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This blog goes along with Healing Thru Tarot Podcast Ep. 59: Tarot Spreads Vs. Freeform Readings + 2025 Universal Tarot Year Card and Spread (Hermit). In this blog, I’ll discuss tarot spreads versus narrative free form readings. Plus, I’ll share a spread for the 2025 Universal Tarot Year Card and themes we’ll experience next year as a collective. 

I love creating custom tarot spreads to dive deeply into an issue, but is a spread always needed? 

I’ve also fallen in love with narrative freeform readings where I go into a reading with either a very broad question or topic or no question at all. Sometimes I just pull cards until it feels right to stop. 

To work out the message from a freeform reading I follow the story that the cards layout. Maybe it’s the writer in me but I just love allowing the story to unfold. There’s so much to discover with this method because you haven’t boxed yourself in with specific structured questions. I usually pull both tarot and oracle cards in this freeform method and it always amazes me how many synchronicities there are between the cards. As the story reveals itself to me, I discover all kinds of threads that are woven throughout the cards. It’s fun to read this way and it’s definitely a natural way for me to work with the cards.

The best times for freeform readings would be when you want to receive messages but don’t have a specific question in mind or you have a broad topic like advice on an issue you’re dealing with. 

Opening things up in this way, opens the lines of communication between yourself and the universe and even your guides if you work with guides and angels. Sometimes they have messages for us that need to come through that may not be related to any of the questions we’ve been asking. So I love to see what comes through when I sling cards in a less structured way. Often these readings are less complicated than the spreads I throw, and the messages are usually very clear and straight to the point. It’s a nice change of pace since I do throw a lot of spreads. I love changing things up to keep my tarot practice feeling fresh and exciting.

Over time, I’ve developed a certain technique I use with free form readings. I pick 3 decks – usually 1 tarot deck and 2 oracle decks and I charge the decks with a purpose. I’ll set the intention for the tarot cards to show the issues I’m facing and the oracles will be the advice and way forward. So when I pull the cards I’ll usually end up with about 5-6 cards from each deck and once all laid out I’ll have a layout of 15-18 cards. Then I’ll sit with the cards and allow the messages and patterns from the cards to jump out at me. It’s almost like a meditative practice, just sitting with the messages as they weave themselves into a story that comes with clear advice on how to address whatever topic I’m reading on. Or just general advice if I never specified a topic or area of interest. Examples of this technique are shown above and below.

Give it a try. It’s a lot of fun and feels like a puzzle to solve. It feels magical to have the cards speak to you in this informal way. 

When reading in a narrative or freeform manner, it’s important to make sure you aren’t trying too hard to force things. This is meant to be a very relaxed approach. Just sling the cards and sit back and mull over the patterns revealing themselves to you. Relax the mind when doing this because when you try to focus too intensely on something you could be blocking your intuition. 

What comes to mind as you survey the cards? What images pop into your head or what phrases do you hear? Where does your stream of consciousness lead you as you glance at all the cards in front of you? Which cards speak to you or jump out to you first and then where does your attention go next? Follow the thread until a story starts to unfold. And remember that cards can represent different things in different readings so don’t worry so much about the book meanings when the story comes together. Let it happen naturally.

I even start to arrange the cards as the story shows me connections between the cards so when I take a photo of the reading I can see the patterns and story again easily. And always have a notebook handy to jot down whatever comes to mind because you don’t want to forget the main points of the story. If you’re struggling with finding a thread in the reading, try automatic writing to help the messages start to flow. Automatic writing is a technique where you write with your non-dominant hand just to see what comes across while bypassing your logical mind. Do this with your eyes closed and with a relaxed mind so you aren’t leading the process. You’re becoming a channel for the message that needs to come through.

A Walkthrough of One of My Narrative Readings

I'll walk you through an example of a recent narrative reading. I set the intention to receive messages from my spirit guides on my current spiritual journey/life path and any action I need to take to be successful on this path. I pulled out 3 decks I felt called to for this reading - the Horror Tarot, Lost Oracle, and The Seasons of the Witch: Samhain Oracle. I started with the tarot and shuffled and took all the cards that jumped out. I stopped when the cards stopped jumping. Then I did the same with the 2 oracle decks. 

