5 Easy Three-Card Tarot Spreads

When I first started to learn to read the Tarot, I thought I needed to master the 10-Card Celtic Cross to be a good Tarot reader. But every time I used the popular Tarot spread, I felt completely confused and frustrated, unable to see the forest from the trees and not knowing what my reading was trying to tell me.

Sure, there are tons of fancy (and complicated) Tarot spreads that have ten, twenty, or even all seventy-eight Tarot cards in them. But if you want to get to the heart of your question, then the best place to start is with a simple three-card Tarot reading.

It doesn't matter whether you are a Tarot beginner doing a reading for the first time or a seasoned professional with decades of experience – a three-card Tarot reading will give you the crystal clear insight you need. Seriously, you can get super deep with just three cards.

General Three-Card Tarot Spreads

Past / Present / Future

The nature of your problem / The cause / The solution

Current situation / Obstacle / Advice

Situation / Action / Outcome

Context of the situation / Where you need to focus / Outcome

What I think about the situation / What I feel / What I do

Three Card Tarot Spreads For The Future

We all know that Tarot cards aren't going to give you lottery numbers or predict exact events, but they are an incredibly useful tool for guiding you into the future you want.

Where you stand now / What you aspire to / How to get there

What you aspire to / What is standing in your way / How you can overcome this

What will help you / What will hinder you / What is your unrealized potential

Three Card Tarot Spreads For Understanding The Past

What you can change / What you can’t change / What you may not be aware of

What worked well / What didn’t work well / Key learnings

Three Card Tarot Spreads For Love And Relationships

You / The other person / The relationship

What you want from the relationship / What they want from the relationship / Where the relationship is heading

What brings you together / What pulls you apart / What needs your attention

Three-Card Tarot Spreads For Decision-Making And Choices

Do you run to your trusty Tarot deck when you've got a tough choice to make? I know that I certainly do. Over decades of consulting my deck in times that I needed direction, I noticed a number of helpful cards kept popping up. That's why I made a list of the Top 10 Tarot Cards for Decision Making.

Strengths / Weaknesses / Advice

Opportunities / Challenges / Outcome

Option 1 / Option 2 / Option 3

Option 1 / Option 2 / What you need to know to make a decision

The solution / An alternative solution / How to choose

Three-Card Tarot Spreads For Self-Discovery

Mind / Body / Spirit

Your conscious mind / Your sub-conscious mind / Your super-conscious mind

Material state / Emotional state / Spiritual state

You / Your current path / Your potential

Stop / Start / Continue

What the Universe wants you to be / The personal qualities required / Specific action required

Reading Tarot with these 5 three-card Tarot spreads won't just give you a quick Tarot reading – they will help you get to the heart of your question and give you the crystal clear insights you are looking for. And ultimately, that means becoming a better Tarot reader who can help more people with your natural gifts and talents.