Tarot Spread

A tarot spread is the ordered layout of cards on the table, in which each position carries a meaning assigned in advance, such as past, present, obstacle or advice. The spread turns loose cards into a coherent narrative, because the meaning of each card depends on the place it occupies and on its relationship with its neighbours. There are one-card spreads, three-card spreads, the ten-position Celtic Cross and layouts designed for specific questions. Choosing the right spread is part of the craft: a simple question does not need ten positions, and a complex situation is impoverished by a single card.