Weekly Tarot Spread, Give your interpretations! Options

Hello All,

In the interest of growing and learning as a community, I thought it might be an interesting endeavor to post a weekly tarot spread. Because there may potentially be so many diverse individuals offering their two cents into the mix, I thought a universal topic might be appropriate, so for this week I chose to lay out a spread on the "Course of major global affairs". The sense I gave in meditating with the cards before hand was something more nonverbally geared specifically towards "What sorts of changes and fluctuations are present in the global community and how can we as the populace responsibly act on those fluctuation for the betterment of our world?"

Now, I'm an american, so there may be a particular trend in the cards I pull out towards issues of american interest. Also, this is a pretty broad topic not often addressed with tarot cards - which I thought would make it an interesting exercise in exploring the more universal symbolism that the tarot cards can have regarding society, the world, and our global community as a macroscopic entity.

The second issue that I felt warranted some attention beforehand is the matter of the spread itself and the symbolism I place on the spaces - I would of course love to hear other varieties on the classic Celtic Cross spread, as far as which places mean what, and because the purpose of this particular reading included being placed here for community discussion, it is more than likely to fit with more than one paradigm of symbolism.

Originally my idea was to do a reading like this once a week for group interpretation and discussion, but a thought that occurred to me after having done the reading and recording it was that we might address other issues of an appropriately universal nature based on consensus or suggestions on this thread. So, if you have an idea for next weeks reading, by all means, I'd love to hear them!

The other side of that coin, however, is to do the same reading each week, on monday (day of the moon, cycles, appropriate for this particular subject matter), and then interpret long term matters such as recurring cards and the cyclical movement of particularly meaningful patterns in the reading each week over time - I've observed tendancies like that in my own weekly or monthly readings.

This purpose of all this, is for the benefit of everyone here, and myself as well. I had the idea because I've been reading cards for several years now, and I've only had one formal teacher, who basically taught the Case method of interpretation. The indepth study was my own work, rather than instruction, and I've always wanted to get involved with some group work on understanding the relationships between the cards in a more comprehensive manner. And that's what we're here for: sharing perspective, experience, and wisdom to benefit all of us.

So, all that on the table, let me describe my own schema for the Celtic Cross as a starting point, as I personally believe that the intended symbolism of each of the card stations impacts the cards that land there and they're relationship to one another. If we can then be mindful of the world this week, hopefully we'll get some sense as to whether that schema stands, if it was more universal to this community, or if there is a greater Schema pushing through because of the universal and community nature of the reading and it's inclusion here.

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This is the basic celtic cross spread familiar to pretty much anyone with a tarot deck. I actually typically read with two layers, representing the internal and external aspects of a given subject, but thought that for this particular purpose a single layer would be more amiable to group work. However, if anyone thinks reading with both layers would be a more interesting approach, then we can certainly go that direction.

Now, my own personal interpretation is not significantly different from the traditional approach, but let me elucidate my method here for comparison's sake. I'd also love to hear differences among other readers on the forums.

1. Significator - I don't pick a specific card for the significator, but rather draw this card like any other, and it's intended to represent the underlying state of the subject, the primary figure that the other cards refer back to.
2. Present - This card is read as the present state of mind, situation, or most pressing matter.
3. Root Cause - this card represents the inner state in the individual giving rise to the present card.
4. Past - this card is the past situation or state of mind that evolved into the present.
5. Divine Cause - This card is always hardest to interpret, but gives insight into the cycle from past to future, and typically shows an interesting reflection with the root cause; it represents the divine influence, one might also say Karmic influence, initiating the present situation.
6. Future - what, on it's current course, the present is evolving into.
7. Psychological Influences - The nature of the influence that the subject's psychological state is having on the development of the present situation.
8. Physical - The influence of the physical upon the development of the present situation; sometimes it's the individual's actions in the physical world, sometimes people around them, sometimes health issues, etc.
9. Spiritual - The influence of the individual's spiritual state, ideals, etc., upon the development of the current situation.
10. Outcome - Different from the future in that it represents what action or state is necessary to make the best of the card in position 6.

And that's the basics of how I do it - beyond that, it's a matter of finding connections and patterns between the cards, which I find to be easier when I use two layers - a pair of cards will match up to another pair of cards far easier than just one card and another will match, beyond the element, or the number.

