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Bush Going For Broke With Troop Surge

2007-01-15T00:33:00.001-05:00

Jan. 14, 2007

(CBS) This past week, the president of the United States decided to go for broke. Despite national sentiment against the war, despite condemnation on Capitol Hill, President George W. Bush ordered more than 21,000 additional troops to war—a gamble that may be a pivotal moment for his presidency and the country.

In his first interview since his address to the nation, Mr. Bush sat down with Scott Pelley at the presidential retreat, Camp David. 60 Minutes also traveled with the president as he explained his plan to the troops and, then, met with families of Americans killed in action.

Whatever you think of his policy, after this interview you won’t doubt that Mr. Bush is a man determined to go his own way.

In his speech, the president mentioned that mistakes had been made. Asked what mistakes he was talking about, Bush tells Pelley, “Abu Ghraib was a mistake. Using bad language like, you know, ‘Bring them on’ was a mistake. I think history is gonna look back and see a lot of ways we could have done things better. No question about it.”

"The troop levels…," Pelley remarks.

"Could have been a mistake. I…," the president replies.

"Were not – could have been a mistake?" Pelley asks.

"Yeah. And the reason I brought up the mistakes is, one, that's the job of the commander-in-chief; and, two, I don’t want people blaming our military. We got a bunch of good military people out there doing what we’ve asked them to do. And the temptation is gonna be to find scapegoats. Well, if the people want a scapegoat, they got one right here in me ‘cause it's my decisions," Bush says.

"Fair to say there were not enough American troops on the ground to provide security for Iraq?" Pelley asks.

"There’s not enough troops on the ground right now to provide security for Iraq. And that’s why I made the decision I made," Bush replies.

Asked if he thinks he owes the Iraqi people an apology for not doing a better job, Bush says, "Well I don’t, that we didn’t do a better job or they didn’t do a better job?"

"Well, that the United States did not do a better job in providing security after the invasion?" Pelley clarifies.

"Not at all. I think I am proud of the efforts we did. We liberated that country from a tyrant. I think the Iraqi people owe the American people a huge debt of gratitude. That’s the problem here in America. They wonder whether or not there is a gratitude level that’s significant enough in Iraq," Bush replies.

60 Minutes spoke to the president at Laurel Cabin at Camp David, the presidential retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Maryland. It’s a private place for him, rarely seen by the public. And he has never done an interview at Camp David. Laurel Cabin is where the war on terror began; four days after 9/11, his cabinet debated plans there for the invasion of Afghanistan.

"Back then the whole country was with you. And now you seem to have lost them. Why do you think so?" Pelley asks the president.

"The Iraq war hasn’t gone as well as I had hoped at this point in time," he says. "And people are, you know, people are discouraged. They don't apprec— they don't approve of where we are. And so I think it’s where the country is."

Thursday morning, leaving the White House, Mr. Bush started a campaign to sell the country on the new plan. Just 12 hours after his address to the nation, his strategy was already being savaged on Capitol Hill and in the media. He had wagered the war and his presidency on his personal ability to sell the troop build-up. Pelley joined the president on board his helicopter, Marine One, a scene the public almost never sees.

The overnight polls were showing his primetime address to the nation hadn’t convinced many people that sending more troops was the answer.

"This was a hard decision. But once I make up my mind I know it’s important for me to explain it as clearly as I can. And, just gave it my best shot and I’m going to go down to Fort Benning today to continue explaining the decision I made, in this case to men and women who wear the uniform,” Bush tells Pelley. “I owe it to the troops to explain my decision and to thank them and to thank their families. It’s an extraordinary country to have men and women volunteer in the face of danger."

Mr. Bush, realizing he had never had a TV camera on board Marine One, urged 60 Minutes to catch the Washington Monument going by. He had been reading a book on the history of the city and pointed out landmarks on Pennsylvania Avenue. He told Pelley he is reading another book, a historical parallel to Iraq about France’s long, losing fight against insurgents in Algeria; Henry Kissinger had recommended it. In minutes, Marine One reached Andrews Air Force Base and Air Force One.

