To learn tarot you need to understand that there are two main tarot spreads that you can use to interpret the cards. Before we get into the two different tarot spreads we will take a look at the definition of spread. It will help you to learn tarot so that you can be successful in your readings. For tarot spreads you have the Celtic Cross Spread and the Yin Yang Spread. There are going to be other tarot spreads as well, but they are used less.
When you learn tarot you need to know that a spread is a pattern that has been pre determined for laying out the cards. There are 78 tarot cards in a deck that will determine what the reading offers you. However most of the tarot spreads you need to learn tarot will require between 6 and 15 cards. The Celtic Cross Spread offers 10 cards. Depending on the placement of the tarot cards, in other words what positions they are in, will define the meaning of the cards. To learn tarot meanings for each card you need to understand the number and the relation of the image on the card to the position it is found in.
For example, when you learn tarot you know that the four of pentacles stands for possessiveness, control, and hinders change. If you find this tarot card in the position 4 in the Celtic Cross tarot spread then you know the characteristics are in the past. However if the card is dealt in the tarot spreads 6th position then these are changes in the future.
Other spreads before we get into more detail of the Celtic Cross Spread are the Rahdue’s Wheel or a one card spread. The Rahdue’s Wheel uses all 78 cards to give a vast accounting of one’s life when you learn tarot meanings of the cards.
On the left hand of the tarot spreads for the Celtic cross you have position four and opposite that position six. When you learn tarot the placement of the cards is very important. Next you have the position 5 in North with position 3 in the South. In the middle of the cross you have position 2 in a horizontal on top of the vertical position 1. When you learn tarot in the Celtic Cross spread you also have 10 through 7 in a vertical arrangement called Staff, with the 7 on the bottom.
To learn tarot for the Yin Yang tarot spreads you need 12 cards. In the tarot spread you have a bit of a cross in the center. In the center you have the 2 and 1 in the same position. From the center in north you have 12, south is 11, east is 4, west is 3. From this cross you have two squares formed. From east 4 you have 10 opposite. In the north is 6 and south is 8 to make the four cards complete. Opposite that you have the three with 9 across, then 5 in the top position with 7 in the lower. It creates a mirror image when folded.