A Tarot Spread Guide

For many people, a deep philosophical question at some point in their lives: “Why am I here?”  Does my life serve a purpose?  What is my true calling?  What is my reason for my existence?  One could dive deeper into wondering if there is such as notion as fate or destiny as defined by one’s life purpose or true calling.  At first thought, one may think that their life purpose or true calling is something grand, dramatic, unique, elaborate, or even simply quantifiable.  But that is not necessarily the case.  One’s life purpose or true calling can be small in comparison but still make just as much of an impact as others.  When one is living through their life purpose or experiencing their true calling, they will find happiness and success that is not necessarily quantifiable by society’s standards.  It’s an internal happiness that makes us find peace and contentment with our reason of being.  

Below are some Tarot/Oracle Card Spread ideas and suggestions on how to do some exploration as to what your true calling or purpose in life may hold for you.  If anything, it may allow you some guidance for internal reflection and contemplation, which may help you in finding your reason of existence.  So give some of these a try and see if there are any clear messages or themes that can guide you into finding the answers that actually lie within yourself.

(1) Finding Your Life’s Purpose (8-Card Spread) by Emerald Lotus Divination

• Card 1: A Description of Your Life Purpose
  • What major themes does the card show?  Anything in particular stick out to you?  Refer back to this card when continuing forward with the Spread to see if there’s any connections, conflicts, similarities, or common messages.  It will help you gain a better overall picture.
• Card 2: How Does Your Purpose Appear in Everyday Life?
  • Self-explanatory.  With your purpose’s description in mind, how does this translate or impact your day-to-day life?  If it’s negative, maybe your life’s purpose is being blocked or not unlocked in some way.  If it’s positive, embrace it.
• Card 3: How Will Your Purpose Appear at The End of Your Life?
  • When your life is ending, how is your life purpose reflected?  If it’s negative, maybe that means as of this very moment you are not quite able to unlock the complete positive aspects of your life purpose, or maybe they will be overshadowed by something in some way.  If it’s positive, take that as a sign of reassurance that you are currently on the right path.  Some people may look at this card as how they would personally view their life purpose when they are about to pass away, such maybe they will not feel satisfied in some way or maybe they will feel at peace.
• Card 4: How Do Others View Your Life Purpose?
  • Self-explanatory.  How do other people view your life purpose?  If it’s negative, why and does it really matter in the end?  If it’s positive, great and is there a way to use that as both external and internal encouragement for yourself to living your life’s full potential?
• Cards 5-7: What Steps Can You Take to Realize Your Purpose (x3)
  • Reveal 3 cards to show 3 steps into having your life purpose come into fruition.  (These steps don’t necessarily have to be achieved/accomplished in a particular order.)  Are there any common themes or messages?  If so, pay attention to them for they are important!  If there are negative cards, address them for they may be blocking you into realizing your life’s purpose.  If there are positive cards, embrace those qualities, strengths, or messages for they will help guide you.
• Card 8: How Can You Get the Most Out of This Lifetime?
  • A final piece of advice or message to keep in mind.  Think of what the card is trying to bring awareness.  If it’s negative, do not let this lead you astray from a life of fulfillment and happiness.  If it’s positive, embrace the message to help guide you through difficult times or serve as a reminder of what you need to remember to live your life’s purpose.

Example Reading

One of my Students was kind enough to do this “Finding Your Life Purpose” Tarot Spread and truly enjoyed the journey of deciphering the cards.  I apologize that it may be hard to read the cards since they have a holographic design that reflects the light.  It’s very beautiful to work with but not so photo-friendly.  Anyways, let me know what you think!

