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 ![]() XIX – The Sun |
Triggering Causes |
![]() VIII – Strength |
Necessary Conclusions | ![]() XVII – The Star |
| Significator #1 | ![]() VI – The Lovers, Reversed |
Significator #2 |
![]() XII – The Hanged Man, Reversed Next Step |
![]() 0 – The Fool, Reversed | |
![]() XIV – Temperance, Reversed |
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Surprising Experiences ![]() XV – The Devil |
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Outcome ![]() II – The High Priestess, Reversed |
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Significator #1
XII – The Hanged Man, ReversedThe Hanged Man represents surrender, suspension, perspective, and letting go. This card embodies pausing to reflect and seeing life from a different angle. A figure hanging upside down by one foot signifies a period of stillness or suspension, where forward movement is halted and a new way of thinking must emerge. The figure's serene expression and the halo around his head suggest that this pause is not one of suffering, but an intentional and transformative moment of introspection. The Hanged Man teaches that sometimes we must detach from our usual way of living or thinking to experience growth, release, and enlightenment.
Reversed, the Hanged Man can indicate resistance to change, an inability to release control, or a feeling of being stuck in an unproductive or stagnant situation. It suggests you may be avoiding necessary reflection or failing to shift your perspective, leading to frustration or a sense of being trapped. This card reversed warns against staying in one place for too long, refusing to adapt, or becoming too attached to old ideas. The Hanged Man reversed encourages you to embrace the discomfort of change, trust in the process of transformation, and allow yourself to let go of outdated or limiting beliefs. It suggests that the key to progress lies in surrendering to the flow of life and viewing things from a fresh perspective.
In Relationships: The Hanged Man suggests a time of reflection and reconsideration. It may indicate a need to pause and view the partnership from a different angle, possibly encouraging you to look beyond surface issues and explore deeper emotional truths. This card often points to a period of waiting or suspension, where things may feel stagnant or on hold, but where growth still occurs. The Hanged Man invites you to release expectations or rigid beliefs about love and instead be open to new perspectives and understandings. It also encourages self-sacrifice for the sake of the relationship, though with caution, ensuring the sacrifices made are not one-sided.
In Work: The Hanged Man points to a time of pause, reflection, or a shift in perspective regarding professional goals. It may suggest that you are in a phase where movement or progress is temporarily halted, and the key to success lies in rethinking your approach or strategy. This card advises patience and a willingness to let go of previous expectations or rigid plans to allow for new ideas and approaches to emerge. The Hanged Man can also indicate sacrifice or selflessness in your work, perhaps taking on a project or task that feels limiting or uncomfortable for the sake of a greater purpose or long-term gain. It teaches that growth often comes through patience and seeing things from a new angle.
Spiritually: The Hanged Man represents a necessary pause in one's spiritual journey, where the seeker is invited to let go of ego, attachments, and the need for control in order to achieve enlightenment. This card encourages you to release old beliefs, perspectives, and patterns to embrace a higher consciousness. The Hanged Man speaks to the process of surrender, where spiritual growth is achieved by stepping away from the material world and allowing oneself to be guided by faith, intuition, and trust in the universe. It is a reminder that some of the most profound spiritual growth occurs during times of stillness, waiting, or letting go.
Significator #2
0 – The Fool, Reversed
The Fool represents the beginning of an inner and outer journey, a leap of faith into the unknown where infinite possibilities lie. This card embodies potential and purity. It represents the spirit of new beginnings before experience has shaped the self. The Fool carries a light knapsack, signifying that experiences or material attachments do not burden him. His innocence and openness suggest a state of trust in the universe and a readiness to take risks, unafraid of the unknown.
Reversed, the Fool can indicate a fear of stepping into the unknown, an avoidance of change, or a reluctance to take risks. It may suggest that you are holding back from starting a new journey because of doubts, insecurities, or an overreliance on the familiar. The Fool reversed warns against acting impulsively, leading to unnecessary mistakes. It can also signal naivety or a lack of preparedness when faced with challenges, urging you to approach new beginnings more responsibly.
