Inner_guide
How can you meditate with tarot cards. I have heard of it being done but I don't know how to do it. Plz help.
Tarot meditation
jmd
Take a card - any card...
To begin, here's what I would suggest:
Look at the selected card closely, then relax, close your eyes, and visualise the card in whatever manner, and whatever details come (even if none) for 30 seconds. Repeat on six consecutive days with the same card at the same time each day.
Move on to another card for another week... etc.
To begin, here's what I would suggest:
Look at the selected card closely, then relax, close your eyes, and visualise the card in whatever manner, and whatever details come (even if none) for 30 seconds. Repeat on six consecutive days with the same card at the same time each day.
Move on to another card for another week... etc.
la-luna
You can also during the day collect things related to the card you meditated upon (that can be things you aihter know or feel related to it, material like Crystals, photographs, poems but also immaterial like perfumes, music…..) and that evening meditate upon the card linked to these objects.
MarkMcElroy
A Simple, Step-by-Step Meditation
Here's a process you can try:
1) Pick a quiet spot where you won't be interrupted by others. If you find meditative aids helpful, feel free to light a candle or two or to put on some peaceful music.
2) Take three deep, calming breaths.
3) Pause a moment to allow expectations and mental chatter to drop away.
4) Shuffle the deck. Focus on the physical and tactile feedback associated with shuffling. If you mind wanders, gently set thoughts aside by thinking, "I'll get back to you later."
5) Draw a single card.
6) Even if the card is familiar, try to see it for the very first time. Don't strain to memorize detail; instead, let your eyes slowly wander over the image from top to bottom, bottom to top, and side to side.
7) Close your eyes. In your mind, recreate the card in as much detail as possible. New details may present themselves -- some of which may not appear in the original card. That's fine; accept what happens.
8) When the card is recreated in your mind's eye, expand it to fill your inner world. Open your senses to the card. What do you hear? What's the temperature? What's the weather like? What scents are in the air? Let the card come to life around you. How does the character on the card, if there is one, respond to you, if at all?
9) Keeping your mind as still as possible, broadcast the intention that you would like to receive an insight from the card.
10) Pay attention! Sometimes characters will speak. Other times, you may receive a general feeling, a sudden insight, or an emotional impression. If no insight comes, don't fret -- part of the experience is learning to let go of attachment and expectation.
11) Slowly, slowly pull away from the world of the card. When you feel back inside yourself, take three cleansing breaths and open your eyes very slowly.
Hope this helps!
Mark
Here's a process you can try:
1) Pick a quiet spot where you won't be interrupted by others. If you find meditative aids helpful, feel free to light a candle or two or to put on some peaceful music.
2) Take three deep, calming breaths.
3) Pause a moment to allow expectations and mental chatter to drop away.
4) Shuffle the deck. Focus on the physical and tactile feedback associated with shuffling. If you mind wanders, gently set thoughts aside by thinking, "I'll get back to you later."
5) Draw a single card.
6) Even if the card is familiar, try to see it for the very first time. Don't strain to memorize detail; instead, let your eyes slowly wander over the image from top to bottom, bottom to top, and side to side.
7) Close your eyes. In your mind, recreate the card in as much detail as possible. New details may present themselves -- some of which may not appear in the original card. That's fine; accept what happens.
8) When the card is recreated in your mind's eye, expand it to fill your inner world. Open your senses to the card. What do you hear? What's the temperature? What's the weather like? What scents are in the air? Let the card come to life around you. How does the character on the card, if there is one, respond to you, if at all?
9) Keeping your mind as still as possible, broadcast the intention that you would like to receive an insight from the card.
10) Pay attention! Sometimes characters will speak. Other times, you may receive a general feeling, a sudden insight, or an emotional impression. If no insight comes, don't fret -- part of the experience is learning to let go of attachment and expectation.
11) Slowly, slowly pull away from the world of the card. When you feel back inside yourself, take three cleansing breaths and open your eyes very slowly.
Hope this helps!
