Tuesday, October 23, 2012

ALICE'S RELATIONSHIP LAYOUT

By Judy Jennings © Copyright 2012





One of the great things about getting together with other people to discuss the open-ended topic of the Tarot is that I learn something new every time.  That’s not just a figure of speech, because I say it after a year of meetups where I’ve walked away from all 27 with a new thought in my head each time.  Many thanks for that!

This week, Alice taught a new layout that’s specifically about relationships.  It can be any kind of relationship.  It might be with another person, but not necessarily.  One could also use this layout to examine a relationship with a job or a pet, for instance.  The subject of the reading yesterday was about the relationship between two fictional characters in a developing novel.  Even though this layout is unusually specific in its perspective, there’s a wide range of creative applications. 

There are nine initial cards in this layout.  After the shuffle and cut, three cards are placed to the left, and then another group of three on the right.  At this point, the seeker decides which set represents who.  Once that’s made clear, another three cards are laid out above the two existing sets, known as the bridge.  The card on the left is about the character represented by the three cards on the left below, while the card on the right is symbolic of the other.  The middle card references the dynamic between the two, and all three together tell a story about the relationship.

This layout is different from many not only because of the pattern of the cards and its specific focus on relationships, but because it draws heavily on a story-telling approach.  Much emphasis is placed on the body language of the characters on the cards, and whether they are looking toward or away from each other.  In the reading shown above, we see two Knights facing each other across the Ace of Pentacles.  This might tell the story of two entrepreneurs with different business styles who are about to start a joint venture, for example, or two travelers starting out on a journey together.

The two characters shown below share common interests, but the one on the right is more cerebral than the other, and probably more of an idealist.  The character on the left is a happy, outgoing person with strong connections to friends and community, and plans that have already been set in motion.  Their counterpart on the right has some exciting projects that are moving towards completion, and which are likely to involve young people.  As you practice this layout keep the storytelling aspect close at hand, it’s an essential component for the reading.

This layout is a specialist in the field of interactions, especially useful when you seek clarity about how you relate to someone or something.  As in any reading, more information may be revealed by turning up another card that has reference to a card already in the reading.   After this is done, you may want to conclude the reading by laying out three more cards directly above the bridge.  Consider these final cards not as part of the story, but rather, as a last bit of advice from a Higher Source.

Practice on yourself and your friends, if they’re interested.  (Make sure to tell them it’s PRACTICE if you do.)  Take pleasure in discovering your own particular knack for developing the stories, and enjoy the moment when you realize you now have confidence in this new layout!

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