The “Need to Know” Barometer of Consequence Spread
AUTHOR’S NOTE: In the practice of horary astrology, one of the ironclad tenets is that the querent must have a legitimate need to know the information being sought. Idle-curiosity questions are frowned upon and generally ignored as inconsequential. Those who seek a tarot reading are usually much less fussy about it and often cast their inquiry in terms of “What do I need to know right now?” without putting too fine a point on their worthiness to receive an answer.
Here is a spread that attempts to impose some structure on the “need to know” provision as it applies to tarot reading. (I was inspired by the “life-topic” approach of Lenormand, and also by the more extravagant efforts of Etteilla.) It uses a 42-position, 7×6 tableau as a template, but only a portion of the layout is actually populated by rolling a single six-sided die for each column. It covers seven general topic areas that have a “life-reading” focus and loosely emulates the function of an atmospheric barometer in that areas of greater pressure will drive the intensity of the “need to know” higher on the scale. I decided to leave out “Education” and “Relocation,” but you could certainly add more columns for them or any other subjects of interest, up to the 13 that would employ all 78 cards. (All images are from the Lord of the Rings Tarot [2022], copyright of Middle-Earth Enterprises and published under license by Insight Editions, San Rafael, CA.)
Any column that receives a “3-spot” or lower from the die-roll will not warrant much attention since it falls within the range of common day-to-day experience; I’m classifying it as “background noise” unless a prominent card appears there that is particularly germane to the context of the question. Typically, the anticipated conclusion won’t exceed the “tipping point” beyond which more serious contemplation would be justified.
A column that receives a die-roll of “4” or higher identifies a topic area that should be accorded close scrutiny for its potential impact on the querent’s circumstances. Although I haven’t decided yet, I’m thinking that the card representing the “tipping point” (which will always be a “4” on the die) should be viewed as the “defining moment” for the departure of the matter from routine conditions. Although a shorter span of time will be more persuasive, I see the maximum “duration of effect” for this spread to be similar to that of a Lenormand Grand Tableau: six months to a year.
Here is a theoretical example reading. The topic areas of “Love,” “Health” and “Formality” (aka legal or official matters) are the only ones that transcended normalcy, with “Wellbeing, Fitness and Health” as the standout since it pegged the meter at “6.” Since this is a random pull with no particular purpose, I’m not going to spend any time analyzing the one-to-three-card columns.
The “Affection, Desire and Love” topic area (which includes not only romance but anything one enjoys profusely) received the 8 of Swords reversed as the transitional card. Although the literature included with the deck did not identify it as such, the image on the Lord of the Rings card strongly resembles the giant spider Shelob, who had evil designs on Frodo and Sam. In a “love” reading the reversal brings the realization that the querent may be fixated on an unrealistic ideal and thus paralyzed by it; the Thoth title of this card is “Interference,” and the Empress preceding it implies that she has laid a trap for the unwary King of Wands, who is reversed and seems to be absorbed in his own thoughts (2 of Swords reversed). Let the prudent be forewarned!
The “Wellbeing, Fitness and Health” topic area rolls over into increased intensity with the 5 of Cups (titled “Disappointment” in the Thoth deck). Here I’m thinking that emotional malaise of some kind may lay the querent low, particularly since all of the preceding cards are reversed Major Arcana (the Fool, Justice and Death), implying that the individual has been less than attentive to personal wellbeing due to “living large.” The Queen of Cups immediately following (which may signify a medical practitioner) tries to hold things together but the Tower reversed dumps all over her. Not a good prognosis for health and wellness.
In the topic area of “Official, Legal and Formal” matters (which includes all kinds of contracts, agreements, lawsuits and other legalities), the Sun as the transition card promises a favorable outcome for any such proceeding. The Knight of Wands may fumble a bit with the reversed 3 of Wands and 10 of Wands, but at least he’s in his element and it should all come up roses in the end.
All-in-all, I believe this example successfully demonstrates the purpose of the spread. May you be similarly served!
Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on July 3, 2024.
