Tarot Layouts Book

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Tarot.Layouts.REF - complete versionReference Guide about Tarot LayoutsVersion 4.0.0 - 07/01/1996Compiled by David C. Jones ([email protected])

Copyright, 1996, David Clark Jones. Please see the table ofcontents for the location of the full listing of the copyrightnotice.

"When we lay out the Tarot in the Spirit of Wisdom, we objectifythe subjective, make the invisible visible and provide form for theformless. The Tarot exteriorizes the interior life, it reveals theinner life like disclosing fluid."

-- Naomi Ozaneic, _The Element Tarot Handbook_

Table of Contents=================1) The Layouts

1.1) Action Spread (#5, C2)*1.2) Eliphas Levi Wheel Spread (#5, C3, X)

1.3) The Line Spread (#5, C1, L)1.4) Spread of the Elements (#5, C2)*1.5) Chakra Spread (#7, C3, X)1.6) Magic Seven Spread (#7, C4)1.7) Soul Dreamers Spread (#7, C4, SX)1.8) Spirits of the Circle Spread (#7, C4)1.9) Split Hexagram Spread (#7, C4)1.10) Four Seasons Spread (#8, C5, S)1.11) Hearth Spread (#8, C2)1.12) Planetary Spread (#8, C3, A)1.13) Amanda's Fan (#9, C3)1.14) Arianrhod Spread (#9, C4, 1year)1.15) Awen Spread (#9, C2, L)*1.16) Mandala/Alchemical Spread (#9/13, C3/4)1.17) Spiral Layout (#10, C1)1.18) Tree of Life Spread

1.18.1) Davis' Tree of Life (#10, C5, X)1.18.2) Doane's Tree of Life (#10, C6, X)1.18.3) Peach's Tree of Life (#78, C7, X)1.18.4) Comments and Variations

*1.19) Trinity Spread (#10, C3, L)1.20) Yes or No Spread (#10, C2, Y)1.21) The Celtic Cross

1.21.1) Waite's Celtic Cross (#11, C4)1.21.2) Danburg's Celtic Cross (#11, C4)1.21.3) Peach's Celtic Cross (#11, C4)1.21.4) Lines within the Reading (C7)

1.21.5) Variations and Comments.*1.22) Cup of Relationships Spread (#11, C4, S)1.23) Key Spread (#11, C4)1.24) Four Trines Spread (#12, C5, A)+1.25) Twelve Houses Spread (#12, C5, A)+1.26) Astrological Spread (#13V, C4, A)1.27) Magic Cross Spread (#13, C3)

aka Christian Cross Spread1.28) Planetary Spread (#14, C4, A)1.29) Qabalistic Cross (#14, C3)


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1.30) Daily Spread (#15, C4, 1day)1.31) Fortune Teller's Spread (#15, C3)1.32) Thoth Spread

1.32.1) Original Thoth Spread (#15, C4)1.32.2) Peach's Thoth Spread (#16, C4)

1.33) Wish Spread (#16, C4, S)1.34) Grand Source Spread (#21, C6)1.35) Playing Deck Spread (#21, C3, L)1.36) Pyramid Spread (#21, C4)1.37) Romany Spread (#21, C2, L)1.38) Twenty-One Card Spread (21, C6)1.39) Sephiroth Spread (#26, C9, A)*1.40) Triangular Spread (#28, C8)1.41) Magic Mirror Spread (#29, C5, S)1.42) Spread of Thirty-Six (#36, C4, L)*1.43) Story Spread (#45, C7)1.44) Solar Spread (#49, C5, LA)1.45) Life Spread (#50, C9)1.46) Three Fans (#54/78, C9)1.47) Ladder Spread (#78, C9)

1.48) The Waite Spreads (#43/78, C9, L)1.48.1) The Forty-Three Card Layout (#43, C9, L)1.48.2) The Thirty-Five Card Layout (#35, C5, L)

*1.49) Geomancy Spread. (#V, C9, AX)1.50) Name Layout (#V, C3, L)1.51) Tetragrammaton Spread (#V, C7, LX)1.52) Timing Spread (#V, C2, Y)

2) Layout Modifiers2.1) Additional Card Modifiers2.2) Extending the Path2.3) Rotating the Layout2.4) Yes/No Answer2.5) Querent Cards

2.5.1) Personality Traits2.5.2) Astrology2.5.3) Physical Traits2.5.4) Open Deck2.5.5) Random Selection2.5.6) No Querent

*2.6) Ateration of the Elements*2.7) Multi-line Associations

3) Useful Information3.1) Astrological Houses3.2) Planetary Symbols3.3) Astrological Symbols3.4) Divination w/ normal deck of playing cards3.5) Timing Information

*3.6) Astrological House Numbering*3.7) The Four Elements and the Tarot

A Lesson in Relationships between Cards3.7.1) Stage One: Traditional Method3.7.2) Stage Two: Elemental Rules3.7.3) Stage Three: Positions

4) Rituals of Meditation4.1) Mandalas

4.1.1) Daily Focus Point4.1.2) Contemplation Ritual


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4.1.3) Opening the Door4.2) Qabalistic Cross of the Tarot Ritual (4)4.3) Suit and Function Meditation (14)4.4) Figure of Eight (22)4.5) Square-Triangle Layout (78)

5) Useless Information5.1) Copyright Notice5.2) Where to find this document5.3) Administrativia5.4) Who am I and how this list got started5.5) Really Useless Information*5.6) How to Use this Document.

5.6.1) If you are new to tarot....5.6.2) If you are new to this document....5.6.3) Supplements and version numbers5.6.4) Paradigm Spread5.6.5) Maps and Legends

6) References and Thanks7) History of this document

A - Astrological Spreads.L - Line Spreads.S - Specific Question Spreads.X - Cross Subjects.Y - Yes/No Spreads.

+ indicates new information was added to this section since v3.0.1* indicates a totally new section in this FAQ since v3.0.1- indicates that part or all of this section was removed and/or

incorporated elsewhere

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

1) The Layouts

1.1) Action Spread (#5, C2) (Morison)Layout:1 5

2 43

Deal: Numerically as shownReading:Card 1: The question itself, important aspects of the question.Card 2: Past Events.Card 3: How the querent has reacted to the matter or character

strength which are more relevant to the matter.

Card 4: EnvironmentCard 5: Solution to problem.

1.2) Eliphas Levi Wheel Spread (#5, C3, X) (Guiley)Layout: 1

|4--5--2

|3


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Deal: Numerically as shown

Reading:Card 1 - Present situationCard 2 - Waning influences. Obstacles already overcome. Changes

which have occured in the past.Card 3 - Hidden or unconscious influencesCard 4 - Emerging influences.Card 5 - Synthesis. Draws together the other four influences.

Comments: The layout is so named because it is based upon theEliphas Levi Wheel, a version of which is seen on Trump 10 in theRider-Waite deck; Levi did not invent this layout. Levi's Wheelassigned letters of the Tetragramaton (Yod, He, Vau, He,respectively) to each of the four positions shown above. Levi'swheel also offers some additional interpretations of the four tarotsuits, the four ranks of court cards, and the meaning of theletters T, O, R, and A. For further information, consult some ofhis works on the subject.

1.3) The Line Spread (#5, C1, L)

Layout:5 4 3 2 1

Deal: Right to Left

Reading:Cards 4 and 5 represent the futureCard 3 represents the prenysentCards 1 and 2 represent the past

Variation: A simple, and very commonly used, variation of the FiveCard Spread works as follows: instead of placing two cards on eachside of the present card, place three our four, yielding a seven ornine card spread (or go higher if you wish). The further you getfrom the center card, the further into the past/future you arelooking.

1.4) Spread of the Elements (#5, C2) (Carr-Gomm)Layout: N

W Q ES

Deal: Querent, East, South, West, North

Reading: Use to gain insight into aspects of the self which need

balancing or development.Card Q: QuerentEast: Intellectual or Mental Life

South: Sensual and/or Instinctual LifeWest: Emotional Life

North: Intuitive and/or Spiritual Life

1.5) Chakra Spread (#7, C3, X) (Guiley)Layout/Deal: Using only the major arcana, deal seven cards upwardforming a single vertical line.


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Reading: Each card corresponds to one of the seven chakras of thebody. Proper study of the subject would be advised when using thislayout and the list below is intended only as a reference guideextracted from Guiley's book. Interpretations of each position mayvary depending upon your learnings.

Card 1 - Root Chakra. Self-preservation and instincts.Card 2 - Sacral Chakra. Sexuality.Card 3 - Solar Plexus. Emotions.Card 4 - Heart Chakra. Higher consciousness, unconditional love.Card 5 - Throat Chakra. Creativity and self expressionCard 6 - Brow Chakra. Psychic abilities, spiritual enlightenment.Card 7 - Crown Chakra. Individual level of conscious evoluion.

1.6) Magic Seven Spread (#7, C4) (Doane)Layout:

1/ \

5---/-----\---6

\ / \ /X 7 X/ \ / \3---\-----/---2

\ /4

Deal: Numerically as shown above.

Reading:Card 1: Past event leading up to the present stateCard 2: The present stateCard 3: Immediate futureCard 4: Suggested Solution, what the querent should do to obtain

more control over the current situationCard 5: The current environment and/or its affect on the matterCard 6: OppositionCard 7: Result

Variation 1: Change the following cards (Davis)Card 4: Issue to be dealt withCard 5 and 6: Opportunity and limitation (these positions flip,use your intuition as to which is which in a given reading)

1.7) Soul Dreamers Spread (#7, C4, SX) (Silbury)Layout: X X X X X X X X X X

X 5 X

X 2 XX 1 6 XX 4 XX 3 XX XX 7 XX X X X X X X X X X

X's are used merely to show relative position of the cards. Thecards should be placed such that they create an outward clockwise


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spiral and should be more circular that the above diagram appears.

Deal: Select card 1 as you would a querent card. Shuffle the deckand deal numerically as shown

Reading: This reading is intended to help one understand a dream'smessage or meaning.

