Setting Intentions with Tarot
It’s the new moon in Aquarius and I’ve just launched the first episode of my new podcast , Open Magic, with the amazing Bri of Tadpole Magic. Our first topic? Intention setting, particularly the ways we can harness intentions to invite in the change and growth we need.
The Eight of Cups from the Spolia Tarot occupying its place of honor on my altar for February’s intention: Liberation
It’s the new moon in Aquarius and I’ve just launched the first episode of my new podcast , Open Magic, with the amazing Bri Sikorski of Tadpole Magic. Our first topic? Intention setting, particularly the ways we can harness intentions to invite in the change and growth we need.
And, as you may have already guessed, one of my favorite ways of doing this is with tarot. Shocking, I know!
In the episode we touch on how intentions can sometimes become hijacked by more intense goals, inviting in stodgy and limiting pressure and self-judgment. Which is really and truly no fun at all. I’ve found, however, that tarot’s symbols and imagery gives us a direct line of communication with our intuition and subconscious, skipping the irksome worry and chatter of our conscious thoughts. In this way, intention setting can become energizing and personally motivating, no guilt required.
Using tarot for intention setting invites in the two major facets of the practice at its best:
Inspiration/Intuition: The tarot images we work with speak directly to our creative side, sidestepping the tricky and judgmental conscious mind. Tarot activates our intention with that bubbling & irresistible energy, inspiring us instead of crushing us under “shoulds” or expectations.
Room for the Unexpected: The secret ingredient to any intention is plenty of room for growth. That is, we can focus on a theme or ask for something, but we don’t always have the ability to conceptualize the full potential available to us. The intention can then expand into something outlandishly amazing or more complex than we’re able to envision. Working with tarot involves working with multifaceted archetypes that aren’t easily pigeonholed, giving us the room we need for our intentions to flourish.
So how do we go about this?
Since setting intentions is about choice - what do we want to focus on or invite into our lives? - I love actively selecting a card from the deck. I first heard of this practice from the amazing Siobhan Renee of Radical Tarot and have been using it in my readings ever since. (See her posts on the topic on her website and the now retired Little Red Tarot blog.)
When it comes to intention setting, I’ve found that selecting a card after you’ve decided on your focus is the most helpful. It allows you to be actively engaged and opens up the power of the tarot. I’ve outlined my personal practice for selecting tarot cards for intention setting here. I do hope they’re helpful and inspiring as you work with this new moon’s energy and beyond!
how to use tarot cards to focus your intentions
create your space
Set aside a nice bit of time to devote to your intention. Has rushing ever felt magical? I don’t think so! Get as elaborate or minimalist as you like, paying attention to what puts you in a calm and focused headspace. It could be incense, crystals, peaceful music… even a ceremonial robe if you’re feeling fancy. Or it could simply be a quiet corner in your house with no distractions. Intentions are all about you, so don’t hold yourself to others’ standards!
focus your thoughts
Once you’ve gotten cozy, close your eyes and breathe deeply. Take several breaths to sink deeper into your body, allowing all the chatter about your schedule, what to cook for dinner, and all the details of your mundane life to fall away. Once you feel centered, ask yourself what to set your intention around. Notice and feelings, words, phrases, or images that arise. Tip: Don’t overthink things - you can always shape your intention more later.
process & hone
Conclude your brief period of reflection and go over what came up for you. You may want to journal about it or simply mull things over with an open and flexible mind. Select a single word to form your intention, being sure that it feels authentic and resonant for you.
bring out the cards!
It’s finally tarot time. Take your deck and flip through it while holding your intention in your mind. Divide the deck into two piles: one for the cards that resonate with your intention and another for the ones that don’t. Go with your instincts here and try not to overthink things.
