Tarot Card Reading
Celtic Cross Spread
Most people familiar with tarot know the Celtic Cross Spread. For those unfamiliar with it, here is a simile outline. To become good at interpreting layouts, familiarize yourself with the living landscape of the cards. This includes the patterns, symbols and stories which form the patterns inherent in the reading.
CARD 1 – THE QUESTION – This indicates the current situation the querent is exploring.
CARD 2 – THE CHALLENGE – The problem facing the querent that must be solved or overcome.
CARD 3 – CONSCIOUS MIND – What is known.
CARD 4 – SUBCONSCIOUS – What is hidden in the subconscious or dreamworld.
CARD 5 – PAST – How the past reflects the present issue.
CARD 6 – FUTURE – How the future will play out based on the current sent of circumstances.
CARD 7 – ENVIRONMENT – This card represents the environment or life circumstances of the querent.
CARD 8 – SELF- This is how the querent sees herself in relationship to thise field of influence.
CARD 9 – HOPE/ FEARS – What the querent hopes for or fears.
CARD 10 – OUTCOME – This is the outcome based on the current set of circumstances. If the card is not desirable, the querent must choose their free will to create a better outcome.
The tarot is very good to use when dealing with duality, difficult life lessons, and issues relating to the personality, suffering and the pain body. Before laying out the cards we ask the field of Wisdom to be with us. Then we open to receive what is offered. With Imaginosophy there is also the possibility of pulling a Spirit card to bring healing and resolution to a situation.
“Sample Reading
The question the querent asked was “what karma am I clearing?” In other words, she wanted to ask the wisdom field what life lessons she was completing. She felt something must be completed in order to go onto the next chapter of her life and wanted clarity.
1st card – “The Question” – Five of Fire “Battle”
The querent admitted that she felt cut off from her family because of a difference of opinions about religion, politics, medical issues, and her general soul evolution. There were also many historical heartbreaks she was grappling with. The wisdom field clarified that she was working with the energy of battle. This was a confirmation that what she was feeling was indeed true, not merely a fantasy. The red color suggests that the querent must calll on her inner strengths and reserves to complete this chapter of her history.
2nd card – “The Challenge” – XI Justice
The inquiry deepened and the querent asked if there was anything that needed to be resolved within her own heart so that she could proceed freely and without guilt or burden. The appearance of Justice indicated that the scales were being weighed. It was as if a life review was happening and her heart was being weighed against a feather. The sword of Justice suspended above her head indicated that court was still in session and the final judgment incomplete.
3rd card – “Conscious Mind” – the Nine of Fire Boundaries”
The wisdom field indicated that healthy boundaries must be established. The querent said she felt unsafe as a child, not well protected. To her the dragon and cross on the card revealed her life long dance between the sacred and the profane, her struggle with good and evil. We looked at the flowering clover blossoms which suggested the trinity – the third way or possibility that is yet unknown.
4th card – “Subconscious” – King of Fire ”Beli Mawr”
This card is related to an ancient Welsh deity who is the inspiration behind May Day, Beltane, and the creative force of life. The King of Fire is inspiring, sexy and creative. Often a court card will represent an actual person. The querent said it reminded her of her father who was very sexual, not towards her, but he was a ladies man. She said she also liked sex but that her partner was no longer interested in sex and that lack of intimacy was causing her pain. The wisdom field indicates that sexual energy is potent and can be both life affirming and destructive. Suppressing sexual energy can cause depression and even illness. The querent said she wanted to get in touch with this energy to help her with her health, especially her heart.
Option – Extra Spirit Card for Healing
Because King of Fire evoked unfinished history, the querent pulled a Spirit card for healing. This is optional, but she liked the idea. Her healing card was the magenta card Eleven of Spirit “Eternity.” The teaching of magenta is to trust the small things in life and allow the big things to happen. The wisdom field reminded the querent that she is an eternal being of light. Her creative energies can be used for the healing of the soul. She held the card to her heart and absorbed the pink rays of unconditional love. Feeling held and less self-critical, we looked at the next card of the past.
5th card – “Past” – King of Earth “Conchubar”
The 4th card revealed an issue with men, boundaries and sexuality. In the 5th card, the wisdom field reveals a King in the past who is wealthy. The querent said that her grandfather was very wealthy and that there was a conflict between her father and grandfather due to money that actually became the family battle. It may have even older roots through the father’s lineage. Again the theme of boundaries in the conscious mind arose once again. I asked if she wanted to pull a healing card between the two kings to bring peace to the battle.
Option – Extra Spirit Card for Healing – King of Spirit “Dagda”
The querent pulls the King of Spirit, the fourth king in the reading. The Dagda was the chief, the father-figure of the Irish Tuatha de Dannan. He was the great god who held power over life and death. He is known as the keeper of the laws. There is an indication here that healing comes by restoring natural order to the father/son relationship.
6th card – “Future” – King of Water “Amfortas”
“The Future” is the Fisher King Amfortas who holds the grail. The future is generally read as in a positive way. Amfortas promises healing and wholeness. Interestingly enough Amfortas was wounded in the thigh or genitals by a young man who did not know how to wield his power correctly. As the story goes the land goes into despair until finally a man appears who understands true power and all is healed. In the reading, this suggests that a healing path will be found amongst the warring energies in the querent’s life. It is possible for wholeness to be achieved once again.
Option – Extra Spirit Card for Healing – Eight of Spirit “Peace”
The querent asked for a healing card for confirmation. She pulled Eight of Spirit “Peace.” The wisdom field indicates that peace can be restored through grace. Alcoholism also is a theme of this reading. The 12 Steps teaches that sanity can be restored when we turn our lives over to a higher power.
7th card – “Environment” – Ten of Earth “Accomplishment”
The environment the querent finds herself in is one of material accomplishment, or at least that’s the way others see her. The wisdom field indicates that she is well resourced especially in the material worlds, and the birds suggest there is also spiritual assistance.
8th card – “Self Image” – Three of Fire – “Inspiration”
The querent sees herself as an inspiration to others. Here, she is inspired to align with a more life affirming path. This card is also linked to Beli Mawr. The querent remarked that she feels inspired by her father’s creative capacities.
9th card – “Hopes/Fears” – Nine of Water “Optimism”
The querent’s hopes and fears were reflected in the myth of Elaine who holds the grail in a boiling pool until the grail champion appears to fulfill her destiny. In Elaine’s case it is her son who shows promise. The querent confirmed that her son is unique and holds much wisdom for such a young man. The wisdom field applauds her for surviving the initiations and for protecting her son, so that he may live a life largely free of ancestral karma. She hopes he’s free to be his true self and fears there may be more work to do.
10th card – “Outcome” – Hero of Fire “Lleu”
Even though mythologically Lleu has a challenging birth and is separated from his mother at birth, there is eventually restoration. He is able to find his name, his talent and even though his marriage ends, he is able to find his true life purpose and mission and continue on. This indicates for the querent that although there is still learning to do, the path of inspiration will ultimately lead her to the correct outcome.
Conclusion
The querent asks for one final healing card for her son. She asks, “Who Am I to my son?” The wisdom field says that she is the Morrigan, a goddess of war who is a great ally in any battle. This indicates that the work that she has been doing to clear the karmic lineage is working and that the battle has been worth it.