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  Ten of Swords |
Triggering Causes |
 Nine of Swords |
Necessary Conclusions |  Eight of Swords, Reversed |
| Significator #1 |  Queen of Wands |
Significator #2 |
 IV – The Emperor |
Next Step |  Four of Swords |
 Queen of Cups, Reversed |
||
Surprising Experiences  X – The Wheel of Fortune |
||
Outcome  Three of Wands, Reversed |
Significator #1
IV – The Emperor
The Emperor represents authority, structure, leadership, and stability. As the fourth card of the Major Arcana, it embodies order, discipline, and the ability to create and maintain systems that provide security and success. Sitting upon a grand throne adorned with ram's heads, symbols of strength and leadership, the Emperor exudes power. He is the ruler of his domain, symbolising mastery over the material world and the ability to make decisions confidently. His crown and sceptre reinforce his role as a sovereign figure who governs with authority.
The Emperor is a symbol of structure and organisation, signifying the need for discipline and clear boundaries. He encourages taking responsibility, setting goals, and leading with strength and integrity. The Emperor calls for action grounded in practical wisdom and a solid understanding of the frameworks that govern our lives. His presence indicates the importance of authority in achieving long-term success and the need to stand firm in your beliefs and decisions.
In Relationships: The Emperor represents stability, security, and leadership. It suggests that a solid foundation is necessary for a relationship to thrive. You may be called upon to take on a more protective or responsible role or seek a partner who offers stability and structure. This card can also signify the need for boundaries and mutual respect within a relationship. The Emperor emphasises the importance of leadership and protection.
In Work: The Emperor is a powerful card of success, structure, and authority in the professional realm. It suggests you may be in a position of leadership or will soon be called to take charge of a situation or project. This card encourages discipline, responsibility, and strategic planning in career goals. The Emperor advises you to approach your work with a strong sense of organisation and control, building a foundation to support long-term growth and achievement. Success is likely through creating order and taking decisive, informed action.
Spiritually: The Emperor represents the manifestation of spiritual authority and the use of disciplined energy to create structure and order in one's spiritual practice. It invites you to approach your spiritual journey with focus and responsibility. This card suggests that spiritual growth can be achieved through setting intentions, building a solid foundation, and taking determined action. The Emperor also calls for integrating spiritual teachings into everyday life, using wisdom and strength to create stability.
Significator #2
Four of Swords
The Four of Swords represents rest, recovery, and retreat. This card suggests a period of respite, where you are called to step back from your usual activities to recharge, heal, and reflect. It signals a time when you may have been through a challenging experience or period of stress and now require rest to regain strength and clarity. The image of a figure lying on a bed with swords above them represents the need to pause and disconnect from the external world to focus on internal healing. It is a moment of stillness and quiet contemplation, where rest and recuperation are necessary before advancing.
The Four of Swords calls for a time of self-care and reflection, advising you to retreat from the hustle and bustle of life to find peace and clarity. It suggests you may feel mentally exhausted or emotionally drained and may need to take a break to restore balance. While this card is not one of action or momentum, it is equally important for personal growth and success, as it prepares you for the next phase of your journey. This card invites you to use this time for rejuvenation and self-reflection.
In Relationships: The Four of Swords suggests a need for rest or a temporary break from a relationship or emotional situation. This card may indicate that you or your partner are mentally or emotionally exhausted and need time alone to recover. It could also signify a period of reflection or contemplation about the relationship, where you take a step back to evaluate what you want or need from the connection. The Four of Swords encourages you to prioritise self-care and inner peace, ensuring you are in a healthy state before moving forward. It may also indicate a time of healing from past relationship wounds.
In Work: The Four of Swords signals a time for rest, reflection, and mental rejuvenation. This card suggests you may need to take a break from your work or take some time off to recharge. The Four of Swords indicates you may feel overwhelmed or mentally fatigued and could benefit from stepping away from the pressures of your professional life to regain clarity and focus. It is a reminder that taking care of your mental health and well-being is vital for long-term success. This card advises you to avoid burnout and make time for self-care before continuing your career journey. It may also suggest a time of contemplation, where new ideas and insights can arise after a period of rest.
