how many cards for a meaningful reading?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 31 Jan 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

firemaiden	31 Jan 2005
I've seen spreads with 78 cards, and spreads with one card. I've even done one very long reading with just one card. I've often seen it advised here to stick to two-three card readings while beginning. But is there such a thing as a reading with too few cards? Are there advantages to having many cards?

Athara	31 Jan 2005
I guess it all depends. For some a many-card-spread becomes confusing. For others a few-card-spread doesn't say enough. I say: start with small spreads while you learn. Expand if you wish to. For small issues and daily spreads, a few cards will most often do. For complicated issues (relationships, important choices), there might be more cards needed. But that can be challenging. I'm just starting to expand. Three card spreads just don't seem enough for me anymore. But one should just do what feels right! Athara

Sulis	31 Jan 2005
Hi Firemaiden, I very rarely use more than 7 cards. Usually I use between 3 and 5. Spreads with a lot of cards take too long to interpret and I think you get information you don't really need. The biggest spread I use is a variation on the Celtic Cross and I've only just started using it. I think it depends on your question. Sometimes one card does it. Personally I prefer to add a couple more. Love Sulis xx

WolfSpirit	31 Jan 2005
I would not say big spreads are always better, or small spreads are better...a big spread may give you more detail than you are ready for, a good thing about small spreads is they give you immediately the essentials of the situation. It is also a matter of how much time you have, and how much detail you want. Sometimes more cards clarify, and sometimes they seem to obscure the matter. I find a 2-card spread already gives a lot of info: one for the situation at hand, and one for advice how to proceed. The spreads I most use are 5 to 7 cards spreads, the biggest spread I ever use is an 11 card spread, in which the cards don't seem that many, maybe because they complement each other. One of the dangers of a big spread is: not taking enough time for interpretation - it is better to use a small spread if you don't have the stamina or time for a big spread. It may also be good practice to start with a small spread - maybe that already answers all questions. If not, you can expand your reading with a bigger spread (and see how this ties in with the first spread).

Kiama	31 Jan 2005
I feel it very much depends on the reader... I have met readers who work well with a couple of cards, and can go on for an hour on a three card spread. I have also met readers who work well with 10-15 cards, and go on for an hour and the reading is just as meaninful as a three card spread for the previous reader. I often warn people who are beginners that more does not always indicate better when it comes to cards, but if more works best for you, then go for it! For me personally, it depends entirely on the question. If it's a tough question, with a lot at stake, or a spiritual/magical question, I tend to use more cards (because there's 'more to' the question) than I would for a simple "How's my love life right now?" question. With tough questions, I may have around 20 cards on the table, but they aren't read individually - they are usually placed down in pairs or triplets as one 'position' and they are read in conjunction with each other as if they were one card. Also, I think time span affects card numbers. For instance, a spread that looks at the coming 12 months, is likely to have more cards than a spread that looks at the coming month. Ah, the relative joy of Tarot... :D Kiama

Indigo Rose	31 Jan 2005
This is a good question. Personally I feel it depends on the situation you are reading about. Sometimes a simple spread cuts right to the heart of the matter; while other times more information is needed. It seems that it is an intuitive process and we make these choices on a case by case basis.

Aoife	31 Jan 2005
Recently I did a debriefing/future plan of action spread for myself. 3 cards... one of which was so glaringly obvious and melded perfectly with the other two... So, 2 cards... thirty six A4 pages of journalling.... a couple of hours meditation... umpteen hours of conscious speculation. I could sum it all up in 3 words.... 'get a life'.

firemaiden	31 Jan 2005
Ah, that is interesting, most of you come out in favour of just a few cards. (Now where is TemperanceAngel, she told me she likes to use a lot of cards...). I've observed in the rare times I have used a lot of cards that I read them in an entirely different way, than if I just have one or two cards. Instead of going deep into depth about each card, I end up taking the cards more at "face value", and focussing more on card combinations, and how the cards relate to eachother, and what story they might tell. It's like a different ball of wax altogether.

