This is a good all-purpose spread. It is adapted from a similar spread, but modified for brevity and versatility. This spread starts out by building a picture of the querant, and the current situation surrounding the querant, and then ends by honing in on some more concrete answers. Heres how it works:
Prepare yourself for the tarot reading (Meditation, cleansing the deck, etc.).
Have the querant think about their question. When they are ready, they should ask the question (out loud if possible, to themselves if theyre uncomfortable) let them pick up and shuffle the Tarot Deck.
Once they have shuffled the deck, lay out the first seven cards in the spread, saying the name of each position:
1) The Home
2) The Self
3) Hopes and Fears
4) Friends
5) What you expect
6) What you dont expect
7) What is sure to come
Talk about each card in the layout, alone and in relation to the other cards. Build a collage of all of the aspects of life for the querant. This is a good way to get a feel for the forces (both magickal and non-magickal) that are effecting the querant.
Once this has been completed, there are three cards left over, called "Clarification Cards". These cards allow the querant get clarification about anything going on in the main spread, or to answer their question more directly. Sometimes these cards give yes/no answers, sometimes they show possible paths the future can take. Sometimes they take on other roles as well.
Ask the querant if they need any further clarification about anything in the spread. Also, if you see Something important, be sure to let them know. At the very end, I suggest asking if everything made sense. Very rarely will something not fall into place.
Books in PDF format to read:
William Lammey - Karmic TarotAleister Crowley - The Zodiac And The Tarot
Fransis Bragge - Witchcraft Farther Displayd
Samuel Liddell Macgregor Mathers - The Tarot
Aleister Crowley - Thoth Tarot Deck
