#planetary spread

Background

This is a planetary spread I made in early 2021. It is based on the seven classical planets, or seven sacred luminaries, each governing a particular aspect of life. Though the concept of this spread is by no means original, I devised this particular one independently and have a few tips on how to get the most out of using it. The way that I read this spread is heavily inspired by the practice of geomancy, because I wanted a divination method that combines cartomancy, geomancy and astrology. 

(I created the image using tarotspreader and befunky)

The Luminaries

For meanings and correspondences I mostly referenced John Michael Greer’s ‘Encyclopedia of Natural Magic’, but planetary associations are very easy to search for. Note that domiciles are according to ancient, not modern, rulerships. 

(IME = in my experience)

Sun

Leo

Fire element -- can also resonate with Air

The Sun sheds light on the truth, hence this is the ‘core card’

Represents the overall theme of the reading

Governs the querent’s ego, sense of self, identity, as well as their overall mental and physical state

Immediate circumstances

Rules over matters of leadership, power, authority, self-expression, and any ‘outward going’ actions

IME this usually shows what is primarily on the querent’s mind regarding their question, and how they are expressing themselves

Moon

Cancer

Water element -- can also resonate with Earth

Emotions, dreams, fears, hopes, wishes

Comfort zone, home, personal space, personal happiness

Hidden things, unasked questions

Platonic love, intrapersonal desires

Any water-related activities; sea travel, fishing, etc

Spirituality, psychic abilities, visions, the unconscious

Reproduction, childbirth, biological cycles

Can also represent a mother figure

Mercury

Virgo, Gemini

Air element

Communication, mental state, thought process, ideas, plans

Friendships & acquaintances

Any intellectual pursuits e.g. puzzles, language learning, public speaking

Gambling, trickery, deception, theft

Medicine and healing

Marketing, commerce

IME Mercury also rules over the workplace and work colleagues, specifically the interactions at work, not necessarily the querent’s career path & aspirations (that is more under Jupiter)

Non-binary and gender nonconforming individuals can be represented by Mercury

Venus

Libra, Taurus

Earth element -- can also resonate with Water

Love: romantic, sexual, self-love, interpersonal relationships (IME platonic and familial love falls under the Moon)

Sex, attraction, lust, desires, pleasures

Can refer to the spouse or romantic interest/partner of the querent

Rules over all forms of luxury: music, dance, the arts 

Can also indicate general social affairs

Traditionally corresponds to femininity and female sexuality

Mars

Aries, Scorpio

Fire element -- can also resonate with Water 

Motivation, willpower, drive, ambitions

Conflict, aggression, violence, destruction

Activities such as hunting, archery, martial arts

Funnily, Mars is also connected with livestock 

Traditionally corresponds to masculinity and male sexuality

Jupiter

Sagittarius, Pisces

Fire element -- can also resonate with Water

Accumulation, expansion, growth: anything in the querent’s life that is likely to increase 

Formal ceremonies, rites of passage, feasting

Charity, good fortune

Career aspirations & ambitions (workplace & colleagues falls under Mercury)

IME can refer to family members, education, teachers

Can also refer to property, savings, finance, the accumulation of money (whereas Mercury is how you use & spend money)

Also governs learning, as in the accumulation of knowledge (whereas Mercury is more about communication & use of knowledge)

Can also represent a father figure

Saturn

Capricorn, Aquarius

Earth element -- can also resonate with Air

Restrictions, limitations, boundaries, foundations, stability

Sorrow, old age, the past, death, disease

Associated with agriculture -- ‘you reap what you sow’

IME Saturn is both the poison and the cure, it represents things you need to remove from your life in order to progress/be stable, or it represents something that could help you but is being restricted

Saturn also represents influences that are likely to decrease with time

The reason why Saturn is associated with foundations and stability is because Saturn is the rock bottom, the lowest you can go. Saturn is about what is absolutely necessary, anything superficial is discarded and does not survive the passage of time

Hence, when reading this card, compare it with Mars (determination, the will to persist) and Jupiter (expansion)

Tips, Advice, FAQ

Golden rule: Look for corresponding themes

This spread encourages you to find links between the luminaries:

Are there suits dominating or absent in the spread?

Ex.1 if the spread is full of Swords, look to the luminary corresponding to Air, the Mercury card

Ex.2 if there are a lot of Pentacles (i.e. Earth element) in the spread, study the cards under Venus and Saturn

Ex.3 if there is a noticeable absence of Wands, is there anything happening with the Sun, Mars and Jupiter cards (i.e. the Fire luminaries)?

Link the theme of individual cards with the cards under a luminary associated with that theme.

Ex.1 if a card associated with love (such as The Lovers, 2 of Cups) appears under the Moon, link this to the card under Venus

Ex.2 if card associated with family and the home appears under Mercury (such as 6 of cups), link this to the card under Jupiter to understand family communication

Ex.3 if there are cards associated with conflict & arguments, under which luminary are there also cards with this theme? What is the card under Mars?

Draw multiple cards / use multiple tools for each luminary

If you really want to hone in on the details, I highly recommend this. For example, draw 3 cards for each luminary, or: draw one tarot card, one oracle card, one rune for each, etc. 

How to know what correspondences to focus on

For example, does the card under Mars refer to the querent’s motivations (internal), or does it refer to potential conflict they might encounter (external)?

