Although this decision-making spread looks complicated, it is more so in its derivation than in its interpretation. At its simplest, it consists of four main elemental cards, each flanked by two modifiers, that represent active agents expressing the thrust of the energies in the matter of the reading. The title refers to the confluence of those energies … Continue reading The “Measure of the Moment” Spread
Tarot Spreads
The “Test of Truth” Spread and Example Reading
As I've mentioned before, we are trying to sell our home and move closer to our son's family to help with childcare logistics. At the moment we have two "live ones . . . " (I mean "potential buyers) who have come our way expressing an interest in the house. In trying to judge which one … Continue reading The “Test of Truth” Spread and Example Reading
The “Last Word” Positional Awareness Spread
This is a decision-making spread and a variant of my typical "situational awareness" approach. In this case, the decision involves whether a position being maintained or contemplated by the querent in a particular situation is in fact tenable, or whether the advisability of sustaining or pursuing it should be reconsidered. The positional meanings are self-explanatory. … Continue reading The “Last Word” Positional Awareness Spread
“Head ‘Em Off At The Pass” – A Decision-Making Spread
Here is a complex. multi-input spread that is intended to be used at the "brainstorming" stage of any important initiative, either personal or professional. It takes its inspiration from the "fishbone" (or "Ishikawa") diagram used in root-cause analysis but instead focuses on developmental insights rather than forensic ones; my working title for the spread was "The Dancing Flounder," but then I … Continue reading “Head ‘Em Off At The Pass” – A Decision-Making Spread
Spread Technician: The Artist-Philosopher-Engineer at Play
Having passed the "century" mark in self-designed tarot spread creation and presently working on my second hundred, I've been thinking (when am I not?) of what it takes to develop a truly informative and compelling layout that avoids being tiresomely trite. The most common formula in use today is to take five card positions, which seems to be the … Continue reading Spread Technician: The Artist-Philosopher-Engineer at Play
The “Hidden Agenda” Developmental Insight Spread
My reserves of philosophical commentary are starting to run low, so it's time to float another new spread. This one presents a novel way to populate a three-card line. Twelve cards are dealt (and a "quintessence" card is derived), but only three cards and the pertinent quint are read. It uses the concept of an … Continue reading The “Hidden Agenda” Developmental Insight Spread
The “Whodunit” Rogue’s Gallery Spread
I spend quite a bit of time examining missing-person cases - both current and "cold" - and have encountered a few alternate situations where the police have a body but they don't have a suspect, who is actually the absent person. These victims don't qualify as missing, so neither of my spreads designed for that … Continue reading The “Whodunit” Rogue’s Gallery Spread
The “Needs Fulfillment” Relationship Spread
I don't know how this one escaped my initial push to post all of my spreads here. I created it back in 2016, but it has since been eclipsed by shorter, simpler spreads. Still, in going back over the guidance text, I find that it has value in more complicated situations, not all of which … Continue reading The “Needs Fulfillment” Relationship Spread
Human Conflict: The Tarotscopic View
Human conflict is one of my favorite areas to explore with the tarot because it is such a target-rich environment. I don't do much with multi-party conflicts because they are much rarer than the one-on-one face-off, but here is the latest example of my current approach. Tarot is an excellent microscope through which to scrutinize … Continue reading Human Conflict: The Tarotscopic View
The “Redneck Romantic Worthiness Scorecard”
Sometimes tarot can be just plain fun. This spread is a step up from the GEICO "caveman" shtick (although admittedly a small one). Use it at your next "Walking Dead" house party, or on your SO to reset the bar (or maybe the "scales will fall from your eyes"). I hope there aren't many thin-skinned … Continue reading The “Redneck Romantic Worthiness Scorecard”