In Relationships: The Fool invites openness, spontaneity, and fresh starts. This card suggests embarking on new romantic experiences without the weight of baggage. It encourages you to approach love with an open heart, ready to explore new connections and uncharted territory. The Fool signifies trust, freedom, and the joy of new beginnings, free from inhibitions.
In Work: The Fool signals a new chapter in one's professional life. It may indicate the start of an exciting journey or project, urging you to embrace change and take a risk for growth and fulfilment. This card encourages stepping out of your comfort zone, trusting that the journey will bring valuable experiences and opportunities despite an uncertain future. The Fool advises boldness and enthusiasm in pursuing career goals, suggesting that success may come from breaking away from conventional paths.
Spiritually: The Fool represents the call to venture beyond the ego, to explore new realms of consciousness and self-awareness. This card invites you to embrace the spiritual journey with innocence and trust, letting go of preconceived notions or rigid beliefs. The Fool encourages surrender to the flow of the universe, letting go of control, and embracing the unknown with faith. It is a reminder that the spiritual path is not about certainty, but the willingness to explore and discover.
Early Causes
VIII – Strength
Strength represents courage, resilience, patience, and control. It embodies the power of taming inner fears, overcoming adversity with gentleness, and having the fortitude to face challenges with grace. A woman calmly holding the jaws of a lion signifies the balance between power and compassion, where strength comes not from force, but from a sense of inner calm and self-confidence. The woman's serene expression conveys that this strength is not aggressive, but is instead the ability to remain composed in the face of difficulty, harnessing personal power through self-discipline and understanding.
This card represents the courage to face life's challenges, persevere with patience, and trust in the process of growth. Strength reminds us that resilience is built from within, and that sometimes the greatest strength lies in showing vulnerability and compassion rather than exerting dominance. It is an invitation to approach difficult situations with kindness, both towards oneself and others, and trust that inner strength will carry you through.
In Relationships: Strength speaks to the power of patience, understanding, and unconditional love. It suggests you may be called upon to show compassion and support, particularly in times of difficulty or uncertainty. This card signifies the need for gentle, yet firm, emotional strength in navigating challenges, and reminds you that love is based on mutual respect, trust, and the ability to remain calm and supportive through all circumstances. It encourages you to act from a place of empathy, understanding that love is about partnership and compassion.
In Work: Strength represents the inner resilience needed to overcome obstacles and persevere in the face of professional challenges. It suggests your path to success will require patience, determination, and a steady hand in difficult situations. This card advises you to rely on your inner strength, confidence, and emotional intelligence to navigate challenges in the workplace, whether dealing with difficult colleagues, demanding tasks, or career setbacks. Strength encourages you to move forward with grace and conviction, trusting that inner resilience will lead you to success.
Spiritually: Strength signifies the mastery of the self, the ability to conquer one's inner demons, and the courage to follow one's spiritual path. This card calls you to dig deep within yourself for the fortitude to face your fears, heal emotional wounds, and cultivate peace. Strength emphasises that true power comes from compassion, inner harmony, and the ability to work through difficulties with faith and patience. It invites you to trust your spiritual journey and allow understanding to guide your growth.
Triggering Causes
XVII – The Star
The Star represents hope, inspiration, healing, and spiritual guidance. This card embodies the light that shines through darkness, offering peace and renewal after turmoil. A serene figure pouring water into a pool and onto the earth represents the flow of divine energy that nurtures both the soul and the world around us. This card suggests a time of spiritual clarity, where you are guided towards inner peace, hope, and faith in the future. The bright stars above symbolise the presence of higher wisdom, while the figure's calm demeanour indicates a connection to the self and the universe.
The Star encourages you to trust in the process of life, have faith that everything is unfolding as it should, and remain hopeful even after difficult times. It is a reminder that healing is possible, and that inspiration and guidance can be found in moments of stillness and contemplation. The Star invites you to reconnect with your dreams and inner light.
