5 Ways to Use Tarot to Gain Clarity for the Year Ahead

5 Ways to Use Tarot to Gain Clarity for the Year Ahead

The new year is a time of fresh starts and big dreams, but it can also feel overwhelming. How do you sort through your goals, challenges, and emotions to create a clear path forward? Tarot offers a powerful tool for reflection and insight, helping you navigate the year ahead with confidence and clarity.

Here are five ways to use tarot to gain clarity as you step into 2025:

1. Map Out Your Year with a "Year Ahead Spread"

One of the best ways to prepare for the year is by pulling a card for each month. This practice offers a snapshot of the themes, opportunities, and challenges that may arise.

• How to Do It: Shuffle your deck and pull 12 cards, laying them out in a circle or grid. Assign each card to a month, starting with January.

• What to Look For: Note recurring patterns or suits—these may highlight areas of growth or focus. For example, a string of Pentacles might indicate financial or career themes.

• Tip: Write down your impressions for each month in a journal so you can revisit them as the year unfolds.

2. Identify Your Focus with a "Clarity Spread"

When the year feels overwhelming, a three-card spread can help you prioritize.

• Suggested Spread:

  1. What should I focus on first?

  2. What might distract me?

  3. How can I stay aligned with my goals?

• Example: If the Ace of Wands appears in the first position, it suggests prioritizing creativity or new beginnings.

3. Release the Old and Embrace the New

Clarity comes when you make space for new energy. Use tarot to reflect on what to let go of and what to welcome into your life.

• Suggested Spread:

  1. What do I need to release from 2024?

  2. What energy should I invite into 2025?

  3. What will help me navigate this transition?

• Example: Drawing the Eight of Cups as your “release” card might signify leaving behind unfulfilling situations.

4. Use Tarot for Decision-Making

If you’re facing big decisions—whether personal, professional, or spiritual—tarot can provide valuable guidance.

• How to Do It: Formulate a clear question, such as “What should I consider when making this choice?” Pull 1-3 cards for insight.

• Example: If you’re deciding between two paths, assign one card to each option. Look for which card resonates more with your goals or values.

5. Align with Your Intuition Through Daily Practice

Consistency with tarot builds clarity over time. A daily card pull can help you check in with yourself and stay aligned with your intentions.

• How to Do It: In the morning, ask, “What energy should I embrace today?” Pull a card and reflect on its meaning.

• Tip: Keep a journal to track your daily pulls—you may notice patterns that reveal deeper insights over time.

Why Tarot Works for Gaining Clarity

Tarot connects you to your intuition, offering perspectives you might not see on your own. Whether you’re mapping out the year, making decisions, or reflecting on daily life, tarot is a compass to guide you toward your highest potential.

Get Personalized Guidance for 2025

Need more clarity for your year ahead? Book a one-on-one tarot session with me. Together, we’ll explore your goals, uncover hidden opportunities, and set you on a path to success.

Daily Tarot Practices to Stay Grounded and Focused in the New Year

Daily Tarot Practices to Stay Grounded and Focused in the New Year

The start of a new year brings fresh energy, endless possibilities, and, sometimes, an overwhelming to-do list. It’s easy to feel ungrounded as you try to navigate goals, resolutions, and the inevitable curveballs life throws your way. Tarot can be your secret weapon—a daily anchor to keep you steady, clear-headed, and aligned with your intentions.

In this post, I’ll guide you through simple, effective ways to incorporate tarot into your daily routine. Whether you’re a seasoned reader or just starting out, these practices will help you stay grounded and focused throughout the year.

1. Start Your Morning with a Daily Card Pull

A daily card pull is one of the easiest ways to integrate tarot into your routine. It’s like checking the weather for your day—except you’re gauging the energetic forecast.

• How to Do It: Shuffle your deck in the morning and ask, “What energy should I focus on today?” Pull one card and reflect on its meaning.

• Example: If you pull the Queen of Pentacles, the card may encourage you to embrace practicality and nurture your responsibilities.

• Tip: Keep a tarot journal nearby to jot down your card and any initial thoughts. Over time, patterns may emerge that offer deeper insights.

2. Reflect on Your Day with an Evening Card

End your day with a moment of introspection by pulling a card that reflects on your experiences. This practice helps you connect the dots between your actions, emotions, and the day’s lessons.

• How to Do It: Ask, “What did I learn from today?” or “What should I carry forward into tomorrow?” Pull a card and take a few minutes to journal about its relevance.

