Types Of Tarot Spreads
Tarot Cards have been used for hundreds of years around the world to reach a person’s inner self. Tarot cards give us a chance to reveal our true thoughts, usually thoughts that are pushed from the forefront of our minds because they are unpleasant and we do not want to confront them. Different types of questions have different types of answers, henceforth, different ways of answering those questions. These different ways are called Spreads, and are literally the way the cards are spread out on the table in front of you.
The Five Card Spread
This spread is used to determine the correct course of action. The layout is five cards in the shape of a plus sign.
Card 1 – (center) Present, general theme
Card 2 – (west) Past influences
Card 3 – (east) The future
Card 4 – (south) Reason for asking the question
Card 5 – (north) Potential for gain or loss
The Celtic Cross Spread
Also the most common and most revealing spread available, it is the most complicated to lay out and to interpret. It is used for a variety of questions and problems, but is most commonly used to answer complex questions with many outcomes. The layout starts off as the five card spread, with one extra card laid on top of the center card. There is also a line of four cards lined end to end off to the east side of the cross.
1 – (center) The present
2 – (center, on top) Immediate challenge, usually a very difficult obstacle
3 – (east) Foundation, distant past