Using tarot cards is an ancient and mystical practice that offers insight into the future, illuminates past influences, and provides guidance on the present. Whether you seek clarity in love, career, or personal growth, tarot spreads can be the key to unlocking answers. Each spread offers a unique way to interpret the cards, helping you dive deeper into their meanings and apply their wisdom to your life.
In this guide, we’ll explore the most powerful tarot spreads, their interpretations, and how you can use them to enhance your readings. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned tarot reader, these spreads will help you gain a deeper understanding of your questions and concerns.
One of my clients asked me an unexpected question about the different types of Tarot spreads.
How does a Tarot reader know exactly how to lay out the cards—where to place them, in what order, and so on? I found this question quite intriguing because I usually rely on either an astrological approach to Tarot, where the astrological spread with 12 houses of the horoscope is suitable for almost any question, or I work with a situational approach, where the matrix of any situation is analyzed. In both cases, there’s no need for numerous types of spreads. These two types are sufficient to answer most questions.
Tarot spreads offer a unique and insightful way to explore life’s mysteries and challenges, whether you’re seeking guidance for the present, answers to questions about the past, or a glimpse into your future. With so many different layouts to choose from, there’s always a spread that can meet your needs, whether it’s for self-discovery, healing, or forecasting.
Have you tried any of these spreads before? Or perhaps you have your own favorite layout that helps you navigate life’s challenges? Feel free to share your thoughts or spreads in the comments below — I’d love to hear how Tarot has worked for you!
Remember, the world of Tarot is vast, and your personal journey with it is what makes it truly special.
However, I decided to conduct a brief study of the spreads used in Tarot practice and, without claiming to be definitive, I offer my own classification of Tarot spreads.
First and foremost, it’s important to define what a Tarot spread actually is.
In the narrow sense, a Tarot spread is a way of laying out the cards in a specific order and pattern, where each position holds a particular meaning.
In the broader sense, a Tarot spread is a method of analyzing a client’s question that helps provide guidance in a difficult life situation.
In Tarot practice, there is a huge variety of spreads—some are simple, others more complex. There are spreads for love, work, or money; for exploring the future or the past; in the shape of a fan, a star, or a cross, and so on. This diversity likely stems from Tarot readers’ attempts to systematize their clients’ questions and find the most effective way to lay out the cards.
When analyzing different types of Tarot spreads, we can see that they vary by the number of cards used, the structure of the layout, the level of complexity, the style and form of the spread, and even the type of Tarot deck. Spreads are also dedicated to different topics and shaped by the specific focus of a client’s question.
Let’s take a closer look at the main types of Tarot spreads based on these various criteria.
A Tarot spread can include any number of cards—even a single card can form a spread. In theory, you could lay out all 78 cards if the layout structure allows for it.
In this approach, the entire Tarot deck is used—none of the cards are removed. Cards are drawn from a complete 78-card deck.
In some spreads, only a portion of the deck is used—most commonly, the Major Arcana. These spreads focus only on the selected cards, often based on the nature of the question. For example, questions about life paths or personal potential might call for just the Major Arcana to emphasize the deep, transformative nature of the query. Meanwhile, the Minor Arcana is typically used when more detail and nuance are needed.
These have defined card positions, each with a specific name and meaning that doesn’t change. The position titles reflect various aspects of the querent’s life. For example, a spread might include five positions: Past, Present, Future, Obstacles, and Advice.
These are intuitive, improvisational spreads without a fixed structure. The Tarot reader creates the spread in the moment, based on the client’s question, emotional energy, and spontaneous impressions. The reader may continue drawing cards one by one until they feel it’s time to stop.
Usually consists of one to three cards with clearly defined relationships between positions. Great for beginners or quick insights.
Involves a large number of cards and often requires advanced interpretation skills. The connections between positions may not be immediately obvious. A good example is the 12-House Astrological Spread, which aligns with the houses of the zodiac.
These are traditional, time-tested layouts that have been used by Tarot readers for decades or even centuries. Examples include the Celtic Cross, 12 Houses, and ANKH spread.
These are newer, creative layouts developed by contemporary Tarot practitioners. They often come with imaginative names like Rabbit Hole, The Axial Log, or The Road Is Made by Walking. Many of these spreads become popular through practice and word-of-mouth.
