This

is meant to be a basic guide that explains what Tarot spreads are and why we use them. Also includes various examples of spreads that can be used in your own drawing.

Of

course, everyone is welcome to share their own (and a lot of the ones listed on this post are ones suggested by the community)! Please feel free to use this space. :)

What

is said below is only meant as a starting ground. Everyone has a different viewpoint and interpretation, so take what is said with that in mind and draw your own unique conclusions!

What is a Tarot Spread?

A spread is the backbone of a reading. Depending on what you choose, the meaning of the cards laid out change their meaning as well. We use these to clarify our questions into an interpretable answer.

Three Card Examples:

Spreads you can use with three cards.

Past, Present, Future

This spread analyzes a specific situation over time. This spread is applicable to a wide variety of situations/relationships.

Past.
This card mirrors the root of a situation in the past. To truly understand the present, and to be able to see the upcoming future, the past must be seen clearly.

Present.
This card shows what forces are working in the present situation in question. It will sometimes reveal that which is hidden or unexpressed in a situation.

Future.
This card displays the most probable outcome, the progression of a situation.

Situation, Challenge, Resolution

Need insight into a problem? This is one of the most universally useful spreads.

Situation.
This card describes the situation in question and gives context.

Challenge.
What's the conflict or the primary challenge present? This card deals with the obstacles blocking the path.

Resolution.
This card displays a possible, potential resolution to the issue.

Archetypes of Character

Provides a map of the personality and character of the person in question. Usually limited to the Major Arcana cards.

Upper Self.
The highest self and ultimately the person's highest good. Meant to be a guidance card.

Middle Self.
This is the mask that the world sees; so therefore, it's also the most disgenious part of self. What is this person putting out into the world?

Lower Self.
The basest part of self. Most people tend to be unaware of our most damaging imupulses and traits. However, while it tends to be invisible to the self, it may not be to others.

Body, Mind, Soul

This spread is very useful when evaluating health. Is there something we're neglecting or is there nothing to worry about?

Body.
Relates to the physical level. How does our perception of external reality aid us or hurt us? Are we working too hard?

Mind.
Our beliefs, attitudes, and the overall vibe of our day-to-day thoughts. Are we stressing over something neglible? Or is there something that's on our mind that we should be paying more attention to?

Soul.
What would our spirit be trying to express to us if it could speak? What is our intuition telling us to pay attention to?

Triple Goddesses of Wisdom

Asking for advice? Here's three different perspectives.

Maiden.
Your willingness to learn and innocence. New avenues. What intentions are present and what are the possibilities you are creating?

Mother.
Creative impulses. What are you currently working on? And what can you further nurture?

Crone.
How do your personal experiences tie in? What are the greater forces at work here? What warnings or lessons should you pay attention to? And what will be the 'harvest' of your actions?

The Triple Moon

Hekate is the Greek goddess of the moon, crossroads, magic, etc... She is also the guardian of the three realms: Sea (Underworld), Earth, and Sky. Hekate is willing to give guidance, but the words she imparts are definitely not coated in sugar.

First Moon: Sea.
Foolishness. Pitfalls. What needs to end.

Second Moon: Earth.
What needs to be faced and aknowledged. What are your weaknesses of character? What lessons have you failed to learn? What do you need to welcome into your life?

Third Moon: Sky.
How can a happy ending be achieved? What is the key to your greatest happiness?

Lover's Triangle

Matters of the heart can easily grow complicated and cause doubt, anxiety, fear, and undue sorrow. This spread is used to gain clarity. Of course, this can be used outside of romantic contexts.

Person A.
What does this person want from the relationship?

Person B.
What does this person want from the relationship?

Their Relationship.
Where is this relationship progressing in the current situation?

Lies vs. Truth

Trying to ascertain trust.

Truth.
What can you trust?

Hidden.
What is hidden? What are you unaware of?

Lies.
What is untrustworthy?

Traffic Lights

Unsure where to go?

Red Light.
Stop. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. This is a dangerous path.

Yellow Light.
The grey area. Be wary and on your guard.

Green Light.
Pursue this. A path you can trust.

Dust to Dust

Clarity needed.

Illusion.
What is being misinterpreted?

Disillusionment.
Where have you lost faith? How have you been lied to?

New Understanding.
How can you move forward? What do you go to receive the clarity that you need?

Birth, Growth, Death

Birth.
What has newly entered your life or what do you want to create?

Growth.
What you are nurturing.

Death.
What is leaving or what you want gone.

Or alternatively...

Decay, Death, Rebirth

Decay.
What is being neglected?

Death.
What has left or died in your life?

Rebirth.
What do you want to re-enter or try again? What can you renew or reawaken?

Wants vs. Needs

What you want out of a person, relationship, situation, etc... What you need. And what you get.

Or alternatively...

