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

I – The Magician	Six of Staves	VII – The Chariot
Two of Swords	Queen of Cups	Seven of Coins
Three of Swords (from another Visconti deck)	Five of Coins	Six of Coins

 

 

 

 

Card 1: I – The Magician

The Magician embodies skill, potential, and the power to manifest. He represents the mastery of tools and resources, as well as the confidence to create one's reality. This card speaks of the importance of focus and action in shaping personal success.

Symbolism: The Magician's table holds simple tools, symbolising practical skills and raw materials. His Renaissance attire conveys refinement and expertise, while the golden background suggests his elevated role in shaping the material world. His seated position emphasises composure and control over his craft.

In Relationships: A call to use charm and communication to strengthen relationships. It warns of manipulation if ill-intentioned.

In Work: A time to take initiative and harness your abilities to achieve success. The Magician encourages innovation and confidence.

Spiritually: The Magician bridges the physical and spiritual, reminding the seeker to channel divine inspiration into practical actions.

When ill-dignified: Misuse of skills, deception, or scattered energy. It warns against overconfidence or manipulation.

 

 

 

 

Card 2: Six of Staves

The Six of Staves is the card of victory, achievement, and recognition. It signifies triumph after struggle and the public acknowledgment of success.

Symbolism: The six staves arranged in two parallel rows crossing evoke order, stability, and success. The balance of the composition suggests victory has been achieved through harmony and diligence. The flowery tan background emphasises the card's formal and celebratory nature, reinforcing the sense of accomplishment and recognition.

In Relationships: A time of public recognition in your relationship. The Six of Staves signifies success and admiration, whether it's the acknowledgment of your bond or a shared accomplishment.

In Work: Achievement and recognition in your professional life. This card signals a moment where your hard work is celebrated, whether through a promotion, award, or public acknowledgment.

Spiritually: Victory in your spiritual practice, where you feel accomplishment and clarity. The Six of Staves invites you to bask in the light of your progress and growth.

When ill-dignified: Overconfidence, arrogance, or an inability to recognise the work of others. This may suggest that victory is being taken for granted, or external recognition is fleeting and shallow.

 

 

 

 

Card 3: VII – The Chariot

The Chariot symbolises determination, willpower, and triumph through self-discipline. It represents the ability to move forward and achieve success by mastering conflicting forces.

Symbolism: The stationary horses reflect control rather than speed, while the charioteer's detailed attire and golden background emphasise victory and refinement. The calm pose suggests strength in discipline over chaos.

In Relationships: A time to take charge of your relationship's direction. The Chariot signals progress but warns against domination.

In Work: Triumph through focus and determination. It's a call to harness all resources and overcome obstacles confidently.

Spiritually: The Chariot encourages the mastery of inner conflicts to progress along the spiritual path.

When ill-dignified: Loss of direction, lack of control, or excessive force. It warns against being carried away by ambition or unchecked emotions.

 

 

 

 

Card 4: Two of Swords

The Two of Swords represents a choice or decision that requires careful consideration. It speaks to moments of duality, indecision, or conflict where one must weigh their options. The card often appears when you are at a crossroads, and the need for mental balance is urgent.

Symbolism: The crossed swords signify a stalemate or a moment of pause, where no action is being taken yet, but the tension is palpable. The symmetrical composition emphasises balance and the need for equal consideration of both options before deciding.

In Relationships: A tough choice or an emotional conflict where you may avoid making a decision. The Two of Swords urges you to confront your emotions and choose the path that aligns with your desires.

In Work: Facing a critical decision in your professional life. The Two of Swords advises careful evaluation of all options before proceeding.

Spiritually: A moment of inner conflict or uncertainty in your path. This card calls for introspection and a balance between logic and intuition when navigating your spiritual journey.

When ill-dignified: Indecision, avoidance of the truth, or refusal to confront an issue. The Two of Swords suggests that procrastination or ignoring a situation will only prolong the discomfort.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Card 5: Queen of Cups

The Queen of Cups represents emotional wisdom, intuition, and nurturing. She embodies the ability to care for others while staying connected to her own emotions. This card symbolises empathy, compassion, and a deep understanding of emotional needs.

Symbolism: The Queen sits gracefully on her throne holding her cup, suggesting a deep connection to her emotions. The patterns of her gown and the lavish background emphasise her emotional maturity and nurturing energy.

In Relationships: A loving, nurturing energy. The Queen of Cups signifies emotional support, empathy, and an intuitive understanding of love.

