Example Tarot Reading

The following reading is an actual online Tarot reading done through email. Names, dates, and a few details were changed for privacy readings.

Tara’s reading request:

Birthday: December 27, 1990

Q: How can I get closer to achieving my career goals?

Tara’s reading:

Tara, Thanks for requesting a reading with me! To answer your inquiry regarding your career, I've designed a custom spread. (You can see it in the attached image.) It shows that you're in the midst of many choices and changes! Let's take this one card at a time so I can explain what each means for you.

Starting at the bottom, the reversed Judgment card shows where you are now. At the moment, you're experiencing some self-doubt. Aspects of your career feel out of your control, resulting in self-criticism. Learn what you can from the past, but don't be so hard on yourself that you miss out on important opportunities. Although it doesn't feel like it now, hard work will pay off big time.

The 8 of Cups and the reversed 7 of Pentacles show your strengths and weaknesses respectively. The 8 of Cups suggests that recently you've realized your current job leaves you unfulfilled. You are emotionally exhausted, but at the end of the day, the job leaves you unsatisfied. This may not seem like a strength at first, but this card actually reveals that you have the courage to move on despite the pain of leaving. That's something to be proud of!

The downside is that even though you're ready to move on, you don't have a clear plan for moving forward. This lack of long-term vision has left your energies and efforts scattered. It's time to set a clear list of priorities for yourself to avoid investing in efforts that ultimately don't help you move forward. Sometimes that means breaking off commitments that no longer serve you.

The reversed 9 of Cups and Ace of Pentacles give insight into issues that should be addressed moving forward. The reversed 9 of Cups reiterates the lack of fulfillment suggested by the 8 of Cups. You have a general idea of what you want to achieve, but you're disappointed in how slowly it's materializing. This depresses you and makes you doubt yourself. As with the reversed Judgment card, don't indulge in self-criticism. Instead set clear, realistic goals for yourself.

As the reversed 9 of Cups speaks to the issues raised by the 8 of Cups, the Ace of Pentacles gives more insight into what to do about the reversed 7 of Pentacles. Aces are exciting because they refer to new beginnings and inspiration. Have you recently been toying with a business idea that you haven't taken very seriously yet? Maybe it's time to sit down and make a detailed plan. What are the exact steps you'd have to take to achieve your goals? What would the timeline for this look like?

Next let's consider past influences on your career with the Moon. The Moon encourages us to be aware of our dark side. In the past, self-doubt and anxiety may have led to you projecting your fears onto your relationships with others. They may also have kept you from pursuing opportunities because you didn't truly believe yourself worthy. An important lesson this card can teach us is to ditch all the negative clutter in your head long enough to hear what your intuition is telling you. At the moment, you may feel like you don't have a clear path or end goal in mind, but deep down, you know where you want to be.

The 7 of Swords shows future influences. This card is often associated with betrayal and deception. You may be tempted to sneak away from your current responsibilities in order to pursue your goals. Don't do it! Keep everything above board. Honesty with yourself and others can be challenging and uncomfortable. Ultimately, though, it will prevent you from burning bridges or running away from problems. The easy way out is always tempting but often perilous.

Let's take a moment to recap what the Tarot is telling you. You're ready to move on to a more fulfilling career. You've been inspired in some way, and you need to let go of unhelpful anxiety and self-criticism that is preventing you from making a clear, realistic plan and pursuing it. The exciting news is that if you work on these things, the Tarot shows great accomplishments as the outcome. The Magic card shows a substantive personal transformation in which you come into your own as a powerful, resourceful person. The Magician has the power to transform themselves and their lives. You really are capable of so much! Pretty exciting!

I hope this reading has been helpful! I know it may be a lot to take in, so please feel free to ask me any clarifying questions you may have about the cards.


Marie Lane


@marielanetarot on Instagram and Twitter

"Take life by the reins."