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The Binary Spread

TheThe Shape of The Binary Spread

For a complete survey of all the current tarot card spreads that are available, it is suggested you consult the numerous volumes of work devoted to the subject. This web site will offer only one - a variation on a more popular spread created years ago and used with much consistency, the Celtic spread. The Celtic spread is probably the most popular of all, and can be found in almost any book on tarot. My version adheres to most of the traditional ideas with just a few alterations for a more precise binary approach. As you can see, the layout of this spread is very symmetrical,

making it easy to visualize the interdependence and interrelationship of each card. If you examine the descriptions given for each position on the following pages you will see how the cards relate in describing both your physical environment as well as your emotional state of mind by giving you two cards for each phase of development, from your past, to the present, to the immediate future and possible future beyond.

In this spread, the left side is always talking about your physical, tangible self and what’s going on around you. While the right side deals exclusively with your emotional state or what’s going on inside you, by examining your feelings and reactions to the physical card just read. So If you read things in order, from card 1 to card 9, you will find yourself reading first about where you are at, and then, how you feel about it - in the past, present and future. Put them all together and they paint a picture of where you are overall, and what direction you are pointing yourself in.

And as always, keep in mind that all futures are changeable, they are possible futures given the circumstances put forth in the reading. If you don’t like the future you get - don’t be the way you are, as described in the reading. If you are not being the way you are described in the reading then perhaps the reading was not accurate to you and your situation - in which case you have nothing to worry about. It’s up to you to be honest and extract whatever meaning you feel applies to your life.

A Disclaimer

If you think that the interpretation you are getting is a bit severe or is hurting your feelings, feel free to accept only the descriptions that are kind - the severe interpretations are there for those who need that kind of kick in the head. If you think a card is too severe you may also want to read it’s opposite good interpretation - sometimes a bad card just means really really extreme or intense conditions, as in so extreme as to be a dangerous or precarious thing - but perhaps, in your case, still a good thing.

The bottom line is to be flexible with how you interpret and honest in looking for meaning. Don’t be so analytical as to give up if you don’t find a passage in the interpretation pages that specifically addresses your situation - instead you should try and look for the essence of the number to come through in these EXAMPLES, and then look honestly at your situation to see how that essence might apply

Position 1

Connecting back to a foundation of previous experiences to determine possible root causes and issues. Source of problems or sources of enablement. What this reading is about. The fuel of this fire. Overriding mood. Overriding or defining concern.

or...a person from the past who’s influence dominates the mood of this reading.

----------------------------- Two Positions to describe the present -----------------------------

Position 2

Physical, tangible self - today - in the present - being here. Dealing with helpful or hindering circumstances.

or...a person who is before you right now.

Position 3

Mental, intangible self - today - in the present - looking around. Being encouraged or discouraged.

or...a person who is in your head right now.

------------------------ Two Positions to describe the immediate past ------------------------

Position 4

Physical, tangible self - yesterday - in the past - being here. Emerging from beneficial or detrimental circumstances.

or...a person who affected you a lot in the past.

Position 5

Mental, intangible self - yesterday - in the present - looking back. Being pleased or disappointed.

or...a person from the past who is still in your head.

---------------------- Two Positions to describe the immediate future ----------------------

Position 6

Physical, tangible self - tomorrow - in the future - being somewhere. Encountering fortuitous or ominous possibilities.

or...a person you are about to encounter.

Position 7

Mental, intangible self - tomorrow - in the future - looking forward. Getting psyched up or psyched out.

or...a person who is influencing how you view the future.

------------ Two Positions to describe the distant future or possible outcome ------------
                                                  (if nothing changes)

Position 8

Physical, tangible self - final outcome - the good or bad that will come of this. What might happen for or against.

or...a person you might meet in the future (if nothing changes).

Position 9

Mental, intangible self - final outcome - the good or bad that will come of this. What you might like or dislike.

or...a person who might influence you in the future (if nothing changes).