How to choose a tarot spread: a quiz
Twelve questions on matching a layout to your question: one card, three cards, cross, horseshoe, star, pyramid or Celtic Cross, plus the usual mistakes.
- 5 questions
- ≈ 2 min
- +5 bronze keys for a flawless run
What does the spread-choosing quiz check?
This quiz is about picking the right layout for a question. It checks whether you know the main rule of choosing, which layout fits a quick answer, a tangled story, a question about yourself or about a couple, and which mistakes most often spoil even a good reading.
Each run draws five of twelve questions. Most are situations: you're given a question and pick a layout for it. A short explanation follows each answer, and a review at the end is worth keeping handy.
The layout shouldn't outgrow the question
A layout sets how many cards to draw and what each place means, so choosing it is already half the answer. The main rule is simple: ten cards on a small question answer with noise, and one card on a big question answers with a riddle. Count how many sides your situation has.
For a quick answer or a mood for the day, one card is enough: Card of the day, Yes or no, Advice from the cards. To see how a situation is unfolding, use three cards. When you need instructions on what to do and what to avoid, the cross fits. A tangled story with hidden influences and other people calls for the horseshoe, a question about yourself for the star, a question about a couple for the lovers' pyramid. A big life question with many layers belongs to the Celtic Cross.
Position changes a card's meaning. The Nine of Wands as an obstacle speaks of fatigue from a long fight; in a 'what to lean on' slot it speaks of your resilience.
Which mistakes spoil a reading?
The usual ones: changing a position's meaning on the fly, reading cards one by one without links, using a big layout on a small question, and drawing extra cards until you like the answer. One clarifying card is fine, as long as it comes with a clear question.
You can invent your own layout; just decide what each place means beforehand and don't change it once the cards are face up. If the topic is brand new and you don't know where to begin, the all-purpose three-card Ask the cards a question spread will help.
Try the Tarot spread layouts spread
All questions and answers
Open after you play: the full question set with right answers and explanations.
1. What is the main rule for choosing a layout?
Right answer: Fit it to the question
Ten cards on a small question give noise; one card on a big question gives a riddle.
2. You want a quick read on the day's mood. Which layout fits?
Right answer: A single card
For a quick answer or the day's mood one card is enough: Card of the day, Yes or no, Advice.
3. The Celtic Cross is the most accurate tarot layout.
Right answer: Myth
No layout is most accurate; there's only the one that fits. Accuracy comes from a clear, well-sized question.
4. The question is about yourself and your state. Which layout?
Right answer: The star
The star is built around a person and looks at feelings, thoughts and actions all at once.
5. How many positions does Tayna suggest for your first homemade layout?
Right answer: Three
You can design your own layout. Start with three positions and fix their meaning before turning cards.
6. A tangled story with lots hidden and other people involved. Which layout?
Right answer: The horseshoe
The horseshoe suits situations with a lot going on backstage; it has slots for hidden influences and surroundings.
7. The Nine of Wands lands in a 'what to lean on' slot. What does it mean?
Right answer: Your resilience
Position shifts meaning: as an obstacle this card is fatigue, as support it's resilience.
8. Which of these does Tayna call a mistake with layouts?
Right answer: Drawing till you like it
Drawing until you like the answer is a mistake. One clarifying card is fine, with a clear question.
9. The question is about a couple. Which layout does Tayna's guide suggest?
Right answer: The lovers' pyramid
The lovers' pyramid shows both sides: you, your partner, what's between you and where it leads.
10. You may invent your own layout if you set the positions in advance.
Right answer: True
A layout is just a set of positions. The key is not to change their meaning once cards are face up.
11. A new topic and no idea which spread to use. What's the all-rounder?
Right answer: Ask the cards
Ask the cards a question is an all-purpose three-card spread that suits almost any question.
12. What happens when you use a big layout on a small question?
Right answer: Guesswork fills gaps
When there are more cards than sides to the situation, the spare positions fill up with guesswork.