you're not an advanced reader unless you're asking these questions

Students often believe my playing card divination course, Your Future Is In The Cards, is just a beginner's course because I only use a three-card spread. Most readers assume that the bigger the spread, the more advanced the reading. Not true. It's not the size of the spread but the depth you can pull from it that makes you an advanced reader.

Are you an advanced reader? You are if you're pondering these questions when you perform a reading:

(1) Why were THESE cards chosen over all of the cards in the deck?

(2) Why is THIS card in THIS position?

Let's look at an example from a student's practical exam for a woman who wants to know, "Should I interview for the magazine?"

One of the great things about reading playing cards is that you can give your clients a very simple and straightforward answer without really considering the card meanings. The combination of the last two card suits Diamonds + Hearts says, "Yes, you should interview for the job, and help is on the way." Beginners may be completely satisfied giving this response. However, advanced readers will probably wonder....

(1) Why were THESE cards chosen over all of the cards in the deck?

What do the cards have in common? Are there any themes or meanings that all the cards share? Compare and contrast them. If you're using a visual deck, like Over the Moon Oracle Cards, you may find that there are visual similarities. Looking at the images in this reading, there is something that blocks each character. In the first image, there is a house keeping the man and woman apart. In the 2nd image, a man stands behind a gate. In the 3rd image, the girl can only go to the edge of the sea.

What is the predominant color? All RED cards show the path is easy and the seeker may be a passive participant in this process. I've found that all red cards in a reading often shows the person doesn't have to put forth much effort to get what they want which frequently makes their goal less desirable.

What card suits are represented? The card suits give clues about the issues that are really important to the seeker and show how the seeker's outlook develops. Are they optimistic (Hearts), persistent (Diamonds), frustrated (Clubs) or pessimistic (Spades)? This reading contains Hearts and Diamonds. Hearts relate to your emotional state, the status of your relationships, and your ideals and wishes. Diamonds signify how much you have, don't have, and how much you want. A Hearts + Diamonds combination can reflect a desire for security, control issues in relationships, assistance given or received, and an optimistic and persistent outlook.

What is the numerical theme? Mathematically, all of the cards chosen must add up to a specific numerical theme which provides insight into the questioner's current vibration. This is not predictive but it helps to explain what's happening to them and how things might unfold. In this case, we have a 4 numerical theme (11(Jack) + 3 + 8 = 22 = 2 +2 = 4). Four themes are about wanting something to happen that's not happening and feeling really blocked.

(2) Why is THIS card in THIS position?

Certain cards in certain positions just beg for more info and clarification. 

Why is a face card in the first position? The first position usually restates what the seeker already knows. It typically represents another person in the seeker's life who is influencing their question or perhaps a role the seeker plays. 

After receiving the student's practical exam and noticing she didn't mention another person involved, I wrote:
The Jack of Hearts in the first position is a puzzle. Typically a face card in the first position represents the questioner or someone they are asking about. Was she favored for this position? Or is there a person who recommended her for this job who is in a sweetheart role in her life?

Why is the 3 of Diamonds in the middle position? The 3 of Diamonds is in the position of the real question or underlying influences. The card in this position usually reveals something that we don't consider when asking the question. It may be information that is hidden or unknown. It can also show you where a potential problem lies. The 3 of Diamonds means a small increase and may show this job will provide a small increase, most likely a small increase in income. However, this is something that should be obvious, so why is it in the underlying influences position of this reading?

Why is the 8 of Hearts in the final position? The 8 of Hearts is in the outcome position. It means that the seeker will have a change of heart. The image in Over the Moon Oracle Cards depicts a woman desiring to be somewhere else. This image suggests there is something else that this seeker wants at this time. 

Based on the reading, the student provided a fantastic response for the seeker:
Overall, I advise her to do it, that there will be some sort of benefit for her in the process of applying and taking part in the interview. If they offer you something you will likely not want it or may change your mind or it will not appeal to you in the end. But in fact the interview will be a good thing to do as it may help you in a small way or an increase career wise.

The student followed up to find out what happened....

She did her interview and they loved her but she failed to follow up by the deadline because she realized the offer would be too demanding at this time in her life as she is going to school. But the whole process was good for her as she saw the publishing side of things. She changed her mind about the job.

