The Abyss (a spread for tapping into the Higher Consciousness/Ancient Knowledge)

[Raggydoll]

This spread was designed as a part of a very powerful New Moon ritual that I performed to strengthen psychic visions and gaining access to what I call the Great Void (it sort of acts as a portal to Axis Mundi.). You can view all the details on this ritual here: https://www.thetarotforum.com/magic-witchcraft/new-moon-ritual-working-with-crow-energy-a-spread-for-tapping-into-the-void/msg54856/#msg54856 but this spread can surely also be used on its own. And you are free to tweak it any way you like so that it better resonates with your circumstances, experiences and beliefs. In fact, I believe that the more you make it your own - the better it will work for you.

 

The Abyss Tarot Spread

 

1. How can I best prepare myself to be a clear vessel for the Higher Consciousness?

2. What energies must I embrace for this Great Work?

3. The unconscious fears and doubts that might hold me back.

4. What I need to leave behind before embarking on this.

5. My strengths and gifts that will aid me in this process.

6. What I need to prepare my self for (what I will experience).

7. How this experience might change me.

 

8. A message or a messenger from the spirit realm (a spirit guide or a message from spirits) *

9. A message or a messenger from the lower world (animal guides/totems) *

 

10-12. A message and a glimpse into the Abyss. (Generally speaking I see this as holding prophetic and deeply spiritual potential, so I interpret these three cards as a whole and I see them as related to the future. You are free to interpret them differently in case you are not comfortable with predictive type of readings). 

 

* This design is loosely based on certain shamanistic principles that divide the universe into three realms/worlds. And since I do shamanic journeys and work with concepts such as Axis Mundi, this felt like a natural layout for me. But you can definitely modify it so that it better resonates with you.

 

Edit: Here is a link to where I share the actual reading I did with this spread: https://www.thetarotforum.com/group-readings/frost-moon-lunar-group-reading-for-november-2018/msg54865/#msg54865

[BlackTarotCards]

I think that's a great spread.  I particularly like how its structure builds up!

[Raggydoll]

I think that's a great spread.  I particularly like how its structure builds up!

 

Thank you! Glad you liked it  :)

[Cookie]

I missed this one.  I might shorten it a bit though...too many cards are overwhelming for me at this point. 

 

looks good though. Although it is Shamanic it looks kabbalah influenced with Abyss and the three worlds and the like.  However, all the different spiritual journeys aren't that different i'm finding....They all seem to have the same objective & destiny as far as i can tell.

 

Is it Nordic shamanic influenced?

 

 

[RavenOfSummer]

Oh my goodness...I need this spread. Thank you so much, dear Raggydoll  <3

[Raggydoll]

I missed this one.  I might shorten it a bit though...too many cards are overwhelming for me at this point. 

 

looks good though. Although it is Shamanic it looks kabbalah influenced with Abyss and the three worlds and the like.  However, all the different spiritual journeys aren't that different i'm finding....They all seem to have the same objective & destiny as far as i can tell.

 

Is it Nordic shamanic influenced?

 

 

Of course, modify and simplify it all you like! Make it truly yours because that will make it even more potent. At the time when I designed it I felt the need for something complex, plus the design and the amount/groupings of cards has special spiritual and numerological importance to me. I would say that this spread reflects my eclecticism so it speaks to several sides of my spirituality/magical practice. But yeah, Norse shamanism is definitely a piece of this particular puzzle. And yes, it’s no coincidence that these ideas translate to Kabbalah and other deeply spiritual/esoteric concepts. I feel that there is a universal core that resonates through all the layers and facets of the creation and of all its components. I also want to point out that I intend to make this practice more and more simplified and scaled back as I go along. I feel that this is the way that resonates with me; you scale it back until all tools and methods are made redundant and you simply have your own on/off switch in your head for accessing the void (or your own magical powers). Tools/methods/rituals can act as a wonderful bridge to the great depths, but they can also make things harder or more complicated than it need be. So I believe there often comes a time when tools are a nice option but not really necessary anymore (but obviously I’m not there yet and I’m in no rush either! I’m just enjoying the journey and the scenery as usual  <3 )

[Raggydoll]

Oh my goodness...I need this spread. Thank you so much, dear Raggydoll  <3

 

You are so very welcome my friend  <3 ((

[Cookie]

I missed this one.  I might shorten it a bit though...too many cards are overwhelming for me at this point. 