• Card 1: A Description of Your Life Purpose –> 9 of Wands
  • In this Tarot Deck, the 9 of Wands represents perseverance, protection, and resilience.  It shows one having endured many challenges/obstacles but also achieving success.  Victories are possible with effort and one’s troubles/fights have created a deep strength within them.  It also serves as a reminder to release all of the accumulated stress of the past slowly, gently, and intentionally in order to live with a cleaner slate.
• Card 2: How Does Your Purpose Appear in Everyday Life? –> 9 of Coins
  • The 9 of Coins symbolizes rewards and independence.  It shows someone enjoying one’s successes in security, abundance, and joy that may feel quite new and different from what one is used to having.  But it shows these successes earned independently with little to no outside help.  However, one should not let it build their ego for success is worth little if one is not socially connected or able to share their joys with others.
• Card 3: How Will Your Purpose Appear at The End of Your Life? –> The Hierophant
  • The Hierophant brings imagery of study, teaching, dedication, and tradition.  While traditionally its meaning is one of convention or tradition (specifically, the Church), it is also a symbol of personal growth through rigorous practice.  Many times, one follows traditions because they simply work.  At the same time, this card could suggest one should seek a trusted teacher in a new area of study.  It could also show encouragement for oneself to become a teacher.
• Card 4: How Do Others View Your Life Purpose? –> Wheel of Fortune
  • This card represents, well, good fortune along with the notion of cycles and a Universal force.  It serves as reminder that everything comes in cycles, with beginnings and endings.  This is considered a lucky card that encourages the notion of the force of destiny.  It shows some big, good things and changes are on the precipice of arriving.  But one needs to remember that as a Wheel with cycles, good things will come with challenges and obstacles.  So one needs to keep pushing forward while remaining grounded and working hard towards their dreams.
• Cards 5-7: What Steps Can You Take to Realize Your Purpose (x3) –> 6 of Coins, 9 of Swords, Ruler of Coins
  • Step 1: The 6 of Coins brings meanings of generosity and the notion of giving-and-taking.  While it does show a burst of abundance (especially financially-speaking), it does make you question your overall relationship with wealth.  In an objective manner, it makes you ask yourself if you are currently financially secure and/or balanced, if you are able to give or help others with your wealth, or if you are instead a “taker” financially.  Think objectively long-term in regards to finances.  If you are a “giver,” where is the boundary line between helping and being taken advantage of while encouraging others to be more financially independent.  If you are a “taker,” what are your plans if external help is no longer available?  It may force you to confront any self-doubt or fears that lie within you.  So remain grounded, objective, and balanced while hopeful for the future.
  • Step 2: The 9 of Swords symbolizes anxiety, sadness, and depression.  It tends to be a negative card for it acknowledges one experiencing anxiety, stresses, panic, sadness, grief, depression, etc.  Unfortunately, these familiar emotions are running high and entrapping one with intrusive thoughts.  But it reminds you that it’s possible to escape these repetitive emotions through self-healing.  One does what they can to accept their emotions for what they are and then focus on the present and push forward.   It also serves as a reminder to be kind to oneself and try new things to live a happier and more fulfilling life. 
  • Step 3: The Ruler of Coins is the equivalent of the King of Pentacles in the Raider-Waite Tarot Deck.  It means security, stability, and abundance.  It shows someone wealthy, successful, protective, trustworthy, and a provider for those they care about.  They are successful from working hard and building from the ground up.  It reveals a whole new level of understanding from personal experience.  This card reminds us to collaborate, help, invest, and share with others, too.  
• Card 8: How Can You Get the Most Out of This Lifetime? –> 5 of Swords
  • This card represents deception and being overly ambitious.  It reminds one of the blurry morality lines that involve being willing to stop at nothing to achieve what they want.  You may notice others doing underhanded things to reach success.  But this card asks if you are willing to do the same and actually sacrifice yourself in the process of moving forward with your intentions.

Interpretation

I had a lot of fun and took some time in interpreting this Reading.  The first thing that caught my eye is that I had three cards that were a 9 of a Suit.  In Tarot, specific numbers can carry meanings, and 9 can mean fulfillment, actualization, and nearing completion.  I took this as an important underlying message considering the abundance of 9s.  The next thing I noticed was that my Reading consisted of mostly Coins and Swords.  Coins reflect one’s career, wealth, stability, ego, and foundations.  Swords symbolize mentality, communication, change, power, and bravery.  So I took these meanings as a strong underlying theme to keep in mind considering they were so many Coins and Swords in this Reading.  Based on these connecting card imagery and themes along with the actual individual card meanings, this is how I’ve interpreted this Reading:

