Tarot Spreads: The 7 Most Popular Layouts (With Examples)

A spread is the arrangement of cards during a tarot reading. Each position has a specific meaning, transforming loose cards into a narrative about your life.

In this guide you’ll learn:

The 7 most popular spreads
When to use each one
How to interpret positions
Tips for better readings

Why Use Spreads?

The same card can have different meanings depending on where it appears:

Death in the “Past” position = something already ended
Death in the “Advice” position = time to let something go
Death in the “Outcome” position = big transformation coming

Spreads organize the reading and prevent vague interpretations.

1. One Card Spread

Best for: Daily guidance, simple questions, meditation

The simplest and most powerful. Ideal for beginners.

How to do it

Close your eyes and breathe deeply
Think about your question or intention for the day
Shuffle the cards
Draw one card
Observe it for 1-2 minutes before looking up meanings

Ideal questions

“What energy rules my day today?”
“What do I need to keep in mind about [situation]?”
“What lesson should I focus on now?”

Tip: Keep a journal. Note the card and how it manifested during the day.

2. Three Card Spread

Best for: Evolving situations, decisions, quick overview

The most versatile spread. Three positions = three perspectives.

Variation 1: Time

[1]      [2]      [3]
Past     Present  Future

Variation 2: Situation

[1]        [2]       [3]
Situation  Challenge Advice

Variation 3: Decision

[1]       [2]       [3]
Option A  Option B  What to consider

Practical example

Question: “Should I accept this job offer?”

Card 1 (Situation): The Hermit — you’re seeking something with more purpose
Card 2 (Challenge): 7 of Cups — beware of illusions, verify if the offer is real
Card 3 (Advice): Justice — weigh pros and cons honestly

3. Celtic Cross (10 Cards)

Best for: Deep analysis, complex life questions

The most classic tarot spread. Provides complete view of any situation.

Diagram

          [3]
     [5]  [1]  [6]
          [2]
          [4]

     [10]
     [9]
     [8]
     [7]

Meaning of each position

Position	Name	Meaning
1	Center	The present situation
2	Crossing	The immediate challenge or obstacle
3	Above	The goal or best possible outcome
4	Below	The root/foundation of the situation
5	Past	Recent influences
6	Future	What’s coming
7	You	How you see yourself in the situation
8	Environment	External influences, other people
9	Hopes/Fears	What you hope or fear
10	Outcome	The most likely result

Tip: This spread requires practice. Start with smaller spreads first.

4. Horseshoe (7 Cards)

Best for: Balanced overview, when Celtic Cross feels like too much

Similar to Celtic Cross, but more accessible.

Diagram

[1]           [7]
  [2]       [6]
    [3]   [5]
      [4]

Positions

Past: What brought you here
Present: Current situation
Near Future: What’s coming in the next few weeks
Advice: What to do
External Influences: People or circumstances affecting you
Obstacles: What might get in the way
Outcome: Where you’re heading

5. Relationship Spread (6 Cards)

Best for: Analyzing any type of relationship

Works for romantic, family, friendship, or professional relationships.

Diagram

[1]   [3]   [5]
[2]   [4]   [6]

You   Connection  The Other

Positions

Left Column (You):

1: How you see the relationship
2: What you bring to the relationship

Center Column (The Connection):

3: What unites you
4: The challenges between you

Right Column (The Other):

5: How the other sees the relationship
6: What the other brings

6. Yes or No Spread (5 Cards)

Best for: When you need an objective answer

How to do it

Ask a question that can be answered with yes or no
Draw 5 cards in a line
Count how many are “positive” vs “challenging”

Generally positive cards

The Sun, The Star, The World, Aces of any suit, cards with happy imagery

Generally challenging cards

The Tower, 10 of Swords, 5 of Cups, The Devil, cards with obvious conflict

Interpretation

Result	Meaning
5 positive	Strong yes
4 positive	Yes, with caveats
3 positive	Maybe, depends on you
2 positive	Probably not
0-1 positive	No, reconsider

Important: Use your intuition. Context matters more than counting.

7. Year Spread (12 Cards)

Best for: Annual vision, long-term planning

Ideal to do on New Year’s or your birthday.

Diagram

[Jan] [Feb] [Mar] [Apr] [May] [Jun]
[Jul] [Aug] [Sep] [Oct] [Nov] [Dec]

Each card represents the main energy or theme of that month.

Variation: Add a 13th card in the center representing the overall theme of the year.

Tips for Better Readings

Before

✓ Calm environment: No distractions, phone off ✓ Clear intention: Know what you want to ask ✓ Open questions: “What should I know about…” instead of “Will he call me?”

During

✓ First impression: Trust what you feel when you turn the card ✓ Connections: Observe how the cards “talk” to each other ✓ Don’t force: If it doesn’t make sense, that’s okay. Sometimes clarity comes later

After

✓ Write everything down: Record the reading — you’ll forget ✓ Don’t re-read immediately: Give time for the message to settle ✓ Follow up: Come back later to see how it developed

Common Mistakes

❌ Drawing more cards hoping for a better answer The first reading is the one that counts. If you didn’t like it, reflect instead of repeating.

❌ Memorizing meanings without feeling the cards Books are guides, not rules. Your intuition matters.

❌ Questions about third parties Tarot works best for reflecting on yourself, not for spying on others.

Next Step

Theory is useful, but tarot is learned by practicing.

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