A couple of years ago, I had the mis/fortune to undergo a horrible experience which lasted about a year.
I will admit that the events during this time crushed me. For months after I had escaped this situation, I failed to return to my previous energy levels, and I was unable to forget the events that happened, no matter how hard I consciously tried to move on with my life.
Influenced by teachings from Reiki, Buddhism and case studies from interlife regression, I took each section of this period and asked: Why can I not get over you? What have I still to learn? How can I get passed you and move on with my life?
I designed The Gateway Spread to help me do this.
How to use The Gateway Spread:
This simple three card spread was designed to help individuals work through energy blockages which are preventing them from moving forward (through the gateway) and reaching a peaceful resolution of a past issue.
When tackling a complex issue, it may be easier to break the problem down into chunks, and do a separate spread for each of the different elements of the larger problem. A mind map may be a good place to start if you are not sure where to start breaking down the issue, and is also a good technique for thinking about the issue and starting to unblock that negative energy. (For those of you new to Mind Maps, Tony Buzan’s How to Mind Map is a great introduction).
The spread will challenge the querent to think about the situation; the role they played in creating or maintaining negative energy; and what they can learn from the events. Most importantly, the spread aims to empower the individual, enabling them to heal the blockages that have prevented them from moving on with their lives.
Card One
The Locked Gate
This card deals with the issues which keep the gate locked:
- What is it about the situation that has caused this blockage?
- Why can’t the querent move forward from this situation?
- What is the querent not seeing?
The card may look at:
- The root of the problem (a seen or unseen aspect to the issue).
- How the querent experienced the actions of others (Did they see hurt where there was only misunderstanding?)
- How the querent’s action may have caused or contributed to the hurt.
- Who is involved in the situation.
Card Two
The Key
Having investigated why the gate has been locked, we need to know how to open the gate and empower the querent to unlock the gate and move on with their life.
So this card asks:
- What does the querent need to do to let this matter go?
- How do they move through this gate?
- How do they get a resolution to this issue?
This card may suggest the querent:
- accepts that their expectations are unrealistic
- sees that they need to speak up to defend themselves
- realises that any action is futile, and putting as much distance between themselves and the situation is advisable
- seeks professional help (legal, medical, psychiatric)
- spends time learning how to forgive people
Card Three
The Passage
Everything happens in life for a reason. We had to go through this event that upset us for a reason. So if we manage to get through the gate and move on, having reached a place where we are at peace with the event that upset us so much, what lessons do we walk away from the gate with?
A lesson such as “slam the gate and run away as fast as you can, forget that this ever happened and never look back” will just lead to a similar experience happening later down the road to make sure we learn this lesson.
So what lessons have you learnt from this experience? Which pathway are you going to chose after you have got through the gateway?
The Gateway Spread in Action
I asked the Tarot for an overview of the events from a specifically traumatic year in my life...
The Locked Gate: The Reversed Page of Wands
The Page of Wands is the bearer of bad news. Things have not gone your way, and you feel that you have been left powerless by the avalanche that has just hit you. All your youthful energy and naive dedication have backfired, and you have been let down by those around you.
Perhaps your inexperience meant that you dedicated all your creative activity to the wrong projects, or in the wrong direction, maybe you were focused on the activity and not the politics or emotions that were involved in this situation?
You became jaded and developed a tendency to be negative and reject new ideas.
The Key: The Reversed Four of Swords
When things fell to pieces and the visions of the Page of Wands (reversed) fell to pieces, you retreated from the world. You became physically ill and cut off all contact with those involved in the situation which upset you, and many others as well.
Well...
WAKEY WAKEY.
It is time to rejoin the world. You have had your time to recuperate, your health has improved, and you need to get back into action if you want to get through the gate and on with your life.
The Passage: The Four of Wands
And getting through the gate will be so worth your while.
If you learn the lessons from what you have been through (to direct your energies in the right direction, to retain your enthusiasm when bad news comes your way, and that rest is necessary, but cannot last forever) You will have one last thing to learn:
Celebrate life, find strength in fun events with others, and drape your foundations with flowers: because you have built a very solid structure for future happiness!
You can access a PDF of this spread for your use here.
All art work is original and copyrighted.
