Tarot for Self Care
Most of us know that tarot cards and tarot readings are associated with divination... “the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means.” (Dictionary from Oxford Languages).
More importantly, tarot images can be part of a daily spiritual or self care practice, where we choose cards to assess how we are doing at any certain moment in time. We can reflect and journal about the images, and possibly notice reoccurring archetypes or themes asking for our attention.
I often use a simple six card spread I created to check in on my current state of being. I shuffle my chosen tarot and oracle deck, and randomly pull six cards. I pull the very last card from an oracle deck.
Card 1) My mental body
Card 2) My emotional body
Card 3) My physical body
Card 4) My energetic body
Card 5) My overall state of being
Card 6) message from the oracle
This spread really helps me tap in, and contemplate what I need to consider to be my most optimal self in my daily life. The tarot symbolism may prompt questions such as; Is there something I am avoiding or taking for granted? Am I headed for burnout if I do not take the needed time to rest? Do I need to set stronger boundaries to protect my energy? Am I overindulging and not exercising enough?
The following sample spread was done with a client this week using The Gentle Tarot deck created and illustrated by Mariza Ryce Aparicio-Tovar. It is a new, nature inspired deck that is wonderful for self care readings. The Oracle deck used is the Synchronicity Oracle deck by the talented Cathy Nichols.
Card 1) Harvest of Stones (king of pentacles)
Card 2) Four of Thunder (4 of swords)
Card 3) Eight of Thunder (8 of swords)
Card 4) Ten of Thunder (10 of swords)
Card 5) six of wands
Card 6) Loss
Right away, we notice a predominance of sword cards suggesting mental stress is either consciously or subconsciously affecting her. Though the king of pentacles in her mental body suggests she is totally reliable and full of steady resolve, what is it costing her physically and energetically? The four of swords is suggesting she needs physical rest or a mental break to restore herself emotionally. Something is frustrating her physically, but she can find ways to work around it. Energetically, all she can do is move up...she’s burned out in this area. She is free to decide if she alters her perception of being stuck and takes the necessary steps to replenish her energy. The six of wands is reassuring her that all is well if she heeds this message.
Her oracle message of “loss” suggests this theme is active in her life right now. It is a temporary cycle asking her to be kind and compassionate to herself, and not feel guilty for needing rest and recuperation.