Hello Mystic Guy.
The tableau is basically done exactly as the old continental playing methods: this can be didivded up in different ways. Some divide it right in the middle (first four columns past, others future).
When I do a tableau, 8x4+4, I divide it up as follows: cards to the left of the significator show the past, cards above and below now, to the right the future. The lower left is the more distant past, the upper left the more recent, the upper right near future, and the lower right the more distant future. I read from the distant past around to the distant future, clockwise.
For me, if the Gent or Lady is on the far right it means that what the person does now is quite far reaching. Also the higher up the card is, the more influence the individual has on events. On the far left, it's a green light: you go forward now.
When the Gent or Lady appear in the fate cards it is a hard call. This is "out of the tableau" and I read the four rows of eight then, as all now and near future (unless it's in the 36th position). The Gentleman or Lady in the fates means that something you do immediately (next two or four weeks) is terribly important.
However, you do not have to divide the tableau up at all. The four rows of eight can be all future. I divide the tableau up into rough chunks: first horizontal row of eight and the first two vertical columns as the first quarter, the second horizontal row of eight with the vertical and vertical columns three and four as the second, and so on. I do this with my three month tableaus, and when I do them at work for my clients and also divide it above.
You can do all the above with the 9 x 4, too. I don't, personally. However there is no reason why it cannot.
