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

will we be in an exclusive romantic relationship?

Here is a sample 3-card reading using The Cinderella Deck.

I've known this guy for years and it hasn't been until now that I've really taken an interest in him. He's always been into me and I've always rejected him. Lately, the more I'm around him and the more I get to know him, the deeper I'm falling for him. I'd like to know if we become exclusively in a romantic relationship with each other?


Here are the cards chosen.

Card 25 shows Cinderella asking to try on the slipper. This card appears when you know what you want and you're ready to go after it. Unfortunately, the other two cards suggest that things won't go the way you want. Card 19 shows Cinderella fleeing from the ball and Card 1 shows her sitting by the fire at the very beginning of the story. So, it looks like this story goes backwards instead of forwards toward a happy ending. Card 19 often appears when two people just can't get their schedules together. A planned event never materializes. Card 1 can signify pessimism and giving up hope. So, this reading doesn't say that he's not interested. Instead, it shows that there may not be good timing for this romance right now.

The numerical theme of 9 emphasizes this. It shows that you want something new to begin but energetically you're not ready. There may be unfinished business that needs to be addressed before pursuing this romance. Try not to give up hope on it. Keep your head up!

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HERE

who will be my valentine ~ a sample reading with The Simple Lenormand

Did I mention I LOVE all the spreads on Lisa Frideborg's Love Dove Tarot website? This wonderful spread, Who Will Be My Valentine?, is for anyone who is looking for love on Valentine's Day and beyond.

I'm using The Simple Lenormand to do this reading and I think it will work well with any Lenormand deck or other oracle deck for that matter. The reason I'm using my Lennie deck is because most of the reading is describing your soulmate and, with their singular symbols, Lennies are great for providing descriptions.

SAMPLE READING

Card 1: Describes his/her soul essence

Lisa says this position reflects the energy before incarnation in this lifetime and it will be expressed in deep and mysterious ways, propelling the person forward to the lessons their soul needs to grow. This typically corresponds to a combination of the energy of his ascendant and Moon signs.

Clouds here shows an Aquarian rising sign (the Water Bearer) or perhaps a Water sign (Cancer, Pisces, Scorpio). This soul is concerned with the emotional aspects of life and learning ways to move through tears and disappointment toward a brighter future (Sun in position 3).

Card 2: Describes his/her personality

Anchor reflects a dependable, stable person, very grounded and rooted. This person prefers predictability to spontaneity.

Card 3: His/her romantic style

Sun shows a positive, sunny disposition and romantic style. This person is up front about everything. Everything is out in the open, no secrets. 

Card 4: What is occupying him/her right now

Papers shows he's occupied with some type of documents or forms.

Card 5:  How he/she will come into your life

Coffin shows this person will come into your life through an ending of some kind. 

Card 6: Long-term potential

Road shows a good long-term potential with this person. Unlike Crossroads in the traditional Lenormand, Road is about the future and new directions. This shows a potential future with this person.

Other cards showing strong long-term potential would be Anchor, Rings, Love, House, and Tree.

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a love match reading with Over the Moon Oracle Cards

A student in my course, Your Future Is In The Cards: Become a Fortune Teller in 7 Days, performed the Love Match Spread and was a bit confused about the reading outcome. 

After a huge fight with my EX boyfriend this morning, I did the love match spread. Everything was crystal clear but based on our argument, I find the outcome card a bit of a stretch. I’m interpreting 10D as moving in together -- is there an alternate non money meaning like feeling blessed? And, would that be blessed that we aren’t together?

1. What’s going on in the relationship? 2 Hearts
2. What’s going on with you? 10 Hearts
3. What’s going with your partner? King of Diamonds
4. How you view your partner? Ace of Hearts
5. How your partner views you? 6 Hearts
6. What you want from your partner? Queen of Clubs
7. What your partner wants from you? Queen of Spades
8. What you want from the relationship? Queen of Diamonds
9. What your partner wants from the relationship? King of Clubs
10. Outcome within 3 months? 10 of Diamonds


Here are my insights and the student's responses (in italics):

Ok, so you call this guy your EX. Was he your ex before the fight or only after the fight? I ask because I see a lot of positive feelings in this reading.

A little background: I can’t really say when we broke up because everything sort of stayed the same. If I had to guess I would say June but I know we slept together as late as October. We are and have always had an officially non-monogamous relationship - yet sort of monogamous by default. I guess you can label us polyamorous at heart. I guess the problems started when he met someone at the beginning of November. Our friendship started changing.


What’s going on in the relationship? 

Partnership | 2 of Hearts

 The first card says it all. This is the card of soulmates and compatibility.

What’s going on with you?

Family | 10 of Hearts

What’s going with your partner?

Owner | King of Diamonds

You are thinking about marriage and he is in a committed, long-term, stable relationship. I hope that's with you. The King of Diamonds can also show someone very focused on money and shoring up their security. They are likely to be serious and may have trouble relaxing and letting loose.

This was a concern I had too since he has started seeing someone else. I assumed since my intent was a love match for us that the cards would be about us. Should I do another reading to determine this? 

