The “Pendulum of Progress” Situational Development Spread
AUTHOR’S NOTE: The directional orientation of the figures on the cards is an underutilized factor in tarot reading that is most often taught in traditional courses of study. I’ve made a few attempts in the past to bring this technique into my own practice, and now I’m at it again. This orientation can be depicted as vigorous motion (see the Waite-Smith Knight of Wands) or simply reflected in gaze, gesture or posture (as in that deck’s 5 of Cups).
Here is a spread that focuses on the “human factors” and “hands-on” aspects of a developing situation. It uses the court cards to show the relative maturity of the matter; the approach to resolution that should be considered; and the attitude that would be advisable to adopt in dealing with the evolution. The Minor Arcana (aka “pip” cards) suggest the actions that could present themselves for evaluation and possible follow-through at each phase. The three-stage flow of events from left-to-right encompasses the predicted inception, culmination and conclusion of the querent’s circumstances, although they may not proceed smoothly, if at all.
The pendulum-swing of the title is a function of the directionality of the figures or main events appearing on the cards. With the facing, gaze, regard, gesture, posture or fundamental thrust of the key feature(s) pointing to the observer’s left, a card will convey the idea of resisting or holding back on advancement, while pointing to the right it will encourage moving forward regardless of whether it’s a good idea. If there is no definitive directionality in the images, there will be no bias driving events toward either extreme. Reversal will swap the trajectory and also produce a more tentative expression of the forces at work in the matter.
Choose a deck that exhibits distinct, easily-recognizable facing in the court cards and as many of the “pip” cards as possible. The Waite-Smith (RWS) deck is a good choice because all of the court cards except the King of Swords impart a directional emphasis to either the left or the right (and the slight cant of the King’s sword can be applied to the same effect.) Many of the RWS Minor Arcana show a single figure engaged in a specific activity more-or-less involving movement or gesture that can be translated into focused attention. Those that don’t (such as the 3 of Cups and 5 of Wands) can be treated as neutral. (Because many of them gaze straight out of the picture and offer none of what the Medievalists called “kindly enclyning,” the Major Arcana are not used in this spread.)
Split the deck into three sub-packs, trumps, courts and pips. Set the trumps aside and shuffle the courts and pips separately while concentrating on the subject of interest.
Deal a row of three court cards face-up from left to right, then deal a row of three pip cards below them, also face-up from left to right. Reversals may be used.
Examine the relative maturity of the court cards. If they are Pages or Knights, the situation will be volatile and it wouldn’t take much to nudge it off-course (for example, a destabilizing influence generated by the pip cards below). If, on the other hand, they are Queens or Kings they are likely to maintain a steady, deliberate tread on the path laid out by their facing. If there is more of one rank than the rest, that preponderance will hold sway over development of the affair.
Next, assess the directionality of the figures on the court cards and determine whether more resistance or assistance toward the objective is shown in the recommended approach and attitude. Placement can also be significant; if the row ends on a strong note of encouragement, it can override any weaker objections that preceded it, effectively dragging them along in its wake. This judgment will indicate whether progress will be uneventful or fraught with delays and difficulties. Too much impedance could be tantamount to looming failure.
Finally, analyze the pip cards for their level of cooperation with their associated court cards. If their key features are aligned with the orientation of the court cards, their energy will be available for use in navigating the “approach and attitude” scenario. If not, that power will be “locked up” or at least marginalized. Also determine whether their elemental suit and inherent nature are sympathetic to those of the court cards. If antagonistic on either score, they will refrain from cooperating regardless of the directional leverage.
Here is an example reading to illustrate these provisions:
In the “Approach & Attitude” tableau, all of the cards are mature, so there is nothing provisional about this reading. The King of Wands and the reversed Queen of Swords vehemently resist advancement in the matter; the two figures are seated, implying even greater stubbornness. They may posses the power but not the resolve to apply it in a gainful way.
The King of Swords reversed can muster only mild demurral; he has no heart for fighting this battle. The pendulum is unbalanced and makes only a minor tick to the right, hardly a “dynamic shift” in the flow of events. The two Kings embody what the Golden Dawn called “Potential Power;” they are willing to “stay their hand” and not act precipitously, so there is no incentive to accelerate the issue. The advice could well be “quit while you’re ahead since the odds are overwhelmingly against you.”
The figure on the 7 of Cups is facing in the same direction as the King of Wands and is elementally hostile to it while being vaguely indecisive in nature. It offers no counterpoint to the King’s reluctance to proceed and will just “go along for the ride.” It may support the King in his contrary stance but it won’t lend any “oomph” to the occasion.
The 2 of Swords is on the same page elementally as the King of Swords but it isn’t going to help him grow a spine; the King’s judgment is already compromised by reversal, and the indifferent pip won’t give him even “two cents’ worth” of aid. Like the King, the figure faces straight out of the scene, but there is no offsetting gesture to alleviate its becalmed state of indifference.
The figure on the reversed 8 of Cups is facing in the same direction as the reversed Queen of Swords, providing a fourth “nay” to one meek “yea” and one abstention. It is elementally neutral to the Queen but the departing individual is morose, delivering no energy or enthusiasm to the combination, and in fact seems to be “throwing in the towel.” The Queen may acknowledge the tepid affirmation but she isn’t inspired by it and will have to rely on her own insight.
Overall, it seems like this initiative won’t even get out of the starting gate. Two of the court cards and two of the pips are arrayed against its effortless development, while the third court card is overly cautious and the third pip couldn’t care less. If I were counseling an actual client, I wouldn’t be able to offer much optimism for a favorable conclusion to the effort.
Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on December 21, 2024.
