5 Tarot Spreads Perfect for Beginners

When you’re new to tarot, you feel a bit overwhelmed by all the different spreads out there! It’s not just you – and sometimes you’ll still feel that way after years of practice.

But it’s okay. Tarot can seem like a complex and mysterious practice, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, there are some really simple and straightforward tarot spreads that are perfect for beginners.

In this post, I’m going to share 5 easy tarot spreads that are great for those just starting out with tarot readings. These spreads are easy to remember, require a small number of cards, and can provide you with valuable insights and guidance.

Whether you’re doing a reading for yourself or a friend, these beginner-friendly tarot spreads are a great place to start. I’ll walk you through each of these easy tarot spreads, explain how to do them, and share some tips to help you get the most out of your readings.

The 3-Card Spread

One of the most basic and widely used tarot spreads is the 3-card spread. This simple layout is a great introduction to tarot reading and can provide you with a concise overview of a situation or question.

To do the 3-card spread, you’ll need to shuffle your tarot deck and then deal 3 cards face-up in a row. The cards represent:

The Past – This card represents the influences, events, or decisions from the past that are impacting the present situation.
The Present – This card reflects the current circumstances, challenges, or opportunities you are facing.
The Future – This card indicates what is likely to come next or the potential outcome of the current situation.

The 3-card spread is great for getting a high-level overview of a topic. You can use it to explore a wide range of questions, from relationships and career to personal growth and decision-making. The simplicity of this spread makes it an excellent choice for beginners who are just starting to learn how to read tarot.

The Yes/No Spread

Another super easy tarot spread for beginners is the yes/no spread. As the name suggests, this spread is designed to provide a clear yes or no answer to a specific question.

To do the yes/no spread, simply shuffle your deck and draw one card. The meaning of the card determines whether the answer is yes or no:

Yes cards: Cards like the Fool, Magician, Temperance, and the Aces tend to indicate a positive or affirmative answer.
No cards: Cards like the Tower, Devil, 5 of Swords, and 10 of Swords often suggest a negative or “no” response.
Neutral cards: Some cards like the 2s, 3s, and 4s can be more ambiguous and may require further interpretation.

The yes/no spread is great for getting a quick, straightforward answer to a simple question. It’s perfect for things like “Should I take this new job?” or “Will I hear back from that person I messaged?”

Just keep in mind that tarot is rarely black and white, so you may want to do a more in-depth spread if you need a more nuanced answer. But the yes/no spread is a handy tool to have in your beginner tarot toolkit.

The Past, Present, Future Spread

Building on the 3-card spread, the past, present, future spread provides a more detailed look at a situation by adding two additional cards.

To do this spread, shuffle your deck and deal 5 cards in a row, face-up:

The Past – This card represents the influences, events, or decisions from the past that are impacting the present.
The Present – This card reflects the current circumstances, challenges, or opportunities you are facing.
The Future – This card indicates what is likely to come next or the potential outcome of the current situation.
Obstacles – This card reveals any challenges, blocks, or difficulties that may be standing in your way.
Advice – This final card provides guidance or suggestions on how to best navigate the situation.

The past, present, future spread gives you a more comprehensive understanding of a situation by looking at where you’ve been, where you are now, and where you’re headed. The additional cards for obstacles and advice also provide valuable insights to help you move forward.

This 5-card spread is great for exploring big life decisions, relationship dynamics, or any area where you need a bit more clarity. It’s a perfect next step for beginners who have mastered the basic 3-card spread.

The Celtic Cross Spread

One of the most well-known and widely used tarot spreads is the Celtic cross. This 10-card spread provides an in-depth, multi-layered look at a situation or question.

To do the Celtic cross, shuffle your deck and deal the cards as follows:

The Significator – This card represents you or the focus of the reading.
The Crossing – This card reveals the challenge or obstacle you are currently facing.
The Foundation – This card shows the underlying influences or root causes of the situation.
The Recent Past – This card reflects events, decisions, or circumstances from the recent past.
The Future – This card indicates what is likely to come next or the potential outcome of the current situation.
The Self – This card provides insight into your thoughts, feelings, or inner world regarding the situation.
The External Influences – This card shows the external factors, people, or circumstances impacting the situation.
The Hopes and Fears – This card reveals your deepest desires or biggest worries about the situation.
The Outcome – This final card suggests the likely outcome or resolution of the situation.

The Celtic cross is a more complex spread, but it can provide incredibly deep and nuanced insights. It’s a great choice for exploring major life events, important decisions, or multi-faceted situations.

While it may take some practice to fully interpret a Celtic cross reading, it’s a fantastic spread for intermediate and advanced tarot readers. Just be sure to take your time and really study each card’s meaning in the context of the overall spread.

The Daily Draw

Last but not least, the daily draw is a simple yet powerful tarot spread that can be a game-changer for beginners.

To do a daily draw, simply shuffle your deck and pull one card. This single card represents the energy, guidance, or lesson you need for the day. You can reflect on the card’s meaning and how it applies to your life, and then carry that energy with you throughout the day.

The daily draw is a great way to start your morning, set an intention, or gain clarity on a situation. It’s also a wonderful practice for building your intuition and familiarity with the tarot cards.

Plus, doing a daily draw is super quick and easy – you can do it first thing in the morning, on your lunch break, or anytime you need a little guidance. It’s the perfect tarot spread for beginners who want to make tarot a regular part of their routine.

Conclusion

There you have it – 5 easy tarot spreads that are perfect for beginners! From the classic 3-card spread to the comprehensive Celtic cross, these layouts provide a great foundation for learning how to read tarot.

Remember, the most important thing is to start practicing and trusting your intuition. Don’t be afraid to experiment with these spreads and see which ones resonate with you the most. With a little time and patience, you’ll be reading tarot like a pro in no time.

So grab your deck, clear your mind, and give these beginner-friendly tarot spreads a try. Who knows what insights and guidance the cards have in store for you? Happy reading!