Card Spreads

These card spreads are collected from quite a lot of different places, from books and from Internet. If any of them is yours, and you don't want us to use it, please tell, and we'll remove it immediately.

Celtic Cross #1	Celtic Cross #2	Celtic Cross #3	Celtic Cross #4
Three Card Spread	Six Months Spread	Action Spread	Spread of Elements
Eliphas Levi Wheel Spread	The Line Spread	Magic Seven Spread	Spirits of Circle
Split Hexagram Spread	Star Spread	Tree of Life Spread

Celtic Cross #1

10 cards are used for this method. When beginning to spread the cards, one first draws a significator card (S), which represents either the questioner or the question.

Description of the Positions
S - significator (if used)
1 - this moves the questioner or is on his mind, i.e. this is the basic topic of this spread
2 - this "crosses" the questioner's path and shows him a direction which is different from the one chosen by him
3 - the goal the questioner wants to reach, but which he has not reached yet
4 - the questioner's basic situation, e.g. the essential characteristics of his life or his opinion
5 - dating back to the past, this event still affects the present situation
6 - this event is imminent or will develop itself on the basis of the present situation
7 - this summarizes the questioner's situation and is the prerequisite for the following path
8 - this represents the immediate surroundings and how the questioner sees himself inside them or in relation with him
9 - this represents his hopes or his fears and does not include a real basis in the proper sense of the word
10 - he/she will reach this goal under the present and already known circumstances. If this card can be interpreted in an unsatisfactory way only, it may be used as a significator card for another card spreading turn.

Celtic Cross #2

The reader selects a court card known as the significator. The choice of card is governed by the sex, age and physical color characteristics of the enquirer, for example:

• A king represents a man
• A queen represents a woman
• A knight represents a young man
• A page represents a young man or woman
• Rods represents blond hair and blue eyes or red or auburn hair and green or hazel eyes
• Cauldrons represents light brown hair and brown or hazel eyes
• Swords represents dark brown hair and dark eyes
• Pentacles represents black hair and dark eyes

After the significator has been chosen, it must be placed face up on the reading table.

The enquirer, whilst concentrating on the question, shuffles the pack three times with the card images face down. The reader then shuffles or cuts the cards again before laying them out, one card at a time, in the sequence described below and as illustrated in the diagram. As each is placed the reading proceeds to a conclusion.

1. Turn over the first card from the deck and place it on top of the significator, saying, "This covers you." This first card reflects the atmosphere or mood relating to the enquirer and the question.
2. Turn over the second card, placing it across the first, saying, "This crosses you." This card points to the type of forces, negative or positive, opposing the enquirer or question.
3. Turn over the third card, placing it above the significator, and say, "This is above you." This card expresses the enquirer's ideal wish in relation to the question.
4. Turn over the fourth card, placing it below the significator, and say, "This card indicates the foundation of the subject under discussion."
5. Turn over the fifth card, placing it on the left of the significator. Say, "This is behind you." This card represents the enquirer's past.
6. Turn over the sixth card and place it on the right of the significator. Say, "This is before you." This card represents the enquirer's future.
7. Turn over the seventh card, positioning it to the right and below the cross formed by the cards which are already in place. Say, "This answers you." This card provides the answer to the question which was the reason for the reading.
8. Turn over the eight card and position it directly above the seventh, say, "This strengthens you." This card stands for individual influences which could help the enquirer.
9. Turn over the ninth card, placing it directly over the eight. Say, "This describes you." This cards describes or expresses the personality of the enquirer.
10. Turn over the tenth and last card, placing it directly over the ninth. Say, "This is the conclusion." In the event of an inconclusive answer to the query, use the tenth and final card as the significator for the fresh reading, repeating the sequence as before.

Celtic Cross #3

Explanation of the position of each card:

1. Current conditions.
2. Associated hopes and problems.
3. Conscious wishes.
4. Subconscious wishes.
5. Influences behind the current situation.
6. Immediate conditions in the short term.
7. Personal approach required.
8. Factors along the way.
9. Fears related to the outcome if any.
10. Suggests a final outcome.

