Welcome back dear readers!
For this week's blog post, I wanted to take a quick break from the "No Reading is Truly a Cold Reading" series, because my previous post inspired me to share my experience with tarot and looking for a job.
In our current Year of Our Lord Two-Thousand and Twenty-Four, many of us are struggling with issues related to the economy, employment, and labor. So, I wanted to shift focus to another important figure in the tarot: The Knight of Pentacles.
Knight of Pentacles
Unlike his brother in the suit of swords, the Knight of Pentacles is a steady figure who knows how to sell his labor to the best employer. He understands his expertise and weaknesses, which allows him to be clear-eyed when it comes to work. While he is not the fastest of the mounted knights in the tarot, he understands the need to stay mobile and flexible in the ever-changing economy. He knows when to stick it out for a promotion and when it is time to leave a dead-end job.
I relied on the knight when I was looking for my current job, and I find that he and I are still close partners when it comes to making decisions about where, when, and how I want to work. Even though he is not a flashy figure, he is probably one of the most important guides we have when it comes to navigating mundus. So, in the spirit of the Knight of Pentacles, I wanted to explore some card pairings that might come up in your readings when you are seeking clarity about your job.
Introduction to Card Pairings
Consider this your introduction to card pairings in the tarot. One way to enhance your interpretation skills is to start recognizing patterns in the cards that appear, which can then be shorthand for constructing meaning from your reading. While you may not always see these pairings, when they do appear, they can provide important signals about your situation. For this post, we will use the Ace of Pentacles as one of the cards in these example pairings.
When you pull the Ace, you are dealing with the unmanifested essence of your physical reality. When considering your work, the Ace will point you to core questions such as:
- Why do you work?
- What are you good at?
- What is your worth and contribution?
When the Ace is paired with another card, that card creates a vision for how those questions are answered in a practical sense. Let's explore some of these pairings:
Major Arcana
Let's start with the Major Arcana cards that could be paired with the Ace of Pentacles. When dealing with the Major Arcana, we are dealing with issues that are bigger than yourself. Your individual feelings and choices are less of a concern here, as we are looking at cosmic movements in your overall life path.
A pairing with The Magician (I) suggests that your labor is subject to the planet Mercury. Areas like communication, technology, and travel are going to be pathways where you will find success. The Magician (I) also indicates that your career will challenge you to develop expertise in multiple areas for you to find success. Do not get comfortable and do not expect a straightforward path.
A pairing with The Hanged Man (XII) suggests that your relationship with work is directed by the planet Neptune. You may have issues finding a good "fit" or a "dream job," and it will require you to change your perspective on what work means to you. It is your job to find a path that works for you, but do not expect your work to fulfill you.
A pairing with The Tower (XVI) may seem intense at first, but it does not spell certain doom. The Tower (XVI) is ruled by Mars, which means you may find fulfillment in a military career. However, the Tower (XVI) suggests an abrupt change in your life. You can expect a mid-life career change for the better. So, don't get too invested in your current career path, as it will be derailed later.
Minor Arcana
With the Major Arcana cards out of the way, let's turn our attention to the more mundane issues in our work. With these cards, our attention is drawn to the ways we can make actionable changes in our lives. These pairings are only temporary, and you have the power to change them.
Cups
In the suit of cups, we are interested in watching out for two cards. First, when the Two of Cups appears in the reading, you can expect to have a close working relationship with someone else at your job. Think of this person as your "work-spouse" in your dream job or perhaps as a co-conspirator striking out against a toxic boss. The pairing suggests that you will need to make a strong alliance to distribute labor to get what you want.
The second card is the Seven of Cups. When paired with the Ace, you can expect your career to have many different trajectories. One year you might be working in Human Resources, the next year in government, and the next year in food service. While the age of the "stable job" is over, this pairing suggests that you will be moving around more frequently than others. Use every new experience to gain knowledge and skills and continue to grow.
Wands
In the suit of wands, there are three cards of importance. First, let's consider the Two of Wands; if you see this pairing, then you need to find a new job that is more fulfilling, even if you like your current position. For situations where you are already looking for work, this pairing tells you to adjust your perspective and not foreclose any opportunities. Look at the forest, not the trees.
The Six of Wands suggests a promotion or attainment of a leadership position is imminent; you will receive the accolades you deserve. However, if you see the Seven of Wands, you can expect to encounter some pushback or conflict in your work life. If you are trying to make changes to the system, expect that system to come crashing down around you.
Swords
In the suit of swords, there are two cards of importance. First, the Six of Swords tells you that it is time to stop trying and get out of your current situation. With this pairing, you want to be smart about stepping down and leaving. Do not panic and bolt. Plan ahead and submit your two-week notice confidently, because the things you were hoping for are not going to happen. Alternatively, if the Eight of Swords appears, then you should get out of there as soon as possible. You are in a situation that is both dangerous and has enmeshed you into the company.
These are not all the pairings you could encounter in a tarot reading. However, these are some that I look out for when conducting a reading. To conclude, I'm going to share a spread I created when preparing for a job interview!
Preparing for the Big Interview Spread
For the spread, we are going to focus on gaining insights into an upcoming job interview. I like to do this reading for myself the night and then leave out the spread where I can revisit it the next day before I start the interview. After the interview, I will also use the cards to create a "post-reading" where I can double-check what elements were important, what the predictive power was, and get an estimation of how the interview went.
I hope you found this post helpful and enjoy your week!
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