A “Method to the Madness” Multiple-Midpoint Spread

AUTHOR’S NOTE: As a natal astrologer I’ve always been fascinated by the mathematical midpoints between factors (typically the planets and angles of the horoscope) that represent sensitive locations in a birth chart that will eventually be “triggered” by predictive transits and progressions. The concept (which implies “hidden symmetry” in an apparently irrational Universe) can just as easily be applied to the cards in a tarot spread, and I’ve made a couple of previous attempts to do so. This one offers a more in-depth look at the idea, including some of the challenges that may be encountered during its use.

Begin by shuffling the deck and randomly pulling two cards, either from the top in the standard way or by “fanning” the cards and selecting two from anywhere in the population. The point here is that the randomness will establish the linear “beginning-and-end” framework for the reading.

Using the attached table, find the numerical value of each card and place the lower-numbered card at the left end of the line and the higher-numbered one to the right. (Note that these will not be “face values” but merely their numerical position in the 78-card sequence that runs from the Fool to the King of Pentacles.)

Again using the table, find the card (or cards) located at the midpoint between the two extremes and place it (or them) in the middle. Stop there for a three-position reading or continue as below. (Three cards are generally read as “past/present/future;” “action/reaction/resolution;” “thesis/antithesis/synthesis” or similar tripartite progression.)

For a larger reading, locate the card (or cards) sitting at the midpoint between the middle card(s) and the two ends, placing them accordingly, to create a five-position layout with a central “hinge” that implies an important turning-point in the situation. Although it may demand considerable “hair-splitting” and yield diminishing returns, this approach can be extended to seven or more positions.

Ideally, there will be a fairly large, odd-numbered set of cards between the two boundaries of the pattern such that a diverse interpretive range with a singular “pivot-point” at the center will be created. When there are zero, one or two cards separating the ends there is the likelihood that a “flat” or neutral (and possibly same-suit) reading will result, offering little in the way of developmental insights. The line can still be read, of course, but the outcome may not be particularly revealing.

Similarly, an even number of intervening cards will yield two options that bracket the numerical midpoint, a situation that can be dealt with in two different ways: 1) the reader can intuitively select the single card that aligns best with the nature of the opening and closing “book-ends” to produce a coherent storytelling arc; or 2) alternately, both “mid-point” cards can be read as a pair by blending their meanings into a single expression (however, in a five-position spread this will generate an eight-card array, potentially blunting the immediacy and potency of the narrative).

Obviously, the more “midpoint” positions in the layout, the greater the likelihood of introducing substantial complexity and winding up with multiple disparities in paired-card meaning to resolve. It’s not unthinkable (some may even say that it “comes with the territory”) but it can provide a rather sprawling outlook that may be more confusing than illuminating.

Here is an example reading to demonstrate the technique. (I did not use reversals with this one.) This is the Pat Zalewski/DavidSledzinski Magical Tarot of the Golden Dawn (copyright of the author and illustrator).

I went with the “fan” approach and pulled two cards at random from the 78.

These turned out to be the Hanged Man (number 13 in the series that begins with the Fool as “1”) and the Knight (RWS King) of Wands, the 35th card. There are 22 intervening cards, the midpoint of which (spanning numbers 24 and 25 in the series) brackets the 2 of Wands and 3 of Wands. (I should mention that my first attempt gave me the 4 and 6 of Wands from two widely-splayed “fan” positions with the 5 of Wands at the midpoint, not a particularly instructive scenario for progress that at least illustrates the conundrum.)

I could conceivably stop here and read this as a three-position spread of four cards. The impression I get is of an “awakening” from a stalled situation (Hanged Man) that is spurred into action (Knight of Wands) after a tentative stab at planning and preparation (2 and 3 of Wands as “wake-up call”). Although the Hanged Man is “rusty” at this stuff, there is just enough stimulus present at the “turning point” to goad the Knight forward.

Repeating the “midpoint” exercise, there are 10 numbers between the Hanged Man and the 2 of Wands and 10 numbers between the 3 of Wands and the Knight of Wands. In the first case, the midpoint lies between the Star (18th card in the series) and the Moon (19th card), and in the second instance it bridges the 8 of Wands (30th in the series) and the 9 of Wands (31st). The implication is that spiritual “stirrings in the deep” (Star and Moon) prompt an unsettling reassessment of the Hanged Man’s state of suspended animation, bringing both incipient hope and soul-searching apprehension into the picture. The 8 and 9 of Wands signify a maturing of the initial thrust of motivation that appeared in the 2 and 3 of Wands. (In Joseph Maxwell’s numerological model, Eight is the final binary expression of “2” [2x2x2] and Nine is the culmination of “3” [3×3]) The stage is set for the dramatic entrance of the Knight of Wands.

The five-position reading presents a classic case of being “nudged out of the comfort zone” by a not-entirely-welcome realization. The serene but stagnant placidity of Water (Hanged Man and Moon) is ruffled by the turbulent passions of Fire (the tableau of Wands) via the agency of a galvanizing epiphany (Star). I’m reminded of the Harrison Ford movie Regarding Henry; the Hanged Man must relearn how to retake the initiative in his own right if he is to break out of the doldrums.

Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on June 16, 2023.