Ankh Spread
Difficulty: Kind of tough
The Ankh Spread is for deeper questions about the causes behind trends. It is similar to the Celtic Cross and Secret of the High Priestess spreads, but it covers the reasons behind the circumstances in question differently, perhaps giving a better explanation of why things are the way they are.
The loop of the upper section of the ankh shows the deeper spiritual background and causes of the situation, while the stem of the base shows your prospects for the outcome.
The first 2 cards represent the 2 parent causes of the situation. They will either compliment each other or show 2 opposing sides of a conflict, depending on how they relate. These are the significator cards of the Ankh spread.
3. This card shows the early causes of the trend in question.
4. Shows the causes that triggered the current situation.
5. Reveals the spiritual perspective of the subject at hand.
6. This card informs the querent of the reasons why the spirit demanded this course of action to unfold, in that it was a means to this end. This can not be avoided.
At this point, you want to pause to soak in the meaning of the first 6 cards before moving forward to the last 3 cards. The last 3 will show your prospects for the future.
7. The Next Step gives clues about the immediate future.
8. Surprising Experiences encountered en route to the end result.
9. This represents the end result.
Your Ankh Reading
Higher Perceptions ![]() The Universe |
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Early Causes
![]() The Aeon |
Triggering Causes ![]() The Tower |
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Necessary Conclusions
![]() The Hanged Man |
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Significator #1
![]() The Hermit |
Significator #2
![]() The Emperor |
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Next Step
![]() Adjustment |
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Surprising Experiences ![]() Death |
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Outcome ![]() The Empress |

Significator #1
The Hermit
Virgo
Illumination from within, secret impulse from within; practical plans derived accordingly. Retirement from participation in current events.

Significator #2
The Emperor
Aries
War, conquest, victory, strife, ambition, originality, over-weening confidence and megalomania, quarrelsomeness, energy, vigour, stubbornness, impracticability, rashness, ill- temper.

Early Causes
The Aeon
Fire
Final decision in respect of the past, new current in respect of the future; always represents the taking of a definite step.

Triggering Causes
The Tower
Mars
Quarrel, combat, danger, ruin, destruction of plans, sudden death, escape from prison.

Higher Perceptions
The Universe
Earth
The matter of the question itself, synthesis, the end of the matter, may mean delay, opposition, obstinacy, inertia, patience, perseverance, persistent stubbornness in difficulty. The crystallisation of the whole matter involved.

Necessary Conclusions
The Hanged Man
Water
Enforced sacrifice, punishment, loss, fatal or voluntary, suffering, defeat, failure, death.

The Next Step
Adjustment
Libra
Justice, or rather justesse, the act of adjustment, suspension of all action pending decision; in material matters, may refer to law suits or prosecutions. Socially, marriage or marriage agreements; politically, treaties.

Surprises
Death
Scorpio
Transformation, change, voluntary or involuntary, in either case logical development of existing conditions, yet perhaps sudden and unexpected. Apparent death or destruction, but such interpretation is illusion.

The Outcome
The Empress
Venus
Love, beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, completion, good fortune, graciousness, elegance, luxury, idleness, dissipation debauchery, friendship, gentleness, delight.