Seven of Pentacles - A Love of Any Kind Takes Time to Come Together

The seven of pentacles usually comes up when I read for people who have been waiting a long time for a love to come to fruition.  Perhaps it is a friendship that is growing into a love relationship.  It may be a long distance relationship or a relationshipe that is subject to Divine timing.  It can be so frustrating to wait for a relationship to come to fruition when it seems so simple to just get started at it. 

In these cases - it is important to ask yourself or the client for whom you are reading a few questions.
1.  Have I discerned this relationship enough to know that it is not unrequited love or a case of 'he's just not that into you?
2.  Is the waiting period due in part to my reluctance or my loved one's reluctance to commit to a relationship rather than a friendship?
3.  Is there another party involved?
4.  Is it a case of "the chase is better than the catch"?

If the answer to these questions is NO, then the relationship is probably one that is subject to factors of timing.  In that case, pray about the relationship.  Pray for the highest good of the other person while you wait for him/her and encourage him/her to do the same for you.  In a situation where Divine timing is involved, you (or your client) may get a sense of loving detachment when thinking about the relationship.  There won't be any anxiety attached to thinking about the loved one or frantic "does he love me" questions.  In this case, both parties probably know in their hearts that the coming together will happen at the right time and they have let go of useless fears over losing one another. 

That being said...don't watch the pot...it won't boil.  The lovers should continue to nurture their friendship with one another knowing that they will eventually move toward a deeper relationship.  The lovers should also continue to enjoy other aspects of their lives as they nurture themselves.  This will help each party come grow as an individual so that when the timing is right for the relationship, it can be an intimate and joyful one which grows and blossoms.

The High Priest/Hierophant - Confronting Dogma in Your Love Relationships

The High Priest often comes up in love readings when clients are asking where their relationship is headed or what issues they need to work on before moving forward.  Sometimes, the High Priest/Hierophant indicates an impending marriage, often involving a traditional ceremony in church or temple. 
More often, however, the appearance of this card indicates that traditional religious values, often from the family of origin, have or will have an impact on a couple who wishes to undertake a long term relationship or marriage.  The couple seeking to tie the knot may be from different backgrounds and may practice different religions.  For a couple with children, the High Priest may show up when there are conflicts about how to bring up the children in terms of religious instruction.

When the High Priest appears, it is time to face the role that dogma has played in your development and how it effects your development as a couple.  It may be time for an open and honest talk about the wedding plans - are plans being made that are important to the couple or are they being made simply to please the family.  Are church wedding vows more important to one member of the couple than the other?  What does the wedding vow mean to each individual - is this a situation in which "what God has joined together, no man can put asunder?" or is the vow being agreed to with the understanding that if there is a bump in the road, the couple can part ways?

So, pay attention to the High Priest, especially if marriage or a long term relationship is being considered.  It is especially important to discern at this time how the religious beliefs of your family of origin will affect you and your partner as you think about entering a committed partnership or a marriage.