AUTHOR’S NOTE: This spread tackles the premise that many decisions in life present a three-fold situational tableau: the transcendent level of higher wisdom at which the conscience operates; the conscious realm of thought where we try to apply logic (and often rationalization) to the matter; and the subconscious domain of purely emotional engagement. These dimensions are usually interleaved within the scenario, although one will eventually take precedence over the others and lead to making a choice in the situation.

With this spread the tiered structure is the dominant feature; while the columns and diagonals can be read separately, they are not as definitive as the rows since the last card of each horizontal path provides a composite summary of its testimony, showing in a single trump which dimension offers the most compelling promise of effective decision-making. Until the comparison at the end, cutting across tiers will only muddy the water. (All images are from the Waite-Smith Centennial Edition, copyright of US Games Systems, Stamford, CT.)

Here is an example reading that demonstrates how I would approach it. The question involves an emotional matter that could have serious ramifications. (Note that in the “essence” calculation I always treat the court cards as 11 [Page] through 14 [King] even though they aren’t formally numbered. It doesn’t matter how you do it as long as you’re consistent.)

The verdict of “higher wisdom” is that, while there is the appearance of pleasant conditions in the making (6 of Cups), chances for success are slim (5 of Swords), although “standing fast” (Ace of Wands) may be a reasonable stance for the immediate future. The “numerical essence” card, the Hanged Man (6+5+1=12), is advising the need for patience, and for “letting it ride” for the time being. Conscience abides.

Thoughts on the matter are that, while there seems to be an opportunity for fulfilling accord (Queen of Cups), this will encounter a good deal of strife (5 of Wands), placing everything “on hold” (Hanged Man). However, the Empress (13+5+12=30; 3+0=3) as the upshot of the conscious deliberation is that satisfaction will eventually come of it.

The subconscious perspective looks rosy from an emotional and physical connection standpoint (2 of Cups; Page of Pentacles; Empress) until the end, when it all blows up (Tower, 2+11+3=16).

The conclusion I’ve drawn from all of this is that “patience is a virtue” and there is nothing to be gained by pushing the issue any time soon. With the Empress, it will mature in its own time, although prospects for emotional rapport may take longer to recover from the damage that letting it get out-of-hand prematurely would produce.