Did a spread for another friendo. I know that a tarot reading is heavily coloured by how I already feel about someone or a situation, but this was not a challenging read  :/ 

9-Card Mandala Spread

1. The person's current mindset: The Sun (reversed). Pessimism, unrealistic expectations, feeling trapped. Off to a great start. 
2. Ambitions and desires: Judgement (reversed). Not sure how to interpret it? But the person is currently wracked with self-criticism. Perhaps their current ambition is to first not be their own worst critic.
3. Hopes and dreams: The Chariot (reversed). Well, the Chariot upright represents being in control, holding the reins. I assume this is what the person wants, but the reversed orientation indicates that they lack direction and authority and are not sure how to regain control of the train. 
4. Achievements and day-to-day focus: The Moon (upright). A lot of major arcana cards thus far, but at least this one's upright. Not that it makes it better. The Moon represents the subconscious, distinguishing dreams from reality, fear, and anxiety. This person dwells on their insecurities often. 
5. Dependencies and obsessions: Six of cups (upright). This is normally a happy card but I don't think it's healthy for someone's "dependencies and obsessions" to be getting in touch with the past (when they were happier?) looking backwards with rose-tinted goggles, or drawing strength from past experiences. 
6. Strengths: King of Pentacles (upright). This person has excellent business acumen. They would be a great provider. 
7. Weaknesses: Ace of Swords (upright). New ideas. Mental clarity. This person would like to be able to look at a situation more objectively. 
8. Self-perception:  Five of Pentacles (reversed). This person acknowledges that they are coming out of a suboptimal relationship/situation, but also that they are still very lonely. 
9. Higher purpose and deepest desires:  The Hanged Man (reversed). Yet another reversed Major Arcana. This person knows what to do, but is afraid to begin. I assume that this card means that they want the strength to pull themselves out of their funk. 

To conclude: 

This person is currently feeling rather down on life (#1) but realizes to some extent that they themselves are exacerbating their situation by being too harsh on themselves (#2), introspecting too much (#4), and perhaps losing sight of their success in their chosen career (#6). 

This person has the potential to regain the control they feel they've lost in their life (#3) but they are not sure that they can find a happy relationship again (#8) and untangle themselves from their self-doubt (#9). 

This person should definitely stop looking at the past with rose-tinted goggles (#5) because that will not help them get the objective look at their life they really, really need (#7). Also, the past (#5) might be making them feel sad (#1) because it seems better than the present - which is not necessarily true (#6).