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  Judgement |
Triggering Causes |
 5 of Coins |
Necessary Conclusions |  4 of Coins |
| Significator #1 |  10 of Coins |
Significator #2 |
 7 of Cups |
Next Step |  10 of Wands |
 Princess of Wands |
||
Surprising Experiences  9 of Cups |
||
Outcome  9 of Swords |
Significator #1
7 of Cups
Six cups contain symbols which refer to themes of illusions. The themes are intoxication (alcohol), gambling and fortune-telling (playing-cards), successful thoughts (laurel-wreath), sex and beauty (woman), wish-fulfilment (island) and wealth (money and jewels). The star in the seventh cup symbolises the vision which has to be followed.
Significator #2
10 of Wands
The intensity of the Nine of Wands diminishes in the Ten of Wands. The colours are paler; it seems more difficult to hold the wands together; at the same time the small flames are burning both hands, the leaves are beginning to wither.
Early Causes
5 of Coins
Wealth and poverty are separated by a wall. The rich man is wearing white gloves. He doesn't want to get his fingers dirty. The poor man has a missing middle-finger, the centre has been lost. His stick is brittle.
The colour blue separates the colours red and yellow from brown and green. The yellow is similar to gold. Red used to belong to the most expensive colours. Green is also the colour of mould and brown is the colour which at first appears to be inert.
The candle is helping the poor man to find sense and the distant path, as far as he is aware of them.
Triggering Causes
4 of Coins
The safe symbolises the need for protection. Certain themes are referred to: money, possessions, love and relationships. The star stands for the vision, which is worth holding on to.
The blue-and-white checked-pattern portrays narrow-mindedness through misunderstood reliability. At the bottom of the picture the devil's horns and some hell-fire have found their place, illustrating dependence.
Higher Perceptions
Judgement
Classical symbols are also used here. Five graves are opening up, out of which stretches a hand to awaken a new life. The implication of the archangel Gabriel is blowing the trumpet of the Resurrection. One of the hands shows three fingers, which portrays a release from the grave's number four. It is also a gesture of the Hierophant.
The number five, shown by the number of hands and flowers, points to entirety. The aim is to see material things as being divine, so as to unite them and not to damn them and so create a new division. The flowers are about to bloom and through their colours the subjects of integration and entirety are emphasised again.
Necessary Conclusions
10 of Coins
The pentacles can be found inside and outside the town, as fruits on trees, as an exchange object, as a value which can bring us beauty, knowledge, nutrition or culture, by us exchanging these values, if necessary, with the help of payment (money).
The wise man knows that only by exchanging our goods amongst ourselves can we make a rich community. One pentacle shows an upside-down pentagram.
The Next Step
Princess of Wands
The princess is apparently in a holiday situation with palm-trees, a beach and the sea. Fire (sun) and water (sea) come together here. Heat and refreshment alternate. There are enough references to the erotic theme in the picture.
Surprises
9 of Cups
The content of the nine cups is being poured over the picture and meets in a whirlpool in the middle. Three colours refer to the number three, out of which the number nine (3x3) exists. Notes (music/art), grapes (food/drink) and a heart (love/friendship) stand for areas which contain pleasure and well-being.
The colour red points to warmth, blue symbolises refreshment. The colour green can be understood as referring to a negative aspect on the card e.g., exaggerated personal pleasure.
The Outcome
9 of Swords
The swords look like teeth, which at any moment could bite. The hands are held up for protection. The eye wants to open, but its vision is obstructed.
The waning moon emphasises the existing fear. The sunrise is at hand. Roses promise development, joy of life and the coming forth of emotions in the near future.
