After graduating with honors from a prestigious university, Bhasvan
hit a significant roadblock in his life, and despite diligent efforts has
been unable to secure a job. He is growing despondent and consults
the tarot for a reading about what it would take to change his luck. The
Six of Pentacles is drawn, which at first might not seem directly
applicable to his inquiry, but as this case study will show, it was
exactly the answer Bhasvan needed to hear.
The Six of Pentacles generally suggests charity, benevolence, and
philanthropy. As applied to Bhasvan’s question, it could suggest pro
bono work or volunteering his skills in the professional field he wants
to enter, in a way that helps the less fortunate. Doing so could position
him closer to a paid career opportunity down the road.
In the meantime, however, the financial instability would likely
cause him to feel ungrounded, and thus that instability could interfere
with his ability to seize career opportunities when they come. I first
made it clear to Bhasvan that mere lucky objects we keep in our
pockets do not help us land jobs, but we might be able to attune to
such objects and amplify our personal energies in a way that makes us
feel empowered and in turn makes us act in a more empowered
manner, thus increasing our chances of success. “Fake it until you
make it,” so to speak.
To keep him feeling grounded at home, brown jasper, granites, and
602
agates might be helpful. In many cultures, jade—or its more
economical counterpart, aventurine—invite prosperity into our lives,
especially in the area of money. Red gemstones might also help
invigorate him and keep him energized. It turned out Bhasvan even
bought a pair of bull cufflinks to wear to job interviews. The bull, as
the reader of this book has likely learned by now, corresponds to
Earth and the suit of Pentacles. A few months later Bhasvan did write
back telling me he had gotten a job offer from an investment firm.