Should beginners use simple or complex Tarot spreads?

Hey friend, that's an excellent question, and one that many beginners struggle with. My advice is very clear: always start with simple spreads.

You can think of it like learning to cook. You have to first learn how to fry an egg, understand the basics like oil temperature and heat control, before you can tackle those complex dishes that require dozens of ingredients, right? Tarot is the same. Simple spreads, like the classic one-card draw or three-card spreads (such as "Past-Present-Future"), are like that fried egg.

Why is starting simple so important?

1. Reduce the burden: In the beginning, your brain needs to process a lot of information: the meanings of 78 cards, their upright and reversed positions, the symbols on the cards, and your question... If you're then given a complex spread with a dozen positions, each with its own unique definition, you'll easily "freeze up," your mind will go blank, and you'll have no idea where to even begin.
2. Focus on the basics: In the beginner stage, the most important task is to "get acquainted" with each card and understand its core meaning. By using simple spreads, like drawing a "daily guidance card" every day, you can put all your energy into understanding that single card. With a three-card spread, you can focus on how those three cards combine to tell a simple story.
3. Build confidence: With simple spreads, it's easier to interpret a clear, logical result. Every successful interpretation boosts your confidence, making you feel, "Hey, I think I can do this!" But if you challenge complex spreads right from the start, you're likely to fail due to information overload, which can be very frustrating and might even make you think, "Maybe I don't have a talent for Tarot," which would be a shame.
4. Cultivate "card intuition": Tarot reading isn't just about memorizing card meanings; it's more about a feeling and intuition, what we often call "card sense." Simple spreads can help you better feel the subtle chemistry between cards and listen to what they are trying to tell you.

I know those complex spreads, like the Celtic Cross, look incredibly professional and cool, as if they can answer all the mysteries of the universe. But for a beginner, laying out ten cards at once, each with its specific positional meaning (like "Your Hopes and Fears," "External Environment," "Final Outcome," etc.), can easily make your mind chaotic. You might find yourself exhausted just trying to remember what each position represents, with no energy left to understand the connections between the cards. In the end, you'll look at a table full of cards, not knowing what to say, feeling like the cards are "talking nonsense," when in reality, you're just overwhelmed by information.

So, my advice is:

Start with single-card practice, for example, drawing a card for yourself every morning as guidance for the day. Then, master three-card spreads. This spread is incredibly versatile and can be used to ask about "Past-Present-Future," "Situation-Action-Outcome," "Your Thoughts-Their Thoughts-Relationship Direction," and so on. It's enough to solve most daily problems.

When you feel that the information provided by three cards is no longer deep enough, when you are familiar with most card meanings, and when you can easily weave three cards into a coherent story, then you can start trying five-card spreads or even challenge the "Celtic Cross." By then, you'll find that because your foundation is solid, interpreting these complex spreads will also become second nature.

Remember, Tarot reading isn't about being more powerful the more cards you lay out. True mastery is being able to extract the clearest, most helpful information from the fewest cards. It's like a true martial arts master who can harm with a falling leaf or plucked flower, rather than needing to wield a Dragon Slaying Saber to be considered skilled.

Build a solid foundation first, and your Tarot journey will be steadier and go further.