Overcome a fear-based block with this tarot spread

Background

Before I launch into it, I thought I’d give you a bit of background as to how I found myself doing a tarot spread that I believe can really help to uncover and overcome a fear-based block. Initially there was no conscious decision to do so, but I’m glad I kept following what seemed like random urges.

Last night I couldn’t sleep. So around midnight I got back up and headed for my happy place – my office. The very same office that holds my nearly two hundred decks and my tarot and tarot-adjacent books. Once there I reached behind me and grabbed a deck, sight unseen. I chose the Triple Goddess Tarot. A deck that I just realised I am yet to review.

As I shuffled away I had the thought to do something different. I wasn’t really fussed about why I wasn’t sleeping so why ask? A post on Instagram suggested embracing my insomnia. When I saw that it felt like a better approach than worrying about it. So I reached for the current tarot book I’m reading, Tarot Face to Face by Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin and decided to do the next exercise.

The Spread

The spread I did is the first in what they refer to as The Tarot Shaman’s Path. They called the first exercise Gate 1: The Guardian of the Gate Spread. But, I believe it is a valuable tool in its own right as a 3 card tarot spread to help overcome a fear-based block . I know I will use it in this capacity more regularly than as part of the Shaman’s Path. It helped me transition from feeling a tad uncertain and uneasy to a sense of being more grounded and balanced. That is why I sat down the next day to write this post and share the spread here.

So what is the spread and why is it so effective? Even though it is a simple three-card spread, for me it’s power comes from the intention behind it. As the authors write, “Our first gated spread tells us what we must overcome to go on to the next gate” and that is very much where I have found myself.

A few days ago certain circumstances encouraged me to draw a metaphorical line in the sand. Therefore I have been trying to work out what to take to the other side and what to leave behind. Empowering yes. Totally confusing and a tad unnerving- also yes. Hence this was the perfect timing to come across this spread. It explains why I was being prodded to actually get up out of bed. I’m glad I listened.

Instructions:

As a three card spread the instructions are simple. As you shuffle the cards, consider what it is that frightens you and then select your cards. They say to take them from the top of the deck but I suggest just following what ever selection process you normally use. In case you’re curious, I always fan my deck and then select each individual card.

The three positions are as follows:

For me, Card 1 is more easily understood as the fear that needs to be overcome. The second card suggests how you can work to overcome that fear. Card 3 indicates the potential reward if you take action based on the suggestion made by the second card.

The reason I really like this spread is because of the way it is presented. In the final step it urges you to “decide on a definite action you will take in the next twenty four hours.” This is so important. It’s easy to pull cards and uncover a way forward. However, knowing and doing are two very different things. When the cards are packed away and out of sight, all too often, so too are the insights and energy they inspired. And, therefore nothing changes. This spread attempts to circumvent this. After all, it’s hard to overcome anything, let alone a fear-based block, if you don’t actually do anything.

Last night I went back to bed at 2.30am with a simple plan in mind for later in the day and it made a world of difference. The next thing I remember was my husband kissing my goodbye at 5.30am. That’s a big change from lying there awake waiting for his alarm to go off.

The spread below is a sample spread drawn purely for demonstration purposes, not my personal one from last night. Although in my experience there is no such thing as a “meaningless” spread. Plus, it is using the same deck, Triple Goddess Tarot.

Sample Spread

Card 1 – X The Wheel of Fortune

This is a general reading but gee it resonates. Many people fear change and, in this instance, this is how I see this card. The Wheel of Fortune generally speaks to us of change and I often see this card, at least initially, as my ‘this too shall pass’ card. All situations, both good and bad eventually change. However, in this case, due to its position, I see it as being fearful to create a change in your circumstances. It suggests knowing what it is that you want but being fearful about making the necessary changes to bring whatever it is to fruition.

I obviously see the woman is sitting at a spinning wheel but when I look at the card, initially the larger wheel reminded me of a ship’s steering wheel. Then I drifted on to thinking about a wheel in general and how it changed the world.

Thus, for me, this suggests the fear is about what might happen if you decide to steer a different course. What if the change gains momentum and you can’t rein it back in? There is a sense of security that comes from staying where you are and doing things the way they have always been done. Fear can encourage you to find ways to justify your comfort zone even if it isn’t that comfortable.

Card 2 – Student (Page) of Pentacles

Straight up I notice that the Student of Pentacles is working in the light of day rather than at night. This suggests to me that whatever step is taken should shed some light on the situation. As the name of this card suggests, a tangible step could be to learn something about what it is you are seeking to change. Speaking simplistically, if the lady in the first card wanted to try dyeing her wool a totally new colour, her first action could be to investigate how others have created new colours.

Now I doubt anyone reading this is wondering how to create new wool colours but the suggested action still applies. On the table in front of the student are blank sheets of paper and one engraved pentacle. Yet, she is looking at the cup in her hand. Is she considering a new surface to engrave her design upon? Maybe the top of the cup has given her the idea to produce smaller rounds? Pentacles elementally are linked to earth and thus creating something tangible. How apt as an example here.

The answer in how to “fight,” not that I like the use of the word here, (I prefer overcome), suggests to look closely at what others have already done and how they have done it. The step doesn’t have to be a big one. It just needs to get you started. Another idea could be to find a course that aligns with your vision, watch a YouTube video, or find a book that could teach you more. Put simply, make a conscious decision to look more deeply into whatever it is you want to do in some way in the next twenty four hours.

Card 3 – XVIII The Moon

This is the reward card. It suggests what you can expect if you take the action you decided upon from card 2. Now this is The Moon card and my interpretation is not what I would normally divine from this card. But it is what came straight to mind and it makes sense to me. If you take some action that allows you to gain greater clarity about whatever it is that you would like to change in your life, you are not likely to look back and regret that you never took the chance. Time keeps moving even if we don’t.

Wrap up

This is just a brief unpacking of how this tarot spread can be used to help overcome a fear-based block. Though, if the message resonates with you at all, I’d look at the cards further. Maybe consider what the shape and form of the windows suggest to you, or the blue and orange on the first and third cards. Notice that these are both Major Arcana cards. This isn’t a little message.

I really like this spread and it helped me greatly. I hope it does the same for you. If you have any questions or would like help unpacking your own layout of this spread, you can contact me via email by clicking here. I’m happy to help.

Publishing Information

Triple Goddess Tarot

Created by:

Jaymi Elford with artwork by Franco Rivolli

Published by:

Lo Scarabeo in 2017

Tarot Face to Face

Written by:

Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin

Published by:

Llewellyn Publications in 2012