How To Do a Past, Present, Future Tarot Reading? Ultimate Guide

What are tarot cards?

Tarot cards are more than mystical tools—they are visual symbols that mirror the human experience. A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards, divided into two main categories:

• Major Arcana (22 cards): These represent profound archetypes, life’s spiritual lessons, and turning points in the journey of the soul.
• Minor Arcana (56 cards): These deal with daily life, practical matters, and emotional or intellectual challenges. The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits: Cups (emotions), Pentacles (material and financial matters), Swords (intellect and conflict), and Wands (creativity and ambition).

Each card is a story, image, and archetype, giving the reader insight into past patterns, present energies, and possible futures.

Where did tarot reading come from?

The origins of tarot trace back to 15th-century Europe, where the cards first appeared as a parlor game for nobles. Over time, mystics and philosophers recognized the depth of the imagery and began using tarot as a spiritual and divinatory tool.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, tarot had become associated with the occult, esoteric societies, and practices such as Hermeticism and Kabbalah. In the 20th century, decks like the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot and Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot cemented tarot as one of the most widely used tools for reflection, divination, and spiritual exploration.

Today, tarot is used worldwide for introspection, clarity, and guidance—not as fortune-telling, but as a mirror of the subconscious and a map of possibility.

Why do people use tarot cards?

People turn to tarot for many reasons:

• Clarity: Tarot illuminates what may be hidden beneath the surface.
• Decision-making: It reveals potential consequences of choices.
• Relationships: Many ask about love, friendship, or family dynamics.
• Spiritual growth: Tarot connects seekers with inner wisdom and archetypal truths.
• Healing: By recognizing patterns, people can release old wounds and create new narratives.

At its core, tarot is a tool for reflection and empowerment. It doesn’t dictate the future—it shows you how your past and present are shaping your path forward.

How do you get started with tarot?

Which tarot deck should a beginner choose?

The first step in tarot reading is choosing a deck. Beginners often start with the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, known for its rich, accessible symbolism.

• Rider-Waite-Smith: Clear imagery, countless books and resources, perfect for learners.
• Thoth Tarot: More esoteric and complex, ideal for advanced students of symbolism.
• Modern Decks: Themed decks (nature, fantasy, cultural, or minimalist) allow readers to connect on a personal level.

Ultimately, the best deck is the one that feels right in your hands—a deck you are drawn to visually and emotionally.

How do you create the right space for a tarot reading?

Tarot is best read in a calm and focused environment. To create a sacred reading space:

• Clear your table of clutter.
• Light a candle or incense if desired.
• Take a few breaths to center yourself.
• Focus on your question or the area of life you want insight into.

The space itself doesn’t need to be mystical—it simply needs to be intentional.

What is the past, present, future tarot spread?

The past, present, future spread is one of the simplest and most powerful tarot spreads. It uses three cards laid side by side:

1. The Past – influences, lessons, or wounds that shape where you are now.
2. The Present – your current state of mind, challenge, or opportunity.
3. The Future – the likely direction or outcome if the current path continues.

Because of its straightforward structure, it is often the first spread beginners learn, but it remains valuable for even advanced readers due to its clarity and depth.

Why is the past, present, future spread ideal for beginners?

• It’s simple to learn: Three cards only, no complicated positions.
• It encourages storytelling: Easy to link into a flowing narrative.
• It balances intuition and knowledge: You can combine traditional meanings with your intuitive impressions.
• It applies to any question: From love and career to health or spirituality.

This spread is so versatile that it is often described as the “gateway spread” into deeper tarot work.

How do you shuffle and draw cards for this spread?

1. Focus on your question or situation as you shuffle.
2. Cut the deck into three piles and restack them.
3. Draw three cards and place them from left to right.

• Left = Past
• Center = Present
• Right = Future

The layout is simple, but its story emerges from how the cards interact with one another.

What does the past card mean?

The past position reveals events, relationships, or patterns that continue to influence your current reality. It often shows what still lingers energetically or emotionally.

Examples:

• The Lovers: A past relationship or major choice still shapes you.
• Five of Pentacles: Financial or emotional hardship left wounds that impact your confidence.
• The Tower: A shocking event changed your life’s direction permanently.

What does the present card mean?

The present position is a snapshot of your current energy, choices, and mindset. It reveals what’s active right now, often in response to the past.

Examples:

• The Chariot: You are moving forward with determination and control.
• Two of Swords: You may be avoiding a choice, stuck in indecision.
• Nine of Cups: You are experiencing contentment and emotional fulfillment.

What does the future card mean?

The future position shows potential outcomes based on your current path. It is not a fixed destiny, but a likely trajectory unless you change your approach.

Examples:

• The Sun: Success, joy, and clarity lie ahead.
• Three of Wands: Expansion, progress, and new horizons.
• Ten of Swords: A painful ending may lead to a new chapter.

How do you connect the cards into a story?

The real art of tarot is linking the cards into a narrative. Consider:

• How does the past card explain the present?
• How does the present card lead into the future?
• What is the overarching theme that ties them together?

