Reading the Screaming Cards

Go here for an introduction to the Screaming Cards.

Traditionally, there are 3 configurations or patterns for the cards, though variants do exist. None of the configurations use the entire pack, and all are arranged as follows:

• The entire pack is shuffled thoroughly, usually by the person undergoing the reading ('the Guest').
• The cards are dealt by the Guest face down onto the table, in the order and configuration indicated by the person carrying out the reading ('the Host').
• Cards should then be turned over, so that they are facing the Guest (though advanced readings may make use of 'inverted' cards).

Readings for as given Guest may vary over time, due to the waxing and waning of various factors, both internal and external, such as emotional states, energy fields and planetary alignments.

The House

A configuration of the Self

Also known as the Palace or Mountain, this pattern represents the inner voices and influences of the Guest; their mind, personality and soul.

The House is made up of three distinct areas: the Door (outward persona), Windows (inner voices) and Roof (core aspects).

The cards should be dealt as follows:

1.      The Door

This is how the Guest chooses to interact with the World. It is their voice, outward demeanour and everyday persona that they use to present themselves to others.

2.      The Southwest Window

This is a minor negative influence. An inner voice with some malign effect on the Guest's daily activities.

3.      The Southeast Window

This is a minor positive influence. An inner voice with some benign effect on the Guest's daily activities.

4.      The Northwest Window

This is a major negative influence. An inner voice with a greater malign effect on the Guest's daily activities.

5.      The Northeast Window

This is a major positive influence. An inner voice with a greater benign effect on the Guest's daily activities.

6.      The West Roof

This is a deep, unconscious negative aspect or drive. It is also one of the Guest's spiritual guardians or totems.

7.      The East Roof

This is a deep, unconscious positive aspect or drive. It is also one of the Guest's spiritual guardians or totems.

8.      The Upper Roof (or Chimney)

This is the deepest core aspect of the Guest's current psyche. It is also the Guest's primary spiritual guardian or totem.

The Seasons

A configuration of Time

Also known as the Passage or River, this pattern represents the course of the Guest's life; be it the recent past and immediate future, or their entire lifespan. It may represent just one aspect of the Guest's life, such as their career, relationships, finance or health.

The Seasons are divided into rows for Spring (childhood, birth, renewal, rain), Summer (youth, growth, change, fire), Autumn (adulthood, maturity, stability, drought) and Winter (old age, decline, closure, ice). Each Season is made up of the central Earth column (the primary influence) and bounded by Sun and Moon columns (secondary influences). This of course uses 12 of the 13 cards in the pack. The 13^th card is said to be 'outside time'.

The cards should be dealt as follows:

The Table

A configuration of the World

Also known as the Hall or Campfire, this pattern represents the external influences on the Guest. These may be individual people, groups or organisations. The cards ringing the table represents chairs, each one occupied by a different being with some effect on the Guest's life, whether that is on a daily basis, over a long period, or just once.

The Table has an upper female row, a lower male row, plus one card at the head and one at the foot. The male and female cards are labelled as such merely for ease of reference and may not actually represent individual men and women.

The cards should be dealt as follows:

1.      The Lord

Someone or something that that has great power over the Guest. Also known as the Judge.

2.      The Lady

Someone or something that that gives the Guest solace, comfort or sanctuary. Also known as the Abbess.

3.      The Brother

Someone or something that that the Guest trusts and relies on. Also known as the Sergeant.

4.      The Lover

Someone or something that that the Guest desires. Also known as the Mistress.

5.      The Rival

Someone or something that that the Guest is in competition with. Also known as the Opponent.

6.      The Maidservant

Someone or something that that the Guest uses for their own ends. Also known as the Serf.

7.      The Enemy

Someone or something that that means the Guest ill, or works against them. Also known as the Fiend.

8.      The Empty Chair

Someone or something that that the Guest has lost or has been denied. Also known as the Corpse.