Why Start with Simple Spreads?
Simple spreads help you focus on the story of a few cards instead of memorizing everything at once. They're quick, clear, and perfect for journaling and building confidence.
How to Prep Any Reading (60 Seconds)
- 1Set your intention: one sentence question.
- 2Ground: 3 slow breaths, feet on the floor.
- 3Shuffle with focus, then cut.
- 4Pull cards and notice first impressions (colors, emotion, symbols).
- 5Journal a two-sentence takeaway.
Spread 1 — One-Card Draw
Daily Insight
(1)When to use: Quick clarity, mood check, daily theme
How:
Why it works: Builds a daily pattern memory for each card—supercharged learning.
Spread 2 — Three-Card: Past · Present · Future
Narratives & Progress
(1) Past
(2) Present
(3) FutureWhen to use: Narratives, progress checks, decisions unfolding
Past
Which prior choice still shapes today?
Present
What truth is unavoidable now?
Future
What likely path forms if nothing changes?
Spread 3 — Three-Card: Situation · Advice · Outcome
Practical Guidance
(1) Situation
(2) Advice
(3) OutcomeWhen to use: Practical guidance, business/personal decisions
Situation
Name the core tension in one sentence.
Advice
One actionable verb (choose, pause, delegate, apologize, invest).
Outcome
What changes if you follow the advice?
Pro tip: If Outcome is unclear, draw a clarifier only for card 3.
Spread 4 — Five-Card "Compass"
Beginner-Friendly Context
(1) Past
(2) Present
(3) Advice
(4) External
(5) DirectionWhen to use: More context without complexity
How to read:
Keep it simple: Two lines of synthesis and one action.
Yes/No Questions (A Better Approach)
Tarot is designed for nuance and guidance, not binary answers. Instead of forcing yes/no:
- Reframe as "What do I need to know about..." or "How can I approach..."
- Use Situation-Advice-Outcome to understand the full picture and make an informed decision.
- Look at the overall energy: Major Arcana cards suggest significant themes, while suit patterns reveal the nature of the situation.
Quick Interpretation Cheats (for Beginners)
Many Majors
Big life themes; be gentle with timing.
Repeated suit
- Wands: action/vision
- Cups: relationships/feelings
- Swords: thoughts/communication
- Pentacles: work/resources/body
Numbers repeating
- Aces: starts
- 3s: growth/networking
- 5s: friction
- 10s: completion/transition
Common Beginner Mistakes (and Fixes)
Fix: Start with 1–3.
Fix: Trust the first pull; ask better questions.
Fix: Write it down first.
Fix: Track spreads → see patterns → build skill.
7-Day Practice Plan
Day 1–2
One-card daily insight.
Day 3–4
Past-Present-Future for a small decision.
Day 5–6
Situation-Advice-Outcome on a work or study topic.
Day 7
Five-Card Compass; share in the forum for feedback.
Sample Journal Template
- Question:
- Spread used:
- Cards (order):
- Symbols noticed:
- Two-line story:
- Action I'll take by (date):
- Follow-up result (in 7 days):