Career Diary: How to Spiritually Navigate Your Job Search

It was a tragedy of mine to leave my well-paid 25-dollar-an-hour part-time job in the middle of the 2023 economic depression. As a senior undergraduate with a fairly high average, I entered the workforce wearing a rose-colored lens and had little to no consideration for the rising unemployment rate of 5.4% in the month of April. Similar to most co-op students, my job search began at the university’s internal career portal before branching out to other job boards such as Indeed, LinkedIn, etc. Believing that “job application is a number game”, I utilized Wonsulting, Resume AI, and several miscellaneous automation tools to stay on top of the game. I submitted from 5 to 6 applications daily, with each resume and cover letter tailored to different roles. In addition, I developed a 5-column tracking sheet, coupled with interview diaries, prepared to seize every opportunity at hand. Towards the second week of May, I applied to 150 different companies across all platforms, 20 of which are big corporations and the rest being charity organizations, digital start-ups, and government agencies. Most of my applications remain (sadly) “in progress”, with a few rejections, and “position-on-hold”. After attending 20 interviews, countless coffee chats, and more than a dozen of networking events, my once rose-colored job search suddenly become hopeless. The situation become more uncertain, as many of my peers started landing roles left and right, and “funemployment” vlogs started popping up on my Tiktok feeds. 

As desperate time calls for creative solutions, I turned to other alternative sources, such as the universe for answers. Aside from networking events and career workshops, I squeezed in a few tarot reading sessions with online readers referred by my friends. On the weekend, I visited a few local psychics around the Ossington strip and even bought myself a cat-themed deck. The first few readings show mostly Minor Arcana cards, representing the energy flowing through my life. As my job search progressed, the Major Arcana cards appeared more frequently, showcasing possible decisions, directions, and alternatives. Towards the end of the journey, before landing my current role at my university, the Major Arcana cards of The Magician, The Emperor, and The Star suddenly popped up one by one. As I started my new job, the tarot deck on my bedside table become a navigation tool for other unpredictable areas of my life, such as “love”.

“But isn’t it more fun to live your twenties without knowing what’s next?” - You may ask. 

Well, tarot cards are not fortune-telling tools that tell you the outcome of a situation, it’s more of a confirmation and compass to possible alternatives. To play your cards wisely, let’s look at the science behind tarot reading and explore some simple tutorials.

One of the earliest references to tarot cards was made in the early to mid-15th century in Northern Italy. However, due to the complicated nature of the cards, it was believed that the history of tarot dates back much longer towards the end of the 14th century. Similar to several trick-taking games such as Briscola, and Tombola, tarot was a popular form of playing cards among Italian nobles at the time. Originally, a deck of tarot cards have great resemblances to a standard Italian suit. An ancient deck consisted of 40 different cards, including four suit symbols of Coins, Swords, Cups, and Batons (a.k.a The Wands). Each of these symbols is arranged with numerical values from 1 to 10, such as ace of swords, two of pentacles, three of wands, and so on. 

The deck of tarot becomes more completed over time with an additional 4 triumph cards in each suit. These are court cards featuring Italian nobles such as King, Queens, Knight, and Knaves (or Page, as in the page boy) cards. To make the card game more universally connected to society, artists at the time also illustrated archetypes through cards such as Death, The Magician, The Emperor, and The Star, etc. The first completed deck of tarot, known as Visconto Soforza, was made in 1425 by Italian artist Bonifacio Bembo. As commissioned by the Filippo Visconti, Duke of Milan for his new game of Karachi, the deck featured a total of 78 cards, including: 

56 Major Arcanas - divided into 14 suits ranging from one to ten, with additional 4 court cards of King, Queen, Knight, Knave (or Page). 

22 Minor Arcanas - included archetypal cards of The Magician, High Priestess, The Emperor, etc. 

The tarot deck of Visconti Sforza becomes a standard for future tarot decks that were developed in not only Italy but also in other European regions. In big Italian cities such as Lombardy, Milan, and Palermo, Tarot cards were popularly created as a work of art during the booming period of artistry between the years of 1440s and 1450s. The decks featured late medieval artworks through the fashion, hairstyles, and activities portrayed in the card. Each tarot suit is themed and designed differently in accordance to the commissioners, which are mostly members of Italian noble houses. Some of the notable decks such as The Charles VI Tarot, and The Sola Busca Tarot survived the time and are currently on display in museums across European cities. The unique customizations of the tarot decks allowed different interpretations, which inspired the later practice of fortune-telling using these cards. 

It was not until 1781 that tarot became a tool of fortune telling when a French priest named Antoine Court De Geblin interpreted the cards in the context of Egyptian Gods and religious myths. De Geblin’s works with tarot cards attracted the attention of others within his religious community, mostly young students at the convent and nuns. Surprisingly, tarot reading even amazed higher members of the Catholic Church, such as popes and cardinals from across Europe. While most Catholic and Protestant beliefs refuted fortune-telling of all kinds, tarot reading traveled across the border of Nimes to other European cities such as London, Madrid, and Berlin and circled back to its country of origin, Italy. The popularity of tarot was proven as the word “cartomancy” was invented to distinguish tarot reading from other fortune-telling methods. In addition, many decks of cards were customized solely for fortune-telling purposes. Some of the most commercialized tarot card decks included Marsellei, Lenormand, and Marsellei. These sets of cards resembled the original Visconti Tarot decks but with different illustrations of Biblical or Mythical archetypes. For instance, the Lover card on the Lenormand deck showed the image of Cupid and Psyche, the symbol of young blissful love in Greek Mythology. The Fool card on the Italian Marsellei deck used the image of A Clown, an individual who acted out of normality without shame in society. 