Tarot spreads can also differ in the way the cards are physically arranged. Common shapes include:
Cross
Circle
Square
Star
Fan
Cross within a Circle
…and many more! The visual form can influence the energy and interpretation of the reading itself.
These spreads are structured in a way that allows them to be used for any type of question—or even when there are multiple questions but only one spread is used. Universal spreads are designed to give a big-picture view of the querent’s life. The card positions are worded in a way that reveals overall life trends, even without a specific question being asked.
Examples of universal spreads include the Celtic Cross, the 12-House Astrological Spread, and the Life Situation Matrix. These spreads are generally more complex and better suited for deep, comprehensive readings.
The 12-House Astrological Spread
This spread is ideal when you want insights into every area of life at once. It draws on the structure of an astrological birth chart, with each position corresponding to a house and representing a specific life domain—career, relationships, finances, health, and so on.
This spread is used when it’s necessary to clarify the interconnections and interactions between the participants in a situation and various aspects of life.
1, 2, 3 — elements of the life situation
4, 5, 6, 7, 8 — relationships between the elements
The structure of such spreads includes specially developed positions to explore the querent’s question on a specific topic. The meanings of the positions reflect life circumstances or psychological aspects of the querent. For example, spreads on relationships between a man and a woman, relationships in marriage, family, with children, or at work; spreads on financial status and career growth; spreads for a trip or resolving domestic issues. This type of Tarot spread is convenient for detailed analysis of a specific topic.
Example of a Thematic Spreads
1 — The main cause of financial difficulties in the present
2 — The situation or circumstances that will help you improve your financial situation
3 — What personal qualities are needed to increase your material wealth
4 — What needs to be done to improve your well-being
1 — The querent’s current professional situation
2 — Potential career opportunities
3 — What I must do to achieve success
4 — What should be avoided
5 — The future of the querent’s professional life
1 — The current situation of the sale
2 — Obstacles
3 — Opportunities
4 — The querent’s concerns
5 — How the situation will develop if the querent takes no action
6 — What needs to be done to influence the outcome
7 — The final outcome of the sale
1 — What Partner 1 is thinking
2 — What Partner 2 is thinking
3 — What Partner 1 is feeling
4 — What Partner 2 is feeling
5 — Actions of Partner 1
6 — Actions of Partner 2
7 — What is between the partners, what connects or separates them
1 — Will the surgery improve the condition?
2 — How will the body react to the surgical intervention?
3 — What are the capabilities of the doctors?
4 — Are the timing and scheduling of the surgery optimal?
5 — How will the surgery go?
6 — The prognosis of the disease in the future
Spreads can be oriented toward the past (What was?), present (What is?), or future (What will be?) depending on the questions.
This type of spread is focused on predicting the future. These spreads answer the most common questions clients ask a Tarot reader — “What will happen?”
Analytical spreads focus on analyzing a situation or condition and answer the question “What is happening?”
These spreads answer the question “What should I do? How should I act?” Based on the results of the spread, the Tarot reader can provide recommendations to the client, not in the form of advice, but as information that the client can use at their discretion.
This type of spread is aimed at exploring the queries related to the personality and actions of a person. “What is he/she like? Why do they behave this way? What feelings do they have toward me? Do they love me?” and so on. Spreads for these types of questions often include recommendations — for example, how to behave in a situation with an existing partner or how to find a new one.
Psychological spreads also address issues such as decision-making, self-discovery, and finding one’s path.
Example of a Psychological Spread
1 — Character traits, personality features, interests
2 — The person’s strength, their virtues
3 — The person’s weak side, their flaws
4 — Life purpose
It is common for clients to think in karmic terms and seek to understand the cause-and-effect relationships not only in their present life but also in their past. These clients often ask questions like “Why is this happening to me?” For them, Tarot readers have specifically developed spreads where the positions reflect such cause-and-effect connections.
Example of a Karmic Spread
1 — The problem in this life that you are facing
2 — The problem in a past life that is still unresolved
3 — How the past life is influencing you now
4 — The lesson meant for your soul
5 — The repetition that connects your lives
6 — What is needed to learn this lesson
7 — What awaits you when the lesson is learned
This type of spread has a specific goal — to determine whether there is so-called negativity, a curse, or the evil eye. Since this request is often voiced by the client, each Tarot reader has certain signifiers that indicate possible influence, which may appear in specific positions of the spread.