Card 1 - Key. Choose a card the represents the dream situation oryour feelings about the dream.

Card 2 - Dream Situation. Tells something about the dream'sevents, such as when where, how, and why.

Card 3 - Energy Within. Primary energy of the dream.Card 4 - Conscious Meaning. What the dream means to you in

'walking life.'Card 5 - Subconscious Meaning. What the dream means to you on an

inner psychic level.Card 6 - Serpent Energy. When energy is needed to cause the dream

to manifest physically, if you desire, or to solve thedream's dilemma.

Card 7 - Outcome. How the dream will manifest and its effects.

1.8) Spirits of the Circle Spread (#7, C4) (Carr-Gomm)Layout: 2 7 4

15 6 3


Reading:Card 1: QuerentCard 2: Spirit of the Ancestors - influence of family eldersCard 3: Spirit of the Tribe - influence of cultureCard 4: Spirit of TimeCard 5: Spirit of Place - influence of birthplace and residenceCard 6: Spirit of the Journey - influence of previous livescard 7: Awen - gifts/blessings/graces of the gods or nature

1.9) Split Hexagram Spread (#7, C4) (Kraig)Layout: 1---2

\ /376

/ \4---5


Reading:Cards 1 & 2: Unknown spiritual influences. Card 1 will have a

stronger affect than Card 2Card 3: Spiritual advice for the matterCard 4: Unconscious desiresCard 5: Conscious desiresCard 6: Practical adviceCard 7: Final outcome if you proceed with matter at this time.


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1.10) Four Seasons Spread (#8, C5, S) (Cortese/Reed)Layout:

34 6

1 5

2 87

Deal: Numerically as shown.

Reading:Card 1: Dominant for Spring, symbolizing the conception or

initiation of an action or ambition, the planting of the seed,so to speak. The modifier for spring is card 8.

Card 2: Modifier for Card 3.Card 3: Dominant for Summer, symbolizing the progression of a

plan, the way in which an idea will flower. The modifier for

summer is card 2.Card 4: Modifier for Card 5.Card 5: Dominant for Autumn, symbolizing the resolution of the

plan, how events will "wind themselves up." The modifier forautumn is card 4.

Card 6: Modifier for Card 7.Card 7: Dominant for Winter, symbolizing the period of reflection

after an action or plan has been completed, or what thequerent may wish to learn from the progression of events. Themodifier for winter is card 6.

Card 8: Modifier for Card 1.

Comment 1: "This spread is used to examine motivations for plans orambitions. The cards are arranged so as to call to mind theprogression of the seasons and also the progression of any actionor plan through the four stages of conception, progression,resolution, and reflection." - Cortese

Comment 2: Cortese obtained this spread from Ellen Cannon Reed's_The Witches Tarot_.

1.11) Hearth Spread (#8, C2) (Carr-Gomm)Layout: 8

7 1 26 5 3

4


Reading:Cards 1 & 2: East - Perceived - way querent perceives the issueCards 3 & 4: South - Observed - way others perceive the issueCards 5 & 6: West - Desired - way querent wishes issue to beCards 7 & 8: North - Potential - way issue could be

Variation: Meanings may vary with individual interpretations of thefour directions.


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1.12) Planetary Spread (#8, C3, A) (Peach)Layout:

0403 05

02 Q 0601 07


Reading:Card 1: Moon Card 2: MercuryCard 3: Venus Card 4: SunCard 5: Mars - Also may represent the solution or answer to the

matter which is why it is called the reconciler.Card 6: Jupiter Card 7: Saturn

Comment: "Cards of this spread can and ought to be paired and readin juxtaposition, i.e., the card in the position of the Moonshould be paired with that in the position of the Sun; the

card in the position of Venus with that in the position ofMars, and so on." - Peach

1.13) Amanda's Fan (#9, C3) (Davis)Layout:

4 3 56 7

8 1 9

Card 2 is laid across Card 1 as in a Celtic CrossCards 3-7 are an arch above the line of cards shown; it should

look like a fan


Reading:1. Questioner2. Crossing3. Foundation4. Past5. Present6. Future7. Outcome8. Inner Influences9. Outer Influences

Comment 1: Named after the person Davis was talking to when

developed.

Comment 2: "This is obviously based on the Celtic Cross and Sword;it was developed because we were both dissatisfied with the CelticCross--it just didn't *flow* logically. So I reworked it." (Davis)

1.14) Arianrhod Spread (#9, C4, 1year) (Carr-Gomm)Layout: 3

2 49 1 5


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Cards 2 - 9 should be arranged in a circular pattern with card 1 inthe center. Card 2 represents the NW, Card 3 N, etc.


Reading: Position two represents the beginning of the Druid NewYear, also known as Samhuinn, a traditional time when this spreadis used. The sequence of eight cards is generally viewed as a one-year cycle, but may be used for other time cycles as well. Linesbetween cards are seen as if a web connects each card to the centerand a circle connects the outside ring. Thus card 3 is related tocards 2 and 4 while cards 3, 1, and 7 will form a line.

1.15) Awen Spread (#9, C2, L) (Carr-Gomm)Layout: 1 4 7 - Row 1

2 5 8 - Row 23 6 9 - Row 3C1 C2 C3


Reading:The three columns (C1 - C3) represent the past, present, andfuture, respectively. In each row, cards are interpreted asfollows:

Row 1: Cause, dynamic, impulse, guiding idea, or motive being asituation or event.

Row 2: Effect of first card at the emotional, social, orrelationship level.

Row 3: Effect of first card at the physical level of manifestation.

1.16) Mandala/Alchemical Spread (#9/13, C3/4) (Guiley)Layout:10 11

0908 02

07 01 0306 04

0513 12


Reading:

Card 1 - The Self.Card 2 - Desires.Card 3 - Dreams. What we want to achieve.Card 4 - Pursuits. What we actively try to achieve.Card 5 - Attachements. Pursuits which hold us back from achieving

our dreams. For example, many people dream of happiness butpursuit money thinking it will make them happy. However, itis the worry about money, not the lack of it, which actuallyprevents happiness.

Card 6 - Qualities. Good aspects about the querent.


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Card 7 - Sorrows. Faults of the querent which need improving.Card 8 - Self-Image. How the querent views him/herself.Card 9 - Soul's Urge. One's true purpose and desitiny.

Card 10 - Earth. Darkness, mystery, and the unknown.Card 11 - Air. Spiritual illumination and enlightenment.Card 12 - Fire. Intellect, rational thought, will.Card 13 - Water. Creativity and emotions.

Variations: Doing the reading with only the first nine cards iscalled the Mandala Spread. Adding the four elemental cards is theAlchemical spread.

1.17) Spiral Layout (#10, C1) (Biggs)Layout:

76 8

1 Q5 92 43

5 overlaps Q in the center

Deal: Lay out the cards with Q first and then numerically.

Reading:Q: The Querent1: Foundation: What the querent's current situation is built on.2: Past Actions: Actions that the querent has taken in the past

that have contributed to the current situation.3: Past Emotions: The querent's emotional status in the past4: Past Outside Influences: Other peoples actions/emotions that

have affected the querent's situation.5: Current Position: Where the querent stands now in relationship

to the situation.6: Future Outside Influences: Others actions/emotions that will

affect the querent.7: Future Emotions: Emotions the querent should watch out for in

the future.8: Future Actions: Actions that the querent may take in the

future.9: Outcome: The foreseen outcome of the situation.

1.18) Tree of Life SpreadLayout:

/ 1 \/ | \

3----+----2| \ | / |5--\-+-/--4|\ \|/ /|| \ 6 / || / | \ |7----+----8\ | /\ 9 /|


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10


Readings:

1.18.1) Davis' Tree of Life (#10, C5, X)10) Present9) Inner guidance, intuition8) Masculine -- intellectual inspiration7) Feminine -- beauty of self, inspiration, passion6) Soul as it should be--mutation & learning experience5) Building the corner-stone of cosmocity within the self4) Testing ground -- things to let go of3) Unmanifest knowledge (fancy talk which means 'secrets')2) Bridge to higher cosmos1) Where your next stage of development will lead you.

1.18.2) Doane's Tree of Life (#10, C6, X)Cards 3, 5, and 7 make up the Tree of Evil or the unfavorable tree

Cards 2, 4, and 8 make up the Tree of Good or the favorable treeRemaining cards are outcome cards.

Card 1: Spiritual outcomeCard 2: Influence of WisdomCard 3: Influence of IntelligenceCard 4: Influence of Justice (and the quest of it)Card 5: Influence of MercyCard 6: Love of Beauty, Love, and LifeCard 7: Desire for VictoryCard 8: Influence of SplendorCard 9: EnvironmentCard 10: Physical Power or Material Outcome

1.18.3) Peach's Tree of Life (#78, C7, X)After dealing, repeat the deal again and continue to do so untilall 78 cards are used. Select a Querent card for the querent.Whichever pile the Querent card lies in will tell the main subjectof the reading.

Pile 1: Inner Spiritual QuestPile 2: Personal InitiativePile 3: Sorrows and BurdensPile 4: Financial GainsPile 5: Enemies and DiscordsPile 6: Glory and FamePile 7: Love

Pile 8: Business and CommunicationsPile 9: Mental and Physical HealthPile 10: Home

1.18.4) Comments and Variations

Comment 1: It is interesting to note that in all three tarotlayouts I have seen that the numbers 4 and 5 are swapped althoughthe meanings for those positions do not change. Conversely, inmost books I have seen about the Tree of Life the tree is numbered


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as above. I chose the numbering above because it is moreconsistent with mt studies of the Tree of Life and also because thesequence 2, 4, 8, that it forms on the right hand side of the treemakes more sense from a numerological perspective. Choosewhichever ordering suits you best. I have had reports that thiscan change either the dealing order or the meaning order or both.

