SPREADS USED IN TAROT READINGS
Before a reading is carried out, the person who is receiving the reading (the Questioner) shuffles the cards, thinking all the time of the question they are going to ask. It is said that by shuffling the cards, the Questioner is transferring their energy into the cards, which is how the reading then becomes personal to them.
Once the cards are shuffled the Reader then cuts the cards and lays them out in a particular order, known as a Spread. There are any number of different spreads and many people have specific ones that they prefer. The position in which the card is drawn will affect its meaning and interpretation - as the meanings within the cards can be varied according to the other cards surrounding it.
The simplest spread is a One Card Spread, which can be used for a daily reading, or for answering a simple question.
Another common simple spread is the Three Card Spread. In this spread the first card drawn represents the present situation of the Questioner, so, what is happening in the here and now. The second card, which is placed to the left of the first, represents the influences of the past, and how that relates to the present situation. The third and final card is placed to the right of the first and will give an insight into the future - some guidance as to how the situation may develop or what steps need to be taken to acheive the desired state
A more complicated spread that I commonly use is the Arwen Spread. This is a good spread for finding inspiration that can guide your life. Nine cards are used, and are set out in three rows of three. Cards 1, 4 and 7 reveal the ideas that affect the issue (the question) under consideration - card 1 deals with the effect this has had in the past, card 4 the present and card 7 the future. Cards 2,5 and 8 show the effects of the issue on the emotional level, again, looking at past, present and future issues. Finally, cards 3, 6 and 9 look at the issue on a physical or practical means, again with the view to the influence of the past, present and future.
An alternative spread is the Airmid's Cloak Spread. The significance of the cards in this spread is as follows:
Card 1:: the Place of Foundation (Feet):: the fundamentals of the situation or issue in question
Card 2:: The Place of Generation:: the creative driving force in the situation or the questioner's life at present
Card 3:: The Place of the Heart:: the emotional or heartfelt issues at stake
Card 4:: The Place of Vision (Eye level):: the card shows the vision or purpose that overlight the situation being investigated
Card 5:: The Place of Inner Action (left hand):: this relates to what might happen or what the questioner may do in the world of thought and feeling to further their goals
Card 6:: The Place of Outer Action (right hand):: this relates to what the questioner might do in the practical or physical level in order to achieve the outcome they are seeking
Once the cards are shuffled the Reader then cuts the cards and lays them out in a particular order, known as a Spread. There are any number of different spreads and many people have specific ones that they prefer. The position in which the card is drawn will affect its meaning and interpretation - as the meanings within the cards can be varied according to the other cards surrounding it.
The simplest spread is a One Card Spread, which can be used for a daily reading, or for answering a simple question.
Another common simple spread is the Three Card Spread. In this spread the first card drawn represents the present situation of the Questioner, so, what is happening in the here and now. The second card, which is placed to the left of the first, represents the influences of the past, and how that relates to the present situation. The third and final card is placed to the right of the first and will give an insight into the future - some guidance as to how the situation may develop or what steps need to be taken to acheive the desired state
A more complicated spread that I commonly use is the Arwen Spread. This is a good spread for finding inspiration that can guide your life. Nine cards are used, and are set out in three rows of three. Cards 1, 4 and 7 reveal the ideas that affect the issue (the question) under consideration - card 1 deals with the effect this has had in the past, card 4 the present and card 7 the future. Cards 2,5 and 8 show the effects of the issue on the emotional level, again, looking at past, present and future issues. Finally, cards 3, 6 and 9 look at the issue on a physical or practical means, again with the view to the influence of the past, present and future.
An alternative spread is the Airmid's Cloak Spread. The significance of the cards in this spread is as follows:
Card 1:: the Place of Foundation (Feet):: the fundamentals of the situation or issue in question
Card 2:: The Place of Generation:: the creative driving force in the situation or the questioner's life at present
Card 3:: The Place of the Heart:: the emotional or heartfelt issues at stake
Card 4:: The Place of Vision (Eye level):: the card shows the vision or purpose that overlight the situation being investigated
Card 5:: The Place of Inner Action (left hand):: this relates to what might happen or what the questioner may do in the world of thought and feeling to further their goals
Card 6:: The Place of Outer Action (right hand):: this relates to what the questioner might do in the practical or physical level in order to achieve the outcome they are seeking
The final and most detailed Spread that I commonly use is known as the Tree of Life Spread, an example of which is set out above. In this Spread the cards have the following significances:
Card 1:: This card represents what the Questioner would like to achieve
Card 2:: Influences:: Details of what is currently influencing the situation
Card 3:: Nature of the Question:: More guidance on all aspects of the question being examined
Card 4:: The Key:: the key to answering the question, maybe an aspect the Questioner has not previously considered
Card 5::The Present:: The influences on the Questioner
Card 6:: The Future:: Things the Questioner will want to watch out for
Card 7:: The Questioner:: the influence the Questioner brings to the situation, how they may personally affect the outcome
Card 8:: The Environment:: the effect people around the Questioner are bringing to the issue
Card 9:: Hopes and Fears:: Other issues and concerns that may need to be addressed
Card 10:: The Conclusion:: a Summation of all the previous elements of the reading.
If you are interesting in obtaining any of the readings that are detailed here, please go to the Tarot Readings page, where you will find details of how to arrange a reading, either in person, or via email. Should you have any further queries with regard to how the reading will be carried out, please do not hesitate to contact me, using the details in the Contact me Section.
