rhys

now let's look at our spread. i do the classic three card past/present/future spread here. note the domination of swords, associated w the element of air, in the first two. aquarius is an air sign.

eight of swords, the past. you may be more familiar w the classic tarot 8 of swords which shows a beautiful dark haired figure in red bound around their amrs to a sword with w blindfold on. needless to say: that's marc marquez red color coded diplopia arm injury king. this card can represent imprisonment, constraints, being trapped. i think that pretty accurately reflects a reading of marc who is trapped by his injuries, by his history with vale, by broadly his own body. it tells me i should as a writer be focusing on these aspects and themes at least.

what is delicious abt this card is it also usually implies a degree of. learned helplessness? or that to some extent the dilemma is not self created but certainly self perpetuated. the figure in the card could break free. the castle can symbolize either allies or help that the figure has turned away from on purpose to spite himself. or can show that a happier, most peaceful ending is possible if the figure frees himself from his bind. in this case like - marc does feel trapped by his past. is the castle rosquez reunion, his fairy tale ending? is it vale's power base that has "imprisoned" marc in the first place? is it alex and ducati waiting to rescue him?

in the present, the six of swords represents a journey, a transition. again water is featured, the subconscious. this card can be interpreted literally (the journey to ducati, the 9th title, a journey to italy to fuck that old man???) but also metaphorically, a journey within the self, a series of decisions. a choice to go against the current? rough waters on one side (the past?) and smooth on the other. a misty and uncertain far shore. as usual i favor a both/and interpretation where we are looking at both a series of internal and external changes. the swords stuck into the boat imply both that this is difficult and also possibly a past violence. but again, we are presented with the possibility of redemption. if the 8 of swords is a mostly hopeless card with a glimmer of hope, the 6 of swords represents a progression: more movement where before the seeker was static. more hope. getting closer to that distant castle?

our third card shows the future. the seven of pentacles. pentacles are the earth and are typically associated with the material world. i really struggle with the purely capitalist reading of pentacles that is common with some tarot readers. broadly, the seven of pentacles is about reflection, harvest, hard labor almost completed. it shows the pause between growth and harvest. generally we could again think of material success here - something like the pause before one walks out onto the podium. the hesitation to me is what makes the card interesting like: yes, you've won. what are you waiting for?