I asked her about if her boyfriend had anything to do with her interview with the magazine and in fact he had found her the posting and recommended her for it. He apparently works in a PR firm and put the magazine in touch with her.

Asking questions and getting clarifying information from the seeker helps us to understand why these cards were chosen and why each card was in its position. The Jack of Hearts represented the boyfriend and his recommendation. The 3 of Diamonds shows the increased demand on her life since she's also in school. And the 8 of Hearts reveals what actually happened...she did interview but she had a change of heart about the job altogether.

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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?

started from the bottom spread ~ a reading

A blog reader submitted a reading for the Started From The Bottom spread. 

I would love some feedback on the cards I pulled for this spread. These all appear to be good cards.

The Bottom: Where you've been. Your lowest point. The struggle. – Queen of Diamonds
Here & Now: Where you are now. How far you've come. – Jack of Hearts
The Top: Where you're headed. Goals and ambitions. What success will look like. – 10 of Diamonds

Let's look at the spread first and then the cards. This spread is a contrast spread -- you should look at the cards in contrast to each other to help understand the message. The first card is the bottom or where you've been. It also implies a struggle or problem. The top represents the opposite energy. It shows where you're headed but also what the solution to the problem looks like. The middle card shows where you are now but can also show what is needed to get from the bottom to the top. It's also a good idea to have a focus topic in mind when doing this spread, such as money, career, love, etc. so that you can put the reading into context.

I'm using Over the Moon oracle cards so we can see the story behind these cards but let's look at the playing card side first.

Since we don't have a focus topic, we have to look at the reading analytically to see what message it's giving. First, we see that two of the cards are face cards suggesting that this reading may be about roles you're playing. We see that the BOTTOM and TOP cards are both Diamonds suggesting that this issue may be about money or security issues. Diamonds represent your self-worth as well.

I like to start with the numerical theme when I don't know the focus of the reading. The theme for this reading is 12 (Queen) + 11 (Jack) + 10 = 33 = 3 + 3 = 6. The 6 theme appears when you have been the super responsible person, taking care of everyone's needs and have done your duty and obligation. Now, you're asking, "What's in it for me? When do I get my reward?" Now that I know the theme, I can see how the cards are playing this out.

The Queen of Diamonds represents the bottom. She is the motherly type, sometimes a homebody, and sometimes a single mother. She's good at taking care of everything and everyone. She may also be in the role of benefactor, supporting other people's dreams with her money and hard work. The 10 of Diamonds represents the top. It signifies feeling wealthy. It can show having more money than you're used to having. But it also relates to feelings of gratefulness and abundance -- feeling blessed! This is what success will look like for you. With these two cards we can see the 6 theme in action. We can also see a visual connection between these two cards. You will notice that the woman in the first and last card appear the same -- both women wear glasses and a bonnet. This is an important visual cue, and shows a transition from a caretaker role to being rewarded for your efforts.

The transition card is the Jack of Hearts. I'm not exactly sure how this card figures in. When I'm not sure about a card's meaning, I find it helpful to look at the image and just say what I see. As I mentioned before, this is a contrast spread so it's good to notice what's different from the first card. What I notice is that you've gone from Mother to Romantic. You're not cooped up at home anymore. You're footloose and fancy free, dating, romancing. On a non-romantic level, the Jack of Hearts is about going after what you want in life.

*Since the woman in the middle card also wears a bonnet, perhaps we should look at her to represent you. In this case, she is being courted, being persuaded to leave her home for an evening out, invited to come out and play. However, she doesn't quite look convinced.

If we continue the contrast between the first and last cards, we can see that you're of the house, no longer a homebody. You're holding a sack of money instead of an old sock. The ribbon on the bonnet has changed to red. This is a color reflecting action and passion.

Here's my summary:

The Bottom: in a mothering role; homebody; caretaker
Here & Now: going after what you want; being persuasive, passionate, and idealistic *OR being coaxed out into the world but not quite ready to leave your current security
The Top: feeling blessed; having abundance; prosperity

I hope that sheds some new light!

*Added after posting