SpreadS and reading
Tarot Card Spread Basics
How Tarot Spreads Are Used In Tarot Reading
The more comfortable you get with the tarot deck, the easier it will become to decipher the tarot card meanings. The same came be said for tarot spreads. There are literally hundreds of tarot spreads to choose from, so to simplify this process, I have listed some examples of different tarot spreads and the many purposes for which they may be used. For the beginner it is important to first understand what tarot card spreads are and how they function. A tarot spread is a configuration of cards laid out in a pre-specified geometric pattern. Each position of each card in a the tarot spread has a specific meaning. When individual tarot cards are put together in a tarot spread, their meanings can be used to form a kind of story. Thus, the pattern of a spread provides the framework for a tarot reading. The tarot reader utilizes the placement of the cards, or the card’s position, with an identified theme. For example, many spreads include positions for the past, present and future. They can also include positions for internal feelings, specific challenges, external factors, and so on.
Tarot card spreads have different implications depending on the type of question or issue being explored. Some tarot card spreads relay information in a general way while others are designed to impart information that is very specific in nature. They can also vary in complexity from a simple one card spread to elaborate spreads that can include all 78 tarot cards. The choice of which spread to use depends primarily on the reader and the questions that need to be answered.
In a tarot reading, the cards are shuffled by the person being read. This enables the person to have contact with the cards. While the person is shuffling, they are asked by the tarot reader to think of a question or issue. The tarot cards are like magnets that attach to individual energies. Once attached, they pick up information that facilitates the tarot reader in his or her reading.
Once the cards are pulled and placed, the tarot reader will begin to interpret the images and positions of the tarot cards. The spread they are placed in adds to the complexities of the cards meanings. The strength of the cards lies in their unique ability to impart a person’s path. It can do this in two ways; by igniting the intuition or psychic ability of the tarot reader and by picking up the energy of the person being read. In essence, it is a marriage. The tarot cards are the bridge between the reader and that of the person being read, and the tarot spread is the architecture of the reading.
Once you become familiar with the Tarot, you will want to choose the best tarot spread to suit the particular situation being addressed in your reading. Once you get really comfortable, you may even want to make up some of your own tarot spreads. As a tarot reader it is important to choose spreads that encourage your imagination and intuition. Understanding the placement of the cards is important, but it is just as important to identify tarot spreads that work for you as an individual. They are as personal as the tarot cards themselves.
Tarot Spreads For Love & Intimacy
Using the Tarot as a tool for Intimacy in the partner Tarot Spread
Let’s face it, communicating with our partner can be quite challenging at times. It takes a great deal of effort and patience to build a bridge of communication between two people. In order for our intimate relationships to flourish, we need acceptance, compas-sion and the ability to listen.
Relationships require accountability to yourself, your partner and the relationship as a whole. Unfortunately maintaining this level of intimacy on a full time basis can prove to be almost impossible without guidance.
In tarot reading, the majority of issues that come up for couples can be broken down into a few skewed beliefs:
We do not know how to effectively express our emotions.
We depend on and hold our partners responsible for our happiness.
We expect our partners to individually meet the variety of emotional needs we have all of the time.
Tarot card readings can be a powerful tool for rebuilding intimacy in a relationship. The Tarot has the unique ability to uncover both conscious and unconscious behavior patterns, deepen the level of our awareness (individually and as a couple), and help to determine the developmental stage of a relationship. When done together with one’s partner, the Tarot offers new, informative language to couples, which suggests more effective forms of communication and promotes a deeper understanding of one another. Through the Tarot, a couple can revive their relationship and redirect their path together. It cracks faulty structures and the limited ways of thinking that, so often, plague our efforts towards intimacy. The Tarot encourages a partnership to explore the roles each individual has adopted in the relationship. It is the ultimate tool for freeing oneself of the ego and finding common ground with one’s partner. When utilized properly, many Tarot card meanings can encourage a couple to explore their boundaries and find a new, mutual, freedom.
There are certain Tarot spreads that can be done with your partner. One of the most effective is the Tarot Partner Spread. This spread is an excellent tool for increasing the dialogue between you and your partner. I have found that when this is utilized on a regular basis, a couple can re-discover their relationship in an entirely new way. Using The Tarot As A Tool For Intimacy In The Partner Spread
For this particular spread, each couple takes turns shuffling the cards. Next, you spread the cards out in a semi-circle in front of you. While concentrating on the suggested questions that I have listed below, each partner will take a turn, pulling one card for each question.
1. What can I learn from you? 2. What do I expect from you? 3. How can I be more supportive?
4. What do I need to work on to become a better partner? 5. What does my partner need from me?
6. What is the direction our relationship needs to take?
This list of questions is not set in stone. They may be expanded or changed in any way that you wish. Keep in mind, the Tarot has multi-layered Tarot meanings. The information a couple can receive is truly limitless. This simple exercise can deepen both partner’s level of awareness and create a new vocabulary from which to relate to one another. It is a spontaneous and enjoyable way to get to know your partner from a new perspective and hopefully deepen the level of intimacy.
The Three Card Spread
The Three Card Spread is one of the most popular tarot spreads in use today. Its beauty lies within its simplicity. It is incredibly effective at highlighting the energy of one’s past, present and future. This is one of the most dynamic tarot spreads that can be used in a tarot reading to evaluate any number of questions.
Are you looking for spiritual balance? Do you want a quick prediction about your past, present and future? Or, perhaps you are looking for guidance on a pressing concern or question? The great thing about the Three Card Tarot Spread is that it allows you to have the flexibility to explore the outcome of just about any situation.
You can get creative with the Three Card Spread and place the cards in whatever pattern appeals to you. You may also change the context of the reading and get as imaginative as you want.
