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The start of a new year is the best time to layout an 12-Month Spread. In January, Jenine asked us to discover what she can expect and prepare for in the year ahead. Lets break it down, month by month.

January: Strength

This month began with personal growth for you, as we’ve seen. You’ve learned how to harness your inner strength to begin making positive changes in your life, and also learned how to capitalize on your own strengths for business success. In the process, you’ve learned you’re stronger than you’ve always believed.

February: Four of Wands

Expect a celebration of your successes in February, gatherings with friends and plenty of social invitations.

March: Justice

This month, you are able to balance discipline with kindness. You have fabulous ideas and are able to view things from unique perspectives. This card represents your getting in better touch with your classroom persona – you are strict, but kind and wise. Remember to maintain balance in all you do. Watch out for responsibilities that may drain you of time and energy, but offer little in return.

April: Two of Swords

The spring, March and April, is also about balance, indicated by the coupling of Justice with the Two of Swords. When I look at May (Four of Cups), and the clarification card I felt called to draw, it all comes together. You may be doing too much! You were on a whirlwind of utter excitement and success, but began neglecting certain health matters. (For instance, pay attention to eating balanced, frequent meals to keep your blood sugar on an even keel?) You may feel as if people – family, clients, your day job, other commitments, are pulling you in too many directions.

As shown by the Two of Swords, a powerfully graphic card showing a woman, arms crossed, blindfolded, there are factors you are choosing not to see. People who may want, want, want, without being willing to give back. And in this case, there is nothing in it for you. You’re better to walk away…for your health.

When I pulled a clarification card, the Four of Swords came out, and the Five of Cups kind of hitched a ride with it. Granted, my Robin Wood deck is smooth and slick, especially on the graphite surface of my new desk, but the meaning is clear… You must be aware of your health or, (Four of Swords) a rest will be forced upon you. The Five of Cups indicates loss, disappointment, poverty and mourning of what may have been. Again, this could be your feelings if you don’t do what’s necessary. Now is a good time to evaluate all your balls in the air and decide what isn’t crucial and most importantly, what doesn’t provide you joy.

As friends and colleagues of yours, both Serenity Bly and Miss Michele would like to remind you of the support system you have here. Turn to us for help, whether for additional readings, professional support or simply a shoulder. You also have other strong support systems… use them. It’s important not to retreat in the spring.

May: Four of Cups

The Four of Cups represents the aftermath of what is admittedly, a rough April. Again, I want to remind you it will only be rough if you make it that way. By being aware of those factors, acknowledging them, and choosing to focus on making things otherwise, you CAN change it! The Cups in the Four of Cups may be empty, but empty cups mean potential to fill them.

June: Ace of Pentacles

That opportunity comes in June when you literally face a new beginning, perhaps a new business idea. It certainly indicates a renewal of your energy. And what better time for a rebirth?!

July: Nine of Cups

I absolutely love this card, the Wish fulfillment card, and it’s perfectly suited for you at this stage. You are seeing that truly, whatever you ask for, the Universe offers. Your job is simply to allow it in and know you deserve it. Conceive – believe – receive… where have you heard that before?

August: Ten of Cups

Success continues in August… there’s hard work ahead, but you are fit and ready for the task.

September: The Devil

There will be more pulling and demands of your time in September… challenges similar to what you faced in the Spring will rear their heads again. You’ll need to stand your ground against people who want a piece of you – and may not deserve it, appreciate you or be willing to pay what you’re worth. Additionally, the Devil indicates a desire to bury your head in the sand, ignore all the work and demands you face, and goof off. Resist that desire, as then tasks will only build. Do what you can, and say “No,” (or, better yet, “Not now, thank you”) to the rest.

October: Tower

You experience a significant breakthrough in October, that begins paving the way to the “new you.” You realize, after that “Devil moment” in September, that things absolutely cannot continue the way they are. I’m wondering if this doesn’t indicate your leaving your day job… under circumstances that surprise you but ultimately, wind up for the best. You definitely do NOT emerge the same woman you were in the beginning of October by month’s end.

November: The Magician

Following your Tower breakthrough, you become a master at harnessing your skills and talents to achieve success. The Magician’s number, 1, indicates you’re still at the beginning of this journey, but that’s okay. The Magician is proficient at what he achieves when he uses his special skills.

