# Work and career: thirteen cards

Exploring a problem · 13 positions

Work and career: thirteen cards uses 13 positions to examine work values, conditions, relationships and practical progress. Each position has a distinct role; read it together with the complete card meaning.

Numbers identify positions; the reading sequence is explained below. Other versions may assign different roles.

Practice deck: all 78 RWS cards

## Version and dealing convention

The numbered diagram defines this version. Other traditions may place or name positions differently. The practice uses consecutive random draws from the displayed deck scope.

## A question to try

What can I examine about work values, conditions, relationships and practical progress?

## Before you draw

- Write one open question and define its scope. Keep factual questions separate from symbolic reflection.

- Choose the position order and decide whether to include reversals before drawing.

- Read each card in its role, then compare the positions. Note uncertainty and one practical next question.

## Position guide

### 1. Personal influence at work

This position explores “Personal influence at work”. Compare the card’s theme with known circumstances, and note what you still need to check.

### 2. Values behind the work

This position explores “Values behind the work”. Compare the card’s theme with known circumstances, and note what you still need to check.

### 3. Interaction with people and tasks

This position explores “Interaction with people and tasks”. Compare the card’s theme with known circumstances, and note what you still need to check.

### 4. Underlying basis for decisions

This position explores “Underlying basis for decisions”. Compare the card’s theme with known circumstances, and note what you still need to check.

### 5. Creativity at work

This position explores “Creativity at work”. Compare the card’s theme with known circumstances, and note what you still need to check.

### 6. Work environment

This position explores “Work environment”. Compare the card’s theme with known circumstances, and note what you still need to check.

### 7. Colleagues and collaboration

This position explores “Colleagues and collaboration”. Compare the card’s theme with known circumstances, and note what you still need to check.

### 8. Turning points

This position explores “Turning points”. Compare the card’s theme with known circumstances, and note what you still need to check.

### 9. The working journey

This position explores “The working journey”. Compare the card’s theme with known circumstances, and note what you still need to check.

### 10. Completion and reward

This position explores “Completion and reward”. Compare the card’s theme with known circumstances, and note what you still need to check.

### 11. Opportunities

This position explores “Opportunities”. Compare the card’s theme with known circumstances, and note what you still need to check.

### 12. Private concerns

This position explores “Private concerns”. Compare the card’s theme with known circumstances, and note what you still need to check.

### 13. Overall work situation

This position explores “Overall work situation”. Compare the card’s theme with known circumstances, and note what you still need to check.

## How to connect the positions

Reading sequence (read grouped roles together as explained below): 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 → 9 → 10 → 11 → 12 → 13

Read the numbered positions in order, then compare related roles rather than treating each card as an isolated prediction. Write one practical question or action suggested by the comparison.

## What to watch for

A symbolic reading cannot verify hidden facts or make an outcome certain. Keep observations separate from assumptions and revisit the interpretation when circumstances change.

## Cards to explore alongside this spread

[The Hermit ↗](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/cards/hermit/)[Justice ↗](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/cards/justice/)[The Star ↗](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/cards/star/)
[Study guide →](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/study-guide/)

## Explore another structure

[Reading layout · Getting started · 3 positions

### Past, present and possible direction

A three-card timeline for examining how a situation developed and which current conditions may shape its next stage.

↗](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/spreads/three-card/)[Reading layout · Exploring a problem · 4 positions

### Core question spread

Four positions separate the central issue, a difficulty, a response and an available resource. Useful when a question has become tangled.

↗](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/spreads/core-question/)