Sometimes you’ve got to make a decision, and the answer isn’t readily apparent. When faced with such crossroads, the tarot can be a powerful tool for gaining clarity and insight. The tarot's role is to provide information, and empower you to make the decision as to whether or not to follow the guidance being given.
Now, I’m not saying you should leave all your big life decisions up to the tarot. You should definitely think things through and be aware of all the consequences of your choices. There is no decision making tarot spread free of your own free will, so don’t worry about the tarot pushing you in a direction you don’t like. Knowing how tarot works can help you realize that the cards are just showing you what’s already in your subconscious.
As I explain in each post, there are no bad or good cards. Again, the cards will just show you static images that trigger something in your subconscious mind. One of my favorite ways to use the tarot is with poetry. So, for a tarot spread for two choices, you can use Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” as a backbone for the spread. Since this is a poem about choosing between two paths, you can pull lines from the poem and pull cards for those lines.
And that has made all the difference | What difference will it make if you choose the less traveled path? Have you ever done a tarot spread for two choices? How do you pull cards when you have a tough decision in front of you?
Intuitive Layout: The Two Choices Tarot
Got a ‘two choices’ type question? The intuitive layout below is the Two Choices Tarot is my go-to. It’s my favourite spread for tuning in and choosing the path that can best align me with Higher Will.
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Basically, you read this spread in three groups of three cards. The first three cards tell a story about your background and where you’re at now about the choice you are facing. These cards could show you any inner doubts or challenges you are facing. Or they could focus more on outside circumstances. The second group of three Tarot cards shows you how things are likely to progress if you go down the path of choice A.
Choose the 10th and final card from a Majors-only deck. This is the card that tells you the real issue your Higher Self is facing. Alternatively, you can choose your final card from an oracle relevant to your question. So, for instance, if your question is about love & romance, choose a romance oracle.
Finally, you can choose to work out the Major Arcana card for the theme or spiritual lesson based on the three cards at the bottom of the spread. You simply add the cards together and the number you get is the relevant Major Arcana. The Fool counts as 22 in Tarot Numerology. Any number larger than 22 needs to be reduced to a number between 1-22.
Dealing with Ambiguity
There are times when you won’t get a clear answer. This could be due to one of two reasons:
- There is currently no way forward and you are better off waiting things out.
- Or there is a third option waiting to be discovered.
You can try tuning into which intuitively or you can pull a card for each. Go with the card that trumps the other. Let’s say you get The Sun for ‘Wait!’ and the 6 of Wands for a third option. Both are positive but no need to ponder further because the Major Arcana card is the stronger card.
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The Crossroads Spread
Crossroads, from the Under the Roses Lenormand by Kendra Hurteau & Katrina Hill. Published by U. S. And, because of that, many years ago, I created a Tarot spread to illuminate the options that make up the crossroads.
My belief-and I stress this with all my clients-is that Tarot’s role is never to tell a person what to do-or to make choices and decisions for him or her. For me, this spread most often comes into play when clients ask me to explore options around moving. For example, I can think of three clients right off the top of my head where this was the case.
A Practical Example
For this reading, I’m working with a client, “Susy,” who has come to see me for insight and guidance about her situation. She is having issues in her relationship with “Eddie,” and is contemplating moving away to make a fresh start. Using the Universal Waite Tarot deck, by A. E. Waite & Pamela Colman Smith, and colored by Mary Hanson-Roberts (which is published by U. S.
The first card, which represents the central issue, is The Chariot. The Chariot is coming up to tell Susy that she’s questioning the direction of her life. She’s concerned about where’s she going in her life. The Chariot is about moving (notice the word I used) forward, making progress, and advancement.
As I look at the layout, I notice that the sphinxes on The Chariot are each facing the direction of the column closest to it; so, the black sphinx is facing the column on the left (the moving option), and the white sphinx is facing the right column (staying). Turning my attention to the cards that highlight the option to move, 8 of Wands is a card of travel, like The Chariot, so the theme of movement is being repeated. This card can represent things moving quickly and a flurry of activity.
