With the Yule season just around the corner, there are many ways to honor the longest night of the year and the natural cycle of our lives. One way to do this is through the use of tarot spreads, which can help us connect with our inner wisdom and gain insights for the year ahead. The Yule Tarot Spread specifically is a powerful tool for reflection, gratitude, and setting intentions.
Before we jump into the spread, let’s first take a moment to understand what Yule truly is. This ancient celebration and its significance play a vital role in shaping the purpose and interpretation of the Yule Tarot Spread.
What is Yule?
Yule is a pagan holiday that celebrates the sun’s rebirth and light’s return after the darkest night of the year. It typically begins on the Winter Solstice, overlaps with Christmas, and continues for 12 days into the new year. However, not everyone will celebrate Yule for multiple days.
You’re likely familiar with Yule celebrations without realizing it. Hang a wreath or mistletoe, give a gift, or decorate an evergreen Yule tree, and you’ll have participated in sacred Yuletide traditions. The Romans celebrated Saturnalia, the Norse honored Odin, and the Celts observed Alban Arthan. Each culture’s beliefs may differ, but they are all celebrations of rebirth, gratitude, renewal, and hope.
Why Use Tarot Spreads for Yule?
Tarot spreads provide a unique perspective on our lives and challenges, offering us a chance for self-reflection and insight. The holiday season is often an introspective period as we reflect on the past year and appreciate the gifts of life.
During this potent time, the Yule Tarot Spread can be particularly beneficial because it encourages us to connect with our inner selves and align with the energies of Yule. It also helps us tap into the cyclical nature of the seasons and our many lives. Tarot cards give clarity on where we are in that cycle.
A tarot card spread combines several elements to paint a broader picture of our past, present, and future. Tarot cards show us the vital people and forces working in our favor. Additionally, tarot reading reveals patterns we should avoid or embrace. We use the Yule tarot spread at this time of year, it helps us acknowledge our triumphs and lessons from the previous 12 months while setting intentions for the next 12. It’s a powerful way to honor our highest self while celebrating Yule.
Preparing to Read the Yule Tarot Spread
Before you begin your Yule Tarot Spread, it’s essential to approach the process with a calm and receptive mindset. Start by finding a quiet, peaceful space where you won’t be disturbed. You may choose to dim the lights or burn some candles to create a serene ambiance. Some individuals prefer to play soft music or burn incense to aid relaxation and focus.
Next, cleanse your space. Some people believe evil spirits roam during Yule, and this can be a way to protect yourself and your space. You can do this by smudging with sage or palo santo, using essential oils, or simply imagining white light surrounding you and your space. Burning herbs or using a singing bowl can clear out any negative energy and purify the area. You may also choose to meditate for a few minutes to center yourself and connect with your inner wisdom.
Once that’s settled, take a few moments to clear your mind and center your thoughts. Deep breathing exercises or a brief meditation can be incredibly beneficial in this regard.
Then, ground yourself by reflecting on your intentions for the reading. Are you seeking guidance or messages from the other side? Are you hoping to reveal your allies or opponents in the coming months? Are you simply looking for insights on your current path? Knowing what you wish to gain from the reading will help focus your energy and intention.
Finally, shuffle your deck while keeping your inquiry in mind. Once you feel ready, draw the cards for your spread. Remember, the Tarot is a tool for introspection, not prediction. Approach your reading with an open mind and be open to the insights that surface – even if they seem unrelated at first glance.
Understanding the Card Positions in the Yule Tarot Spread
The Yule Tarot Spread consists of seven cards, each with a unique position and meaning. Each position coincides with a symbol of Yule, further connecting the spread with the energies of this holiday. These positions serve as guideposts for the reading, providing different perspectives on your experiences over the last year and what may lie ahead. The positions are as follows:
1. Holly
Our first card embodies the Yule spirit through the vibrance of the holly plant. Holly represents a positive male influence or energy around you during the Yule season. It could be a family member, friend, or even an aspect of ourselves that we need to embody.
The Holly King battled the Oak King for supremacy during the Winter Solstice, symbolizing the battle between light and dark. As such, this tarot card gives a sense of how you handle conflict or obstacles in your path. For example, the Five of Wands implies that you put your ego first when resolving conflicts, whereas the Six of Swords may suggest you prefer to walk away and avoid drama.
If this card symbolizes a person in your circle, consider their influence and how they may be impacting your life during this time. If it represents an aspect of yourself, reflect on how you can embody the positive traits of Holly.
2. Ivy
The Ivy card symbolizes the feminine energy present in your life this Yule season. It could indicate a supportive female influence, your relationship with yourself or others, or aspects of self-care to focus on during this time. In this position, the Queen of Swords could represent an older, wise woman in your life, while the Queen of Cups may represent your intuitive and empathetic side.
Additionally, the ivy plant is known for its tenacity and ability to cling to trees and walls. It is incredibly hard to kill. In the same way, this card illustrates your resilience and adaptability in difficult times. It can signify a situation that you overcame or a wound you healed from previously.
