Tarot 101: How I Do a 3-Card Reading

Using the bottom card and elemental dignities for any reading

Jun 13, 2023

When I first started reading tarot a little over 10 years ago, I wanted to know why readers do what they do when they read cards… why they shuffle the way they do… why they used a certain spread… etc. Sometimes when our own card practice feels stagnant, it can be interesting to try new techniques and methods that others share. I was also always on the hunt for a simple, all purpose 3-card reading spread or method. While I don’t like a lot of rigidity when it comes to locked in card positions, I do enjoy having some loose framework to work with... I’m a Gemini, I like my options!

I wanted to share my personal 3-card reading method in this post with my commentary on why I do what I do with each step. At the end of the post I’m also sharing a short note on using elemental dignities, which is something I utilize in my 3-card readings.

Here’s how I begin all my 3-card readings:

I always start with a few rifle shuffles to relax and take a few deep breaths to clear my mind a bit, then I switch to overhand shuffling while I start thinking about the question or intent.
- When I start overhand shuffling, this is when I start really focusing on the cards and the reading. I like cues to help me know where and when to focus. Sometimes I light incense before a reading, but this is mostly used as a scent trigger to set a relaxed mood… and it smells good!
Once I feel the urge to stop shuffling, I tap the deck 3 times and cut the cards once, then restack it together.
- I don’t tap the deck for any spiritual or woo reason, I just like this habit as a mental note to start paying close attention to the cards. It’s more of a marker for me than anything.
I then pull the first two cards off the top
- These are cards 1+2 and will be the details of the reading. I like to incorporate elemental dignities with these two specific cards to see if they’re playing well together, neutral or in conflict. I look at other things as well, more on that below.
I then pull the card from the bottom of the deck.
- This card shows what is influencing the situation, whether it be helping or hindering. You can usually tell what it’s doing when you compare it to the other two cards, this card can also validate things as well. I really like using the bottom card since it acts as an anchor to all the others.

Here’s how I read these cards:

Card 3: Despite this being the 3rd card, I look at this card first. This card typically shows me what is influencing the current situation, it can also validate some things as well. It sets the mood, if you will.

Example: If someone is coming to me with a question about their relationship and the 5 of Swords is at the bottom of the deck, this can tell me that communication seems to be the root issue. It shows what’s at play right now and what the main influence is, you can also see this as the main topic.

Cards 1+2: These are read somewhat as a pair but I first like to look at the elements to see how they’re playing together (see the end for a quick note on elemental dignities). I typically treat these two cards as the details concerning card 3.

What I look for in these 2 cards:

Direction: If there are people in the cards, I like to look at what they’re looking at. Are they looking away from the other card or are they looking at it. Are they interacting, fighting, etc. This is something I use a lot in Marseille and playing cards when it comes to the figure cards.

Example: You pull two cards and they are both courts. Both figures are looking away from one another, there is clearly something going on between them and it puts emphasis that both are not in agreement at the moment. If this were a couple, I would see this as both are moving away from one another or they are in heavy disagreement, etc.

Rhyming + Repeats: This is when something in one card can be found in the next card, or a number/suit/etc is being repeated between both cards. Sometimes I’ll see this in all three cards and not just the two.

Example: Both cards are Wands or the number 2… The sword in the first card is now the center sword in the next card, etc. I basically look for connections.

Astrological + Qabalah Notes: When it comes to both of these, I only utilize them when I work with Thoth since they jump out the most to me in that system. I find that they either add another layer to the reading or they give something more to chew on. When you get into the Tree of Life (more so with Thoth) you will start to see connections that really put emphasis on the cards.
— Please note: You do not have to use astrology or the Qabalah to read tarot, this is all personal preference.

Most of my reading style and methods came from reading Tarot de Marseille and playing cards with an open reading approach (taught by Yoav Ben Dov).

Elemental Dignities

Here are some basics to elemental dignities, there are several books and videos out there that go much deeper into this but like I said above, I like to keep things simple. I don’t look at the Major Arcana when it comes to elemental dignities since I feel like they carry their weight in a reading regardless, I mainly focus on the minors and courts.

Fire (Wands) = Active
Water (Cups) = Passive
Air (Swords) = Active
Earth (Disks) = Passive

A simple formula on how they interact:

Fire + Air = Friendly and active (they support one another)
Water + Earth = Friendly and passive (also support each other)
Fire + Water = weaken each other, enemies
Air + Earth = weaken each other, enemies
Fire + Earth = neutral
Water + Air = neutral

If you have two or more of one suit then they strengthen one another:
Too much water can mean a lot of emotions or drowning going on. Too much air can show many opinions or overthinking. Too much much fire can be explosive. Too much earth can be slow and grounded, quite boring at times.

When trying to learn dignities, really think about elements in general and how they work with another. Example: Fire and Water… too much fire will vaporize the water, but too much water will put out a fire.

I would love to do more of these posts, so if there is a topic or something in tarot that you would like me to break down more let me know in the comments!