Ankh Layout
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 layouts, 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 runes 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 runes of the Ankh layout.
3. This rune 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 rune 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 runes before moving forward to the last three runes. 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  Mannaz |
Triggering Causes |
 Uruz |
Necessary Conclusions |  Sowilo |
| Significator #1 |  Laguz |
Significator #2 |
 Raidho |
Next Step |  Wunjo |
 Dagaz |
||
Surprising Experiences  Eihwaz |
||
Outcome  Naudhiz |
Significator #1
Raidho
A rune of action and movement, Raidho indicates that business is about to pick up. Travel and movement are suggested, both in immediate terms and those of overall lifestyle. An adventure, journey, vacation, relocation, personal evolution, or other conceivable change of place or perception. Mind expansion.
Knowing what you want and going for it. The personal in rhythm with the world, the dance of life. Raidho's connection to the number 2 is a reminder that there are two sides to every story. Be careful not to get side tracked into a disruptive misadventure that could set you back.
Significator #2
Wunjo
An omen of prosperity on the horizon. Projects relating to creativity, art, or intuition are favoured by this rune. A sign of comfort, pleasure, comradery, joy, and harmony.
Glory, ecstasy, and spiritual frenzy. If controlled, success and general increase of one's personal stock. If unloosed, over-enthusiastic zeal can lead to maniacal raving, going berserk. Don't blow your top.
Early Causes
Uruz
Self-improvement is the ideal of this rune, which indicates the formation of a pattern of success. Responsibility and authority earned raise one's personal stock. New awareness makes it possible to capitalise on new opportunities, and this rune's appearance suggests that opportunity is about to knock. This rune suggests a period of wonder and adventure before adaptation settles in. Beginner's luck, freedom, electricity, action, courage, strength, tenacity, understanding, experience. Masculine sexual potency.
Triggering Causes
Sowilo
Sowilo is the sun; the life source of the world, the destroyer of ice. The life-force, health. A time when you will be able to grab the reins of power to make positive changes in your life. It is a rune of fortune, health, clarity of thought, vitality, accomplishment, and victory. Contact between the higher self and the unconscious.
Success, glory, honour, victory, health, and success. Wholeness, fullness, raw power, primordial force, natural phenomenon, sword of fire, baptism by fire. This very powerful and generally positive rune sheds the light of a sunny day on a reading.
Ill-dignification suggests bad ideals, bad company, tainted victory, trickery. Excessive force, destruction, retribution, bad karma.
Higher Perceptions
Mannaz
Mankind, the Self; the individual or the human race. Your attitude toward others and their attitudes towards you. Friends and enemies, social order. This is the rune of help. Intelligence, forethought, creative ability, divine awareness.
Ill-dignification suggests a problem with authority, or possibly a conflict with people of a different culture. Mortality, blindness, self-deception, manipulation, cunning, slyness. A warning to be more careful of people, to pay closer attention to their motives. This rune may indicate a period of depression and suggests waiting or seeking consultation before making any important decisions.
Necessary Conclusions
Laguz
Laguz is related with water and the sea. Flow, a fertility source, the healing cycle of constant change renewal. This is a strong feminine rune of intuition that also relates to fertility.
Heightened imagination and psychic abilities. Dreams, fantasies, mysteries, the unknown, the occult. A breakthrough in awareness. Success in travel or acquisition, but presenting the possibility of loss.
Ill-dignification suggests you're taking things too hard. Prevent your emotions from running wild. This indicates of a period of confusion. Lack of creativity and feelings of being in a rut may lead to bad decisions and poor judgement. Circumstances may be beyond your control, so the trick is to adapt. Terror, circular logic, avoidance, cowardice, madness, obsession, despair, perversity, sickness, depression.
The Next Step
Dagaz
This is the rune of the day, daylight, and summer time. This rune heralds new perspective and new opportunity. Breakthrough in awareness, an awakening. Achievement of spiritual equilibrium by coming to the place where opposites meet.
A prosperous time to plan out or embark upon a new project. You recognise the power that is in your own hands. Ambitions and ideals run high. Smart work pays off. Self-reliance, independence, security, and self-assuredness.
Ill-dignification can mean coming to the end of the road, reaching the maximum limit, coming full circle, blindness, confusion, and despair.
Surprises
Eihwaz
Eihwaz is a rune of progress. The desire for material gain provides motivation and a sense of purpose. It indicates a plan being formulated and moving forward. May indicate a person who can be trusted. Some keywords are: honesty, dependability, reliability, endurance, strength, defence, protection.
Ill-dignification can mean: confusion, delays, disturbance, destruction, dissatisfaction, weakness.
The Outcome
Naudhiz
Naudhiz warns about awareness of one's limitations. But resistance builds strength. Delays, restrictions, confusion, conflict, and the will to defeat them. Endurance, survival, determination. Patience and endurance are called for. Innovation, adaptation, and independence. The will power to direct fate.
An opportunity may not be what it seems. You may want to wait before making any important decisions. Tension in relationships is likely. If a risk has been taken, results are still forthcoming. Stress, and frustration are also associated with this sign.
