Life Journey Spread

The World Spirit Tarot and the Gypsy Lenormand Oracle

This reading was based on Paul Quinn's Life Journey Spread that can be found in his book Tarot for Life. Originally this is a three-card spread but since I am also using the Lenormand oracle I had a total of six cards (one extra Lenormand card for each tarot card). So here is my interpretation of the spread:

Position 1. Where I have been?

The cards that came up in this position were the 7 of Pentacles and the Ship. I have been assessing, growing, taking stock of my life, perhaps far too long. I have been very patient and leaving things to be, perhaps for longer than I should have done. The Ship from the Lenormand oracle can symbolize my immigration process as well as a general hoping and longing for change and for breaking free. Both cards can indicate that things can take a long time perhaps years (to grow and reach their conclusion). On a deeper level, the Ship can represent my unconscious and from this picture I can only glimpse a small portion of the vast ocean (my unconscious). This means, together with the 7 of Pentacles that I have not yet figured out or understood what I have been waiting for or how to grow and mature ideas in order for them to become fully expressed and actualized. So this is where I have been.

Position 2. Where I am now?

Here the Judgement card is definitely telling me to take stock of the past and then move on. However, being in a never ending cycle of self-assessment would surely make my life pretty miserable and it is not where I am now at the moment. More likely this card indicates a sense of rebirth that I am feeling at the moment in my life and this is because of my partner who is symbolized by the Cavalier from the Lenormand deck. Love has definitely marked the beginning of a whole new life for me. It is an uplifting experience that brings me a sense of relief from the seemingly never ending waiting game of the past. It is him who lifts me up, who is galloping towards me. So I am now relieved and more energized and feel more like I have a sense of purpose.

Position 3. Where I am going?

The 7 of Wands clearly shows that I will have to up my game if I am to stay strong. I will have to stand my ground and be more forceful to aim higher in life. The Bear from the Lenormand oracle also confirms the need to be strong but it also shows its more dangerous side (symbolized here by the pole with a triangle that the Bear is holding). The dangers here could indicate an excess of aggression or force. Overall I do think that both cards are more positive than negative. Both the Bear and the figure in the 7 of Wands are holding onto their wands or poles in a defensive stance and I must say they look rather strong and capable. Both cards picture female characters (the Bear is more commonly associated with females in most schools of Lenormand) which could indicate that I may find support from (an older) female person. On the other hand the combination of these two cards remind me of Strength where a female figure is taming her inner beast who is represented here by the Bear.

General Observations:

There were no reversed cards in this spread. Both minor arcana cards were 7s. Number 7 is a special number for me in many ways one of which is it being my Soul number (by adding up the digits from my date of birth the sum of all digits comes to 7). In terms of elemental dignities fire dominates heavily ( both Judgement and the 7 of Wands are attributed to the element of fire) breaking out from the past through the earth (7 of Pentacles) like a volcano. It is as if the build-up of energy was waiting to be released from the depths of my unconscious.

All in all I can see myself lifted up (Judgement) by my partner (Cavalier) from the safety of my secret garden (7 of Pentacles) that was floating on the sea of my unconscious (Ship) and becoming more of a fighter and a much stronger person (7 of Wands and Bear).