Each week I pull cards to inspire contemplative practice. In 2011, I started using the Gaian Tarot as a prompt for practice as its minor cards showed such clear images of people engaged in practices that grounded and connected them to earth, to spirit, to the Whole. The method evolved to use the majors as path cards and the people as posture/attitude cards, and for a couple of years I posted weekly on the Gaian Tarot Circle. You are invited to use the cards below to inspire your practice, and, if you like, share your reflections in the comments. You are also free to draw your own cards.
PATH: Use Pile 1 / Majors and Aces to pull a card for the question: What sacred path would best serve the group this week? STRENGTH invites us to walk this week on pathways of …
- Gentle fierceness.
- Compassionate power.
- Waltzing with the wild side of yourself.
- Squarely facing any adversity that comes before you.
PRACTICE: Use Pile 2 / numbered cards for this question: What contemplative practice will best serve us to move along this pathway this week? NINE OF WATER invites us to practices such as …
- Do nothing but remain open to Mystery.
- Visit a cave, if possible by the ocean, and tune into the emotions that you feel as you explore it.
- Each morning go to the door of your house (i.e. cave), open it, and spread your arms out to welcome whatever is there.
- At the end of each day reflect back and seek out the moments when you felt a surge (or whisper) of wonder or joy, no matter how fleeting.
POSTURE: Use Pile 3 / People cards for a question such as: What attitudes and behaviors will be most helpful to me in undertaking this practice? GUARDIAN OF FIRE invites you to follow your path and practices with attitudes of ….
- Deep attention.
- Compassion.
- Gentleness.
- Inner quiet.
OVERALL MUSINGS: I love that no matter how long I have worked with this deck and received the 9 of Water that my first reaction is, “I don’t know what this card means.” At its essence, it is a card of Mystery. How do you feel about Mystery? Could it be your lion that you try to tame? Might this set of card invite you just to sit with it in a quite and compassionate way?