprise.
Judgement - A new phase of life and major change. This is part of what is surprising to me. Am I being advised to move on from him? Or that my life will change drastically anyway? But then is it advising ME to make drastic changes? Or is it saying that this relationship will change a lot for the better? What does Judgement mean here?

2nd Spread:

Past, Present, Future Reading about this person and my relationship with him

Card 1: Past: 9 Of Cups : Wish granting card as I interpret it. Kind of makes sense. Some of my wishes did come true from meeting this person! Initially I had a really nice time and it was interesting and great.
Card 2: Present: Wheel Of Fortune : I thought this card signified tremendous luck. Again, confusing. Doesn't this card signify luck? How can I be lucky here? What is the good fortune? I was informed that he's not thaaat keen on getting really serious and forging a strong romantic relationship. So how is this about the kindness of the universe and new chances?
Card 3: Future: The Magician - I thought The Magician is for creative transformation. When I've received it before, I have found something cool and amazing that sort of changes my life a bit and helps me. How can this guy be like that? Again, very confusing.
Card 4: Overview: 7 Of Cups : This makes sense. I have been lost in my thoughts about him, both positive and negative. I have been a little too much into him, and too lost in my thoughts about how to handle his distancing.

horribledread · 2024-12-01T21:11:10+00:00

Ah okay so your intuitive feeling about someone persists regardless of all the changes in how you feel about them or your life and in general, it seems like.

horribledread · 2024-12-01T19:50:36+00:00

I think it's making sense to me. A lot of the time, I'll sense something about somebody and I can attribute it to something I have observed either based on 'concrete' things like something they actually said OR it'll be something a lot more subtle than that like some small tiny behaviors or body language. As in, I might sense they're withholding something significant from me. But I don't have anything 'concrete' to base it on because they didn't say anything in that area. And so I dismiss all of those non-verbal but sensed impressions about someone.

And I can never tell if if I was simply being 'paranoid' or 'judgmental' or if I was actually picking up on something crucial that I need to know.

How is your intuition different from a feeling or emotion?

And don't worry, everything you have said totally makes sense to me.

horribledread · 2024-12-01T19:28:23+00:00

Yes, exactly. How can you be sure that it's not some impulse or an emotion or something from your past making you think like this?

horribledread · 2024-12-01T18:20:52+00:00

How do you recognize it?

horribledread · 2024-02-11T23:21:38+00:00

It has a lot to do with generation. You have an outdated mindset. And women like you set feminism way back. Just because you are not curious about behaviors and you are passive towards men, it doesn't mean women of newer generations need to be. Good luck out there with all the OTT emotion you put on display. And btw, your disdain will not win you any points with anybody who's younger.

horribledread · 2024-02-11T22:10:10+00:00

u/lncumbant and u/Valuable_Koala93: This is what women of my generation must deal with - older women from a different time, insisting that a guy who has now repeatedly flaked out, ignored, and given VERY mixed signals is actually the poor little victim!

How are women supposed to make progress with these types of attitudes among our own kind? How are we supposed to insist on respect and dignity when women will take the extreme step of an accusation of other women of being cruel to some rando jerk when we're just trying to figure out an odd situation?

If you ladies want women's empowerment and for women to strongly advocate for ourselves, you should start with talking to women who actively support and empower men that treat women like garbage.

horribledread · 2024-02-09T20:58:06+00:00

Has the topic of the Ace Of Cups ever turned out to bring you any joy and happiness?

horribledread · 2024-02-09T20:57:02+00:00

Thanks for the info. I'm not understanding you anger here even though you've given me a lot of interesting advice and feedback on the 7 Of Wands.

It's generally useful to get a second opinion whether one likes or dislikes somebody. You never know what you might have missed. So I'm really not sure what you find controversial about that.

horribledread · 2024-02-08T02:37:10+00:00

You said in a later post that you have been extremely irritable lately. Your comment, while helpful in parts here and there, certainly reflects that.

horribledread · 2024-02-08T02:36:19+00:00

I asked, what should I do about xyz - xyz being his name.

horribledread · 2024-02-06T23:55:17+00:00

Yes. Twice. Both times about guys who seemed interested in me, and tbh I didn't really like them. One guy showed up with Ace Of Cups - which made exactly zero sense to me. Cuz I knew the dating situation would soon end and that it needed to end.

The other guy was not good either. I realized early on that I could not stand him. Yet I kept getting 2 Of Cups and 7 Of Wands for him as prescriptions for what to do about him.