 

looks good though. Although it is Shamanic it looks kabbalah influenced with Abyss and the three worlds and the like.  However, all the different spiritual journeys aren't that different i'm finding....They all seem to have the same objective & destiny as far as i can tell.

 

Is it Nordic shamanic influenced?

 

 

Of course, modify and simplify it all you like! Make it truly yours because that will make it even more potent. At the time when I designed it I felt the need for something complex, plus the design and the amount/groupings of cards has special spiritual and numerological importance to me. I would say that this spread reflects my eclecticism so it speaks to several sides of my spirituality/magical practice. But yeah, Norse shamanism is definitely a piece of this particular puzzle. And yes, it’s no coincidence that these ideas translate to Kabbalah and other deeply spiritual/esoteric concepts. I feel that there is a universal core that resonates through all the layers and facets of the creation and of all its components. I also want to point out that I intend to make this practice more and more simplified and scaled back as I go along. I feel that this is the way that resonates with me; you scale it back until all tools and methods are made redundant and you simply have your own on/off switch in your head for accessing the void (or your own magical powers). Tools/methods/rituals can act as a wonderful bridge to the great depths, but they can also make things harder or more complicated than it need be. So I believe there often comes a time when tools are a nice option but not really necessary anymore (but obviously I’m not there yet and I’m in no rush either! I’m just enjoying the journey and the scenery as usual  <3 )

 

Yes, I'm getting to understand all of this , although I can't quite articulate it atm. 

 

It's like if you Guru-ize a certain Adept/mystic/spiritualist writer you find that you go backwards as everyone's journey is different, although we follow the same routes which all come from the same roots. 

It's like the Crowley... if you take everything he says as gospel then you'll just go round in circles...he had a great intellect and was a great magician, but he was also strung out on drugs, a bit trixie, full of bull**** & probably possessed by demons. 

 

We are lucky in the west (although like everything it can be a curse) as we have the luxury of so many different spiritual paths.  For most i believe, we can use many practices (kabbalah, Buddhism, western christian mysticism, shamanism etc) and take what we need when we need, and use these as stepping stones and not get caught up in just one belief (as you say).  Where as in the Orient & india etc they are just tuned to a handful, as their philosophies of life, pace of life, attitudes, beliefs, poverty, etc makes the life of pure mysticism a very accessible reality.  In the west, if you tried to live the pure Buddhist life you'd probably starve to death or get evicted for none payment of rent.  One might reach spiritual ecstasy over the weekend with the chimes and the chants but we still have to catch the crowded 176 bus to work on rainy monday morning and deal with the unpleasant boss, the gas bill, and the soap-opera of your friends love life etc...it's very hard to find Nirvana here, (although not impossible.)  We have to find our own way.

 

We can also over complicate things too.  I like what you said about switching the (spiritual) light on & off.  I read somewhere that you can, if you know the process already (i think), reach enlightenment just through meditation on the point (.) and the line ---.  As that's where it all starts.  Simplicity after all the complexities is the key it appears 

 

Anyway, i'll let you know how i get on with your spread     

[Raggydoll]

I missed this one.  I might shorten it a bit though...too many cards are overwhelming for me at this point. 

 

looks good though. Although it is Shamanic it looks kabbalah influenced with Abyss and the three worlds and the like.  However, all the different spiritual journeys aren't that different i'm finding....They all seem to have the same objective & destiny as far as i can tell.

 

Is it Nordic shamanic influenced?

