Fool’s Journey: Create Your Own Tarot Spread | Autostraddle

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Fools Journey: Create Your OwnFools Journey: Create Your OwnTarot SpreadTarot Spread

Posted by Posted by Beth on on June 18, 2014 at 7:00am PSTJune 18, 2014 at 7:00am PST

You dont have to be an experienced tarot reader to create your own spreadsYou dont have to be an experienced tarot reader to create your own spreads

in fact, I think its good to practice creating your own spreads right at the in fact, I think its good to practice creating your own spreads right at the

start of your tarot journey.start of your tarot journey.

Crafting spreads builds con!dence and helps you to remember that youreCrafting spreads builds con!dence and helps you to remember that youre

learning tarot learning tarot your wayyour way, nobody elses. Plus it means you can always come up, nobody elses. Plus it means you can always come up

with your own special approach to all those crazy-ass questions your friendswith your own special approach to all those crazy-ass questions your friends

bring you.bring you.

Its cool I got a spread for thatIts cool I got a spread for thatvia via laughingsquid.comlaughingsquid.com

Okay. First, lets break down a simple tarot spread to understand how it works.Okay. First, lets break down a simple tarot spread to understand how it works.

Anatomy of a tarot spreadAnatomy of a tarot spreadA tarot spread is simply a method for laying out reading tarot cards in speci!cA tarot spread is simply a method for laying out reading tarot cards in speci!c

positions, so as to interpret cards within contexts: !rstly the position itself, andpositions, so as to interpret cards within contexts: !rstly the position itself, and

then in relation to the surrounding cards.then in relation to the surrounding cards.

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Where some readers might simply lay a number of cards and translate theseWhere some readers might simply lay a number of cards and translate these

into a message, for others this can feel totally bewilderingespecially if youreinto a message, for others this can feel totally bewilderingespecially if yourenew to tarot. Using a spread helps to frame each card, so it can be read morenew to tarot. Using a spread helps to frame each card, so it can be read more

easily.easily.

Take this simple three-card spread as a quick example:Take this simple three-card spread as a quick example:

1. Dusk / 2. Present / 3. Dawning.1. Dusk / 2. Present / 3. Dawning.Via Via littleredtarot.comlittleredtarot.com

First, we have the First, we have the three speci!c positionsthree speci!c positions, which instantly lend context to the, which instantly lend context to the

cards:cards:

1. Dusk1. Dusk an energy which has been strong in your life, but is now passing an energy which has been strong in your life, but is now passing

away.away.

2. Present 2. Present - where youre at right now in the present moment.- where youre at right now in the present moment.

3. Dawning3. Dawning an energy which is now starting to "ow into your life. an energy which is now starting to "ow into your life.

Additionally, you can interpret the cards Additionally, you can interpret the cards in relation to one anotherin relation to one another. So in this. So in this

example, which illustrates three steps in time, you have a sequence. Cardexample, which illustrates three steps in time, you have a sequence. Card

1 (the almost-past) fades into card 2 (the present), which in turn beckons in1 (the almost-past) fades into card 2 (the present), which in turn beckons in

card 3 (the becoming future.)card 3 (the becoming future.)

Symmetry plays a big role in this spreadSymmetry plays a big role in this spread. The centre card becomes a pivot . The centre card becomes a pivot

a moment of change between one state in a persons life (card 1) and the nexta moment of change between one state in a persons life (card 1) and the next

(card 3), You can look for the common or opposing elements between 1 and 3(card 3), You can look for the common or opposing elements between 1 and 3

are there symbols in common, are they of the same suit, do they feel like are there symbols in common, are they of the same suit, do they feel like

complete opposites, or more like a gentle transition?complete opposites, or more like a gentle transition?

And card 2 the pivotal right now moment how does this feel when read itAnd card 2 the pivotal right now moment how does this feel when read it

as a moment of change? What does it do to card 1 to turn it into card 3? Howas a moment of change? What does it do to card 1 to turn it into card 3? How

does it act as a bridge between them?does it act as a bridge between them?


