Meditation using Tarot

To me a full spectrum of positive and negative energies are contained within each tarot archetype. The most positive energy available through the archetype and its wisdom, holds the gift, with these gifts it's there that I use them to impregnate my unconscious mind with their higher wisdom and it helps bring forward my greater self, giving me at times, answers that I need I find that I cannot normally find when not in a state of relaxation and meditation, sometimes a solution is staring us in the face but we some times have to go a little deeper within our selves to reach it and that's where the cards come in for me.

I use the following cards for...

From the use of these while meditating I get self knowledge, introspection, inner healing, inner transformation, personal insights, spiritual development and the tarot helps me to transform negative energy into positive energy. As you can see I only use the Major arcana for this purpose, to me they are a "book of knowledge" so to speak, and each card can be explored individually or studied, this method also helps you to get used to the cards so they become easier to read and you then become fully aware of what each one is saying to you and how to interpret the meanings, it allows you entry into the deepest part of your mind, you have to become acquainted with the symbols on the cards to understand them fully and this is what we will be doing. There is an expression in life that says "change your thoughts, change your destiny" this is very true, and this is why we learn and use the power of visualization also. For now there are some things that I would like you to be doing as detailed below.

Carry a Card with you!

You can either select a cards that jumps out at you or let the deck choose one for you, carry the card around with you in your wallet or pocket where it won't be damaged, tape it on your toilet mirror if you want, but make it so that you can see it when you want to. What I tend to do is place it under my pillow at night before I go to sleep, that way I get the cards energy and it mixes with my subconscious and conscious mind.

Allow the symbols on the cards to help you focus your energy and let it serve as a channel in which your spiritual energy flows through you. Always accept what you see or what you think, it is your higher self speaking even if it sounds strange accept it for what it is saying to you. Try not to judge or evaluate it, get used to the card and the feelings it gives you. Choose a different  card each day or you might want to work with the same card for more than a day or so, until you feel that you have got to grips with the one you were using, then change to another.

You must approach this with an open mind. Gentle contemplation with the cards. Another method is to solve a problem that might just be burning in your head at the time and you cant find the answer to. What I want you to do is go to a darkened room and take with you The Hermit, a candle (white or blue preferably as these are the colours linked with inner wisdom). Be seated comfortably and light the candle while breathing and relaxing as discussed before, now look at the card and study the picture but keep your mind relaxed you are not forcing or looking for anything at this time. Breath in and out slowly, feel the air as it enters through your nose and out again, now visualize that warm healing light around you again and encasing you with its warmth and energy as you relax more and more breathing slowly in and out. Let your busy mind relax and all your troubles to fade into the background.

See the light travel down your body and notice as each time it touches a part of it that part of your body becomes totally relaxed as it it replaces negativity, fear, pain and depression with loving, happiness and gentleness, and this lets you go of anything that is standing in your way of being able to hear the voice that wants to guide you. You are also letting go of any doubt anger or guilt you might feel as well, breathing and seeing the light release all this pain from within you and replacing it with more positive feelings of forgiveness and love.

Gazing with the cards

Visualize yourself in a quiet restful place and imagine yourself slowly going down a beautiful gold staircase gliding down so that each step makes you feel more relaxed and you move closer to the bottom you become closer to your inner self.

When you finally arrive at the bottom of the stairs you feel peace and tranquillity and total relaxation, and your mind is absolutely free of any limitations at all. Now look, at the bottom there is a carved wooden strong door and you walk towards it gliding peacefully without any feeling of fear or danger, open the door gently and as you do see the light burst out as you step into a peaceful flowery garden, as you walk through the garden you see the figure that is actually on the card that you had chosen and they are your spiritual advisor. Relax and take a few moments to feel the energy that surrounds this advisor and let their love flood around you, this advisor has great love and support for you and knows the answer that you seek.

Allow yourself to be seated and watch as your guide offers you a special gift or wisdom and insight which you need at this moment in your life, allow this gift to come in whatever form your guide chooses, whatever it is and even if it doesn't make sense at this time accept it with an open heart. Now sit in silence and think about your gift for a few moments, when you are ready watch as your guide bids you farewell and watch them leave peacefully still feeling the love that they shed and the warmth from the sun in the garden around you. Now go back to the door and step one by one gradually go back to the top step each step making you a bit more awake and alert once you get to the top your meditation is drawing to a close, and you will feel fully awake and alert but the feeling of peace and relaxation remains with you.

Now, think back and look at the gift in your minds eye that you got from your guide and let your mind be still and think carefully what it is saying to you...This could be the answer to your problem or questions. This is a very powerful technique and can be quite intense.

You are also letting of any doubt anger or guilt you might feel as well, breathing and seeing the light release all this pain from within you and replacing it with more positive feelings of forgiveness and love. Use the tarot as a tool for self hypnosis. Select a card at random maybe one that might sort of speak to you in some special way and again follow the breathing exercises that I have given you. Now gaze at the card for a few minutes and feel at peace and relaxed still breathing in and out, in and out and ask the figure on the card if he or she has a message or guidance to offer you. Let your mind be still and allow the message to come through that enters into your head, do not dismiss it or think that it is your mind playing tricks on you, now close your eyes and still see the figure on the card in your mind eye notice what you have remembered and what you have missed and then end this session with something such as a turning of the card, putting the candle out, never blow out a candle as it is an insult to the magic of fire.

Then be at peace with your thoughts and think about what you saw or heard, do not all the same fret about it stay relaxed and focused.

Keep an open mind...