Throughout history, various types of Tarot spreads and methods of interpreting the cards have been developed. Depending on our purpose when interpreting them, we will choose one alternative or another. Discover which type of spread suits your questions.
The Simple Spread
As its name suggests, this spread is one of the simplest, highly recommended for those who are just starting with Tarot. Both the Major and Minor Arcana are used, although it can also be done solely with the Major Arcana deck.
With this spread, we can answer a simple question. The querent must choose three cards at random. These cards symbolize the following:
- The first card represents the past.
- The second card represents the present.
- The third card represents the future.
If the answer is not very precise or clear, we can repeat the process by choosing three new cards that will provide additional meanings.
The Grand Game Spread
To perform this spread, we first shuffle the Minor Arcana deck and then take the first twelve cards. These twelve cards are placed on a table in a circle, like a clock, starting at nine and continuing counterclockwise.
The next step is to shuffle the Major Arcana and divide them into three piles. The querent must choose one of the three piles. From the chosen pile, we take the first four cards and place them between cards 2 and 12, 11 and 9, 8 and 6, and 3 and 5, respectively.
We will have 3 cards left from the chosen pile, which we will arrange in a triangle in the center.
The querent’s card is placed in the center of the triangle. If it appears in another position, it will be replaced by another card chosen at random. To interpret the spread, we must consider the positions of the Major and Minor Arcana.
- The first Major Arcana among the minors reflects the beginning.
- The second Major Arcana reflects the culmination.
- The third Major Arcana reflects the decline.
- The fourth Major Arcana reflects the fall.
- The cards forming the triangle reflect the special character of the Horoscope in the past, present, and future.
- The Minor Arcana from 7 to 12 reflect the future, from 4 to 7 the present, and from 1 to 4 the past.
The Josephine Peladan Cross Spread
The Josephine Peladan Spread is similar to the Cross Spread, with the difference that in this spread, we add one more card in the center.
To find this card, we sum the numbers of the four cards. The chosen card will show the immediate future solution to the query.
- The first card reflects the current state of the querent.
- The second card reflects the external world influencing the querent.
- The third card reflects the feelings, mood, and ideas of the querent.
- The fourth card reflects the final destiny of the situation.
The Simple Cross Spread
With the Simple Cross Spread, we can obtain various answers about the past and the future. The cards should be arranged as follows:
We start with the card on the left (card 1), then move counterclockwise.
- The first card reflects the querent’s past or the origin of the query. For example, if the query is about love, it will show the querent’s past relationships.
- The second card reflects the obstacles the querent will face in carrying out the query. Using the same example about love, this card might show who does not support or who acts against the querent.
- The third card reflects the positive aspects that help the querent achieve their goal.
- The fourth card reflects the immediate future (days, weeks, or months).
- The fifth card also reflects the future, but this time the more distant future (months or years).
- The sixth card is the only one not situated in the cross. It is considered the final answer to the querent’s query, and this answer can be long-term or short-term after the query.
The Clementine Spread
This card spread is named Clementine in honor of the wife of a great cartomancer.
To begin, we must distribute five cards from left to right, interpreting them in the same order. Therefore, the prediction would be as follows:
- The first card reflects the past and the origin of the problem.
- The second card reflects the negative or positive influences of the present or a more recent past.
- The third card tells us the current state of the querent.
- The fourth card reflects the negative or positive influences of the present or an immediate future.
- The fifth card tells us the future, revealing the solution to the querent’s problem or question.
Finally, the fifth card, situated on the right, marks the future, showing the solution to the querent’s question.
The Celtic Cross Spread
For the Celtic Cross Spread, the entire deck is used, including both the Major and Minor Arcana. This Tarot spread is used to answer a specific question.
We follow this process:
We start by selecting the significator that fits both the querent and the question they ask.
Then we shuffle the deck well, and the querent cuts the deck into three piles. These cards are placed face down from left to right.
We have the option to look at the first card of each pile to get a general idea. This is optional; we can also take the three piles from right to left, holding them face down in the left palm.
- The first card is placed on the significator.
- The second card is placed to the right of the first.
- The third card is placed below the significator.
- The fourth card is placed behind the significator, to the left.
- The fifth card is placed above the significator.
Then we create a vertical row with the remaining four cards, starting with the seventh card at the bottom. This way, we have a total of 10 cards along with the significator.
If the spread is dominated by the Major Arcana, it means that there are strong forces in the querent’s life, potentially having a significant influence on the subconscious. Essentially, the querent will not have control to change the situation.
If any figure from any suit covers the significator, we must start reading the other cards. This procedure is important as we need to decide if the significator represents the querent or another person.
We will focus on position number 10, as if a figure appears, it may indicate that a person of the same color or age could determine the outcome.
