The Joint-and-Several “Relationship Fishbone” Spread
AUTHOR’S NOTE: The “fishbone” of the title refers to the Ishikawa (aka “fishbone”) diagram that is sometimes used in manufacturing problem-solving to pin down the various causes that led to an off-normal condition (typically called “root-cause analysis”). All of the inputs are streamed diagonally into a main stem that, when fully populated, resembles the skeleton of a fish with the flesh removed; they are usually identified by “brainstorming” exercises among multiple participants and follow no particular order as they feed into the problem statement at the extreme right. Here I’m applying it in a more structured way to examine the “joint and several” (that is, the collective and individual) actions of two parties (individuals, groups, organizations, etc.) in a potential relationship.
The two “Solo Paths” show each party’s input to the developing relationship (Cards A, C, and E for Party #1 and Cards B, D and F for Party #2). Shuffle the deck and deal these six cards top-to-bottom in the order shown. They reveal what each one “brings to the table” in the way of current status (A and B); developmental potential (C and D); and cooperative intentions (E and F). Reversals may be used but I didn’t do so in the example reading.
Except for the “Quaternary Synthesis” at the end (which is to be calculated numerologically to produce a trump card), the “Shared Path” shows the middle ground between the two participants; it is determined by using the table below to find the card that is equidistant from the two cards in each set. This card shows where and how they will “meet each other half-way.” The “Central Conflict” position implies how their aspirations could eventually collide, creating friction that must be resolved if they are to continue. Note that no present status (or “What Is Now” condition) is shown for the relationship itself because it has not yet manifested at this point in time; each party is still “sizing up” the other.
Here is an example reading showing how this spread might be interpreted. The situation involves a man and woman who are circling one another, trying to decide whether they want to embark on a romantic partnership.
Party #1 represents the man; with the 6 of Disks he is currently well-situated in life, prosperous and stable. With the “high-rolling” Wheel of Fortune in the complementary position, Party #2 shows that the woman is experiencing some dramatic ups-and-downs in her luck; in her footloose state she is strongly attracted to his reliability. For his part, he thinks she has potential if she can stay “on the upswing” and he is willing to help her get there.
Adjustment (aka Justice) indicates that the man will be taking a hard look at what their disparity in status might mean for their future together, while the woman’s Queen of Cups is unperturbed by such concerns and is willing to let things seek their own level. This divergence in attitudes may spell trouble for them; in short, he is a critical thinker and she is not.
The Priestess for the man implies that he brings a cool detachment to the affair, while with Lust (aka Strength) the woman is “hot and direct.” Fire and Water are volatile in combination, creating a good deal of motivating steam but also chilling fog as we shall see.
Putting these cards together via midpoint analysis, the 4 of Cups suggests that a thoroughly fulfilling emotional connection will develop as the relationship takes hold, but it may be just a little “over-the-top.” However, things begin to sour with the 7 of Cups as the man presses his case regarding the discrepancy between their differing lifestyles (perhaps with the dreamy Queen of Cups she likes to indulge her appetites freely while with the Saturn-in-Libra sobriety of Adjustment he is much more abstemious). However, the Chariot makes me think they will be able to overcome this difficulty and move forward as a couple for a bit longer; the momentum is strong even though the accelerated pace may be too much for one of them (most likely the man), creating stress in the situation.
The Moon as the calculated “quaternary synthesis” (A/B+C/D+E/F=18) could mean a “doubling-down” on the misgivings of the 7 of Cups as the man has serious second thoughts about being rushed into her transparent “end game.” I would say that the Moon will make him highly suspicious of her motives, and he will probably send her down the road before too long because the Moon (18) reduces further by addition of digits (“Theosophical reduction”) to yield the Hermit (9), which suggests contemplative self-isolation. The three consecutive expressions of lunar energy (Priestess, Chariot and Moon) will probably be insufficient to lull him into thinking that things won’t go “out-of-focus” on them even though she is pushing hard with “Lust” as her cooperative intention.
When using the following table, the numerical midpoint will sometimes land between two cards (for example, the midpoint between 1 and 78 spans 39 and 40), in which case you must make a judgment call as to which one best fits the context of the reading.
Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on August 10, 2024.
