HR Giger Reading For A Friend

Alright, for this next reading we are returning to Tarot, although not the standard deck. This is another requested reading, and the selected deck is the HR Giger Tarot. 

For this spread, I chose to use the Celtic Cross layout outlined in the book, which differs from the traditional Celtic Cross in shape only: instead of a cross, the cards are laid out in the following manner:

Card One: Current Position/ State Of The Querent

Wheel Of Fortune

The first card drawn suggests a need to accept oneself regardless of circumstance, to make peace with not only your good qualities but also your flaws. It would seem there is a tendency here to rebel against nature, and to accept far too much blame for your own circumstances. Your current situation requires a serene and delicate approach, and while it can be easy to become overwhelmed by circumstance, your inner peace will be a guiding light to you, if you choose to seek it. Though life may be difficult at times, the strength of your will and the power of your beliefs must not be underestimated.

Card Two: Barriers/ Obstacles/ The Repressed Self

The Sun

This card shows us what stands in the way of the Querent's goals, including the Querent themselves. The Sun  in this position represents a powerful longing in the heart, and the fear that perhaps true joy will forever be out of reach. This card reminds us that we must not falter in times of doubt, that we must hold onto our ultimate goal and never lose sight of it. All you wish for can be yours, if you will allow yourself to reach out and take it.

Card Three: Main Goal/ Priority Of The Querent

Death

As the classic card of rebirth and reinvention, as a goal Death may symbolise a need to escape a current situation entirely, to start over in every respect. It suggests that the Querent is holding onto an outdated belief or way of life, that although it can be difficult to do so the time may have come to rid yourself of some destructive influence in your life. While it is often noble to stay and fight, there may be a person in your life who has outstayed their welcome, a habit which needs to be dealt with, or simply an overhaul with regards to the way you look at the world. In short, it may be time to take a different approach. If someone is a dead weight, now is the time to stop carrying them, and move on toward your own happiness.

Card Four: The Root Of The Matter

The Fool

The Fool in this position serves to remind us of our own inner freedom, of our ability to change the way we see the world. It is an indicator that some new phase in life is just beginning, but in order for it to pass there are other influences which must be left behind. So then, it represents something which may be frightening to some extent, as are a lot of new experiences. But it is human nature to be wary of change, and The Fool encourages us to embrace that, to reach outside of our comfort zone and free ourselves to the whim of fate, from time to time. There is no sense worrying over that which cannot be controlled.

Card Five: Recent Past

Judgement

This is a card of reincarnation. You may not have had the easiest life so far, but you have been reborn from the ashes like a phoenix, and are stronger than ever. It may be that you are beginning to realise this, and if not then it is most certainly time to do so. There ids a sense here that in order to realise your future dreams, you must forgive yourself for past mistakes, and move on from them emotionally. You cannot progress until you cast off the weight of self-criticism, as well as the judgement of those who would oppose you. Allow yourself to be reborn, and you will become more powerful than ever.

Card Six: Immediate Future

The Universe

You are in a magical place right now, one in which your own personal energy and that of the universe are completely aligned. What you want is also what fate wishes for you, and you can expect a much easier time ahead, one in which you can achieve whatever you set your mind to. Your hearts desire is well within your reach -be clear about what you want, and the universe shall oblige your request.

Card Seven: Area Of Growth/ Potential

The Lovers

This card brings with it a warning. It suggests that the Querent may have a tendency to hold back in relationships. Whether this is because of past experience remains unclear, but the message here is that unless you give all of yourself to another person you will not find the love you seek. The path of true openness may lead to pain and heartache, but the alternative is a numbness, the empty feeling that comes from unsatisfying romantic encounters. It may be tough to open your heart to others, to allow them to see your true self, but if you seek true companionship which has significance and is founded on mutual care and respect, then this is the path you must take.

Card Eight: Environment/ Situation From The Perspective Of Others

The Star

This is a lovely card to draw, in terms of how others see you. It represents someone who is a dreamer, creative and inspiring. Someone who dreams big, and has the courage to follow it through. There is also an indication of someone who has a mystical aura, an almost magical charisma. Your love of life, your vivid imagination and your innate hopefulness are an inspiration to others.

Card Nine: Hopes And Fears

Strength

As far as hopes and fears go, this card is very direct in its message. It is all about inner fortitude, endurance and resilience. There may be times when you fear that you cannot possibly continue on your current path, when you come close to giving up entirely, Yet your hope, your belief in your own internal will, is what will carry you forward. Your doubts are just that - doubts, but nothing more. The trick here is to determine what is worth fighting for, to differentiate between when you are being firm, and when you are being stubborn. There is a time and a place for each, and knowing the difference may be the key to your current situation.

