Compiled by David C. Jones (djones@ponder.csci.unt.edu)

Copyright, 1996, David Clark Jones.  Please see the table of
contents for the location of the full listing of the copyright
notice.

1.36) Pyramid Spread (#21, C4) (Doane)
Layout:
              21
            20  19
        18  17  16  15
    14  13  12  11  10  09
08  07  06  05  04  03  02  01

Deal:  Face Down, Right to Left, Bottom upward

Reading:
Cards 5, 9, 13, 17, and 21 are referred to as key cards
Cards are divided into five sequences as follows:
Sequence 1 - cards  1 - 5
Sequence 2 - cards  5 - 9
Sequence 3 - cards  9 - 13
Sequence 4 - cards 13 - 17
Sequence 5 - cards 17 - 21

It is important to note that each key card is not only the final
card in a sequence of five, but also the first card in the next
series of five.  Thus 9 ends the second sequences and also starts
the third.  The four cards to the right of a key card represent the
events previous to the time or event that the key card signifies. 
Key cards always represent significant events; if a card of the
Major Arcana appears in a key location, it may mean that event is
of great significance.  This is a list of the suggested time
intervals each key card represents.
Key 1 - Present
Key 2 - Immediate Future
Key 3 - Intermediate Turn of Events
Key 4 - Distant Future
Key 5 - End of the Matter

Comment 1:  The design of the layout lends itself to being read
from the apex down the sides, i.e. 21, 19, 15, 9 and 1.  Ditto on
the left.  It may sometimes be split down the middle IF the two
halves conveniently fall into 2 distinct "stories" or messages -
this happens surprisingly often.  I think this spread is quite 
sophisticated, and can be used for in-depth readings.  (Smith)

Comment 2:  Note that the time intervals given here are a
guideline.  First, in the example reading given to me for this
layout and due to the nature of the question, key 4 was more
appropriately labeled the present and keys 1, 2, and 3 were in the
past.  Secondly, if the matter is to be resolved in a short period
of time, the term 'Distant Future' would only be distant with
respect to the matter, but not necessarily distant with respect to
this persons life or our time frame.