Wildwood-appropriate spreads

[Wanderer]

I'm fairly new to constructing my own spreads, but now that I've started it seems surprisingly natural. I'd really like to see what other people have found works well with this deck, and likewise comments about which spreads seem not to.

 

I have a few on a laptop that seems to have almost died, and once I get them off I'll post a few. The first (which my wife came up with, on the spur of the moment), we call The Mirror:

 

1. The Mirror: How I see myself.

2. The Mask: How others see me.

3. The Opened Eye: How I really am.

 

This is a very introspective spread, designed to cut away some of the illusions we have about ourselves, or which others have about us. I think of it in terms of camouflage and deception; of seeing through the moonlight shimmering on water. For many people, so much of what we are is internal and half-secret, and it can be strangely enlightening to see ourselves from three different perspectives. Sometimes, we simply don't have the confidence to let the facade down, and this can help to show us whether we are right to keep it hidden. I will add that it can be fairly brutal, so be prepared!  ;)

[Wanderer]

This is one I've been working on to be a CC-equivalent for the wildwood. There's one in the accompanying book, but it seems a little weak, to me. This version is based around the same concepts as the Wheel of the Year, involving the interactions between past and future, and the basis of our needs, versus our ideals. I do think it can be improved on, but thought I'd offer it for now as a trial...

 

 

Edit: having used it a few times now, I thought it might be helpful to add some notes about using this spread...

 

Most of the positions are fairly standard, but 6-9 need a little more explanation. I'm also finding some very interesting interactions between these cards, sometimes in unexpected ways.

 

6. Knowledge. This falls between the path behind, and the root: it is what is already known from what has been experienced.

  I'm interpreting this as both the role of knowledge in the situation, and as things that are known. It can be quite complex, and require a more detailed reading of the card than usual. For example, Fulfillment  (3 Bows) turned up in this position recently. I read this as meaning that my certainty rests knowing that fulfillment depends on making a choice, and deciding on a path. The blessing is bestowed on you after you have stepped through the gate; it does not come before. Knowledge, in this context, is telling me what I need to accept and not question (the need to make a decision), and that it is key to fulfillment in future.

 

7. Brambles. Between the path behind and your crown (guiding ideals), the brambles are the way that the past clings to you.

This card usually shows an aspect of yourself or your past that holds you back or limits your opportunities, in (sometimes subtle) opposition to your ideals. Often it is something that you may think is positive, or which is generally perceived as positive, but which hinders you from achieving what you really want. In this example reading, I drew the Heron (King of Vessels): an upright, honourable figure, but sometimes too rigid: the spirit is sometimes more important than the letter, and the letter can be an obstacle.

 

8. Dreams. Between your ideals (crown) and the unseen future are your fantasies and dreams.

These are your daydreams, rather than any more serious, reasoned aspirations: the unmitigated fantasies that your ideals would love to see happen. They are not real. Recognising that they are not real, and how they affect you, can be very empowering. Again, a complex reading of the card is sometimes needed. In the same reading, I drew Skill (8 Stones) for this. The card represents mastery of one's art, but at a cost. The craftsman is in a cave, focused on his work, but isolated. Skill has driven a chasm between him and his community, earning him respect but not happiness. This is a dream where the perfect end result leads to sadness and lack of fulfillment in other areas; a less extreme level of achievement is actually better.

 

9. Intuition. The road ahead, viewed from your experience of the root, is often glimpsed through intuition: 'knowledge' of the unknowable.

Like the others, this should potentially be read both as pointing at specific intuitive insights, and at the role that intuition has to play.  In this case, I drew The Forest Lovers: a card representing union of opposites or different components to create something greater than either on their own. This is something that requires some degree of faith, because it means committing to things that may be outside your own sphere of experience, and may be intimidating. Intuition, in this case, tells me that such collaborations, inclusions, and leaps into the unknown will be necessary for the best outcomes.

