The Keeper's Path

Reading tarot cards is as much about finding a layout or two that you really connect with as it is about finding and connecting with a deck. There are innumerable sources and layouts that have been created and shared and they fill books, websites, and are passed among friends and readers for others’ use. But sometimes, you want something that fits your needs or the needs of your client even more.

This is where designing your own layout comes in.

I believe that designing a layout is a multi-layered benefit for a reader. Not only does it provide you with a helpful pattern for how to answer particular questions or seek particular guidance or assistance, learning how to create a layout adds depth to your understanding. You will find that you know the cards at a deeper level when you have constructed your own way to read them that works for you.

Here are some instructions for how to do this and how to get the most out of it.

First, start by taking a current or popular spread and modify it to make it your own.

I did this and talked about this on my article about Using Tarot Spreads and Layouts. I first learned the popular spread “Celtic Cross” but found that I didn’t really connect with it as it was given, so I tweaked it a little bit. The Celtic Cross is practically everyone’s first layout because of its popularity and the ease with which it’s found in books and online. The way I modified the spread was to look at what each card was meant to represent and take it further as to how I would personally read it in a given situation.

This is the standard layout for the Celtic Cross spread.

I offer this suggestion as practice in how to learn what the placement of the cards in the different spots of a layout mean. I find that when you attach your own purpose or meaning to a card’s position, you will remember that more easily than just trying to memorize something. That deeper knowing will free up more room for intuitive interpretation during a reading.

This is my personal layout for the Celtic Cross spread.

Use the layout you find as a template for choosing how you will design your own layout.

The Celtic Cross layout uses 10 cards placed in specific positions. Use ten cards, spread in this way, but change what each card’s position will mean for your purpose.

After you’ve practiced using this formula and after you’ve seen how it’s done, you can work on designing and using your own original layout.

As with all things in learning tarot, have a journal or notebook on hand.

A layout has one of two purposes: either it will answer a question or it will provide a path towards achieving a goal.

A question is direct; a goal may be more complex as it can explain the the long-term indirect desire you have for a question.

At the top of your journal page write the question or goal you would like your layout to address.

Some question examples may be:

• What is hidden? What do I need to know or be aware of in this situation?
• How do others perceive me?
• Where can I look for help or support in this?
• How long is this expected to take?
• What is my safest course of action?

This layout can focus on answering one or more than one of these questions. Let’s say you want your layout to answer the first question: What is hidden? What do I need to know or be aware of in this situation?

To start, let’s say you want to use 3 cards to answer this question. What will each of those three cards represent?

For this example, let’s say the first card will represent the current situation itself, the environment you are in. You draw the first card – is it a card that makes you feel safe? Cautious? Happy? Sad? This card sets up helping you understand the lens you are seeing your situation through.

The second card is: How am I approaching this situation?

Are you being as honest as you think you are being with others involved? Is there some information that you should focus on that you’ve been neglecting? Is there a specific way others are interpreting your words or actions that you should correct to be sure your intent is clear?

The third card is: What is needed?

Is it a card representing quick decision? A slower more cautious pace? Seeking advice or wisdom from another? Going back to the start to rethink things?

Congratulations! You’ve designed a 3-card spread!

Now, you just figure out how you want to place the cards in front of you in order to get the clearest reading. Do you want a straight line right to left? Do you want an ascending path? Do you want a left, right, middle?

Write down a record of what placement you give each card. Ask your question, read the results, repeat this spread for another person who would like an answer to this question and see how easily the information comes through to you. Is there a hiccup in how you’re getting the impressions? Does the placement feel right when you read for another person? Do they feel like the information is coming through clearly as you’re delivering it?

My own tips and preferences –

I like it when a layout looks and feels balanced. If I’m doing a spread with an even number of cards, I like it to be organized so that the overall pattern seems equalized in presentation. Even if I’ve created a spread that puts four cards in one area and two in another, I’ll set it up so that it still looks balanced to me. I find chaotic placements distracting. If I’m doing a spread with an odd number of cards, I will generally have a ‘center’ that the other cards are read in relation to or something like that. I think this is why the original pattern of the Celtic Cross spread never really sat correctly with me until I started placing the ‘side bar’ cards of 7 through 10 either above or below the central spread!

Visually, I like to layout the cards of a spread in a way that’s related to the question or purpose of the spread. In my spread for choosing between two options, I show something like a path diverging. If I’m doing a spread to focus on clarifying something, I will set it up like an arrow to show a point of direction. If I want to think about narrowing down and focusing on something, I’ll use a V-shape for my reading. Shapes like circles, triangles, stars, ovals, squares, and such can add an extra dimension to your reading. A straight line is fine, but if you’re using a straight line understand WHY you’re choosing to use a straight line.

Finally, remember to record your ideas and the results of your reading. There’s nothing as frustrating as coming up with something that really clicks and then not remembering it if you want to use it again.

Enjoy!