The way you spread the cards is quite important with each tarot spread yielding differing information. The Celtic Cross is quite a good, broad based spread which will give a good deal of information on a specific situation.

There are other layouts to determine information such as year views and astrological perspectives for example. Some tarot spreads answer specific questions better than others. The following is a list of the most common tarot spreads and what they are used best in determining.

Five Card Spread

This tarot spread helps to determine a course of action in which the person consulting the cards wishes to decide upon.

Celtic Cross Spread

This is the most common of the tarot spreads used today. This layout is used to answer a specific question. You must remember to put some thought into the formulation of the question you ask due to the many variances of placement involved in the card layout.

Mirror Spread

This tarot spread works primarily on existing relationships, but can assess anything from a budding love affair to an established relationship. This spread layout consists of the placement of 8 cards.

The Mandala Spread

This tarot spread is used to asses one’s spiritual path. It can be adapted to address specific issues and questions, or an open reading with no overall question. This spread reveals strengths, weaknesses and desires which lead one toward a growth in spirituality. There are 9 cards used within this spread.

Relationship Spread

This tarot spread is also a 10 card spread and deal with matters of distant past, recent past, the present, future influences, external influences, the querents attitude, helpful energies, obstacles to overcome, hope and fears, and the final result.

There are many tarot card decks available for purchase. When one is first starting out to learn the art of reading tarot cards, the most common deck is the Rider-Waite known for its illustrations. You can purchase tarot card decks from many websites online. Also many bookstores are beginning to sell tarot card decks due to the increase in popularity of the subject.

While a spread can be random, there are specific spreads to learn as well. Common spreads are Celtic Cross, Horse-shoe, 3-card spread, astrological spread and tetractys. Cards can be laid out one at a time face down or face up.

Tarot reading celtic cross interpretations are common. Five cards are arranged in a cross while four are put vertically beside the cross. The final card is placed across the center card of the cross, horizontally. This card often represents an obstacle the inquirer must face. The center card of the cross is often the most significant.

The horse shoe spread consists of 7 cards. They are laid out in the shape of a “V” or semi circle. They represent the past, present, influences, obstacles, expectations, best course of action and possible outcomes.

The 3 card spread is simpler to understand. Three cards are laid out to represent the past, present and future. A variation on the 3 card spread is the European 9 card spread. Instead of 1 card representing the past, present and future, there are 3 cards in 3 groups.

The astrological spread shows 12 cards in a circle (like the 12 signs of the zodiac). A final card is put in the middle of the circle.

The tetractys spread is laid out in a pyramid with 4 cards on the bottom, 3 on the next row above it, 2 on the next row and 1 at the top. Each row represents one of the elements.