How Many Cards Are in a Tarot Spread?

There are generally 3 to 10 cards in a tarot spread. But, depending on the spread, you’ll find spreads ranging from 1 to 12 cards.
When it comes to tarot readings, one of the most common questions is how many cards are used in a spread. The answer, of course, will depend on the type of spread that is being used. Here are a few tarot spreads for beginners you can use.

Most Common Tarot Spreads For Beginners

There are three common tarot spreads beginners should learn first. These are the Celtic Cross, the 3-card spread, and the one-card spread. Between these three beginner tarot spreads, you’ll learn how to ask questions, receive answers from the tarot deck, and properly identify what the spread is telling you.

Celtic Cross

One of the most popular spreads is the Celtic Cross, which uses 10 cards. The first card is positioned in the center of the spread and is known as the “querent.” The other nine cards are placed around it in set positions, with each card representing a different aspect of the question or reading.
Following the “querent” card, you’ll then have: the challenge, influences, the root, the past, the future, the attitude, the environment, the hopes and fears, and the outcome.
This is an advanced spread for intricate situations. As a beginner, the Celtic Cross is a great way to begin tackling complicated and in-depth spreads. But watch out! It can be a bit daunting the first few times you attempt to read this spread. Take it slow and over time you’ll become more and more comfortable with it.

The 3-Card Spread

Another common spread is the 3-card spread. This spread is used to answer simple questions or to gain a general understanding of a situation. It is a favorite due to its versatility. The first card represents the past, the second card represents the present, and the third card represents the future. However, this is commonly adjusted to the mind, body, and spirit. It can also be utilized to represent a number of other things.

One Card Spread

If you’re looking for a quick answer or simply want to focus on one specific question, the one-card spread is perfect. This spread uses just one card and its interpretation is based on the question that is asked.

Using Tarot Card Spreads

There are countless other spreads that can be used depending on the question or reading. But whatever type of spread is being used, it’s important to make sure that all of the cards are placed in the correct position and read in the right order. This can take some practice, but with a little patience, you’ll be able to read tarot like a pro!

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