Alright folks here is an oldie but goodie and one of the hardest exercises you will probably ever do. I recommend just starting at the The Fool and working your way through the entire tarot to do this exercise but you could use your daily draw card as well to do a card a day using this exercise. [78 cards = 78 days - or roughly 2 1/2 months doing a card a day.]
If
you attempt this exercise I recommend not doing more than three different cards at a sitting because you can easily burn out on the tarot with this exercise.
It's also easier to do this exercise if you have a keyword or key phrase for each card but this is up to you.
You can call the spread being used the SPS or Situation, Problem, Strengths spread.
Layout
1 .. 2 .. 3
Card 1.) The Situation
Card 2.) Problems or challenges to be overcome; negative influences
Card 3.) Strengths and resources that will help; positive influences
In turn - starting with The Fool - place the card in each position.
How does the meaning of the card change with each position?
The first position is purely descriptive and should be relativily neutral.
With the second position you will need to come up with what you think the card is going to mean in this type of [negative] position along with whatever 'problems or challenges to be overcome' might be indicated by the card.
With the third position you will have to come up with positive spin, or positive light for the card while also figuring out what 'strengths and resources will help'.
Gang, this can be a really tough exercise and can take a fairly long time if you are a newbie to the tarot. But once you have all the meanings for each card in the various positions you'll be 'set to go', tarot-wise.
And make sure you 'JOURNAL' all these goodies!!!
Card 1.) The Situation
Card 2.) Problems or challenges to be overcome; negative influences
Card 3.) Strengths and resources that will help; positive influences
Negative type cards can be a real challenge.
Don S.