Spiritually: The Four of Swords represents a time of spiritual healing, rest, and introspection. This card suggests you may need to take a break from your spiritual practices or overwhelming spiritual pursuits to reconnect with yourself and regain your inner peace. The Four of Swords invites you to rest and reflect on your spiritual path, creating space for stillness and silence to hear your inner voice more clearly. It may also signify that you are undergoing a process of spiritual healing or recovery, where you integrate the lessons learned from experiences and allow yourself the time to rejuvenate. This card is a reminder that sometimes stillness and reflection are the keys to spiritual growth.
Early Causes
Nine of Swords
The Nine of Swords represents anxiety, fear, cruelty, and emotional suffering. This card indicates a time of mental strain when you may be plagued by worries, sleepless nights, and overwhelming thoughts. A figure sits up in bed, hands on their face as if gripped by nightmares or regret. The swords in this card represent mental conflict and the destructive nature of excessive worry or fear. The Nine of Swords reveals that you are experiencing a period of distress, where your mind runs rampant with negative thoughts, self-criticism, or feelings of guilt.
This card highlights the heavy emotional toll that anxiety can take, and how the mind can amplify fears and anxieties to the point they seem insurmountable. However, the Nine of Swords also carries the reminder that much of this mental agony is exaggerated or based on false perceptions. You are being encouraged to confront these fears and understand that imagined worst-case scenarios are not as likely as they appear. The Nine of Swords is a call to recognise that, while the pain feels real, the suffering often comes from the mind rather than external circumstances.
In Relationships: The Nine of Swords suggests you are experiencing anxiety, fear, or guilt. This could involve obsessing over a mistake, worrying about the future of the relationship, or being consumed by doubts and insecurities. The card may point to sleepless nights or emotional stress caused by unresolved issues, fear of betrayal, or lingering misunderstandings. The Nine of Swords urges you to examine the source of your worries and recognise whether your fears are based on reality or exaggerated by your mind. It encourages open communication, self-compassion, and the need to address underlying issues.
In Work: The Nine of Swords represents stress, burnout, and overwhelming pressure. You may be facing significant anxiety about your job, career trajectory, or financial security. This card suggests you might be struggling with performance anxiety, fear of failure, or a sense of impending crisis. The Nine of Swords also indicates you may be overthinking a particular situation or obsessing over potential negative outcomes. It is a reminder to step back and assess the situation from a clearer perspective, rather than getting lost in fears of doom. The card encourages you to challenge irrational thoughts and focus on practical solutions, seeking help when possible.
Spiritually: The Nine of Swords indicates a period of anxiety, where you may feel disconnected from your path or overwhelmed by existential fears. This card suggests you are struggling with self-doubt, guilt, or fear of judgement, possibly questioning your beliefs, purpose, or connection to the divine. The Nine of Swords calls for self-reflection and addressing the inner turmoil blocking spiritual growth. It encourages you to release fear-based thinking and trust your higher self. This card reminds you that your spiritual journey does not need to be a source of fear or anxiety, but an opportunity for healing, peace, and trust in the greater flow of life.
Triggering Causes
Eight of Swords, Reversed
The Eight of Swords represents restriction, entrapment, and mental imprisonment. This card suggests you feel trapped or bound by a situation, often because of limiting beliefs, fears, or self-doubt. The image of a blindfolded figure bound and surrounded by swords indicates a state of confusion, where you can't see a way out of your problems or challenges. The Eight of Swords highlights how the mind can create a sense of imprisonment, making obstacles seem insurmountable, even when they may not be. It's a card that invites you to examine the mental barriers you've placed on yourself and realise that you may have more freedom than you perceive.
Reversed, the Eight of Swords suggests you are beginning to free yourself from a state of mental imprisonment or restriction. The reversal indicates that you are gaining clarity, breaking free from limiting beliefs, or finding ways to overcome fears and doubts that have held you back. The reversed Eight of Swords encourages you to continue challenging your mental barriers and take active steps towards liberation. It may also indicate a realisation that the obstacles you perceived were not as insurmountable as you thought and that there is a way forward if you change your perspective.
In Relationships: The Eight of Swords suggests a situation where you feel trapped, restricted, or emotionally bound. This could indicate feelings of helplessness or fear that prevent you from moving forward. The Eight of Swords may also represent a situation where you feel stuck due to insecurities or fears about opening up or making changes in the relationship. The card encourages you to examine your mental and emotional limitations and recognise that these barriers are not insurmountable. It may also suggest that you need to free yourself from old wounds, negative beliefs about love, or toxic patterns to move forward in a healthier and more fulfilling way.
