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

	Higher Perceptions Nine of Disks (Gain)
Early Causes Prince of Cups		Triggering Causes Ace of Cups
	Necessary Conclusions 0 – The Fool
Significator #1 Six of Cups (Pleasure)		Significator #2 Four of Wands (Completion)
	Next Step Three of Wands (Virtue)
	Surprising Experiences Queen of Cups
	Outcome Seven of Swords (Futility)

 

 

 

 

Significator #1

Six of Cups (Pleasure)

Astrological Correspondence: Sun in Scorpio

The Six of Cups symbolises harmony, emotional fulfilment, and glee derived from experiences or connections. In this deck, the card features six golden cups arranged in a balanced and symmetrical pattern, overflowing with water from flowers, representing the renewal and richness of emotional energy. The imagery conveys an atmosphere of sensual satisfaction and the revitalising joy of revisiting memories or tapping into emotional resources from the past.

The Sun in Scorpio combines the warmth and illumination of the Sun with Scorpio's depth and intensity, highlighting a connection between the conscious acknowledgment of joy and the transformative power of emotional experiences. It signifies a moment of emotional harmony where the past serves as a source of strength and inspiration for the present.

The Six of Cups invites us to indulge in the pleasures of memory and connection, celebrating the richness of our emotional life. While it carries echoes of nostalgia, it is not merely a backward glance but an affirmation of the deep well of emotional abundance that fuels growth and joy. It reminds us to embrace moments of pleasure, allowing them to recharge our spirits and enrich our present.

In Relationships: The Six of Cups can suggest a reunion with a past lover or rekindling of childhood affection or relationships that hold emotional nostalgia. It may also indicate a period of emotional healing, where you can find solace in the purity of love once experienced or remembered.

In Work: The Six of Cups might represent revisiting passions, returning to work or environments where you once found emotional fulfilment. This card suggests drawing on experiences or revisiting a childhood dream or ambition could help bring growth and emotional satisfaction in your career.

Spiritually: The Six of Cups speaks to a desire for a return to spiritual innocence and simplicity. It can be a reminder to embrace the spiritual joy and wonder of childhood or early spiritual experiences. It may also indicate a time to reconnect with old spiritual practices that once felt powerful, or to seek comfort in sacred places or rituals.

When ill-dignified: The Six of Cups may point to excessive attachment to the past, nostalgia for things that no longer serve you. There may be a reluctance to move forward, clinging to former relationships or times with an unrealistic expectation. You may feel stuck, as if you are living in the past and unable to embrace the present or future.

 

 

 

 

 

Significator #2

Four of Wands (Completion)

Astrological Correspondence: Venus in Aries

The Four of Wands represents the harmony and stability achieved after the completion of a phase of effort or creation. It reflects the satisfaction and joy of building a firm foundation and the sense of accomplishment that follows. The card depicts four wands crossed symmetrically, forming a balanced and stable structure like a wheel. Their placement emphasises equilibrium, with the energy of Venus bringing beauty and refinement to the fiery drive of Aries.

This card is a moment to recognise the results of focused effort, where the fiery initiative of Aries is tempered by Venus' sense of harmony and aesthetics. It signifies a pause to celebrate milestones, appreciate achievements, and enjoy the peace and security of a stable structure. While it marks completion, it also carries the potential for future growth, as stability provides a springboard for new ventures. The Four of Wands reminds us to acknowledge and honour the harmony we have worked to create.

In Relationships: The Four of Wands represents harmony and stability. It suggests the foundation of the relationship has been solidified, and the time has come to celebrate the commitment and mutual understanding that exists.

In Work: This card indicates a time of achievement and recognition. You have reached a point where you can enjoy the fruits of your labour and feel confident in your progress. It's a moment of consolidation before the next phase.

Spiritually: The Four of Wands represents spiritual peace and stability. It indicates balance and alignment, where you can take time to reflect and celebrate the progress you have made on your spiritual path.

When ill-dignified: The Four of Wands may suggest an unstable or superficial foundation. You might be focused too much on external appearances or celebrations rather than addressing deeper issues. It is a warning not to take the stability for granted, as cracks may be forming beneath the surface.

