We haven’t yet discussed how to deal the cards in order to get a new reading. This was deliberately left until now, so you could learn how to read the cards by following this tutorial.
HOW MUCH CARDS SHOULD i lay out?
It’s interesting that none of the counting with the Pentacles 9 touched the Lovers. This can mean a few things but here it could be a casual fling. She could be someone who initially isn’t seen by the Knight, or a silent supporter. She could be the one to cause the opposition of the 7 of Wands, divide and conquer. She creates division and moves. This could be a clever method to avoid breaking contracts or having legal departments involved. I’ve had enough of my cynical thinking…
SUMMARY
All of the people in this reading seem to be linked together, and their futures are intertwined. I’m inclined to believe that the lady on the Page of Swords is a financial supporter who becomes a lover. It’s also possible she takes over the reins when the deal with the Page of Pentacles falls through.
It’s interesting that none of the counting with the Pentacles 9 touched the Lovers. This can mean a few things but here it could be a casual fling. She could be someone who initially isn’t seen by the Knight, or a silent supporter. She could be the one to cause the opposition of the 7 of Wands, divide and conquer. She creates division and moves. This could be a clever method to avoid breaking contracts or having legal departments involved. I’ve had enough of my cynical thinking…
FIRST LINEAR READING WITH TAROT CARD COUNTING
We haven’t yet discussed how to deal the cards in order to get a new reading. This was deliberately left until now, so you could learn how to read the cards by following this tutorial.
HOW MUCH CARDS SHOULD i lay out?
It’s an excellent question, and there are no rules that you must follow. Except perhaps your own. Any number over 12 will work for you if you prefer larger spreads. It allows you to have a decent count and provides you with a lot of information, without being overwhelming. You should not do too many cards at first to keep the reading within limits.
If you want to follow Crowley, then deal 11 cards. However, be aware that the zodiacal card always counts as 12 in an eleven card reading and will stop any movement. It’s a great starting point to deal out 9 cards. It is magical from a numerological perspective and doesn’t have too many cards.
It is best to choose the number of cards that you will be dealing out in advance so that your tarot card can provide the right cards.
Working Outside the Box
You should have already had a chance to review the tutorial. You may still have questions if you haven’t done so. I had many questions when I first learned this technique. Paul Hughes-Barlow taught me tarot counting. He was my teacher and we wrote together a book called Beyond the Celtic Cross.
Paul was able to help me with a Tarot reading. Paul is the foremost authority on the Opening of the Key Spread which includes Elemental Dignities and Card Pairing. I was curious to see if these techniques could be used to read my spread. It was the first time this had been done, and I also needed to sharpen my skills. Paul had to deal with a very young learner, but we managed it. Our book is the result of this intense time spent together.
What is the connection between this tutorial and that?
Plenty!
APPLYING ACROSS THE CELTIC CROISS THIS TUTORIAL
It’s safe say that almost everyone who knows tarot can read a Celtic Cross Spread. You can use a Celtic Cross Spread to help you develop the story in your card-counting spread.
You can then assess the reading. Once you are satisfied, keep the order of the cards and lay them out in a straight line. The first card should be on the left. Now that you have a familiar reading, you can start counting. You might even see something that you hadn’t seen before, like I did when I read Beyond the Celtic Cross.
This book, which Paul and I co-wrote together, teaches both these techniques as well as elemental dignity. You do not have to know them in order to count cards or follow the basic premise behind Beyond the Celtic Cross. If you want to learn how to read elemental dignities and apply them, I’ve written extensively about it on the blog as well as Beyond the Celtic Cross.
This first operation of the Opening of the Key uses these techniques to determine the current state of the querent. This is also my experience, when I perform the first operation or a linear reading. When I start with a Celtic Cross there is always an element of prediction, which makes this approach valuable for those who want to know what they may face or where they will be headed.
ROUNDING IN CIRCLES
When you count cards, it’s easy to keep going in circles. It can feel like you’re going around in circles. This is why I think the Golden Dawn was very literal and strict in their definitions. Card counting can fill in subtle shades while highlighting distinct themes and actions. How many shades of gray are needed?
It can feel like a never-ending round of nonsense and useless counting that shows the same thing repeatedly. Once you become familiar with the counting and numerical values, as well as the techniques to make reading cards easier, this can be the case. It takes practice to become fluid.
CARD PAIRING
Card Pairing is a technique that will bring your tarot readings to life. Golden Dawn readers in the UK have made this a popular technique, but it was used before then as Eittella mentions in his writings.
Card pairing works particularly well for linear spreads because it is easy to pair cards together. Card Pairing, in my opinion, is the most effective way to enhance your tarot experience.
It is usually applied at the end a reading. This can help reinforce the message and, in some cases, give you extra information or provide a new perspective. It is particularly useful to use Directional Dignities when two cards are paired, especially if they are court cards or people cards. The interpretation is fairly obvious if they are facing each other or back-to-back. If they both look backwards, they may be looking at happier times in the past. However, if they both face forwards they could both be looking towards the future. A court card or a people card facing toward or away can reveal the current state of affairs and/or the mood of the person. If he says he likes you but is facing away in a pair then you know otherwise.
CARD PAIRING TECHNIQUE
The best way to pair cards is with a linear spread, meaning that the cards should be laid out in one straight line. With practice, you can pair cards with any layout. It’s best to stick to linear spreads for now. They can be any number of cards. Even a three-card reading can make use of card pairing.
Take the outer pair of cards and put them together. The cards now form a pair, and they can be combined to tell their own story.
After you’ve read the first pair, move on to the second pair. Continue inwards until you’ve read the middle pair if your spread has an even number.
THE SIGNIFICANCE A SINGLE REMANING CARD
Pairing cards that have an odd number will result in a single card being left at the end. The single card is the focus of the spread, as it doesn’t get affected by the other cards and sits in the middle. You can compare this card’s energy to a light and imagine it moving amongst the other cards.
We’ll look at a few cards to see how the pairings work. You can use the same cards as before to consolidate your understanding of the spread and card counting technique. It’s best to look at the cards with fresh eyes and not be influenced by the interpretations you made during the main reading. However, sometimes the connection between the two is so strong, you will find it impossible to separate the card pair from the counting.
This card string creates six pairs.
KNIGHT AND 9 OF PENTACLES
The Knight of Pentacles is the first pair. Next, the 9 of Pentacles. This is clearer now when viewed as a romantic item. He cannot take his gaze off her, while she looks indifferent. This may show the business nature to the relationship. It’s interesting that he appears to be giving her a pentacle extra for her pile. It makes me think he’s desperate to impress her and trying to prove his value with what he brings her.