by Sasha Graham
1. Symbol of Venus—What do I love?
2. Wheat—How do I nurture others?
3. Waterfall—What emotion is flowing?
4. Zodiac Crown—Who am I?
5. Scepter—What power do I wield?
6. Throne—What stability do I maintain?
7. Hidden Pregnancy—What is being born?
8. Pomegranates—What fertile grounds await?
The Emperor “Stability” Spread
He is executive and realization, the power of this world, here clothed with the highest of its natural attributes… He is the virile power, to which the Empress responds, and in this sense is he who seeks to remove the Veil of Isis; yet she remains virgo intacta.64
Cast your cards to invoke the Emperor’s stability in the shape of a square.
1. Throne—What is the stability I have created?
2. Bulls—What gives me strength?
3. Ankh—What is eternal?
4. Ball—What am I exuding that will come back around?
5. Crown—How to I connect with divinity?
6. River—How do I remain emotionally resilient?
7. Mountain Range—How can I lift my vision higher?
8. Armor—How can I protect myself while staying open?
The Hierophant “Grace” Spread
He is rather the summa totius theologiæ, when it has passed into the utmost rigidity of expression; but he symbolizes also all things that are righteous and sacred on the manifest side. As such, he is the channel of grace belonging to the world of institution as distinct from that of Nature, and he is the leader of salvation for the human race at large. He is the order and the head of the recognized hierarchy, which is the reflection of another and greater hierarchic order.65
How does Grace appear in your life? Cast your cards in the shape of the Hierophant and his two disciples to find out.
1. Hand Gesture—What blessings do I give to others?
2. Triple Cross Staff—How is my fate, fortune and destiny connected?
3. Triple Crown—Where does my authority lie?
4. Cloak—What protects me?
5. Dual Keys—What doors does my knowledge unlock?
6. Pillars—What is truth?
7. Double Clerics—Who can I count on for support?
8. Slippers—What keeps me grounded?
The Lovers “Mountain” Spread
This is in all simplicity the card of human love.66
Examine aspects of passionate love with a spread inspired by the Lovers card’s mountain.
1. Nudity—What makes me comfortable in my own skin?
2. Sun—Is this relationship worth the effort?
3. Angel—What does love teach me?
4. Snake—What mistake can I avoid making?
5. Apple—What do I have working in my favor?
6. Fire—How can I keep our passion alive?
7. Mountain—How high will we climb together?
The Chariot “Progression” Spread
He has led captivity captive; he is conquest on all planes—in the mind, in science, in progress, in certain trials of initiation.67
Cast your cards to move in the best direction possible. The spread is shaped like a stage or the Chariot’s coach.
1. Lunar Breastplates—What is changing?
2. Crown—How do I remain above the fray?
3. Laurel—How will I be victorious?
4. Sphinxes—What are my choices?
5. Curtains—What should I keep close to the vest?
6. Carriage Column—Where is my stability?
7. Winged Symbol—How do I fly?
8. City—What will I build?
Strength “Fortitude” Spread
Fortitude, in one of its most exalted aspects, is connected with the Divine Mystery of Union; the virtue, of course, operates in all planes, and hence draws on all in its symbolism. It connects also with innocentia inviolata, and with the strength which resides in contemplation.68
Cultivate inner and outer fortitude by casting your cards in the shape of Strength’s lemniscate.
1. Female—How can I be both vulnerable and strong?
2. Lion—What do my instincts tell me?
3. Lemniscate—How can I expand my thinking?
4. Hand Gesture—How can I be gentle with others?
5. Garland Belt—Where should I place a boundary?
6. White Gown—How can I bring peace to my inner world?
7. Mountain—What is the long term aspiration?
8. Yellow Background—How can I access creative solutions and responses at every turn?
The Hermit “Wisdom” Spread
The Divine Mysteries secure their own protection from those who are unprepared.69
Gain Hermit-like wisdom by casting your cards in the shape of the Hermit’s staff.
1. Cloak—How do I remain still?
2. Staff—What helps me move forward?
3. Lantern—How do I protect sacred knowledge?
4. Star—How can I spread inspiration?
5. Mountain Range—What challenge do I face?
6. Mountain Top—What challenge will I overcome?
7. Beard—What wisdom do I possess?
8. Age—What have I learned?
Wheel of Fortune “Destiny” Spread
The symbolic picture stands for the perpetual motion of a fluidic universe and for the flux of human life. The Sphinx is the equilibrium therein. The transliteration of Taro as Rota is inscribed on the wheel, counterchanged with the letters of the Divine Name—to show that Providence is implied through all.70
Cast your cards in the shape of a wheel to align with the winds of fate, fortune, and destiny.