The Ivy card in the Yule Tarot Spread reminds us that strength is not a “masculine” trait. It asks us to honor the feminine energy within ourselves and the powerful female influences in our lives as we step into the light of the next year.
3. Evergreen Wreath
In ancient times, green wreaths symbolized victory and triumph, often worn as crowns by athletes and warriors. During Yuletide, friends gifted wreaths to one another, symbolizing everlasting friendship and joy. In the Yule Tarot Spread, this card represents your spiritual gifts, blessings, or lessons from the past year.
This position can offer a reflection on what you have achieved or learned in the last twelve months, even if it may not feel like much at first glance. The Eight of Pentacles suggests consistent effort and hard work paying off. On the other hand, the Ten of Cups can represent finding joy and fulfillment in your relationships.
Personal talents and skills also align with this position, as well as the relationships you’ve strengthened. The wreath card encourages you to continue honing your craft and investing in meaningful connections as you move forward.
4. Wassail
The Wassail card’s place in the Yule Tarot Spread is steeped in a rich historical context. Originating from the Old Norse phrase “Ves heil,” which means “be well,” Wassail has many meanings. It refers medieval English drinking ritual intended to ensure a good cider apple harvest the following year. Hence, we know apple cider by the same name.
Each Yule, communities would gather to sing, drink, and make merry, all in the spirit of promoting good health and prosperity. In the tarot spread, this card signifies patterns or behaviors to embrace in the following year, reflective of the traditional wassail’s intent for good harvest and prosperity.
For instance, drawing the Magician could suggest that you need to tap into your potential and take advantage of the resources at your disposal to achieve your goals in the new year. A Temperance card could signify the need for balance and moderation in your pursuits.
If you pull the Hermit, it could indicate that you need to embrace solitude and introspection, taking time out from the noise of the world to understand your real needs and desires.
Remember, the Wassail card is not about drastic changes, but rather about minor adjustments to your attitudes or behaviors that could significantly impact your life. It asks you to consider the small steps you can take to bring about the abundant harvest you desire in the upcoming year.
5. The Yule Log
The Yule Log card is a potent reminder of release and rebirth in the tarot spread. Historically, people would burn large oak logs to cleanse their homes and welcome new energy for the year ahead. The ashes from these logs were believed to bring good luck if scattered over fields.
In this position, the Yule Log card signifies what you need to let go of in the coming year to make room for new beginnings. It may represent a toxic relationship or negative thought patterns that you need to release, freeing up space for positive growth and change. The Three of Swords could indicate the need to let go of past hurts, while Death can represent shedding old habits and beliefs.
The Yule Log card reminds us that in order to welcome what’s new, we must let go of what no longer serves us. It asks us to trust in the process of death and rebirth, knowing that with release comes room for growth and transformation.
6. Candles
Each December, practitioners burn candles to ward away the darkness as the shortest day dissolves into the longest night. Symbolically, candles represent hope, warmth, and light during the darkest days of the year.
In this tarot spread, the candle card denotes your inner light – what guides you through the darkness and nourishes you. When you pull this card, reflect on the qualities and passions that illuminate your way. Consider how you tend to your inner light—perhaps through meditation, self-care, or pursuing your interests—and how you can better nurture it in the coming year.
Look at this card as the answer to the question: “What fulfills me?” Creative pursuits like writing, sculpting, or sewing materialize when the Empress card enters this position. If you’re thinking about expanding your family, she is also a herald of future pregnancies and births.
Alternatively, a fiery wand card may signify the burn of lust will keep your flame alive. The Knight of Wands, for instance, asks you to forget your fears and pursue romantic interests that you may have been afraid to acknowledge. It could indicate that what fulfills you is the pursuit of new experiences and challenges and the thrill of embarking on unexplored paths. Remember, this is your flame, unique and unlike any other, and it is this spirit that guides you through the moments of darkness, illuminating your path toward growth and completion.
7. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a powerful spice that has been used for centuries to stimulate the senses and promote good health. It has a long history of being used in rituals and ceremonies, particularly during the winter months.
In the Yule Tarot Spread, the Cinnamon card represents manifestation. Known to symbolize prosperity and wealth, this card can provide insight into the resources, opportunities, or mindset you need to attract abundance in your life.
For example, if you draw the Ten of Pentacles in this position, it could indicate that your focus should be on building a solid foundation for yourself and your loved ones. Alternatively, drawing the Three of Cups may suggest that cultivating strong relationships and community will bring you joy and fulfillment in the coming year.
The Cinnamon card reminds us that manifestation is not just about material wealth, but also about creating a life that is rich in love, connection, and fulfillment. It asks us to consider what we truly desire and how we can manifest it in our lives through intention, action, and gratitude. May this card serve as a reminder to trust in the abundant potential of the universe and embrace the spirit of manifestation as we enter into a new year.
Happy Yule From Us to You!
We hope that this Yule tarot spread has provided you with valuable insights and inspiration as you celebrate the winter solstice and enter into a new year. May your days be filled with love, light, and magic as we welcome the return of the sun and embrace the opportunity for growth and transformation. Happy Yule from all of us at Tarot Guru!