Below I have illustrated some examples of how this spread can be used and changed according to the needs of your particular situation.
First Card
Mind
Past
Background
Second Card
Body
Present
Problem
Third Card
Spirit
Future
Advice
The One Card Spread
Although simple, the One Card Tarot Spread is a very effective spread for problem solving. It can also be used for answering simple yes or no types of questions during a tarot reading.
Because you are limited to only one card, it is important that you frame your question clearly. The more concise you are, the easier it will be to interpret the spread.
This particular spread is known for its ability to give guidance on how to approach a particular situation. In terms of yes or no questions, it is helpful to incorporate upright and reversed tarot card positions. Although it is not always the case, reversed card positions represent a no and an upright position represents a yes.
To begin, shuffle the cards and divide the deck into three piles. While you are shuffling, be sure to focus on your question. Choose the pile that speaks to you the most and pull one card. Place it in front of you. This is the one tarot card you will be reading.
The How to Find Love Tarot Card Spread
One of the most standard inquiries made during a Tarot reading concerns matters of love. One general belief is that true love is something that is outside of one’s self, that it is predestined or an act of fate. In truth, we play a significant role in our own love lives. Finding true love begins within our own selves. The first step towards finding a fulfilling relationship begins with finding love within our own inner beings.
The greatest relationships are those in which both partners have discovered who they are as individuals. When one develops a strong sense of self, their partnerships are more likely to thrive. With self-awareness and self-knowledge, one is more capable of expressing their feelings and setting appropriate boundaries. This allows both partners to develop the ability to recognize the areas in which their relationships need to grow. They can also acknowledge their own needs and better understand the needs of their partner. More importantly, for someone that is single, they can come to recognize the traits in a potential partner that are healthy or unhealthy.
The How to Find Love Spread identifies the key areas in one’s life that need to be developed in order to bring a loving relationship into one’s life.
First card
This represents you and the key issues that are pertaining to your current love life. It often pertains to the emotional aspects that are influencing your love life.Second
card
This card represents your behavioral patterns that are influencing your love life.Third Card
This card represents the areas that you need to grow in order to find love.Fourth Card
This card represents the areas you need to change or process in order to find love.Fifth Card
This card represents the areas within yourself that you need to liberate, express or open yourself to in order to bring love intoyour life.
Second
Card
This card
represent your
behavioral
patterns that
are influencing
your love life
First Card
This card
represent you
and the issues
surrounding
you.
Fifth Card
This card
represents
ar-eas that need
to be
liber-ated within
yourself to
allow love into
your life.
Fourth Card
This card
represents
the areas
you need to
change or
process in
order to find
love.
Third Card
This card
represents
the areas that
need further
growth in
order for you
to find love.
The Success Tarot Card Spread
The Success Tarot Card Spread is a great tool to help you better understand the obstacles and challenges that are confronting you in you endeavors. It then goes on to identify the strengths and resources that you have at your disposal to overcome whatever issues are obstructing your path to success. It also can suggest new solutions that you may not have been aware of.
First Card This card represents the central issue to your question or concern. This card refers to the things that you need to be aware of in your current endeavors.
Second Card This card represents your current challenges and obstacles. This card refers to the things that may not be working in your favor at this time.
Third Card This card represents the underlying and hidden factors of your current situation that you need to be aware of. Fourth Card This card represents the things that can help you. This can refer to people, ideas or a shift in your perspective. Fifth Card This card represents the actions needed to improve your chances for success.
The Money Tarot Card Spread
These have been difficult financial times. One of the most common inquiries I am now receiving as a Tarot reader concerns matters of work, career and finances. Although the Tarot is a great tool for brainstorming, creativity and meditation, it is also a great resource
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Card
Fifth
Card
Third
Card
Second
Card
Card
First
The Success
Spread
for gaining valuable information about one’s financial status and concerns.
Every card in the Tarot deck can have a financial interpretation and Tarot readings can certainly be geared towards one’s career and money issues. The Money Tarot Card Spread is a great spread to identify your beliefs about money and abundance. The Money Spread also can reveal where you need to change your belief systems and identify the actions you need to take to encourage abundance to enter your life.
First card This card represents your current financial situation and reflects your current relationship to money. Second Card This card represents your core beliefs about money and reflects your ideas and feelings. Third Card This card represents the past influences of your relationship with money. It also reflects how your past has shaped your ideas and
feelings about money.
Fourth Card This card represents your spiritual relationship to money. This card often reflects the important lessons you need to learn about your relationship to money.
Fifth Card This card represents the action you need to take to change your current financial situation including both the spiritual and emotional changes that need to be implemented.
The Decision Making Spread
The Decision Making Spread helps you to explore the consequences of important
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Third
Card
Fifth
Card
First
Card
Fourth
Card
The Money Tarot
Spread
decisions. Although the layout is rather simple, it is straight to the point and can offer valuable insights of the decision making process.
Some people find four card spreads to be trivial; however, the number of cards in a spread does not determine its value. With this in mind, The Decision Making Spread is incredibly powerful as it helps to identify the pros and cons of the decision in question. With this invaluable knowledge, one can gain a broader perspective. The ultimate goal of this spread is to help you sort out the best course of action.
First Card This card represents the current status of the situation or decision. This reflects the overall energy of the situation being questioned. Second Card This card represents the pros of the situation. This reflects the positive attributes of the situation being questioned. Third Card This card represents other matters or considerations that need to be addressed. Fourth Card This card represents the cons of the situation. This reflects the negative attributes of the situation being questioned.
The Wish Tarot Card Spread
If you’re a fan of the law of attraction, then you will love the Wish Spread. This tarot spread is all about your intentions and emphasizes the best approach to obtaining your goals. This spread is particularly useful in determining the influences that are affecting your aspirations.
