When most people think of Tarot, their minds often jump to images of mysterious figures predicting the future.
While Tarot has long been associated with fortune-telling, the true nature of the Tarot is its ability to support us in the present moment.
Though there are certainly readers who use Tarot for predictions, I assert that no one can predict the future, because the future isn’t a thing.
We live in a free will universe, and so nothing that hasn’t happened yet is fated to occur. We cannot time travel, we are always in the present moment. It is a gift, and that is the space that Tarot can support you in.
You don’t need psychic powers to benefit from working with the Tarot.
Tarot can support anyone looking to deepen intuition, make thoughtful choices, and nourish personal growth.
Tarot as a Tool for Self-Reflection
At its core, Tarot is a mirror for the soul. The cards provide a framework for introspection, allowing us to explore our thoughts, feelings, and experiences with a fresh perspective. When you draw a card, you’re not looking at a fixed destiny; instead, you’re engaging with symbols and archetypes that resonate with the human experience.
Each card tells a story. By stepping into these stories, you can better understand the narrative you are giving to your current situation.
Once we understand Tarot is not a tool for prediction, we can see that every card will always be for you, and never to you.
For example, the The Lovers doesn’t predict that you’ll meet someone and fall in love, but rather it’s a beautiful call to greater self-acceptance and love. Similarly, The Devil has nothing to do with hell or punishment, but rather reflects what it looks like when we put an artificial celling over our limitless potential for growth.
Cultivating Intuition and Mindfulness
Working with Tarot is a practice of deepening trust in your intuition. The images and symbols on the cards serve as prompts for your subconscious mind, allowing you to tap into your inner wisdom. As you practice interpreting the cards, you’ll find that your ability to trust your instincts and make decisions based on your inner guidance strengthens.
When we encounter a card that we don’t immediately ‘know’ what the meaning is, instead of reading what someone else has said about it, we can use our intuition to explore what the card means to us at that moment.
Moreover, Tarot encourages mindfulness. When you sit down for a reading, you’re taking a moment to pause and reflect, to be present with your thoughts and feelings. This act of mindfulness can be incredibly grounding, especially in times of stress or uncertainty. It reminds you that while the future is unknown, you have the power to navigate it with awareness and intention.
Gaining Clarity and Perspective
Life can be complex, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the myriads of choices and challenges we face daily. Tarot offers a way to cut through the noise and see things more clearly. Whether you’re wrestling with a difficult decision, navigating a relationship issue, or simply feeling stuck, the cards can help you see yourself as you truly are — a divine being of love.
For instance, The Hanged Man might suggest that a situation is still in its ‘cocoon’ stage, so instead of rushing or forcing yourself, you can ease into a gentle surrender. Alternatively, The Chariot might ask if you are complete with a growth cycle and ready to expand in a new direction. By examining these themes, you can approach your situation with greater clarity and confidence.
Empowering Personal Growth
Tarot is also a powerful tool for personal growth and healing. It encourages you to explore the deeper aspects of your psyche, observe your fears, and recognize patterns that may no longer serve you. Over time, regular Tarot practice can lead to profound self-awareness, reparenting, and transformation.
If you were to read Tarot as a predictive tool, consistent encounters with The Tower would almost certainly cause you anxiety. Instead when we approach the Tarot as a friendly guide, we can instead start to ask what in our life is asking to be removed on our behalf, and how can we loosen our grip our fear holds on to change.
Again, there are no good cards or bad cards because they don’t predict anything, positive or negative. They support us in self-exploration so that we can develop more empowered responses to life’s surprises.
Tarot as a Conversation Partner
One of the most beautiful aspects of Tarot is its ability to serve as a conversation partner. The cards don’t provide answers; they ask questions. They invite you to engage in a dialogue with yourself, exploring your thoughts, emotions, and beliefs in a safe and non-judgmental space.
For example, when pulling a card like The Hermit, you’re not being told to seek solitude; you’re being asked, “What wisdom can you find within yourself in this quiet moment?” When Temperance appears, it’s not about sobriety, it’s an opportunity to consider what are you giving and what are you receiving. Are you taking the middle path? What does that mean to you?
Embracing the Journey, Not the Destination
Ultimately, working with Tarot is about embracing the journey rather than fixating on the destination. It’s a tool that helps you stay connected to your inner world, fostering self-awareness and personal growth in a way that’s meaningful and sustainable.
While predicting the future might sound appealing, in the future you will be in the present! We are always only and ever existing in this moment.
When we look to the Tarot as a support system for navigating the present with clarity, confidence, and compassion — your happy future can actually be experienced now.
If you would like to learn more about reading the Tarot intuitively, I will be hosting an in-person workshop in San Fransisco on September 22nd. You can learn more and register here.
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