Once you’ve gone through the whole deck, return to the pile of resonant cards. Lay them all out and select the one that best encompasses your intention. Don’t worry if you’re not entirely sure why, that’s part of the magic of leaving space for mystery and your subconscious. Congratulations, you’ve chosen your intention card!
edit & explore
Gaze at your card with curiosity, noticing how it makes you feel. Does it bring up any memories or associations? Note if the card challenges your intention slightly. If so, see how you might edit your word or phrasing to better fit what’s coming up for you.
bring it into real life
Now that your card & intention have been selected you can conclude your session and focus on letting things unfold. Place the card in a visible location - on your altar, bedside table, etc. - or bring it with you in your wallet or purse.
Return to your card as often as you’d like, exploring its illustrations and paying special attention to the symbols. Look out for them as you go about business as usual. The whole idea is to let the card encompass the energy of your intention so that you can use it as a reference point.
One of my favorite ways of doing this is using its energy to inspire my actions. Though it sounds a bit cheesy, the “what would the _____ do?” approach is wonderfully helpful. So, for example, say I chose Strength as my card to reflect an intention of self-care. I can use it to orient my thinking and decision making so that when someone asks me to make plans I don’t really have time for I can think “what would Strength do?” and feel empowered to lovingly decline so that I can give myself the downtime I need.
I hope this approach is helpful and inspiring as you develop an intention setting practice that works for you. How about you? How do you focus your intentions? Have you ever used tarot in this way? I’d love to hear your thoughts and practices so please share below and happy intention setting!
Tarot for Self-Care: The Four of Swords
“Just take some time to relax and think things over.” Isn’t this the perfect example of advice we don’t really want to hear? Many times when I pull this card for myself or others there’s a palpable sense of disappointment. That’s it? Just some guy lying in a room with some swords? It’s not what one expects when asking the tarot for advice. Usually when we seek guidance we’re looking for an action. The classic, Bruce Willis kind. We want to be seen and praised for being so proactive. We want to be a hero.
But what about the things we do to care for ourselves that don’t appear to be much at all? What happens when the hero simply needs to chill out? This is the part of the story that gets glossed over. It doesn’t even get a cool montage.
Because of this we often don’t have a blueprint for the kind of actions the Four of Swords advocates. It’s the kind of self-care that involves lying down, being still and silent. Meditation, rest, journaling, and introspection all fulfill the main objective of the Four of Swords: to quiet the chatter of our thoughts and get a feel for what we’re really feeling. Only then can we get to our feet and get going.
This card instructs us to shift our values away from the external and to spend time gathering strength. Sit still, rest, and hold off on acting. Though we might not be able to quantify or measure how it benefits us, the clarity, focus, and decisiveness that come from taking some time are undeniable.
Beautifully enough, granting ourselves this peace opens up room for unexpected and unexplainable messages. I love the imagery of this card. We first notice the reclining figure, the swords, the greyness of the surroundings. But not so fast. There's also a colorful window higher on the wall that looks like it's made of stained glass. We can imagine the soothing light that filters through it, gently illuminating the person resting below.
This illustration shows us there's more to this card than the intense intellectual bent of the suit of swords. The window introduces an element of the divine, whether we see it as from a higher power, a higher version or ourselves, or simply as inspiration. That is, when we fall into our bodies, relax, and make room for it, we leave space for beautiful messages to come through from something beyond ourselves.
I'd like to invite you to meditate on this idea. One of my favorite ways to integrate tarot meanings is to put myself in the place of the characters seen on the cards. Below is a basic rundown of how I like to work with the four of swords. Feel free to embellish or simplify as you'd like.
Four of Swords Meditation
Get cozy in a dimly lit room. Go to town if you're feeling inspired. Light some candles, burn some relaxing incense or essential oils, and make a plush nest for yourself.
Lie on your back with your hands on your chest like the figure in the four of swords. Close your eyes and take deep breaths, gently filling your lungs and exhaling slowly. Bring your awareness to your body, noticing any tension and directing your breath to each area with the intent of releasing it in the exhale.
