Fall 2009 Tarot and Rune reading

For my 1000th post I give you my Fall 2009 Tarot and Rune reading. The question remains the same, "What does the fall have in store for me?" Once again the readings offer some interesting dichotomies. It looks like the season will be a positive step in the right direction. A new job, already looking solid, money is always tight and it looks like the "Devil" has had his card flipped for a change.

	The Celtic Cross spread is one of the most popular Tarot spreads, providing varied insight into many aspects of a complex situation and your role in it. The Cat People Tarot paints a picture of faraway lands trod by mystical archetypes and their feline companions. This deck is a perfect tool for dreamers and idealists, and is a great choice for divining the nature of human imagination.
	The card not shown but at the center of the cross, represents the atmosphere surrounding the central issue. Eight of Wands (Swiftness): Swift activity. Sudden progress or movement. Speed. Hastily made decisions. Too rapid advancement.
	The card visible at the center of the cross represents the obstacle that stands in your way - it may even be something that sounds good but is not actually to your benefit. Three of Wands (Virtue), when reversed: Assistance with an ulterior motive. Diminishing adversity. Beware of help offered.
	The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. The Devil, when reversed: Release from bondage. Divorce. Recognition of one's need by another person. Overcoming handicaps. The beginning of spiritual understanding. The first steps toward enlightenment.
	The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Eight of Swords (Interference): Crisis. Calamity. Conflict. Domination. Imprisonment. Turmoil. Bad news. Censure. Criticism. Sickness. Calumny.
	The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Three of Swords (Sorrow): Absence. Disappointment. Strife. Removal. Dispersion. Diversion. Opposition. Separation. Delay.
	The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Ace of Pentacles: Perfection. Attainment. Prosperity. Felicity. Great wealth. riches. Bliss. Ecstasy. Gold. Valuable coins or artifacts. Treasures. The combination of material and spiritual prosperity.
	The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Seven of Cups (Temptation): Fantasy. Unrealistic attitudes. Imagination. Daydreams. Foolish whims. Wishful thinking. Illusionary success.
	The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Queen of Swords, when reversed: Narrow-minded. Maliciousness. Bigotry. Deceitfulness. Vengefulness. Prudishness. A treacherous enemy. An ill-tempered person.
	The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Page of Pentacles, when reversed: An unrealistic person. Failure to recognize obvious facts. Dissipation of ideas. Illogical thinking. Rebelliousness. Wastefulness. Loss. Unfavorable news.
	The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Nine of Cups (Happiness), when reversed: Mistakes. Material loss. Imperfections. Misplaced truth. False freedom. Opposition. Differences. Dispute.

The Cross spread is used to plot the arc of your life and the forces acting on it. It is the most popular spread, giving a very complete view of the situation. Ice Runes are most commonly used for questions about struggle, conflict, and achievement.

The left rune represents an important element of the past. Ger is one of the runes that touches on the cycles of the year, in this case the fall harvest. These cycles are eternal, which is represented in the rune by the fact that it is unchanged by reversal. Ger can represent pregnancy or other forms of fruitfulness, and is especially indicative of the cycles of providence and karma - that which has been sown is now being reaped. This rune can also represent the cycles of wealth, for crops were frequently a sign of wealth.

The middle rune represents a deciding element of the present. Berkana represents the birch tree. The birch is frequently symbolic of renewal, rebirth, birth, growth and fertility. This rune is a joyous one, representing good outcomes from ventures undertaken. It is the rune of the family and of a good household.

The top rune represents a force that works for you. Othila is the homeland. Unlike Fehu, this is the rune of immovable wealth. On a deeper level, this rune speaks to that which you inherit, be it material or genetic. Since Othila is seen reversed here, the obstacles you confront are among those things in your background that you take for granted and consider fairly stable. Problems from the "homeland", from familial inheritance, or from our own origins may be worked around, but they cannot be made to go away. Fortunately, for many problems, this is all that is required.

The bottom Rune represents a force that works against you. Raido is the rune of riding, as in a cart or as cargo. It is seen here reversed, suggesting a disruption of travel or communication. Etiological analysis of this rune has also given it interpretations of advice or justice, and of being in a position of moral correctness. Reversed, there is an indication of the lack of solid council, or the holding of a position that is not morally sound.

The right rune represents the critical element of the future, at the core of the final outcome. Ken is the rune of light and knowledge. The rune is shown reversed representing a state of darkness or ignorance. Either you are unable to obtain information that you need, or the information is being withheld from you. In darkness there is fear, but remember that darkness does not mean isolation. Friendship and comfort can still be available, although they are not immediately visible. Later, Kenaz