Ankh Spread

Difficulty: Kind of tough

The Ankh Spread is for questions about the causes behind trends. It is similar to the Celtic Cross and Secret of the High Priestess spreads, but it covers the reasons behind the circumstances in question differently, perhaps giving a better explanation of why things are the way they are.

The loop of the upper section of the ankh reveals the spiritual background and causes of the situation, while the stem of the base focuses on prospects for the outcome.

The first two tarot cards represent the two parent causes of the situation. They will either complement each other or show two opposing sides of a conflict, depending on how they relate. These are the significator cards of the Ankh spread.

3. This tarot card shines light upon the early causes of the trend in question.

4. Pinpoints the causes that triggered the current situation.

5. Reveals the spiritual perspective of the subject at hand.

6. This card examines the reasons why this course of action had to unfold, as a means to this end.

At this point, it is good to pause to soak in the meaning of the first six cards before moving forward to the last three cards. The last three reveal prospects for the future.

7. The Next Step gives clues about the immediate future.

8. Surprising Experiences encountered en route to the result.

9. This represents the result.

Your Ankh Reading

Early Causes	Higher Perceptions Youth of Wands	Triggering Causes
Eight of Coins	Necessary Conclusions	XV – The Devil
Significator #1	Two of Swords	Significator #2
Six of Swords	Next Step	XVII – The Star
	Ten of Coins
	Surprising Experiences Nine of Swords
	Outcome Queen of Cups

An inability to move beyond the current situation, or feeling stuck in that situation. A long, difficult road lies ahead to turn your life around. Living 'a life of quiet desperation'. Trying to escape a problem instead of resolve it.

Pessimism. Taking a 'glass is half empty' approach instead of viewing it as half full. Not being able to recognise the value of a situation or opportunity. Holding on to desperate or unrealistic hopes. Having your head in the clouds when you need to keep your feet on the ground instead.

Unwillingness to devote the time and effort required to succeed. Distractions or problems at work. Cutting corners or skipping steps. Feeling dissatisfied or impatient with your work. Boring or unfulfilling work.

Materialism or superficiality. Negative thinking. A dysfunctional relationship. Being self-destructive or caught in a bad situation of your own making through vices such as greed, addictions, or hubris. Giving in to temptation. Feeling like you're going through Hell. Egotistical power struggles. Dealing with someone you think is evil, although s/he may be merely exhibiting shortcomings that you have but don't want to face in yourself.

Someone who is friendly, boisterous, enthusiastic, and often mischievous. Entering into an undertaking with eagerness and daring. Beginners' luck. An initiation. Enthusiasm that inspires creative solutions. Someone who brings good news or reinvigorates a situation with youthful energy. The start of something big.

A dilemma with no clear answer in sight. An ugly conflict, perhaps where one party is being deceitful or underhanded. A stalemate. A no win situation. A forced or unsatisfactory decision or resolution to a problem. Avoiding making a decision until you're forced to.

A good time to go into business for yourself or to take your career to the next level. Good dealings with big businesses or institutions. Wealthy people are involved. An inheritance. Trying to see beyond material things.

Feelings of anxiety, dread, and hopelessness over a problem which will likely not be as bad as it initially seems. Obsessing over the worst case scenario. Problems sleeping due to stress. Being plagued with nightmares. Unfounded feelings of shame and guilt. Feeling suicidal or like you're losing your mind.

Thinking you're in love with someone, but actually you're just 'in love with love'. A need to create more peace and harmony in your relationships. Having an overly emotional response. Being emotionally needy. Emotions are clouding your judgment.