About the Tarot Spreads  

Single Card Draw:

Difficulty:  Easiest

The single card draw is best for times when you want to focus on one thing without any potential complications.  It can be used for just about any question you can ask, including to draw a card of the day, week, or even your ultimate destiny.  It can also be used in succession, as some readers like to pull one card at a time as a story unfolds.  Some readers don't even like to use actual spreads, relying on this method alone.

Past/Present/Future
3-card Draw:

Past	Present	Future

Difficulty:  Very easy

This 3-card draw is a small chronological spread that will shed light on the influences that are now behind you, current influences, and what is approaching in the near future.  Not much explanation is necessary, as the spread is so exceedingly simplistic.  Since any fool could understand this spread, it can be found on practically every tarot reading site and instruction book.

The Blind Spot:

	Known to self		NOT known to self
Known to others
NOT known to others

Difficulty:  depends on one's ability to objectively view the self

This spread is used to enhance self-awareness.  Questions about learning something about yourself or things that are hidden work very well with this spread, but actually no question is necessary. 

1. This card displays the obvious identity, the part of your self that you are consciously aware of and project to others.
   
   
2. This card shows unconscious driving forces that neither you nor others are aware of about you.  This is the Great Unknown.  Nobody knows what this card means.
   
   
3. The part of yourself that you conceal, that you don't want others to know about is apparent in this card.
   
   
4. This is your Blind Spot.  This is what you asked about which you should be made aware of by this reading.  You may wish to pay close attention to these mannerisms.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

The Cross

	DO this
It deals with		Do NOT do this
	It leads to

Difficulty:  Easy

The Cross Spread is good for questions asking for advice.  It can also be used to determine the meaning of a confusing card from a previous reading, or for that matter, to shed light on other points of confusion as well.

In questions asking advice, this spread is self-explanatory.  The main thing is to determine the difference between cards #2 and #3.  #1 is the topic and #4 is the result.

In questions regarding confusion, such as: "What was the meaning of Card (X) in the last spread?"  the main thing is also to determine the difference between cards #2 and #3.  In this case, Card #2 will show what the card was not referring to, and Card #3 will show what the card really meant.  #1 is the topic and #4 represents the purpose it serves.

The Horse Shoe Spread

		Obstacle
Hidden Influences				External Influences
The Present				Suggestion
Past Influences				Outcome

Difficulty:  Fairly Easy

The Horse Shoe is an old classic tarot spread.  It is more advanced than the 3-card reading, yet simpler than most other spreads.  It is a versatile method that can be used for most queries, though there are other spreads which would go into more depth.  Like the simple Past, Present, and Future spread, it contains these cards in positions 1, 2, and 7, but also has 4 other cards that help the reader understand how to deal with the Future better.  The cards are to be read as follows:

1. The Past:  This card represents past events that are affecting the question.
   
   
2. The Present:  This card represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
   
   
3. Hidden Influences:  Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
   
   
4. This is the challenge.  Obstacles might be avoided, or you may have to deal with them.
   
   
5. External Influences:  Attitudes and thoughts about this situation from people around the querent.
   
   
6. Suggestions:  Recommended course of action. 
   
   
7. The Final Outcome: This card represents what would happen if the suggestion is followed.

The Ankh:

Higher Perceptions
Early Causes		Triggering Causes
Necessary Conclusions
Cross 1		Cross 2
The Next Step
Surprising Experiences
Outcome

Difficulty:  Kind of tough

The Ankh Spread is for deeper questions about the causes behind trends.  It is similar to the Celtic Cross and Secret of the High Priestess spreads, but it covers the reasons behind the circumstances in question differently, perhaps giving a better explanation of why things are the way they are.

The loop of the upper section of the ankh shows the deeper spiritual background and causes of the situation, while the stem of the base shows your prospects for the outcome.

The first 2 cards represent the 2 parent causes of the situation.  They will either compliment each other or show 2 opposing sides of a conflict, depending on how they relate.  These are the significator cards of the Ankh spread.

3.  This card shows the early causes of the trend in question.

4.  Shows the causes that triggered the current situation.

5.  Reveals the spiritual perspective of the subject at hand.

6.  This card informs the querent of the reasons why the spirit demanded this course of action to unfold, in that it was a means to this end.  This can not be avoided.

At this point, you want to pause to soak in the meaning of the first 6 cards before moving forward to the last 3 cards.  The last 3 will show your prospects for the future.

