Some Tarot Spreads

Some Tarot Spreads

~Spread for Determining a Course of Action~

1. Card 1: The present or general theme of the reading.
2. Card 2: Past influences still having effect.
3. Card 3: The future.
4. Card 4: The reason behind the question (this will probably shed light on 2).
5. Card 5: The potential within the situation.

-This is a very useful spread when trying to decide a given course of action. Card 4 will often reveal a subconscious impulse - perhaps a blockage which is stopping you from achieving your desired result. Card 5 shows the possible results from taking a given course of action. The spread works best if, whilst selecting the cards, you concentrate on one aspect of the decision, rather than either/or type questions.

~Ellipse Spread~

1. Card 1: Past influences now having bearing on the situation.
2. Card 2: Now - the influences surrounding you at the minute. 
3. Card 3: Future influence having bearing.
4. Card 4: What to do.
5. Card 5: External influences having bearing. 
6. Card 6: Hopes and fears.
7. Card 7: Final outcome of this situation.

-I find Card 4 particularly useful, especially if you read it against the ‘working with’ section. It allows you to get a handle on the things you need to be doing to help yourself in this situation now.

~The Celtic Cross Spread~

1. Card 1: The present.
2. Card 2: The immediate challenge facing the querent. You will often pull a difficult card here, which will indicate an obstacle that must be overcome. When you pull a “good” card here, examine it carefully because it will still represent a challenge.
3. Card 3: Distant past, foundation. This card should indicate the root of the subject matter of the question.
4. Card 4: More recent past, including events. This will indicate events taking place, not necessarily directly connected to the question. For example, if a love affair going wrong, Card 3 would show the root of why it is going wrong, whereas Card 4 will show something that recently happened to reflect this. You could see this as a “check comment” card - a way of seeing that the reading is sound.
5. Card 5: The best that can be achieved. This is directly related to the question. Note that this may not necessarily gel against Card 10 - it depends whether you are able to get the best. However, a negative card here probably means that it is worth cutting your losses rather than putting any more effort into the situation.
6. Card 6: Immediate Future. This indicates events in the next few days or week(s). This reading does not cover months.
7. Card 7: Factors or inner feelings affecting the situation. Compare this against Card 1 in order to understand underlying forces/trends. If there is conflict between them, this tends to indicate that the querent is going in the wrong direction.
8. Card 8: External influences. People, energies, or events which will affect the outcome of the question and are beyond the querent’s control.
9. Card 9: Hopes or fears around the situation. This may produce a card that confuses us badly. Always bear in mind that hopes and fears are closely intertwined, therefore that which we hope for may also be that which we fear, and so may fail to happen. Sometimes it is useful to draw a second card for clarification after the reading has been laid, and to read the two together.
10. Card 10: Final outcome. This is a fairly self explanatory card. However it is worth saying that if the card comes up somewhat ambiguous, once again it may be worth drawing three extra cards to clarify. These should be interpreted through the lens of Card 10. So if the card drawn is the Tower and we draw the Ace of Cups, Princess of Cups, and Four of Cups in a reading about a relationship, the Tower would indicate that it is time to move on. The Ace of Cup suggests that a new relationship is promised with better things ahead. The Princess of Cups brings new love (and possibly pregnancy). The Four of Cups shows deep levels of contentment and happiness, and many options for progress.

~The Mirror Spread~

-This spread works primarily on existing relationships, but can assess anything from a budding love affair to an established partnership. It will often reveal inconsistencies between viewpoints - for example, if the cards at 2 and 3 contradict one another, there is a need to re-assess and re-adjust points of view, or take into account the input of the other person. Obstacles will sometimes produce very positive cards - look carefully under the surface if you find this, rather than assuming everything is fine. The probable result card is drawn with circumstances as they currently are - but if changes recommended by the reading are effected, then this final card can change.

1. Card 1: The querent. 
2. Card 2: The way you see the other person in the relationship.
3. Card 3: The way they see themselves.
4. Card 4: What the person represents to you.
5. Card 5: What you represent to them.
6. Card 6: Obstacles within the relationship.
7. Card 7: Strengths within the relationship.
8. Card 8: Probable result.

~The Mandala Spread~

-In its purest form, the Mandala spread assesses one’s spiritual path. It can be adapted to address specific issues and questions, or an open reading with no overall question can be posed. This spread reveals the strengths, weaknesses, and desires which lead one toward a growth in spirituality, indicating pitfalls and positive points in a way that it is possible for the querent to put together a much more clear view of their own progress. Card 1 must be read against cards 2, 4, and 6 to give an overview of the way things actually are, then against cards 3, 8, and 9 to assess potential. After that, reading Card 1 against cards 5 and 7 to reveal possible problems and areas which require further work. Put it all together and you have quite a good overview of your querent’s position and opportunities.

1. Card 1: An overview of the self.
2. Card 2: Ambitions, goals.
3. Card 3: Ideals, dreams.
4. Card 4: Real achievements at this time.
5. Card 5: Dependencies, faulty beliefs.
6. Card 6: Strengths and positive traits.
7. Card 7: Faults and weaknesses.
8. Card 8: Self perception.
9. Card 9: Desires.

~The Relationship Spread~

1. Card 1: Distant past. 
2. Card 2: Recent past.
3. Card 3: Now.
4. Card 4: Future influences.
5. Card 5: External influences.
6. Card 6: The querent’s attitude.
7. Card 7: Helpful energies.
8. Card 8: Obstacles to be overcome.
9. Card 9: Hope and fears. 
10. Card 10: Final result.

~3 card Spreads~

1. Past/Present/Future
2. Question/Querent/Probable solution
3. Body/Mind/Spirit
4. Sun - what you see/Moon - what you need to see/Stars - what you wish will happen
5. Red light - don’t do this/Green light - go ahead and do this/Yellow light - caution/be aware of this
6. Querent/Partner/Outcome (for love readings)
7. Where I am/Where I need to be/How to get there
8. Maiden - where the querent or issue is developing/Mother - what’s in “full bloom” or has robust energy/Crone - what’s coming to pass or lessening in energy