Speak to the Dead Spread
On This Day
Mexican families clean the graves of their ancestors and decorate them with food, candles, and flowers. Staying up all night, they talk about the deceased; some even hire musicians to stroll through the boneyard playing their ancestors’ favorite music.
On this day in Mexico and in other Latin cultures the Day of the Dead is celebrated, often by building an altar to the deceased inside one’s home and inviting guests. The day’s rituals were born over 3,000 years ago by Aztecs and Mesoamerican civilizations. Catholic culture named today All Saints Day.
Summation of Spread
The Judgement card depicts the dead rising from their graves. It is a reference to rebirth on both the highest and deepest imaginable levels. Change is sure to follow.
Have you ever spoken with the dead? Use tarot as a communication tool with the other side on this auspicious day. Choose to speak to a random spirit or meditate specifically on a soul you would like to speak to.
Cast Your Cards
Feel free to improvise your own questions as you see fit. Cast your cards in a spirit circle:
1. Who is here with me?
2. How did you die?
3. Why are you here?
4. What is it like to be dead?
5. What message do you want to convey?
6. What do I need to know?
Break Out of a Rut Spread
On This Day
Years ago, Catholics dedicated the entire month of November to praying for the souls in purgatory. Almsgiving (donating money and food to the poor) and acts of penance were said to reduce the time a soul spent in purgatory.
The Roman Catholic Church dedicates today to all the souls currently residing in purgatory. Purgatory is generally understood as the boundary between heaven and hell; it is the temporary and often uncomfortable waiting place for those souls who need purification before entering heaven.
Summation of Spread
The Six of Pentacles reflects almsgiving, helping others. When this card appears in a reading, discover which character you identify with. Are you the almsgiver or the figure accepting the coins?
Do you feel stuck? In a general sense, purgatory is understood as a waiting place or waiting room before heaven. The questions of this spread are based on the idea of being stuck in earthly limbo. The questions are designed to help you break free.
Cast Your Cards
Cast as a lifeline up and out of a tedious waiting room:
1. What am I avoiding?
2. What am I gaining by remaining in stasis?
3. Do I blame others for my circumstance?
4. How is fear affecting my decisions?
5. What beliefs do I cling to that are no longer true?
6. How do I break out of this rut?
7. What specific opportunities should I look for?
8. How do I take a small, meaningful step forward?
Chariot Card Spread
On This Day
A careful examination of the RWS Chariot card reveals crescent moon–shaped shoulder straps supporting the profile of the human face on each of the charioteer’s shoulders.
The first National Automobile Show opened in Madison Square Garden today in 1900. Thirty-one car makers put exciting new vehicles on display while men with top hats and women twirling parasols strolled among new vehicles that didn’t include a horse.
Summation of Spread
The Chariot represents a person filled with motivation who achieves success due to personal labor and ingenuity. With its sense of forward motion, the Chariot stresses the ability to take the reins of any situation and stay firmly in the driver’s seat. A sense of direction and ability is implied.
Cars and all forms of vehicles are a literal translation of the Chariot card. This spread is based on symbols found in the Chariot card.
Cast Your Cards
Use this spread to answer any question. Format your question before casting the spread or simply let the cards answer the questions posed. Pull the Chariot card from your deck. Place it in the center of the spread and cast your cards around it as follows:
1. Lunar Breastplates: What is changing?
2. Crown: Where do I find dignity?
3. Laurel: Why will I be victorious?
4. Sphinxes: What are my choices?
5. Curtains: How do I connect with higher spirit?
6. Carriage Column: Where is my stability?
7. Winged Symbol: How do I fly?
8. City: What have I built?
Civic Duty Spread
On This Day
Election Day falls on a Tuesday for travel reasons dating before the invention of the car. In the days of horse travel, a Tuesday voting day allowed for worship on Sunday, a ride to the county seat on Monday, voting on Tuesday, and then back before market day on Wednesday.
United States’ general elections for public officials fall on the first Tuesday in November, often on this date. Early November was a good fit between harvest time and brutal winter weather.
Summation of Spread
Are you an active community member? Civic duties are the social responsibility of citizens in the interest of public service. Civic duty is more than just voting, paying taxes, and serving on jury duty. The actions we take in between elections are equally, if not more, important.
The Six of Cups represents an environment where people actively participate in civic duty. The town is protected by strong walls, representing a solid community and protection. The cups burst with flowers, a symbol that something has manifested, while warm clothing offers protection for the children, who freely give and receive love.
