Alycia Wicker

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Tarot Spreads: A Must-Have or a Waste of Time?

Hey there, fellow tarot enthusiasts! Are you tired of shuffling and laying out cards in the same old spread every time you do a reading? Do you feel like the structure of tarot spreads is cramping your style? Well, my friend, you're not alone. Many tarot readers wonder if they really have to use spreads to get accurate readings. So, do you have to use tarot spreads? Let's dive into this question and find out! Get ready for some tarot myth-busting and a healthy dose of humor in this blog post.

Tarot spreads are like a choose-your-own-adventure book but for grown-ups who want to know about their love life, career, or the meaning of life itself. Each card has a specific meaning and placement in the spread, and the combination of cards can tell you a lot about yourself, your current situation, and what's to come.

Tarot Spreads Give You Clarity

Tarot spreads are great when you're a beginner tarot reader making it easier to interpret the cards.

For instance, if you do a 3-card reading such as Past, Present, and Future spread, in that order, each card placed will represent one of those positions.

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For me, one thing I don't see mentioned too often is adapting tarot spreads to your needs when the original is confusing to you. There are a bazillion tarot spreads made by millions of people, and each of those people has their own way of communicating.

One version of a 3-card daily tarot spread will have questions like:

  • What is the overall energy for today?

  • What can I look forward to?

  • What should I avoid?

Those questions don't resonate with me because I don't wake up and ask myself questions like this.

I would change the questions to something I would wonder about, like:

  • What should I focus on today?

  • What should I ignore today?

  • How can I make the most of the day?

Tarot spreads aren't written in stone; you can adapt them and make them make sense for your purposes. There isn't a tarot police force coming to get you. As for trolls on the internet, well - they might have something to say if you change a classic spread such as the Celtic Cross.

Tarot Spreads Aren’t Just For Beginners

Now, you might be thinking, "If someone is an advanced tarot reader, why would they need a silly old tarot spread?" And I get it - when you've been doing this for a while, you might feel like you've got the whole card thing down pat.

But let me tell you, even the most advanced tarot readers can benefit from a good ol' tarot spread. Think of it like a road map - even if you know how to get from point A to point B, sometimes it's nice to have a guide to make sure you're taking the most efficient route.

Tarot spreads keep you on point. I tend to go down rabbit holes when reading about certain topics and forget what questions I originally asked.

Tarot spreads can help advanced readers by providing a framework for their readings, and even advanced tarot readers can get a little bored of doing the same old thing all the time. A new spread can add some variety and excitement to your practice. It's like trying out a new recipe when you're sick of eating the same old thing for dinner every night.

Tarot Spreads Can Stifle Your Intuition

While I do have some spreads that I use frequently, I find that my intuition opens up when I don't have a tarot spread to constrict my intuition.

Sometimes I'll spread out five tarot cards, sometimes a grid of 15 cards or two piles of cards... the possibilities are endless. And then, my intuition starts to make connections and download the messages.

While I set intentions during a reading, by not being restricted to a tarot spread, I can allow the cards to prompt my intuition without shifting into the left side of my brain, where logic takes hold.

It all depends on the energy during the reading.

Can You Create Your Own Tarot Spread If Your A Newbie?

Of course! There's no tarot college that you have to attend to create your own spread.

Ah, the age-old question of how to create your own tarot spread! Well, my curious friend, it's a lot like making a sandwich - there's no one "right" way to do it, and it all depends on your personal taste.

First things first, you'll want to decide what you want your spread to focus on. Maybe it's a specific area of your life, like your relationships or your career. Or maybe it's a more general spread to give you insights on your overall path in life. Whatever it is, make sure you're clear on your intention before you start designing your spread.

Next, think about how many cards you want in your spread. There's no hard and fast rule here - some spreads have three cards, while others have ten or more. The number of cards you choose should reflect the complexity of your question and how much detail you want to delve into.

Once you've decided on the number of cards, it's time to think about the positions. These are the spots where you'll place each card, and each position should correspond to a specific aspect of your question. For example, if you're creating a spread about your love life, you might have positions for your past relationships, your current situation, and your future prospects.

Now comes the fun part - deciding what each position means. This is where you can get creative and really make your spread your own. You might draw inspiration from existing spreads, or you might come up with your own meanings based on your intuition and personal experience.

Finally, give your spread a catchy name that reflects its theme and position. It's like giving your sandwich a name that makes it sound more delicious than it actually is.

And there you have it - your very own tarot spread! Of course, creating a spread is just the first step. The real magic happens when you use it to gain insights and clarity about your life. So go forth, my friend, and get creative! Who knows, you might just come up with the next must-have spread in the tarot world.

To Tarot Spread Or Not To Tarot Spread

Well, my friend, we've covered a lot of ground today when it comes to tarot spreads. But at the end of the day, it's important to remember that tarot is all about choice.

You can choose to use a tarot spread to guide your readings and gain insights into your life. Or, you can choose to go with the flow and let the cards reveal what they will. There's no one right way to do it - it's all about finding what works for you.

The beauty of tarot is that it's a tool for self-discovery and reflection. Whether you choose to use a spread or not, the cards can help you tap into your intuition, connect with your inner wisdom, and gain a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.

So, my friend, the choice is yours. Whether you're a seasoned tarot pro or a curious beginner, remember that the power is in your hands. Use the tools that work for you, and always trust your own intuition and inner knowing. And above all, don't forget to have fun and enjoy the journey!

All this is to tell you that you can use or not use tarot spreads… make tarot your own practice and keep it fun!