Cult of Tarot Forum

I never got the hang of it but I see lots of people reading like that! I wonder how they do it and maybe someone can explain

The reader draws three cards and interprets them together as answer to the question.

I'm used to positional spreads but I'd love to know more about non-positional readings.

I often use non-positional spreads. I draw 3 cards, place them in a line and then begin my interpretation. The reading focuses on the meaning of the cards, colours, symbols and directionality to build a picture.

At work at the moment but will come back later with an example.

Here is an example of one I’ve done previously. It was a general read of what being a leader means rather than being about me directly.

L'Imperatore - Il Bagatto - La Temperanza
This reading is about the Emperor. I love this depiction - he looks so haughty and full of self-importance! He is absolutely sure about his right to rule and the status his position gives him. His sceptre has a little devil on top which links him to the Devil card. His power is centred in the material world and he has to deal with all its temptations carefully. The creature he is walking, looks alert and ready to scratch at something. He reminds me of the idea of the Daemon from His Dark Materials. It is warning the Emperor to be on guard with the next card.

The focus of their attention is the Magician. He is a wily character and represents the type to play on the Emperor's weakness - he is easily bamboozled by flashy shows and spectacles. Appeal to his ego and sense of self-importance and he will not see the shady dealings. Indeed, he may be willing to turn a blind eye if it suits him. The Magician knows this - he is the politician or courtier who flatters to deceive. He wears a mask so his ruler never sees his true face - a dagger lies on the table which shows that he is not afraid to sacrifice the ruler when it becomes advantageous to do so.

Temperance shows our Emperor that the way to rule is not to focus solely on the material world. It is important that he is also a conduit for the Divine - he needs to be in touch with a higher guidance in order to be the best ruler he can be. She counsels avoiding extremes, bringing balance and serenity. She is able to ignore the Magician and his flashy tricks. She reminds the Emperor to be moderate in his actions and to blend his advice from many sources - not just the one who flatters him now. The virtue of Temperance is key in being a good ruler.

Flaxen, this is very helpful, thank you! I'll try this way of reading. It's actually like three cards on a position (the question), and their interactions. The deck is wonderful, it's SO expressive and crazy, and it really gives a great reading here. The Emperor couldn't be more fitting for the question, looking at the Magician's tricks and self confidence for support while he should listen to Temperance. So in a way, you read this sequentially.

When I read Lenormand three-card spreads, I call this way of reading "moulin rouge" to remind me that in French, the noun comes first, and then the adjective that describes it. So the left card is the first, and the second card qualifies it, and then the third card describes and qualifies both.

But here, you actually decide by looking at the cards themselves, don't you? How would you read it if the Emperor came second or third? In the same sequence? Would the message be the same? Sorry if my questions are stupid.

Nemia wrote: ↑09 Jun 2018, 06:55 But here, you actually decide by looking at the cards themselves, don't you? How would you read it if the Emperor came second or third? In the same sequence? Would the message be the same? Sorry if my questions are stupid.

Good questions! I would usually read sequentially with the first card being the focus. If Temperance was first followed by the Emperor and Magician, I would have read it more about what qualities need to be brought into balance. There might be a strong desire to take control and rulership over an area but which is heading a bit too much to ‘being seen to do a good job’. In a work situation, a manager who convinces everyone there they are wonderful but are just puffing up their own ego. There might not be much foundation to their ‘success’. When they leave the company, the illusion is gone and everyone realises that they were pulling the wool over their eyes. In short, it would be about making sure you are leading from a solid foundation, blending your skills and not just making yourself look better.

Does that make sense?

Completely, thank you!

I'll often read in a conversational manner - like pulling a card with an idea in my mind about what is addressing, but no specific question, then just kinda conversing with my deck and tossing cards down as their portion of the conversation.

Other times, I'll lay cards out like a spread, but without actually looking at a spread? Like just placing down cards where they feel right, then reading them intuitively (this card is under that one, so it's the grou dwork, supporting it in some way. This one had someone gazing right at that card, that's where their focus is, etc)

I actually really only use set spreads for clients for the most part! In my own readings, it's mostly freeform in one way or another.

While practising spreads..how do I avoid the feeling that Iam reading for myself..especially when specific questions are asked to practise a particular kind of reading?

thx,
Taniya

Flaxen wrote: ↑08 Jun 2018, 09:25 I often use non-positional spreads. I draw 3 cards, place them in a line and then begin my interpretation. The reading focuses on the meaning of the cards, colours, symbols and directionality to build a picture

this is an interesting label: non-positional spread, i didn’t know my usual 3 card spread had a name
i always call it: telling a story and i use it for the 3 card exchange on this forum too
i tend to read left to right, looking at and interpreting positions and orientations, but i also like to rearrange the cards to see if the message/ story changes, and sometimes draw a fourth or even a fifth card to continue the story and add more layers of depth.
this tends to work really well with my marseille style and pip decks.

Flaxen wrote: ↑09 Jun 2018, 06:06 Here is an example of one I’ve done previously. It was a general read of what being a leader means rather than being about me directly.

L'Imperatore - Il Bagatto - La Temperanza
C22FBA4E-D227-44EF-99FE-F59C87EAEDCE.jpeg

love this example, and your ‘story’, awesome! and it really shows the power of the deviant moon, must seriously reconsider my decision not to buy it.....

stronglove wrote: ↑24 Jun 2018, 17:13 love this example, and your ‘story’, awesome! and it really shows the power of the deviant moon, must seriously reconsider my decision not to buy it.....

Glad you liked it!

This deck is actually the Trionfi Della Luna which is Patrick Valenza’s Marseille style deck. The Deviant Moon is also awesome...really you need both in your life.

I've been drawing just 3 cards and reading them from left to right to build a picture. I've found it seems to work quite well for me. I didn't think anyone else would do the same lol.

I like non-positional triads. The cards' stories flow like water when I use certain decks, like the Centennial for example. I've had memorable readings with these.

Sometimes I'd use a base card to anchor the reading.