groups of cards

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Feb 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

ros	25 Feb 2004
Has their been a thread on when there are 3-4 of the same cards in a spread? Like 3-4 Aces-changes are coming .......3-4 Knights- things are moving ........3-3'3- lots of talking and creativity going on I have some ideas but I'm looking for some more insight on this. Thanks for any replys.

firemaiden	25 Feb 2004
I doubt there's already a thread on this, ros. It sounds like an interesting idea, and I'd love to hear more about your ideas on this.

Jewel-ry	25 Feb 2004
Hi ros, I have a book - Tarot an illustrated guide by Jonathan Dee who gives exactly this sort of information. e.g. he says that 'two fives may show a delicate period in which you feel as if you are walking on eggshells. Three or four fives indicate an on-going crisis that has reached a plateau, while all four grouped together indicates challenges, discord and disputes' Is this the sort of thing you are after? J :)

Melissa`	25 Feb 2004
This is interesting.. Jewel-ry, do you use this principles from the book in any of your readings? If so, how does it seem to work?

ros	25 Feb 2004
Jewel-ry Yes this is what I mean. Is there a site or a thread with this information on it? Thanks

Jewel-ry	25 Feb 2004
Hi Melissa, Well I mostly only do three card readings and dont remember them coming up like that. In fact it was only when I read ros' post that I even remembered I had something about it in one of my books. I dont remember seeing anything on a website about it. J :)

Melissa`	25 Feb 2004
Oh! Well I guess that would be kind of hard to do with smaller readings. :D I tend to do smaller ones myself for now. However even if I were more 'practiced' so to speak I don't think I would try to jam the cards into one meaning. Would be interesting to know ..but I would try it from all angles. :)

Kiama	25 Feb 2004
I sometimes use this method... I don't have specific interpretations for, say 2 2's or 3 2's, I just have general look to see if there's an unusually high number of a certain card. For alot of Aces (and 1's, including the Magician) I usually see it as saying that there are lots of raw, new, untamed forces around the querent at the time needing to be put to good use, or that there are lots of new beginnings. For alot of 2's, including the HPS, I see this as indicative of quite a balanced individual/situation. For alot of 4's, I see foundations. For alot of 5's, I see conflict of some sort. For alot of 10's I see completion. I don't really see anything for any of the other cards, probably because I haven't read this out of a book, but suddenly realized a few months ago that I was using it... I prefer to see what predominates suit-wise though. Blessings, Kiama

ros	25 Feb 2004
I don't usually include the Major with the Minors but since Kiama posted this I think I will try this. Actually if the Major shows up with a few numbers the same as the minors this would make this number stronger.

Jewel-ry	26 Feb 2004
Thats a good point. If you had say the Emperor and a couple of fours, the stability, structure, order theme would definately be re-inforced. J :)

Indigo Rose	26 Feb 2004
Another good book that speaks about this is Tarot Awareness by Stephen Walter Sterling. He breaks it down and gives some key words for each card grouping.

Star Spirit	26 Feb 2004
This happened to me once actually, when I was doing a yearly spread for someone. It was the spread I made up, but it was interesting because with the start of every quarter, there was an Ace, except for the last one. Ie. Ace in January, Ace in April, and an Ace in July. It was like they were indicating the spark for the new seasons, and summing up the overall feeling for each quarter of the year. It was interesting.

TemperanceAngel	26 Feb 2004
I pay particular attention to groups of three's and fours and this can include a Major. For example: Seven of Wands and Cups and the Chariot, three sevens :) It really emphasizes what that number is trying to say or do, what message does that have for the client? Three Knights often indicate travel or movement of some kind to me, as Knights I read more as energy and not as a person. I think Sixes are to do with turning point so if you get 3-5 sixes (esp. 5 how significant!), I would be paying extra attention and talking that through with my client. You will often see someone breath a sigh of relief when you tell them this *phew* :) Especially after having a period of fives. i just made all this up myself, so it probably, actually it definately won't be the same for everyones readings or the people reading! XTAX

Nevada	26 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Kiama I don't have specific interpretations for, say 2 2's or 3 2's, I just have general look to see if there's an unusually high number of a certain card. Same here. I pay attention to duplicates of numbers and suits, and with the numbers I relate them to the major of the same number, or to a numerological meaning. I don't have set meanings, just pay particular attention to those cards in a reading. Nevada

crystal cove	26 Feb 2004
The book, Tarot Companion, by Tracy Porter, addresses this. It describes what 2, 3 and 4 cards for each number mean. In addition, it lists the aces and court cards too. Is there a specific combination you want info on? I'd be happy to tell you what it says. Unfortunately, it's too much to type all of it out.

The groups of cards thread was originally posted on 25 Feb 2004 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.