Three-Card Spread

The three-card spread is the most versatile format in tarot. The three positions are defined before shuffling and can be read as past, present and future; situation, obstacle and advice; or mind, body and spirit, among many other variants. Its brevity forces the question to be focused and makes it easy to observe how the cards interact: the centre card usually works as the axis, and the side cards qualify it. It is the spread recommended for beginners, because it teaches how to build a narrative without the weight of ten positions. It also serves as a quick complement to clarify the outcome of a larger spread.