Tarot Spreads & Divination

Tarot isn't about predicting a fixed future—it's about revealing what's already happening beneath the surface. The cards are a mirror for your subconscious, your patterns, and the energy you're currently carrying. They help you see what you already know but haven't fully acknowledged yet. Think of tarot as a psychological tool disguised as mysticism. When you pull cards, you're not getting messages from some external force—you're accessing your own intuition through symbolism. The cards give your inner knowing a language to speak through. Tarot works best when you approach it with specific questions, not vague "tell me my future" energy. The more intentional you are, the more useful the reading. It's not magic—it's focused attention and pattern recognition. But when done right, it feels like magic.

The three-card spread is the Swiss Army knife of tarot. It's simple, fast, and endlessly adaptable. You can use it for anything—relationships, career decisions, understanding a situation, or just checking in with yourself. **How it works:** Shuffle your deck while focusing on your question. Pull three cards and lay them out left to right. **Card 1:** Past / What led to this / The foundation **Card 2:** Present / Current energy / What's happening now **Card 3:** Future / Outcome / Where this is heading (if you stay on this path) **Example Reading:** Question: "What do I need to know about my career right now?" - Card 1 (Past): Five of Pentacles — You've felt undervalued or struggled financially - Card 2 (Present): Eight of Wands — Things are moving fast, opportunities are coming - Card 3 (Future): Ace of Pentacles — A solid new beginning, financial stability **Interpretation:** You've been through a rough patch (Five of Pentacles), but momentum is building (Eight of Wands). If you stay open and take action, a new opportunity will land (Ace of Pentacles). **Variations on the three-card spread:** - Situation / Action / Outcome - Mind / Body / Spirit - You / Them / The Relationship - What to release / What to embrace / Hidden insight It's that flexible. Use it daily, weekly, or whenever you need quick clarity.

The Celtic Cross is tarot's most famous spread. It's comprehensive, layered, and gives you a 360-degree view of a situation. Use this when you're dealing with something complex—a major life decision, a relationship crossroads, or just when you want deep insight. **The 10-card layout:** 1. **The Present** — What's happening right now 2. **The Challenge** — What's blocking or complicating this 3. **The Foundation** — Subconscious influences, past events 4. **The Recent Past** — What just happened 5. **Possible Outcome** — Where this could go (if current path continues) 6. **The Near Future** — What's coming soon 7. **Your Energy** — How you're approaching this 8. **External Influences** — Other people, outside factors 9. **Hopes and Fears** — What you secretly want or dread 10. **Final Outcome** — The likely resolution **How to read it:** Start with card 1 (Present) to get the vibe. Look at card 2 (Challenge) to see what's in the way. Cards 3 and 4 give context (why are we here?). Cards 5 and 6 show potential future directions. Cards 7-9 show your role and what's influencing you. Card 10 ties it all together. The Celtic Cross isn't quick. Give yourself 20-30 minutes to sit with it. Journal through it. Let the cards talk to each other—notice patterns, repeated suits, or contradictions. This spread reveals layers.

Relationships are complicated, and tarot can help you see past the narratives you're telling yourself. This spread is for romantic partnerships, but you can adapt it for friendships or family dynamics too. **The 7-card relationship spread:** 1. **You** — Your energy/perspective in the relationship 2. **Them** — Their energy/perspective 3. **The Connection** — The bond between you 4. **What's Working** — Strengths of the relationship 5. **What Needs Attention** — Challenges or blind spots 6. **External Influences** — Outside factors (exes, family, work stress) 7. **Potential Outcome** — Where this is headed **Example Reading:** 1. You: Queen of Cups — You're emotionally invested, nurturing, intuitive 2. Them: King of Swords — They're logical, detached, maybe emotionally guarded 3. Connection: Two of Cups — There's genuine love and reciprocity here 4. What's Working: The Lovers — Deep compatibility and attraction 5. Needs Attention: Five of Swords — Communication conflicts, ego battles 6. External Influences: The Devil — Codependency or unhealthy patterns creeping in 7. Outcome: Temperance — If you both work on balance, this can harmonize **Interpretation:** You're emotionally open (Queen of Cups) while they're more logical (King of Swords), but the core connection is real (Two of Cups, The Lovers). The problem? You're fighting instead of communicating (Five of Swords), and there might be some unhealthy dynamics (The Devil). But if you can find middle ground and balance emotions with logic (Temperance), this relationship has potential. This spread doesn't tell you "should we stay together?"—it shows you what's actually happening so you can make an informed choice.