December: Queen of Pentacles

An extension of the Magician, with an emphasis on the feminine, you see the fruits of your labors from November. This card also indicates your role as a caregiver of those around you, and a hostess for the holidays. You are in “nesting” mode, preparing your home for the holidays, baking, shopping, and making things.

Overview: 5 of Pentacles

This overview card, often signifying poverty, seems to contradict the positivity in the rest of the reading. In fact, in this case, the card represents Recovery. Rather than showing the year, it shows where you were – in despair, with both health and financial problems, coupled with a dose of self-doubt. Unfortunately, these shadows of your former self still haunt in you—even in the face of your great successes in 2010.

The best way to contradict these feelings is to be aware they are there. Do not forget your roots, or what can happen if you stop working, change paths or give up your dreams. By the same token, it’s important not to harp on it. Acknowledge it as part of your past, and move on. It is no longer you. In the Robin Wood deck, the person with the can, with one leg and a bandage over one eye, is forging ahead, in contrast to the destitute person crumbled on the floor beside them. You, too, must forge ahead in spite of any of your perceived in adequacies – because that is all they are. YOUR perceptions. Other people view you as the Strength card of January, the Queen of Pents, and the Magician – all figures which feature prominently in this year for you.

With all the Cups and Pentacles in this reading, along with Major Arcana, this will be a significant year of you learning to make money doing what you love. It will be about finding personal fulfillment and, from that, the money will follow. Most cards are lower – ones, fours and fives, indicating you are in the beginning stages of this development. However, bright spots include that 9 and 10 of Cups in the summer. It is a year to look forward to, to dive in headfirst and accept all the good the Universe is offering you.

Maribel wrote in for a L-for-Love Spread. She offered no details on her current relationship or situation, but the tarot revealed insight into her deepest thoughts and desires, along with her best course of action to avoid the future she does not want.

Past Experience in Love – Page of Wands

The reading begins with our Page of Wands standing on the seashore looking off into a bright future ahead. Love was new, pleasant and full of surprise and wonder. Maribel spent hours planning the future with her lover, down to the minute detail, and had every expectation it would go as planned.

Current Experience in Love – The Sun

Things are still currently good and in a growth stage, as shown by the major arcana, The Sun. This card often indicates fertility, a birth or family planning, but can also relate to a spiritual breakthrough.

Maribel is ready to move on from the fresh new Page of Wands stage of the relationship to something more intense and serious. She seeks a spiritual connection from her lover but he is still only interested in “fun in the sun.”

Factors you’re not seeing currently – King of Pentacles

Maribel is not seeing the “King of Pentacles” traits in her lover. In her eyes, he hasn’t grown up. The tarot would urge Maribel to take a second look – perhaps he is the mate you dream of, a strong influence, a financial provider, a caregiver and partner in all things – spiritual and material. He could be the perfect partner to “set up shop” and maintain a home with – but you’re not giving him that chance to be. This is revealed in greater depth later, when we see that what you offer a relationship, Maribel, are the traits of the Hermit: deep thoughts, pensiveness, introspection. Don’t let your partner’s lighthearted ways fool you – he’s deeper than he lets on. I want to say “still waters run deep,” but your partner is anything but still waters. On the contrary, he is the Page of Wands in action – he’s poetry and dance and energy and fire.

What you Need from a Love Relationship – Three of Cups

More than anything else in this spread, this card tells us you’re so ready for marriage, children – that greater commitment. In fact, that need is so strong, you’re willing to sacrifice what you do have in the pursuit of the commitment your current partner has been, so far, unwilling to make. With the Three of Cups tarot asks you to examine things from all angles. A wedding is one day. A ring, only a symbol of love. Can your partner, perhaps, be your King of Pentacles even without those things?

Your greatest strengths in a relationship/What you Offer – The Hermit

No doubt, Maribel, you bring maturity to the relationship. More so, this card indicates your discontent, even restlessness. But The Hermit tells us now is not the time for hasty decisions – more thought and consideration is needed. The Hermit in the Robin Wood Tarot Deck is on a quest, his lantern above his head illuminating the way. Continue seeking what you need. It may be time, in the future, to move on, but don’t be too quick to give up what you have.

Maribel’s Hermit is a strong counterpoint to her lover’s Page of Wands. He’s in the spotlight, she prefers the dark corners of her mind. He loves action. She likes to think. Rather than being a bad thing, though, this could strengthen their relationship. Vive la Difference!

