13 Beginner Tarot Spreads to Try!

Though you’re unsure how it works, have you ever fantasized about reading tarot? Have you ever heard of a tarot spread? The wonderful news is that beginning tarot readers will find excellent tarot spreads available.

Every tarot reader will relate to the cards and the spiritual world in their unique manner. A tarot deck contains 78 cards, all of which expose secrets about your life and circumstances. Shuffling and working together the cards lets you concentrate on your circumstances and on the questions you have. The tarot spread will materialize and direct you as you read the cards.
Here are some spreads that will help you become a superb tarot card reader regardless of your level of experience. First, here are some pointers!

• Start with a daily card pull. This will provide you additional insight and direction and enable you to practice with your readings.
• As you decide on one, three, five, or more cards, let the magic work through you.
• Communications with the spiritual world have produced unique layouts with great truths. These are the Horseshoe and Tart Layouts, tarot spreads that help you reach your inner self.

13 Tarot Spreads Designed for Novices

Tarot spreads are the ideal means of understanding whether you need direction for your day, weekly planning, or particular questions about love, job, or personal development. These 13 simple-to-use spreads, designed for beginners, include practical examples to guide you in interpreting your cards.

1. One-Card Daily Guidance Tarot Spread

Incorporating tarot into your daily life is easiest and most successful using the One-Card Daily Guidance Spread. Ideal for novices and those with hectic schedules, this spread lets you get quick, practical ideas for today. Using this spread, concentrate on a question like, “What energy do I need to embody today?”. Alternatively, “What message do I need to hear right now?” While you are rearranging your deck.

Pull one card and decide if it seems to be important, then relate it to your daily issues, ideas, or feelings. Drawing the Strength card, for instance, can inspire you to approach the day with resilience, patience, and bravery; the Ace of Swords might help you to be clear and focused on your decisions. Your tarot practice will benefit much from this spread in terms of consistency and a closer connection to your intuition. Keeping a notebook to document your daily cards and thoughts can help you also observe trends, patterns, and themes over time, offering a more profound understanding of your own life path.

Goal and Method of Approach

The goal is to get simple and quick insight into your daily life. To do this, ask questions such as:

• What kind of energy should I be embracing today?
• What should I be concentrating most on?

Then, shuffle and pick one card. If you pull the Strength card, for example, it can show your patience and the inner strength and confidence you need to face your day. Take time to look at the patterns you see each day and note the card you draw in your tarot diary.

2. Three-Card Tarot Spread: Past-Present-Future

For individuals seeking clarity on a certain issue or life path, the classic three-card configuration ideal is the past, present, and future spread. The first card marks the past and shows events, ideas, or lessons that have molded your present experience. The second card emphasizes the present and provides an understanding of your existing energy, difficulties, or possibilities. The third card shows future possibilities or directions on what to expect.

For instance, if the Three of Cups comes up in the previous position, it might be a celebration and harmony-oriented time. While the Wheel of Fortune in the future marks good changes and cycles in your favor, the Five of Pentacles in the present would point to financial difficulty. For pattern recognition, knowing the position of the cards is very important.

Goal and Method of Doing

• Card 1: Past: “Where have I come from?”
• Card 2: Present: “Where am I right now?”
• Card 3: Future: “What is supposed to happen?”

Here is an example:

• Card 1: Past: Five of Cups: This card can show that your disappointment comes from your past, which is where your perspective comes from.
• Card 2: Present: Knight of Swords: You are prepared to act forcefully to move forward.
• Card 3: Future: When you look ahead, you will see that you will have a happier future.

This spread allows you to tell a clear story and helps you understand how previous events in your life have shaped your present and future.

3. Mind-Body-Spirit Tarot Spread

The Mind, Body, and Spirit spread is an excellent approach to achieving harmony and balance in your life. This three-card spread evaluates your spiritual, bodily, and emotional health. The first card reflects on your ideas, concerns, or areas of concentration. The second card speaks to your body and provides information about your physical condition or energy level.

The third card addresses your emotional condition, intuition, or link to a greater purpose, reflecting your spirit. The Nine of Swords in the mind position, for example, can point to mental tension or anxiety. While the Star of the Spirit gives hope, healing, and spiritual clarity, the Ace of Wands for the Body can represent fresh physical vigor. This spread is perfect for introspection and ensuring that all aspects of your life align.

Evaluate your spiritual, physical, and mental states for harmony and balance.