Allow yourself to sink deeper and deeper into your being. Feel your back against the ground (or sumptuous pillows/blankets/cushions.) Find rhythm in your breathing and, when your mind wanders, direct it back to your bodily experience.
When you feel relaxed and calm, begin visualizing the room from the four of swords. Contemplate the grey color of the walls, it's blankness and gentle tone. You are safe and removed from the bustle of the outside world. You have endless time.
Shift your focus to the swords beneath you and on the wall. What do they have to tell you? Listen. It might be something silly or something important, it might be nothing at all. Take it in and let it go.
Breathe deeply and sink deeper into relaxation. When you feel ready, direct your attention to the gentle glow coming through the window above you. Imagine the colors dancing on the inside of your eyelids, the warm glow of yellows, oranges, and golds. How does it change your perception of the room?
Take deep breaths and notice how you feel. Do you feel warm? Secure? Is the color too much? Does it remind you of anything. Accept any insights with nonjudgment and let them filter in and out. Imagine calling inspiration and guidance from the source of the light if you feel inspired to do so.
Imagine absorbing the light, opening up to it, and calling it into your life. When you feel ready, gently allow yourself to come out of the meditation, taking time to bring your awareness back into your body.
I hope you find this exercise as enjoyable as I do. I've been lucky enough to have several clients share with me their "four of swords moments," little (or big) times when they've felt a touch of something more during rest, meditation, and calmness. Do you have a four of swords moment you'd like to share? I'd love to hear it in the comments below.
And in closing, the four of swords is a stepping stone like any tarot card. The ideal is not to recline in this swordsy room forever. If we treat the self-care message of this card the same way we realize that we’re constantly given opportunities to practice its meaning. We can meditate for a quick five minutes, find peace in sipping a cup of tea, and think our options over before acting. If we work on slipping these smaller moments into our day we can carry the serenity and peace of the Four of Swords with us always. I'd certainly like that.
Tarot for Self-Care: Knight of Wands
When I drew the Knight of Wands for this series, the first thing that came to mind was my immune system.
Maybe it’s the cold, the shortening days, or the specter of a nasty cold threatening me during a busy time of the year, but health is on my mind.
I don’t want to get sick (who does) and this virile knight charging full steam ahead is exactly how I want my body to attack any illness.
The Knight of Wands is a card that doesn’t wait. Of course, the Knights have somewhat of a reputation for being the hotheaded teenagers of the tarot deck. Subtlety and deliberation are not their strong suits. And when you pair this with the fiery nature of wands? You’d best watch out and get out of the way.
But there are situations when jumping in headfirst is a good course of action. The Knight of Wands is a good card to emulate when your fiery passion is channeled in the right direction and when you need to be proactive.
So how do we encourage our bodies to embrace this energy during cold season? I would like to introduce you to my new obsession, Fire Cider.
Fire cider is a folk remedy that warms and stimulates the immune system. Packed with herbs and spices to get your circulation and digestion moving, it also happens to taste delicious. And I’m quite pleased that the name reflects the element of the wands suit.
Below you’ll find my personal recipe. I just finished steeping my batch and have been sipping on it religiously. I like a few teaspoons mixed into a mug of hot water. Don’t hesitate to add a little more if you like it spicy!
I certainly feel more vigorous and fiery after drinking some. And I haven’t gotten sick yet… knock on wood.
Knight of Wands' Fire Cider
Note: This recipe is meant to be very flexible, so customize away. Feel free to add or substitute herbs and spices (make sure they’re safe for consumption first, of course.) I suggest thyme, rosemary, fresh grated horseradish, lemon zest and juice, and rosehips. Get zany and go wild.