Archetypes make tarot more comprehensible, giving readers the flexibility to interpret the cards in accordance with their viewpoints. Consequently, many tarot readers appeared in European cities at various locations. Many of these readers, such as Madame Leonard, Oswald Wirth, and even come up with their own deck. The targetted demographic of cartomancy were the elite members of society, such as royalty and businessmen. Until the late 1790s and the early 1800s, tarot reading or other divination tools of palmistry, scrying became a must-have at high society social functions. It was during this time that tarot predicted the faith of historical figures, political changes, and significant events in history. Some of the notable reading sessions included a reading for Josephine de Beauhernais by famous reader Madame Leonard. The inventor of the Leonard deck was said to have predicted Josephine’s future marriage to the future French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

As tarot readings become more popular, the general public outside of Europe also became invested in this form of divination. During the early to mid of 1900s, many people used tarot reading to predict the lottery and stocks. It was also during this time that tarot become more commercialized, as classes and workshops started to take place in urban areas. Tarot societies such as The Golden Dawn opened in New York, Georgia, and Los Angeles. Many methods of self-reading were also developed during this era, along with more fashionable decks of cards. Tarot attracted a young and hip population of working adults aged from 20 to 30 in the metropolitan areas, which explained how it could be used as a tool to navigate your career. 

In today’s world, tarot reading and cartomancy remained popular among the young and affluent demographics of Millennials and Gen-Z. According to a 2017 poll on Pew Research, 30% of Americans believe in astrology. The number of people who casually believe in this notion might even be higher. You can find a tarot column in a fashion magazine, random readings on Youtube, and even look for online readers on social media. You can meet a tarot reader at your local hip cafe, a summer festival, or even get a free reading on the street. Tarot reading is so common that it become a commercialized service within the wellness industry, just like yoga, pilates, and meditation. 

While Boomers used tarot as a fortune-telling method, Millennials, and Gen-Z focused more on the self-discovery aspect of cartomancy. For these generations, tarot reading and astrology provided them with guidance and affirmations. Firstly, the mysteriousness and unexplainable nature of the tarot triggered the interest within young adults. While picking up the cards and deciphering symbolic images, one may view the issues they encountered from a more positive aspect. Instead of thinking how unlucky they must have been to be in such a situation, they accept the job rejection or the failed relationship as part of their transformation. 

Secondly, as a faith-based therapy, tarot provided its users with a sense of protection using the placebo effect. Similar to Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis on id, ego, and super-ego, tarot motivated the user to believe in their subconscious mind. For instance, if you dislike your job, the cards you draw will provide insights into different outcomes of your decision. You will know the pros and cons of each decision. With the insights gained from the reading, the decision of quitting and staying is yours to make. In a realistic way, tarot reading is a form of psychoanalysis that tap into the unconscious mind. Despite the application of hard science, it is undeniable that the human mind is so powerful. Many reported that the cards they draw reflect their emotions. The more positive they are about a situation, the more likely they are to draw a positive card such as The Sun, The Star, or The Magician. On the other hand, starting reading with a negative mood can lead you to get less desirable cards such as 10 of Swords, Death, and Five of Pentacles. 

Lastly, tarot reading focused more on the positive nature of a situation. Evidently, even the most negative cards such as Death, or The Devil would signify an end to a difficult situation. More importantly, every reading would point out a possible solution or option. Even when you have been unemployed for a year, your reader would not suggest you stop your job search. 

With its connections to psychoanalysis, tarot is not only a superstitious fortune-telling method but also a form of faith-based therapy. It’s always good to look into a situation from a different perspective, especially uncertain ones such as unemployment. 

For all readings, shuffle the deck as many times as you want, and spread them out on the table before picking up cards according to the reading you wish to perform. 

Card 1. A general interpretation of your career path 

Card 2. Possible issues underlying my current job search 

Card 3. Future career expectations 

Card 4. When/where will you find your new job? 

Card 5. Possible course of action for better navigation. 

Card 3. Possible obstacles to your new job 

Card 4. Advice/possible course of action for your new job 

Card 5. A possible outcome of your action

This reading is highly recommended for the day after your interview, as that is when your energy is most stable. You may draw 3 cards and interpret each of them separately. If the number of positive cards is larger than the negative ones, you will get the job and vice versa. 

For all reading, you may draw an addition of 1 to 2 cards in order to gain more insights. However, it is recommended to not draw more than 8 cards per question. 

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/cross-check/astrology-tarot-cards-and-psychotherapy/ 

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-psychoanalysis-2795246#toc-key-ideas 

https://www.metmuseum.org/blogs/in-season/2016/tarot#:~:text=The%20earliest%20references%20to%20tarot,evolving%20earlier%20in%20the%20century. 

https://daily.jstor.org/surprising-historical-significance-fortune-telling/ 

https://insighttimer.com/blog/what-is-tarot/ 

https://www.learnreligions.com/a-brief-history-of-tarot-2562770 

https://chatelaine.com/living/tarot-cards-popularity-trend-women/