I decided I would try something that I’ve seen other tarot readers from the “Tarot World Magazine” such as Arwen that I used to write for do: draw a reading for characters from a novel they’re doing. So, I thought “hey that sounds cool.” and thought I’d give it a go.

Given we’re currently doing our Valentine’s Special and offering these readings for half price $15 I thought I would do the relationship spread to show case how that works and how we do it for people, and because the character in question that I was going to draw on Sam, is in a relationship with Brad and that relationship and their interaction is the main reason for the whole story. In that Sam is explaining his entire life to Brad as a condition of reconciliation, and his life story is The Story.

So, there we go. Here’s the reading and how it works.

INFORMATION.
Partner 1. SAM, purported date of birth 2/14 — Aquarius.
Partner 2. BRAD, 9/10 — Virgo

So, Aquarius is a fixed air sign and Virgo is a mutable earth sign. I use this information to pick significators for each partner. Given I’m using the Manga Tarot for this reading, this would mean that Sam’s signifier is the King of Swords and Brad’s is the King of Pentacles.

Next step is to draw the cards for the reading.

Now the cards and their interpretation. As you an see with this reading, essentially it’s three readings in one. Readings for the partners themselves and then another one indicating how the two come together, which is why I tend to interpret it in sections.

PARTNER 1: SAM

Position 1: Feelings: XX Judgment
Position 2: Potential: IX Hermit
Position 3: Conflict: Queen of Pentacles with Ten of Wands
Position 4: Resolution: II Priest

Wow, there are a LOT of Major Arcana cards here, which show a great many significant things going on. This stuff is Huge for you.

The first portion here speaks of healing. This is facing up to facts. In this case that there are wounds from the past that have not been allowed to heal, as well as habits that should have been overcome. You are not weak. You have the strength to face these things. It can also show recovering from illness or accident. Whether it is any or all of these, Judgment shows that you have the strength to face that the past is the past and can be laid to rest. There is a transformation going on a positive one.
The Hermit shows a time of introspection is needed to get this done, a time away from everything and almost everyone. There may be one or two significant people called on to help with this, those who can give you the space you need and the gentle encouragement to work through all these things, but it’s best to be away from the hustle and bustle of normal life and all the craziness that it has entailed in the past, so that you can properly ruminate and work through all the niggling and painful things that you need to.
There are a few things causing conflict here, I believe the Queen actually represents your partner, given the King is already drawn as his signifier. I say this because the court cards are more likely to be people and because of the Ten modifying. This person is successful in business endeavors, and has the eye of an artist. They give their all for jobs and people that they believe in, and strive to ensure everyone and everything they put their faith into will succeed. They’re very practical and down to earth, and they wish to help but in this instance cannot, because of the Ten. The Ten singularly being at the peak of housing and work which can be both good and bad, because you’ve reached the top and get your rewards but you have all the responsibility that brings and have to carry it.
So in this case it is forcing oneself to do all these things and carry all these things by yourself when there is a willing hand to take some of the burden. I can do this. I should be able to do this. I don’t need help. I’ve done this by myself for so long I’m used to it. They’re unwilling or unable to recognize that they have help, willing help, and they no longer have to carry all these things alone. The problem then comes that they run out of energy and get crushed by everything and then are unable to do anything at all. Give over some of your burdens. Trust in those around you to be able to not only understand, but accept.
Now, the Priest, in the Manga Tarot is the equivalent of the High Priestess in other decks. They hold all these secrets within, and carries the ability to reveal these things so that decisions can be made. You are going to learn a lot of things, some of them very odd and potentially disturbing, but they will benefit all around even though they may stir up the dead.

PARTNER 2: BRAD

Position 1: Feelings: Seven of Wands
Position 2: Potential: Two of Pentacles
Position 3: Conflict: Princess of Pentacles with XXI World
Position 4: Resolution: Four of Pentacles

Here we have a struggle. You have been battling a lot lately. There have been a lot of challenging things which have gone on, and you feel as though you’re at war, but you’re not entirely sure what you’re at war with. You’ve been shaken up, and are off-kilter, you have no idea how to fix these things, but you want to, and you should be able to. The cards are in your favor on this, so do not give up.
This is also a card of struggling, you’ve been juggling a few things lately, money has been involved to a certain degree. This is more balancing of things, you’ve been having to balance perhaps two jobs, or career and home life and it’s been getting to you, but relief is at hand and things will pay off soon, and there will be less stress.
Unlike the Queen from Sam’s reading this Princess is a situation and not a person, they are an indicator of good fortune, and change for the better, a turn around in ill-health that will bring great relief. They are paired with the XXI World which means this is a very Good Thing to have happen, and also that there is a completion of a long journey and great rewards coming for hanging in and soldiering through. The World being the last card of the Major Arcana is a very positive card. It is the card of perfection and happiness. It’s a successful conclusion and being able to reap the rewards of all the seeds which have been sown. Investments pay off. Relationships move to the next level. You can finally relax. This comes up when you’re reaching the end of a portion of your life, if you’ve been studying for a degree, it indicates passing and going on to the next level, it could also be marriage after a long engagement, or even both. It can also indicate travel, trips and being able to teach others.
The Four here is a bit of a warning though. You’re getting all these rewards and all these good things, and there’s a want now to hold on tight to everything and not share with others, to keep what you have earned and save it for fear that it will disappear again, but this is unjustified, you will do much better if you take what you have and learn from it, and let others know so that they will not commit similar mistakes so that everyone can learn these lessons and take them to heart. What you give out you get back at least three-fold if not more.

TOGETHER:

Position 1: What Works: Ten of Cups
Position 2: What Doesn’t: Ace of Swords
Position 3: Potential: Prince of Cups with Five of Pentacles

The Ten is a great card to have here. This relationship WORKS, is what it’s saying. You can have a great time together. There is love here, there is happiness here and friendship. All the semi-cheesy cookie cutter “Hallmark” moments can be here, but without the cheese. It’s there, the issue appears to be trusting that it is in fact there, it’s hard for one or both of you to accept or believe in what is before them; which brings us to what doesn’t work; the Ace of Swords, which is potential. This is not to say potential is a bad thing, this is more be careful. You’re feeling better, sharper and you want to get out there and do things, however you mustn’t push too fast, you may be getting better but health is still an issue, if you push yourself to do things the way you have in the past you’ll be back in the soup again and worse than ever. Take things slowly. You have time.
The potential here is an interesting combination of cards, the Prince is a card indicating one or two who love deeply and passionately once they allow themselves to do so. However if this card were a character they would be Romeo, so there is a bit of caution to be allowed with this deep romance, a worry about going too far, loving too much, which could be a downfall. The five, however, is a card of loss. I don’t think this is a financial loss despite it being pentacles, most other cards have pointed to health issues, so this is probably another warning on that regard. You may have lost but you have to try and focus on the fact that you still have a lot of good things, and while it may seem like there is no end to all of these troubles, things will get better especially if you focus on each other and the connections there and do not spurn the aid of those who are there for you.