3-Card Tarot Spread Guide Tarot Spread

The three-card spread is the most versatile and beginner-friendly tarot layout. Learn the many ways to use three cards for powerful insights.

Card Positions Explained

1
Card 1
The first dimension of your question — often the past, the situation, or the self.
2
Card 2
The second dimension — often the present, a challenge, or a relationship.
3
Card 3
The third dimension — often the future, advice, or the outcome.

How to Interpret This Spread

Begin by placing your cards face down in the spread positions, then turn them over one at a time. Read each card in the context of its position — let the position meaning color how you interpret the card.

After reading each position individually, step back and look for patterns, tensions, or harmonies across all three cards. The most powerful insights often emerge from the relationships between cards rather than any single card in isolation.

When to Use This Spread

Use a 3-card spread for quick daily guidance, to gain clarity on a specific question, or as a starting point before exploring deeper spreads.

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