Are you aware that tarot cards can also prove to be a powerful ally in managing anxiety and stress? During a journey of healing from anxiety disorders, it has been found that consulting tarot cards can be extremely helpful.
Let’s explore why, instead of combating anxiety, we should choose acceptance and awareness. And then let’s discover how we can use tarot as a tool to ease anxiety.
Combating anxiety is useless…
Many people dedicate a significant portion of their lives to seeking solutions to overcome anxiety and its related disorders. They try to fight it, ignore it, treat it, and eliminate it, exploring all possible avenues. This incessant and obsessive search for a solution to the problem becomes a sort of creative despair.
However, it’s important to understand that there’s no definitive solution when it comes to eliminating emotions such as anxiety or any others. The reason is simple: we do not possess the power to control our emotions, let alone our thoughts. It is estimated that the mind produces over 6,000 thoughts per day, and the number of thoughts we can actually control is zero.
Directing our energies towards combating anxiety or worries is a futile battle from the outset. As we shall soon uncover, the keys lie in cultivating awareness and acceptance.
The experiences of many individuals who have dealt with anxiety disorders are similar. Anxiety is not something anyone enjoys, and it is common to try every possible means to rid oneself of it. It is often viewed as a monster that never leaves, sometimes subsiding but other times resurfacing forcefully. We remain constantly on guard, ready to counter it as soon as it makes its presence felt. As we grow older, this “monster” grows with us.
How the therapeutic journey can help
Many individuals possess tenacity and determination, enabling them to function despite adopting a toxic approach towards anxiety and difficult emotions. However, this does not apply to everyone, and anxiety often leads to a life based on avoidance, significantly reducing the quality of existence.
At a certain point in life, when one reaches the pinnacle of ossessive search and feels that every attempt has been made without concrete results, a decision may be made to embark on a therapy journey.
The first thing to understand is that the problem lies not in anxiety itself, but in how it is approached and the illusion of rejecting and battling it. Anxiety is not the monster. The monster is comprised of all the energies wasted in the futile attempt to fight against unpleasant emotions. Essentially, we are the ones feeding that monster.
The therapeutic journey helps us learn how to deal with unpleasant yet natural emotions such as anxiety, fear, and intrusive thoughts through two seemingly simple but far from easy practices: acceptance and awareness.
Acceptance
Acceptance is the willingness to embrace thoughts and emotions, knowing that we cannot control them. We cannot decide to be happy or sad, nor can we choose to stop feeling something.
We all have to always keep in mind this:
Feelings, moods, and even thoughts are temporary; they change and flow like clouds in the sky.
Embracing them means recognizing them without judgment and allowing them to exist because they are part of the human experience.
Awareness
Awareness is a practice that enables us to live in the here and now, being fully present.
The most common form of awareness is undoubtedly meditation: focusing on the breath and becoming fully aware of the present moment. But it isn’t merely about meditation.
It’s an attitude that can be cultivated. For example, we can also practice awareness during everyday actions, such as drinking a cup of coffee in the morning. In other words, the practice of awareness invites us to live life without autopilot.
Of course, the mind never stops wandering, but once we realize that it’s wandering and are able to redirect our attention to the present action, we are training our minds to be present.
How to use tarot cards as a tool to ease anxiety
Tarot cards can be used as a tool for mindfulness to develop greater self-awareness and presence in the moment. Here are some steps you can follow to make the most of tarot cards.
- Preparation: find a quiet place where you can be alone, free from distractions. Make sure you have a deck of tarot cards within reach and take a few moments to relax and center yourself.
- Focus: shift your attention to your physical sensations and your breathing. Bring your awareness to the here and now, letting go of worries and distracting thoughts. Be open and receptive to whatever arises during the practice with tarot cards.
- Cards’ selection: with the deck of tarot cards in your hands, close your eyes for a moment and ask your inner self to guide you to the most significant card for you in that moment. Open your eyes and intuitively select a card from the deck.
- Observation: take a close look at the card you have chosen. Pay attention to the details, symbols, and colors present on the card. Notice your initial impressions and the emotions that arise within you as you observe it. Avoid judgment, simply observe and embrace.
