An email from Juliet

[rachelcat]

Hey, rachelcat! I know this is short notice, but it’s an EMERGENCY!

At last night’s Chez Capulet blowout, I met a boy--Not just ANY boy! (But I guess I shouldn’t name names . . .)

To make a long story short, I’M IN LOVE! And, yes, I told him so! And he told ME so, too!!

As we planned, I sent Nurse to get a message from wonderful, amazing HIM on when and where we will meet again--Meet and maybe something MORE! You probably think I’m just a silly boy-crazy child, but in a few days, I might be a married woman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BUT--Nurse left almost 3 HOURS AGO and isn’t back yet! Maybe she can’t find him!! Maybe he wasn’t able to set anything up!!! Maybe my mother found out!!!! Maybe he doesn’t love me after all!!!!!

So I can’t wait another MINUTE! What do the cards say? Does he still want me?? Will we be together??? Will we get married???? Will we be happy????? Anything you can tell me will help me hold it together until Nurse gets back! Please don’t take too long answer!

Thank you, thank you!!!

Juliet

[rachelcat]

Hey Juliet!

Wow, I don't hear from you for a few days, and look what happens! I'm sure you know you've completely shocked me. But since you're going crazy, I did your reading as quickly as I could. Here it is:

I used a spread with which you can get any number of major and minor card pairs, and for your reading, you only got one pair, which I think is significant. It's short and to the point, but there’s a lot of information here in only 2 cards, the World and 10 of Swords.

World: You will get all that you wish for, the whole world! And you and your new love will be each other’s whole world. Your love for each other is a true and strong one.

10 Swords: But I see strong interference. If, as you imply, your family will not approve, they might be a powerful obstacle—either after you are together/married or otherwise. If it’s not your families, some other strong ideas, prejudices, or convictions will be a challenge to you as a couple.

Beware of subterfuge, your own or someone else’s. Trying to deceive the people who might be opposing your relationship/marriage can only make things worse when it’s discovered. So take some time to think about how you're going to present your relationship to the outside world.

You are really rushing into things, so be smart and be careful out there! You have your whole life ahead of you! (This part is me talking, not the cards!) You know I wish you all the happiness in the world! Please let me know how things turn out today and what you're really going to do about all this!

R.

[rachelcat]

Comments, reading help, and/or follow-on readings from anyone are welcome!

ETA: This is a real reading with cards drawn randomly, using the "Oldest Spread" technique.

[shadowdancer]

this is interesting, and using the two cards is interesting.

I always see the 10 of swords characters as being almost dead, swords in their backs etc. When you consider the fate that met them both this so makes sense and you are right - they were the world to each other. What scuppered things was the being stabbed in the back in a way I guess.

Davina

PS I do hope others jump in with thoughts, views etc. I have posted a few of these and not many do comment, but I know they are read, as no doubt yours will be.

Davina

[gregory]

World:
You will get all you ever dreamed of.

10 Swords:
But it will turn to ashes in your mouth. Only tragedy will ensue.

This is a really all or nothing reading. Get it all and lose it all in a matter of - hours, probably. Sad. (and amazing, for a random draw !!!)

I suspect that the - almost complacency - resulting from the World and its gifts will mean you don't keep your eye on the ball well enough and others get a chance to sabotage you - hence - disaster.

[rachelcat]

Hi, Davina and gregory! Thanks for your comments.

The cards ARE chilling! And I've never gotten only one pair when using this spread before.

http://marygreer.wordpress.com/2008/04/03/the-oldest-spread-by-le-comte-de-m/

We did a group reading on this question at a tarot society meeting and also got the 10 of Swords. (I can't remember if we got the World too, though.)

gregory: Yes, sometimes people see one negative card and then can't see all the other cards in a spread, but sometimes we see that World card, and all the warning cards go out the window!

I have a personal meaning for the 10 of Swords that is a no-brainer: fanaticism and mob rule. 10 = too much plus swords = thoughts, ideas equals putting too much importance on ideals and not enough on people.

Which really fits with the family feud that triggered the whole catastrophe. The families wouldn't stop the madness until they both lost the things most precious to them, their children!

When I did the reading, I got a secondary sense for the 10 of Swords of deception, although I agree that is a better fit with 7 of Swords. Friar Laurence and Juliet's deception was also another big contributor to the tragedy.

Thanks for playing along!

[gregory]

Once (JUST once !) I drew 10 Swords for a happy marital situation... but NOT here :D

[jenessa]

rachelcat: I was gonna ask what spread you were using, but now that i've found the time to get back to this thread, I see that you've had the foresight to post it.

Also: thanks for "sharing" YOUR definition re: 10 Swords .. i totally follow your take, tho i would never have thot of this myself/regards/jenessa