10 Best Tarot Spreads for Every Situation (With Free Readings)
Not sure which tarot spread to use? We ranked the 10 most effective layouts for love, career, decisions, and self-discovery—plus you can try each one free right here.
Luna
love & relationships specialist
In This Guide
Choosing the right tarot spread can mean the difference between a vague, confusing reading and one that gives you genuine clarity. The layout you pick determines what questions get answered, how deep the reading goes, and what kind of guidance you receive.
We use all of these spreads daily on our platform and have ranked them by versatility, clarity of insight, and how well they serve their intended purpose. Each entry includes the card positions explained, when to use it, and a link to try it free right now.
Quick Comparison
| # | Spread | Cards | Best For | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Past, Present & Future | 3 | Daily guidance & understanding patterns | General |
| 2 | Love & Relationships | 3 | Romantic questions & relationship dynamics | Love |
| 3 | Celtic Cross | 10 | Deep life questions & complex situations | Comprehensive |
| 4 | Career Path | 3 | Work decisions & professional growth | Career |
| 5 | Year Ahead | 12 | Annual forecasting & long-term planning | Timing |
| 6 | Mind, Body & Spirit | 3 | Self-care & holistic wellbeing | Wellness |
| 7 | New Moon Intentions | 5 | Manifestation & setting intentions | Lunar |
| 8 | Shadow Work | 5 | Inner work & personal transformation | Growth |
| 9 | Situation, Action, Outcome | 3 | Problem-solving & practical guidance | Decisions |
| 10 | Relationship Deep Dive | 7 | In-depth relationship analysis | Love |
The 10 Best Tarot Spreads
Past, Present & Future
The most popular tarot spread for a reason. Three cards create a narrative arc showing how past events shaped your current situation and where things are heading. Simple enough for beginners yet deep enough for experienced readers.
Card Positions:
When to Use:
- - Daily morning draws for quick guidance
- - Understanding how a situation developed
- - First-time tarot readings
Love & Relationships
Designed specifically for matters of the heart, this spread reveals the energy each person brings and the dynamic between you. Whether you're exploring a new connection or deepening an existing one, these three positions cut straight to the heart of your question.
Card Positions:
When to Use:
- - New crushes or early-stage dating
- - Understanding your partner's perspective
- - Checking relationship compatibility
Celtic Cross
The gold standard of tarot spreads. Ten cards map your entire situation: present circumstances, obstacles, subconscious influences, past and future, your hopes and fears, and the ultimate outcome. When you need the full picture, nothing compares.
Card Positions:
When to Use:
- - Major life decisions with multiple factors
- - Situations where you feel stuck or confused
- - Monthly or quarterly check-ins on life direction
Career Path
Focused on your professional life, this spread illuminates where you stand, what challenges to prepare for, and what opportunities are emerging. Ideal for job transitions, promotions, or when you're feeling unfulfilled at work.
Card Positions:
When to Use:
- - Considering a job change or new career
- - Navigating workplace conflicts
- - Planning your next professional move
Year Ahead
One card for each month of the year, creating a roadmap of the themes, challenges, and opportunities ahead. Best done at the start of a new year or on your birthday for a personalized annual forecast.
Card Positions:
When to Use:
- - New Year readings and annual planning
- - Birthday readings for your personal year
- - When you want to see the big picture
Mind, Body & Spirit
A wellness check-in that addresses all three dimensions of your being. Perfect for those moments when something feels off but you can't pinpoint what. Each card illuminates a different aspect of your current state.
Card Positions:
When to Use:
- - Weekly wellness check-ins
- - When feeling out of balance
- - Before starting a new self-care routine
New Moon Intentions
Aligned with the lunar cycle, this spread helps you release what no longer serves you and plant seeds for what you want to grow. The five positions guide you from letting go through to what may manifest by the full moon.