7.  The Next Step gives clues about the immediate future.

8.  Surprising Experiences encountered en route to the end result.

9.  This represents the end result.

The Celtic Cross

Before

Crowns it Crosses it This is it Rests upon

After

Where it leads Hopes/Fears Environment Querent

difficulty:  Average

1. The significator shows what the reading deals with, the initial situation.
   
   
2. An added impulse that compounds the significator, which may be either complimentary or contradictory.
   
   
3. This is what the querent is consciously aware of (thoughts).
   
   
4. Unconscious driving forces the querent may not be aware of (emotions).
   
   
5. The immediate past regarding the current situation.
   
   
6. The first future card indicates the immediate future.
   
   
7. This card represents the querent and their attitude towards cards #1 and #2.
   
   
8. The external influences, the places and people which influence the topic.
   
   
9. This card is the querent's expectations;  what is secretly hoped for or feared.
   
   
10. The second future card shows the longer-term outcome.

The Secret of the
High Priestess

Waxing	Full Moon	Waning
Significators
Dark	Secret	Light
	Next Step

Difficulty:  Average

This spread is a nice alternative to the Celtic Cross, which covers basically the same ground.  It is useful when a question doesn't quite call for the Ankh spread.  This spread is helpful when you are looking into a current trend.  The High Priestess may or may not present a mysterious secret to be analyzed after the rest of the spread.

1. and 2.  Main impulses that represent the topic at hand.  They may compliment or oppose one another.

3.  This is the current influence at this time.

5.  The Waning Moon is the influence that you are putting behind you, what is moving into the past.

4.  The Waxing Moon indicates what is on the horizon, or the approaching influence.  This is the immediate future.

7.  The Light is what is clearly recognized, what is conscious.

6.  The Dark shows what is there but not fully perceived, though noticed on a deeper level of consciousness.

8.  The Next Step is the near future, where this journey will take you.

9.  The last card, if it happens to be of the Major Arcana, reveals the Secret of the High Priestess.  This is a special message that you should pay extra special attention to.

Difficulty:  Complicated

The Golden Dawn spread is best suited for use with the bifrost Tarot.  With this deck, the spread is set up to read a certain way with the Court cards.  Princes and Queens represent actual men and women connected with the matter, while Princesses generally represent ideas; thoughts or opinions, and Knights represent arrival or departure of a matter depending on the direction faced.

In this spread, particular attention should be payed to a card's exact position in relation to its neighbors.  Whether the neighbor cards bear the same energy (suit) determines whether a card is considered well- or ill-dignified.  Opposite suits ill-dignify each other, while other suits are considered friendly.  Cards of the same suit strengthen each other.

As with other spreads, it is important to count the cards' tendencies, such as whether there is a lot of one particular suit or number pattern.  The patterns will reveal special messages.  Lots of Majors indicates higher forces at work, lots of cups suggest strong emotions, etc.

The Golden Dawn Spread

Alternate path (or possibly an extension of the current path)				Current path
	Querent
Psychological basis				Karma

The Golden Dawn Method

Alternate path (or extension of current path)				Current path you are on
	Querent
Psychological basis				Karma

Card #1 represents the querent and the nature of the topic at hand.

Cards #2 & #3 are used in conjunction with #1 to further comprehend the nature of the topic.

The 2 sets of 3 cards at the top of the spread represent chronological sets of events.  Your current path as it would unfold naturally is represented by cards #4, #8, & #12.  The alternate path that you could take is represented by cards #13, #9, & #5. However, if you get the feeling these cards are telling you that they go together, then the alternate path is to be considered an extension of your current path, and to be read chronologically in this order: #4, #8, #12, #13, #9, #5. But keep in mind:  this is only if the two paths seem particularly similar.

Cards #14, #10, & #6 shed light upon the psychological undertones of the current issue.

Cards #7, #11, & #15 represent the influences of karma and destiny that are beyond the querent's control.  These cards suggest adapting to this fate.

Relationship Spread #1

	Querent		Partner
Rational
Emotional		Significator
External Stance

Difficulty:  Easy

This spread is easy to read, like a convenient chart.  In this spread, court cards generally indicate actual people with the same characteristics.  Knights (or corresponding Princes, but not Kings) and Queens represent actual men and women in this tarot spread.  Look for patterns in the cards as always.

Card #1 is the overall significator of the relationship.  The 2 columns on either side of the significator characterize each individual's role in the relationship.  The relationship does not have to be romantic.  In fact it could be a relationship between a person and a group, or even how 2 groups relate.

The top row, cards #7 & 2, shows the conscious thoughts of each person, or what they think about the relationship and likewise how they view their partner. 

