a polyamory spread + sample reading

Beth at Little Red Tarot shared her wonderful polyamoury tarot spread and I'm passing it on. I'll admit the polyamory concept is new to me but I keep running into it in love/relationship questions of late. If you're still in the dark, polyamory is openly having multiple or simultaneous loving or sexual relationships. 

Polyamory can take many forms, from multiple people all living together and sharing day-to-day life together. Or it could be an individual who is dating multiple people with no intention of settling down with any one. Or it could be a primary couple who each have other relationships, together or separately. Or perhaps it's an interconnected network of people who are involved with each other.

via http://www.serolynne.com/polyamory.htm

Beth gives two different versions of this spread. The one I'm choosing is Version 1, which is great for anyone, including those who aren't in polyamorous relationships. It shows what you bring to and also need from the relationship. And the focus question she poses is powerful:

How can I make sure I'm the best person I can be within my relationship(s)?

SAMPLE READING

I'm using my Over the Moon Oracle Cards (non-captioned version) for this one. Above you'll see the general layout. Check out the spread in Beth's post to see the card positions. I'll be going through each section to explain the cards chosen.

Who you are in this relationship

The two  center cards show who you are in this relationship. The upright card is you and the crossing card represents a challenge at this time. The Commitment | 4 of Hearts card shows you are settled and happy in this relationship but the Effort | 10 of Clubs card shows you may be carrying a lot of responsibilities. You may even be asking, Is this relationship worth the effort?

Your special skills

These 3 cards represent personal qualities you're bringing into the relationship. The center card, Communication | 3 of Clubs, shows you are a great communicator and willing to talk things out. Completion | 9 of Clubs shows that you know how to bring things to a close and won't keep rehashing problems in the relationship. Resentment | 6 of Spades shows a special skill of service, however, it also shows how resentment can build up over a period of time from being dutiful and trying to be of service when you don't feel like you're getting back what you're putting into the relationship.

A potential issue, and possible solution

The upright card Rivalry | 5 of Clubs represents the potential issue. The possible solution Status | 8 of Diamonds is adjacent. This shows a potential issue of rivalry and comparison. The solution is to spend a little time alone (perhaps enjoying some needlepoint or your favorite hobby) and take stock of all the good things the relationship has brought into your life.

A potential issue, and possible solution

This is a second potential issue and solution. In Conflict | 5 of Spades, we see anger building up at someone who seems unaware of our feelings. The solution is shown by the Desire | 8 of Hearts cards. Again, going off by yourself (perhaps to watch the gentle waves of the ocean), may help to bring peace.

It's significant that the potential issues are represented by fives and the solutions are represented by eights. Fives show that the potential issues are about conflict due to a need for freedom and independence. When conflict begins to brew, know that this is a signal that you need a time out from the relationship and time alone to regroup. Eight deals with goal-setting and getting what you want. As the solution, it suggests that in response to conflict you need to focus on what you have and what you want from the relationship. Is it meeting your needs and desires? How can you be more fulfilled?

Your safe place (a place where you can retreat that's just yours)

Here we see another five, Fun | 5 of Hearts. Instead of showing anger and jealousy as the other fives demonstrated, this card shows that fun and playfulness is your safe place. When you need to take a break from the relationship, go outside and run around with your dog, or play a game with friends. This will help you let off some steam and find yourself again.

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cards representing love and relationships

A pre-destined romance.

From Llewellyn's Classic Tarot App

Love at first sight.

From Llewellyn's Classic Tarot App

Initial stages of infatuation.

Partnership | 2 of Hearts from Over the Moon Oracle Cards

The ONE. Your ideal partner.

Card 21 from The Cinderella Deck

A dysfunctional relationship that you can't break away from.

From Llewellyn's Classic Tarot App

A faithful partner who makes you feel safe.

Dog from The Simple Lenormand

An old married couple.

Commitment | 4 of Hearts from Over the Moon Oracle Cards

Rings of commitment or handcuffs?

Rings from The Simple Lenormand

Happily ever after...

Card 29 from The Cinderella Deck

yes or no? how to get your answer with the story method of interpretation

I've been reading a lot of blog posts lately about answering yes/no questions using an image-based deck like tarot. Some say it can't be done. Some say it can. Some find ways to do it by assigning cards a positive (yes) spin or a negative (no) spin.

I say if you have an image-based deck all you need to do is look at the picture and say what you see. This is the story method of interpretation. The questioner or subject of the reading becomes the main character in the image and you simply describe what's happening.

For example, what if you are asking, Will I get a promotion? Imagine that someone is getting a promotion. What do they look like? Happy, sad, angry? Imagine the scene -- What are they doing? Celebrating? Relaxing? What kind of body language would we see? Tight and tense or relaxed and open? Now, look through the cards in your deck. What cards would verify a yes answer? What cards verify no?

Let's look at examples using Over the Moon Oracle Cards. I'm using the non-captioned version of the deck so we can see the entire image clearly.

Will I pass my test?

Status | 8 of Diamonds

Look at you! You've got your feet up, chillaxin at home with your needlepoint. I'd say you passed your test.

Rejection | Ace of Spades

You are leaving a school dragging a book on the ground. This looks more like a walk of shame than a victory march so I would say NO you don't pass the test.

Forgiveness | 6 of Hearts

Yes, you will pass the test but with a little help, maybe a tutor or study aid. Or perhaps some help from above -- divine help -- in the form of prayer!

Will my finances improve by next month?

Empty | 4 of Diamonds

You're starving! You've got no money for food so you've resorted to eating plates! It doesn't look good financially.

Fun | 5 of Hearts

You're playing and having fun, without a care in the world, so yes it looks like your finances improve.

Waiting | 2 of Clubs

You are waiting for something, perhaps a check in the mail. It looks like things will still be tense on the financial horizon but you may be in a position of expecting money.

Will I get a new job soon?

Gift | 6 of Diamonds

You are giving or receiving money. Either way, this is a good sign. It looks like you may receive a job offer or at least have enough extra money to hold you over.

Traveler | Jack of Clubs

You're getting out of the house and looking for a job. It could also mean that you will get a job that will require you to travel or move.

Security | Ace of Diamonds

 You're sitting at home by the fireplace, so no job.

Does he like me?

Interference | 3 of Spades

Since the question is does HE like me we'll focus on the male in the image. He appears annoyed at being set up. But perhaps once he gets to know you better, he'll warm up to you.

Romantic| Jack of Hearts

He definitely likes you. He's trying to win you over.

Restriction | 8 of Spades

He is more concerned with his own predicament than a relationship right now. I'd say he's just not that into you.

What if the question is posed negatively instead of positively as in the above examples? This is one of the reasons the story method works so well. If we had randomly assigned yes and no for each card, how would we interpret positive cards in a negatively worded question like the ones below?

Is my boyfriend cheating?

Commitment | 4 of Hearts

No, you two are like an old married couple and he still only has eyes for you.

Troublemaker | Jack of Spades

Well, he looks like he stole something and is trying not to get caught. So, I would say yes, he's probably cheating.

Delay | 4 of Spades

He may not be cheating but he appears disappointed with the relationship. He's not having any fun.

Is the relationship over?

Partnership | 2 of Hearts

You two are still infatuated with each other. Look at the close body language -- I'd say no, the relationship is not over.

Loss | 10 of Spades

Unfortunately, yes. Like Humpty Dumpty, it's fallen and it can't get up. As the story goes, no one can put Humpty Dumpty (or the relationship) back together again.

Rest | 4 of Clubs

Maybe, but this might just be a time out period where both of you need a break from each other.

Do you use this method of interpretation?