Alamaris
I decided to read for Cleopatra first... I think she'd approve. 
I asked members of the household who they'd like to hear about first, and was amused by the choices: my mother picked Cleopatra, Anastasia, and Jesus. My father picked the Marquis deSade and Hitler. I'm more morbidly inclined myself, but I'll humor my mother since it was her birthday a few days ago.
I'll be using a spread I designed myself (it needs a name).
3*4*5
2***6
1***7
1. Pick a card to represent yourself -- who are you? 7 of Wands. I feel this card represents a person who stands their ground and refuses to back down in a struggle. They're tough, they're just, and they don't take crap from just anyone. Someone who seems to be in a contested position of authority. This is a person who makes things happen by the strength of their will and their back.
2. What is your honest impression of me? The Star. I was a little flustered when this card came up -- I've always seen the Star as such a beautiful, mystical image. But in representing a person, I believe this can represent a girl child or a young woman. This was affirmed when I checked one of my reference books... when referring to a person, the Star can be a young woman, someone who renders assistance, an astrologer, a UFO buff, and a healer. Excepting the "healer" part, this quite accurately describes me as the reader. Fascinating!
3. What is the biggest regret you have? 3 of Wands. As soon as I saw the card, with its single occupant looking out on a desolate yellow sea, I felt a tinge of intuitive despair. The first thought I had was that of a journey interrupted. This card can often mean putting plans into action; future ideas, goals, and negotiations. In the context of who I'm reading for... perhaps Cleopatra regretted the way her life ended early? It makes sense that she may have had many aspirations and plans for the rest of her life and the cities she dwelled in, but circumstances cut those goals short. The ships were coming in, but she was no longer there to greet them.
4. What is the most important thing you learned in your lifetime? 6 of Swords. Immediately I remember a fictional novel I read about Cleopatra's life, when I was quite young: the RWS image shows a woman and a child in a boat, poled by a young man. The novel I read opened by describing the death of Cleopatra's mother -- drowning by falling off a boat into a river. Cleopatra, an infant, nearly drowned as well. I have no idea if the account is based on fact or not, but this was my first impression.
I feel that the most important thing Cleopatra learned in her life was that its all a journey. Sometimes, you can go with the flow and everything works out just fine. Sometimes, you have to paddle against the current in order to make things right, and although it is immensely difficult, it must be done. One must be aware of places beyond one's borders, and how important travel and trade are.
5. How did you die? The World. My first impression was confusion. How can the World possibly describe how a person died? For one, it seems to contradict what the "regret" card said, that goals were cut short by her death. The World is a harmonious card, for the most part, signifying the end of a phase, wholeness and completion. It speaks of unity, contentedness, a peaceful death at the end of a long and illustrious life. Perhaps she did die peacefully after all, and doesn't truly regret much from her life.
6. Where are you right now? Knight of Wands. I can't glean much from this card, but it seems to imply perpetual motion and action, not wanting to settle down. Adventure and energy, certainly. Some might see this as representing Cleopatra's most recent reincarnation, but I'm not sure if I would read it that way (not sure if I believe in reincarnation, I should say).
7. Is there anything you would like me to know? 4 of Cups. It certainly seems to say, "Take the proffered cup." The card accurately describes my life at the moment: depression, boredom, discontent, emptiness and loneliness. This tells me, loud and clear, "Stop being so withdrawn, for goodness sakes!" Perhaps I need to live a little like Cleopatra herself -- flamboyant, a social butterfly, enjoying the beauty of life.
I asked members of the household who they'd like to hear about first, and was amused by the choices: my mother picked Cleopatra, Anastasia, and Jesus. My father picked the Marquis deSade and Hitler. I'm more morbidly inclined myself, but I'll humor my mother since it was her birthday a few days ago.I'll be using a spread I designed myself (it needs a name).
3*4*5
2***6
1***7
1. Pick a card to represent yourself -- who are you? 7 of Wands. I feel this card represents a person who stands their ground and refuses to back down in a struggle. They're tough, they're just, and they don't take crap from just anyone. Someone who seems to be in a contested position of authority. This is a person who makes things happen by the strength of their will and their back.
2. What is your honest impression of me? The Star. I was a little flustered when this card came up -- I've always seen the Star as such a beautiful, mystical image. But in representing a person, I believe this can represent a girl child or a young woman. This was affirmed when I checked one of my reference books... when referring to a person, the Star can be a young woman, someone who renders assistance, an astrologer, a UFO buff, and a healer. Excepting the "healer" part, this quite accurately describes me as the reader. Fascinating!
3. What is the biggest regret you have? 3 of Wands. As soon as I saw the card, with its single occupant looking out on a desolate yellow sea, I felt a tinge of intuitive despair. The first thought I had was that of a journey interrupted. This card can often mean putting plans into action; future ideas, goals, and negotiations. In the context of who I'm reading for... perhaps Cleopatra regretted the way her life ended early? It makes sense that she may have had many aspirations and plans for the rest of her life and the cities she dwelled in, but circumstances cut those goals short. The ships were coming in, but she was no longer there to greet them.
4. What is the most important thing you learned in your lifetime? 6 of Swords. Immediately I remember a fictional novel I read about Cleopatra's life, when I was quite young: the RWS image shows a woman and a child in a boat, poled by a young man. The novel I read opened by describing the death of Cleopatra's mother -- drowning by falling off a boat into a river. Cleopatra, an infant, nearly drowned as well. I have no idea if the account is based on fact or not, but this was my first impression.
I feel that the most important thing Cleopatra learned in her life was that its all a journey. Sometimes, you can go with the flow and everything works out just fine. Sometimes, you have to paddle against the current in order to make things right, and although it is immensely difficult, it must be done. One must be aware of places beyond one's borders, and how important travel and trade are.
5. How did you die? The World. My first impression was confusion. How can the World possibly describe how a person died? For one, it seems to contradict what the "regret" card said, that goals were cut short by her death. The World is a harmonious card, for the most part, signifying the end of a phase, wholeness and completion. It speaks of unity, contentedness, a peaceful death at the end of a long and illustrious life. Perhaps she did die peacefully after all, and doesn't truly regret much from her life.
6. Where are you right now? Knight of Wands. I can't glean much from this card, but it seems to imply perpetual motion and action, not wanting to settle down. Adventure and energy, certainly. Some might see this as representing Cleopatra's most recent reincarnation, but I'm not sure if I would read it that way (not sure if I believe in reincarnation, I should say).
7. Is there anything you would like me to know? 4 of Cups. It certainly seems to say, "Take the proffered cup." The card accurately describes my life at the moment: depression, boredom, discontent, emptiness and loneliness. This tells me, loud and clear, "Stop being so withdrawn, for goodness sakes!" Perhaps I need to live a little like Cleopatra herself -- flamboyant, a social butterfly, enjoying the beauty of life.
