I usually look back at the end of the year. Evaluating the progress of the past 12 months and how they have met my expectations is part of planning for next year. In reflecting on the past, I discovered some old pieces that still delight me today. This spread is an old classic from 2009. It seems like a lifetime ago.
A good start is half the battle: New Year’s Tarot Divination
As the near-perfect, practical and magical Mary Poppins said, “A good beginning is half the battle.” Wise words to remember as you face the New Year. For me, the memory of a clean bag, an empty notebook, and new shoes firmly implants in my psyche the idea of autumn as a time of new beginnings. While the urge still exists, January has its own special appeal. Just when I needed it most, the calendar gave me a gift – a fresh, shiny New Year without any mistakes (or “no mistakes yet,” as Anne Shirley always said).
When you snuggle up and let January do its thing, your tarot cards will be within reach. They will be useful as you identify your goals and plan your journey. Once you know where you want to go and how to get there, half the work is done.
There may be several areas in your life that you would like to change. The following spreads can be used for each area as needed. If you have multiple decks, choose one for each area and keep the readings so you can view them together. This works well because you can look for recurring themes or patterns to generate additional information.
1. Go through your deck, choose a card that you think represents an area of your life that you want to improve, and place it in position 1.
Now shuffle the deck and lay out the rest of the cards as you would any reading.
3. Strength: This is what you already have and can use as you move forward.
4. Challenges: This is what you will face, and by facing it create the change you seek.
5.Help: You can find help here; it can be a person, a technology, a field of study, an activity or action, etc.
6. Next step: This is what to do next when faced with a challenge.
2. Result: This is the goal or outcome; what this area of your life will look like at the end of this journey.
The important thing to remember is that this spread will guide you step by step to achieve your goals. As the year progresses and you complete this part of your journey, expand to plan for the next phase. Repeat as necessary until you achieve what you are seeking.
In addition to achieving your goals and changing your life, you may also want to improve your tarot knowledge, explore new decks, use new technology, or improve your reading skills. There’s no better time than January to make and start plans to take your tarot to the next level.
Whatever you want to do, remember: know where you’re going and have a plan to get there…and you’re halfway there.