The dark (new) moon is a prime time for divination, with Earth’s energies quiet and pulled inward.

You’ll need a tarot or oracle deck and a dark cloth. Find the date and time of the next new moon (2:24 a.m. EDT on April 1). Work in a quiet room and wear dark clothing.

Spread out the cloth. Shuffle and/or cut your deck, pausing to see what comes to mind. You may already have a question to ask the cards, or perhaps something will occur to you. If nothing comes, proceed.

Deal one card in the center of the cloth, then lay cards at 9:00 (on a clock face), 12:00, 3:00, and 6:00.

The center card represents you. The 6:00 card is your current situation; the 9:00 card reveals emotional obstacles; the 12:00 card (full moon position) shows the situation’s future possibilities; and the 3:00 card points to obstacles outside of yourself.

Let meanings flow between the cards. Keep them on your altar until the next new moon.