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 ![]() XI – Strength |
Triggering Causes |
![]() XII – The Hanged Man |
Necessary Conclusions | ![]() Two of Cups |
| Significator #1 | ![]() XVIII – The Moon |
Significator #2 |
![]() King of Swords |
Next Step | ![]() Eight of Wands |
![]() Two of Swords |
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Surprising Experiences ![]() XIII – Death |
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Outcome ![]() Ace of Cups |
Significator #1
King of Swords
The King of Swords indicates discrimination, clarity of perception. Logical and fair you do not allow emotions to interfere with your ability to bring beliefs and sometimes very innovative ideas to fruition. At this time utilise the ability to carefully weigh all angles of a situation in order to make a fair decision that befits all involved. Benefit.
There is indicated a tendency to be emotionally detached, sometimes making those around you feel intellectually inferior. Be mindful and mindless as to misusing your cerebral abilities. Avoid cunning and outsmarting with cleverness in regards to yourself and others. Feel it all. Do not be the know-it-all. Feel more than you listen. Your clarity goes beyond the words you speak.
Significator #2
Eight of Wands
The 8 of Wands indicates a positive change of mind with health, new ideas, goals, projects in the works, love letters, communications. Also indicated is a journey by air travel, by love, or by a love of open spaces. Gardening. Field sports. The indication is that things are 'up in the air' in a positive way, more of an active interest than a wait, a powerful witness watching interestedly to see how things turn out.
* A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasise rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.
Early Causes
XII – The Hanged Man
The Hanged Man indicates you may be afloat in clarity with your spirituality and dreams and psychic abilities being wholly present. Ever peaceful, never suffering. Suspension, not life or death, is indicated.
The Hanged Man indicates to stop resisting and make yourself vulnerable to the positive things, and in doing so glimpse illumination. An insight so deep is indicated that, even if but for a moment, nothing but that insight will feel to exist. And, as timeless as that moment seems, there is also an acute awareness of its temporary nature. Remember this time as you may never see things quite the same.
Note your insights at this time, however great or small they are. You may feel forever changed by them, and by the memory of their presence.
Triggering Causes
Two of Cups
The 2 of Cups indicates love, friendship, healing, contentment, satisfying relationships, harmony, and cooperation. Two joined are more than just two ones. Distinction made between joined / united versus union. Two identities feeling mutual respect, powerful witness, and participation with one another. With attraction present your heart's desire, feelings, and expressions trump being right.
Higher Perceptions
XI – Strength
Strength indicates mastering self-control and taming fears or impulses. Feel infinite fortitude and self-restraint while incorporating your voice at this time. Visualize a sprinter sitting, a tiger napping. Strength is not indicated to tame your beast, but to harness your voice. A simple way is indicated. A simple gesture will establish your direction as your strength is naturally present. Anything more than necessary may cause decay.
Understand you are very powerful at this time. Be mindful of others as you are playing with more power than you may know. Step as only you need at this time.
Develop an understanding that the strength of your presence is felt without threat, backlash, or skepticism. * A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasize rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.
Necessary Conclusions
XVIII – The Moon
The Moon indicates inner connections so intense that they transcend space. Your intense intuition can seamlessly join a variety of unseen forces in harmony as they are reflected inside you. Creative connections with seemingly impossible things can also be indicated.
The moon's reflection on a watery path can be disorienting OR a fascinatingly beautiful and mesmerising image to behold. The Moon indicates to feel your actions. Planning is for another time. Your planning may have placed you right where you are now. Move with only your natural movements in mind. There can be a kind of magnetism in this reflection.
Believing and knowing are not enough at this time. It is indicated to trust your intuition.
* A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasise rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.
The Next Step
Two of Swords
The 2 of Swords indicates a balance of opposites, an upcoming decision, considering the views of your opponent. Judge clearly whether a shout or a whisper of an action will be heard more clearly, or none at all.
* A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasise rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.
Surprises
XIII – Death
Death indicates transformation. It is indicated to sacrifice unnecessary preconceptions you hold. The old you is evolving. A Phoenix is rising as a birth's introduction. Visualize a winter garden where things are resting for renewal. Patience is in fact a virtue of the Death card. Your perennial ideas and actions may naturalize to come back in different places more vibrantly.
If you are distressed at this time, mind your timing and placement. Do not trample on the new things in your life that appear small. Renewal and awakening may begin subtly. More is present than meets the eye.
Haste is not indicated. Slow your pace to be patiently present.
The Outcome
Ace of Cups
The Ace of Cups indicates opening up to love, to new life beginning. Opening up to the psychic and spiritual realm is also indicated. Trust your intuition. Receive the blessing of your psychic messages. That's a voicemail code to remember! Only think the good ones into action. The rest. . .let them rest. Initiate your emotional and intuitive cycle of nurturing love and restoring joy. Your cup is filled with dreams, visions, and inspirations welling up from within. Share them. Take a walk and crank your iPod on the beach!
