Divination through tarot cards originates from ancient cultures. It is one of the occult sciences with little change throughout the ages in terms of meaning and explanations. The process of predicting the future is often quite complex, but some simple forms exist, which occult enthusiasts who find this art fascinating can easily master. The pattern in which the cards are placed while reading the past, present or future is known as tarot cards spreads.

There are different spreads in tarot divination that help answering your questions better. In most cases, the reader would decide which one is the best among the known tarot card spreads for you. It is important however, to note that one can still divine things through simple spreads as well. The importance of different spreads or styles of casting the cards would be felt when you want certain details about what you want know. The details are easily captured through the specific layout or pattern in which the cards are placed and read.

Among the different spreads in tarot, some are more popular and some are rare. The popular ones would include the Celtic Cross Spread, the Three Cards Spread, the Five Cards Spread and the Ellipse Spread.

The Celtic Cross Spread - here ten cards are used, spread in the form of a cross. These cards indicate the situation you are seeking to understand and predict. Each of the cards explains through their position and presence why the situation happened, how it would affect you, whether it can be prevented and how and what would be the outcome. This is one of the first and most common among the different spreads in tarot of you would encounter.

The Three Cards Spread - this is another very popular tarot card spreads because it is used to answer questions with simple yes or no. These three cards normally signify your past, present and future, when read from left towards right.

The Five Cards Spread - in this type of tarot card spreads you would have to lay your cards in a certain order. There would be three rows; in the first row card number 3 (the future) would be placed. In the second row cards number 1 (the general feeling in the reading), 5 (the inner meaning of the situation), and 2 (the past that lead to the situation) should be placed. Lastly, card number 4 (the reason you need help) would be laid on the table. All the rows should start in the straight line on the left.

The Ellipse Spread - this is not so common, though easy to use from among the different spreads in tarot cards for divination. The name 'ellipse' is because the tarot card spreads would be in the shape of a V. Here card no 1 is laid first on the left; this card represents the past. Card no 2 is aligned in the V a little lower; this card represents the present. Card 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are then laid in such a manner that the spread reads like a V. Card 3 represents the future, card 4 advices you what to do, card 5 identifies the external powers that are involved in your situation, card 6 highlights your hopes and fears, and lastly, card 7 tell you what is the most likely outcome.