I had a pile of cards from all 3 decks. I then looked at each one, starting to pair the cards that seemed to share similar energies and themes. Then I read through the oracle guidebooks to get more information on the cards pulled and a story began to emerge. Several of the cards that I arranged at the top left corner of the photo above talked about spiritual guides and animal guides delivering messages about my path throughout this lifetime. These messages will guide me on the next steps of my journey if I listen to the signs and messages coming through. Those messages are meant to give me courage, confidence in my abilities, connect me with my intuition and help me understand the reasons for any setbacks on this path that may frustrate me.

In the upper right corner I grouped the cards talking about allies and voices that I'll have in my corner along the way guiding me and supporting me if I an open to their help. These include my husband and soul sisters I've met along the way.

In the lower left corner I gathered the cards talking about obstacles I'll face. But the cards clearly state that I'll conquer them if I understand that cycles will come and go and those difficult times will eventually end. I need to trust the timing of these cycles and lean into those changes, being flexible through those transitions. My resilience will see me through. Don't give up hope!

I put the Chariot in the middle because my destination depends on the path I take. The horses are pulling me in two directions. I have to chose the path I take and how I approach those obstacles and transitions. If I don't give up on my journey despite the obstacles thrown my way, then I'll reach my destination with the Found card! And that's paired with the Queen of Pentacles which is my signifier card and the Four of Wands reversed which represents inner harmony, resources, and personal celebration in these transitions.  

So that's an example of how I set my intention on 1 question for the reading and weave a story throughout from the cards pulled once the themes become apparent. You'll see repeating themes and messages as you review the cards that validate the overall message trying to emerge. I hope that example helps to see the process. It gets easier the more you read this way.

Tips for reading narrative spreads intuitively

I shared a tarot tip on Instagram a while back that really resonated with a lot of tarot readers, especially new readers and I think that point applies to the topic we’re discussing today. I was recalling how I often see people struggling when first learning tarot because they’re so focused on the card meanings, and the cards don't seem to make sense once they pull them and try to interpret them. I’ve heard from readers struggling to master the cards. And they’re often frustrated and on the verge of giving up because it isn’t a natural process for them at first.

But here’s the thing. Tarot or any divinatory method can't really be forced. Think of it more like a language and an art form in order to let the messages flow in. Imagine you’re a dancer or artist when working with this intuitive tool. Feel into the energy of the cards and sway and flow with it, and the messages will start to speak to you in a new way. An artist can't be forceful with their brushes. They have to use gentle touches and fluid motions while keeping their body loose and free to flow with their tools.

When you start to view tarot as an artform, your approach changes and this unlocks any blocks you may have had with your readings. 

When I was talking about tarot as an artform on Instagram, I gave the example of my experience struggling with magic eye pictures back in the day. Do you remember those? These were popular posters and picture books back in the 90’s and they were all over the walls of stores in malls. At first glance, you just saw colorful swirls and squiggly lines. But the idea was to let the image transform into another visual as you stared into the middle of the picture. I would forcefully stare and intensely focus on those images desperate to see the visuals hidden inside. Everyone around me seemed to be able to do this effortlessly, and I was so frustrated that I couldn’t unlock what they were seeing. So many people told me I had to relax my eyes to let the picture unfold and invite me in. It seemed so easy for everyone else. But this Capricorn life path 4, always tries to control and force everything. I just couldn’t relax, but I didn’t give up. 

Finally, after months of trying I relaxed enough to let the first image reveal itself. And it really was like magic! It only worked when I didn’t force myself into the picture. Eventually I learned to soften my eyes and let my gaze rest just beyond the photo out of focus. And once I softened my gaze and didn’t force it, I found myself inside the picture able to see minute details like the edges of the mountain ridges, single blades of grass, and the curvature of the animals inside the image. Every time I tried this afterward I could do it even faster because I’d learned the secret. By forcing it I was blocking the magic of the experience.