This would depend on what card(s) you draw for the luminary, so this is an intuitive process. You would also look at the other cards in the spread and which luminaries they fall under. See the Golden Rule. 

This rough guideline might also help when deciding, with ‘immaterial’ referring to thoughts, emotions, internal forces etc:

Pentacles -- material realm Cups -- material, but based in the immaterial Wands -- immaterial, but based in the material Swords -- immaterial

The cards and luminaries can indicate personality traits

Especially in 3rd party readings, for example if the 3rd party is a family member (Jupiter), work colleague (Mercury), lover/spouse (Venus) -- look at the card and luminary, this can give you a clue what personality traits and zodiac signs might dominate their chart

Read movements/directions

This is not that important with the planetary spread, but you can always check to see if the figures in your cards appear to be facing a certain direction, which indicates where the card is focusing, whether they are collaborating with another card or ignoring them. 

Divine assistance

Just finished my first ever reading with my first ever deck!

Thank you @ethonydawn for this gorgeous deck!

And thank you @lunaesteria for this insightful planetary spread!

1. Sun: How can I gain self-confidence and courage?

Result: Four of Wands

Meaning: Celebration of work completed, job satisfaction, camaraderie with coworkers, working toward a common goal, unexpected occasion, teamwork, strong career foundation laid, stability of venture, romance, new home, sense of security and serenity, fruits of labor, completion, reaping rewards from project, demands in relationship ease, harmony, content with life and home.

Notes: Focus on your career! Be grateful for what you have!

2. Mercury: How can I expand my mind?

Result: The Magician

Meaning: Control over personal destiny, proficiency, communication skills, influence, diplomacy, dexterity, creativity, new opportunities, able to create changes, practical use of knowledge, originality, solving problems.

Notes: Be more logical/analytical. Talk to people. Keep it open.

3. Venus: How can I gain new friendships or romantic relationships?

Result: The Emperor

Meaning: Authority, leadership skills, acceptance of innate personal power, self-confidence, determination, initiating plans, creating, building, accomplishing goals, experience, attainment, protecting what is created, accepting responsibility, ownership with accountability, husbandry, satisfaction with efforts, reason as power, forceful but ethical.

Notes: Confidence and success! Accept that you have relationships that require effort!

4. Earth: How can I provide stability for my life?

Result: The Empress (Reversed)

Meaning: Problems include unrecognized potential, slow progress, vacillation, and blocked creativity. Solutions include bountifulness, growth, fruitfulness, inspiration, creativity, and security.

Notes: Be creative! Keep growing!

5. Moon: How can I meet my current emotional needs?

Result: Seven of Swords

Meaning: Strategy, success through perseverance, diplomacy and tact, new plans, creative action, confidence, fortitude, hope, interactive communication, ability to defend oneself in difficult situations, taking easy solutions.

Note: Be strong! Be creative! Stick to your guns! Keep going! Lead others!

6. Mars: How can I be more passionate about my ambitions?

Result: The Moon (Reversed)

Meaning: Problems include illusion, unmanifested dreams, facades, moodiness, deception, limited imagination, obscured vision, suspicion, impractical ideas, and social inhibitions. Solutions include heeding instincts, following intuition, manifesting the subconscious, exposing deception, seeing the hidden truths, introspection, psychic visions or dreams, and creative magic.

Notes: Figure out what you want to do and just do it! Unleash your imagination and don’t hesitate! Follow your gut!

7. Jupiter: How can I improve my financial situation?

Result: Temperance

Meaning: Fusion, invigoration, blending ideas, inspiration, harmony of rational and intuitive, difficulties overcome, reconciliation, infusion of power, diplomacy.

Notes: Straightforward but still confusing.

8. Saturn: How can I be more disciplined?

Result: The Hanged Man

Meaning: Period of transition, paused activity, contemplation, letting matters evolve without interference, meditating for answers, inner peace, patience, discretion, turning point coming soon, giving up some things to gain others.

Notes: Stay in your lane. Introspection. Think. Think. Think. Be patient.

9. Uranus: What are the boundaries in my life in which I need to free myself from?

Result: Five of Wands (Reversed)

Meaning: Problems include complex problems, contradictions, provoking arguments, tests and competitions, struggling to gain goals, disagreements, challenges, loss of balance, and indecisiveness. Solutions include overcoming obstacles through cooperation, renewal, exerting more effort, conflict bringing change, formalizing rituals for growth, grounding to realize plans, holding fast to one’s resolve, and rise in status.

Notes: Stick to your guns and KEEP GOING! You can do this! Stop complaining! Stop arguing! Let the little things go! You can make it through anything! You’re not alone!

10. Neptune: How can I show compassion toward others?

Result: The Devil

Meaning: Natural course, decisions, powerful forces, attraction, freedom, sense of humor, release, following inclinations, potential unleashed, conquer obstacles.

Notes: Let it come naturally! Open up! Be yourself! Work together!

11. Pluto: In what areas do I need to transform myself?

Result: Ten of Cups

Meaning: Happiness, esteem, recognition, reputation, gains in love, rest, enjoyment of family and friends, family heritage, reaping rewards of efforts, long-lasting achievement, success, contentment in home and family, satisfying emotional commitments, well earned self-esteem.