With decks on this site that do not use reversals (most of them), you may use the

traditional occult method of checking elemental dignity to determine whether each card is
well-dignified or ill-dignified. Each card’s dignity is based upon how the adjacent cards
relate to it. Each card is interpreted one at a time to determine its dignity. Adjacent
cards of the same suit strengthen a card’s dignity, providing a sort of power boost to the
positive appeal of the card. Cards of directly opposite suits drain the positive energy,
causing ill-dignity. For example, if a Cups card had a Wands card next to it, this would
rub the Cups card the wrong way and cause ill-dignification. (Wands are opposite
of Cups, and Swords are opposite of Pentacles.) Cards that are not of the opposite or
the same suit are considered neutral, and have no effect (such as a Wand next to a
Sword or a Sword next to a Cup). Major Arcana cards can often be disregarded as they
don’t always correspond to a particular element (fire, water, air, earth) as Minor Arcana
cards do. Also for some of the spreads, dignification might even be considered
irrelevant. The Golden Dawn method is the spread that relies most heavily on elemental
dignities.
Since Rider-Waite inspired decks generally use reversals, interpretation of dignity is
automatic with these deck. Traditionally reversed card meanings were not used much in
Tarot reading until after the ground-breaking Rider-Waite deck incorporated them.
Reversals were introduced by Etteilla, who published the first material on cartomancy
reversals in 1770 – using a deck of 32 cards, perhaps influencing Madam Lenormand.
Reversals are not an option with several decks on this site simply because the artist did
not intend for their creation to be read using reversals, so they did not write reversed
meanings.
On the other hand, you may decide to simply disregard the elemental dignities if they
give you too much trouble. Of course it is best to interpret the cards your own way,
gaining understanding through your own personal methods. Suggestions on how to
read the cards, using elemental dignities and such as presented on this site should
serve merely as a guideline, not as a rule. Each reader should come to understand tarot
reading through diligent practice, weighing the interpretations by their own standards.
 Draw Just One

Difficulty: Easiest

The single card draw is best for times when you want to focus on one thing without any
potential complications. It can be used for just about any question you can ask,
including to draw a card of the day, week, or even your ultimate destiny. It can also be
used in succession, as some readers like to pull one card at a time as a story unfolds.
Some readers don’t even like to use actual spreads, relying on this method alone.

Past, Present, and Future

Past Present Future

Difficulty: Very easy

This simplistic chronological spread can be used to shed light on the influences that are
now behind you, current influences, and what is approaching in the near future. Not
much explanation is necessary on this one. Since any fool could understand this spread,
it can be found on practically every tarot reading site and instruction book.
 The Blind Spot
NOT known to
Known to self self

Known to others

NOT known to others

Difficulty: depends on one’s ability to objectively view the self

This spread is used to enhance self-awareness. Questions about learning something

about yourself or things that are hidden work very well with this spread, but actually no
question is necessary.

1. This card displays the obvious identity, the part of your self that you are consciously
aware of and project to others.

2. This card shows unconscious driving forces that neither you nor others are aware of
about you. This is the Great Unknown. Nobody knows what this card means.
3. The part of yourself that you conceal, that you don’t want others to know about is
apparent in this card.
4. This is your Blind Spot. This is what you asked about which you should be made aware of
by this reading. You may wish to pay close attention to these mannerisms.
 The Cross
DO this

It deals with Do NOT do this

It leads to

Difficulty: Easy

The Cross Spread is good for questions asking for advice. It can also be used to
determine the meaning of a confusing card from a previous reading, or for that matter,
to shed light on other points of confusion as well.

In questions asking advice, this spread is self-explanatory. The main thing is to

determine the difference between cards #2 and #3. #1 is the topic and #4 is the
result.

In questions regarding confusion, such as: "What was the meaning of Card (X) in the last
spread?" the main thing is also to determine the difference between cards #2 and #3.
In this case, Card #2 will show what the card was not referring to, and Card #3 will
show what the card really meant. #1 is the topic and #4 represents the purpose it
serves.

