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
Deuce of Coins![]() |
Valet of Swords![]() |
Knight of Swords![]() |
Deuce of Swords![]() |
XIIII – Temperance![]() |
Four of Coins![]() |
Three of Batons![]() |
Valet of Cups![]() |
Eight of Batons![]() |
Card 1: Deuce of Coins
The Deuce of Coins represents balance, adaptability, and the management of priorities. It highlights the flow and rhythm of practical matters.
Symbolism: A blue ribbon bearing the name B.P. Grimaud links two coins, symbolising the interplay between dual forces. The design reflects the need for equilibrium and flexibility in navigating change.
In Relationships: Finding a balance between personal and shared responsibilities.
In Work: Juggling tasks or managing resources effectively. It encourages adaptability in the face of change.
Spiritually: The card represents the balance between spiritual and material pursuits, urging the seeker to maintain harmony.
When ill-dignified: Instability, over-commitment, or neglecting one priority in favour of another. It warns against losing balance in your endeavours.
Card 2: Valet of Swords
The Valet of Swords represents intellectual curiosity, a keen sense of observation, and the exploration of new ideas. He encourages vigilance and the willingness to learn, while reminding us to think before acting or speaking.
Symbolism: The Valet stands alert, holding a sword with both readiness and caution. His posture reflects an eagerness to explore new knowledge and ideas, while the open background suggests the vast potential of untapped intellectual pursuits.
In Relationships: This card suggests a need for honest and thoughtful communication. It can indicate the start of a new dynamic or the discovery of deeper truths within a connection.
In Work: The Valet encourages taking the first steps towards learning or developing new skills. It signifies a time to research and remain open to innovative ideas.
Spiritually: The Valet reflects the early stages of a mental or philosophical journey, urging you to approach truths with curiosity and discernment.
When ill-dignified: Hasty judgements, miscommunication, or intellectual arrogance. It warns against speaking without thinking or neglecting critical observation.
Card 3: Knight of Swords
The Knight of Swords embodies swift action, ambition, and the pursuit of truth or goals with boldness. He urges decisive movement but cautions against decisions that lack foresight.
Symbolism: The Knight charges forward on his rearing horse, holding a raised sword that signifies clarity of purpose. The wind-swept imagery reflects urgency, courage, and a readiness to overcome obstacles.
In Relationships: This card may signal a fast-moving relationship or the need to address conflicts decisively. It highlights a dynamic connection that requires clear communication and focus.
In Work: The Knight suggests pursuing opportunities with determination and energy. It encourages bold decision-making but warns against rushing without proper preparation.
Spiritually: The Knight reflects the seeker's determination to uncover deeper truths or gain clarity. It symbolises a quest for knowledge and higher understanding.
When ill-dignified: Recklessness, overconfidence, or aggression. It warns against acting without a plan or alienating others through rash decisions.
Card 4: Deuce of Swords
The Deuce of Swords symbolises balance, duality, and the tension of decision-making. It represents a moment of stillness before action, where the mind seeks clarity amidst opposing forces.
Symbolism: Two curved blades cross symmetrically, forming a stable yet tense arrangement. The floral designs in the space between them suggest that harmony can emerge through directed thought and balance.
In Relationships: A crossroads where choices must be made, often involving compromise or addressing hidden issues.
In Work: A need to weigh options. Progress depends on thoughtful analysis and avoiding haste.
Spiritually: The card reflects the need to reconcile inner dualities to achieve mental and emotional peace.
When ill-dignified: Indecision, avoidance, or emotional detachment. It warns against stagnation or failure to confront the truth.
Card 5: XIIII – Temperance
Temperance embodies balance, harmony, and the art of blending opposites into a unified whole. It is a card of moderation and integration, calling for patience and the gentle flow of energies.
Symbolism: An angelic figure pours water between two vessels, symbolising the interplay of opposites and the alchemical transformation process. One cup is blue, and the other is red, suggesting a balance between the material and the spiritual.
In Relationships: Harmony and mutual understanding within relationships. It suggests compromise and blending energies for a greater whole.
In Work: A need for patience and adaptability. Success comes through steady effort and the balancing of resources.
Spiritually: Temperance invites you to harmonise opposing aspects of your being and align with the universal flow.
When ill-dignified: Imbalance, impatience, or excess. It warns against pushing too hard or failing to find equilibrium.
Card 6: Four of Coins
The Four of Coins represents stability, security, and the consolidation of resources. The square flower in the centre suggests a firm foundation but also warns of rigidity or excessive attachment to material possessions.
Symbolism: Four coins form a square, symbolising solidity and structure. The simplicity of the arrangement reflects material grounding, while the lack of movement suggests potential stagnation.
In Relationships: A relationship built on stability, but one that may lack spontaneity. It calls for finding balance between security and emotional openness.
In Work: Financial or professional stability, but a need to avoid becoming overly conservative or resistant to growth.
Spiritually: The card invites you to ground yourself but warns against clinging too tightly to the material world.
When ill-dignified: Greed, possessiveness, or fear of loss. It warns against hoarding resources or stifling growth due to fear of change.
Card 7: Three of Batons
The Three of Batons signifies expansion and the realisation of early progress. It is a card of growth through exploration and the courage to venture into new realms.
Symbolism: Three batons interlace harmoniously, with flourishing leaves that reflect growth. The triangular crossing suggests stability in motion, as progress unfolds from a solid foundation.
In Relationships: Relationships flourish through shared aspirations and mutual support. It may indicate exploring new horizons together.
In Work: Initial successes lead to broader opportunities. This card encourages continued effort and long-term vision.
Spiritually: A reminder to expand your perspective and trust the journey towards greater understanding.
When ill-dignified: Frustration or delays in progress. It warns against complacency or overconfidence.
Card 8: Valet of Cups
The Valet of Cups represents emotional curiosity, creative exploration, and the beginnings of intuitive or artistic growth. He invites a playful and open-hearted approach to life, encouraging you to embrace wonder and imagination.
Symbolism: The Valet gazes into a beautifully adorned cup, symbolising reflection and curiosity about his inner emotional world. His youthful posture indicates receptivity to new feelings, intuitive insights, and creative inspiration.
In Relationships: This card signifies the beginnings of a new connection or the renewal of emotional bonds. It encourages an open heart and a willingness to explore your feelings with vulnerability and joy.
In Work: The Valet suggests an opportunity to pursue a creative or emotionally fulfilling path. It highlights the importance of nurturing ideas and remaining receptive to inspiration.
Spiritually: The Valet symbolises a journey of emotional discovery, urging you to remain open to intuition, creative expression, and messages from within.
When ill-dignified: Emotional immaturity, naivety, or an unwillingness to confront deeper feelings. It warns against being overly idealistic or dismissive of intuition.
Card 9: Eight of Batons
The Eight of Batons symbolises rapid progress, momentum, and swift resolution. It encourages focus and decisiveness to make the most of opportunities.
Symbolism: Eight batons align dynamically, creating a sense of motion and direction. The flowers sprouting atop the batons reflect the energy of growth propelled forward rapidly.
In Relationships: Fast-paced developments in relationships or sudden clarity about emotional matters.
In Work: Momentum builds as goals approach completion. This is a time for decisive action.
Spiritually: The card reflects accelerated growth and alignment with a higher purpose. Trust the flow of events.
When ill-dignified: Chaos, missed opportunities, or rushing without purpose. It warns against letting haste lead to mistakes.