I'll place this weeks spread in the following post to preserve the first one in successive pages. If it makes a difference, I read with the Rider Waite deck for most purposes, although I also read with the Celtic Dragon deck - although I've read with it less over the last two years.

peace

This post has been edited by Vagrant Dreamer: May 5 2008, 08:25 PM

What a great idea! IMHO, in order for this to be tracked, I suggest that this same question be asked continuously over the space of a number of months with weekly readings/drawings. If you disturb the flow with too many variables then you lose sight of your original premis. Not that you can't have other questions...just have them concurrent with the original, with each question getting its own weekly drawing. The same deck and the same spread and the same draw-er should be used per question...otherwise, again, you've increased the probability factor(s) off the map! Very good idea Vagrant! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Alright, my camera crapped out just as I was taking a picture, but this method seems more viewable anyway, the picture thing was iffy. So, here is tonight's reading, along with a list of the cards in case they are unclear to anyone:

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1: 8 of Swords
2: 7 of Pentacles
3: 7 of Swords Rev.
4: 9 of Swords
5: 10 of Cups Rev.
6: 4 of Swords
7: 8 of Pentacles Rev.
8: Page of Pentacles
9: Knight of Cups
10: 5 of Swords Rev.

My take:
The central theme is in the 8SW, a time of crisis, panic, and fear, but in a temporary way.
At the present, there is a concern for material possibilities, for exchanges, and investments in the future.
This arises from another seven (showing a theme of possibility), the desire to take what is undeserved.
Coming into the present from the past is a time of pain and suffering, another card in the swords, establishing a prominent theme of conflict and willpower.
Karmically, this cycle is governed by the first cup card to appear, reversed, and hanging over the sword cards says to me that we (the world) is meant to recognize the false value of our material conflicts (oil comes to mind), or perhaps through conflict reveal the false promises of those governing these situations at the time.
Coming into the future as it the present is, it seems that a time of retreat and 'wound licking' is coming up, suggesting that these present affairs of trade and 'one-upping' the other guy may not turn out to gain anyone what they expected.
The psychological state as it affects this situation says to me essentially a state of uncaring, and being that it is also an eight, seems connected to the Significator - that it is our superficiality and apathetic attitude that keeps us in this state of fear and crisis.
The first court card is in the physical space, initially giving me the impression that there is a person or group of people 'new' to the game playing a particular role in this situation; also that our current circumstances may bring us into new leadership.
The Second Court card is in the Spirit place, and suggests that the current ideals of the world may bring a powerful message of spiritual growth out of this situation.
In the outcome position is a card that suggests rather gloomy portents - that almost all we can do in this situation is face the grim reality of it and accept it for what it is. This to me could reflect the energy crisis, the climate, any number of things on that level, in terms of seeing them for what they are and with the Knight of Cups just under it, perhaps inciting the action necessary to begin recovery - which is hinted at in the future position with the 4 of swords.

peace

Great thread!

I never had a formal teacher either, so I'm grateful for any excuse to use the cards.

Edit: ... sorry. I read the thread wrong. Although, I'm loath to delete what I wrote.

I'm from Romania, so that might have influenced the reading, and I'm using a Golden Dawn Tarot Deck. As for the spread, I usually set the card for the 'divine cause' (overlying or apparent reason), followed by 'Root cause' (hidden, root reason) and after wards the past... although, this time, I set the root first. So I have (in your order):
1. Queen of Pentacles, rev
2. 5 of Pentacles
3. King of Swords, rev.
4. 2 of Swords
5. 4 of Wands, rev
6. 7 of Pentacles
7. Ace of Swords, rev
8. 6 of Cups
7. King of Cups
8. 4 of Cups, rev
Interesting to note: it's similar - I guess that's a good sign?
My interpretation: There are no arcana. I think this signifies that there are no outside powers involved (ie, aliens, elite word governments or illuminati). TThe other cards are evenly distributed (3 P, 3 C, 2 S and 2 W).
The signifier, the reversed Q of P, indicates a superficial, capricious, undecided person - which reflects the population as a whole, especially the political scene. So the reading is focused on the people rather than actual events.
5 of Pentacles points to the economic crisis that's making itself known now. Loss of money despite hard work.
King of Swords - ? Our underlying selves? No, that doesn't feel right... In our unconscious, we have this King od Swords, a cruel tyrant. It's affecting us very strongly because we're expecting to see him, and by expecting him he's mirrored in everyone.
4 of Wands - overlying belief that the time of labour is over. Reversed, we're not prepared and too hasty in our decisions; we know this, and it causes instability, anxiety and loss of confidence.
2 of Swords is in the past, so it's most likely points to our overcoming the big wars. 'Beauty born from pain'. (contrast with 4 of Wands). The past doesn't matter anymore, it's something we already solved.
7 of Pentacles - Economic decline. Loss.
Reversed Ace of Swords. Psychological. A great force used for negative purposes, the sword of vengeace. The way we think, are, now, is the worst possible path.
6 of Cups, pleasure. Opposite to the psychological, mental world, outwardly we enjoy the pleasures of life, indulge.
King of Cups - what we asipre to be. We try to enforce idealistic ideas, bring about beauty.
And, last one, 4 of Cups. Hah, as neutral of a card you can get for an outcome. Pleasure, but it's passing. We should enjoy what we have and not worry, key idea being 'enjoy'.

done. I guess.
I'll go enjoy lunch now :P

This post has been edited by Kirie: May 6 2008, 03:41 AM