Comment 2: Those with a background in Qabalism and/or the Tree ofLife may find better meanings and/or other relationships betweenthe cards and will probably be able to use this layout better.Since each position in the tree of life may encompass severalmeanings, it probably wouldn't hurt to consider all the meaningsgiven above for each position in the tree, for they are all validinterpretations. For those who do not have a great deal ofknowledge about the subject, I offer the following meanings foreach position on the tree that may help you further, but by nomeans does this supplement proper study of the subject (Ozaniec):1) Kether - The Crown 6) Tiphareth - Beauty2) Chokmah - Wisdom 7) Hod - Splendor3) Binah - Understanding 8) Netzach - Victory

4) Geburah - Severity 9) Yesod - The Foundation5) Chesed - Mercy 10) Malkuth - The Kingdom

Comment 3: Davis attributes this layout to Ly Warren-Clark.

1.19) Trinity Spread (#10, C3, L) (Guiley)Layout: 10

7 8 9 - Future1 2 3 - Present4 5 6 - Past

Deal: Using only Major Arcana and Court cards only, shuffle anddeal numerically as shown.

Reading: Just as each row represents a different time period, eachcolumn represents a different force which shapes our life.Left: Emotions, impluses, inspiration, intuition.Center: Thoughts. Rational and logical processes.Right: Actions. Tangible manifestations of thoughts and emotions.Card 10: Integration - forces which may affect the picture revealed

by the other nine cards

Variations: Guiley states that only court and major arcana shouldbe used. A full pack could be used at the readers discretion.

1.20) Yes or No Spread (#10, C2, Y) (Peach)Layout: +-----+

5 9 |Q |4 8 | +-----+Q | | |1 +--| 1 |

7 3 | |6 2 +-----+

Card 1 partially overlaps, but does not cross, the Querent as shown



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Reading:Card 1 - Called the 'answering card'. If upright, the answer to

the question was yes; if reversed, no. Also the outcomecard for the reading.

Cards 2 & 3 - 'Helpful' Influences. Reasons the outcome willoccur.

Cards 4 & 5 - Querent's thoughts regarding the matterCards 6 & 7 - 'Adverse' Influence. Things that are working against

the outcomeCard 8 & 9 - Querent's feelings regarding the matter

Comment 1: Peach suggests the cards be read in the following order:1, 2&3, 6&7, 4&5, 8&9

Comment 2: Note that 'helpful' and 'adverse' influences are alwayswith respect to the outcome shown in card 1. Thus if the answercomes up no, cards 2 & 3 will be aiding that outcome and notnecessarily aiding the querent.

1.21) The Celtic Cross

Layout: +-----+ - Q10 |+-----+ - 1

03 09 +----------+ - 206 1Q2 05 | |

04 08 +----------+07 +-----+

Note that card 1 is placed directly on top of, and thereforeconcealing, the Querent card. Also note that card 2 is placedacross (or perpendicular) and on top of card 1, as the diagram onthe right not-so-vividly demonstrates.

All comments in the 'Reading' sections will refer to this diagram.Ignore alterations in the dealing pattern when cross referencingwith this diagram.

1.21.1) Waite's Celtic Cross (#11, C4)Deal: Numerically as shown.

Reading:Card 1 - Influences, atmosphere.Card 2 - ObstaclesCard 3 - Often called the crowning card. May have one or more of

several meanings:3a - Highest state the querent can achieve in the matter3b - Highest perception the querent has in the matter

3c - What the querent wishes to achieveCard 4 - Often called the base card. It represents foundations or

possessions of the querent. Events that have already passed.Card 5 - PastCard 6 - Future InfluencesCard 7 - Attitude or position in the matterCard 8 - House, EnvironmentCard 9 - Hopes or FearsCard 10 - Future Events


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1.21.2) Danburg's Celtic Cross (#11, C4)Deal: Reverse Cards 3 and 4. Reverse Cards 5 and 6.

Reading:(These are all lifted from the alt.tarot FAQ)

1. Where the querent is at the time of the reading.2. What holds the querent where they are.3. How the querent has been thinking about the question.4. Base of the question - why it is being asked.5. Near future6. Recent past7. What the querent has to bring to the situation.8. What the situation has to offer the querent.9. Querent's innermost hopes and/or fears.10. Final outcome of the situation, unless deliberately changed.

1.21.3) Peach's Celtic Cross (#11, C4)Deal: Card 3 is in the top position. Card 4, left. Card 5, down.

Card 6, right.

Reading:Card 1 - What is on the Querent's mind.Card 2 - ObstaclesCard 3 - PastCard 4 - Immediate futureCard 5 - Far futureCard 6 - PresentCards 7-10 - Same as Waite.

1.21.4) Lines within the Reading (C7)

This section is taken from memory, out of a book. Unfortunately,I can't remember where I originally saw it (sorry). If you use theWaite method, there are four lines, or associations of cards, thatexist in this layout. Similar lines may be constructed from theother Celtic Cross layouts shown here.

Cards 5, 1, 2, 6; Time: This sequence follows an obvious patternfrom past to present to future

Cards 10, 3, 6; Future: These three cards all essentially projectinto the future. Sharing information betweenthese cards can yield more specific details

Cards 7, 8, 4, 6; Influences: Cards 7, 8, and 4 all representthings which influence the querent withrespect to the question. It is through thecombination of these influences that the

outcome shown in card 6 may be achieved oravoided.

Cards 4, Q, 2, 3: I have not seen a good qualifier to describe therelationship between these cards, but itgenerally goes like this: The querent wouldlike to achieve (or can achieve) what isdepicted in card 3, but certain influences(card 2) prevent him/her from doing so.However, the querent does have the properresources (card 4) to overcome the obstacle.


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This line can vary depending upon whichinterpretation you use for card 4.

1.21.5) Variations and Comments.

Variation 1: Sometimes cards 7 thru 10 are placed on the other end(the left side) of the cross. Again, this could alter theinterpretations of the groupings stated in 1.21.4.

Variation 2: I have seen the Celtic Cross done locally (& it seemsto be a local variant) with 3 cards allotted to each position inthe "pillar" to the side of the central cross (i.e. positions 7 -10). This means that there are 12 cards to work with, as opposedto the usual 4; it can be quite useful. (Smith)

Comment: I have seen a few different (and occasionallycontradicting) methods of determining whether the obstacle card(card 2) is upright or reversed. Use your own discretion.

1.22) Cup of Relationships Spread (#11, C4, S) (Sagie)

Layout:09

07 0805 06

03 (04)02

Q1 01 Q2Card 4 cross card three as in a celtic cross

Deal: S1, S2, then numerically.

Reading: Read cards in order, as above.

Q1 Significator 1Q2 Significator 21. The Foundation of the Relationship2. Recent Past3. Current State of the Relationship4. Obstacles they both face5. Views of #1 regarding the relationship6. Views of #2 regarding the relationship7. Expectations of #1 regarding the rel.8. Expectations of #2 regarding the rel.9. Best Outcome

Variations: Sagie reccomends using additional modifiers on card 9if the outcome is unclear. (See section 2.1).

1.23) Key Spread (#11, C4) (Efran)Layout:2 4 6

1 8 9 103 5 7 11

Row 2-4-6 and Row 3-5-7 should touch creating a stagger.



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Reading:Card 1: Querent & position in relation to your question/situation.

Cards 2 - 7: These cards are arranged into 3 pairs (2 & 3, 4 & 5,6 & 7). Each pair represents a conflict between two opposinginfluences, factors, people, opinions, etc. Theinterpretation will depend on the question, but the conflictstend to be problems or obstacles the querent faces. You maywant to choose one option in a pair over the other, or attemptto reconcile the two, or simply recognize that a conflictexists.

Card 8: PastCard 9: PresentCard 10: Future -- where things are headed. This could be the

future if no action is taken, or the desired future, or thefuture if some specific action is taken. You could try addinga card between 9 and 10 to represent the action or decisionthat will lead to card 10's future, or have several 'future'cards for various possible outcomes (two would be reasonable).

If you are comfortable with a single card 'prediction' of thefuture, the layout is probably ok as is.

Card 11 (Optional): A summary of the reading, or a final comment onthe situation, or advice, or a clarification of cards 8-10 ifthey are unclear. I don't always use this card -- I havefound that it generally doesn't clarify things much. (Seecard 10 for other things to put here instead.) I feel thatthere should be a card here, because then the layout is shapedroughly like a key (hence the name), which in my opinion lookscool. I suspect the layout would look unbalanced without acard here. [ed. note: 'I' refers to Efran who made the layout]

Comment 1: "Here's the Tarot layout I use, one I invented (as faras I know). I developed the basics of the layout very soonafter I became interested in the Tarot (I didn't think much ofthe standard ones), but I'm still working on it. It's notmeant to be primarily predictive. Instead, it's intended tohelp the querent examine their question in a new light. (Forthis reason, it's a reasonable layout for self-readings, ifyou do them.) There are predictive elements, but I tend touse them rather broadly." - Efran

Comment 2: Since this is an ad hoc layout made by a beginner (atleast a beginner at the time) there is obviously a lot offlexibility and room to play with. With a good interpretationfor card 11 and maybe by extending the line (section 2.2) thiscould become interesting.

1.24) Four Trines Spread (#12, C5, A) (Doane)Layout: Twelve cards are displayed in a CIRCLE. In clockwiseorder, starting at the left (nine o'clock) this is the numbering ofthe cards: 1, 5, 9, 2, 6, 10, 3, 7, 11, 4, 8, 12.

09 02 0605 1001 0312 07


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08 04 11

Deal: Numerically as shown.

Reading: As the name suggests, there are four sets of three cards(trines) that work in conjunction with another.

Trine of Life (1, 6, 11):Card 1: Personal life: healthCard 6: Mental life: travelCard 11: Life of Posterity: children, love affairs, pleasure,

speculationTrine of Power (2, 7, 12):Card 2: Honor and authority: business, reputationCard 7: Environment: illness, workCard 12: Wealth

Social Trine (3, 8, 9):Card 3: Partners: marital, enemiesCard 8: Kin and thought: siblings, intellectual mattersCard 9: Associates: friends

Trine of Secrets:Card 4: Things concealed in the environmentCard 10: Money: debts, taxes, inheritanceCard 5: Afflictions: enemies, failures, obstacles

Variation 1: I have seen a variation with a querent card placed inthe center of the layout. (Jones)

Comment 1: Doane indicated that this layout was influenced byastrology, although its relation to astrology is not immediatelyapparent.

