Finding Direction in Your Life with the Tarot

Smith Waite Tarot, Centennial Edition

If you are feeling a little rudderless and wonder where to go from here or if you're on the right track, then it can be helpful finding direction in your life with the Tarot.

Autumn is Hermit season (he's linked to Virgo), and at this time of year questions about purpose, progress and direction often pop up in people's minds.

First, contemplate the symbolism of the Hermit.

He's reached the top of the mountain (the one that is in the background of the Fool), and with his lamp illuminating the way he is trying to find a path down the mountain on the other side.

The top of the mountain represents the current situation, a milestone, where he is right now in his life. What next?

In practical terms, this can relate to a job, relationship or lifestyle choice you are thinking about.

Try the following spread to explore your current path, a path that is open to you or the path you wish to take:

Path - Obstacle - Growth

Example - a relationship situation:

Sharman Caselli Tarot Deck

The Seven of Swords as the current Path suggests something being hidden, which needs to be revealed, or at one point the truth will come out. There's a need to be open and honest, with yourself and the other person.

The Knight of Swords as the Obstacle suggests cruel words, accusations, quick judgement, but also brutal honesty, which can clear the air but can be hurtful.

Avoid nastiness and words you may regret later. Be kinder than you want to be.

The Three of Pentacles as Growth indicates the possibility of reconciliation and rebuilding of this relationship in a healthier and more sustainable way.

Lessons learned include a greater mutual understanding, building trust with honesty and supporting each other.

Support may also come from a third party, like a family member, friend or counsellor.

Here's another spread to explore your current situation and new direction:

Where I am now - Where I want to be - Action to take

Here are some spreads that help you make choices:

Choice a - Choice B - What you need to know to decide

You may even have the choice between three options, so add Choice C if necessary.

Heart - Mind - Balance

Torn between head and heart? This can relate to a career change for example. How can you balance your conflicting thoughts and feelings?

What I want - What I need

Morgan Greer Tarot

What you want is not always what you need right now.

The Sun suggests the desire for happiness, but the Three of Swords may indicate that you need to work through some unresolved grief first.

And if there is no grief in your life, why are you not happy? It's your choice.

Here are some journaling prompts that can help you find purpose and direction:

• What gives me joy?
• Where do I need to be patient (or have been patient for too long)?
• What do I need to release?
• What do I want to walk away from?

Wait and See

Sometimes it is counter-productive to think too much or putting pressure on yourself.

It is actually okay to float for a while and let answers come to you while searching for some inspiration (another Hermit hobby 😁)

Here are some cards that indicate the need to be still, to contemplate, to surrender to the present, to wait and see:

Tarot cards indicating contemplation, wait and see, a new direction ahead... Sharman-Caselli deck

The High Priestess: The mother of wait and see. Silence is golden. Be still and listen. Sit back and observe.

Two of Swords: Caught between a rock and a hard stone; trying to balance heart and mind. There is no harm taking your time. Procrastination can lead to a situation resolving itself or a decision is made for you.

Four of Swords: Take time out from over-thinking. Just rest. Before you can make any kind of decision or gain clarity about what to do next, you need to unplug from the overwhelm for a while.

The Hanged Man: my year card in 2012, and it took me a whole year to start moving again. At one point you just have to surrender, bend rather than break. It's not always down to you, so go with the flow. In your own time.

Seven of Pentacles: a choice between something established and something new. The new is still a seed and needs more attention before you can see its true potential, so be patient and let it grow while you still nurture what you have. And that new seed may never grow into anything. Time will tell.

Seven of Cups: a castle in the sky, which needs a solid foundation. Daydreaming about beautiful possibilities is fun, sometimes it's all you need. Sometimes you don't need to turn a dream into reality, as long as it makes you feel happy and inspired.

Finding direction with the Tarot is a fun and insightful way to reorganise conflicting thoughts and gain some clarity before you take the next step on your journey.

Want to learn more? Check out my tarot courses and ebooks.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

Connect with me on:

Substack - Live more Magic

Medium - Simplify your Life

Ko-Fi - Creative Tarot Journaling

How Curiosity Can Boost Your Happiness

“Why is it that when one man builds a wall, the next man immediately needs to know what’s on the other side?”  

- George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones

Do fears, low self-esteem, and other self-imposed restrictions hold you back? 

You might be surprised to learn that developing and nurturing a curious mind can help you overcome these blocks and boost your happiness.

As children, we had no inhibitions when it came to expressing our creativity or exploring unknown places.

However, as we grew up, we started to develop insecurities and self-doubt, which have become difficult to shake off."

