Dealing With Unemployment: The Back-To-Work Spread

Tarot of Quotes

The current economic crisis has caused millions of people to lose their jobs. When unemployment strikes, it can easily send even the calmest and most resilient person into shock and panic.

If you find yourself in the unsettling position of "in between jobs", you know that it is most sensible to calm down after the initial upset.

Believe it or not, the Tarot can help you relax a little and be more focused on your task ahead to find a new job.

The cards have an uncanny ability to examine, empower and offer good advice on the best action to take to get yourself back into work as swiftly as possible.

Here is a simple 3-card reading you can do, if you have just lost your job and need to address the most common fears experienced in that moment:

1. What are my prospects of finding a new job soon?
2. Will I find a job in my current profession, or will I have to be more flexible?
3. What can I do right now to maximise my chances to get a new job as quickly as possible?

Different cards offer different advice, and my reading is based on the cards I have drawn as follows:

4 of Swords, Page of Pentacles, Judgement (Aquatic Tarot)

1. Four of Swords

"How quickly will I find new work?" is usually the first question you will ask, when you have just lost your job. You will most likely be worrying about your outstanding bills, ongoing financial commitments etc., and wonder how long this nightmare of financial insecurity will last.

The Four of Swords indicates a time of recuperation and healing after the initial shock.You are unlikely to find a new job overnight, so be prepared and make use of your "time-out" as best as possible by looking after your health, self-esteem and explore your career options.

It also seems best for now to avoid rash decisions about getting ANY job, especially one that doesn't pay you enough to cover your monthly essential bills. This could be an irrational knee-jerk reaction leading to a much longer period of being trapped in an unrewarding position. 

Perhaps you may also want to consider a change of direction. After all, loosing a job can be a blessing in disguise, especially when you have been harbouring a dream to do something entirely different. Now is a good time to think about this carefully.

2. Page of Pentacles

When unemployment is high, and a lot of people are long-term unemployed, it is very easy to think that you have to take on any kind of work as soon as possible. If you love the profession you have been working in so far, then at least for as long as your finances allow, you should focus on finding a new job in your preferred field of work. 

The Page of Pentacles suggests new beginnings in work, training and learning a new skill. Pages often indicate a new direction and new experiences, or at least the need to be open-minded to all possibilities. The Page is asking you to be flexible but not giving up on finding work in your current profession. You may want to consider enrolling on a course, where you can enhance your knowledge and practical skills relevant to your current profession. This will also keep you busy and motivated. 

3. Judgement

Taking initiative and being proactive is the best way to beat the stress caused by unemployment. There is always something you can do to feel less powerless and more in charge of your situation, even if it's just a small step at a time, as long as you keep taking those steps every day.

In this case, Judgement is asking you not to blame yourself or others for the situation you are in. Whatever the circumstances of your job loss, blame can result in bitterness, anger and resentment, which is so damaging at a time when you are already very vulnerable to so many negative emotions. 

Release the past and start afresh. Learn your lesson from your experience and move on. Your confidence may have been knocked, but keep believing in your abilities and worth. Now is a good time to consider all possibilities and stay in the driver's seat rather than waiting for opportunities to come up. It is your responsibility to make the most and best of the situation without expecting help from others. 

Judgement is more about tuning your mindset into a positive get-up-and-go attitude rather than a specific practical task like going to the job centre and sign on (common sense should tell you that signing on has to be on top of your to-do list anyway ;)). Don't let blame, harsh self-criticism and lingering disappointment about your situation hold you back. Judgement heralds a new era; embrace it rather than fear it.

As you can see, the Tarot can help you focus in times of uncertainty. It often provides some clarity and encourages you to think rationally about your situation, rather than letting your anxiety get out of control.

Give this spread a try, if you are currently out of work. You can use my ebook to help you with card interpretations. And please do let me know, how useful it was for you; your feedback means a lot to me. Leave me a message in the comment box below; I'd love to hear from you.

Alternatively, you can purchase an email reading to receive impartial insight and guidance on your situation. For this reading, you will need to select the 3-card reading option.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

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