 

The most unexpected discovery from this spread is the interaction between the opposite corners (6 and 8, 7 and 9). While the vertical and horizontal pairs are obvious polar cards in meaning, these are more subtle, but always seem to generate fascinating contrasts. In the case above, The Heron (rigidity) is pitted against The Forest Lovers (amalgamation to create something better). The two combined show that the rigidity in question is specifically about using approaches and ideas that are familiar to me, whereas my intuition tells me I need to incorporate new ideas wherever I can find them. Similarly, Knowledge (Fulfillment) is opposed by Dreams (Skill); the latter shows that the outcome of choosing one of the two paths is to go too far, and lose what is most important on the way. I know that fulfillment requires a choice, but the recognition of dreams helps to inform the right choice.

 

I have seen the same 'feedbacks' emerge every time I read this spread. For example, (6) Decision vs. (8. ) Fulfillment (the example above is a progression from the same concepts!), and (7) Rest vs. (9) Mourning - i.e. the need to take time to accept losses, in order to heal (although recognising a need for rest is holding you back from rapid progress, it is necessary: your intuition knows when life simply has to slow down and find its own speed, even if it is frustrating).

 

These oppositions or complementarities are only obvious to me at the end, but I've found them really quite powerful. Hope this is useful!  :)

 

[Wanderer]

Here's one from Night Shade[/member] :

https://www.thetarotforum.com/tarot-spreads/dark-woods-spread/

It wasn't designed as a Wildwood spread, but surely fits the ethos. Now I need to find someone in such a state that makes it worth trying...

Many thanks for sharing it!

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi everyone

This is a spread for when you're in a bad place, or going through a "dark night of the soul". I hope you'll find it useful.

 

                                            ---------------10------------------

                                            ----------------6------------------

                                            ------------4-------8--------------

                                            ---1---2-------9-------11---12---

                                            ------------3-------7--------------

                                            ----------------5------------------

 

 

1. The path-what led you toward the darkness.

2. Edge of the woods-what drove you over the edge, into darkness.

3. The weeping willow-the nature of the darkness you're going through.

4. The oak-how you can stay strong as you make your way through the darkness.

5. The pool-your emotional state, and the role it plays in this darkness.

6. The owl-a word of wisdom from the intellect.

7. The brambles-what's trying to hold you captive in the darkness.

8. The fallen tree-a loss or "death" that you must accept in order to move forward.

9. The clearing-an unexpected insight in the midst of the darkness.

10. The moonlight-a source of inspiration that pierces the darkness.

11. Edge of the woods-a breakthrough.

12. Out of the woods-the pathway home.

[Wanderer]

Just drawing attention to a major edit of the 'Full Circle' spread above, giving some guidance in how to read the more unusual positions, and some interesting oppositions that always seem to arise from the readings.

[Purplemystic]

As the Wild wood tarot are very detailed I'm finding them a little overwhelming for a Celtic cross spread. So wondering on three card spreads.

[Wanderer]

I can understand that!  :)

To begin with, I was mostly doing three-card spreads, but was creating a relevant one each time I read - hence only the one general one listed above, so far. Will see what I can come up with, and please do add your own ideas for us to try out!

  I will also add a 'Crossroads' spread soon, which has eight cards but is much simpler and clearer than the Full Circle - useful when there is a big decision to be made.

 

Strangely, i do find it very difficult to use this deck for quick one-card insights; they seem to need the opposition of other cards in order to be informative, perhaps because there is so much in each one...

[Purplemystic]

I can understand that!  :)

To begin with, I was mostly doing three-card spreads, but was creating a relevant one each time I read - hence only the one general one listed above, so far. Will see what I can come up with, and please do add your own ideas for us to try out!

  I will also add a 'Crossroads' spread soon, which has eight cards but is much simpler and clearer than the Full Circle - useful when there is a big decision to be made.

 

Strangely, i do find it very difficult to use this deck for quick one-card insights; they seem to need the opposition of other cards in order to be informative, perhaps because there is so much in each one...

 

I've not made any of my own spreads yet so that'd be interesting. Yes finding certainly need more than one card generally although one card good as a summary card perhaps. Interested to see how the 8 card spread works although hope not get too overwhelmed. Willing to give it a go. ☺

[Wanderer]

OK, here's the Crossroads spread. I've used it a few times now, and it seems to be very effective at helping people to decide on a course of action. Rather than saying, "Choose this path!" it gives the opportunities and challenges of each option, and guidance as to what the querent's focus should be for deciding between them.