Comment 2: For card numbering information, see section 3.6.

1.25) Twelve Houses Spread (#12, C4, A) (Doane)Layout: Numbering is the same as the Four Trines Spread but usesa diamond formation instead of a circle

02 0609 10

05 0301 0712 1108 04


Reading: Even though the deal uses the awkward scheme shown above,the cards are read by what house they are in astrologically. Houseone is in the same position as card 1, but house numbers incrementby one going in a counter-clockwise direction. Thus, House two isin position 12, house three in position 8, and so on.

Variation: I have seen a varation with a querent card placed in thecenter of the layout. (Jones)

Comment: For card numbering information, see section 3.6.


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1.26) Astrological Spread (#13V, C4, A) (Peach)Layout:Cards are arranged in a circle and point outward from the Querent

11 0912 10 0801 Q 0702 04 0603 05

Deal: Numerically as shown. The reader may, before the reading,continue to redeal the deck in the same order (minus theQuerent position) and thus putting two cards into each slotand providing more information regarding that aspect of thepersons life. Peach suggests dealing up to four or more intoeach slot. Also, cards may be dealt in blocks of four (orfive or whatever) into each position instead of repeating thedeal four times.

Reading:Card 1: Aries Card 2: TaurusCard 3: Gemini Card 4: CancerCard 5: Leo Card 6: VirgoCard 7: Libra Card 8: ScorpioCard 9: Sagittarius Card 10: CapricornCard 11: Aquarius Card 12: Pisces

1.27) Magic Cross Spread (#13, C3) (Doane)aka Christian Cross Spread

Layout:0607

01 02 03 04 05080910111213


Reading:Left Branch: The pastCard 3: The presentLower Branch: The future

Right Branch: ObstaclesUpper Branch: Hopes, Wishes, and Dreams.

1.28) Planetary Spread (#14, C4, A) (Davis)

1412 13

10 09 1108 07

05 04 06


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02 0301

Each row shown has the height of half a card length, thus the cardslook staggered.


Reading:1. Earth 2. Moon3. Sun 4. Mercury5. Venus 6. Mars7. Jupiter 8. Saturn9. Uranus 10. Neptune11. Pluto 12 & 13. Environment14. Divine Light...advice from Higher Power

1.29) Qabalistic Cross (#14, C3) (Peach)Layout:

08

0910

01 02 03 Q4 05 06 07111213


Reading:It is suggested that the cards in this spread be read in the order

shown belowCard 4 - Querent's state of mindCards 13, 12, 11 - Past, with 13 being the farthest back in timeCards 1, 2, 3 - PresentCards 10, 9, 8 - Future, with 8 being farthest in timeCards 5, 6, 7 - Feelings of others involved in the matter

1.30) Daily Spread (#15, C4, 1day) (Peach)LayoutM 8 D

910

1 2 3 4 5 6 7111213

M - Month Card D - Day Card

Deal: First, remove the month and day card indicated in the tablebelow and place them in the positions shown above. Shuffleand cut as normal, then deal numerically as shown.Month Card Day CardAries Emperor Sunday SunTaurus Hierophant Monday High PriestessGemini Lovers Tuesday TowerCancer Chariot Wednesday Magician


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Leo Strength Thursday WheelVirgo Hermit Friday EmpressScorpio Death Saturday WorldSagittarius TemperanceCapricorn DevilAquarius StarPisces Moon

Reading:It is suggested that cards be read in the order presented below.Cards 11-13: Events leading up to the day in question. Start with

card 13 and work toward 11.Cards 1 - 3: Morning Events, start with card 1Cards 5 - 7: Afternoon Events, start with 7Cards 8 -10: Evening Events, start with 8Card 4: Outcome of any special projects of the day and/or how the

day will go overall.

Comment: "This spread is particularly useful for answering specificquestions about settled future events -- like parties, for

instance, or job interviews. It is _not_ particularly usefulas a daily device to be used everyday before leaving thehouse, and it should _not_ be used in that way" - Peach

1.31) Fortune Teller's Spread (#15, C3) (Morison)Layout:

05 04 0614 13 15 02 01 03 11 10 12

08 07 09Deal: Numerically as shownReading:Cards 1- 3) To You: OutcomeCards 4- 6) At head: Querent's ThoughtsCards 7- 9) At feet: Things you control, possible choicesCards 10-12) By side: Things which give you strengthCards 13-15) Surprise: Things not known to querent or overlooked

1.32) Thoth SpreadLayout:13 09 05 04 08 12

02 01 0314 10 06 07 11 15


1.32.1) Original Thoth Spread (#15, C4)Reading:

Cards 2,1,3: Nature of querent and questionCards 13,9,5: First Possible outcomeCards 4,8,12: Second Possible outcomeCards 14,10,6: "Psychological commentary" on the whole spreadCards 7,11,15: Factors beyond the control of the querent.

Comment: This is called the Thoth Spread as it is the spread thatcomes with the Thoth deck.

1.32.2) Peach's Thoth Spread (#16, C4)


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Deal: Use the same deal, but add a Querent card underneath card 1.

Reading:It is suggested that the cards be read order described belowCard 1: Querent's primary concernCards 2, 3: Further depth into problem and/or Querent's characterCards 14,10,6: Background, how the querent came into the situationCards 7,11,15: Activities of other people in the situationCards 4,8,12: How the problem will progress, harmonize w. 7,11,15.Cards 13,9,5: Possible alternative actions

If two cards in set 7,11,15 are Major Arcana then the progressiongiven in set 4,8,12 cannot be changed, otherwise the querent hasthe power to alter the situation via events in set 13,9,5. If twoMajor Arcana appear, set 13,9,5 indicate either how a bad outcomecan be lessened or how a good outcome may be assisted.

1.33) Wish Spread (#16, C4, S) (Doane)Layout:

6 5 43 2 1 Q 9 8 7

15 14 1312 11 10

Q - Querent card

Deal: Select a card to represent the querent.Shuffle and cut deck. Deal numerically as shown.

Reading:It is suggested that this reading be used if the querent has aspecific wish that s/he would like to happen, hence the name.

Each group of three cards has its own significance

Group 1: EnvironmentGroup 4: Description of querent's wishGroup 7: OppositionGroup 10: Factors that will enter into this matterGroup 13: Realizations of the querent (usually in the future)

The nine of cups is often called the wish card. If this cardshould turn up anywhere in the reading, except in group 7, thiswould be a strong indication that some part or all of the querent'swish will come true. The closer it appears in the above numericsequence, the sooner the wish will be realized. If the nine of

cups appears in group 7, this is an indication that the wish willprobably not come true; the other two cards in the group will yieldthe cause. If the nine of cups does not appear, this should not betaken as an indication of either fate, although other cards in thereading may confirm or deny the wish.

Alternate Reading (Morison):The following alternate reading was sent to me, but thisinterpretation does not necessarily need to be associated with awish as above.


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Group 1: Present, General SituationGroup 4: Resent PastGroup 7: Actions that can be taken by Querent. Personality traits

which my be used to querent's advantage.Group 10: Uncontrollable aspects of the situation. May be

aspects/opinions of others. May describe a new situation.Group 13: Final OutcomeCard 16 (Querent in original): Optional Card, add it if the reading

is confusing.

1.34) Grand Source Spread (#21, C6) (Cortese)Layout:

01 02 03 08 10 12 15 16 17

Q 07 14

04 05 06 09 11 13 18 19 20


Reading:Card Q: QuerentCards 1, 2, 3: Inner influences at work, the motivations of the

querent, or what the querent wishes to learn.Cards 4, 5, 6: Outer influences, or the influences from people or

things outside of the querent that may have caused the querentto ask their question.

Card 7: Initiation of the action, the seed that will grow, or thequestion that will be answered.

Cards 8, 10, 12: Three stages of the action or answering of thequestion under examination, and they are modified respectivelyby cards 9, 11, and 13.Card 8: beginnings. The initial stages of the actions.Card 9: modifies card 8. It may give a hazy picture of the

outcome that the querent has in mind, or it may simply bea further examination of the beginnings of the actionunder consideration.

Card 10: Progress. The way that the outcome is achieved.Card 11: modifies 10 in the same way card 9 does card 8.Card 12: possible changes in plan, or resolution. This card

may serve to examine any ways that the querent will haveto change course in midstream.

Card 13: modifies 12 like card 9 does card 8.Card 14: Outcome of the process outlined in cards 8 - 13.Cards 15, 16, 17: Possible effects of the resolution on the querentCards 18, 19, 20: Possible effects of the resolution on things

other than the querent or on the querent's relationship to theworld around him/her.

Comment: "This is a good general-use spread for giving an overallpicture of the resolution to a problem in the past or future. Itaffords an opportunity to examine inner and outer influences beforean action is taken, the inception or motivation of the action, theprogression of the action, the resolution, and what inner and outereffects this will have. It may also act to highlight the processby which a question uppermost in the querent's mind may be


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answered, though it may not give the answer." - Cortese

1.35) Playing Deck Spread (#21, C3, L) (Vienneau)Layout:

01 02 0304 05 0607 08 0910 11 1213 14 1516 17 1819 20 21

Deal: Shuffle the pack choose a Querent card. Cut the pack intothree decks, one each to signify the past (left), present (middle),and future (right). Have the Querent pick one pack. Indicate whichdeck is which please!

Reading:Row 1: Situation, State of mindRow 2: Family, Relationships

Row 3: Hopes, Wishes, and DreamsRow 4: Long-term expectationsRow 5: Unexpected eventsRow 6: Immediate DevelopmentsRow 7: Long-term results

Comment 1: Although it suggested to choose a Querent card, there isno mention of its location in the layout. Also, no directions aregiven if the chosen deck is cut too short. Use your own discretion.

