Spread; Searching or Creating ?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 15 Mar 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Lion-O	15 Mar 2002
Hi guys, I've been browsing some into this forum and to my fascination I've come across many spreads then simply the few I got familiar with (celtic cross & the linear spread, to name just 2 of them (no, its not a big amount, I simply don't recall them from mind :)). Considering that there are many methods out there I'm wondering if most of you people actually spend a lot of time looking for a certain spread (to answer a certain question I guess) or have any of you ever used a form / spread you created yourself ? I can imagine that if you pick up a few cards from the deck you can somehow 'relate' as to what the card could / would mean and/or stand for (future, distand future, past, etc.). Surely the usage of Tarot isn't limited to a few 'pre decided' ways on how to use it ? And to top it a somewhat harder question (I guess ;)): if you did make your own spread(s) in the past what was the major factor for you to reconize your 'method' as being a 'working spread' ('' because I can imagine that if a spread works for you it doesn't automaticly mean it will work for everyone)?

Thirteen	15 Mar 2002
I make up spreads, but usually only when there's a specific need for a certain kind of spread--like, a spread to decide about a job. I think a working spread requires simplicity; no more than 7 or 8 cards max, and clear placement and positions (i.e., what each position means). There are spreads out there that lay out just about every card in the deck. They're a bitch to read. Simple, will work for just about anyone. The larger the spread, the more complex, the less likely it will work for "anyone"--though it might well work for some.

Malachite	15 Mar 2002
I keep meaning to come up with a couple of memorable 5-7 card spreads for basic questions...something that has...past, present, future, character, solution...type thing.... Other people have already posted their's. I beleive..

DeLani	15 Mar 2002
Up until recently, I would search and search for just the right spread for those really difficult questions. Usually, for more easily-categorized questions, I would use the CC, Golden Dawn, or the 5-card spread I found in the LWB with the Robin Wood Deck. However, recently, I felt a really strong need to do a reading on the war situation (see that thread under Your Readings). I couldn't find the right spread for the situation, so I just kind of winged it. I based it loosely on the Golden Shadow spread from Cunningham & Amaral. Anyway, I thought it worked out well. A spread will probably work out well for others if it isn't specifically designed for your question, if it's got general positions that could apply to any similar question. I guess. DeLani

Rhiannon	24 Mar 2002
The only traditional spreads I regularly use are the Celtic Cross (people expect it and it looks sort of impressive, I suppose) and the Madala spread I found in the book "The Mystical Tarot". I actually don't use that one often, mostly for doing major soul searching! Beware: the info. you get from that spread may not be to your liking! LOL :D I've come up w/ a few of my own spreads that work really well for me and are very adaptable to almost any situation. I really LOVE 5 card spreads! The major thing in creating a spread is to be very clear on what each position means. I focus on that just as much as I focus on the question. Especially if the spread is brand new, I pay very close attention to where I'm laying those cards! I don't have to do that w/ the Celtic Cross anymore because it's so familiar and comfortable. Good Luck! And don't forget to share, I love new spreads. Rhiannon :)

Pedeka	25 Mar 2002
I use a "modified" celtic cross. When I got my first deck it had a paper in it explaining how to do a reading. But it was in French, and I guess that my French isn't as good as I thought it was. So by the time I learned there was a "right" way to do a Celtic Cross, and they way I did it wasn't it, I was pretty devoted to "my" spread. I use other spreads. I like the ones in the Osho Zen book. Yet, when in doubt I go back to "my" Celtic Cross. I also have a habit of doubling the spread, except for the center card. I use the second card in each position as clarification right from the start. This seems to work very well with my Hanson-Roberts deck for some reason. With me certain decks seem to work better with certain spreads.

