What spreads are best to use for a beginner?

It is true that there is a bewildering number of complicated spreads are out there.  However, if you're just beginning, it's best to keep things simple. This helps with the continuity of the reading.  If you have to check your books for the meaning of each position and each card, it's difficult to form an overall picture of the reading. 

It is best to use no more than four cards for each spread.  You might also for example use the three-card past-present-future spread.  This is very simple: the card on the left represents past issues, the middle the present, and the right issues that may impact your question in the future. 

If you'd like to be a little more creative, try assigning your own position meanings.  In a relationship question, for example, the left-hand card may represent you, the right-hand the other person, and the middle card the resolution or answer to your question.

When you're more experienced, add more cards to your basic spread.  You can either create your own more complex spreads, or consult the Internet or books on the various ways to use spreads.  www.facade.com is a good Web site to investigate spreads.  You can select a spread from a drop-down menu, and see the focus of the spread, as well as the meaning of each position.