The middle row, cards #6 & 3, shows the way each individual feels about the other.  Emotional awareness corresponds to a person's unconscious thoughts that run deep, effecting a person in ways he or she is not fully aware of.

The bottom row, cards #5 & 4, represents the way each person behaves, in other words the stance taken regarding the relationship.  The way a person acts may be genuine, but sometimes people are phony and manipulative, so it is best to weigh this card against your partner's other cards to determine if they match up.

Relationship Spread #2

	Mutual goals
Other's persona	Connection (present)	Your persona
What they offer	Common base (past)	What you offer

Difficulty:  Easy

This relationship spread focuses more on the common ground of the relationship, with 3 cards in the middle column showing the common ground.  The middle column essentially shows the past, present, and future of the relationship. 

Card #4 shows the common base of the relationship, which may be thought of as the past events which have shaped their characters, bringing them together.  Card #3 represents the current connection that binds them together, the values they share.  Card #7 shows the common goals that would keep them together moving into the future.

The columns on either side show what each partner brings to the table.  Remember, relationships need not be romantic, and they partners could even be groups rather than individuals, whatever you choose.  In this layout, the other person is on the left hand side, and you, the querent on the right.

Cards #1 & 2 indicate the separate personalities of each member of the relationship.  These cards form a sort of bridge with the cards beneath them, #5 & 6, which show the qualities that each partner offers the other person, and thus to the relationship as a whole.

Difficulty:  Somewhat Complicated

Casually referred to as The Love Triangle, this spread can be used to determine the dynamics of the relationship between 3 people, whether or not romance is involved.  This spread is drawn in the form of a hexagram, consisting of several large and small triangles.  This spread may be somewhat complicated, but it is not entirely that difficult.

The first step is to interpret the card for each individual position in the spread.  Generally the querent asks about a relationship that he or she is involved with, but this does not have to be the case.  Ordinarily the querent's representative card is #1, the querent's person of interest is #2, and the other person would be #3.

The second step fills in the downward triangle and involves further examination of the individuals through their views of the other people.  Each person has 2 more cards showing the way they see and relate to the other members of the triangle.  For example, Card #6 shows how Person #3 relates to Person #1, while Card #9 shows Person #1's attitude toward Person #3.

The next step completes the upward triangle and the hexagram, focusing on cards 10-13.  It also completes the many smaller triangles and shows the potential for each relationship.  The final card, #13 can be considered the significator of the reading, which shows the overall potential for this 3-way relationship.

Relationship Spread #3
The Love Triangle

			Outcome 2+3
Person #3		3 to 2		2 to 3		Person #2
	3 to 1		Overall Outcome		2 to 1
Outcome 1+3		1 to 3		1 to 2		Outcome 1+2
			Person #1

The Decision

Significator

Difficulty:  Easy

This simple but highly useful spread calls for a question to be asked in this format:

"What happens if I do (X), and what happens if I do not do (X)?"

Please note that it should not be viewed as a decision between 2 different options, but about whether or not a single option should be exercised.  A second option would call for a separate reading.

Card #7 is the significator, the overall theme of the query.

Cards #3, #1, & #5 represent the chronological sequence of events that occurs if you choose to do (X).

Cards #4, #2, & #6 represent the chronological sequence of events that unfolds if you choose NOT to do (X).

The Path

	Current		Suggested
Rational
Emotional
External Stance

Difficulty:  Easy

For the Path, the querent asks for suggestions on how to behave properly in order to achieve a desired result.  The Current column shows how the querent has been acting, and the Suggested column suggests how the querent should act in order to achieve a certain goal.  The chart-like spread uses the standard 3 levels:  Rational, Emotional, and External Stance (how one projects one's self outwardly).  When comparing the Current to Suggested cards, the most important thing is to notice the differences between the 2 cards.  It is these differences which hint at the behaviors that you should think about changing.

Card #1 is the significator, the card which should reflect the nature of the query and/or the desired outcome.

Card #2 shows the way you are and have been thinking.  Card #7 shows how you need to change the way you think in order to serve yourself better.

Card #3 tells you about your emotional attitude.  Though it may seem difficult to manipulate one's own emotions, it can be done if you put your mind to it.  For example, acting a certain way such as smiling intently for a few minutes will lead the emotions to follow.  If you try this, as silly as the exercise seems, you will find that this evokes the emotion of happiness.  For this reading, you should try to make yourself feel the way that Card #6 tells you.

