The Surrounding Cards

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 13 Sep 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Wynter_Wytch	13 Sep 2004
I admit it. I am new to all of this. I was signed up to begin tarot classes last week, but the instructor pushed the first class meeting back to October 3rd due to personal reasons. So, now I am stuck with just reading the book that goes along with the deck, and I have questions. What I don't get is the role the surrounding cards play in interpreting the meaning of a particular card. When I read the book, it will say something like, "and this card may mean x, y, or z, depending on the other cards in the spread." Of course, it conveniently doesn't tell me what those other cards might be and how they may or may not influence the meaning of that card. So, my question is, how do you use the other cards in the spread to clarify the meaning of another card? And how, especially, does one interpret a card that doesn't seem to belong with the rest of the spread? All answers appreciated and a sample spread and supplemental reading showing surrounding card influences would be greatly appreciated. Wynter

Inana	13 Sep 2004
Hi there, Wynter! Consider each card is a word and the whole spread is the sentence. The meanings of the same word can differ in the context. Look for differences and similitudes in the cards: number, theme, colours, suits... I think you will find of use to give a look at Joan Bunning's course: http://www.learntarot.com/ She gives descriptions and some samples of cards that reinforce the meanings or are opposed to it. About spread samples, give a look at the Reading Exchange and Your Readings boards here at Aeclectic. There are lot of readings there interpretated by different people.

Thirteen	13 Sep 2004
Always start with simple spreads and work your way up. As Inana says, right now you're learning the words and how they form sentences, so keep thsoe sentences simple. No spreads larger than seven cards. Oh, and that Celtic Cross there in the book? Ignore it! They put it in ever darn book to mess with beginner's heads. You'll get to it later. For now, start easy. Practice with a 3-card Past-Present-Future spread. Quote: Originally posted by Wynter_Wytch And how, especially, does one interpret a card that doesn't seem to belong with the rest of the spread? You look at the spread two ways: Let's say the spread has lots of swords and one cup. On your first pass, you focus on those swords and what they're saying. On your second pass, you focus on the one "cup" card and what it's saying. But that's for later. Remember. Simple spreads for now.

HudsonGray	13 Sep 2004
It's all in the flow. If you do a past/present/future spread, look at the past, read it as a solitary card. Then read the present as a solitary card--now look at the past & present together, what influence did the past put onto the present? Then read the future card separately. Look at it in context with the present card, and then bring in what you learned from the past/present blend & see what that shows. They are words in a sentence, it blends together one with another. Or if it helps, think of a flow chart. They're all connected also yet each part of the chart has a separate box for each item.

jmd	13 Sep 2004
Much earlier on, a thread was titled The Very Best* Beginners Spread. Needless to say that I generally too prefer to initially encourage three card spreads (or even single cards!). But this may not address directly your question. Let's say that you developed a three-card spread which formed 'position-markers' for the following: direction or impetus of situation predominant concern of the situation at hand influences on the situation and let us say, to exemplify a possible reading, that the reading was about a considered career change/move, with the cards arising in in the following manner: 3 Cups 8 Bastons (Wands) 4 Coins Here, already before any interpretation, quite a lot of information is given. The reading will be about considering aspects in career changes, and influences on this consideration, as well as a sense for where it is heading. Already, then a narrative can begin to develop. Irrespective of the deck used, I suggest the cards be actually placed in this suggested spread and looked at briefly. Looking at the bottom card, what influences are present? Already the card is read in 'context'. Towards whence is the overall situation heading? again - it is read in context. Without even as yet referring to the central card, how do the (bottom) influences relate to the (top) direction? Here are cards that begin to 'speak' to one another. Looking at the central card, what seems to play very much within the individual looking at this possible change at this time? how does this then relate to the (bottom) influences? and how do the eight Bastons (Wands) relate to the three Cups? Although I have not directly talked of any of the meanings of any of the cards, if the cards are layed out, and each of those questions I have written begin to be addressed one at a time, perhaps a hint as to the ways 'adjacent' cards influence one another in meaning may begin to emerge. Next step, alter, at random, the bottom and top cards with two others. How does the overall reading now pan out, and how has the central card altered somewhat in its meaning? Third step. Same cards, different question, relating to a relationship with a close friend. Fourth step, same cards, same question, but positions relate to physical environment, emotional state, and spiritual aspirations. How do the cards now alter in meaning? I trust this but adds to the broad input already received and which will undoubtedly be added to (no doubt in more succinct form) :)

Cerulean	13 Sep 2004
Someone suggested learntarot.com, which I would also recommend for multiple reasons. She has book text, samples of card designs and spreads and exercises all free at that site. That way you can check out the lessons--are you using Gilded or Golden, both similiar to the RWS?)---and it's all done in a nice way so one can explore it at your leisure. I enjoyed reading all the various suggestions here, great ideas. Hope that is helpful. Regards, Cerulean

The The Surrounding Cards thread was originally posted on 13 Sep 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.