For those of you not familiar with Twelve Step Programs, let me give a brief explanation. The original program comes from Alcoholics Anonymous, which was co-founded by  Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. The Big Book, as it is called, contains The Twelve Steps, as well as stories of people who have found sobriety by applying the program in their daily lives. This book was first published in 1939. Because of it's success, people began to apply it to other addictions. (You may have heard of N.A., C.A., Al Anon and others.)
 
I have developed this spread from a packet of thirteen cards, twelve which represent each step. The thirteenth represents the Significator, adding personal energy to the cards.

The purpose of this spread is to offer guidance, inspiration, and support when old behaviors start to surface. It provides you with a step to focus upon, an influencing factor, and action to carry it out.
 
How to use this spread

From any Tarot deck, remove the twelve cards representing The Twelve Steps from the Major Arcana. (See definitions.) Next, choose any card that best represents you from the Minor Arcana. Shuffle these thirteen cards as much as you feel necessary, then cut the packet with the left hand. (The left hand is closest to the heart!) Complete the cut.
 
From the face down packet, deal the top card face up onto the table. This is the "Step" card to focus upon. Next, deal the second card face up onto the table, to the right of the first card. This card is the influencing  factor of the "Step" card.
Finally, deal the third card onto the table, to the right of the second card. This card provides the action to carry out the influenced, "Step" card.
 
Sample Reading

Position one:
The Significator
Position Two:
The Star
Position Three:
The High Priestess
 
Meaning
The first position focuses upon personal power. Evaluate where you are, and
where you need to be.

Position two influences meditation, putting you in a receptive state to receive the answers you have been searching for.

Position three indicates that the action you need, is inside your Spirit.  The High Priestess represents "hidden knowledge" that can only be found, and interpreted, by you!
 
Summary

As you cast The Twelve Step Spread, you will discover that meanings of cards will blend into each other, creating a multitude of different influences and actions for the step you are focusing upon.

Reading the cards will open your mind to abstract ways of thinking, finding answers you might not have discovered using your natural, linear thought process. It's up to personal intuition to determine what each spread, as a whole, will reveal to you.
 
Definitions

I have included the Pagan version of The Twelve Steps, by Selena Fox. For me, her interpretations bring into focus what these steps are all about. They are about healing. They are about spiritual awakening. (Note: Cards will be read right side up only in this spread.)
 
Step One
"We recognize that we have given away personal power by addiction to substances, that this has resulted in dysfunctional living, and that it is time to begin reclaiming our power and restoring balance to ourselves and our lives."
Tarot Card
The Devil
Interpretation
Sensation divorced from understanding. Addiction acknowledged. A "hell" that we have created for ourselves as a result of dysfunctional living.
 
Step Two
"Came to acknowledge that the Divine Power within can bring about healing
change and harmony."
Tarot Card
The High Priestess
Interpretation
Spiritual enlightenment. Inner illumination. The hidden connection between
material and spirit.
 
Step Three
"Chose to allow the Divine within of our own spiritual path to be the central guiding force in ourselves and our lives."
Tarot Card
The Fool
Interpretation
The Child Spirit. Perfect love and perfect trust. A new journey. A desire to accomplish a great goal.
 
Step Four
"Examined ourselves deeply and honestly on all dimensions- physical, mental, behavioral, emotional, and spiritual."
Tarot Card
The Hermit
Interpretation
Silent counsel. Prudence. Discretion. Soul searching. A spiritual journey.  The internal light of self awareness.
 
Step Five
"Acknowledged to the Divine, to our egos, and to at least one ally what is
unhealthy and unbalanced in our bodies, thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and souls."
Tarot Card
The Hanged Man
Interpretation
Self surrender leads to the transformation of personality. Ego busting. Repentance. Developing a Oneness with the Goddess and God aspect.
 
Step Six
"Were ready for the Divine within to work transformation to restore balance to ourselves and our lives."
Tarot Card
Strength
Interpretation
The strength of "being ready" to move toward the will of The Goddess and God aspect. Higher nature over carnal desires.
 
Step Seven
"Sincerely invited the Divine within to dispel barriers to change and to facilitate transformation."
Tarot Card
Death
Interpretation
Transformation. Letting go. Abolishing negative patterns to open up channels for positive energy.
 
Step Eight
"Made a list of all beings we have harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all."
Tarot Card
Temperance
Interpretation
Adaption. Tempering. Balance. Working in harmony with others. Taking the
objective view.
 
Step Nine
"Made direct amends to such beings as much as possible, except when to do so would cause harm to them or others or make a difficult situation worse."
Tarot Card
Justice
Interpretation
Justice will be done. The ability to divine right from wrong. A tranquil mind is the first requisite for good judgment.

Step Ten
"Continued our process of self-examination, acknowledging our strengths as well as our problems, and promptly acknowledging our mistakes and our successes when they occurred."
Tarot Card
The Magician
Interpretation
Will. Mastery. The ability to take power from above and direct it through desire, into manifestation.
 
Step Eleven
"Sought, through spiritual activities such as rituals, meditation, chanting, dancing, rhythm making, invocations, prayers, vigils, nature walks, journal writing, and other practices, to strengthen our relationship with the Divine within and to allow this dimension of ourselves to be the guiding force in our lives."
Tarot Card
The Star
Interpretation
Meditation and Prayer are the main channels to Higher Power. Insight, Inspiration, and Hope. Gifts of the spirit.

Step Twelve
"Having had a spiritual rebirth as a result of this process of healing transformation, we continue our work with these principles and are willing to share our story with those who come to us in need."
Tarot Card
The World
Interpretation
Completion. Reward. Joy of living. Action. Giving that has no reward. Love that has no price tag.
 
The Significator
Tarot Card
The Querents own choosing from the Minor Arcana.
Interpretation
The Querents Inner Self. His or her own strength that may be applied in a positive way, relating to The Twelve Step cards, laid out in the spread.

In Conclusion

Most Pagans do not accept the concept of "turning our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him". (As stated in the original third step of A.A.) It is their responsibility to change and grow for positive outcomes. The Goddess and God aspect will help them, if they make the effort to help themselves!

Brightest Blessings!

Rev. Alan Geddes
 
The sources that have helped me write this article are:

"A Complete guide to the Tarot", by Eden Gray
"Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions", by the A.A. Grapevine
"When Goddess is God: Pagans, Recovery, and Alcoholics Anonymous", by Selena Fox.