Often, our own negative belief systems are our own worst enemy. The Wish Spread can reveal where our own limited thinking is blocking our progression and suggest paths to be taken to overcome these obstacles.
First
Card
Third
Card
Fourth
Card
Second
Card
The Decision Making
Spread
When you attempt this spread, it’s really important that you have an open mind. Try not to pass too much judgment and trust the tarot’s unique ability to shed light on the areas that need clarification and guidance.
First Card This card represents your wish and desired outcome. Second Card This card represents how the past is influencing your desired outcome.
Third Card This card represents what you can expect in the immediate future Fourth Card This card represents what the immediate future influences will be and how they might affect your wish or desired outcome.
Fifth Card This card represents the help or aid you may receive from others. Sixth Card This card represents the possible opposition or opposing forces that you need to be aware of. Seventh Card This card represents the best course of action you should take to obtain your wish or desired outcome. Eighth Card This card reveals guidance as to how you might achieve your wish or desired outcome. Ninth Card This card represents the expected results if you implement the guidance you receive.
The True Love Spread
The True Love Spread is one of the better tarot spreads for evaluating the strengths and
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Ninth
Sixth
Seven
Fifth
Fourth
Third
Sec-ond
Eight
Wish Spread
weaknesses of an existing romantic relationship. The True Love Spread is simple, yet still can provide great insight in a relationship as well as give recommendations in areas that could use improvement.
Firstcard This card represents You. This includes your current feelings attitudes and expectations.
second card This card represents your Partner. This includes his/her current feelings, attitudes and expectations.
third card This is the Connection card. This card represents the qualities and characteristics that bring you together.
Fourth card The card represents the Strengths of your relationship. These are the qualities that maintain the relationship.
FiFth card
This card represents the Weaknesses of your relationship. These are the issues that need to be addresses and explored within your relationship.
sixth card
This is the True Love card. This card identifies whether the relationship can be successful and fulfilling. It also highlights the areas that need to be addressed in order for your relationship to flourish.
The Quick Love Tarot Card Spread
The Quick Love Tarot Card Spread is a great spread to discover the key issues or challenges that you may be facing in your love life. The Quick Love Spread gets right to the heart of your love matters. It’s particularly effective at disclosing the influences of one’s past and how this might be affecting one’s current love life. More importantly, it can disclose
First card second card third card Fourth card FiFth card sixth card
the areas where you may be blocked within yourself or where you current relationship has come to a standstill.
The Quick and Easy Love Tarot Spread can be also be used on a daily basis. The best approach is to read the cards in the mornings and use the cards as a daily guide. Over time you will discover that your love life can greatly be influenced by your own state of mind, where you are emotionally, and how you perceive your relationship. It can also guide you through your current love relationship by providing you a tool to help tap into your own intuition.
First Card This is your covered card. This card represents you and the general mood of the issue or question being asked at the time of the reading. Second
Card
This card represents they key challenges that may be blocking you from moving forward in your relationship or love life. This card can represent psychological, emotional, or situational issues, challenges or circumstances.
Third Card This card represents the recent past that may be having an affect on your present situation. This card often identifies issues from your past that our influencing your relationship or love life.
Fourth Card
This card provides the potential future outcome of the situation at hand. It can also allude to future influences that may affect your love relationships.
The Spiritual Guidance Spread
The Spiritual Guidance Spread is a great tool for finding direction in spiritual matters. If spirituality is important to you, you will appreciate how this particular tarot card spread can further your growth and development. This spread is also useful when you find yourself confronted with a problem or situation that you do not know how to approach or handle. Although you may be dealing with issues that are currently troubling you, this spread helps you get back on track. It can give you a broader perspective, one that includes information about your spiritual path and important life lessons.
First Card This card represents the central issues surrounding you and your primary spiritual questions or concerns. This card refers to what you need to be aware of in the present.
s e c o n d c a r d First third card Fourth card
Second
Card This card represents the motivating forces that are leading you to seek spiritual guidance. Third Card This card represents your present areas of concern or anxiety surrounding you spiritually. Fourth Card This card represents the things that you may not be spiritually aware of in the present. Fifth Card This is your spiritual guidance card that hangs directly over you. This card represents the advice and/or actions needed to be taken in order
to improve your chances for spiritual growth and success.
Sixth Card This card represents how to best proceed and/or use the guidance in the present. Seventh
Card This card represents how to best proceed and/or use the guidance in the future. Eighth Card This card represents the expected results if the course of action and/or guidance is followed.
The Celtic Cross Spread
The Celtic Cross Spread is one of the oldest and most commonly used tarot spreads in tarot reading. The layout is uncomplicated, yet powerful. It is particularly useful for general questions and outcomes. This is the spread I prefer to use for an overall tarot reading.
While at first glance the Celtic Cross spread may appear to be one of the more complicated tarot spreads to interpret, it is in reality very simple to master with just a little practice. It is also a great tarot spread for a beginning reader to learn from because of its many interrelated cards which provide a great opportunity to understand how the tarot card meanings build upon each other during the course of a reading.
First Card This is your Covered card. This card represents your present situation.
second card third card eighth card seventh card sixth card Fourth card FiFth card First card
Spiritual Guidance
Spread
Second Card This is your Cross card. This card represents immediate opposing forces, either negative or positive, influencing you. Even a positive card here still represents a challenge.
Third Card This is the Foundation card. This card represents the influences or issues of your distant past that are currently affecting you and your situation.
Fourth Card This is what is Behind you. This card represents the recent past and how it is influencing you and your situation. Fifth Card This is what Crowns you. This card represents the best possible outcome or resolution for your situation. Sixth Card This is what is Before you. It represents the near future or upcoming circumstances that can influence your situation. Seventh Card This is the card that represents the Self. It represents your feelings and attitudes about your current situation. Eight Card This is the card the Opinions card. This card represents your surrounding environment. It reveals how others are viewing the
matter.
