Umbrae
Spreads. Oh my gawd, you want to discuss spreads.
You know, every book uses the Celtic Cross as a spread starting point. It’s what folks expect. I’m sorry, but it is neither a cross, nor celtic. It’s a fair spread, but I believe it is not suitable for beginners. It uses too many cards.
But then beginners want to ‘look good’, so they attempt to use too many cards…
I have never used a Celtic Cross…ever. The layout made no sense to me.
I have always used 2, 3, 5 , or 7 card layouts. They are what some folks call ‘horseshoe’ layouts. They are laid out in an arc. My arcs resemble more of a straight line than an arc…
There are so many spreads out there, you’ve got your vegetable mineral and animal spreads…books have been written, web-sites erected…
So what matters, the number of cards? ‘How’ the cards are laid out, in what shape?
Let’s begin with the number.
Simply put, the fewer the cards, the easier to read. I have often said that more cards look good in the movies or TV, but more cards may not provide more information, or clarity in the reading. Often – Less is more.
Often folks recommend a three card spread. What ever happened to one or two card spreads?
One: a one card spread is useful for a quick and easy ‘look’. Most folks use the one card for a daily draw, with a “What is the issue (or lesson) of the day” type question on their mind. Very useful.
Two: My favorite for a quick and easy reading. I personally use the “What is the issue today” and “What must I do to meet/solve/learn from the issue”. Do not underestimate the power of two cards.
Both the One and Two card layouts are great before a reading with a live sitter…a ‘heads up’ card so to speak.
Three: The standard use are the position labels of Past-Present-Future (or probable outcome) also known as the PPF. Some folks insert other meanings to the positions, Body-Mind-Spirit, Option 1-Situation-Option 2. The handy think is that this is an extremely fluid spread – just about any three reasonable labels can be used in the three positions. I usually use; The Present (how it is) - The Shroud (that which obscures reality) – Guidance.
Four: I’ve never used a four card spread. However as a number, it looks lovely in the sequence between three and five.
Five: I use; Past-Present-Unknown (or unseen) – Near outcome – Further out Outcome. Unknown represents either things occurring behind the sitters back (outside influences) or things the sitter is doing to sabotage or reinforce themselves.
Six: Another lovely number.
Seven: Resent Past - Present - Hopes and fears - The Unexpected - The Gate - Near Future - Far Future
The gate is that which must be passed though…the lesson that must be learned.
You really need to have about six months experience of reading for others using the two and three card spreads before you go to five. If you are reading seven or more card spreads for real live people without a years worth of reading under your belt, you are doing them a serious disservice.
How do we lay the cards out? You can lay them in the shape of a bird, a cup of coffee, a whiskey sour, a scary monster with sharp pointy dripping teeth…it does not matter! Mine get laid out in a straight line…and kinda sloppy at that. I find that keeping the shape simple makes the reading easier.
What matters, is that you have the place labels firmly fixed in your mind before you lay the cards.
Perhaps next week we’ll discuss…the Giant Rat of Sumatra…
You know, every book uses the Celtic Cross as a spread starting point. It’s what folks expect. I’m sorry, but it is neither a cross, nor celtic. It’s a fair spread, but I believe it is not suitable for beginners. It uses too many cards.
But then beginners want to ‘look good’, so they attempt to use too many cards…
I have never used a Celtic Cross…ever. The layout made no sense to me.
I have always used 2, 3, 5 , or 7 card layouts. They are what some folks call ‘horseshoe’ layouts. They are laid out in an arc. My arcs resemble more of a straight line than an arc…
There are so many spreads out there, you’ve got your vegetable mineral and animal spreads…books have been written, web-sites erected…
So what matters, the number of cards? ‘How’ the cards are laid out, in what shape?
Let’s begin with the number.
Simply put, the fewer the cards, the easier to read. I have often said that more cards look good in the movies or TV, but more cards may not provide more information, or clarity in the reading. Often – Less is more.
Often folks recommend a three card spread. What ever happened to one or two card spreads?
One: a one card spread is useful for a quick and easy ‘look’. Most folks use the one card for a daily draw, with a “What is the issue (or lesson) of the day” type question on their mind. Very useful.
Two: My favorite for a quick and easy reading. I personally use the “What is the issue today” and “What must I do to meet/solve/learn from the issue”. Do not underestimate the power of two cards.
Both the One and Two card layouts are great before a reading with a live sitter…a ‘heads up’ card so to speak.
Three: The standard use are the position labels of Past-Present-Future (or probable outcome) also known as the PPF. Some folks insert other meanings to the positions, Body-Mind-Spirit, Option 1-Situation-Option 2. The handy think is that this is an extremely fluid spread – just about any three reasonable labels can be used in the three positions. I usually use; The Present (how it is) - The Shroud (that which obscures reality) – Guidance.
Four: I’ve never used a four card spread. However as a number, it looks lovely in the sequence between three and five.
Five: I use; Past-Present-Unknown (or unseen) – Near outcome – Further out Outcome. Unknown represents either things occurring behind the sitters back (outside influences) or things the sitter is doing to sabotage or reinforce themselves.
Six: Another lovely number.
Seven: Resent Past - Present - Hopes and fears - The Unexpected - The Gate - Near Future - Far Future
The gate is that which must be passed though…the lesson that must be learned.
You really need to have about six months experience of reading for others using the two and three card spreads before you go to five. If you are reading seven or more card spreads for real live people without a years worth of reading under your belt, you are doing them a serious disservice.
How do we lay the cards out? You can lay them in the shape of a bird, a cup of coffee, a whiskey sour, a scary monster with sharp pointy dripping teeth…it does not matter! Mine get laid out in a straight line…and kinda sloppy at that. I find that keeping the shape simple makes the reading easier.
What matters, is that you have the place labels firmly fixed in your mind before you lay the cards.
Perhaps next week we’ll discuss…the Giant Rat of Sumatra…