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 Seven of Swords	Triggering Causes
VIII – Justice	Necessary Conclusions	Ace of Wands
Significator #1	Four of Wands	Significator #2
Ten of Swords	Next Step	Queen of Pentacles
	Five of Cups
	Surprising Experiences XI – Strength
	Outcome Nine of Swords

The Page of Swords indicates a developing of understanding. Curiosity. Analysis. Thorough creativity in your vision. Now is the time you can penetrate through to the truth or essence of a thing or situation, or thoughtfully will it to reify. Mental facility and skill, an ability to communicate ideas, and receiving news are also indicated.

The Queen of Pentacles indicates the qualities of a practical, down-to-earth woman, whether you are a woman or a man. Enthusiastic. May own a successful business. Always encouraging friends and family to exercise, nourishing by promoting to take care. Some say water conforms to its cup. You know this all too well to the point where you may see no problem with the idea that buying a Steinway piano might make a child Mozart. . .as you know only too well the far-reaching (both inner and outer) merits of a good environment, whether what's obvious is the focus or not.

This queen also indicates that you may even cherish a vehicle, or simply a well-designed dashboard in a convertible as important if you drive a bunch. Simply put, if it's going to be in your presence, it should at the very least be attractive, distinct, as exquisite to you is staple, required. The usefulness of beauty as being positive to your environment is understood.

Exquisite fetches wood and carries water, stokes the fire, exudes presence with a strong grace. These are qualities through and through, specifically and in general.

Even in silence, tasteful enthusiasm is indicated. Tasteful is a great word for you here.

* 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.

Justice indicates that your life is coming back into balance with a strong sense of fairness. This fairness indicates not to concentrate so much on right and wrong. Odds are you are a good person. Consequences and outcomes are more important at this time. Suggested to work to be considerate rather than being agreeable at this time. Consideration is a fitting use of the energies of Justice. Be mindful of yourself as you are, and mindful of others as they are. Your life decisions and the fabric of your unfolding patterns is indicated to be informed by your inner scale of weights and measures. * 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 Ace of Wands indicates new life, place-making, as with setting the sacred staff, the omphalos, locating a building, a space, a place. Courage is indicated in the act of placement, creativity in the placement itself, and enthusiasm in the impending energy of place being made.

Sneaky. Devious. Sly. Stealth. Your troubles are hiding in plain sight. Underhanded, theft, robbery, unreliability, betrayal, spying, dishonour, deceit, suspicion. Mistrust. Look differently. Pause and expand outwardly. Take a day off in the middle of the week. Feel into your blind spots as they are actively deceiving you! Like the hand. Like the seventh sword. Feel the meditation of being able to hide in plain sight! You are OFF and THERE at one and the same time. Everywhere to be seen, and nowhere to be found.

Feel YOUR place. You may not be as exposed as you think. You MAY simply be in a place of creation or new place. Feel YOUR place, not your clever. The cards do not indicate your path, here. YOU DO!, with wonderful placement and awareness. Drop your stones. Your placement supersedes your trepidation. STAND and deliver!, from wherever you are IN A NEW WAY!. Silence is deliverance as well. Feel the contradiction. Feel your place in your multi-faceted context! Discern between the negativity of no-one noticing you vs the same thing indicating stealth.

* 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 Four of Wands indicates the joy of coming together for a purpose and the growth and happiness that can result. A surprise or thrill out of the blue may be in store for you. You may meet someone unexpectedly. Planned celebrations or the freedom of building something together with someone are also indicated. Build it together and you will reap abundance.

Reversed you may find an obstacle blocking you from happiness. A surprise may bring both happiness and sorrow or dissatisfaction. Look to the surprise for its surprise, and amend your soil with the newness alone, letting the sorrow and dissatisfaction fall away at most as compost, more probably as chaff.

The 5 of Cups indicates rough, turbulent, or confusing times. Possible loss, or loss already occurred are also indicated. Cups indicate that all is not lost, though. Like the seagull seeing something positive in the tumultuous sea, hope for the future and treasure discovered in your emotions is indicated.

Reversal often indicates the presence of a similar but inner, aspect streaming in the unconscious.

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.

The 9 of Swords indicates that situations or events are nearing completion, or have just been completed and another plateau waits. This is a card about the pain in the false summit of mental anguish. Though misery, suffering, desolation, and illness may be present, the path is indicated to be clear.

Understand the false summit of a mountain climb as a trail-marker of progress and an immediate horizon rather than a destination. Pass through this time, through your false summit without judgment on yourself as you will only pick up things that weigh yourself down. Sprint through! And simply find enjoyment in the scenery as you continue.

There's maybe a diamond in your rough experience right before you. Right before you so big and so there you aren't seeing it. It is your experience. Feel it. Experience, and no more. Contemplate or meditate at this time in your thoughtfully aware actions. It's indicated to be one of those places where the farmer's wisdom shines. If you realise you're in a hole, stop digging. A shovel is an indelicate tool for this time. Visualise your experience AS the situation. Own up and try a new perspective. . .YOURS!!!