The Complete Guide to Tarot Spreads: The Birth Chart Interpretation Method

This divination spread is the second most popular, after the "Fate Prediction Method." It aligns with the twelve houses of an astrological chart, making it especially intuitive for those familiar with astrology. The Birth Chart Spread is mainly used to read a person’s prospects across different areas of life over a set period. If you don’t have a specific question, this spread is an excellent choice!

Also keep the timeframe in mind. In general, Tarot cards are better suited to short-term readings—typically within one or two years. However, the Birth Chart Spread can also be used for longer-term outlooks.

I. Applicable Card Types

22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana, 78-card Tarot deck. (If you’re a beginner, it’s recommended to start with only the Major Arcana, since fewer cards make the meanings easier to learn. Once you’re comfortable, add the Minor Arcana.)

II. Divination Considerations

In this spread, certain zodiac houses have traditional connections. For example, Aries (1st house), Leo (5th house), and Sagittarius (9th house) form the fire group, while Taurus (2nd house), Virgo (6th house), and Capricorn (10th house) form the earth group. Cancer (4th house), Scorpio (8th house), and Pisces (12th house) are the water group, and Gemini (3rd house), Libra (7th house), and Aquarius (11th house) are the air group. Keep these connections in mind during the reading.

III. Layout

Since the Birth Chart Divination method uses 17 cards, shuffle, draw 17 cards at random, and lay them out in the order shown in the diagram.

IV. Card Position Meanings

• Aries: Self House—personality, personal beliefs, and actions.
• Taurus: Wealth House—money and material resources.
• Gemini: Knowledge House—short trips, communication, siblings, and school matters (up to high school).
• Cancer: Family House—home, mother, and family life.
• Leo: Entertainment House—romance, fun, children, leisure, and gambling.
• Virgo: Work House—health, work environment, and subordinates.
• Libra: Interpersonal House—relationships, marriage, and supporters.
• Scorpio: Sex and Death House—sex, death, inheritance, and legacies.
• Sagittarius: Spiritual House—foreign affairs, universities, knowledge, religion, and long-distance travel.
• Capricorn: Social House—public reputation, father, vocation, and career.
• Aquarius: Friendship House—friends, social life, and aspirations.
• Pisces: Hidden House—disasters, rest, and hidden enemies.
• Overall Fortune: The key card that summarizes and concludes the entire spread.

The following four cards represent the four elements of the universe: fire, water, air, and earth, providing directional hints.

14. Fire: Spirit—offers cues for timing in thought and action. (Cards 1, 5, 9)
15. Water: Emotions—offers insight into feelings and emotions. (Cards 4, 8, 12)
16. Air: Knowledge—offers guidance for communication and related matters. (Cards 3, 7, 11)
17. Earth: Material—offers guidance on practical affairs and finances. (Cards 2, 6, 10)

V. Card Interpretation Order

Read the cards in zodiac order, paying attention to the connections among the signs within each element. Finally, interpret the four elemental cards (fire, water, air, earth) and offer suggestions to the querent.