“A wonderful gift may not be wrapped as you expect.” 
~ Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Every year, on the day of my birthday or sometime soon after, I do a Birthday Spread – an oracle or tarot card reading for myself for the year ahead. A ‘spread’ is simply a layout of cards, and I have done a Birthday Spread for myself every year for the past 25 years. I will also sometimes do them on a friend or family member’s birthday, as a little gift for them.

The picture above is of the cards I chose for this – my fiftieth year – as I sat in a favourite coffee shop, drinking chai latte and writing in my journal. The cards I am using are the Green Witch Tarot, which are my chosen personal deck of cards for 2017.

I use the Birthday Reading to gift myself direction, clarity, inspiration and guidance for the year ahead. It’s a very easy thing to do, and a meaningful way to spend time with yourself, reflecting in your life and on your coming year.

Make sure to use a deck with pictures that really speak to you.

Here’s how you can do your own Birthday Reading:

Take your chosen oracle or tarot cards, offer up a small prayer that whatever you do be for your Highest Good, and then shuffle the deck. As you’re shuffling, ask the question ‘What wisdom can guide and grow me well this coming year?’ Say it out loud or hold it as a thought in your head. Either will work.

Choose three cards. How you choose is up to you. Split the deck. Fan them out. Top or bottom. Dive right in. There is no right or wrong.

Place your cards face down in front of you, from left to right. One. Two. Three.

The first card is your Guiding Card. The Guiding Card is about you – your essence and character over the year ahead. The person you already are as well as the person you will grow to become. This is a card to inspire you, and to give you direction and hope.

The second card represents your Strengths. These are the aspects of life that will positively support you over the next twelve months. Knowing this can help you to make better choices, and show you where to seek support and strengthen skills and relationships.

The third card represents your Opportunities. These are the fields of endeavour, relationships and interests that will work well for you in the coming year. Hooray for that!

Interpreting your cards using intuition:

Remember that the Universe and your own Wise Inner Self always speak to you with love and positive messages!

Turn the first card over.

Now look at your card. If you want you can hold a favourite crystal in your hand as you do this. Really look at the card. Don’t use the book or the ‘proper’ meaning. We are being intuitive here, people! What stands out for you in the picture? How does that apply to giving you guidance for the year ahead? What does this card say about you that is positive and supportive? What thoughts and ideas do the images provoke? Take a minute or two and write those thoughts down. I know, you might feel like you’re just making it all up. That’s okay. Write anyway. Trust that there is a part of you that is wise and that has been waiting for this chance to speak with your conscious mind.

Repeat this process with the second card. And then with the third.

I will often do a very quick summary first, writing down any first thoughts for each of the three cards. Later I will go back and write about each card in more depth, and also add my thoughts and plans for the year ahead, based on the cards I have chosen.

If you need to, refer back to the book that came with your cards. Choose anything that really speaks to you from the meaning of each card, and be happy to discard the rest.

I also like to take a photo of the cards with my phone, so I can refer back to it, and so that I can print it out and add it to my journal as a visual reminder of the cards I chose.

During the year I will come back to these pages, reflecting on the guidance I was given, and then actively applying that information in my life.

I hope you found this process helpful!
Much love and hugs, Nicole ❤ xoxo