When learning tarot, this experience came flooding back to my mind and was the key to helping me sit back and let my spreads unfold for me without me forcing it. And when I did a whole new world opened up for me and it can for you, too! That lesson I learned as a teen helped me master the cards decades later. Who knew that would prove to be such a valuable lesson I was learning way back when. 

If you find reading tarot to be a frustrating process, I urge you to put the book meanings aside for now. That could be stressing you out and blocking your intuitive voice.

Step away from that pressure and just sit with the cards. Relax your mind and just let the world around you fall away until the messages flow to you. Gently observe what thoughts and messages pop up without trying to analyze it all at once. Lean into your stream of consciousness and just go with the flow. Sway with the card images as they dance and listen to what they whisper to you. It could be that you’re just forcing it too much and blocking that intuitive flow.

Magic can’t be rushed or strong armed.

Remember the tarot is its own language much like dance is. It’s an artform. When learning a foreign language, often it’s easier to pick it up when you immerse yourself in the language and culture rather than studying a textbook. Use that same approach when trying to master the cards. 

Get out of your logical mind and drop down into your heart and intuitive centers and watch your tarot fluency soar. Tarot works best when you’re in the flow of it, not stuck in the rigid analytical mind. 

Another intuitive technique

Instead feel into the energy and flow of the cards in your reading to help you weave together a narrative that flows seamlessly. Here’s a tip, if you’re struggling to understand how the cards relate to each other in a spread and you feel like nothing makes sense, start to sway and hum to yourself as your eyes float over the cards in the spread. I know it sounds silly, but as you sway just feel into the energy of the cards. You want to connect with the energetic movement of the cards. Their combined energy is telling a story, and it’s a unique story every time. The humming should help shut down your logical mind for a few moments allowing you to focus on the energy coming from the cards without worrying if you can remember all the keywords you’ve memorized for each of the cards.

Once you tap into this flow, follow the stream of that energy. Where is the energy moving? Which direction is it carrying you through the layout of the cards? It may not always be in the expected pathway that you think. 

Where does that energy feel important to follow? It will almost feel like a guide has popped up to walk you through the pathway of the messages in the layout. Follow the energetic pattern that will show you which cards are the most important and where the story is leading you. Notice if any of the cards pull you in, and notice any auras around certain cards. Are any of the cards jumping out or pinging at you? 

Notice any vibrations coming off the cards as well. That can be a huge clue to the most important message for that reading.

See if a narrative starts to take shape and see where it leads you in the end. Then after a few moments jot down the key takeaways you have from that energetic flow and see if the story makes sense. 

This should help with the frustration if the card patterns often leave you feeling stressed and lost. Once you land on the right message trying to come through it should resonate. The interpretation should make sense and feel right. Resonation like chills, goosebumps, or an inner knowing occurs when you’ve landed on the truth. It’s our soul’s way of letting us know we’re on the right track. 

I promise you this will feel completely different than memorizing card meanings and combinations and trying to apply those to the reading. It’s much more fluid than that. Go with the flow of it and let that magic unfold in a powerful way!

The Universal Tarot Year Card for 2025

The Hermit from the Rider Waite Smith Tarot

Since this is the last episode in 2024, I wanted to talk about The Universal Tarot Year Card for 2025. Since the numbers for next year add up to 9, the universal tarot year card is the Hermit card. Remember, this is the card that will affect us all globally so this will be different than your personal tarot year cards that you calculate using your birthdate. Listen to ep 51 to learn all about how to calculate and use your personal tarot year card each year. 

So in 2025, collectively, this will be a year where we might find ourselves withdrawing from society to reflect on larger issues in life. During this year of solitude and deep introspection, we could experience epiphanies leading to enlightenment. But be wary of retreating too much because you could also experience loneliness and depression due to the isolation. Given that Virgo is associated with The Hermit card, we may collectively focus on improving our health by starting a new food plan or exercise routine.

This will be a year of soul searching, turning into our inner guidance, and taking time to reflect on the big picture and our role in it. Keep in mind that what we learn this year could be something we feel called to pass on to others, so teaching others about the insight gained may follow in later years. 

Reflect on these global themes as we usher in 2025 and use this along with your personal tarot year card for next year to make plans on how to navigate all the life lessons coming your way. Always consider both the global and personal energies unfolding when tackling each year. 

