AUTHOR’S NOTE: I’ve written in the past about using the tarot to approach the Astral Plane for the purpose of contacting disembodied spirits, usually deceased relatives. I mentioned that we may not get the party we’re after (dear departed Uncle Joe or Aunt Mary may not be near the portal at the time) so we could wind up with whomever or whatever happens to be passing by. Here is a spread that proposes just that. My mystical metaphysics may not be perfectly in order here, but the gist of it is sound.

It uses a single six-sided die (shown in the example reading) to “tap” one of six available spirits at the time the contact is attempted. Why six? Just because it’s a convenient number for use with common dice. The assumption is that our preferred target isn’t necessarily lurking on the threshold, eagerly awaiting our arrival, so any entity who is handy might step in.

Begin by shuffling the deck while concentrating on whom or what you’re seeking. Then lay out nine cards face-down in the pattern shown. Reversals aren’t used since I don’t suppose spirits know or care which end is up.

Next, roll a six-sided die to “tap” one of the six “passer-by” cards and turn that card face up. This will be the point-of-contact.

Turn the “Portal” card and the “Channel” card face-up to show the condition of the psychic pathway by which the communication will take place. (As an aside. Medieval theologians and philosophers believed the “sublunar” [below-the-Moon] region of space was the domain of spirits and lesser angels, which reminds me of “running the gauntlet” when performing spiritual work in the Lower Astral.)

Turn the “Seeker” card face-up to reflect the consequences for the querent (you or the sitter) of making the connection.

I performed a “test” reading, asking any astral denizens within subliminal earshot what their opinion is of my efforts to revitalize my dormant public tarot practice. I rolled a “four-spot” on the die, tapping the fourth card from the left.

The 4 of Disks (“Power;” Sun in Capricorn) identifies a personage of some “presence” who has most likely maintained a coherent “etheric body.” It could be my maternal grandfather whom I’ve consulted before; he was a physical powerhouse, a “force of nature.” (I see all the Fours here as a validation of the reading.)

The 9 of Cups (“Happiness;” Jupiter in Pisces) as the “Portal” card suggests that he was more than happy to engage in palaver with me. (He had kindly Sun-in-Pisces sensibilities behind a gruff exterior.)

Since there is unlikely to be a traumatic physical assault from the “other side,” I’m taking the Tower as the “Channel” card to mean Alejandro Jodorwosky’s “sudden realization, epiphany or bolt-from-the-blue.” He saw the card as representing a “liberating” event, which could be offering an opportunity to break out of my cocoon.

The Hierophant as the “Seeker” card could reflect regaining stature within an established spiritual context or community of some kind. (I’m not religious, so I won’t be attending church or praying for tarot redemption.) I’ll keep my eyes open.