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.
Tetraktys Spread
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1Fire — creative force, will and ambition
2Air — current strategies and thoughts concerning goals
3Water — explores emotional self
4Earth — coping every day life
5Creator — explores what drives you in new directions
6Sustainer — what helps you to maintain a balanced and healthy life
7Destroyer — what needs to be jettisoned in order to move forward
8Light — cosmic forces guiding you toward fulfillment
9Dark — cosmos reaction to your state of being
10Premise — 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.
Cross & Triangle Spread
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1Life Force
2Thoughts
3Emotions
4Spirit
5Physical Self
6Opposing Forces
7Other Opposing Forces
8Necessary energies to call upon
9Question 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.
Celtic Cross Spread
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1The Significator — represents you (the querent) and your current state of being
2The Crossing — denotes that which opposes or influences you
3The Foundation — addresses the origin of your question
4The Recent Past — represents past events and concerns
5The 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
6The Future — depicts that which lies ahead
7Emotions — signifies the current state of your emotional self
8External Forces — represents the influence of others in your life as well as trends in your relationships with others
9Hopes and Desires — stands for the hopes and desires you have for the outcome of your question
10The Outcome — the ultimate outcome of 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.
Astrological Spread
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1Self
2Aries — current mood
3Taurus — finances
4Gemini — travel and communication
5Cancer — home, parents, children and extended family
6Leo — pleasure
7Virgo — health
8Libra — partnerships and marriage
9Scorpio — death and inheritance
10Sagittarius — spirituality, education and dreams
11Capricorn — career
12Aquarius — friendship
13Pisces — 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.
Relationship Spread
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1How you view your partner
2How your partner views you
3Your needs
4Your partner’s needs
5Current state of relationship
6The path you would like your relationship to follow
7The path your partner would like to see your relationship follow
8Aspects of your relationship to consider
9Question 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.
Planetary Spread
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1Self
2Moon — home
3Mercury — business, skills and integrity
4Venus — love
5Mars — hostility, opposition and aggression
6Jupiter — finance, acquisition and wealth
7Saturn — intellect
8Question 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.
Birthday Spread
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1Current place in the world
2Goals for the next year
3What empowers you
4Powers within that you need to develop
5Present physical and material well-being
6Present emotional state
7Present spiritual state
8Oppositions
9Actions 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.
Mandala Spread
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1Self
2Ambitions, desires and primal urges
3Ideals, goals and path to spiritual contentment
4Real accomplishments and life path
5Dependencies, addictions and erroneous values
6Strengths and positive personality traits
7Faults and weaknesses
8Self-awareness and self-image
9Desires and higher purpose
Star Guide Spread
This spread is often used to explore a very specific question.
Star Guide Spread
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1Present situation
2Causes of conflicts and obstacles
3Changes needed in order to face challenges
4Strengths
5Other challenges
6Final 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.
Tree of Life Spread
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1Highest ideals
2Creative power
3Wisdom
4Virtues
5Force of your being
6Health, beauty and altruism
7Lovers, Lusts, Artistic self and Instincts
8You as a procreator, designer and scientist
9Imagination and psychic self
10Physical 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.
Past Life Spread
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1Emotional Influences
2Mental influences
3Spiritual influences
4Physical influences
5Karmic debt owed
6Karmic lessons to learn
7Past life impact on present life
8Past life impact on future
Dream Exploration Spread
This spread is often used to explore a recent or recurring dream.
Dream Exploration Spread
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1Relevance of the dream to your life
2Lessons to be learned from dreams
3How to apply dreams to your life
