In the "Crossroads" pattern the four outer cards, or "corners," represent the starting points, or the major influences. These lead down the "spokes," which directly connect the "Corners" to the "destination," which is the desire card, although the "destination" is covered by the "fate" card, which represents the stronger pull of fate, or the greatest obstacle to that desire.

Now, you always start a reading from the top left corner and work sunwise (on Thorneau) or "clockwise," as we know it. The first card usually (but not always) represents the person for whom the reading is being done. In Kimberley's case, it was the Spider, who spins her little webs. The Spider is, amongst other things, the deceiver, which tells us that this ready will likely be focused on Kimberley's propensity to lie. The second corner is the Arrow, which symbolized movement towards a specific target. Unlike the Path, however, it often has a martial context, which seems fitting for Kimberley.

The third "corner" is the inverted Knight. Now knights, at least on Thorneau, are heavily armored warriors of the nobility of Foraine. Inverted, it suggests a non-traditional view of a knight, and I suspect that, in this case, it represents Jinsen, Kimberley's mentor. The final "corner" is the Statue, and notice how it is the antipodal "corner" to the Arrow. This suggests that the motion of the Arrow is counterbalanced by the inherent inaction of the Statue, perhaps indicating that Kimberley is not actually moving toward the goal she wishes to.

The "spoke" that leads from The Spider is the Wolf, which represents danger. Because the Spider in this reading seems to focus on Kimberley's deceit, this indicates that her lies are going to lead to trouble for her. From the Arrow, comes the "spoke" of the inverted Shapeshifter. Now, the Shapeshifter, naturally, represents change, usually outward change. Inverted, it naturally represents inner change, thereby signifying that Kimberley's path to martial enlightenment will bring about an inner change in her. From the inverted Knight comes the inverted Lovers card. This is an ambiguous reveal. The Lovers represent a connection, often a romantic one, naturally. Inverted, it can mean a non-romantic connection, but it might also represent a splitting of the pair. Juxtaposed with the Spider and the Wolf on the antipodal, this could be a warning that Kimberley's lies endanger her relationship with Jinsen. The final spoke, the Crow, is a bad omen, a portent of something dark on the horizon. Interestingly, though, the Crow here is inverted, which may indicate a good omen, although this is rarely the case. More often, it is a sign that there is no omen to be found. Tied to the Statue as it is, and opposed to the Arrow and the inverted Shapeshifter, it likely indicates that nothing will be learned from staying still.

Kimberley's destination card is the Woods, indicative of tranquility, but, as opposed to, say, the Pond, which also represents tranquility, the Woods represents a tranquility that is still full of life and energy. This is Kimberley's desire (at least in terms of this reading.) The fate card is the Shield, which represents something actively blocking Kimberley from her desire for a life of inner tranquility.

So, you know, you can see how Kimberley might find that reading confusing...

Yeah, Daneera's friends seem to have a way of getting poisoned...