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  Naudhiz |
Triggering Causes |
 Berkano |
Necessary Conclusions |  Dagaz |
| Significator #1 |  Ehwaz |
Significator #2 |
 Thurisaz |
Next Step |  Ingwaz |
 Uruz |
||
Surprising Experiences  Gebo |
||
Outcome  Mannaz |
Significator #1
Thurisaz
Thor, the Thunder god. Male core fertility. Thurisaz has to do with strife, conflict, combat, defence, and aggression. Reacting forcefully, as if threatened. Instinctual will, eroticism, a catalyst for change. A purging flood, a cleansing fire, catharsis.
This rune suggests that now may not be the best time to make any hasty decisions. Perhaps time should be set aside to reflect.
Significator #2
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.
Early Causes
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.
Triggering Causes
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.
Higher Perceptions
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.
Necessary Conclusions
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.
The Next Step
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.
Surprises
Gebo
Gifts, in the spirit of both giving and receiving. Gebo is one of the runes of love, relating to partnerships and generosity. Matters related to exchanges. This rune can suggest an important favour and self-sacrifice as a reward in itself.
Ill-dignification can mean selfishness, loneliness, desperation, over-sacrifice, or bribery.
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.
