A Celtic Cross for the New Year

Here's a variant of the Celtic Cross I designed to help you look forward to the new year. The spread is based on the traditional Celtic Cross, but the meaning of each position is enhanced by the message of an antique postcard. Simply shuffle your tarot deck, lay out 11 cards according to the diagram, and interpret your cards according to the following descriptions. (You can also click on the image to see it full-size, and print it out scaled to fit a standard sheet of paper.)

"To pay you a New Year's call by proxy."  A standard Celtic Cross reading often starts with a significator — a card that signifies the subject of the reading. In this case, the proxy card could represent you — if you're doing a general reading for yourself . Alternately, the card that falls in this position could represent something — or someone — that will pay you a call during the coming year.
"A Happy New Year to You." A crossing card represents the energy and mood of the moment. The card that lands in this position promises to bring you happiness, in one form or another, by midnight tonight.
"Here's to your health." New Year's Day is often a time when we resolve to eat right, exercise more, and improve our health. The card in this position, however, refers to the foundations of good health, and it describes at least one physical strength you already enjoy.
"A Happy New Year to You." The old year and the new cross paths in this timeless illustration. When you shuffle and spread your own deck, the card that lands here will tell you about one important lesson from 2011 that you'll carry into 2012.
"Best Wishes for the New Year." What is your fondest hope for the year to come? What's your most heartfelt desire? Picture it here … but remember to be careful what you wish for!
"A Happy New Year!" A young boy, dressed in green, the color of creativity and growth, greets the year with a beaming smile. He carries a basket of flowers on his back, and he holds an invitation to celebrate good fortune. The card that lands here will illustrate something you'd like to invite into your life this year — and it will show you how well you're prepared to welcome it.
"A Glad New Year Be Thine." In a traditional Celtic Cross spread, this is usually the place where we look for information about self-image. In this vintage postcard, a young woman, dressed in her finest gown, cloak, and hat, stands at attention. She holds a walking stick, which suggests that she's ready to start off on a new adventure. Are you equally prepared for the journey of 2012? The card that lands here will tell you if you're ready.
"Happy New Year to You." Whether you realize it or not, you have an audience. Do the people around you like what they see? Do you delight them? Amuse them? Surprise them? Check the card that falls here to see yourself through their eyes.
"A Very Happy New Year | Oo! Hoo! Oo! Hoo! | To You! To You!" The owl symbolizes our deepest hopes — for wisdom — as well as our darkest fears. Which one are you willing to face head-on this year?
"Good Luck and a Happy New Year. May Good Fortune Favour You." Here you'll find at least one reward you can expect in 2012 — the most likely outcome of the journey you begin today.
We're not done yet. Let's throw a wild card for a sneak peek of at least one joyful surprise you can look forward to this year — and know, as you look at the vintage card in the illustration, that its message is my wish for you this year, too.

Your joys increase a hundredfold

in every year to follow

Cares by so small they can't be told

And all your fears prove hollow.