When I began to read tarot, it felt like such a massive undertaking to understand the meanings, symbolism, and action (or inaction) of each card.

Once I began to understand that the tarot is really just 78 cards that reflect day to day events, as well as larger and more all encompassing issues that every person faces, the beauty of the tarot really began to blossom in front of me.

Few people understsand the strength of the tarot for personal growth and development, so in this article we will dive into some of the many ways you can use the cards not only for divination, but to help you understand your place in the world, and how best to approach things occuring in your life.

Reflection and Introspection

At their core, each and every tarot reading prompts introspection. Each card has a mutlitude of meanings, both conventional and personal. Once we get to a space with the tarot where we’re able to intuit what the cards are trying to convey to us through their rich symbolism, an entire world opens up allowing you to delve into yourself and your situation much deeper than you ever have before. By drawing a card and reflecting on it’s symbolism, we are able to gain insights into our thoughts, feelings, and the situations through which we are walking. For example, if we were to pull the Hermit, it may prompt us to consider the value of solitude and introspection in our life.

Goal Setting with the Tarot

If the tarot is good at one thing, it’s at helping you to walk the straightest path towards your goals. Begin a practice of drawing one card that represents the energy of the week or month, and then see how you can implement that advice into your day to day life. For instance, if you were to pull the Strength card, it may suggest you should work on your inner resilience and face your challenges head on.

Daily Guidance from the Tarot

We all know morning routines are incredibly important, not just to keep us focused and motivated, but to help us get the most out of each day. Try adding a daily card draw into your morning routine, then sit and reflect on the card and it’s message. This daily practice can offer clarity, warn of potential challenges, or simply provide food for thought as your progress through your day.

Navigating Challenges

When faced with something that may seem insurmountable when looking at it through a narrow lens, the tarot can help you to expand your vision and see the whole picture more clearly. If you’re faced with a dilemma, a tarot spread (a specific arrangement of cards) can help you gain insight into the situation. Even a simple spread, such as a three card, past, present, future spread can help illuminate where the problem stems from, show you the current state of the problem, and provide potential outcomes.

Building Intuition

Ever feel a knot in your stomach, and you know it’s trying to tell you something but you’re unsure of what? Practicing building your intuition through the tarot can make these instances easier to navigate, and help bring you more in tune with the energies that surround you. Regularly working with the tarot will help you sharpen your intuition and over time, you’ll begin to notice patterns and deepen your understanding of the cards, which will lead to more intuitive readings and insights.

Affirmations

Each and every tarot card carries a theme or a lesson. By turning these themes into positive affirmations, you help to reinforce positive beliefs and behaviors. For example, the Sun card may lead you to the affirmation of, “I welcome joy and abundance into my life.”

Let’s not forget that, despite the tarot being rooted in historical and mythical traditions, it’s utility and use is not confined strictly to the esoteric.

When it comes to personal development, the tarot can be used as a powerful tool for self-reflection, decision-making, and personal growth.

Whether you’re completely new to tarot, or a seasoned reader, integrating this art into your self-improvement journey can offer fresh perspectives and insights that can help guide you towards a better understanding of yourself and your path in life.