Wish spread: reading your three cards

The three cards in this spread each have a distinct role. The first, 'Your wish,' mirrors the theme of your question and can show an aspect you may not have considered.

If you wish for a new job and draw The Hearth, the focus might be on finding a place where you feel truly at home. The second position, 'What stands in the way,' points to a hurdle. Read it as an area that asks for your attention. If The Knot appears here, check for yourself if you feel stuck in your own thinking or if an external situation seems complicated.

The third card, 'Your part,' suggests a way forward. It highlights an attitude or action that could help you with your wish. Drawing The Lantern in this spot might suggest that moving forward with quiet confidence and a clear intention is your most helpful next move.

How you phrase your wish matters. The cards respond best to questions about things you can actively influence. Instead of asking 'Will I get the promotion?', which is a yes or no question about the future, try 'What can I do to move forward in my career?'

1. Good wishes are often concrete and centered on your own actions or feelings.
2. A wish like 'I want to feel more connected to my friends' gives the cards something to work with. A card like The Bread could then suggest that sharing simple, everyday moments might be a way to foster that connection.
3. Think of it as setting an intention rather than asking for a prediction.

Your question guides the reflection. By focusing on your own part in the story, you give yourself a starting point for real action.

The middle card, 'What stands in the way,' can sometimes feel uncomfortable, especially if it's a card like The Long Night or The Wolf. It is helpful to see this card as a spotlight on a challenge, not as a sign that your wish is impossible.

The card points to something that needs to be acknowledged before you can move on. An obstacle can be internal, like a fear or a limiting belief. It can also be an external circumstance you need to navigate. For example, getting The Ice in this position could suggest that a situation has come to a standstill, or perhaps that your own feelings on the matter have cooled.

Which of these feels more true to you right now? Consider this card a practical piece of information. If your wish is to start a creative project and you draw The Spindle, the challenge might relate to a feeling of being caught in repetitive tasks. Recognizing that is the first step toward finding a solution.

The final card, 'Your part,' is your takeaway. It provides a theme for your next small step and suggests an attitude to adopt or an action to take.

If you draw The Key, your part could be to look for a new solution or to realize you already have what you need to move forward. This wish spread is a great way to prepare for the thirteen wishes ritual, a popular Rauhnacht tradition. During the Rauhnächte, the twelve nights between Christmas and Epiphany, people write down thirteen wishes on separate notes.

Each night, one is burned without being read, leaving one wish for the new year that you are meant to fulfill yourself. You can use the insights from your wish spread to formulate clearer, more heartfelt wishes for your notes. The reflection on your goal, the obstacle, and your own contribution can help you understand what you truly want to focus on for the coming year.