How to Do It:

• Card 1: Mind – What is on my mind or shaping my ideas?
• Card 2: Body – What Does my body need?
• Card 3: Spirit – How can I connect with my spiritual self and the spiritual world around me?

Here are some examples:

• Card 1: Ten of Wands; you seem to be psychologically overburdened.
• Card 2: Body: Four of Swords: Your body needs rest and healing.
• Card 3: Spirit: The High Priestess: Learn to trust your intuition and let your mind be still.

4. Weekly Snapshot Tarot Spread

The Weekly Snapshot Spread provides direction on important topics, difficulties, and opportunities, therefore helping you to prepare for the next week. Pull seven cards—one for every day of the week—to provide a thorough daily-by-day analysis.

Pulling three cards—one for the beginning, middle, and end of the week—will help you to streamline it.

Pulling the Emperor for Monday, for instance, indicates beginning the week with discipline and clarity. While the Sun on Friday denotes happiness and success, a Four of Cups on Wednesday could imply a need to rethink prospects. Reflecting on the cards every day helps you to match your behavior and energy with the direction given, thereby optimizing your week.

How to Plan Your Weekly Pull

Pull one card every Monday through Sunday. Ask, “What guidance do I need for this day,” or “What kind of energy do I need?”

Ask the cards to give you a confirmation as you pull. Here are some examples:

• Monday: Two of Wands: Make intentions and have a plan.
• Tuesday: Eight of Pentacles: Pay attention to your work and your skills and develop them.
• Wednesday: Queen of Cups: Take time for some emotional and self-care.

At the end of the week, consider if each of the cards fits in your weekly experiences and write them down in your journal.

5. Four Elements Tarot Spread

Based on the four elements, this spread will enable you to get an understanding of many aspects of your life. With the tarot cards, the four aspects can be effectively combined to produce a reading that lets you grasp your ideas, behaviors, passions, and future directions of action.

Goal: Based on the elements Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, get an understanding of many spheres of your life.
Methods of Doing It:

• Card 1: This will help you understand the Earth’s guidelines.
• Card 2: Air: Gives you different ideas and perspectives to center yourself.
• Card 3: Fire: The actions you must have and the passions you should see.
• Card 4: Water: The emotional insights you get.

Here are some examples:

• Earth card: The Emperor: Take charge of your finances.
• Air card: Ace of Swords: Look for mental clarity.
• Fire card: Page of Wands: Feel fresh in your creative work.
• Water card: Get with people who can support you emotionally.

6. Problem-Solution Tarot Spread

This spread is ideal for identifying issues and guiding one’s approach. The first card captures the circumstances and offers an understanding of the fundamental nature of your problems. The second card helps you identify what needs to be done by showing the difficulty or roadblock in your approach. Finally, the third card provides guidance or assistance to enable you to handle the problem.

For example, drawing the Hanged Man for the scenario can imply that you are in a period of waiting or inertia. While the Knight of Wands motivates you to be brave and determined, the Eight of Swords, as the obstacle, could point to restrictive beliefs keeping you back. When you feel stuck, this spread is quite helpful in obtaining a new viewpoint and helping you solve problems.
Explore the problem, its solution, and the result to help you to overcome a difficulty.

How to Perform It:

• Card 1: The issue: What exactly is the problem?
• Card 2: The solution: How should I respond to it?
• Card 3: The result: Where will this take me?

Here are some examples:

• Problem: Nine of Swords: You are anxious right now.
• Ace of Cups: Allow emotional healing to help you to be more open.
• Result: The Start: You have hope coming.

7. Relationship Transparency Tarot Spread

Whether in a romantic, platonic, or professional connection, this spread is perfect for assessing the dynamics. The first card stands for your and your relationship’s energy. The second card captures the other person’s viewpoint. The third card emphasizes how things are right now in the partnership. The fourth card points to difficulties or areas of contention; the fifth card provides guidance or a likely result.

For instance, drawing the Queen of Cups for yourself would indicate that you are emotionally supportive; drawing the Knight of Swords for the other person denotes impulsive or stubborn behavior. The Two of Cups in the guidance position could represent the need for harmony and mutual understanding. This spread deepens bonds and helps to disentangle relationship problems.

Understand dynamics and potential in a relationship.

How to Perform It:

• Card 1: Your relationship energy.
• Card 2: The other individual.
• Card 3: Your current relationship status.
• Card 3: Getting past obstacles.
• Card 5: The direction you should take.

Here are some examples:

• Card 3: The Lovers: Even though you have to make many hard decisions, your relationship is solid and will endure.

