what spread to use?

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Permalink Reply by MoonLightTrucker on November 2, 2012 at 9:00am

Hi Emili !

Believe it or not...for as long as I have used the cards (20 years and counting)....

...I still use a 2 or 3 card spread about 90 % of the time ! Why? Good question.

When you are starting out you will not be as in tune with your cards as someone who has done so for awhile. Adding more cards to interpret, will only confuse and side track you off the main goal: to understand a question, right?

Although all those spreads may look pretty to someone new...don't be discourage and think you are missing out on anything. There will be time to try them out later when you have a better grasp of how your cards speak to YOU. Some may suggest using a Celtic spread as a good overall spread, too, for beginners. Again...not necessary at first. You want to focus in on how your cards act with your subconscious...and by limiting the cards, you will focus in more on general meanings that will help guide you instead of more complex connections that may only add fuel to the confusion fire, understand?

I will post a video next week on Celtic spreads to show everyone a more simplified approach to tackling the Celtic so no worries ! In the mean time...how about we look at the 2 card in this post, OK?

Here's a good example to start with:

When you place down 2 cards, there is no past, present, or future represented...only an idea or story to give that will help guide you from a past situation (how to deal with it), something now, or something to watch out for so you can handle things better. Here in this example we have the 5 of wands (arguments, fighting, discourse) with the 8 of swords (feeling helpless in a situation-even though she really isn't since the bondage is all in here head...she could free herself if she wanted to). If you put these two together and look into your life (if the reading was for you) then ask yourself "Is the somewhere in my life I am feeling helpless to stop the fighting?" Maybe your family is quarreling over some family affair and you are afraid to put you "two cents" into the debate? The cards are telling you to "release your fears" and walk over to them and be the "rooster" in the card and "speak up and be heard..you may have something that may calm the group down !"

..or here's another:

This happened with my wife 3 months ago back. I pulled this for us during her grandmothers funeral to see how the day would go. We have the Tower (meaning something out of nowhere will strike...maybe good...maybe bad...but definitely not expected) and the Hermit card (staying secluded, outside from the group, not speaking but watching). 

The day went on well (as well as a funeral could be) until late that night back at my mother-in-laws house where her older brother was staying. Out of nowhere he accused her of something and started raving about it to everyone causing a big scene ! My wife, Angie, remembered the reading I gave her.....and just STAYED QUIET and didn't fight back. Good thing, too, because after her brother let out all that steam....he looked like the fool and not Angie because she remained in control ! The cards warned her to stay as wise as the Hermit...and just sit on it ! It wasn't the time nor place to argue with him...tomorrow would be another day.

See how powerful just 2 cards can be, Emili? Use this for awhile...keep a daily tarot journal, too, because it will help you track once things come to pass and then you can look back and see how you first interpreted the cards...and if you were a bit off, make adjustments with your cards for next time. You will notice when you are in sync with them by recording this way.

And remember...just because you do a daily reading doesn't mean that these will always be BIG events in your life...they may just be something minor at work to watch for or even while driving around town to spot. I will say that sometimes there will be BIG 'HEADS-UP" announcements, though....keep your heart open...you''l know when they are !

I hope this helps for now...like I said I will tackle more on other spreads early next week, but this will guide you off in the right direction. Anyone else wish to add, they are more than welcome...MY WAY is not EVERYONE'S WAY. {{{Smile }}}

-Eric (MLT)

Permalink Reply by Joy Andreasen on November 2, 2012 at 9:19am

Moonlight Trucker.. thanks for the insight. I had mostly just been using one card for the day and meditating on it and you are right, sometimes it is about something big and sometimes something small or it may pertain to someone else in your life.

This morning I picked the nine of swords and it didn't really match my energy but as soon as I walked into work I ran into one of the guys I work with and I could almost see his face on the card. I immediately knew it was him in the card. I think Spirit was just teaching me to always let Spirit be in charge and don't put Spirit in a box.

I have done more elaborate spreads but mostly it is for other people or if I am seeking answers to a particular dilemma. I have also found that the traditional meaning of the card is not necessarily what the card is saying to me. I like to look at the picture and ask Spirit if there is something in the picture first that  means something to me that maybe might mean something different to someone else.

Permalink Reply by MoonLightTrucker on November 2, 2012 at 9:32am

Thanks Joy !

You are right to look at the entire card....veterans of the tarot will do this as easily as breathing (like in the rooster example...other cards would't have had him there..this was a special case for that reading). 

And yes...more elaborate spreads are just fine, too, to use....they just require more of an insight on the relationships, proximity, and version (light or shadow) of the cards which are usually again where the vets hang out. As for the beginner...great for them to "keep an eye out" for anything the cards may be saying...for them...or others.

Thanks for the reply !

-Eric (MLT) 

Permalink Reply by Evening- Star on November 2, 2012 at 9:13am

Thank you so much, I'm so glad I asked. Your approach will definitely work better for me. I never thought of keeping a daily journal. Greatly appreciated!!

Blessings to you and Angie xxx

Permalink Reply by MoonLightTrucker on November 2, 2012 at 9:16am

You are always welcome !

Permalink Reply by Evening- Star on November 2, 2012 at 9:48am

I also studied each card to get a better feel for them Jo. Which was really good for me. The 3 card approach is going to suit me so well, that and keeping a daily journal to look back on my readings. I think it will help me build a better connection with them. Instead of going straight into complicated spread. ( big smile) :)