In Work: The Eight of Swords indicates you may feel trapped in your current job, position, or professional situation. You may feel like you have no options or are constrained by circumstances beyond your control. The Eight of Swords suggests you are experiencing a mental block, feeling stuck, or doubting your abilities to break free from your current work situation. This card encourages you to challenge your own thinking and recognise that the restrictions you feel are often mental rather than physical. The Eight of Swords advises you to seek new perspectives, find creative solutions, and have the confidence to move past your self-imposed limitations to achieve career growth and fulfilment.
Spiritually: The Eight of Swords represents a state of spiritual confusion or entrapment. You may struggle with limiting beliefs, fear, or doubt preventing you from embracing your spiritual path. This card suggests you may feel disconnected from your spiritual practice or trapped in a cycle of negative thought patterns. The Eight of Swords invites you to examine your mental state and recognise that your limitations may be self-created. It encourages you to release these fears, allowing yourself to move along your spiritual path with greater freedom and openness.
Higher Perceptions
Ten of Swords
The Ten of Swords represents painful endings, betrayal, and hitting rock bottom. This card signals a time of tremendous distress, often indicating that a situation has reached its peak of destruction, and the only way out is through the aftermath. The image depicts a figure lying face down with ten swords piercing their back, symbolising the ultimate betrayal or defeat. The Ten of Swords signifies a crisis or a moment where you feel like everything falls apart, and you are at the lowest point possible. However, it is important to note that the Ten of Swords also marks the completion of a cycle, meaning that while the end is painful, it is also the beginning of a new chapter.
Despite its bleak appearance, the Ten of Swords carries the potential for rebirth. The card encourages you to acknowledge the pain and suffering you have experienced but to understand that the worst is over. While the damage has been done, this moment represents the conclusion of a painful cycle. From here, things can only get better. The Ten of Swords invites you to accept the end of a situation, release any lingering attachment to the past, and open yourself to the possibilities of the future.
In Relationships: The Ten of Swords suggests the painful end of a relationship, possibly involving betrayal, dishonesty, or emotional devastation. You may experience the finality of a breakup, a sense of loss, or the painful realisation that a relationship is no longer serving your well-being. This card indicates a time of heartache but also signals the end of a difficult emotional journey. The Ten of Swords urges you to release any attachment to the past and allow yourself the time and space to heal. While this card represents a painful ending, it also holds the promise of emotional liberation and the opportunity to rebuild your sense of self and open yourself up to future relationships.
In Work: The Ten of Swords represents a significant failure, burnout, or the collapse of a professional endeavour. You may have experienced a career setback, loss of a job, or the failure of a project. This card signals the end of a phase in your work life, often due to betrayal, poor decisions, or circumstances beyond your control. While the Ten of Swords can represent a moment of defeat, it also suggests this is the conclusion of a difficult chapter. The card encourages you to accept the end of the situation and focus on the lessons learned, knowing that from this point forward, you can move on to more fulfilling professional opportunities.
Spiritually: The Ten of Swords indicates spiritual crisis, despair, or the shattering of old beliefs. You may be going through an intense period of doubt, loss, or a profound sense of disconnection from your spiritual path. This card represents the breaking down of old structures and ways of thinking, which can feel devastating but is necessary for growth. The Ten of Swords invites you to embrace this spiritual death and let go of outdated beliefs or attachments that no longer serve you. Though painful, this is an opportunity for rebirth, allowing you to reconnect with your true self and the divine.
Necessary Conclusions
Queen of Wands
The Queen of Wands embodies confidence, warmth, creativity, and the ability to inspire others. It represents a powerful, passionate energy that is both nurturing and assertive. The Queen of Wands is a woman of action, someone not afraid to step into the spotlight and take charge of her life and circumstances. She radiates self-assurance and charm, attracting others through charisma and enthusiasm. Depicted with a sunflower and a black cat, the Queen of Wands is in touch with her intuition and creativity, and she uses these traits to manifest her desires and lead others with grace.
This card symbolises personal power, creativity, and the drive to achieve goals with energy and passion. The Queen of Wands is someone in control of her passions, who uses them to fuel her ambitions, whether in career, relationships, or personal growth. Her leadership is not about dominating others but empowering and inspiring those around her. The Queen of Wands reminds you to step into your own power, trust your creative instincts, and pursue your goals enthusiastically.