Comment 2: This is called the 'Playing Deck' spread because this isthe layout which Vienneau included in his post about fortunetelling with a regular deck of playing cards. (See Section 7.1)

1.36) Pyramid Spread (#21, C4) (Doane)Layout:

2120 19

18 17 16 1514 13 12 11 10 09

08 07 06 05 04 03 02 01

Deal: Face Down, Right to Left, Bottom upward

Reading:Cards 5, 9, 13, 17, and 21 are referred to as key cardsCards are divided into five sequences as follows:

Sequence 1 - cards 1 - 5Sequence 2 - cards 5 - 9Sequence 3 - cards 9 - 13Sequence 4 - cards 13 - 17Sequence 5 - cards 17 - 21

It is important to note that each key card is not only the finalcard in a sequence of five, but also the first card in the nextseries of five. Thus 9 ends the second sequences and also startsthe third. The four cards to the right of a key card represent the


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events previous to the time or event that the key card signifies.Key cards always represent significant events; if a card of theMajor Arcana appears in a key location, it may mean that event isof great significance. This is a list of the suggested timeintervals each key card represents.Key 1 - PresentKey 2 - Immediate FutureKey 3 - Intermediate Turn of EventsKey 4 - Distant FutureKey 5 - End of the Matter

Comment 1: The design of the layout lends itself to being readfrom the apex down the sides, i.e. 21, 19, 15, 9 and 1. Ditto onthe left. It may sometimes be split down the middle IF the twohalves conveniently fall into 2 distinct "stories" or messages -this happens surprisingly often. I think this spread is quitesophisticated, and can be used for in-depth readings. (Smith)

Comment 2: Note that the time intervals given here are aguideline. First, in the example reading given to me for this

layout and due to the nature of the question, key 4 was moreappropriately labeled the present and keys 1, 2, and 3 were in thepast. Secondly, if the matter is to be resolved in a short periodof time, the term 'Distant Future' would only be distant withrespect to the matter, but not necessarily distant with respect tothis persons life or our time frame.

1.37) Romany Spread (#21, C2, L) (Doane/Peach)Layout:21 20 19 18 17 16 15 - Future14 13 12 11 10 09 08 - Present07 06 05 04 03 02 01 - Past

Deal: Right to Left, Bottom upwards as numbered above. Anotherdeal proceeds left to right, top down, opposite as above and alsochanging the order of past/present/future.

Reading: Each row represents events or influences for the timeperiod indicated. Adjacent card in the same row modify oneanother. Ordering of cards in a row are not necessarilysignificant.

Variation: One variation of this reading is that the middle cardof each row (18, 11, and 04) should represent the most significantevent of the time period shown. This makes cards farther out onthe edges of the row (21, 15, 14, etc.) less significant. (Doane)

1.38) Twenty-One Card Spread (21, C6) (Morison)Layout:

1918 11 12 20

410 3 5 13

19 2 6 14

717 8 15 21


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16

Deal: Numerically as shownReading:Card 1: The SignificatorCard 2: The immediate pastCard 3: An important factor in the present. Inobvious.Card 4: Seeker state of mindCard 5: Most likely immediate futureCard 6: An important factor in the present. Very obviousCard 7: Seeker gut feelings.Card 8 & 9: Influences in the past that affected #2Card 10 & 11: Current influences affecting #3. Inobvious.Card 12 & 13: Possible future influences, affecting #5Card 14 & 15: Obvious current influences, affecting #6Card 16: Seeker physical situation. Possible health or life statusCard 17: The root of the matter in the pastCard 18: A current matter. It may be hidden or unknown and

overlooked, or it may represent assumptions, possiblyincorrect.

Card 19: Seeker spiritual will. This may conflict with orilluminate the Seeker's conscious desires.

Card 20: A likely future event.Card 21: What the Seeker must think about

1.39) Sephiroth Spread (#26, C9, A) (Doane)

To do this spread, remove all 22 major arcana and the Ace of eachsuit. These are the only 26 cards used in the reading.

Layout:Row 1: 03 18 04 17Row 2: M CRow 3: 02 19 | 05 16Row 4: 20 | 06Row 5: ASC --+-- DES 22 21Row 6: 01 | 15Row 7: 11 10 | 14 07Row 8: N CRow 9: 12 09 13 08

Row 2 begins at the same height where row 1 ends.Row 3 begins at the midpoint of Row 2Row 5 begins where Row 3 endsRow 7 begins where Row 5 endsRows 4 and 6 lie at the midpoints of Rows 3, 5, and 7Rows 8 and 9 are symmetrical to rows 1 and 2

Cards are paired if their sum equals 21 (i.e. 3 and 18 are paired)Paired cards should be adjacent to each other.Pair 3/18 should meet at the same vertical line which divides the

card ASC in half. Follow symmetry. Each pair is called a'throne'. The throne number is the same as the lowest numberof the pair. (i.e. 3/18 make up the third throne)

Pair 22/21 is called the StaffNote that ASC, DES, NC, and MC each denote only one card.

Deal:


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The four Aces must go in the ASC, DES, NC, and MC position.Shuffle the four aces. Place the first Ace in the position markedASC and continue in a clockwise direction. (Humorous note: theDoane/Keyes book says to shuffle and three-cut these cards as youwould the regular deck. Is there actually anybody out there whohas ever bothered three-cutting a four card deck?)

The Major Arcana go in the remaining 22 locations. Shuffle theArcana and deal as shown numerically in the above diagram.

Reading:The four aces represent the Astral Kingdoms and relate to the fourangles of the horoscope. Astrologically ASC represents ascendenceor first house and pertains to life. MC stand for Midheaven ortenth house and pertains to honor or business. DES stands fordescendence or seventh house and pertains to love or war. NCstands for Nadir or fourth house and relates to secrets oroutcomes. You should start your reading based on which kingdommost closely relates to the question your querent has asked. (ieif the querent asks about marriage, start the reading in the

descending house)

The following is a suggested list of how to interpret each Ace ineach location:

Ace | Ascendence | Midheaven | Descendence | Nadir==============================================================Pent | Strength | Favorable | Great | unfortunateacle | Vigor | but req. | Strength | outcome

| Vitality | effort | |--------------------------------------------------------------Wands | Favorable | Great | Difficulty | struggle

| Work or | Power | caused by | or small| Responsibility | | Difference | return

--------------------------------------------------------------Cups | Pleasures may | Pleasure | Joy and | pleasant

| deplete | may ruin | Happiness | result| vitality | honor | |

--------------------------------------------------------------Swords | sickness/death | failure | disputes | favorable

| | | | outcome--------------------------------------------------------------

Note that Asc and Des have three thrones while Mid and Nadir haveonly two. When reading the Asc or Des thrones, the center throne(1 or 6) will indicate the most important factor of that throne.

Determine which kingdom is most appropriate to the Question. Cardsin the thrones of this kingdom indicate what conditions caused theoutcome suggested by whichever Ace appearing in that kingdom. Thekingdom opposite the Question is the opposition. It thrones detailwhat opposes the querent. The kingdom immediately clockwise theQuestion represent the events which will lead to the conclusion.The kingdom counterclockwise to the Question yields the outcome ofthe matter. Its thrones give more specific detail of that end.

If the whole reading or any part of it seem contradicting, the


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staff will reveal why the answer was unclear.

1.40) Triangular Spread (#28, C8) (Blackburn)Layout: 01

02 0304 05 06

07 08 09 1011 12 13 14 15

17 18 19 20 21 2223 24 25 26 27 28 29

Cards are dealt in pyriamd shape touching each other.

Deal: No dealing order is specified. Some type of top down schemewould be consistent with the interpretation given below.

Reading: The layout shows the possible progresses into the futurefrom the present situation (card 01) to the final out come (row 7).It is most often used to plot a genreal fortune form derived fromone element of the present specified by card 01 to the end of life.

Each level goes a little farther down the path of life, and splitsinto greater complexity and/or diversity of possibilities.

1.41) Magic Mirror Spread (#29, C5, S) (Davis)Layout:

09 04 1423 19 27 Earth 20 16 24

Transformation Inspiration

08 03 13 10 05 15 06 01 11Water Essence Air

22 18 26 21 17 25Sacrifice Integration

07 02 12Fire

28 and 29 are Magic Cards


Reading:In each group of three cards, the middle card is the key card. Theother two cards are used for additional insight. Suggested orderof reading is Air, Fire, Water, Earth, Essence, and then "the fourgates which are linked to the four Wiccan Sabbats".

Comment 1: "This reading's only purpose is to examine oneself. Ionly do this at Samhain because of the intensity. One could dothis reading with another person, but the process would have to beone of giving the person ideas as to what the cards might mean andletting her figure out how this fits into his/her life. This wouldprobably take even longer than usual. :-)" (Davis)

1.42) Spread of Thirty-Six (#36, C4, L) (Doane)Layout: six rows of six


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36 35 34 33 32 3130 29 28 27 26 2524 23 22 21 20 1918 17 16 15 14 13 - Future12 11 10 09 08 07 - Present06 05 04 03 02 01 - Past

Deal: Left to Right, Bottom up

Reading:The first three rows should be read from right to left, bottom up.Each of these rows are associated with their own time interval asshown above. Cards whose sum total 37 are related. Card 36 shouldbe used to either modify, clarify, or gain more information aboutthe details of card 1. Similarly, card 35 modifies card 2, etc..

1.43) Story Spread (#45, C7) (Aldridge)Layout:

01 0402 03 05 06

07 1008 09 11 12

1314 15

Deal: No dealing order is specified.

Reading:Cards are grouped together in triples as indicated above. Themiddle card of each group, called the prime card, is the mostsignificant and should be read first. The other two cards arestory cards and should elaborate further upon the prime card. Eachtriple deals with a different subject as follows:

01 - 03: Home and Family Life04 - 06: Job and Purpose in Life07 - 09: Finances and Physical Security10 - 12: Health13 - 15: Relationships and Emotions.

