Beyond Predictions : The Transformative Power of Tarot for Self-Discovery
In spite of its fortune-telling history, tarot can be used as a tool for self-discovery & personal growth; Making it more transformative and less-predictive.
Tarot cards are often seen (and used) as a means to predict the future; Of what’s going to happen, when, and how.
“The tarot isn’t magic. But can be magical.”
While, yes, there’s a certain element of prediction within the tarot, those outcomes can be changed at any given time by our own free will.
This post is purely based on personal experience. Please take what resonates & leave the rest. And if you happen to not believe or agree with this practice, please move on. This isn’t for you. Everyone has the right & freedom to explore, express, and make their own decisions on what feels right for them, without judgement & fear, to help them heal and live their most fulfilled life.
Breaking the Myth: Tarot’s Non-Predictive Nature
“Without our will & inspired action, the tarot cards have no power.”
Tarot cards were invented in Italy in the early 15th century for the purpose of playing card games. Over time, and as occultism & spirituality boomed at the end of the Victorian Era, tarot decks evolved to becoming “fortune telling tools”. During that time, they became a popular trend that would serve as entertainment for the rich.
Fast forward to modern day, we have a mix of both those who believe its predictive nature and one’s that use it for self-discovery & growth. And maybe a little bit of both.
Do I believe it’s predictive? Yes and no. By believing that it is 100% predictive, takes the power of choice from my hands. It would mean thoughts, actions, or behaviours would be completely void of consequence and outcomes are fixed, no matter what. This can conjure up feelings of helplessness, anxiety, and fear. Which is maybe why people have associated them with evil in the past.
As intriguing as it might be to think there is something that can predict our life, life is ever-changing. We are ever-changing. And, therefore, nothing can be predicted. Tarot can only offer probabilities and possibilities based on a current moment.
Tarot also requires our will to participate. Our inspired action to change. Or not. To choose. Or not.
Without that, the tarot has no power.
Empowering Choices: Tarot in Decision-Making and Personal Growth
While tarot cards can’t really tell the future, it can glean insight into where you are, what situations outside of our control may be influencing us, and where it might lead us if things change - or not.
Personally, it can show us where we might make improvements and what to be mindful of as we walk along our life’s journey. To show us how our thoughts are hindering or helping our progress. To be aware of opportunities that might await our acknowledgement. To understand our choices & possible outcomes if we choose one over another – and why.
In this sense, tarot cards can be a powerful tool for personal and spiritual growth.
Crafting Your Narrative: Transformation through Tarot
I started reading tarot when I was 16 and in the hustle-and-bustle of life, lost touch with it until recently.
When I reconnected with tarot, it started as research for my oracle deck I was designing. I chose a tarot deck I was drawn to and relearned what had been lost decades ago.
Once I had a grasp of general meanings, I then started using it to gain insights into the oracle card project I was working on, my career, and even my personal life.
July of 2023: I conducted a “Business Outlook” spread. I was curious how to move my business and creative career forward since I had been feeling stuck and uninspired. Even a little lackluster about what I was doing as I was in and out of burnout.
The tarot cards shared my desire & focus to master my craft but my obstacle was me not willing to learn more to gain clarity and not have a plan for what I wanted. I was pushing without a clear vision and taking action without following my true passion.
What?! I thought I was!
The tarot cards suggested I needed to overcome imposter syndrome to remove the block that was preventing me from going to where I wanted to go. And, to not be fearful of improvement. It also shared I wasn’t great at asking for help nor taking care of myself.
Ok, yea, true.
The tarot cards shared that in order to overcome this challenge I should indulge in things that had nothing to do with work. Pleasures that I did just for fun. Hobbies I didn’t want to monetize. It required me to give myself permission to do so. To be open to the opportunity to explore & make mistakes. To say no to thinking about work when I wasn’t working. And, essentially, to fall in love with my creativity again.
Ah! Now it started to make sense.
It also shared that I needed to let go of what I thought people wanted or expected from me and take inspired, aligned action. But that first required me to tap into what that passion truly was, without the expectations.
The tarot was right. I had disconnected from my purpose but hadn’t really realized it until then.
To offer further clarity, I pulled an oracle card which suggested this was a time to pause and realign. What I was experiencing was partially out of my control and what better time than to reconnect with my creativity again, outside of having to earn money from it.
Outcome: The final card spoke to emotional fulfillment and finding my flow again. Of course, there was some work to do on my part. So, over many months, I took the tarot cards’ suggestion. I slowed down. I completed the project I was working on and, with that completion, and permission to taking things slower, it created space for me to play. For me to process and open up to my true passions.
I started indulging in more tarot readings. Started the Artists Way. Took on some drawing challenges. Even decided on an additional (or new) direction in my business as I realized the business I had built, wasn’t exactly in alignment with what I loved.
In this instance, tarot empowered me with choice. New opportunities. And a whole new perspective. It didn’t predict anything really, other than share that I would find flow again if I was willing. And it may have even confirmed what was hiding in the shadows of my thoughts.
Beyond the Cards: The True Magic of Tarot
It’s one thing to ask the tarot cards for guidance. It’s quite another to implement it.
It’s just like getting advice from a friend, going to therapy, having a great education and never doing anything with the information. In those instances, the advice, knowledge, or information is essentially meaningless as its value is not truly being exercised. Like a basket full of groceries that never gets eaten.
So THAT’S where the true magic of tarot resides. It’s in what we do with the information or guidance that is given.
This can be true no matter what kind of tarot reading you get; Good, bad, or confusing. It is all guidance we can use to make more informed decisions and open ourselves up to discovery.
My favorite way to make solid use of the readings is to record my tarot readings and journal about the reflections I have about it. Making notes of what can I extract and take action on. What makes me react or I feel uncomfortable with and why.
Then, days, weeks, or months later, I can reflect on that journal entry to see the growth I’ve made. Or to see where I’ve made new choices that might have taken me in a whole new direction.
Some like to meditate on a card or two. Others, pull a card a day for inspiration or what to be mindful of.
It’s truly up to you how you use tarot & integrate the messages into your life. You ARE in the driver’s seat.
So, tell me, how have you used tarot for self-discovery? Share in the comments below.
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