Imperial Dragon Oracle: Connecting with Ancestors (1 of 2)
Cardinal Spread Reading
Since I own the “Imperial Dragon Oracle” by Andy Baggott and Peter Pracownik, I decided to use the five card spread featured in the oracle’s booklet. According to Baggott, the “Cardinal Spread” ties “the energies of the four directions and their elements” to answer the querent’s question. Therefore, the answer, which is the center card, is rooted in the fifth element which is the Spirit.
Setting Up
For starters, I had a difficult time laying out the spread, since the cards of this deck were hard to shuffle. When I finally laid the cards out, My Dragon Guide did not think that they answered my question. So then, I spread the cards out on the table, and picked out five at random. After laying them out according to the “Cardinal Spread”, My Guide decided to switch two of the cards. We did this because our efforts were focused on finding the appropriate cards for the answer. Finally, a sixth card, “The Seeker (0)” (which is “The Fool (0)” in the Tarot) kept showing up to “finish” the spread.
Question
My question for the “Cardinal Spread” was “How do I connect with my difficult Ancestors?” I felt the need to honor all my Ancestors, not just the acceptable ones. I wanted to find an appropriate way to include the more unsavory ones.
Card 1: North (the power of earth): “Where the root of the issue lies?”
The card drawn for North is “Power (4) (which is “The Emperor (IV)”). According to Baggott, this card means “strength, determination, and authority.” The author further stresses that the energy of “Power (4)” is for maintaining and restoring the balance of things. My answer to the root of the issue is that I need the determination to restore the balance between my Wanted and Unwanted Dead.
Card 2: East (the power of air): “Your guide in this issue.”
The card drawn for the second position is “Mercy (5)” (which is “The Hierophant (V)”). According to Baggott, this card means “compassion”. “Mercy (5)” is the lesson that we learn when we see how our conduct acts as a mirror, which reflects our attitudes onto others. Therefore in working with the Difficult Dead, any determination must be tempered by mercy. “Mercy (5)” is my guide to accomplish this.
Card 3: South (the power of fire): “What you need to learn from this issue.”
The card for this position is “Love (6)” (which is “The Lovers (VI)”). “Love (6)” presents a choice for me: to either embrace a new way of looking at my Ancestors or continue on in the old way of resenting Them. The keyword of this card is “acceptance”. For me, that means I need to understand my Ancestors and why They made their choices. Like the element of Fire, love will burn away my resentment of the past. The fruit of my mercy will be the acceptance of my Ancestors.
Since I own the “Imperial Dragon Oracle” by Andy Baggott and Peter Pracownik, I decided to use the five card spread featured in the oracle’s booklet. According to Baggott, the “Cardinal Spread” ties “the energies of the four directions and their elements” to answer the querent’s question. Therefore, the answer, which is the center card, is rooted in the fifth element which is the Spirit.
Setting Up
For starters, I had a difficult time laying out the spread, since the cards of this deck were hard to shuffle. When I finally laid the cards out, My Dragon Guide did not think that they answered my question. So then, I spread the cards out on the table, and picked out five at random. After laying them out according to the “Cardinal Spread”, My Guide decided to switch two of the cards. We did this because our efforts were focused on finding the appropriate cards for the answer. Finally, a sixth card, “The Seeker (0)” (which is “The Fool (0)” in the Tarot) kept showing up to “finish” the spread.
Question
My question for the “Cardinal Spread” was “How do I connect with my difficult Ancestors?” I felt the need to honor all my Ancestors, not just the acceptable ones. I wanted to find an appropriate way to include the more unsavory ones.
Card 1: North (the power of earth): “Where the root of the issue lies?”
The card drawn for North is “Power (4) (which is “The Emperor (IV)”). According to Baggott, this card means “strength, determination, and authority.” The author further stresses that the energy of “Power (4)” is for maintaining and restoring the balance of things. My answer to the root of the issue is that I need the determination to restore the balance between my Wanted and Unwanted Dead.
Card 2: East (the power of air): “Your guide in this issue.”
The card drawn for the second position is “Mercy (5)” (which is “The Hierophant (V)”). According to Baggott, this card means “compassion”. “Mercy (5)” is the lesson that we learn when we see how our conduct acts as a mirror, which reflects our attitudes onto others. Therefore in working with the Difficult Dead, any determination must be tempered by mercy. “Mercy (5)” is my guide to accomplish this.
Card 3: South (the power of fire): “What you need to learn from this issue.”
The card for this position is “Love (6)” (which is “The Lovers (VI)”). “Love (6)” presents a choice for me: to either embrace a new way of looking at my Ancestors or continue on in the old way of resenting Them. The keyword of this card is “acceptance”. For me, that means I need to understand my Ancestors and why They made their choices. Like the element of Fire, love will burn away my resentment of the past. The fruit of my mercy will be the acceptance of my Ancestors.