AUTHOR’S NOTE: From her book Holistic Tarot I picked up another idea from Benebell Wen’s discussion of Chinese divination (this time the application of the Lo Shu Square to feng shui): a matrix that has a general life-topic card at the center (for example, “Health”), with influences feeding into it from all sides. I expanded on this model quite a bit by bringing into the design a mix of psycho-spiritual and pragmatic “past/present/future” factors, along with historical and theoretical “relational vs. impersonal” implications, with the current situation portrayed as a transitional state between the two.

The life-topic card at the middle of the array can be selected intentionally or pulled randomly to serve as the focus of the reading. Reversal may be used with any of the steps in this spread. Typical life-topics are “Health/Wellness; Work/Career; Income/Finances; Home/Family; Relationships/Romance; Education; etc. The idea is to place the querent’s experience of these subjects withing the framework shown; the matrix is not well-suited for single-pointed questions regarding decision-making, problem-solving or conflict-resolution, although it could be effective for gaining broader.situational awareness toward those ends.

The three “input” cards in the far-left column of the matrix show what life has handed the individual in the way of relational biases up to the time of the reading. These predispositions fall into cognitive/reflective, emotional/responsive and practical/reliable sub-categories as shown at the head of each horizontal row.

The two “input” cards in the central column are intended to provide a sense of where the seeker stands at present in spiritual and secular space, with an eye toward what that position implies for the individual’s evolution in those areas.

The three”input” cards in the far-right column are based on Dr. Dean Radin’s concept of “retrocausition” in which the needs of the querent’s future development reach back into the present and shape current conditions to bring about alignment with those ends. These are the perceptive, intuitive and instinctive qualities shown as theoretical qualifiers, while the specific insights of the titles adhere to the same model as the historical biases: cognitive, emotional and practical. (In his book Real Magic, Radin goes on at some length about time running backwards such that the future exerts “pull” on the present by instigating actions that will enable it to achieve its goals.)

The inputs from all of these sources (indicated by the white arrows) should be read as causing adjustments to the topic card’s status according to the degree of cooperation or disunion they portend. Comparisons and contrasts can be made using various combinations of shared correspondence such as suit, element, number, rank, polarity and inherent nature. Supportive alliances can greatly enhance the topic area’s performance when the associated cards are equally favorable, but if they are mutually unfortunate their exaggerated interaction can dig a deeper pit of disharmony.

The supplemental techniques of the “numerical essence” calculation and the Golden Dawn’s practice of “elemental dignities” can be brought to bear on linking the hub of the matrix to the outlying positions in a number of creative ways that go beyond simply reading the direct inputs. These methods will add nuance to the final profile ascribed by the cards to the subject area of life. Any additional cards arising from their application should be treated as further modifiers to the interpretation of the topic card.