SynTAROTis

The filter spread

The most effective learning is learning from experience.

The best use we can make of such learning is to apply the lessons to the rest of our lives, and to the good of others.

Ideally, lessons learned from experience should lead to change.

If this sounds like reflection—yes it is! I wrote in another post: "Reflection is a deliberate and purposeful, imaginative and analytical exploration of events.... Research suggests that reflection, done constructively, leads to personal growth ...."

As we know, a tarot reading explores events from various angles until understanding is achieved. Here is a spread in the form of a funnel with six filters. The experience is 'poured' into the top, filtered through the cards, and the lesson(s) extracted at the bottom.

 

1. (The top four cards) Describe the event as thoroughly as you can.
2. (The second row of three cards) What effect did this event have on you, others around you, and the situation?
3. (The third row of two cards) What did you learn from this experience?
4. How can you best use what you have learned?
5. Commit yourself to use what you have learned.
6. What is the next action that you can take?

I based this spread on work done in 'adventure education,' in which experience takes place through various 'adventures' undertaken by the learners (Gass & Stevens, 2007). These adventures, if thoroughly explored, should lead to change when the learner internalizes knowledge gained.

The authors model this process on the idea of a funnel filter. The experience is 'poured' into the top, then filtered through a succession of questions until change is 'extracted.' The filters in this model (see image below) are review; recall & remember; affect & effect; summation; application; and commitment. By the end of this process, the learner should thoroughly understand the material and be able to apply it in the workplace.

The filter model is an expansion of the three questions asked by Terry Barton: What? So what? Now what?

In my spread, the questions correspond to What? (card 1), So what? (cards 2 and 3), and Now what? (Cards 4 to 6).

Sources

Borton, T. (1970). Applying the process approach. In In reach touch and teach: Student concerns and process education (pp. 93–105). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Gass, M. A., & Stevens, C. A. (2007). Facilitating the adventure process. In D. Pouty, J. Panicucci, & R. Collinson (Eds.), Adventure education: Theory and applications (pp. 101–123). IL: Human Kinetics.

What have I learned? Tarot spread

Reflection with this spread is somewhat difficult, as it is deeply introspective. However, if something has happened that you feel you must take a lesson from (whether this was a pleasant or disturbing event), it is well worth it. I would recommend this spread for an experienced tarot reader.

1. The event
2. What have I learned?
3. How can I use what I have learned for the best?
4. How can what I have learned fulfil a need that has remained unfulfilled before? (This might have been an unconscious need.)
5. What can I do now that I have not been able to do before?
6. What am I learning right now?

New Year's growth spread

Instead of resolutions that most of us break anyway, try this spread that will help you set your eyes on growth and sharing your wisdom with your community.

1. Who are you now?
2. How would you like to grow this year?
3. What will help you?
4. What have you learned in life so far?
5. How can you use this knowledge (in question 4) to benefit your family, friends, or broader community?

What do I know?

Sometimes you need to do a little digging to find out how wise you really are. Try this spread:

(If you are new to tarot cards, try the very, very short introduction to card reading in Journaling prompts.)

1. What do I know?
2. What have I forgotten?
3. What do I need to know and must never forget?

What is worth knowing?

Some spreads are neither about a problem nor about self-exploration. They can be more clearly defined as ‘wisdom spreads.’ My latest spread is one of them. It is a two-card spread, but can be expanded to three cards if you like drawing something practical from a reading.

1.  What is worth knowing?

2. Why?

And, if you wish: 3. What to do with it?