four sets of two ...

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 08 Aug 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Sullanciri2002	08 Aug 2002
I've met someone today and she told me about a way of reading another tarotist has done a few times for her: In order to give the querent an idea what to focus on in the near future - or to help them decide in which area of their life they've presently got the most chance of getting something done ... this tarotist lays out four sets of two cards, and advises to follow the path dictated by the set that seems the most positive. Has anyone else heard of this way of spreading and reading the cards - perhaps even experience with it ?

Original Destiny	08 Aug 2002
Can't say that I have...maybe it is a spread developed by that reader. I say this because I too use my own spreads..I started with traditional spreads but over the years I have created and refined my own ways of spreading the cards...they work better for me:TFOOL

the hermit	09 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Sullanciri2002 I've met someone today and she told me about a way of reading another tarotist has done a few times for her: In order to give the querent an idea what to focus on in the near future - or to help them decide in which area of their life they've presently got the most chance of getting something done ... this tarotist lays out four sets of two cards, and advises to follow the path dictated by the set that seems the most positive. Has anyone else heard of this way of spreading and reading the cards - perhaps even experience with it ? I use this spread and I've seen this method used twice before by others. Both times at different holiday faires at least 10 years ago. Both readers claimed it was an ancient gypsy method handed down from family (grandma or greataunt or some relative now gone). My problem with their use of the spread was the advice part. Personally I can see positive interpretation for any card in the right situation. So which set is "the most positive"? Plus I don't advise. My goal is to try to help the querent think outside of the box and see as many alternatives as possible. But that's not a slam on anyone. It's just how I read. But I liked the idea of quick looks at alternate solutions so I adapted it. I've used the spread as a way to show mulitple paths, not to determine which is best. It has worked quite well for me used in this manner when a querent has asked about advice for a specific problem. I tell them I don't do advice and then say but let's see what the cards show. I start with the 4 x 2 spread, but I've laid down as many as 39 pairs (yep... the whole deck :) ) to brainstorm about alternatives. It's a fun way to look at alternate solutions!

lupo138	09 Aug 2002
thank you ! I was about to develop something like that - now I donīt need to do the work on my own any more. one question: Why four paths ? Why noot, letīs say three or five ? Lupo

the hermit	09 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by lupo138 thank you ! I was about to develop something like that - now I donīt need to do the work on my own any more. one question: Why four paths ? Why noot, letīs say three or five ? Lupo For me, when I first started using this spread, I simply did what the 2 other readers did and laid out 4 sets. But after a bit of use, I did try 2 sets to begin, but found that I always ended up with at least 4. Same with 3 sets. 4 just sort of became the minimum. So I always start with 4 now and then see how things feel. For the most part the querent is really the one who decides when enough is enough. But it can be quite interesting as ideas begin to pop out. It's definitely a spread that can get the querent VERY involved with the process.

lupo138	09 Aug 2002
I see, so it is rather a matter of experience but soemthing like "in relation to the four elements" or similar stuff. Thanks again !

the hermit	09 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by lupo138 I see, so it is rather a matter of experience but soemthing like "in relation to the four elements" or similar stuff. Thanks again ! It is a matter of experience given how I do it, but I'm not sure what you mean by "in relation to the four elements"... Let me try to explain how I'd use the spread. I lay out the 8 cards after the shuffle and then look at them all. 1...2 3...4 5...6 7...8 Each set of 2 represents a POSSIBLE path or solution. I discuss the possibilities with the querent. If either or both of us aren't satisfied that we've looked deeply enough, then I lay out another set of 2 cards and look at how they might relate to a path or solution. 9...10 I continue with sets of 2 11...12 13...14 until I or the querent feels we've looked enough. This is definitely a face to face type of spread and one that only works for me when the querent is comfortable discussing the issue in-depth. This is not a spread I use with just any querent or for just any question. I specifically use it when advice on a very clear question is asked and I've had trouble if the question isn't a very concise one. And the querent is definitely involved in the interpretion of this spread. It took me about 6 months of trying this spread at the wrong times to figure out when it was the right time. Hope this is helpful

lupo138	09 Aug 2002
Iīll try it for sure

Sullanciri2002	09 Aug 2002
... so it seems only fitting that I put this potential end on to it as well - grins I've enjoyed reading this conversation, and tried the spread yesterday evening with a querent who was looking for guidelines more than having specific questions Have to admit it worked fine, seemed to satisfy the querent as well. This seems one to keep. Thanks for the feedback, Hermit

the hermit	09 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Sullanciri2002 ... so it seems only fitting that I put this potential end on to it as well - grins I've enjoyed reading this conversation, and tried the spread yesterday evening with a querent who was looking for guidelines more than having specific questions Have to admit it worked fine, seemed to satisfy the querent as well. This seems one to keep. Thanks for the feedback, Hermit Glad to hear it worked well. I suspect that like any spread, I've come to attach too much meaning to using it as a "special" spread and that now gets in the way of my using it "differently" :) Be that as it may, I find this a great and simple way to look for many alternate pathways for a problem. As a side note, I find that querents who have done this spread with me in the past are now much easier to read for. It isn't very surprising though, given the interaction and rapport experienced with the 4 x 2 spread, that this rapport carries forward into other future spreads.

The four sets of two ... thread was originally posted on 08 Aug 2002 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.