Curiosity is a surprisingly simple and useful tactic that will help you make some positive changes, and that’s why I included it in the Cosmic Journaling Oracle.

Next time you feel fearful, try approaching the situation with curiosity instead.

Explore despite your fears. Express yourself and be curious about where it leads you.

Invited to a party, where you don’t know anyone but the host?

Say yes, even if you fear awkward moments or lack confidence talking to people. Be curious about getting to know new folk.

Show off your art anyway, even if you fear criticism or rejection.

Be curious about what people have to say. Even ask them for feedback. Wouldn’t it be great to know what people think rather than making assumptions?

Be curious about different places to visit, different music, food, activities, even a different career.

Curiosity boosts your happiness as it creates excitement and the thrill of conquering fears and self-limitation.

“A much more interesting, kind, adventurous, and joyful approach to life is to begin to develop curiosity, not caring whether the object of our inquisitiviness is bitter or sweet.”

- Pema Chödrön

Curiosity in the Cosmic Journaling Oracle asks you to replace any blocks you have with a sense of wonder and the open mind of an explorer.

Explore new opportunities and experiences.

Instead of No, say Yes. Why not?

When this card comes up in a reading, ask yourself:

• When were you last curious about something? Did you ignore the feeling or embraced it to experience something new?
• What do you need to be more curious about in your life? You could draw an additional card to find out.
• How has curiosity affected you in childhood? How does it affect you as an adult?
• Has curiosity at any time got you into danger? If yes, when and what’s the story? How was it resolved? What did you learn from it?
• Likewise, when this card comes up in a “what not to do” position, you may want to avoid being nosey, e.g. meddle in other people’s issues that are none of your business.

And curiosity isn’t about being reckless, ignoring your inner alarm bells ringing, getting yourself into danger or gamble all your life savings…

The Cosmic Journaling Oracle is now available as a digital edition together with a guidebook containing journaling sheets and other printable goodies.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane 🦄

Connect with me on:

Substack - Live more Magic

Medium - Simplify your Life

Ko-Fi - Creative Tarot Journaling

The Magic of Doing Nothing

Cosmic Faery Tarot

Many people live busy lives full of errands, commitments and self-imposed recreational activities such as sports, social events and travelling.

Perhaps they want to give the impression how fun and interesting their lives are, an they believe that an admission of doing nothing could damage their reputation.

I’m doing nothing sounds a bit like I’m being lazy.

Doing nothing makes some people feel guilty, as doing nothing is a bit of a taboo in our society.

If you do nothing, you’re a lazy waste of space.

But of course, there is nothing wrong with doing nothing.

Doing nothing means you don’t have any commitments.

You don’t need to rush anywhere.

You have time for yourself, and can do what you like.

And those are the moments when magic happens.

Suddenly you aren’t busy, which can make you feel a bit lost.

Good.

Feel lost and savour that moment. Make yourself comfy on the sofa and put your feet up. Close your eyes and relax.

Listen to the silence, or listen to the radio.

Look out of the window with your cat.

Make yourself a cup of your favourite beverage and savour it in peace without any pressure of having to dash off soon.

See how your plants grow in your house or in your garden. Smell the flowers.

There is absolutely nothing you should do. The time for commitments and errands and work will come back again later.

But not now. Enjoy the moment. It will give you strength when you remember it later with fondness.

Suddenly you decide to look through your book collection or some old photos.

You may just decide to have a bath.

Or light some candles on a gloomy, rainy day.

Maybe you are thinking of leaving the house for a walk. Or you might just stay in.

Meditate.

Write in your journal. Doodle.

You see, even though you think you are doing nothing, you are actually doing something.

In those moments when you surrender to the bliss of nothingness, you are resetting your brain. Unconsciously, you are looking for inspiration.

Cosmic Journaling Oracle

Rather than letting the outside world with all its activities influence your thinking, you are taking back control.

Your brain has to adjust to standing on its own two feet, using imagination and jumpstarting your creativity. 

You begin to generate ideas, like you want to tidy up your messy desk, or you want to bake a cake.

These ideas spark your passion and enthusiasm.

Once you have decluttered your desk, it looks inviting. So you sit down and start writing or crafting or whatever you normally do at your desk.

Doing nothing can contribute towards wellbeing and growth. It relieves tension.

⭐Give yourself permission to do nothing⭐

You will feel so much better afterwards. Don’t feel guilty. You will have done more good by doing nothing than you think.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

Connect with me on:

Substack - Live more Magic

Medium - Simplify your Life

Ko-Fi - Creative Tarot Journaling