Ninth Card This is the Hopes, Fears and Expectations card. It represents your hopes, aspirations and fears about your current situation. Tenth Card This is the Outcome card. It represents the “most likely” result or resolution of your situation.
seventh card tenth card eighth card ninth card Fourth card FiFth card sixth card third card First s e c o n d c a r d
The Romance Tarot Card Spread (7 cards)
When approaching the tarot with questions of love and romance, it’s always important to remember that you have control over your own actions and behaviors. If something doesn’t feel quite right, this should be acknowledged. Nothing is set in stone and the tarot cards can change from day to day. This is largely due to the fact that our relationships have frequent changes of energy.
The Romance Spread is the ideal tarot spread for those seeking or entering into a new relationship. The goal of this spread is to give you insight and offer you guidance. When we understand the overall energy of a relationship, we can identify where there could be issues. The Romance Spread identifies key areas of concern. It can also identify areas of strength and suggest steps that can be taken in the future.
When preparing for this spread, try to keep an open mind. Its important to let go of your expectations. Allow the tarot to do its job. One approach is to inquire about the things you need to learn from this relationship. I have found the results to be incredibly insightful and powerful.
First card Is there hope of finding romance in the future? Second card Will the new lover be similar to past lovers?
Third card Will the relationship feel safe and secure? Fourth card Will there be commitment in the relationship?
Fifth card Is marriage a possibility in the relationship? Sixth card Will the relationship be lasting and fruitful? Seventh card What can be done to find true and lasting love?
eighth card eighth card eighth card eighth card eighth card eighth card eighth
The Horseshoe Tarot Card Spread
The Horseshoe Spread is an excellent tool for gaining a deeper understanding of a particular question or situation. It is straight forward and offers a thorough examination of a particular area of interest. The beauty of the Horseshoe Spread lies in its versatility. It can be applied to any subject you wish to explore. It can be a useful spread for a variety of questions, including questions about relationships, career, spirituality or finance.
First Card This card represents the past influences that may be currently affecting your situation. It can be either the recent or distant past. Second Card This card represents current matters affecting your situation in the here and now. Third Card This card represents the hidden factors you may not be aware of that will emerge in the immediate future. Fourth Card This card represents the obstacles that are challenging you in the present situation. Fifth Card This card represents the influence of the people around you. This often refers to their attitudes and behaviors regarding your
situation.
Sixth Card This card represents potential obstacles and can suggest the best course of action that should be taken to resolve your current situation.
Seventh Card This card suggests the final outcome of your situation. It represents the possible results of the suggested actions from the Sixth Card.
seventh card sixth card third card FiFth card Fourth card sec -ond card First card Horseshoe Spread
The Career Path Tarot Card Spread (7 cards)
The Career Path Spread is an excellent tarot spread for answering questions regarding your professional life. It is a great tool for understanding and working through current stumbling blocks by suggesting strategies to on how to deal with issues that may be affecting your ability to move forward or get a promotion. It can also highlight opportunities for personal realization and financial prosperity by revealing the influences and blocks that may be prohibiting you from making needed changes within your career.
If you are not happy with your career, perhaps you should be exploring a different career or profession altogether? If so, the Career Path Spread can suggest alternatives that may lie in front of you. To this end, it can also be a useful spread for determining which career path would best match your personal strengths and aptitudes.
First Card This card represents your present career path and asks whether you are on the path that you truly desire? Second Card This card represents actions that can be taken to advance your career. Third Card This card represents the aspects about your career that will be difficult of perhaps even impossible to change. Fourth Card This card represents your current career status or performance.
Fifth Card This card represents personal changes you can make to improve your career performance. Sixth Card This card represents past issues that may be affecting your career performance in the present. Seventh Card This card represents the anticipated results of your career path if guidance is followed.
Fourth card seventh card sixth card FiFth card third card second card First card
Career Path
Spread
The Relationship Tarot Card Spread (15 cards)
Tarot is a great tool for helping you to understand your partner. The tarot enables you to explore the areas in your relationship that need growth, balancing and the expectations of each partner.
In a tarot reading, the Relationship Spread can reveal the feelings of your partner, what their expecting and what they may be experiencing. This spread is quite effective in its ability to disclose where your relationship may be going and to help build a bridge of communication and deeper understanding. It is straight forward, to the point, and often highlights the areas in your relationship that need to be addressed.
First card What you are bringing into the relationship/ what you provide to relationship. Second card Where you are now, in relation to the other person/ where you stand in the present. Third card What you are hoping to get from the relationship/ where you hope to stand in the future. Fourth card What the other person is bringing into their relationship with you/ what they are hoping for.
Fifth card What they are getting out of it/ Where they stand in the present. Sixth card What they are hoping to achieve/experience with you/ what they provide to relationship. Seventh card How you see the other person/ how the other person is viewed.
Eight card How they see you/ how the other person views you.
Ninth card How you saw him/her when you first met/ how you perceived them in the past. Tenth card How the other person saw you on your first meeting/ how they perceiving you in the past. Eleventh card Your own anxieties/ unconscious fears/ your present doubles and fears. Twelfth card The other person’s anxieties/unconscious fears / their present doubles and fears Thirteenth card External influences upon you/ external influences motivating you.
Fourteenth
card External influences upon the other person/ external influences motivating them. Fifteenth card Where the relationship will go/ the future of the relationship.
