timelines

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 02 Jun 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

cartarum	02 Jun 2004
yesterday night, i read a spread that depressed me. it was one of those "because you did this, this wont happen" spreads. it was a difficult union, two children, a boy and a girl who would later grow up to be a page of wands and a knight of swords. we wouldnt have been rich, but there would have been magic and love. but the simplest action can change fate on a dime, and fate is a cruel mistress. we dont really need to know what could have been, but tarot tells us anyway, whether you understand or not. it just goes to show, it hurts alot less if you just dont know you are getting burned.

HudsonGray	02 Jun 2004
But think of all the future possibilities still in front of you--the 'what might have been' is all non-reality at this point, so even if it hurts, it still never was. You do, however, have a steady future for something that WILL be. And it might be tons better than what the reading showed.

Flavio	02 Jun 2004
Whenerver I get a tragic, pesimistic or depressing reading I see it as a chance to learn something and hopefully get back on my way if needed. The results of a reading are not written in stone (even for the past!) try to see the result from a different point of view. A "because you did this, this wont happen" spread was used, so the result was from the beginning meant to be an unhappy one, maybe you are feeling you deserve that kind of message, move on and try a spread for tarot guideance not "tarot claiming at you", it will feel better. Best Regards

cartarum	03 Jun 2004
actually, i use the waite cross. the "because you did this this wont happen" spread i mentioned is actually a specific combination of certain cards in certain places, detailing that which is passing away. the rest was standard card reading, with signifactors. still, its cheap. its like your boss saying alright, because you took that sick day, im not giving you that raise. unless hes a coward, then you will see a five of swords reversed.

hedgecub	03 Jun 2004
Let's say you didn't take the sick day and your boss gave you a nice raise. You have a job you enjoy and now you have good pay to boot. Suddenly, you hear of a new job opportunity at another company. It sounds like it could be a lot of fun, but the company has only just started so the job isn't at all secure, and the pay wouldn't be very good. Plus, while the job currently looks enjoyable, you have a sneaky suspicion that as the company grows, the job will become more managerial and less hands-on, which you wouldn't like. So you decide to pass on the interesting but unpredictable opportunity, and stick with a job that's secure, well-paying, and enjoyable. Looking back, it sounds like you made the right move, but what if that flaky job opportunity eventually grew into a secure career that paid better over the years as the company grew, and became ever more fun and interesting as the company looked for new, creative ideas? What if turning down that magical, loving, but rough relationship eventually leads to an even better one? While it's usually best to keep as many doors open as you can, sometimes by walking through one doorway, you have to close some other doors. Looking back and seeing what might have awaited you through those other doors might make you wish you'd chosen another doorway, but then again you don't know what's awaiting you beyond the doors that lie ahead.

MeeWah	03 Jun 2004
Very good advice being given here. Dwelling on what-might-have-been or second-guessing consumes one's resources & prevents living in the present. Perhaps it would help to consider that every choice is inherent with its own unique opportunities, some of which may even offer "again" those passed by.

cartarum	05 Jun 2004
its still a kick in the pants though.

The timelines thread was originally posted on 02 Jun 2004 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.