Barleywine Posted September 13 Posted September 13 Here is another new spread based on an historical model: the Celtic triskelion. It also uses a traditional convention that I borrowed from the "quintessence" calculation of the tirage en croix, or French Cross, spread. When there aren't four card preceding it, I call it the "numerical essence." AUTHOR’S NOTE: Here is a concise spread that is aimed at exploring the general characteristics, consequences and dynamics of a new human contact or other opportunity that has recently entered (or is about to enter) the seeker’s life. (If it addresses a situation rather than a specific individual, those attributes will reflect the querent’s own experience of the occurrence.) The three peripheral positions are based on the modern “Mind/Body/Spirit” version of the ancient European “triskelion” pattern, with the “numerical essence” card in the center (where the spiral energies converge or perhaps originate) providing a summary of the overall “persona/shadow” make-up of the person or event and how those traits will be projected into any potential connection. The dual meaning of the calculated essence is intended to cover both the external aspects of the encounter (what the world can see) and its internal impact (what is concealed from view, whether intentionally or coincidentally). Thoth Tarot, copyright of US Games Systems Inc, Stamford, CT This example reading contemplates an initiative that has been on the “back burner” for quite some time. Since it is more about the situation itself than about the other people involved, I will approach it on personal terms. The 9 of Cups (Happiness} in the “Spirit” position shows that from an abstract, philosophical perspective I am perfectly at ease with the matter playing out as I’ve envisioned it up to this point. The reversed 3 of Disks in the “Mind” position introduces doubt and hesitation about mundane developments that could become problematic if given free rein. Turning the card’s title of “Work” on its head could mean “It just won’t work.” In contrast, the Empress in the “Body” position once again says that all will be well from a material standpoint if the situation advances along those lines. The Hermit as “numerical essence” (a mathematical conflation of the rest of the cards) is elementally friendly with all three, but seems to be mulling over that 3 of Disk as if harboring reservations about whether it is prudent to proceed. The overt “persona” side is cautious and deliberate, while the covert “shadow” side is more anxious and uncertain. The question becomes whether to listen to the sanguine Empress (“Don’t worry, be happy”) or the nervous Hermit (Keep your cards close to the vest”). I tend to be cynical about overzealous cheer-leading; shrewd skepticism is more my style, so there you have the short-term answer. Still, with two Nines and two Threes in this spread, it seems reasonable that there would be a harmonious Six hidden in there somewhere (maybe in the Mind-Body interplay), and if so it will make itself known. Given the overall Water-and-Earth complexion of the sequence, my bet would be on the 6 of Cups (Pleasure) or the 6 of Disks (Success).
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