I received my first deck of tarot cards when I was 15. I’d been asking, possibly even begging for them for a while, until my mama finally caved in and took me to one of those eccentric spiritual book and crystal shops in town.
That first set of cards had me mesmerised for hours, as I taught myself how to read the cards, and perhaps even more importantly, how to ask the right questions to get a clear answer.
Tarot cards, after all, are simply a reflection of the truth that our soul already knows.
This year, I’m setting myself up for something big. And getting really, super clear on my focus, and creating with intention is a part of that.
Part of this preparation is one of my favourite rituals, that I look forward to all year, which is the year-ahead-fortune-spread.
Here’s my gypset step-by-step guide, on how to do it yourself.
The Gypset Guide to the Year Ahead Fortune Spread.
Take your cards in your hands, and start shuffling them, with the thought in your kind and the intention in your heart “What will is year bring for me?”. You can either shuffle them 3 times, or, as I do, just shuffle them until it feels right. Then splay them out in a semi-circle, ready for you to start choosing.
The use your non-dominant hand (I’m right-handed, so my non-dominant is my left hand) and feel the cards. I like to do this process really quickly so that the choosing literally comes from intuition rather than from my mind. I sweep my left hand across the cards, first choosing the overlying theme for the year, and then one for every month from January through to December, keeping them all face down until I’m done.
Now, the exciting bit! May your fortune be revealed! This is where I expectantly turn over each card, and study them briefly, to behold what the year has in store.
And then, I write down the simple theme for each card, and month, to refer back to, as the year moves along, remind me.
OVERLYING THEME FOR 2015
Son of Swords – about action and intellect; ruled by the element Air.
Key words: DETERMINED
JANUARY 2015
Daughter of Wands – about creativity, inspiration, goals and dreams.
Key words: FREE SPIRIT, VISIONARY
FEBRUARY 2015
9 of Cups – about emotions and relationships.
Key words: BLISS, WISHES GRANTED
MARCH 2015
7 of Cups – about emotions and relationships.
Key words: ILLUSION, DECEPTION
APRIL 2015
The Emperor – a reflection of the soul.
Key words: THE FATHER, PROTECTION, LOGIC, STABILITY
MAY 2015
5 of Pentacles – about home, money and career.
Key words: SADNESS, ILLNESS
JUNE 2015
Strength – a reflection of the soul.
Key words: PATIENCE, MASTERY OF EMOTIONS, COURAGE
JULY 2015
Father of Wands – about creativity, inspiration, goals and dreams.
Key words: CREATIVE, CHARISMATIC
AUGUST 2015
Temperance – a reflection of the soul.
Key words: HEALING, RENEWAL, BALANCE
SEPTEMBER 2015
3 of Pentacles – about home, money and career.
Key words: TEAMWORK, DETERMINATION
OCTOBER 2015
The Fool – a reflection of the soul.
Key words: INNOCENCE, NAIVETY, SPONTANEITY, STARTING OUT
NOVEMBER 2015
Ace of Cups – about emotions and relationships.
Key words: LOVE’S BEGINNING
DECEMBER 2015
6 of Swords – about action and intellect.
Key words: HOPE AT LAST, TRAVEL
From this year-ahead-spread, I can see a very clear timeline of significant themes and features to be aware of. I can see the months that are full of fun, creativity and successes, and others that may be more challenging, and will be rewarded through inner growth and expansion. I can see when it’s time to pull back and nurture myself, and when to put myself out there and go for it. Having this kind of guidance and clarity for the year ahead is invaluable, and exciting for dreamers like me who love to think about the future!
For those of you have been asking me about these tarot cards, they are by the mesmerizingly talented artist Kris Krans and can be found in her site The Wild Unkown. I am in no way affiliated with her – this recommendation is simple, true, pure love for the beauty, grace and magic of her work.
Now tell me, what does the year ahead hold for you?