Divination Won’t Work Without This

One of my favourite ways to use tarot is to get insight into what my options are when I’m at a fork in the road.

For example, last year I was looking into taking a course to learn some new skills. I was checking out at a few different classes and teachers and would have liked to invest in each of them.

But I had to be realistic: I’d set aside a specific budget, and only had so much time to study. Which meant I had to pick one course, not all of them.

So I turned to my tarot deck to see what I could expect from each one, and then compare them.

I do this when I read for clients who are debating decisions as well. You never know what might come up: Sometimes, the options all look quite similar. Other times, there’s a clear winner.

But what how much weight should we give to readings like this?

Are they guarantees, or just glimpses of what’s possible? And are they accurate, or might they lead us astray from a better option?

These are questions I’ve talked through with many clients and students over the years.

First and foremost, I don’t base every decision off divination. It's one perspective, but needs to weighed against other factors and influences at play in my life. I recommend querents do the same.

I also don’t like to do readings like this unless I’m seriously ready to make a move and need an extra perspective.

Otherwise, divining on a passing curiosity might give you a reading that feels just as non-committal.

If my aim is true, then first I consider the nature of the task at hand.

If you’re asking about a big endeavour, such as starting a business, the cards will likely be challenging. Which makes sense, because starting a business is a lot of work, and isn’t without risk and sacrifice.

So it’s important to consider what you’re up against when you’re divining on decisions or possible outcomes: Are the stakes low, or high?

Second, I consider my own willingness to commit to the path ahead. You could have the most auspicious cards on the table, but you still need to do the work to make that glowing outcome a reality.

And it might not happen right away. Just because the cards look easy doesn’t mean it will all be smooth sailing.

This is where I decide whether I really want to move forward: Do I want it badly enough to weather any potential storms?

Am I willing to take responsibility for all that my choice entails, knowing that it might bring discomfort, disappointment, or hardship at some point?

Third, I remember that divining on an outcome or expectation might not be the final answer, but just the beginning of something else: Is it worth to me to move ahead in order to see what’s on the other side of any potential challenges?

Sometimes, what comes to you through hard work ends up bringing a sweet reward. But you won’t know unless you try.

Which is why I’m always mindful that when we’re looking for something from the cards – and from life itself – that we’re ready to:

1. Take responsibility for our goals;
2. Commit to fostering our aims; and
3. Stay focused on what is we’re moving towards.

Divination can’t promise you anything that you’re not willing to do yourself. This goes not only for readings that help with decision-making, but any readings that ask for a sense of direction or outcome.

If you’re reading for yourself on questions like this, or working to support querents through their plans and desires, keep this in mind even when the cards are favourable.

Pushing ourselves and our sitters to reflect on what we will do to nurture our futures into reality – no matter how easy or hard it might be – is how divination comes to life.

Until next time,

Liz xo

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p.s. Looking for a tarot book that takes you beyond general card meanings and helps you develop your own framework and philosophy for reading tarot for yourself, or others?

The Power of Tarot aims to give you exactly that. Order it here.