How you view your partner

Love | Ace of Hearts

How your partner views you

Forgiveness | 6 of Hearts

You both view each other as Hearts - that's very positive. He sees you as a helpful influence, someone who gives affection and takes care of his needs.

What you want from your partner?

Hostess | Queen of Clubs

What your partner wants from you? 

Widow | Queen of Spades

Both cards are Queens so you're on the same page. You want adventure and fun, someone who is playful and you can go out dancing with.  He DOESN'T WANT someone who is bitter and resentful and who is angry with him and makes him feel guilty. I'm not saying you are, just that he's trying to avoid that at all costs so you need to look at his behavior in terms of how he's trying to avoid certain behaviors from you. [When Spades fall in the "want" position, it usually shows what you don't want.]

BINGO – I knew this he is a typical Libra – loves peace at all cost. I as a Capricorn can be a tad judgmental!

What you want from the relationship

Mother | Queen of Diamonds

What your partner wants from the relationship? 

Leader | King of Clubs

Again, more face cards! You want a security blanket relationship - one that feels safe and secure. He wants an adventurous relationship - probably with a little more spice. This matches up with what you want from him (Queen of Clubs). Know that this King isn't above going out to find someone who spices things up outside the relationship.

Not an issue. Also something I knew. My need for security has not always matched his need for freedom.

Outcome within 3 months? 

Wealth | 10 of Diamonds

I can see the progression of these cards to the 10 of Diamonds scenario. Both of you really want the same thing, more Clubs energy - more activity, sex, adventure, and fun. It might even be a good idea to start an exercise regimen together.

Thank you Kristen! I always appreciate your detailed feedback. I am learning so much. I gain confidence when your interpretations mirror mine. (Yay me!!)

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the love match oracle card spread

I get a lot of requests for spreads other than my 3-card spread. Here's one I use for love/relationship readings. It's called the Love Match spread. It's for anyone who is in a relationship (or thinks they are). If you love tarot and oracle spreads for love and relationships, this one will work for any type of oracle deck.

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FREE february love readings + a new study group

Students in my course, Your Future Is In The Cards: Become a Fortune Teller in 7 Days, have been asking me if I offer an advanced course in reading playing cards. The answer is no. After much contemplation, the only thing I would offer in an advanced course is more opportunities to practice giving readings. I also realize that as people begin to purchase my oracle decks, they will desire more reading practice as well.

New Study Group

So, I created a study group here on the blog. It's set up like a discussion group or forum so you can ask questions and get the feedback you want. There are two discussion categories:

Practice Readings ~ this area is for reading practice. You may share your reading for interpretation, interpret someone else's reading, request a (free) reading, and perform a reading for someone based on their request. I will also be sharing INTERPRET THIS! exercises like the photo on a weekly basis for practice as well.

Cartomancy and Divination Questions ~ this area is for all other questions related to my oracle cards as well as any other cartomancy and divination question, like shuffling the cards, timing, spreads, etc.

You can view all of the posts but to post a message you must join the group with a Google account.

Free Love Readings

This month, I will be introducing The Cinderella Deck to you in more detail through blog posts featuring readings with the deck. I have also committed myself (and my 2 beta testers) to offering love + relationship readings during the month of February through the study group. If you're interested in a reading, please go to the Study Group>Practice Readings and look for the post, Offering Love/Relationship Readings with The Cinderella Deck This Month (Feb 2015). Post a reply to my message with your question. And one of us will get back to you with your reading which will be posted publicly in the study group.

Questions to Ask

Although I don't usually like to tell people what questions to ask, the uniqueness of The Cinderella Deck limits its range to forecasting and advice. Some of the best questions to pose look something like this:

What's on my romantic horizon?
What is the status of our relationship?
Where is this relationship headed?
What do I need to do to find my soulmate?
Why am I still single?

Spread of the Month: finding your soulmate

Finding Your Soulmate Spread

For the purposes of this reading, soulmate refers to your romantic life partner. This reading assumes there are many possible soulmates available for you at different times of your life. If you miss one, you can catch another one later. This reading shows you the next possible romantic match in your life.

Card 1: What holds you back from finding your soulmate?

Card 2: Where are you now in your search for a soulmate?

Card 3: What action is necessary to find your soulmate?

Card 4: When are you most likely to meet a potential soulmate?

Cards 5, 6, 7, and 8 reveal how your next potential soulmate might appear.

Card 5: Physical build

Card 6: Complexion

Card 7: Hair color

Card 8: Eye color


How to Perform the Reading

Decks to use: standard playing cards, Over the Moon Oracle Cards

Cards: Use all the cards in the deck EXCEPT the Joker(s) for this reading (no reversals)

Focus question: What do I need to know about finding my soulmate?

Process: Shuffle the cards and choose one card for each position of the spread. Select cards in the order shown above.

Interpretation:

Card 1: Red cards here can show you haven't put enough effort into the process of finding your soulmate. Black cards show many obstacles and blocks to finding your soulmate. A Spades card here represents a block that needs to be accepted and transformed before you can move forward.

