Reading Tarot – Three Card Spread

Last updated on: June 4, 2018 at 6:00 pm by Phoenix LeFae

Reading Tarot – Three Card Spread 2018-06-04T18:00:31-08:00 Phoenix LeFae

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

One of the most classic layouts for a reading is the three card spread. It is one of my favorite spreads because it is simple, but it offers the potential for going really deep. It is an excellent spread to use when you can only do a quick reading or if you need a solid jumping off point for a deeper more extensive reading.

Traditionally the placement of the cards in a three card spread is connected to specific meanings. The first card is the past, the second card represents the present, and the third card shows the future. Pretty simple, right?

Yes, it’s easy, but it can also be so much more.

Card One – The Past

Traditionally the first card is the card that shows us the past, where the querent has been – past tense. However, I don’t like to read this card as if the past is a static thing. Rather, when I do a three card spread I imagine the first card to be a symbol of fluid energy.

These are the questions that I ask when looking at the first card. What is the energy from the past that is still influencing the now? What is the baggage (good or not) that is still being carried into the present? What is propelling the information of this reading forward? Instead of looking at the first card as a single note of the past, let this card inform what needs to be known now with notes from the past as influence.

Card Two – The Present

In a traditional three card spread the second card is the now. The card of the present is all about the now. What is going on that the querent needs to know about at this moment?

There is more to the present moment than the present moment. (ha!) Each moment is being influenced by our past and our potential future. When I look a the second card I ask some of the following questions. What is the reason for this reading? What is important? What is the current focus? And how does this card show up and interact with the first card?

Card Three – The Future

The third card is the “outcome” card. This card answers the question of the reading. Traditionally the third card tells us all about the future.

I’ve never liked looking at a reading as telling the future. Tarot shows you a possible outcome, a potential, the likely course that you are on in this moment, but nothing is frozen, static, or certain. Instead, I like to look at the third card as the outcome of the current path that is being followed. I’ve also found, more often than not, that this card offers some tips, advice, or even warnings on the things coming down the road.

Beyond Three Cards

With a three card spread, start by looking at the individual cards and what they mean as a message for past, present, and future, but also look deeper. What if the the three cards were one message? What if, instead of three distinct images, you had one fluid image? How would the information received in the reading change if you were to look at the cards in that way, would the information change? Now what is the overall message?

Major Arcana

In a three card spread, pay attention to any Major Arcana cards and where they land in the layout. Major Arcana cards already offer deeper messages and layers of meaning. With a three card spread allow the Major Arcana to really influence and expand the meaning in the other cards. What are the overarching messages? What is some of the life work that may be making itself known in this reading?

No matter the layout or spread, a tarot reading brings insight and clarity into a situation that is murky, cloudy, or uncertain. The layers of a reading can always go deeper and you don’t have to pull a dozen cards to bring that depth. A simple, classic, three card draw can reveal several layers of detail.

Tarot

tarot spreads

Previous Post

May 20, 2018

Witchy As F*ck - #WAF

Next Post

June 6, 2018 Flash Vs. Substance - Leadership in the Pagan Community

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Ancestor Work Art and Magic Athena Autumn Equinox Being a Priestess Being A Witch Being Pagan Belatane Beltane candle magic Cauldron Cernunnos cerridwen Choosing a magical name Circle Casting Community Coronovirus Coven Curious about magic Daily Practice Deity Depression Earth Ecstatic Practices Elements of Magic Every Day Magic Fae Food Magic Goddess Grounding House Magick Imbolc Ritual Kitchen Witch Knot Magic Lammas Life Ritualized Mabon Magical Healing Magical Practice Magical Teachers Magickal Tools Making Altars Many Gods West Mountain Magic Nature Witch New Year's Tradition Omens Pagan Books Pagan Camps and Festivals Pagan Food Pagan Gods Pagan History Pagan Holidays Pagan Humor Pagan Humour Pagan leadership Pagan Marriage Pagan Music Pagan Parenting Pagan Relationships Pagan Rituals Pagan Rules Pagan Tattoos Pantheacon Peaceful Home Pearl Pentacle Personal Power Politics Ritual Cleansing Ritual Drumming Samhain Samhain Practices saturnalia Skyclad Spells Spiralheart Witch Camp Spirits of Place Spring Equinox spring magic Summer Solstice Tarot The Magick Of Food Time Magic Uncategorized Winter Solstice Witch History Witch Words WitchCamps Work Magic Year End Review Yule

Select a Month March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 October 2020 September 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz