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3 cards · Classics

Past, Present, Future

A concise story of how a situation developed.

The positions

  1. Where it began
  2. Where it stands
  3. Where it is heading

Source: A common modern three-card layout.

Best for questions like

From daily tarot reading.

How to read it

  1. Hold one clear question in mind.
  2. Shuffle, then lay out 3 cards in order, from position 1 to 3.
  3. Read each card for its position: the same card means something different as "Where it began" than as "Where it is heading".
  4. Then read the cards together: the story they tell, which suits lead and how many are Major Arcana. The reader below shows this for you.

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Try this spread

Draw the cards here and read each position. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Related spreads

One-Card Reading

1 card

One clearly framed question; a single theme to notice.

Situation, Challenge, Way Forward

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Framing a decision: what is going on and how to move.

Yes or No

3 cards

A yes or no question: which way the cards lean, and why.

Questions about the Past, Present, Future spread

How many cards are in the Past, Present, Future spread?

3 cards: 1. Where it began; 2. Where it stands; 3. Where it is heading.

What is the Past, Present, Future spread for?

A concise story of how a situation developed.

What questions suit the Past, Present, Future spread?

What do I need to focus on today? What energy should I bring to this week?

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