    Hopefully it's self-explanatory, but fell free to ask anything!  :)

 

[Wanderer]

Here's one for those difficult times, when a relationship is on the cusp... 

 

tarot spreads - entangled hearts.pdf

[Wanderer]

And a more gentle one, for relationships generally:

[Ziev]

I love the Wildwood Tarot. I speaks to me. Here is a spread that I have found works well for me. The layout is based upon the Druid symbol for the Spirit of the Home or Hearth. It's great to clarify issues relating to the home or relationships.  

 

....4....

....411.

...332.

.......2

 

You read the same numbers together. 

Cards 1 Your Perception- the way you think about yourself or issue

Cards 2 Obersavtion - the way your or the issue is perceive by others

Cards 3 Desire - The way you want yourself or the issue to be

Cards 4 Potential - The way you or the issue could be

[Wanderer]

Thanks, @Ziev- very interesting, and I like the layout. It looks like a very flexible spread, which is always a plus - I'll have to try it out! 

[Squeaky]

On 11/22/2018 at 2:03 AM, Wanderer said:

Strangely, i do find it very difficult to use this deck for quick one-card insights; they seem to need the opposition of other cards in order to be informative, perhaps because there is so much in each one...

I've had a different experience with one card spreads...sort of. So, using this card for CotD draws has been really insightful for, up to a point. It's like I'll reach a threshold (this has happened twice) where my cards just say no. The cards I pull will feel flat and lifeless. The first time this happened I put my deck away and didn't touch it for well over a year, convinced that I wasn't meant to read Tarot at all. When I finally pulled them out again, though, they gave me such a rush of welcome. The second time I felt this energy pop up was just a few days ago. The deck had been sitting, unwrapped, on my altar for daily use. When I felt the 'no', i wrapped them in silk, said thank you, and let them just rest for a couple days. They strike me as being, on some level, kind of introverted. Maybe I'm projecting, lol.

 

I pulled a card yesterday morning, and got the Journey. Freaking hilarious, because yesterday I started the day with a "Death Summit" discussing green burials, recomposition, and EOL doula work, then spent my afternoon at a Death Cafe. 

 

I've used a lot of three card spreads with this deck, too, to great success. Like you, @Wanderer, most of these are bespoke for the situation and energy of the moment. Here's a few:

 

1 Past, 2 Present, 3 Future.

 

1 What I need to know that I'm not seeing. 2 What I'm seeing that isn't true, 3 What path forward would best serve my evolution? (This was particularly helpful for a stick and confusing phase in a close relationship)

 

1 How can I forgive myself? 2 How can I forgive others? 3 What can I focus on today to help me move toward my light?

 

@WandererI'm really intrigued by your Wheel of the Year spread, and the Crossroads spread. I think I'll work with at least one of them in the coming days--I'm in a very interesting (read:terrifying and full of possibilities) moment in my life, and could use some sweet guidance.

[Wyrdkiss]

I love these, thank you everyone.

[SilverLeaf]

@Wanderer, these spreads are fantastic (just exploring them now), can't wait to put them into personal practice!

[Wanderer]

1 hour ago, SilverLeaf said:

@Wanderer, these spreads are fantastic (just exploring them now), can't wait to put them into personal practice!

Thank you! 😊 Do let us know how you get on with them!

[SilverLeaf]

On 1/22/2021 at 10:38 AM, Wanderer said:

Thank you! 😊 Do let us know how you get on with them!

@Wanderer, I done a few spreads now with The Forest Lovers layout and really like it a lot. I find it very balanced with the combination of points of commonality and challenges, very useful, thank you!

[Wanderer]

7 hours ago, SilverLeaf said:

@Wanderer, I done a few spreads now with The Forest Lovers layout and really like it a lot. I find it very balanced with the combination of points of commonality and challenges, very useful, thank you!

