A Pair of Couple Tarot Readings.

This is a layout of, as far as I know, my own. It's just a simple past/present/future/ for two people in a relationship. The extra card at the top is the 'background card' and is laid out top up first but drawn last.

The cards are laid as so:

                     -1-2-3-

                     --4-5--

• 1-past
• 2-present
• 3-future
• 4-partner 1 (or your partner)
• 5-partner 2 (or yourself)

First Layout

This seems to be a fairly cheerful reading. The background card is is the two of cups. Reading intuitively, this is a card that speaks of two individuals traveling down the road together, happily. 

Card 1, the Past, is the upright Queen of Swords. This sharp queen speaks of quick thinking and a clear mind. This is a situation with a basis in the mind in some way. Possibly a smart lady with a clear head plotting.

Card 2, the Present, is 10 of Wands. This card speaks of hard work, but it is work that is reaping a reward. The black cat stands in a richly gemmed cavern, ready to reap the rewards of his work. His reward comes, but not without effort.

Card 3, the Future, is the 3 of Coins. This card shows a cat crafting the perfect piece. Two failed creations lay abandoned. But, he works on, knowing that he will succeed. This is a creative venture, or a work in progress, that will see completion.

Card 4, the first partner, is the 9 of Cups. This is a happy card. The cat drinks deep of the overflowing milk. His sack holds yet more cups to catch the flowing goodness. There is contentment and satisfaction and happiness. 

Card 5, the second partner, is the Hanged Man. This cat is looped up in a web, just waiting. Not panicking... just waiting. Life must be seen in a new way. 

All in all, I see this as a reading with plenty of happiness tempered with work of a material sort. 

Reading Two, for another couple.

This second reading is a lot more challenging.

I'm seeing a lot of conflict and turmoil. The background card is the reversed 6 of Cups. This card speaks of a sadness for the past. The cat in the card sits on a suitcase, on the road, and thinks of his lost home. This card speaks of a lost innocence.

Card 1, the Past, is XXI, The World, reversed. The artwork shows a cat stripping off the sins of the world to become as innocent as the Fool (a white cat in this deck). Reversed this is a card of unfinished business, and possible end of a relationship.

Card 2, the Present, is the 1 of Wands. This card speaks of a new beginning. There will be a breakthrough moment leading to possible action and good things.

Card 3, the Future, is the Reversed King of Swords. There is manipulation, possibly a dishonest but intelligent man who is into esoteric subjects. Trouble and manipulation.

Card 4, the first partner, is the reversed Knight of Cups. There are unrealistic expectations, jealousy and over-emotional responses.

Card 5, the other partner, is the Hanged Man. In this reading the waiting takes on a different feel. This is a cat who's trapped in some way, tied down. Someone is stuck and needs a new way of seeing.

This is a reading of a relationship under breaking strain and sadness.