The three-card spread
The most useful spread, and not as past-present-future.
The three-card spread is usually taught as past-present-future. That is its weakest use: you already know the past, and the future is the thing cards cannot tell you.
Three layouts that work
- SITUATION, OBSTACLE, WAY THROUGH. The most useful set. Where I am, what blocks it, what I can do.
- WHAT I SEE, WHAT I MISS, WHAT TO DO. Good for blind spots.
- ME, THEM, WHAT IS BETWEEN US. For relationship questions; the third card carries the real information.
Decide the positions BEFORE you draw. Decide after and you will invent positions to fit the cards you got, which makes the reading worthless.
When should positions be decided?
Decide afterwards and you read what you wanted, not what came up.