Q: Have you ever created your own spread? If so, how effective is it? (Feel free to show the spread)
I’ve actually created several so far, mostly for Tarot Blog Hop sponsored by a Facebook group I belong to. I think it’s really fun and enjoy this creative process. I’ll be incorporating several of mine into my Cosmic Whispers deck. This week, I’ll reprise my first spread, one that goes with the cosmology/quantum physics theme of my deck: The Quantum Focus spread. Here’s what it looks like:
And here’s how it works (I use this spread every weekend to see what to focus on in my too-many-projects life!):
This spread is based on the idea that quantum particles are always in a state of potential, of probability, as to their location and velocity, and don’t stop and become “focused” in a particular state until they are observed.
Card 1: Initial Probabilities, or the theme or basis for the question
Card 2: Black Box, or, what’s keeping you from focusing
Card 3: Measurement, or, what you can do to create focus and see where to go
Card 4: Focused Reality, or, what you really need to be working on right now
And now, an example of how this might work. I like to use my Shadowscapes deck for this spread, because its delicate design and rich imagery make it a great “go inside” deck.
1: High Priestess, 2: The Empress, 3: Eight of Swords, 4: Three of Pentacles
Interesting balance between what’s probable and visible (Priestess), and what’s hidden in the “black box” (Empress). I’m thinking I need to retreat into my inner reality, practice a bit of meditation, but inside the black box is a message of connection to outer reality, to sensual pleasures, to nature, and with this deck, it’s interesting because the Priestess is hanging in the air with an owl below her and pomegranate (symbol of death as transformation) in hand, while the Empress sits below to her left in the second position, sending a big circle of butterflies (souls) in the Priestess’s direction, as a gift, I would assume. So, it seems that approaching my spiritual connection from a grounded place is a good idea.
In order to manifest this probability of grounded spiritual practice this weekend, I have to bring it out of the black box to see what’s really there, with my third card, the measurement tool. In Shadowscapes, the Eight of Swords depicts a large swan struggling within sharp brambles and surrounded by eight swords. A dark wraith hovers above, and the only source of hope seems to be a small hummingbird, also the only source of color in the card. The message I take from this image is that to escape, I have to stop struggling, and allow myself to relax and get help from others to free myself to see what to focus on.
When I do that, I’ll be able to mentally walk the path to my soul workshop and create what I want with true mastery (the Three of Pentacles). The Pentacles card also reinforces what was in the Black-Box (2) card of the Empress, which was hinting that a grounded approach and enjoyment of creation in the real world would be my best bet.
If you choose to try this spread, please do let me know how it turned out for you. Thanks!
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I found the questions for this series at a Tumblr account that no longer exists. A lovely person named Rhee started the thing. These are great prompts for telling stories about one’s journey through the world of Tarot, so I’ve started the series again on a weekly basis so you all can get to know me better, and also share your own answers to the questions in comments or links to your own posts. I’d love to hear from you!
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