Cast Your Cards
1. Do I understand how government works?
2. What do I think about political culture?
3. Can I participate in community service?
4. How do I advocate for those who need help?
5. How do I make my community a better place?
6. How can I improve the quality of life at a grassroots level?
7. What can I do for my community right now?
Fawkes’s Change the Situation Spread
On This Day
Bonfire Night is celebrated with raging bonfires, roasting marshmallows and sausages on sticks, and explosive fireworks in the cold November sky.
Today is Guy Fawkes Day and Bonfire Night in Britain. It celebrates the infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605 in which a group of Catholics attempted to blow up English Parliament and assassinate King James. Guy Fawkes was caught attempting to light the fuse on thirty-six barrels of gunpowder.
Summation of Spread
The Seven of Swords connects with acts of conspiracy. The figure sneaks away from an encampment; is he creeping away forever or will he return to shake things up? When this card appears in a spread, it heralds a time of moving forward and taking only what is needed.
Are you ready to ignite an idea? This spread uses revolutionary action, albeit a failed one, to inspire a spread based on creating change. Perform this spread when ready take a grand step or make a grand gesture in the vein of changing your life.
Cast Your Cards
Anticipate your glorious outcome and cast as follows:
1. Situation as it stands.
2. Why must it change?
3. What do I want?
4. What challenges me?
5. What supports me?
6. What drastic action must I take?
7. What happens if I do nothing?
8. What will be the outcome?
Hanged Man Spread
On This Day
The Hanged Man and his mode of being upside down is a symbol of initiation, the transition between one state of consciousness and another. This sacrifice leads to growth, progress, and understanding.
Confucius’s birthday is celebrated today in Vietnam. Confucius and other philosophers are prized for viewing the world through a different set of eyes than most. Alternative views align philosophers with the Hanged Man, card of artists, mystics, and seers.
Summation of Spread
The Hanged Man expresses a moment of difficulty, of pain and the inability to act. This is temporary, and his position is entered into voluntarily and knowingly. It is a necessary step for growth and evolution.
This spread is based on symbols found in the Hanged Man card.
Cast Your Cards
Use this spread to answer any question. Format your question before casting the spread or simply let the cards answer the questions posed. Pull the Hanged Man card from your deck. Place it in the center of the spread and cast your cards around it as follows:
1. Gallows/Cross: What are the boundaries of my
state of existence?
2. Leg Position: What crossroads am I at?
3. Arms: Over what am I powerless?
4. Halo: How am I charismatic?
5. Foliage: What am I growing?
6. Serene Face: What insight do I need to know?
7. Ropes Binding Feet: How can I give up the struggle?
8. Upside Down: What issue needs reevaluation?
Hermit Card Spread
On This Day
The Hermit’s loneliness is not due to fear of the world. He uses solitude in his search for enlightenment. He listens by embracing silence and knows people by first knowing himself. Facts are not enough for the Hermit; he strives to understand and internalize everything before him.
Albert Camus, French philosopher and author of literary classics The Stranger, The Fall, and The Plague, was born on this day in 1913.
Summation of Spread
The Hermit represents solitude, philosophy, and reflection. Seeking a retreat from distractions, he detaches from material objects, seeks a higher spirituality, and arrives at his answers by himself. He is respected as a master.
The intellectual and philosophical answering of one’s innermost questions is a journey that must be embarked upon alone. This process is connected with the Hermit card. The Hermit Card Spread is based on symbolism found within the Hermit card.
Cast Your Cards
Use this spread to answer any question. Format your question before casting the spread or simply let the cards answer the questions posed. Pull the Hermit card from your deck. Place it in the center of the spread and cast your cards around it as follows:
1. Cloak: Can I remain still?
2. Staff: What helps me move forward?
3. Lantern: What protects me?
4. Star: What truth do I share?
5. Mountain Top: What challenge have I overcome?
6. Mountain Range: What challenge do I face?
7. Beard: What wisdom do I possess?
8. Age: What does experience illuminate?
Vampire’s Immortality Spread
On This Day
Bram Stoker wrote twelve novels, including Dracula, which was originally titled The Undead.
Bram Stoker, whose first full name was Abraham, was born in Dublin on this day in 1847. He redefined the vampire myth with his epic gothic novel Dracula, but during his lifetime, he was better known as the business manager of London’s Lyceum Theater.
Summation of Spread
The Devil card represents the vampire’s worst aspect. Those holding power over others in destructive, cruel ways connect with the Devil’s darkness. A vampire’s sensual, seductive aspect connects to the Lovers card, while immortality itself is represented in the Ace of Cups, the ever-flowing fountain of youth and Holy Grail of everlasting life.
