Three card spreads are my go-to solution for most readings. You can sign a meaning or area of influence to each position or just read them together. And just because this spread only includes three cards doesn’t mean it can’t result in a powerful reading!
The majority of my readings use three cards and clients are very happy with the results! In this post, we’ll talk about using this spread to figure out a problem.
How To Draw a Three Card Spread
Assuming you already have a question at hand, you need to decide if the three positions for your three card spread will have a meaning or theme. In this case I’m using the following scenario:
The client has been offered a job. When they gave notice to their current company, the company offered to match the offer. They’re unsure what to do and wants to know if they should take the new job.
A past-present-future spread is perfect for this, so I keep that in mind as I’m mixing and then drawing the cards. This is key, I find. Sometimes my mind wanders while mixing the cards and the resulting spread is a mess and just doesn’t make sense in relation to the question. So, stay in a mindful state as you mix!
The Past Position in a Three Card Spread
The first card represents the past or the background of the issue. The card I’ve pulled is The Fool. So, decisions were made without having all of the information, or perhaps the client acted in haste without considering everything.
Since this is the past we want to look at why the client decided to start looking for other jobs. What did they overlook at their own company before applying outside?
The Present Position in a Three Card Spread
The next position in our three card spread is the present. Where is the client right now in relation to the issue? The card is the Six of Swords, a card of transition, metamorphosis, and change. To me, it seems that the client has already mentally moved on from their current position. Energy-wise they are ready to move away and make the change.
The Future Position in a Three Card Spread
The final card represents what the client’s current path looks like if they continues on her current path and takes the new job. The Knight is Pentacles is a very good card, both financially and personally. It suggests a steady, methodical movement forward in the client’s career.
Adding an Additional Card for Clarification
This particular spread so far is very encouraging. It suggests that taking the new job will be a positive experience for them. But what would the future look like if they stay? Pull a card to clarify!
So, I shuffle through the deck with the intention of pulling a card to represent staying. That card is the Five of Cups, suggesting mourning, sadness, and being stuck in the past. I think it is pretty clear which job she should take!
Final Thoughts About the Three Card Spread
We used the Past-Present-Future as position in this three card spread, but the positions could be anything! Here are some other suggestions:
- What Helps, What Blocks, What is Your Potential
- Stop, Start, Finish
- Current situation, Obstacle, Advice to Overcome the Obstacle
- What I Feel, What I think, What I do
- What is Changeable, What Can’t Change, What Are You Unwary Of
Of course you can always just read the cards together, without individual position meanings! Don’t be afraid to experiment!
What Clients are Saying about Sophrosyne Tarot
I was advised to ask open-ended questions instead of predictive questions which I thought was helpful because I never would have known if it weren’t for the reader. The reader provided the reading along with some advice too so the entire reading was very thorough and explained in an understandable manner.
Everything said was accurate and helpful for me to identify my flaws in order to grow as a person. I have learned a lot about tarot and what it does to help me.
Can I learn
Yes, of course. Anyone can learn.