In Relationships: The Queen of Wands represents confidence, warmth, and attraction. This card suggests a period of emotional connection, where you and your partner are in sync, both passionate and supportive of one another. The Queen of Wands encourages being bold in love, expressing desires and needs confidently, and creating a relationship full of joy. For those who are single, the Queen of Wands signifies the potential for attracting a romantic partner who embodies warmth, strength, and charisma. This card invites you to approach love with a sense of self-assurance, knowing that you deserve a passionate and fulfilling relationship.
In Work: The Queen of Wands signifies success, leadership, and creative energy. This card suggests you are in a position where you can take charge of your professional life, whether by leading a team, initiating new projects, or inspiring others with your vision and passion. The Queen of Wands is a natural leader, and her creativity and drive make her well-suited for roles that require innovation, problem-solving, and the ability to bring people together. This card encourages you to trust your instincts and embrace your natural leadership qualities, knowing that you can manifest your goals gracefully.
Spiritually: The Queen of Wands represents a time of empowerment and self-discovery. You are being encouraged to trust your intuition and follow your inner guidance as you navigate your spiritual path. The Queen of Wands is deeply connected to her inner fire, and this card invites you to cultivate that same energy within yourself. It suggests a time of creative spiritual exploration when you can tap into your personal power and intuition to find new avenues for growth and insight. The Queen of Wands reminds you that your spiritual journey is one of empowerment and that by embracing your true self, you will attract the experiences and wisdom you seek.
The Next Step
Queen of Cups, Reversed
The Queen of Cups represents emotional intelligence, compassion, and intuitive understanding. She embodies the nurturing aspects of the feminine, using her emotional sensitivity to guide and support others. This card signifies a time when you may be in touch with your emotions and instincts, offering warmth, empathy, and understanding to those around you. The Queen of Cups is a healer, counsellor, and protector who can hold space for others' feelings while maintaining emotional balance and self-awareness.
Reversed, the Queen of Cups may indicate emotional imbalance, co-dependency, or difficulty in healthily expressing emotions. The reversal suggests you may be overwhelmed by your feelings, struggling to maintain emotional boundaries, or focused on others' emotions at the expense of your well-being. The Queen of Cups reversed can also indicate a lack of self-care or neglecting your emotional needs, either due to fear of vulnerability or giving too much to others. This card invites you to reconnect with your emotions, set healthy boundaries, and prioritise self-care to regain emotional balance.
In Relationships: The Queen of Cups represents a strong emotional connection and the ability to give and receive love in a nurturing, compassionate way. This card suggests you may be in or about to experience a relationship where emotional support, empathy, and understanding are key. The Queen of Cups encourages you to approach love with kindness, patience, and emotional maturity, ensuring you can offer and receive love while maintaining healthy emotional boundaries. This card may indicate a period of emotional growth and healing, where both partners can support each other. The Queen of Cups reminds you that true love is built on a foundation of emotional care and mutual respect.
In Work: The Queen of Cups suggests you may find success in fields that require nurturing qualities, such as counselling, caregiving, the arts, or any profession that involves helping others. This card encourages you to trust your intuition and emotional insight in your work, using these gifts to guide your decision-making and interactions. The Queen of Cups may also indicate a period of personal growth in the professional realm, where your emotional awareness helps you navigate challenges with grace and understanding. This card reminds you to find balance, ensuring you are fulfilled in your career, and you nurture your emotional well-being while supporting others.
Spiritually: The Queen of Cups represents emotional healing, intuition, and a strong connection to the spiritual realm. This card indicates that you are in tune with your inner voice and spiritual wisdom, allowing your intuition to guide you. The Queen of Cups encourages you to trust your instincts and emotional insights as you navigate your spiritual journey. This card may also suggest that you are being called to help others.
Surprises
X – The Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel of Fortune represents cycles, fate, destiny, and change. The tenth card of the Major Arcana embodies the ever-turning wheel of life, where circumstances shift unpredictably, and the forces of fortune and destiny influence our lives. The Wheel features symbols such as the creatures of Ezekiel's vision and the Sphinx, representing the ongoing movement of time and the interplay between fate and free will. The card speaks to the cyclical nature of existence, where moments of fortune and misfortune rise and fall, reminding us that no situation lasts forever.
