Tarot Connections: Tarot Visualization

Over the next few weeks we will be exploring the uses of Tarot cards to benefit our lives, and not just by means of divination. This will encompass meditation and pathworking through the Tarot Card. In order to achieve the desired state for meditation or pathworking, the first step is to be able to visualize, in your mind, a complete and realistic environment.

Have you ever read a book and lost yourself? While reading a book, you may sometimes find yourself in the place of a character within that book. You may find yourself walking across soft sand with a gentle tropical breeze blowing through your hair; or quietly moving from shadow to shadow as you work your way further into the enemies lair. The energy, fear, joy, pain, sorrow and triumph is yours as you walk each step in place of the hero or heroine the author has created. This world becomes your own. Upon “awakening” from your reading you find that an undisclosed time has passed. You find that you are slightly disoriented; and, in some cases you may even be extremely grateful to escape from the monster you were just running from or angry that you are not where you were a moment before…that you are back to your “normal” life.

In these brief examples you can see how the mind has allowed you to “visualize” your alternative life. You could see yourself there and even were able to take on the emotions of the character you were portraying. How then does this equate to the Tarot?

Many wonderful artists have used their own unique vision and artistry to give us fantastic worlds in their Tarot decks. Some may be cluttered with so much visual information it is hard to get through and others may be very stark and simple. Each of these decks is unique and contains their own story. However, once you start your visualization your own imagination takes the story to a new level, a level that you are in control of and can use.

I would like to look at a few decks and show how they can help you learn to expand your own visualization techniques. There are some wonderful Tarot decks available, as well as Oracle decks that can be used so please feel free to use the decks that you feel most attuned to.

We begin by looking at The Legacy of the Divine Tarot Deck by Ciro Marchetti. I purchased this deck because of a very good review I read from Janet Boyer. Upon receiving my deck, I was amazed at the rich imagery of the individual cards. Mr. Marchetti has been able to breathe life into the images in a way that makes them almost reach out to you, off of the cards. As you study each card, you feel as if you are drawn into the image, you become a part of that world; but, only if you are willing to let your imagination set sail.

With rich images laid out before you, you can sink into what is happening in the card. Building upon the images in the card, your mind can add to what is there and make a richer environment for you.

Stepping back a bit we turn to the more common card, the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, which at first may seem simple. As you look at each card the imagery becomes more complex. Again, you enter into your imagination, within the card, and you are able to expand on it.

Maybe a challenge to your imagination and visualization skills would be tested best by using the stark Tarot Nova deck by Dennis Fairchild & Julie Paschkis. This deck is placed on a black background, the figures stand alone and you have to use your inner sight or imagination to see the world around them.

This is Visualization. Your use of your imagination, memory, experiences and all other senses to place yourself into a “real” world you have visualized and created. What happens in that world, the experiences you go through and the lessons you learn are all up to you. This is not, initially, about planning out what you will do and see, but rather about experiencing the sights, sounds and life your mind wants you to take notice of.

To begin the initial steps to visualization pick a single card from the Tarot deck of your choice. Study the card well. When you close your eyes, can you still see that card? How much detail does it have? Once you are sure you have the imagery down well, close your eyes and imagine yourself within that card.

I am not going to tell you how to make this transition into the card “real”. This is a journey and it is important for you to see how much you can do on your own first. I will tell you that you need to use everything at your disposal. Open all your senses and don’t be afraid to imagine.

The next step that visualization takes us to is Mediation. Next Blog post will be Tarot and Meditation.