AUTHOR’S NOTE: When we’ve met or are about to meet someone new, regardless of the circumstances under which it occurs, it’s useful to obtain a heads-up about the person’s likely social orientation and distinctive habits, particularly if we have no other source of information about them (such as a mutual friend or associate). For example, is he or she an introverted “stay-at-home” or a gregarious “social butterfly,” and how well does that align with our own style?” Consider it a “forewarned-is-forearmed” proposition that can minimize speculation or at least fend off surprises.

Here is a mixed-media spread that uses tarot cards, a board-game spinner, and an astrological chart structure to gather that insight. It can be used for both new contacts and situations where a known individual has exhibited unexpected attitudes or behaviors that hint at a shift in outlook.

The psycho-sociological chart structure I’ve used is from the hemisphere/quadrant emphasis model that moves counterclockwise from the Ascendant and is segmented into two halves comprised of four polarities: the left-to-right “Self/Other” hemisphere with its focus on personal projection and relationship matters, and the bottom-to-top “Private/Public Hemisphere” that involves social outreach from a stable “home-base.” In each case the polar opposites move from the internal and solitary to the external and collaborative.

Begin by shuffling the deck (cut if you like) while concentrating on the person of interest, then deal eight stacks of three cards each into the pattern shown, laying them in a way that will minimize position overlap in the post-spin pointer alignment. Reversal may be used to suggest a covert agenda that will either bolster or undermine the more overt bias indicated by the spread location.

While continuing to concentrate on the subject, give the pointer a vigorous spin. Where it lands will indicate the person’s most likely social orientation.

Read the cards in the designated stack from top to bottom as a narrative describing how interaction with the individual might progress.

Here is a hypothetical example reading for a known person who has recently presented unusually bold signals to the querent that warrant deeper analysis. The spin reveals that these sentiments are coming from a personal and private stake in the matter.

The three-card sequence is book-ended by Cups, indicating that the interest is emotional, while the reversed Devil in the middle points to repressed temptation. The reversed 10 of Cups also suggests abstaining from an overt display of obsessive intent (or perhaps a lack of personal fulfillment causing frustration that invites indiscretion) while the upright 3 of Cups overrides all of that and says “Time to ‘fess up, just go for it!” No harm will be done by a little cautious preliminary maneuvering. Depending on the querent’s status, this will be either a welcome or troublesome development.