• Example: Drawing the Page of Swords might highlight a day full of curiosity and learning, urging you to carry that open-mindedness into the next day.

3. Try a Weekly Overview Spread

For a broader perspective, dedicate time at the start of each week to pull a three-card spread. This practice offers insight into the energy of the week, potential challenges, and advice for navigating them.

• Suggested Spread:

  1. Energy of the Week: What overarching theme or energy will influence the week?

  2. Challenge of the Week: What obstacle might arise?

  3. Advice for the Week: How can I best approach this energy?

• Example:

  • Energy: The Sun—Optimism and clarity will shine through.

  • Challenge: Five of Wands—Expect minor conflicts or competition.

  • Advice: Temperance—Stay balanced and patient.

4. Pair Tarot with Meditation

Meditation and tarot are a match made in self-care heaven. Combining these practices can amplify your ability to focus and remain present.

• How to Do It: Begin with a few minutes of deep breathing. Pull a card and hold its image in your mind as you meditate. Let its message guide your thoughts or simply allow it to provide a calming visual focus.

• Example: Meditate with the Star card to cultivate hope and renewal.

5. Keep Your Practice Simple and Consistent

Consistency is key to reaping the full benefits of tarot. You don’t need elaborate rituals or hour-long sessions—just a few minutes each day can make a difference.

• Quick Practice Ideas:

  • Pull a card while your morning coffee brews.

  • Keep a mini tarot deck in your bag for midday clarity.

  • Snap a photo of your daily card to revisit it throughout the day.

Why Daily Tarot Matters

Daily tarot practices are about more than predictions—they’re tools for mindfulness, self-awareness, and empowerment. Over time, these small moments with your deck can build a strong foundation for growth, focus, and clarity in every area of your life.

Ready to Ground Yourself with Tarot?

If you’re looking for personalized guidance to start the year, book a one-on-one tarot session with me. Together, we’ll create a plan to integrate tarot into your life and set the tone for an intentional, focused 2024.

Tarot for Meditation

Tarot For Meditation

An important pillar of achieving excellent spiritual health is meditation. The simple act of becoming more mindful and using your focus to gain clarity effectively brings peace and stability to your body, mind, and soul. 

Meditation begins with a blank mind, an empty canvas that you slowly paint on. However, many individuals find it difficult to achieve the "blank" state of mind to begin their spiritual journey. 

To overcome this hindrance, tarot cards act as a great source of maintaining your focus. 

The Role Of Tarot Cards In Meditation

Tarot cards have been used for centuries to provide guidance and insight into an individual's future. However, these cards are often used in meditation to direct your attention to one singular object. 

With a tarot card in hand, your focus will be on the card's details, the images, the vibrant or dull colors, and expressive or hidden meanings. This will help you maintain your focus and clear your mind of any personal thoughts that are raging. 

Moreover, these cards can help you deepen your understanding at a personal and profound level. They act as a self-healing tool providing useful, helpful information. Tarot cards further help you gain a deeper insight into your life, and mixed with meditation; you can reinforce or manifest your desires. 

Tarot meditation will enlighten your mind to the endless possibilities of each card during a Tarot Meditation. Your inner knowledge will help you see elements in the cards you have never seen before. You will be open to new personal experiences inspired by the figures on the cards. And after you've created this spiritual connection with each formation, they'll be easier to connect with while you're performing readings or meditating.

How To Meditate With Tarot Cards

1.     Choosing A Card

Tarot card meditation is not only used for focus but also for a better understanding of the cards and their meanings. Firstly, you should determine the purpose of your meditation. 

If you are more interested in using tarot cards to improve your focus and blank your mind, then looking for cards in the deck that smoothly fade into the background is ideal. 

If you are looking for deeper meaning, choose a card that fulfills the purpose or goal you have in mind, such as selecting The Empress if your goal is to become spiritually prepared for parenthood or launch a business. 

2.     Setting The Stage

To begin tarot meditation, you must prepare yourself and your surroundings. To create an environment, it is ideal to find a place where you won't be disturbed for quite a while. It can be a quiet room or a secluded area in nature. Light a candle or incense that calms you and find a comfortable position to sit in. It can be on a chair, couch, or even on the floor if that is what you prefer. 