2025 Universal Tarot Year Card (Hermit) Spread

Here's the custom spread I created to explore the Hermit theme for our Universal 2025 Tarot Year Card. If you throw this spread for yourself, I’d love to see the photo of your spreads. Please tag me on Instagram @healingthrutarot and please use #healingthrutarothermitspread

A Spread For All Seasons Spread eBook

If you are looking for a spread book for next year, I wanted to remind you of my spread ebook called - A Spread For All Seasons that I released in mid-2021. This spread ebook contains 17 custom tarot/oracle spreads designed to guide you through the seasons of any year. It covers holidays like Halloween, Samhain, the New Year with a 9 card New Years Resolution Spread, and the 9 card Holiday Spread. I left it generic enough for all to enjoy no matter what you celebrate between November and January. I have seasonal spreads to help you usher in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. I include a full moon and new moon spread that you can use each month of the year.

I particularly love the 7 card Mercury Retrograde Spread I created that can be used for each of the 3 mercury retrogrades we experience every year. I included an eclipse spread, year-end wrap up spread, and year ahead spread as well. And there is a great 6 card Weekly Spread and a 9 card Monthly Spread that you can reuse and implement into your tarot routine to help give you a heads up each month on what to expect and how to navigate through the week and month ahead. I made these spreads so that you can use them again and again, year after year. You can find this spread eBook on my website healingthrutarot.com for $10, which is a bargain for 17 spreads that help you navigate a whole year at a time. Purchase here

Still time to order the 2025 Writual Tarot Planner 

- 15% off with my code

And it’s that time of year again to order a new tarot planner. Have you gotten your 2025 new Writual Tarot Planner yet? If you still want one, remember you can use my writual discount link. Writual has more that just planners. They have tarot and oracle decks, jewelry, divination accessories, and mala beads. They even have an undated tarot journal if you prefer one without dates that can be used for any year. I use the Writual planner every year! Use my Writual ambassador link here to generate a unique discount code just for you, which gets you 15% off ALL your Writual purchases when you check out. Order your 2025 Writual Tarot Planner today – already available for shipping.

Tarot Stocking Stuffers

Since the holidays are upon us, check out the Stocking Stuffers episode I released in November 2022. That’s Ep. 41: Stocking Stuffers and Holiday Gifts for Tarot Lovers. In that episode, I detailed all of my favorite picks for tarot gifts and goodies for all ages, kids and teens too. And I’ve got a 2024 list for my top picks for stocking stuffers this year too on my blog. Check that out here.

What I'm Up To

This is the last episode of 2024. I’ll be taking a few months off to enjoy the holiday season and work on my book series. All 4 books in my fictional divination book series, The Divining Sisters, have now released. That is the end of the modern day timeline.

Next come the prequels!

I’m working on a prequel now that delves into the backstory for the main characters where we will explore their past witch incarnations. I’m hoping to release that first prequel in late 2025 and hope to release one book a year. I currently have 4 prequels planned now. The first prequel will take place in England during the 1640s at the time of the witch trials driven by the Witchfinder General and will follow the past witch incarnations of my main characters Alexandra, Izzy, and Hazel. Watch for this book to release in late summer/autumn 2025. This prequel and the others to follow are written as stand alone novels if you can't commit to a series. But if you love these characters, those prequels will connect to the larger series for more details on all their incarnations. 

If you haven’t caught up on The Divining Sisters Series (shown above), check that out at author.heatherhardison.com – it’s the perfect time to start the series now that the main storyline has completed in the modern day timeline. Then you’ll be ready to dive into the prequels once they release. All the paperbacks and eBooks for each book in the series can be found on Amazon. And the eBooks are also on Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, Google Play, Kobo, Everand (formerly Scribd), Hoopla, Libby, Smash words, and more. The eBooks are just $4.99. And if you’ve read the books and loved them please leave a review on the platform where you bought the book and on goodreads. Every single review helps me reach new readers. I feel strongly that this empowering, healing story needs to be shared with the world and you can help me do that. 

