The Moon often symbolizes our unconscious mind and inner self.   It can herald a time of inner transformation, initiation or awareness.  The Moon is connected with the night and dreams.  It is the gateway of the soul representing the tides of emotion and consciousness.  It is the primal source of intuition and initiation.  The Moon is the 18th Trump card of the Major Arcana.  18 reduces down to 9 (1+8=9) which is a mathematically magical number - its square root is three and the sum of any number multiplied by nine equals nine when added together (e.g.. 9 x 8 = 72, 7 + 2 = 9).  The Moon is often a card of intuition, mystery, magick and inner consciousness.  It symbolizes a need for introspection; listening to the voice within but doing with a wary approach so that you are truly heeding your inner wisdom and not following false desires or illusions.  

"Negative:  You're expecting a thunderbolt or dramatic flash of intuition to be your guide.  You're looking so hard for a symbol, sign or omen that you aren't taking the practical, logical steps that you could take.  You need to be thinking things out for yourself, not just depending on cosmic intervention or rescue.  You're abdicating responsibility for taking control of your life and expecting something else to tell you what to do.
Reversed:  The Moon's guidance is coming from within you.  you are listening to your dreams, mediations, hunches, or inner voice for illumination."

Looking at these cards I was immediately struck by the concept of the Underworld portrayed on the Dance of Life card.  In mythology, the Underworld is often described as a place where seekers go to gather information and face the darkness within themselves.  The Victorian Romantic Moon card shows a woman garbed in gauzy garments of blues and deep purples.  She sits amidst a stone wall next to a river or waterfall.  The nighttime sky is moonless but there is a crescent moon visible on her forehead.  She is pale, luminous and seems sad.  Perhaps she misses the moon's light in the evening sky.

So looking at these cards I wondered what hides in the darkness of the Underworld that I have not face?  What illusions am I clinging to?  When I read Gail Fairfield's commentary on this card I was struck by a thunderbolt of insight.  I have been waiting and magically wishing for the perfect job to come along.  I kept hoping that a fairy godmother would wander along and grant my wish for the perfect job.  It woud be wonderful if that happened but it's not especially helpful or practical.  If I want to find my way through this dark time and find a job that will allow me to express my inner self and dreams then I need to take some practical steps to achieve that dream.  Instead of wallowing in the waters of full illusions and wishful thinking, i need to make plans and take responsibility for changing this situation.  Rather than clinging to delusions and false hope, I need to find the light and bring myself up from the underworld.  To continue wandering in that darkness will surve no useful purpose.

At the same time I don't want to lose the magic and hopeful promise of finding my dream job; of finding a way to follow my own inner wisdom and listen to my inner voice.  I want to make a different and maybe help others find their way out of the darkness and through the Underworld.  It might not be easy but I'll never get anywhere if I don't make some sort of plan, a strategy.  Wandering through the Underworld without some sort of map is just a recipe for failure, and I just hate failing.