I love when I find a new (for me) tarot spread that really excites me, and I was recently introduced to one via Mary K. Greer’s wonderful blog. It’s called the “Four Aces Spread”; for detailed information please visit here.
I would like to share with you the reading I did for a long-time client using this new spread. I used Ciro Marchetti’s Gilded Tarot deck (unfortunately, I can no longer find images posted on his website but you can see samples here).
The intent of my client’s reading (let’s call him John) was “Life Sphere”, a look at all areas of his life encompassing Work/Creativity, Love/Relationships, Problem-Solving, and Money/Security.
The cards were laid out as follows:
Row 1:
Ace/Wands (reversed), 7/Sword, King/Swords (reversed), and Queen/Wands (reversed)
Row 2:
Ace/Cups (reversed), The Devil, Strength (reversed), 8/Wands
Row 3:
Ace/Swords, 6/Swords, Queen/Pentacles (reversed), 3/Wands (reversed)
Row 4:
Ace/Pentacles, 4/Wands, The Lovers, 8/Swords (reversed)
(Before I share the reading, let me mention that I do read reverse cards, but a little differently than most readers. For me, reverse cards indicate an internal aspect, a need to focus on the energies of the card within, rather than outside, oneself. Eight of the cards in this reading were reversed, indicating to me a need for John to balance inner reflection with outer action.)
The Reading:
Row 1 let us know that the main focus for John’s attention and energies at the moment involve Work/Creativity. John feels that because he’s had to take on more of the decision-making aspects of his workplace (King/Swords), he’s not able to focus on what really stirs his passion and desire (Queen/Wands) and feels as if he’s not only not doing as good a job as he should be, but he’s having to leave behind at the moment what he truly wants to do (7/Swords).
Row 2 indicates the area of John’s life to which he’s not paying as much attention as he needs, which we see is Love/Relationships. The Devil (as the highest numbered Major Arcana in the entire spread it has much to say, which we’ll discuss in the summary) showing up with Strength, is an indication that John has some fears (Strength) about being in relationship and opening himself up to the pleasures and joys of life (The Devil). It’s time to move past this fear, and do it quickly! (8/Wands). Is it possible there’s a new relationship opportunity coming John’s way?
Row 3 offers us a glimpse into a way to resolve any conflict that exists between Work/Creativity and Love/Relationships. John can move beyond his fear of opening to a new relationship (6/Swords) and be open to something new manifesting in his life (3/Wands) by recognizing his ability to have both the work he wants and the relationship he dreams of (Queen/Pentacles). He needs to stop using his job as an excuse for not doing the necessary inner reflection around relationship fears.
Row 4 let’s us see what John may need to focus on in the future, and it does revolve around Money/Security. Interestingly enough, while money and security are the focus, there are no other pentacles in this row! We see a wand, a sword, and a major arcana. The Lovers card is not simply indicating a relationship may be coming in, but more importantly it’s asking John to get to the core of his feelings about being in a relationship: will it create a loving home that will make him feel secure (4/Wands) or will he feel trapped and stuck in his fears (8/Swords)?
The Summary:
There is a continuing theme through John’s reading, which has been a continuing theme throughout his life: the struggle between wands (his passion, his desire, his “fire in the belly”) and swords (thinking, analyzing, controlling). There is what he desires to do, and what he thinks he should do. John is not finding fulfillment in his work because he’s not spending enough time doing what he is passionate about. He agreed that it was time to sit down with his employer (who luckily is extremely supportive and encouraging) and look at ways in which he can bring more balance into his workplace to allow him the time and energy to explore his passions.
Once he does this, John realizes he can no longer use his unhappiness at work as an excuse to avoid looking at his fears around relationship. Here we look at The Devil (which I interpret a bit differently and which I recently wrote about on this blog site). John has had his heart broken in the past, as have most people at some time in their lives. For John, this has created a fear of opening his heart again, of allowing love to come tumbling in and take him on love’s wild journey through life, experiencing all the passions and pleasures and joys, as well as sorrows and griefs and tears, that are a part of love and life (The Devil). It’s time for John to face his shadows and fears around this issue, and he’s committed to doing so (a bit reluctantly, but once John commits to doing something he sticks to it!).
Part of that reflection involves gaining a clearer understanding of how a relationship will fit into his life. While he’s still in the process of creating balance in his work, and even at some point in the future considering leaving his current job to focus entirely on doing the work he is passionate about, is it right to bring a relationship into his life? Can he afford it? How secure will a relationship be if his work life is still, in his mind, unsettled? We continued to discuss these questions, and in so doing John was able to see that once again, he was using his (perceived) lacks of money and stability as excuses to avoid opening up to a relationship.
It is time for John to jump fully into life, with passion and joy and an open heart, and bring that fullness into his work life and his personal life. While John is a bit apprehensive about the inner work he needs to do, he also admitted he was beginning to feel that spark of excitement again. The smoldering ember is beginning to spark into flame!
Gina – It was really good to read your excellent interpretation using this spread. Thanks for trying it out. I was wondering what would happen when someone got the Devil as their highest trump. Now I know!
Mary
Thank you for stopping by and commenting, Mary. My client loved the way this spread tied all the aspects of his life together (similar to a much smaller spread I often use that I call the Body/Mind/Spirit layout). It allowed for deep discussion and revelations for John, and I know I’ll be using this spread often!
Body/Mind/Spirit Layout
Three sets of two cards each for a total of 6 cards. The first two cards, on the left, represent Body – the physical world, how the client views her life, what’s going on at the moment; the center two cards represent Mind – what is going on internally, what the client is sensing and feeling; the final two cards on the right representing Spirit – the potential that is possible depending upon the choices made in the client’s life. It helps to show where those three aspects of a client’s life – body, mind, and spirit – are working in alignment and where there may be some blocks.