The Mind Map Tarot Spread

Using the Mind Map Tarot spread for your readings is a great way to dig deep into how your mind is currently operating.

In this spread, the cards are placed in correspondence with the eye patterns observed and utilised in neuro-linguistic programming(NLP).   As an NLP practitioner, I was fascinated by the way that our eyes can really give us massive clues about how we are using our brains and trigger different modes of thinking that can be so helpful in creating a change of mindset.  It was inevitable that I would apply that same theory to my Tarot readings.

By moving your eyes towards the different cards in this spread, you are actually triggering a flow of energy to that part of your brain.  The movement of the human eye can often indicate how our brain is functioning at that moment.  It can give you a great insight into what you are currently triggering and also give us some really great clues as to how to move on and shift our thinking.

In this way, this spread is a wonderful tool for using the cards to create change in your life.  We know by now that the Tarot cards, especially the Major Arcana, are fantastic for opening us up to greater self-knowledge.  This spread will really give you a map of how your mind is currently grappling with an issue and will give you some hints and ideas for productive and positive steps to take you forward.

You will notice that the left side of the spread is associated with the past.  Remember that the left side of the brain is our processing side.  It is here that our past experiences have been filtered and compiled.  Our memories get put into boxes and given labels.

And experiences occur on different levels – the top level of the readings is the visual level.  Here we access images of the past and the future.  We explore the pictures in our mind and use them to access our intuition.  The cards that fall here will trigger visual responses and put images in your mind. This is a time for reflecting and dreaming – both very visual behaviours.  Attend to these pictures.  Learn from them.  Are they tinted with colour in anyway?  Are they shadowy, or bright?  Explore these pictures.  What do they show you?

The second layer down is about our relationship with what we have heard and what we are hearing in the present.  It is here that we store messages that we have received in the past and words that we have attached to our visual memories.  This is also the layer that deals with the obvious.  What have you been overlooking?  What things require your attention if you are going to move through this to a more positive stage in your evolution? What messages are you hearing in your mind?  What do you want to hear?

And the bottom layer asks us to explore what we have been doing.  It is a chance to explore our physical experience and to connect with the messages contained deep within our body.  As we cast our eyes down, we also connect with the jaw.  Much tension and resistance is contained here.  It is where we chew things over, a tool for digesting things.  It is also the thing that we use for talking and communicating our truth.  Mull things over and then, if necessary, clench your teeth and get on with it.  These third tier cards are a chance to explore your past actions and to decide on your future steps.  This is a layer of action, not reflection.  It is about physical experiences and ways forward.  It is also a chance to engage with the messages and self-talk that you have been dishing out.  Have you been talking harshly to yourself?  Do you beat yourself up when things don’t go to plan?  Take this as a chance to examine your self- talk and soften the manner in which you address yourself.  Talk to yourself with loving tones.  Be kind to yourself.

There is a saying:  It’s not what you say or think, it’s what you do that counts.  The lower tier of the Mind Map spread is your chance to explore what you do.  It is tying your thoughts and feelings into actions that are coherent with your values, hopes and dreams.  It asks you to pay attention to your body and create resonance in your actions.  Be congruent about the things that you touch in your life.  Ensure that the trace that you leave on this planet is a positive one.

When to use the Mind Map Tarot Spread

I love using this spread on a weekly and quarterly basis.  It really gives you a deep insight into the thinking patterns and routes that your mind has got into over the past period of time.  It’s a great chance to recalibrate and bring actions, dreams and thoughts into alignment.  This is also a great spread to do when you are coming into a new stage in your life, or a new year.  It gives you some guidance as to what your mind is ready to release, and what may be holding you back.  It is also a great trigger for creating the thoughts and steps required for your to bring your dream possibilities to life.

If you want to print off the spread so you can lay your cards over it, there is a larger version of the spread here.

Try this spread and let me know how it works for you.  It can be used with a whole Tarot deck but I particularly like the depth of reading that you get with the Major Arcana.  There is something about those archetypes that works so well with this kind of intense inner gaze.

Leave a comment to let me know how your reading goes, and don’t hesitate to get in touch with any arcana/tarot related thoughts/questions.  It’s good to connect with others using this tool.  Together we can create a much richer net of knowledge and wisdom.

I am nearing the end of my ’28 days of Tarot’ project and the book is now ready to go.  You can find out more about it by clicking on the image in the sidebar, or alternatively click the banner below.  I hope it will be really useful contribution to the Tarot bookshelf and will bring you a deeper sense of engagement with the Major Arcana cards.

And, as ever, much love