Use this spread when you're stuck in your career, considering a change, or trying to figure out your actual purpose (not just what pays the bills). **The 6-card career spread:** 1. **Current Energy** — Where you are professionally right now 2. **Hidden Strengths** — Skills or talents you're underutilizing 3. **Blocks** — What's holding you back 4. **Guidance** — What you need to focus on 5. **Potential Path** — An option or direction to explore 6. **Long-Term Outcome** — Where this could lead **How to use it:** This spread isn't about "will I get the job?"—it's about understanding your relationship to work and what you're actually here to do. Card 2 (Hidden Strengths) is especially revealing. Often it shows gifts you've dismissed or skills you're too close to see the value in. Card 5 (Potential Path) doesn't dictate your future—it suggests something to explore. Maybe it's a creative side hustle, a pivot into a new industry, or just a mindset shift. Let it inspire action, not anxiety. **Journaling prompts after the reading:** - What patterns am I noticing? - What am I avoiding or resisting? - What would I do if I trusted myself completely? - What's one small step I can take this week? Tarot for career isn't about finding the "right answer"—it's about getting clear on what you actually want vs. what you think you're supposed to want.

Shadow work is the process of integrating the parts of yourself you've repressed, denied, or hidden. Tarot is one of the best tools for this because it bypasses your conscious defenses and speaks directly to your subconscious. **The 5-card shadow work spread:** 1. **The Shadow** — What part of you are you avoiding or denying? 2. **Why It's Hidden** — What made you bury this part of yourself? 3. **How It's Showing Up** — How does this shadow manifest in your life? 4. **The Gift** — What strength or wisdom is buried in this shadow? 5. **Integration** — How can you bring this part of yourself back into the light? **Example Reading:** 1. Shadow: The Tower — You're afraid of chaos, loss of control, sudden change 2. Why It's Hidden: Four of Pentacles — You learned to cling to security and avoid risk 3. How It Shows Up: Seven of Swords — You're sneaky, avoidant, or self-sabotaging 4. The Gift: The Fool — There's freedom, adventure, and new beginnings in letting go 5. Integration: Strength — You need courage and self-compassion to face the unknown **Interpretation:** You're terrified of upheaval (The Tower) because you learned early on that safety comes from control (Four of Pentacles). This fear shows up as avoidance and self-sabotage (Seven of Swords). But buried in that fear is your capacity for freedom and reinvention (The Fool). To integrate it, you need to be brave and gentle with yourself (Strength). Shadow work is not comfortable. But it's where real growth happens. Do this spread when you're ready to face yourself honestly.

New moons are for setting intentions and planting seeds. This spread helps you get clear on what you're calling in and how to actually make it happen. **The 4-card new moon spread:** 1. **Intention** — What am I calling in this lunar cycle? 2. **Action** — What do I need to do to support this intention? 3. **Release** — What belief or habit do I need to let go of? 4. **Manifestation Energy** — The vibe or mindset that will attract this Pull this spread on or within 48 hours of the new moon. Write down your intention based on what card 1 reveals, then use cards 2-4 as your action plan for the next two weeks (until the full moon). **Make it practical:** - Card 2 (Action) should translate into actual steps. If you pull the Three of Pentacles, that might mean collaboration, networking, or skill-building. - Card 3 (Release) often points to a limiting belief. If you pull the Five of Cups, you need to stop dwelling on past disappointments. - Card 4 (Manifestation Energy) is your vibe check. If you pull The Star, you need hope and faith. If you pull The Magician, you need confidence and resourcefulness. Pair this spread with a ritual: light a candle, write your intention on paper, meditate on the cards. Manifestation isn't just wishing—it's aligning your energy and actions with what you want.