Today, I’m walking you through a Wheel of the Year spread from The Herb Crafters Tarot. This is a nine-card, year-ahead style spread that mirrors the turning of the seasons and helps you tune into the key energy of each sabbat.
What We Explore in This Episode:
What a Wheel of the Year spread is and when to use it
How this spread maps onto the Pagan seasonal cycle
How to read seasonal “themes” instead of treating the year like one single fixed forecast
Walking the Wheel: A Year Ahead with the Herb Crafters TarotLately, I’ve been craving a way to look at the year that doesn’t feel rigid, rushed, or overly predictive. Instead of asking, “What’s going to happen?” I wanted to ask, “What kind of energy am I moving with, season by season?”
Note: All cards for the seasonal positions are from The Herb Crafters Tarot.
1. Yule | Winter Solstice - The Hanged One (Burdock)
Burdock is a deep-root plant, often found where the soil is depleted. It doesn’t rush. It goes down first, drawing nourishment from places that look barren.
This card reminded me that winter isn’t about fixing or forcing. It’s about letting go of control and allowing slow change to do its work.
2. Imbolc | Candlemas - Hija of Fire (California Poppy)
The Hija of Fire, associated with California poppy, carries beginner energy. It’s playful, eager, and creative without needing permission.
This card felt like a reminder that inspiration doesn’t need to be heavy or productive to be meaningful.
3. Ostara | Spring Equinox - The Hermit (Usnea), Reversed
Traditionally, the Hermit is about sacred solitude, but in reverse—especially at spring—it felt like emergence.
This wasn’t a rejection of introspection, but a soft transition outward.
4. Beltane | May Day - Three of Earth (Raspberry), Reversed
Raspberry speaks to sweetness, collaboration, and abundance. In reverse, it felt like a question of capacity.
As the world gets warmer, more invitations appear. More plans, more ideas, more people.
5. Litha | Summer Solstice - Eight of Earth (Turmeric), Reversed
Turmeric is a powerful, golden medicine associated with devotion, tradition, and long-term vitality.
In reverse, the message felt like a caution: effort without care becomes depletion.
6. Lughnasadh | Lammas - Nine of Earth (Apple), Reversed
Apples are deeply tied to sustainability. When stored properly, they last well into winter. They teach long-term thinking.
In reverse, this card felt like a reminder to check reciprocity.
7. Mabon | Autumn Equinox - Five of Fire (Black Cohosh)
Black cohosh is associated with deep bodily release and powerful change.
This felt aligned with the season of recalibration.
This card reminded me that flexibility and strength can coexist, and that transformation often requires active participation.
8. Samhain | Hallows - The Moon (Datura), Reversed
The Moon speaks to intuition, symbolism, and the unseen. Datura is potent and requires deep respect.
At Samhain, I’m invited to approach mystery slowly, with humility and discernment, and to listen without demanding answers.
9. Center Card - Ten of Fire (Comfrey)
Prompt: What will keep me centered in the midst of change?
Comfrey regenerates quickly after being cut back, but only if it’s allowed to rest. This card reminded me that pruning is not failure. It’s how sustainability happens.
💭 Today's Tarot Pull:
From Numerology Oracle, I pulled the Three - (Creativity).
This card reminded me that creativity and hope can be forms of care. Sometimes we are being asked to be the optimist, to offer comfort, and to help someone feel less alone. If the “happy energy” isn’t arriving on its own, this is a nudge to create it gently and intentionally.
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