Comic Strip Spread
Difficulty: Easy
Note: This spread works best with decks like the Diary of a Broken Soul or Surrealist Tarot because they display scenes rather than pips and do not use reversals.
The Comic Strip Spread is a simple nine-card chronological spread that looks like a page of a comic book. This method should be used to get a glimpse of the future as it would pan out naturally. It may be insightful to use this spread in coordination with biorhythms. The spread is easy to read as a storyboard, just like a comic strip.
The main subject is apparent in the first card, while the story plays out through the following tarot cards.
It is important to pay particular attention to the cards and the relationships with their neighbours. Notice which directions the cards are facing, and how they interact.
Your Comic Strip Reading
The Aeon |
5 of Disks – Anxiety |
Prince of Disks |
The Hanged Man |
Knight of Disks |
Death |
Knight of Wands |
Princess of Swords |
Adjustment |
Card 1: 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.
Card 2: 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.
Card 3: Prince of Disks
8:00 – 10:00 Male
Taurus
The Prince of Disks rides his chariot pulled by the bull. His disk is a sphere. The air of earth is represented by the vegetation he ploughs through. He is a worker at heart, grounded on the earth plane, and concerned with materialism above all else. He may resent the spirituality that eludes his grasp.
Meaning:
A young man with skill in practical matters, reliable, and perhaps dull.
Card 4: 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.
Card 5: Knight of Disks
Virgo
The Knight of Disks rides the pale horse. His horse is in fact a unicorn, a symbol of Virgo. Bearing the sickle, he has come to reap the harvest. The shield radiates waves of energy that symbolise his connection with the sphere of earth. He is concerned primarily with material values.
Meaning:
Agricultural proficiency, skills regarding material concerns, perhaps preoccupied with material concerns and therefore dull.
When ill-dignified: a petty, jealous, small-minded man.
Card 6: Death
Scorpio
A skull and crossbones present obvious symbolism here. Something coming to an end, a necessary transition into the next stage.
Meaning:
Transformation, change, transitional period leading to a new way. Loss of the status quo.
Card 7: 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.
Card 8: 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.
Card 9: Adjustment
Libra
Justice. Balance is achieved through adaptation. You may need to take a look at the book.
Meaning:
Justice, balance, equilibrium. A pause in the action to achieve balance.