The Horse Shoe

Obstacle(s)

Hidden Influences Outside Influences

The Present Suggestion

Past Influences Outcome

Difficulty: Fairly Easy

 The Horse Shoe is an old classic tarot spread. It is more advanced than the 3-card
reading, yet simpler than most other spreads. It is a versatile method that can be used
for most queries, though there are other spreads which would go into more depth. Like
the simple Past, Present, and Future spread, it contains these cards in positions 1, 2,
and 7, but also has 4 other cards that help the reader understand how to deal with the
Future better. The cards are to be read as follows:

1. The Past: This card represents past events that are affecting the question.

2. The Present: This card represents the current state or immediately approaching
influence.

3. Hidden Influences: Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.

4. Obstacles: This is the challenge. Obstacles might be avoided, or you may have to deal
with them.

5. External Influences: Attitudes and thoughts about this situation from people around
the querent.
6. Suggestions: Recommended course of action.

7. The Final Outcome: This card represents what would happen if the suggestion is
followed.

The Ankh
Higher Perceptions

Early Trigger

Necessary Conclusions
Cross 1 Cross 2

Next Step

Surprises

Result

Difficulty: Kind of tough

The Ankh Spread is for deeper questions about the causes behind trends. It is similar to
the Celtic Cross and Secret of the High Priestess spreads, but it covers the reasons
behind the circumstances in question differently, perhaps giving a better explanation of
why things are the way they are.

The loop of the upper section of the ankh shows the deeper spiritual background and
causes of the situation, while the stem of the base shows your prospects for the
outcome.
The first 2 cards represent the 2 parent causes of the situation. They will either
compliment each other or show 2 opposing sides of a conflict, depending on how they
relate. These are the significator cards of the Ankh spread.

3. This card shows the early causes of the trend in question.

4. Shows the causes that triggered the current situation.

5. Reveals the spiritual perspective of the subject at hand.

6. This card informs the querent of the reasons why the spirit demanded this course of
action to unfold, in that it was a means to this end. This can not be avoided.

At this point, you want to pause to soak in the meaning of the first 6 cards before
moving forward to the last 3 cards. The last 3 will show your prospects for the future.

7. The Next Step gives clues about the immediate future.

8. Surprising Experiences encountered en route to the end result.

9. This represents the end result.

The Celtic Cross

Crowns it It leads to

Crosses it Hopes & Fears

 Before After

This is it Others

Rests upon Querent

Difficulty: Average

This is probably the most common spread. A good

basic spread for beginners to use for practice, the
Celtic Cross is useful for questions of all types. In
this spread it can be helpful to notice the
relationships between the pairings of cards #5 &
#9, #1 & #2, #3 & #4, and #6 & #10.
1. The significator shows what the reading deals with, the initial situation.

2. An added impulse that compounds the significator, which may be either complimentary
or contradictory.

3. This is what the querent is consciously aware of (thoughts).

4. Unconscious driving forces the querent may not be aware of (emotions).

5. The immediate past regarding the current situation.

6. The first future card indicates the immediate future.
7. This card represents the querent and their attitude towards cards #1 and #2.
8. The external influences, the places and people which influence the topic.
9. This card is the querent’s expectations; what is secretly hoped for or feared.

10. The second future card shows the longer-term outcome.

The Secret of the High Priestess

Full Moon
Waxing Waning

Significators

Dark Secret Light

The Next Step

Difficulty: Average

This spread is a nice alternative to the Celtic Cross,

which covers basically the same ground. It is
useful when a question doesn’t quite call for the
Ankh spread. This spread is helpful when you are
looking into a current trend. The High Priestess
may or may not present a mysterious secret to be
analyzed after the rest of the spread.

1. and 2. Main impulses that represent the topic at hand. They may compliment or
oppose one another.

3. This is the current influence at this time.

5. The Waning Moon is the influence that you are putting behind you, what is moving
into the past.

4. The Waxing Moon indicates what is on the horizon, or the approaching influence.
This is the immediate future.

7. The Light is what is clearly recognized, what is conscious.

6. The Dark shows what is there but not fully perceived, though noticed on a deeper
level of consciousness.

8. The Next Step is the near future, where this journey will take you.

9. The last card, if it happens to be of the Major Arcana, reveals the Secret of the High
Priestess. This is a special message that you should pay extra special attention to.