This spread is inspired by the bloodsucking myth of vampires and issues surrounding immortality. While immortality is tempting to some, it is considered a living hell to others. The question is, how would you fare as a bloodsucker?
Cast Your Cards
Summon all supernatural power and cast the cards as a creature lurking in the shadows might do:
1. Do I really want to live forever?
2. Would I feed on humans?
3. What would be my greatest strength?
4. What would be my weakness?
5. Who would I turn to be my eternal vampire companion?
6. Do they want to be turned?
7. What would I do with all that time on my hands?
8. What city would I live in?
9. At what age should I become immortal?
Pet Spread
On This Day
Dogs have about 100 facial expressions, and most of them are made with their ears.
Today is the culmination of National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week. Beginning as a campaign to acknowledge and promote the invaluable role of animal shelters, it now includes animal rescue and finding loving homes for companion animals.
Summation of Spread
Do you share a strong connection with your pet? This spread, designed with your pet in mind, examines their wants and needs and helps you to strengthen your relationship.
The entire suit of Cups relates to love because Cups represent emotions. Copas in Spain, Coppe in Italy, the suit derives from the playing card suit of hearts. It deals with all emotional aspects and connections reigning strong in relationships.
Cast Your Cards
1. Pet’s past.
2. Pet’s present.
3. Pet’s future.
4. How is my pet’s health?
5. How is my pet feeling?
6. What does my pet want me to know?
7. What does my pet need?
8. What is the state of our relationship?
9. How can I best care for my pet?
Sesame Street’s Inner Child Spread
On This Day
Sesame Street was given its title after long discussions with the writers. Seeking a catchy name, they decided upon “sesame” due to its connection to The Arabian Nights and the excitement of the phrase “open sesame”!
Sesame Street aired its first episode today in 1969, and neither PBS nor children’s entertainment would ever be the same. The world was introduced to Bert and Ernie, Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, and an entire family of multicultural urban characters.
Summation of Spread
The Six of Cups is a reference to childhood, nostalgia, and the sweetness of a walk down memory lane. Use this card to connect with your past. When the Six of Cups appears in a spread, it marks the arrival of a comforting and familiar love.
Have you spoken to your inner child lately? The inner child refers to the child still thriving within you. This term is used in popular psychology referring to who we were before the onset of puberty. In an interesting twist, repeat the spread a second time—this time, try speaking to your inner teenager.
Cast Your Cards
The point of this spread is to facilitate an actual conversation between you and your inner child. Select the age at which you are speaking to yourself. Imagine your home and your bedroom and living situation at that age.
1. What would you like to tell me?
2. What is your favorite game?
3. What is your favorite thing to do?
4. What can I do for you?
5. Do you feel ignored or left out?
6. What do you desire but aren’t getting?
7. How can I provide this for you now?
8. What do you fear most?
9. How can I give you what you need?
Divorce Spread
On This Day
Divorce was common in ancient Rome, especially among the upper classes. A couple could divorce just by declaring their intention not to live together in front of seven witnesses.
Today is Armistice Day, celebrating the end of World War 1. The official end of hostilities occurred at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November 1918. Usually this moment is marked by two minutes of silence.
Summation of Spread
The Four of Cups card represents a person closed off to love due to a soured relationship. The mysterious hand emerging out of the cloud reminds us that gifts of love (symbolized by the cup) are always there—one only needs to see, then accept.
History repeats bloody conflicts ad infinitum. With lives on the line, it is best to put down your weapons and seek peaceful resolutions requiring no one’s death. This spread uses today’s ceasefire date as inspiration for the Divorce Spread. It is crafted to help a person through one of the toughest of life’s events.
Cast Your Cards
Cast your cards with a gentle hand and loving heart toward yourself, knowing you did everything you possibly could:
1. Am I making the best decision?
2. Is this the only solution?
3. What can be salvaged?
4. Can we remain on good terms?
5. How are my finances affected?
6. What helps me stay strong?
7. What was the great lesson?
8. How can I heal?
9. What new path opens?
10. What can I look forward to?
Back to the Future Spread
On This Day
Back to the Future
used 1.21 gigawatts and a flux capacitor to travel back in time. Despite centuries of dreams and research, time travel sadly remains beyond our reach.
Marty McFly returns to this date in 1955 in the awesome time-traveling flick Back to the Future. He must make sure his high-school-aged parents unite in order to save his own existence.
Summation of Spread
The Chariot is a card that can be used to time travel and journey into different modes of existence—consider it tarot’s time machine. The only question is, where do you want to go?
