The second variation on the magic square spread is a more intense, and longer, exercise. The “magic square” of nine cards becomes a crisscross of 12 (or 14, if you read the optional positions) mini-spreads. While in the first variation of the magic square spread you effectively read 13 cards (4 cards are read twice), in this variation, although you still have only nine cards, you effectively read 36 cards (or 42, with the optional cards).
Each grouping of three is considered a unit—that is, you look for the ‘thread’ or the story in each grouping. Although all the cards are read several times, their significance changes as they move from one group to another.
As with the first magic square, part of the “magic” is that the cards are each read several times, but in different configurations. Creativity is the ability to generate ideas, find alternatives, and viewing things from a different perspective. With this spread, you consider your “wants,” “haves,” needs” and “deserves” several times from different angles.
Each mini-spread consists of two opposing statements. The middle card of each mini-spread is the resolution, “deal with it,” or “what to do about it” card.
The parts of the spread indicated in green are optional.
This is how you read the spread:
- I have (card 1) but I want (card 3); deal with it (card 2)
- I have (card 1) but I need (card 5); deal with it (card 9)
- I have (card 1) but I deserve (card 7); deal with it (card 8)
- I want (card 3) but I have (card 1); deal with it (card 2)
- I want (card 3) but I need (card 5); deal with it (card 4)
- I want (card 3) but I deserve (card 7); deal with it (card 9)
- I need (card 5) but I have (card 1); deal with it (card 9)
- I need (card 5) but I want (card 3); deal with it (card 4)
- I need (card 5) but I deserve (card 7); deal with it (card 6)
- I deserve (card 7) but I have (card 1); deal with it (card 8)
- I deserve (card 7) but I want (card 3); deal with it (card 9)
- I deserve (card 7) but I need (card 5); deal with it (card 6)
Optional:
- I am (card 2), I am not (card 6), my potential (card 9)
- My shame (card 4), my inspiration (card 8, what lifts me above shame and gives me hope), reconciliation (card 9)
Sample reading
Laura has recently started her own business. It will be a long time before she makes a profit, and although she is enjoying herself, she also feels guilty that her husband has the brunt of the financial burden.
For cards 1 to 3, Laura draws Justice reversed (“I have”), The Emperor (“resolution”), and the Eight of Swords (“I want”):
This is her interpretation of the first mini-spread:
I have: An imbalance. I feel it is unfair on my husband that he has to be the sole breadwinner, without even knowing if his sacrifice will be worth it. Justice is a major arcana card: I take this as an indication of how important this situation is to me—it affects my marriage, my career, my happiness, and my creativity.
I want: To break free from self-imposed bonds—guilt, anxiety—that are threatening to paralyze me. The Eight of Swords is the only minor arcana card in this spread. I am going to read this as indicating how insignificant these self-imposed restrictions are compared with the possibilities for the future. Moreover, Justice wields the sword of discrimination and justice; the eight swords surrounding me on the Eight of Swords are nothing in comparison.
Resolution: Mastery, of both my new business and my disruptive feelings. Again a major arcana card, suggesting to me that the potential is much greater than the obstacles represented by the Eight of Swords. Also, I need to accept that, for now, Chris is the “emperor” of finances. I will be able to contribute when I have reached my 50th order. I’m already halfway there!
The two major arcana cards are “static,” in the sense that the figures show no indication of movement. The only possible movement occurs in the Eight of Swords, and even though I feel as bound and blindfolded as that poor woman, I believe that I am in no greater danger than she is (none of the swords have harmed her). One step forward could break these bonds.
For the next mini-spread (cards 1, 5 and nine), Laura has Justice reversed again (“I have”), Five of Cups reversed (“resolution”), and the King of Cups reversed (“I need”):
Although she can again read card 1 as “imbalance,” looking at the three reversed cards, Laura is reminded of a recent upsetting situation when she told a friend that she will not be using her as a supplier. She felt that she had acted like a reversed King of Cups—acting with authority as a business owner, but suppressing her impulse to act on emotion rather than reason, and ignoring her instinctive kindness and desire to put a friendship first. She feels bad about it (Five of Cups), but she realizes that she did the right thing for her business (if not for the friendship) (reversing the Five of Cups).
I have: A questionable decision (or judgement) to put my business before friendship. Now I have a friend who is hurt and angry that I decided not to use her as supplier. I feel this was a fair decision for the business, but not a good one for friendship.
I need: To use reason, not emotion, when I make business decisions. I have to reverse my King of Cups instincts if I’m to be successful in my business.
Resolution: I need to come to terms with my dual roles, which might at times clash. I cannot make business decisions out of friendship, but I will be sad if I lose a friend because of my decision. I will try to explain this to her, but if I do lose her friendship, I need to accept that as a consequence of my decision.
Reading tips
- Instead of reading the four corner cards—I have, I want, I need, I desire—in the same way for each mini-spread, regard each mini-spread as a unit and read the cards in conjunction. In the the third variation on this spread, the four corner cards stay the same.
- Don’t start with the first card of the mini-spread: there will be too much “carry over” for the cards that formed part of previous mini-spreads. Look at all three cards as one story, with each card influencing the other two. In the second mini-spread, Laura saw three reversed cards, two of which were Cups cards (emotions, relationships) and was reminded of an upsetting situation with a friend, instead of the problem she had with her husband being the breadwinner.
- Start by looking for a common theme or atmosphere in the three cards. How many reversals do you see? Are two or three of the cards of the same suit? How many major arcana cards are in the spread? Are the cards mainly positive, or do they indicate blockages and problems?
- This spread works best if you make the two poles of each mini-spread as concrete as possible, and find a resolution that is practical rather than one that sounds good. For example, Justice can be read as something that is unfair, but instead of interpreting the card in abstract terms, Laura focused on a particular decision. The Five of Cups reversed can be read as ‘stop crying over spilled milk,’ but Laura’s resolve to accept the consequences of a specific decision is a practical resolution that she can work with.
- If you find it difficult to read each card in a different way for each mini-spread it falls in, go through a few book meanings for inspiration. (These are my favourite books for card meanings.) If you don’t have a book to work from, or if you only have the LWB (little white book) that comes with the deck, try Aeclectic.net’s Tarot card meanings, Joan Bunning’s Learning the Tarot, and the American Tarot Association.
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