How do you organize your spreads?

[Lurea]

Like others here, I've begun copying, printing, and saving various spreads. I want to put them in a notebook but ran into the problem of how to organize them. I already have 50+ and I've only been collecting them for a little while!

So how do you organize your spreads? Do you sort them by card number, by purpose, or by both? How do you keep up with them all? Do you actually use the spreads you have collected, or just stick with the Celtic Cross and the Horseshoe? :D

[Shalott]

LOL I have the same problem. I print them off of here or write them up, then stick them into my journal. I have yet to figure out how to turn this into something other than a mess. Can't wait to see others' solutions!

[lunalafey]

I try and keep my personal readings in chronological order.
As for my spreads I try to keep them in order of how many cards are in the spread. Those I currently have on bits and pieces here and there and most together. I also have a "book" of spreads on my computer.

Note: the key word is try.
I end up with spreads and readings in a number of different notebooks.
On occasion I will go through and pull them from those notebooks and put them into a big three ring binder. I'm almost to the point of needing a second binder.
I hope to someday- {yeah right} sit down and transfer everything into typed form. But I won't even attempt to do that until I have a printer.

Because the readings I do for others are communicated in typed form. I have been keeping those in order by deck and date of reading, those are on the computer in a file called cards.

[Wisp Wings]

I have several notebooks. Here is what I have:

1 - large notebook with spreads
(all of the following are smaller 3-ring binders that are like a book size)
1 - for "Faeries Oracles" only called "Following Faes"
1 - Tarot Journaling
2 - Tarot Spreads
1 - Tarot Notes and Quotes. This one is things I have found to be key in understand individual cards from other people's insights, some from books, and quotes that are direct about tarot and others that I believe to be useful. There are Tarot correspondences, meditations, and prayers in it also.

I originally had my spreads in this notebook too, until then grew way to large for one book to contain all this. I have one completely filled notebook on spreads and another that is more that half filled.

The way that I have Spreads Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 organized is what is at the beginning of Vol. 1 is "Daily Card Procedure", another daily spread, a card mediation/guidance, various year spreads, a "Holiday Cheer" spread, a couple of new year's spreads, a where I am now spread, then quarter year spread, followed by monthly spreads, next is moon spreads, birthday spreads, wish spreads,......finally two card spreads, three card spreads, four, five and on up. With the three card spread I have them listed and "Three Card Spreads" and "More Three Card Spreads". In addition to this I have some that are topic organized regardless of the number of cards in them. I just I need to close this with telling you of my strays, lol..... I crunch. With the many spreads I have, where one will end and leave like anywhere from a fourth to almost nearly a full page, I make a squizzly inch line at the far margin and then I added a tiny post-it where this un-used space started. I would go insearch and use my filler space for added spreads until eventual I had one complete book filled. I have separated the larger numbered of cards in a spread into their own book, which is Vol. 2.

Sorry this is sooooo long.

[Lurea]

Spreads, vol. 1 and vol. 2! Wow! *in awe of wisp wing*

Wisp wing, it sound like you have more organization in one little finger than I have in my entire body!

One thing I am getting from you and Lunafaley is: three ring binders.
*goes off to steal one of her son's binders*

[Wisp Wings]

I've been collecting spreads for a long time. (Giggles) I have my favorites but I like trying them all. With the binders you have the option to change their order somewhat. I changed to topics due to too many times of wanting to find one that would answer better to like relationships, or spiritual matters. All of the ones that don't fit into a common topic is just listed within the number of cards per spread.

I love the best the smaller binders, the down side is you can't get as many in these as the larger. I feel the plus side outweighs any of the negative for the smaller size, 7.5"x9.5". I like this size more cause it just feel more personal, like your own book. The best part of this is that being small it is easier to take and isn't bulky on to handle, especially like on the side of a spread or in your lap.

I am glad you thought to ask this question. Good luck with your notebooks.

[purple_scorp]

Hello all,

One day, I was bored with my tarot spreads so I decided to do a mad hunt through the net to find some different ones. I gathered about 50, based on a variety of topics (some from here, some from other sites).

I got myself a small-hard covered journal (about A5 size) and a rectangle stamp. I hand-wrote one spread to a page, using the stamp to mark the card positions, and listed the spread title at the top of each page.