In general, my life purpose is defined by achieving success despite the challenges/obstacles that I have experienced through deep, internal perseverance, strength, and mental power (Card 1).  When I am living my life’s purpose, I will live my day-to-day life through independence, financial security, and experiencing success in the form of joy, a sense of security, and abundance (Card 2).  At my life’s end, I will reflect on my purpose of living by viewing myself as a teacher or mentor that genuinely wanted to help others because of my personal dedication, hard work, ad learning from life experiences (Card 3).  Others may view my life purpose as one of maybe luck or a journey of cycles (ups and downs) but yet resulting in overall success (Card 4).  To realize my life purpose, there are some steps I should take.  I should make sure to continue being a “giver” with my successes, and it can be in the form of financial assistance, collaborating, or other ways to help others (Card 5 & Card 7).  At the same time, I will need to continue addressing my mental health, especially since I have experienced lifelong struggles of anxiety and depression (Card 6).  It may create challenges when trying to find and live my life’s purpose, so I’ll need to continue working on improving my mental health and wellbeing.  Lastly, to get the most of my lifetime, I need to remember to not be too overly ambitious in my goals by staying humble and continue giving and helping others with any successes that find my way (Card 8).  What do you think?  Would you interpret these cards differently?  Please let me know in the comments!

(2) Find Your Calling (7-Card Spread) by Tarot Avenue

• Card 1: What are Your Strengths?  What are You Good at?
  • What strengths do you possess that are unique from others?  What gifts, traits, abilities, skills, qualities do you carry?  Keep this in mind for many times (if not typically) our true calling utilizes these strengths.
• Card 2: What do Others Appreciate About You the Most?
  • While one should not rely on the opinions of others when making life decisions, it can provide some insight.  See if your strengths or skills coincide with what others appreciate about you, for that is usually a big sign towards what your true calling may be.  Are there any similarities in messages or themes between Card 2 and Card 1?  If not, is there a way you can combine the two?
• Card 3: How Can You Best Help Other People?
  • If the card is positive, think about how you can use this card’s qualities/messages with your strengths.  If the card is negative, maybe think about whether or not you help others overcome the negative meanings or if you help others by knowing the card’s messages.  Maybe you need to overcome the negative card meanings that lie within yourself before you are able to help others to the best of your ability.  
• Card 4: What Challenges/Obstacles Will You Face?
  • When living in your true calling’s path, there will be difficult times.  What warnings or precautions does this card reveal?  This card may reveal what may block you from finding your calling.  If there are similarities between this card and Card 3, then it may be a big sign that you need to address some things within yourself before finding and living in your true calling.  If the card is positive, think of any potential negative meanings that it may carry.  Maybe it signals a specific kind of distraction that may lead you astray, even if it’s a positive one.
• Card 5: How Can You Overcome the Challenges/Obstacles?
  • Use the messages of this card to help guide you past any challenges, blockages, or obstacles that you may face when in pursuit of your true calling.  If it’s a negative card, address them for they may be blocking you from realizing your calling.  Many negative cards carry meanings that can be used positively in one’s life, so seek those out, too.  If it’s a positive card, embrace and remember its messages for they will help guide you.
• Card 6: What Will Help You Find Your Calling?
  • Is it a person, ideal, or message that will help you find your true calling?  Many times, a Face Card (e.g., a Page, Knight, Queen, or King) represents a specific person in your life that carries its correlating traits or qualities.  Other times, they can represent qualities or traits that you carry within yourself, which you can use to guide you.  Remember the messages and meanings in these cards for they shall help you.
• Card 7: Your True Calling
  • Of course, the card may not be exactly specific, such as saying outright that you should be a doctor, a lawyer, or a baker.  (Although, some Major Arcana Cards do suggest specific career fields: e.g., The Hierophant being one of a teacher/spiritual leader, Justice one of a legal background, etc.  So pay attention to those if they pop up since it’s something you can think about.)  In general, the card’s meanings, messages, and qualities may be found in your true calling.  Compare this card with Card 1, Card 2, and Card 3.  Are there any commonalities/similarities between them?  If so, take that as a big sign!  If there are no obvious connections, is there a way you can connect them yourself?  Is there a strength that you possess that (a) others appreciate and (b) allows you to best help other people?  Can you use apply this specific strength towards a path of fulfillment and happiness that can carry qualities/traits that Card 7 holds?  If so, you may have found your true calling!  So keep thinking introspectively for you shall find it.

