Goal planning is a hot topic for the New Year. Most people see this as a purely mundane task, which it can be. I think true goal planning isn’t about reaching the end goal, but the path that leads you to a change in identity. For example, most goals are structured with something specific, a time frame and actions surrounding the goal. If your goal is to own a house in three years, your mind shifts to money and how you can save. But, what if you’re bad at saving money? That behavior is a part of you, a part of your identity. To change this, you must shift your spirit and influence an identity that will fit with your goals. This is where tarot can help with your goal planning.

Before the tarot can be used, the goal needs to be clearly defined. Doing that means you have to keep asking why until you no longer have answers. I want to buy a house in three years. Why? Because I want a place of my own. Why? Because I want a place where my children can call home? Why? Because I want to provide for my family. My goal then becomes; I want to be a good provider so I can buy a home in three years. Breaking the goal down this way allows for different subjects to surface. It allows you to take a closer look at the limitations you were unaware of. This is where you start to see that just saving money isn’t going to get you to your goal but might require a change in your current behavior which is tied to your identity. This is where tarot comes in.

Once you’ve done the background work of understanding the underlying reason for your goal, pull out your tarot deck. Shuffle the cards while thinking about your goal and feel excitement and happiness attaining it. 

Card One: The goal

Card Two: Behavior that needs to change.

Card Three: Underlying Influences

Card Four: Approach or steps needed to work on your goal

Card Five: Perspective that needs to shift

Cards Six through Seventeen: Going clockwise, starting at twelve o’clock position, lay down a card for each month.  This will give you an overview of energies surrounding your goal.

Take the information from the spread and use it to assist in planning.  For example, the behavior that needs to change, structure a new routine assisting you to make that change. Pay attention to the cards’ positioning. If the card is upright this indicates that the influence of the issue is coming from within you. If the card is reversed then the influence comes from an external source, like influence from people or the situation around you. This can assist you with adjusting your plan. Let’s say that in February, the card you pull is upright. It means the source of energy for your goal is being influenced by you. If the card is the Five of Coins it can mean your bad habits are returning. If the card is reversed it would suggest the influence to sway you or distract you from your goal is an outside influence. So, plan accordingly. 

This is a lot of work. But like all witches who want to evolve know, growth requires deep work. Work that challenges your beliefs and makes you look deeper into why. The deep work to shift your identity along with the spell helps you with obtaining your goals.