The layout should be done three times, once each for past, present,and future. Shuffle and redeal for each time period.

Comments/Variations: Aldridge reccomends that in the past spread,the first number card should indicate how many years distant the

reading will go. The future spread should be interpreted as beingtwo years forward in time. The reader can change this to theirpersonal preference.

1.44) Solar Spread (#49, C5, LA) (Doane)Layout: Seven rows of seven49 48 47 46 45 44 43 -- Saturn42 41 40 39 38 37 36 -- Jupiter35 34 33 32 31 30 29 -- Mars28 27 26 25 24 23 22 -- Sun


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21 20 19 18 17 16 15 -- Venus14 13 12 11 10 09 08 -- Mercury07 06 05 04 03 02 01 -- Moon

Deal: Right to Left, Bottom up.

Reading:In each row, the middle card (4, 11, 18, 25, etc) representspresent conditions or influences. The three cards to the rightrepresent the past; the three to the left, the future. Each rowwill relate to either a certain aspect of life or certain people(or perhaps both)

1.45) Life Spread (#50, C9) (Doane)Layout:

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 2214 37 2313 36 38 2412 /----\ 25

11 35 | 50 | 39 2610 34 \-41-/ 40 2709 33 32 31 30 29 2808 07 06 05 04 03 02 01

The book which I am getting this out of shows one diagram for thelayout but then shows an actual layout with cards in a differentorder. I will attempt to describe both.

Diagram: Cards 34 - 40 form a pyramid starting at the at theplaces shown by cards 34 and 40 and peak at card 37. Cards 41-49are placed in a circle surrounding card 50. Card 41 is in thecorrect position; others follow clockwise.

Layout: Cards 34, 43, 42, 41, 49, 48, and 40 are all placed in arow. Card 41 is the lowest and the cards to the side are raisedvery slightly, each card going up the further out you proceedforming a very broad V shape. Cards 35, 44, 50, 47, and 39 followa similar pattern but are not packed in as closely together andraise up making a steeper V. Cards 45 and 46 lie above cards 44,50, and 47 and about halfway up cards 35 and 39; they are centeredin their row. Cards 36 and 38 lie to the sides of cards 35 and 39but are one row up. Essentially it looks more like a series ofcascading arches more than it does a pyramid and a circle.Experiment with both of these for awhile and try to find somethingthat works. It would be difficult to show this with only textgraphics.

Suggested Deal: Numerically as shown

Reading:As the name suggests, this should be used for a general lifereading; a specific question is not required or suggested but maybe used to focus on one area of the querent's life.

Cards 1 - 28, the material square: These cards representactivities on the physical plane. These cards reflect only


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physical events and conditions; spiritual interpretations shouldrarely be considered. Interpretations should be directed towardthe physical body, possessions, people, and the like.

Cards 29 - 40, the mental trine: These cards represent events inthe mental plane. Consider those interpretations dealing withintellectual pursuits and attainment of knowledge.

Cards 41 - 49, the spiritual circle: These cards representactivities on a spiritual level. Consider interpretations thatrelate to spiritual changes and goals.

Card 50, dominant life factor: This card represents the mostimportant event that occurs and affects all three planes. Thiscard will show the most dominant influence shaping the life of thequerent.

1.46) Three Fans (#54/78, C9) (Peach)Layout:

15 14 13 12

17 16 11 1019 18 09 08

20 0721 11 10 09 08 07 06

22 12 06 0523 13 05 0424 14 07 06 05 04 03

25 15 08 04 03 0226 16 09 03 02 01

17 10 02 01 A11 01 B

C

This should look more like 3 fans than it does the above layout.Also, cards should all point outward from a central point.

Deal: Shuffle the deck and deal into three piles. Take the middlepile and set it aside as Pile A. Take the remaining two piles andshuffle them. Again, deal into three piles. You should have oneextra card, set it aside. Take out the middle pile and set itaside as Pile B. Take the remaining two piles and extra card,shuffle and deal into three piles again. You should have two extracards, set them aside. Pull out the middle pile as Pile C. Takethe extra cards and extra piles and set them aside as Pile D. DealPiles A, B, and C into the three arches shown above.

Reading:

Pile A - Querent psychological condition in present & near future.Pile B - Querent's work or occupation and his/her thoughts of it.Pile C - Q's material condition regarding home, health, & finance.

If the Querent's significator card is not in the above three fans,take Pile D and deal it out in a similar fan as the other three.This fan may answer a specific question not answered by the fans.

Comment: Peach recommends this as a six month reading to use whenthe querent has no specific question to ask.


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1.47) Ladder Spread (#78, C9) (Peach)Layout:

7775 76

74 73 7268 69 70 71

67 66 65 64 6357 58 59 60 61 62

56 55 54 53 52 51 50 *42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49

41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 3323 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12Q 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11

* - see variation below

Deal: Choosing a Querent card; note which direction s/he faces.If the card faces to the right, place it in the lower left corner

and deal as shown. If the card faces left, place it in the lowerright corner and deal each row in the opposite direction shown.

Reading: Five timing cards should appear somewhere in the spread.These will be the only method by which the reader can judge past,present, and future. Clear your mind and try not focus on a 'storyline', the main idea with this spread is to look at the overallpicture. Ask the Querent not to interrupt you during the reading;provide him/her with a pencil and paper to write down questions ifany come to mind, and ask them after the reading is over. Becauseyou are trying to grasp a large picture by means of a spontaneousapproach, you don't want to interrupt the flow of the reading.Begin the reading; no order of reading the cards is specified.Once the reading is over, the querent may ask any question, but donot refer back to the layout for the answers; since you have seenthe overall picture (even if it lies only in your subconscious)your answers should come out naturally. Peach puts a strongemphasis on not thinking while analyzing the layout or whileanswering questions; again the idea is to let the pattern work intoyour subconscious and allow thoughts to form there.

Variation: In the layout shown in the book, the layout stops atcard 50 and an arrow is drawn to indicate to continue the deal.There is no indication as to whether this means to finish only thatrow or whether to lay out the whole deck as shown above.

Comment: Having not finished reading this book, I am uncertain as

to what it meant by the 'five timing cards'. Each of the four acesis assigned a season of the year as follows: Wands - Spring, Cups- Summer, Swords - Fall, Pentacles - Winter. You can also refer tosection 7.2 for further assistance. Other than that, use your owndiscretion.

1.48) The Waite Spreads (#43/78, C9, L)

The following two layouts come from the Waite book and are meant tobe used in conjunction with one another. The forty-three card


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spread is offered as a regular method of divination while thethirty-five card spread is meant to be used only if part of thefirst spread is unclear or left in doubt. In keeping with theflexibility of this document, I see no reason why the thirty-fivecard spread could not be used on its own nor why it could not beused in conjunction with other layouts to resolve similarambiguities, but these are merely my assertions and not those ofWaite himself.

1.48.1) The Forty-Three Card Layout (#43, C9, L)Layout:07 06 05 04 03 02 01 Q - 1st line14 13 12 11 10 09 08 - 2nd line21 20 19 18 17 16 15 - 3rd line28 27 26 25 24 23 22 - 4th line35 34 33 32 31 30 29 - 5th line42 41 40 39 38 37 36 - 6th line

Deal: I include this method of dealing only for those who areinterested in ritual. I, personally, see no point in it. This

passage is lifted directly from the Waite book:

Shuffle the entire pack and turn some of the cards round, so as toinvert their tops. Let them be cut by the Querent with his lefthand. Deal out the first forty-two cards in six packets of sevencards each, face upwards, so that the first seven cards form thefirst packet, the following seven the second, and so on-as in thefollowing diagram: --

[6th packet] [5th packet] [4th packet] [3rd pack] [2nd] [1st]

Take up the first packet; lay out the cards on the table in a row,from right to left; place the cards of the second packet upon themand then the packets which remain. You will thus have seven newpackets of six cards each, arranged as follows --

[7th packet] [6th pack] [5th] [4th] [3rd] [2nd] [1st]

Take the top card of each packet, shuffle them and lay out fromright to left, making a line of seven cards. Then, take up the twonext cards from each packet, shuffle and lay them out in tow linesunder the first. Take up the remaining twenty-one cards of thepackets, shuffle and lay them out in three lines below the others.

You will thus have six horizontal lines of seven cards each,arranged after the following manner.[Same as above layout w/out card Q]

Reading: The Querent card (Q in the diagram) is always theMagician (Trump 1) if male or the High Priestess (Trump 2) iffemale. This card is to be pulled out of the layout and placed inposition Q; Then, pull a random card out of the remainder deck toreplace the card. If this card in not in the layout, pull it fromthe remainder deck. Cards are read numerically as shown

Comment 1: No explanation is given as to how to interpret any ofthe cards other than all the cards should be harmonized (really, as


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should be done for any reading). In short, use your own intuition.

Comment 2: Waite suggest that this method be used when "no definitequestion is asked". In other words, this is a spread that is goodfor just a general reading but, Waite goes on to note that thereading can be used even the querent specifies a time span for thereading.

Comment 3: This layout does not have a known name. Waite merelytitled the section "An Alternative Method of Reading the TarotCards."

1.48.2) The Thirty-Five Card Layout (#35, C5, L))Layout:07 06 05 04 03 02 01 - line 113 12 11 10 09 08 - line 218 17 16 15 14 - line 322 21 20 19 - line 424 23 - line 535 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 - line 6

Waite does not specify any pattern in which the layout must besetup, other than each packet (see below) be dealt in a line.Therefore, you need not follow the above diagram; an aestheticallypleasing variant might be center each row about a vertical axiscausing lines one thru five to form an upside-down pyramid and linesix to be a very broad base. No method of line ordering is giveneither, so these may be swapped around so long as each line retainsits meaning once moved, although the above line ordering wouldprobably be best to use to maintain consistency with the previouslayout.

