(click to enlarge)You begin by laying out the Celtic Cross in the usual manner. I've numbered them on the picture in the order I lay them out, but if you are used to laying them out in a different order, by all means stick with your usual way. Then, you continue laying out a second "layer" of cards around the spread starting again at number one and doubling up through the last card, excepting the crossing card.
The cards are read as pairs, interacting with each other. The second layer isn't necessarily clarifying the first, though it can, but the cards are to be read together, sharing information between them in each position. Once you have the pairs sorted out, you can then see how they interact with each other positionally and the spread is then read in the same way you would read a regular CC spread.
I've used this spread a lot and have found it to be very useful for me, but if reading card pairs or the addition of that second layer of cards is just too much information for you, then this isn't the spread for you. If you are comfortable with the Celtic Cross, then this might offer you a bit of an enjoyable challenge.
Hey Ginny
ReplyDeleteThanks for this, will try it out when i get a chance
x
PP (from AT)
Hi Ginny!
ReplyDeleteI tried this... oh my. Indeed a lot of cards! It made some point, but I must admit I had a hard time with all the images attacking me (I'm joking)... Can you believe after 10 years I'm just now really managing to relate the cards to neighboring influences? *sigh* I might want to try this spread towards the end of the year... I'll post how I managed that one! ;)
In the meantime, take care!
Yes there are a lotta cards in this spread and if you're not really comfortable reading pairs, it's going to assault your senses and just be confusing. Some people don't even like the single-card CC for that reason: too many cards. No reason to have to use big spreads, though, so don't knock yourself out with this one. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ginny, I've never seen mention of this spread and I like the idea of pairing the cards up. It looks like a good challenge and I get the best results from the Celtic Cross reading, so I think I'll feel comfortable with it.
ReplyDeleteGinny, I'm a lover of CC and have tried the double spread using your version once, with good success. Thanks for sharing it. :)
ReplyDeleteQuestion: do you read the cards from left to right (ie: 1-11), or right to left (ie: 11-1), or read them both ways, depending on your intuition, etc?
- Sharon
Oh! Almost forgot to ask, as well: I'm curious as to why you prefer a single crossing card? I've only used a single for the crossing, but may try double in the future. :)
ReplyDelete- Sharon
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteI read the spread from center to bottom then left, top, right...so, clockwise. Then the staff from bottom to top. But I actually take it all in as a whole and see how the cards relate to each other, particularly how the Outcome and the Highest Potential relate and if the querant's present actions/attitude is bringing about a dissonance between what they want and what they are actually achieving. Also, the crossing card and the querant's present actions are important to see because they might be getting in their own way and creating more challenges than they realize.
I have no clear idea why I decided on a single crossing card. I know I tried it doubled but it just didn't "sing" for me, so I went back to single. Do whatever works for you. :)
Thank you, for such a quick reply. :) Yes, I also read CC clockwise, exactly as you and with similar positions, because I like how past-present-future are read/viewed straight across. Like a visual story.
ReplyDeleteBut I should've been clearer in my question. What I meant was, do you personally read each double set from left to right or right to left?
For example: let's say the 'Outcome' cards were (10)Tower and (19)Hanged Man. Do you read Tower 1st, then Hanged Man 2nd? Or either way, depending on question and intuition? Just curious, as the 'story' changes, depending on which card is read first.
As for 1 or 2 crossing, I'm not sure which way works best yet, will have to see how it works with various questions.
Thank you for taking the time to answer, as I haven't found much online about DCC, not even at Aecletic. :)
- Sharon
Oh! The card pairs themselves! I always feel the first card is The Card and the second is its clarifier. However, there have been times when that line blurs for me and I just know the interpretation is a blending of the two. Well, you know how fluid tarot can be. ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Ginny,
ReplyDeleteI am relatively new to your blog, but must say that I find yours to be one of the best tarot sites! I find it both intellectually stimulating and easy to comprehend.
I have a question regarding shuffling the cards. What is your preferred method and when reading for someone, do you have them choose their own cards? If not, how do you go about it?
Thanks!
Laurie
Hi Laurie, so glad you found 78 Notes To Self! :) As to shuffling, I have learned, from Vegas dealers and statisticians that it takes at least five to seven shuffles of a deck to randomize it, so I take care to shuffle at least seven times. Then, I usually cut the deck into thirds and re-stack them placing the middle stack on top of the left then the combined stack on the right stack. I then deal. No, I don't have the client choose their own cards unless I'm doing a simple 1-3 card reading, in which case I will fan the cards and allow them to choose. But aside from making sure the deck is thoroughly randomized, I don't think the rest matters.
ReplyDeleteHello, Ginny! I have some questions regarding reversal cards in spread readings. How do you know when a card is negative or positive? I know there’s a yin and yang to everything, but I have always found it easier to pin-point reversed cards as blocked potential, or in some cases positive signs when placed upside down. I've read that you don’t read reversals, and it’s mostly discouraged by other tarot readers but it seems so strange to leave reversed cards out of the quotation. After reading a few of your posts, I decided to stick to studying their upright definitions for the time being, but I’m somehow convinced that reversed cards bear meaning as well. What would your advice be to a Tarot novice so used to reading in reverse?
ReplyDelete- Nicole
Hi Nicole! I DO read reversed in the sense that I pick up on what the card is saying due to its placement and the cards around it, the question asked, etc. I just don't physically place the card upside down. It's mainly due to the way I shuffle. If you like reversed cards and the way you shuffle randomizes them, then keep using them!
ReplyDelete