Spreads

4 — The Spread with Houses

We have reached the most complex spread in our book. In this spread,
w e use the countdown by astrological houses analogy. We have presented
this concept while explaining the Zodiac spread. However, it does not hurt to
repeat it.
In the Symbolism chapter, you noticed that we linked each card to a
planet, Zodiac sign and astrological house. We also linked the cards of our
deck to numbers, assigning a single-digit number (0-9) to each card. In the
Appendix chapter at the end of the book, y o u have all this presented at one
place.
Let us move on to the interpretation techniques for this spread.
The inquirer shuffles and cuts the cards, and then he/she gives them to
the interpreter. T h e interpreter arranges the cards, from 1 to 36, face up.
W h e n the cards are arranged by the interpreter, everything is ready for card
reading.
In this spread, w e use several interpreting techniques, starting with:
a) interpreting the cards around particular significators — (the
cards above, below, left, right and four diagonal cards) — interpreting orient-
ation, movement and details position in the cards
b) the countdown with a number from 1 to 12, depending on which
astrological house w e observe. L e t us list again the meanings of particular
astrological houses and numbers linked to them.

1 — The inquirer, personality, body, character, the mind

2 — Money, finance, personal property, talents, food
3 — Relatives, neighbors, documents, courses, studying, communication,
transportation
4 — House, home, family, land, real estate, private business, father
5 — Love happenings, games, sports, children, places to go out and
have fun
6 — Sickness, everyday work, service, practice, obstacles, problems
7 — The partner, opponent, public enemy, trial, marriage, life change
8 — Dangers, crises, fears, death, somebody else's money, inheritance
9 — Travels, foreign countries, university, higher knowledge, spirituality
10 — Success, position, accomplishment, authority, job, career, mother
11 — Friends, acquaintances, groups, political parties, wishes, hopes,

