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 Empress
Triggering Causes


2 of Wands – Dominion
Necessary Conclusions

The Hanged Man
Significator #1

The Universe
Significator #2


Ace of Disks
Next Step

The Star
 

3 of Wands – Virtue
 
  Surprising Experiences

8 of Cups – Indolence
 
  Outcome

The Magus
 

 

 

 

 

Significator #1

Ace of Disks

The Root of Earth

A coin toss. This card represents the very first beginnings of the process that leads to material gain.

Meaning:
Materialistic concerns, contentment, earthly power and success. A calculated risk with good chances.

 

 

 

 

 

Significator #2

The Star

Aquarius

Everyone is a Star. This card suggests using your talents.

Meaning:
Clear vision, spiritual insight, hope, charity.
When ill-dignified: error in judgement, disillusion, delusions, lack of understanding.

 

 

 

 

 

Early Causes

2 of Wands – Dominion

Mars in Aries

What is the difference between passion and obsession?
Possession. Whether it manifests as anguish, lust, rage, or bliss, this is the fire of passion that drives your being. This card represents the vitality of pure will.

Meaning:
Fire in its strongest form. Influence, courage, boldness, fierceness.
When ill-dignified: turbulence, wasting anxious energy.

 

 

 

 

 

Triggering Causes

The Hanged Man

Water

Like The Hermit, The Hanged Man contemplates existence, but on a different level. He hangs from the crucifix and mirrors the scene above in the shape of an ankh. This card is about understanding sacrifice.

Meaning:
Enforced sacrifice, self-sacrifice, suffering, redemption. Progress through using a different perspective. A waiting period.
When ill-dignified: punishment, loss, death, more of the same.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Higher Perceptions

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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

3 of Wands – Virtue

Sun in Aries

This card represents the pioneer motivated by the spirit of goodwill. You do what is right in your eyes. There is also a tendency toward egotism in this card.

Meaning:
Realisation of hope. Noble cause. Pride and arrogance.
When ill-dignified: conceit.

 

 

 

 

 

Surprises

8 of Cups – Indolence

Saturn in Pisces

Eight cups stand on a bed of mud where the water receded. Dark clouds have rolled in to overcast the pale-yellow sky. Half of the cups have been spilled. This is the morning after.

Meaning:
Success abandoned, apathy, misery, transience, instability, a small victory. Sometimes means abandonment of materialistic pursuits in favour of the spiritual.

 

 

 

 

 

The Outcome

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.

 

 

 

 

Home   Tarot Reading   Meanings   Spreads   Decks   Artists   FAQ   Zone31   Shadow Alchemy   About   Terms   Privacy     Facebook   X   LinkedIn


Copyright © 2025 Tarotsmith. All rights reserved.