In Relationships: The Star signifies healing and renewal or the hope of a new and positive beginning. It suggests that you or your relationship may be in a phase of recovery, where old wounds are being healed, and the relationship is growing into something more harmonious. The Star encourages optimism, suggesting that you trust in the potential for future growth and love. It may also indicate a time for healing after a breakup or a difficult emotional period, reminding you that new love, hope, and happiness are on the horizon. This card promotes spiritual alignment and connection in relationships, guiding you to love yourself first before sharing that love with another.
In Work: The Star signifies renewal, hope, and inspiration in your professional life. It suggests new opportunities are emerging or you are reconnecting with your true purpose or passion in your work. This card encourages creativity, innovation, and the pursuit of dreams, indicating that you are on the right path towards fulfilling your professional goals. The Star brings clarity and guidance, suggesting to trust your intuition and vision for the future. It can also represent a time of recovery or rebuilding after setbacks or challenges, reassuring you that you have the potential to succeed if you stay true to your values.
Spiritually: The Star represents divine guidance, healing, and connection to the higher self. This card invites you to open your heart to spiritual insight and trust that you are being guided by the universe. The Star suggests a period of spiritual renewal, where you may experience peace, clarity, and alignment with your spiritual path. It encourages you to have faith in your spiritual journey, even if the road ahead seems unclear. The Star is a reminder that the universe is always guiding and supporting you, and that spiritual growth comes with a sense of trust, hope, and connection to the divine.
Higher Perceptions
XIX – The Sun
The Sun represents vitality, success, joy, and clarity. This card embodies the life-giving energy of the sun, symbolising illumination, abundance, and a time of personal growth and flourishing. A radiant sun shining down on a child riding a horse signifies optimism, confidence, and clarity. It invites you to bask in the warmth of positivity, truth, and success, indicating that your path is now clear and full of potential. The child symbolises innocence, pure joy, and the freedom to experience life with openness and enthusiasm, while the horse represents strength and forward movement.
The Sun brings light to the darkness, dispelling confusion and uncertainty. It represents a time of abundance and accomplishment, when you are aligned with your true self and can move forward with confidence. This card is a sign of success, happiness, and fulfilment, urging you to embrace your personal power and enjoy the blessings coming your way. It is also a reminder to remain grounded and find joy in the present moment.
In Relationships: The Sun signifies happiness, clarity, and mutual understanding. It suggests the relationship is in a positive phase, where both partners are experiencing joy, harmony, and fulfilment. This card encourages open communication, playfulness, and celebration and may indicate a time of growth, commitment, or a deepening of the bond. The Sun also highlights the importance of self-love and confidence, suggesting that when you are happy with yourself, your relationship will reflect this positive energy. It can also indicate a new love or a fresh start in a current relationship.
In Work: The Sun signals a time of achievement, recognition, and progress. It indicates that your hard work is paying off, and you are experiencing success in your professional life. This card encourages you to continue pursuing your goals optimistically, as you are on the right path towards fulfilment. The Sun represents a clear direction, signalling that now is an excellent time to take bold action, share ideas, or step into the spotlight. It suggests new opportunities may arise, bringing abundance and growth. This card also highlights the importance of enjoying the journey, finding joy in the work, and celebrating achievements, both big and small.
Spiritually: The Sun represents enlightenment and personal growth. This card signifies a time when your spiritual path is illuminated, offering a clear understanding of your purpose and connection to the divine. The Sun encourages you to embrace your authentic self, shine your light brightly, and approach life with joy, positivity, and openness. It indicates a time of spiritual awakening or a period of growth where you feel connected to your higher self and the universe. The Sun reminds you that the truth is always available and that by embracing it, you can achieve spiritual fulfilment and enlightenment.
Necessary Conclusions
VI – The Lovers, Reversed
The Lovers represents union, love, choices, and harmony. It embodies the themes of connection within oneself and with others. The Lovers card is depicted with a couple standing together with an angel overseeing them, symbolising divine blessing and the importance of alignment with higher ideals. This card reflects the powerful and transformative nature of love, not just in romantic relationships, but in many partnerships, including those that involve shared values, goals, and emotional bonds.
