Ask the Cartouche

The five pointed star spread The five star spread is ideal when you want to find clarity with regards to a particular issue. This spread is from Murry Hope’s “The Way of the Cartouche” and I find that it is very helpful in doing an in depth reading regarding a particular issue. The order for laying out cards in a star spread is shown below.  Position 1 indicates the nature of the question, while position 2 indicates why the question is being asked. Position 3 indicates factors influencing the issue or factors to be considered. Position 4 reveals what needs to be done or how one needs to handle the situation. The final card in position 5 reveals the outcome of the issue. If you want more clarification regarding a card in a particular position, simply draw another card from top of the pack and place it with the card you are seeking to clarify. This might give you more clues as to what is being revealed by the card in question.   It is also important that the quest

25. Buckle of Isis Upright The Buckle of Isis card is a fertility card. It denotes the multiplication principle. Therefore it is a card of growth and abundance. However, it denotes growth with a sacrifice. When the Buckle of Isis card turns up it may indicate a pregnancy or an addition to the family. Buckle of Isis also indicates fidelity and commitment.  Reversed When the Buckle of Isis is reversed there might be problems with fertility, difficulty in getting pregnant, or issues with pregnancy in general. A lack of abundance may also be shown. Disloyalty, inconstancy and selfishness are other issues denoted by a reversed Buckle of Isis.  Meditation The Buckle of Isis is a good meditation aid when you want to invoke the multiplication principle and for creating abundance.

24. Ankh Upright The Ankh is a symbol of life force, universal love and understanding. On a spiritual level it denotes the dawning of an enlightened state of consciousness or oneness with the higher transpersonal self. On a mundane level it denotes emotional love, fullfilment, a love affair or a satisfying relationship. Reversed The Ankh reversed may indicate withdrawal of the life force, death or some sort of loss. In a relationship it could indicate infatuation, promiscuity and rejection. It could also indicate someone who only takes but never gives in return. Meditation The Ankh card is a good card to meditate with when you need to find love and harmony in your life.

23. Pyramid Upright The Pyramid card indicates a test or an initiation which might involve a degree of stress and anxiety. This card also denotes a quality of timeless and preservation which indicates that a situation will be preserved after a testing period. When the card is upright a satisfactory outcome after a testing period can be expected. The message here is that time will sort things out. There is a degree of reliability, conservation and preservation of status quo indicated here. Reversed When Pyramid is reversed there are reversals, regression and the possibility of going back to square one. There is a danger of limitation and stagnation by wanting things to be too comfortable and secure. One might be denying progress by tying oneself down too much. Pyramid also indicates things that are neglected and run down. Meditation The Pyramid card could be a good meditation aid for coping and emerging victorious when you feel that you are being tested.

22. Scarab Upright The Scarab card is a symbol renewal and rebirth. It denotes adaptability and the ability accept change through a shift in ones attitude. A new beginning or a new phase is indicated when the Scarab card turns up. This is an ideal card for getting out of a rut. The Scarab advises one to have a change around or to do something different. It heralds endings and beginnings; casting off the old for the new. Its message is to release the past and be ready to embrace change.  Reversed Scarab reversed shows that a situation has become quite stale and stagnant. It could indicate that there is resistance to change and the refusal to move on. Someone may be stuck in the past continuing to delude themselves to stay in a situation that no longer serves them. They might be clinging to resentment and rebelling against any changes. The flip side is that Scarab reversed could also denote an unwise change.  Meditation Meditation with the Scarab card may be

21. Sphinx Upright When the Sphinx turns up there is an element of secrecy. Keeping quiet or sitting back and observing a situation are key themes here. It shows the ability to keep a secret or ferret out one. Sphinx denotes patience and a wait and see attitude. It reminds one to keep one’s own counsel. A love of animals or an involvement with animals may also be denoted by this card.  Reversed Sphinx reversed shows inattentiveness and the inability to observe a situation carefully. It may also indicate indiscretion, scandal mongering and gossip. A secret may be let out which could be problematic. Cruelty to animals caused through neglect and indifference may also be indicated by Sphinx reversed. Meditation Meditation with the Sphinx card may be helpful when you want to uncover a secret or know something that is going on behind your back. The Sphinx card also helps with animal communication.