I've been going through Rana's book, looking for specific advice on methods for combining in lines, particularly on pages 269 to 274 where she goes over the "Answer Line" spread (i.e. five-card or seven-card lines).
In those readings, examples of Subject+Modifier have been hard to find, at least for me. Rather, Rana seems to read in a looser manner, and relying mostly on a combining method that Caitlín Matthews in her book calls "forward narration," in which the cards are considered mainly individually, with connecting words such as "and," "to," "about," etc. to construct a sentence.
In Caitlín's book, she emphasizes Subject+Modifier for two-card readings, but she says that three-card readings are generally read in either forward narration or by choosing any of the three as a subject card, with the other cards modifying. Or sequential reading is used: this happened, then this happened, then this happened. Rana's book doesn't state these things outright, but her reading examples seem to reflect these same sorts of thinking.
It seems to me that we can say that Subject+Modifier applies mostly to two-card readings. For lines longer than two cards, Subject+Modifier seems to fade in importance, except that sometimes focusing on a two-card Subject+Modifier combination within the line can reveal nuances.
So I'm considering adding some combination guidelines to the rules/guidelines in the first post of each of the threads in this study group, something relatively succinct, perhaps some like this:
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Suggestions for combining cards:
When performing these reading exercises, participants can combine the cards any way they like. For those who wish to have some guidance on combining lines of cards, the following is offered:
1) For two-card readings, the "Subject+Modifier" method is suggested. For A + B, card A would be the subject card, either a noun or a verb. Card B would be an adjective, adverb, or modifier.
For example:
Noun + adjective: Rider + Mountain (blocked news)
Verb + adverb: Mice + Book (to secretly diminish)
2) For three-card readings, you might use the Sequential method (this happened, then this happened, then this happened, etc.)
For example:
Bouquet + Letter + Lily: I received a present, then I wrote a thank-you note, and then something long-term resulted.
Or you might use the Forward Narration method, in which you read the cards from left to right, using small words such as
"and," "to," "about," etc. to connect the cards together into a sentence.
For example:
Bouquet + Letter + Lily: I was surprised (Bouquet) with a pleasant letter (Letter) about virtue (Lily).
Another consideration you might use is the ability of certain cards to have their own rules of how they affect adjacent cards. Examples: Coffin can bring an end to cards on its left, while cards on its right show a new beginning; Scythe and Clouds can affect adjacent cards according to which way the point is facing for Scythe, or dark clouds for Clouds.
The Subject+Modifiers method can also be used, where any of the three cards can be chosen as a subject, and the other two cards serve as modifiers.
For example:
Bouquet + Letter + Lily: A pleasant (Bouquet) and virtuous (Lily) letter (Letter).
3) Finally, in lines of three or more cards, several combining methods can be combined. For example, in a line of five, you might read the first three cards using the Sequential method, then read the final two as a Subject+Modifier pair. Also, methods can overlap; for example, the Coffin might modify the card to its left as being enclosed (Subject+Modifier), and at the same time the Coffin may be acting to bring the cards to its left to a swift end.
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How does everyone feel about this? Is it too complicated, or too simple? I want to provide some succinctly-stated guidelines for those who would find them helpful and to point us in the general direction. If anyone has any additions or suggestions or thinks any of these aren't good, please let me know, I'd prefer this to be a group effort.
I'll be posting the study group thread for Clover in the next few days, so I'll add whatever we come up with starting with that thread.
I have the book of course, and have skimmed through most of it, but did not do an in-depth reading. I am beginning again with it tomorrow. I am so happy you set up this study group, Lee! Thanks 
