How to Set up Tarot Cards

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Co-authored by Aliza Kelly

Last Updated: June 4, 2025 Fact Checked

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Preparing to Read

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Choosing a Spread

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How Do You Start a Tarot Reading?

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Have you ever wanted to perform a tarot card reading, but don't know how? The first step for the uninitiated will be to set up for a reading. Choose your tarot deck, find a relaxing and comfortable spot to have a reading, and get started.

This article is partially based on an interview with Emily Christensen, a Shamanic Spiritual Advisor, Reiki Master, and the Founder of Rainbow Raaja based in Southern California and now King County, Washington.

How do you set up tarot cards?

Most tarot card decks consist of 78 cards. Astrologer and spiritual coach Aliza Kelly recommends asking the deck what you need to know and pulling one card to get a sense of its personality. Then, she says there are lots of spreads to choose from, like the past, present, and future, or the Celtic Cross.

Part 1

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Preparing to Read

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1
Choose your tarot deck. One of the most interesting aspects of tarot cards and tarot card reading is the number of tarot decks from which to choose. By and large the differences between any two decks will be cosmetic--the pictures or the names of the cards may differ.^{[1]
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- The vast majority of tarot decks will contain 78 cards of two parts: the Major Arcana (22 cards without an affiliated suit) and the Minor Arcana (56 cards, divided into 14-card suits).
- Tarot decks can usually be found at bookstores or occult shops. If you’re not in such a populated area, you may have to try ordering your deck online.
- The most common and recognizable tarot deck is the Rider-Waite deck. If you’re just starting out, consider choosing the Rider-Waite; many guides and books on tarot reading will involve the Rider-Waite almost exclusively.
- Again, the differences you’ll find between tarot decks will almost always be cosmetic ones. If you’d like to have your readings associated with a particular religion or brand of spirituality, there’s most likely a tarot deck with images and names to match that association.
  - In terms of setting up, the sort of deck you choose will make no difference, unless the deck includes any explicit instructions to do otherwise than recommended here.
  - It’s in reading that deck choice will really matter (a reason why the Rider-Waite is recommended to first-timers). You’ll draw different implications from decks which use differing images and names for their cards.
  - Don’t be afraid to pick up and try multiple decks. Since they’re so interchangeable, there’s little risk of confusing yourself or mixing rules.
- Ultimately the choice is totally yours. Whether you intend to delve into divination or just want to entertain your friends, the choice of tarot deck is an entirely personal one.
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Prepare your deck. While the specifics of preparation will eventually depend on the “spread” (method of reading) you choose to use, most will involve shuffling your deck before beginning. Even before that, take time to look over the cards in your deck, recognizing which are Major and which are Minor Arcana.
- Be sure to remove any extra cards from the deck (blank or instructional cards) before setting your deck down to begin.
- While not every spread will demand the separation of the Major and Minor Arcana, you may want to anyway, if only to get a better sense of the different cards.
- Regardless of whether or not you’ll need to separate the Major/Minor Arcana, there’s no specific amount or type of shuffling you need to do. Do it as much (or as little) as you’d like.
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Find a suitable reading surface. The space required for a tarot reading will also depend on the spread which you eventually decide to use. Some spreads only call for a small surface in which to place a handful of cards, others call for significantly more space to form a circle of several cards.^{[2]
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- Do your best to match your reading surface to the purpose for a reading. If it’s a personal reading, find somewhere relaxing and comfortable where you can be at ease. If you’re reading for friends or to entertain, find a place with some space.
- Again, there’s no specific right or wrong when choosing a place to perform a reading. There’s also no rule saying it needs to be the same place twice. Don’t be afraid to move around if that’s what is comfortable for you.