External Stance means how you act outwardly, how you hope others see you.  Card #4 tells you how you were acting, while #5 indicates how you should act outwardly, for other people's sake.  It is the differences between these cards that hint at what behavior patterns should be altered.

The Game Plan

Unconscious driving force		External attitudes
	Significator
How it succeeds		How it does NOT succeed

Difficulty:  Easy

When you have a certain plan in mind, this simple 5-card spread presents a choice, hinting at what action or attitude should be taken for your plan to succeed, and what should be avoided in order to help your plan work out for the best.

The initial card is laid in the center of the layout, the significator.  The following 4 cards are laid out clockwise around the significator.

In this spread, the second card shows what drives you, but also says you are not fully conscious of this, perhaps even completely unaware of it.  It gives you a hint as to the reason that you strive for your goal.

The third card shows what others think of you and your goals.  You may or may not be aware of this.  Sometimes other people factor into your plans, and sometimes they don't.

The fourth card shows what you should not do.  If things are permitted to go down this path, your plan will collapse.

The fifth card is a hint as to how to make your plan work out favorably.  The idea that this card presents should be followed in order to make your plan a success.  It is the differences between Cards #4 and #5 that should be noted, as the differences provide the clues you need.

Difficulty:  Complicated

The Astrological Reading is based on houses of astrology.  This complicated spread takes several steps to understand. 

The first step is to interpret the card for each individual position in the spread.

The second step involves further examination of the main axes.  Positions 1 & 7 show the relationship theme, #1 representing you, #7 your partner.  Positions 4 & 10 indicate motion.  #4 shows where you are, and #10 shows what you are moving towards. 

The third step involves breaking down the chart into triads according to their house elements. 

Positions 1, 5, & 9 represent the Fire triad, which shows about temperment and personal development.

Positions 2, 6, & 10 represent the Earth triad, which is concerned with materialism, money, and work.

Positions 3, 7, & 11 represent the Air triad, which has to do with thoughts, ideas, and connections with other people.

Positions 4, 8, & 12 represent the Water triad, which is the realm of emotions, moods, intuition, and yearnings.

Further, you may connect other patterns and correlations between certain numbers.  Certain numbers such as the set of 5, 7, & 8 often speak about a particular theme.

The Astrological Tarot Reading

			Public Recognition
		Friends		Higher Perceptions
	Hopes & Fears				Hidden Aspects
Basic Mood						Partnership
	Finances				Work
		Everyday Experiences		Fun Things
			The Home

Difficulty:  Complicated

Basically there is the main pyramid in the center, and two smaller pyramids each side.  One is inverted.

Positions 1 – 3 represent where you have come from, or what has made you/shaped you on the various levels.  Can be from environment, upbringing, schooling etc.  A look at the past, but with more objectivity than is usually given when using tarot cards.

Positions 4 – 5 represent “who you are now.”  May or may not make pleasant reading but hey, this is what this is about right?

Position 6 represents “who you could be.”  Again it might or might not look good, but you can learn from that and change who you are now accordingly.  (This is a bit like how Scrooge did things in a Christmas Carol)

Positions 7-8 are your strengths.  The light you have which can be bought to the forefront.  What carries you and should not be hidden or unacknowledged.

Position 9 represents what you should be giving to yourself or creating within. 

Position 10 – 11 represent personal areas for development or weaknesses.  Again might not make good reading but if you look at your strengths first you will be able to see a balance is there and you can choose to focus on one side or the other… your choice.  This is where you could really see how your shadow side comes into play.

Position 12 represents what you should be offering externally, or what you can bring to your world or others who inhabit that world.

The Self-Actualization Pyramids Spread

Strength #1		Strength #2			Exhibit
	Nurture			Weakness #1		Weakness #2
			Potential
		Now #1		Now #2
	Base #1		Base #2		Base #3

Comic Spread

Difficulty:  Fairly simple

The Comic Book Spread is a 9-card chronological spread that reads like a comic book page.  This method may be used to get a glimpse of the future as it would pan out naturally.  You may want to check this with your biorythms.

There are actually 12 squares, but 4 of the cells are merged so that the significator, the beginning card is the size of 4 cards.  The spread is easy to read as a story, just like a comic book. 

The main subject and beginning of the story is apparent in the large card, while the story plays out through the small cards.

Pay particular attention to the cards and the relationships to their neighbors.  Notice which directions the people on the cards are facing, and how they interact.

Note:  This spread works best with decks like the Diary of a Broken Soul or Surrealist Tarot because they display scenes and don't use reversals.