# Pharaoh’s door

Exploring a problem · 11 positions

Pharaoh’s door uses 11 positions to examine a goal, barriers, support and the implementation of an idea. 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 a goal, barriers, support and the implementation of an idea?

## 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. Desired achievement

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

### 2. Obstacle

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

### 3. Suppressed concerns

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

### 4. Past achievement

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

### 5. Available support

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

### 6. How to obtain support

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

### 7. How to express your idea

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

### 8. Who may benefit

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

### 9. How to put it into practice

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

### 10. Next step

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

### 11. Key synthesis

This position explores “Key synthesis”. 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

Read the two lower columns 1–3 and 4–6, then the upper row 7–10. Read 9 and 10 together to turn implementation into a next step; finish with 11.

## 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/)