The Self-Healing Tarot Card Spread (6 cards)
Although many people regard tarot reading as a tool for divination, it can also be extremely helpful tool for exploring psychological issues. One such issue we nearly all have to deal with on some level are past traumas. Unfortunately, past traumas can leave “emotional blocks”, and whether we are consciously aware of them or not, these blocks can hinder us from experiencing fulfilling relationships, abundance and contentment. If left unhealed, they can prevent us from growing and finding true happiness.
The Self-Healing Tarot Spread can be a powerful tool for exploring our past traumas that may be preventing us from growing in the present. It does this by exploring the areas in our lives that remain fixed. These are the circumstances that occurred in our past that remain unresolved and remain as emotional blocks. Often, these are the scars that we carry from painful experiences from our past that shape how we perceive the world and interrelate with those around us. If you find yourself in repetitive painful relationships for example, the Self Healing Tarot Spread can help to identify the cause as well as provide a path towards healing, growth and spiritual awareness.
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a r d eleventh card ninth card seventh card third card second card First cardRelationship Spread
When attempting this tarot spread, it’s always important to be aware of your surroundings. You want to make sure that you are in an environment where you feel safe and relaxed. It’s also important that you have allotted enough time to practice this tarot spread without any interruption. Be sure to give yourself time for introspection and to process through any emotions or memories that may come up during your tarot reading.
First Card What is my greatest emotional block, trauma or issue from the past that is preventing me from moving forward? Second Card How has my emotional block affected my past relationships?
Third Card How is my emotional block currently affecting my personal growth and my relationships with others in the present? Fourth Card What new things about myself can be learned from this exploration?
Fifth Card What actions, emotional or otherwise, can I take to get past my emotional blocks to encourage growth and self-healing? Sixth Card What is the guiding spiritual lesson I have learned through this exploration.
The Partners Tarot Card Spread ( 12 cards)
There are certain tarot spreads that can be done with your partner whether it is a friend, business partner or love interest. On of the most effective is the Tarot Partner Spread. This spread is an excellent tool for increasing the dialogue between you and your partner. I have found that when this is utilized on a regular basis, a couple can re-discover their relationship in an entirely new way.
For this particular spread, each couple takes turn shuffling the cards. Next, you spread
sixth card FiFth card Fourth card third card First card second card
the cards out in a semi-circle in front of you. While concentrating on the suggested questions I that have listed below, each partner will take a turn, pulling one card for each question.
First/Second card What can I learn from you? Third/Fourth card What do I expect from you?
Fifth/Sixth card How can I be more supportive? Seventh/Eighth card What can I do to be a better partner?
Ninth/Tenth card What does my partner need from me?
Eleventh/Twelfth card What is the direction our relationship needs to take?
The Year Ahead Tarot Spread (13 cards)
The Year Ahead Tarot Spread identifies the issues that can influence your year to come. I find this spread to be particularly helpful for setting goals.
This spread uses a total of 13 cards, one card for each month and one card to represent the year in general. When Shuffling, begin by focusing on each month. When you have placed all 12 cards, shift your focus towards the year in general. This will be the last card you place.
If you are familiar with astrology, this spread can also represent the twelve houses of the zodiac. In this respect every card relates to a different aspect of one’s life such as finance, career, relationships, etc. The 13th card represents the general overview of the spread. You may also use this card to represent you.
First Card This card represents the month of January. Second Card This card represents the month of February.
Third Card This card represents the month of March.
twelFth card eleventh card ninth card tenth card eighth card seventh card sixth card FiFth card Fourth card third card second card First card
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Partner’s
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Fourth Card This card represents the month of April. Fifth Card This card represents the month of May. Sixth Card This card represents the month of June. Seventh Card This card represents the month of July.
Eighth Card This card represents the month of August. Ninth Card This card represents the month of September. Tenth Card This card represents the month of October. Eleventh Card This card represents the month of November.
Twelfth Card This card represents the month of December. Thirteenth Card This card represents the overall year in general.
Final card seventh card Jul sixth card Jun eighth card aug ninth card sep FiFth card May Fourth card apr tenth card oct third card Mar eleventh card nov second card Feb twelFth card dec First card Jan Year in General
The Astrological Tarot Card Spread (13 cards)
All seventy-eight cards of the Tarot should be spread in a fan-shape, face down. The individual may then pick a total of thirteen cards, which are positioned, in the order they are chosen, in the Astrological Spread.
The Positions of the Astrological Card Spread
Each of the thirteen positions of the Astrological Spread has a specific meaning. The positions and their meanings are:
First card/Ares -
basic personality This position describes the individual. It can show how he or she normally works through difficulties. Second card/Taurus
- Possessions
This card refers to the current financial situation and how it relates to the problem. Alternatively, it may concern beliefs or feelings about practical matters, such as money, but not relate directly to finances.
Third card/Gemini- Communication
The card that occupies this position rules all forms of communication. It can indicate how an individual communicates and perhaps even what could be done differently.
Fourth card/Cancer - Domestic life
This position relates to either the physical or emotional home of the individual. It might describe the need for emotional security, the search for a physical home, or any number of things.
Fifth card/Leo - Love
life This card controls romance, art, and pleasure. It should be read in conjunction with Libra and Capricorn. Sixth card/Virgo
Work life
This position often indicates health, whether it’s physical, spiritual, emotional, or mental. It can also refer to work, though this card does not deal with a ‘true’ calling.
Seventh card/ Libra - one to one
relationship
All types of relationships are ruled by this card. This position could refer to romantic or business relationships, or it could refer to simple friendships. The Leo card should be referred to when interpreting this card.
Eighth card/Scorpio - Major changes
The card which appears here will likely deal with either an emotional issue or a firm objective. Which it is will be determined by the card itself. Usually, this card refers to some aspect of sex, money, or death.
Ninth card/ Sagittarius -
Learning
This position indicates education, hope, and changes in attitudes or beliefs.
