If you’ve ever been to one of my solo book signings, then you already know that I read Tarot cards. And, while I don’t think it’s really possible to do a full reading for myself because I know too much to be objective, I do draw a single card for myself each day. Sort of like reading your daily horoscope.

Sometimes, I don’t like my card. For a long time, I tried shuffling it back into the deck and redrawing, but I learned that I would virtually always either draw the same card again, or draw another card that has substantially the same message. So now, I stick with my first draw.

I make an occasional exception. Some Tarot cards have meanings that are totally unambiguous. Others are more subject to interpretation. If I draw one of these latter cards, unless my current circumstances make its meaning crystal clear, I will sometimes draw a second card, to see if it tips the message one way or the other. Usually, it does.

This brings me to today’s card.  It was the Knight of Wands. I’m not a big fan of Knights, because they always bring a warning.  And it isn’t always one that I want to hear.

The Knight of Wands reminds the subject that the more forceful parts of their personality (Me? Forceful?) can sometimes get a bit out of hand.  For example, it’s good to be passionate. It’s bad to be a complete raving lunatic.

The short version: Don’t be an asshole.

But, there are a couple of other ways the Knight cards’ warnings can go. They can be telling the subject that another person in their life might be behaving like a Bad Knight, and that the subject doesn’t have to take it.  Another interpretation is that it is telling you that the Knight’s energy is missing from your life, and you should be more forceful. In my case, this interpretation isn’t likely, but you never know.

So, since I wasn’t thrilled with the Knight, I drew a supporting card. And I got....

The Five of Swords.   

This card implies that the subject has a tendency to be selfish and pushy, and ignore the needs of others.

Or: Don’t be an asshole.

On the other hand, the Five of Swords is YET ANOTHER of those ambiguous cards. It could mean that the subject hasn’t been taking care of their own needs, and needs to concentrate a bit more on getting what they want.

So, in the hope that I was misinterpreting the overlying theme, I took the rare step of drawing a third card.  This time it was...

The Ten of Swords

Ah, finally an unambiguous (if not a pleasant) card. This one means “Can all the annoying self-pity, put on your big girl panties and get on with it.

In other words: Don’t be an asshole.