At Fort Benning, the president would be able to count on a friendly audience. But even among Americans in uniform there’s growing frustration. A poll, three weeks ago in the respected Military Times newspapers, showed, for the first time more troops disapprove than approve of the way he’s handling Iraq.

Pelley mentioned to Mr. Bush that thousands of those troops have served two, three and even four tours already and if he would impose a limit.

"You know, Scott, it is…we’re fortunate that people are willing to continue to serve. I’ve talked to some wives in there whose husbands have been over there for their second time. I said, ‘How you doin’?’ ‘I’m doing fine, my husband understands what we’re doing.’ The military is motivated," Bush says.

"In Vietnam as you know, you served 365 and you were done," Pelley remarks.

"This is a different situation. This is a volunteer army. In Vietnam, it was, ‘We’re going to draft you and you’re going to go for a year.’ This is a military where people understand there may be additional deployments," Bush says.

Next during the visit to Fort Benning came something Mr. Bush told 60 Minutes was the hardest part of his presidency: facing families whose loved ones were killed after he sent them into battle. Over the years he has met with about 400 families.

After two hours in a meeting, he seemed a different man.

"How was all that?" Pelley asks.

"You know, I … it’s hard for the family members to recount, relive their love in front of the president. And yet, once you get beyond the initial meeting, it’s amazing how strong the folks are and want to just let me know a lot of things. What their son or husband was like. They want me to know generally how much they understood the cause and how proud they were to serve our country," Bush says.

"What are stories you heard today?" Pelley asks.

"You know, one mom says ‘My son was 6’5", good-looking guy,’ showed me the picture. ‘He was in a Humvee and an IED hit and he was so big, his body shielded four other troops from death.’ I said ‘Well, did you get to meet the other four?’ And she said ‘They’re like my family now.’ You know, a lot of them say ‘Mr. President, don’t let my son die in vain,’" Bush says.

The president told Pelley he reads the casualty report every morning and personally signs every letter to the families of Americans killed in action.

After a last pass by the troops in Fort Benning, he headed back to the White House and would meet 60 Minutes again the next morning at Camp David.

Much of his presidency unfolds at the retreat named for President Eisenhower’s grandson. By our count, this was Bush’s 365th day at Camp David, one year out of his six years in office so far, living and working at the camp first set up by FDR.

60 Minutes wondered why he seems so determined to go his own way when most of the nation doesn’t back his plan.

"I’m not gonna change my principles. I'm not gonna, you know, I’m not gonna try to be popular and change my principles to do so," Bush explains.

"You’re not very popular in the country right now, to be frank," Pelley remarks.

"I’m afraid you're right," Bush acknowledges.

Asked if that gets to him, the president says, "Not really."

"You know that there's a perception in some quarters of the country that you're stubborn," Pelley says.

"Oh, yeah. Well," Bush replies.

Asked if agrees with that, the president asks, "Do I agree that I’m stubborn or do I agree that people think I’m stubborn?"

"People think you do. What do you think?" Pelley asks.

"I think I’m a flexible, open-minded person. I really do. I really do. Take this policy. I spent a lot of time listening to a lot of people because, Scott, I fully understand the decisions I make could affect the life of some kid who wears the uniform. Or could affect the life of some child growing up in America 20 years from now," Bush says.

"You know, a lot of people have asked me to ask you whether all of this is just crushing. It has to be. You read the polls, you know what people are saying, the war has not gone the way you had hoped it would, and they wonder whether it's just crushing on your spirit," Pelley asks.

"Quite the contrary. My spirits are strong, and I’m blessed to be the president," Bush says. "I really am not the kind of guy that sits here and says, ‘Oh, gosh, I’m worried about my legacy.’ I’m more worried about making the right decisions to protect the United States of America. See, we're in a war. People wanna come and attack you and attack our country. I understand criticism. But I’ve got a pretty thick hide."

