Tarot Card Spreads

A tarot card spread is a method by which a tarot card reader physically lays out or places the cards on the table and then interprets the card meanings for the querent. Not only are there many different types of tarot card decks available, there are also many different spreads used by card readers. For example, the very popular Celtic Cross spread does not follow one standardized card layout. The basic cross and column diagram is the same, but the order in which the cards are spread in the cross varies greatly. Listed below are some tarot card spreads using the popular Rider-Waite tarot deck, which are also used for free readings in the Oracle Room. Variations exist between these different spreads, as well. Card readers determine the spread and the deck to use based upon their personal preferences. No matter what deck or spread is used, the outcome is the same ? you will receive answers to your questions and predictions for your future.

Tetraktys

The Tetraktys spread is based upon Platonist thought and Pythagorean mathematics. The 10-card spread gives a snapshot of your overall state and explores everything from the most basic physical elements to the spiritual self. The various cards in this spread represent the following about you:

1. Fire (creative force, will and ambition)

2. Air (current strategies and thoughts concerning goals)

3. Water (explores emotional self)

4. Earth (coping every day life)

5. Creator (explores what drives you in new directions)

6. Sustainer (what helps you to maintain a balanced and healthy life)

7. Destroyer (what needs to be jettisoned in order to move forward)

8. Light (cosmic forces guiding you toward fulfillment)

9. Dark (cosmos reaction to your state of being)

10. Premise (foundation for the entire spread)

Cross and Triangle Spread

This is a query spread used to explore questions concerning the overall direction of your life. The various cards in this spread represent the following about you:

1. Life Force

2. Thoughts

3. Emotions

4. Spirit

5. Physical Self

6. Opposing Forces

7. Other Opposing Forces

8. Necessary energies to call upon

9. Question outcome

Celtic Cross Spread

The Celtic Cross spread is probably the most popular spread in use today. It is intended to shed light on many aspects of your life. Due to its popularity over the years, there have been many variations to the layout of the cards in this spread. However, whichever one is used, you just really need to concentrate on the question you put to the cards. The various cards in this spread represent the following about you:

1. The Significator represents you (the querent) and your current state of being.

2. The Crossing denotes that which opposes or influences you.

3. The Foundation addresses the origin of your question.

4. The Recent Past represents past events and concerns.

5. The Crown addresses issues that are significant in the present or may come to pass in the future. This card foretells future events which you may or may not occur, depending upon how you respond to the present situation.

6. The Future depicts that which lies ahead.

7. Emotions signifies the current state of your emotional self.

8. External Forces represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others.
9. Hopes and Desires stands for the hopes and desires you have for the outcome of your question.

10. The Outcome is the ultimate outcome your question. Remember, the future is not predetermined. Interpret this card in the context of the entire reading and as an indicator of the path you are currently on, but not bound to the reading.

Astrological Spread

In this spread, each card is read as its own entity. Individual cards represent each astrological house and should be interpreted with the strengths and weaknesses of the corresponding house in mind. You need not ask a question before using this spread. The various cards in this spread represent the following about you:

1. Self

2. Aries (current mood)

3. Taurus (finances)

? 4. Gemini (travel and communication)

5. Cancer (home, parents, children and extended family)

? 6. Leo (pleasure)

7. Virgo (health)

8. Libra (partnerships and marriage)

9. Scorpio (death and inheritance)

10. Sagittarius (spirituality, education and dreams)

11. Capricorn (career)

12. Aquarius (friendship)

13. Pisces (burden, opposition and fears

Relationship Spread

This spread is used to explore your relationships with others by exploring the needs and views of both parties. Think of your relationship with a specific person and ask your question. ?The various cards in this spread represent the following about you:

1. How you view your partner

2. How your partner views you

3. Your needs

4. Your partner?s needs

5. Current state of relationship

6. The path you would like your relationship to follow

7. The path your partner would like to see your relationship follow

8. Aspects of your relationship to consider

9. Question outcome

Planetary Spread

This is a query spread that may yield insight into a number of different aspects of your life’s current state. Concentrate on your specific question. The various cards in this spread represent the following about you:

1. Self

2. Moon (home)

3. Mercury (business, skills and integrity)

4. Venus (love)

5. Mars (hostility, opposition and aggression)

6. Jupiter (finance, acquisition and wealth)

7. Saturn (intellect)

8. Question outcome

Birthday Spread

The birthday spread is used to help you plot a course toward achieving specific goals before your next birthday. It also tells you where you are right now and how to evaluate what happened previously. Focus on what you would like to accomplish before then and find out what the next year might bring. The various cards in this spread represent the following about you:

1. Current place in the world

2. Goals for the next year

3. What empowers you

4. Powers within that you need to develop

5. Present physical and material well-being

6. Present emotional state

7. Present spiritual state

8. Oppositions

9. Actions required to achieve goals

Mandala Spread

This spread is used to explore your spiritual side. You may pose a question to the cards using this spread, or may explore your overall spiritual self without making a specific inquiry. The various cards in this spread represent the following about you:

1. Self

? 2. Ambitions, desires and primal urges

? 3. Ideals, goals and path to spiritual contentment

4. Real accomplishments and life path

? 5. Dependencies, addictions and erroneous values

? 6. Strengths and positive personality traits

7. Faults and weaknesses

? 8.? Self-awareness and self-image

9. Desires and higher purpose

Star Guide Spread

This spread is often used to explore a very specific question. The various cards in this spread represent the following about you:

1. Present situation

2. Causes of conflicts and obstacles

3. Changes needed in order to face challenges

4. Strengths

5. Other challenges

6. Final outcome

Tree of Life Spread

The Tree of Life spread is a very thorough method of exploring and analyzing your mind, body and spirit, as well as life path and your psychic self and psychic abilities. The various cards in this spread represent the following about you:

1. Highest ideals

? 2. Creative power

3. Wisdom

4. Virtues

5. Force of your being

6. Health, beauty and altruism

7. Lovers, Lusts, Artistic self and Instincts

8. You as a procreator, designer and scientist

9. Imagination and psychic self

10. Physical self

Past Life Spread

This spread is used to explore how your past lives have affected your current life.? It can be used as a general overview for all of your past lives, or to give more specific details about one of them. The various cards in this spread represent the following about you: