Treasure Chest Spread

Most people think the Tarot exists solely in order to answer questions. While that is certainly one of its primary roles, it also has so many other uses. The card images can give you inspiration, strength, focus, and motivation; they can be used to explore how you feel about an issue; they're great for meditation; they can be used to study esoteric systems, like Qabalah, or for other systems like numerology, astrology, and even Jungian psychology; they can show you that life has a multitude of facets, and while we would prefer good stuff to bad, it's all part and parcel of what we have to face while we're on this mortal coil. The cards can help us handle the not-so-fun stuff and truly appreciate the great stuff, shedding light on the subtle, beautiful, little things that we often take for granted.

The Treasure Chest Spread an excellent example of what we can glean from a spread outside of a typical question. It comes from the wonderful book Power Tarot: More Than 100 Spreads That Give Specific Answers to Your Most Important Questions by Trish MacGregor and Phyllis Vega (Fireside Publishing, 1998). As Tarot author Janet Boyer writes in her Amazon review of Power Tarot: "I love the Treasure Chest Spread because of its imagery and because it's so affirming to the individual." I completely agree, and Power Tarot happens to be my favorite compilation of spreads in book form. Without further ado:

Treasure Chest Spread

1         2         3

4         5         6

7         8         9

1)   Diamonds:  Where you shine.  Major talents, abilities, and assets that you have.

2)   Pearls:  What you know.  Knowledge and information that you have incorporated into your life.

3)   Gold coins:  What you have.  Money and material possessions currently available to you.

4)   Emeralds:  Who you know.  Relationships that are now part of your life.

5)   Platinum chains:  What’s holding you back.  Things or people in your life that you need to release.

6)   Sapphires:  Where you could shine.  Emerging talents, assets, and abilities.

7)   Quartz crystals:  What you’re learning.  Knowledge and information that you could incorporate into your life.

8)   Rubies:  Who you may soon know.  Relationships that are entering your life.

9)   Unpolished diamonds:  Your hidden lights.  Assets and talents that you can develop.

Whenever I look at this spread, I'm reminded of what a gem it is (no pun intended). It's clever, creative, and offers insight into aspects of ourselves and our world without the necessity of beginning with a specific query. I hope you try it and like it!