Mark
a_shikhs
Thanks Mark, this is a nice and simple meditation.. 
full deck
Yeah, I like Mark's and JMD's suggestions. It is a good start. This is in addition to doing a good bit of reading about the symbolism too. Don't be in a rush. Remember Mark's number 10! Mark is describing the detachment of ones' self that is needed. Don't try to grab and hold on . . . just observe as if watching a movie over someone's shoulder, with no stake in the outcome or action taking place. To quote from a Buddhist monk:
One can even meditate upon the symbols without having a deck at hand too. It is all there -- deck or no deck.
As per Mark's method, you may find that a part of each symbol jumps out at you: a color, a sensation, a thought, a tactile feeling even, such as coolness, the feel of fabric, sometimes even a smell.
One can even meditate upon the symbols without having a deck at hand too. It is all there -- deck or no deck.
Alta
I follow something like what Mark described, only his technique is fuller and I now think, rather better than mine. It is a sort of 'become one with the card' thing. Takes a bit of time, make sure you can relax, and won't be disturbed for fifteen or twenty minutes.
Inner_guide
thanks for the help everybody. That helped so much
mamabri
I was trying to explain this concept to my husband the other day - we are both very spiritual, and meditate several times a day if possible. I'm really glad I found this thread - it's full of great advice to put into practice, and it'll make a lot of sense to him, too. Thanks!!
Thanks!!SunChariot
Here's the one I do and love:
My meditation Technique.
I have even used it as part of a reading and it has been accurate, even in readings for others.
Here is one I enjoy a lot, and I have even used it in a reading...
This is the meditation I use (taken from my book Complete Illustrated Guide to Tarot, by Rachel Pollack). I find it works very well for me. It’s great for getting to know a card better and/or for developing qualities in yourself. Like if I felt I needed to have more courage, I would meditate on the Strength card. By the way where it says "pause" or "brief pause" those are instructions for it you are tape recording the exercise... Please excuse any typos I make,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Meditation allows us to engage the pictures on the cards in a very direct way. There are many forms of meditation. We will look at a “program” that will allow you to enter and explore any card. We begin with relaxation. A relaxed state allows you to step outside the usual movement of your life. Choose a place where you can sit comfortably so that you will have to shift around, but try to sit with your back straight (personally I tend to lie down). Place the card you want to explore close by so you can easily pick it up. Since you do not want to stop and consult the book, or even have to remind yourself what comes next, you might want to make a tape of the following directions. Speak softly without rush.
When you have found a comfortable position close your eyes. Feel that you are coming to a rest, still. Let thoughts and plans and problems begin to slide away from you. Begin to breath deeply and easily. Allow the breath to go right the way down to the center of your body. As you take a breath out, release it entirely, in the confidence that your next breath will be there for you when you are ready for it (Brief pause).
As you breathe in, breathe in a deep calm all through your body. Let it radiate through you. And as you breathe out, let the breath carry away any distractions or worries.
And as you breathe in, let your breath bring you the light of the stars. Let it fill you, shine in you. You are a creature of light. And when you breathe out, send the light down into the Earth. Send it through the floor, the dirt, the rock, deep into the Earth. With each breath you become a link between the stars and the Earth (Pause)
Now, with your eyes closed, and staying with your breath, reach out for the card. Hold it in both hands and feel its energy. Quietly open your eyes and look at it. See it for the first time. Absorb all the details, colours and characteristics. When you have seen it fully, close your eyes again and visualize the card in front of you (Brief pause)
Open your eyes and look again. What details did you miss? What small form or gesture did you leave out? Now close your eyes again and set down the card. Once more see it in front of you, Let the picture become bigger, the size of a book, then a window. And bigger still, until it becomes like a doorway. A doorway to a living world.
Motionless, with your eyes closed, imagine yourself standing before the doorway. Now step through it. Now you find yourself inside that world.
Let yourself look around. The world has grown beyond the picture. Feel the ground, the breezes, smell the air, hear any noises of birds, people or wind (Brief pause).
As you look around, you see the characters from the original picture. They are active now, and you watch them move and speak (Pause)
Now you find yourself drawn to them. You approach them and one figure, a person, or animal, or object draws you still closer. You feel a special bond with this figure, this ally. Allow yourself to explore than (Pause).
And now this powerful figure asks you to come very close. You approach the figure and the being offers you a precious gift. Allow yourself to discover this gift and accept it. (Pause). Now your give your ally a gift in return (Brief pause).