The Golden Dawn Spread

Alternate path
(or extension) Current path
 Querent

Psychological basis Karma

Difficulty: Complicated

Note: Decks that use reversed cards such as Soulscapes do not work well with this spread,
which was designed to be read using elemental dignities.
The Golden Dawn spread is best suited for use with the bifrost Tarot. Like the Book of
Thoth, bifrost is meant to be read a certain way with the Court cards. Princes and
Queens represent actual men and women connected with the matter, while Princesses
generally represent ideas; thoughts or opinions, and Knights represent arrival or
departure of a matter depending on the direction faced.
In this spread, particular attention should be payed to a card’s exact position in relation
to its neighbors. Whether the neighbor cards bear the same energy (suit) determines
whether a card is considered well- or ill-dignified. Opposite suits ill-dignify each other,
while other suits are considered friendly. Cards of the same suit strengthen each other.

As with other spreads, it is important to count the cards’ tendencies, such as whether
there is a lot of one particular suit or number pattern. The patterns will reveal special
messages. Lots of Majors indicates higher forces at work, lots of cups suggest strong
emotions, etc.

Card #1 represents the querent and the nature of the topic at hand.
Cards #2 & #3 are used in conjunction with #1 to further comprehend the nature of
the topic.

The 2 sets of 3 cards at the top of the spread represent chronological sets of
events. Your current pathas it would unfold naturally is represented by cards #4, #8, &
#12. The alternate path that you could take is represented by cards #13, #9, & #5.
However, if you get the feeling these cards are telling you that they go together, then
the alternate path is to be considered an extension of your current path, and to be read
chronologically in this order: #4, #8, #12, #13, #9, #5. But keep in mind: this is only
if the two paths seem particularly similar.
Cards #14, #10, & #6 shed light upon the psychological undertones of the current
issue.

Cards #7, #11, & #15 represent the influences of karma and destiny that are beyond
the querent’s control. These cards suggest adapting to this fate.

Relationship Spread #1
Querent Other Person

Rational Significator

Emotional
External
Stance

Difficulty: Easy

This spread is easy to read, like a convenient chart. In this spread, court cards
generally indicate actual people with the same characteristics. Knights (or
corresponding Princes, but not Kings) and Queens are meant to represent actual men
and women in this tarot spread. Look for patterns in the cards as always.
Card #1 is the overall significator of the relationship. The 2 columns on either side of
the significator characterize each individual’s role in the relationship. The relationship
does not have to be romantic. In fact it could be a relationship between a person and a
group, or even how 2 groups relate.

The top row, cards #7 & 2, shows the conscious thoughts of each person, or what they
think about the relationship and likewise how they view their partner.

The middle row, cards #6 & 3, shows the way each individual feels about the other.
Emotional awareness corresponds to a person’s unconscious thoughts that run deep,
effecting a person in ways he or she is not fully aware of.

The bottom row, cards #5 & 4, represents the way each person behaves, in other
words the stance taken regarding the relationship. The way a person acts may be
genuine, but sometimes people are phony and manipulative, so it is best to weigh this
card against your partner’s other cards to determine if they match up.

Relationship Spread #2
 Mutual goals

Your Connection Other’s

persona (present) persona

What you offer What they offer

Common base (past)

Difficulty: Easy

This relationship spread focuses more on the common ground of

the relationship, with 3 cards in the middle column showing the
common ground. The middle column essentially shows the past,
present, and future of the relationship.
Card #4 shows the common base of the relationship, which may be thought of as the
past events which have shaped their characters, bringing them together. Card #3
represents the current connection that binds them together, the values they share.
Card #7 shows the common goals that would keep them together moving into the
future.
The columns on either side show what each partner brings to the
table. Remember, relationships need not be romantic, and they
partners could even be groups rather than individuals, whatever
you choose. In this layout, the other person is on the left hand
side, and you, the querent on the right.
Cards #1 & 2 indicate the separate personalities of each member of the relationship.
These cards form a sort of bridge with the cards beneath them, #5 & 6, which show the
qualities that each partner offers the other person, and thus to the relationship as a
whole.

The Love Triangle

2+3

P#3 3to2 2to3 P#2

3to1 All 2to1

1+3 1to3 1to2 1+2

P#1

Difficulty: Somewhat Complicated

Casually referred to as the Love Triangle, this spread can be used to determine the
dynamics of the relationship between 3 people, whether or not romance is involved.
This spread is drawn in the form of a hexagram, consisting of several large and small
triangles. This spread is somewhat complicated, but not entirely that difficult.