Reversed, the Lovers can indicate disharmony, a struggle with making decisions, or a lack of alignment in relationships. It may suggest that you are facing conflicts in love or cannot make a clear choice regarding a romantic or professional relationship. This card reversed warns against making decisions from a place of confusion, fear, or external pressure, urging you to take the time to align your heart and mind before making important choices. It can also signify a lack of balance or authenticity in a relationship, where one or both partners may not be fully committed or honest with each other.
In Relationships: The Lovers card speaks to the power of emotional connections and the importance of choosing love and commitment with intention. It signifies the potential for a significant and harmonious relationship, one grounded in mutual respect, attraction, and shared values. This card invites you to make decisions in love with clarity and authenticity, suggesting that love, when chosen wisely, can lead to fulfilment and growth. The Lovers can also signify a turning point in a relationship, where you must make an important choice.
In Work: The Lovers suggests the importance of aligning professional choices with personal values and passions. It may indicate a partnership or collaboration that will lead to success, or the need to make a decision that will impact your professional path. This card encourages you to consider how your work aligns with your deeper goals and choose a path that resonates with your authentic self. The Lovers also emphasises the importance of balancing work and personal life, fostering relationships that support professional success without sacrificing personal happiness.
Spiritually: The Lovers card signifies the unity of opposites, the balance of masculine and feminine energies, and the pursuit of higher harmony. It invites you to seek alignment within yourself, uniting your conscious and unconscious desires, and connect with the divine through love, compassion, and authenticity. The Lovers can also represent the spiritual journey of making choices that reflect your true calling, encouraging you to act in accordance with your higher self and divine purpose. It reminds us that spiritual growth comes from living in harmony with your values.
The Next Step
XIV – Temperance, Reversed
Temperance represents balance, harmony, moderation, and healing. This card embodies the principle of integrating opposites and finding equilibrium within oneself and in the world. An angel or ethereal figure pours water from one cup to another, the imagery of Temperance suggests the blending of two elements to create something harmonious. The flowing water symbolises the steady flow of energy, while the angel's wings and serene expression point to a divine guidance in achieving harmony. This card teaches the importance of moderation, patience, and self-control in all areas of life.
Reversed, temperance can indicate imbalance, excess, or a lack of harmony in your life. It suggests you may be overindulging in certain areas, whether in emotions, behaviours, or actions, leading to stress, burnout, or disharmony. This card reversed warns against extreme reactions, impulsiveness, or trying to force situations to align with your desires. It can also indicate a failure to find middle ground in relationships or work, leading to conflict or dissatisfaction. Temperance reversed encourages you to reassess your approach, seek a more balanced and measured path, and take the time to heal areas of your life that feel out of alignment.
In Relationships: Temperance suggests that balance and harmony are key in your relationship. It may indicate the need for moderation in how emotions, time, and energy are shared between partners. This card encourages you to avoid extremes—whether in expectations, communication, or attachment—and instead find a balanced approach that fosters mutual respect, understanding, and patience. Temperance speaks to a steady connection, where both partners support each other's growth while maintaining their individuality. It can also indicate healing in relationships, whether overcoming challenges or finding a new sense of balance and understanding between two people.
In Work: Temperance signifies a time for finding balance in one's professional life. This card encourages you to manage your workload, relationships, and responsibilities with grace and moderation, avoiding burnout and stress. It may suggest the need for collaboration or the blending of unique skills or talents to achieve success. Temperance reminds you that steady, thoughtful progress, rather than hasty or extreme actions, is the key to long-term success. This card can also point to a need for healing in the workplace, whether it's resolving conflicts or restoring calm to a stressful environment.
Spiritually: Temperance represents the pursuit of inner balance and integration. This card invites you to align your physical, emotional, and spiritual selves into a harmonious whole, finding peace through moderation, patience, and acceptance. It encourages you to seek spiritual growth through balance rather than extreme practices or rigid beliefs. Temperance suggests that spiritual enlightenment can be achieved when the seeker is in harmony with both the inner self and the external world. It is a reminder that the path to spiritual fulfilment is about maintaining balance and being open to divine guidance.