Tenth card/Capricorn Achievements
This card reveals ambition, drive, and talent. It can also refer to work, but unlike Virgo, this ‘work’ would be more along the lines of a true calling.
Eleventh card/ Aquarius - Social life
Friends and social groups are rules by this position. This can be what is already present in an individual’s life, or what is hoped for in the future.
Twelfth card/Pisces - mystical life
This card is ruled by secrets. Hidden hopes and secret fears are revealed here. This card can also indicate blocks or obstacles to success. This is the card of vulnerability.
Thirteenth card/Final Outcome
This last card indicates the ultimate outcome of the entire situation. The term ‘final outcome’ is a little misleading, as the Tarot tend to only reveal a six-month time frame.
The Astrological Spread is more complex than many of the spreads used by Tarot readers today. It tends to be best suited to those people who have a working knowledge of astrology and the zodiac, or at least are interested in these things. It is a complicated spread with great potential.
The Psychological Tarot Spread (6 cards)
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The Psychological Tarot Spread is a great spread for examining any emotional issues that may be affecting you. Through the process of exploration and discovery, this spread can reveal a great deal about the inner psyche. It does this by revealing any negative emotional issues that may be challenging you, such as your fears and anxieties, as well as the more positive aspects, such as your dreams and aspirations.
In the end, you will hopefully have a better understanding of yourself, your challenges, and a suggested course of action that will hopefully lead to a resolution to the emotional issues that may be troubling you.
First Card This card represents your desires, wishes and dreams. Second Card This card represents your feelings and emotions.
Third Card This card represents your emotional challenges such as sadness, anxiety or fear. Fourth Card This card represents the areas in your life where you feel discouraged or disappointed.
Fifth Card This card represents the significant spiritual lessons and guidance you need in your present day life. Sixth Card This card represents the areas in your life that require more attention and consideration. It also suggests a possible outcome if
the course of action is followed.
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Psychological Spread
The Triangle of Love (10 card)
This spread can probably be easily adapted to non-love questions but I think its great for that person who doesn’t have a special someone who wants to know why their love life isnt what they want it to be.
First card Present problem The past
Second card Childhood influences/what you were taught about love Third card Adolescent/young adult lessons about love
Fourth card Represent past/within the last year what has been happening in your love life The
present
Fifth card Current influences
Sixth card Where things will lead if you keep going down the same path
Advice
Seventh card What the querent needs to work on Eighth card Who/what can help the querent
Ninth card Who/what the querent should avoid Tenth card Summary and final advice.
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The Tree of Life Spread (10 card)
First card Aims or Ideals. This card represents what the querent would like to achieve. Second card Influences. What is influencing the situation.
Third card General Nature. This is the general nature of the question; it defines it more completely. Fourth card The Key. This may be something that the querent doesn’t seeing; it is the key to the answer to the question or how to resolve the situation
or how to achieve what the querent is attempting to achieve. Fifth card Influences of the Present. Influences on the situation or question from present circumstances that the querent need to take into
account for this reading.
Sixth card Influences of the Future. These will be things the querent will want to look out for. Seventh card Effect of the Significator. This is the effect that the significant (the querent) has on the situation. Eighth card Effect of the Environment. The effect that the people around the querent have on the situation, as well as other things surrounding
the querent.
Ninth card Hopes and Fears. These are things that the querent maybe fears will happen or hops will happen with the situation. Tenth card The Final Outcome. The ultimate answer to the querent’s question. t e n t h c a r d n in t h c a r d e ig h t h c a r d F o u r th c ar d s ev en th c a r d F iF t h c a r d s ix t h c a r d s e c o n d c a r d F ir s t c a r d t h ir d c a r d
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Spread for Making a Decision (7 cards)
First card Issues underlying decision
Second card What might hinder making the decision Third card What might help to make the decision
Fourth & Fifth card relate to Choice 1
Fourth card Challenge/opportunity for me if I decide on Choice 1 Fifth card What would be the outcome if I chose Choice 1
Sixth & Seventh card relate to choice 2 Sixth card Challenge/opportunity for me if I decide on choice 2 Seventh card What would be the outcome if I chose Choice 2
Relationship Problem Solving Spread (12 cards)
The purpose of this spread is to find out how to improve problem areas when you aren’t sure what the problem is.
I think this spread would be good for any kind of relationship, job situation, even the one with yourself for that matter.
1st Card The problem, the real question; present situation, reason for asking. third card seventh card second card FiFth card sixth card Fourth card First card
2nd , 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Cards represent the nature of the relationship.
2nd Card Shows how you relate to the other person.
3rd Card Shows how the other person relates to you.
4th Card Shows what the relationship looks like as a whole.
5th Card Shows your hopes, needs and desires in the relationship.
6th Card Shows the other person’s hopes, needs, and desires in the relationship.
7th, 8th & 9th Cards represent conflicts and insights into impediments. 7th Card What is causing conflict or impediments.
8th Card Represents your perspective of the problem and how you will deal with it.
9th Card Represents the other person’s perspective on the problem and how they
will deal with
10th, 11th & 12th Cards offers insight and solutions
10th Card What needs to change to overcome challenges.
11th Card This is how you can resolve any differences and how you can improve the
relationship and take it to the next level. 12th Card Crucial Insight; additional advice or outcome.
Relationship Celtic Cross (11 cards)
This variation on the Celtic Cross is a terrific bargain for a multi-faceted, in-depth look at
12th card 11th card 10th card 9th card 07th card 08th card 06th card 04th card 05th card 03rd card 01st card 02nd card
The relationship problem solving spread
a particular relationship.
In general, the Celtic Cross spread has become a major symbol of Tarot. It is regarded as a standard “consultation” spread in the Tarot reader trade, which is attested to by how much it is to be found in books on Tarot.
