What is the meaning of the "Three Card Spread" in Tarot?

Ah, the three-card spread! This is arguably one of the most basic and commonly used spreads in Tarot. Many beginners start with it, but experienced readers also use it frequently because it's quick and direct.

You can think of it as a "quick diagnosis" or a "story outline." It uses three cards to help you understand the ins and outs of a question.

The most classic and common usage represents "Past, Present, Future":

First Card (Left): Represents "Past"
- It tells you how the situation came about, its background, or what caused your current state.
Second Card (Middle): Represents "Present"
- It describes your current predicament, the core of the issue, and what you are currently facing. This is the focal point of the entire spread.
Third Card (Right): Represents "Future"
- It reveals a "possible" direction. If things continue as they are, what is the most likely outcome? Note that this is not "destiny"; it's more like a weather forecast, telling you it might rain so you can choose to bring an umbrella.

For example: Let's say you ask, "My work performance has been poor lately, what should I do?"

The first card, "Past," might be a "Three of Swords," indicating you may have experienced hurt or conflict previously, which is the root cause of your poor state.
The second card, "Present," might be a "Four of Pentacles Reversed," suggesting you currently feel insecure, are losing focus, and your resources or energy are draining away.
The third card, "Future," might be a "Knight of Cups," hinting that if you can adjust your mindset, new opportunities or helpful people will appear in the future, and your emotional state will improve.

You see, these three cards tell a small story: because of past hurt, the present state is unstable, but with adjustment, there's a turning point in the future. It immediately clarifies your thoughts.

Of course, the power of the three-card spread lies in its flexibility. You don't necessarily have to use "Past, Present, Future." Depending on your question, there can be many variations, such as:

Situation → Advice → Outcome: What is the current situation? What should I do? What will happen if I do it?
You → Other → Relationship: In a relationship, what is your state? What is the other person's state? What is the direction of your relationship?
Body → Mind → Spirit: Self-examination: How is my physical health? What is my mental state? What are my spiritual pursuits?
Strengths → Weaknesses → Advice: In a certain plan, what are my strengths? What are my weaknesses? How can I leverage my strengths and mitigate my weaknesses?

In essence, the three-card spread is a simple, clear framework that helps you break down a vague problem into three parts, allowing you to grasp the key points more quickly. So, whether you want a quick daily reading or a general understanding of a specific issue, it's incredibly practical.