It's a witchy, mystical series based on mysticism, divination (lots of tarot), and sisterhood!  Start with book 1 in the series, The Call of the Cards, and then catch up to book 2, We Divine Three, book 3, The Threads of Fate, and book 4, The Unbinding came out Summer 2024. Shown below.

Find out more details on my novels on my author website author.heatherhardison.com - where I post updates on book releases, video book trailers, book blurbs and quotes, as well as fun things like my Spotify playlists for each book. I carefully curate those to express the energy of each book.

This series follows a group of women (witches, healers, diviners) who reincarnate lifetime after lifetime and reunite with their coven so they can fulfill a mission of keeping their craft of divination, healing, and magic alive for future generations. 

Readers are raving about the series like these 5 star amazon reviews

"Absolutely Unique! Resonated so much!" 

"Life-changing. I felt seen. I don't think I've had this experience with any other book."

“The metaphysical series I've been waiting for! I was hooked from the beginning and even found myself slowing down because I want it to last. The characters are so relatable and genuine, and the explanations of tarot readings and past life stories is spot on! I'm eagerly awaiting the next ones. Please please, Heather, keep writing.” 

Readers call it "Harry Potter for adults."

Watch the book trailer for The Divining Sisters Series

New Year Healing Thru Tarot Related Podcast Episodes

I plan on coming back with new episodes in Feb/March 2025. During this break, I suggest listening to Ep. 14 on Year Ahead Spreads, Ep. 15 for goal setting which includes a New Years Resolution spread and ep. 51  titled Your Personal Tarot Year Card Reveals Your Life Lessons For The Year. All those are relevant this time of year.

To listen to the episode that goes along with this blog Ep. 59: Tarot Spreads Vs. Freeform Readings + 2025 Universal Tarot Year Card and Spread (Hermit) click here 

Year Ahead Spreads

And if you’d like a year ahead spread from me, you can book your reading on my website. I’d love to help you get a sneak peak into what 2025 has in store for you. This reading is one of my favorite readings to do for myself and for others every year. 

Happy Holidays!

Have a wonderful holiday season whatever you celebrate. This time of year between November and mid January is a magical time of year where the energy is heightened for shadow work and healing so take advantage of that energy to move your healing journey along. As we close out this year work on releasing what no longer serves you and focus on the healing you want to manifest for the new year. I’ll talk to you next in 2025 cardslingers! 

Books and Decks shown in this blog or recommended:

The Light Seers Tarot,  Lightworkers Oracle, Sacred Rebels Oracle, The Universe Has Your Back Deck, Sacred Creators Oracle, Wisdom of the Oracle, Work Your Light Oracle, Starseed Oracle, Tarot of the Abyss, Earth Magic Oracle, Goddess Guidance Oracle, Monstarot, Wild Unknown Tarot, Wild Unknown Animal Spirit, Wild Unknown Archetypes, Wild Unknown Alchemy Deck, Heal Yourself Reading Cards, Shadow and Light Oracle, Halloween Oracle, Horror Tarot, The Dark Mansion Tarot, Lost Oracle, Seasons of the Witch Samhain Oracle, Rider Waite Smith Tarot, Everyday Witch Tarot, Magick and Mediums Oracle, Way Home Tarot, The Bonestone and Earthflesh Tarot (out of print) The Divining Sisters, The Call of the Cards, We Divine Three, The Threads of Fate, The Unbinding

Healing Thru Tarot's Spread Ebook Line

A Spread for All Seasons - 17 custom spreads

Healing and Mental Health Spreads Vol. 1 - 15 custom spreads

Healing and Mental Health Spreads Vol. 2- 15 9-card spreads

Shadow Work Spreads and Workbook - 20 spreads

Healing Thru Tarot’s Life Path and Life Purpose spread ebook includes 15 custom spreads I’ve created to help you identify and align with your life path and sail to success. Spreads like the life path alignment spread, lightwork path guidance spread, conquering obstacles on my path spread, advice from my future self-spread and karmic healing path spread will help you position yourself to step into your full power and achieve the purpose you incarnated to fulfill. Plus many more spreads offering guidance and advice to get on path and stay on track. $12

Click here to purchase any of these spread ebooks

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