While performing a tarot reading, the shuffled deck is spread out on a surface in a particular pattern. This pattern of arranging the deck by spreading it out is known as SPREAD or SPREADS. There are a variety of patterns or spreads in which the deck can be arranged. A number is assigned to each position in the spread, usually. This querent card is known as the Significator.

Common Spreads

Celtic Cross

This one is the commonest and the most popular spread using 10 cards. Card 1 represents the present, card 2 represents the querent's imminent challenge, card 3 is for foundation and distant past, card 4 stands for events in the more recent past, card 5 stands for the best that can be attained, the immediate future is represented by card 6, card 7 is for feelings or mental factors that affect the situation, external influences are represented by card 8, card 9 signifies fears or hopes or anticipations and the final outcome is signified by card 10.

1 Card Spread

It comprises a single card.

3 Card Spread

The 3 cards stand for past, present and future respectively.

Astrological Spread

12 cards, representing 12 signs of the zodiac are arranged in a circle. Significator is the 13th card put in the middle.

Horse Shoe

You have to spread out 7 cards in a V shape or in a semicircle. Probable Outcomes, best course of actions, fears/hopes/expectations, obstacles, inspiration, present and the past are represented by the cards.

Tetractys

You have to position 10 cards in a pyramid of 4 rows. The 4 elements earth, air, water and fire are represented by each row. The top row consists of a single card the Significator.

Yin Yang Spread

When 2 parties are at loggerheads with each other or stuck over some specific difficulty/problem and cannot see eye to eye , you can use the Yin Yang spread to shed light on the situation and find out a solution to the problem that will satisfy all parties.

The basis of this spread is the familiar circular symbol. This consists of 1 white and 1 black shape. A central line defines it.

Relationship Spread

Like the CELTIC CROSS, it also involves 10 cards. The ten cards from 10 to 1 represent eventual outcome, fears and hopes, impediments that you have to overcome, beneficial energies, attitude of the querent, outside influences, future influences, the present, recent past and distant past.

Ellipse Spread

This one is a 7 card spread where cards 7 to 1 signify final result, fears and hopes, outside factors, course of action, future influence that will matter, present influences, and past influences.

Some other spreads include general 9 Card Spread, Tree of Life Spread, Horoscope Spread, Chakra Spread, Mirror Spread, Five Card Spread, Diamond Spread, Mandala Spread and Astarte's Own Spread.