Reference · 54 spreads

Tarot Spreads

Tutorials for the spreads cited most in English-language tarot literature. Each entry walks through layout, position-by-position interpretation, and a worked example reading.

Cornerstones

The foundational spreads cited most across English-language tarot literature. Start here.

  1. Celtic Cross 10 cards Intermediate ~25 min

    general life situation analysis.

  2. Three-Card Past Present Future 3 cards Beginner ~10 min

    a quick read on a situation across time.

  3. Past Present Future 3 cards Beginner ~10 min

    tracing the timeline of any situation across past, present, and future.

  4. Yes or No 1 card Beginner ~3 min

    a single-card answer to a yes-or-no question.

  5. Daily Card 1 card Beginner ~5 min

    a single-card daily reflection.

  6. One Card Spread 1 card Beginner ~5 min

    a single-card focus for meditation, daily reflection, or quick guidance.

  7. Horseshoe Spread 7 cards Intermediate ~20 min

    a balanced seven-card spread covering past, present, and potential outcomes.

Love & Relationship

Spreads for romantic dynamics, partnership questions, and the friendships that shape a life.

  1. Relationship Spread 7 cards Intermediate ~20 min

    understanding the dynamics between two people.

  2. Love Tarot Spread 5 cards Beginner ~15 min

    exploring romantic energy, feelings, and relationship potential.

  3. Relationship Cross 6 cards Intermediate ~20 min

    mapping the cross-dynamic between two people in a relationship.

  4. Soulmate Spread 7 cards Intermediate ~20 min

    exploring soul-level connections, twin flames, and deep relational bonds.

  5. Compatibility Spread 7 cards Intermediate ~20 min

    assessing long-term compatibility between two individuals.

  6. New Relationship Spread 5 cards Beginner ~15 min

    understanding the potential and early energy of a new romantic connection.

  7. Ex Back Spread 5 cards Intermediate ~15 min

    gaining clarity on whether reconnecting with a past partner is advisable.

  8. Friendship Spread 5 cards Beginner ~15 min

    exploring the health, dynamics, and potential of a friendship.

Career & Money

Work, vocation, money, and creative practice. Spreads for questions whose stakes are practical.

  1. Career Spread 5 cards Beginner ~15 min

    guidance on work and professional questions.

  2. Career Cross Spread 6 cards Intermediate ~20 min

    a cross-shaped spread for in-depth career and professional path guidance.

  3. Finance Spread 5 cards Beginner ~15 min

    gaining clarity on financial energy, blocks, and the path to abundance.

  4. Creative Block Spread 5 cards Intermediate ~15 min

    identifying and dissolving the source of a creative block or stagnation.

Decision & Crossroads

Layouts for the moment a choice is in front of you and the path forks.

  1. Decision Spread 5 cards Beginner ~15 min

    gaining clarity when facing an important choice or decision.

  2. Fork in the Road Spread 7 cards Intermediate ~20 min

    comparing two distinct life paths when standing at a major crossroads.

  3. Crossroads Spread 5 cards Intermediate ~15 min

    navigating a turning point where multiple directions are possible.

  4. Pros and Cons Spread 5 cards Beginner ~15 min

    weighing the advantages and disadvantages of a specific choice or action.

  5. Yes No Three Card 3 cards Beginner ~10 min

    a three-card variation on the yes-or-no spread for nuanced binary answers.

Self-Inquiry & Shadow

Spreads for the inner work: values, shadow, wellbeing, and ongoing spiritual practice.

  1. Shadow Work Spread 5 cards Advanced ~30 min

    illuminating unconscious patterns, fears, and hidden aspects of the self.

  2. Self Discovery Spread 6 cards Intermediate ~20 min

    exploring identity, values, gifts, and purpose in a reflective self-inquiry.

  3. Spiritual Growth Spread 6 cards Intermediate ~20 min

    mapping the current stage of spiritual development and the path forward.

  4. Mind Body Spirit 3 cards Beginner ~10 min

    a three-card check-in on mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.

  5. Chakra Spread 7 cards Intermediate ~25 min

    exploring the energetic state of each of the seven main chakras.

Time & Cycles

Reading the week, month, or year ahead, and the daily reflection that anchors them.

  1. Year Ahead 12 cards Advanced ~40 min

    a month-by-month outlook for the coming year.

  2. Weekly Tarot Spread 7 cards Beginner ~15 min

    setting intention and tracking energy across each day of the week.

  3. Monthly Tarot Spread 5 cards Beginner ~15 min

    setting monthly intention and previewing key themes across the month.

  4. Birthday Spread 7 cards Beginner ~20 min

    celebrating a birthday with a reflective annual reading covering the year ahead.

  5. New Year Spread 5 cards Beginner ~15 min

    reflecting on the year past and setting intention for the year ahead.

  6. Daily Guidance Spread 3 cards Beginner ~8 min

    a morning three-card pull for daily focus, challenge, and evening reflection.

Lunar & Seasonal

Reading with the moon and with the turning points of the solar year.

  1. New Moon Spread 5 cards Beginner ~15 min

    planting intentions and exploring new beginnings with new-moon energy.

  2. Full Moon Spread 5 cards Beginner ~15 min

    working with full-moon energy for release, illumination, and completion.

  3. Equinox Spread 6 cards Intermediate ~20 min

    working with equinox balance — equal day and night — to review and realign.

Astrological & Symbolic

Layouts whose shape carries meaning: zodiac houses, sephirot, elemental wheels, ritual geometry.

  1. Horoscope Spread 12 cards Advanced ~40 min

    a twelve-house spread mapping life areas to the twelve astrological houses.

  2. Zodiac Spread 12 cards Advanced ~40 min

    a twelve-sign spread drawing one card per zodiac sign for a full-year outlook.

  3. Tree of Life Spread 10 cards Advanced ~45 min

    a Kabbalistic ten-sephirot spread for deep spiritual and life-area analysis.

  4. Pentagram Spread 5 cards Intermediate ~20 min

    a five-pointed elemental spread examining fire, water, air, earth, and spirit.

  5. Hexagram Spread 7 cards Advanced ~25 min

    a six-pointed star spread representing above and below, inner and outer, in balance.

  6. Ankh Spread 7 cards Intermediate ~20 min

    a symbolically rich spread based on the ankh — life, death, and rebirth.

  7. Elemental Spread 4 cards Beginner ~12 min

    a four-card elemental balance check covering fire, water, air, and earth.

  8. Pyramid Spread 6 cards Intermediate ~18 min

    a tiered pyramid layout building from foundations to peak outcome.

  9. Diamond Spread 5 cards Intermediate ~15 min

    a diamond-shaped spread examining above, below, left, right, and center.

  10. Compass Spread 5 cards Beginner ~15 min

    finding direction using a four-cardinal-point plus center layout.

Numerical Layouts

Generic position counts for any question. Use them when no named spread fits.

  1. Two Card Spread 2 cards Beginner ~8 min

    exploring tension, balance, or the interplay between two forces or options.

  2. Four Card Spread 4 cards Beginner ~12 min

    a versatile four-position spread for elemental or situational readings.

  3. Five Card Spread 5 cards Beginner ~15 min

    a flexible five-position spread suitable for any question or topic.

  4. Six Card Spread 6 cards Beginner ~18 min

    a six-position spread offering a fuller picture than a three-card pull.

  5. Seven Card Spread 7 cards Intermediate ~20 min

    a seven-position spread for comprehensive situational analysis.

  6. Nine Card Spread 9 cards Advanced ~30 min

    a nine-position spread for an in-depth look at a complex situation.