Three Caskets: Gold, Silver, Lead

Gold.
What you desire.

Silver.
What you deserve.

Lead.
Where you get.

Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis

A triad of ideas or concepts, maybe even situations. The thesis is the originater and the antithesis is what negates it. Conflict ensures until synthesis combines them to create something new. This is a triad that only works as a triad, one cannot exist without the others.

Two Card Examples:

Discard a card, use what's left.

Yes | No

One of the most simple, universal, and direct spreads you can use.

Yes.
What happens if you say yes?

No.
What happens if you say no?

Two Sides of a Coin

Opposite, but similiar. What're the flipsides of this situation, relationship, person?

Dream.
The good? What do you enjoy? What do you love? Illusions to illusions, what is being hidden?

Nightmare.
What is your intuition trying to say? Is there something you're avoiding or afraid of? What do you hate? What bothers you? What can't you stop thinking about?

Yin | Yang or Moon | Sun

Does one overpower the other? Is there a balance? Where are you lacking and where are your strengths? This spread can shed light on a situation where two parties are in conflict. It represents duality, the push and the pull of ideas, concepts, people. When there is an imbalance, it may cause uncertainty and cloud avenues to restoring harmony.

Yin.
Cyclical. Directed inward. Giving. Knowledge. What is being left unacknowledged? What are the internal forces at work?

Yang.
Direct and straightforward, and directed outwards. Logic and rationality. Receiving. Action. Where is there disproportionate focus? What are the external forces at work?

One Card Examples:

One specific card catches your eye?

Hidden Truth

Illusions to illusions, what is being hidden? What do you need to become aware of?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

(deleted comment)

From:

crystalball_mod

First of all, I appreciate that you voiced your concerns! I also think of the spread in terms of balance. I chose to use the names that I did because I was thinking of the concepts behind them, but I completely understand the wariness! Honestly, I'm going to think about what to tweak it with to lean away from the stereotypical gender norms that those names carry. I was more thinking about the Divine than any iteration of anything Male/Female. I'm definitely going to change it (because I think it's kind of a cornerstone so I don't not want to include it), but I'm just stuck on what. Any thoughts you have in this area would be helpful (I will read and reflect on your links tomorrow morn)! :)

Don't avoid writing too much! I love hearing everyone's thoughts! I'm glad you found the post interesting and helpful (quite a relief that). Me too! Some of these are ones I've personally made up. The One Card section definitely needs expanding! This is just the beginning post. I'm hoping to add on and on as the fest continues.

Your word choice of 'polarities' really helped me decide what to go with. :D

I'm going to include your gender-bending the tarot links in the resources post going up because they're very helpful and informative (so thank you for that). I love learning new things. <3

I don't really think I need a thank you for that. We should all be willing to listen to each other, you know?

I'm so excited to see how other people read the tarot, what they use, and what inspires them! My primary motivation initially was to make sure people had the help they need, so the dreaded 'now what' reaction doesn't happen when assignments go out, but now I have more selfish motives haha. :)

Please do!

Edited Date: 2019-10-29 12:35 am (UTC)

alexseanchai

(the cut tag is your friend, and a lot of this text is set to be smaller than browser default, which makes it hard to read any of this instead of just scrolling-and-scrolling-and-scrolling past it)

Thank you for bringing this to my attention! I've just inserted cuts where appropriate and will endeavour to consider the reader experience better in the future!
<3

hebethen

Much appreciation to

theseatheseatheopensea.

Otherspreadwise, Past/Present/Future is a pretty flexible template honestly. I've reskinned it variously, e.g. remember/cherish/anticipate or commemorate/grieve/move on. And the idea of the Lover's Triangle definitely works for non-romantic and non-sexual relationships as well.

Something I once wrote a game about: Johari/Nohari Window crossover. Arena, Facade, Blindspot. In other words, one card for a known strength/weakness, one card for a secret strength/weakness, and one card for a strength/weakness that others know but the subject is unaware of. It's a trio that might not be most "in-demand" for traditional uses of tarot, but possibly of interest when using it for a writing prompt :P

Alas I admit I never really bother with particularly formalized structures for one card draws myself -- it seems like the most open-ended possibility.

Edited Date: 2019-10-28 02:52 pm (UTC)

I've used a similar spread in the past for fic writing purposes. But your names for it are so much better! Do you mind if I include it above (with credit of course)?

Formal structures for one card readings sometimes just feel limiting to me, but I think it's a good idea to include some as a starting point or for people who prefer structure.

Oh, I can't take credit for the names at all -- a couple of psychologists came up with Johari and the associated terminology, and Kevan Davis created Nohari as an inversion of the original idea, which is where I first encountered it myself.

Oh, interesting! Stuff to research when I have more free time then. :)

A Tarot Inspired Fest

Round One: Tarot Spreads— and How to Use Them!