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How to Read the Tree of Life Tarot Spread

Some people look to tarot cards to answer questions about unknown futures and personal ventures. There are a great variety of tarot spreads and even more ways to interpret them. A common spread is known as the Tree of Life. There are likely various ways to read this spread, but you have to start somewhere. Here is a basic instruction on how to read the Tree of Life tarot spread.

Instructions

- 1
  Shuffle the deck of tarot cards, but do not have the querant (person asking the question) cut the deck. Spread the cards into the tree of life formation. The left column will contain cards 3, 6 and 8. The middle column will contain cards 1, the significator, and 4. The right column will contain cards 2, 5 and 7. Below the middle column you will place cards 9 and 10. Going by numerical order, deal the cards into this spread.
- 2
  Interpret the meaning of the significator card, which represents the person receiving the reading. Note: the significator card should come from the king, queen, knight or page cards.
- 3
  Identify the meaning behind card 1. This card represents aims, meaning it illustrates what the querant would like to accomplish.
- 4
  Find out, by reading card 2, what is influencing the person's current situation.
- 5
  Redefine the person's query with card 3. It is known as General Nature, and will give a clearer definition of the person's ultimate aim.
- 6
  Determine the key to resolution and achievement by interpreting card 4. This may or may not be something that the person can see at the time but stands as the factor that will resolve his/her quest.
- 7
  Figure out what present circumstances are influencing the person by reading card 5. These are situations that are affecting the individual in the here and now, the things that the querant must deal with in a timely fashion.
- 8
  Take a glimpse into the future by reading card 6. This card represents future influences for which the querant should be on the lookout.
- 9
  Decide what influence (if any) the querant has over his/her own situation by interpreting card 7. This card is read to gauge the effect of the significator.
- 10
  Read card 8 to find out what surroundings and environmental factors are affecting the person and his/her query.
- 11
  Discover the querant's hopes and apprehensions regarding his/her question by interpreting card 9. This will outline what the person hopes will happen as well as what he/she fears will or won't happen in the situation.
- 12
  Provide the final determination with an interpretation of card 10. This card represents the ultimate answer (or final answer, if you're a Regis fan).

The Occult