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Kerykeion

Action Plan Spread #

Introduction #

You have a goal. Now what? Intention without action remains fantasy; action without strategy often wastes energy. This spread bridges vision and execution, translating what you want into a practical approach for getting there.

Unlike spreads that explore meaning or psychology, this one focuses on practicality: What are you aiming for? What do you have? What do you need? What are the steps? The cards become a strategic advisory board, helping you plan your path forward.

Use this spread when you’re ready to move from dreaming to doing.

The Layout #

1 Goal
2 Have
3 Need
4 First Step
5 Middle Path
6 Approaching

Drawing order: Goal (1), Have (2), Need (3), First Step (4), Middle Path (5), Approaching (6)

The Positions #

Position 1: The Goal #

What it represents: What you’re actually aiming for, which may be different from what you think. The cards clarify or confirm your goal.

This card answers: What is my true goal in this endeavor?

Reading this position:

  • Let this card clarify or adjust your stated goal
  • Sometimes we think we want one thing but really want another
  • The goal shapes everything that follows

Position 2: What You Have #

What it represents: Resources, skills, advantages, and assets you already possess that will help.

This card answers: What do I already have that will help me?

Reading this position:

  • You’re not starting from zero
  • Recognize your existing advantages
  • These are foundation stones for building

Position 3: What You Need #

What it represents: What you’ll need to acquire, develop, or receive to reach your goal.

This card answers: What do I need to obtain or develop?

Reading this position:

  • Honest assessment of gaps
  • Needs might be skills, people, resources, or qualities
  • Knowing the need allows you to seek it

Position 4: The First Step #

What it represents: The immediate action to take. Where to begin.

This card answers: What is my first action step?

Reading this position:

  • This should be concrete and doable
  • First steps are often smaller than we imagine
  • Taking the first step creates momentum

Position 5: The Middle Path #

What it represents: What the main journey will require. The work between beginning and approaching the goal.

This card answers: What will the journey require of me?

Reading this position:

  • This is where most of the effort goes
  • Prepare for what the middle demands
  • Sustainability matters more than intensity

Position 6: Approaching the Goal #

What it represents: What the final approach looks like. How to recognize when you’re near and how to complete the journey.

This card answers: How will I know I’m close, and how do I complete the journey?

Reading this position:

  • Final stages often differ from the middle
  • This shows how to bring things to completion
  • Different skills may be needed at the end

Reading the Spread #

The Resource Assessment (Cards 2-3) #

Together, these cards show your starting position:

  • What you have (Card 2) tells you where you’re strong
  • What you need (Card 3) shows where to focus development
  • The gap between them is your growth zone

The Journey Arc (Cards 4-6) #

These three cards map the process:

  • Beginning: How to start
  • Middle: How to sustain
  • End: How to complete

Most people focus on beginnings but fail in the middle or don’t know how to finish. This arc addresses all three.

Working With This Spread #

When to Use It #

  • New projects: When launching something that needs planning
  • Complex goals: When the path isn’t obvious
  • After dreaming: When you’re ready to move from vision to action
  • Feeling scattered: When you need structure and strategy
  • Regular planning: Quarterly or monthly goal planning

Sample Reading #

Question: “How do I approach writing and publishing my book?”

Cards Drawn:

  • Goal: Ten of Cups
  • Have: Queen of Swords
  • Need: Three of Pentacles
  • First Step: The Magician
  • Middle Path: Eight of Pentacles
  • Approaching: Six of Wands

Reading:

The Goal (Ten of Cups): Your true goal isn’t just “a published book”—it’s emotional fulfillment, the feeling of having created something that brings you joy and touches others. Keep the emotional goal in mind; it’s about fulfillment, not just accomplishment.

What You Have (Queen of Swords): You have clarity of thought, the ability to communicate directly, intellectual mastery of your subject. You can think and express clearly. This is a significant asset.

What You Need (Three of Pentacles): You need collaboration—editors, designers, beta readers, a publishing team. This isn’t a solo journey. Skilled partnership is essential.

First Step (The Magician): Begin by recognizing you have all the elements at hand. Set up your tools, claim your power as creator. The first step is a ritual of beginning: declare your intention, arrange your workspace, and know that you have everything you need to start.

Middle Path (Eight of Pentacles): The journey requires dedicated craft work—showing up daily, refining your skill, putting in the hours. This is about diligence, practice, and mastery through repetition. Write, revise, improve.

Approaching (Six of Wands): The approach to completion looks like public recognition, victory, sharing your work with pride. As you near the goal, shift from private work to public presentation. The finish line involves stepping into visibility.

Synthesis: Your goal is fulfillment (Ten of Cups). You have clarity and communication skill (Queen of Swords) but need collaborative partnerships (Three of Pentacles). Start by claiming your creative power (Magician), sustain through daily dedicated practice (Eight of Pentacles), and complete by stepping into public visibility and recognition (Six of Wands).

Creating Your Action Plan #

After the reading, translate cards into concrete actions:

From Card 4 (First Step): What specifically will I do this week to begin?

From Card 5 (Middle Path): What regular practice or rhythm will I establish?

From Card 6 (Approaching): What does completion look like? How will I celebrate?

From Card 3 (Need): What must I seek or develop? By when?

Journaling Prompts #

  1. Goal clarity: Does Card 1 confirm or adjust my stated goal? What’s the real aim?

  2. Resource gratitude: What in Card 2 can I thank myself for? How did I develop this?

  3. Honest assessment: What does Card 3 ask me to admit I don’t yet have?

  4. Immediate action: Looking at Card 4, what can I do today?

  5. Sustainability plan: How will I maintain the energy Card 5 requires?

Affirmation #

I move from dreaming to doing. I know my goal. I honor what I have. I seek what I need. I take the first step. I persist through the middle. I complete what I begin.

Goals without plans are wishes. This spread transforms intention into strategy, ensuring that your energy flows in organized, effective ways toward what you want to create.

The goal is clear. The path is mapped. Now—take the first step.