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Choosing a Spread

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1
Use a three card spread. Traditionally the most common spread as well as the one most suggested for use by beginners, the three card spread is a simple one. This spread will require that you separate the Major and Minor Arcana cards from one another. Shuffle both decks before beginning (again, there’s no particular amount of shuffling you need to do).^{[3]
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- There are two variants to the three card spread, one including a Major Arcana card, and one which doesn’t. The included Major Arcana card is meant to aid interpretation, so consider including it for your first tries.
  - For some foresight into reading, the single Major Arcana card which is included in the three card spread is a means of interpretation.
  - Some guides including the three card spread choose to see the Major Arcana card included as representation of the person being read, others have it as a representation of the situation or question at hand.
  - Not including the Major Arcana deck will make for a more stripped-down reading with a more narrow range of possible interpretation.
- If you are including a Major Arcana card, take the top card from the now-shuffled Major Arcana deck and place it face-up in front you.
- Then, take the three top cards of the Minor Arcana deck and lay them horizontally, left to right, underneath the Major Arcana card just placed.
- While the reading of the three card spread will differ depending on how you learn to read tarot, the three Minor Arcana cards will usually represent past, present, and future (in the order, from left to right). If you included a Major Arcana card, it will be the card through which the others are interpreted.
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Try a five card spread. More refined than the three card spread, the five card spread is meant to inform on a specific course of action. Whereas the three card spread concerns the subject’s general situation, you’ll want to try the five card spread when the problem at hand can be summed as “what should I do?”
- This spread doesn’t separate the two Arcana types. Keep them shuffled together in one deck.
- Drawing from the top of the deck, place the first card in front of you (a card will be added on each of its four sides). This card will represent the present.
- The second card goes to the left of the first, and represents the past and its effect on the present. The third will go to the right, and represents the future.
- The fourth card will go below the first, and represents the reason for asking the question at issue. The fifth goes above the first, and represents the potential outcomes of the situation.
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Use an ellipse spread. This spread will form a sort of crescent, or curve, of seven cards. Not quite as general as the three card spread but not as specific as the five card spread, the ellipse is best for interpreting any direct question (whether yes/no or otherwise). Like the five card spread, the ellipse doesn’t separate the minor and major Arcana, Keep them shuffled in one deck.
- From the top of the deck, place the first card to the far left of your playing surface. This card represents the past and its influence on the question.
- To the right of the first card and slightly lower on the table (closer to you) place the second card. This will represent the present. The third card will also go to the right and slightly lower, and it represents the concerns of the future.
- Again to the right and lower, place the fourth card which will be the center of the ellipse (the cards will be placed higher up now). It represents what to do in the current situation.
- Now to the right and higher on the table, place the fifth card. It will represent external forces affecting the situation. The sixth card will follow the pattern and it will represent the hopes and fears of the one being read for.
- The last card will be placed at the far right, completing the ellipse. It represents the ultimate outcome of this situation.
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Try a celtic cross spread. A bit more involved, the celtic cross will take up more space than the three card spread, as it uses ten cards placed into a large pattern. It is a well-known spread.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Emily Christensen
Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja

Expert Interview} Though the method of interpretation will differ depending on how you learn to read tarot, the celtic cross is designed to answer specific questions. This spread does not require the separation of the Major/Minor Arcana, so combine both sets if separate, and shuffle well.
- The celtic cross is formed by two sections, one circle of six cards and one “staff” of four. Begin by placing the first card in front of you, and then the second card on top of that one, laying lengthwise. These two cards will represent the present and the challenges or obstacles faced in the present.
- The next card will be placed to the right of the two just placed, and the fourth card will be placed underneath the same two (both cards placed straight up). The card to the right represents the distant past, and the card underneath signifies the recent past.
- The fifth card placed will be placed above the central two cards, and the sixth will be placed to the left. The fifth one placed will represent the optimal outcome of the question, and the sixth represents the immediate future.
- To form the “staff” at the right of circle just formed, place four cards in a vertical row, starting at the bottom. The bottom-most card (the seventh) will represent the factors affecting the question at hand, the next card up (the eighth) represents external influences on the question. The ninth represents the asker’s hopes and fear, and the tenth and final card represents the eventual outcome of the question.
- Because this guide only outlines how to set up tarot cards, any resources you use to learn to read may offer alternate methods of reading the celtic cross.
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Invent your own spread. Because tarot is so personal and representative of the reader and the person being read for, there’s no “wrong” spread to use for a reading. You may feel existing spreads don’t provide the right amount of representative cards or the right variety of representation. Feel free to try any number of variations on old or new spreads you find.^{[5]
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- Try experimenting with existing spreads by including or separating Major and Minor Arcana cards before placing your spread.
- Listen to your intuition as you lay your cards out, and visualize how they feel. Set an intention for each card and listen to what that placement means.^{[6]
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  Expert Source
  
  Emily Christensen
  Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
  
  Expert Interview}
- Tarot doesn't have to be rigid, it can be creative and fun if you allow your imagination the freedom to create.^{[7]
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  Expert Source
  
  Emily Christensen
  Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
  
  Expert Interview}

How Do You Start a Tarot Reading?

