JSNYC
This is a fairly simple Yes/No spread but in addition to answering yes or no, the spread also explains why. I have had quite a few really good answers using this spread.
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ETA (2/10/10):
I think this spread has worked out well. But I think there is one thing missing, The World should be one of the possible cards to provide an answer. And that would make 7 answer cards in total, which is a good number. So I updated the spread to add the World as one of the answer cards.
I really like this spread, it has become one of my core spreads rather quickly. But in order to use it properly it should be read like a spread, or like friendly advice (from the Tarot), not just simply a yes or no answer. The answer is the starting point to understand what the Tarot is saying, it is not the end or the destination.
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Positions:
*3*
1*2
1. No
2. Yes
3. more information.
Instructions:
Start dealing cards face up to positions 1 and 2. Start at position 1 and then continue to deal cards, alternating between the two positions until The Fool, The Magician, The World, or any one of the four Aces turn up. As soon as one of those cards turn up, deal one more card to the opposing position (position 1 or 2), and then a card to position 3.
If both positions 1 and 2 contain The Fool, The Magician, The World, or any of the four Aces, then the answer is either maybe or the Tarot cannot or will not provide an answer. If only one of the positions contains The Fool, The Magician, The World, or one of the four Aces, then that is the answer. For example, if the card is in position 1 then the answer is no, or if the card is in position 2 then the answer is yes.
If the answer is either yes or no, then the card in the opposing position (position 1 or 2) explains why that answer (the answer it represents) is the wrong answer or simply why that answer was not chosen. The card in position 3 indicates what could be done or what could happen to change the answer. This could be what the seeker could do to change the answer from No to Yes (or vice versa), or it could be a stipulation on the answer given.
If the answer is neither yes nor no, then the card in position 3 explains why the answer is maybe, or why the question cannot or will not be answered. It is also possible the question simply cannot be answered at this time, and then the card in position 3 could indicate what needs to happen before an answer can be given.
The Answers:
The Fool, The Magician, The World, and the Aces are read to determine the type or character of the answer given. I created a list of answers that should be suitable for use with any deck (especially RWS clones). You can certainly create your own list of answers for your deck! And if you do, please post them! Here is my list:
The Fool: a flippant or glib answer.
The Magican: an emphatic or resounding answer.
The World: a philisophical or sagacious answer.
Ace of Wands: a definite but cursory answer.
Ace of Cups: a whimsical and mallable answer.
Ace of Swords: a conflicted or weak answer.
Ace of Coins: a definite and conclusive answer.
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Note: the cards that were dealt in positions 1 and 2 before the answer was given (if there are any), do not have any relevance.
Also note: if The Fool, The Magician, The World, or any one of the four Aces are dealt to position 3, they have no special meaning and should be read as normal for the position.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ETA (2/10/10):
I think this spread has worked out well. But I think there is one thing missing, The World should be one of the possible cards to provide an answer. And that would make 7 answer cards in total, which is a good number. So I updated the spread to add the World as one of the answer cards.
I really like this spread, it has become one of my core spreads rather quickly. But in order to use it properly it should be read like a spread, or like friendly advice (from the Tarot), not just simply a yes or no answer. The answer is the starting point to understand what the Tarot is saying, it is not the end or the destination.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Positions:
*3*
1*2
1. No
2. Yes
3. more information.
Instructions:
Start dealing cards face up to positions 1 and 2. Start at position 1 and then continue to deal cards, alternating between the two positions until The Fool, The Magician, The World, or any one of the four Aces turn up. As soon as one of those cards turn up, deal one more card to the opposing position (position 1 or 2), and then a card to position 3.
If both positions 1 and 2 contain The Fool, The Magician, The World, or any of the four Aces, then the answer is either maybe or the Tarot cannot or will not provide an answer. If only one of the positions contains The Fool, The Magician, The World, or one of the four Aces, then that is the answer. For example, if the card is in position 1 then the answer is no, or if the card is in position 2 then the answer is yes.
If the answer is either yes or no, then the card in the opposing position (position 1 or 2) explains why that answer (the answer it represents) is the wrong answer or simply why that answer was not chosen. The card in position 3 indicates what could be done or what could happen to change the answer. This could be what the seeker could do to change the answer from No to Yes (or vice versa), or it could be a stipulation on the answer given.
If the answer is neither yes nor no, then the card in position 3 explains why the answer is maybe, or why the question cannot or will not be answered. It is also possible the question simply cannot be answered at this time, and then the card in position 3 could indicate what needs to happen before an answer can be given.
The Answers:
The Fool, The Magician, The World, and the Aces are read to determine the type or character of the answer given. I created a list of answers that should be suitable for use with any deck (especially RWS clones). You can certainly create your own list of answers for your deck! And if you do, please post them! Here is my list:
The Fool: a flippant or glib answer.
The Magican: an emphatic or resounding answer.
The World: a philisophical or sagacious answer.
Ace of Wands: a definite but cursory answer.
Ace of Cups: a whimsical and mallable answer.
Ace of Swords: a conflicted or weak answer.
Ace of Coins: a definite and conclusive answer.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Note: the cards that were dealt in positions 1 and 2 before the answer was given (if there are any), do not have any relevance.
Also note: if The Fool, The Magician, The World, or any one of the four Aces are dealt to position 3, they have no special meaning and should be read as normal for the position.