Every year, right around New Years' Day, I like to do a comprehensive Tarot reading for the forthcoming year. This is the spread that I developed for this purpose. It's a hefty one, weighing in at 26 cards, so I definitely need to set aside a good chunk of time to really let them all settle in. I record these results and pin them to my calendar, to use as a guide throughout the year.

The first thirteen cards represent the thirteen full moons in 2012, and what influences will be coming in to play during that lunar cycle. Each card can represent a theme for that cycle, warn me of challenges ahead, or introduce a bit of fortune into my path. (This number will change to 12 depending on how many full moons there are in that year. In that case turn a card face down in its place.)

Cards 14, 15, and 16 represent what influences are being carried over from the previous year – what I am holding on to from the year past. Sometimes we hold on to things we need to, other times its wise to let them go. These cards can help you make that decision.

Cards 17, 18, and 19 indicate what I will be carrying over into the next year – what I will be taking out of this current year and will be influencing the future beyond it.

Cards 20 and 21 represent what will be crossing me this year. As there are only two cards in these positions, they carry a lot of weight. They are the over-arching challenges, situations, or ideas that will be crossing my path, for better or worse.

Cards 22, 23, 24 and 25 represent the themes of each season – Imbolc, Beltane, Lammas, and Samhain, respectively, and what each quarter-turn of the wheel will bring.

The final card, 26, is a keyword to carry with me throughout the year, advice or insight for the coming year.

I hope your new year is full of health, wealth, brilliance and inspiration, and that it blesses you with new adventures and dreams realized.