The first step is to interpret the card for each individual position in the spread.
Generally the querent asks about a relationship that he or she is involved with, but this
does not have to be the case. Ordinarily the querent’s representative card is #1, the
querent’s person of interest is #2, and the other person would be #3.

The second step fills in the downward triangle and involves further examination of the
individuals through their views of the other people. Each person has 2 more cards
showing the way they see and relate to the other members of the triangle. For
example, Card #6 shows how Person #3 relates to Person #1, while Card #9 shows
Person #1’s attitude toward Person #3.

The next step completes the upward triangle and the hexagram, focusing on cards 10-
13. It also completes the many smaller triangles and shows the potential for each
relationship. The final card, #13 can be considered the significator of the reading, which
shows the overall potential for this 3-way relationship.

The Decision
Yes Decision

Significator
 No Decision

Difficulty: Simple

This simple but highly useful spread calls for a

question to be asked in this format:

"What happens if I do (X), and what happens if I do not do (X)?"

Please note that it should not be viewed as a decision between 2 different options, but
about whether or not a single option should be exercised. A second option would call for
a separate reading.

Card #7 is the significator, the overall theme of the query.

Cards #3, #1, & #5 represent the chronological sequence of events that occurs if you
choose to do (X).

Cards #4, #2, & #6 represent the chronological sequence of events that unfolds if you
choose NOT to do (X).

The Path
 Current Suggested

Rational

Emotional

External

Difficulty: Easy

For the Path, the querent asks for suggestions on

how to behave properly in order to achieve a
desired result. The Current column shows how the
querent has been acting, and the Suggested column
suggests how the querent should act in order to
achieve a certain goal. The chart-like spread uses
the standard 3 levels: Rational, Emotional, and
External Stance (how one projects one’s self
outwardly). When comparing the Current to
Suggested cards, the most important thing is to
notice the differences between the 2 cards. It is
these differences which hint at the behaviors that
you should think about changing.
Card #1 is the significator, the card which should reflect the nature of the query and/or
the desired outcome.

Card #2 shows the way you are and have been thinking. Card #7 shows how you need
to change the way you think in order to serve yourself better.

Card #3 tells you about your emotional attitude. Though it may seem difficult to
manipulate one’s own emotions, it can be done if you put your mind to it. For example,
acting a certain way such as smiling intently for a few minutes will lead the emotions to
follow. If you try this, as silly as the exercise seems, you will find that this evokes the
emotion of happiness. For this reading, you should try to make yourself feel the way
that Card #6 tells you.

External Stance means how you act outwardly, how you hope others see you. Card #4
tells you how you were acting, while #5 indicates how you should act outwardly, for
other people’s sake. It is the differences between these cards that hint at what behavior
patterns should be altered.

The Game Plan

Unconscious driving force External attitudes

Significator
How it succeeds How it does NOT succeed

Difficulty: Easy

When you have a certain plan in mind, this simple 5-card spread
presents a choice, hinting at what action or attitude should be
taken for your plan to succeed, and what should be avoided in
order to help your plan work out for the best.
The initial card is laid in the center of the layout, the significator. The following 4 cards
are laid out clockwise around the significator.

In this spread, the second card shows what drives you, but also says you are not fully
conscious of this, perhaps even completely unaware of it. It gives you a hint as to the
reason that you strive for your goal.

The third card shows what others think of you and your goals. You may or may not be
aware of this. Sometimes other people factor into your plans, and sometimes they
don’t.

The fourth card shows what you should not do. If things are permitted to go down this
path, your plan will collapse.

The fifth card is a hint as to how to make your plan work out favorably. The idea that
this card presents should be followed in order to make your plan a success. It is the
differences between Cards #4 and #5 that should be noted, as the differences provide
the clues you need.
 The Astrological Reading

Difficulty: Complicated

The Astrological Tarot Spread is based upon houses of astrology. This complicated
spread takes several steps to understand.
The first step is to interpret the card for each individual position in the spread.