Deal: Take up the 42 cards from the previous spread an put them inone pile to the side. Place the querent card on top and upright.Take the 35 cards constituting the remainder pile. Shuffle and cutas before. Divide into six packets as follows: Packet 1containing the first seven cards, Packet 2 containing the next sixcards, Packet 3 containing the next five cards, Packet 4 havingfour cards, Packet 5 having two cards, and Packet 6 having the lasteleven cards. As before, packet one should be on the right andcontinuing numerically leftward. Take each packet in turn and dealeach one into its own line.

Reading:Line 1 - House, EnvironmentLine 2 - Querent, Subject of the divinationLine 3 - Events and Persons passing on the outside

Line 4 - Surprises, the unexpectedLine 5 - Consolidation. May also moderate the unfavorable cards of

previous lines.Line 6 - "...that which must be consulted to elucidate the

enigmatic oracles of the others; apart from them it hasno importance." - Waite (gobbledeegook at its finest)

Each line should be read from right to left.

Comment: Waite does not specifically state that cards from each


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packet should be dealt from right to left. I have assumed that hemeant as such since this would be consistent with everything elsein the previous layout.

1.49) Geomantic Spread (#V, C9, AX) (Blackburn)

[ Editors note: This is a layout/system designed by Mr. Blackburn.The explination listed below was taken from a newsgroup posting.Minor omissions not important to explanation have been made forspatial purposes; other alterations include a few minor spellingand grammatical corrections. However, in all fundamental respects,this is his discription of the layout. There are few places which,to me, seem either ambiguous or confusing. I may try to contactthe author to help clear these up, but otherwise just fill in anygaps you find as you see fit. Also, due to the complexity of theexplination, the standard format for layout entries has beenremoved for this layout. -- DJ ]

The first thing you must realize is that this is not a simple

"spread" of tarot cards, but a multi-disiplinary approach todivination. It should also be understood that this can be a ratherinvolved system to work with.

GEOMANCYGeomancy (earth magic) is a type of divination which the divinerstrikes the ground repeatedly with a stick (thus making holes)while channeling the "spirits of the earth." The number of holesis countered and recorded as even or odd. This is done sixteentimes to get the full reading. I have studied, but not actuallypractice this technique. The even and odd numbers are then used asthe basis of of a pseudo-astrological reading. What I did was comeup with a system of making the reading using tarot cards (any typethat can be numbered will do).

MY USE OF "GEOMANCY"Instead of using a stick to poke holes in the ground, I developeda system of using cards. The diviner shuffles and cuts the deck,and then begins to deal out the cards FACE DOWN, in to sixteenpiles. The diviner focuses meditatively and place as many cards ineach pile as feels right, and then move on to the next pile. (Thiseliminate the problem of seeing the holes being made.) The cardsare then fliped and counted to get sixteen numbers as so (seeexample below). These are then read into eight columns of dots,into sets of one for odd or two for even:

(read from RIGHT TO LEFT or BOTTOM TO TOP)

3 7 13 12


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I___*** **

which is the figure for Puer ("boy").

All eight sets should be on one row. Each two sets (first+second,third+fourth, fifth+sixth, and seventh+eighth) are combined to getto four more signs, numbered IX through XII. They are combined byadding the dots in each row to determine even and odd dot fo thenew figure, as so:

II I IX___ + ___ = ___* * * ** * * ** * * *

* * * * * *

After this, the four new figures are combined (IX+X and XI+XII) toget two more figures, which are then combined to get the finalfigure which sums up the whole reading.

WHAT YOU DO WITH THE FIGURESEach figure has it's own name and meaning. There are books ongeomancy if you are interested in an indepth discussion of eachsigns interpretation. Here is a table of there meanings, givenwith the number of dots from the top down being listed (from leftto right) as ones and twos:

1111 Via: way, journey; water, LUNA, leo2222 Populous: People, Congregation; water, LUNA, capricorn2112 Conjuctio: conjuction, assembling; air, MERCURY, virgo1221 Carcer: bound, prison; earth, SATURN, pices2211 Fortuna Major: greater good fortune; earth, SOL, aquarius1122 Fortuna Minor: lesser good fortune; fire, SOL, taurus2121 Aquistio: aquistion, obtaining; air, JUPITER, taurus1212 Amissio: Loss; fire, VENUS, libra1222 Laetitia: joy, laughing; air, JUPITER, taurus2221 Tristitia: sorrow, damned; earth, SATURN, scorpio1211 Puella: girl, beautiful; water, VENUS, libra1121 Puer: boy, yellow, beardless; fire, MARS, aries2212 Albus: white, pure, fair; water, MERCURY, cancer2122 Rubeus: red, reddish; fire, MARS, gimini

2111 Caput Draconis:dragon head, beginning;earth, NORTH NODE, virgo1112 Cauda Draconis:dragon tail, end; fire, SOUTH NODE, Sagitarius

In traditional geomancy, the first twelve figures are placed in thetwelve astrological houses (some ignore duplicates of the sameplanet, others do not). Varius methods are used to determine whichastrological sign is in the first house with the other signsfollowing in their natural order. I, however, use a differentmethod. I apply the geomantic figures in the context of anastrological tarot reading.


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TAROT GEOMANCYNow that you now how to do the geomantic portion of the reading, Iwill go back over my method. First I deal out twelve cards in acircle (I usually angle them so that the bottom is toward thecenter of the circle, most do not and it doesn't mater as long asyou can read them and tell if they are reversed or not). This isthe astrological spread. I then take the rest of the deck and dealthem into sixteen piles, as expained above. These cards are takenfor their numerical value only (page=11, knight=12, queen=13,king=14, numbered cards and major arcana = number written on them).The the geomantic figures are read in the context of the tarotcards, and both are read in the context of the houses. (Forexplinations of astrological houses, see section 3.1)

I have found this technique very useful for long term questionsthat deal with the final outcome of event or issues over mounths oryears. It is not worth it for short term divination and of limitedusefulness in terms of hows and why question or for determiningcourses of event leading up to the conclusion. It is very

involved, but for issues appropriate to it, very accurate anddetailed - well worth the effort.

1.50) Name Layout (#V, C3, L) (Cabezas)Layout:Layout consists of three rows, one row for each for the querent'sfirst, middle, and last name. In each row, deal the same number ofcards as there are in that part of the person's name. In theexample below, I use Robin Edwin Southworth.

R O B E R T1 2 3 4 5 6 - Past| Remote | Transition | Recent |

E D W I N7 8 9 10 11 - Present| Influence | Key | Influence || on others | | of others |

S O U T H W O R T H12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 - Future

| feelings | goals | future | influences | outcome |

Deal: Deal as described above. If the querent doesn't not havemiddle name, repeat the first name on the second row. The firstand second rows must have at least three cards. If the person'sname does not have at least three letters, deal three cards anyway.

Similarly, the last name must contain five cards. For example: Ifyou did a reading on Harry S Truman, you would have 5, 3, & 6 ineach of the three rows. If you did a reading on William HowardTaft, you would have 7, 6, & 5.

Reading:Each row is divided into sections. The first two rows have

three sections while the last has five. The middle card(s) in eachrow is the key card(s).

The first row represents the influences and past experiences


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of the Querent. To the left of the key card there are the remotepast influences cards, which represent the substrate of theQuerent's life. To the right of the key card there are the recentinfluences cards, which represent influences from last months,weeks or even days ago. The key card represents very nearinfluences that may not have ended their action yet.

The middle row refers to the actual influences. To the leftof the key card there are the influences the Querent exercises onthe people near him. The cards may also show impressions oropinion of others on the Querent. To the right of the key cardthere are the influences or pressures that others exercise on theQuerent. The key card shows the structure and environment in whichthe Querent lives and works right now.

The last row refers to the future and the final answer. Tothe left there are the inner emotions and specific goals of theQuerent. To the right, the future influences or the spheres ofinfluence that may appear in a near future. To the rightmost partthere's the final result of the influences shown on the rest of thecards. The key card shows the future the Querent is just enteringin. This card may show obstacles to pass or the moments, good luck

or the progress towards a goal the Querent is trying to reach.This layout also contains a very interesting aspect: the Age

card. This card is obtained with the Querent's age and it's veryimportant. For example, if our Querent is 18 year-old, you willcount from card number 1 until you reach the 18th card (in thisexample, the 2nd "O" in Southworth). If the Querent is 29, the Agecard would be the "D" in Edwin. This Age card is very strong andof great influence. Its meaning is a very important key for theunderstanding of the past, present and future of the Querent.

Comment 1: Although the reading stated that each line is dividedinto sections, no specific method is given, although from theexample it can be implied that each section should be as equal inlength as possible.

Comment 2: No mention is made about what to do for people withmultiple middle names. As always, use your own discretion.

Comment 3: Cabezas obtained this layout from a Stuart Kaplan book.

1.51) Tetragrammaton Spread (#V, C7, LX) (Peach)Layout:Heh Vau Heh Yod

etc. 15 14 1312 11 10 09 08 0706 05 04 03 02 01

Deal and Reading:Shuffle. Have the Querent cut the deck once to the left. Have thequerent take the deck on his left and cut it again, once to theleft. Have the querent take the deck on his right and cut itagain, once to the right. Turn over the top card of each deck.Each of the four cards will represent one of the letters of theTetragrammaton shown above. Read them accordingly.

Next search each pack until you find the Querent card. Do not takethe Querent card out of nor change its position in that deck.


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Discard the remaining three decks. Begin dealing the cards of theselected deck from right to left, bottom up, into rows of six,until the deck is depleted. If the Querent card is not surroundedon all four sides, have the reader choose one card randomly fromthe discarded piles and place it such that it properly covers theQuerent card. Begin by reading the cards which surround theQuerent card.