 

 

 

 

 

Early Causes

Prince of Cups

Element: Air of Water

Astrological Correspondence: Scorpio

The Prince of Cups represents the dynamic interplay between intellect and emotion, where Air's exploratory nature merges with Water's depth and intensity. As Air of Water, he embodies a figure of emotional complexity and intellectual curiosity, driven by a quest for deeper meaning and truth, pulled by an eagle. He is depicted as a charioteer navigating turbulent waters, holding a cup that symbolises his pursuit of emotional and spiritual insight.

This card highlights the active force of intuition and the transformative power of emotions guided by intellectual focus. The Scorpio influence intensifies his inner depth, imbuing his journey with passion, determination, and a willingness to explore the unknown realms of the heart and soul.

The Prince of Cups invites you to harness your emotional wisdom and channel it into meaningful action. While his intensity and curiosity can lead to profound insights and transformative experiences, he also cautions against becoming consumed by emotional extremes or illusions. He inspires you to balance your emotional depth with clarity and purpose, pursuing your desires with confidence and integrity.

In Relationships: The Prince of Cups represents someone idealistic, emotionally expressive, and perhaps on a quest for love or emotional fulfilment. This card can indicate someone emotionally open but who may be swept away by their emotions or desires for romantic ideals.

In Work: The Prince of Cups can point to a career path that requires creativity, intuition, and emotional intelligence. He may represent a person who uses their emotional depth and insight to drive their professional goals or a time when you are pursuing a career that aligns with your emotional passions and desires. However, the Prince also suggests ensuring you stay grounded, as you could become distracted by your emotional dreams or ideals.

Spiritually: The Prince of Cups speaks to an emotional journey where intuition and feelings guide you. This card indicates you are on a spiritual quest to connect more profoundly with your emotions and intuitive wisdom. It suggests a time of emotional exploration propelled by intellectual curiosity and the search for higher truths.

When ill-dignified: The Prince of Cups can indicate emotional instability or a tendency to act impulsively based on fleeting feelings. You may become overly idealistic, leading to disillusionment when reality doesn't align with your fantasies. There may also be a tendency to escape into emotional distractions, rather than facing challenging feelings head-on.

 

 

 

 

 

Triggering Causes

Ace of Cups

(Root of Water)

The Ace of Cups represents the origin of all emotional energy, a divine or universal flow of love, compassion, and spiritual connection. As the Root of Water, this card embodies the purest potential of emotional experience and intuition. The image features a cup floating above a sea of water, emanating a stream of light that represents an endless supply of love, emotion, and spiritual energy.

This imagery evokes emotional renewal and spiritual enlightenment, with the flowing water symbolising abundance and fertility in the emotional and spiritual realms. The Ace of Cups invites you into a moment of clarity, renewal, and healing, where the heart and soul are open to receiving and experiencing deep, unconditional love and compassion. It is a card of emotional awakening and spiritual blessing, suggesting the potential for new emotional beginnings or heightened spiritual experiences.

In Relationships: The Ace of Cups can indicate the beginning of a new, spiritually connected romance or a renewed sense of emotional intimacy. There is a deep well of emotional potential here—be it the birth of love or the rekindling of an existing connection at a profound level.

In Work: The Ace of Cups speaks to the emotional satisfaction derived from one's work or creative expression. It points to fulfilment from what you are doing, especially if it is connected to healing, the arts, or nurturing others. There is an overflow of positive energy, suggesting that work aligns with your core values and passions.

Spiritually: The Ace of Cups is a card of emotional awakening, intuition, and connection to the divine. It indicates a time of spiritual rebirth, where the seeker is being filled with spiritual nourishment. The Ace invites you to open your heart and embrace love and compassion as a guiding force.

When ill-dignified: The Ace of Cups can suggest emotional blockages, a closed heart, or a disconnection from one's emotional well-being. This may indicate an inability to connect with others on an emotional level or feeling empty despite a desire for deeper connection. There may be emotional stagnation or an inability to express your feelings clearly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Higher Perceptions

Nine of Disks (Gain)

Astrological Correspondence: Venus in Virgo

This card signifies the rewards of careful planning, hard work, and self-sufficiency. It represents financial success, personal independence, and the satisfaction of having built one's wealth and stability. The Nine of Disks embodies a period of accomplishment, where you enjoy the material comforts resulting from your labour and efforts.

