A life in cards

Here's another creative fiction piece I wrote for my class - the second one required. It's a little unconventional, but hopefully that's a good thing. Also, because I'm sure people will ask, this is not autobiographical. It could definitely be taken that way, but this is not my life story. OK?

0: The Fool – beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, a free spirit

The man begins life as a young boy, free of the world’s darker influences. The world rests before him, to be taken one day when he has grown. He decides his future with childlike impunity.

I: The Magician – power, skill, concentration, action, resourcefulness

            The boy goes to school to learn about the world around him. The knowledge he gains of math and science and history will one day serve him well. He is still young, however, and he is only beginning to learn how to change the world around him.

II: The High Priestess – intuition, mystery, higher powers, subconscious mind

            Obstacles and outside influences send the boy into a contemplative state as darkness begins to intrude upon his life, through himself as well as others. He continues to learn both in school and on his own time, developing interests and values to call his own.

III: The Empress – fertility, femininity, beauty, nature, abundance

            Through good times and bad, the boy’s mother is always there for him. She cares for him when he is sick, and shares in his pain when it becomes too much for him. Through her, the boy learns to care for others and to be cared for in return.

IV: The Emperor – authority, father-figure, structure, solid foundation

            The boy seeks to mirror his father, to become his equal. His father teaches him discipline, to separate right from wrong and choose accordingly. The boy comes to understand the importance of a leader, although the burden of such a task still escapes him.

V: The Hierophant – religion, group identification, conformity, tradition, beliefs

            As the boy grows, his interests draw him toward similar people, and he begins to make friends. The boy cares for his friends and strives to be well-liked by them. He also grows closer to his family; aunts, uncles, and cousins whom he hadn’t given much significance before grow more prominent in his eyes.

VI: The Lovers – love, union, relationships, values alignment, choices

            In middle school, the boy – not quite a young man but nearing it – undergoes a change as his feelings toward certain people begin to deepen beyond mere friendship. This frightens him, but through encouragement from family and friends he chooses to pursue these feelings, despite the struggle. His mind, though still youthful, has begun to deepen.

VII: The Chariot – control, will power, victory, assertion, determination

            Many things are going well for the boy. He is learning much and performing well, in school and in life. Many of his schoolmates know who he is. He is content, and he hopes that this part of his life will last a long time.

VIII: Strength – strength, courage, patience, control, compassion

            As high school begins, some of the people for whom the boy has special feelings begin to notice him – perhaps in time they could develop feelings of their own toward him. Despite his uncertainty, he feels a wellspring of hope form within himself. He may be inexperienced in romance, but he feels that this is something worth pursuing.

IX: The Hermit – soul-searching, introspection, being alone, inner guidance

            The boy’s feelings pull him toward each of his special ones, but which one should he choose? Those close to the boy lend him their support, but ultimately he must lean on himself in his time of indecision. He ponders on his problem for a long time, seeking a solution that will satisfy himself.

X: The Wheel of Fortune – good luck, karma, life cycles, destiny, a turning point

            Having made his decision, the boy confesses his feelings toward one of his special ones… and receives reciprocation. He enters a new phase in his life, anxious but also eager. With this change, the young man feels older and more mature than ever before.

XI: Justice – justice, fairness, truth, cause and effect, law

            The young man and his other continue their courtship to mutual satisfaction. Obstacles come into view – opportunities for unfaithfulness – but he remains faithful.

XII: The Hanged Man – suspension, restriction, letting go, sacrifice

            As graduation nears, a parting rears its ugly head. A disagreement concerning college and future plans turns into a conflict between the young man and his other. Emotions run high, and words are spoken that prove unretractable. The young man and his other find themselves at a loss for their next step.

XIII: Death – endings, beginnings, change, transformation

Although tears are shed and caring is acknowledged, the young man and his other part ways. The man goes off to college to pursue his dreams, hoping that distance will help in breaking the shackles binding him to his past misfortunes.

XIV: Temperance – Balance, moderation, patience, purpose, meaning

            Slowly, the wounds of the past scar over, and the man forges new bonds and finds new meaning in the place that he has chosen. Life, for the moment, has reached another peak.

XV: The Devil – bondage, addiction, sexuality, materialism

            The man faces temptation in the form of another. He remains stalwart in the beginning, but as time wears on his resolve weakens, and ultimately he surrenders to their advances.

XVI: The Tower – disaster, upheaval, sudden change, revelation

            When the man’s new other proves to be not what they seem, the man is left overwhelmed and rudderless. He realizes that he had placed far more into their relationship than the other, and with all of it gone the man isn’t sure what to believe in anymore. He falls into a depression.

XVII: The Star – hope, spirituality, renewal, inspiration, serenity

            The man’s downward spiral continues until the end of the year. As he returns home for the summer, family and old friends reach out to him, to lend him their hands and hearts. He rejects them, but as time wears on their words slowly reach him. Hope is rekindled in his heart.

XVIII: The Moon – illusion, fear, anxiety, insecurity

            As the man recovers from his previous state, he becomes aware of his behavior for the past months and is repentant. He fears retribution from those he loves for how he treated them, and without meaning to pulls away from them once more.

XIX: The Sun – fun, warmth, success, positivity, vitality

            At last, the man realizes and receives the forgiveness of his loved ones – including his first special one. Regretting his recent foolish decisions, the man makes things right with the ones he loves, and the future shines brighter for him than it has in a long time.

XX: Judgement – judgement, rebirth, inner calling, absolution

            Now in his right mind once again, the man seeks a future that belongs to him. After some searching, his reignited passions light a path to a future that he feels is right for him. He creates a new plan toward that light.

XXI: The World – completion, integration, accomplishment, travel

            With his new course through life plotted, the man sets out toward a future brighter than ever before. Although he has experienced much pain, he chooses not to forget that pain, but to keep it for when he needs a reminder – a warning against a darker fate. He knows not what surprises life will have for him in the coming years, or even the coming weeks, but the knowledge that he has yet stayed the course grants him determination, and he walks with head held high and hope ablaze in his heart.