60 Minutes had some questions that might test that presidential hide.

"You know better than I do that many Americans feel that your administration has not been straight with the country, has not been honest. To those people you say what?" Pelley asks.

"On what issue?" the president replies. "Like the weapons of mass destruction?"

"No weapons of mass destruction," Pelley says.

"Yeah," Bush says.

"No credible connection between 9/11 and Iraq," Pelley says.

“Yeah,” the president replies.

“The Office of Management and Budget said this war would cost somewhere between $50 billion and $60 billion and now we're over 400,” Pelley says.

“I gotcha. I gotcha. I gotcha,” Bush replies.

“The perception, Sir, more than any one of those points, is that the administration has not been straight with…,” Pelley says.

“Well, I strongly disagree with that, of course,” Bush says. “So I strongly reject that this administration hasn’t been straight with the American people. The minute we found out they didn’t have weapons of mass destruction, I was the first to say so.”

“You seem to be saying that you may have been wrong but you weren't dishonest,” Pelley remarks.

“Oh, absolutely. Everybody was wrong on weapons of mass destruction and there was an intelligence failure that we’re trying to address. But I was as surprised as anybody he didn't have them,” Bush tells Pelley.

“Most Americans at this point in time don’t believe in this war in Iraq. They want you to get us out of there,” Pelley says.

“I would hope they’d want us to succeed before we get out there. That’s the decision I had to make. I mean, there is, you know, Scott, there… I thought a lot about different options. One was doing nothing, just kind of the status quo. And I didn't think that was acceptable, and I think most Americans don't think it's acceptable. Secondly, we’d get out,” Bush says.

“You actually thought about that?” Pelley asks.

“Of course I have. I think about it a lot, about different options and my attitude is if we were to start withdrawing now, we’d have a crisis in our hands in Iraq,” Bush explains. “And not only in Iraq but failure in Iraq will embolden the enemy. And the enemy is al Qaeda and extremists. Failure in Iraq would empower Iran, which poses a significant threat to world peace. So then I began to think, ‘Well, if failure’s not an option and we've gotta succeed, how best to do so?’ And that's why I came up with the plan I did.”

Bush thinks the whole region, including Iran, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, could be in play. “No question in my mind these people have a plan. They have a vision of the world. And they intend to use murder to enact their vision. And I fully understand that, you know, some of my buddies in Texas say, you know, ‘Let them fight it out. What business is it of ours? You got rid of Saddam. How come, you know, just let them slug it out.’ And that's a temptation that I know a lot of people feel. But if we do not succeed in Iraq, we will leave behind a Middle East which will endanger America in the future,” he tells Pelley.

“Instability in Iraq threatens the entire region,” Pelley remarks.

“If the government falls apart, it'll invite Iran into the Shia neighborhoods, Sunnis, Sunni extremists into the Sunni neighborhoods, Kurdish separatist movements,” Bush says.

Asked if it wasn't his administration that created the instability in Iraq, Bush says, "Our administration took care of a source of instability in Iraq. Envision a world in which Saddam Hussein was rushing for a nuclear weapon to compete against Iran. My decision to remove Saddam Hussein was the correct decision in my judgment. He was a significant source of instability."

"It's much more unstable now, Mr. President," Pelley remarks.

"Well, no question, decisions have made things unstable. But the question is can we succeed. And I believe we can. Listen, I’d like to see stability, a unified Iraq. A young democracy will provide the stability we look for,” Bush says.

Bush tells Pelley he saw some of the video of Saddam Hussein’s execution and thought it was discouraging. “You know, obviously could have handled this thing a lot better. It’s important that that chapter of Iraqi history be closed. They could have handled it a lot better,” he says.

“I wonder if there was also some sense of satisfaction. You've had this guy in your sights for a long time,” Pelley asks.

“Not really. Not really. I was satisfied when we captured him, Bush replies. “I'm just not… revenge isn't necessarily a, you know, something that causes me to react. In other words, I'm not a revengeful person. I'm glad he received the justice that was due.”

