I gave this reading (shown above) recently for a person who was not present with me when I drew the cards. I had explained that it would be my first “long-distance” reading and the Querent suggested that we choose a time when she would concentrate on her question or focus and at the same time, I would center myself, shuffle the cards and then lay out the spread. This seemed to work very well and I would suggest it for anyone doing a reading for a person who is not present.

Usually when I do a reading for someone else, after I lay out the spread I ask the Querent for their initial impressions. This wasn’t possible in this case, but I also usually make notes about my first impressions, then I write a simple outline of the position meanings and the card interpretations. For this reading, my initial impression was that this was a difficult reading with immediate “negative” connotations but hope and help was clearly offered. Here is my outline for that reading:

  1. Present position: The Devil (rev.) Throwing off of shackles, recognition of one’s needs by another, overcoming the fear of one’s own self, the beginning of spiritual understanding.
  2. Immediate challenge: The Tower. Breaking down of old beliefs, change in a violent and sudden manner.
  3. Goal or best destiny: The World (rev.) Lack of vision, failure to complete the task, disappointment, imperfection.
  4. Distant past, foundation: The Emperor (rev.) Dominance of intelligence and reason over emotion and passion, strong patriarchal figure.
  5. Recent past events: Wheel of Fortune. Destiny, fortune, fate.
  6. Future influence: Temperance. Alchemy, blending opposites, temper behavior, practice patience.
  7. The Questioner: The Star (compare with Card 1). The balancing of desire and work, hope and effort. Promising opportunity.
  8. External influences (factors beyond the Querent’s control): The High Priestess. Instinctual, secret, hidden knowledge held by a powerful woman.
  9. Hopes or fears: The Empress. Businesswoman, level headed, feminine progress, fruitfulness.
  10. Final outcome: Hanged Man (rev.) Lack of sacrifices, unwilling to make the necessary effort, failure to give of oneself, preoccupation with the ego.

Then I “live” with the reading for awhile, about a week, revisiting the reading several times, looking up card interpretations given in books, deck manuals, and online and letting the meanings make connections in my mind. Although all this research is helpful, they are merely suggestions for the diviner, not absolute definitions. Ultimately the interpretations of the cards, the positions of the cards, their relations to each other and what the reading means as a whole, comes from the intuition and the skill of the diviner. But it is also important that the diviner attempt, as much as possible, to “remove” themselves from the reading and become a channel for energies and guidance of the cards as it comes from the subconscious of the Querent. This is particularly important when one is reading for someone that one knows, so that what the diviner knows about the questioner consciously does not influence how the reader interprets the reading.

When I feel ready to give the full reading, I like to write the reading so that the Querent has something concrete to refer to after the reading is finished. Some diviners like to speak their readings to the Querent and tape-record the process, also so that the Querent has something to refer to afterwards. Either of these methods is very useful with a large spread reading. Here is the full reading I gave to the Querent:

The first card drawn, in the Present position, was the Devil, reversed. This card represents you, the Querent, and tells me that at present you are struggling with strong earthly temptations, of fear of your own ambitions and are searching for deeper spiritual understanding. There is a separation here of spirit from mind and body that requires reconciliation and balancing.

The second card shows a challenge you are facing at this time, an obstacle perhaps. The card is the Tower and represents a violent and unexpected change, catastrophic destruction as in a breaking down of old beliefs, false assumptions or structures built on lies. This event/change will come from an external source and may come as a shock to you.

Third, the World card reversed in this position shows that the best that can be achieved here is disappointment, a goal that is not quite reached. But the goal may still be within your grasp, if you can give up resistance to total release.

Fourth, the foundation that was laid is revealed by the Emperor card, reversed, and indicates a strong male influence or dominance of reason over passion and emotion. Perhaps a change needs to be made in the direction of heart over head?

Fifth, recent past events, shown by the Wheel of Fortune card, indicate events that occurred as a result of karmic seeds that you planted at some time. The time for the dissolution of older patterns (see #4) is indicated. There is more than “good luck” at work here.

Sixth, the Temperance card shows a need for the future influences to be of an alchemical nature, where you must discover how to blend two seemingly opposite and contrary views/lives/positions? (Mind and Body? Spirit and Matter? See card #1). This requires patience, attention to detail and great care.

Seven, the Star card shows you full of hope, with a desire towards balancing your desires with work you need to do (see card #6). The conflict between this card and card #1 (The Devil) indicates a need for a change of direction; the course you are presently following will lead to disappointment.

Eight, external influences beyond your control are revealed by the High Priestess card. Secrets held by a powerful woman may affect you now, or if you are that woman, it’s time for the secrets hidden within, hidden even from yourself, to be brought to light.

Nine, The Empress holds the key to your innermost hopes and fears. Whatever it is that you are attempting to create and grow at this time, it will require constant attention and nurturing. But be aware of your ulterior motives and steer clear of subterfuge or deceit in achieving your goals.

Ten, the Final Outcome is the Hanged Man, reversed. This indicates an unwillingness to make the necessary effort, to make needed sacrifices and a failure to give of yourself. Stop resisting, let time stand still while you hang in suspension, make yourself vulnerable. Use all your intuition, go deep within and drag out all those ambitions, temptations and desires referred to in the first position (The Devil). View the destruction (card #2, the Tower) as a clearing of the field in which to build a balanced and unified structure. The Wheel reminds you that you reap what you sow; be aware of what you are sowing now. The three female energy cards in positions #7, 8, and 9 offer strong guidance for you; pay particular attention to card #9: she offers a way for you to proceed as well as words of warning. Remember that you may significantly change or modify the final outcome from what is given here by following the guidance, advice and help given by the cards leading up to card #10.

After receiving the reading, the Querent told me she couldn’t believe how right on it was. I was glad to hear this because it was my first long-distance reading and I wasn’t at all sure how or if it would work. But I also believe that the real importance of a reading is not in how remarkable it seems to reflect one’s situation or the “predictions” it seems to make but in how it reveals one’s inner conflicts and emotions and in the guidance it offers. The real value of a reading lies in learning from the insight gained and in utilizing the guidance in one’s “real life”. I suggest somehow keeping the reading in front of your consciousness and in front of your eyes, by drawing, painting or collaging the cards, or by writing about your reading in your journal or elsewhere. Live with your reading, refer to it often, and in this way you value the guidance you have been offered.