The second step involves further examination of the main axes. Positions 1 & 7 show
the relationship theme, #1 representing you, #7 your partner. Positions 4 & 10 indicate
motion. #4 shows where you are, and #10 shows what you are moving towards.

The third step involves breaking down the chart into triads according to their house
elements.

Positions 1, 5, & 9 represent the Fire triad, which shows about temperment and
personal development.
Positions 2, 6, & 10 represent the Earth triad, which is concerned with materialism,
money, and work.
Positions 3, 7, & 11 represent the Air triad, which has to do with thoughts, ideas, and
connections with other people.
Positions 4, 8, & 12 represent the Water triad, which is the realm of emotions, moods,
intuition, and yearnings.
Further, you may connect other patterns and correlations between certain numbers.
Certain numbers such as the set of 5, 7, & 8 often speak about a particular theme.

The Self-Actualization Pyramids

S#1 S#2 Show

Fix W#1 W#2

P
 N#1 N#2

B#1 B#2 B#3

Difficulty: Complicated

Basically there is the main pyramid in the center, and two smaller pyramids on each
side. One is inverted.

Positions 1 – 3 represent where you have come from, or what has made you/shaped
you on the various levels. Can be from environment, upbringing, schooling etc. A look
at the past, but with more objectivity than is usually given when using tarot cards.

Positions 4 – 5 represent “who you are now.” May or may not make pleasant reading
but hey, this is what this is about right?

Position 6 represents “who you could be.” Again it might or might not look good, but
you can learn from that and change who you are now accordingly. (This is a bit like how
Scrooge did things in “A Christmas Carol”)

Positions 7-8 are your strengths. The light you have which can be bought to the
forefront. What carries you and should not be hidden or unacknowledged.

Position 9 represents what you should be giving to yourself or creating within.

Position 10 – 11 represent personal areas for development or weaknesses. Again might

not make good reading but if you look at your strengths first you will be able to see a
balance is there and you can choose to focus on one side or the other… your choice.
This is where you could really see how your shadow side comes into play.

Position 12 represents what you should be offering externally, or what you can bring to
your world or others who inhabit that world.

Comic Strip Spread

Difficulty: Simple

Note: This spread works best with decks like the Diary of a Broken
Soul or Surrealist Tarot because they display scenes rather than pips and do
not use reversals.
The Comic Strip Spread is an extremely simple 9-
card chronological spread that looks like a page of
a comic book. This method should be used to get a
glimpse of the future as it would pan out naturally.
You may also want to check your biorythm. The
spread is easy to read as a story, just like a comic
strip.

The main subject is apparent in the first card,

while the story plays out through the following
cards.

Pay particular attention to the cards and the

relationships to their neighbors. Notice which
directions the cards are facing, and how they
interact.

The layouts below are for use with Mahjong divination.

3 Bones
Future 1 Future 2 Future 3

Difficulty: Easy

This layout is used only for mahjong tiles and dominoes, drawing 3 tiles. They are
flipped to answer the query in chronological order. There are 2 methods that can be
used, either proceeding with the reading as normal, or placing each tile back in the pile
so that it could possibly come up more than once. In case tiles repeat, it would indicate
a faster or more potent outcome.

The Reversed Compass

Western

Northern Southern

Nucleus
 Eastern

Difficulty: Hard

This reading sets the tiles in the celestial form instead of the terrestrial format that is
used in navigational compasses. This is done to follow the traditions inherent in Chinese
Philosophy. This complex reading is very flexible in that you may focus on a specific or
general question, or no question at all when using it.

In the Reversed Compass Reading, each of the sets of tiles have an influence on the
issue represented by The Nucleus. To interpret this reading properly you must relate all
the tile sets to The Nucleus.

The 3 Dragons

Red Green White

Dragon Dragon Dragon
Difficulty: Moderate

In Chinese culture the Dragon is generally considered a sign of great luck and power.
However in mahjong, the red, green, and white dragons represent three distinct
influences that can affect your life. The Dragon Reading creates a relationship between
sets of tiles to each Dragon, to explore how the 3 Dragons will influence you now and in
the near future.

Secret of the High Priestess spread designed by Hajo Banzhaf

Love Triangle spread designed by Jeremy LamPkin
Self-Actualization Pyramids spread designed by Davina Powell