Each position of the Celtic Cross has its own meaning, and the tenth card will influence everything drawn from the other cards.
If the result of the first spread is not convincing, then a second spread should be performed on top of the first, with the tenth card as the significator.
The ten positions of the Celtic Cross Spread are as follows:
- 1. The card covering the querent: Reflects the present situation of the question.
- 2. The card crossing the querent: Reflects the obstacles and influences related to the question.
- 3. The card beneath the querent: Reflects the recent past influences affecting the question.
- 4. The card behind the querent: Reflects what happened in the past that forms the basis of the question.
- 5. The card crowning the querent: Reflects the current outcome for the querent.
- 6. The card before the querent: Reflects the influence of an immediate future on the question.
- 7. The row of four cards: Reflects the querent’s fears.
- 8. Family and friends: Reflects the opinions of the querent’s family and friends.
- 9. Positive emotions: Reflects what the querent desires and hopes for.
- 10. The outcome: Reflects the final resolution to the querent’s question.
The Hexagram Spread
The Hexagram Spread is primarily used to answer a specific question. In this case, six cards and the significator are used, with the significator placed in the center.
The cards should be dealt starting from the top and following the clockwise direction.
The upper triangle formed by cards 1, 2, and 6 are related to each other, and their interpretation is positive. On the other hand, the lower triangle formed by cards 3, 4, and 5 refers to the negative influences acting on the querent.
The Quick Spread
This spread should only be used in situations of great importance, something essential. We start by shuffling the Major Arcana, then the querent places them in three piles, face down, from left to right.
Next, we turn the three piles face up. We take the first three cards and place them beside, also from left to right.
We repeat this until we have two rows of cards. The central cards of these rows are the most important in this spread, as they will give the answer to the problem.
- The upper row (1, 2, and 3): Predicts events that will occur in the near future.
- The lower row (4, 5, and 6): Predicts events that will occur in the distant future.
- Cards 4 and 5: Tells us what will happen unexpectedly, or the obstacles that will be found.
- Letters 1 and 4: He mentions the beneficial and practical influences.
The Cross Spread
The Cross Spread is one of the most commonly used and simplest spreads. The querent begins by shuffling the cards while focusing solely on their question, allowing the cards to absorb their emotions and thoughts.
Next, four cards are placed on the table in the following order: left, right, top, and bottom. Each card has a specific meaning:
– The left card reveals the querent’s current state.
– The right card reflects the external world, encompassing everything surrounding the querent that may influence them.
– The top card delves into the querent’s feelings, moods, ideas, and sensations.
– The bottom card predicts the outcome, providing a solution to the problem.
The Three-Card Spread
In the Three-Card Spread, three cards are laid out from left to right. A fourth card is then added, which is the sum of the numbers on the first three cards.
If the sum exceeds 22, the digits are added together to determine the fourth card. The interpretation is as follows:
– The first card predicts the querent’s current situation.
– The second and third cards show the evolution of the situation.
– The fourth card represents the future and resolution.
This simple spread can also answer specific questions. In such cases, the querent selects four cards, which are then placed as shown in the image below.
The two cards in the top row provide the answer to the querent’s question, while the two cards in the bottom row indicate the effects.
The Yes or No Spread
This spread is designed to answer a specific question from the querent. The querent selects a number between 1 and 22, corresponding to one of the major arcana. The spread follows a specific layout, as shown in the image above.
Depending on the position of the chosen arcana, the answer varies:
– If the card is in the first row, it indicates “yes immediately.”
– If the card is in the second row, it indicates “no, never.”
– If the card is in the third row, it indicates “yes, in the near future.”
– If the card is in the fourth row, it indicates “yes, through willpower.”
– If the card is in the fifth row, it indicates “yes, through external intervention.”
– If the card is in the sixth row, it indicates “no, due to external causes.”
If the card is not in any of the rows, it suggests that there is currently no answer to the query, as the querent’s situation may still change for various reasons.
The Simple Two-Card Spread
This spread is very easy to perform, making it one of the simplest. The querent selects two cards from a fan made with the Major Arcana deck.
– The first card illustrates the querent’s current situation.
– The second card varies in meaning from good to bad, depending on its position when revealed, whether upright or reversed.
The Mirror Spread
For this spread, the querent selects a card from the Major Arcana deck, which is placed face up. After this step, nine more cards are chosen and arranged according to the following layout:
– The first card indicates the querent’s current situation.
– The second card represents their thoughts.
– The third card reveals their emotional state.
– The fourth card predicts upcoming events.
– The fifth card highlights potential unforeseen events.
– The sixth card shows their thoughts.
– The seventh card reveals events the querent is unaware of.
– The eighth card shows the consequences of their actions.
– The ninth card predicts the distant future.
