I admit, I am hopeless when it comes to questions regarding timing in my readings. I’m usually reduced to drawing a minor card and associating it with a season. However, I like the concept of the cards advising to take action or to wait.
However, it’s hard to explain to a seeker that they should do nothing or expect nothing much to happen. People always want concrete answers.
These are the cards that I think tell us to wait or to move forward.
Tarot Says ‘Wait”
Occasionally, when doing a reading, you’ll turn your cards and say, “Meh.” Those cards just won’t cough up the goods. We expect to get advice, suggestions how to act or at least some hint of how events are unfolding. Have you thought that these ‘lazy’ cards mean exactly that – it’s time to do nothing?
Cards I consider to be ‘waiting’ cards include:
- Two of Wands – not time to take action, plans are still being formulated. Look at that staff bolted to the wall. The chap in the image is going nowhere.
- Three of Wands – it’s in motion, nothing you can do right now but sit back and wait or turn your attention to something else.
- Four of Pentacles – don’t be impulsive, especially when thinking of splurging money on something.
- Four of Swords – rest now or pay for it later. Energy levels are low; conserve them. You’ll feel better for it.
- The Wheel – not generally a ‘lazy’ card but, depending on other cards, it often tells you to be still and centred while turmoil happens around you. Pause and take a breath.
- The Hanged Man – you’re stuck so stop pushing; go with the flow for now. Practise meditation.
- The Moon – wait; listen to your intuition before going any farther. Things will become clearer.
- The World – you are in between phases – a good place undoubtedly and a new cycle will begin when the time is right.
Some people will always prefer to act or orchestrate events rather than be still. They might be itching to make a decision or alternatively feel they can’t make up their minds. Tarot might advise that they need to step back as all will be come clear, or perhaps the best course is not to choose right now. When in doubt, do nothing.
In a relationship reading, a seeker might be impatient that their loved one doesn’t seem keen on moving things forward. Tarot may be saying, relax, give them a little time; do not pressure them.
In response to a career question, tarot may indicate that good things come to those who wait a while. Keep doing what you are doing and your talents will be recognised.
I have had clients who came to me repeatedly and each time, I had nothing to give them. One elderly gentleman was hoping for love to blossom with a widow he knew. The cards gave no indication of a developing relationship and indeed, after trying to get her to pay attention to him, he gave up. It just wasn’t going to happen. In this kind of scenario, it’s a good idea to restrict the repeated question reading to one or two cards and encourage the client to focus on another area of their life, otherwise they are simply wasting their time and money getting readings on an unchanging situation.
Tarot Says “Let’s go!”
Don’t you love it when there is a clear pattern of ‘all systems go’? When the tarot advises a definite course of action it can be so helpful.
Cards that suggest moving forward are:
- Eight of Wands – c’mon, get organized. Many things to do!
- Ten of Wands – one step after the other will get you there.
- Knight of Wands – the most active of the Knights. Beware impulsiveness though.
- Seven of Pentacles – stop prevaricating; find your direction.
- Three of Cups – let’s dance!
- Eight of Cups – moving on, though it might be difficult.
- Six of Swords – slowly but steadily; better times ahead.
- Eight of Swords – you must take action to get yourself free – it looks harder than it actually is. Really.
- Knight of Swords – You’ve done your thinking now act!
- The Fool – just do it; the Universe will take care of you.
- The Chariot – take control and get moving.
I am sure you can find lots more.
Example Spread
Of course, it depends on the situation and surrounding cards but clients love it when you can give them impetus and show them that taking action will be beneficial to them. One of my favourite spreads for this is ‘Take action or not?’ It’s ideal for using after a longer reading where a certain outcome is suggested but how to get there is a little vague.
Three cards in the following positions:
- Wait or move?
- Which direction?
- Consequences
Sample reading – a real life work-related issue for me
Should I contact this person?
- Wait or move? – The Star
- Which direction? – Six of Swords
- Consequences – Ten of Pentacles
The Star says you are in the right place to choose. Everything is in your favour. The Six of Swords says, yes, you are already headed in the right direction (notice in the Robin Wood version there is a star (or lamp) twinkling in a cave up ahead). Ten of Pentacles says, if you contact this person and work with them, then the outcome will be beneficial for you and your family.
I love it when things come together. Listen to your cards. Do they advise you to wait or to move? The answers are right there in front of you.
Cards used for illustration from the Robin Wood Tarot.
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