Follow Up: Last night I starting studying and I realize that I will need isolation this term, perhaps more than I have previously. I also realize that I am worried that I won't get the space I need. There's the potential for a rocky road ahead, not school itself, but rather my own choices and studying times. It will be important for me to remember the message of isolation.

Deck: Animals Divine Tarot

Focus: Finances, particularly over the next week or two.

Card: Page of Swords.

It's interesting to me for one that I didn't pull a pentacle. This card, the page of swords, features the goddess Anahita, one associated with healing, fertility and wisdom. Seeing her on the page of swords gives me a message of hope.

Looking at this card, seeing Anahita surrounded by animals as she peacefully sits near a waterful I'm overwhelmed with the card's message of mentally preparing for what's to come. She doesn't know how things are beyond her little resting point (in fact the trees on the right of the card look downright ominous.) Still, while she hopes for the best, she is prepared for the worst. She is a healer, she is not in a position to take action.

I too can anticipate financial difficulty but that does not mean I need to resort to drastic measures for a possibility of trouble. I can be prepared without panic. I work in an industry where I get money virtually every day; that alone offers me a luxery that others do not have. I will be okay, but I must not stop being prepared for trouble.

Follow Up: I did enjoy what was in all respects my final night of vacation. I drank wine with coworkers then came home to eat tasty food and watch a silly movie with my boyfriend. I've started to have those moments of wondering "should I start studying...?" so it was nice to have a final night of relaxing. Plans for the week still include some time for fun and hopefully school won't overwhelm me in that respect.

Deck: Fantastical Creatures Tarot

Focus: Starting School, the upcoming term

Card: Eight of Swords.

This card features a snake, the Egyptian Apep, holding the swords together while closing his mouth on a ball of light. Light being the opposite of the darkness and chaos that Apep is connected to. This is the second sword card I have pulled in a general reading for school and the second that causes me some concern. This card reprisents chaos, isolation and a feeling of being trapped. The snake is wrapped within the swords, are they holding him or is he holding them?

I think this card is in part a reply to the question stated above. Will I be able to have a thriving social life this next term? Chances are I will need to embrace the isolation, lock myself away and stick to my studies. This will not be an easy path at times, at times I will resent it and feel trapped. But I know this is a worthwhile path, a positive goal. I just need to remember to take the time for myself, to make sure I remember that is my choice. No one forced this situation upon me. I'm not trapped. When I'm isolated I just need to keep my eye on the end goal.

This isn't a happy card, but it does make sense and I think focusing on my own part in this upcoming isolation is a good thing to keep in mind and remember.

Follow Up: A lot has happened over the past year, but I continue to be in madness of my own chosing. It's important for me to continue to remember that yes, I chose this path. That school is my own choice. That even the things that are not my choice are within my control. I control the power that outside events have on me. I have the control.

Deck: Fantastical Creatures Tarot

Focus: General

Card: Nine of Pentacles

The nine of pentacles in this deck features Lilith, a goddess or demon that still can get a raised eyebrow from people. Lilith who is known in some circles as Adam's first wife, in others as a spirit of wind and storms. It's the latter that's emphasized in this card, as Lilith controls the pentacles flying around her. This card represents prosperity, but more than that the act of enjoying the prosperity that you have acheived. Lilith looks relaxed and calm as she enjoys the sensation of the winds around her. An owl sits on her shoulder, looking calmly at his goddess.

My time for relaxation is coming to a close. School starts in two days and I will no longer have evenings like last night where I could read a fiction book for four hours and know that there was nothing else pressing that I needed to be doing, that I should have been doing. I deserve this rest, I have made myself busy enough to warrent a few more nights off. Enjoy it. Embrace it.