Card 2: The card here shows where you are in the process of finding your soulmate. Are you still crying bitter tears over the last relationship or have you put the past behind you, looking forward to a brighter future?

Card 3: The card here shows the action you must take to connect with your next soulmate.

Card 4: The card here can be interpreted two ways: (1) it shows an event or happening that must occur before you will meet your soulmate or (2) it is a timing card. Use the number and suit to determine when you will likely meet your next soulmate.
Clubs = days
Hearts = weeks
Diamonds = months
Spades = years

Card 5: Look at the suits only.
Clubs = athletic build
Hearts = chubby, full-figured
Diamonds = stocky, solid
Spades = slim, thin, lanky build

Card 6: Look at the suits only.
Clubs = brown skin (e.g., African, Latin, East Indian)
Hearts = fair complexion
Diamonds = ruddy complexion
Spades = olive skin (e.g., Greek, Italian, Asian)

Card 7: Look at the suits only.
Clubs = dark brown
Hearts = blonde or light hair
Diamonds = red or brown
Spades = dark, black hair

Card 8: Look at the suits only.
Clubs = dark brown eyes
Hearts = blue, green or light color
Diamonds = brown
Spades = dark eyes

Sample Reading

Let's take a look at the first four cards. What holds you back is represented by Hearts. Where you are now is represented by Clubs. Advice is in the form of Spades and the timing card is Diamonds. Without looking at the specific interpretations for the cards yet, we can see that what holds you back is passiveness. But at least you're making an effort to find your soulmate. What's necessary is to release a block that exists. The timing suggests that you are slowly moving in the right direction. Let's look at each card individually.

What holds you back from finding your soulmate?

Fun | 5 of Hearts

This card shows a boy and girl playing with a dog. They look as if they don't have a care in the world. This is a positive card but in this position it reflects a challenge, a problem that is holding you back from finding your soulmate. You may be having too much fun to think about finding your soulmate. You are not taking the process of seeking your perfect romantic match seriously. This card relates to the pleasurable side of relationships like sex and dating but not the serious side like seeking real compatibility and the work that goes into maintaining a committed partnership.

Where are you now in your search for a soulmate?

Completion | 9 of Clubs

A little boy has snuffed out his candle and is headed upstairs to bed. Is there something you've recently completed? Often, when this card appears, you may be saying, FINALLY something is over. It may appear when you've been in a long, dysfunctional relationship. In light of the previous card, I think it suggests you've put the fun behind you and are about to get serious about finding a soulmate. As a nine, it shows you at an ending stage, just on the verge of starting over.

What action is necessary to find your soulmate?

Rejection | Ace of Spades

In this image, a beat-up looking youngster is leaving a schoolhouse in the distance where we can see several students leaving the building. The advice of this card is to reject what is not emotionally satisfying to you. It implies that you may have been in some emotionally abusive relationships where your feelings were frequently hurt. Although you want to stay and play nice, this card says it's time to end unhealthy relationships and move on.

The characters in these last two cards are headed toward the right side of the card. This is my symbolism for the future. This suggests that you are moving in the right direction, ready to put old ideas and self-destructive relationships behind you. You are preparing to move forward. Numerically, you've moved in these last two cards from a 9 to a 1 suggesting that you are indeed ready to move toward your goals. This is the step that needs to be transformed before that can happen. 

When are you most likely to meet a potential soulmate?

Investment | 7 of Diamonds

From a timing perspective, the 7 of Diamonds shows you may meet your next potential soulmate in 7 months. This card also reveals that you may find your soulmate when you're making an actual business deal or financial investment. But let's look at the image for more information about what needs to happen in your outlook before you're READY to meet this person.

In this card, two people want to buy a hen but they are not sure if they want to make the investment. This card suggests that you are most likely to meet a potential soulmate when you're ready to make an investment in your future and you're willing to invest the time, energy, commitment, and compassion into a relationship. You will be ready for your soulmate when you begin to consider the long-term potential of your relationships.

There is a two of a kind in the reading with the number 7 which shows confusion. Just looking at the last two cards it occurs to me that a source of your confusion might be trying to figure out when to stay and invest in the relationship vs. when to reject it and bail out. The Ace of Spades is advising you to bail out when you're getting hurt. The reward of being in the relationship is not worth the pain.

Here's a summary of the guidance offered in these first four cards:

(1) get serious about finding a soulmate
(2) complete any unfinished business so you are prepared to start a new chapter
(3) end unhealthy relationships
(4) think of finding a soulmate as investing in your future

Physical Description

All of the cards that describe your soulmate are Hearts. This is his description:

• short
• chubby or pleasantly plump
• a fair complexion
• blonde or light colored hair
• light eyes (blue, green, hazel)

If we flip the cards over we can also describe him in this way....

He might be described as a sweetheart with a very gentle nature. Perhaps a nature lover.

Family is very important to him and he may have kids.

What popped into my head when I saw this card is that he may be a far distance from you or he may be from a foreign place. Perhaps he has a desire to travel.

He is probably highly imaginative and/or possibly into "woo woo" subjects like divination, astrology, or magick.

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