In Work: The ability to lead with emotional intelligence and compassion. The Queen of Cups invites you to nurture your creative or emotional projects, guiding others with care and wisdom.

Spiritually: A time to trust your intuition and embrace emotional depth in your spiritual life. The Queen of Cups calls for self-care and listening to your inner emotional wisdom.

When ill-dignified: Over-sensitivity, emotional manipulation, or neglecting your needs while caring for others. The Queen of Cups warns against becoming immersed in others' emotions at the expense of your own well-being.

 

 

 

 

Card 6: Seven of Coins

The Seven of Coins represents patience, investment, and assessment. It signifies a time to step back and evaluate the progress of your efforts. This card emphasises the importance of patience and the need to wait for the fruits of your labour to manifest.

Symbolism: The irregular arrangement of the seven coins suggests growth, progress, and the anticipation of results. Their grouping represents the natural rhythm of growth, with some efforts taking longer to bear fruit than others.

In Relationships: Reflecting on the progress of a relationship and taking stock of where things are headed. The Seven of Coins encourages patience and careful assessment before making major decisions.

In Work: Evaluating your career progress and investments. This card advises you to assess the returns of your efforts, as growth may be gradual.

Spiritually: A time of spiritual assessment, where you evaluate your progress on your path. The Seven of Coins encourages patience and trust in the process.

When ill-dignified: Impatience, frustration, or lack of faith. The Seven of Coins warns against rushing or abandoning your efforts prematurely.

 

 

 

 

Card 7: Three of Swords (from another Visconti deck)

The Three of Swords represents heartbreak, emotional pain, and sorrow. It signifies a time of emotional distress or grief, often stemming from betrayal, rejection, or loss. This card highlights the painful but necessary process of healing and moving through emotional challenges.

Symbolism: The three swords crossing reflect the pain of emotional betrayal or hurt. The inverted triangular formation emphasises the gravity of the situation, drawing attention to the emotional core. The stark simplicity of the design reinforces the rawness of emotional distress.

In Relationships: Heartbreak or emotional turmoil caused by separation, betrayal, or unrequited love. The Three of Swords encourages you to face your pain and allow yourself time to heal.

In Work: Disappointments or challenges in your professional life. This card can represent a painful decision or the end of an important chapter.

Spiritually: A time of spiritual grief or disillusionment. The Three of Swords invites you to process your emotional wounds and trust in the healing process.

When ill-dignified: Holding onto hurt or bitterness. The Three of Swords warns against allowing emotional pain to define you or inhibit growth.

 

 

 

 

Card 8: Five of Coins

The Five of Coins signifies hardship, financial loss, and feelings of exclusion. It represents times of struggle or difficult circumstances, often related to material or financial difficulties. However, it also highlights the importance of seeking help and support during challenging times.

Symbolism: The crossing arrangement of the five coins creates a sense of imbalance and struggle. Their positioning highlights uncertainty and the need for external help or support.

In Relationships: Feeling abandoned or unsupported. The Five of Coins suggests financial or emotional hardship and the need for mutual care and compassion.

In Work: Financial difficulty or job insecurity. This card calls for resourcefulness and suggests seeking help or guidance during tough times.

Spiritually: A sense of spiritual poverty or abandonment. The Five of Coins reminds you to seek support and remember that even in difficult times, there is a way forward.

When ill-dignified: Isolation, despair, or neglect. The Five of Coins warns against wallowing in difficulty without reaching out for assistance or hope.

 

 

 

 

Card 9: Six of Coins

The Six of Coins represents generosity, charity, and balance in giving and receiving. It speaks to the flow of wealth, where resources are shared. This card emphasises the importance of fair exchange and the joy of helping others.

Symbolism: The even arrangement of the six coins suggests balance and fairness. The vertical alignment represents the flow of giving and receiving, highlighting harmony in financial or material exchanges.

In Relationships: A balanced relationship where both partners give and receive equally. The Six of Coins encourages acts of kindness, generosity, and mutual support.

In Work: Financial generosity or fair exchanges at work. This card suggests that assisting others can bring abundance and harmony into your career.

Spiritually: The spiritual law of giving and receiving. The Six of Coins encourages you to give freely, knowing that your actions will come back to you in time.

When ill-dignified: Imbalance in giving or receiving, manipulation, or exploitation. The Six of Coins warns against selfishness or using generosity to manipulate others.