I don’t use the tarot to predict the future, to divine the unknown, to have an advantage over those that do not read the tarot. I use the tarot to calm an overactive mind, my mind.
Humans are often consumed by different fears, ideas, compulsions, and to be able to cope and lead a relatively balanced life we develop coping mechanisms.
Some people exercise, others shop, others collect things and so on, you know what I mean, I will not state the obvious.
As far as I am concerned, I have found that, using the tarot for self reflection is a great way to quiet my mind when it goes all erratic and stops making sense.
And I think this is a great way to use the tarot, to cope with the stresses of human life.
It is a pleasant way of shifting focus by stopping and processing the emotions and the ideas that have hold of us, tarot functions like a mirror not as a crystal ball.
Tarot is not a substitute for therapy, medication, or professional support. But used with intention, it can become part of a mental health toolkit, especially for those moments when you feel trapped in your own head.
I found tarot helps with anxiety because in a way it externalizes inner chaos. By looking at the cards I stop circling the same thought and instead I explore it through archetypes and imagery.
It gives my mind some structure to hang on to and it forces me to examine what I am feeling and thinking without making me feel judged.
I usually use a three card spread when I need to ground myself quickly.
Some intellectual questions or ideas that can be attached to the three cards are:
What emotion did I not fully acknowledge?
What story am I telling myself about this?
What truth do I need to remember?
But most often I find that I don’t even ask the questions, I just draw the cards and the mind works with them.
Maybe because I have been doing this for some time my mind is very quick to draw meaning and find information in the cards. As they say, practice …
I do want to mention, it is important to use the tarot mindfully, as if it becomes a compulsion and you just draw cards on and on and on, until one that you like comes, it loses meaning.
The aim is to slow down, think, maybe be take a few deep breaths, or write a few lines in a journal about the cards you drew and what they mean for you.
Also, choose a tarot deck that you like, or oracle cards, there are so many out there, and they are so beautiful, a joy to use them and to look at them. If you would like a recommendation write to me below some of the things you like and I can see if I know of any that would match.
Even if I do not know there are so many out there, the only thing is some are better quality than others, I am happy to share whatever knowledge I have.
I truly find a lot of comfort in using the tarot for self-reflection and self-regulation, and I hope you will too.