Surprises
XV – The Devil
The Devil represents temptation, addiction, materialism, and the shadow self. It embodies the forces that bind us to unhealthy patterns, illusions, and attachments. A powerful, frightening figure symbolises the internal and external forces that trap us in cycles of desire, fear, and self-doubt. This card is about the darker side of human nature—the impulses, obsessions, and habits that may seem alluring at the moment but ultimately prevent growth and freedom. The chains are loosely fitted on the figures, suggesting that the freedom to break free from these constraints is possible, but only when you recognise your own power and the nature of your attachments.
The Devil encourages you to examine where you may be giving away your personal power, whether through unhealthy relationships, addiction, material desires, or limiting beliefs. It calls attention to areas where you may feel stuck or trapped by your own choices, urging you to face these shadow aspects head-on to free yourself from the influence of fear and negative patterns.
In Relationships: The Devil suggests you may be entangled in a toxic or unhealthy relationship dynamic. This could include co-dependency, manipulation, or addiction to the relationship itself. The card warns against staying in situations where attachment or control are the primary forces at play. It may also point to unhealthy patterns in your behaviour, such as fear of intimacy or a reliance on superficial desires rather than deeper emotional connection. The Devil invites you to take a step back and examine your motivations in relationships, encouraging you to break free from unhealthy attachments and embrace healthier, more empowering connections.
In Work: The Devil may indicate that you are trapped in a cycle of materialism, greed, or unhealthy work habits. It could suggest an over-reliance on success or external validation, or feeling bound to a job, career, or ambition that no longer serves your highest good. This card can also point to unhealthy competition, control issues, or toxic environments in the workplace. The Devil encourages you to assess where you are compromising yourself in pursuit of career success or material gain. It suggests that fulfilment comes from aligning with your authentic purpose and breaking free from self-imposed limitations.
Spiritually: The Devil speaks to the shadows within the self—the unresolved fears, ego attachments, and limiting beliefs that keep you from experiencing freedom and enlightenment. This card invites you to confront your inner darkness and the forces that bind you to the lower aspects of your nature. The Devil challenges you to examine your relationship with fear and temptation and recognise how these forces may be blocking your spiritual growth. This card calls for liberation, urging you to break free from whatever is holding you back from experiencing spiritual truth.
The Outcome
II – The High Priestess, ReversedThe High Priestess represents intuition, wisdom, and the subconscious mind. This card embodies the mysteries of the unseen and the inner knowledge that transcends logic and reason. She sits between two pillars, one black and one white, symbolising balance and duality. Behind her is a veil decorated with pomegranates, which suggests hidden knowledge and the gateway to deeper understanding. Her serene expression invites you to connect with the voice within.
Reversed, the High Priestess can indicate a blockage or disconnect from one's intuition or inner wisdom. It may suggest that you are ignoring your gut feelings, choosing logic or external influences over your inner knowing. This card reversed may also signal secrecy, deception, or hidden truths yet to be revealed. It urges you to pay attention to what is being left unsaid or to uncover hidden information. Reversed, the High Priestess calls for greater self-awareness and trust in the subconscious mind.
In Relationships: The High Priestess calls for listening to one's inner wisdom in matters of the heart. It suggests you may need to trust your intuition or inner voice, rather than relying only on external circumstances. This card can indicate a deep connection or a relationship in a period of mystery or uncertainty. It encourages introspection and observation, rather than impulsive action, to navigate the emotional and intuitive aspects of love.
In Work: The High Priestess encourages you to trust your inner wisdom when making career decisions. It may signal a time when knowledge and insight, rather than outward action, are necessary to move forward. This card suggests that sometimes the best way to approach career growth is through reflection, careful observation, and connecting with your deeper instincts. The High Priestess may also indicate hidden opportunities or knowledge available, but not yet revealed. Patience and trust in your intuition will be key in navigating the path forward.
Spiritually: The High Priestess represents spiritual growth and the pursuit of higher knowledge. She invites you to embrace the deeper mysteries of life—to seek enlightenment through inner reflection, meditation, and connection with the subconscious. She symbolises the unfolding of wisdom from a connection to the divine and the unseen realms. The High Priestess encourages a journey of introspection, intuition, and spiritual depth.