First Impressions Part 3: Spreads

[rahnefan]

Tell me if you think this is a bad idea.

I tried a bunch of 1, 2, and 3-card readings, doing my best to look for meaning where any two cards meet, as much as the meaning of the individual cards. But I wanted something more meaningful than just P-P-F or Situation-Obstacle-Outcome etc. and started looking at other spreads. They worked fine when I had my screen up to remind me of how each is done, but otherwise I tend to forget what each position is. And it just wasn't feeling "natural" much of the time.

So the other day I decided to try without a "spread" per se and just decide what each position was just before drawing each card. My entire approach to tarot, so far, is based on the assumption that (by whatever means) everything happens for a reason; that maybe there's something to it, maybe not; and lastly that the cards might reveal "observations" but that does not necessarily equate with "advice" or "instructions." So if everything happens for a reason, then whatever card is drawn for its predecided position was meant to fall there.

I shuffle by cutting the deck, reversing one half and riffling them to ensure a more random appearance of reversed cards (if everything happens for a reason, then a reversed card must mean something, I figure...so I have tried reading reversals from the very beginning). I don't ask inner guides for help. But I concentrate on the question/issue and deal slowly, analyzing the cards one and two at a time, then as a group.

1 & 2 represent the situation;
1 represents the past or deeper issues.
2 represents the present or surface/face value of the issue.
3 is the hurdle--the obstacle or thing to overcome, or negative influence.
4 is the means, or attitude, to overcome the obstacle, or positive influence.
5 is the expected end or goal or outcome.

I lay them out like this:
http://www.70yearmission.net/images/hurdles.gif

If 5 is an unwelcome thing, it becomes the second hurdle and a 6th card becomes the means of overcoming it, and a 7th card becomes the outcome. Essentially it's a 5-to-13 card spread. One could continue such a spread until they'd drawn all 78 cards, but to me that would not feel right. For myself I decided to limit the number of cards to 13 but have not drawn more than 7 I think, with an occassional final clarifying/long-term outcome card.

I still don't feel confident reading for others yet, but this just felt like a natural way of reading the cards. More often I do 2 or 3 card spreads.

[rahnefan]

OK...40 people have read this and still no response. Is it that bad? Have I completely missed the point? Because it certainly doesn't feel that way. Feels natural.

[rahnefan]

LOL Oh holy crap.

[Alta]

Don't feel bad about this, mostly it shows great minds think alike. It is a good spread. lark actually won a Limited Edition copy of the Gilded with this spread and it is published in the Gilded book. It is an excellent everyday spread and can be used for almost anything. Simplified, but still what you said:

1. Past 2. Present. 3 Obstacles. 4 Advice. 5 Outcome.

I prefer these simpler spreads myself, with the large threads I get lost in the sheer volume of information, some of which can be only marginally useful. This spread cuts right to the heart of things, and I congratualte on developing it on your own. As I said, great minds think alike, so that means you have a great mind, right?

[rahnefan]

I wouldn't go that far. But thank you Marion. Had no idea.

[Fire Cat]

Originally Posted by rahnefan

OK...40 people have read this and still no response. Is it that bad?

When you post a reading you have made up, more times than naught people assume you do not need feedback. The mods will take your creation and add it to the Index. If you don't ask a specific question (especially in the Tarot Spreads Forum) then boneheads like me won't know to respond

~KK

[rahnefan]

Originally Posted by kilts_knave

If you don't ask a specific question (especially in the Tarot Spreads Forum) then boneheads like me won't know to respond

You mean like:

Originally Posted by rahnefan

Tell me if you think this is a bad idea.

?

[vernissage]

I'll respond!

I think this spread is a very good concept. I really like how you were able to come up with it off the top of your head, and I like the technique you use to make spreads, that you described in your opening paragraph.

Be well,

- V.

[rahnefan]

Originally Posted by vernissage

I'll respond!
I think this spread is a very good concept. I really like how you were able to come up with it off the top of your head, and I like the technique you use to make spreads, that you described in your opening paragraph.
Be well,
- V.

Thanks Vernissage. I've used it for a coworker twice now, with results that he found insightful and interesting.

I found it interesting today when card#3 was the 9 of swords and card#4 was Death. How to get over anguish? Death. LOL Actually in context it made a lot of sense but I won't bore you with it.