To prepare yourself, focus on releasing your stress and putting your tasks and worries aside for the time being. An internal cleanse can help you feel more ready, including drinking plenty of water and avoiding heavy foods such as meat. Choose clothes you feel comfortable in and indulge in a cleansing bath for better focus. 

Set your tarot cards next to you and make an intention for the session. It is a human trait to lose your train of thought. Hence, establishing a purpose for the session will help you maintain your focus on your goal. 

Once you have prepared, naturally begin your meditation session. Focus on breathing consciously and periodically to calm your nerves and relax your body. If you have chosen a card, you can place it before you and focus on the details. 

As a beginner, it is always advised to choose a card with lighter energy compared to ones heavier on the heart and soul. 

3.     Finding Your Focus

There are different types of tarot card decks. Whichever you have chosen will have various cards with varying colors, symbols, and meanings. The aim of using the tarot is to focus on these details. 

Avert your attention to all the minute shapes, symbols, background designs, bodily structures, and anything you might have missed at first glance. Try to look into every detail and conclude what meaning each element might hold for you. 

Move on to soften your gaze and look beyond the card in front of you. Divert your attention to the wall in front of you or the floor, or even close your eyes but ensure that the card remains in front of your vision. 

Envision yourself becoming a part of the card with the borders slowly fading away. You can either be a part of that scene or one of the characters on the card. Once achieved, you can now begin your meditation. 

Let the cards lead the way and decide the journey. Do not overcontrol; focus on the messages you are receiving and the meaning the card wants you to grasp. 

4.     Awaken and Reflection

Once your journey is complete, return to reality and recognize the work that you have done. Reflect on yourself and your surroundings, and reflect on your experiences. 

Remind yourself that the peace and insight you just experienced is a plane you can visit again. But for now, focus on all that you have learned. 

Please find a way of recording your journey through voice memos or journals and reflect on them timely to remind yourself of the lessons learned. These new perceptions can help you recognize different energies. It can help you gain confidence in relying on your intuition and improving your life.

Also, keep looking for any experiences that might come as an after-effect. They can also act as a moment of clarity and harmony. 

Conclusion

"Holding a deck of tarot cards is like holding the universe in your hand."

As a beginner, using this meditation technique or tarot cards might seem a simple enough task. However, the energies of these methods run far deeper than initially understood. 

It is ideal to ask for help from a trained individual if you are new to the practice to protect yourself from harmful energies. 

How To Look At Reversed Tarot Pulls

How To Look At Reversed Tarot Pulls

A reversed Tarot card is just that - a card that is upside down. If you look up the meaning of reversed Tarot cards, you will find that most are interpreted negatively. In fact, it is common practice to attribute the opposite meaning of an upright card to a reversed Tarot card. This is why many Tarot readers avoid reading with reversals. They want to avoid the so-called negative energy of these reversed cards.

However, these cards don't have to mean doom and gloom. If you change the way you interpret them, they can actually provide you with much deeper insight. They can help you understand a given situation from many different angles and make your reading more effective and thorough.

If you happen to be a beginner Tarot reader, you might think you will have to learn a whole new set of meanings for the 78 cards (if you want to read reversed cards). But that's not the case at all. You just need to learn 3 methods that will help you take the meaning of an upright card and translate it to the meaning of its reversed nature. Let's take a look at these 3 methods.

How To Look At Reversed Tarot Pulls

1) An Energy Imbalance (Too Much Or Too Little Energy)

Reversed Tarot cards can sometimes indicate an imbalance in energy (which means that there is either too much energy or too little energy of the upright card).

For example, The Star represents the energy of hope and faith. But too much hope and faith can make a person leave everything to a higher force. As such, they might not be too careful with their decisions and actions. On the other hand, too little hope and faith can make a person pessimistic and bitter.

So, if you get a reversed ‘The Star’ card, you might need to explore whether there is too much faith or too little of it. You can do the same for all the other upright cards and their energies.

2) Internally Expressed Energy

If you look at the meanings of different Tarot cards, you will realize that they are just expressions or representations of different types of energy. For example, the Devil is an expression of the energy of addiction and materialism.

 Another thing to note is that upright cards represent externally expressed energy. This means that their meanings have to do with the outside world and they are experienced in the external environment.

So, we can interpret reversed Tarot cards as internally expressed energy. This means that their energy is experienced in the inner world. So, if an upright Devil card represents reveling in the material world, a reversed Devil can represent reveling in the inner world through spiritual practices like meditation. As you can see, there is no gloom and doom while interpreting the meaning of the reversed Tarot card.