Your recognize that the time has come to leave. You say goodbye to your ally and let yourself step back. As you move away the scene becomes the way it was before you entered it. You look and see the doorway behind you. You step back through it, so that the scene once more lies on the other side. And not the doorway begins to shrink—the size of a window, a large book, a card. Now the picture you have created dissolves before you.
Sit quietly for a moment, then take a deep breath, and when you let it out, open your eyes. Write or draw in your journal what you have experienced."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I also tend to take it as an opportunity to ask any questions I have at the time that I feel this ally/source of wisdom would be able to answer, as well as sensing the atmosphere.
My meditation Technique.
I have even used it as part of a reading and it has been accurate, even in readings for others.
Here is one I enjoy a lot, and I have even used it in a reading...
This is the meditation I use (taken from my book Complete Illustrated Guide to Tarot, by Rachel Pollack). I find it works very well for me. It’s great for getting to know a card better and/or for developing qualities in yourself. Like if I felt I needed to have more courage, I would meditate on the Strength card. By the way where it says "pause" or "brief pause" those are instructions for it you are tape recording the exercise... Please excuse any typos I make,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Meditation allows us to engage the pictures on the cards in a very direct way. There are many forms of meditation. We will look at a “program” that will allow you to enter and explore any card. We begin with relaxation. A relaxed state allows you to step outside the usual movement of your life. Choose a place where you can sit comfortably so that you will have to shift around, but try to sit with your back straight (personally I tend to lie down). Place the card you want to explore close by so you can easily pick it up. Since you do not want to stop and consult the book, or even have to remind yourself what comes next, you might want to make a tape of the following directions. Speak softly without rush.
When you have found a comfortable position close your eyes. Feel that you are coming to a rest, still. Let thoughts and plans and problems begin to slide away from you. Begin to breath deeply and easily. Allow the breath to go right the way down to the center of your body. As you take a breath out, release it entirely, in the confidence that your next breath will be there for you when you are ready for it (Brief pause).
As you breathe in, breathe in a deep calm all through your body. Let it radiate through you. And as you breathe out, let the breath carry away any distractions or worries.
And as you breathe in, let your breath bring you the light of the stars. Let it fill you, shine in you. You are a creature of light. And when you breathe out, send the light down into the Earth. Send it through the floor, the dirt, the rock, deep into the Earth. With each breath you become a link between the stars and the Earth (Pause)
Now, with your eyes closed, and staying with your breath, reach out for the card. Hold it in both hands and feel its energy. Quietly open your eyes and look at it. See it for the first time. Absorb all the details, colours and characteristics. When you have seen it fully, close your eyes again and visualize the card in front of you (Brief pause)
Open your eyes and look again. What details did you miss? What small form or gesture did you leave out? Now close your eyes again and set down the card. Once more see it in front of you, Let the picture become bigger, the size of a book, then a window. And bigger still, until it becomes like a doorway. A doorway to a living world.
Motionless, with your eyes closed, imagine yourself standing before the doorway. Now step through it. Now you find yourself inside that world.
Let yourself look around. The world has grown beyond the picture. Feel the ground, the breezes, smell the air, hear any noises of birds, people or wind (Brief pause).
As you look around, you see the characters from the original picture. They are active now, and you watch them move and speak (Pause)
Now you find yourself drawn to them. You approach them and one figure, a person, or animal, or object draws you still closer. You feel a special bond with this figure, this ally. Allow yourself to explore than (Pause).
And now this powerful figure asks you to come very close. You approach the figure and the being offers you a precious gift. Allow yourself to discover this gift and accept it. (Pause). Now your give your ally a gift in return (Brief pause).
Your recognize that the time has come to leave. You say goodbye to your ally and let yourself step back. As you move away the scene becomes the way it was before you entered it. You look and see the doorway behind you. You step back through it, so that the scene once more lies on the other side. And not the doorway begins to shrink—the size of a window, a large book, a card. Now the picture you have created dissolves before you.
Sit quietly for a moment, then take a deep breath, and when you let it out, open your eyes. Write or draw in your journal what you have experienced."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I also tend to take it as an opportunity to ask any questions I have at the time that I feel this ally/source of wisdom would be able to answer, as well as sensing the atmosphere.
