Hi, all!
I was noodling around with a new deck recently (Light and Shadow Tarot) and came up with a new relationship spread. I'm glad to have the chance to get some feedback on it!
The Relationship Mirror Spread
-------7------
---1------4---
------36------
---2------5---
1, 2, and 3 refer to person #1
4, 5, and 6 refer to person #2
1 and 4 = What each person shows the world about the relationship. (The way person 1 speaks about person 2 to friends, how person 1 treats person 2 in public, etc., and vice versa)
2 and 5 = What each person keeps hidden about the relationship. (Hidden feelings, unconscious desires or conflicts, etc.)
3 and 6 = What each person brings to and/or asks of the relationship. (This is the give and take of the relationship between the two people. These two cards are read very much as a pair.)
7 = The next step in the relationship.
----------------------
The nitty-gritty details...
When I designed the layout of the cards, I kept the general symbolism of the major arcana in mind as follows:
---1 and 4 (Magician and Emperor) are more extroverted, involving Will, Power, and Order. This symbolizes the conscious 'game-face' the two people put on their relationship.
---2 and 5 (High Priestess and Hierophant) more introverted, showing us the hidden feelings and motivations of each person; perhaps something that one person is hiding from the other.
---3 (Empress) is mainly about growth and change, while 6 (Lovers) is about relationships and choice - an excellent pairing for the interaction and evolution of a relationship.
---7, the Chariot; symbolizes taking the reins and moving forward for the two people involved.
Also, when I read with this spread, I tend to group the cards in to three groups of three cards: 1, 2, and 3 as a 3-card reading for Person 1; 4, 5, and 6 as a 3-card reading for Person 2; and 3, 6, and 7 as a 3-card reading on the relationship itself.
Whew! Once again, I'm blathering on about the spread when I should just shut my yap and let the cards speak for themselves!
Maybe this spread would work for you, Silaria. Enjoy all!
Peace,
Melvis