Common spreads

A spread simply gives each position a question. Know three basic spreads and you can handle most situations.

The Lovers
Eight of Pentacles
The Star

Single card

One card, one reminder. Good for a morning draw or a quick check on where you are.

Three cards

The classic is past–present–future; it can also be situation–obstacle–advice, or me–them–us. Three cards tell a complete short story.

Five-card cross and Celtic Cross

The five-card cross spreads out from a centre, good for laying out every side of one matter; the ten-card Celtic Cross suits a deep look at something complex.

Key points

Spread = one question per position
Three cards tell a full short story
The more complex the matter, the larger the spread

Try this

Pick a theme on the spreads page, understand each position, then draw.

These lessons treat tarot as a tool for reflection and storytelling, not prediction.