From Burnout to Breakthrough: My Tarot Journey
Discover the Magic of Tarot: A Beginner's Guide
I’ve been really burned out lately. Burning my wands at both ends. (See what I did there?) But in honor of World Tarot Day, I wanted to share a little love letter to tarot and a quick guide if you’ve ever been curious.
I started practicing tarot when I was 17. I was in my ultra goth phase. I only wore black, and I’d spend hours on my bed, smoking clove cigarettes, burning sage, and listening to Dead Can Dance.
With the Rider-Waite-Smith deck in hand, I’d hastily do spread after spread, diving into the little booklet to learn what the cards meant.
I had a black cat named Tarot who used to stretch out across the cards. He was perfectly named.
One night, my mother walked into my room, waving her hands through the smoke and said, “You look like a gothic hippie.”
I took that as a compliment.
I’m so grateful for tarot. It gave me guidance and guardrails as a teenager, and throughout my twenties.
I dropped off after that and only read cards for friends, usually at dinner parties or when they were in distress.
Now, I’m back to practicing and diving deep as I create my tarot deck.
Before I go any further, let’s back it up a bit…
What is Tarot, Anyway?
For those of you who don’t read tarot, here’s a quick rundown:
Tarot is a 78-card deck used for reflection, insight, and intuitive guidance. It doesn’t predict the future. It shows you the path you’re on and what could potentially unfold. Using your intuition as a guide, tarot can help you reflect on things you might be subconsciously missing. Each card is a mirror. I like to think of them as shards of glass. You get these glimpses out of the corner of your eye that lead to a-ha moments and clarity.
Tarot is rich with symbolism and stories. It has roots in 15th-century Europe, where it began as a playing card game. Over the centuries, it transformed into a powerful tool for introspection, used by spiritual explorers, and intuitive thinkers.
Today, tarot is a creative practice that helps us reconnect with our inner wisdom. When I read for others, I’m just a guide, connecting them to what they already know to be true about themselves.
I’m still amazed and delighted that after all these years, I’m still discovering and learning new things. That’s why I call it a practice. You’re never really finished with it.
THE TAROT SUITS AS TEACHERS
Each suit in the tarot carries its own unique energy.
Think of them as four themed-pillars of knowledge: