People often come to me feeling like their lives are stuck in place or on the brink of change. Questions, fears, and worries become guiding threads in their search for answers. The Hanafuda cards, with their remarkable symbolism, help unravel this tangled web. Today, I’ll share three such stories.

Each of these stories is about doubts and fears that could affect any of us:

  • A woman afraid of losing her husband.
  • A young woman anxious about her career.
  • Another young woman unsure of where to go next.

We used five-card spreads to uncover what truly lies behind their fears and how they can move forward.

A 31-Year-Old Woman Afraid Her Husband Will Leave Her

Question: How can she maintain and strengthen her marriage?

Five-Card Spread Interpretation

  1. Pine with Crane (January) – A symbol of longevity and loyalty, reminding her of the importance of patience and trust.
  2. Chrysanthemum Card (September) – Suggests emotional maturity and mutual respect are necessary.
  3. Plum with Red Ribbon (February) – Warns of temporary difficulties that require effort to overcome.
  4. Iris with Bridge (May) – Represents connection and emphasizes the importance of dialogue and interaction.
  5. Paulownia Card (December) – Signifies the completion of one stage and the transition to another.

What the Cards Reveal

Her fears stem from her own insecurities rather than the actual state of the relationship. Her challenge is to learn to trust and be open to conversation.

Practical Advice

  1. Find what connects you and revive those moments (Iris with Bridge):
    • Recall what made your relationship warm at the beginning—perhaps walks in the park or long bedtime talks.
    • Make time for these moments, even when life feels too busy.
    • Create a tradition: have a weekly dinner together or go for a walk holding hands. Shared memories are your bridge, even when you feel distant.
  2. Talk about your fears, but choose your words with warmth and care (Pine with Crane):
    • Avoid starting conversations with blame or accusations.
    • Say something like: “Sometimes I fear losing your love. It’s just my own thoughts, and they may be unfounded, but I want to discuss them with you.”
    • Give your partner space to understand and support you—this strengthens trust.
  3. Accept that challenges are part of the journey and see them as lessons (Plum with Red Ribbon):
    • No relationship is without difficulties—that’s normal.
    • Instead of fearing loss, ask yourself: “What can this situation teach us? How can I grow in our relationship?”
    • Small gestures—expressing gratitude, warm words, helping with daily tasks—can strengthen your bond.

Remember: A relationship isn’t about perfection; it’s about being there for each other, even during difficult times. Love lives in the small moments we create every day.

A 28-Year-Old Woman Afraid of Not Getting a Promotion

Question: What is holding her back in her career, and how can she succeed?

Five-Card Spread Interpretation

  1. Cherry Blossom (March) – Symbolizes temporary joy and the need to seize the moment.
  2. Pine with Red Ribbon (January) – Reminds her that actions matter more than waiting.
  3. Clover with Butterfly (July) – Represents new opportunities and inspiration.
  4. Moon Over Mountain (August) – Symbolizes inner work and intuition.
  5. Plum with Nightingale (February) – Highlights the need to believe in herself.

What the Cards Reveal

Her fears come from overthinking the results instead of focusing on present actions.

Practical Advice

  1. Focus on actions, not outcomes (Pine with Red Ribbon):
    • Fear of failure can be paralyzing, but great success starts with small steps.
    • Instead of stressing over “How can I get promoted?”, break it down:
      • Execute your current tasks exceptionally well.
      • Take initiative in discussions.
    • Success is built step by step, not in one big leap.
  2. Seek inspiration in new projects and be open to showing initiative (Clover with Butterfly):
    • Don’t wait for someone to notice your talent.
    • Volunteer for a challenging project, suggest new ideas, step beyond your usual duties.
    • Every new initiative is a chance to showcase your abilities.
    • Imagine the butterfly landing on your hand—it’s a sign: “This is your chance. Take it.”
  3. Trust your intuition when making big decisions (Moon Over Mountain):
    • Intuition is the inner voice we often ignore due to fear or logic.
    • To hear it, find quiet moments—perhaps over morning coffee or during a solitary walk.
    • Ask yourself: “If I weren’t afraid, what would I do?”
    • Let the moonlight within you guide your path. The answer will come if you listen.

Remember: Small actions create big changes. Don’t be afraid to step up. Even if things don’t work out immediately, you will still grow and move closer to your goal. Success is not a race—it’s a dance, where every step matters.

A 24-Year-Old Woman Unsure About Her Life Direction

Question: How can she find her path?

Five-Card Spread Interpretation

  1. Wisteria with Cuckoo (April) – Indicates the need for inner balance.
  2. Blooming Plum (February) – Symbolizes the start of something new.
  3. Autumn Leaves (October) – Reminds her of the importance of reevaluating her values.
  4. Moon (August) – Represents deep introspection and self-discovery.
  5. Pine with Crane (January) – Reminds her that patience and clarity will help her find her way.

What the Cards Reveal

She is in a phase of self-exploration. She needs to slow down and focus on her true desires.

Practical Advice

  1. Take time for self-reflection and an honest conversation with yourself (Moon):
    • Sometimes, the answers we seek are already within us, but we’re too caught up in daily life to hear them.
    • Take a notebook and write:
      • “What do I truly want?”
      • “What makes me happy?”
      • “What do I dream about but am afraid to admit?”
    • Write everything—no judgment. This will help uncover hidden desires.
  2. Allow yourself to try new things, even if they scare you (Blooming Plum):
    • Fear of the unknown is normal, but what do you lose by staying in your comfort zone?
    • Ask yourself:
      • “What’s the worst that could happen if I try?”
      • “And what’s the best that could happen?”
    • Start small:
      • Take a course in something that excites you.
      • Apply for a job you’re curious about.
      • Try a hobby you dreamed of as a child.
    • Like the plum blossom emerging in the cold, growth happens even in unexpected conditions.
  3. Give yourself time and space to develop naturally (Pine with Crane):
    • Don’t rush yourself or compare your journey to others.
    • Just as a crane soars at its own pace, find your own rhythm.
    • Your answers will come when you allow yourself to live, explore, and experience.

Remember: Change is not a race; it’s a journey. Trust yourself and embrace the adventure. Even when the path seems unclear, everything starts to make sense when you take that first step.

Final Thoughts

Each of these stories is a reminder that fears and doubts are natural.
Hanafuda cards don’t provide ready-made solutions, but they offer a new perspective.
Ultimately, the most important step is realizing that change is possible—and taking the first step toward it.