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  Raidho |
Triggering Causes |
 Othala |
Necessary Conclusions |  Isa |
| Significator #1 |  Kenaz |
Significator #2 |
 Ehwaz |
Next Step |  Jera |
 Ingwaz |
||
Surprising Experiences  Berkano |
||
Outcome  Mannaz |
Significator #1
Ehwaz
This rune typically signifies big changes – changes for the better. Transportation. May represent a horse, car, plane, boat or other vehicle. Slow but steady progress is indicated. Trust, loyalty, harmony, teamwork, an ideal partnership.
This rune also strengthens adjacent runes, adding clarification and solidarity to their meanings when in doubt. It is also connected with science and higher education. Communication reaches peak harmony.
Ill-dignification could mean a change is craved. Haste, disharmony, betrayal. Feeling trapped. Paranoia and superstition.
Significator #2
Jera
Jera is a rune of harvest, abundance, reward, fortune, completion, and putting things in order. The fruits of earlier labours are ripe for the picking. Abundant peace and contentedness due to a nice surplus. The promise of success earned. The life cycle of eternal change which rules the universe.
Ill-dignification can mean a sudden setback or reversal of fortune. A major change, bad timing, conflict, poverty, or getting stuck in a repeating loop.
Early Causes
Othala
This rune is concerned with home, land, and property. What is truly important to one. Group order, group prosperity. Land of birth, spiritual heritage, experience and fundamental values. Inheritance. Aid in journeys.
Othala relates to marriage, family, and things which are fixed and unchangeable, set-in stone. On a spiritual level this is a reminder that your body is the temple and home of your soul, a source of security, increase, and abundance.
Ill-dignification can mean lack of respect, totalitarianism, slavery, poverty, homelessness. Bad karma, prejudice, injury. This is a warning to take care of what you have if you care about it.
Triggering Causes
Isa
A mental block presents a frustrating challenge. A standstill, when patience is a blessing, it is a good time search within one's self for clarity, a great opportunity for meditation. This rune reinforces runes around it.
Ill-dignification of this rune may mean ego-mania, self-absorption, blindness, and dissipation of willpower. Delusion, deceit, guile, stealth, ambush, plots, grievances, treachery, betrayal.
Higher Perceptions
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.
Necessary Conclusions
Kenaz
This is the primary female rune, representing things such as motherly instincts, guidance and support, intuition, and love. Spiritual visions, revelation, esoteric knowledge, inspiration, creativity, technical ability.
A sign of success, particularly in artistic endeavours. Vitality, harnessed ability, transformation, and reinvention. The pioneer spirit, the power to create your own reality. The power of light, to uncover and inspire.
Female passion and sexual desire. Being exposed, loss of illusion and false hope. It can conversely serve as a reminder that a loss may seem unpleasant, but that it can be a blessing in disguise.
The Next Step
Ingwaz
This is the rune of male health, fertility, creativity, gestation, and personal growth. Common sense, simple virtue, family, home. The spark of a new idea could start a fire. Often relates to a pivotal point, perhaps a rest stage, a time of relief, of healing and regeneration. A time when loose ends can be tied, freeing one to possibly move in a new direction. You must listen to yourself.
Ill-dignification can suggest impotence and circular movement. Production, labour, work.
Surprises
Berkano
Berkano is a rune of desire, fertility, birth, growth, regeneration, renewal, new beginnings, celebration, and liberation. A love affair or new birth. A prosperous partnership, team, enterprise, or venture.
Ill-dignification suggests something may be stunting the growth process. It may be necessary to examine your choices, and to go back and correct mistakes before moving forward again. There could be family problems or someone close to you that has you worried. Reckless abandon, going wild. Loss of consciousness, deceit, sterility, stagnation.
The Outcome
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.