- Reflection: reflect on the chosen card and its symbolic meaning. Try to connect the card to your personal experiences or current situations you are facing. Consider how this card can offer you a new perspective or greater awareness of your present situation.
- Meditation: you can use the tarot card as a focal point for a short meditation. Gaze at the card and allow your mind to focus on it. Observe your thoughts as they arise and let them go, returning to the symbol on the card. This exercise will help cultivate mindfulness of the present moment.
- Practical application: after the tarot card session, reflect on how you can apply the insights or lessons that emerged to your daily life. Consider how you can integrate this newfound awareness and wisdom into your decisions and interactions with others.
Important reminders
To wrap up, here are three essential reminders. While you may already be familiar with them, a gentle reminder can never hurt.
Give yourself time
Remember that using tarot cards as a tool for mindfulness requires practice and openness. Be kind to yourself and allow the process to unfold naturally. Over time, you will develop greater self-awareness and a deeper connection to the present moment through the use of tarot cards.
Tarot is not a substitute for therapy
When using tarot cards to alleviate anxiety, remember they are not a substitute for therapy. Tarot can provide valuable assistance in gaining insights and self-reflection, offering solace and clarity. However, it is crucial to recognize that tarot cards should be seen as a complementary approach, not a standalone cure.
Therapy, guided by a trained professional, offers a comprehensive and tailored approach to addressing anxiety, taking into account individual circumstances and providing evidence-based techniques for long-term management. Tarot cards, on the other hand, can serve as a supportive aid in gaining insights, exploring emotions, and promoting presence and self-reflection.
Combining the benefits of tarot cards with therapy can enhance overall well-being and foster personal growth. By embracing this holistic approach, individuals can navigate anxiety’s complexities and develop effective coping strategies for managing anxiety.
While reading tarot, trust your intuition
When utilizing tarot as a means to alleviate anxiety, it is essential to embrace and trust your intuition. Remember that there is no inherently incorrect way to interpret the cards or a particular spread.
While it is beneficial to study the traditional meanings and consult the guidebook accompanying your deck, it is equally important to develop your own unique interpretations of each card. Your personal connection and understanding of the symbolism will enhance the therapeutic value of the tarot experience, allowing it to become a profound tool for self-reflection and guidance.
A curated booklist for holistic wellness
Aside from exploring the transformative potential of tarot as a tool for self-discovery and anxiety relief, these books serve as a comprehensive guide to nurturing your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Whether you seek mental clarity, emotional balance, or a path to physical wellness, this curated booklist is here to guide you every step of the way.
“Mindfulness” by Mark Williams and Danny Penman is a profound exploration of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), centered around a simple yet effective form of mindfulness meditation that requires only a few minutes each day to unveil its full benefits.
“The Brain That Changes Itself” by Norman Doidge unveils the remarkable new science of neuroplasticity, challenging the age-old belief that the human brain is unchangeable.
“A Liberated Mind: How to Pivot Toward What” by Steven C. Hayes, the pioneering researcher behind Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), lays out the psychological flexibility skills that make ACT one of the most potent therapeutic approaches available. It reminds us that life isn’t a puzzle to be solved and shows how we can lead rich, meaningful lives by embracing our vulnerabilities and facing our pain.
“You Are Not a Rock” by Mark Freeman is a prescriptive and uplifting guide, complete with illustrative line drawings, making a compelling case for the strengthening of mental well-being over time through specific techniques.
“The Happiness Trap” by Russ Harris offers techniques that help readers:
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Handle painful emotions and thoughts more effectively
- Break free from self-defeating habits
- Overcome insecurity and self-doubt
- Craft a fulfilling and meaningful life
This empowering book delves into the insights and methods of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a groundbreaking psychotherapy rooted in cutting-edge research in behavioral psychology.
In “Coming to Our Senses” by Jon Kabat-Zinn, a pioneering figure in the world of mindfulness. The author delivers a comprehensive exploration of the connection between mindfulness and our physical and spiritual well-being. Across the book’s eight sections, Jon Kabat-Zinn delves into various aspects of the profound journey of healing ourselves and our world.
