I’ve been following along on this forum and have been very interested in those that have already done their 2026 year ahead spreads.
I was especially amazed by people who have done it as far back as November.
I believe I commented that I don’t usually look into the entire year as I love to do seasonal spreads at a time.
But we’re all getting closer to the new year and I’m suddenly very curious!
For those who have already done their 2026 spreads, especially way back in November, do you guys use your readings for any New Year’s resolutions?? Or do you make resolutions entirely independent of your 2026 readings?? Or do you not do any resolutions at all, because Tarot has kinda guided you to what you need to do??
To answer my own question: I’ll choose just one thing to be resolute about (so I can be committed and not try to reform all at once), and I do take a cue from what my seasonal spreads indicate.
Eg: Page of Swords is my overall summer theme/challenge card but I’m turning it into inspiration for the entire year ahead (and I’m Aussie and we’re in the season of summer).
And so my resolution is Page of Swords themed: my writing project for the year is to experiment with journaling techniques. Each month a different way to approach the writing.
Just curious how everyone else approaches the calendar year.
Btw, Happy New Year (as I may not get another opportunity to wish you a great year ahead!) 🥳🎉
I've never even thought of using tarot in regards to new resolutions (because I reject them like a baby spitting out broccoli)! Think I'll give it a go this year though because I like the way use it as a larger theme/inspiration.
I do my year ahead spread (12 cards) on New Year's Eve and use it as a way to look back at the year on the next NYE. It's one of the techniques I use to gain new understanding of the cards in a specific deck, comparing what actually happened with what was suggested would happen.
The big yearly "spread" I enjoy the most is the Advent Calendar in December. You choose a theme/special gifts/steps to take etc, pre-select 25 cards, and each day you "open" one. You can even make envelopes for each one and pin them to a corkboard; envelopes can be reused. Because of how traditional advent calendars function the cards can also build on each other each day, or be split into weeks, applied to the 12 Days of Christmas, be candles or bauables on a tree - there is so much symbolism attached to xmas that it's hard to choose!
Happy New Year.
I'll be honest - I've never done a year ahead spread or even thought of it as a thing. Maybe that's come out of Insta/YT culture, not something I've even heard of.
As for resolutions, I never make them.
So am not much use to you but thought it was interesting to think about this as it never crossed my mind before that it even was a thing.
For me, tarot is pretty short term, I guess. I use it as I go, for quick snapshots/insights - pretty immediate. I wouldn't even trust it to give me a year ahead. If I wanted a theme to think about for, say the month ahead, I'd do that. But I dunno, I always feel January is a bit arbitrary as a "start to the year", I go more with the pagan Wheel of the Year concept and might be one for say, an 8th of a year, at a time, if I ever thought of doing this.
I have used mainly Wildwood or Greenwood for a few years now and if I relate it to anything, it's like that. I'd pull a card for Imbolc, say, but not esp for January, put it like that.
I treat year-ahead readings as a sort of study guide. It helps me deepen my relationship with each card in its own month, and helps prevent the overwhelm of trying to spend quality time with all 78 at once. Makes each month an intimate visit with an old friend, rather than a crowded reunion party.
And I don't bother with NY resolutions because I can just grow whenever I need to.
Good luck - and remember to enjoy your spiritual practice