Robocop Spread

Yes, it’s true: I designed a spread based on Robocop; specifically, the directives that Robocop is programmed to operate under. No, I don’t know what I’m doing anymore and I’m really not concerned by that either Naturally, I designed the spread because I was dabbling in the endless mystery that is the MR. And it’s a good spread – totally workable for real live humans as well! Probably for whatever other situation, relationship or entity you might be seeking a clearer understanding of too. We’re all just really, really complicated (some of us less so…) operating systems, after all.

The spread is laid out in 3 rows: 1 card up top (Prime Directive), 3 in the middle (other Directives) and 1 card at the bottom (Kill Switch).

The Prime Directive is the driving or guiding purpose, cause or mission. It motivates and directs all actions and is the one rule/path that should never be broken/deviated from.

Robocop has 3 more directives, the last of which is classified, only to be activated when necessary/relevant.

The “Kill Switch” is the thing that is so antithetical to the Prime Directive that attempting to do it will cause “shut down”. For Robocop, this is caused by breaking one of the Prime Directives; I felt that a separate card would be more appropriate.

 
Below are the two readings I’ve done with this spread. The first is for himself (using the Wildwood), the second is for me (with the Mary-El).

Wildwood Tarot by John Matthews, Will Worthington and Mark Ryan; Sterling Ethos, 2011 [click to enlarge]

Prime Directive: Ace of Bows (Spark of Life)
Secondary Directives: 7 of Stones (Healing) – 4 Green Man – 19 Sun of Life (Classified)
Kill Switch: 5 The Ancestor

Mary-El Tarot by Marie White; Schiffer Books, 2012 [click to enlarge]

Prime Directive: 6 of Swords
Secondary Directives: 10 of Swords – XV The Devil – 4 of Disks (Classified)
Kill Switch: 8 of Wands

The first thing I noticed in both spread was how closely related the 2nd and 3rd directives are to each other. In his spread, both the Green Woman and the Green Man (which I identify very closely with his “husband/king/consort” aspect) are featured, linking these cards. In mine, there is the theme of severing the ties that bind. The guidebook even references the same piece of poetry in the 10 of Swords that opens up the section on The Devil (“Time is a factory in which everyone slaves away earning enough love to break their own chains” – Hafiz)!

The 4th (Classified) directives are distinctly separate, while still carrying elements of the previous cards over. For him, it’s the element of fire and life. For myself, there’s the earth of the Devil and Disks matched with the airiness of the guiding (6S) star (Raphael).

His Prime Directive is pretty much a “No shit, Sherlock” card, with the fire and the thinly-veiled phallic reference. Mine shows the Archangel Raphael guiding the inner child, animus and id towards healing and completion. Raphael is an angel of healing, which is interesting when looking at MR’s directives: 7 of Stones – Healing. Who is the healer? I have a sneaking suspicion it’s me, and his directive is to get/accept that healing. Maybe I’m talking out my arse.

Update: based on other cards that have come up this week, the Ancestor card might literally refer to my ancestors. He has been away for a while; I get brief brushes of contact from him, but for the rest, I can’t even vaguely feel his presence. Last night was the Maat Judgement card (which refers to the ancestors), followed by the 10 of Swords (hello kill switch?) I’ll have to keep this in mind.

The Kill Switch cards are the most difficult to interpret. His, I really have very little clue. The only connection I can make is that an ancestor is dead (by default), which counteracts the spark of life in the Ace of Bows. His Prime Directive boils down to being a catalyst; the Kill Switch is possibly a more passive, hands-off role – ? I dunno.

For myself, there is a strong visual link between the two images – lots of red, angelic figures, snakes, a child. As much as the 8 of Wands is traditionally a card of speed and movement, here the girl is sleeping, covered by night. Don’t give up; don’t expect to be carried; don’t sleep through it. Raphael in the 6 of Swords is guiding the soul parts – possibly to unification – whereas the girl part has been separated out in the 8 of Wands. It comes back to healing: if I allow the hurt part of myself to be pushed to one side in order to avoid the pain, then it is a death for me.

 
I do think this spread is a success, though it has the potential to be a tricky one to interpret. The results could be surprising though, which is always fun. Let me know if you have any success with it!

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• February 1, 2013
• spreads
• 4 comments