When I created the spread book, I listed them in a logical order and it was simply a matter of flicking through the book (or looking at my index).

The beauty of the book being so small is that I can fit it into some of my Tarot bags, so it's quite portable. There are a couple of spare pages at the back of the book, so I can add any further spreads that take my fancy. However, they won't be in order with the others, I'll just have to live with that ;).

Occasionally I will look through the spreads category and copy a new spread but essentially, I just stick to the spreads that I know. Or, I make up new spreads on the fly, as the need arises.

I guess I could always start a second and/or third, fourth, or fifth spread book when I fill the pages in the first one.

purple_scorp

[Ivy Rhiannon]

I organize them in subjects, and from there how many cards. Hope that helps!

[Mellifluous]

I just write them on index cards and I tend to keep the ones I like near the top. They're in a box with some decks and other things, and I rarely use them. I usually just divide what I'm asking about into sub-questions and lay a card for each, unless I'm trying a new spread out of curiosity. :)

I've got a few recent curiosities in my journal and in my email inbox, waiting to be scribbled on a card though. lol

[Emily]

My spread book is a little more organised than my Journal but still very simple but, for me, it works.

I bought a large sturdy hardback spiral notebook and numbered the pages, then I started off by trying to categorise the spreads but it wasn't working out that way so instead I just did a simple index at the back of the book. I write the spread on one page then turn to the back of the book and list the name of the spread, who made it, what it covers - relationship, work, etc and what page its on.

My favourite spreads have a little star by them so I can find them easily but when I'm looking for a spread its just a case of scanning the list in the back of the book then finding the page. :)

[Astraea Aurora]

Hi Lurea,

I know your problem. Spread hunting can be quite addictive. :D (But no doctor will heal you from it, fortunately. :)) So here's how I do it.

I organize them in hard-cover journals, A5 size. I don't like three ring binders because I write too much on pages larger than A5.

As I'm a hunter, I've already begun the third volume. I bring them into order by numbers and I continue counting throught the volumes. So, volume 1 begins with #1, volume 2 goes on with #170 and volume 3 has #335. (I told you it's addictive. :D Although this is only a third of my spread collection.)

I have index pages at the end of each volume. So when I'm in search of a spread and I know at least it's probable name I try to find them. Otherwise I search by categories.

In the journals I write the spread title, who made it, which category it is in and then the rest (layout, meanings, additional info on the subject).

I also organize them by topics / categories and I'm really fussy about that. To make it clear to you, here they are:
Love & relationship, family, pregnancy, children, mother-/father-child-relationship, job, finances, school & study, everything (quite a big part :), these are general spreads), travel, relocation, pets, health, events, dreams, wishes, writing & creativity, fairytales, problem solving, decisions, Tarot (another huge part), daily cards, new deck interviews, year & birthday spreads, spirituality, reincarnation, Gods & ghosts, self (spreads about understanding yourself), magick, Esbats, Sabbats (Yule, christmas, Imbold, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lammas, Mabon and New Year's Eve).

I don't have the time to try them all. Most times I just copy them to my spread journals because I find them interesting or they offer me another side on a well known subject which I hadn't considered.

Happy organizing Lurea. :love:

Astraea Aurora

[sleepingcat]

Email the spread to myself in Gmail ^^;

At least I have tons of space, and then it turns into a searchable database.

But then if I dont have internet, I have no spreads. x.x; So I tend to make stuff up as I go along in the park, or use the handful of spreads I like to do over and over.

[tabi]

When I first started learning tarot I made up a small spiral notebook full of spreads that I liked, some I wanted to try, and others just because I found them. I wrote them down as I found them, however I did leave the first several pages blank in the notebook so I could have a table of contents. It worked well for a while.

I was going to switch onto the computer but never really wanted too. Now I simply go through the abundant spreads here and if I don't find what I want I make one as I go. But I try to make at least one spread a month, odd as this is it is what really helped me understand position and card meaning.

Best bet though is to buy a three ring binder, print out all of the spread and put them in there. Just make sure you buy a very LARGE one. Also may want to skip punching holes in the paper and buy those plastic sleeve thingies, while they are a bit costly in the beginning it is worth it in the long run that way you don't have to worry about tearning or losing a page, and you can move them around with damaging the page.