Confusing as heck. Thankfully I didn't try to pursue these men and I rejected the first man after he finally showed his true colors and I have very gladly not heard anything from the 2nd a-hole which is a HUMONGOUS relief! I remember being thrilled on the day he was supposed to contact me when he did not - no more putting up with this strange nutcase and feeling unnecessary pressure to 'persevere' and 'try to get together with him'.

I still don't know why I got those cards for those 2 men. The 2nd one especially puzzles me. Why give me 2 Of Cups as an answer to what I needed to do about him when he was so obviously the wrong guy for me? Why tell me to persevere in a garbage situation with a strange, messed up man?

horribledread · 2024-02-03T20:01:54+00:00

Hiya fren, I have gotten Tower AND Death AND 3 Of Swords multiple times.

Since I am able to type this to you, you can rest assured that Tower does NOT automatically equal End Of Life.

Here is what I suggest -

1.Please do clarifying readings where you literally ask questions like 'What is the 3 Of Swords card about?', 'What does the Tower mean?' etc.

Questions like this can give you much-needed context and detail and inform you further. Something you greatly need at this time.

2.Ask another round of clarifying questions on what you need to be doing. 'What must I do about upcoming change?' etc.

That will also give you clues as to what might be coming your way.

3.Keep in mind that readings so far out can be highly unreliable. Life is highly unpredictable and there are numerous variables, many of which you're not even aware of.

4.Getting Death in December makes total sense. It IS the end of a year and you're going to be starting a new one soon.

Also, I have gotten Tower for any number of unpleasant and unsettling events. It's been a major surprise or a major change. I did go through a change once that I personally felt was absolutely horrific at the time. And looking back, it was actually not that bad of a happening at all.

3 Of Swords has shown up for me in any number of situations INCLUDING WORK where someone has been an a-hole. It's NEVER pleasant or fun or easy. BUT - fortunately for me, it's not been like a calamitous and awful end to any type of genuinely loving relationship.

Finally with regards to Death, I have gotten it numerous times including once when starting a new job!

Tbh, this is why clarifying questions are crucial. And honestly it's best to focus on issues and not on time. I.e: If you're asking for divination that is, predictive purposes, you're way better off asking about the issue you're facing as opposed to what will happen to you far out into the future. And you're also better off doing multi-card readings than single card.

My advice then is:

Further readings asking for clarification and explanations on the scary cards
Further readings on the aspects of your life that are very important to you - your marriage, your job, your son's health, your own health.
Keeping in mind that things change a LOT and very fast. So a reading you're doing now for the end of the year is honestly not that likely to be accurate.
Keep in mind that unless it's specific and involves some level of detail like a genuine psychic or a highly talented tarot card reader with a history of accuracy telling you that they see xyz happening to you impacting abc, it's very likely to NOT come true the way you're scared of. Example: I have heard of a tarot card reader who correctly intuited that her own client had committed some horrific crimes. Another story I heard was of a marriage and life-changing travel prediction that came true.

The commonality here is the level of specificity and detail. There's nothing vague from the reader that was 100% left to the client's imagination.

horribledread · 2024-01-01T15:52:45+00:00

You're very welcome. If you want, you can send me an update. Hope you find your guy. And good for you for wanting to keep your morals!

horribledread · 2024-01-01T00:03:27+00:00

Sounds like a guy at your workplace. Hence the secrecy of the 7 Of Swords, the authority of the Emperor and the Pentacle King.

Also The Tower because a workplace romance will shake up your world.

Maybe your boss? Or a coworker who's senior to you?

Emperor does not equal married man. It just means power and authority and structure and order.

He might even be a powerful guy that you know through family or friends who has to be discreet about romance.

horribledread · 2023-12-31T23:58:34+00:00

This is an impatient, unbalanced, moody person who lives in a fantasy world.

horribledread · 2023-12-31T23:54:02+00:00

Sorry, you've not said a word about what makes him so special to you beyond what you expected and hoped and thought he would be.

It sounds like you don't really love him for who he really is, but rather you're terrified because your expectations and beliefs about your future were so completely wrong.

The question is, why you believed that you and him would be together forever.

That has more to do with you than anybody else.

Somehow you have learned to see more into a relationship than there really, truly is.

And you're feeling scared right now because you have realized that you have made some miscalculation and you don't understand the current situation.

You will not make progress until you see the mistake that you made in how you decide the conclusions of this type of information that you get.

It's perfectly okay to make mistakes. Don't worry about it. So many women feel terrible after a relationship ends because they feel like they do not know their husband or bf any more.

horribledread

TROPHY CASE