 

 

Of course, modify and simplify it all you like! Make it truly yours because that will make it even more potent. At the time when I designed it I felt the need for something complex, plus the design and the amount/groupings of cards has special spiritual and numerological importance to me. I would say that this spread reflects my eclecticism so it speaks to several sides of my spirituality/magical practice. But yeah, Norse shamanism is definitely a piece of this particular puzzle. And yes, it’s no coincidence that these ideas translate to Kabbalah and other deeply spiritual/esoteric concepts. I feel that there is a universal core that resonates through all the layers and facets of the creation and of all its components. I also want to point out that I intend to make this practice more and more simplified and scaled back as I go along. I feel that this is the way that resonates with me; you scale it back until all tools and methods are made redundant and you simply have your own on/off switch in your head for accessing the void (or your own magical powers). Tools/methods/rituals can act as a wonderful bridge to the great depths, but they can also make things harder or more complicated than it need be. So I believe there often comes a time when tools are a nice option but not really necessary anymore (but obviously I’m not there yet and I’m in no rush either! I’m just enjoying the journey and the scenery as usual  <3 )

 

Yes, I'm getting to understand all of this , although I can't quite articulate it atm. 

 

It's like if you Guru-ize a certain Adept/mystic/spiritualist writer you find that you go backwards as everyone's journey is different, although we follow the same routes which all come from the same roots. 

It's like the Crowley... if you take everything he says as gospel then you'll just go round in circles...he had a great intellect and was a great magician, but he was also strung out on drugs, a bit trixie, full of bull**** & probably possessed by demons. 

 

We are lucky in the west (although like everything it can be a curse) as we have the luxury of so many different spiritual paths.  For most i believe, we can use many practices (kabbalah, Buddhism, western christian mysticism, shamanism etc) and take what we need when we need, and use these as stepping stones and not get caught up in just one belief (as you say).  Where as in the Orient & india etc they are just tuned to a handful, as their philosophies of life, pace of life, attitudes, beliefs, poverty, etc makes the life of pure mysticism a very accessible reality.  In the west, if you tried to live the pure Buddhist life you'd probably starve to death or get evicted for none payment of rent.  One might reach spiritual ecstasy over the weekend with the chimes and the chants but we still have to catch the crowded 176 bus to work on rainy monday morning and deal with the unpleasant boss, the gas bill, and the soap-opera of your friends love life etc...it's very hard to find Nirvana here, (although not impossible.)  We have to find our own way.

 

We can also over complicate things too.  I like what you said about switching the (spiritual) light on & off.  I read somewhere that you can, if you know the process already (i think), reach enlightenment just through meditation on the point (.) and the line ---.  As that's where it all starts.  Simplicity after all the complexities is the key it appears 

 

Anyway, i'll let you know how i get on with your spread   

 

Yes, meditating on ‘the point’ is such a profound and powerful idea, because the point is the same thing as the void. And it also represents all of the creation; all there ever was and all there ever will be. I am reading a book at the moment that talks about this in such an enlightening way and I would very much have liked to be able to share some of it, but my limited vocabulary makes it so hard to do it justice (this is not an English book as I’m sure you’ve already figured out). But it talks about how time is non linear and how you can access everything at any given moment. So not only is the creation happening right now (and always), but you can access it as well as be an actual part of the creation process. This explains why magic does work and how it is possible to see the future as well as the past, because they are all very much a real part of the present - and of us, at any given moment. I’m sure I did not convey this in any way that makes sense but at least I tried  ;D (this book is about Norse shamanism I might add)

[Cookie]

It was very eloquently and articulately put Raggydoll[/member] & I understood it perfectly.  In fact I believe this metaphysical infinity (which science will prove in the next 10 years or so) is why tarot and the like work, as everything has happened, is happening & going to happen again in the vastness of the parallel universes.  not too far off what you're saying I believe.

 

But i'll leave it there as i'm way out of my depth here, the last time i tried to explain infinity & parallel universes my friend she looked at me as though i was totally mental.