How to see Patterns in a Reading…

…my second “borrowed” post in one day.  Must be slipping!  I found this information at The Tarot School .  I found it very useful and I thought it was worth sharing.

HOW TO SEE PATTERNS IN A READING

by Peggy Firth, CTM

Tarot cards relate to each other in patterns, and
these patterns influence the overall significance
of a spread as a whole. You may have been reading
each card individually as you turn it over.
However, if you examine a spread for patterns,
they will begin to emerge and reflect a stronger
meaning. Some patterns are obvious and others are
subtle.
First, see what is missing. If, for example, no
Cups appear in a spread, it may be sending a
message that a relationship may require some
attention, or that your querent has intimacy
issues. If no Pentacles appear, you may see lack
or limitation. A lack of Swords may indicate an
absence of the rational thinking necessary to
solve a problem.
Here are some other things to watch for. The
advantage of this system is that it does not
require detailed knowledge of divinatory meanings.
Suit. If one suit is dominant, your reading will
point towards the issues of that suit. For
example, if Cups are predominant in a spread,
relationships and emotions may well be the primary
concern.
Color. Do the colors of the cards in the spread
intuitively feel happy, sad or neutral? This alone
can tell you how things are likely to work out.
Water. Water signifies mystery and the feminine.
Depending on the body of water - a pond, droplets
of water, a waterfall, an ocean, a lake or a cup
of water - this can add depth, softness, flow and
feeling to issues of a reading.
Weather. Do the skies look threatening, full of
light or just neutral?
Flora. Is there an abundance of flowers, trees and
grassy land or are the cards devoid of nature?
Landscape. Desert, mountains, hills and buildings.
Look for multiples that enlarge upon the overall
meaning.
People. How do people in the cards relate to each
other? Look at the way they are facing towards or
away from each other in a spread. Is there a lot
of fighting, celebrating, ruling, discontent, etc.
Major Arcana. If you have more Major Arcana cards
than you would ordinarily expect, the reading will
take on more importance. The 'pip' cards or Minor
Arcana are often called the mundane cards.
Minor Arcana. If most or all of the cards in a
spread are Minor Arcana you may be able to read
the cards like a comic book, using the above
imagery to help form your reading.
Numbers. Numerology is often used when reading the
tarot. Each number from one to ten represents a
certain value. Numerology has changed over the
decades, and different cultures place different
meanings on the numbers. Higher numbers, including
the Page, Knight, Queen and King represent a more
mature nature.
Elements. The four elements of FIRE, WATER, AIR
and EARTH, associated with the four suits, impact
each other and are a whole system of reading unto
themselves, called Elemental Dignities. Some
research into this subject will yield a lot of
valuable insight.

Symbols. Some of the cards, such as The Chariot,
are full of symbols. Your spread may contain an
abundance of stars or other meaningful symbols
that take on more significance if they appear next
to each other.
Positive, Negative or Neutral Cards. How do the
images make you feel and how do they act next to
each other? You may have dealt a spread full of
images that affect you strongly one way or
another. Remember, an abundance of similar images
accentuates the overall meaning.
Royalty. Elaborate costumes from the Middle Ages
are prevalent in the Rider-Waite deck, and in many
others as well. Pages, Knights, Queens and Kings
were considered above the average person. Today we
might regard them as abstract symbols of maturity,
power, strength and influence.
As you read all of the ways that relationships
between the cards can affect a reading, you might
feel a bit overwhelmed at first. However, those
relationships are valuable additions to overall
interpretation, and will be helpful in determining
your feelings about a spread. Whatever immediately
strikes you in these patterns is your subconscious
or higher mind revealing an important message.
You should trust your first response.

Visit Peggy Firth on the web at http://www.tarotdoorway.com/