Card Positions:
When to Use:
- - Every new moon for intention-setting
- - Starting new projects or habits
- - When you need a fresh start
Shadow Work
For the brave reader ready to face their hidden patterns. Five cards reveal a shadow aspect seeking attention, where it originated, how it manifests in daily life, and—importantly—the hidden gift within it.
Card Positions:
When to Use:
- - Therapeutic self-exploration
- - Breaking recurring negative patterns
- - Deepening your self-awareness practice
Situation, Action, Outcome
The most action-oriented three-card spread. Rather than dwelling on past or future, it focuses on what IS, what to DO, and what will RESULT. Perfect when you need clear, practical advice rather than abstract insight.
Card Positions:
When to Use:
- - Facing a specific problem that needs solving
- - When you know the situation but not the next step
- - Quick decision-making with clear outcomes
Relationship Deep Dive
When the 3-card love spread isn't enough, this 7-card layout provides a comprehensive relationship portrait. It examines how each person shows up, the foundation you share, current dynamics, hidden factors, and the relationship's full potential.
Card Positions:
When to Use:
- - Long-term relationships needing clarity
- - Understanding recurring relationship issues
- - Before making major relationship decisions
How to Choose the Right Spread
Match complexity to your question
Simple questions ("What should I focus on today?") need simple spreads (1-3 cards). Complex situations ("Should I change careers and relocate?") benefit from larger layouts (7-12 cards) that cover multiple angles.
Choose positions that answer your question
A love question deserves a spread with relationship-specific positions (You/Them/Connection), not generic ones. The more relevant the positions are to your question, the more targeted your answers will be.
Consider your experience level
If you're new to tarot, start with three-card spreads. The fewer cards you need to interpret, the easier it is to find a clear message. Graduate to the Celtic Cross once card meanings feel natural.
Want something not listed here?
We have 22+ spreads in total, including Full Moon Release, Week Ahead, Dream Interpretation, and more. Browse all spreads to find your perfect fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best tarot spread for beginners?
The Past, Present & Future three-card spread is ideal for beginners. The positions are intuitive, readings are quick, and you only need to interpret three cards. Start here and work your way up to the Celtic Cross as you gain confidence.
How many cards should I use for a tarot reading?
It depends on your question. One card works for daily guidance. Three cards suit most focused questions. Five to seven cards provide deeper analysis. Ten or more cards (like the Celtic Cross or Year Ahead) offer comprehensive life readings. Match the spread complexity to the complexity of your question.
Can I use different tarot spreads for the same question?
Yes, but space them out. Trying multiple spreads for the same question in one sitting often creates confusion rather than clarity. If a three-card spread feels incomplete, try a larger spread the next day with a fresh perspective.
Which tarot spread is best for yes or no questions?
For simple yes/no questions, a single-card draw or our dedicated Yes/No Oracle works best. Oracle cards use gentler, more intuitive messaging than tarot—see our oracle card guide to learn more. If you want more context around the answer, the Situation, Action, Outcome spread provides practical guidance alongside direction.
How often should I do tarot readings?
Daily single-card draws are great for building intuition. Three-card spreads work well weekly. Larger spreads like the Celtic Cross or Year Ahead are best monthly or quarterly. Avoid repeating the same question—trust the first reading.
What is the most accurate tarot spread?
Accuracy depends more on question clarity and interpretation skill than the spread itself. That said, the Celtic Cross is considered the most comprehensive because its 10 positions cover every angle of a situation, reducing the chance of missing important factors.
Do I need to be experienced to use complex spreads?
While larger spreads have more cards to interpret, they can actually be easier because the position meanings guide your reading. A Celtic Cross tells you exactly what each card represents. Start with three-card spreads to learn card meanings, then graduate to larger layouts.
Written by
Luna
Love and relationship tarot specialist. Luna guides seekers through matters of the heart with compassion and clarity.
Free Cheat Sheet: Card Meanings + Spreads
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- All 78 upright & reversed meanings
- Love, career & money interpretations
- 8+ popular spreads included
- Print it or use it on your device
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