Using the Tarot for Personal Growth

I have been using my tarot cards for at least 20 years.  I like to pull a card a day and have been doing that for about 13 years.  Some tarot cards I pull instantly give me a feeling of joy and excitement, like the 3 of cups (celebrating with others). 

Other tarot cards elicit  a bit of apprehension or outright rebelliousness.  For example, the night before 9-11, I pulled the 10 of swords for the next day’s personal message.  I thought to myself, “I’m NOT going to have victim mentality tomorrow!”  Then I woke to hear about the attack in NY City.  The card was very accurate for the energy of that historic day.   

Another example is the Emperor card.  I’m rather a free spirit and his message of authority and leadership brings up my inner rebel when I first see him. 

What do I do when I encounter cards that don’t bring up feelings of inner joy right away?  Well, I dive deeper.  I hold the card and mediate with it and allow deeper meaning.  Usually, I see or feel something that connects with me on a deeper level.  I find a message that serves my personal growth and awareness. 

When I did that with the emperor card, I found I really like and trust his energy.  The man has vision and leadership abilities that are highly valuable.  He almost reminded me of a grandfather, wise man, energy.  Energy I could happily relate with and sooth my inner rebel. 

I also notice if I resist the energy or message of a card and it is relevant to my life, the card appears again and again.  When I finally get the deeper meaning or message, the card doesn’t show up again for a while. 

I’m naturally an up-lifter, so when I come across information in a reading  for others that says things might be tough for a while for a person, I don’t always want to say that.  I don’t like being the bearer of bad news.  When I see a few cards in a reading that make me think “oh no, or feel disappointed”.  I do pass that information on.  

Most times there is another way to look at the card(s) or a suggestion that makes living through the hard times easier.  Perhaps even a deeper meaning.  For example, “You might feel burdened and overwhelmed (10 wands), but You are almost to the end of the struggle.”  Or an action step, “lay your burdens down, let them go, to feel better”.   

What cards do You resonate with?  Which ones spur You to look for deeper meaning and peel layers of yourself?

Have You had your trial reading  yet?

Tags: deeper meanings, personal growth, tarot cards