Bush tells Pelley he saw video of the execution on the Internet. “Somebody showed me parts of it. Yeah. I didn't wanna watch the whole thing,” he says.

“Well, you keep saying ‘parts of it.’ What do you mean you ‘didn't wanna watch the whole thing?’” Pelley asks.

“Well, I just, I wasn't sure what to anticipate beyond the yelling and stuff like that. And I didn't…,” Bush says.

“You didn't wanna see him go through the trapdoor,” Pelley asks.

“Yeah. Yes. I didn't,” the president says.

The new Iraqi leader is Mr. Bush’s challenge now. The president’s plan depends on cooperation from Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. But the president's own people have questioned Maliki's competence and reliability. The last time he promised to send more troops to Baghdad he didn’t deliver.

“You are gambling a lot, Mr. President, on the Prime Minister Al-Maliki. Why do you think that’s a gamble worth making?” Pelley asks.

“Prime Minister Maliki and others who I talk to in the government understand that our patience is not unlimited,” Bush says.

“You're a plain speaker. Let's be blunt. What have you told Maliki he has to…” Pelley asks.

“I told him it’s time to get going. He’s gotta provide the troops he said he would provide inside Baghdad and we’ll help him. I said when our guys get moving along with yours, you can't get on the phone for political reasons and stop the troops from going after killers. What they would do is, ‘We’re going after this killer,’ and they said ‘Well he’s for political reasons, don’t.’ Killer is a killer. And we expect them to go after both Shia and Sunni murderers in order to provide the security for Baghdad,” Bush says.

But here’s the problem: one of the worst offenders running one of the most violent militias is the militant cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. And Sadr also holds the controlling block of seats in the parliament. If Sadr withdrew support, Maliki would likely fall.

Asked if al-Sadr is an enemy of the United States, Bush says, “Anybody who murders innocent people, or frustrating the ambitions of the Iraqi people and the United States.”

“I was on the battlefield in Najaf when al-Sadr's people killed your United States Marines,” Pelley remarks.

“Right. And we killed them, as you recall,” the president says.

“Is Muqtada al-Sadr an enemy of the United States?” Pelley asks.

“If he is ordering his people to kill Americans, he is,” Bush replies.

“Your military officers say that Iranian agents today are killing American troops on the ground in Iraq. Is that an act of war on the part of Iran against the United States?” Pelley asks.

“I think what they're saying is, is that the Iranians are providing equipment that is killing Americans. Either way, it’s unacceptable,” the president says.

“Is that an act of war against the United States on the part of the Iranian government?” Pelley asks.

“I’m not a lawyer. So act of war is kind of a, I’m not exactly sure how you define that. Let me just say it's unacceptable,” Bush says.

Asked what he would say to the president of Iran about the meddling in Iraq, Bush says, “’If we catch your people inside the country harming us citizens or Iraqi citizens you know we will deal with them.’”

Back at home, there is a raging debate at the Capitol even within his own party. The congressional leadership said it might try to stop him. The president has not answered that challenge until now.

“The Democrat leadership says, ‘We wanna support the troops who are on the ground. We just wanna redline the extra 20,000,’” Pelley remarks.

“Yeah. I will resist that. Listen, we've got people criticizing this plan before it's had a chance to work. They're saying, ‘We're not even gonna fund this thing.’ And they're not gonna give it a chance,” Bush says.

“There's no Democrat plan,” Pelley asks.

“It doesn't look like it to me. The interesting is, Scott, a lot of people are saying, ‘Well, we can't afford to fail.’” Bush says. “In other words, people understand the consequences of failure. But what's deafening is those who say ‘We can't afford to fail and here's the plan that will cause us not to fail.’ Frankly, that's not their responsibility. It's my responsibility to put forward the plan that I think will succeed. I believe if they start trying to cut off funds, they better explain to the American people and the soldiers why their plan will succeed.”

