AUTHOR’S NOTE: Here is a relationship spread that uses the “ships that pass in the night” metaphor to explore how meaningful “signals” might be sent between the two parties to the encounter. The idea is that interest and intent will be expressed openly or obliquely by both individuals, accompanied by direct or indirect actions and their consequences. There is no guessing what an absent person potentially “thinks or feels” about the querent, but rather a focus on what might be gleaned from telltale evidence.

Along with the usual comparative analysis, elemental alignment or misalignment between the cards in the two outer columns and the card in the middle column indicates whether the messages will be received in the spirit of honest communication or whether they will be misjudged, mistakenly pursued or missed completely. I decided to “test-drive” my new Old Style Tarot for this effort; the image below illustrates the layout and provides an example reading.

The initial considerations in the interpretation of each row are: 1) the agreeable or disagreeable nature of the two “person” cards in human terms; 2) their upright or reversed orientation; and 3) the elemental alignment between them, as those key attributes serve to shape the inferred relationship, followed by examining how the “message” card insinuates itself into the narrative to either help sustain or work to upend that status. The results will show the extent to which the individuals are “on the same frequency” in the matter.

In this hypothetical reading, the initial “signals” are coming from “Ship #1 (Person #1) with “Ship #2” (Person #2) as the intended recipient, who then reacts (and possibly changes course) accordingly. The question involved whether previous hints of interest will continue in the same vein or whether there will be a “sea-change” one way or the other in the expression of feelings by the individuals. There are no entirely disagreeable “person” or “message” cards here, although some are more conflicted than others; however, there are numerous reversals creating an involute atmosphere.

With the Page of Pentacles reversed, the younger Person #1 is maintaining a decorous “low profile” by not offering an overt indication of intent, while with the Knight of Wands reversed, Person #2 is becoming restless and wants to see movement in the situation. Earth and Fire are elementally cooperative, so there is definitely potential here. The World in the middle is merely cordial with the Knight but completely in tune with the Page, indicating that there will be an “understanding” that will most likely be initiated by Person #1. With the reversals, neither individual is in a position to be forthright at this time, so there is a reluctance to approach the “prize.”

Regarding “covert intentions,” with the 5 of Swords reversed, Person #1 is anticipating conflict but hoping it can be sidestepped with cunning footwork; conversely, it could mean deliberately “stirring the pot” with clandestine intent. Person #2 received the 2 of Pentacles upright and is prepared to accept whatever changes destiny throws into the mix. The 6 of Cups reversed in the center column is elementally friendly with the 2 of Pentacles and cooperative with the 5 of Swords, so with its reversal the message is one of “pleasure deferred but still in the cards as long as the risks can be mitigated.” One useful Golden Dawn description for the impact of Air on Earth is “subtlety in material things,” but here the nuanced response to any practical concerns is coming from Person #2 while Person #1 is subconsciously projecting an equivocal attitude; perhaps overlaying the 6 of Cups on their interaction will settle the issue.

With the 9 of Cups reversed, Person #1 is cautiously optimistic about the current state of affairs and isn’t about to take any untoward actions that might upset the harmony, while with the Chariot reversed Person #2 is also advised not to “jump in with both feet.” The 8 of Cups reversed in the middle is elementally friendly with both outer cards and they are closely aligned with one another so there is a free flow of feelings, but the Eight indicates frustration and it is an unsympathetic card for any possibility of imminent connection. The reversals demand emotional circumspection.

With the Fool as an “unplanned outcome,” Person #1 may go out on a limb and regret it but Person #2, with the mature Queen of Swords, is in a position to “break the fall.” The two Air cards are elementally friendly, so there is a “meeting of the minds” on this recovery scenario, should it come to pass, and the fiery 10 of Wands in the center is elementally agreeable to both, offering encouragement for slow-but-steady, uphill progress, although its reversal implies a difficult and ultimately unsatisfactory conclusion to any unfortunate misstep. The suggestion is that there will be no going back to the previous comfort zone should the “bough break” under Person #1, so great caution should be exercised.

However, it’s interesting to note that there is only one elementally hostile combination within all four rows, between the 5 of Swords and 2 of Pentacles in the “Covert Intentions” row, and even those are linked by a card that is compatible with both, the 6 of Cups. (All other pairings are at least supportive if not mutually accommodating.) The nagging fear of conflict expressed by Person #1 is downplayed by the pragmatic equanimity of Person #2, who has eyes only for the deferred pleasure promised by the 6 of Cups. Perhaps all is not lost if they steer carefully around any perceived roadblocks.