AUTHOR’S NOTE: This spread uses the location in one of three sub-packs of a pre-identified Significator card representing the querent or the issue itself. The structure is based on the three aspects of the Celtic “mind-body-spirit” triskelion. It is intended to be applied when a client feels uneasy about the matter at hand but can’t put a finger on the specific cause of the malaise.

Select a card to represent the querent’s status as the focal point of the question, or to convey the gist of the problem itself. Leave this card in the deck during the shuffle.

Shuffle and cut the deck into three approximately equal sub-packs, laying them in a triangular pattern in the order shown in the image below. Turn the stacks face-up.

Go through each one until the selected Significator is found. Set aside the cards covering the Significator so it sits on top of the remaining cards in its stack. This sub-pack shows whether the concern is rooted in overall mental/emotional, physical or spiritual well-being.

Spread out the three cards immediately under the Significator into a line. (If the Significator appeared at or near the bottom of the sub-pack, take these cards from the top of the reserved remainder as necessary.) The purpose of these cards is to reveal:

“What is the underlying issue?”
“Why is it a cause for concern?”
“How can it be addressed most effectively?”

Read these cards as a narrative describing the situation and the proposed solution for the client’s consideration.

In this hypothetical example reading, the sitter felt like he was at a dead-end in life, stalled on all fronts with no idea how to move forward. We chose the Hanged Man as the Significator for the situation due to its exoteric definitions of “trial and sacrifice.” It has always looked to me like “being hung out to dry.”

It appeared in the “Body” sub-pack, suggesting that the root of the problem had to do with physical well-being.

The “What?” card defining the underlying issue was the Queen of Disks reversed. This card suggests that fatigue and ennui were dragging the individual down. He had no energy, which parlayed itself into no enthusiasm to do anything the least bit productive.

The “Why?” card explaining the impact of his listless condition was the Princess of Cups, implying that his younger partner (or maybe his children) expected more “life” out of him and were becoming impatient since he hadn’t done anything about it. For the moment they were waiting hopefully and perhaps trying to inspire him.

The “How?” card indicating what he might do to improve his lot was the Universe. In this particular scenario, the general drift of the card (which stands for completion and closure that is usually favorable) is “inertia, patience, perseverance and persistent stubbornness in difficulty” per Aleister Crowley, owing to its astrological correspondence to Saturn.

This tells me that the “end of the matter” lies in rest and recovery of his stamina. The caution would be that, if he starts feeling too good too soon, he may backslide into his old ways. But the Universe as the solution is encouraging for getting back on his feet with a little nurturing self-maintenance and constitutional “care-and-feeding.”

I performed the “numerical essence” calculation for the four cards and came up with “12+11+21-13=31; 3+1=4,” the Emperor (not shown in the image). This illustrates the long-range consequences of the near-term outcome, and the conclusion is that he could be “sitting on top of the world” if he heeds the advice of the Universe.