“Do you believe, as commander-in-chief, you have the authority to put the troops in there no matter what the Congress wants to do?” Pelley asks.

“I think I’ve got – in this situation, I do, yeah,” Bush says.

“Final question. How can you escalate the war when so many people in this country seem to be against it?” Pelley asks.

“I'm gonna have to keep explaining. That's why I'm doing this interview with you. And I gotta keep explaining that failure in Iraq will affect the security of the people here in the United States. And secondly, that we can succeed,” the president says. “Scott, sometimes you're the commander-in-chief, sometimes you're the educator-in-chief, and a lot of times you're both when it comes to war. We are in an ideological struggle. And it's a really classic ideological struggle. And, Iraq is part of it. And it's very important for me to not only continue to explain why I believe we can be successful in Iraq but explain to people that what happens in the Middle East will affect the future of this country.”

birthday / gregorian new year

2006-12-21T17:08:00.000-05:00

The Spread

Daily Lesson

Challenges/ Opportunities

Situation

Advice

Near Future

The Interpretations

Situation: The World

POSITIONAL (MAIN) MEANING
You drew your arrow and hit your target with the style of a skillful archer.

The card that lands in the Situation position refers to the circumstances you find yourself in with regard to your concern.

When the World is in this position, you appear to be approaching circumstances that previously existed only in your imagination. After years of effort and struggle, matters may seem absurdly easy now. Your ambition, inspiration and perseverance have taken you toward your desired outcome. Now you are zeroing in on the bull's eye, having explored the territory and brought yourself to its center.

Pause for a while and enjoy this moment. Recognize that you have completed what you set out to achieve. You are the person you wanted to be in the presence of the company you wanted to keep. You now inhabit what used to be a dream.

GENERAL MEANING
What has traditionally been known as the World card points to the presiding intelligence, called "Sophia," or Wisdom, which upholds life on this and all worlds. A more precise title for this card might be "the Soul of the World," also applicable as a symbol of personal empowerment and freedom. In most Tarot decks it is a female figure that has become our standard World image. She originates in Hebrew, Gnostic and Alchemical lore, and stands between heaven and earth as the Cosmic Mother of Souls, the Wife of God and our protector from the karmic forces we have set loose upon the Earth in our immaturity and ignorance.

Where the Empress energy secures and fertilizes our terrestrial lives, the goddess of The World invites us into cosmic citizenship -- once we come to realize our soul's potential for it. Just as the Chariot stands for success in achieving a separate Self, and Temperance represents achievement of mental and moral health, the World card announces the awakening of the soul's Immortal Being, accomplished without the necessity of dying.

This card, like the Sun, is reputed to have no negative meaning no matter where or how it appears. If the Hermetic axiom is "Know Thyself", this image represents what becomes known when the true nature of Self is followed to creative freedom and its ultimate realization.

MEANING of POSITION
The card that lands in the Situation position refers to the circumstances you find yourself in with regard to your concern.

The Situation position provides a general context for your question -- the set and setting, the politics, whatever is going on around you that might be impacting the situation or issue you are consulting the Tarot about now.

Consider the meaning of the card that lands in this position in light of the issues, people, and forces shaping your environment and circumstances. This position is about that which is true from the start -- as in the hand you are dealt.

Challenges/ Opportunities: The Hermit

POSITIONAL (MAIN) MEANING
Abandon distractions and external pursuits in favor of an inner work.

The card in the Challenges/Opportunities position reflects how you can use creativity to turn a crisis or challenge into an opportunity.

When the Hermit is in this position, go inward and indulge the contemplative monk or nun within you, the mystic that wants to be left alone with her meditations. This is your challenge. If you can pull yourself away from all superficial distractions and relationship concerns, you may receive some important guidance or insight. This card is suggesting that the hermit part of you is ready to be engaged.

Such a deeply gratifying experience involves sacrifice. The usual entertainments and comforts must be let go of for the period of time while you are tapping into Spirit. Relationships don't have to suffer, however, if you simply make known your need for some private time to recharge your batteries.