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Cards are from the Cards are from the Wild Unknown TarotWild Unknown Tarot by Kim Krans by Kim Krans

Here, can you see how the jerky, tetchy Five of Wands, with its lines veering o#Here, can you see how the jerky, tetchy Five of Wands, with its lines veering o#

in all directions, gives way to the the Nine of Pentacles, rounded, secure andin all directions, gives way to the the Nine of Pentacles, rounded, secure and

whole-looking, via the Temperance card in the centre? Temperance brings awhole-looking, via the Temperance card in the centre? Temperance brings a

sense of calmness and balance, dealing with the con"ict energy of the Five ofsense of calmness and balance, dealing with the con"ict energy of the Five of

Wands. Its as though this calm feeling thats happening right now sees o# thatWands. Its as though this calm feeling thats happening right now sees o# that

tetchiness and enables you to gather yourself, beckoning in the con!dence andtetchiness and enables you to gather yourself, beckoning in the con!dence and

security of the Nine of Pentacles.security of the Nine of Pentacles.

Try it out yourself!Try it out yourself!

Okay, so its time to create your own tarot spread!Okay, so its time to create your own tarot spread!

First, create your DIY tarot spread kitFirst, create your DIY tarot spread kitYou will need:You will need: One or two pads of Post-it notes, a pen, and notebook or One or two pads of Post-it notes, a pen, and notebook or

sketchpad. (Or, if youre feeling fancy, sketchpad. (Or, if youre feeling fancy, get yourself a set of blank playing cardsget yourself a set of blank playing cards!)!)

Start by looking at spreads youve already used (or Google tarot spreads,Start by looking at spreads youve already used (or Google tarot spreads,

check your tarot books, or see the guide that might have come with your tarotcheck your tarot books, or see the guide that might have come with your tarot

deck.) Make a list of the positions in these spreads, and write each one on adeck.) Make a list of the positions in these spreads, and write each one on a

separate card or Post-it.separate card or Post-it.

If you need em, here are some ideas to get you startedIf you need em, here are some ideas to get you started (click to enlarge) (click to enlarge)


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The list is endless, and youll also want to add plenty of your own. This is yourThe list is endless, and youll also want to add plenty of your own. This is your

personal, ever-growing DIY tarot spread kit. Each time you try out a new spreadpersonal, ever-growing DIY tarot spread kit. Each time you try out a new spread

from a book or a blog, you can add new position ideas.from a book or a blog, you can add new position ideas.

Armed with this kit, youre ready to !nd out ALL OF THE THINGS.Armed with this kit, youre ready to !nd out ALL OF THE THINGS.

Make your first spreadMake your first spreadYouve got out your cards because you have a burning issue you need toYouve got out your cards because you have a burning issue you need to

discuss pronto with the tarot. So grab your kit and lets make a custom spreaddiscuss pronto with the tarot. So grab your kit and lets make a custom spread

to tackle it!to tackle it!

As you work through this exercise and think about your own question, pull theAs you work through this exercise and think about your own question, pull the

corresponding Post-its/cards from your kit and stick them beside you (you cancorresponding Post-its/cards from your kit and stick them beside you (you can

worry about the order/layout later on).worry about the order/layout later on).

One thing to think about right now is One thing to think about right now is how long you want your spread to behow long you want your spread to be..

Will it be a short, snappy little reading? Or do you want to spend all eveningWill it be a short, snappy little reading? Or do you want to spend all evening

poring over a twelve-card spread?poring over a twelve-card spread?

Begin with your question.Begin with your question.

Mine is Mine is How can I make Angel Haze fall madly in love with me?How can I make Angel Haze fall madly in love with me? And I think Im And I think Im

gonna aim for seven cards. Because seven is lucky.gonna aim for seven cards. Because seven is lucky.

Try to break your question down. Firstly, what is your question word yourTry to break your question down. Firstly, what is your question word your

how, why or what? Try to work out the how, why or what? Try to work out the kindkind of information youre ultimately of information youre ultimately

after.after.

So if its how, then youre probably looking for practical actions you can take. IfSo if its how, then youre probably looking for practical actions you can take. If

its why, maybe its more about the energy surrounding you, or patterns ofits why, maybe its more about the energy surrounding you, or patterns of

behaviour you need to understand. What o#ers you some speci!cs you canbehaviour you need to understand. What o#ers you some speci!cs you can


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incorporate into your reading.incorporate into your reading.

(If youre not sure how to phrase your question, (If youre not sure how to phrase your question, here are some hints forhere are some hints for

phrasing your questionphrasing your question so you can create a more exploratory spread.) so you can create a more exploratory spread.)