Aww, excellent! That balance between the obvious and the things we often forget to consider (or shy away from) is what I was aiming at. Really glad it's proving useful.

[SilverLeaf]

On 6/4/2019 at 5:18 AM, Wanderer said:

Here's one for those difficult times, when a relationship is on the cusp... 

 

@Wanderer, I just performed my first "Entangled Hearts" spread for someone really struggling with what looks like the end of a marriage...all I can say is "WOW"...this spread was so insightful and evocative, again thank you for sharing these. I am just continually blown away with the unrelenting honesty and depth of this deck, thank you for sharing your work, it has really been an inspiration to follow in some of your footsteps here. Thank you.

[WildWoman71]

@SilverLeaf did you post the Entangled Hearts spread?  Maybe I missed it in the string...as with anything especially tarot - we get the best guidance when we ask the right questions - and what message each card in our spread represents

[SilverLeaf]

12 minutes ago, WildWoman71 said:

@SilverLeaf did you post the Entangled Hearts spread?  Maybe I missed it in the string...as with anything especially tarot - we get the best guidance when we ask the right questions - and what message each card in our spread represents

@WildWoman71, the spread is in the above post by @Wanderer, posted on June 4, 2019, "Entangled Hearts" is the title atop the spread. I'm not sure if you were asking for what the spread I drew looked like, so I'm including it here in case it is useful.

[WildWoman71]

Thanks @SilverLeaf - I was looking for the positions - I will look at the date you posted it - Blessings

 

[Wanderer]

Sorry, it's been a really busy week. Which is kind-of good, but doesn't leave much time for forums! Thanks so much for this, @SilverLeaf! It's the sort of spread you hope won't often be of use, but I'm really glad to hear that it made a difference in that situation. Seeing the cards that came up in those positions, I can easily imagine all the insights flowing out of it... these deep and potentially difficult readings are what the Wildwood is so good at. Wonderful to hear it's living up to excpectations, still!

[SilverLeaf]

2 hours ago, Wanderer said:

Sorry, it's been a really busy week. Which is kind-of good, but doesn't leave much time for forums! Thanks so much for this, @SilverLeaf! It's the sort of spread you hope won't often be of use, but I'm really glad to hear that it made a difference in that situation. Seeing the cards that came up in those positions, I can easily imagine all the insights flowing out of it... these deep and potentially difficult readings are what the Wildwood is so good at. Wonderful to hear it's living up to excpectations, still!

@Wanderer
 yes, the Wildwood certainly does not tiptoe around sensitive issues, I continuously find myself borderline gasping at the way the cards seem to cut so deeply to the heart of the issues at hand!

[Guest]

Yes! My Wildwood deck has arrived.I am over the moon with them. Beautiful cards and I am looking forward reading the book and getting familiar with the cards.

 

I am still learning tarot and have a basic deck that I am using for my lessons.The books I am using are the Kitchen Tablet tarot and Joan Bunning.

 

Because I am still learning I have not done a lot of readings and my ritual is to draw one card a day and write things down about how I see the card. When I have a new deck I do interview the deck to learn how a particular deck.

 

I have asked the cards the following questions:

1.Tell me about yourself.  Ten of Vessels

2.What are you here to teach me? Four of Stones

3.How can I best learn and collaborate with you? Three of Stones

 

 

 

1. Without looking at the description I see the waterfall as a source of information that dribbles into the bowls providing me with information divided into smaller segments. The bowls stand for more insight into my healing process and how to gain more to achieve this. The bowls tell me that this learning curve is a slow fulfilling happy journey and it requires patience.

 

2. I see a newborn Fawn sheltering herself. The markings on the stones are there for her protection. It is about building a foundation for myself, self-knowledge and confidence. The foundation and self-knowledge has been a major theme during my life. Now, I need to work on some confidence in certain area's in my life.

 

3.The green woman is rooted into the earth drawing up the energy from the earth to gain strength. 

 

So, for me the deck is a confirmation that I am on the right path and continue my relationship with the Divine. The deck has showed me what  I need to focus on and using this deck will help me do this.

 

I hope it makes sense and would like some feedback on the cards?