Playing Your Cards Right: The Emerging Entrepreneur
Welcome to the latest entry of my cartomancy column, Playing Your Cards Right!
In this column, I address questions and situations presented to me, using a deck of playing cards.
The column is written in a “Dear Abby” format.
With that said, let’s look at the situation sent in by this reader:
Dear James,
I’ve been working as an employee for most of my working life. Over the last few years, I’ve been thinking more and more about transitioning into entrepreneurship, and started taking some courses at my local community college.
Even though I want to make this transition, I do, at times, have some trepidation come up surrounding the idea of being on my own.
So, my question for the cards is: Can I really cut it as an entrepreneur?
Emerging Entrepreneur
Dear Emerging,
I pulled three cards with the question you stated in mind, and these were the response: 2 of Clubs, Jack of Clubs, and 3 of Diamonds.
The first thing that strikes me is that two of the three cards are from the suit of Clubs. Clubs, for me, can indicate work, business, and enterprise, and fits with the nature of your question.
Also, when Clubs dominate the consultation, any cards from the suit of Diamonds can indicate the financial prospects of this enterprise. And you have one here (3 of Diamonds). In this particular case, there is the potential for financial increase (the number 3), but it will be gradual (3 of Diamonds).
When I read playing cards, I first look at the suits of the cards to determine the emotional outlook of your question. As you continue to move from being an employee to an entrepreneur, there is a possibility that the transition will be challenging for you.
From an emotional standpoint, you could start out feeling frustrated and impatient (Clubs), but as time goes on, you may become more patient as well as developing persistence (Diamonds). The Jack of Clubs, facing the 3 of Diamonds, is asking you to focus more on being patient and persistent.
The 2 of Clubs represents the situation. When the 2 of Clubs appears, it can mean you have a difficult decision or choice to make that involves staying where you are or leaving—an accurate assessment of your situation, wouldn’t you say?
This card can suggest you’re feeling walled in by your present state of security and, because of that, you’re afraid to venture out into unknown territory although you have a strong desire to do so. This is common for most people to experience when making the transition from employee to entrepreneur (I know it was true for me).
I see the 2 of Clubs as a “planning stage” card and, with that, there’s a waiting period attached. I have seen this card to mean that things are running on a timetable. What would you need to have in place—and when—in order for you to move from employee to entrepreneur?
One of those things that factors into your timetable are the courses on entrepreneurship you are currently taking. Going with that, the 2 of Clubs, for me, can represent making plans for what you will do when you graduate.
The Jack of Clubs, as advice and possible courses of action, is a Court or Person card. As such, it can suggest adopting a particular approach that would be helpful to you.
Typically, the Jack of Clubs can represent a person on the go, or someone who can, at times, feel a sense of restlessness and wanderlust.
I see this as your desire (Clubs can represent intention) to make the “move” (this card—like the 2 of Clubs—can represent a move or relocation connected to business) from being an employee to an entrepreneur.
One thing that would be helpful to you is something you’re already doing, which is taking those entrepreneurship courses—because the Jack of Clubs can represent a return to university.
Another thing that might be helpful would be to seek out someone you admire who is already doing what it is you want to do, because the Jack of Clubs can represent an admirer—or someone we admire. Clubs, being a suit of inspiration, is asking you to consider who is an “inspiration” to you—as well as how—and what—you can learn (the university aspect of this card) from this individual.
The 3 of Diamonds, in the position of the possible outcome, is a work/career card—and can also indicate self-employment. Whatever the profession, the 3 of Diamonds is a solid indication that you have a reputation for the skill, talents, and abilities you possess (this is a card of having your work noticed by others). The message of the 3 of Diamonds is to put your focus and dedication into mastering your entrepreneurial skills.
This card can suggest that it may be time to get into a formalized study program, as the 3 of Diamonds can indicate getting the education and training needed and obtaining a certificate or diploma. Again, this fits with your being in school right now, just like the previous cards.
Whatever the plan (going back to the 2 of Clubs), the 3 of Diamonds is encouragement to gradually implement it, as this card is a card of both implementation and gradual progression.
You asked a question that can imply a yes/no/maybe answer, and the playing cards can give you that answer. When the combination of Clubs and Diamonds make up the last two cards in the reading, the answer is basically a “maybe.” It’s maybe—because the outcome rests with you going after what you want (which is moving toward entrepreneurship).
The theme of the consultation is revealed when I take the numbers on the cards and reduce them to a single digit. So, 2 + 11 (Jack) + 3 = 16; 1 + 6 = 7.
As a theme, the 7 can suggest the individual in question (in this case, you) is trying to determine his or her direction. The person may be at a crossroads and wondering what path to take or whether he or she should do something or not. This period of self-discovery is a time of slow growth, planning and preparation where you are imagining the possibilities for your future. The emphasis is on gaining clarity about your direction in life.
Emerging, thank you for sharing your situation with me in this forum. I look forward to you circling back and letting me know how you are progressing with your studies and business!
And there you have it. You have just seen how I consult playing cards in context to a question or situation, using a short three-card spread.
And, just as I hope it has been helpful to Emerging, I hope you found it informative as well. I would love to hear what you think. You can share your thoughts in the comments section below.
If you have a question or concern that you would like to gain some insight using the playing cards, send me your submission, via e-mail, to james@jameshimm.com, with Playing Your Cards Right in the subject line.
Here to help you play your cards right,