GENERAL MEANING
The challenge of what has traditionally been known as the Hermit card is to be able to recognize a teacher in a humble disguise. This font of mysterious knowledge will not make it easy for the student to acquire his wisdom, as it takes time and long contemplation to fathom what he knows. He often speaks wordlessly, or in ancient and barbaric tongues, communicating with the elements, animals and Nature herself.

While the hourglass was an identifying feature on the earliest Hermit cards, more modern ones have shifted the metaphor, showing more or less light released from his lantern. In either case, the Hermit card reminds us of the value of time away from the hubbub of civic life, to relax the ego in communion with Nature.

MEANING of POSITION
The card in the Challenges/Opportunities position reflects how you can use creativity to turn a crisis or challenge into an opportunity.

The Challenges/Opportunities position helps you get the best out of your situation. it reflects the cutting edge in the situation, the learning curve whereby you can turn adversity into accomplishment -- using creativity and a positive attitude.

This card can point to recurring themes in the challenges you have faced in your life -- and to opportunities that may yet present themselves. Can you think of any patterns which are returning to affect you now? If so, try to recall how you have reacted in the past. Perhaps you can see new potentials, while noticing the hidden pitfalls too. Can you imagine a different way of responding to the situation this time around?

The wisdom of this card can help you turn surprises into strengths, blind spots into windows of opportunity. Bring creativity and flexibility to the way you go about your way in the world. Your expanding capacity will become an asset and source of inspiration to all.

Advice: The Popess

POSITIONAL (MAIN) MEANING
Put self-cultivation at the top of your daily priority list.

The card in the Advice position suggests a course of action which will harmonize what you want with what is currently possible.

The High Priestess in this position asks you to adhere to your chosen spiritual practice on a more regular basis. If you want the benefits of evolution, you'll have to cooperate with spirit. We all have distractions, demands, and a whole life full of reasons why we cannot find the time to retreat into our inner sanctum.

Until you consider this as vital to your well-being as the need to eat and sleep, you are likely to be eternally restless and deeply dissatisfied. A spiritual routine that suits your temperament, practiced every day, is the most trustworthy path to freedom.

GENERAL MEANING
Traditionally called the High Priestess, this major arcana, or trump, card represents human wisdom. She can be viewed as a kind of female Pope, the ancient Egyptian Priestess of Isis, the even older snake and bird Goddesses, the Greek Goddess Persephone, or the Eve of Genesis before the Fall.

For the accused heretics who were burnt at the stake for revering her in the 14th and 15th century, she symbolized the prophecy of the return of the Holy Spirit, which was perceived as the female aspect of the Holy Trinity.

In the sequence of cards in the major arcana, the High Priestess appears as soon as the Fool decides he wants to develop his innate powers, making a move toward becoming a Magus. The High Priestess is his first teacher, representing the Inner Life and the method for contacting it, as well as the contemplative study of Nature and the Holy Mysteries.

MEANING of POSITION
The card in the Advice position suggests a course of action which will harmonize what you want with what is currently possible.

The Advice position may present a new option or direction, based on a different perspective on what could be helpful to you at this time. There may be a resource you have not accessed or a new point of view that opens your eyes to a solution or remedy you hadn't considered before. Or this card may simply reaffirm something you are already doing or planning on doing. It could even reframe the "problem" in a different manner altogether!

There may be one particular aspect of your life that needs attention. This could be an attitude, an unconscious habit, or some element of the environment that is impacting the way you take care of your relationships.

By adjusting your next move to take the message of this card into consideration, you are more likely to achieve better results. Yet there are times when even the concept of "doing" is too much. Contemplate this card from the viewpoint of possible avenues for action, if any. Then just let yourself flow gently along those lines.

Daily Lesson: The Sun

POSITIONAL (MAIN) MEANING
The highest response to fulfillment and abundance is to share that golden energy with others.

The card in the Lesson position represents the personal investment or sacrifice required to derive full benefit from your current situation.

