Ella had been staring at her computer screen for what seemed like hours. The white glow of job listings seemed to blur together, each position feeling less appealing than the last. As a graphic designer, she had always prided herself on her creativity and ability to see things in a unique light. However, after several years in the same job, her enthusiasm had dwindled to a mere flicker.
One evening, feeling particularly despondent after another day of unfruitful job hunting, Ella’s curiosity was piqued by a pop-up advertisement for a personal tarot reading. Skeptical but intrigued, she clicked through and found herself booking a session. “Why not?” she thought. “It might offer a new perspective, at the very least.”
The tarot reader, a warm and insightful woman named Marianne, greeted Ella over video call with a calming presence. After Ella shared her career frustrations, Marianne shuffled her deck of tarot cards, asking Ella to tell her when to stop. Once the cards were drawn, Marianne laid out three cards for Ella: the Eight of Pentacles, the Five of Wands, and the Page of Swords.
The first card, the Eight of Pentacles, was beautifully illustrated with a young artisan intensely focused on crafting pentacles. Marianne explained that this card symbolized mastery, skill development, and diligence. She suggested that true fulfillment in work comes from continuous improvement and dedication to one’s craft.
Feeling a spark of recognition, Ella considered her current job. Had she stopped learning? Was she no longer crafting her skills with the dedication she once had?
The second card, the Five of Wands, showed five figures each wielding a wand, seemingly in conflict but actually in a chaotic yet purposeful training. Marianne noted that this card represented struggle, competition, and minor conflicts. She implied that challenges at work are not just obstacles but opportunities for growth and asserting one’s unique voice.
Ella reflected on her work environment. The projects had become monotonous, and she had been avoiding confrontations about creative differences, opting instead for the safety of agreement. Marianne’s interpretation made her realize that she had been seeing conflict as something purely negative, rather than as a potential catalyst for change and innovation.
Finally, the Page of Swords appeared, a youthful figure standing with a sword pointed towards the sky. Marianne described how this card symbolized new ideas, curiosity, and a readiness to tackle challenges with a fresh perspective. She encouraged Ella to be swift, embrace new ways of thinking, and communicate her ideas confidently.
With Marianne’s guidance, Ella felt a surge of clarity and resolve. She wasn’t just stuck; she had been complacent, shying away from the challenges that could spur her growth. It was time for a change—not just a new job, but a new approach to her work and creativity.
Motivated by the insights from the tarot reading, Ella began to look for opportunities that offered more creative freedom and challenges. She updated her portfolio, reached out to contacts in more innovative fields, and started applying for positions that truly excited her.
A few months later, Ella found herself in a new role at a dynamic startup, where her ideas were not only heard but celebrated. The Eight of Pentacles reminded her daily to hone her skills, the Five of Wands encouraged her to embrace healthy conflict, and the Page of Swords inspired her to approach every challenge with curiosity and boldness. The tarot cards, once a whimsical diversion, had guided her to a path where she could once again find joy and fulfillment in her work.
This is a work of fiction, any resemblance to real people and places are purely coincidental.