Tarot spreads. Yours or Theirs??

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 20 Jun 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

MystiqueMoonlight	20 Jun 2002
I was just wondering what your thoughts are about using various spreads. Who makes up their own spreads either pre-planned ones or as you go along with your reading? Who prefers to use spreads that are published ones like the celtic cross for example? I prefer to make up my own spreads which I sometimes design specific to the reading or one I have created and used before. I feel by doing this I am focusing more on "my" interpretations and intuitive skills. But that's just me. I'm interested in your input...

catlin	20 Jun 2002
I usually start with good ol' CC, especially when the querent does not want to tell me the question in advance. I then switch to selfmade ones, sometimes I do up a new one in the process of the reading.

Jenny-Li	20 Jun 2002
Hi! I make up my own when I feel I need to, in order to get to the bottom of what I want to know. I think the CC even with a specific question provides a rather general overview kind of answer, if I want specifics, I usually create a specific spread for this reading. Or find one that someone else made, here on Aeclecic I have found LOADS of spreads that I like to use! (Or I go to Bec's page and look around...) What I DON'T do is make up as I go along. Maybe that could work too, it's just that it doesn't feel right, what if I'm wrong. What I have done is I have laid out 3 cards without designated positions and read them as they seem to fit together, according to the patterns I see in the cards themselves. If I need to I add some clarification cards. I guess that would go as making up as I go along after all...! Jenny :)

aeonx	20 Jun 2002
Greetings. Lately, I've mostly used my home-made ones. This way I always know the positions and how to read the cards in relation to one another. However, there are a few spreads out there which is great. I.e. jema's love spread! (I've been bragging of this all over Aeclectic. :D ) I also make up spreads as I go along. aeonx's Star Spread was made during a reading I did for my friend. I had no books at hand, and needed a spread that could go more in-depth. Turned out nice. :) ~aeonx~

jema	20 Jun 2002
i mostly make my own spreads, some very specific (i got a love & money spread for example and of course the love spread). i also borrow spread from others, there is a site on the net i love: http://www.corax.com/tarot/index1.html especially for her great spreads. i think i will try aeonx star too - the next time:) i have had clients specifically asking for the celtic cross - but i am not so fond of it, it is too many cards. i much prefer 3-7 cards and do two spreads instead if i have to. too many cards will dazzle the client with too much information. a celtic cross can take up to two or three hours to interpret for me. most likely the client will have gone home by then;) my readings usually start with a three card to get the "feel" of the client and what may be going on in his/her life. i then do a specific spread for whatever question they have or just pick cards from the deck.

Kiama	20 Jun 2002
I have not used anybody else's spread, or published ones since a couple of years ago. This is because I often find they don't fit the exact requirements of the question being asked. What I always do now i to work out the question, and what needs to be now, and fit the sprad ond tht question. For instance, if somebody were to ask, 'How can I go about changing my relationship for the better', I may make one up myself, including cards to represent maybe: 1. How the urent is feeling about the relatiomship 2. How the querent's partner is feelig about it 3. What has happened in the past to cause this question to be asked 4. What is happening now to influcene things for the good 5. What is happening now to influcene things for bad 6. Advice on the best way to go from here 7. Outcome, providing advice is taken. Its just a rough example, but I hope everyone understands! :P I'm not in my most eloquent mood today... ;) Kiama

cricket	20 Jun 2002
Since I'm not creative or confident enough to come up with my own spreads (yet ;) ), I use ones that have been printed or posted here. MANY of them that have been posted here. So many that I gave up using my original tarot journal as a journal and started using it as a spread book instead - that what someone gets for copying them all down. :D There are plenty of sites all over the web that have really good spreads, too. Somewhere there's a spread for every situation. You just have to take the time to find it.

Sam	20 Jun 2002
I use both published spreads and make up my own spreads. it all depends on what kind of mood i am in. :):):):):):):):):):):)

Umbrae	20 Jun 2002
For others, I use a total of 5. For myself, I use 1. Total of 6, 3 squared. Have no reason to learn more. They provide everything I need. Four are published, 2 are mine. I do not, and have never used the Celtic Cross.

Marion	20 Jun 2002
I have made up spreads several times when the querent's question seemed to need a fairly specific answer. When I do this, I think about it and write it out clearly in advance, before I eve start to handle the cards. My method is somewhat like Kiama's. I also use some other spreads, some I got here. mojo's spread to decide bewteen two courses of action is excellent, and the 7 card energy spread, described several times in different threads is excellent as well. And yes, I do use the CC as well.

Major Tom	21 Jun 2002
Umbrae - 3 squared is 9. :D I've never found it necessary to make up my own spread. Published spreads or spreads I've learned here have always been sufficient for my needs. I am glad there are people who do make up their own - their creativity adds to the world.

Emily	21 Jun 2002
I too also tend to 'collect' spreads from the various sites I visit, I have a book with spreads in but to be honest I've found better spreads on this site. I haven't made any of my own up yet, I don't feel the need as I seem to have found spreads for just about any question I could ask lol :D

Umbrae	21 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Major Tom Umbrae - 3 squared is 9. :D OMG! Math! Money I can handle, I just have bit of a problem with numbers (blushes, kicks rock). Perhaps that is why my numerology knowledge is rudimentary.

The Tarot spreads. Yours or Theirs?? thread was originally posted on 20 Jun 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.