A couple weeks ago, I journaled about how I discovered the right tarot deck for myself. I guess, ultimately, I should have started at the very beginning of Why Tarot in the first place. So, I am back tracking a bit and sharing that story. When I first started researching tarot reading in 2016, I was just curious. I was always drawn to the beautifully designed cards and wanted to know what they meant and what the symbols stood for. When I rediscovered it again last year, I actually had hit a point in my life where change needed to happen in order to usher in positivity.

I knew right away that my previous routine of prayer and meditation was missing. It made me feel better, grounded me, and gave me a different view on life’s happenings (even if I couldn’t actively change my situation right at the moment). To me, tarot is a spiritual thing and even though I don’t label myself with any one religion, I am definitely a spiritual being and a believer in a Higher Power. When I read tarot, I see it as a message and gateway of communication from the divine.

I was getting stressed out. The idea of my current work situation was a constant roller coaster that I couldn’t seem to get off of. I constantly worried about finances, my career and where it was [not] heading and my family life. I was always anxious and eventually it started to take a toll on me physically. My sleeping patterns were nonexistent, I developed various health issues like hypertension, intestinal issues, and more. It is amazing how much emotions can rule the mind and body and have such an impact on you physically. I wanted and needed a change, so I decided to make one. My changes were slow at first. It started around the first of the year, shortly after my diagnosis of hypertension for my 29th birthday (yay, me!) The changes happened at a snail pace and began with my artwork. I decided to do more of what I love and charge clients accordingly. Since then, I have not looked back and I have been quite happy with my [very] small business. It gives me something productive to do as well as making extra money. The same with creating content for YouTube.

Next, came my feeble attempt at a decent sleep schedule. Wether I am tired or not, I try and go to bed around 10pm-12am. For some, that is still really late, but for me it is an improvement from 3am. I have been feeling so much better, more alert and more energy ever since that change. I’ve made small changes with my diet as well. My guilty pleasure being soft drink/juices and not enough water. However, with all of these changes, something else was missing. I had to make time for prayer + meditation. This is where tarot resurfaced for me, and this time I went with it and put in the effort to learn. I am so glad I did.

My Meditation Practices

Everyone has varying meditation practices, rituals, and even spells that they do when it comes to tarot. I have my own too! Wether it is welcoming in a new tarot deck or doing my daily/nightly reading, I have fallen into a routine that I like. This routine’s length varies, depending on how much time I spend on each step and if I am out the door prior to, but the steps are relatively the same:

1. Candles + Lighting + Setting – Setting a mood for the environment is a big deal for me when sitting down to read my tarot. Most times, I am able to light my favorite scented candles or turn on my wax cube warmer and just be. I prefer medium to low lighting or natural sunlight from the window. I prefer it quiet with nature sounds from outside, or none at all. Music and other sounds can be distracting for me. I’m often seated at my desk or on the floor with comfy pillows.

2. Prayer First + Tarot/Oracle Choosing – I say a quick prayer of gratitude the moment my eyes open and before I get out of bed, but I center myself with a separate prayer before I begin choosing my tarot decks and pulling cards. This prayer is all encompassing. I pray for my family, friends, protection/healing, guidance, and even for my enemies that they may be opened to a change of heart and positive path. I ask for my cards to be blessed that they may put forth a message that will connect with my spirit and emotional health. Lastly, inspired by how I am feeling that day or night, I choose my tarot and oracle decks to work with; shuffling them in the hand-over-hand style (as not to damage them, ’cause I suck at shuffling) and then I place them on my tarot matt with my favorite crystals and stones.

4. Focus + Questioning – Lately, I have not had any specific questions but only want to open myself up for what the day lies ahead, what challenges I may face and how to face them in a bold and positive way. When I do have a question, I contemplate it carefully; knowing the choices lie within me and all I ask is guidance in the aftermath of that choice. Then, I pull the cards!

5. Spreads and such – I don’t use any particular spreads as my space on the desk may be limited, so I simply use the sacred spaces on my matt, however I usually pull two oracle cards (depending on how many oracle decks I use that day) and 2-3 tarot cards in regards to spirit, mind, and body.

6. Reading + Meditation – At this state my cards are pulled and I begin to connect them to what is happening in my life events, how my spirit is feeling, what my body is doing and all the elements that effect my emotions. I take any knowledge from the oracle and gain much inspiration, contemplation, or whatever message is there for me to soak in. I also may journal these readings here or in my physical diary!