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

4 of Disks – Power	6 of Cups – Pleasure	Princess of Swords
The Hermit	8 of Cups – Indolence	Ace of Disks
Ace of Swords	Prince of Wands	The Hanged Man

Sun in Capricorn

The disks have become square. At this phase revolution of the disks is undesirable. The fortress shows law and order. Earthly power and authority have been established.

Meaning:
Earthly power, dominion, law and order, material success, skill in confrontation. Also, fortress, shelter, defence, home.
When ill-dignified: Prejudice, envy, suspicion.

Card 2: 6 of Cups – Pleasure

Sun in Scorpio

Two hearts come together forming a unicursal hexagram. Four bunches of grapes symbolise that balance has been achieved.

Meaning:
Natural harmony, satisfaction, beginnings of steady increase, fond memories.
When ill-dignified: presumptuousness, vanity, lack of gratitude and respect.

Card 3: 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 4: The Hermit

Virgo

Solitary time. Father Time retreats from society to be alone. The mirror represents reflection and inner self-discovery. Cerberus follows the lantern as the Hermit enlightens his dark side. Turned sideways, the hourglass represents a moment of timelessness, and at this juncture the Hermit realises the nature of eternity.

Meaning:
Divine inspiration, wisdom, finding one's guiding light, a period of time being out of touch with society, circumspection, self-knowledge.
When ill-dignified: loneliness, despair, loss of sanity, paranoia.

Card 5: 8 of Cups – Indolence

Saturn in Pisces

Eight cups stand on a bed of mud where the water receded. Dark clouds have rolled in to overcast the pale-yellow sky. Half of the cups have been spilled. This is the morning after.

Meaning:
Success abandoned, apathy, misery, transience, instability, a small victory. Sometimes means abandonment of materialistic pursuits in favour of the spiritual.

Card 6: Ace of Disks

The Root of Earth

A coin toss. This card represents the very first beginnings of the process that leads to material gain.

Meaning:
Materialistic concerns, contentment, earthly power and success. A calculated risk with good chances.

Card 7: Ace of Swords

The Root of Air

The initial embodiment of the spirit of air is the bearer of light. The sword penetrates the crown of Kether. In the background ten rays pour out of the spiritual sun, indicating the full potential contained within the seed of the Ace. The beginning of a new way of thinking.

Meaning:
Invoked force, conquest, strength through tribulation, triumph of force. A spiritual understanding with heaven.

Card 8: Prince of Wands

11:00 – 1:00 Male
Leo

The Prince of Wands rides a chariot of fire pulled by a lion. In his right hand he bears the phoenix wand, a symbol of power and authority. Just as air fuels the fire, expansion is his nature.

Meaning:
A young man, just, noble, generous, impulsive, humorous, strong.
When ill-dignified: Brash, proud, prejudiced, intolerant, cruel.

Card 9: The Hanged Man

Water

Like The Hermit, The Hanged Man contemplates existence, but on a different level. He hangs from the crucifix and mirrors the scene above in the shape of an ankh. This card is about understanding sacrifice.

Meaning:
Enforced sacrifice, self-sacrifice, suffering, redemption. Progress through using a different perspective. A waiting period.
When ill-dignified: punishment, loss, death, more of the same.