Card Ten: Culmination

The Chariot

Here we find ourselves at the end of the journey, and The Chariot shows us the lesson that the Querent's current situation is trying to impart. It very neatly reinforces the rest of the reading, with the emphasis on inner will and determination. Once the path to your dreams has been set in motion, nothing short of the hand of destiny itself can derail it. Use you focus, your ability to go after what you want. Keep your eyes on the prize, and do not allow anything or anyone to steer you from your current path. The message of this reading, then, is simple. Nobody knows what you want better than you do, and nobody else has ability to make it happen. With determination, with faith in yourself and your abilities, there is nothing you cannot achieve.

Answer Deck Reading

Well it is the start of a new year, and the start of a new creative project, so it seems like as good a time as any to get some practice with the Answer Deck! 

Talent/Confusion/Anxiety

This combination tells us straight away that this is a period of self doubt, and a lack of confidence in one's own abilities. There is a sense here of being afraid to go wrong, afraid of not measuring up somehow, and of being unsure of how to proceed. As the first card drawn, Talent places the emphasis of the reading on natural ability and creative pursuits - very fitting, for the current situation.

Strength/Troubleshooter/Heartbreak

The Troubleshooter makes for an interesting center card, and suggests that the key to everything here is in how you approach, that sometimes you must be resourceful and willing to adapt. Where you find this card, the solution is near, if you are only willing to try. The trick with this card combination is to learn to manage negativity, to turn a weakness into a strength and pain into power. 

Battle/Fame/Truth

This combination can be interpreted in many ways. it could indicate a struggle to make the truth known, or a situation in which you are struggling to make people believe you. On the flipside, it could also indicate a situation in which notoriety comes at a price - that positive attention comes hand in hand with negative attention, and one must be prepared for both eventualities. Certainly, the theme here is revelation, realisation, and the struggles which inevitably follow. 

Talent/Strength/Battle

Again, the message here is to utilize strengths, and turn them into a weapon - that the querent possesses the skills needed to succeed already, and it is just a manner of learning to wield them efficiently. Increasingly, in this reading we are seeing an overall theme of self belief and capability, suggesting that the problem is really more a matter of attitude and perspective. 

Confusion/Troubleshooter/Fame

The advice here reminds me of a quote I once heard: "Ask, and you are a fool for five minutes, but don't ask, and you will be a fool forever". It is best to clarify the situation rather than quietly wonder, to ask questions and voice concerns rather than allowing doubts to fester and grow.

Anxiety/Heartbreak/Truth

There are surely some difficult things to accept, where this combination is found. The truth can hurt, and it can be tempting to turn away from it in an attempt to protect oneself from hurt and damage. But this is only an illusion - in reality such actions often only serve to prolong suffering, rather than end it. To live in denial is a dangerous thing, and these cards remind us that even if it is not the easiest path to follow, honesty is still the right choice.

Anxiety/ Troubleshooter/ Battle

While anxiety is indicated, a solution is also offered here, in the form of the battle card. This suggests a need to stop running and stand firm, to actively challenge oneself by confronting fear. By owning the problem, it is possible to regain some form of control over it, turning hindrance into motivation. 

Talent/Troubleshooter/Truth

This last combination sums the reading up quite nicely. Sometimes the only way to alleviate doubt is to face it head on, to be true to yourself and utilize your strengths while being honest about your limitations. Sometimes, the only way to find out whether or not you can do something is to try.

The Scales Spread

A friend taught me this spread a good few years ago. She called it The Scales:

Card One: The Situation

This card identifies the root of the problem.

Card Two: What is lacking

This card shows what there is a lack of in the situation.

Card Three: What is excessive

This card tells us what there is too much of, in the current situation.

Card Four: What is in balance

The fourth card shows us what we are getting right, what our strength is.

Card Five: Best Outcome

This card tells us the best outcome of the situation.

Example Reading:

To give an example, I used my Answer deck, though the spread can be used with many different types of decks. I have a new project in the works, a charity fundraiser of sorts. I asked the cards for insight into the situation:

Card One: Situation

The first card is straightforward enough. In a reading about charity, it is no surprise to see Generosity as the first card drawn. Quite simply, this card is about giving, of both possessions and your time.

Card Two: Lacking

The second card drawn is The Fool. In terms of a lack, this card seems to be reminding me to loosen up, and think outside the box. It is a reminder not to make a chore out of something which is supposed to be fun, and to find off-the-wall solutions. It may also mean that now is not the time to care about what others think, or about making a fool of myself.

Card Three: Excess

The third card is Heartbreak, in the Excess position. I think this card is a warning not to take things to heart. I do, I'm afraid, have a tendency to take failure personally. A little emotional investment is fine, but I think the message here is to not become weighed down by little disappointments, to learn from mistakes and move on.

Card Four: Balance

The fourth card, Challenge, is encouraging. It suggests that I am more than capable of making this work. Before doing the reading, I will admit to being a little concerned that I had bitten off more than I could chew. But as a card of balance, Challenge suggests that I have chosen a project which is exactly the right difficulty!

Card Five: Best Outcome

The fifth and final card is Strength. As an outcome, I think Strength is all about learning and growing. Perhaps it isn't really about whether I succeed, or by how much. It seems that it is more about the journey, and how we can all grow by accepting new experiences into our lives.