[purple_scorp]

Gosh,

this is such an old thread, I'd forgotten that I'd posted in it. :)

I just wanted to update what I had posted in 2004. I have since purchased the Orphalese Tarot software which enables you to electronically create, store and manage spreads.

Here's a link to the Orphalese Tarot Zone - Spreads page (http://www.orphalese.net/spreads.aspx?chosenculture=en).

If you have any questions about this software, feel free to ask or pm me.

with love
purple_scorp

[Aalore]

These are some great tips! I love to hear how others organize themselves.

[Roewyn]

I have like four notebooks going.. lol..

the first one i used was a giant 5-section spiral notebook.. one section for spreads, one for readings, one for notes, one for studies.. blahhh

then I purchased three more smaller spirals.. one for spreads, one for readings, and one i haven't put to use yet.

I also have a smaller spiral notebook which has all of the above assorted throughout the thing..

I am obsessed with organizatoin to the point that I am unorganized.. lmao..

but eventually, (soon) i am going to purcahse a 3-ring binder and try to type them all up.. lol.. not my readings, just the spreads.

:D

I like the 3-ring binder idea with the plastic cover thingy's because then you can index and rearrange them.. lol.. someday, someday.. :neutral:

Roewyn :heart:

[StellarMyst]

Email the spread to myself in Gmail ^^;

At least I have tons of space, and then it turns into a searchable database.

But then if I dont have internet, I have no spreads. x.x; So I tend to make stuff up as I go along in the park, or use the handful of spreads I like to do over and over.

That's a good idea sleepingcat! :D

I'm much more disorganized with mine! I just flip through the binder, and "happen across" the spread I need for the issue at hand! LOL :D I also have the book: The Complete Book of Tarot Spreads (122 Layouts -- really handy book! :D)

Blessings,

StellarMyst

[Sheri]

Originally posted by Tabi:
Best bet though is to buy a three ring binder, print out all of the spread and put them in there. Just make sure you buy a very LARGE one. Also may want to skip punching holes in the paper and buy those plastic sleeve thingies, while they are a bit costly in the beginning it is worth it in the long run that way you don't have to worry about tearning or losing a page, and you can move them around with damaging the page.

This is an excellent idea :thumbsup:

I would also like to add that if you use the clear plastic sleeves, you can use overhead projector/transparency markers to annotate the spread without marking up the paper. The ink wipes off with a damp paper towel or cloth.

valeria

[Shadow Wolf]

I never thought about collect tarot spreads but of course I've been away from it for a while. I can't believe that I forgot that I actually made up a couple of spreads. Going through these spreads reminded me of what I was missing.

*Going off in search of my tarot journal and my celtic tarot deck*


gotta' get back in the swing!!!

Thanks for the motivation boost.

I'll be back with a few new spreads of my own !!!

[missycab]

I'm a total mess. I bought a little notebook, to use as a journal and also to write down spreads... but I don't use it. When I find a spread I want to use, I write it down in a little sheet of paper - any paper that's near the computer -, mixing words in English and in Spanish. Then, I put that sheet of paper in my -untidy- desk or in a drawer. I should be more organized, I know. :P

[shadowdancer]

I think at the last count I had in the region of 350 spreads.

I keep them as a tarot card sized card index system (one spread per card):

buff cards = general readings, or practical issues.

pink cards = romance/relationships

blue cards = conflict, careers, family or financial issues

green cards = spiritual or developmental readings.

Each section has an index card section, so I know what is in each area.

All of these are hole punched and I have some string holding them together within their individual groups.

I dowse for the spread to use on readings as follows:

1) Ask the question of what area should I look at (relationships, general etc)

2) I then ask what index page is the most appropriate spread to be found (the general section has 5 index pages now)

3) when narrowed down to a specific index page I then establish the actual spread and then go to it.

I do readings where no spread is indicated, and in that case I just make it up as I feel guided. Guess what though - that is then added to the system as a spread....lol

Seems to work easier for me than having them in a journal. Each time I add a spread I just complete another card and add it to the index before attaching it to the relevant section.

Davina

[rwcarter]

I have a two-tiered organization method. First, I've hand copied each spread onto 8-1/2 x 11 rose colored lined paper, then three hole punched it and put it into a binder. The binder has tabs for # of cards in the spread - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10+.

