This in-depth eight-card layout shows various aspects of your personal journey. It is good for exploring generalised personal questions, but can also be used to explore relationships if the couple is viewed as a whole.
This layout progresses through eight stages similar to the tarot deck's Major Arcana, beginning with birth and the realm of fertility. After birth comes the initial growth which leads to a period of adaptation, change, and re-balancing oneself. Once the process has grown enough, security comes into focus, as it is necessary to protect what has been earned. After this, once again growth is important, but concerning the mind and creativitity this time, leading to another phase of personal changes. Finally upon completion of the journey, the rewards become evident, and beyond that, one's spiritual development level will have noticeably risen.
| Matters of Completion, Rewards and Luck.  Wan 2 |
|||||
Matters of Change and Metamorphosis. Green Dragon |
Matters of Inner Strength and Spiritual Guidance. Wan 5 |
||||
Matters of Learning, Art and Creativity. Red Dragon |
Matters of Beginnings, fertility and birth. Summer |
||||
Matters of Protection and Defense. West Wind |
Matters of Growth, Flow and Energy. Circles 2 |
||||
Matters of Changes, Polarities and Balance. Winter |
|||||
Matters of Beginnings, fertility and birth.
The Woodcutter represents success through activity. The woodcutter puts Fire, Wood and Metal to work for him in his craft. He represents skilled labour, ambition, and creativity.
The Pine Tree symbolises firmness, strength, and resolve. It sometimes foretells of a powerful man with diplomatic talents, someone who knows exactly what he wants.
The Scholar represents the cultured mind, prudence, and spiritual development. Some think of this tile more specifically as Confucius. This is the sign of refinement of the intellect and the mastery of intellectually oriented tasks.
The West Wind tile signifies some kind of obstacle blocking your path that must be overcome before you can make true progress.
White, autumn, metal, tiger
The Red Dragon represents the centre or middle, as in the core or bullseye. It foretells success and the skilful fulfilment of your goals.
The Green Dragon symbolises a commencement or beginning of a new project. Perhaps this will take your life in a whole new direction. You can choose to look upon this with anticipation or anxiety.
The Sword stands for an important decision you will need to make. You must be careful to use balance as you weigh your decision, or risk damage to yourself if not others.
The House stands not for the family, but for the place of dwelling itself, its architecture and character. Depending upon your past, the house can represent a place of love and shelter or a place of confinement and torment.