The imagery reflects a time of prosperity and security, where you can bask in the luxury and enjoyment of the material world. At the same time, this card suggests a connection to the material realm not driven by excess or greed. The Nine of Disks speaks to the ability to appreciate the fruits of one's work without becoming consumed by it. It encourages a mindful enjoyment of material success while maintaining independence and self-control.

With the influence of Venus in Virgo, this card highlights the appreciation for beauty, comfort, and refinement within a context of practicality and discipline. The Nine of Disks encourages celebrating achievements and enjoying the rewards of thoughtful, strategic effort.

In Relationships: The Nine of Disks suggests a time of contentment and satisfaction. It may indicate that you enjoy the benefits of a stable, flourishing relationship where both partners are self-sufficient and enjoy material comforts together. It can also signify enjoying peace and abundance in love.

In Work: The Nine of Disks indicates a time of accomplishment and financial independence. It suggests you have worked hard to achieve success and are now enjoying the benefits of your efforts. It may also indicate a time of personal enjoyment and reflection on the rewards of your labour.

Spiritually: The Nine of Disks represents fulfilment and enjoying the fruits of your labour. It suggests you have reached a level of spiritual self-sufficiency and that your path is one of peace, contentment, and balance between material and spiritual realms.

When ill-dignified: The Nine of Disks can indicate overindulgence, materialism, or complacency. It may suggest you are too focused on wealth or external appearances and neglect your spiritual growth or inner needs. The card warns against becoming too comfortable and losing sight of goals.

 

 

 

 

 

Necessary Conclusions

0 – The Fool

(Air, Uranus, Aleph)

The Fool of the Thoth deck embodies the chaotic, boundless energy of pure potential, untouched by form or limitation. He is the alpha and omega of the journey, the primordial force from which all creation arises. Corresponding to Aleph, the breath of life, and the element of Air, the Fool represents the vibrant, unpredictable nature of Uranus, the planet of sudden change and divine inspiration.

The figure of The Fool is richly adorned, standing amid a swirling maelstrom of symbolic forms. He wears motley robes to represent his openness to all experiences, while the winged sun at his feet symbolises the life-giving power of the divine. Around him whirl a tiger (representing instinct and primal fear), a crocodile (a guardian of the mysteries and a symbol of time), and a rainbow-hued disk, representing the harmony of all elements. The Fool holds a blazing torch in one hand and a crystal cup in the other, signifying the balance of will and receptivity. One foot is grounded in the world, while the other stands on the fourth wall, as if attempting to step into our world.

In Relationships: The Fool represents the potential for new beginnings and uncharted emotional experiences. It encourages you to approach relationships with innocence and trust, unburdened by fears or preconceptions.

In Work: This card advises bold action and faith in one's ideas. It suggests venturing into unfamiliar territory and taking inspired risks, understanding that growth lies in embracing uncertainty.

Spiritually: The Fool symbolises the seeker's initial step on the path to enlightenment, an act of surrender to the cosmic current. It urges you to trust the process and let go of the need for certainty.

When ill-dignified: The Fool warns of chaos, recklessness, or naivety. You are cautioned to discern whether you are pursuing freedom or fleeing responsibility and examine whether your actions align with higher wisdom.

 

 

 

 

 

The Next Step

Three of Wands (Virtue)

Astrological Correspondence: Sun in Aries

The Three of Wands represents the harmonious alignment of will, action, and purpose. It symbolises confidence, leadership, and the strength to act with integrity. The card depicts three wands crossed in balance, radiating stability and mutual support. Flames emanate from the centre, representing the creative and dynamic energy of fire that has been focused and directed constructively.

This card is about the manifestation of one's will through effort and coordination. It marks the point where initial efforts have taken root and a solid foundation has been established, allowing for continued growth and success. Unlike the chaos of unbridled ambition, the Three of Wands reflects a disciplined and virtuous use of power, ensuring that actions align with one's higher principles. It is a card of optimism, self-assurance, and the momentum to build upon early achievements.

In Relationships: The Three of Wands indicates growth and development. The connection has reached a point where both parties can begin to see the potential for a shared future and greater commitment.

In Work: This card suggests you are beginning to see the first signs of success from previous efforts. It encourages you to continue building on their foundations and look forward to even greater accomplishments.

Spiritually: The Three of Wands represents the expansion of spiritual knowledge and understanding. It signifies progress and the beginning of a deeper connection with the divine.

