Note: In the interest of supporting the tarot/occult community and its artists, I’ll be using custom tarot decks to illustrate some of my readings. Although I see AI as a tool that can be used and abused just like any other, I know some people seethe at the idea of it. I cannot guarantee that the art used in these decks are entirely AI-free since some artists aren’t transparent about the tools they use. I purchased these digital decks in good faith that they used little to no AI and were not stolen from other artists.
I will say this, though: the anti-AI sentiments I’m seeing today are strongly reminiscent of the anti-internet movement I saw back in 90s. Just like those opponents can’t get enough of Facebook and Pinterest today, I wouldn’t be surprised if today’s AI hunters turn into its biggest supporters decades down the road.
Now that I’ve incensed plenty of people, it’s time to get to business.
The Mystical Celestial Tarot Line Art Ivory deck was designed by ColorDreamsBCN.
***
I recently shared a tarot reading about an ongoing situation involving a streamer attempting to manipulate another streamer. This isn’t so much a follow-up as it is a deeper look into one of the connections this person ruined.
In that post, I had to synthesize nearly two years worth of tarot readings, so it was quite the read. This one is thankfully shorter. I hope it gives the Seeker in question further insights into a possible outcome of a major concern.
As with the previous reading, for anyone who suspects they know who I’m talking about, DO NOT act on it. In addition to respecting the privacy of everyone involved, getting involved in this situation would carry a risk.
I can’t give many details right now, but the manipulator at the center of this reading is no longer a threat. However, that doesn’t mean the situation has been cleared up. There are still a lot of players involved, many who wouldn’t mind dragging others through the mud or creating new strains of drama. Do your part in making the internet enjoyable and safe—and that includes keeping yourself safe.
***
So Seeker, in trying to learn more about the Manipulator (as we’ll call the one who was trying to undermine you) and their motivations, I gathered insights into how they drove a wedge between you and a close offline friend. As you’ve probably already guessed, this was also part of their efforts to isolate you and make you dependent on them. It was also an effort to further wound you by targeting one of the longest, deepest bonds in your life.
For clarity, let’s refer to your friend as M.
Your friendship with M has seen lots of ups and downs over the years, but there is an undeniable bond between you two. Even when you took a break from each other, you both were able to find your way back and pick up the loose threads again. The bond is still there. That said, it does feel a little fragile right now.
One of my last readings suggested a branching point for your connection. In the coming weeks or months, you might be approaching a crossroads where the friendship could continue—changed and matured by what you both have gone through—or you both decide that it’s time to part ways.
I can’t determine that outcome for you, but what I can do is offer insights into the situation. I get that M isn’t a bad person, but I also sense a strong desire to feel accepted and prove themselves. Unfortunately, that desire might have contributed to the situation they’re stuck in now.
***
Currently, this is where you and your friend stand in relation to one another:
All the cards are reversed, which means there’s a wide, complicated emotional landscape here.
Your card, the Ten of Wands reversed, suggests that you’re processing the burdens that contributed to the distance between you and M, which obviously includes the Manipulator. You’re not entirely clear of their presence yet, but caring for yourself and exploring avenues that take you further away from their influence have made a difference.
However, M’s card, the Knight of Wands reversed, points to delays and instability. This could be related to impulsive behavior or difficulty following through, especially where self-reflection and honesty is needed to process and heal.
Between the two of you I’ve placed the Seven of Cups reversed, which tells me that both of you are beginning to see through the confusion and manipulation that led to this distance. Unfortunately, some choices of yours and M’s—avoidance, missing red flags, prioritizing success over preserving a connection—didn’t help matters. Some of these choices felt necessary at the time; the Manipulator had already muddied both of your senses. This confusion may have fed into the chaos, but in a way, it also helped push you toward safety, while M remained stuck.
But the most important question you might be asking right now is if reconciliation is possible.
Yes… but it depends.
The Three of Swords makes it clear there’s still pain to work through—betrayal, heartbreak, guilt, and blame that haven’t been fully processed yet. It’s doable, but recognizing and processing pain so it reaches a point where it barely has an effect on your present self does take work.
But the Four of Cups reversed suggests that the more you work through this—not rushing, but taking the time to understand the pain and its lessons—the sooner you may come to a point where your emotions might not get the best of you, and a conversation with M may be possible.