The Wheel of Fortune signifies that change is inevitable, and you are entering a phase where luck, external forces, or destiny will play a key role in your life. This card often points to a turning point, suggesting that a shift in circumstances is on the horizon. The Wheel of Fortune encourages you to embrace the flow of life, trust in the process, and understand that everything moves in cycles. It calls for acceptance of both the highs and lows, for they are both integral parts of the journey.
In Relationships: The Wheel of Fortune signifies that changes are coming, often unexpectedly. It may indicate a turning point in a romantic relationship, where new dynamics or events will shift the course of the connection. This card suggests you should be open to the ebb and flow of emotions, as relationships go through cycles of growth, transformation, and occasional turmoil. The Wheel reminds us that love is not static, and that fate or timing may play a crucial role in romantic endeavours. It encourages flexibility and acceptance, knowing that changes, while sometimes difficult, bring opportunities for renewal and growth.
In Work: The Wheel of Fortune suggests change is imminent, whether it's a shift in job, career path, or professional circumstances. This card can indicate that your efforts are about to bear fruit or external forces, such as a new opportunity or unexpected event, will alter the course of your professional journey. The Wheel of Fortune encourages you to stay adaptable, as fortune may favour you or present challenges that require a shift in perspective. It also signifies that luck or timing will be a factor, and you should be ready to seize opportunities that arise.
Spiritually: The Wheel of Fortune speaks to the interconnectedness of all things and the cyclical nature of life. It reminds you that everything is in constant motion, and that spiritual growth often comes through periods of both abundance and hardship. This card encourages you to trust in the divine timing of your journey, knowing that each phase, whether of challenge or ease, has a lesson to offer. The Wheel of Fortune also invites you to recognise that fate plays a role in your spiritual path and be open to the mysteries of the universe, even when things are beyond your control.
The Outcome
Three of Wands, Reversed
The Three of Wands represents expansion, progress, and the fruition of efforts. It signifies the point where initial planning and efforts begin to show tangible results. Depicted as a figure standing on a cliff, looking out over the horizon, the Three of Wands symbolises the anticipation of what is to come and the realisation that the groundwork has been laid for success. The figure is waiting for ships to return, signalling that the efforts made are now on their way to manifesting. This card speaks to the moment of watching your investments, actions, or plans come to fruition and awaiting the rewards of your previous work.
Reversed, the Three of Wands can indicate delays, obstacles, or a lack of progress. You may feel frustrated as your plans do not seem to be manifesting as expected. It can also suggest that you are focusing too much on short-term results and are losing sight of the long-term vision. The reversed Three of Wands advises you to remain patient and keep working towards your goals, even if you do not see immediate rewards. It may also indicate a need to reassess your efforts to ensure they are aligned with your long-term vision. This card reminds you that even in times of delay, progress is still being made, and you should trust the process and continue your momentum.
In Relationships: The Three of Wands indicates the relationship is progressing, and there's anticipation of the future. This card suggests you and your partner have laid a solid foundation, and now is the time to look ahead to the next phase. There may be plans for travel, a long-distance relationship, or even a period of growth within the connection. The Three of Wands encourages patience as both individuals continue to invest in the relationship, knowing the efforts made will eventually pay off. For those who are single, the Three of Wands suggests you are open to new possibilities in love and are looking ahead to future romantic opportunities, whether that involves waiting for the right person to come into your life or considering potential future relationships that align with your vision.
In Work: The Three of Wands signals that your hard work and planning are beginning to pay off. It indicates that the foundation for success has been established, and now you are in a phase of expansion and progress. This card suggests new opportunities are on the horizon, whether through new projects, partnerships, or ventures. It encourages you to look beyond immediate concerns and focus on long-term growth. The Three of Wands advises you to maintain a broad perspective and stay open to new opportunities. There may be a need to take risks or step outside of your comfort zone to realise the potential of the situation. This card indicates that things are on the right track, and with patience, you will see the rewards of your efforts.
Spiritually: The Three of Wands represents a time of growth, expansion, and spiritual exploration. It indicates that you are on the right path and that your spiritual journey is progressing. This card encourages you to look beyond your current understanding and be open to new teachings, practices, or experiences that will further your spiritual development. The Three of Wands suggests you have already achieved a certain level of spiritual awareness, and now you are ready to take the next steps on your journey. It encourages you to keep your vision wide, embracing the idea that spiritual growth is a continuous process, full of new horizons to discover.