Tarot is an ancient art, used by various people for different reasons and purposes. One well known and wide spread application is fortune telling and prediction. This has brought with it much negativity and opposition simply due to fear and ignorance. This very fear and ignorance has cast a black shadow over the Tarot process and tainted it for many prospective souls on their individual journeys.

To simply equate Tarot with fortune telling is limiting, devaluing and unacceptable. The belief in the Tarot as a means to resolve trivial love issues, etc, needs to be dispelled. It is not just about a once-off visit to a psychic or more frighteningly, frequent visits which can only result in dependency or addiction. Tarot is a powerful, mystical tool - a path or means to integrate spirituality into every day life. Used consciously and with the right intention, Tarot can be a simple tool, used daily if desired, to live in spirit.

The purpose of exploring Tarot is to dispel the view of Tarot as simply a divination tool or game and to lift the negativity surrounding it. Being such an ancient art, having disappeared, reappeared and been revived, I believe Tarot must have some deeper, intrinsic value. I propose that this value is worth exploring and expanding on.

Once there is recognition that, in fact, we live in duality, it becomes more and more important to search for emotional and spiritual meaning, versus purely material goals. We need to live as spiritual being within this duality. It is vital to remain focused, to be in the present, not to be affected by the past or the future. We need to fully experience the present moment. This can be made possible by tapping into Universal Consciousness via the Tarot. It is a powerful tool to understand ourselves and our stumbling blocks, as well as a tool for contemplation, increased awareness and generally feeding the spirit and soul.

A question that comes up regularly in my metaphysical practice is "How?" and "Why?" People want tools, methods, guidance, direction - ways to explore and empower themselves and to act on their beliefs and choices. Tarot is certainly a tool for growth! Its use must not be restricted. The cards offer many options for spiritual and emotional growth and guidance - meditation, affirmations, shadow work, dream interpretation, journaling and the list goes on. This can be done anywhere, at any time; it is not confined to a "one hour session" of fortune telling. Rather, it is a dynamic and expansive tool for self-empowerment and creating one's own reality. The various processes stimulate thought, encourage feelings to be felt, expand the mind, aid relaxation and harmony and promote spiritual transformation. Here we encounter an on-going process, one that moves away from the stagnating effect of one simple act. The Tarot process offers a multitude of rewards, not just those of knowledge and expectation but the gifts of knowing, intuition, control, direction and self empowerment. There are many different Tarot Decks and books to choose from, depending on the work you want to do. These choices depict both the expansive and unique character of Tarot. The Tarot world is truly your oyster!

"By attempting to avoid the responsibility for our own behaviour, we are giving away our power to some other individual or organization. In this way, millions daily attempt to escape from freedom."

The Road Less Travelled by
M Scott Peck

"We must learn to offer the world a way of approach
That honors both the ego's desire to be holy
And the soul's true delight
At getting to be
All-too-human."

Jacquelyn Small

"A wise man turns chance into good fortune."

Thomas Fuller