tarotbear	31 Jan 2005
Are you talking about using a spread from someone else, or for creating a spread for yourself?

firemaiden	31 Jan 2005
HI Tarotbear :D hmmmm... I wasn't thinking about specific spreads. Although most of my readings have been with my own made up spreads. But I was thinking more in general, and philosophically :D.

mercenary30	31 Jan 2005
I would have said at least three and upwards of 12 depending on the goal of the reading. But that was before I saw what you could do with just one Thoth Queen of Swords........... Remarkable to say the least....... My preference is usually between 5 and 10 cards, but my favorite spreads are usually one of the two. Not that I should be talking much right now considering all of my most recent readings are using the combination of tarot and oracles....doubling the number of cards.

tarotbear	31 Jan 2005
firemaiden wrote: Although most of my readings have been with my own made up spreads. But I was thinking more in general, and philosophically :D. I feel that faking it off the top of your head could lead to usuing more and more cards until you end up using all 78! That does work for some people. I believe, IMHO, that you should decide beforehand what points you want touched on, how many cards could conceivably give you enough information to explain those points, and at least one for the conclusion. Five to seven cards works well in my mind.

firemaiden	31 Jan 2005
Well, I never faked a spread off the top of my head, I wrote a spread after long contemplation of the question, asking what were the real questions and deeper issues contained in the question. (but these were not live readings). Do you sometimes use longer spreads, Tarotbear? and if and when you do, do you find yourself reading in a different way than when there are just one or two cards?

Umbrae	31 Jan 2005
How many cards for a meaningful reading? The keyword here is meaningful. So the answer is: One. Kiss (keep it simple sister)… If one is unable to find significance, import, or context with one card…what good are ten?

Kiama	31 Jan 2005
Indeed Umbrae, that is the keyword. Now please define the word 'meaningful'. *Waits* Difficult, eh? What one person finds meaningful is not what another finds meaningful. So in some spreads, just one card says nothing - or not enough. Especially when there are so many aspects to a question or issue... Tarotbear: what do you mean by 'faking it off the top of your head' when you refer to spreads? I'm a little confused... Blessings, Kiama *Devil's Advocate*

tarotbear	31 Jan 2005
I was posting and received an outbid notice on ebay - and my post disappeared! Since two people have asked me the same question ... Faking it - doing a reading without any set plan in mind - for this querent for this question only. Just seeing what pops up and doing a pop quiz interpretation. Some tarot books (and I have read quite a few) sometimes approach the subject of 'creating your our spreads' like this - as though you just shuffle and whip some out and BINGO! do an instant interpretation. Does anyone really do this? I quite agree with firemaiden that doing a custom spread for a particular question and writing it down is a more sane and logical way to go. I am not opposed to using 'clarifier cards' those used to clarify a card or cards after all the cards for the spread have been layed out. If you need to use more than two - you need to do another reading or focus your question better. **** My daily spead uses three cards set in a pyramid with # 1 and #3 being the base and #2 being the peak of the triangle. the cards are the beginning of my day, the peak of my day, and how my day will end. My favorite spread uses five cards and my classes have found it works for those who are becoming adjusted to the cards but ten cards would be too much information. Called The Wheel Spread, it is out of Power Tarot by Macgregor & Vega. Quickly: #1 - 12 o'clock - the situation as it stands, #2 - 3 o'clock - The Waning Influence, #3 at 6 o'clock- the Hidden Influence, # 4 at 9 o'clock - the Emerging Influence, and at the center #5 - the synthesis of the previous four cards. It works very well! I do use the 10-card Celtic Cross for parties but I have tweaked it so that the # 1- 6 cards are in different positions than some are used to. This spread is too large for asking a daily question.