Lion-O	25 Mar 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Pedeka I use a "modified" celtic cross. When I got my first deck it had a paper in it explaining how to do a reading. But it was in French, and I guess that my French isn't as good as I thought it was. Now this sounds awfully familiar in some way :) Its almost the same for my Mage deck; the booklet explains some spreads, the Celtic cross being amongst those, but it also differs a small bit from the Celtic cross which is explained in the books you can find on the Net. The regular cross puts the cards in a circle around the querant card (right, under, left and top) while the Mage deck uses some form of pattern (bottom, top, right left). Still; it works for me thats why I also keep using the form I've "learned".

fairyhedgehog	25 Mar 2002
I don't know if it counts as a spread but for my daily card I draw three cards, and place them in a vertical line. Card 3 Advice from above Card 1 Theme for the day Card 2 What's going on under the surface It works for me, but I don't know if it would work for other people. Have you looked on Bec's site for cool spreads, some of them made up by people here? The url is http://www.anjastarot.dk/ All the best, FH

jade	27 Mar 2002
i close my eyes and ask the cards how they would like to be read. then i follow their lead. otherwise i use the 'tree of life' here's my meanings: .....1..... ..3.....2. ..5.....4. .....6..... ..8.....7. .....9..... ....10.... above the abyss (or spiritual realm) 1/ will or direction 2/ the lessons that you learn from your will 3/ more info on card #2 below the abyss (or physical realm) 4/ what is coming up 5/ your strengths 6/ what is in your heart 7/ your emotional self 8/ your mental self 9/ astral space (dream space where you do most of your spiritual work) 10/ your physical self i love this spread and use it alot. in light, jade

bec	27 Mar 2002
I have now 3 different kinds of tree of life spreads, and yet I don´t recall they wear these meanings jade, I will ad it if the meanings are different to the ones I have, but please who is the creator of this tree of life spread ? you ? or is it from a book ? cheers bec

Morgeinne	27 Mar 2002
Usually, I just go with the three spreads I am most familiar with: the Celtic Cross, the Past-Present-Future (3-card), and a relationship spread I found on a site, I don't remember which site it was though: ..9.... 5678 ..4.... ..3.... ..2.... ..1.... 1-how the querent views their partner 2-how the partner views the querent 3-what the querent needs from the relationship 4-what the partner needs from the relationship 5-where the relationship is now 6-where the querent wants the relationship to go 7-where the partner wants the relationship to go 8-things to consider 9-outcome I keep meaning to try out different card spreads, but I am comfortable with these, and I rarely have a need for anything else...maybe one day I'll get creative, who knows?

Dragonfly	27 Mar 2002
I have a 4 card spread that I use the 1st card is me the 2nd the person or what I'am asking about the 3rd card is what joins the two first cards and the 4th the out come. Most of the time I just ask the questions pick a few cards read them much like the cards are tell me a story If I feel I've gotten enough information then I stop if not I will pick a few more cards by then I have a good picture of whats going on. I don't go pass 10 cards. Hope that helps someone.

mehrdad	27 Mar 2002
This is the spread, which I have extracted from a very old (over fifty years) book in Farsi (My first language), and this is how it goes: 1. First select a court card to present the Querent as you see him/her, and then shuffle the cards thoroughly. The card that represents the Querent is called the Significator. 2. Take the cards in your left hand and place your right hand over it and pray to your god to give you the wisdom to interpret the cards. 3. Hand the cards to Querent, and ask him/her to think about the question attentively while shuffling the cards. 4. Take the cards as cut and with your left hand place the top half to the left. 5. Cut each pack once more to the left. 6. These four stacks represent IHVH. 7. Examine the stacks to find the Significator. If it is in the first stack from left (I), then the question refers to occupation and business. If the Significator is in second stack from left then the question is about love, marriage, pleasure and such. If the Significator is in the third stack then the question is about trouble, loss, scandal, quarrelling and such. If the Significator is in the final pack, to money, goods, material matters in life and life in general. 8. Select the stack containing the Significator, remove the Significator and place it the middle of the table and disregard the other stacks. 9. Now cut the selected stack as before to four stacks. 10. From the left the first stack represents the situation as it exists now, the second stack represents how the situation will evolve in the near future, the third stack represents people and things that effect the situation positively or negatively, and finally the fourth stack represents the final outcome.