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dreams
12 — Secret enemies, isolation, losses, mental problems, suffering, karma
Thus, from each significator, or from any other observed card, we can
count with the numbers from 1 to 12, not including the significator.
You are probably wondering when and in what situation we are going
to use a particular meaning of a house. For example, when does 2nd house
refer to finance, when to the inquirer's personal property, and when to a tal-
ent that the inquirer possesses?
We have already discussed house representatives, by which we have
linked the cards to their appropriate houses. So, the Money card speaks about
the financial aspect of 2nd house, the Some Money card refers to personal
property and movables, and the Gift card implies the person's talents. In this
way, when it comes to financial questions, we w i l l count 2 cards (number 2
— 2nd house) from the Money card. B u t i f we want to find something out
about our bag, then the countdown starts from the Some Money card. In the
end, if we want to know about the inquirer's talents, w e w i l l count two cards
from the Gift card.
When w e talk about the question's main significators (Lover, Sweet-
heart), countdown meanings change slightly, so that in this case the houses
represent a psychological description of the inquirer. Houses here imply the
way in which the inquirer observes the world, and in this case, we can see
the person's subjective attitude towards a field of life.
Lover/Sweetheart — the inquirer's psychological outlook
1 - I — the inquirer's personality
2 - I I — the inquirer's material abilities, talents
3 - I I I — the inquirer's mental abilities
4 - I V — the inquirer's psychological basis, childhood
5 - V — amorous inclinations
6 - V I — the inquirer's dutifulness and work habits
7 - V I I — the complement, the inquirer's opposition, the shadow
8 - V I I I — the inquirer's fears, complexes and affects
9 - I X — the inquirer's spiritual views
10 - X — the inquirer's ego, ambition
11 - X I — the inquirer's wishes, hopes and dreams
12 - X I I — the inquirer's subconscious, animus/anima
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Spreads
However, when it comes to the significators of other people who
appear in a spread, all countdowns are performed from a particular sig-
nificator. In a situation when the inquirer is represented by the Lover card,
and he asks a sub-question regarding his mother's health, the Widow card
w i l l represent his mother, and the sixth card from it w i l l indicate his mother's
health condition. F r o m that sixth card, w e w i l l count s i x cards again to see
what is going to happen to his mother in the field of health and sickness.
However, if the main question of the spread has been asked because
of the mother's health condition, i.e. i f the inquirer's mother has the main
role in the question asked, we w i l l count 6 cards from the Malady card, in
order to describe his mother's health condition and the w a y in which the situ-
ation regarding her illness develops. In this case, we do not observe the sixth
card from the W i d o w card, because it w i l l only indicate what the inquirer's
mother thinks about her health. O f course, i n order to get a complete picture,
we w i l l consider all the cards around the W i d o w card. T h e surrounding (de-
scriptive) cards indicate exterior influences. We w i l l explain how all this
works through an example.
Let us note once again. T h e person for whom the question is asked
has the main role in the question, so the significators are assigned to this
person.
Let us assume that the inquirer is interested to know i f his girlfriend
w i l l get a job. T h e girl is represented by the Sweetheart card and she has the
main role in the interpretation. From the Officer card, the career significator,
we count 10 cards (number 10 - lOth house - a career, job) in order to de-
scribe what is going on to the inquirer's girlfriend when it comes to her job.
A l s o , we w i l l take a look at the tenth card from the Sweetheart card in order
to see this girl's ambition, or her opinion regarding work, and then we w i l l
look at the surrounding cards to see the exterior influences on the situation.
c) T h e countdown with number 13 — After finishing the count-
down that refers to the houses, we move on to the final countdown. We count
every 13th card from the significator, and in this way, we interpret what des-
tiny brings to the inquirer further.
You have probably noticed that, so far, the most frequent were the
countdowns with odd prime numbers ( 5 , 7), except for letter countdowns,
when the countdown number depends on the name or a specific term or
phrase. A simple reason for the use of odd prime numbers in countdowns is
that the spreads with regular card arrangements are used ( 4 x 4 , 8x4, 5x6,
G y p s y Cards in a New Light 395
 Spreads
9x4), so countdowns with some numbers are not recommendable. For ex-
ample, this is the case when it comes to the 9 x 4 (= 36) spread, when we per-
form countdowns with numbers 9, 6, 4, because they divide number 36, and
the series of cards which we interpret ends quickly. I f w e do the countdown
with number 9 in this spread, we w i l l have only 4 cards for reading (36/9=4),
and one of those cards is the significator itself. Therefore, even when you
create your own spreads, we advise y o u not to do the countdown with a num-
ber that divides the total number of cards of a particular spread. In our case,
numbers 5, 7, 1 1 , 13 do not divide number 36.
We have taken number 13 for two reasons. First, in the house count-
down, w e use the numbers from 1-12 and we do not want them to be repetit-
ive, and 13 is the first following number. There are twelve Zodiac signs. T h e
twelfth sign is Pisces, so i f we want to continue the circle, A r i e s becomes the
thirteenth sign, Taurus the fourteenth, G e m i n i the fifteenth and so on. We can
say that A r i e s number 13 is the future of Aries number 1. Therefore, every
thirteenth counted card represents the future developments. T h e second reas-
on is connected to the esoterie meaning of number 13, w h i c h is surrounded
by a veil of mystery. Number 13 is k n o w n as the number of destiny and
karma, and the number of time, most probably because of its connection with
the thirteenth card of the Major A r c a n a Tarot, "Death." Everyone knows that
superstitious people are afraid of this number, not knowing the right reason
for their fear. I n our case, this is the number which opens the Door to the
Future.
Let us return to our spread. We do the countdown with number 13
from the significator, not including it. L e t us assume that the Sweetheart card
is at place 2. I n this case, we w i l l interpret the following series of cards — 2-
15-28-5-18-31-8-21-34-11-24-1-14 and so on. We w i l l interpret at least 10
cards, but it is the best that we follow the series until we get a meaningful
story, which is completed; or until w e go through a circle and return to the
significator.
We move on to an example of this spread.
A young w o m a n has been running a private business for a year. She is
too much engaged in this business and she is already tired and exhausted.
She says she has health issues, and she does not make much money. She
wants to let someone else run the business and she wants to look for a new
job. She asked: "What to do and when to expect changes in the work
field?"

