Another “Tweaked” French Cross Model: A Situational and Positional Profile Spread

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here is another adaptation of my "tweaked" version of the French Cross spread, this time to address a client's specific relationship matter. It features a horizontal, four-card "situational" axis, the middle pair of which I'm calling "adaptive response" cards that suggest necessary adjustments to the querent's behaviors and attitudes. (They should be interpreted … Continue reading Another “Tweaked” French Cross Model: A Situational and Positional Profile Spread

“Counting Round” in Playing-Card Reading: An Experiment

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Although I've been "counting round" in Lenormand reading for years, I recently came across the idea of using a comparable technique with playing cards. The Lenormand concept is to lay out a Grand Tableau of 36 cards, then start at the identified Significator card and - treating the Significator as "1" - count … Continue reading “Counting Round” in Playing-Card Reading: An Experiment

A Ten-Card Tableau for Cartomantic Divination

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Over eight years ago I created a tableau-style "3x3+1" tarot spread that I decided to adapt for use in playing-card and Lenormand divination. I kept the structure intact but altered the annotation for the positions to suit my purpose. I've also included an example reading to demonstrate its application, in which the brief … Continue reading A Ten-Card Tableau for Cartomantic Divination

The “Amends with Benefits” Adjusted-Reaction Spread

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I think I've outdone (or maybe undone) myself with pun-ish titles on this one. It's a variation of the "yes-or-no" spread that takes the prediction in a more actionable direction. This approach uses the cards in a positive-reinforcement way that focuses on the desired outcome, and recognizes that the outlook the seeker hopes … Continue reading The “Amends with Benefits” Adjusted-Reaction Spread

The Blame Game: A “Weaponized” Relationship Spread, Rev. 1

UPDATE: In practice, the original spread did not lend itself to a clean judgment regarding the forces at work, so I created an alternate version. Each "Upper Hand" card has been changed to a "Defense Mode" indicator for the partner on that side of the layout, with the idea that it will counter the other … Continue reading The Blame Game: A “Weaponized” Relationship Spread, Rev. 1

Planetary Energies and the “Personal Power Profile”

AUTHOR'S NOTE: After previously analyzing the nature of the pentagram as it is used in tarot imagery, I decided to create a tableau that brings it to bear on a "personal power profile" that can be used for self-awareness or to assess the character of another party to the matter in question. This layout should … Continue reading Planetary Energies and the “Personal Power Profile”

A “Close Encounter” Triskelion Spread

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here is a concise spread that is aimed at exploring the general characteristics, consequences and dynamics of a new human contact or other opportunity that has recently entered (or is about to enter) the seeker's life. (If it addresses a situation rather than a specific individual, those attributes will reflect the querent's own … Continue reading A “Close Encounter” Triskelion Spread

The “Ship-to-Ship” Interest-Signaling Spread

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here is a relationship spread that uses the "ships that pass in the night" metaphor to explore how meaningful "signals" might be sent between the two parties to the encounter. The idea is that interest and intent will be expressed openly or obliquely by both individuals, accompanied by direct or indirect actions and … Continue reading The “Ship-to-Ship” Interest-Signaling Spread

The “Tarot Magic” Invocation Spread: Second Cut

AUTHOR'S NOTE: After reading further into Donald Tyson's Tarot Magic, I decided to add a couple of new features to this spread. Tyson mentions that in traditional evocation, the Triangle of Art is drawn with its apex pointing away from the Circle of Summoning. The idea is that when the aspiration identified as the focus … Continue reading The “Tarot Magic” Invocation Spread: Second Cut