Yes/No Spread

The Yes/No Spread is a quick resourceful spread developed for modern times to get fast answers to direct questions. Where the Celtic Cross Spread goes into detail and may take time depending on the cards revealed, the Yes/No Spread concentrates on just the question at hand and provides an answer.

The Yes/No spread may differ from tarot reader to tarot reader. There are spreads which require the choosing of just one card and the tarot card reader provides the answer based on the card and its nature. On the other hand, a few also opt for 3 cards layout which provide a more helpful reading and a stronger answer.

As for me, I prefer to use an 8 card layout with The Wheel of Fortune (one of the Major Arcana) as the Trump card. The position of the Wheel of Fortune determines the answer and advice.

Celtic Cross Spread

The Celtic Cross Spread is one of the destiny spreads of tarot reading. Destiny spreads are based on astrology which project the person’s own desires into the future and help to show the areas where changes need to be made in order to have future security and control of your life.

The Celtic Cross Spread is one of the most popular destiny spreads in modern day tarot reading. It is a layout of 10 cards that help uncover the past, present and future of the person. Each position in the layout reveals an aspect about the person.

The 10 positions are:-

1.You Now

2.Current challenges

3.Conscious goal

4.Unknown influences

5.Past

6.Future

7.Inner resource

8.How others see you

9.Hopes/fears

10.Outcome

Introduction to Tarot

The Oxford dictionary describes the word “tarot” as a noun meaning a pack of 78 playing cards with four suits used for fortune telling.

The tarot is a centuries old technique used for divination which has started gaining popularity in the last 4 decades.

The 78 playing cards are divided into:-

·         22 Major Arcana cards

·         56 Minor Arcana cards

The four suits are:-

1.   Cups

2.   Swords

3.   Wands

4.   Pentacles

The tarot is often believed to be a universal language that helps to understand the forces that are at work in your life. It may predict future events, give clues or even reveal our innermost desires.

The 22 Major Arcana cards represent our most basic issues and qualities which are present in all mankind. These cards help provide self-knowledge and guidance to the person for the road ahead.

The 56 Minor Arcana cards are divided into four suits numbered from Ace to 10, plus four court cards – Page, Knight, Queen and King. The four suits also have elements assigned to them like:-

·         Cups with Water

·         Swords with Air

·         Wands with Fire

·         Pentacles with Earth

To best describe the tarot, it can be said that it is like looking through a mirror and seeing an image of yourself with your hopes, dreams and challenges.

The tarot should be used as a tool for guidance and to gain insight about yourself by finding out about the various energies surrounding you and leading to self-discovery.