15 3-Card Tarot Spreads You Must Try

Tarot can be a powerful tool to get clarity and comfort, or to start a journey of self-discovery and exploration. There are many possible spreads when it comes to laying out the cards in a reading, and there are a series of easy spreads novice readers can try to start learning tarot. One of the most popular ways to use tarot is through three-card spreads. These spreads can offer insight into a variety of questions and situations, allowing us to gain deeper understanding and clarity in our lives. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or an experienced tarot reader, these spreads are incredibly valuable when it comes to finding answers to your questions and support. In this article, we will explore 15 three-card spreads to try in your tarot practice.

Starting with a Classic 3-Card Spread

1. Past-Present-Future

This spread is a classic! So why not start here? Here’s an example of the cards you may draw if you asked the question “What will happen in my career?”:

• The Three of Pentacles for the past indicates a strong foundation in your work. In the past, you’ve been planting the seeds for success.
• The Queen of Swords for the present points to a need for clear communication and strategy.
• The Ten of Cups for the future promises a happy and fulfilling outcome.

Tell Me All About Love!

2. Me-The Other Person-Outcome

Didn’t you think it was possible to know all about love with a 3-card spread? Here’s a simple spread that can offer a quick and valuable insight into a romantic relationship. The first card represents you, the second card represents the other person, and the third card represents the outcome of the relationship:

• The Ace of Cups for yourself means you’re loving and have an open heart.
• The Queen of Cups for the other person suggests emotional intelligence and depth.
• The Ten of Pentacles for the outcome promises a long-lasting, stable, and prosperous partnership. It would be an excellent card to see if you’re seeking long-term commitment.

3-card Spreads that Help You Navigate Difficult Situations

All the following spreads can help you navigate a difficult situation or decision.

3. Embrace-Accept-Let Go

The first card represents what you should embrace, the second card represents what you should accept, and the third card represents what you should let go of. Let’s make an example:

• The Ten of Cups for embrace: you should focus on the positive aspects of the situation. You may have a lot to be thankful for, so count your blessings.
• The Five of Cups for accept: you should acknowledge your grief and disappointment.
• Death in final position: it’s time to release what is no longer serving you in the situation, maybe an attitude or even the situation itself.

4. Opportunity-Challenge-Action

Talking about navigating difficult situations, here’s another spread you must try. The first card represents the opportunity you should grab, the second card represents the main challenge ahead of you, and the third card represents the action you should take in this situation. Let’s say you are considering starting a new business:

• The Ace of Pentacles for the opportunity would be a good omen and it would tell you that there is potential for material success.
• The Tower for the challenge would warn you that there may be unexpected upheavals or setbacks.
• The Knight of Swords for the action encourages you to be bold and decisive in pursuing your goals. Approach the new start with confidence.

5. Think-Feel-Do

If you need to gain clarity on a particular action or decision, here’s another simple spread for you. The first is about what you should think about the situation, the second card indicates how you feel about it, and the third card what you should do. For example, if you are considering whether to take a new job, you may pull:

• The Two of Pentacles for what you should think suggesting you weigh the pros and cons carefully.
• The Four of Cups for your feelings showing you may feel apathetic or disengaged from your current work.
• The Ace of Swords for the advice, telling you to take decisive action and pursue the new opportunity.

6. Problem-Cause-Solution

This spread can help you understand the root cause of a problem and find a solution. In case you are struggling with financial difficulties:

• The Five of Pentacles for the problem indicates a sense of lack or scarcity.
• The Five of Swords for the cause indicates that you may be engaging in self-sabotaging behavior.
• The Nine of Pentacles for the solution is telling you to focus on cultivating self-sufficiency, abundance, and a sense of self-worth.

7. Obstacle-Action-Result

If you’re trying to overcome an obstacle and achieve a desired outcome, try this spread. For example, if you are facing a difficult decision:

• The Hanged Man for the obstacle would indicate that you are currently stuck in your situation, or that you’ve been delaying a decision for too long.
• The Page of Cups for the action would tell you to approach the situation with emotional intelligence and compassion.
• Finally, the Ace of Swords for the result or outcome would assure you that in the end you will achieve clarity and make a wise decision.

Focusing on Personal Growth and Improvement

Here’s an effective spread that can help you identify areas of growth and improvement.

