Tarot Readings: What do the spreads mean?
Interpreting tarot readings is not just a modern preoccupation. The popularity of determining meanings from the cards peaked between the 18th and the 19th century, with people having turned to the pictograms on the cards as a source of inspiration and solace. Tarot readings are performed for the benefit of the seeker or querent i.e. anyone asking for the cards be dealt, spread out and interpreted. The meanings are, of course, dependent on who the seeker is, and what his or her queries are.
Tarot readings begin with the simple process of cutting the deck of cards and picking individual cards from the pack. Creating the actual spread, or layout, of the cards is the task of the tarot reader or interpreter, and they should tell the seeker exactly how many cards to pick out. There are a multitude of card spreads, but the interpreter usually uses the spread that they are most comfortable with, or the spread that they feel is most appropriate the for the seeker’s circumstances. Each spread has a specific number of cards and an established sequence as to the order in which the cards are laid out. The interpreter gives each and every card detailed meanings before proceeding to the next one. Nevertheless, each spread can be as telling as the questions asked in tarot readings. Some of the more popular card spreads are:
- The 1 card spread
As the name suggests, this consists of only one card, and that card represents the seeker. This card is often called the significator and may eventually be the guide for tarot readings of other spreads.
- The 3-card spread
This spread, on the other hand, is used to interpret the seeker’s past, present and future without the significator.
- The astrological spread
Using 13 cards (with 1 card in the middle to denote the seeker, and the remaining 12 cards laid out in a circular pattern). When this spread is used in tarot readings there are very close ties to astrological symbolisms, particularly representing the 12 zodiac signs.
- The Celtic Cross spread
This spread uses 10 cards for tarot readings and these are arranged in two separate patterns. 6 cards are used to create an even sided cross and the remaining 4 cards are placed vertically on the right hand side of the cross. This card arrangement entails careful constitution. One card to signify the seeker, the next card to signify the query of the seeker, and the rest of the cards are positioned to represent the step-by-step process of how the seeker can achieve the answer to his or her query. This spread is, by far, one of the most commonly seen among experienced interpreters of tarot readings.
- The Horseshoe spread
The Horseshoe spread, or the V shaped spread or the semi-circle spread, entails the use of only 7 cards. In tarot readings of this kind, the cards are laid out in one direction only i.e. either from left to right or vice versa. Each card is represented as follows:
1st card seeker’s past 2nd card seeker’s present 3rd card main influences in seeker’s life 4th card main obstacles to overcome 5th card hopes and fears that the seeker must consider 6th card best course of action to take 7th card the likely outcome of the seeker’s quest.
