A Daily Tarot Card Pull

I’m just 1 person who likes a little extra focus each morning. I love the art on a good deck of tarot cards, but I rarely do readings for myself. When I heard about the practice of pulling a tarot card each morning to help focus your day, I thought it seemed like something I could easily incorporate into my exiting morning routine.

I go through phases with whatever deck of cards speaks to me at the moment, sometimes using an oracle deck and sometimes traditional tarot cards. I also have a routine I follow when pulling a tarot card. First, I shuffle the cards for a minimum of three times while thinking about my hopes, tasks, and obligations for the day ahead. Then I cut the deck and spread the cards out in an arc in front of me. Running my hand over the arc with my eyes closed, I stop when I feel a spot of heat. Sometimes this takes a while and other times I feel something right away. There are some mornings I don’t feel anything and my cat helps me choose a card by stepping on one (then demanding to be petted, naturally).

I look at the selected card and what feelings it evokes within me. Then I note it in my bullet journal and read a book or online resource to dive deeper about the card while eating breakfast. My favorite tarot site for more detailed card meanings (including reversed meanings) is https://www.thetarotguide.com/.

Sometimes the meaning of a card immediately strikes me, and I know exactly what I need to think about, be careful about, and focus on during my day. Other times, I’m not sure what a card’s meaning has to do with my life. Sometimes I use the meanings as a warning, as something to look out for and try to avoid or overcome. Sometimes they apply directly to my life and personality. Sometimes they seem to represent people in my life (like a coworker or family member) or notable figures (like a lawmaker). And sometimes I use the meanings as an indicator of something that could happen if I’m open to it or not careful about preventing it. No matter how I interpret the card, it gets me thinking about my intentions and actions as I start my day. It helps me commit to trying to have as good a day as I can.

There is a card in my Brian Froud Faerie Oracle deck that I closely associated with a coworker, so I would expect to hear from them or check in with that person on a day when I drew that card. On the day that I lost my job, I drew the 9 of Cups, symbolizing shattered dreams, misery, and lack of success. The next day, when I spent a long time crying on the phone to my mother, I drew the Queen of Swords card, symbolizing mourning, protection when vulnerable, and truth. Since then, I am always reassured when I draw cards symbolizing new beginnings or inspiration.

Even though there can be interesting similarities between the cards and events in my life, I don’t rely on the cards to tell me exactly what my day will be like. They’re not a guidebook. They are just a tool to get me thinking, and it’s all about how I personally interpret and apply that tool in my own life. They help me start my day by being cautious or open or determined. They help me focus attention where I feel I need to. And by writing them down in my bullet journal, it’s also something I can check back in with throughout the day as I accomplish tasks.