mermaid1622	28 Mar 2002
In answer to your question "Considering that there are many methods out there I'm wondering if most of you people actually spend a lot of time looking for a certain spread (to answer a certain question I guess) or have any of you ever used a form / spread you created yourself ?" I spend zero amount of time looking for new spreads. I am open to spreads new to me that I come across in the course of doing other things. I have been very satisfied with the spreads that have come to me and am not inclined to fix what's not broken. :-) Perhaps my "favorite" spread is the Triangle of Manifestation (It's around different places with different names, different layouts). The reasons that I like it are: I have found it useful for questions in any area of life and It makes sense to me, fits with how my mind works, fits with my view of life, and so on. For anyone interested, this is the version I use: The Triangle of Manifestation spread -- cards are laid out in a triangle with a card in the middle: .......3 .......4 ...1......2 Card 1 (on lower left) -- what you recognize within yourself Card 2 (on lower right) -- what is harder for you to recognize within yourself Card 3 (the top of the triangle, above 1 and 2) -- the element that you may wish to emphasize in order to harmonize Cards 1 and 2 within you. This element is working to harmonize 1 and 2 whether you consciously help it out or not ... so if now is a stressful time, take it more as a Card of Assistance rather than as something you have to do yourself. Card 4 (within the space shaped by Cards 1-3) -- where things are headed (although the future can change at any moment, of course) mermaid1622

Diana	28 Mar 2002
edited

Lion-O	28 Mar 2002
Thanks for the url Hedgehog, that site looks very interesting indeed IMO, I'll have a closer look someone upcoming weekend. Say, speaking of speads and all; I've been reading up a lot in my Tarot book (which also mentions some of the spreads or methods some of you described here) but it came up with another interesting "exercise" IMO; when you wake up you pick one card from the deck, check its meaning and take it with you. In the evening you'll look back at the day and try to figure out in what way the cards meaning fits into your day. I've been trying it out for a few days and sometimes the results are quite amazing IMO. Maybe its also a nice tip for people getting into Tarot; you sure get to know the cards much better.

Sam	30 May 2002
I usually search for ready made spreads. but occasinally i'll make one up myself.

Keslynn	31 May 2002
Lion-O, I personally do the one card per day that you described. The results have been incredible! I definitely recommend it as both a way to get to know the tarot and also as guidance for the day. In fact, I was amazed just yesterday. This guy I knew treated me very badly and I expected never to hear from him again. Yesterday, my card for the day was Justice. That night, he contacted me and apologized for his behavior. It was uncanny! I love it. So once again, I definitely recommend at least a one card daily reading (though I know some others use different kinds). It will surprise you. :) Kes

Maan	31 May 2002
he fairyhedgehog, Your daily spread does not only work for you but i like it very much too and i'm using it every day! So thank you for this beauty! :)

wavebreaker	31 May 2002
I don't really look for spreads. Whenever I see a spread that appeals to me, either on a website or here on the forum or sometimes in a book, I write it down in my tarot journal and when I need a spread for a reading, I pick one from my journal.

aeonx	31 May 2002
Greetings Lion-O. :) To begin with, I only used spreads I found in books or on the Net. However, the last few months I've used spreads I've invented myself. :D It's working well, actually much better than the others. One love-spread I really like, though, is jema's love spread: Favorite Spreads. This one is really accurate in general love readings. *s* ~aeonx~

wavebreaker	31 May 2002
Quote: Originally posted by aeonx One love-spread I really like, though, is jema's love spread: Favorite Spreads . This one is really accurate in general love readings. That's one of the spreads in my journal that I've used several times, and very successfully! I knew I had found it on the forum, but I couldn't remember whose spread it was. Thanks for this one, jema!

joya250	31 May 2002
I usually don't go looking for new spreads -- and pretty much stick to my trusty Celtic Cross. However, I do occasionally try a new spread -- several of the spreads previously posted are great. I esp. like Mojo's "choice" spread. (which I'd write here... but don't know it off the top of my head). I did buy a book called "How to Use Tarot Spreads" by Sylvia Abraham with about 35 spreads in it, grouped by sections, such as "Life's Big Decisions", "Love and Romance" or "Spiritual Seekers." It's a small and inexpensive book -- I reccommend picking it up.

Keslynn	31 May 2002
There's also a book called Power Tarot (Trish MacGregor and Phyllis Vega) with *tons* of spreads. I like the variety, but sometimes they don't go into as much depth as I'd like about what the positions mean. However, as I've been exploring, I've been finding it easier to understand and adapt to my own purposes. I definitely recommend it for sheer large quantity of different spreads.

JesusGypsy	31 May 2002
In response to the daily draw mention, I do it too and it works great! But for me, it not only points to events of the day but more importantly ALWAYS supports the Biblical scriptures in my daily devotions. Interesting that one card drawn daily points to both! I've grown alot because of the daily draw..I highly recommend it!

The Spread; Searching or Creating ? thread was originally posted on 15 Mar 2002 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.