does doing 2-spreads-in-1 work?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 22 Oct 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

quan_yin	22 Oct 2002
I have been doing a lot of 3 card spreads. I usually do Issue-Action-Outcome, but is ok to use the SAME throw of cards to also represent a Past-Present-Future spread? I guess I'm wondering if doing two-in-one works ok. Does it confuse the "intention" if you do this? Or should I just do 2 separate 3-card throws to answer these 2 different questions? Thanks.

Talisman	22 Oct 2002
'Lo quan yin, I think that the more specific question you ask of your Tarot cards, the less reliable your answer will be. That's just the way Tarot works. For example, if you ask which horse will win the fifth race at Hialeah Park tomorrow, and bet on your answer, soon you'll be worth a bazillion bucks, just like most Tarot readers. quan yin, I think (and I'm just one person), you may sometimes ask one question, and get the answer to another. I think, however you designate your spread, you should keep an open mind, and read what is there for your to see. Talisman

LadyShallot	22 Oct 2002
I usually use Body, Mind, Spirit for my three card readings. After reading it that way, I will ask what additional information I would get if it was past present future. Since I am consistent in using both meanings [body/past, mind/present, spirit/future] for each layout position, it works for me. I do not use two meanings in any other layout. However, I have used permutations with my Celtic Cross readings. After finishing the reading, I rearrange them by suit to see if any other meanings will become apparant. In the permutation, the Major Arcana become the guides to help you through you current situation.

Trogon	23 Oct 2002
Quote: Originally posted by quan_yin I have been doing a lot of 3 card spreads. I usually do Issue-Action-Outcome, but is ok to use the SAME throw of cards to also represent a Past-Present-Future spread? quan yin; I'm not certain I fully understand what you're trying to do with these readings. But I'm thinking you're trying to answer 2 different questions with the same throw of the cards? If this were the case, I wouldn't do it this way. For me, with 2 questions, I would do 2 separate throws. However, if you're asking about looking at 2 different aspects of the same question, thats a different story. ;) But to me, the Issue-Action-Outcome would be different from the Past-Present-Future spread. Perhaps, if you're looking at an issue which needs a wider and/or deeper look into it, you might want to consider a spread using more cards to get that extra insight? Just my nickle's worth.

lawguy51	23 Oct 2002
When I do a 3 card spread, I usually have a fairly specific question in mind, usually a yes/no kind of question, but I don't necessarily assign a role to any of the cards (past, present, future), rather I let the cards tell me the story, which quite often is indeed past present future, but could also be beginning, middle end, or chapter one, chapter two, chapter three, etc. So it is possible for me to see the cards from different perspectives, but I let the cards do the talking!

The does doing 2-spreads-in-1 work? thread was originally posted on 22 Oct 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.