The Moving Forward Spread - 09/07/2017
I had a very moving moment with the Moving Forward Spread. In the past few years my partner and I have dealt with trust issues related to his addiction and recovery. We love each other and are in a very good place right now, but I’m about to leave for a week long work trip and it will be a big challenge and test for us both - me, for trust, and him, for maintaining his recovery and not indulging in self-destructive behaviour (he is confident and feels good about this). I ask the cards how we can move forward from our past, and how I can embrace trust and move into the next stage of our lives together.
The cards delivered. The first card represents the situation we face, and it’s telling that the Knight of Wands presented itself. The Knight of Wands, with its backwards-facing horse represents my partners inability to let go of the past (his youthful party days) and his need for “adventure”. It represents his reluctance to embrace a quieter, more mature lifestyle which he has in the past viewed as dull and repetitive - too pedestrian. The background in the Knight of Wands is of a barren desert, for continually living in the past is not fruitful and it is a lonely path.
The second card represents how to begin moving forward. Here, the Knight of Cups is presented - knights represent romance and dedication to love (or a particular lady). We see how the Knight of Cups is moving slowly forward - not rearing in place like the Knight of Wands. The key to moving forward here is baby steps and keeping the eyes on what is most important - our love for one another. For my partner, this means focusing on the relationship and fostering the love we have, placing it before cravings and actions that could sabotage the relationship or bring pain to himself or others. For myself, this means focusing more on the love we have now rather than the pain from the past, and always placing that first over resentment or regrets. The horse in the Knight of Cups is moving forward and the landscape has transformed from pure desert to a landscape with water and trees - this path is more fruitful.
The third card, Ten of Wands, represents the help to lean on. In the past, I know I have been co-dependent and taken on the burden of his addiction - constantly trying to help, but often making things worse. Here I imagine it is time to allow him to carry the weight of his own struggles, and for me to carry mine. But I also imagine it to show that in times of need, we can count on one other to carry the person forward and to shoulder some of the burden. We must lean on each other, while remaining accountable to ourselves for our own actions. Just as the Knight of Wands carried the single wand by himself in the other direction, now there are multiple wands - not just thinking of oneself but of others. I see card in a positive way - taking on responsibilities that were neglected before, moving into adulthood and maturity even if it is difficult and sometimes less fun.
The fourth card represents how to continue on. Here we have the Ace of Swords - the gift of clear thought. I see this representing higher values. The sword thrusts into the sky, much like in Justice, and is crowned which signifies success and respect. To continue on, we must have a singleness of mind and clear focus on our goals and what we want to achieve. We must have singleness of purpose and determination. Most of all, with the nod towards justice, we must act justly to one another and maintain truthfulness and mutual respect and communication.
Finally, the fifth card represents the outcome. Here the Queen of Cups sits on a throne with water swirling around her. She sits peacefully and - much like the Knight of Cups, is focused on the cup in front of her - focused on love. She is intense and dedicated to the highest and purest quality of her suit - and that’s selfless love. It’s an intense connection, and this cup is elaborately adorned. It is a love that is highly valued and beautiful. Coupled with the water around her, this card signifies love and healing - in this case, healing from a difficult situation. There are three cherubs or babies on her throne - and my partner and I wish to have three children. I see this signifying that our future will be built on a solid foundation (her throne) and that our desire for children will come true. Her throne is backwards facing, but her focus is on the cup - I take this to mean that we can look back on our past and come out stronger for it.
All in all, this was a very positive reading and I feel reassured about how to proceed forward.