This romantic relationship reading will give you valuable insights into several areas of a relationship, and how those parts interact within you.
Possessing 11 positions, a Celtic Cross reading offers enough positions to represent relatively complex situations. Within the wheel-shaped part of the spread is a horizontal axis which represents the flow of outer events from recent past through the present to the near future.
The other central axis arises out of one’s history, through the present moment, to focus on one’s Mission or Higher Power. The self and the relationship issues of the moment are at the center of the spread.
The column to the right of the Wheel is called the Staff, which can also be thought of as a ladder. The ideas and advice in this part lift one from the plane of dilemma to a higher plane of resolution. Don’t make the mistake of viewing the Past cards as irrelevant to the present or future!
Card 1 Love & Me. The card in the Love & Me position touches on an aspect of how you perceive yourself right now. Card 2 Love Situation. The card that lands in the Love Situation position refers to social or circumstantial factors which could be affecting your relationship
at this time.
Card 3 Love Challenges. The card that lands in the Love Challenges position refers to ways that you can turn obstacles into stepping stones. Card 4 Foundation. The card in the Foundation position points to influences from your personal history, your roots and background. Card 5 Recent Past. The card in the Recent Past position refers to events and relationships that are just departing, recently influential but now diminishing
in power.
Card 6 Higher Power. The card in the Higher Power position reflects the broader perspective and influence of your conscience, Guardian Angel, inner wisdom.
Card 7 Near Future. The card in the Near Future position indicates which way the wind is blowing with regard to your situation. If you follow the Advice card, however, you can improve on or neutralize tendencies.
Card 8 Blocks & Inhibitions. The card in the Blocks position points to self-undermining tendencies, areas where you could be in denial, where you could get stuck - unless you examine yourself and make some corrections.
Card 9
Significant Other. The card in the Significant Other position refers to someone you are currently involved with - or it may point to an archetypal energy source within yourself, which supports your ability to experience a deeper love.
Card 10 Advice. The card in the Advice position suggests a course of action which will harmonize what you want with what is currently possible. Card 11 Long-term Potential. The card in the Long-term Potential position points to unknowns still taking shape. It is the “wild card” yet to be played.
Mother to be spread ( 7 cards)
I put together this spread for a friend of mine who is expecting. As she will be raising the baby alone (or at least without the father) she was very nervous about the kind of mother she will be. I thought some of you might like to try it for any expectant mothers you might read for:
Card 1 What in my past has prepared me for this? Card 2 What do I need to release/move past? Card 3 What qualities do I posess that will help me?
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Card 4 What qualities do I posess that will hinder me? Card 5 What am I feeling now that helps my child? Card 6 What will this child teach me?
Card 7 What will I pass on to this child?
The reading we did with this spread gave her a lot of comfort and assurance about her natural abilities to be a mother, I hope it can help someone else.
Love Celtic Cross (11 cards)
This Love Celtic Cross is a terrific bargain for a multi-faceted, in-depth look at your love prospects.
In general, the Celtic Cross spread has become a major symbol of Tarot. It is regarded as a standard “consultation” spread in the Tarot reader trade, which is attested to by how much it is to be found in books on Tarot.
A Celtic Cross reading will give you valuable insight into several areas of your life, and how those parts interact within you.
First card second card third card seventh card sixth card Fourth card FiFth card
Mother to be spread.
Possessing 11 positions, a Celtic Cross reading offers enough positions to represent relatively complex situations. Within the wheel-shaped part of the spread is a horizontal axis which represents the flow of outer events from recent past through the present to the near future.
The other central axis arises out of one’s personal history, through the present moment, to focus on one’s Mission or Higher Power. The self and the issues of the moment are at the center of the spread.
The column to the right of the Wheel is called the Staff, which can also be thought of as a ladder. The ideas and advice in this part lift one from the plane of dilemma to a higher plane of resolution. Don’t make the mistake of viewing the Past cards as irrelevant to the present or future!
Card 1 Love & Me. The card in the Love & Me position touches on an aspect of how you perceive yourself with regard to possible intimacy in your life. Card 2 Situation. The card that lands in the Situation position refers to social or circumstantial factors which could be affecting your life at this time. Card 3 Challenges. The card that lands in the Challenges position refers to ways that you can turn obstacles into stepping stones. Card 4 Background. The card in the Background position points to influences from your personal history, your roots and background. Card 5 Recent Past. The card in the Recent Past position refers to events that are just departing, recently influential but now diminishing in power. Card 6 Higher Power. The card in the Higher Power position reflects the broader perspective and influence of your conscience, Guardian Angel, inner
wisdom.
Card 7 Near Future. The card in the Near Future position indicates which way the wind is blowing with regard to your situation. If you follow the Advice card, however, you can improve on or neutralize tendencies.
Card 8 Issues. The card in the Issues position points to self-undermining tendencies, areas where you could be in denial or could get stuck -- unless you examine yourself and make some corrections.
Card 9
The Loved One. The card in the Loved One position refers to how you might perceive someone you are now or soon to be involved with. Alternatively, it may point to an archetypal energy source within yourself, which supports your ability to experience deeper love.
Card 10 Love Advice. The card in the Love Advice position suggests a course of action which will harmonize what you want with what is currently possible.
Love Bottom Line (5 cards)
The Love Reflection is a terrific bargain for insights and advice about your romantic prospects.
If you are trying to understand the dynamics of your personal quest for an intimate relationship, the five positions of this reading (described below) will help you clarify the way you are seeing yourself as well as a possible partner, and offer some timely advice. Every relationship has its own pattern of roles and habits, which usually come to be fixed over time. At the same time, change is always happening and, hopefully, personal development along with it.
