Comic Strip Spread

Difficulty: Easy
Note: This spread works best with decks like the Diary of a Broken Soul or Surrealist Tarot because they display scenes rather than pips and do not use reversals.
The Comic Strip Spread is a simple nine-card chronological spread that looks like a page of a comic book. This method should be used to get a glimpse of the future as it would pan out naturally. It may be insightful to use this spread in coordination with biorhythms. The spread is easy to read as a storyboard, just like a comic strip.
The main subject is apparent in the first card, while the story plays out through the following tarot cards.
It is important to pay particular attention to the cards and the relationships with their neighbours. Notice which directions the cards are facing, and how they interact.
Your Comic Strip Reading
Princess of Swords![]() |
4 of Swords – Truce![]() |
8 of Disks – Prudence![]() |
Adjustment![]() |
3 of Cups – Abundance![]() |
8 of Wands – Swiftness![]() |
5 of Wands – Strife![]() |
Princess of Wands![]() |
Ace of Cups![]() |
Card 1: Princess of Swords
A young slender female has come down the mountain. The air symbols of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are all there in this card. The clouds indicate a storm front. Of the three men symbolising her thoughts, she has already killed one. She holds the middle one at bay as the other begs for his life. She may be wise in the ways of evil, but to do good she has no knowledge.
Meaning:
An aggressive, vengeful young lady of destructive logic, subtle, wise, and dexterous in practical affairs. This card also represents ruling out bad ideas.
Card 2: 4 of Swords – Truce
Jupiter in Libra
Four swords come together in union. The square formed in the centre is a white flag. This card represents reconciliation. The Process.
Meaning:
Recovery from a period of trouble. An oasis. Authority in the realm of intellect. Establishment of dogma.
Card 3: 8 of Disks – Prudence
Sun in Virgo
This card is about the virtue of patience, or taking things in their proper times. Eight clocks are hung from Jacob's Ladder. With effort dreams will be attainable. Remember: one step at a time.
Meaning:
Industriousness, agriculture, building, construction, intelligence in material affairs.
When ill-dignified: too much care spent on details at the expense of the big picture.
Card 4: Adjustment
Libra
Justice. Balance is achieved through adaptation. You may need to take a look at the book.
Meaning:
Justice, balance, equilibrium. A pause in the action to achieve balance.
Card 5: 3 of Cups – Abundance
Mercury in Cancer
Two cups combine their essence into a third cup, their offspring. This card is about creation, fertility, and pregnancy. A collaborative effort. The process of reproduction.
Meaning:
Fulfilment, conclusion, plenty, fertility, hospitality, bounty, kindness, creation.
Card 6: 8 of Wands – Swiftness
Mercury in Sagittarius
A sudden burst of energy causes eight arrows to explode into action. This card indicates that something is about to happen fast.
Meaning:
Action, explosive energy, electricity, fast communication, gain of rapid speed, light, quickness.
When ill-dignified: Too much too fast, a flash in the pan.
Card 7: 5 of Wands – Strife
Saturn in Leo
Conflict. Five male lion heads together represent opposition and a battle of wills. The nature of each lion is to dominate his territory, so five in one place is not good. They butt heads in the struggle for supremacy.
Meaning:
Struggle, competition, opposition, violence, quarrelling, lust and carnal desire.
Card 8: Princess of Wands
A robust young woman stands on the mountain firing arrows. Her arrows represent the other Wands courts, Sagittarius, Aries, and Leo. She is a passionate, brilliant, and independent young woman. The tiger is a symbol of the lower animal nature that grounds her.
Meaning:
An individualistic energetic glowing young woman, impulsive in matters of love.
When ill-dignified: superficial, shallow, gossiping, unreliable, cruel, domineering.
Card 9: Ace of Cups
The Root of Water
The cup of Kether is the holy grail. Ten rays beam from the single source of light emanating from the cup. The cup is a vessel for the light. The beginning of a new way of feeling.
Meaning:
Joy, contentment, love, fruitfulness, beauty.
