How to Spread Tarot Cards

A Tarot card spread is a configuration of cards that is designed to address specific issues brought by seeker. There are many Tarot spreads and most Tarot decks come with suggestions of spreads and their value to Tarot interpretation. A Tarot spread can have only a few cards or can have more than 30 cards. The number of cards in a spread and the configuration of the cards depends upon the nature of the issue and the depth to which you want to explore that issue.

Instructions

1. 

   Prepare your seeker. Let him know that the cards that he draws will reflect his subconscious mind and will show him ways to view the issue he has brought to the reading. Assure him that this is not magic, nor is it a prediction of future events. Tarot offers insight and guidance.

2. 

   Tell your seeker to formulate the issue that she brings to the reading. Have her hold it in her mind like a meditation, relaxed. Then have the seeker select a Significator card from the unshuffled deck. Broadly, the Significator is a card, a Court card, that the seeker intuits best to reflect her. Remove the Significator, laying it face up. It will not be shuffled into the deck for the reading.You can include this step or move right into the following step.

3. 

   Give the deck to your seeker and have him shuffle and cut the deck. Have him spread the deck with his non-dominant hand, so that the cards are arranged before him. Use the non-dominant hand to engage the right brain, the creative brain, and prepare the seeker for card selection.

4. 

   Direct the questioner to select each card and lay it face down according to the diagram of the chosen spread. Advise your seeker to select the cards with her non-dominant hand and to proceed slowly, giving time to feel an intuitive draw to or energy from each card. Repeat until the entire spread is drawn.

5. 

   Proceed with the reading, turning over a card, interpreting it in light of the seeker's issue. Only turn over one card at a time. The spread you use will guide you to each card.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many types of Tarot decks. Shop and decide which type resonates with you.

Resources

• Five Card Tarot Spread
• Spreads 101
• Ravensong Tarot
• Basics of Tarot Cards