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
2 of Swords – Peace![]() |
Knight of Cups![]() |
7 of Wands – Valour![]() |
The Moon![]() |
2 of Disks – Change![]() |
Prince of Swords![]() |
The Star![]() |
6 of Wands – Victory![]() |
5 of Wands – Strife![]() |
Card 1: 2 of Swords – Peace
Moon in Libra
Two swords stuck in a mound form the shape of a V, the symbolic gesture of peace like the hippies were so fond of. The owners have thrown their arms down in the spirit of harmony.
Meaning:
Contradictory characteristics of the same nature coming together. Pleasure after pain. Quarrel resolved.
Card 2: Knight of Cups
Pisces
The Knight of Cups rides a black horse, symbolising the dark unconscious force of water. In his left hand he holds a gold cup filled with gold. His horse leaps above a wave, symbolising the element of water at its most active state. Two dolphins leap along with the horse, representing Pisces.
Meaning:
A very sensitive, yet shallow man, who is quick to respond to attraction.
When ill-dignified: a sensual, idle man, a liar and a loser, prone to drug abuse.
Card 3: 7 of Wands – Valour
Mars in Leo
This card shows an uphill battle. The snake-rods have come alive. Six of them are doing battle against one.
The central snake however is the strongest, as god is with him.
Meaning:
Struggles, obstacles, difficulties met with courage. Small victories.
When ill-dignified: quarrelling.
Card 4: The Moon
18-Moon.jpg|Pisces
The Moon reflects the overbearing light of the sun. Sunlight is a hot commodity at night. Where does the long, dark road lead? Let your inner light guide your path through the unconscious dreamscape.
Meaning:
Illusion, dreaminess, voluntary change, bewilderment, hysteria. An important change that is difficult to foresee.
When ill-dignified: egotism, self-deception, delusions of grandeur, counter-productive pride, demiurgos, ignorance, denial of the master.
Card 5: 2 of Disks – Change
Jupiter in Capricorn
Ouroboros eats its tail as the symbol of eternal change. The snake wears a crown of the moon to symbolise constant change. Two yin-yangs spin opposite directions.
Meaning:
Constant change, likely a pleasant change, visit to friends, wandering.
Card 6: Prince of Swords
2:00 – 4:00 Male
Aquarius
The Prince of Swords rides the sky in his cloudy chariot of air, pulled by three young men representing his thoughts and ideas. He symbolises purity of the intellect, but also instability. As he pushes forward with his sword, he is frustrated. His thoughts are all over the place. In his left hand he holds a sickle, symbolising his tendency to destroy his creations as quickly as he makes them, perhaps overly critical of his own ideas.
Meaning:
A pure intellectual, clever but unstable of purpose, a mind full of various contradictory ideas and opinions.
Card 7: The Star
Aquarius
Everyone is a Star. This card suggests using your talents.
Meaning:
Clear vision, spiritual insight, hope, charity.
When ill-dignified: error in judgement, disillusion, delusions, lack of understanding.
Card 8: 6 of Wands – Victory
Jupiter in Leo
This card represents energy in its most balanced and powerful state. Six snake-rods are crossed with nine flames burning at the joints. This represents the male energy being reflected by the female in a state of perfect harmony and balance.
Meaning:
Triumph after strife. Success and gain, good news, expectations fulfilled.
When ill-dignified: excessive pride and insolence.
Card 9: 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.