The Sun card in this position requires that you receive with gratitude all the positive energy being directed at you. In the course of experiencing it, be sure to pass it on as unsullied as you received it.

Don't view yourself as superior to or worthier than others. Follow the example of the sun in this card, beaming forth and shining indiscriminately on all who enter your domain. Don't hoard the energy that flows toward you.

GENERAL MEANING
What has traditionally been known as the Sun card is about the self -- who you are and how you cultivate your personality and character. The earth revolves around the sun to make up one year of a person's life, a fact we celebrate on our birthday.

The Sun card could also be titled "Back to Eden." The Sun's radiance is where one's original nature or unconditioned Being can be encountered in health and safety. The limitations of time and space are stripped away; the soul is refreshed and temporarily protected from the chaos outside the garden walls.

Under the light of the Sun, Life reclaims its primordial goodness, truth and beauty. If one person is shown on this card, it is usually signifying a human incarnation of the Divine. When two humans are shown, the image is portraying a resolution of the tension between opposites at all levels. It's as if this card is saying "You can do no wrong -- it's all to the good!"

MEANING of POSITION
The card in the Lesson position represents the personal investment or sacrifice required to derive full benefit from your current situation.

You have come a long way, gleaning understanding and wisdom from your experiences in life. The card in the Lesson position points to a remaining issue that holds educational value for you, or to some sacrifice you still need to make for the sake of your fulfillment.

You may have to let go of something you like, for the sake of personal development. Stubbornness or selfishness in this regard could cost you. It is crucial to acknowledge the value of your personal growth, the importance of your happiness. No matter how difficult it may be, honor whatever you are currently learning as you reaffirm a commitment to growing in your ability to live a loving life.

The Lesson position represents the Wisdom aspect of present developments. Some self-sacrifice on the part of the questioner is usually required, some personal investment called for in order to derive the full benefits from the opportunities you have to grow.

Near Future: Eight of Coins

POSITIONAL (MAIN) MEANING
Continue to cultivate your mastery and you will reap abundant success.

The card in the Near Future position indicates which way the wind is blowing with regard to your situation. If you follow the Advice card, however, you can improve on or neutralize tendencies.

With the Eight of Coins in this position, you are gearing up to design and render more sophisticated projects. Everything is in place for great success as long as you persevere. Your artistic and intellectual development are evolving in an upward spiral.

Continue to refine your skills. Master your craft, building your reputation and attracting new projects, and you will be richly rewarded. Stay on track.

GENERAL MEANING
The Eight of this suit is the card of works. We see here the successful artisan spending time at his bench, hammering out the commissions he has attracted because of his skill. This artist is the best in her or his class, so popular that it's become difficult keep up with demand. She is paid whatever she asks and accepts only the most worthy assignments.

If there is a problem in this card, it has to do with the trap of workaholism, the feeling of being so indispensable that you will not ask for help or delegate anything. There is also the issue of becoming so identified as the creator of elegant works, that the personal identity of the creator becomes consumed by the works themselves. This artisan seldom gets to have a home life, time off, much time for friends. The solution lies in balancing creative energy with a personal life.

MEANING of POSITION
The card in the Near Future position indicates which way the wind is blowing with regard to your situation. If you follow the Advice card, however, you can improve on or neutralize tendencies.

The Near Future position points ahead to the natural consequences of actions you are now or will soon be taking. This card can give you a sense of which direction the wind is blowing. It may refer to the whole situation or merely to one aspect that is front and center for you right now. This is the card of impending events but remember -- you still have power to shape the way things turn out!

This is about what could happen soon -- following the dynamics of your attitude and natural temperament. This is not cast in stone, however. If you follow the Advice card you can improve on or neutralize difficult probabilities that may be indicated.

Cover letter to Google

2006-10-15T16:06:00.000-04:00

Dear Sir/Madam:

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Thursday, October 12, 2006
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Published by A. T. King at 10/12/2006 07:40:00 AM 0 remarks Links to this post
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