Wish you could hop in a time machine? Time traveling is a fun idea, especially when we think about what we could do differently to create an alternative future outcome. It is easy to forget that our present becomes tomorrow’s past. Looking at life in this way, we realize we constantly affect the future with our present actions.
Cast Your Cards
Take a moment to picture yourself ten years ago. Picture yourself now. Picture yourself ten years in the future. Cast your cards.
1. Do I make my decisions or let others make them for me?
2. What is my greatest regret?
3. What did I give up on?
4. How do I utilize my talents?
5. Am I making healthy choices?
6. What should I change right now?
7. What do I want my next chapter to contain?
8. What do I need to do right now for a better tomorrow?
9. What is my future self requesting of me?
Be Lucky on Friday the 13th Spread
On This Day
Hotels, hospitals, and many high-rises omit marking thirteenth floors, and airports often omit the thirteenth gate.
The earliest known documented reference to the bad luck surrounding Friday the 13th came on this day in 1868. The biography of Italian composer Gioachino Rossini states “like so many Italians, he regarded Fridays as an unlucky day and thirteen as an unlucky number; it is remarkable one Friday the 13th of November he died.” Friday the 13th is steeped in mystery and unease.
Summation of Spread
The Death card is the thirteenth card in the tarot deck. It reveals massive change, upheaval, and a turning point toward a new reality. Death bares all but the essential, leaving freedom in its wake. Often represented with a scythe, due to the idea of his harvesting of souls, the skeleton is the structure of our bodies, the essence of our physicality.
Want to ramp up your luck factor? The Be Lucky on Friday the 13th Spread’s questions are not just there to guarantee luck on Friday the 13th but to increase luck in general.
Cast Your Cards
Cast in the shape of the number 13:
1. How can I focus on staying positive all day?
2. What is my blessing?
3. Can I be adventurous?
4. How do I give more than I take?
5. What helps me expect good things?
6. How do I stay open to opportunity?
7. What helps me see serendipity everywhere?
8. Why should I believe in myself?
Monet’s Unseen Opportunities Spread
On This Day
The term Impressionism was coined due to Monet’s painting Impression, Sunrise. He was not the only Impressionist but was part of a group of artists painting in this style.
Claude Monet, the founder of the French Impressionist movement, was born on this day in 1840.
Summation of Spread
Pages represent seeing the unseen, original insights, and outside-of-the-box thinking. Their young, fresh perspective carries with it the freedom from preconceived notions and set ideas. Borrow their enjoyable and intriguing way of looking at the world whenever you desire a fresh point of view.
What is right under your nose? Impressionism, a style of painting adored and revered now, was seen as a radical departure in its time. Painters recorded impressions of nature that others couldn’t or didn’t see or understand until it was on the canvas. Artists, our modern mystics, are often first to notice what others do not. This spread makes use of the artist’s device in the Unseen Opportunities Spread.
Cast Your Cards
Cast the cards face-down in the shape of an artist’s canvas. Reveal the cards one by one as you move through the spread.
1. What preconceived notion must I let go of?
2. What helps me open to new opportunities?
3. How can I trust my instincts?
4. What opportunities should I look for?
5. What exists before me that I can’t see?
6. How do I grab it?
7. How do I make use of it?
8. What will happen as a result?
9. What must I remember?
Easter Island Unanswered Question Spread
On This Day
The great thing about a mystery, be it rational or spiritual, is that it keeps us questioning. Questioning leads to learning. Value mysteries because, whether you unravel them or not, they keep you moving forward.
Two Spanish ships landed on Easter Island on this day in 1770, discovering over 900 giant statues. The mysteries of how the islanders moved 86-ton monoliths or why the island was deforested remain unsolved.
Summation of Spread
The Page of Swords is the super spy of the tarot deck, with a keen eye for the truth and a taste for adventure mixed with the optimism of youth. This page thrives on the discovery of secrets and loves to be in control. Making excellent use of mental powers, the Page of Swords delights in the truth behind the mystery.
What unanswered question plagues you? Easter Island is just one of a plethora of intriguing riddles abounding in the world. From famous mysteries such as who shot JFK, who was Jack the Ripper, and does Bigfoot exist to your own private enigma, this spread was created to help you unravel it. No question or unresolved mystery is off-limits.
Cast Your Cards
1. My unanswered question.
2. What is known about the situation?
3. Who carries additional information?
4. Why did it happen?
5. Do I really want the answer?
6. What is the absolute truth?
Hecate’s Shamanic Spread
On This Day
It is considered auspicious if you hear a dog’s bark tonight, as Hecate allegedly roams the earth on this night with her pack of hounds.
