What are the different Spreads in Tarot Card Reading?

Six Easy to Learn Tarot Card Spreads

Understanding the different Tarot Card Spreads is essential in learning to read Tarot Cards. A tarot card spread or card formation is a method used by tarot readers to physically lay out or place the cards on the table so that they can interpret their meanings in an orderly manner.

There are many different tarot spreads and variations exist between the formations.  If you are new to tarot reading and come across materials or tarot teachers who do things differently, do not be confused or alarmed. There are no standardised lay out or order in which the cards are spread and interpreted. Tarot card readers often use their own method based on their personal preferences and experiences.

Here are some of the easy to learn Tarot Spreads:

How do you do the Three-card Spread?

The three-card spread is the simplest layout and is a great choice for beginners. This spread is recommended for a quick reading or if you are looking for simple answers. Lay out three cards from the top of the deck. 

1. The past which includes issues or past events that are affecting the current situation. 
2. The present circumstances and events that are going on at the moment. 
3. The future of possible outcomes that may occur. 

Look at the cards individually and understand how they fit each time period. Then look at the three cards to find out the longer story that may unfold. Even if the cards may seem unrelated, they depict a story through the passage of time, which a skilled tarot reader will be able to uncover. 

What is the Five-card Spread? 

This simple five-card spread is useful when trying to decide a given course of action. It can be used for Yes or No questions such as “Should I go for that new job?” The cards will help point you in the right direction. The cards represent:

1. The querent and his/her present situation
2. Actions or measures that the querent can take;
3. Obstacles and challenges that the querent might face or need to overcome
4. The likely outcome
5. The effect or how the querent’s choice will affect his/her life afterwards. This card will help the querent decide whether he/she should make a change or not.

What is the Horseshoe Spread? 

The Horseshoe Spread is a seven-card layout, popular for multipurpose readings. Three cards are placed on either side of a centre card, staggered to look like a horseshoe, and moves from left to right. The cards represent:

1. The past events that are affecting the current situation or the issue
2. The present or current circumstances surrounding the querent or the issue
3. Hidden influences that are unseen, they could be problems, conflicts and other things that the querent may not be aware of or have overlooked 
4. This represents the querent and his/her attitude about the situation at hand. Some readers like to turn this card over first. 
5. The attitudes of others around the querent. These are external influences affecting the querent such as what other people involved in the situation are feeling and how it is affecting the querent
6. What the querent should do or the best course of action the querent should take in the given situation
7. The outcome or the resolution 

How do you do the Celtic Cross Spread? 

The Celtic Cross Spread can be used to answer a specific question or to get a general sense of your life situation.

1. The present or the current situation the person finds themselves in
2. The immediate challenge facing the querent. This is the issue that needs to be resolved or the obstacle holding them back that must be overcome. 
3. Distant past, foundation or the root of the issue in question. These can be subconscious influences that have an extremely strong and powerful effect on the querent’s everyday life.
4. More recent past, including events that are just starting to move into the background. This may not be directly connected to the issue in question but the energy of this card may have an influence on the situation.
5. The possibilities or situations on the horizon or where the querent want to go.
6. Immediate future or the events that may occur in the next few days or week(s). 
7. Querent’s current position, mindset and ideals regarding the current situation. Tarot readers may compare this against Card 1 in order to understand underlying forces and whether the querent’s attitude is conducive to a likable outcome or whether there is conflict between the two cards and it’s time to retrack the way the querent perceives information. 
8. This represents the external forces such as people, energies or events surrounding the querent which will affect the outcome of the question and are beyond the querent’s control.
9. This is a revelation card or things the querent should be aware of in their current situation. It represents the hopes or fears around the situation.
10. This is the outcome where the querent is headed. 

What is the Clock Spread in Tarot Reading?

The Clock Spread may look complicated, but it is a simple and quick spread that is ideal for learning and getting to know the cards better. It is good for quick answers or finding out what time of day holds the best potential for you.

At the beginning of the day, do a full lay out to plan the day ahead. You may start with either 12 am or 12 pm, depending on your preferences. You can do a 12-hour layout or a double clock layout if you prefer a 24-hour reading. Once you have your clock fully laid out, you can open the cards and find out what’s in store for you at every hour of the day.

How do you do the Astrological Spread in Tarot Card Reading?

The Astrological Spread has many different variations. It uses thirteen cards, usually laid out in a circular fashion, each card represents each astrological house and should be interpreted with the strengths and weaknesses of the corresponding house in mind.

Each of the thirteen positions of the Astrological Spread has a specific meaning. The positions and their meanings are:

1. Ares: This represents the individual and how he/she normally works through difficulties.
2. Taurus: This represents the current financial situation of the querent and how it relates to the issue at hand. It may also relate to the querent’s concern, beliefs or feelings about practical matters such as money.
3. Gemini: This card rules all forms of communication. It represents not only how the querent communicates but also what could be done differently.
4. Cancer: This card describes the need for emotional security and relates to either the physical or emotional home of the individual. 
5. Leo: This position controls romance, art, and pleasure. It should be interpreted in conjunction with Card 7 (Libra) and Card 10 (Capricorn).
6. Virgo: This card represents health, from physical, spiritual, emotional, to mental health. It can also refer to work, but not necessarily true calling. 
7. Libra: This card rules all types of relationships. It covers both romantic, friendship and business relationships. This card can be referred to in conjunction with Card 5 (Leo). 
8. Scorpio: This card refers to some aspect of sex, money, or death. The card that appears in this position will likely deal with either an emotional issue or a firm objective. 
9. Sagittarius: This represents education, hope, and changes in attitude or belief.
10. Capricorn: This position reveals ambition, drive, and talent. It represents work, but unlike Virgo, this work would be more along the lines of a true calling.
11. Aquarius: This card rules friends and social groups that are either present in the querent’s life or likely to come in the future.
12. Pisces: This is the card of vulnerability. Secrets rule this card. It reveals hidden hopes and secret fears and blocks or obstacles to success.
13. Outcome: This last card reveals the outcome of the entire situation or what is in store for the querent within the next six-month time frame.

As a beginner Tarot reader, you might want to start with the simple spreads and as you gain more confidence and become more familiar with the cards meanings, try the more complicated formations. However, remember that tarot reading is not about how complicated the spread is. You may find yourself drawn to a particular spread and get more accurate result over the others. This is normal, so don’t be disappointed. Ultimately, the best method is the one that gives the most accurate result for you. ‘

At Psychic Truth, we have experienced psychic readers who combine the insights from tarot cards with their natural psychic ability to provide you with reliable and intuitive psychic readings. Consult the Tarot Cards with our readers today, call 01223 800 616.