Scripting Your Own
Tarot Visualization
by James Ricklef
The hardest person to do a Tarot reading
for is yourself. This is because your ego, having a vested interest
in such a reading, tends to shout down the soft voice of your intuition
with its hopes and fears. Luckily, there are ways of using Tarot
cards that can trick your ego into silence and allow your intuitive
wisdom to shine through.
A common method is to do a guided visualization using a Tarot card’s image along with a predetermined script. There are examples of such scripts in the existing Tarot literature, but one that you create for yourself is usually better suited to your particular needs.
The first step is to decide what you want to accomplish. Is there an issue or problem, or are you just seeking general insight into what is going on in your life? It helps to begin by writing a statement of intent describing the purpose of your visualization and what you hope to accomplish with it.
Once you have a clear idea of what you want, choose a card that addresses your needs. You may use a logical process whereby you rationally decide what card would work best for your purposes. If you want to solve a problem relating to romance, you might choose the Lovers card. If you want to choose a card intuitively instead, look quickly through your deck, cards face up, until you see one that resonates with your thoughts or feelings about your situation. This may be a card that attracts you, disturbs you, or mystifies you. Alternatively, you may want to deal yourself a card at random, trusting the Universe to give you the card you need.
Next, examine your chosen card and consider what significance its visual elements have to your state of affairs. Is there an object or a symbol that bears special meaning to you? Does a figure in it remind you of someone in your life, or symbolize the type of person you would like to be? With such considerations and observations in mind, you can begin writing your visualization script.
You might want to incorporate an object in the card that catches your eye. If so, decide what it means to you and then integrate that meaning into your visualization. For instance, if there is a castle in the card, your script might have you enter it in order to investigate its various rooms. In that case, you may consider those rooms to represent various aspects of your life, your mind, or your aspirations. Or you may want to create a visualization script for the High Priestess card. Your script might call for her to read to you from her book of mystical wisdom. Any object you incorporate in your script can help your unconscious mind communicate with you by allowing it to speak using images and symbols.
Also, you can create a script by considering how you might resolve a problematic aspect of the card you have chosen. For example, if you are using the Eight of Swords, you could write a script in which you visualize yourself as the person in bondage, and then see yourself wriggle free of your bonds and escape.
In that case, after your visualization is complete, you might compare how it felt to be bound and blindfolded with how it then felt to be free. Also, you might consider the symbolic meaning of whatever you saw once you removed your blindfold.
You may write a script in which a figure in your card takes you on a journey of discovery. For example, in working with the Lovers card, the angel on it might take you into a singles club to show you the kind of person with whom you could have a positive and supportive relationship. A similar idea is to envision yourself asking a person in the card how you might handle a problem in order to see how s/he might deal with it using the power symbolized by the card. For example, it could be illuminating to see how the woman in the Strength card might suggest you cope with the antagonism of a difficult co-worker.
When writing a guided visualization, it may be tempting to provide too much detail. Be careful not to overwrite it. Leave room for your unconscious mind to express itself. For example, a script for the High Priestess may include something like this: “The Priestess then picks up her book and reads to you from it. Feel free to ask her to explain anything you do not understand about what she tells you.” This leaves your unconscious mind free to speak to you.
Once you have written your script, you may memorize its basic steps, or you can record it and then play that recording during the process. When you are ready to journey into the card, begin by relaxing using whatever technique works best for you. Form a clear mental image of the card, then close your eyes and see yourself stepping into it as you begin your imaginary trip using your script. Be aware, however, that sometimes your unconscious mind can take you on unforeseen tangents. When this happens, don’t resist. See where the process leads you, for your unconscious mind is a potent spiritual guide.
Finally, when you have completed your guided visualization, see yourself stepping out of the card and returning to your own body. Write down what happened in order to solidify the experience in your consciousness, and try to explore the meaning of the experience. You may want to keep a Visualization Journal, for collectively these journeys can map the hidden terrain of your soul.
James
Ricklef is a professional Tarot reader, teacher, and writer. His
new book, “Tarot: Get the Whole Story,” explains
how to create your own spreads, and it presents a variety of spreads
which it illustrates using sample readings for well-known historical,
mythical, and fictional characters. For more information about the
author’s work, see his website: www.jamesrecklef.com
