Here at Rebel Circus, we talk about tarot a lot. From breakdowns of the major and minor arcana to the best tarot decks, we have dove deep into the magical world of tarot. Tarot cards are a great way to provide insight and guidance in your day-to-day life, and learning different questions and spreads to use in your readings will make them more specific, insightful and crystal clear.
Maybe you’ve wondered how a tarot reader decides which spread they’re going to use, or maybe you’ve pulled out your deck and found yourself uncertain of where to begin. Wherever you are on your path, we’ve gathered some essential tarot spreads to elevate your readings.
The Basics
One-Card Spreads
You would be surprised at how detailed and insightful a one-card pull can be. Sometimes a straightforward approach is best, especially when you’re dealing with simple questions. With a one-card pull, you’ll usually get a clear, straight-to-the-point answer.
One-card tarot spreads can be used for…
- Yes or no questions
- Confirmation (or rejection) of what your intuition is telling you
- General guidance or next steps
Three-Card Spreads
The three-card tarot spreads are the most popular out there, used widely by beginners and seasoned readers alike. A three-card spread has a lot to offer and is of course especially great for three-part questions.
Three-card tarot spreads can be used for insight into…
- Past, present, future
- Strength, weakness, advice
- You, your partner, your relationship
- Situation, action, outcome
- Where you are, where you want to be, how to get there
- Mind, body, spirit
- Tomorrow, next week, next month
- Embrace, accept, let go
The possibilities are really endless, which is what makes three-card spreads so popular.
Five-Card Horseshoe Spreads
The five-card horseshoe is another popular, but simple, tarot spread. This spread is favored by people who want more detailed answers but do not want to perform a more complex 10+ card spread.
Laid out in the shape of an upside-down letter “V,” the five-card horseshoe tarot spread can be used for…
- Specific questions
- Detailed answers
Specific Spreads
Transitions Spread
This seven-card tarot spread is excellent for birthdays, new years or other significant life events.
Card 1: what you are leaving behind
Card 2: what you are bringing forward
Card 3: energy to embody or embrace
Card 4: opportunities available
Card 5: possible challenges ahead
Card 6: what you will learn
Card 7: where you are headed
Clarity Spread
This four-card tarot spread offers clarity on any situation in your life with specific, insightful questions.
Card 1: what you need to know
Card 2: what you need to embrace
Card 3: what you need to release
Card 4: what’s next?
Should They Be Trusted? Spread
This is a great five-card tarot spread to use when someone from your past has entered your life or if you’re not sure about a person’s intentions.
Card 1: why is this person coming (back) into my life?
Card 2: what are this person’s intentions?
Card 3: should I trust this person (again)?
Card 4: will a relationship or friendship with this person be beneficial?
Card 5: overall advice for the situation
Me in the Eyes of My Partner Spread
This is a simple, four-card relationship tarot spread.
Card 1: their general impression
Card 2: what annoys them
Card 3: what they love about you
Card 4: advice for the relationship
Path and Purpose Spread
This six-card tarot spread offers insight into your life path for when you’re feeling unclear about next steps.
Card 1: what would benefit me to focus on at this time?
Card 2: what would benefit me to remove focus from?
Card 3: where is my current path headed?
Card 4: where is my ideal path headed?
Card 5: what can I do to close the variance between the two?
Card 6: a skill or attribute to assist me
Dream Spread
This three-card tarot spread is great for general interpretations of any dreams you may have.
Card 1: subconscious message or what is below the surface
Card 2: conscious message or what is on the surface
Card 3: practical application of the dream’s message
The Bullshit Detector Spread
This straightforward, four-card spread will help clarify if someone is lying to you or not.
Card 1: the problem
Card 2: the lie
Card 3: the truth
Card 4: the solution
Decision-Making Spread
This six-card tarot spread will help you choose between at least three choices or paths.
Cards 1 and 2: choice 1 outcome
Cards 3 and 4: choice 2 outcome
Cards 5 and 6: choice 3 outcome
Relationship Problems Spread
This six-card spread can be super helpful in solving any issues in your relationships.
Card 1: the problem
Card 2: how you contributed
Card 3: how they contributed
Card 4: what you can do to fix it
Card 5: what will make it worse?
Card 6: ideal outcome
Remember to focus on your intentions and questions as you pull each card. And as always, listen to your intuition – that’s what will give you the best readings.
