The “What-If?” Alternate Reality Lessons-Learned Spread

Yesterday I came across a question on the r/tarot sub-reddit asking whether we can put “what-if” questions to the tarot. For example, “What would have happened if I had made a different decision than the one that landed me where I am now?” An ideal specific subject might be “Where would I be in life if I hadn’t married at 18?” The OP got a lot of sarcasm and derision from the community for what was seen as meaningless conjecture but it started me thinking how such a question could be posed in a reasonable manner. Although it might seem like an exercise in idle curiosity with no practical value, I can see how the results could lead to a “lessons-learned” epiphany that would be of use in any future circumstances of a similar nature.

It became obvious that some kind of parallel-path array showing the “actual” and “alternate” realities would be a good way to go. Here is what I came up with. This spread requires intentionally selecting the cards that represent as close an approximation as possible to the actual circumstances (a little creative imagination may be needed in the choice of cards), and then pulling the “alternate reality” cards at random. The reading involves looking for “gaps” between the two that ideally show theoretical opportunities for improvement if the situation ever arises again. Consider it the opposite of a “branching-future” outlook in that it is intended to show a hypothetical “branching past,” all but one branch of which failed to “leaf out.” In that sense, you can add as many “alternate path” columns to it as you like, and could even develop a series of small fictional vignettes if you’re so inclined. Bring the same assumptions and “suspension of disbelief” to it as you would to an “alternate-history” novel or a role-playing game.

Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on August 28, 2022.