The start of a new year is an exciting time. It’s a chance to think about what’s ahead and how you want to grow. Instead of strict New Year’s resolutions, setting intentions with tarot gives you a gentle guide to follow. It’s about focusing on what’s important to you and how you want to live.
Using tarot cards to set your intentions adds another level to the process. The cards help you see things more clearly, focus your energy, and come up with ideas for moving forward.
What Does It Mean to Set Intentions with Tarot?
Why Set Intentions?
Setting intentions is all about choosing what you want to focus on in your life. It’s not about strict goals or rules but about staying true to what matters to you.
Tarot cards can help by showing you what energies are around you and pointing out things you might not have noticed. They can highlight your strengths, warn you about challenges, and show you new opportunities.
How Tarot Is Different
Tarot is unique because it uses pictures and symbols to connect with your intuition. Unlike lists or apps, tarot helps you see the bigger picture and understand your feelings better. It’s like having a quiet conversation with your inner self.
Over the past year, I have been leaning on tarot a lot to help me set boundaries at work. I burned out this year and quit my job. I went through some other things as well, but I used tarot to give me insights into how I could set the intention of creating better boundaries. Tarot helped me notice that I was giving way too much to my job at the expense of my mental heath.
Getting Ready for Your Tarot Intention-Setting Ritual
Create a Special Space
For me, having a place to set up and do my readings really helps me get into the right place. I lay down my cloth and some crystals, light some candles, and do a guided meditation. I make sure I have my question thought out before I shuffle and then lay out my cards. This ritual helps me prepare to reflect and journal about my reading.
Set the Scene
Find a quiet, cozy spot where you can relax. Light a candle, burn some incense, or place a crystal nearby. You could use clear quartz for clear thinking or citrine for focus. These little things make the moment feel more special.
Clear Your Mind
Before you start, take a few deep breaths or do a short meditation to feel calm. You might also write down the highs and lows of the past year. This helps you let go of old thoughts and get ready for fresh ideas.
Asking the Right Questions
The questions you ask are important because they guide the reading. Open-ended questions work best—they help you reflect and get useful answers.
Recently I received a medical diagnosis I wasn't expecting, and it made me realize that I had some changes to make. I asked the cards about 5 ways I could help myself through this journey. The first card I pulled was Strength, which reminded me that I have everything I need inside me and that I am able to make good decisions.
Sample Questions
Asking the right kinds of questions is the best way to help you set intentions. Here are some questions examples to help you get started with setting your New Year's intentions.
- Big Picture Questions
- “What should I focus on this year?”
- “What strengths can I lean on?”
- Specific Questions
- “What can I do to improve my relationships?”
- “How can I stay focused at work?”
- Overcoming Challenges
- “What might hold me back, and how can I handle it?”
- “What lessons from last year can help me now?”
Make It Personal
Think about what’s most important to you—whether it’s health, family, or creativity—and tailor your questions to match.
If you aren't sure what's most important, then I would start with the Level 10 Life strategy. Archer and Olive has a great blog post about it if you want to check that out.
I would love to have you in my Facebook Group, where we discuss all kinds of tarot topics
Choosing Tarot Spreads for Setting Intentions
If you do the Level 10 Life strategy, you can pick one of the areas that needs attention and then use the following tarot spreads to help you set your intentions.
I use the Level 10 Life strategy every month as a check in to see how things are going. This helps me set intentions monthly. Since I keep all my monthly check ins, I can also see how things are changing over time.
I have noticed at times that my family and friends score fluctuates, so now I have set an intention that will help me keep balance between my friends and other areas of my life.
A Simple Spread
3-Card Spread
- What to focus on this year.
- What to let go of.
- What will help you grow.
A Deeper Spread
5-Card Spread
- What you need to focus on.
- What might block your focus.
- What will support you.
- How to take action.
- What could happen if you follow this path.
Make Your Own Spread
You can also create your own spread! Think about your goals and design a layout that matches what you want to explore.
Using Your Tarot Reading
This is the hardest part sometimes, but it is also the most meaningful. When I did my reading for my medical condition, I pulled the Queen of Pentacles. I realized that meditating would be a great way to help myself through it.
I also pulled the 4 of Wands, which made me realize that I need to celebrate my wins with my friends and family. I want to share my excitement with the people who love me.
Take Action
After your reading, write down what the cards say and how they connect to your intention. Then think about how you can use those insights. Maybe you create a daily affirmation, start a journal, or take small steps inspired by the cards.
Check In Regularly
Look back at your reading from time to time. You can do this monthly or whenever you feel like it. This keeps your intentions fresh and helps you adjust if needed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Confusing Cards
If a card doesn’t make sense, don’t panic. Look at the picture and think about how it feels. Write down your first thoughts—it might make sense later. Your first thoughts are your intuition helping you.
Forcing Answers
Don’t use tarot to push for a specific answer. Be open to what the cards show you, even if it’s not what you expected.
Final Thoughts
Setting intentions with tarot is a fun and meaningful way to start the new year. It helps you focus, reflect, and feel more connected to your goals.
You don’t have to do it all at once. Start small—try one question or a simple spread. And as you learn and grow, share your experience with others. You never know who you might inspire.
Here’s to a year full of clarity, focus, and wonderful new possibilities!