Celtic Cross #4

1. Present influence. Atmosphere in which you are presently working and living. Shows the area of influence in which you presently exist.
2. Immediate obstacles. Shows the nature of obstacles or immediate sphere of involvement which lie just ahead.
3. Specific goal. Shows your ultimate goal or objective. Indicates the best that can be accomplished by you based upon the existing circumstances.
4. Past foundation. Shows the broad and basic events and influences which exist in the past and upon which the present events are taking place.
5. Past events. Shows the most recent sphere of influence or events which have just passed or are just passing.
6. Future influence. Shows the sphere of influence that is coming into being in the near future in a broad sense.
7. The questioner. Shows you in your present position or attitude within the circumstances surrounding you. Attempts to place you in proper perspective.
8. Environmental factors. Shows your influence on other people and your position in life. Reveals those tendencies and factors which exist with respect to other persons which may have an effect on you.
9. Inner emotions. Shows your hopes and fears.
10. Final result. Shows the culmination and results which will be brought about from all of the influences as revealed by the other cards.

Three Card Spread

This can be useful in putting things quickly into perspective. Lacking depth however, it should be used only occasionally. It is most useful for beginners learning to read the cards and practice their skills.

1. Think quietly of a question and concentrate on it as you start to shuffle the cards.
2. Shuffle the cards well and cut two or three times as usual.
3. Turn over the top 3 cards and set them out from left to right.

Six Months Spread

The Client/Enquirer
Shuffles the cards well and cuts them once or twice in the traditional manner.

The Reader

1. Set out the top 15 cards in a pyramid, starting at the lower left hand corner, with 5 cards at the base.
2. Read from 1 through to 15, taking 3 cards per month, for the first 3 months and 2 cards per month thereafter.

Action Spread

1. The question itself, important aspects of the question.
2. Past events
3. How the querent has reacted to the matter or character strength which are more relevant to the matter.
4. Environment.
5. Solution to problem.

Spread of the Elements

1. Querent.
2. East: Intellectual or Mental life.
3. South: Sensual and/or Instinctual Life.
4. West: Emotional Life.
5. North: Intuitive and/or Spiritual Life.

Eliphas Levi Wheel Spread

1. Present situation.
2. Waning influences. Obstacles already overcome. Changes which have occurred in the past.
3. Hidden or unconscious influences.
4. Emerging influences.
5. Synthesis. Draws together the other four influences.

The Line Spread

1. The past
2. The past
3. The present
4. The future
5. The future

The Magic Seven Spread

1. Past events leading up to the present state.
2. The present state.
3. Immediate future.
4. Suggested solution, what the querent should do to obtain more control over the current situation.
5. The current environment and/or its effect on the matter.
>li>Opposition.
6. Result.

Spirits of the Circle Spread

1. Querent.
2. Spirit of the Ancestors - influence of family elders.
3. Spirit of the Tribe - influence of culture.
4. Spirit of Time.
5. Spirit of Place - influence of birthplace and residence.
6. Spirit of the journey - influence of previous lives.
7. Result.

Split Hexagram Spread

1. Unknown spiritual influences.
2. Unknown spiritual influences (card 1 has a stronger effect than this card).
3. Spiritual advice for the matter.
4. Unconscious desires.
5. Conscious desires.
6. Practical advice.
7. Final outcome if you proceed with matter at this time.

Star Spread

1. Your present position - the root of the matter.
2. Feelings; emotions; relationships.
3. Mind; thoughts; career.
4. The heart of the matter.
5. What is surfacing and soon to become known.
6. Desires you have.
7. The outcome - the top of the matter.

Tree of Life Spread

1. Spiritual.
2. Responsibility.
3. Difficulty.
4. Opposing matters.
5. Opposing matters.
6. Achievement.
7. Emotional relationships.
8. Communication and career.
9. Unconscious foundation.
10. Home and family.