Well, I've seen 2 different versions of it. It's based on Jung's theory of archetypes. I'm certainly no Jung expert, so I'm sure there's far better qualified people than me to talk about it! But I'll try.
Version 1: choose a significator. Deal three pairs of cards in a row from right to left. From left to right they represent:
1. animus, father figure
2. anima, mother figure
3. child
Version 2 I found in Cassandra Eason's book called 'Tarot' (Piaktus Guide).
She recommends using either just the Court cards, or the Court cards and major arcana.
.........2......
...5....1......3
.........4......
1. key / predominant pattern card. Issue that has been influencing you recently.
2. animus - assertive, logical, competitive, masculine side - if a Queen or Page shows here, it is showing difficulties in this area
3. anima - mothering, nurturing, feminine side - Knight or King here suggests difficulties - are you hiding this gentler side?
4. shadow side - that part we don't often let people see, hidden fears, our darker selves
5. inner child - the real you, when free from the expectations / demands of others
Eason gives an example of it concerning a lady who wanted to go away for Xmas, but the rest of the family wanted to have a traditional holiday at home. Quite interesting!