Start pulling together the positionsStart pulling together the positionsSo for me its a how. I want to end up with an actionable to-do list forSo for me its a how. I want to end up with an actionable to-do list for

enchanting Angel Haze into my waiting arms.enchanting Angel Haze into my waiting arms.

I get out my tarot kit and look for positions that can help with that. First o# ImI get out my tarot kit and look for positions that can help with that. First o# Im

gonna go with one thing to do right now, and also an overall approach togonna go with one thing to do right now, and also an overall approach to

adopt because, yknow, this wont be like "icking a switch. Its nice to haveadopt because, yknow, this wont be like "icking a switch. Its nice to have

something immediate, but also a longer-term strategy.something immediate, but also a longer-term strategy.

Other ideas to considerOther ideas to consider

What about the here and now?What about the here and now? Try creating positions for where youre Try creating positions for where youre

at here in the moment so you have a point from which to moveat here in the moment so you have a point from which to move

forwards. If your question is about something romantic, how about aforwards. If your question is about something romantic, how about a

position for what my heart is saying. If its about something physical position for what my heart is saying. If its about something physical

moving house, a new job, making a million quid, you could ask aboutmoving house, a new job, making a million quid, you could ask about

your physical strengths or limitations.your physical strengths or limitations.

What do you need in order to move forwards from this point?What do you need in order to move forwards from this point? Could it Could it

be that you need to let something go, or bring something in? Or arebe that you need to let something go, or bring something in? Or are

there lessons you need to learn? Resources you could gather?there lessons you need to learn? Resources you could gather?

Are there any barriers to what youre looking to achieve?Are there any barriers to what youre looking to achieve? You might You might

ask about what there barriers are. Or, if if you already know them, youask about what there barriers are. Or, if if you already know them, you

could create a positions to help you overcome these.could create a positions to help you overcome these.

Do you feel there is some piece of information youre lacking?Do you feel there is some piece of information youre lacking? If so, If so,

create a position to !nd this out. You could ask simply what does mycreate a position to !nd this out. You could ask simply what does my

heart need to hear?, or A message I need to hearheart need to hear?, or A message I need to hear

Think about your strengths too!Think about your strengths too! If appropriate to your question, make If appropriate to your question, make

positions for my biggest strength in regard to XXX, or the best thingpositions for my biggest strength in regard to XXX, or the best thing

about me isabout me is

I could go on and on but as you can see, this will be completely di#erent forI could go on and on but as you can see, this will be completely di#erent for

every querent and every question. The idea is to think through your dilemmaevery querent and every question. The idea is to think through your dilemma

and grab the Post-its you need to address it. You will almost certainly !nd thatand grab the Post-its you need to address it. You will almost certainly !nd that

you need to make new positions too, as you start to tune up your spread.you need to make new positions too, as you start to tune up your spread.

Create orderCreate orderNow arrange your Post-its into a logical order, so your spread progresses yourNow arrange your Post-its into a logical order, so your spread progresses your

understanding as you work through it. Those what/how/why positions youunderstanding as you work through it. Those what/how/why positions you

looked at !rst will probably come last: my to-do list will be the !nal cards in mylooked at !rst will probably come last: my to-do list will be the !nal cards in my

spread, read only once Ive learned about my situation, my barriers, myspread, read only once Ive learned about my situation, my barriers, my

strengths and so on.strengths and so on.

Youll probably !nd you have way too many positions at this point, so startYoull probably !nd you have way too many positions at this point, so start

pruning. You might have several which are essentially telling you the samepruning. You might have several which are essentially telling you the same

thing. If you decided on a number of positions at the start, youll know howthing. If you decided on a number of positions at the start, youll know how

many you want to end up with. Otherwise, aim to get the info you need asmany you want to end up with. Otherwise, aim to get the info you need as


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concisely as you can, strip out anything that seems "u#y.concisely as you can, strip out anything that seems "u#y.

Think about layoutThink about layoutRemember how Remember how symmetrysymmetry played a role in the example spread earlier? played a role in the example spread earlier?

Perhaps you want to use symmetry in your spread too (particularly useful ifPerhaps you want to use symmetry in your spread too (particularly useful if

youre weighing up two options.)youre weighing up two options.)

