Does the Tarot predict your future or is it a means of self reflection?
For centuries the Tarot has primarily been used to predict the future for others.
But is that truly why this deck of mysterious cards came into the world?
Under the inspired guidance of my treasured friend, psychiatrist Cees van der Kroef, I learned how the archetypes and the four “suits” in tarot symbolize universal human qualities we alle carry within ourselves in our own unique and personal way. As a result I developed my own interpretation of the Tarot: the Nan Yar – Who Am I Tarot, translating the swords, wands cups and coins into challenges, insights, Gifts and Tools.
The 12 Holy Nights
In the winter of 2023–2024, I embarked on a journey through the 12 holy nights with the Nan Yar – Who Am I cards, following an ancient pre-Christian ritual of indigenous peoples who followed the moon calandar.
For them, the dark days around the turn of the year were tied to the difference between the solar and lunar cycles.
While Earth takes roughly 365 days to orbit the sun, the moon completes twelve cycles around the Earth in 354 days. This twelve-day difference was seen as a time outside of ordinary time.
For our ancestors in the Northern Hemisphere, this was the perfect moment to retreat in harmony with the stillness of nature—reflecting on the past year while preparing for the potential and opportunities of the new one.
Essentially, we still do this today: we look back, make resolutions, and set intentions, igniting our inner light during the darkest days of the year.
In today’s hectic holiday season however, filled with shopping and lavish dinners, this form of contemplation is often snowed under in ways our ancestors never intended.
A Daily Island of Calm and Contemplation.
The Nan Yar cards provide a simple way to create a small island of calm each day in what has turned out stressful period of the year.
The principle is simple:
- Draw one card each day, either online via this website (to the right of this blog) or using a physical Nan Yar – Who Am I deck.
- Record in a special journal what the card reflects for you.
- Feel free to read the card’s explanation, but more importantly, notice what it evokes within you.
- Place the journal next to your bed when you go to sleep, within reach, along with a pen.
- Upon waking, write down a few keywords of dreams or thoughts that are still lingering in those precious few moments between sleep and waking up.
- Keep your journal within reach during the day, not only to drew a new card for the new day, but also to register some afterthoughts that might pop up as a result of earlier sessions.
Following this practice over the 12 nights, creates a dialogue with your inner world—a series of daily stepping stones, little moments for yourself, from which surprising insights find the inspiration to emerge.
According to ancient natural traditions, the boundary between heaven and earth was also thinner during this period—a moment to connect with ancestors who paved the way for your existence. Cosmically, the 12 holy nights are a time during which nothing is required, yet everything is possible, a pause to reconnect with yourself.
A Document for Later
Even when you only write down a few keywords every day and morning, your 12 Holy Nights Journal ultimately becomes a document you can revisit—either for yourself or for others who may gain insight into how you experienced life during that particular time.
Need some inspiration? Take a look at the blogs I wrote around de solstice of 23/24.
Wishing everyone 12 beautiful holy nights and a meaningful and inspirational 2026.
Ingrid
