Mirror of Truth Spread

[rainkins]

This is the first spread I created, quite a while ago now. I hope you like it!

The Mirror of Truth Spread

Who do you see when you look in the mirror? Who do others see when they look at you? Most importantly, who is really there? This spread is designed to help you visualize the similarities and differences between your own and others’ perceptions of yourself, and between those perceptions and reality, in order to determine the best course of action to harmonize those perceptions and to improve and appreciate your true self. After interpreting the spread, you may find further insight by examining the cards in each row and in each column for recurrent themes.

************Self****Truth****Others**

Overview
*************1*******3*******2*****

Strengths
*************4*******6*******5*****

Weaknesses
*************7*******9*******8*****

Action
************10******12******11*****

1. How I see myself. This card describes what you look like to you – the positive and/or negative qualities that you are consciously aware of in yourself.

2. How others see me. This is what you look like to others, and it may be very different from how you see yourself. Consider the similarities and differences between these first two cards; do any of the positive qualities you perceive in yourself come across as negative to others, or vice versa? Do others see something good in you that you may be missing, or something annoying that you could be working on?

3. How I really am. This card shows some aspect of your true nature that you and/or others may not be conscious of. How does this additional information alter your interpretation of cards 1 and 2? How can you use this knowledge to relate to yourself and others more effectively?

4. Strengths I see in myself. This card presents one or more elements of your personality that you perceive as strengths and actively nurture in yourself. If this card seems overtly negative, consider how it might depict a strength or strengths to you (though not necessarily to others).

5. Strengths others see in me. Here are one or more things that others perceive as positive aspects of your personality. How does this card differ from card 4? Do others see strengths in you that you may be missing or not valuing?

6. Strengths I really possess. This card shows a strength or strengths that you or others may not be aware that you possess or may not be nurturing. Consider this card carefully in relation to cards 4 and 5. Are your true strengths at odds with your perceived strengths or the strengths others see in you? How can you use this knowledge to alter your behavior and improve your perception of yourself?

7. Weaknesses I see in myself. This card depicts one or more things that you dislike about yourself. Even if on its face it appears to be a positive card, it contains some element that you see in yourself and perceive as a bad thing.

8. Weaknesses others see in me. Here are one or more things about you that others dislike or perceive as flaws. Are there any striking similarities or differences between this card and card 7? What about cards 4 and 5?

9. Weaknesses I really possess. Here are one or more areas you need to grow in, whether or not you or others perceive them as weaknesses. If this appears to be a positive card, look carefully for the hints for change and improvement.

10. What I want to do. This card shows the action (or lack of action) you want to take at the present time. Consider whether this course should be altered in light of the other cards in the spread.

11. What others want me to do. This card shows the action (or lack of action) others want you to take at the present time. Compare this with card 10. Do others want you to do more than you want to do, or vice versa? Do others want you to do something completely different from what you want to do? If there are striking differences, consider possible reasons why.

12. What I really need to do. This card suggests one or more actions it would be good for you to take right now. It may include advice for improving your strengths, growing from your weaknesses, or harmonizing your and/or others’ perceptions of you with reality. This card is not simply telling you what to do, and its guidance should not be followed blindly. Rather, there is wisdom to be gained from contemplating why the image on the card represents the best course of action, especially if its message appears negative or unclear at first.

[stardancer12]

Can also deal with the revearse aspects of the cards in this spread as well? I'm going to try it with the revearse aspects, see how it works. I will let you know

[rainkins]

Originally Posted by stardancer12

Can also deal with the revearse aspects of the cards in this spread as well? I'm going to try it with the revearse aspects, see how it works. I will let you know

I do use reversals in many of my readings, and I think they would work well with this spread. I look forward to hearing how it works for you.

[Amanda_04]

I posted my reading done with your spread here if you'd like to take a look.

[Friday]

This is a very interesting spread, rainkins! I look forward to trying it out. The balanced structure of this spread is one of its best qualities, I think. This could easily be modified to give readings on relationships or even business partnerships. So many possibilities!

[Sheri]

Hi folks,

I just removed a post with a reading from this thread. Even if the intent is not for interpretation, readings (or posts that look like readings) aren't allowed in the Tarot Spreads forum. Demonstration readings by the members sharing the layouts are allowed as they show how the layout works.

Please post readings in the Your Readings forum (following the guidelines for posting there) and then come back and share your thoughts and a link back to your reading in Your Readings here in the spreads threads.

Feel free to contact me via PM if you need assistance with creating links or have other questions, I am here to help!

Thanks for your cooperation and understanding,

Sheri; moderator Tarot Spreads

[PhoenixDi]

This spread is amazing as when I was finished reading it horizontally - I gained even further insight reading the columns vertically; seeing 'myself' as a whole through my own eyes, the eyes of others and my true real self. A most definate keeper. I marvelled at the results. The spread really highlighted subtle differences between the different viewpoints yet cemented them together to shine a light on the whole picture that was me.

On a side note, what do you think of making diagonal connections also [I am a newbie to tarot readings ]?
E.g. = How my perceived weaknesses (7) tempered by true strengths (6) have also affected how I am viewed overall by those around me (2).

A most sincere thank you Rainkins for sharing this most illuminating spread.

[rainkins]

Originally Posted by Friday

This is a very interesting spread, rainkins! I look forward to trying it out. The balanced structure of this spread is one of its best qualities, I think. This could easily be modified to give readings on relationships or even business partnerships. So many possibilities!

I think that's a terrific idea. The "mirror" concept was inspired by relationship spreads I've seen using symmetrical layouts, usually with two columns. I thought including an "objective" center column made for a better balance, as well as incorporating the idea of "synthesis" which is often so useful in reading tarot. I agree that it would be easy to modify for relationship/partnership readings; e.g., strengths/weaknesses I see in myself vs. strengths/weaknesses X sees in me. Thanks very much for the suggestion, and feel free to post if you use the spread -- I'd be interested to know how it works for you!

[rainkins]

Originally Posted by PhoenixDi

This spread is amazing as when I was finished reading it horizontally - I gained even further insight reading the columns vertically; seeing 'myself' as a whole through my own eyes, the eyes of others and my true real self. A most definate keeper. I marvelled at the results. The spread really highlighted subtle differences between the different viewpoints yet cemented them together to shine a light on the whole picture that was me.

Thanks so much for posting your experience with this spread; I'm so pleased that you liked it and it worked well for you. If you want to post your results to the Readings board and link them here I'd love to read them.

On a side note, what do you think of making diagonal connections also [I am a newbie to tarot readings ]?
E.g. = How my perceived weaknesses (7) tempered by true strengths (6) have also affected how I am viewed overall by those around me (2).

I love it! What a great idea. I always look for connections among all the cards and groups of cards in a reading, and this is a great way to organize the cards in this spread for interpretation. There are oodles of possibilities -- the interaction of how I see myself with my weaknesses as perceived by others tempered by my true strengths; how what I want to do is affected by both my true weaknesses and strengths others see in me, etc. A terrific suggestion, and one I will definitely incorporate when using this reading for myself. Thanks!