Every reader has a favourite method of laying out the cards for a Tarot reading. Some methods are quick and simple, others are more detailed.

The Celtic Cross
A simple 10 card spread.

Position 1: Describes the questioner or the current situation.
Position 2: What is aiding or hindering your progress.
Position 3: The root of the matter.
Position 4: Distant past.
Position 5: The best you can expect at this time.
Position 6: The future of the situation.
Position 7: Further details of the matter at hand.
Position 8: The influence and opinions of others.
Position 9: Hopes, fears and dreams.
Position 10: The outcome.

The astrological or yearly spread
This layout consists of twelve cards representing each house of the Zodiac or one month. These cards are laid out in a circle anti-clockwise.

Postion 1: Ruled by Aries. Represents the questioner or the current situation. As a yearly spread the first card is the current month.
Position 2: Ruled by Taurus. Depicts possessions, earning capacity, property, assets and self esteem.
Position 3: Ruled by Gemini and denotes everyday matters, siblings, peers and neighbours. Attitudes and local travel.
Position 4: Ruled by Cancer. Represents the mother, home and family. Heritage and early conditioning.
Position 5: Ruled by Leo. Points to children and love affairs, friends, social life and sexual pleasure.
Position 6: Ruled by Virgo and pertains to health, duty, hardships, service and employees.
Position 7: Ruled by Libra and talks about relationships, partnerships, love and romance and the way we relate to the world.
Position 8: Ruled by Scorpio and relates to sex, lust, death, suspicion, other peoples money e.g. loans and partners earnings, inheritance, insurance and taxation.
Positon 9: Ruled by Sagittarius. Represents sport, travel, adventure, law, real estate and physical activity.
Position 10: Ruled by Capricorn. Denotes the father, careers, leadership, authority, teachers, tradition and education.
Postion 11: Ruled by Aquarius. Refers to friendships, groups, community affairs, futuristic plans and aquaintances.
Position 12: Ruled by Pisces and pertains to hopes, fears, dreams, illusions, deception and spiritual awareness.