Here, Tarot author and expert Paul Hughes-Barlow of Super Tarot talks of his preference of the Opening of The Key spread over the traditional use of significators. By using this spread he suggests we can let the Tarot do all the work. This certainly is an interesting spread, and one I hope to explore more despite the fact that Paul remarks that it “is so daunting that few Tarot Readers get beyond reading about it, then having a lie down in a darkened room for an hour.”
If anyone has any comments about using this spread I would love to hear from you.
Stella Luna © 2010. All rights reserved.
Filed under: Tarot Spreads
Wheel Spread
1) Present situation
2) Influences moving out
3) Hidden influences
4) Influences coming in
5) Outcome or resolution
Monthly Spread
1) General atmosphere of the month ahead
2) Week one
3) Week two
4) Week three
5) Week four
Have Want Get Spread
1) What you have
2) What you need to know
3) What you want
4) What or who can help
5) What you get
New Relationship Spread
1) What you are bringing to the relationship
2) What they are bringing to the relationship
3) Will you be happy in the relationship?
4) Will they be happy in the relationship?
5) Will the relationship last?
Priority Spread
1) Main priority
2) What is blocking me?
3) Things I must accept
4) Things I can change
5) Outcome or resolution
Diamond Spread
1) Central issue
2) Unknown influence
3) Known influence
4) What or who can help, what is needed
5) Resolution
Stella Luna © 2009. All rights reserved.
Filed under: Tarot Spreads
Window Spread
1) How you are physically
2) How you are mentally
3) How you are emotionally
4) How you are spiritually
Relationship Spread
1) You and what you are contributing to the relating
2) The other and what they are contributing to the relating
3) The composite energies
4) The insight
Desire Spread
1) What you have
2) What you desire
3) What you need
4) What you get
Strength Spread
1) Your current strength
2) How you can enhance it
3) How you can apply it
4) What it will bring you
Evolution Spread
1) The current situation
2) How it will evolve in the near future
3) Who/what will affect the situation
4) The outcome
Change Spread
1) What no longer matters
2) What has been fulfilled
3) What will carry you forward
4) The change you must embrace
Outlook Spread
1) Outlook for the situation, project, event
2) Who/what will help the situation
3) What this will lead to
4) How you will feel about the outcome
Stella Luna © 2009. All rights reserved.
Filed under: Tarot Spreads
Daily Spread
1) The dominant energy for the day
2) How you will feel about it / who may be involved
3) How it affects you
Daily Practice Spread
1) The important aspects of the day ahead
2) Personal issues that may require attention
3) Feelings or reactions that may arise
Past Present Future Spread
1) What happened in the past
2) What is happening now
3) What is to come
Question and Answer Spread
1) The root of the question
2) Present circumstances
3) The outcome
Body Mind Spirit Spread
1) How you are physically
2) How you are mentally
3) How you are spiritually
Problem Solver Spread
1) The nature of the problem
2) The cause of the problem
3) The solution to of the problem
What You Get Spread
1) What you have
2) What you need to know
3) What you get
Relationship Spread
1) You and what you are contributing
2) Them and what they are contributing
3) The outcome
Stella Luna © 2009. All rights reserved.
Filed under: Tarot Spreads
Everyday Spread
1) The types of events that may transpire today
2) Possible feelings or reactions to these events
Energy Spread
1) The dominant energy for the day
2) How you can make this energy work best for you
Focus Spread
1) Where you should apply your focus now
2) What can be addressed at a later time
Stella Luna © 2009. All rights reserved.
Filed under: Tarot Spreads
Card of the Day
Drawing a card of the day can be useful in a number of ways. Drawing a card in the morning can indicate the tone of the day ahead. It can provide guidance on how to overcome obstacles that may be faced. The card of the day may bring insight and guidance into a present problem or situation. On top of this it is an excellent way to build up an understanding of the Tarot. Gradually you develop your own meanings for the cards based on your own experiences. It is worth keeping a journal. The entire deck can be used or you may prefer to just work with the Major or Minor Arcanas.
Stella Luna © 2009. All rights reserved.
Tarot is an invaluable tool for personal and spiritual growth. Tarot acts as a mirror to enable us to gain perspective of the influences that are at work in our own lives at any particular point in time. We can see what issues are most important and receive guidance on how to deal with any problems we may face.
There are an inexhaustible number of possible Tarot spreads and readers have their own personal favourites, yet the best way to start reading for yourself is by doing a daily one-card reading. I found this invaluable when I first started out. The Tarot came alive as I began to make personal associations between the cards and events in my life.
Find a time each day when you will not be disturbed while you choose your card. You do not have to interpret the card then and there, however you may have some initial thoughts and it is always useful to write them down. I have journals in which to record my readings and observations. If you can keep the card somewhere near you throughout the day, then excellent. If not, take the time to study the card and note as much as you can in your journal. Make associations between the card and events in your life. What emotion does it convey? How does it make you feel? What is happening within the image? What symbols can you see? Once you’ve made your own associations it is useful to look at card interpretations in Tarot books. You may find their definitions similar, you may not. They may add to your interpretation. What is most valid to you at this time? By taking the time to do a one-card spread each day you gain greater perspective on what is going on in your life. Issues can be brought to the surface to be resolved.
Not only do daily readings aid personal growth, they are also an excellent way to gain greater knowledge of the cards, especially on a personal level. You begin to compile a series of personal associations with the cards as they manifest themselves in your own life.
Once these associations begin to take form it is time to then begin work with more complex spreads. A three-card spread can provide a wealth of information. Just imagine what a five, seven or ten-card spread can convey. And spreads can be even more complex than that, with some readers utilising the entire deck! It is a good idea to ease into the spreads, working with fewer cards at first. Multiple-card spreads bring readings to a new level as the surrounding cards bring greater meaning to each other, a storyline develops and a bigger picture is formed.
It is a good idea to experiment with different spreads to see which ones work for you. I will be posting various spreads over time. You may even create your own. If you find yourself expert enough to be drawn to a multi-card gypsy spread that’s fine, to prefer a three, five or seven-card spread is fine too. It all comes down to personal preference.
For my personal readings I usually work with a daily one-card reading and a weekly multiple-card spread. I also like to do a special reading at full moon and new moon, on my birthday and at new year, or whenever there is something special or confusing going on in my life.
Stella Luna © 2009. All rights reserved.
