Ankh Spread

Ankh Spread

 

 

Difficulty: Kind of tough

The Ankh Spread is for questions about the causes behind trends. It is similar to the Celtic Cross and Secret of the High Priestess spreads, but it covers the reasons behind the circumstances in question differently, perhaps giving a better explanation of why things are the way they are.

The loop of the upper section of the ankh reveals the spiritual background and causes of the situation, while the stem of the base focuses on prospects for the outcome.

The first two tarot cards represent the two parent causes of the situation. They will either complement each other or show two opposing sides of a conflict, depending on how they relate. These are the significator cards of the Ankh spread.

3. This tarot card shines light upon the early causes of the trend in question.

4. Pinpoints the causes that triggered the current situation.

5. Reveals the spiritual perspective of the subject at hand.

6. This card examines the reasons why this course of action had to unfold, as a means to this end.

At this point, it is good to pause to soak in the meaning of the first six cards before moving forward to the last three cards. The last three reveal prospects for the future.

7. The Next Step gives clues about the immediate future.

8. Surprising Experiences encountered en route to the result.

9. This represents the result.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Ankh Reading

Early Causes Higher Perceptions

The Priestess
Triggering Causes


The Hermit
Necessary Conclusions

Art
Significator #1

The Aeon
Significator #2


The Magus
Next Step

The Fool
 

The Universe
 
  Surprising Experiences

The Devil
 
  Outcome

The Lovers
 

 

 

 

 

Significator #1

The Magus

Mercury

The Magician stands on the mountain commanding the forces to obey his will.

Meaning:
Drive, willpower, skill, wisdom, craft, cunning, messages, business, creativity, wit, initiative, self-discipline. Sometimes occult wisdom or power.
When ill-dignified: knowledge interfering with the objective of the matter.

 

 

 

 

 

Significator #2

The Fool

Air

The Fool represents a childlike attitude and awareness, his eyes now open to a new world. A limited awareness at this point in the journey makes for awe and adventure. Beginner's luck. An umbrella shelters his awareness.

Meaning:
Impulsive child-like behaviour.
Ill-dignified: folly, extravagance, frenzy, delirium, intoxication.

 

 

 

 

 

Early Causes

The Hermit

Virgo

Solitary time. Father Time retreats from society to be alone. The mirror represents reflection and inner self-discovery. Cerberus follows the lantern as the Hermit enlightens his dark side. Turned sideways, the hourglass represents a moment of timelessness, and at this juncture the Hermit realises the nature of eternity.

Meaning:
Divine inspiration, wisdom, finding one's guiding light, a period of time being out of touch with society, circumspection, self-knowledge.
When ill-dignified: loneliness, despair, loss of sanity, paranoia.

 

 

 

 

 

Triggering Causes

Art

Sagittarius

Temperance or Alchemy. Creation by way of the marriage of opposites. You are what you create. An androgenous figure stirs the pot. The unity of opposite alchemical symbols (lion + eagle) has produced alchemical GOLD.

Meaning:
Realisation of objectives and goals. Successful combination of energies. A string of successful magickal manoeuvres culminating in solidification. Calculated action. Management.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Higher Perceptions

The Priestess

The Moon

The Priestess sits on her throne, queen of the heavens, the eternal virgin, and the counterpart of the Hierophant. She holds the keys to the feminine secrets of the universe.

Meaning:
Enthusiastic focus on the unconscious. A pure, exalted influence comes into play. The Priestess warns not to get too carried away.

 

 

 

 

 

Necessary Conclusions

The Aeon

Spirit

In a place beyond the Universe there exists a single solitary spirit. This is the perfection that we all strive for.

Meaning:
Dawn of a new era. Perfect self-knowledge. Wisdom. Union with god. The force of nature, raw spirit, barbelo, centre of the universe, perfection, message from heaven, sign from above, god.

 

 

 

 

 

The Next Step

The Universe

Earth

The spider in the man's head is a reference to Leary's octave rhythms. The spider and web indicate man's nature to perceive and even weave his own reality. The web also indicates being trapped in our own perception of reality. It may also hint at the nature of the interaction between this and other universes.

Meaning:
The realisation of the whole matter. The essence of the query itself. Synthesis. Crystallisation. Could represent something extremely important.
When ill-dignified: A cruel world.

 

 

 

 

 

Surprises

The Devil

Capricorn

The Devil is your opposite, <%custom1%>, your Anima or Animus, your Demonic Self. (s)He is your dark side and your inner child. The traits that we lack in our own selves causes us to seek completion in many of our relationships. Most of our earthly relationships are based on fulfilling this Devil inside of us. In certain people such as the very well-rounded or spiritually developed, this part of the personality may already be fulfilled. The children walk with The Devil hand in hand.

Meaning:
Temptation, obsession, impulsiveness, ambition, materialism, self-fulfilment, fate.

 

 

 

 

 

The Outcome

The Lovers

Gemini

Lovers are eternally bound in Soul. A nude family holding hands in the form of a lemniscate represents natural purity.

Meaning:
Attraction, childishness, openness to inspiration, love, beauty.
When ill-dignified: shallow, superficial union. Instability, insecurity, indecision.

 

 

 

 

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