I'M THINKING OF GETTING A NEW TAROT DECK, WHAT FACTORS SHOULD I CONSIDER?

For this question I am using playing cards and a 5 card French Cross spread:

A 3 card line to give a picture of the question: 7 of Hearts, 2 of Hearts and 7 of Spades

A card above, the cards' advice on what to do: 6 of Clubs
A card below the card's advice what not to do. The Joker

The line through the middle sees the central card of the cross to be '2 of Hearts' which I think makes the primary factor in your consideration in making your decision; the relationship or feeling that you have with the cards. They must please you aesthetically because that will encourage your imagination and intuition when you read them. A pack that you have no real resonance with will be hard work. However, having said that the two cards flanking the 2 of Hearts are both '7's. This number is connected with 'difficulties' and the suits are one Heart and one Spade. We have a twin pair of opposites (red/black). I think this points to the next factor to take into consideration that is the cards should have a tension for you between reading with your heart and reading with your head. The suit of spades comes close to the metal of the swords - a sharp cutting quality that the confines of the cards internal logic can provide. Sometimes we might not get much intuitive resonance from a card in a particular reading and then it is possible to fall back on traditional meanings to provide something for you to work with in your overall interpretation. On the other hand do not get 'stuck' with the 'little white book' meanings either. If your intuition is shouting something specific to you then pay attention to that too. This is the tension that is necessary when choosing your pack. Yes, the symbolism is important but the colour of the sky may also be necessary to spark your imagination too.

The card above is the 6 of Clubs. Generally I think of '6' cards as 'road opener' cards. They are about options and choices and the suit of clubs has to do with how you will work with your new cards. I think this points to you maybe seeing if you can test drive one or two packs that you have never used before, maybe even trying one or two that you would not immediately choose to use to see how you read with them? A relationship that is strong may not start off immediately so. Very few love affairs start with 'love at first sight'.

The card below is The Joker. What to avoid... following on from the last card, probably acting on impulse. Take your time and think it through. Who hasn't clicked 'buy now' on a Tarot pack after a couple of glasses of wine? I have several 'nice' Tarot packs that sit on my shelf that rarely, if ever, see the light of day. I keep telling myself 'One day...' but if you are looking to get a pack to work with now then don't hurry the decision.

Good luck with your choice and I hope you have many years of enjoyment and fruitfulness with your new cards whatever they may be!

Will the UK leave the EU by 31st January 2019?

So we have two club cards either side of the Joker.

The suit of clubs seems to appear quite often in association with power and politics which makes sense as this suit has to do with strength, labour, work and status.

7 is the number of difficulties, so here we go again!  The Jack to the right is looking away. Jacks I think in this reading is the messenger card.

Clowns to the left of me,
Jokers to the right, here I am,
Stuck in the middle with you

The Joker is indeed stuck in the middle, I think this is BoJo. We still have no real resolution at this point either. So the uncertainty continues. As we look at the  cards at this point in the timeline, we see two cards with figures looking ahead expectantly, with difficulties backing them up.

My prediction is that Brexit is not resolved by this date.

How will the story play for Boris Johnson when Parliament opens in September?

Starting with the KoD as significator for BJ, next to him we have 10 of Spades. He has a full on war on his hands here. Below him is the Jack of Spades a usurper but as Jack not a king he is a proxy for a larger group who are behind the scenes, hence the blank card next to the Jack.

Reading the top line we have two diamonds (same suit or party as the King), going from 9 to 3 a reduction in support by 2/3rds from the battle. However he re-coups with a 7 of Hearts. This I think is the hearts and minds war with the party, although they are very nervous they will not abandon the party in the end. So I would think that he will mange to keep his troops together in the end.

The middle line shows the spades followed by the 2 of Diamonds. I think the interpretation for this is that BoJo will face a rival challenge. Maybe the proposed caretaker, although I may be from his own party as from the Opposition.

So the way I think it will play out is as follows: Jack (Jeremy Corbyn?) will probably play his no-confidence card, he has support; but BoJo has more support to begin (9 Diamonds), As a rival appears (2 Diamonds) his support is cut (3 of Diamonds). Probability is that he will play to the hearts and minds of the party and overcome his rival.

