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 Knight of Swords	Triggering Causes
2 of Disks – Change	Necessary Conclusions	The Empress
Significator #1	The Universe	Significator #2
5 of Disks – Anxiety	Next Step	Knight of Wands
	Ace of Wands
	Surprising Experiences Princess of Swords
	Outcome 5 of Wands – Strife

 

 

 

 

Significator #1

5 of Disks – Anxiety

Mercury in Taurus

Sparks fly as five gears grind away. The nervous energy of the element of air has descended upon the earth plane, creating an atmosphere of great friction.

Meaning:
Intense strain accompanying a period of inactivity. Anxiety, loss.
When well-dignified: construction, building, labour, cultivation.

 

 

 

 

 

Significator #2

Knight of Wands

Sagittarius

The Knight of Wands rides a white horse charging forward. The white horse symbolises the conscious side of awareness. It also symbolises the purity of fire, the vital energy and passion that boldly drives the organism. The Knight has his torch in his right hand and arrows on his back; bow and arrow being the weapon of Sagittarius.

Meaning:
A man of action, generosity, pride, and impetuousness.
When ill-dignified: A cruel, bigoted man without mercy.

 

 

 

 

 

Early Causes

2 of Disks – Change

Jupiter in Capricorn

Ouroboros eats its tail as the symbol of eternal change. The snake wears a crown of the moon to symbolise constant change. Two yin-yangs spin opposite directions.

Meaning:
Constant change, likely a pleasant change, visit to friends, wandering.

 

 

 

 

 

Triggering Causes

The Empress

Venus

The Empress is queen of queens, the wife archetype. Radiating warmth, she gazes at the dove, symbolic of holy love. Two cherubs overlook her and two overlook the other half. The pelican feeding her young her own blood symbolises the self-sacrifice of motherhood.

Meaning:
Graciousness, elegance, love, gentleness, beauty.
When ill-dignified: wasting time, debauchery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Higher Perceptions

Knight of Swords

Gemini

The Knight of Swords rides a red horse, symbolising the fiery passion that drives his intellectual pursuits. The birds that fly beneath him symbolise quick-wittedness. He bears a great sword in his right hand while he stashes a dagger in his left, symbolising the witty two-sided personality of a Gemini.

Meaning:
An active, skilful, witty, clever, fierce man.
When ill-dignified: An indecisive, cunning, deceitful man.

 

 

 

 

 

Necessary Conclusions

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.

 

 

 

 

 

The Next Step

Ace of Wands

The Root of Fire

This is the initial spark without which there is no fire. It represents the spiritual aspect of energy and vitality at its initial manifestation.

Meaning:
Energy, natural force, strength, creation, invention, pioneer spirit, enterprise, source, beginning, birth.

 

 

 

 

 

Surprises

Princess of Swords

A young slender female has come down the mountain. The air symbols of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are all there in this card. The clouds indicate a storm front. Of the three men symbolising her thoughts, she has already killed one. She holds the middle one at bay as the other begs for his life. She may be wise in the ways of evil, but to do good she has no knowledge.

Meaning:
An aggressive, vengeful young lady of destructive logic, subtle, wise, and dexterous in practical affairs. This card also represents ruling out bad ideas.

 

 

 

 

 

The Outcome

5 of Wands – Strife

Saturn in Leo

Conflict. Five male lion heads together represent opposition and a battle of wills. The nature of each lion is to dominate his territory, so five in one place is not good. They butt heads in the struggle for supremacy.

Meaning:
Struggle, competition, opposition, violence, quarrelling, lust and carnal desire.