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397
Gypsy Cards in a New Light 396
 Spreads
a) First, we interpret the cards around the significators. T h e inquirer is
represented by the Sweetheart card, the significator for work is the Officer
card, and for a private business, it is the House card.
"This is a period of making an important decision for you (Sweet-
heart, and Judge above). You want to escape from the current problems
which are troubling you (Sweetheart is looking at the Message card), even if
you have to, with a small amount of money (Some Money, and the Message
card is running to it), start something new (Baby). We can see that you
(Sweetheart) are your own boss (Judge - a director) and that you are run-
ning a private business (House - Judge - Sweetheart), but we believe that
an older man (Widower - House) is involved in it. He may be your husband
or someone else who lives with you (Widower - House - Sweetheart).
Maybe he owns something regarding that business (Widower, and Money
below), the money he inherited when someone died (Money - Death) or real
estate (Widower - House). But you should know that his inheritance and
wealth is cursed and harmful in some way (Widower - Money - Death -
Falseness), and that is why you are not successful in this business (Sweet-
heart - Falseness - House). Also, the relationship between the two of you is
decayed and full of negative energy (Widower - Falseness - Sweetheart).
You are turning away from him and trying to get away (Sweetheart - Mes-
sage), but you are tied, because he has givenyou something to use (Gift - F i -
delity). You will make the right decision (Constancy - Judge), and perhaps,
it will be the best for you to run away from that place (Constancy - Mes-
sage) and prevent misfortune that is galloping towards you (Misfortune -
Journey)."
— T h i s woman lives with her common-law husband with whom she
has a son, who lives and studies abroad. T h e two of them live in his apart-
ment which he inherited from his late mother, and the store which they keep
is also inherited. T h e i r relationship has been increasingly bad for many years,
but it still continues. —
"Contrary to your husband, you (Sweetheart) have enough energy to
move (a vertical follows - Message, Journey - movable cards, Constancy -
Misfortune - fiery energetic cards). In spite of all the promises and hopes
(Hope) mat he would change, he (Widower) simply has no energy (Death -
Constancy) or will (Sadness) to change and move ( a l l the surrounding cards
are not movable - Death, Money, Sadness, Desire, Jealousy, Hope, House).
He is dissatisfied (Sadness) and he sits at home (House). He is negative and
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Spreads
dark (Death - Falseness). He has unrealistic wishes (Desire) and dreams
(Hope). He is obsessed with unreal ideas (Jealousy - Hope). The only thing
for which he has energy is to attack you, while you defend yourself (False-
ness - the snake attacks the cat). Although he has a material basis (Money
below the Widower card), it looks like all that will fail and decay (Death -
Falseness). Your mutual life (Sweetheart - House - Widower) is, unfortu-
nately, doomed (Death - Falseness). Run away and save yourself (Sweet-
heart - Message) if you have already made this decision (Sweetheart -
Judge)."
"There may be an important older man about whom you are thinking
(Judge above the Sweetheart card), very successful, and perhaps famous
(Judge - Constancy), to whom you can talk (Message) and teil him (Judge)
about your situation (Constancy), the misfortune that has befallenyou (Mis-
fortune) and the necessity to change something (Journey). It is possible that
this man has a house by a sea, or he lives near a sea or water area, or per-
haps he is from a foreign country (Judge - House - Hope). This man
(Judge) can make your (Sweetheart) life easier (Gift), and you share spe-
cial closeness, as if you were a family (Fidelity, Sweetheart - Judge -
House)."
— The woman worked for a famous and extremely rich foreign busi-
nessman for over ten years. She and her husband used to keep and maintain
his house near a sea, but they lost the job because of her husband. T h i s man
really did a lot for her and he loved her like a daughter, but she is ashamed to
ask help from him. —
"Your job (Officer) is food-related (Fortune). Your husband is inter-
fering in your work (Widower - Jealousy - Officer), and always has some
unrealistic (Hope) expectations (Desire). A brown-haired female (Fortune)
has already offered you an agreement (Merriment), but there have been
some problems (Anger). Your husband is to blame for those problems, be-
cause he is meddling into everything (diagonal - Anger - Sadness - Wid-
ower - House, and the Widower - Jealousy - Officer combination). You
should know that you will not be broke and you will manage to get away (Of-
ficer - Fortune) without significant material losses. Pay attention to the in-
spection in the next period (Officer - Jealousy). It is possible that you will
be visited by a young female inspector (Jealousy) with short (Desire) dark
(Sadness) hair, and it will happen unexpectedly (Unexpected Joy)."
Although w e can add many things by interpreting the surrounding
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 Spreads
(descriptive) cards, we w i l l stop here. Y o u noticed that we used the meanings
of individual cards, but also combinations of two, three or even four cards.
We went a few cards further from the significator (Sweetheart - Message -
Some Money - B a b y ) and used the diagonals in order to explain a particular
card (Anger - Sadness - Widower - House). Feel free to use all the possible
techniques. None of them should be dismissed. T h e y are all there to be util-
ized at the right moment.
b) Now w e w i l l do the countdown of houses.
"Regarding the private business that you manage (counting 10 cards
