Harnessing the Power of Tarot for Self-Care
- Lisa Lanty
- Oct 19, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 27, 2024
In today's world, finding moments for taking care of oneself has become more crucial than ever. It can seem pretty wild out there, am I right!?! It's more important than ever to pause, reflect, and take the time to nourish our inner selves. Self-care practices come in various forms, but have you ever thought about reaching for the power of Tarot for self-care?
Understanding the Essence of Tarot
Tarot is a powerful Divination tool that goes beyond predicting the future. At its core, Tarot is like a mirror reflecting our (and/or the Collective) subconscious thoughts, emotions, and energies. Each card in a Tarot deck carries an Archetypal or symbolic meaning that can provide deep introspection and insight into our life or Soul's Journey.
A Tarot deck contains 78 cards. Following along the path of the Fool's Journey with the first 22 cards of the Major Arcana's Archetypal themes. (also known as the Trump cards) Big life themes like the Hermit, Death, the Devil, Judgement, Justice..to name just a few. The rest of the cards in the deck, called the Minor Arcana, or the Pip cards (or Suits) are more about day-to-day happenings, people or personalities and each suit has its main energies that they represent. Swords, Wands, Cups and Pentacles are the more traditional names, but different decks have different names and formats but still are mostly based on the more traditional Tarot, like the Rider-Waite Tarot deck
Milestones, thresholds, levels of consciousness, timeless initiations, activations, people and places that we humans, all in some way, share. That Archetypal part, I find, is one of the most fascinating and interesting parts of the Tarot for me. I am also drawn to those same themes in Astrology, yet another way that the Tarot can speak to you as Astrology is a big part of the Tarot system. Also, there is the 4 Elements (Air, Fire, Earth and Water) the Chakra system, all kinds of symbolism,(religious, the Tora, Angels, the Medieval imagery/visuals etc.) They all create a story for you to intuitively interpret, supporting your movement forward on your life's path and even how to move with and through the energies you are presented with. All working together to give you guidance or direction.
Depending on how in tune or connected you are to your intuition, to the deck you are using, to your Guides, Spirit, Source, the Universe, the All that Is (whatever resonates for you and guess what, the more you do it the better it becomes...not a bad side effect, right!)
the insights can be very predictive and bang on with what you maybe inquiring about or the current Energy that is presenting. If it isn't obvious right at that particular moment, believe me when I say, it will be, in some way or another. That is just one of the many gifts of the Tarot.
The Art of Self-Care through Tarot
Reflection and Introspection
Tarot cards serve as a pathway to self-discovery and reflection. By drawing cards and contemplating their meanings, individuals can gain clarity on their emotions, desires, and underlying issues. This practice can enable folk to feel into things and it can help to look into parts of themselves that may need attention, where untapped wisdom or knowledge is available, facilitating a journey of self-awareness.
Setting Intentions and Goals
Utilizing Tarot for self-care can involve setting intentions and goals for personal growth. Tarot and the readings can help align the current energies with your aspirations, or inspirations, which can open the door for positive transformations.
Another bonus of Tarot and readings can provide solace during challenging times, offering comfort, guidance, and a sense of reassurance. This practice encourages the acknowledgment of emotions, the ability to process feelings, and embark on a journey towards healing and self-compassion. It is very empowering.
Creating Your Tarot Self-Care Ritual
Choose a Tarot Deck
Select a Tarot deck that resonates with you on a personal level. Whether it's the classic Rider-Waite deck or a more modern-themed deck like the Light Seers Tarot Deck https://chris-anne.com/shop-light-seers-deck/
Be sure it is one that speaks to you, to your intuition and inner wisdom. Spend some time with your deck, get to know its quirks and feel into what the cards are saying. Depending on your level of reading cards, guaranteed, you will have cards that mean something to you, personally. Some cards may present as something completely different than what it says in the guidebook. That is the super cool part. The cards seem to have a way of illuminating, activating even, and blending into your personal symbol system. Be curious, interested, and study. Be open and willing to see or hear the answers available, the ones you seek. It's all about Intention.
Clear and Cleanse your Space, Set the Mood
Create a Sacred space for your Tarot self-care ritual. You can light a candle, burn sage or an incense, use crystals to enhance the energetic vibrations of the environment.
