Tarot Spreads
A spread is how you arrange cards for a reading. Each position carries meaning, creating a framework for interpretation.
How to Choose a Spread
The best spread depends on your question's complexity. A general rule:
- →Simple question = fewer cards (1-3)
- →Complex situation = more cards (5-10)
- →Daily practice = single card
More cards isn't always better. Beginners often get clearer readings with fewer cards because there's less to interpret.
Single Card Draw
The foundation of tarot practice. Draw one card to receive focused insight on any question or for daily reflection.
BEST FOR
CARD POSITIONS
Direct answer or energy surrounding your question
Three Card Spread
The most versatile spread in tarot. Three cards tell a complete story with beginning, middle, and end.
BEST FOR
CARD POSITIONS
Influences and events that led to this moment
Current situation and energies at play
Where things are heading if you continue on this path
VARIATIONS
Five Card Cross
An expansion of the three-card spread that adds dimension by exploring what helps and hinders you.
BEST FOR
CARD POSITIONS
The heart of the matter
Past influences
Future direction
What helps you
What challenges you
Celtic Cross
The most famous tarot spread. Ten cards provide a comprehensive view of past, present, future, and the forces at work.
BEST FOR
CARD POSITIONS
Your current situation
The obstacle crossing you
The root of the matter
Recent past influences
Your goal or best outcome
Near future
How you see yourself
External influences
Your inner desires or anxieties
Final resolution
Reading Multi-Card Spreads
Reading multiple cards requires a different approach than single-card interpretation:
1. First Impressions
Before analyzing individual cards, look at the spread as a whole. What's the overall energy? Are the cards mostly Major or Minor Arcana? Any repeated suits or numbers?
2. Read Positions
Consider each card in the context of its position. The Three of Swords in a "past" position means something different than in a "future" position.
3. Find Connections
Look for relationships between cards. Do they tell a story together? Does one card seem to respond to or challenge another?
4. Synthesize
End by stepping back and asking: "What's the core message here?" A good reading distills multiple cards into actionable insight.
Practice Makes Progress
The best way to learn spreads is to use them. Start with a single card daily, then graduate to three-card spreads as you build confidence.