Tarot Spread Test Drive - Sasha Fenton's Consequences Spread

Curious about all the different tarot spreads out there? Wondering if they’re a keeper – or a lemon? Me too. Let’s take them for a test drive and find out!

Each month, I’ll pick an interesting tarot spread (from a book or around the web) – and give it a spin. I’ll look under the hood, kick the tires – and show you exactly how it works…or doesn’t. No haggling necessary. Ready to roll? Let’s go!

This month’s tarot spread: Sasha Fenton’s Consequences Spread

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I adore vintage tarot books. There’s something about cracking open those old books that takes me way back to the days when I first began reading the tarot cards. Many moons ago, I discovered the work of Sasha Fenton. I’ve been a big fan ever since. I grabbed a copy of Tarot In Action, an out-of-print book of spreads back at the Fields Book Store in San Francisco before it went out of business (bummer!). The book subtitle is: “an introduction to simple and more complex Tarot spreads.”

Perfect for my Tarot Spread Test Drive!

The spread I picked was: Consequences Spread (pg 32).

My interpretation:

Fenton says that this small spread is “obviously most useful for answering a specific question.” Groovy.

Here are the positions:

Card positions:

We begin by picking a significator. Read my post on significators to learn more about ’em. The first card is laid right on top of the significator.

Position 1: The person or situation

Position 2. Matters affecting the person or situation

Position 3: The past

Position 4: The future

Position 5: Suggested course of action

Position 6: Outside factors

Position 7: Consequences

My cards:

Position 1: Five of Pentacles

Position 2. Nine of Wands

Position 3: Page of Wands

Position 4: Three of Wands

Position 5: Ten of Wands

Position 6: The Lovers

Position 7: Seven of Cups

Now the interps:

My question is about a business decision I made last year.

The card I picked for the significator was the Queen of Swords. Why? I’m a Gemini and Swords is the Air element. But also, my situation was about boundaries and policies.

The person or situation: Five of Pentacles – the Five of Pentacles can symbolize poverty or struggles. But it can also symbolize the outsider or shutting someone out. In this case, I made a decision that would certainly make some people feel shut out. It was a decision that came with a price tag and one that I was willing to take. Because sometimes policies are more important that the bottom line.

Matters affecting the person or situation: Nine of Wands – here, the figure seems fearful, paranoid. He’s in a protective stance. Which is accurate because my decision had to do with my boundaries and feeling safe.

The past: Page of Wands – there were seeds planted a while ago that paved the way for this decision. Remember: Pages are often signs of new beginnings or messages. I see this as me getting a message that said it was time to make a change long ago. That is actually true too – I got the signs but chose to ignore them because I didn’t think I “could” make this decision.

The future: Three of Wands – this is the card of success and expansion. Plus, the figure is standing at a safe shore. Of all the cards, this one stood out most for me. It was a sign that although I was taking a risk, I would be secure, in control, and successful in the long run.

Suggested course of action: Ten of Wands – more Wands! All this Wand energy is surely biz stuff – and a lot of energy. The Ten of Wands seems to be saying: move ahead now but do expect pressure. Also true – when I began implementing the new policy, I got flack. The Ten of Wands keeps going, no matter how much pressure is applied. I did just that.

Outside factors: The Lovers – there are some wonderful people in my business life, people who support me every way. The presence of the Lovers says: your right people are there, giving you love and support. Even though the Ten of Wands feels heavy, the Lovers trumps that card. It’s a sign that I’m weeding out the stuff I don’t want so that I can be surrounded by the people who love my work – and who I love right back.

Consequences: Seven of Cups – my new policy might make some people confused. Some might think twice about working with me. I may even have to clarify things for a few. But that’s the thing about new policies: not everyone will like or understand them. But it’s a risk I was willing to take – and I’m glad I did.

My ratings:

A clear, simple spread. Easy to work with and totally insightful. In other words: it’s a winner. I did this spread based on a decision made last year but you may want to try this spread before you make a decision!

I hope you enjoyed the latest Tarot Spread Test Drive. I’ll be taking the tarot wheel and hittin’ the road with a new spread soon. If you want to ride along with me, keep an eye on my blog. Happy tarot trails!

Blessings,
Theresa

images from The Fountain Tarot and Radiant Rider Waite