Tonight is Hecate’s Night, an evening that honors this witch deity, once a great goddess with temples and shrines. Feasts in her honor, sacrificial offerings, and gifts left at crossroads pay tribute to this deity of magic, witchcraft, and necromancy.
Summation of Spread
The Hermit and Hecate are both bearers of light—Hecate with her torch and the Hermit with his lantern. Both light the way for those who are prepared to embark on their path.
Are you ready to travel between worlds? Hecate slipped easily between the realms of the living and the dead. Humans have long moved the same way using shamanic arts, the most ancient spiritual practice known to man. This spread is based upon the shaman’s three worlds: lower, middle, and upper.
Cast Your Cards
Cast the cards in three distinct formations:
Lower World (essence of the natural world)
1. What do I need to detach from?
2. What spirit should I connect with?
3. What message does my power/totem
animal have for me?
Middle World (reality as we know it)
4. What possibility exists that
I don’t see at the moment?
5. What is the biggest concern
in my material world?
Upper World (spiritual guidance,
wisdom, and true nature)
6. What is the best way to fulfill
my destiny?
7. What is my purpose?
8. How do I unite with the Divine?
Little Mermaid Spread
On This Day
Hans Christian Andersen’s version of The Little Mermaid has a much different ending than the film version. In Andersen’s version, the sea witch instructs Ariel to murder the prince. Ariel cannot bring herself to do it. Sunrise breaks over the ocean, and she throws herself into the sea and dies.
The Little Mermaid movie was released this day in 1989, and a classic was born.
Summation of Spread
What do you want to explore? Ariel is a fiercely curious heroine who desires to break boundaries and explore the unknown world beyond her aquatic home. Inspired by Ariel’s tenacity, the Little Mermaid Spread asks questions to help you dive into adventure and romance.
The Fool, a spirit in search of experience, is the single most purposeful card to use when considering a new adventure. Operating outside normal rules, free and innocent, he is open to any experience coming his way. Try walking with the Fool’s attitude from time to time and see what happens.
Cast Your Cards
1. What barrier do I need to break?
2. Who or what stands in my way?
3. What gets my heart racing?
4. What new thing can I try?
5. What have I always wanted to do?
6. How do I attract new people into my life?
7. Will I find love?
8. What happens as a result of my actions?
Rejection Spread
On This Day
R. H. Macy had seven failed businesses before Macy’s took off, Oprah was fired from a television reporting job and called “unfit for TV,” and Elvis Presley was fired by a Grand Ole Opry manager and told that he “ought to go back to drivin’ a truck.”
On this day Steamboat Willie, the first animated film with sound, opened to rave reviews. It was only the beginning for Walt Disney, who had been fired by a newspaper editor who claimed Disney “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.”
Summation of Spread
The Eight of Wands is a reminder to channel and direct your passion. The card’s appearance reflects electric energy and movement. This burst of energy opens lines of communication. Do not become discouraged. Maintain patience, stock your energetic wells, do the work, and trust the Wands will land exactly where they need to go.
Have you felt the daggers of rejection? Walt Disney didn’t let this rejection stop him, and neither should you. No matter whether it’s romantic, professional, or any other setback, this spread takes a look at rejection and shows how it helps you bounce back bigger and better than ever.
Cast Your Cards
1. Why did this happen?
2. Why is it good this happened?
3. What will grow as a result?
4. Why is this a blessing in disguise?
5. How can I let the pain go?
6. Where should I focus my sights?
7. What helps me regroup?
8. Why should I never give up?
Doom Bar Spread
On This Day
The wreck of the Island Maid is still submerged near the Doom Bar and is a popular wreck dive destination.
The Doom Bar, a dangerous shifting sandbar in Cornwall, England, claimed two ships on this day in 1911. Both the Island Maid and the Angele were lost within hours of one another.
Summation of Spread
Shifting sandbars operate like the lessons we keep learning and relearning in our life. Why is it others find smooth sailing while we get snagged by the same old habits, issues, and themes? This spread looks at our recurring issues and seeks to settle them once and for all.
The Three of Wands is often described as a person who is waiting for their ship to come in. You can revolve this interpretation and say that the person is sending their ship out to sea. The card is numbered three, the number of creativity and vision.
