The most used spread in tarot, and the most misunderstood. Three cards do not have to mean past, present and future — that is one option among several, and often the least useful. The strength of the spread is that three positions force a narrative without giving you enough room to waffle.
3cards
Beginnerlevel
3positions
A random deal from the full 78-card deck, some cards reversed. Use it to see how the positions read against each other — it is a sample, not a reading of your question.
The origin of the situation. Not always the past in time — often the assumption or decision the whole thing rests on.
2
Where it stands now
The present state, including what you are refusing to look at. This is usually the card that stings.
3
Where it goes if nothing changes
Not fate. The trajectory of the current course, which is exactly the thing you can still alter.
How to deal it
Shuffle while holding the question. Deal three cards left to right, face down, then turn them over together rather than one at a time — reading them in sequence tends to make you fit each card to the story you built from the first one.
Variations worth using
Situation · action · outcome — for a decision you are actively making
You · them · the connection — for relationship questions
What helps · what hinders · what you are missing — for a problem you are stuck on