forward from the House card, the private business significator), you will still
be unhappy and feel like a victim (Sweetheart - Misfortune). Then you will
get an opportunity to sign a contract (Letter - Marriage), but it will be pre-
vented by unforeseen problems and obstacles (Thief - Anger), because your
husband will interfere again (Jealousy - Widower), and terminate the pos-
sibility of a final agreement, with his stubbornness (Death - Fidelity).
However, the truth says that it will be better for you to accept a modest life
with small resources (Constancy - Some Money). The man you like comes
to your work and offers love (Love - Lover). Currently you are hiding your
feelings regarding that (Love - Thief - L o v e r ) . "
"When it comes to the possibility to find a new job (counting 10 cards
forward from the Officer card, the job significator), search for something
that can bring you more money (Desire - Money) than you have now. Look
for and ask a favor from your ex-boss, the rich man (Visit - Judge), even if
you are afraid of this conversation (Message - Enemy), but also of a female
who is by his s/de, possibly his wife (Widow - Thief). He will be pleased and
surprised that you call him (Merriment - Unexpected Joy). You would not
like to return to his house by the sea to work there (Hope - Falseness), but
you can get a nice opportunity to change your job (Gift - Journey). You
would make less money, but you would be closer toyour son (Loss - B a b y ) . "
— T h e w o m a n was also interested to know about her health. We
count 6 cards forward from the Malady card - 6th house — sickness, health
"Your heart is endangered due to excessive stress and exertion (Jour-
ney - 6 cards from the Malady card, and Misfortune above it). Because of
that, arrhythmias and high blood pressure are possible. Pay attention to wa-
ter metabolism, lymph nodes and glands (Hope - 6 cards from the Journey
card). Your body is in a bad condition (Falseness - Sweetheart), and sick-
Gypsy Cards m a New Light 400
ness is lurking like a thief (Malady - Thief). Pay attention to the symptoms.
However, it will get better and you will recover (Ecclesiastic - 6 cards from
the Hope card), but only ifyou leave (Message - 6 cards from the Ecclesiast-
ic card) the negative man and place where you live now (Widower - House -
Falseness - Sweetheart - Message)."
— The woman admitted that she feit palpitations and that she was of-
ten scared of strong heartbeats. She also showed us mildly swollen glands on
her neck. She had feit bad for a while, but she did not go to a doctor. She also
asked about her husband's health. We w i l l interpret the cards around the
Widower card, and then w e w i l l count 6 cards forward from it. —
"It is possible that he (Widower) poisons himselfand takes toxic sub-
stances (Falseness next to the Widower card - a snake, poison). It is prob-
ably alcohol (Hope - water, liquid). He hides his health issues (Thief - 6
cards from the Widower card), but you have to know that his body is des-
troyed (Misfortune - 6 cards from the Thief card). The urinary tract, kid-
neys, bladder (Thief), but also the liver due to high intake ofpoisonous toxic
substances (Thief - Falseness). There is a possibility of inflammations and
infections of these organs (Misfortune)."
c) Now we w i l l perform the countdown with number 13 from the
Sweetheart card, the inquirer significator.
"The cards wam about a possible sickness that will happen soon
(Malady), which will make you stay at home for a while (House). Then, you
will recover from it quickly and get up from bed (Baby). You will think
(Thought) about sharing some money or property (Loss), and you will be
dissatisfied and disappointed, because you will not be able to reach an
agreement with your husband (Sadness, and Widower next to it). You will
go on a trip (Journey) and it will bring you great happiness (Fortune), a
new life opportunity (Gift). The man you are emotionally attached to (Lov-
er) will not be honest to you and he will lie to you (Falseness). Your love
(Love) to this man is more platonic and imaginary (Hope). You will soon
cool down and that love will not happen (Some Money - Unexpected Joy).
You should certainly go to see your ex-boss (Constancy is looking at the
Judge card), because a meeting with him brings you merriment (Merri-
ment), rediscovering your closeness (Fidelity) and support to carry on ( E c -
clesiastic). On the other hand, the cards advise that the relationship with
your husband perhaps should be terminated (Death, and Widower in the up-
per left), and you should accept to be alone for a while (Widow). Try to un-
Gypsy Cards in a New Light 401
 Spreads
derstand, as much as you find it difficult, that your husband (Widower) is
your enemy and he is bad for you (Enemy). He will always meddle intoyour
life (Jealousy) and the only way to deal with it is to run away (Message)
from all those difficulties and problems (Anger), and to finally make a de-
cision (Judge) to simply disappear (Thief)."
d) N o w w e w i l l try to answer to the question when the job change w i l l
happen. T o this end, we w i l l use the Death card's hourglass (*see the time
determining concept).
"You can expect a change of job in about a month (Giit = 1, Sweet-
heart - middle t i m e ) . "
In order to determine the time of some other events in the question,
we would use the time jump technique. In the previous example, we showed
how this method of time determining is used, so we are not going to repeat it
here.
We only want to emphasize that, in this example, w e did not present
the entire interpretation, because it is too extensive. Sometimes it is possible
to interpret cards longer than an hour, when using this kind of spread. For
this reason, you w i l l gain much i f y o u master and perfect it, although it is
very demanding and complex. We have given you everything you need to
understand it and use it in practice. G o ahead.

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