Hah, thanks for the delightful Madam Mim gif! Oh I was equally intrigued by that reading, mainly because it was off in that there was a stubborn disconnect with the cards in relation to each other in the spread, and what was actually said.
Your analyses are equally valid imo. Because someone else did the spread, it is slightly open – within the scope of the meaning of the cards. And you’re absolutely right about the different lines; past, present, future.
Now, in regard to the “there’s money all over this,” – I’d say it’s a bit of an exaggeration. A lot of people just starting out or not really proficient tend to understand ALL of the pentacle cards as “MONEY” (coming in or out). She had four Pentacle cards in the spread in total, so she just saw, “wow, dosh!” But they represent our material/physical world and needs, which extent far beyond coins alone, and how we balance these against our other needs (heart, creativity & intellect).
So it’s not a money-centred spread as such. I’d say it’s an illusion-centred spread (Moon rev, a major arcana, bang in the middle of it all – pulling the strings of all the other cards). Harry’s illusions, Meghan’s illusions. This is why 3-card rows are so much clearer btw, they show these connections straight away. I’d personally hazard a guess that they’re around the energy of the Moon/9 of Swords right now, possibly even juuust stepping onto the 3rd line.
Emperor:could be William. This card is usually a pater familias sort of energy, or representing an institution/government, so it’s normally a more mature and experienced sort of person in a position of some sort of power or authority. But sometimes we can be in that energy slightly regardless of age, and Will has seemingly really stepped up to the plate since this broke and behaved like the grown-up. So I wouldn’t rule him out. But I don’t know… Will & Kate I’d peg as the charitable ones in the 6 of Pentacles below.
3 of Pentacles: was probably more like around the time before the engagement announcement. At least at its strongest effect up to that point, when she was just H’s gf and their wants clashed with those of the BRF/KP. The “love shield”, the press leaks, the dubious nature of some of H comments KP’s had to cover for, H&M pushing for green light on marriage after a handful of months which the BRF could hardly have been okay with etc. All of that was a mess of contradictions, stupid communications and most probably in the energy of Knight of Wands rev + 3 of Pentacles.
6 of Pentacles: could be monetary aid as in covering the cost of the ostentatious wedding, as you say. It is however the card coming right after 5 of Pentacles, where the individuals were ostracised/feeling shut out or destitute. In this card, they are getting a break. Seeing as, as you say, neither M/H have any substantial wealth of their own, this could very well be a combo of monetary relief/charity and symbolic charity. One being the opening of Charles’ wallet to fund the official new addition to the RF. As he funds H, he must fund H’s fiancée’s “needs”. The other being Will and Kate taking one for the team and being the only members seen interacting with them in public – this to prove that H&M are welcomed into the fold as far as the optics are concerned. Letting them into their home, walking to church with them. If they hadn’t done that, H&M would still be out in the energy of the 5 of Pentacles; out in the cold.
7 of Pentacles: isn’t the wedding. Wedding would probably be indicated by any combination of 3 of Cups, 10 of Pentacles or 10 of Cups, 4 of Wands, 2 of Cups and possibly some major arcana to seal it. It’s more like the initial “we gone done it Cleetus! We’ve arrived!” The whole being invited to “family functions”, being recognised (M as a royal fiancé, future wife, duchess and member of the BRF…), getting engagements, access to money, staff, help, people… whatever. That initial excitement! It’s just an INITIAL carrot for that hard work. Some also call it “the seeds of intentions” card – which really indicates that it’s not the prize itself. It can be deceiving as what the fruits you’re picking might turn out to be something altogether different from what you thought you had planted. This is underlined by the reversed Moon card coming right after.
4 of Pentacles: Well… what does Meghan have, in her own mind, if she doesn’t get Harry at this point? Nothing. Money/material possessions = security in her book. If her heart is not entirely in the whole IRL package that comes with Harry and she’d rather just not be there & do that, the security of the greedy 4 of Pentacles is what’s keeping her there. Someone in the relationship (and it’s not hard to figure out who) is too hung up on material security. Why too hung up? Clarifying cards would answer that with more clarity, but a good hint are the cards before and after this 4 of Pentacles. Good & happy cards? Nope.
5 rev & 8 of Cups: the order may seem strange, and again clarifiers would resolve the issue, the 5 of Cups can be read as that moment of epiphany where you turn around and see that you still have two unspilled cups of hope. That moment of clarity and realisation that nudges you into the 8 of Cups where you soberly look your life over and make a decision to walk away from the disappointments. Both these cards help each other out and confirm the outcome.
Oh, wow, thanks. I can tell I’m going to be mulling over this for a while
The “material aspects” part really rings a bell for me. You’re right, that makes a lot more sense that pure lucre.
And that 7 of Pentacles analysis sounds dead on. They really did seem overjoyed about having pulled it off until right around December. They’ve been a lot more subdued since then.
House of Brat 