Example Reading

I had a Student do this “Find Your Calling” Spread for me, and I found the following results quite interesting and thought-provoking.  Again, I apologize if the picture is too difficult to read.  Nevertheless, here we go!

• Card 1:  What are Your Strengths?  What are You Good at? –> 5 of Cups
  • The 5 of Cups carry the meanings of regret, loss, and sorrow.  It shows one’s vision of the future being altered or gone altogether due to a significant loss.  Maybe the loss you’ve experienced is passed, but you still dwell on the grief or self-pity.   When trying to rebuild a future, one is triggered with the reminder of the loss, which keeps one trapped in grief, dwelling in the past, and finding difficulty in moving forward.  But remember, one has things to fall back on for support, which can be one’s vision of loved ones, career, hobby, financial security, or spirit.  Remember to forgive yourself and others for what may have happened and try to keep moving forward.
• Card 2:  What do Others Appreciate About You the Most? –> 9 of Cups
  • This card represents celebration and gratitude.  It carries great, happy energy with celebrations of things that have happened, are happening, and will happen.  After difficult times, it is a time of appreciation and celebration of anything or everything.  It suggests maybe one should even go ahead and spoil themselves at this time, even if you feel unsure due to finances or if you feel you don’t deserve it.  You do deserve it!  Chances are that this celebration is a long time in the works, so go ahead and spoil yourself while reflecting on your journey to get here and “patting yourself on the back” for a job well done.
• Card 3:  How Can You Best Help Other People? –> 3 of Cups
  • The 3 of Cups symbolizes love, support, and community.  It shows a time of balance and harmony while focusing on loved ones and other social relationships.  It is a card of love and emphasizes the importance of relationships and connections, especially with loved ones.  It could show a potential opportunity for beneficial collaboration or partnership.  Either way, one should be open to all types of connections!  
• Card 4:  What Challenges/Obstacles Will You Face? –> Ace of Swords
  • This card shows intellect, clarity, and truth.  Aces tend to show new beginnings, openings, or opportunities.  The Ace of Swords shows a mental expansion, inspiration, ideas, or new clarity.  Such new realizations can be challenging for it can come in the form of excitement, such as speaking up when you’d normally stay quiet, feeling restless or awkward, and potentially messing up in negotiations or communication.  This new push in mentality creates an internal shift that is exciting due to one’s curiosity and discovering truth with mental clarity.
• Card 5:  How Can You Overcome the Challenges/Obstacles? –> 2 of Cups
  • The 2 of Cups presents compassion, trust, and true partnership.  It reveals a healthy and balanced partnership of some kind, and it can be one of love, friendship, career/business, etc.  This powerful connection will open the door to new opportunities that may broaden your horizon.   The partnership will probably be a long-lasting and have beneficial outcomes due to a deep bond that can even carry a spiritual interconnection.  This card is positive, encourages you to be open to what the Universe will provide, continue loving those that surround you, and the card is a sign of good things to come.
• Card 6:  What Will Help You Find Your Calling? –> 8 of Wands
  • The card expresses notions such as potential, flow, and faith.  It suggests it’s time to go with the flow and have faith knowing that the Universe is opening up to an energetic release of potential.  Don’t overthink things and know that if you are facing hardships that they shall pass shortly with things working out in your favor in the end.  In the near future, you shall receive signs (they may be either big or small signs) that point towards expansion and opportunity.  And you will know when that special opportunity will present itself.  While you want to go with the flow now, try to stay grounded if things seem to be moving too fast or chaotically.  You can do this by being clear on your goals or aspirations.  Otherwise, take a deep breath and have faith in yourself and/or a higher power.
• Card 7: Your True Calling –> 8 of Swords
  • The 8 of Swords shows perceived imprisonment and self-victimization.  It reminds us that we are freer than we may think and that what we think is blocking us actually isn’t in the exact manner we perceive it.  It’s known as a tough-love card for it pushes us to move past self-doubt by simply making the choice to move forward.  Of course, this is easier said than done for many people.  If that’s the case, try to boost your self-confidence and empowerment in many smaller ways.  The key may be to start small and slowly work your way up and forward.  You are actually more capable than you or other may allow you to think!

