There are times when you want to spend an hour on a Tarot reading, choosing the perfect spread to get to the root of your concerns, carefully going through every card and every aspect of your question, and digging into layers of meaning. But there are other times when you just want a quick and dirty answer, something you can use to get a quick jolt of energy and inspiration to move on.
And while the beloved Celtic cross with ten cards is a classic for a reason, but it can also feel like a big obligation, especially if it’s not a spread you use often or if you’d rather have some practical advice to work with. Instead, I prefer short spreads, especially if you’re just starting out with the Tarot.
Focusing on a few positions rather than a dozen or more will make it easier for you to understand what the cards are trying to communicate and can help you feel less overwhelming, regardless of your level of experience with Tarot.
How to use the 2-card cross
The cross with two cards can be based on the first two positions of the iconic Celtic Cross spread, but you can also draw these cards all individually to simplify your question or situation. This is a great technique to use if you want to understand what’s getting in your way.
If you feel stuck, even if you’re not sure why, drawing two cards in this format can bring instant clarity and help you figure out what to research, what to put energy into, or what to focus on. have to get off.
Sometimes this might be all you need, while at other times it can point you to a bigger spread that you can use to dig deeper into the situation – but using these two cards together can be really empowering and help you get to a challenge for yourself. what it is.
With only two cards, this spread is a powerful way to get to the heart of the matter.
The first card offers insight into your current situation, challenge, question, or difficulty, and phrases it in a specific way that can help introduce a different point of view about what’s going on. Whether internal or external, the first map helps define the problem.
The second card in the layout defines the challenge, obstacle or problem that is causing you to stumble. It can help you see what is blocking progress, limiting clarity, or standing between you and your goal.
And by looking at how these cards relate to each other, what they have in common, and what friction exists between them, you can begin to identify possible solutions.
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Because this spread is a quick card duo and not a lengthy multi-card adventure, I’m offering three different examples to help you see how this layout can work for you.
As always, these are just examples and are not written with any particular person, situation, or question in mind.
Example one
Situation: 5 of Cups
In this first sample reading, the situation is defined by the 5 of Cups: a card often associated with a major change or disturbance in one’s emotional state.
This could indicate heartache or despair, sadness or a sense of relational loss, but it could also indicate that something internal is happening that forces us to grapple with our intuition, emotions or community in a necessary but challenging way.
Challenge: 7 of Wands
The challenge card is the 7 of Wands, a card often representative of independent creativity, finding meaning in our own work, and a willingness to stand up for our vision of the future.
In light of the emotional situation, this card indicates that the questioner may feel extremely isolated in their desire for change and meaning, but can potentially find purpose, strength, and passion in expressing their needs, asking for support, and allow others to do that. strengthen their self-confidence.
To consider: How can we defend our ideas, our goals and our desires?
Example two
Situation: 7 of Cups
For the second example, I drew the 7 from Cups in the position of the situation. This card is all about searching for deeper meaning in our fantasies and desires and sometimes indicates that we get caught up in the haze of possibilities instead of committing to a specific future, wish or ambition.
In this position it could reveal that the questioner is losing himself in illusion and fantasy instead of thinking clearly and rationally about what he wants.
Challenge: 2 of Pentacles
Our second card for this reading gives some additional insight into a challenge, and in this case that challenge is the 2 of Pentacles. A map usually related to balancing resources, making decisions about growth, and clarifying our long-term goals. I read this card as an exhortation to be practical about all that lies ahead, as advice on how to navigate the current situation. situation.
The 7 of Cups feels very dreamy, but this card is one of grounding, willfulness and patience.
How can we balance desire and commitment? What feels good to propose, and what are we actually prepared for?
Example three
Situation: 4 of wands
Our first card in this latest reading is the 4 of Wands, a card that often speaks of laying foundations for creativity, expression, passion, desire, and soul-searching. This card is often associated with stability and confidence as we create structures for our work that allow us to continue to progress at a steady, defined pace.
The Wand 4 is often a welcome card at readings, so seeing it in this position indicates that things can feel very joyful, empowering and generally positive. There may be no obvious problem for the questioner.
Challenge: 4 of swords
The 4 of Swords presents a challenge to the first card and is usually interpreted as a need for mental boundaries, intellectual protection and necessary rest.
Given that our situation map of the 4 of Wands can indicate stability, joy, and progress, the 4 of Swords serves as a reminder to set our pace, to take breaks when we need them, and to keep our tender hearts and minds to protect, even as we keep moving forward.
While this seems more like an advice card to me, the Four of Swords in this position is a reminder to protect our dreams and ideas, to balance power with purpose, to be clear about our goals, and to be structured about the ways we chase them.
What situations will you discover with Tarot?
All three of these examples show different types of situations – and not all situations are necessarily full of challenges.
Sometimes the cards can simply be urging us to acknowledge something about where we are, to celebrate, honor, or be proud of something good happening that we might take for granted. In those cases, the challenge map may be an opportunity for growth or movement rather than an obstacle standing in our way.
Read these cards together, as a conversation, and see where their insights can take you. Enjoy reading!
This post contains cards from Le Tarot de L’étoile Cachée.
Related article: How to skillfully shuffle your tarot cards
