Rachel Mann of Washington D.C. has given me permission to post her “Practical Tree of Life Spread” that she first presented on Aeclectic Tarot’s tarotforum. She found most versions to be too abstract or attempting to cover too much, so she simplified it, resulting in a easy, accessible bare bones approach. Having tried dozens of Tree of Life spreads in the past, this one has quickly become my favorite.
Like the Celtic Cross you say the card position keywords as you lay cards down using the words in the illustration. The numbers represent the order in which you lay out the cards and read them. (They are not the numbers associated with the sephiroth.)
Here’s more about the positions:
Positions 1 & 2 – Force and Form represent “The Issue.” You can see Force as a generative, active energy behind the issue and Form as the form or structure the issue takes. (They can also represent two alternatives or choices.)
Positions 3 & 4 – People or things going for or against you. (They can also express what’s expanding and contracting, or what’s coming in and going out.)
Positions 5 & 6 – Your feelings and thoughts.
Position 7 – World. Your body, possessions, physical manifestations.
Position 8 – Persona. Your everyday self and how you present yourself.
Position 9 – Advice. Your heart’s advice. The best you can do.
Position 10 – Spirit. Morality or personal growth related to the issue.
Da’at (optional card) – If you choose you can also lay out an additional card between cards 9 and 10. The Da’at (meaning ‘Knowledge’) Position can represent a shadow or hidden knowledge: something unknown or a possible future. It can bring insight, especially as to how to integrate the cards on the right and left pillars.
You work your way down the tree with cards in positions 1 through 6 on the left and right pillars. Then, work your way up the middle pillar from position 7 at the bottom to 10 at the top. Rachel adds: “I really feel the grouping and order are important to get the right flow for the reading, especially ending by going up the middle pillar. A good way to sum up a reading is to consider how the middle pillar cards (7 and 8 ) align with the upper ones (9 and 10).”
8 comments
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November 25, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Ferol Humphrey
Thank you, Mary! And thank Rachel Mann. I haven’t looked at this closely yet, but will do so later tonight. I have had a lot of laughs yesterday and today looking at all the ways that my Majors spectrum won’t fit on a Tree. LOL! Tarot play is the best stuff. I look forward to checking this.
November 26, 2008 at 6:07 am
Kristine Gazel
I have taken the liberty to add this to my spread files on my pc, since I really like it, and it seems to more “manageable” and less abstract than some of the other Tree of Life spreads in circulation. I also like that the Da’at position can be added as a hidden or unconscious knowlegde.
Thanks to you both.
Kristine Gazel
November 26, 2008 at 11:26 am
mkg
Ferol & Kristine –
Feel free to add this to your spread files and teach your students. Just always acknowledge that it was created by Rachel Mann.
November 26, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Ferol Humphrey
Will do! Working with it right now, in fact.
December 1, 2008 at 5:24 pm
James
Thanks for posting this, Mary. This looks like an interesting spread, altho’ I haven’t done a reading with it yet, so I have shared the link to this post with some people.
Blessings,
James
October 1, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Brian
This looks really practical and an easy way to apply the Tarot to the Tree of Life. Must try this out!
September 21, 2013 at 10:17 pm
Casey
I just tried astrocenter.com’s tree of life tarot reading for the first time. Could you please tell me what my reading means. This is also my first time asking for this info & am not sure if this is something you do, or if it’s proper for me to ask.
Thank you so much for the information in advance if you respond.
1) Crown-L’Imperatore
2) Wisdom-La Torre
3) Understanding-Le Stelle
4) Beauty-Il Bagattel (cap i, small L)
5) Compassion-Il Sole
6) Duty-Gli Amanti
7) Foundation-Ruot Della For
8) Success-Il Giupizo
9) Creativity-La Forza
10) Realization-Il Diavola
Two separate friends read my cards several years ago, both telling me the same thing. To be aware of a lifelong and powerful, new relationship that could easily pass me by, if I chose to disregard it. At the time, I’d been seeing my boyfriend for about 2 years, but knew he wasn’t “the one”. Long story, short…within a few weeks we broke up. The next night a coworker, and really good friend, called with an offer of an extra room to get back on my feet . Well…we ‘ve been together now 5 1/2 years (and we never made it to the extra room) and have never been happier! I would have never seriously considered him for a relationship, as he’s 8 years younger, had it not been for the tarot readings.
We are both at a huge transition in our lives and any help I get would be tremendously appreciated.
September 22, 2013 at 1:07 pm
mkg
Casey – Reading cards is my work, so I don’t provide free interpretations. I suggest, since you found the earlier readings so helpful, that you consult a professional reader.