A strength tarot card. Credit: Photo via josemanuel246/Adobe
Dear Oracle,
I’ve been friends with “Jane” since high school. While life happened, we kept in touch all these years and catch up on the phone a couple of times a year. Lately though, I feel like she might be struggling. She seems very unhappy with something in her life, but when I ask more directly, she brushes it off and says everything’s fine. But there’s something in her voice that makes me think elsewise. We live on opposite sides of the country, so I can’t just take her to lunch. Should I keep pressing or mind my own business?—Concerned Friend
Cards for Jane: King of Pentacles (reversed), The Lovers, Ace of Pentacles (reversed), Strength
Dear Friend,
It can be difficult to have an honest conversation with a friend in crisis because that honesty has to be twofold: they have to be honest with themselves about what’s going on, and then they have to be honest with you. Many people, for one reason or another, have a difficult time with one or both of those things.
I understand your concern. It’s hard to judge what’s going on when you can’t lay eyes on a person and only have an impression. You ask if you should keep pressing or mind your own business, but those aren’t the only two options. You can start by calling Jane a little more often to just “catch up” and see if that helps build up a rapport. Keeping an open line of communication is key.
Because I do think something might be going on with Jane, particularly in her career. The King of Pentacles is a master of his trade, hardworking and level-headed. But both the King and the Ace of Pentacles—the idea of work and what we value—are reversed. It makes me wonder if Jane has perhaps hit a plateau in her career or is considering something else.
The Lovers is traditionally a card of relationships, but since you didn’t mention whether Jane is married or with anyone, I’m going to read it as her own passion and desire. If she’s lost the “spark” for her job, she might be looking for something that inspires more passion, a career that she could “fall in love with.” Many of us fall into career paths we didn’t expect, and while we can be great at them, it might not be enough. (This is especially true if someone doesn’t have a robust life outside of their job and that job takes up most of their mental energy.)
The last card, Strength, is pulling double duty. It can be that Jane has to be strong to stay in this job for now (to pay bills, support children, keep health insurance), or she might be looking for the strength to leave this job to try something else.
Whatever it is, keep talking to her. Send more texts to check in. Call when you’re on a long drive. If she wants to talk to you about this, give her plenty of opportunities.
I hope everything goes well for you both, my dear.
Dear Oracle,
I’m a manager of a small company. I really, really love my job, but the owner of my company is an asshole. I don’t interact with him all the time, but he’s absolutely creating a more toxic work environment, and we’ve lost people to his behavior. (There is no HR lol.) I’m not ready to move on but something has got to change. How can I navigate this jerk’s behavior while keeping both my sanity and job? —Bummer Boss
Cards for How To Deal: Ten of Pentacles (reversed), Justice, Queen of Pentacles (reversed), Three of Cups (reversed)
Dear BB ,
I’ve written before about shitty bosses and how they’re usually bad because their own ass is on the line. This might be the case here, or being a dick might come naturally to your boss. I’m unsure.
The Ten of Pentacles is the completion of a job, but also the cementing of a legacy. Paired that with the generous and hardworking Queen of Pentacles and I bet that you not only love your job but you’re great at it.
However, the love of a job can only get you so far if the environment is toxic. With the Major Arcana of Justice, I do think this is something that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. Justice is about balance, honesty, and fairness. Your job should be promising you a fair shake because that’s both the ethical and legal obligation of your employer. A lack of Justice will only breed resentment and drive you out of your beloved job.
I do think you might need to address his behavior, but that should not be done alone. The Three of Cups is a card of friendship and allyship, so if you think the rest of your coworkers are also distressed by this dude’s shitty behavior, then perhaps you can all go in on it together. I would speak to an employment lawyer about the best course of action and see what they have to say.
I wonder if you, as the Queen of Pentacles, have more leverage than you give yourself credit for. You’re clearly an authority figure, and you might even be one that the owner respects. If you come in as the head of the collective, that might give you enough ammunition for change.
Especially if your boss listens to you on other matters.
Of course, the worry is that the owner just fires everyone—which would wreck his business, but vindictive people tend to do stupid things like that.
Whatever you decide to do, get together with your coworkers (that you can trust!) and come up with a game plan together. Collective action works when everyone is on the same page.
Hopefully, your boss will listen to you all. Or he’ll check out completely, and you can keep running the show without him.
Either way, best of luck, my dear.
Send your questions to [email protected] or DM @theyboracle on Instagram. See more of Caroline and learn about her services via carolinedebruhl.com.
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This article appears in July 23 – 29, 2026.
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