Follow your journeyFollow your journey. Will you want to go upwards, downwards, forwards,. Will you want to go upwards, downwards, forwards,

backwards? Or how about a circular spread? It can be nice to read the cards inbackwards? Or how about a circular spread? It can be nice to read the cards in

a round and come full circle by the end. A friend of mine created a Bridgea round and come full circle by the end. A friend of mine created a Bridge

spread, where cards went up one side, then there was a view from thespread, where cards went up one side, then there was a view from the

high-point card, then you came down and landed on the other side of a river.high-point card, then you came down and landed on the other side of a river.

Bridge SpreadBridge Spread

A cute idea is to A cute idea is to physically represent an element of your spreadphysically represent an element of your spread a crescent a crescent

moon, a star, a heart.moon, a star, a heart.

Look! This person made a Dragon tarot spread!Look! This person made a Dragon tarot spread!Via Via spiritedenterprise.comspiritedenterprise.com

Maybe number will play a roleMaybe number will play a role if youre looking to create structure, a if youre looking to create structure, a

four-card square might be appropriate. Or you might want twelve months,four-card square might be appropriate. Or you might want twelve months,

seven days, three options or four elements.seven days, three options or four elements.

Im gonna make mine arrow-shaped, so its like Im shooting arrows of love toIm gonna make mine arrow-shaped, so its like Im shooting arrows of love to


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Angels heart. Aww.Angels heart. Aww.

Yep, this is *actually* how I will woo Angel Haze.Yep, this is *actually* how I will woo Angel Haze.

Test driveTest driveOkay, its time to try your spread out!Okay, its time to try your spread out! Shu$e your cards, and lay one on top Shu$e your cards, and lay one on top

of each post it, and read them as you normally do. Write it up as you go, butof each post it, and read them as you normally do. Write it up as you go, but

pay special attention to the positions and how they feel.pay special attention to the positions and how they feel.

So! So! Did it work out? Do you want to tweak it? Did it give you what you needed,Did it work out? Do you want to tweak it? Did it give you what you needed,

or was something missing?or was something missing? You might spend a lot of time !ddling with your You might spend a lot of time !ddling with your

spread positions before you feel youve got it right thats completely !ne.spread positions before you feel youve got it right thats completely !ne.

Mine didnt seem quite right when I took it for a spin, but I switched a fewMine didnt seem quite right when I took it for a spin, but I switched a few

things round and Ive now got a sassy little spread all ready to go. things round and Ive now got a sassy little spread all ready to go. Check it outCheck it out

here!here!

When you think youve got something youre happy with, When you think youve got something youre happy with, give it a name!give it a name! Im Im

gonna call mine the gonna call mine the Go Get HerGo Get Her spread punchy and direct, like the spread spread punchy and direct, like the spread

itself.itself.

Share it!Share it!Lastly, dont keep that brand new spread a secret share it in the comments soLastly, dont keep that brand new spread a secret share it in the comments so

we can all give it a go! (Check we can all give it a go! (Check Alis post here about how to post photos in theAlis post here about how to post photos in the

commentscomments, or link us up to your blog.), or link us up to your blog.)

Happy spread crafting!Happy spread crafting!

PS Want to cheat? Check out PS Want to cheat? Check out The Deck of 1000 SpreadsThe Deck of 1000 Spreads!!


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BETHBeth Maiden is a tarot reader and writer based in Manchester, UK. She has two cats andBeth Maiden is a tarot reader and writer based in Manchester, UK. She has two cats and

one dog and they all live together in a tiny little boat along with too many tarot decksone dog and they all live together in a tiny little boat along with too many tarot decks

and never enough clean co#ee cups. When she's not and never enough clean co#ee cups. When she's not slinging tarot cardsslinging tarot cards, Beth can be, Beth can be

found somewhere in her boat's engine box, wandering the city with Billie the dog,found somewhere in her boat's engine box, wandering the city with Billie the dog,

making websites for awesome people or drinking cider in some trendy bar. She'd love tomaking websites for awesome people or drinking cider in some trendy bar. She'd love to

cut your hair, read your cards or hang out with you on cut your hair, read your cards or hang out with you on TwitterTwitter! ! WebsiteWebsite

Beth has written 20 articles for us.Beth has written 20 articles for us.

YYoouu MMaayy AAllssoo LLiikkee......

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