3) Upside-Down Imagery

Tarot readers who like to use their intuition will love this method. Here, you need to look at the imagery of a reversed Tarot card and allow your intuition to interpret it.

For example, in the upside-down Page of Pentacles card, the coin looks like it could be sliding out of the man's hands. This could mean that if the person is not careful, they might lose money. So, they need to make better decisions and be disciplined about their spending habits.

Thoth Vs. Rider Waite Smith

Thoth Vs. Rider Waite Smith 

Tarot card decks are ideal for guidance regarding any aspect of one's life, career, love life, goals to be achieved, or wealth. If you have been interested in getting tarot card readings to gain insight into your future, you might consider getting one. Practicing reading and interpreting these cards is a skill and can prove quite beneficial to your life and others! 

You will come across decks with different illustrations and prints. It might make you question whether or not all tarot card decks are the same? 

To answer shortly, yes. The meanings and interpretations of the cards remain the same. That being said there can be major visual differences in the imagery of different decks. Some of the most popular decks you will hear about are Thoth and Rider Waite Smith. In this article, we will explore the differences between the cards and which deck takes priority. 

The Thoth Tarot Deck

Created by Aleister Crowley during 1904-1909, this beautiful deck is based on the rituals of his secret society. This unique deck has English, Latin, and Egyptian words written on the card representing the illustration printed on them. 

This deck was named after the Egyptian god of wisdom. It is rich in Jewish symbolism, alchemy, and the Kabbalah. It is ideal for experts that can understand and deconstruct the interrelated symbolism. 

Thoth's images are more ethereal, allowing you to comprehend its energies without relying on pictures. A minimalistic tarot deck or deciphering with plain poker cards might provide a similar result. Intuition can add an additional depth of meaning that studies the card's shadow and light, purpose and resolutions.

The artwork on this 78-card deck is mesmerizing. The cards have bold letters and details on the back and are extremely easy to shuffle. Hence, as someone who has been reading tarot for a long time, these cards might become your most popular choice. 

The Rider Waite Smith Tarot Deck

This deck is the most popular choice among tarot readers. Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith created this deck in 1909, known as one of the most used decks in the world. Seventy-eight beautifully designed cards have rich and thought-inducing imagery, so much of the insight can be left to the imagination of individuals getting their cards read. 

There is a lot of religious, astrological, and kabbalistic symbolism that you will find in this deck. It is simplified to be understood by many since the primary purpose of its invention was to provide for the masses. 

The Rider Waite-Smith (RWS) deck was created to make intuitive divination readily available and clear to read. It includes a lot of Christian symbolism that was instinctively understood by Western society back then. 

The deck has been simplified to easier interpretations by dividing it further into numerology, among other components. The interpretations follow a more linear narrative called The Fool's Journey. The cards are a clear representation of the concepts that are expressed. 

The Differences

Intent:

The creation of the decks was quite similar in the beginning but changed before being published. The RWS deck focuses more on Christian divination and includes concepts that portray occult ideas. 

The Thoth deck was also meant to be designed following a similar intent but was changed to include much of the Thelemic philosophy as well. 

Style:

The Waite deck has a more elegant vibe with solid backgrounds. In contrast, the Thoth includes far more art deco. 

The figures have also been designed according to the style of the deck, with figures in the major arcana and courts intersecting and overlapping each other. 

Minors:

Most of the minor arcana cards are designed with people interacting with objects that are intended to have varying meanings. However, the RWS was the first modern tarot deck with scenes and figures. 

Later, Thoth redesigned the cards by completely excluding people from the illustrations. They designed their cards to have several objects and aesthetics of just the style, color, and background. 

Courts:

The decks also use different courts for their imagery. The Waite uses the traditional courts, including the page, knight, queen, and king. The Thoth uses the golden dawn courts, including princess, prince, queen, and king. 

Content:

The Thoth deck is fully packed with symbolic elements. We can notice the Lovers, including a royal couple, two children, a priest, Lilith and Eve, Cupid, an eagle, a lion, an Orphic egg, and an arch made of swords. 

On the contrary, we have the RWS deck designed with Lovers, including Adam and Eve, an angel, trees of Eden with serpents, a mountain, and the Sun. 