Next, each card in the deck is assigned a numerical value (morecommonly called its 'rank'). The Querent card is assigned thevalue of four. Proceed by reading the card four cards away fromthe querent. If you run out of cards, wrap around to the firstcard dealt. After reading that card, skip the number of cards awaythat the value of the current card indicates (i.e. if the currentcard is the seven of wands, the next card will be the one sevenspaces away). Continue to read cards and skip in this manner untilyou come upon a card you have already read.Skip values for court cards are: Page - 7, All others - 4.Skip values for Major Arcana are:3 - Fool, Hanged Man, Judgement

9 - Magician, High Priestess, Empress, Wheel of Fortune, Tower,Sun, World

12 - Emperor, Hierophant, Lovers, Chariot, Strength, Hermit,Justice, Death, Temperance, Devil, Star, Moon

Finally, the entire layout is read as follows. The first twocolumns on the right represent past events. The middle two columnsrepresent events of the present. The last two columns, the future.

Comment: Peach's book does an extremely poor job of explaining whatthe Tetragrammaton is and really doesn't seem to understand itssignificance. Rather than use her convoluted explanation (whichwould take up a couple of pages anyway), I include two excerptsbelow from Naomi Ozaniec's book for the benefit of those who havenot studied the subject.

Yod - Signifies the open hand of man. It implies power, direction,skill, and dexterity. The open hand symbolizes beneficence,a sign of the Supreme Spirit.

Heh - Signifies a window which permits light and two way vision.Vau - Signifies a nail which joins things together creating union.

Grammitcally it is used like _and_ to join phrases together.It is very close in concept to the sanskrit 'yoga' which meansunion.

Heh - Represents the end result of the process.

Yod Element of Fire Primal Emanation

Heh Element of Water TransmissionVau Element of Air StabilizationHeh Element of Earth Consolidation

1.52) Timing Spread (#V, C2, Y) (Peach)Layout: Three Piles of cards03 02 01

Deal: Start dealing cards into the first pile, face up, one at atime. Stop dealing when either an ace appears or when you reach


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the thirteenth card for that pile. Repeat for piles two and three.

Reading:Pile 1 - Top card indicates reasons why the Querent may be hesitant

toward the matter.Pile 2 - All cards in the pile reveal why the matter is stagnant.Pile 3 - The top card will indicate a yes/no answer for the

question. All cards indicate information about theevents that will resolve the matter and when the matterwill be resolved.

Comment 1: This spread is intended to be used when the Querent hasa 'clearly formed' yes/no question and one which will have anindication as to when the matter can be resolved.

Comment 2: Peach claims that the spread will reveal a definite timeperiod telling when the matter will be resolved, but fails toexplain how to derive it. (See Section 3.5)

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

2) Layout ModifiersThis is a list of variations which can apply to many or all of thelayouts listed above.

2.1) Additional Card ModifiersSometimes one card in a reading may be ambiguous in meaning. Sometarot readers will often throw another card on top of an ambiguouscard in order to gain more insight into the matter. For example,in one reading of mine, the querent was engaged and also a collegestudent. The Seven of Pentacles came up in the environment card,an indication that money may be a problem. Since the querent hadto worry about both tuition money and trying to adjust to movingout from under his parents support, it was unclear where the rootof this monetary concern was coming from. I turned the next cardin the deck over on top of the Seven of Pentacles; the card was theTwo of Cups, indicating that the marriage and moving out his ownwould be the main cause of his monetary problems. I haveoccasionally seen tarot readers put up to three modifier cards inone position, so there is not a one card limit. Remember, however,that putting too many modifiers on the board can also create morehaziness than it does clarity, so don't saturate the board either.In short, this is something that, generally, is only used when itis either absolutely necessary or when the reader has an instinctthat such a card will be helpful.

2.2) Extending the PathThis is a modification that can be used whenever there is some sort

of sequential path or line in the reading. It is, however, veryinfrequently used on non-temporal lines. Sometimes the querent (orthe reader) may wish to more information about what is to happen inthe future than what is currently displayed in the layout. To gainmore information, the temporal line may be further stretched intothe future by simply adding another card onto the layout and theend of the current line. More than one card may be added ifdesired. On the opposite end, sometimes events of the present orfuture may not have obvious precursors. The temporal path may alsobe extended farther into the past to help gain some insight as to


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the causes of the present and/or future states.

2.3) Rotating the LayoutUsually only used for unclear readings. If a particular layout issymmetrical (like a line spread) or at least partially symmetrical(like the Celtic Cross) you may turn the layout upside-down andre-do the reading with the same cards. Interpretations of thisvariation differ. Some readers will say that occasionally thereader forgets to rotate the deck toward him and that reversing thelayout adjusts for this mistake. (One reader I know tends to makea big deal about the rotation of the deck before and after theshuffle and whether a reading is done from the perspective of thequerent or the reader since they usually sit opposite one another.)Another account says that if you turn the layout upside-down thatyou are reading the opposite outcome, so such a reading should benegated to get the results one is actually looking for. Use yourown discretion and stick with whatever fits in with your schema.

2.4) Yes/No Answer (Doane)This is an additional variation generally only used on the line

spread. If you allow the querent to ask a yes or no question,count each card turned upright as a vote for yes and each cardreversed count as a vote for no. The middle (or present) card'svote gets counted twice. Interpret tie votes as you see fit.

This variation can actually be applied to any of these layouts,although I doubt anybody would want to do so for some of the largerreadings like the Solar Spread. Even if a yes or no question isnot asked by the querent, some readers may do such a tally toindicate a favorable or unfavorable outcome for the querent. Itshould also be noted that many books on tarot strongly discouragethe use of tarot decks for yes/no type questions.

2.5) Querent CardsIn layouts that use a Querent card, there are several ways in whichsuch a card may be chosen.

2.5.1) Personality TraitsOne method derives from the descriptions of the court cardsthemselves. All of the court cards can be used to describe aperson's personality or character. Some readers will show thequerent a list of these descriptions and allow the querent tochoose the one which s/he feels is most like him/herself. If thereader knows the querent fairly well or personally, s/he may choosethe card for the querent.

2.5.2) Astrology

One second method is to use Astrological symbolism. There areseveral different and varying methods that will map the twelvesymbols of the zodiac into the sixteen royalty cards. Thesemappings, however, can vary from book to book and, therefore, fromperson to person. If you wish to use this method, it wouldprobably be best to find a couple of such lists to use as a guideand then compose your own correspondences from there.

Actually, this method is the same as the one described above(2.5.1). Authors will simply take the traits of the cards and the


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traits of each astrological sign and pair up the ones which matchthe most. Unfortunately, these matches aren't always perfect whichis why you may find different lists.

2.5.3) Physical TraitsA third method used is eye/hair color. Some authors associate eachof the sixteen court cards with an eye color, a hair color, and agender. Simply choose the card whose attributes match those of thequerent.

2.5.4) Open DeckA similar method to the one described above works in the exact sameway, only it allows the reader to choose any card in the deck, notjust from the sixteen court cards. For example, if the querent hasa question related to his/her employment, the Eight of Pentacleswould be an appropriate Querent card. However, unless the querentis very knowledgeable about Tarot, it is strongly discouraged toallow him/her to choose his/her own card with this method.

2.5.5) Random Selection

In the same spirit as the method described above, sometimes areader will simply take the top card off of the deck after theshuffle and cut and use that as the querent card. This method maygive the reader more information about either the question that hasbeen put forth or the character and personality of the querent.

2.5.6) No QuerentFinally, and most boring, the Querent card can simply be taken outof the reading. Some readers feel that this actually allows formore clarity in the reading. For example, I know a teacher and astudent both of whom I associate with the Queen of Cups. If I doa reading for the student and pull that card out of the deck as theQuerent, it is more difficult to tell when her teacher will have aninfluence on the matter in question, since her (the teacher's) cardcan't come up anywhere in the reading. Conversely, if I simplydon't use a querent card (or use Random Selection) and the Queen ofCups comes up somewhere in the reading, it is a strong indicationthat her teacher will be giving her guidance in the matter.

2.6) Ateration of the ElementsAt one point on alt.magick there was a discussion about theelements and their compass positions. Not surprisingly, manypeople had different associations. In each of the layouts abovewhere such associations were used, I used the compass points whichthe author specified. You may find that a certain mapping betweenthese two groups works better for you personally.

2.7) Multi-line AssociationsA few layouts are composed of many lines placed above one anotherforming a rectangle. One additional interpretation which may behelpful is to look for relationships between cards in paralleldirections. In other words, if you are normally viewing each linein a horizontal fashion, try to look at the way the card relatevertically.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


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3) Useful InformationThe following entries are useful bits of information which may beuseful for specific layouts. Other entries may just be tarotrelated information which I though might be useful.

3.1) Astrological Houses (Doane, Blackburn)

1st House: Physical Body, personality, interests, the self2nd House: Personal possessions3rd House: Siblings, private studies, acquaintances, communications4th House: Environment, family5th House: Pleasures, love affairs, speculation, children6th House: Work, health, pets7th House: Marriage, partnerships, enemies, legal matters8th House: Death, debts, gifts, possessions of others9th House: Teaching, philosophy, travel10th House: Honor, business, social status11th House: Friends, hopes, wishes, and dreams12th House: Self-ruin, enemies, obstacles, secrets

Northern Houses: 1,2,3 - deal with private mattersEastern Houses: 4,5,6 - deal with private activitiesSouthern Houses: 7,8,9 - deal with self-starting activitiesWestern Houses: 10,11,12 - dependent upon energies of others

Fire Houses: 1,5,9 - vital, achieving, emotionalEarth Houses: 2,6,10 - material needsAir Houses: 3,7,11 - social interactions, intellectualWater Houses: 4,8,12 - emotional, spiritual

Cardinal Houses: 1,4,7,10 - starting, immediateFixed Houses: 2,5,8,11 - controlling, managingMutable Houses: 3,6,9,12 - change, aquisition, improvement

3.2) Planetary Symbols (Doane/Peach/Davis)

Sun: Outer expression. Honor. Health. Superiors. Men.Achievement.

Mercury: Communication. Intellectual Concerns. Siblings.Business.

Venus: Relationships. Love. Friendshi

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