Tarot deck shown is the Rider Waite Smith published by US Games. Photo by Magenta
We often use Tarot and Lenormand cards in a therapeutic sense, rather than a fortune telling sense, for personal development, spiritual growth and to help guide people through difficulties. Halloween is one moment when it might be an opportune time to look at a problem, to reflect intuition back, in order to horizon scan for the coming year. This is our version of a Halloween spread, often thought of as the Witches New Year, and this spread blends divination with self reflection.
Using Tarot For Self Reflection or Divination
Everyone has their own way of reading the cards. For the majority of the time we use Tarot cards for self reflection, but other people can use the spread for divination purposes. We know that when we use Tarot cards for self-reflection, the Tarot cards aren’t “good” or “bad”. Instead the choice to interpret whether the information in the card is intended to be read positively or negatively is where they appear in the spread, and thinking about whether the card is in a “blocking” “challenges” or “fears” position. Interpreting Tarot cards as a divination tool may also lead you to read the card’s placement in the spread, and thinking about whether a card appears in a “Things coming your way”, “Things to be aware of” or “What is next” position.
It is entirely down to the Reader to decide to use Tarot for self reflection or divination, or both. The following spread can be used in either capacity. It can be used to divine over the course of the next 12 months, the things that might happen, or it can be used as a tool for reflecting intuition back, and for indicating how experiences and behaviours today may be carried forward, and what changes to implement if those reflections are less favourable.
A Halloween Spread For A Forward Look
For this Halloween spread you will need a Tarot card deck and at least 30 minutes to give yourself enough time to explore the 13 cards, and their relationship to each other. Whether you use Tarot for self reflection or divination, it is worth having the time to devote to each card and understand not only the meaning in the cards but how they relate to you, and the other cards, in the context of their positions outlined below. If you are just starting out with learning Tarot, that’s ok too. There is video below you can follow to give yourself a very basic idea of how to flow the cards through the spread. In this video, we are guiding viewers through a mix of using Tarot for self reflection and divination, and keeping it quite high level.
How To Use Tarot For Self Reflection or Divination
For this spread you will need to shuffle the deck, selecting 13 cards in a way that resonates with you. You will then place the cards down, 5 along the top. 5 along the bottom and 3 in the middle:
The top row: This row is special as it begins the reading. The 5 cards that make up the top row can now be spaced out a little bit, placing 2 cards as a pair left, these are now card 1 and card 2. There are now 3 cards as a group on the right. Take the last card on this top row and lay it across the two cards on the right. This makes a nice little group of three. These are now cards 3 and 4, with card number 5 laying over the top of card 3 and card 4.
The middle row: The 3 cards that make up the middle row are special too. These will become what you hope for, and anything that might be getting in your way. The 3 cards that make up the middle row are card 6, card 7 and card 8.
The bottom row: The bottom row will summarise and wrap up the reading. The 5 cards that make up the bottom row can now be spaced out a little bit, placing 2 cards as a pair on the right, these are now card 12 and card 13. There are now 3 cards as a group on the left on the bottom row. Take the first card on this bottom row and lay it across the two cards that are together on the left of the bottom row. This makes a nice little group of three. These are now cards 9 and 10, with card number 11 laying over the top of card 9 and card 10.
Now we are ready to start turning the cards over, and reflecting on the importance of what has gone before and how that might shape what is to come.
The previous year in summary
Card number 1 – This is the previous 12 months. This card is a summary of all that has happened in the last 12 months. It indicates you or your feelings or a main theme of all the events that have happened.
Card number 2 – This is the biggest lesson from the previous 12 months. This card described the biggest lesson learned over the past year. If this card shows in the reversed position, this could be because you haven’t learnt this lesson yet.
What do you hope for?
Card number 3 – Hopes for the next 12 months. This card is a reflection of what you’re hoping for now. It shows up any desires, beliefs or feelings that you might not be aware of, but yet powerfully affect the way you’re preparing to move forward into the next year.
Card number 4 – What will help get you there. This card is an action card, or an advice card. It invites you to bring your awareness to the message as a positive instruction to help you achieve your hopes.
Card number 5 – What will get in the way. This card represents your conscious attitude, events, or situations that might come up to beware of. These are blocks and will get in the way of achieving your desired goals.
Key areas of life
Major arcana cards that appear in this section indicate this key area of your life will be the most important aspect for you to focus on.
Card number 6 – Relationships with others. This is a card for your external influences in the world. It doesn’t always mean a loving relationship, it’s just how your presence in the world will be impacted by other people.
Card number 7 – Career, money and work. This card shows the things to be aware of in relation to your work, your education (if you are in full-time education) or projects you are working on over the next 12 months.
Card number 8 – Relationship with yourself. This card is all about you and how you see yourself. It could be about your wellbeing or your confidence. It might be useful to look at how card numbers 3, 4 and 5 and card numbers 9, 10 and 11 interact with this card.
What are you avoiding?
Card number 9 – What you are worried about. This card might be about your fears for the next 12 months. Card 3 and Card 9 are like opposite cards. It’s interesting to see if they are opposing each other, and how card 9 aligns with card 5. If it is quite similar, card 9 might also be a block to moving forwards and achieving all you hope for.
Card number 10 – Where these fears come from. This card represents one possible root of your fears. In the reversed position, this indicates it’s not something you have a conscious awareness of.
Card number 11 – What can help you release these fears. This card is another advice card, or action card. Like card 4, it’s a suggestion to help you let go of your fears.
The next 12 months in summary
Card number 12 – The biggest lesson to learn over the next 12 months. This card represents the one thing you should be open to learning for the next 12 months.
Card number 13 – The year in summary. This card is a summary of all that could happen in the next 12 months. It indicates how you will be seen in the world, or your feelings that need your attention or a main theme that could run through the events of the next 12 months.
Thank you for subscribing. By subscribing you now have premiere access to exclusive content. Do you know someone who would like to enjoy all our free content? Please share this with them and invite them to subscribe too!