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How can you read tarot cards as a beginner?

Sarah Potter
Witch, Tarot Reader, and Psychic Medium

I feel like the best way to learn is by pulling your own cards and just doing it. And be fearless – don't be intimidated by the fact that there are 78 cards holding multiple meanings. You just have to dive in and start exploring and playing. I think the best way to learn is to pull a card every day. It's a lovely way to start the morning by pulling a card and spending time with it.

I also think it's essential to get a tarot deck that resonates with you, that you can really connect with, because there are so many options now, more than ever. Find the one that lights you up, that you feel excited to pick up, and you want to work with, you want to play with, you want to spend time with. I think starting your day with maybe a brief meditation or a couple of deep breaths and just asking the cards, “What do I need to know today, or what could support me today? What could be beneficial?” Something really lovely and simple like that. Pull a card, see what comes through, spend some time looking at the imagery, notice how you feel, and ask what that card is telling you.

It's also really lovely to pair this with some journaling. And then whatever is coming to mind, you can write it down. Then you can look at that companion book that often comes with a deck, or if you have a favorite book or website you'd like to consult with that shows meanings of the cards, and see how that relates to what you've already picked up on. And just see how that card's advice comes through to you all day.

I also like to revisit at night and take a little time with it, and then put those notes down as well. Maybe I thought the card was coming through to me in one way, but it actually came through in a different way. Or maybe what I picked up on this morning was very spot on.

I feel like tarot reading is a living, breathing modality, where it shifts and changes as time goes on. And I think it's very reflective of ourselves at the time. So, just start pulling cards for yourself and seeing how they resonate, and don't be afraid to play. And that's how you really get to know the cards.

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How do you lay out Tarot cards?

Emily Christensen
Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
Emily Christensen is a Shamanic Spiritual Advisor, Reiki Master, and the Founder of Rainbow Raaja based in Southern California and now King County, Washington. Emily has over six years of experience as a Massage Therapist and in using tarot cards, crystal therapy, light work (reiki, light codes, energy therapy), and shamanic healing. She received Reiki Master training from the Hands on Healing Institute. Emily is also a certified Bodywork Therapist by the California Massage Therapy Council and an Ordained Shamanic Minister with the Universal Life Church.

Emily Christensen

Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja

Expert Answer

You can begin with well-known Tarot spreads like the Celtic Cross or the Tree of Life. However, when I do readings and in my Divination classes, I encourage students to listen to their intuition and allow their imaginations to run unfettered as they lay out a spread.

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Is tarot intuitive?

Emily Christensen
Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja
Emily Christensen is a Shamanic Spiritual Advisor, Reiki Master, and the Founder of Rainbow Raaja based in Southern California and now King County, Washington. Emily has over six years of experience as a Massage Therapist and in using tarot cards, crystal therapy, light work (reiki, light codes, energy therapy), and shamanic healing. She received Reiki Master training from the Hands on Healing Institute. Emily is also a certified Bodywork Therapist by the California Massage Therapy Council and an Ordained Shamanic Minister with the Universal Life Church.

Emily Christensen

Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja

Expert Answer

Yes! Use your intuition to read your tarot cards. It's okay to make your own connections and create your own layouts.

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When doing a three card spread (with a major arcana), I accidentally chose three major arcana cards and one minor arcana card. Can I still read the cards?

Community Answer

I personally am fine with my major arcana mixing within my minor cards. I believe all cards have equal influence within the questions you pose to your deck while drawing. Do more research, but do what feels intuitive to your style of drawing.

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