Tarot Magic
Intuition Exercises
Intuition is like a muscle, you have to exercise it. But it is fun to do!! Mostly it is about paying attention. You start with setting an intention and relax and let nature take over.
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Most of us have gut feelings from time to time. But those feelings normally don't appear unless there is a strong emotional reaction to something. The other side of the coin is the worry factor. For me, worrying about my kids is a big one. And the worry is usually unsubstantiated. The trick is to develop your intuition (gut feeling, inner wisdom) and start using it on a daily basis so you can identify what is worry or what is truth. Once you start accessing your inner voice, it will help in all aspects of your life.
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What has this got to do with Tarot?! Your Tarot readings have to do with you!! And by using your intuition, you will be able to understand the cards in relation to your feelings, thoughts, and desires in a more profound way. The added benefit is that you may find that your life may start taking you in the right direction (instead of enduring countless detours).
The Balloon Exercise
I love this exercise because it is easy and fun!
The purpose to this exercise is to start paying attention to the fact that you HAVE Intuition. By noticing what is going on around you is a good way to start. To begin:
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First thing in the morning, clear your mind.
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Choose an object at random. I chose a balloon, but you can just as easily choose something else. Anything that pops into your mind (Volkswagon VW, someone walking their dog, a butterfly) will do. Make it super easy. It could even be something you know you see everyday like a fire hydrant.
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Proceed with your day. And be patient, you don't always see your object the first day you try it. It normally happens when you are least expecting it.
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Once you see your object (and you will), acknowledge it. Make a statement like: 'I used my intuition to find the balloon I am looking at". Know that it was indeed your intuition that led you to your object.
An Intuition Quest
Intuition uses your senses to describe or receive information. By using your senses you will start developing a deeper connection with your inner wisdom.
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Block out some time for you to be able to complete this exercise. Book it on your calendar and give yourself a couple of hours.
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Choose the sense you would like to work with today (you can practice with the other senses anytime).
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Get in the car, or take a walk without choosing a purpose or a destination. Use the sense you are working with to guide you. For instance if you are driving and have chosen sight, then let your mind wander and notice the things you see on your drive. Wait for an idea to come along.
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Once an idea comes your way, you will know it's right if your body starts to relax. Your body is the best indicator of your intuition.
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Now act on the idea! If you thought of a friend, call them! If you thought of an ingredient, go to the store and buy it. Whatever it is, keep in mind that the idea came to you for a reason.
Getting Rid of Senseless Worry
Worrying about something can sometime disguise itself as intuition. The trick is to identify baseless fears from real circumstances. The truth is that worrying does nothing to change the outcome of a situation. It just keeps you stuck in a feeling of helplessness and stress. Negative thoughts are part of our biology and while you might not be able to stop the thoughts completely, there are ways for you to adapt solutions that can help you deal with them. By eliminating worries, you can start recognizing what is valid and what is baseless.
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Chronic worrying is a mental habit that can be broken. You can train your brain to stay calm and look at life from a more balanced, less fearful perspective. In Tarot card reading, worrying can interfere with the reading of the cards. For instance if you choose THE TOWER. Your mind might jump to my world is falling apart, instead of, a great new change is coming.
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(The exercise below was taken from an article by: Lawrence Robinson, Melinda Smith, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D.)
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Create a "worry period." Set a time of about 15 minutes to worry about anything you want! Try to choose a time during the day and make sure it is not close to bedtime. You don't want your worries to interfere with your sleep. The rest of the day designate as a worry-free zone.
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If a worry pops up during the day, write it down. If it pops into your head while you are in bed, make sure you have a notepad on your nightstand so you can write it down then or when you wake up. Remind yourself that you can address your worries later during your "worry period".
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Go over your "worry list" during the worry period. Are the worries valid? Take a look at each one in turn. If you haven't written anything down, then do it now. If the thoughts you wrote down (or are concerned about) are still bothering you, allow yourself to worry about them now. If you feel that a worry is a grave concern, then act on it. Eliminate worry by action to get rid of a consistent worrying thought. If you feel the worry has no merit, then eliminate it.