For example: Past (The Devil) → Present (The Hermit) → Future (The Star). This suggests release from unhealthy attachments (Devil), followed by introspection (Hermit), leading toward healing and hope (Star).

Should you rely on intuition or book meanings?

Both are essential. Traditional meanings give you a framework, while intuition personalizes the message. Often, the imagery on the card will spark associations specific to the querent or the question.

Think of tarot as a dialogue: the book gives the words, but intuition provides the tone.

Example past, present, future tarot reading: Does my ex still love me?

To show how this works in practice, let’s answer a common question: “Does my ex still love me?”

Past – The Lovers

The Lovers in the past position highlights the importance of this relationship. It wasn’t casual—it carried deep significance and may have felt like a soulmate connection. Choices made in the relationship continue to shape emotions today. This suggests that love and attraction were real, but perhaps there were decisions or circumstances that divided the path.

Present – Five of Cups

In the present position, the Five of Cups shows grief, regret, or focusing on what’s been lost. This may represent your ex’s current state—dwelling on the breakup, possibly missing you but unable to move forward. It also reflects your own feelings of sadness, emphasizing that while love may remain, pain is still the dominant emotion.

Future – The Star

In the future position, the Star brings hope, renewal, and healing. This does not guarantee reconciliation, but it does suggest that love transforms into something higher—either the rekindling of the relationship with honesty and hope, or your own healing and rediscovery of self-love. The connection is not gone, but it may evolve into something more spiritual and less bound by the pain of the past.

Interpretation: Yes, your ex likely still feels love, but grief and regret cloud the present. Healing is needed before reconciliation is possible. The Star encourages hope, whether through reunion or through your own personal renewal.

Additional example past, present, future tarot reading: Should I change careers?

Past – Eight of Pentacles

The Eight of Pentacles in the past position highlights years of skill-building and dedication. You’ve worked hard, often quietly, mastering your craft and building a foundation. While this card reflects diligence, it can also show that your focus has been narrow—leaving little room for passion or exploration.

Present – Four of Cups

Currently, the Four of Cups suggests dissatisfaction. You may feel disengaged or uninspired, even though stability surrounds you. This card reveals that while your work provides security, it no longer excites you. The universe may already be offering opportunities, but your focus on routine could cause you to miss them.

Future – The Fool

Looking ahead, the Fool signals a leap of faith. This card invites you to take bold steps toward a new career path, even if it feels uncertain. It suggests that embracing curiosity and openness will bring renewal. While risk is present, the energy of this card promises adventure and growth if you trust yourself to begin again.

Interpretation: The cards encourage you to honor the foundation you’ve built, but to recognize that stagnation is holding you back. A fresh start is available, and while it requires courage, it offers the chance to align with purpose and passion.

Additional example past, present, future tarot reading: How can I grow spiritually?

Past – The Hierophant

The Hierophant in the past shows that your spiritual foundation has been shaped by tradition, religion, or external teachers. You may have relied on established structures to guide your beliefs and practices. This card reflects respect for tradition, but also hints that you may now feel confined by it.

Present – The Hanged Man

In the present position, the Hanged Man suggests a pause in your spiritual journey. This is not stagnation but sacred suspension. You may feel uncertain or disconnected, but the card encourages you to shift perspective. By surrendering and seeing things differently, you will uncover deeper truths about yourself and your path.

Future – The Star

In the future position, the Star offers guidance and renewal. This card represents clarity, inspiration, and connection to higher truths. Spiritually, it promises healing and a reconnection with divine flow. It invites you to embrace your own intuition, becoming a vessel of hope and light for others as well as yourself.

Interpretation: Your journey moves from reliance on external authority to finding inner wisdom. By embracing surrender now, you prepare for a future of spiritual clarity and authentic connection. The Star reassures you that growth will come through openness, vulnerability, and trust in your own divine spark.

What tips improve past, present, future readings?

• Trust your first impressions—they are often the truest.
• Journal every reading to track accuracy and themes.
• Don’t read repeatedly on the same question; allow time for energies to shift.
• Avoid labeling cards as “good” or “bad.” Each one offers guidance.
• Practice consistently—skill comes from experience.

Frequently asked questions about the past, present, future spread

Can anyone do this spread? Yes. It’s simple enough for beginners, but powerful enough for advanced readers.

Do I need to be psychic? No. Tarot uses intuition, observation, and reflection. Anyone can learn with practice.

How often should I do this reading? Weekly or monthly works well. Too often and you risk repetitive or confusing answers.

Can this spread predict the future? It doesn’t predict fixed events—it shows the most likely path based on your current energy.

What if I pull a “negative” card? No card is purely negative. Challenging cards highlight lessons, warnings, or opportunities for growth.

Conclusion: Why is the past, present, future tarot spread so powerful?

The past, present, future tarot spread is timeless because it provides clarity in three steps: where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re headed. It’s simple, flexible, and deeply insightful.

By practicing regularly, blending intuition with knowledge, and reflecting honestly, you’ll find this spread becomes not just a tool for divination, but a mirror of your journey and a compass guiding you toward your highest potential.