Tarot Hermeneutics

A Note on the Spreads used during Sessions

A major part of our tarot study is to not only read and discuss the text but also to try out what we are learning by reading a Spread especially laid-out for each session. The Layout is set up to respond to a general question about the session and the subject of study. For example if our topic is the Fool we would ask what the tarot wants us to especially note about the Fool in light of our discussion.

In addition some of our questions derive from the text and from Spreads in the text.

We began using a nifty Spread developed by Johanna Gargiulo-Sherman for her famous The Sacred Rose Tarot. The Elemental Power Spread had served us well during our reading of Promethea, a previous teleconference group. After a few weeks we decided to try something more in keeping with the assumptions and style of Jodorowsky-Camion tarot of Marseille. Johanna developed the Jodorowsky's Elemental Power Spread which was based on questions raised in the text and on the summary structure of the deck as reflected in the World card according to Jodorowsky.

We have stuck with this Spread but found that it seemed to lack internal flow when we repeatedly read with it. Also Jodorowsky's color choices for the suits seemed counterintuitive [Jodorowsky Color Code Study Guide] and also provoked a continuing resistance. David Attwood, a wonderfully synthetic reader from California, often recast the readings in ways that got us out of the thicket. See for example David Attwood's Tree of Life Variant of the EPS.

So we are now revising the Jodorowsky's Elemental Power Spread to reflect the tetragrammaton in this Revised Jodorowsky's Elemental Power Spread.

In addition we use the same order of random draw plus extra cards to use Rachel Pollack's Spreads from her Tarot Wisdom book.

New Spread Template: Revised Jodorowsky's Elemental Power Spread

Session 22: June 28, 2011 Layout Image

Session 22: June 28, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Session 23: July 5, 2011 Layout Image

Session 23: July 5, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Session 24: July 12, 2011 Layout Image

Session 24: July 12, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Session 25: July 19, 2011 Layout Image

Session 25: July 19, 2011 Rachel's Layout Image

Session 25: July 19, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Session 25: July 19, 2011 Rachael Layout Adobe

Session 26: July 26, 2011 Layout Image

Rachel Pollack's Chariot Spread Image

Session 26:July 26, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Rachel Pollack's Chariot Spread Page

Session 27: August 3, 2011 Layout Image

Rachel Pollack's Justice Spread Image

Session 27: August 3, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Rachel Pollack's Justice Spread Page

Session 28: August 10, 2011 Layout Image

Rachel Pollack's Hermit Spread Image

Session 28: August 10, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Rachel Pollack's Hermit Spread Page

Session 29: August 17, 2011 Layout Image

Rachel Pollack's Wheel Spread Image

Session 29: August 17, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Rachel Pollack's Wheel Spread Page

Session 30: August 24, 2011 Layout Image

Rachel Pollack's Strength Spread Image

Session 29: August 24, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Rachel Pollack's Strength Spread  Adobe Page

Session 31: September 6, 2011 Layout Image

Rachel Pollack's Hanged Man Spread Image

Session 31: September 6, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Rachel Pollack's Hanged Man Spread  Adobe Page

Session 32: September 13, 2011 Layout Image

Rachel Pollack's Death Spread Image

Session 32: September 13, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Rachel Pollack's Death Spread  Adobe Page

Session 33: September 20, 2011 Layout Image

Rachel Pollack's Temperance Spread Image

Session 33: September 20, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Rachel Pollack's Temperance Spread  Adobe Page

Session 34: September 27, 2011 Layout Image

Rachel Pollack's Devil Spread Image

Session 34: September 27, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Rachel Pollack's Devil Spread  Adobe Page

Session 35: October 4, 2011 Layout Image

Rachel Pollack's Tower Spread Image

Session 35: October 4, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Rachel Pollack's Tower Spread  Adobe Page

Session 36: October 11, 2011 Layout Image

Rachel Pollack's Star Spread Image

Session 36: October 11, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Rachel Pollack's Star Spread  Adobe Page

Session 37: October 18, 2011 Layout Image

Rachel Pollack's Moon Spread Image

Session 37: October 18, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Rachel Pollack's Moon Spread  Adobe Page

Session 38: October 25, 2011 Layout Image

Rachel Pollack's Sun Spread Image

Session 38: October 25, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Rachel Pollack's Sun Spread  Adobe Page

Session 39: November 1, 2011 Layout Image

Rachel Pollack's Judgment Spread Image

Session 39: November 1, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Rachel Pollack's Judgment Spread  Adobe Page

Session 40: November 8, 2011 Layout Image

Rachel Pollack's World Spread Image

Session 40: November 8, 2011 Layout as Adobe Page

Rachel Pollack's World Spread  Adobe Page

Session 41 November 15, 2011 Devised Aces Spread Image

Session 41 November 15, 2011Devised Aces Spread  Adobe Page  

Session 42: November 22, 2011 Aces Layout Image

Session 42: November 22, 2011 Aces Layout as Adobe Page