1. Wheel—Where is natural energy moving me?
2. Sphinx—What is the riddle I must solve?
3. Serpent—What is exiting?
4. Jackal—What is rising?
5. Lion (Leo)—Where do I need to be strong?
6. Ox (Taurus)— Where should I be steadfast?
7. Person (Aquarius)—Where should I be compassionate?
8. Eagle (Scorpio)—What must take flight?
Justice “Work” Spread
The operation of this is like the breathing of the Spirit where it wills, and we have no canon of criticism or ground of explanation concerning it. It is analogous to the possession of the fairy gifts and the high gifts and the gracious gifts of the poet: we have them or have not, and their presence is as much a mystery as their absence.71
Cast your cards in the shape of Justice’s sword to gain insight on your work, career, and life path.
1. Double-Edged Sword—What duality must I embrace?
2. Scales—Are my actions balanced?
3. Hanging Veil—What is hidden?
4. Crown—What do I know beyond a shadow of a doubt?
5. Throne—What action can I take toward security?
6. Slipper Pointing Out—How can I move in the right direction?
7. Lack of Blindfold—What do I need to see that’s right in front of me?
8. Yellow and Gold Colors—What specific action should I take next?
The Hanged Man “Mystic Vision” Spread
It should be noted (1) that the tree of sacrifice is living wood, with leaves thereon; (2) that the face expresses deep entrancement, not suffering; (3) that the figure, as a whole, suggests life in suspension, but life and not death. It is a card of profound significance, but all the significance is veiled.72
Invoke inner vision by casting your cards in the shape of the Hanged Man’s tree.
1. Gallows/Cross—What are the boundaries of my state of existence?
2. Leg Position—What crossroad am I at?
3.
Arms—Over what am I powerless?
4. Halo—How can I acknowledge divine nature in everything around me?
5. Foliage—What lessons does nature teach me?
6. Serene Face—What is my insight?
7. Ropes Binding Feet—How can I give up the struggle?
8. Upside Down—How can I embrace new visions?
Death “Regeneration” Spread
The veil or mask of life is perpetuated in change, transformation and passage from lower to higher, and this is more fitly represented in the rectified Tarot by one of the apocalyptic visions than by the crude notion of the reaping skeleton. Behind it lies the whole world of ascent in the spirit.73
Cast your cards to reinvent your entire life in the shape of the Death card’s flag.
1. Skeleton—What is temporal?
2. Armor—What protects me?
3. Horse—What moves me forward?
4. Dead King—What can I overthrow?
5. Praying Child—Who will listen?
6. Bishop—How to I find what clicks?
7. Twin Towers—What is before me?
8. Sunrise—How shall I ascend?
Temperance “Integrate Power” Spread
It is called Temperance fantastically, because, when the rule of it obtains in our consciousness, it tempers, combines and harmonizes the psychic and material natures. Under that rule we know in our rational part something of whence we came and whither we are going.74
Cast your cards in the direction of Temperance’s sacred fluid to unlock the power of integration into your life.
1. Wings—What is my true potential?
2. Lilies—What is my passion?
3. Crown—What do I know?
4. Path—What direction must I go in?
5. Mountain—What is my challenge?
6. Mixing fluid—How do I go with the flow?
7. Foot in water—How do I connect to my unconscious?
8. Foot on land—How can I ground myself?
9. Glowing crown—What is possible?
The Devil “Unleashed Possibility” Spread
What it (the Devil) does signify is the Dweller on the Threshold without the Mystical Garden when those are driven forth therefrom who have eaten the forbidden fruit.75
Eat forbidden fruit, encounter the world with unfiltered eyes, and throw the gates of possibility open as you cast your cards in the shape of the Devil’s horns.
1. Inverted pentagram—How am I different?
2. Hand gesture—Where have I been mislead?
3. Lovers—Who do I dominate?
4. Nudity—Where am I most vulnerable?
5. Chains—What binds me?
6. Torch—What passion burns at my soul?
7. Bat wings—What has gone awry?
8. Horns—Where do my animalistic instincts lead me?
The Tower “Shatter False Illusions” Spread
The Tower has been spoken of as the chastisement of pride and the intellect overwhelmed in the attempt to penetrate the Mystery of God; but in neither case do these explanations account for the two persons who are the living sufferers. The one is the literal word made void and the other its false interpretation. In yet a deeper sense, it may signify also the end of a dispensation…76
Shake up your life and cast your cards in the shape of the tower and lightning.