Labels And Titles:

There have been a lot of label and title changes that have been made in the Thoth. Some of them are: 

• The Magician – The Magus 

• Justice – Adjustment 

• Strength – Lust 

• Judgement – The Aeon 

• The World – The Universe

There has also been a change in the traditional sequence of the cards. The titles have been limited to one word and are mostly taken from the Golden Dawn. There is a lot of representation of Hebrew letters, glyphs, planets, zodiac signs, and other elements that are designed next to the title. 

Which Deck Should I Choose?

Choosing one deck over another is impossible. It depends on where you are on your tarot reading journey and which deck resonated with you the most. 

As a beginner, we suggest buying the Waite deck since it is far easier to decipher and interpret. The system of these cards helps greatly in self-development, spiritual guidance, or fulfillment of your manifestations. If that is something that you are currently seeking, then this deck will prove more beneficial. 

However, the Thoth deck is ideal for understanding the symbolism of each card at a more profound level. They are often used for shadow work, cosmic fortune-telling, and karma readings. If you are aiming to achieve that, then choosing this deck will be the right choice. 

Spiritual language differs from human language a lot. Hence, following your intuition is crucial if a deck calls out to you. 

Tarot for Well-Being

Tarot For Well-Being

Before getting introduced to the world of the Tarot, you might have the impression that it is merely a divination practice. But Tarot readers and those who have experienced a reading know that it is much, much more. In fact, for many people, the Tarot is a spiritual practice that lets them connect with themselves, discover their true nature, find their purpose, introspect, seek wisdom, seek clarity, and so much more.

Essentially, anybody can use Tarot for their well-being as part of their self-care practice. In that sense, Tarot can be your constant companion whom you can turn to any time you feel like it. If you want to venture into this journey, just get yourself a deck of Tarot cards that speaks to you. And then, make them a part of your life to improve your well-being. Let's take a look at how exactly you can do that.

1) Pull A Card Every Morning

As you wake up in the morning, you can make it a habit to pull a card as soon as you get out of bed. You can also pull a series of cards if you want deeper insight. Then, as you go about your day, just reflect on the meaning of your card/s. You can also check their meanings in the guidebook and then use your intuition to come up with a combined interpretation.

Pay attention to how the card/s resonate with you, what lesson they might be trying to teach you, what issue they might be bringing to your attention, and so on. Doing so will help you feel guided and supported throughout the day.

2) Reflect On Your Cards By Journaling

Sometimes, thoughts and emotions do not make sense as long as they are inside you. Sometimes, they need an outlet, and only then can you understand them. This provides better clarity and allows you to reach the depth of your inner being.

So, after you have pulled your cards in the morning, you can take the time to sit in silence and journal whatever comes to mind about the cards. Try to answer these questions: What are the cards trying to tell me? Are they trying to bring up something that I have been ignoring? What lessons are they trying to teach me? Why am I resistant to these lessons? The answers to these questions will give you a lot of insight. Even if they bring up something uncomfortable, that's okay! It might be necessary for your growth.

3) Use Tarot To Break Negative Thought Patterns

Sometimes, we get trapped in the same negative patterns of thought. These patterns can be self-limiting and can cause anxiety and distress. They might also manifest in other negative ways in your life. So, it's quite important that you should break any negative thought patterns you might have.

This is where Tarot readings can help. First, they can make you aware that you are stuck in a negative pattern. Second, they can show you how you can disrupt these patterns and be free. This goes a long way in ensuring your mental well-being.

4) Use The Tarot To Gain Clarity

We have all been in moments where we were completely overwhelmed due to the situation at hand. We have all been in the difficult phases of life when nothing seems to make sense. It is in times like these that our well-being takes the most drastic hit.

 Again, Tarot can come to the rescue in times like these. When you're feeling anxious, for example, you can pull up a card to see what you need to do to feel better. In that way, the card acts as a grounding method. Also, when you are going through a rough patch, you can consult your Tarot cards to gain clarity. Asking just three questions can give you the insight you need, "What do I think is going on? What is actually going on? What, if anything, should I do about it?"

5) Use The Tarot To Connect With Your Loved Ones

If there is one thing that improves your well-being, it is connecting with your loved ones. Spending just a few hours with them can boost your mental and emotional health. To nurture your relationships with them, you can turn to Tarot cards. You can pull a card in the presence of a loved one and then examine it with an open mind. Ask each other how the card relates to your relationship, what you can learn from it and what feelings it brings up. Doing so will help you establish a deeper bond with them.