8. Doing Well-Do Better-Improve

The first card indicates what you are doing well, the second card shows where you can do better, and the third card gives you advice on how to improve. Let’s make an example:

• The Seven of Cups for doing well means you are creative and imaginative.
• The Five of Pentacles for do better shows that you are struggling with financial stability.
• The Emperor for the advice or improve position highlights the need to create more structure and a solid foundation for your future and take the reigns of your life.

Emotional, Physical and Spiritual Well-Being

Here’s a spread that can offer insight into your overall well-being.

9. Mind-Body-Spirit

In this spread, the first card indicates the state of your mind, the second card stands for your body, and the third card represents your spirit.

• The Eight of Swords for the mind would be an indication that you may be feeling trapped or limited by your thoughts.
• The Ace of Wands for the body could by the way suggest that you have the energy and motivation to take action.
• The Temperance card for your spirit would tell you that it’s time to focus on finding balance and harmony in your life.

Acknowledging Your Strengths and Moving Forward

10. Strength-Weakness-Focus on

This spread can offer insight into your strengths, weaknesses, and the advice you need to move forward. Here’s an example:

• The Queen of Swords for your strength: you are intelligent and analytical.
• The Seven of Cups for your weakness: you may struggle with indecision or distraction.
• The Chariot for what to focus on: find a balance between heart and mind, set clear goals, and take decisive action.

11. Opportunity-Strength-Challenge

This spread can help you assess a potential opportunity and determine whether you have the strength to meet the challenge. For example, if you are considering taking on a new project at work:

• The Three of Pentacles for the opportunity indicates a chance to showcase your skills and talents.
• The Strength card for your strength shows that you have the courage, patience, and determination to succeed.
• The Ten of Wands for the challenge implies that you may feel overwhelmed or overtaxed with your work.

Finding Inner Balance and Trusting Your Gut

12. Mind-Heart-Intuition

Far too many times we decide not to listen to ourselves and trust our own intuition. This spread can help you gain insight into a particular situation from different perspectives. For example, let’s say you are trying to decide whether to move to a new city:

• The Eight of Swords for the mind means that you are feeling trapped by your current situation and that you don’t see a way out.
• The Two of Cups for the heart shows that you may be seeking deeper connection and love, or that a love situation is involved in your decision.
• The High Priestess for your intuition is telling you that you should trust your inner wisdom and listen to your intuition. Deep down you already know the answer.

Managing Your Thoughts and Taming Our Fears for a Better Life

13. Mindset-Action-Outcome

This spread can help you understand how your thoughts and actions are influencing a particular situation, as well as what the outcome may be. Let’s say you are trying to manifest a particular goal, you may draw:

• The Nine of Cups for mindset, suggesting that you should focus on gratitude and on your own satisfaction and fulfillment.
• The Ace of Swords for action, implying that you should take a decisive step toward your goal, with clear intentions and thoughts. This is also a card that advises keeping a well-defined, single focus.
• The Six of Wands for the outcome, telling you that you have all the solutions at hand and that in the end, you’ll be successful. You’ll find a way to triumph.

14. Wish-Reality-Fear Spread

This spread can help you gain clarity around a particular desire or goal. For example, if you are wishing for a new job:

• The Nine of Pentacles for wish indicates that you are seeking financial stability and independence.
• The Eight of Swords for reality says that you may feel trapped in your current job.
• The Five of Pentacles for fear shows that what’s blocking you it’s your worry about financial instability or failure. There may be a solution or help near you but you seem unable to see it at the moment. You may also think you don’t have what it takes to get to s better position. That’s what is influencing you in your decision.

15. The Root of your Fear-How it Manifests-How to Overcome it

This spread is ideal if you want to find out the underlying cause of your fear, what’s driving it, and how to overcome it. Example:

• The Devil for your fear represents being trapped or enslaved by material desires and attachments. It suggests that your fear may stem from feeling powerless over a situation or addiction that has taken over your life.
• The Five of cups for how your fear manifests shows that grief, loss, or disappointment are currently affecting your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It suggests that your fear may be causing you to focus on what you’ve lost or what could go wrong, leading to feelings of sadness or regret.
• The Chariot for how to overcome your fear represents determination, willpower, and self-control. It indicates that to overcome your fear, you need to harness your inner strength and take control of the situation. Focus on your goals, stay committed, and trust in your abilities to steer yourself toward success.