Normally, I like to pull three cards for any question, but I had to stop here and clarify. The Four of Cups is a complex enough card on its own, but in the reversed position, it begs for additional insights.
With the Ace of Wands reversed, there’s a delay, a standstill. You’re doing the work of understanding and healing, but M may be going through a slow process, or even avoiding it altogether. Both of you want to move past this, but the timing is off.
The High Priestess reversed adds another layer. While this position typically points to blocked intuition or hidden truths, I’m reading it here as truth that isn’t ready to be revealed yet. Here again, M might not be ready to confront the deeper reality of the situation. Trying to persuade them may backfire, or send them deeper into avoidance.
In fact, I’d add that you may actually be protected from what M is experiencing. No matter what position she’s in—upright, crossed, reversed—the High Priestess is completely unfazed and still a force to be reckoned with. There could be something shielding you from the worst while allowing M to face the lessons they need to learn. Since this is the High Priestess, it could be your intuition or maybe your higher self… or something unknowable that’s looking out for you.
The Five of Swords may be underscoring this insight: unresolved conflict, ego clashes, and a desire to win above everything else. M might be trapped in proving or, again, avoiding something. Getting involved prematurely might worsen the situation.
So, to understand M’s internal state, I asked a few more questions:
The Queen of Pentacles suggests that M is focusing on stability, especially financial or practical independence. They may be trying to ground themselves in something tangible. The Ten of Swords reversed shows a very slow recovery. M may be in survival mode, aware of the pain and its causes, but not yet ready to actually face it and learn hard lessons, as evidenced by the Page of Pentacles reversed.
As for what you can do to help, Seeker, the Ten of Cups suggests that your work is to continue deepening the life you’re building, nurturing your growth, and exploring new paths. You may want to help, but your job isn’t to fix M’s side of the situation. These are the lessons they need to learn. Reconciliation is possible when both of you are healed enough to meet again. You can show yourself as an example of what healing can look like for M, and inspire them to take action. But if there is a chance it doesn’t happen, your own happiness is still valid and worth protecting.
***
But I know you’re still wondering when reconciliation might happen, if it ever does.
Because this feels like a deep, enduring bond, possibly a soul connection of some sort (soul connections can be platonic, and you can have more than one in any lifetime), I decided to use another new deck. The Rider-Waite-Smith deck is the go-to for many readers, but I wanted something spiritually deeper. I used the Influence of the Angels Tarot by Jody Boginski Barbessi and Karen Boginski. Given what came through, it feels I made the right call.
Ace of Wands: This card shows the Creator reaching down with a spark of creation. In this context, it suggests that something outside of your control may act as the catalyst for reconnection. This feels like an external event. Given the broader situation, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Manipulator is somehow connected, even tangentially.
The Hierophant: Here we have Hasmal, the angel of wisdom, whose fire burns away false teachings and distorted beliefs. This points to a moment where misunderstandings, especially those shaped by outside influence, burn away. Narratives may collapse or be scrutinized.
Three of Cups reversed: Upright, this card typically means community and belonging. Reversed, it highlights the darker side of group dynamics: cliques, performative alliances, and belonging at the cost of authenticity. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it matches with everything that’s surfaced in this situation.
Taken together, these cards suggest that any reconciliation may come through because of a rupture, particularly a moment where the seedy side of streamer culture is exposed and prodded, and folks start to question group loyalty, trust, and figure perception.
If that doesn’t match what I’ve been reading all this time.
This won’t be an easy or pleasant process. I’ve said before that streaming culture often feels like high school. This may be insultingly obvious, but neither of you are teenagers anymore. Falling back into those old, immature habits of youth would be easy, maybe even comfortable to a point, but this moment of reconnection may not come back around on your own terms.
You might never feel fully ready, but catalysts don’t wait for perfect emotional conditions. When it arrives, not only may you have to deal with the fallout, but you may have to take a chance and reach out to M. But if M beats you to the punch, take it as a sign that they’ve been growing and thinking about you.
***
I know this is far from a purely optimistic reading, but I hope it still gives you the insights you need. At the very least, I hope it encourages you to keep your eyes open for signs that things on M’s side may be improving. Here’s wishing you the best.