Possible Future Outcome – Three of Swords

Maribel, your restlessness, if things continue on this path, could end in break-up. It will be painful but, like cutting away a dead branch so the rest of the plant will thrive, you feel it would be necessary. In this case, the Three of Swords indicates that sacrificing this relationship is not necessarily the best course of action, though. There’s a thread going through this reading – psychic intuition, if you will – that the two of you are meant to be together.

Serenity Bly corroborates my thoughts on this: “The Three of Swords indicates the contention going on simply because he’s fundamentally unchangeable and she’s unsettled by his liveliness. But I don’t get any sense that this relationship is doomed. I actually feel like this man is perfect for her. She NEEDS his sunshine. Without it she’ll disappear into the darkness. She is more of herself, she reaches higher, goes further, and becomes greater, because of his influence.”

Clarification Card – Page of Cups

With this in mind, Miss Michele couldn’t let the reading rest in this way. She drew a final card to determine how Maribel may best avoid this outcome if careful thought shows it’s not what she truly wants.

A card that has been sharing many different messages with us lately comes up: the Page of Cups. And so we’ve come full circle with yet another new beginning, another Page. Like the Page of Wands, the Page of Cups is full of adventure and wonder. Highly-creative, he is also as pensive as the Hermit at times. This Page of Cups is telling Maribel to look outside herself, and to also look at her lover with new eyes. Is he giving you what you need? Let loose, have fun. Remember how to play again.

Serenity Bly adds: “The Page of Wands might be difficult to tie down but he will listen if she can communicate without blame. Yes, she needs to experience the Page of Cups first, introspection, look within herself for any issues she might have that are internal rather than external. When she’s come to terms with what she truly needs from him, talk to him about those needs because he has the fire and love to want to make her world beautiful and he will do everything in his power to make her happy.”

Overview: A troubled time has brought Deb to Miss Michele seeking advice in love. A rough divorce or heart-rending break-up is going on right now, but as soon as Deb lets go of what isn’t working, she’ll make room for something new and much, much better. The Tower and Ten of Cups both appearing in this reading show that Deb’s romantic life will run the gamut from nearly unbearable to absolutely divine in the near future.

Your past experience in love: Queen of Swords: The Queen of Swords, representing Deb in her past romances, shows that she was, in fact, afraid to love. Perhaps based on events from her childhood, she had a hard time opening up to show love to anyone. While the Queen of Swords in the Robin Wood deck wears butterflies on her gown, her visage is stern, her features harsh. She holds out a hand, as if she is making her point, using reason above all else. The Queen of Swords is afraid to show kindness and that describes Deb in the past.

Your current experience in love: The Tower. This tumultuous Major Arcana, the Tower, shows that Deb is either in the midst of a bad break-up or a very negative relationship. The good news here, however, is she is escaping. Sometimes, our situation must crumble around us in order to pave the way for something better.

What you want from a love relationship: Six of Swords: Not surprisingly, what Deb wants right now is to get away from it all. She would view a new, better relationship as an escape from her past, the past in which she was afraid to love.

What you need from a love relationship: Ten of Cups: Intelligent woman that she is, Deb will settle for nothing less than “everything,” in a love relationship, characterized by the Ten of Cups. She wants all her dreams fulfilled—the perfect family, a man who is her match intellectually, physically and emotionally, and, most of all, someone who will make her want to open up and love him. Tens represent the end of a cycle; the Tarot is telling Deb the best is yet to come.

What you have to give your lover: King of Pentacles: Deb may have been the Queen of Swords in the past, but the King of Pentacles exemplifies her potential. This king is happy, loving, generous, strong, powerful. The presence of a king in this spot shows that Deb will be perfectly happy wearing the pants in the family, taking charge, taking care of business. But the King of Pentacles has his own soft side, too. Most importantly, Deb seeks—and will offer—stability in a relationship.

Possible future experience in love: The Fool: This Major Arcana combines with the Six of Swords to tell us that a new relationship is around the corner, as soon as Deb is ready to embrace it. Her lover will make her feel young again, and perhaps sweep her away on that journey she longs for. Pack light, however, and buy what you need along the way. The Fool doesn’t believe in being prepared for every contingency—he’d rather wing it. Exciting adventures await when it comes to romantic prospects.

Miss Michele used her Robin Wood tarot deck for this reading.