How To Master Basic To Advanced Tarot Card Spreads
Since the late 18th century until the present time, the tarot has been used to gain insight, clarity, and achieve greater control over issues involving relations.
Tarot cards have unique astrological meaning and numeric significance and have been used as a tool for divination for those with the ability to interpret the cards (tarot card reading).
The Basics of Common Tarot Card Spreads
In tarot reading, a psychic has many choices of different Tarot spreads. There are some spreads that have been developed for use in a specific direction, others for more general psychic readings.
Some of the most common spreads:
Single Card Spread
The easiest means of divining for an answer as you have only to look at a single card, the single or one card spread can be used as a quick answer to any question ? a quick yes/no answer to a question ? or just as an indicator for the day to come. However, this spread is not really suitable for an important or complex question. So, if something potentially important has been revealed by drawing a single card, you should always investigate further with a more appropriate spread.
How to do this? While thinking of your question, you shuffle the cards. And then intuitively pick out one card and turn it over.
Three Cards Spread
One of the most simple and versatile Tarot spreads around, the Three Card spread can be adapted to most questions. Being simple spread, its simplicity allows the reader to interpret each card in depth.
How to do this? Think first of your question while shuffling the deck, then using your left hand, cut the deck into three piles moving in a leftward direction. Using your left hand, pick up the pile on your right and place it on the center pile. And then pick up this combined pile, and place it on the last.
Past. Turn over the first card and place it to the far left. This card will represent the past or the basis of the matter, explaining the events, circumstances or conditions that have led up to where you are now.
Present. Then, turn over the next card and place it to the right of the first. This card will represent the present, revealing a new direction or condition that is set to come into your being.
Future. Repeat the "present" step again with the third card. This card will represent your future, showing the end result or the outcome of the second card.
Celtic Cross spread
Aside from the three card or simple Tarot spreads, the Celtic Cross is a ten card spread that is probably the most often used spread in existence and has become a classic. This spread is ideal for answering a specific question or giving a general reading in-depth.
How to do this? While thinking of your question, you shuffle the cards. Using your left hand, you cut the deck into three piles moving in a leftward direction. Still using your left hand, you pick up the pile on your right and place it on the center pile. Then, you pick up this combined pile, and place it on the last. Using your left hand again, lay ten cards face up.
Each card placement has an assigned number and has particular significance as explained below:
Card Placement
1. The center card in the cross spread, this is what covers you, representing the general atmosphere and the client's main concern.
2. The overlapping card placed sideways over #1 on the cross spread, this is what crosses you for the good or ill, representing opposing forces. If it is a good card, it will help the present situation.
3. The card below number 1, this is what is beneath you, representing what brought the situation about, the foundation.
4. The card on the left of number 1, this is what's behind you, symbolizing what has just happened, or the influences that are passing away.
5. The card above number 1, this is what crowns you, symbolizing the current situation and influences.
6. The card on the right of number 1, this is what is before you. The card represents what will happen in the very near future if the querent continues on their current path.
7. The first card on the vertical spread nearest you (down) This is what the querent fears. Negative feelings about the question asked.
8. The card next to #7, the thoughts of those around you, depicting the opinions and influences of friends and family about the matter in question.
9. The card next to # 8, this is the querent's hopes, revealing the client's own hopes and ideals on the matter involved.
10. The last card on the vertical spread, The OUTCOME: This card tells what the overall final outcome will be if the querent continues on their current path. Please consider the influence of all previous cards, particularly the 6th (what is before you) card, which is a more short term representation of the final outcome.