In one instance:
Card 3: Current: The Lovers: Though decisions are necessary, the relationship is solid.

8. Decision-Making Tarot Spread

The Decision-Making Spread offers direction and clarity when you are unsure which of two options to choose. Draw one card to symbolize the circumstances. Then, pull two more cards, one for Option A and one for Option B. Depending on your choice, the last card serves as guidance or a possible result.

The Two of Pentacles, for the circumstances, for instance, can represent uncertainty or juggling of duties. While the Six of Swords for Option B implies a more subdued, smoother road, the Ten of Wands for Option A may point to additional obligations. The counsel card—like the Hermit—may advise spending some time to consider before advancing. This spread is outstanding for investigating opportunities and building confidence in your decisions. This spread can help you if you find yourself at a crossroads.

How to Do It:

• Card 1: Available Choices.
• Card 2: Benefits around you.
• Card 3: Drawbacks.
• Card 4: Adventures.
• Card 5: Drawbacks of your adventures.

9. Career Path Tarot Spread

For career-focused readings, pull cards to identify your current energy, strengths, challenges, opportunities, and likely outcomes. This spread helps clarify the direction of your career or professional goals.

Purpose: Gain insight into career goals and challenges.

How to Do It:

• Card 1: Your current career state.
• Card 2: Your strengths.
• Card 3: Your challenges.
• Card 4: Opportunities ahead.
• Card 5: Next steps.

10. Self-Love Tarot Spread

This spread focuses on nurturing your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Choose four cards to represent what you need emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. For example, the Empress could encourage relaxation and self-nurturing, while the Four of Swords might suggest rest and meditation.

Purpose: Explore how to nurture and love yourself.

How to Do It:

• Card 1: What is blocking my self-love?
• Card 2: What do I need to release?
• Card 3: How can I nurture myself?
• Card 4: What strengths do I need to embrace?
• Card 5: How can I grow my confidence?

Goal setting Spread

This spread focuses on nurturing your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Choose four cards to represent what you need emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. For example, the Empress could encourage relaxation and self-nurturing, while the Four of Swords might suggest rest and meditation.

Purpose: Break down a goal into clear steps.

How to Do It:

• Card 1: What’s my goal?
• Card 2: What’s my motivation?
• Card 3: Obstacles to overcome.
• Card 4: Resources or tools I have.
• Card 5: First action step.

11. Monthly Overview Tarot Spread

The Monthly Forecast Spread provides a roadmap for the month ahead. Pull four cards, one for each week of the month, to explore the main themes and events. Alternatively, you can pull additional cards for challenges and advice. For instance, the Chariot for the first week suggests strong forward momentum, while the Five of Wands for the second week might indicate minor conflicts or competition. By the end of the month, a card like The Sun could represent joy and success. This spread helps you plan, set intentions, and confidently navigate the month.

Purpose: Plan for the month ahead.

How to Do It:

• Pull one card for each week of the month and a fifth card for the overall theme.

12. Shadow Work Tarot Spread

The Shadow Work Spread is perfect for exploring your subconscious and confronting hidden aspects of yourself. The first card reveals the shadow or unresolved issue. The second card shows how this issue manifests in your life. The third card offers advice for healing or integration. For example, the Devil card might represent unhealthy attachments or habits. The Nine of Wands could reveal patterns of defensiveness, while the Death card suggests transformation and release. This spread is a powerful tool for personal growth and self-discovery.

Purpose: Explore hidden aspects of yourself.

How to Do It:

• Card 1: What shadow aspect is surfacing?
• Card 2: Why is it surfacing now?
• Card 3: How can I heal or work with this?
• Card 4: What strengths will help me?
• Card 5: What transformation can come from this work?

13. Mid-Week Recharge Tarot Spread

This spread encourages appreciation and positive reflection. Pull cards to explore what you should be grateful for, where you’ve made progress, and how you can embrace more joy. This is perfect for centering yourself during times of stress.

Purpose: Reassess and refresh your energy mid-week.

How to Do It:

• Card 1: What’s draining my energy?
• Card 2: How can I recharge?
• Card 3: What should I focus on next?
• Card 4: What small joy should I prioritize?
• Card 5: What energy should carry me through the rest of the week?

Final Thoughts

These 13 beginner-friendly tarot spreads cover various topics, from daily guidance to personal growth and decision-making. Start with simple one-card or three-card spreads, and as you grow comfortable, experiment with more detailed layouts. Tarot is about trusting your intuition, so let the cards guide you and help you enjoy the journey!