Cast Your Cards
1. Danger I routinely run up against.
2. Why is this present in my life?
3. What is the lesson I am meant to learn?
4. Why does this persist?
5. What will dissipate this forever?
6. What will happen if I remain stuck?
7. What will happen when this is cleared from my life forever?
Conversation with Art and Places Spread
On This Day
The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection includes over two million objects and works of art. The oldest, from Egypt, dates back to 75,000 bcE.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art acquired its very first object on this date in 1870: a Roman sarcophagus with Cupid and Eros carved into it became the first piece in this most beguiling and haunted building of New York City.
Summation of Spread
Conversation with a place requires acute listening skills. The High Priestess’s subtle silence and perceptive acute hearing skills are perfectly matched for this activity.
Ready to read your cards outside of the box and take your cards outside the home? One of the most pleasurable experiences to be had with tarot is using the cards to connect with a place or a piece of art. Converse with art objects, the artists who created them, or even with the wisdom of a specific place using tarot as a communication device.
Cast Your Cards
You must take yourself and the cards out of your home for this exercise. Select a location; it could be a museum with your favorite painting, the residence of your favorite deceased writer, or a sacred spot in nature. Create a specific list of questions or ask the ones posed below.
1. What wisdom do you offer me?
2. How does your energy fuel me?
3. What secret can you whisper to me?
4. How do I integrate this knowledge into my life?
5. Why is this place important?
6. What do I need to know?
How Others See Me
Venetian Mask Spread
On This Day
Venice enjoyed an economic boom during the Middle Ages and became a pleasure palace. During this time the popularity of masks grew as prominent society, clergy, and even servants hid their identity while engaging in immoral, unscrupulous acts of carnal pleasure.
Venice holds Festa della Salute today. Workers lay a floating pontoon bridge over the Grand Canal. Citizens literally walk upon the water as they make their way across the bridge toward Salute Church. Once there, they give thanks to the Virgin Mary for freeing them from the sixteenth-century plague that struck this lagoon city, and they request she keeps them in good health.
Summation of Spread
The Fool carries the trickster energy of the deck. Indicative of hiding and playing pretend, in mythology the trickster is the creature who breaks normal rules and displays unconventional behavior. Tricksters can be cunning, foolish, or both, just like the Fool.
What do you display to the outer world? Venice is well known for intricate carnival masks. Concealing who we truly are, masks allow us to role-play as someone or something else. This spread takes a look at the mask you put on when facing the world.
Cast Your Cards
Dart through the mist rolling across the lagoon, tiptoe down a cobblestone street, and cast your cards as follows:
1. What is the true nature of my inner self?
2. How do others interpret my truth?
3. How do I act differently when I am alone?
4. How do I behave when I think people are watching me?
5. What I think I project to the world.
6. What I actually project to the world.
7. What can I safely reveal to those around me?
8. What should I protect?
Qualities of Sagittarius Spread
On This Day
Sagittarius’s ruling planet is Jupiter, purple is the primary color, the lucky day is Thursday, and the best location for success is anywhere outdoors. Sagittarius rules the ninth house of the zodiac, which is associated with higher education, philosophy, and long-distance travel.
Today marks the first day of the astrological sign of Sagittarius, the archer.
Summation of Spread
This spread is based on the essential qualities of Sagittarius: optimism, honesty, adventure, humor, enthusiasm, expansion, and knowledge.
The Temperance card represents the alchemical blending of elements to reach perfection, balance, and immortality. Temperance weighs and measures to discover the right combination. In the same way, Sagittarians fearlessly travel, move, and explore their world and expand their boundaries.
Cast Your Cards
Cast your cards like Sagittarius’s arrow:
1. What can I be optimistic about?
2. What should I be totally honest with myself about?
3. How do I begin my next great adventure?
4. Why is it important to have a sense of humor about myself?
5. What can I look forward to?
6. What area of my life is expanding?
7. What do I truly know?
Loneliness Spread
On This Day
There is evidence suggesting the part of our brain that experiences physical pain also processes social separation. This means social rejection can hurt as much as physical pain. No wonder the experience of loneliness hurts so deeply.
On this day, a German U-boat torpedoed the SS Ben Lomond. Steward Poon Lim went overboard and survived 133 days alone in the South Atlantic. Catching birds, fish, and even a shark, he remained alive. Years later he would say he hoped no one would ever have to break his record of the longest time at sea on a life raft.
Summation of Spread
While many cards in the deck describe a self-imposed and even enjoyable isolation, it is the painful Three of Swords that refers to the heartbreak of loneliness, isolation, and rejection. Thankfully, when the storm of this card passes, the Four of Swords awaits with restful sleep and regeneration.
