3 Grand Tableau Tips

If you’ve ever looked at the Grand Tableau (GT) and thought, “Where do I even begin?”—you’re not alone.

The GT can feel like a lot, with all 36 cards shouting for attention at once. But once you get comfortable, it becomes one of the most rewarding spreads you can work with giving you not just a glimpse, but core themes and important details on the past, present, and future.

To help you tackle the GT with ease, I’ve put together three of my best tips to make this big, beautiful spread more manageable (Tip #2 is a total game changer for GT newcomers).

And here’s the exciting part—did you know there's a tableau method for Tarot? AND it can help you understand Tarot AND Lenormand more deeply. I’ll explain at the end, plus share details about a special Tarot Tableau workshop happening this Sunday.

Let’s dive in!

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Tip 1: Set the Stage with Intention

Take your time setting up your GT so you’re clear from the start.

  • Say a pre-reading incantation: Invoke your guides, establish boundaries, and set intentions around what you do—and don’t—want to uncover.

  • Charge a few cards: Assign personal meanings to specific cards ahead of time so you know exactly what they represent.

Some of my favorite cards to charge are the person cards and my chosen work card (like the Fox or the Market card from the RG Lenormand).

Tip 2: Flip Cards in Sections to Avoid Overwhelm

When you pull the GT, try placing the cards face down and flip over just one section at a time.

  • Start by reading each section as smaller spreads, which makes the whole GT feel less intimidating.

  • After interpreting all the sections, step back and look at the GT as a whole—watch for patterns and explore the method of distance more deeply.

When I first started reading GTs, it felt like a room full of people screaming at me. I hear my cards intuitively, and the noise was overwhelming at first! For the first year or two, I pulled GTs face down—and I can’t recommend this method enough. It makes the spread so much more accessible and easier to interpret.

Tip 3: Use Extra People Cards Strategically

Many new decks come with bonus cards and extra people cards—which can be both amazing and a challenge!

  • When you’re starting out, consider limiting the people cards so the reading stays focused. Too many people can overwhelm the spread or dominate the reading.

  • I only use extra people cards in situational tableaus (like love or work spreads), polyamorous relationship readings, or when the querent has adult children or lives with other adults.

There’s a time and place for those extras, but when you’re still getting comfortable with GTs, the original 36 cards are plenty! I love that we’re in the golden age of decks, but more isn’t always better—especially in a GT.

Drop a comment below and let me know how these tips may have helped your process.

Here's the stuff I have to say: readings are for 'entertainment' purposes only. Please don't use these readings in place of medical, legal, or any other kind of professional advice. I assume no legal liability for any damages, losses, or other consequences of any client decisions, subsequent to, or based on, readings. You must be 18 or older to purchase a reading or assistance interpreting a reading. If you purchase a reading or assistance interpreting a reading, you are affirming that you are 18 years of age or older.