The Council of 13 Layout

This is one of my favorite layouts to use for cartomancy readings because it gives so much information in such a small space. It's basically an expansion of the 3x3 Tableau (9 card layout) because it adds one more position to the top, bottom and both sides. I learned this one from Camelia Elias when I took her Tarot de Marseille courses back in 2019 and it's also in her book, Marseille Tarot: Towards the Art of Reading, which is where I first saw it. It's amazing how that first card really speaks to the central issue!

I start by looking there, then at the first three cards together, then cards 4 and 5, then I go out to both sides, left (past) first and right (future) next, then above and below (the foundation), followed by looking at the diagonal paths. I mirror (//) cards 6 and 7 then cards 8 and 9. I also look at how the group of cards 6, 10, 2 and 13 move through cards 4, 1 and 5 to get to the group of cards 12, 3, 11 and 7. Last I look at cards 13, 5, 11 and 9 as a group in relation to the group of 10, 4, 12 and 8 reading all against those central lines and the center card (1). 

The information I've brought forth from following all of these patterns has astounded many and brought some to tears, especially since this is my go-to for a general reading because it works equally well with and without a framework to read against, so don't be surprised if you get a reading from me and see this pattern form when I lay out the cards! 

I also love wrapping one of these up by laying out four oracle cards using three off of the top plus the "surprise" card from the bottom, echoing what I do with a cartomancy reading when I use the bottom card or pair. It's often just a bit more confirmation of the reading with a little bit of extra advice from Spirit. 

Love and Light,

~Diane Jarecki 🙏💜