Tarot

Witchcraft? Voodoo? Psychic connection? These are the words that instantly come to mind at the mere mention of Tarot cards. I admit, I always thought Tarot was something that only extraordinary people with an unexplainable connection to the great beyond could do or use.

I have always been curious about tarot, tapping into your higher self to explain seemingly unexplainable thoughts or feelings. Growing up in a deeply religious household, tarot cards were not a welcomed topic of conversation. Which is understandable given their misunderstood origins.

Upon further research, and the fact that I am now an adult and out of my parents house, I’ve looked into the use of tarot cards and what they’re really about.

If you’re still reading and hoping that tarot cards unlock your future or will finally reveal lotto winning numbers, I’m sorry to say you’ll be left disappointed. They are not a fortune-telling tool. The practice asks to tap into your inner wisdom and intuition.

Apparently, people use tarot cards specifically in different ways, there’s no real right or wrong way to read them. You don’t even need to read other people, this tool can be a totally personal experience. The practice mostly ask to use what feels right to you, or your intuition.

What is constant is a deck of 78 cards, each with its own image and story behind it. 22 of the cards are called the Major Arcana, these represent life’s spiritual lessons. The other 56 are called the Minor Arcana these represent the daily trials and tribulations we experience.

I happened to have received a tarot deck for my birthday. I was elated. I took this as a sign to really get into it. After about a week of reading, this is my experience.

To start of my tarot journey, I’ve decided to read ‘A Card a Day’ This is a simple way to get to know your deck and learn the different stories, without making your deck feel like school flash cards.

To begin, find quiet time to sit and almost meditate, whether morning, evening or at a coffee shop, doesn’t matter. A time centre and listen to yourself. Hold on to a question you’ve been asking yourself or searching for an answer too, again, asking what feels right to you in that moment.

I often find myself asking…myself.. ”why do I feel this way?” Shuffle the cards and either pick from the top or fan the deck and pick a card. Take note of the orientation of the image upon first pick, this is significant. Each Tarot deck usually comes with a book explaining each card. This website also has great interpretations and meanings.

After doing this exercise for about a week, the deck didn’t tell me anything I hadn’t thought of before. In fact what they did was reaffirm what I’ve been feeling. Accurately putting into words a thought of feeling I’ve had that I otherwise couldn’t find the right words to explain. Almost funnelling a broad sea of emotions into a single current river.

Armed with this realisation, I was able to start my day with new found focus and determination, after finally being able to put into simple sentences what I’ve otherwise been struggling to figure out.

Needless to say I will be continuing this exercise for a long time…