AUTHOR’S NOTE: When confronted with a situation that can take one of several different paths as it plays out, seekers typically look to “get a leg up” on which way it’s going to develop so they can establish a suitable position.

Here is a spread that uses a “prepared” tarot deck that is segmented according to the attached table of “Yes, No and Maybe” cards. It takes a bit of preparation but I think it’s worth it. I recommend using the RWS tarot because the human figures on the court cards all have a discernible “facing.” Reversal is applied only to the court cards as described below.

Begin by removing the court cards from the deck and setting them aside. They will be used only as directional “pointers.”

Next, separate the remaining cards into three subsets, “Positive, Negative and Neutral” according to the table below. You should have 25 “Yes,” 18 “No” and 19 “Maybe” cards” for a total of 62.

Randomly divide the “Neutral/Maybe” cards into two subsets, one of ten cards and the other of nine. Because there are more positive than negative cards in the deck, merge nine of the neutral cards with the positive stack and ten of them with the negative stack. (Since there are enough cards of each type to fully populate the spread, this minor discrepancy makes no real difference.)

Shuffle the sixteen court cards in a way that introduces arbitrary reversals (the “wash” or “casino” shuffle works well for this) and randomly select one of them to place face-up in the middle of the array, being careful to maintain the as-dealt orientation. Reversal has no significance other than to change the “facing” of the figure on the card. Depending on whether it is upright or reversed, the human figure will be peering toward either the “Favorable” or “Unfavorable” side of the spread. The objective is to show the querent’s dominant hopes or fears in the emerging situation. (Note that in the RWS deck only the King of Swords is looking straight out of the picture with no obvious sideways stare; I use the left-leaning angle of the King’s raised sword for this purpose.)

Shuffle the “Positive/Neutral” subset, then deal three cards face-up to the right of the court card and three more above it to fill the “Favorable/Optimistic” section of the layout.

Repeat this step for the “Negative/Neutral” subset, placing three cards face-up to the left of the court card and three more below it to complete the “Unfavorable/Pessimistic” arrangement.

Examine the six favorable cards and determine which card in each arm of the spread is the most positive. Similarly, decide which of the six unfavorable cards are the most negative. In the example reading I’ve placed “smile” and “frown” emojis on the image to identify my choices.

“Using a “grid coordinates” approach, locate the position that occupies the vertical and horizontal intersection between the two most favorable cards. Shuffle the remaining “Positive/Neutral” cards and randomly select one for this position. I view this as the “Personal Sweet Spot” for the querent’s hopes in the matter.

Do the same with the two most unfavorable cards and the rest of the “Negative/Neutral” subset. The card in the indicated position is intended to convey the querent’s “Personal Weak Spot” reflecting his or her fears about the situation.

Finally, choose which of the two “intersection” cards provides the most powerful and convincing testimony regarding the likely outcome of the situation and inform the seeker what to expect.

In this reading, the Page of Wands has his “head to the sky” with his enthusiastic gaze fixed on the “best-case” outcome.

Justice as the “Favorable/Optimistic” intersection card suggests that the querent will receive his or her “just desserts” in the matter (and the two Leo cards – Strength and the 6 of Wands – hint that it will happen in August, if not this year then next). With this card I always say that the trick is to be found worthy and not wanting in virtue when the verdict is handed down. It could also mean that some kind of legal disposition will be required to resolve the situation but it should go in the querent’s favor.

The 5 of Cups as the “Unfavorable/Pessimistic” intersection card implies that there will be a fierce struggle (the Tower and the 7 of Wands look like “badgering” to me) resulting in some regret over the way things turn out but it will not be distressing enough to offset the benefits of the more fortunate scenario. I would advise the seeker to play to his or her strengths (6 of Wands and Strength) in dealing with any fallout from the less-optimistic point of view (and maybe consider hiring a good lawyer if it comes to that).

This tableau reminds me of the old Eagles song Heartache Tonight, which highlights the stark contrast between the sunny Leo emphasis and the dreary 5 of Cups (“Sometime before the sun comes up/The radio is gonna play that song”). But throw in Justice and I might be humming the Rolling Stone’ Sparks Will Fly. There is a whiff of volatility here, with the Fire of Strength being fanned by the Air of Justice that is lurking just over its shoulder. Call it “Right makes might,” a fortuitous omen for any kind of crusade; it could also stand for “vindication.”