Materials
1 16 oz. Mason Jar
Ingredients
The spice must flow
Apple Cider Vinegar
1 inch piece Ginger, grated
3 cloves Garlic, minced
½ Onion, minced
4 points Star Anise
4 Cloves
5 Cardamom Pods
4 Dried Chiles
The beautiful mess before steeping
1 tsp Peppercorns
1 tsp ground Turmeric
½ tsp Cinnamon (or use a stick if you have one)
½ tsp Cayenne
Raw Honey
Instructions
Add onion, ginger, garlic, and spices in your mason jar. Fill with apple cider vinegar. Close and let steep on a sunny windowsill for at least 2 weeks. (I recommend sticking a piece of wax or parchment paper in between the jar and lid to prevent corrosion.)
Shake daily and watch everything float around inside just because it’s mesmerizing. Once it's steeped enough, strain out solids and add honey to taste. You’ll need quite a bit – it’s spicy and sour on its own. And remember you won’t be chugging it straight (unless you want to feel like a badass and like heartburn.)
To serve, spoon a few teaspoons into a cup and add hot water for a warming tonic. Or sip a few teaspoons straight. You can also use the solids in stir-fries if you’re feeling resourceful. It’s delicious.
Tarot for Self-Care: The Hermit
Sometimes a tarot card really hits the nail on the head.
It's been a stressful week and I wasn’t sure what to do. When I sat down to read my cards for guidance I was expecting a meandering reading I could mull over. Maybe some information about my issues, something a little mysterious, or even one of those cards that make no sense, but then reveal their meaning in an epiphany later on.
Nope. Instead, the first card I drew was The Hermit, and I knew to stop right there.
This was not a graceful, “ah yes, of course this is what I need, let’s end the reading now.” Instead I felt like a teenager complaining about too much homework and getting salty when their parents tell them to just do it.
I wanted to feel like a spiritual pioneer, combing my subconscious for cool insights. Instead I got a stern talking to.
But it was what I needed.
Sometimes it’s easy to get wrapped up in the hullabaloo of our lives and forget that if we get overwhelmed we should stop doing what is overwhelming us.
I’m an introvert and I love people. I like being active, but for the right reasons. As soon as my plate fills up I forget all the habits and routines I do to take care of myself. In a frenzy of activity, I lose touch with my goals and run around manically from event to event. I get resentful. It is not fun, and it invites the pushy part of myself to add its two cents: you’re not doing enough!
And if I listen to that voice, the cycle continues.
The Hermit reminds us to turn inward and reconnect with the source of our motivations: ourselves.
We all go through life looking for something. It helps to sit down with oneself and figure out what exactly this is. Add to this the fact that life is constantly changing, and we find that we need to reflect on ourselves frequently.
This is a lot of work, but it sure helps cut out all the background noise as we strive towards our best life.
How do we do this? Focus. Tune out the noise and reconnect with what guides you forward. Find your own lantern to guide you through the moment.
Solitary activities like meditation and journaling fit the bill perfectly. You could even read tarot on the subject. So carve out the time for yourself, have a cup of tea, get centered, and focus on questions like the following:
- What am I looking for in this moment/in life?
- What are the main forces guiding me?
- What matters most?
- How can I let my passions/beliefs/higher-self guide me?
If you feel stuck in your thoughts, try meditating by placing yourself in the shoes of The Hermit. Visualize yourself alone, holding out a lantern in the darkness. What casts light on your life, illuminating the next step? What motivates you to move forward with peace and curiosity?
Tarot for Self-Care: Three of Swords
The three of swords is a straightforward card. Frighteningly so. Three swords piercing a heart: as clear a representation of pain and suffering as you can think of.
I’m an optimist. I like to look on the bright side, to see the upcoming sunrise in the darkest hours of the night.
But sometimes things just hurt. Sometimes rushing through the pain is disrespectful. We feel pain for a reason. It alerts us to suffering, injustice, and wrongdoing. It has a message and it begs for action. When the pain grows too acute we can’t ignore it. Something must be done.
So what happens when we gloss over the pain compulsively? In our culture, if we grieve we are weak. We are supposed to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and steamroll over the bumps and difficulties. Act as if they never happened. Our suffering, in this line of thinking, is a personal failing.
