Prepping for success

It's the last day of the big first week! I have one bit of induction today (an important bit, but it's still only 1.5 hours of the total day) and I hope to have the time to sit down with all the materials I've been given and start to map out the pattern of my work. What regular events/tasks do I have? How often do they occur? How can I best track what needs tracking? I'm hoping I will be left alone to get on with this prep work, which will make my workload simpler to manage once the tasks start for real.

The card points me toward the weekend, or perhaps the end of the day today: 'You can now start to take a break and appreciate the results of your hard work and effort,' says the companion book, which goes on to say, 'Once we have prepared the ground and planted the seed, we need to stand back and let the growing take place without further interference or worry.' That's the kind of work I hope to get done today.

Does she look playful to you?

The companion book to the Druidcraft Tarot suggests that the Twos are about balance, a 'dance.' The Two of Pentacles, the book says, is about approaching balance with 'trust and playfulness'. Well, now, that doesn't quite seem to match the image on the card here. The lady in the image is standing on a rocky shore, wearing a very serious-looking gown, and a very serious-looking expression, juggling two pentacles whilst a very serious-looking shipwreck in a storm is happening right behind her. That isn't very playful, if you ask me.

Today I receive training on a tedious bit of work that is going to make up the bulk of my work for the rest of the month. So in order to keep my head above water, I suppose I am going to have to learn to balance the tedium with, as the book suggests, a playful attitude.

I still don't think she looks very playful, though! Though I suppose juggling while a ship sinks is a kind of playful thing to do. Or 'Foolish'. Or maybe just oblivious. Or possibly desperate.

I just can't wait to be king

Is it only Wednesday? Last night I went to sleep on the sofa and woke up a couple of hours later and still had my glasses on. After a bath I went to bed, presumably intending to read, because when I woke up this morning, my book was still lying on my leg. I guess I didn't stir all night!

Today's card from Druidcraft Tarot is King of Pentacles. My manager is back in today and I have meetings scheduled most of the day, so my time alone to sort things out is over. I think I've got my head around everything I've been given so far, so I believe I'm ready for the next things they show me. The companion book says the King of Pentacles can 'indicate the steady progress and success of a business, project or career' and that 'in other circumstances, it might symbolize a traditional, established organization or profession.'

My managers have been mentioned 'when you get your feet under the table,' and so drawing the King of Pentacles gives me hope that at least I am going to be able to recognize the table when I eventually find it! Now...where's that Walnut flower remedy...

Time to grow

Today will be less frantic, as my calendar is much clearer than yesterday's. I have only two meetings, then the rest of day I will be allowed to get on with reading my induction documents and sitting amongst members of my business unit, near my assigned buddy. I intend to make a study of the documents and create a list of questions for my manager, who will be away in another city on business for the whole of the afternoon. Fingers crossed that I will be left in peace to try to make sense of my role and work load.

The 9 of Pentacles from the Druidcraft Tarot is the card of the day. I love the lady in her pure white dress, with her bird of prey. She stands in a garden that is just enjoying the first flush of spring, which is unusual, as the 9 of Pentacles card often depicts lush harvest and the meaning is usually along the lines of reveling in one's accomplishments or the secure position of one's material life. 'Generally this card indicates a productive, active and settled life, which is self-assured and spiritually aware,' says the Druidcraft companion book. That's nice, particularly coupled with the early signs of life on the card, which I can't help of course but to relate to my new job. The card does seem to be pointing toward time and space to actually explore the early details of my role, and begin to see the buds of understanding come to life, which eventually will take shape in material reality. 'You may now have the opportunity to pursue solitary interests or paths you have previously be unable to explore' takes on an immediate meaning -- yesterday I was booked solid from 8.30 -5.00 with no time allowed for me to examine my materials or do any reflective thinking. Altogether, I'm unimpressed with the induction program that has been created for me, but there's nothing I can do about it but make the best of it. It will be nice to have the entire afternoon to myself to plow through and make sense of all these notes I was given yesterday and told to read!

Empty vessel

This week I'm drawing from the Druidcraft Tarot by Phillip Carr-Gomm and William Worthington.

It was a busy day today, the first day of my new job. I felt tired and overwhelmed, and this card reminded me to just take it all in and let it percolate inside. So that's what I did. I was an empty vessel, receiving -- much like the shape of the High Priestess's arms, which form a grail or cup shape to receive wisdom from the moon and the stars.

When I got home, I was knackered, my feet hurt and I was starving. I left the house at 7.35 am, got home at nearly 7 pm. This is going to be the case most days, so when I will ever find the time or inclination to work out again, who knows! But that, too, is something to worry about another day.

I drew all my cards for the week in advance, and funnily enough, the entire week after today is Pentacles -- not a big surprise considering my week will be dominated by learning the basics of a new job.