I am currently away from home, but I always carry a Tarot deck with me. A querent contacted me asking for a reading concerning a love affair that is causing her distress. She knows her husband is being unfaithful, but wants to keep the matter quiet for now. There is, however, a friend of hers who seems to suspect something and may be preparing to confront the husband. She wishes to avoid this at all costs, as it could expose the situation within their circle, damage the marriage, her reputation, and throw her life into disarray.
Her first question was: does my friend already know?
The Emperor appeared. He knows. He not only knows, he intends to act and is likely to do so. The Emperor is a Major Arcana and, like all of them, represents forces of fate already in motion. He executes, legislates, and acts, supported by the force of Mars, a planet strongly associated with this card. The reading is clear: he knows and, like all figures of authority, he will act on that knowledge. Mars also signifies conflict, so confrontation will occur. The mechanism is already in motion.
Second question: how is my husband in this situation?
The Ten of Cups is Mars in Pisces and speaks of an emotional limit. There is no further ground to cover. Any 10 marks a point of saturation, an end of the line. Here it is the emotional end, with no space left for the element of Water, which has already exceeded its bounds. The ship is starting to sink because the Water is getting violent. There is no way out for him. Once again, the presence of Mars is evident, pointing to conflict and rising tension. It is an ocean that begins to boil. The husband feels trapped, with no clear way out. However, Mars, when cornered, may very well choose to fight. He will not concede easily to the lie.
Third question: how am I within all of this?
The Four of Cups is the Moon in Cancer, an emotional state that is passive and withdrawn. The querent feels unable to act, or does not feel compelled to do so. Also reveals that she prefers to bury her head in the sand. She stands as a passive witness to events of fate already unfolding. The Moon in Cancer shows an odd comfort with the current state of affairs, which reveals her desire to preserve the situation as it is. There is another detail. In astrology, the 10th and 4th houses form an axis of opposition. Applied here, it shows husband and wife at opposite poles of the Water element, both unsettled within the same field.
Fourth question: how is the lover in all this?
The Seven of Wands brings Mars again, this time in the fixed Fire of Leo. She is a disruptive force, ready to stand her ground if the truth comes to light. She will not withdraw, especially being in a fixed sign like Leo. Here we have the element of Fire, of will, action and assertion. She seeks to prevail her will through the force of Mars. There is also the desire of Netzach represented by the number 7, which may point to a certain lust charge within the situation. There is something in the present context that she is fond of. She is not entirely uneasy, but preparing herself for battle, much like the friend and the husband. She will fight for her spoils in this skirmish.
Fifth question: will the truth come out soon?
Here we have the Two of Wands… and, yes, Mars again! Four out of five cards have a clear martial force, showing how heated, conflictual and warlike this situation is. In this case Mars in domicile in Aries, a cardinal and fast sign. So, yes, it will come out quickly and the truth will rise to the surface soon. The Emperor is about to set everything in motion. The battle is around the corner and the querent is the only passive force in this scenario.
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