firemaiden	31 Jan 2005
Kiama wrote: Indeed Umbrae, that is the keyword. Now please define the word 'meaningful'. *Waits* Difficult, eh? Yes, well, LOL, Kiama, it was the word I used in my question. If you like we can get into a debate about the meaning of meaning, and or the possiblity of meaning in a post-Nietschian universe. Not that I've read Nietsche (more than some pithy quotes) (but I think its cool to drop big names). Okay, okay, trève de plaisanteries, [translation : "uncle!"]... meaningful in the context of my original question, meant [what does mean mean?] "a batch of cards that talk to you and convey enough information to give the client or oneself a satisfying answer" [nope, i cannot define satisfying, that is for each to judge for himself]

Rosanne	31 Jan 2005
When learning one card gave me meaning of the card When further learning Three cards gave me meaning for the day, but sometimes were meaningless. For a reading I started using seven cards and found meaning for the querent, but the querent often found no meaning. So no satisfaction. I rethought my strategy and have used for ten years ten cards, nine in a circle one in the centre. By involving the querent totally(and that took the longest learning curve) we now come to meaning together hence satisfaction. Thats how its been for me. Regards Rosanne

Umbrae	31 Jan 2005
Kiama wrote: Indeed Umbrae, that is the keyword. Now please define the word 'meaningful'. *Waits* Difficult, eh? What one person finds meaningful is not what another finds meaningful. So in some spreads, just one card says nothing - or not enough. Especially when there are so many aspects to a question or issue... Blessings, Kiama *Devil's Advocate* Meaningful? Sure…meaningful…context. How many cards does it take, for a reading to have context in the life of the sitter (or self). Just one. And yeah…sometimes you may have to ponder, and not use the quick and easy meaning…(is the lightning striking the tower from the outside or reacting to the eruption from the inside)? Finding context…that’s what makes reading reading…an event, not simply an intellectual exercise. If you know why you read Tarot – you most likely have a grasp of the contextual event of reading. If not…no amount of cards will help. That’s called fishing (when you keep laying cards until something makes sense). If you’re a physical being having a spiritual experience, it may take more cards than if you’re a spiritual being having a physical experience… But those are only my opinions…

Tarot Sparrow	01 Feb 2005
I think it just depends on the reader and the mood. Lately I don't do many readings at all due to lack of time and motivation, as much as I would like to. Sometimes too many cards can be confusing and I usually just draw one to four cards on a subject for myself now, asking my questions as I go along. I find it quite accurate although I do miss larger readings.

Kissa	01 Feb 2005
One. Is this the minimum quantity required to find an answer to a question you are asking yourself? Not exactly. Sometimes you don't even need any card at all. Just switch your brains to tarot mode... and the answers will come, flooding or scarce, depending on what you need at the time. Like all things in life, quantity doesn't mean quality tarotwise. At least that's what I think. Kissa

tmgrl2	01 Feb 2005
I often use one to three cards for readings. If I have someone in for an hour reading, I use my own spread, Four of Swords and Shield of Love and I often pull clarifiers for the first four once I have read with the first five...sometimes I pull a clarifier along the way...this would give me 9 cards, 10 if I pull one for the Shield of Love. Usually, though, I do a three card reading, a simple horseshoe, although I have to look at it and decide how many cards. A single card occasionally for myself for the day...or for the week.... More isn't necessarily better for me. terri

Keslynn	01 Feb 2005
I actually like to use upwards of 5 cards for my readings. I enjoy the way the cards interplay with each other, and I feel that it helps me draw connections better and flesh things out more fully for the querent. I often use the Celtic Cross for clients, and I've had great success with it. It allows me to paint a big picture and to look at the situation from many different angles. For myself, I'll often just pull 5 cards and lay them out in the row. It's a challenge to my intuition as to how I'll put them together as a story. However, the recsults vary so much that I wouldn't want to try it on a client yet. Are that many cards necessary for a meaningful reading? Well, probably not. I agree that you can get a lot of information from just one card. But I personally prefer to use more cards and I get more meaningful information that way. :) Kes

