BBC Eight of Pentacles

[SolSionnach]

Initial Impressions: working hard, making stuff, mad skillz!!1!!!1
Card description, symbols and objects: a ginger cat is in his workroom, surrounded by the fruit of his labors - 8 puppets, with more on the way. Each puppet is holding a pentacle, which frankly looks like a fancy cookie. The puppets are a jester, a wizard, a devil, a black person, a skeleton bride, another wizard-like figure, a caped man who looks like a new world explorer, and another jester-like figure. On the kitty's workbench are raw parts of another puppet or two, and he's working on an ebony hand. Actually, all the puppets are marionettes, attached with strings. This card usually shows someone who is making the same thing over and over (see RWS), but in this case, while there is a similarity in what is being made, there is much creativity happening, as each marionette is different than the other. This calls for a different spin on the card, because of the variety.
Symbols on this card suggest: getting down to business, creativity, the daily grind, enjoying one's skills and craftsmanship, seeking variety in one's work, too much variety in one's work, single-pointed concentration and dedication
Emotions, feelings, and attitudes of the figures, and the mood and atmosphere of the environment: This kitty is down to business. He's extremely skilled, and enjoys his skills, and he enjoys being surrounded by the fruit of his labors. There is a very serious vibe to this card, and it's obvious that the kitty is in the 'zone'. Lots of flow happening
Mental: concentration, determination, focus, just 'humming' along, no distractions, in the flow, using one's work to avoid contrary thoughts
Spirit: in one's milieu, a very creative time, one has found one's niche, enjoying working within one's chosen religion/spirituality, at the peak of one's powers, expressing one's soul through creativity
Emotional: satisfaction from a job well done, enthusiasm for one's work, unable to be distracted or turned from one's task (in a good way), being able to work through one's 'issues' by being creative, avoiding unpleasant emotions by overwork
Physical – material/financial well being, health: clutter doesn't bother one, work that brings a smile to one's face, vibrant good health, work that nourishes one's being
Soul: Having found one's niche, giving one's whole self to one's purpose in life.
Business: a very busy, productive time, work that demands a sharp focus, using one's skills well and with virtuosity, having too much to do, work is so absorbing of one's attention that one is unable to give enough time to the rest of life, hardly able to keep up with the demand for your product, research and development/exploring new ways of doing things
Relationship(s): no time for relationships, being caught up in work, not needing anyone, avoiding relationship issues through overwork, work is all-encompassing
Beneficial: sharp focus, toleration of being very busy, a time to perfect one's skills, being very productive, being very creative, work that sustains, work that allows one to be creative, skills developed to the point that they are automatic, freeing one to be very creative
Problematic – Problems or challenges to be overcome: workaholism, avoiding difficult issues in life by overwork, an unbalanced lifestyle - all work and no play, lots of skeletons in the closet, splitting off one's shadow side and not owning it
Passing Influence: finally, one's work schedule is slowing down, the time to refine skills is over, moving away from an isolated work situation into something else
The Situation: no question about it, you are completely tied up at work. You can't get out of this right now, so you might as well make the most of it.
Hidden influence: in order to stay on top of events you are going to have to put in 12-hour days. If you want to gain skills, now is the perfect time to hone them. Someone close to you is a workaholic, and there's nothing you can do about it.
Advice: Now is the time to work hard
Foundation: you are concerned about work, whether or not you will 1) ever be skillful enough, 2) be successful with your craft, 3) be happy in our job
Gift of the Universe: you are going to be very busy, and you will *love* it!
Outcome: Creativity, practicality, satisfying work - and lots of it!