So I took a little break. I decided to "unplug". I have no routine. I eat when I'm hungry, I sleep when I'm tired, I feel obliged to accomplish nothing in my day. This has gone on for nearly a month now. When I woke this morning I didn't know what day it was. I'm pretty sure that means I am sufficiently "unplugged". Mission accomplished. I think I'm ready to start picking my way through the winding and endlessly intersecting roadways of desire. I'm ready to ask (...and begin answering) the great (yet profoundly simple) question: What's next? I decided a Tarot reading would be a good place to start. It's a bit of a compass reading, really, about where I am and how I feel about it and whether I am, in fact, in a good place to answer profoundly simple questions. It goes like this: There are 10 cards. The first bit of information about each card is what the card is intended to represent in the reading. Therefore it is very important to bear this representation in mind when reading the meaning of the card that is drawn (which is the information that follows). I did this reading in progressive stages of disbelief. The accuracy of it, and the clarity that it has given to my situation is something for which I am deeply grateful.

1. Cover. This is the situation, atmosphere, or state of mind.
The Tower: Setback. Ruin of plans. You have climbed too high and are being knocked down. Analogous to the Tower of Babel. Your error was not in attempting to climb, but in your purpose for climbing. The purpose of your path is to become like God. You do not become like God by merely having power over the material plane. Your goal is greater than that. You must learn to see beyond the obvious to a higher level of attainment. If you surrender your spiritual progress for material power, you will lose everything you have gained.

2. Cross. Strengthens or weakens the effects of the first card.
Justice: That which should be will be and no one can change it. Proper balance. You will get what you deserve. The outcome will be what is strictly fair and absolutely right under the circumstances.

3. Crown. Immediate future.
Knight of Pentacles: An idle young man who is negligent or irresponsible. Carelessness, discouragement, stagnation, apathy. May indicate being unemployed or discouraged. May show a lack of focus; the inability to choose goals or work toward them wisely.

4. Beneath. The basis, reason, or direct cause of the situation.
V of Cups (R): Bitterness, frustration, an unhappy marriage; all due to poor choices or unrealistic expectations. Surprises, false promises, false projects.

5. Behind. General personal environment that I was operating from, that is now changing.
VII of Wands: Financial gain. Success. Sometimes called "the treasury card".

6. Before. Future circumstances or change in personal environment. The past is giving way to this new situation.
Queen of Wands: The time is right to initiate a new enterprise. You can expect help and advice and people who are willing to assist you. You have the qualities within yourself that you need to succeed in your endeavor.

7. You. Shows stance or attitude toward situation.
VIII of Swords (R): Uncertainty.

8. Your House. Environment, surroundings, effect on other people.
Ace of Wands: An auspicious start of a new business or enterprise. Also a good time to start. The circumstances are right and the ideas and planning are also right. A state of contentment and triumph.

9. Hopes and Fears.
The Star: Returning to the source. You have been given the opportunity to assume control of your direction. The opposite of The Tower, The Star shows potential of wisdom and understanding which is true power. Potential to achieve goals and, more importantly, true understanding of what those goals should be. Serenity born of the knowledge that you will overcome all obstacles.

10. Result.
VIII of Cups (R): You are being told that you will receive what you've hoped for. But it also indicates that you are displaying too much caution. Its not that you can't see the good things that you have, but because you're too shy, too unsure of yourself or your personal worth, or too timid to make your move, you may lose what you've worked and hoped for for so long.

[Tarot for Beginners by P. Scott Hollander]