Winter Solstice Spread for 2024
Good morning, and Blessed Solstice to you! Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we are celebrating Winter Solstice, while our friends in the Southern Hemisphere are celebrating Summer Solstice.
Since the tarot card for 2024 is The Hermit (since the numbers of the year add up to 9), The Hermit card is at the center of today’s spread.
I’m using one of my favorite decks for this, the Robin Wood Tarot Deck. I’ve had this deck since the mid-90’s, and continue to love it and use it. You can find more information about the deck here, on Robin’s website.
The spread we’re using today is one of mine, created specifically for today’s Solstice.
Remember that tarot is a tool about possibilities. Anything you want in a spread, take the actions to make it happen. Anything that worries you in a spread, you now have knowledge and can take steps to mitigate it.
There are 9 cards in this spread, because the Hermit is 9.
Card 1, Center: The Hermit, where we begin
Card 2, lower left closest to center, the comfort we find in the dark
Card 3, far lower left, the lessons we learn in the dark part of the year
Card 4, upper left, closest to center, what we are in the process of healing
Card 5, far upper left, what we need to release
Card 6, lower right, closest to center, what we need to study in the upcoming cycle
Card 7, farthest right, our new path
Card 8, upper right, closest to center, what we dream
Card 9, farthest right, what we can manifest, if we choose
Let’s dig into the cards:
The Center – The Hermit
The Hermit is a card of going within in order to learn and grow. It’s about solitude, but not loneliness. It’s about the power of the self, and learning what’s deep inside. Many cards, like this one, have the Hermit outside, holding a lantern. Some are in the woods or on a path. With this card, they are on a mountaintop. Once we’ve done the work, we can light the path for others, but we cannot do their work for them.
The Comfort We Find in the Dark— King of Wands
When we spend time as a hermit, in quiet contemplation away from all the noise, we find our true selves and our true passions.
The Lessons We Learn n the Dark Part of the Year— 2 of Swords
Not everything has a swift resolution. Sometimes, you hit a stalemate. Yet, you need to speak up, and speak your truth, even if it brings you in conflict with others. You can’t negotiate conflict if you avoid it, and sometimes the only way forward is to hit that obstacle and work through it.
What We Are in the Process of Healing— The Magician
We are the magicians of our own lives. We are capable of creating the lives we want, even though plenty of those around us will oppose us if it doesn’t fit their agendas. Still, once we heal our inner magician, we can take them out into the world to create the life we want.
What We Need to Release— The Knight of Wands
Knights face different directions in different decks. In this placement, the card is at the top left corner of the spread, and the knight moves away from the Hermit, supporting the release. The Knight of Wands is about taking your ideas out into the world and challenging the status quo. Coming in the position of this spread after the Magician, what we are healing, it supports that card. As we heal our inner magician (which is a process, not a finite action), we release that magician into the world to manifest our lives.
What We Need to Study in the Upcoming Cycle— The Ace of Wands
This ties into the work done in the previous cards. When I created the spread, since this is around the hermit, I figured this card would give guidance on something tangible to study in the way of finding books or teachers. However, that tarot being what it is, the card of a new path of identity turned up, a new spark of inspiration, a new chapter. There’s the chance for a new public identity and role in life. Study and craft it, so it supports your essence and is not just a mask. Step fully into who you are in a public way, but do so with intent, rather than impulse. The sunflowers indicate joy and success.
The New Path—The Lovers
On this new path of the next cycle, we will be faced with decisions. The 2 of Swords card, earlier in the spread, indicates that we have learned how to navigate those decisions with clarity and communication. Now, it’s time to walk the talk. Walking that talk may be in partnership, once we emerge, as healed magicians, from our hermit phase.
What We Dream—Page of Pentacles
Our dreams show a curiosity and eagerness for a fresh path that is very tangible and connected to home, work, money, our gardens, the earth. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Learn new skills, and learn something just because it interests you. The Hermit at the center supports your studies, but you have to actually show up and do the work. As mentioned in the first card, the Hermit doesn’t do the work for you, although they can light t he path. In this case, we have to do the work to light our own path, and then do more of the work.
What We Manifest, if We Choose—Ace of Swords
The Ace of Swords is about new ideas, clarity, and personal power. It’s a card of thought that it then put into action. What we learned in the 2, earlier in the spread, will help us as we move through the ace and hit the 2 again, on our way through the rest of the suit. If we’ve learned those lessons, we have the tools to help us manifest. If not, we will meet the stalemate of the 2 and re-learn those lessons. The impulse will be to rush, but the Ace is about forming the idea and clarifying it before taking the action steps. This is the final card in the spread, so it may not be clear to us until late in the year. It’s wrapped in a wreath/garland of victory, so chances are we will be happy when we fulfill it.
This particular spread is meant to take us from this Solstice through the next, all the way to the end of 2025, when we will prepare for 2026, with the next card.
How do you interpret the cards? Are you receiving different information? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Blessed, blessed solstice to you, my friends!