Learning Tarot Spreads

From LoveToKnow Horoscopes

Learning tarot spreads comes with time and practice, as do most aspects of tarot card reading. There are hundreds of different spreads used for different types of readings. Many tarot readers feel that using too many cards can dilute the meaning of the cards and cause the message of the reading to become less clear. This is not always the case, but when you are learning to read the tarot, using more cards does not necessarily mean you'll wind up with a better reading.

Learn about the different tarot spreads.

Small Tarot Spreads

A small tarot card spread of one to four card positions is easy to interpret and use. Using a smaller spread is a good way to gain some basic insights and information to a query. Working with smaller layouts is a good way to practice while you are learning tarot spreads.

One Card Reading

Drawing one card, from anywhere in the deck, allows you to receive an overall message for the day or a simple answer to a question. It is a good habit when you are learning to read tarot cards to do a one card reading for yourself every morning. This will allow you to get to know your cards, and learn to interpret their messages.

The Past, Present, Future Spread

This three card spread is laid out with all three cards next to one another in a horizontal line. Card one represents the past, card two represents the present, and card three represents the future.

What's Ahead of Me? Spread

This spread uses four cards laid out in a cross pattern. The first card is laid at the bottom, and the second card is placed above and to the left of the first card. The third card is placed directly above the first card, and the fourth card goes next to the second card.

The first card represents people/things you must let go of or move away from. The card in the second position shows what you must face. Card number three tells you about information you need and may not be aware of, while the fourth card shows what you can accomplish.

Intermediate Tarot Spreads

Tarot card spreads that consist of five to nineteen cards are generally considered to be medium in size. This type of spread takes longer to interpret, but offers more in depth information if you need it. Here are a few popular intermediate tarot spreads.

The Career Spread

This is a five card, horizontal layout with the third card placed slightly higher than the other four cards. The card in the first position illuminates the past and why you took the job that you have. Card two answers whether you made the right choice of jobs. The third card represents the obstacles that you are facing, while the fourth card shows the things that are in your favor. The fifth and final card advises how to proceed to make progress.

The Bird Spread

This tarot layout consists of seven or eight cards. The first seven cards are placed in numeric order one through seven in a "V" shape with the fourth card in the middle or point of the "V". If an eighth card is used, it will be placed directly below the fourth card. The card meanings are as follows:

Your question, or what is on your mind
The influences in your life at the moment
Steps needed to create a resolution
Where your course of action will lead you
Unexpected influences that will affect the situation
Insight to possible personal resources that may create a solution
Future outcomes of the present course of action
Overall meaning of the reading

The Celtic Cross Spread

This is possibly the most popular tarot card spread, and it consists of ten cards. Lay the first card in the center of the table vertically; place the second card over the top of the first card horizontally. The third card is placed in line with the first card below it, while the fourth card should lay next to the first card on its left side. The fifth card is placed above the first card, and to complete the cross, the sixth card is on the right side of the first card. The second part of the Celtic cross is cards seven, eight, nine and ten laid in a vertical line with the seventh card at the bottom and the tenth card at the top. These cards are placed on the right side of the cross.

The card position meanings are:

The primary factor
Reinforcing factor
The unknown
The past
Conscious influences
The future
You
Expectations of others
Other factors, perhaps unknown
The probable outcome

More Resources for Learning Tarot Spreads

Joan Bunning has written a very informative book on this topic. Learning Tarot Spreads covers the spreads, the position meanings, the shape of the layouts, and gives you practice exercises to deepen your insights into tarot spreads.

There are several online workshops available as well.

Learning the Tarot is a free online course that gives a thorough overview for reading tarot cards.
The Aeclectic Tarot offers a downloadable Tarot Spreads e-book for $6.95 on its website. The book covers a variety of tarot card layouts and the card meanings.

One of the best ways to learn to read tarot cards is to practice using them. Once you have learned the meanings of the cards, understanding the positions in a tarot layout will become second nature.

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