Intimacy is the ongoing work of a lifetime. All of us have suffered traumas of a physical, emotional or psychological nature. You can use this reading to take a look at a particular aspect of your love life, or to get an overview of this general area. May the wisdom of this reading encourage you to cultivate emotional honesty and the courage to love freely!
Card 1 Self. The Self card is all about you - your needs, feelings and motivations - as you approach a new relationship. Card 2
The Loved One. The card in the Loved One position refers specifically to the next person you are going to be intimately involved with - or it is pointing to the power of some archetypal energy you need to relate to within yourself in order to find love.
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Card 3 Situation. The Situation position reflects current circumstances and the social setting. Card 4 Advice. The card in the Advice position offers guidance regarding the way you relate. Card 5
Potential. The card in the Potential position gives a a clue regarding a relationship’s long-term possibilities. This is not cast in concrete. If indications are less than desirable, you can change directions by exercising skillful decision-making and good timing.
Karmic Situation (5 cards)
The 5-card Karmic Situation reading is a terrific bargain for a multi-faceted, in-depth look at the unique karma of a certain situation, event or even decision. And, since situational karmic energy is constantly evolving, you can return to this spread again and again for more clarity on whatever is going on in your life.
This spread is a terrific way to learn about how various karmic energies manifest themselves in your current situation. Focus on a specific event, dilemma or issue about which you could use some wise counsel right now. This reading terrific for questions like, “Should I break up with my partner or try to make the relationship work?” or, “What is the best way to deal with career challenges?”
The Karmic Situation reading is a fantastic way to derive insight into your on-going situation with an emphasis on the karmic energy of what is happening now, what has happened in the recent past, as well as future probabilities and what you should do - or not do - next. This is an insightful spread that’s useful for any occasion.
Card 1 Karmic Energy. The card that lands in the Karmic Energy position refers to the social situation and/or general circumstances affecting your life at this time.
Card 2 Karmic Roots. The card in the Karmic Roots position points to various influences from your personal history and your spiritual foundation, possibly including previous lifetimes.
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Card 3
Karmic Potentials. The card in the Karmic Potentials position points to unknowns still taking shape, which are the result of choices and actions you have taken - i.e. the karma you are creating now. It represents the “wild card” yet to be played.
Card 4 Karmic Opportunities. The card that lands in the Karmic Opportunities position refers to ways that you can turn challenging situations into stepping stones.
Card 5 Karmic Lesson. The card in the Karmic Lesson position points to a possible sacrifice you might have to make for the sake of personal and spiritual development.
Heart Spread (8 cards)
Card 1 Him Card 2 Her
Card 3 The relationship Card 4 How she sees him Card 5 How he sees her
Card 6 Physical aspects of the relationship Card 7 Where the relationship came from Card 8 Where the relationship is going
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Karmic Situation
Health problems spread (5 cards)
Card 1 What do I need to know about the cause of this problem? Card 2 Advice for the short term (how to solve the problem right now)
Card 3 Result for the short term (result for this particular occurrence of the problem) Card 4 Advice for the long term (how can I prevent the problem in the future) Card 5 Result for the long term (result for the problem in the future)
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Heart spread
5 t h c a r d 3 r d c a r d 4 t h c a r d 2 n d c a r d 1 s t c a r d H ea lth pr obl em s s pre adFinancial Bottom Line (5 cards)
This reading is a terrific bargain for insights and advice about financial issues.
The five positions of this reading (described below) give you a snapshot of your way you invest yourself in business, from the influences of your partners or environment to challenges and opportunities that arise. This reading can help you get a fix on the investment of energy and time you are making relative to your monetary and/or business affairs.
A choice or decision in your personal investment of energy and/or money may be calling for your attention. If so, something needs to change or be helped along in its natural movement. This spread is designed to help you evaluate your situation and support systems, consider a shift in strategy and view possible developments and outcomes that may result from the new choices you will be making.
Card 1 Self. The card in the Self position is about the way you feel about money, your attitude about prosperity in general. Card 2 Situation. The card in the Situation position represents the social or political environment surrounding how you make money. It could also apply to a
specific drama or dilemma that you are now being presented with. Card 3 Advice. The card in this position offers you some advice regarding the achievement of prosperity in your life. It might be referring to some aspect
you hadn’t considered before now.
Card 4 Challenges/ Opportunities. The card in the Challenges/Opportunities position reflects how you can use creativity and skill to turn a monetary challenge into an opportunity for greater success.
Card 5 Allies. The card in the Allies position points to people who can be supportive or helpful to you at this time.
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Excellent Spread for Making a Choice (10 cards)
(Tarot pathway spread)
Daily Reflection (5 cards)
The Daily Reflection gets straight to the point, including five key positions that will help you clearly see what you are up against, how to approach it, the lesson of the day and what will happen next for you.
This advice spread is a quick way to focus on resolving a problem, dilemma or issue about which you could use some wise counsel right now. Like all authentic Tarot readings, this is terrific for the kinds of problems that logic can’t handle like “How do I relate to my partner who is not speaking to me?” or, “What is the best approach to take with these people now?”
This Daily Reflection is a quick way to derive insight into your current situation with an emphasis on what is happening now, as well as future probabilities and what you should do - or not do - next. This is an action-oriented spread useful for all occasions.
Card 1 Situation. The card that lands in the Situation position refers to the circumstances you find yourself in with regard to your concern. 10th card 9th card 6th card 5th card 8th card 4th card 7th card 3rd card 2nd card 1st card Excellent spread for making a choice Card 1 past or underlying factor
Card 2 current situation Card 3 action
Card 4 internal influence Card 5 external influence Card 6 outcome
Card 7 action
Card 8 internal influence Card 9 external influence Card 10 outcome
