Many tarot practitioners use the moon phases as guides in their readings. A full moon reading is done when the moon is fully illuminated by the sun.
Readings done during this time celebrate successes and reevaluate goals. Usually there is one full moon a month, making this the perfect spread for more long term outlooks.
How to Perform a Full Moon Tarot Spread Yourself
This spread is often used as part of a ritual. Integrating this spread into your practice may help you increase your tarot knowledge and feel better connected to yourself and your cards.
Gather your cards, a lighter, a white candle of any size, a stick of myrrh incense, an incense holder, and a journal and pen. Sit in a quiet space. Place your cards in front of you on the table while you finish setting up the area. Light the candle and stick it at the top of your space. Next, light the incense with your lighter or in the candle’s flame, and waft it around your space, taking time to let smoke flow around your deck. Once you feel like your space is cleansed, place the incense in the holder.
Before shuffling, spend some time meditating. Take deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. Think about what’s been happening in your life since the last full moon. If any issues have cropped up, take note of them.
Also remember the things that you want to celebrate, and anything new that you’re thankful for, like a new love or relationship. Then pick up your journal and write down any current goals you’ve been working towards– we’ll refer to these goals at the end of the reading.
Trying to keep up your deep breaths when shuffling. Think of the full moon’s energy while you do this. It is a turning point in the moon cycle, all at once a beginning and ending. If that confuses you, think back to your goals. This is the point to reflect on them, and then turn around and start working towards them again. That matches the waxes and wanes of the moon itself.
After you feel like you’ve shuffled enough, pick three cards. You may want to cut the deck into three smaller ones and pick the top cards, or spread them out on your surface and pick the three that call to you. Once you’ve finished, place the cards in a line with the one you chose first on the left and the last you chose on the right.
Now flip them over!
The card on the left represents your achievements.
What have you excelled at in the past month? Major Arcana cards here could represent a huge change– maybe you bought a home or started a new job. Remember the joy you felt, and all the hard work that goes into that success.
Even the smaller victories are worth celebrating. Pulling the Two of Swords could mean you’ve gotten better at listening to your head and your heart while making decisions. If you don’t believe you have anything to celebrate this full moon, look deeper into this card’s meaning; it’s asking you to give yourself some credit!
The middle card represents what wasn’t successful this cycle. This card isn’t meant to shame you, just enable you to reflect and make better plans for the coming month. Getting a card like The Magician here could mean you missed on a new venture, like missing a deadline for a business loan or a grant meeting. A card like The Devil might mean you’ve been relying on old comforts that no longer serve you, but feel really good. Take in this card’s vibes and then be gentle on yourself while planning the next step.
The final card is an overview for the cycle to come. What’s next for you? Open your journal and look over your goals. Is there anything you can cross off? Anything that’s moving on to a different phase? These may be related to what you’re celebrating in Card 1. If a goal feels more aligned with the energy of Card 2, keep that in mind while going over this final part of the reading.
Pulling the Three of Cups here shows celebration and camaraderie in your new year or more distant future, if you work towards it. Happiness could be there if you make a plan to find it. Seeing the Page of Pentacles might mean you’re finally ready to start a health journal you’ve been putting off. If you don’t see this kind of energy on your goals list, you may want to add it. Doing that may give you a clearer idea of what to do next time the full moon comes around.
This check in is meant to help your life become more in sync with the moon cycles. Don’t be afraid to experiment with goals and try new things. You can always keep them in mind during the next full moon reading.
Can you do Tarot Cards on a Full Moon?
This tarot spread doesn’t need to be done on the exact day of the full moon. Have a busy schedule? You can do the reading a few days before or after.
If you want to do this reading at the exact time the moon is fullest, you can. It doesn’t make the reading “stronger” but this kind of ritual may resonate more with you. Look up the exact time and set an alarm or timer so you don’t miss it.
What Should I Ask My Deck on a Full Moon?
This reading can be done with more specific questions in mind. Instead of focusing on a list of goals, you may have one large one you’d like to reflect on. Keep this goal in mind while shuffling and reading the cards.
If you feel aimless, like you currently have no goals, use this spread to discover more about yourself. Shuffle and think about dreams you used to have, or about what you do in your day to day now and how you wish that could change. Make sure you remember that change while reading your cards.
Add something simple to the goals list, like do more tarot reading or journal once a week, and vow to reflect on that next full moon. Making this ritual a habit can help you develop those larger goals.