When ill-dignified: The Three of Wands may suggest overconfidence, impatience, or a lack of focus. You could be spreading yourself too thin or expecting results too quickly. It advises careful planning and the need to be patient as the process unfolds.

 

 

 

 

 

Surprises

Queen of Cups

Element: Water of Water

Astrological Correspondence: Cancer

The Queen of Cups embodies the purest expression of emotional depth, intuition, and nurturing energy. As Water of Water, she symbolises the harmonious flow of feelings, offering profound emotional wisdom and understanding. She is depicted as a serene and graceful figure in a waterfall, holding a cup that symbolises her ability to channel the depths of her emotional and intuitive nature with calm and poise.

Her Cancerian influence enhances her sensitivity, compassion, and protective instincts, making her a nurturing guide through emotional landscapes. She is deeply attuned to her inner world and the needs of others, offering care, understanding, and support with unshakable grace.

The Queen of Cups invites you to embrace emotional intelligence and connect with intuition. Her presence suggests a time to nurture yourself or others, trust intuitive insights, and approach emotional challenges with empathy and wisdom. She encourages you to cultivate inner harmony and use your emotional depth as a source of strength and guidance.

In Relationships: The Queen of Cups signifies a partner who is emotionally mature, loving, and intuitive. She represents someone who offers emotional support and can nurture a relationship with wisdom and care. The Queen suggests a time of emotional balance when love flows freely and comfortably. She can also indicate a time when you need to cultivate emotional security in relationships.

In Work: The Queen of Cups is a card of emotional intelligence. She suggests a career in which compassion, counselling, or care-taking is emphasised. The Queen represents the ability to lead with emotional insight, bringing empathy and understanding to professional environments. Her presence can also indicate that you need to approach your work with greater emotional intelligence or personal care.

Spiritually: The Queen of Cups suggests a time of emotional healing when you can tap into your emotional wisdom to guide your spiritual growth. The card indicates intuition and inner knowledge, pointing towards a time when your connection to your emotional self will provide you with clarity and spiritual insight.

When ill-dignified: The Queen of Cups may indicate emotional instability, a tendency to over-empathise at the expense of self-care, or the possibility of emotional manipulation. You may become overly dependent on others for emotional support or struggle with emotional boundaries. There may also be a danger of neglecting personal emotional needs in the service of others.

 

 

 

 

 

The Outcome

Seven of Swords (Futility)

Astrological Correspondence: Moon in Aquarius

The Seven of Swords features six swords pointing downward, surrounding one large, central sword. The swords' arrangement creates a sense of imbalance, indicating confusion, strategy gone awry, or mental conflict. The large sword in the centre represents a central issue or challenge, while the six surrounding swords suggest attempts at intellectual or strategic action that fail to resolve the problem.

The Moon in Aquarius influence brings emotional confusion or distorted perceptions, where rational thought may be clouded by fears or hidden motives. This card points to the futility of relying solely on cleverness or deceit to solve problems. Instead, it urges you to face the situation directly, as manipulation is unlikely to bring lasting resolution.

The Seven of Swords warns of misdirected efforts, cautioning you to know the consequences of trying to escape or avoid the truth through deceit or cunning. It signals a time of reassessment, urging a clearer, more honest approach to mental challenges.

In Relationships: The Seven of Swords may suggest dishonesty, hidden motives, or the need for careful communication. It could indicate that one partner is concealing something important, or a relationship is built on mind games. The card calls for transparency and openness to avoid betrayal or misunderstanding.

In Work: The Seven of Swords may indicate that you are using strategy, perhaps even deceit, to achieve success. It suggests a need to be cautious of the ethics of your actions, as victory gained through dishonesty can be short-lived. Alternatively, the card may indicate a situation where you are being strategic, working behind the scenes to plan for future success.

Spiritually: The Seven of Swords indicates a need for discernment and caution. It may signify a situation where you are hiding your true spiritual intentions or are not being entirely honest with yourself. The card urges you to confront secrets or falsehoods to achieve spiritual clarity.

When ill-dignified: The Seven of Swords can signify outright deception, manipulation, or betrayal. It can also point to avoidance of the truth or a tendency to hide behind false pretences. This card warns against the misuse of intellect for personal gain, urging you to reconsider the ethics of your actions and motivations.