Do you feel cut off from others? Hopefully you will never be lost at sea, but it doesn’t mean you won’t experience lonely periods in your life when you may feel disconnected from others. This spread looks at why you might feel this way and what you can do to break out of it.
Cast Your Cards
1. Why do I feel so alone?
2. Is this a transformational moment?
3. How can I make the most of this period in my life?
4. How is solitude a good thing?
5. Whom should I reach out to?
6. Is there an activity I can join?
7. Can I initiate new friendships?
8. Where can I take myself on a date?
9. Should I get a pet?
10. When will this pass?
Wisdom of Cups Spread
On This Day
The Brumalia festival marked a break for the Roman senate. Divination was practiced to determine the city’s prospects for the coming year.
Today is the ancient Roman festival of Brumalia, honoring Saturn, Ceres, and Bacchus. This winter festival celebrated the long, dark nights of winter with drinking and merriment.
Summation of Spread
How are you feeling lately? You can’t mention Bacchus, god of wine, without raising a cup. The suit of Cups inspires this spread. Using Cup qualities such as emotions, feelings, and love, this spread examines how you feel.
Reflecting our emotional landscape, watery Cups address how and what we feel at the time we are feeling it. It is the consciousness where romanticism, fantasy, art, and imagination dwell. The cup is receptive, carrying feminine qualities.
Cast Your Cards
Cast the Wisdom of Cups Spread’s cards in the shape of a jewel- encrusted chalice.
1. Love: Whom do I love?
2. Feelings: Who has feelings for me?
3. Relationships: What is my most important relationship?
4. Connections: Whom do I share a deep connection with?
5. Creativity: How can I use my creativity?
6. Expression: What must I express right now?
7. Emotions: How do I feel?
Tibetan Book of the Dead Spread
On This Day
After the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1949, over 6,000 monasteries were destroyed. It is estimated that one million Tibetans have died as a result of the brutal Chinese occupation continuing to this day.
Today in Tibet is the memorial festival of Tsongkhapa, a well-known Tibetan religious philosopher. Lamps and lanterns are lit and left on windowsills, and contained fires are lit on monastery roofs. His image is carried in processions.
Summation of Spread
The Tibetan Book of the Dead, like all books of the dead, describes the soul’s journey to the afterlife. The entire major arcana could be viewed as an afterlife journey, with each card representing a lesson or challenge for the soul.
Ready for enlightenment? According to the Tibetan Book of the Dead, the best opportunity for liberation of the soul happens as death occurs. This is when the soul encounters the five primordial expressions of ultimate cosmic energy, called the Dhyani Buddhas. These are the five principles of a fully awakened consciousness. Each principle informs a question of this spread.
Cast Your Cards
Cast the cards in a sacred circle:
1. Empty Buddha: direction and time.
How do I slow time?
2. Immovable Buddha: wisdom.
How do I become wise?
3. Buddha of Precious Birth: human realm, earth, fertility, and wealth.
What am I here to do?
4. Buddha of Infinite Light: compassion.
How can I help others?
5. Buddha of Unfailing Success: karma.
Death Card Spread
On This Day
Antiquated times held the Death card as the end of all things—a veil of darkness blotting out all life, a flame extinguished, or a life ended. The Death card is commonly read by modern readers as transformation into a new state of consciousness and the beginning of something new.
Vlad the Impaler became ruler of Walachia, a section of Romania, on this day in 1476. Rumors of his excessive cruelty spread, as did his fondness for impaling his enemies, and a few hundred years later Bram Stoker would based the character Dracula on Vlad.
Summation of Spread
If we are sensitive and allow it, the Death card is a literal metaphor that can be our greatest teacher. Reminding us of the value of life, death teaches us how to live.
The fictional Dracula and nonfictional Vlad are both symbolic of Death. This spread is based on symbols found on the Death card.
Cast Your Cards
Use this spread to answer any question. Format your question before casting the spread or simply let the cards answer the questions posed. Pull the Death card from your deck. Place it in the center of the spread and cast your cards around it as follows:
1. Skeleton: What is temporary?
2. Armor: What protects me?
3. Horse: What moves me?
4. Dead King: What is overthrown?
5. Praying Child: Who is listening?
6. Bishop: What role does religion and dogma play in my life?
7. Twin Towers: What has been built?
8. Sunrise: What new beginning awaits?
Emperor Card Spread
On This Day
The design for the Emperor has changed very little through the centuries, whereas other iconic cards such as the High Priestess and the Fool have experienced radical symbolic transformations.
Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius gave his son Commodus the rank of Supreme Commander of the Roman Legions on this day in 176 ce.
Summation of Spread
The Emperor represents the idea of power, governmental authority, and male qualities of assertiveness, creative energy, directed action, and troubleshooting. Showing creative potential in action, organized and rational, his authority extends to the material realm but is lacking in the passion belonging to the Empress.
Ancient Roman emperors are the ideal archetype for tarot’s Emperor card. The Emperor Card Spread is based on symbols found in the Emperor card.
Cast Your Cards
Use this spread to answer any question. Format your question before casting the spread or simply let the cards answer the questions posed. Pull the Emperor card from your deck. Place it in the center of the spread and cast your cards around it as follows:
1. Throne: What is the stability I have created?
2. Bulls: How am I headstrong?
3. Ankh: What is eternal?
4. Ball: Where can I exercise power?
5. Crown: How do I connect with spirit?
6. River: How do I remain emotionally resilient?
7. Mountain Range: What do I leave behind?
8. Armor: How am I responsible?
Job for Me Spread
On This Day
Time and introspection help to identify those things you love doing most. If you have the liberty, take your time figuring out your heart’s desire.
The book The Secret, companion to the film, was released on this day in 2006. The book features the wildly popular Law of Attraction principle and was an instant bestseller.
Summation of Spread
The Eight of Pentacles represents happiness and pride in the work you do. It also indicates a willingness to work on the fine details to improve your life. Dedication, focus, and patience are all hallmarks of the Eight of Pentacles.
Who wouldn’t want to use the Law of Attraction to land a fulfilling job? Problem is, we don’t always know what job we want to do. Perform this spread for guidance when you feel lost and afraid to commit to a new job or when searching out a new profession or your true calling.
Cast Your Cards
1. What do I like to do?
2. Why do I like to do it?
3. What don’t I like to do?
4. Why don’t I like to do it?
5. What am I naturally good at?
6. What past jobs have I found satisfying?
7. What should I avoid in my career?
8. Who is influencing my career choices?
9. Who helps me in my search?
10. What would I enjoy doing again (and again and again)?
11. What card describes the perfect job for me?
Wreath Spread
On This Day
Greek and Roman kings and emperors thought their laurel wreaths connected them to Apollo, the sun god, and that the crown embodied his values.
Wreaths have been a symbol of power and strength since classical antiquity. Roman and Greek kings and emperors often wore laurel wreaths as crowns, a practice pre-dated by the Etruscans. Harvest wreaths pre-date written history as symbols of strength. Christianity adopted the natural symbol of an evergreen to represent everlasting life.
Summation of Spread
The Wreath Spread uses the intrinsic qualities of the wreath to inform its questions. If you hang a wreath this season, ruminate over these qualities when you cast your eyes upon it.
Wreaths are found on the Six of Wands, the World, and the Seven of Cups. In each case the wreath represents elements of victory and success.
Cast Your Cards
Cast in the shape of a wreath:
1. Strength: What strength carries me through the winter months?
2. Fortitude: What gives me power?
3. Power: What do I do with the power I have?
4. Tenacity: What must be accomplished this season?
5. Wisdom: What do I learn?
6. Hope: What is discovered?
Hecate’s Witch’s Cabinet Spread
On This Day
The chief goddess presiding over magic and spells, Hecate is often depicted as a three-figured goddess, connecting her with the Triple Goddess of Maiden, Mother, and Crone.
Hecate, the ancient goddess of magic, witchcraft, night, the moon, ghosts, and necromancy, had two Roman days held in her honor. Today was one of them. Associated with crossroads, borders, and doorways as the overseer of the space where two realms meet, Hecate is the patron goddess of many witches.
Summation of Spread
Hecate often carries a torch to light the way in the underworld. Her torchlight and fierce magical attributes connect her to the Queen of Wands. This queen’s wand and flower symbolize her vitality and beauty, which she does not hesitate to use as a weapon. She is encouraging and stimulates creativity around her in subtle yet highly effective ways.
Hecate’s association with poisonous herbs and plants makes for perfect inspiration in the Witch’s Cabinet Spread. The questions are based on the items you’ll find on hand in any magical person’s home.
Cast Your Cards
Cast the cards as you would place jars upon a dusty shelf:
1. Mugwort: What improves my clairvoyance?
2. Belladonna: What do I need to be careful of?
3. Myrtle: How do I increase my beauty?
4. Bloodroot: What deceives me?
5. Brimstone: What negativity should I repel?
6. Henbane: What helps me sleep soundly?