Online spread · 13 cards
Year-ahead tarot spread
Thirteen cards for the whole year: the first describes the main theme and lesson of the year, and the other twelve stand for January, February and so on through December. Traditionally this spread is done in the last days of December, on New Year’s Eve or on your birthday.
Year-ahead spread layout
- Theme of the year — The main energy and lesson of the whole year.
- January — The main event or mood of January.
- February — The main event or mood of February.
- March — The main event or mood of March.
- April — The main event or mood of April.
- May — The main event or mood of May.
- June — The main event or mood of June.
- July — The main event or mood of July.
- August — The main event or mood of August.
- September — The main event or mood of September.
- October — The main event or mood of October.
- November — The main event or mood of November.
- December — The main event or mood of December.
How to interpret the spread
Start with the first card — the theme of the year. It is the backdrop against which every month will unfold: if a Major Arcana card comes up, the year will bring important changes; a Minor Arcana card points to a calmer, more everyday year in which a lot depends on your own steps.
Then go through the months. Pay attention to repeated suits: lots of Cups means a year of feelings and relationships, Pentacles — money and work, Swords — decisions and challenges, Wands — activity and new projects. Difficult cards in particular months suggest where it’s worth playing it safe; they don’t foretell disaster.
It helps to save or write down the result and come back to it at the start of each month. The overall mood of the year according to tarot numerology is on the Tarot year card page: 2027 falls under the sign of Strength.
Other spreads
- 3Three-card spreadPast, present, future — the simplest and most popular spread.
- 4Situation spreadThe heart of the matter, the obstacle, the help and the outcome — a spread for any tangled question.
- 4Near-future spreadWhat the coming weeks hold and what to pay attention to.
- 6Relationship spreadYou, your partner, the bond, the obstacle, the outlook and advice.
- 4Spread for a manHis thoughts, feelings and intentions — and advice for you.
- 10Celtic CrossThe classic 10-card spread for an in-depth look at a situation.
Need a quick answer?
For a simple question, try a one-card Yes or No Tarot reading or draw your card of the day.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to do a year-ahead tarot spread?
Traditionally, in the last days of the outgoing year, on New Year’s Eve or on your birthday. The main thing is to do it in a calm state of mind, and only once.
Can I repeat the year-ahead spread?
Better not: the first spread is the most accurate. If you want more detail on a particular month, do a near-future spread at the beginning of that month.
Is this tarot reading free?
Yes, all spreads on the site are free, with no sign-up. Your question stays in your browser and isn’t sent anywhere.
Are reversed cards included?
Yes, by default a card can come up reversed — this makes the spread more accurate. If you’re used to reading with upright cards only, uncheck “Include reversed cards” before you lay out the spread.