The question here was a generic ‘What is going on/What do I need to know’ question that I used the Thoth deck and this spread to see what the energies around the querent were as it is very capable of picking up darker elements other decks do not. I use it when there is a heaviness to the situation, for reasons that are eluding the person.

The card at the centre represented the person in this present moment. Above is the conscious level; on the left, what is helping, on the right, what is obstructing. Below on a subconscious level on the left is what is helping and on the right, what is obstructing.

Centre Card: Ten of Swords – Ruin, was right in the centre of the spread. this card represented the present energetic reality. Ouch!

A note to all readers, no you cannot put cards away and start over if they look grim!
It is important to use the combination of position and card meaning in this spread

Interpretation:

Ten is the number of something that has gone on beyond its natural ending point. It is time to stand up because the feeling of powerlessness is an illusion.
At its centre of this image, notice that the heart is still shining.
Swords are the in the element of air; thoughts, communication, the intellect, the cognitive mind. Often when this card appears, you will have been hurt over and over and have allowed the swords to stay. The mind may have been trying to make sense of things and you may feel utterly worn out, but you are more powerful than you realise at the moment. The cards numbered 10 in each suit represent the end of a cycle. This card acknowledges how you feel and what you have experienced, but also let you know it is at an end.

Card 2: That which assists and I am consciously aware of: 4 of Wands – Completion

Wands are of the fire element, animating life force. This is clearly needed to counteract the central energy of suffering and betrayal and powerlessness. It is time for completion, because that is what on a conscious level, you already know is needed.

Circle the wagons. Create a safe place and warm yourself at your own campfire. It is time to bring this phase to an end. Nothing can hurt you if you do not give your power away.

Card 3: That which obstructs that you are also consciously aware of: five of Swords – Defeat

When there is a win at all costs situation, it is a conflict with no winners. You may have been involved in a quite brutal situation, where either you or another have been fighting to win. Cease fighting. Withdraw. The energy of this interacts and reinforces the feelings of defeat, hopelessness and ruin evident in the central card, yet while 5 is the number of conflict and loss, it is also the number of transition and change. If you draw on the advice in the second card, you will bring this to an end. Often it is simple as just refusing to struggle, knowing that it is not going to be a happy outcome for anyone, not even the perceived winner.

Next we move to the subconscious level, to the energies there that you are not consciously aware of until now.

Card 4: That which assists you but you are not yet aware of: Blank

You have a blank slate, a new start. All that is required here is to let go and write a new script. Eliminate those who want the conflict to continue. Stop engaging in a hopeless situation with no winners

Card 5: That which obstructs that you are not yet aware of: 8 of Swords – Interference.

There are two key players, each equally hurt and hurting the other. It is an old wound, a pattern of behaviour that has become entrenched. It plays back into the central card and affects you at your core.

Summary.
I recognised in this spread, the voice of the ego and saw how this person was in a grim place, disconnected from the Self. I felt that it would be helpful to draw another 5 cards and lay them over the first 5, this time with the intention of connecting in to the higher Knowing Self.

As I drew each of the cards, I could immediately feel the difference.

Centre card: You now as your Self sees you – (Wheel of) Fortune

Let the wheel turn. With trauma of any kind that has been prolonged, the brain tends to get stuck trying to make sense of things, replaying, evaluation, remembering. That is natural. The Wheel of Fortune gently reminds you that everything changes. Allow yourself to move from the static, hopeless position your ego has you stuck in. Remember, nothing stands still. Recognise this truth, stand up and let go. Flow with change. Nothing lasts forever.

Card 2: How to achieve completion? – Princess of Disks

It is well and good to say let things move, ring things to completion but oh so much harder to do, and this spread recognises and validates this by providing practical advice. Disks (also known as pentacles in more traditional decks) is of the element of Earth. It is about all the tangible things we as humans are involved in: health, finances, place. The Princess of Disks if I use elemental terms, is Earth of Earth. I am pleased to see her, as all Princesses (Pages in traditional decks) are messengers and this is the practical message to help bring in needed change:

To achieve some kind of functional completion, become curious again, which is the energy of all the Princesses (Pages in other decks). Take your focus off emotional and mental issues and be practical. Disks are of the element of earth, so concentrate on the practical matters that affect your career, your finances, your physical security. Use this to achieve completion of things that have remained unfinished.

Card 3: How to overcome the seemingly endless conflict and feeling of defeat? – Two of Disks – Change.

More help from the practical disks 🙂
Two is the number of duality, unity and balance, and of course, juggling is often how we do keep balance. I like the image in this card. It is the same message as the Wheel of Fortune but in the minor arcana, which bring down the messages of the Major Arcana into the daily practicalities of our journey. Here, the card promises Change, suggesting that the way to find balance is to accept that nothing is static.
If you think nothing will change, it won’t. If you think change is natural, it is. It is a matter of letting go and allowing change to enter. It could also be communicating that it might be a positive change to simply focus on the physical practical aspects of your life and rest your mind and emotions. Let them change too.

Card 4: How to Work with the Blank Slate? – 8 of Pentacles – Prudence

Again, the advice is to change your focus to the practical world of Disks. Head down, diligent and focused work to achieve this kind of symmetry and balance and beauty.

Card 5: How to overcome Interference? – The Priestess.

When the eight of swords is present, be aware that there are noisy voices around you, demands on your time and energy that interfere with you true purpose. To quieten them, again, you are asked to withdraw inwards. You will not find the guidance you seek from external sources now. There are too many competing forces. Instead, go inwards with the Priestess. See, she has a fine wire mesh that separates her from the mundane world. She is the keeper and knower of mysteries and knowledge. She is the knowing part of you that you can connect to; your Self. Listen. The wisdom you seek is within you all the time.