Do you have a bit of a daunting day ahead of you? Perhaps you’re feeling a little anxious, blue or insecure when you would much rather be a sparkling and charismatic force of nature.
I bet you have your own personal charms for days when you’re a little down; maybe you feel reassured if you wear your ‘lucky’ underwear to an audition, or your favourite fragrance on a first date.
I’m going to share with you one of my own personal charms for when I’m feeling less than fabulous; it’s a little trick for using Tarot cards on those days when you need a bit more pep in your step!
Step one: identify the card
Begin by figuring out why you need a card – do you need to ace a test? Find love? Ask for a raise? – and what do you want the card to do for you – do you want more confidence, luck, or sex appeal? Once you’ve figured it out, write it down.
Now to search for the right card: either use key words from the first exercise (writing down the why and the what) and look up the definitions of the cards to find one that includes your word list; or you can flick through your deck until you see a card that inspires you; or you can trust your gut/intuition – did an image of a card leap into your mind while you were making your what and why list? Trust yourself, and go with it!
Feel free to explore the Minor Arcana as well as the Major Arcana – it saddens me that the Minor Arcana is often the least popular half of the deck when it has some absolutely gorgeous gems hidden in its depths.
Step two: identify the positive aspects of the card
Write down your reasons for choosing this card: focus on the positive feelings it inspires in you and the admirable qualities you appreciate about it. Once you have a list, give the figure in the card an identity based on the attributes you love. Give them a name and personality traits that correspond with the meaning of the card. Find a quote or song you associate with it. Write everything down!
Example:
The Chariot
Why do you need it? – For a job interview.
What do you want the card to do for you? – Inspire me with motivation, drive, success and the strength to overcome all obstacles.
The Figure
What’s his name? - Nathaniel.
Who is he? – He’s powerful, motivated; probably a self-employed and successful businessman. He knows what he wants and he goes for it. Quote I associate with the Chariot:
“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.”
~Ayn Rand
The Chariot – Lo Scarabeo deck
Once you have all your associations in place, give yourself some time to meditate on the card. Really explore the character of the figure, notice symbolism in the artwork that relates to the profile you have put together. Listen to the song you have chosen or really mull over the quote.
Step three: affirmations
By now you should have a pretty powerful list of positive words. What I want you to do next is to pick your three favourites and write them in the form of a personal affirmation. For example :
I am strong.
I am motivated.
I am successful.
Repeat your affirmations aloud, three times. Imagine you are the figure in the card (don’t be put off if the card isn’t the gender you identify as, each gender has its own strengths that we all need to tap into to be fully integrated human beings!), picture yourself in their clothes, in their skin, in their surroundings. Feel the positive emotions you believe they would feel and construct some thoughts you believe they would think. From this empowered place, repeat your affirmations again and notice any changes in your tone of voice, your posture, or even just the way you feel about the situation!
Step four: carry it with you
Slip the card between the pages of your diary, snap a picture of it on your phone and set it as your wallpaper, draw a simple sketch of it and write your affirmations on the back. Whatever you need to do, just be sure you have access to some representation of the card to act as a touchstone throughout the day so that whenever you feel anxious or blue, just whip out your card (or image thereof) and repeat your affirmations to yourself (not necessarily aloud – that could be awkward on the bus). Feeling a little weak in the knees? Listen to the song you associate with the card, or even hum it. Need to make a decision? Ask yourself, “What would [insert card character's name here] do?” I can almost guarantee that your spine will lengthen, you’ll raise your chin and you’ll be able to look anyone straight in the eye. You can do it!
We are all incredibly creative creatures, but so often we limit our potential with low self esteem and reductive thoughts. This exercise will help you tap into your full potential, because you already have these traits within yourself: this charm simply acts as a trick to help you act the way you want to, rather than in the way you’ve become accustomed to. Every day is a chance to invent ourselves anew, so ask yourself: who do you want to be today? With Tarot as your ally, you can become that person!
“Someone asked me recently how to do something she thought was going to be difficult, in this case recording an audio book, and I suggested she pretend that she was someone who could do it. Not pretend to do it, but pretend she was someone who could. She put up a notice to this effect on the studio wall, and she said it helped.
So be wise, because the world needs more wisdom, and if you cannot be wise, pretend to be someone who is wise, and then just behave like they would.”
~ Neil Gaiman