My response? That's garbage.
We do not exist in isolation. We are families, communities, nations, and humans. We are responsible for each other.
The three of swords has been on my mind this week. Two more black men have been killed by police. Their names are Keith Lamont Scott and Terence Crutcher.
I am angry. I am filled with sorrow. I am fed up. And I am immensely privileged to take a break from this reality.
There are two parallel worlds existing in our country right now. I get to walk through one, feeling seen and protected because of my whiteness. People of color are trapped in another, where injustice is baked into its very structure. For them, there is no guaranteed safety, there is no guaranteed justice, no guaranteed equality.
To turn away from another’s pain is to deny their humanity. To rush to a brighter interpretation is to gloss over another’s reality simply because it is different from your own or makes you uncomfortable.
We can’t do this. We can’t support a world that marginalizes others and erases their experiences. I don’t have a solution. I do know, however, that in order to move forward we have to acknowledge the swords placed in our hearts and the hearts of others, holding space for their grief and accepting responsibility for the world we live in and create.
Tarot for Self-Care: The Empress
Explore Self-Care through Tarot. Every Wednesday I’ll be drawing one card and reflecting on what it tells us about how to take care of ourselves in this busy world. Look forward to tarot spreads, recipes, rituals, and more.
The Empress is an unabashedly sensual card. She sits on a comfortable throne, staring out at us with a relaxed confidence. Surrounded by natural splendor – lush trees, a cascading river, and bountiful grains – she rules fertility and abundance. Her realm is not the above and beyond, it is the here and now. The delights of the physical and the magic all around us.
This card invites us to connect to our senses and ourselves. To revel in the moment and celebrate our connection to the physical world.
This week I certainly needed to embrace the energy of the Empress. I was running around, feeling disconnected from myself, and wrapped up in the constant buzz in my mind. When I saw this card it didn't take long to figure out how to channel more of the Empress.
I’ve always loved making concoctions. When I was young I used to make potions out of whatever I could find in the kitchen, plus green food coloring (because I thought it looked cool, of course). Later, I started making natural body products and even started a business selling them. I still love the process of combining the various ingredients, getting inspired by the smells and textures of herbs and oils.
What better way to channel The Empress’ connection to nature and the realm of the senses?
This week I’m sharing a bath soak recipe I made with the Empress in mind. I used buttermilk powder for its skin softening powers as well as a symbol of the Empress’ connection to motherhood. The oats are taken from the grains depicted on the card and I used hibiscus to represent the red of the pomegranates on her robe. And because it makes your bathwater pink, so how could I resist?
I found the act of making the soak just as enjoyable as the actual soaking - very in-line with the Empress way of thinking. Feel free to substitute herbs to your liking. The only requirement is you smell, touch, and relax throughout the process.
Empress Bath Soak
Materials
Spice Grinder
Small Bowl
Jar
Ingredients
¼ cup buttermilk powder
¼ cup ground oats
¼ cup Epsom salts
4 tbsp pink salt (or any other coarse salt)
2 tbsp dried lavender flowers
5-7 dried hibiscus flowers
10 drops essential oil(s) of your choice
(I used 5 drops sandalwood and 5 drops rose)
Instructions
1. Mix buttermilk powder, ground oats, and Epsom salts in a small bowl.
2. Place pink salt, lavender flowers, and hibiscus flowers in spice grinder. Grind until powdery and uniform in texture.
3. Add to bowl and mix to combine.
4. Add essential oils, stirring to incorporate.
5. Pour into jar and you’re done!
6. To bathe: Add 3-5 tablespoons to bathwater and soak your troubles away.
It’s the new moon in Aquarius and I’ve just launched the first episode of my new podcast , Open Magic, with the amazing Bri of Tadpole Magic. Our first topic? Intention setting, particularly the ways we can harness intentions to invite in the change and growth we need.