Tarot Spreads for Everything: 10 Simple Layouts For All Life’s Questions
Whether you’re a seasoned tarot reader or just getting started, having a few go-to spreads in your back pocket can make all the difference when life throws its mysteries your way. Tarot spreads are the blueprint of a reading; they provide structure and direction, helping you to gain clarity on everything from love to career to spiritual growth. Below, you’ll find ten tarot spreads designed to tackle just about any issue or situation the average person might encounter. At the end, I’ll also share some tips on creating your own personalized spreads. Ready to dive in?
1. The Daily Check-In Spread 🌟
Perfect for: Starting your day with intention.
- Card 1: What energy should I embrace today?
- Card 2: What should I be mindful of?
- Card 3: What can I let go of?
This quick three-card spread sets the tone for your day, offering guidance on how to navigate the hours ahead with grace and purpose.
2. The Decision-Maker Spread ⚔️
Perfect for: Making choices when you’re stuck at a crossroads.
- Card 1: Option A – What it brings.
- Card 2: Option B – What it brings.
- Card 3: What do I need to know before deciding?
- Card 4: The potential outcome if I choose Option A.
- Card 5: The potential outcome if I choose Option B.
When faced with a tough decision, this spread helps you weigh the pros and cons, making the choice clearer.
3. The Relationship Reflection Spread 💗
Perfect for: Understanding the dynamics of any relationship.
- Card 1: How I see myself in this relationship.
- Card 2: How I see the other person.
- Card 3: How they see me.
- Card 4: The current state of the relationship.
- Card 5: What I need to focus on to improve or understand this relationship.
Use this spread to gain insights into your relationships, whether romantic, platonic, or familial.
4. The Career Clarity Spread 💸
Perfect for: Navigating work-related questions or challenges.
- Card 1: What’s going well in my career?
- Card 2: What challenges am I facing?
- Card 3: What skills or strengths can I leverage?
- Card 4: What’s holding me back?
- Card 5: What’s the next best step for my career?
This spread offers practical guidance for advancing your career or handling workplace dilemmas.
5. The New Beginnings Spread 🕯
Perfect for: Starting fresh, whether it’s a new job, relationship, or phase in life.
- Card 1: What’s the foundation I’m building on?
- Card 2: What should I leave behind?
- Card 3: What new energy should I welcome?
- Card 4: What challenges might I face?
- Card 5: What’s the potential outcome of this new beginning?
For those times when you’re stepping into the unknown, this spread helps you transition smoothly.
6. The Self-Care Spread 🧘♀️
Perfect for: When you’re feeling drained and need to recharge.
- Card 1: Where do I need self-care the most?
- Card 2: What’s currently depleting my energy?
- Card 3: How can I nurture myself?
- Card 4: What should I avoid right now?
- Card 5: What positive outcome will self-care bring?
Self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and little treats—it’s about replenishing your energy and well-being, which this spread supports.
7. The Spiritual Growth Spread 🕊
Perfect for: Deepening your connection to your higher self or spiritual path.
- Card 1: Where am I on my spiritual journey?
- Card 2: What’s the next step in my spiritual development?
- Card 3: What obstacles am I facing on this path?
- Card 4: What spiritual gifts or insights can I embrace?
- Card 5: How can I align more closely with my higher self?
Use this spread to explore your spiritual evolution and gain insights into your soul’s journey during this lifetime.
8. The Goal-Setting Spread 📊
Perfect for: Creating a roadmap to achieve your goals.
- Card 1: What’s my primary goal?
- Card 2: What resources do I have to achieve it?
- Card 3: What obstacles might arise?
- Card 4: What steps should I take next?
- Card 5: What’s the likely outcome if I pursue this goal?
This spread is your ally in turning dreams into reality, helping you focus on the steps needed to succeed.
9. The Shadow Work Spread 🖤
Perfect for: Exploring your shadow self and hidden truths.
- Card 1: What aspect of my shadow self is asking for attention?
- Card 2: How does this shadow aspect affect my life?
- Card 3: What lesson can I learn from this shadow work?
- Card 4: How can I integrate this aspect into my life?
- Card 5: What healing will come from this integration?
Shadow work can be intense, but this spread provides a safe space to explore and heal hidden or rejected parts of yourself.
10. The Year Ahead Spread ☸️
Perfect for: New Year’s Eve, your birthday, or any time you want a yearly forecast.
- Card 1: The theme of the year ahead.
- Card 2: What challenges to be aware of.
- Card 3: What opportunities to embrace.
- Card 4: What personal growth is possible.
- Card 5: What’s the key lesson(s) of the year.
This spread gives you a bird’s-eye view of the year to come, offering insights into what to expect and how to navigate it.
Creating Your Own Tarot Spreads
Sometimes, a situation arises that doesn’t quite fit into any standard spread. That’s where creating your own comes in handy! Here’s how to do it:
1. Identify Your Question or Issue: Clearly define what you want insight on. The more specific your question, the more tailored your spread will be. Remember to ask open-ended questions for the best results.
2. Determine the Number of Cards: Think about how many aspects you need to explore. For simple questions, 3–5 cards might suffice. For more complex issues, 7–10+ cards could be necessary.
3. Assign Positions: Decide what each position in the spread will represent. You can mirror spreads you’ve seen or invent new positions based on your needs. Usually any one position reflects one assigned card, but sometimes multiple cards will want to be part of a single position. This depends on how you pick your cards at random. Lead with intuition, there are no wrong answers here.
4. Layout: Arrange the cards in a way that feels logical or visually appealing. The layout doesn’t have to be fancy—just something that makes sense to you.
Example: The “Mind-Body-Spirit” Spread
- Card 1: (left) Mind – What’s going on in my thoughts?
- Card 2: (middle) Body – What’s happening with my physical well-being?
- Card 3: (right) Spirit – How is my soul or inner self feeling?
This simple spread can be customized to suit your specific needs by adding additional cards or focusing on different aspects of your life.
Tips and Tricks for Using Tarot Spreads
- Start Simple: Don’t overwhelm yourself with complex spreads if you’re new. Simple three-card spreads can be just as powerful.
- Be Flexible: If a card doesn’t seem to fit, explore alternative interpretations or trust your gut feeling.
- Experiment: Tarot is as much about intuition as it is about tradition. Feel free to tweak spreads to suit your unique situation.
- Journal: Keep a tarot journal to track your spreads, thoughts, and insights. Over time, you’ll notice patterns and deepen your understanding. If a reading doesn’t make sense in real time, writing it down and then reviewing the reading in hindsight will often bring clarity.
- Practice: The more you work with spreads, the more confident you’ll become in your readings. Pick a few go-to spreads to practice, so that you can whip them out at any time.
Final Thoughts: Tarot spreads are like keys that unlock different doors in your life, offering clarity, guidance, and insight when you need them most. Whether you’re using a tried-and-true layout or creating one of your own, remember that tarot is a tool for empowerment. Trust your intuition, stay curious, and let the cards reveal the wisdom that lies within you.
Happy reading, and may your tarot journey be filled with insight, clarity, and personal magick! ✨