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5 of Swords is the “price of victory” card, which means that Susy could make the move a success, but that success will come at some cost to her. The men walking away on the card indicate forfeit, so there may be things she’ll have to forfeit-give up-in order to move. Connecting 5 of Swords to the relationship, it’s suggesting Susy is thinking about moving because she believes her situation with Eddie to be hopeless, or that she feels defeated in trying to make it work. This card can indicate bickering and arguing.
4 of Swords is a card that can represent a temporary pause. It comes up to indicate taking time to heal, recover, recoup, and recharge batteries. Looking to the cards that represent the option to stay, first up is Ace of Pentacles. This is a very promising card, as Aces indicate a new beginning, and this one indicates the potential for future growth. Next is 10 of Cups, which is another promising card. This is known as the “marriage and family card,” and can indicate getting your “happily ever after.” For Susy, she may have to consider her family, especially if they are all here.
The final card on this side is 9 of Pentacles-yet another very promising card. And that’s how I work the Two Options Spread.
The Two Paths Tarot Spread
Are you at a crossroads and faced with a couple of options of your own to explore-and think Tarot could help?
Using Tarot to Make a Difficult Choice
THE SPREAD
The Present
Card in the middle (Ten of Pentacles)
The First Path
Cards on the left
The Second Path
Cards on the right
The Immediate Future for Each Path
Next card up (Queen of Cups; Eight of Wands)
The Obstacle for Each Path
Next card up (Six of Wands; Seven of Pentacles)
The Advice for Each Path
Next card up (The Moon; Queen of Wands)
The Ultimate Outcome for Each Path
Last three cards (The Tower, Three of Pentacles, Four of Wands; Page of Swords, King of Swords, Three of Cups)
READING THE SPREAD
Shuffle your cards, as you disclose the two paths you need help choosing from.
The Present
This card reveals where you are at the moment: your reality, your hope or your fear.
The First Path
Designate one of your choices to these cards.
The Second Path
Assign your other choice to these cards.
The Immediate Future for Each Path
These cards reveal the soonest that will happen if you choose to embark on this path or that.
The Obstacle for Each Path
These cards expose the obstacle you will face once you are on this path or that.
The Advice for Each Path
These cards offer advice on how you can overcome the obstacle on either paths.
The Ultimate Outcome for Each Path
These cards unveil the future that ultimately awaits should you choose this path or the other.
Important Notes:
After shuffling, take The Present card from the bottom of the deck. Draw the remaining cards from the top of the deck in this order: The Immediate Future Path 1, The Immediate Future Path 2, The Obstacle Path 1, The Obstacle Path 2, The Advice Path 1, The Advice Path 2, The Ultimate Outcome Path 1 (from left to right), The Ultimate Outcome Path 2 (from left to right).
SAMPLE INTERPRETATION
The Two Paths
Should I stay with this company or not?
The Present
Your concern is financial stability. You are wondering which path will give you the most abundance (Ten of Pentacles).
The Immediate Future for Each Path
If you stay with the company, you will feel emotionally secure and valued for your contributions (Queen of Cups). If you leave, exciting changes will happen (Eight of Wands). Staying ensures a level of stability. But leaving offers the chance for progress.
The Obstacle for Each Path
If you stay, you will long for more recognition and glory than you will get (Six of Wands). If you leave, you will have to wait awhile for the fame you desire (Seven of Pentacles).
The Advice for Each Path
If you stay, you must find a way to accept that you will never be content. You will always yearn for more light (The Moon). If you leave… it will take time… but know that you will someday sit on the throne that is meant for you alone (Queen of Wands).
The Ultimate Outcome for Each Path
If you stay, your superiors’ admiration (Three of Pentacles) will give you a sense of stability (Four of Wands). You will, however, always suffer from inner turmoil (The Tower). If you leave, you will experience inner clarity (Page of Swords). Your intellectual potential will reach its peak (King of Swords).
This tarot spread was inspired by the Lenormand card #22 The Crossroads. It can be used to help you weigh options in any area of your life. If you’re trying to make a decision involving your career, finances, health, relationships, routine, home, wellbeing, relationships or even something as simple as deciding what to eat for dinner - this tarot spread will help.