WILL I BE ABLE TO GET A RAISE OF AT LEAST 10% AT MY NEXT CONTRACT NEGOTIATION?

It's all diamonds, which in Tarot terms would refer to disks or coins so we are on track for the question here.

First thing, if we follow the rule about red cards meaning a 'Yes' then it would seem so. However, looking at the numbers I am not so sure. Erring towards the negative is not a bad idea when betting on fortune.

I think the initial 10 of diamonds is the wish but the next 2 is saying that you may be disappointed at the initial offer. However if you push a bit then you may get an incremental increase on that offer.

Just to follow the logic of this interpretation. A 2 suggests a negotiation between two parties and  the 3, in incremental increase on the initial offer.

IS MY WIFE'S SUPPORT OF MY PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT SINCERE?

The first two cards depict our two protagonists the querent, who I  think is represented by the King, and the Jack of Clubs who would therefore be the wife. The first impression is that these two are seeing eye to eye so the immediate answer is a 'Yes'. However there are some more details about this.

Firstly in yes/no terms looking at the number of red cards (yes) to the number of black cards (no) we have more 'no' than 'yes', or perhaps 'Yes' but tending towards 'No'. Having the two person cards at the beginning means that behind the king (querent) are three more cards. It is important to point out that I read these three as being relevant to the querent and his inner condition, his personal baggage rather than his wife's.Right behind him is a 5 of Clubs. A five is a 'strife' card so I think we have a conflict here and the suit is clubs which pertains to work, status and power. I sense the querent's vulnerability in this card. It may be a fear of letting-go of the power in the relationship and becoming dependent upon another's good-will - in this case his wife. Reading along we get to the Ace of Diamonds. Aces are new beginnings and also point to the source of the power of the suit, something in potential. Diamonds can mean cash, wealth or something precious, like a diamond. I sense this is the aspiration of the querent to undertake this particular work of self-development. I think this inner gem is also reflected in the choice of suit for the king - Hearts, a suit that is all to do with feelings and personal values, these two go together as the two red cards in the reading.  The Jack shares the same suit as the other two cards. The final card is the four which is a number of stability and safety.

So my final answer remains the same 'Yes' she is sincere in her support, your anxiety probably is mixed up with your anxieties about the personal development work you are embarking on. There is a question of your power balance and it is on your mind but I think your way to a more stable relationship is through the very work that you are now beginning.

WILL MY LOVER LEAVE HER HUSBAND THIS YEAR?

In this line of three we have a story being told. In the centre the Knight of Disks mounted, as Knights on a quest are, rides towards his sweetheart the Queen of Clubs. Behind him stands the 8 of Swords.

One thing to note is that the court cards are of two different suits and I'm sensing that this spread is pointing out that the two personages are after two different things. Perhaps this is why she is looking, not at him, but in the opposite direction. Batons pertains to rulership, amongst other things, and this is her, as Queen, wielding her own power. This situation suits her, although it does not entirely suit you.

The 8 of Swords I think could point to separation as swords do indeed 'cut' bonds. The number 8 is connected to wishes and hopes and here is portrayed the wish of the querent to see an end to her relationship with her husband.

I think, however, the conclusion is that, at least for now, she is content with the arrangement and is not looking in your direction or at the 'cut' of the swords. So, no she will not leave her husband this year.

WILL MY NEW LOVER BE A LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP?

Oh dear!  There are a lot of swords in this reading. We have our line of three where we see the Knight of Cups riding forth, but note that he is riding away or backwards at the very least. In the middle we have the 10 of Wands. Just look at that blocking action. 'X' marks the spot indeed. Here the way really does looked barred.

To the right we have the 7 of Swords. Swords in this pack usually means a cutting action or conflict. But just look at the image. There is some serious sexual imagery going on here. There is the vesica made up of six swords and then the 7th sword upright and penetrating (thank you Dr Freud). I sense that the relationship has a strong physical element, as relationships usually do at first, but I  think it will not last beyond the time when that wears off.

The above card - what to do - is an 8 associated with hopes and fears, I think this is saying don't pin your hopes on this one. The below card a 4 'stability' is what not to do - speaks for itself. This is probably not the one.

Enjoy the ride, plenty more fish in the sea.