*Phoenyx
I've been looking for awhile for a nice general reading spread that didn't have too many cards (my comfort zone is 5-7). I created this spread based off a pendulum scrying experiment I did with a friend and a Raven Thoth spread called The Monocle (http://www.corax.com/tarot/spreads/monocle.html). It's a little complicated at first, but the multiple ways to read and relate the cards can give you a lot of insight in a small package. There are 4 parts to this spread, though you only need 2 or 3 for an in depth reading.
........2
...4...1...5
........3
1. The Power
2. Strength/yes
3. Weakness/no
4. Hero/cause
5. Villain/effect
Part 1:
Read cards 2-5 alone in their respected first positions -
...2 - the Strength
...3 - the Weakness
...4 - the Hero
...5 - the Villain
Part 2: The Power
Read card 1 using the other cards in their second positions -
...2 - the yes (what it is for, what it aims at, where it has a connection)
...3 - the no (what it is not, where is no connection)
...4 - the cause (reason, background)
...5 - the effect (possible result, intention, use)
Part 3: Why?
To read the "why" in the spread, connect the cards anticlockwise 2 - 4 - 3 - 5
Part 4: For What?
To read "for what", connect the cards clockwise 2 - 5 - 3 - 4
........2
...4...1...5
........3
1. The Power
2. Strength/yes
3. Weakness/no
4. Hero/cause
5. Villain/effect
Part 1:
Read cards 2-5 alone in their respected first positions -
...2 - the Strength
...3 - the Weakness
...4 - the Hero
...5 - the Villain
Part 2: The Power
Read card 1 using the other cards in their second positions -
...2 - the yes (what it is for, what it aims at, where it has a connection)
...3 - the no (what it is not, where is no connection)
...4 - the cause (reason, background)
...5 - the effect (possible result, intention, use)
Part 3: Why?
To read the "why" in the spread, connect the cards anticlockwise 2 - 4 - 3 - 5
Part 4: For What?
To read "for what", connect the cards clockwise 2 - 5 - 3 - 4
