5 cards · beginner

New Moon

A five-card spread for the dark of the moon: what is beginning, what to plant, and what has to be put down first.

Draw the New Moon spread

Optional, and worth doing. Questions starting with what or how, about you, get far more out of a reading than yes/no or predictive ones.

Changes which part of each card's meaning is surfaced.

Reversals

New to tarot? Turn these off until the upright meanings feel automatic.

How to read the New Moon

The new moon is the dark phase, before any crescent is visible. Traditionally it is a beginning rather than a culmination, which makes it a natural point for intention rather than review.

How to read it: the "what to release" position comes before the planting positions on purpose. A new cycle started while still carrying the last one is the most common reason a resolution does not survive February.

On timing: the lunar month is roughly 29.5 days, so a new moon spread has a natural review point built into it, which is the full moon spread about a fortnight later. Reading the two as a pair is more useful than either alone.

A caution: nothing here forecasts the month. It gives you a frame for one, which is a smaller and more usable thing.

Full guide and layout diagram

The positions

  1. The GroundWhere you are actually starting from, honestly assessed.
  2. What to ReleaseWhat has to be put down before anything new has room.
  3. The SeedWhat is worth beginning in this cycle.
  4. What It NeedsThe condition or effort the seed actually requires from you.
  5. By the Full MoonWhat may be visible in a fortnight if you tend it.

For reflection and entertainment. Not medical, legal, or financial advice.