City of Legends

I am not a spiritualist or supernaturalist. Those who know my stance on these matters know that, while I have respect for arcane aspects, I do not make them a part of my life, for we are at war, they and I (why do I keep ending up dating witches, don’t ask…).

But once in a while, in an attempt to encourage my free association, I wander over to www.facade.com and take advantage of their free Tarot readings online. Considering the curious way my impending California trip came up, I decided to ask about it, about its yet obscure purposes on my path.

I asked the site to choose my deck and selected the Celtic Cross as my spread.

The questions I asked was simply "What is the purpose of my trip?"

Here is what the site’s reading said., thanks to Facade.com Some interesting aspects that may indeed influence my observations and actions over the next week. I comment in the table (In parentheses).

	The card not shown but at the center of the cross, represents the atmosphere surrounding the central issue. Nine of Swords (Cruelty): Debilitating mental anguish or ill health. Being dragged down by the dishonor of others. Participation in a shameful or regrettable act. Inescapable guilt, mistrust, and doubt. May indicate a death or other catastrophic loss. (Hmmm…interesting)
	The card visible at the center of the cross represents the obstacle that stands in your way - it may even be something that sounds good but is not actually to your benefit. Ace of Swords, when reversed: The seed of defeat - perhaps as yet unseen. A challenge met with the invocation of force, leading to disastrous results. Reason and intelligence misdirected or cast aside, resulting in injustice and falsehood. An excessive power abused. May suggest new ideas or information with dangerous implications. (Unseen, perhaps. uh oh. Sounds bad.)
	The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. The Tower: Unforeseen catastrophe. An abrupt change, perhaps leading to a new lifestyle and enlightenment. May indicate a broken relationship, divorce, or failure in business or career. (More unseen stuff. Gheeze, I need new glasses. Oh, broken relationship. Someone get TPTB up to date…)
	The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Three of Pentacles (Works): The commencement of business, commercial transactions, or employment. The constructive use of creative talents, and the expression of artistry in workmanship. Skill and labor turned to the crafting of things of value. Using the conventional as a medium for expressing the exceptional, in order to build something of great renown and glory. (Actually, the trip is being initiated as a high-value courier job)
	The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. The Devil, when reversed: Resistance of temptation. Freedom from bondage. The pursuit of higher goals despite the influence of luxury and pleasure. Release from obsession with money and power. Liberation from fear, weakness and indecision through communion with higher powers or the inner voice. (Let me get this straight, I need to resist resisting temptation. After all this hard work? I need to release my release from obsession with money and power? Get greedy?)
	The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. The Emperor: Worldly authority and power. Social mastery and oratory. One who is intelligent, experienced, confident and reasonable. A patriarch or primary male influence. The motive force of politics and society. The ability to fulfill plans and use mental control over the emotions. (Okay, is that someone I know, will meet or an aspect of me? Aigh, where are the Ephors when you need them?)
	The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Nine of Cups (Happiness), when reversed: Vanity, conceit, and smugness in romance, friendship, or other relationships. Achieving what you always thought you wanted. Overindulging in food, drink, or the pleasures of the flesh. A state of joy and abundance that is shallow and fleeting. (Again, the time line is off, or maybe I’m about to hit another brick wall? How many of them are there in this life? Smug? Only one person on this planet do I know stupid enough to accuse me of that. But, in later sentences, the notion of thinking I had or have found what I was looking for and now it is revealed as fleeting, I can get behind that.)
	The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Six of Cups (Pleasure): Opening your heart to the simple pleasures of life. Fond memories fuel the playful embrace of love and life. Experiencing the joy of youth and sexual innocence. Engaging in acts of gentle kindness. Harmony of natural forces without effort or strain. Meeting an old friend. (A lot of old friends are coming out of the wordwork…more to come, I am sure…)
	The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Seven of Cups (Temptation): Daydreams and things seen in the glass of contemplation. The scattering of energies by strong desires and unrealistic goals. The pursuit of illusions and the dissipation of energy on false choices. Intoxication, delirium, and hallucination, leading to the negation of effort. Under rare and extreme circumstances, may indicate the revelation of transcendental spiritual truth. (So I am to go up into the High Desert next week and be tempted? How Messianic can you get? (Laughing) Maybe the rare and extreme circumstances will manifest?)
	The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Knight of Swords, when reversed: The dark essence of air behaving as fire, such as a tornado: A merciless and skillful warrior, unfettered by emotion or conscience. A nihilist who can refuse not even the most insurmountable of challenges. A person who inspires fear and hate through their domineering nature and the power of their presence. Speaking without tact or tolerance, in a sarcastic manner. May portend the swift initiation or conclusion of conflict, through the calamitous invocation of force. (Well, that does not sound like fun, unless I am the Knight of Swords and the can of whup-ass is opened by me. We shall see.)