tarobones	01 Feb 2005
Greetings to the thread. For me, the 3 card reading has become the standard. I discoverd a wonderful book, "Tarot Tells the Tale" by James Rickleff which explores the 3 card reading in depth. It's great. And for the moment, three is the magic number for me! Peace and blessings to all..........Michael

mac22	02 Feb 2005
firemaiden wrote: I've seen spreads with 78 cards, and spreads with one card. I've even done one very long reading with just one card. I've often seen it advised here to stick to two-three card readings while beginning. But is there such a thing as a reading with too few cards? Are there advantages to having many cards? I can do spreads from 1 card to about 30.... if I have doubts/questions I draw more cards.

mac22	02 Feb 2005
umbrae wrote: If one is unable to find significance, import, or context with one card…what good are ten? Build a card house....:P

Kiama	02 Feb 2005
firemaiden wrote: Okay, okay, trève de plaisanteries , [translation : "uncle!"] ... meaningful in the context of my original question, meant [what does mean mean?] "a batch of cards that talk to you and convey enough information to give the client or oneself a satisfying answer" [nope, i cannot define satisfying, that is for each to judge for himself] This was the point I was trying to get to - the fact that 'satisfying' and 'meaninful' is usually quite relative to each person, and in this case each reading.

RedMaple	02 Feb 2005
For years, I did the Celtic Cross, and I still use it frequently. It was the only spread I knew about for the first several years of reading. It took time to learn, and sometimes I was frustrated, but now it is an old friend. I've modified it some, but I like the details it gives. Only lately have I started using three-card readings, and I'm delighted with their succinctness. They really get to the nitty gritty. But then, sometimes I want the details, so I often follow that with a spread with more cards. But then, I'm a storyteller, I like all those details, back story, motives, all the nooks and crannies of our lives. Both types of spreads are meaningful, just differently satisfying, as Kiama suggested.

MeeWah	02 Feb 2005
Though I specialize in 10-Card spreads, I find the single to 3-Card to be quite succinct & capable of providing a lot of material. I think it depends on variables such as the reader, the nature of the query &/or the moment. Some of the best readings have occurred with less cards of 1 to 3. More can be superfluous; distract or confuse that which needs (more) attention.

VGimlet	02 Feb 2005
For a meaningful reading - one is good. Now, I prefer spreads of 3-5 cards for myself. I want a little play, a little interaction, a little more information. (I am the Queen of Information in real life, after all, LOL) And sometimes (rarely) I will use the CC, or a horseshoe spread I made up that I'm rather fond of. The horseshoe has 14-15 cards. I have even used an on-the-fly spread a few times (making it up as I go along) but I stopped doing that for now - not quite there yet, although I am going to try it again someday - stretching that boundary between what one has always done, and what is possible is always good.

Nevada	02 Feb 2005
firemaiden, you ask the best questions. I don't have an answer, even for myself, for this one yet. But I've been thinking about it a lot, because I'm about to set up a website to offer readings for pay, and I've been considering what to charge. It seems to me that sometimes a lot of cards can increase the time and energy I put into a reading almost exponentially. But then I, too, have put a lot into a single-card reading now and then. Usually, though, I have to set limits for myself. My most common spread is a simple 3-card one, with no set position meanings, and a 4th card thrown in from the bottom of the deck, to show "what's hidden." It's the way I usually read for myself and my spouse. I know it so well it's become second nature. I read it quickly, most days, but occasionally it becomes an in-depth reading, requiring a lot of analysis. It depends on what I'm looking for in the reading, I suppose, and what deeper questions are presenting themselves in my (or his/our) mind. So for now I have to conclude that the question and answer set the time and depth requirement, while the number of cards becomes less significant. In fact I know there are readers who use the Celtic Cross--10 to 12 cards--for nearly every reading, even quick ones. Nevada

The how many cards for a meaningful reading? thread was originally posted on 31 Jan 2005 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.