1. Crown—What is no longer true?
2. Lightning—What wakes me up?
3. Left Figure—What tricks does the material world play?
4. Right Figure—What belief must I release?
5. Clouds—What new possibility is forming?
6. Yod Fire Sparks—How can I open myself to divine inspiration?
7. Flaming Windows—What gets rid of what I don’t need?
8. Cliff—What risk should I take?
The Star “Vulnerability and Inspiration” Spread
The figure will appear as the type of Truth unveiled, glorious in undying beauty, pouring on the waters of the soul some part and measure of her priceless possession. But she is in reality the Great Mother in the Kabbalistic Sephira Binah, which is supernal Understanding, who communicates to the Sephiroth that are below in the measure that they can receive her influx.77
Cast your cards to ignite the muse, cultivate tender vulnerability, and open yourself to inspiration by casting your card in the shape of the Star’s eight-pointed star.
1. Posture—How can I remain open?
2. Nudity—How is vulnerability an asset?
3. Stars—How do I hone my focus on the highest possible source?
4. Jug—How can I collect wisdom?
5. Bird—What gives me wings for both worlds?
6. Tree—How do I stay grounded?
7. Mountain—What is possible?
8. Flowers—What is manifesting right now?
The Moon “Lunar Reflection” Spread
The face of the mind directs a calm gaze upon the unrest below; the dew of thought falls; the message is: Peace, be still; and it may be that there shall come a calm upon the animal nature, while the abyss beneath shall cease from giving up a form.78
Stand between the Moon’s white towers and bask in the lunar glow.
1. Dual Towers—What false towers have I built?
2. Dog—What is the loyal, responsible thing to do?
3. Wolf—What does my primal self want?
4. Moon—What does intuitive clarity tell me?
5. Sun—What harsh reality exists?
6. Pool—What is my subconscious showing me?
7. Lobster—What is emerging from the depths of my soul?
8. Path—Where will this new illumination lead me?
The Sun “Illumination” Spread
The characteristic type of humanity has become a little child therein—a child in the sense of simplicity and innocence in the sense of wisdom. In that simplicity, he bears the seal of Nature and of Art; in that innocence, he signifies the restored world. When the self-knowing spirit has dawned in the consciousness above the natural mind, that mind in its renewal leads forth the animal nature in a state of perfect conformity.79
Cast your cards in the shape of a sunflower and allow the sun’s energy to permeate every level of your being.
1. Sun—How do I let the highest, clearest energy flow through me?
2. Child—How do I retain innocence?
3. Nudity—How can I let down my guard?
4. Banner—What do I need to express to others?
5. White Horse—What is magical about my life?
6. Wall—What boundary do I need to create?
7. Sunflowers—How can I be creative?
8. Red Head Feather—Whose soul am I linked to?
Judgement’s “No Going Back” Spread
It is the card which registers the accomplishment of the great work of transformation in answer to the summons of the Supernal—which summons is heard and answered from within.80
Cast your cards in the shape of the red cross on Judgement’s flag to encourage the card’s life-changing properties.
1. Trumpet—What is my wakeup call?
2. Angel Gabriel—Where is divine intervention?
3. Red Cross—Who helps me?
4. Flag—What should I feel free to express on the outside?
5. Coffins—What is stagnant?
6. Open Arms—What do I embrace?
7. Dead Rising—What marks my second chance?
8. Water—What changes forever?
The World’s “Big Bang” Spread
It represents also the perfection and end of the Cosmos, the secret which is within it, the rapture of the universe when it understands itself in God. It is further the state of the soul in the consciousness o
f Divine Vision, reflected from the self-knowing spirit.81
Unleash the magic of the World card into every segment of your life by casting your cards in the shape of the infinity wreath.
1. Dancer—What can I celebrate?
2. Magic Wands—What can I conjure?
3. Wreath—What continues?
4. Androgyny—How do I find integration and expression?
5. Head (Aquarius)—What am I thinking?
6. Lion (Leo)—What is my passion?
7. Ox (Taurus)—How can I ground myself?
8. Eagle (Scorpio)—What helps me fly?
Ace of Pentacles “Manifest Potential” Spread
Seasonal shifts pull the soul in new directions. Cast your cards when you feel the urge to create something new in your life. It may be a new job, new habit, new relationship, or new hobby. This spread helps you get your thoughts together and leads you toward the manifestation of something wonderful in the natural world.
Cast in the shape of the Ace of Pentacle’s garden gate and create a threshold with your cards.
1. Pentacle—What do I have?
2. Palm—How do I support my desire?
3. Garden Gate—What threshold do I need to cross?
4. Flower—What is my natural talent?
5. Path—What should I focus on to stay true to my path?
Two of Pentacles “Make the Best Choice” Spread
The Two of Pentacles reflects choices. Choices can be a luxury or they can be agony. Cast your cards to help figure out the best choice for your current situation. Nine cards are selected because nine is the number of wish fulfillment.
Select the first two cards intentionally. They should each represent the choices you are deciding between, like the two pentacles in the juggler’s hands.
Intentional Choice 1 Intentional Choice 2
3. Number Two—What energy surrounds my options?