Understanding the Power of Tarot Spreads
The mystical world of tarot has fascinated and inspired people for centuries. It offers profound insights into our past, present, and future. Whether you're just starting or have years of experience, knowing different tarot spreads and when to use them can turn a simple reading into a deep exploration of yourself.
In this blog post, we will explore various tarot spreads tailored for different occasions and provide guidance on how to choose the one that meets your specific needs.
What is a Tarot Spread?
A tarot spread refers to how the cards are laid out during a reading. Each card's position has its own meaning, representing different aspects of your question or situation.
The choice of tarot spread can significantly impact the insights you gain. Whether you want to understand relationships, finances, career choices, or other life challenges, there’s a spread for your situation. The spreads described here are just a guideline. When you are comfortable with the cards and their meanings you can even design your own spread by deciding what each position stands for and sticking to it.
Common Tarot Spreads and Their Uses
One Card Spread
Picking out, dealing or cutting just one card can be very enlightening. Use it when you want to get an understanding of what is going on around you. Let the card speak to you and help you focus on what is important for you today. It can be used for yes/no decisions but Remember - if you select a card and you don't like the answer then you know already know what you really want to do but examine the card deeply to gain insight into why you got that answer! It could make you look at things more deeply and honestly.
Three Card Spread
One of the simplest and most adaptable tarot spreads, the Three-Card Spread is perfect for quick insights. Each card represents the past, present, and future of a situation.
Use it for: Making decisions or gaining clarity without getting overwhelmed. For example, if you’re contemplating taking a new job a three-card spread can offer you past influences, current feelings, and future potential outcomes related to that decision.
The Year Spread
To gain an overview of the next twelve months the Year Spread is good way to have a look at what is coming up and allows you to prepare for and manage influences and events that you will experience. Usually consists of laying the cards as on a clock face starting with 1 o'clock for the first month and placing the cards in a circle round to 12 o'clock. You can also lay out three rows of four to look at the year in quarters and also to see how cards might relate to one another more clearly.
Celtic Cross
The Celtic Cross is one of the most well-known tarot spreads and provides an in-depth view of complex situations. Consisting of ten cards, it addresses various aspects such as challenges, past influences, and future possibilities.
Use it for: Deep readings where multiple layers of meaning exist. The spread will highlight issues and people in your life and let you know where you are headed if you do not make any changes. The Celtic Cross can illuminate hidden aspects and provide clarity on how to move forward.
There are a number of variations on the Celtic Cross but below is the layout I prefer. The various cards refer to the following:
Position 1: The elements surrounding the questioner and the current situation
Position 2: Things that may be either causing challenges or reinforcing the situation
Position 3: The foundation of the situation and the real question
Position 4: Recent past events and experiences
Position 5: The true potential of the situation
Position 6: Near future
Position 7: How the questioner is responding to events
Position 8: External factors, influences or how the questioner appears to others
Position 9: Advice card regarding your hopes and fears
Position 10: The future outcome and what the questioner is heading towards
When reading the Celtic Cross you create a story and by looking closely at all the cards and their relationship to one another you can see whether cards are opposing or supporting each other. The central cross gives the basis of past, present, future and the arm or rod at the side confirms and adds elements to give more depth to the situation.
For example: At the moment you are experiencing this (Position 1) but you are concerned about this person/aspect or you are supported by this person/aspect (Position 2). Deep down what is really concerning you is (Position 3). Recently you have experienced (Position 4) and at the moment the potential outcome is (Position 5). Expect to experience this or have this person in your life soon (Position 6). You are dealing with the situation in this way or are feeling this way (Position 7). Other people in your life are having this influence or they see you in this way (Position 8). The advice you need at this time and what your hopes and fears are regarding the situation (Position 9). Without making any changes you are heading towards this outcome (Position 10).
The cards are a wonderful way to encourage spiritual and personal growth. To gain true understanding of yourself examine your reactions to each individual card and learn from them. What changes do you need to make? What aspects of your subconscious are influencing events? What do you need to look at more closely? What do you need to work on? Can you embrace positive cards and believe them?
Any questions - please contact me rainbowspirit.tarot@gmail.com
Next time I'll be looking at different card combinations and how cards support and oppose each other.
Happy reading!
Comments