I would like us to have a discussion about the Hopes and Fears aspect that I find in so many tarot spreads and about which I, personally, wonder what the creator of the spread meant? This very position is also present in the Celtic Cross - which is not one of main favourite spreads. I am trying to get a better understanding of this phrase and what it may mean during a reading. All comments are welcome in an attempt to get a better understanding of this position. (or we might even scrap it and find a different name for this position )

What is Hope and Fears in your opinion?
What does it say about the question?

Let us think of cards that fall under Hopes and Fears section and try and analyse how we can interpret them - given the question asked of course - but let's look at it in a general term.

For example, any Ace card falling under Hopes and Fears... Ace of Wands or Cups or Penctales etc..

You can bring in your own card example and analyse it as Hopes and Fears.

I will be the first to admit... I am forever learning and it never stops...

Blessings.

Hope (+) Fear (-)

This is my opinions, and how I see this things, other might have other and better explanations

When we ask a question, then it seldom is easy to answer with a clear yes or no.

The bigger the spread is made, the more option we get in order to investigate the question.

We all carry a "hope" for our future....and this hope might come to an understanding or "pictured" in the "Hope" card seen in relation to the question.

But as we know, where there are hope to succeed, there is also a "fear" to fail.
The "Fear" position will then try to tell about such thoughts, and hopefully give a thought or two on how to prevent them...it is a way to give balance...because we know we can't give our quarrant the final solution....they have to work for it....we just give them a help on their way

Good point Rhuto,

It is true that any bright hope has an element of fear attached to it and I liked the way you symbolised it Hope as being (+) and Fear as being ( - ).

I think I've always looked at that position as the subconcious "hope" the querant has concerning the question, and same for the "fears".  The feelings that are not on the surface, the deeper sometimes hidden hope or fear of the question.  I guess, if the question were something like what is happening in my job for the next xxx amount of time (or love life etc)?, the Ace in that position would tell me the person "hopes " for a new begining, a new job prospect, a new love on the horizon... or vice versa they could be fearful of a major undertaking developing within that circle (the job, the love affair)- losing their job and having to look for another.  I just see it as the subconcious elements in the question, and the card will be indicative of a "hope" or their "fear".
I don't think I'm making sense, though I know what I want to say! lol!

You are making very much sense Molissa...... I see your point clearly.

I had a situation in a recent reading where under the Hopes and Fears I got the Ace of Wands. I paused for a bit agaisnt this powerful card and interpreted it in the same lines as your above comments.

Would love to hear examples of other cards that one would be able to describe in the way they see this Hope/Fear situation.