Take sometime to get grounded and centred by doing a meditation, an opening prayer, playing a singing bowl, shaking a rattle, spraying a cleansing or clearing spray,
my chakra spray ☺️👍
You could also play some calming, meditative music as well.
I ask for protection. I surround myself in a protective bubble of Bright, White Healing Light, ask for support and to connect with my Guides and Spirit and I step aside, allowing for the messages to flow. I like to burn Sage or Palo Santo, spray one of my cleansing sprays and I will pass the deck(s) through the smoke for some energetic clearing and cleansing.
(*I make time to cleanse my Healing Space on a regular basis because it’s important to have good energetic hygiene when you work in the Healing Arts and that includes cleansing and clearing all of my many decks.)
Shuffle and Draw Cards
Focus on a specific question, intention, or area of your life that you seek clarity on.
I do a reading for myself everyday, so sometimes I will simply ask “What do I need to hear for my Highest Good and the Highest Good of All” and then I just go with the flow.
Shuffle the cards mindfully, and intuitively draw the number of cards that feel right for your reading.
Sometimes when I pick up the deck and a card falls out, if called to, I will read that card.
I like to knock on the deck 3 times also, usually on the top of the deck and I love to shuffle. Shuffling is like the best! As you shuffle, let the process unfold. When you are ready, you will feel it, and if you are not there yet you could decide on how many times you want to shuffle, how many times you might want to cut the deck and how many cards you want to pull and from where. You can feel drawn to pull a few cards from the bottom of the deck, or by cutting the deck into 3 piles and collecting them back up together, to then draw from the top. I tend to have a bit of a ritual, but there really is so many different ways to draw cards.
I would only say, please have deep respect for them and the process and treat it like you would anything that is important and Sacred to you. Have an opening and a closing. It doesn't have to be a big to-do, but it should be something, something rooted in gratitude, that signals to the All that Is that you are ready and willing to give and recieve energy.
(this is why the protection part is important, this way you won't drain your own energy)
Interpret and Reflect
This is the part of the process where you interpret the Tarot cards you've drawn. You can reflect on the meanings, symbols, and messages conveyed by the cards, and the messages that you may receive from Spirit, your Guides, Angels, Ascended Masters and allow yourself to delve deep into the subconscious realms.
Sometimes things jump right out to you, others will when you just sit with the reading, the story will gracefully unfold. This is where a picture could pop into your head, a person, place or thing moves into your space, or your mind's eye. It could be a sentence, a word, even part of a song or song lyrics.
Even if it doesn’t make a lot of sense, just go with it and record what comes up and resonates with you.
Journal Your Insights
Record your Tarot readings, insights, and reflections in a journal dedicated to your self-care practice. I have a Tarot Journal, The Weiser Tarot Journal It is a really cool one! I love it and I love the author and card reader, Theresa Reed, the Tarot Lady. She is the bomb!
I recommend her book also, The Cards You Are Dealt, How to Deal when Life gets Real, oh my, it’s a gooder!
Fortunately, there are many good resources out there and you don’t necessarily need to go out and buy a Tarot Journal (if you can, it’s so worth it!) but a cheap school lined notebook works just fine.
Documenting your experiences can help track your progress, patterns, and transformations over time.
Embracing the Journey of Self-Care with Tarot
By delving into the realms of Tarot symbolism, using intuition and self-reflection, individuals can unlock their inner strength, nurture their spirits, and cultivate a deeper connection with themselves.
Remember, self-care is a personal journey, and Tarot can serve as a guiding companion along the path of self-discovery.
Taking the time for yourself and this process can be very transformative, enlightening and empowering.
Embrace the wisdom of the cards, trust your intuition, and embark on an introspective voyage towards healing, growth, and self-love.
Be open, curious and may your Tarot journey be filled with insights, empowerment, and self-love. 💕
✨Be sure to check out my Collective Energy readings here in my blog.
✨Because my readings do not have dates on them, my Intention is that when it finds you, it is for you at that time.
✨You can scroll through the existing readings and whichever one you feel called to, or whichever one presents, will have something in it for you. ✨🔮
Here's the link for the Collective reading that feels pretty relevant to this post.
✨If you would like a more in-depth, personal reading with me
✨If you like this content and would like to donate, buy me a coffee☕️🙏
Thank you! You are very much appreciated!✨💕🙏💕✨
Comments