Example of a Spread for Magical Influence
1 — Is there any manifestation of negative magical influence on the querent?
2 — Which area of life is most affected?
3 — Who is the attacker?
4 — What goals did the malicious person have?
5 — Ways to remove the influence
6 — Final outcome
These spreads are at the intersection of Tarot and magic. Typically, specialists in the magical field take on the task of correcting the future. What does correction mean? It simply involves replacing the cards in the spread — cards in the positions for the present and/or future that do not satisfy the client are completely replaced with the desired cards. A specific ritual, such as visualization and verbalization of the desired outcome, is conducted during this process.
Quick Guidance on the Present Moment
The three-card tarot spread is one of the simplest yet most effective spreads, offering quick insights into a situation’s past, present, and future. It’s ideal for anyone seeking a straightforward answer to a specific question, whether personal, romantic, or professional.
Past Card: This card reveals past events or decisions that led to the current situation. Understanding past influences can help clarify why you are where you are today.
Present Card: It sheds light on the current moment, allowing you to see your circumstances and emotions more clearly.
Future Card: Offers a glimpse into the potential outcome based on current circumstances. If no changes are made, this card indicates the direction events are heading.
Example: If you’re wondering about the future of your romantic relationship, this spread can reveal how past events shaped your current situation and what to expect moving forward.
A Deeper, More Comprehensive Analysis
The horseshoe spread consists of five cards and is ideal for questions that require a more detailed analysis. Unlike the three-card spread, it provides a broader understanding of the forces shaping your situation.
Present Card: Reveals your current state of mind and approach to the question.
Immediate Future: Offers insight into what’s coming up soon.
Core of the Issue: The most significant card, representing the root cause of your concern.
Short-Term Outlook: Shows the next steps and possible outcomes.
Long-Term Outlook: Gives an idea of how things may unfold in the future, highlighting potential challenges and opportunities.
This spread is particularly useful for decision-making and problem-solving, offering a well-rounded perspective on a situation.
Clarity Before Making a Big Decision
The Two Paths Spread is recommended for those facing a decision and needing to choose between multiple options. This seven-card spread helps map out the potential consequences of two different decisions.
Example: If you’re considering a career change but unsure whether to stay in your current job or take a new opportunity, this spread can help visualize the possible outcomes of each path.
Analyzing Love & Connections
The Relationship Spread is one of the most effective spreads when it comes to relationships. Whether you want to explore a romantic, family, friendship, or business relationship, this spread helps reveal the dynamics and future of the connection.
This spread is especially useful for those looking for guidance on whether to stay in a relationship, work through issues, or move on.
A Deep Dive into Any Situation
The Celtic Cross Spread is one of the most popular and widely used tarot spreads. This ten-card spread provides a thorough overview of the situation, covering past influences, current state, and future outlook.
This spread is perfect when you need a comprehensive, big-picture perspective on your life.
Each tarot spread offers a unique approach to understanding life’s questions and challenges. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best spread for your situation:
Need a quick answer? The Three-Card Spread is perfect.
Want a deeper analysis? Try the Horseshoe Spread.
Facing a major decision? Use the Two Paths Spread.
Looking for love guidance? The Relationship Spread will help.
Need a full life overview? The Celtic Cross Spread is the way to go.
Tarot is a powerful tool for introspection and decision-making. The more you practice, the more intuitive your readings will become. Try out these spreads and let the wisdom of the cards guide you toward clarity and confidence in your path ahead.
Tarot spreads offer a unique and insightful way to explore life’s mysteries and challenges, whether you’re seeking guidance for the present, answers to questions about the past, or a glimpse into your future. With so many different layouts to choose from, there’s always a spread that can meet your needs, whether it’s for self-discovery, healing, or forecasting.
Have you tried any of these spreads before? Or perhaps you have your own favorite layout that helps you navigate life’s challenges? Feel free to share your thoughts or spreads in the comments below — I’d love to hear how Tarot has worked for you!
Remember, the world of Tarot is vast, and your personal journey with it is what makes it truly special.
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