Then I have an Excel spreadsheet that lists the name of the spread, the source for the spread (book, person, original), the number of cards in the spread and whether or not the spread uses a significator. I also need to add a column for subject.

So far I have 250 spreads, but I have a list of sources that I need to go through to add more spreads.

Rodney

[Logiatrix]

I keep my spreads in one of those flexible 3-ring binders, in order of card number. I haven't gathered new spreads in a while...glad to be reminded, I need to get back to it.
:thumbsup:

[Grizabella]

If I had as many notebooks going as some of you do, I'd be spending more time note-booking and thumbing through them than using the cards. Where do you find time to use your cards when you're so busy with notebooks? :D

I use 3-card spreads and 7-card spreads. I make up the card positions as I go. On rare occasions, I might browse 3-card or 7-card spreads here on AT from the index just for ideas if I run out of posts to read on the forums, but I usually don't write anything down. Once in awhile I might, though. I also sometimes check out the card spreads in books just because they're there but don't usually write one down.

I read a lot for other people so it would be very awkward---and very unprofessional---to lug around notebooks with me. That's why I streamlined my style right from the start.

[Tabby]

I have my spreads copied in a big notebook. But, I have my spreads written on a piece of paper in front of the notebook to tell me which page a certain spread is on.

[rwcarter]

Having just spent some time doing a major reorganization of my spreads and coming across this thread while searching for another one, I thought I'd revive this thread with some updated information.

Originally, I was using pen, ruler and paper to copy spreads I liked and have them all be in the same format. When the number of spreads became unmanageable, I organized them in a notebook by number of cards in the spread. That worked for awhile until I found this place and the spreads forum. It took me a couple of months, but I finally got through all 66 pages of threads on spreads and culled the ones that interested me into a Word document that was 168 pages long.

I knew it would take me 20 years to convert those spreads into my existing format, so I decided to let technology be my friend. I converted everything (existing spreads and the ones from AT) into Excel Spreadsheets. I got the bulk of it done over the 2 week Xmas holiday from work (even though I was sick most of that time).

So I now have 547 spreads (meaning 547 Excel spreadsheets) and one master spread list. Each entry in the list contains the following information:
Title
Source
Category
Number of cards
Number of decks
Whether a Significator is used and if so, how many

Knowing that one list wouldn't be sufficient for me (one day I might remember the name of the spread and another day I might only remember the number of cards in it or what type of spread it was), the master list actually has a number of different worksheets:
an alphabetically sorted list
an alphabetically grouped/outlined list
a list grouped/outlined by type of spread
a list grouped/outlined by number of cards in the spread

Whenever I add a new entry into the master list, I add it into the alphabetically sorted list and then copy/insert that entry into each of the other three worksheets.

I still have lots of books in my library that I need to cull spreads from, so hopefully this new system will work for me for the foreseeable future.

Rodney

[afrosaxon]

I have three different Word files: general spreads, romance spreads, career spreads.

I add/update and save as needed. *shrug*

T.

[MoonLitCrystal]

I'm going to be the black sheep and say that I don't collect spreads. When I first started doing Tarot I'd take them from this web site and I think I'd just favorite the page (or search for it when I needed it). Now I always make up my own spread depending on the question and the person. I doubt I use the same exact spread twice. I may use some that are very similar for very similar questions, but I usually tweak one or two cards here and there. I guess because of this method I don't write them down, so there's no need to organize or keep a notebook. (Thank goodness, I'd probably fail miserably at that and have papers everywhere! LOL)

[berrieh]

I write them down in my Journal, but the ones I use, I use often enough that I have them stored and organized in my head, mostly.

[VGimlet]

I am hoping to eventually design a searchable database so I can search by card number and/or spread type. After I do my tarot card database, and the other databases I have to do for non-tarot stuff.

I have all my three card spreads in my big tarot journal, with plenty of room for more additions and the others are kind of here and there.

[SarahRose]

I save my spreads on my computer in Word documents. I have 142 plus 3 PDF files of spreads (from where? Anyone know? Someone must know what I'm talking about LOL). So I have lots.

The individual ones, I label them with keywords - all my relationship ones are named "Relationship Spread #N" and then after that, parentheses with a one or two word description of what kind of relationship spread - "getting over one," "why single," etc.

I have "Dream Spread 1," 2, 3, etc. "Pregnancy Spread 1," 2, 3. Etc.