Interpretation

In general, I had to take some time trying to connect the messages for this Reading.  I think it was more difficult than the previous one, to be honest.  So I may seek your advice or counsel in the comments if you think I may be misinterpreting things or am not seeing another potential meaning.  When looking at the bigger picture of this Reading, I noticed that there were Cups everywhere!  Cups are symbolic of one’s emotions and feelings, intuition, healing, connections, and relationships.  I also noticed that there were a couple Swords in this Reading (symbolizing mentality, communication, change, power, and bravery) and even a couple of 8s in the end (this number represents changes, achievements, and expertise).  I tried to keep these ideas in mind when interpreting this Reading.  Let me know in the comments if you think these patterns and connections are worth noting.

First, I don’t know if my “strength” is found in deep sadness, sorrow, or grief I have experienced in my lifetime.  At first instinct, I thought this was the cards telling me that my strengths are not truly visible due to entrapment of regret, sorrow, and/or loss.  But maybe my strength lies in my personal experiences of such times?  As I’ve mentioned before, I have suffered from anxiety and depression my entire life, so maybe my personal experiences of such intense emotions and mental health struggles may be a strength that I can use to help others (Card 1).  I have been told by friends and acquaintances that they’ve always appreciated my outwardly optimistic and positive energy (Card 2).  It is very true that while I may sometimes be suffering inwardly, I do always try my best to show the opposite when around others.  I also take great joy in celebrating my friends’ achievements by spoiling them in such times.  I know personally what it’s like to suffer internally and I would never wish that upon someone, especially one that I care about deeply.  With this in mind, I can continue to best help others by continuing such positive energy, love, and support with my loved ones (Card 3).  At the same time, due to the excitement of such mental expansion, I may speak too freely or come across to restless or awkward at times (Card 4).  But I can overcome that by the encouragement, compassion, and support from someone close to me (such as a friend or romantic partner) who I can trust (Card 5).  To find my true calling, I need to trust the process, have faith in myself and/or a higher power, and simply “go with the flow” (Card 6).  It’s possible that my true calling my be found in this balance between my personal experiences involving pain and mental health challenges and choosing to move forward past self-doubt and self-consciousness to focus on helping others (and myself along the way!) (Card 7).

Deck Used

For this post I used The Weaver Tarot (the journeyer edition) by Threads of Fate.  It’s quite the gorgeous Deck!  The Weaver Tarot comes in various editions, too, which allows for different color schemes, which I love.  Please check them out if you find yourself drawn towards or are merely curious in learning more about this Deck.

So what are your thoughts on these Spreads?  Have your tried them and if so, how did it go?  Did it seem accurate to you?  As for me, I don’t know how accurate my Readings were since I am not confident my life’s purpose or true calling has come to light quite yet.  On a somewhat unrelated note, are there any topics you would like to me explore and share about?  For example, would you be interested in Spreads regarding love, career, ancestors, etc.?  Please let me know!  As always, thank you, my friends, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to read my post.  I hope to hear from you all!

“It does not matter how long you are spending on the earth, how much money you have gathered or how much attention you have received. It is the amount of positive vibration you have radiated in life that matters.”

– Amit Ray

• References (in alphabetical order):
• Cathy, and Susan. “How to Find Your Calling with the Help of Tarot….” Tarot Avenue, 11 May 2016, https://tarotavenue.com/how-to-find-your-calling/. 
• “Free Weekly Tarot Spreads & Intuitive Readings.” Emerald Lotus Divination, https://www.emeraldlotusdivination.com/. 
• “Home.” Tarot Avenue, 1 May 2020, https://tarotavenue.com/. 
• Nalikolehua. “How You Can Do a Life Purpose Reading: Tarot Card Spreads, Tarot Spreads, Tarot.” Pinterest,https://www.pinterest.com/pin/how-you-can-do-a-life-purpose-reading–515943701051004554/. 
• “The Top 3 Things Keeping You from Your Life Purpose.” Angelorum, https://angelorum.co/topics/divination/the-top-3-things-that-are-keeping-you-from-your-life-purpose/. 
• The Van Mystic. “Path to Your Best Life Tarot Spread.” The Van Mystic, https://thevanmystic.com/tarot-spreads/path-to-your-best-life-tarot-spread-2/.