illum_d.gifrawing one card from your chosen Tarot deck is a simple yet powerful tool for meditation, reflection, and for sparking creativity.  It’s also an excellent way to learn about the cards and about yourself.  One can either shuffle the deck (all of it or just the Major Arcana) and then draw the card from the top, or put the cards in order (beginning with the Major Aracana) and go through the deck in that way. 

If you commit yourself to doing a daily one-card meditation, you may want to start a Tarot journal, where you can write, draw, collage or do whatever comes to you relating to the card of the day. 

As with any Tarot reading, begin with the deck that speaks most clearly to you.  I have a deck that I keep only for myself, for my own readings.  Put yourself in a quiet place, literally and figuratively, and concentrate on the cards and what you are doing.  If you have something specific in mind, a question or a situation, hold that in your mind.  Shuffle the deck (all or part) and when you feel you have shuffled it enough (at least three times), lay down the top card.  Notice first whether the card is right side up or upside down.  Then focus on the card itself.

Before jumping for your Tarot card interpretation book, think about the picture on the card and what it says to you.  Look closely at the figure (if there is one); is it male or female?  Do you think it is you or someone else?  Is the figure holding anything?  What is the figure doing?  If you are keeping a journal, write or draw your thoughts as you meditate on the card.

What else in shown on the card?  Is there an animal?  A building?  If it’s a Minor Arcana card, what suit is it?  Is it a court card?

While you are concentrating on what is shown on the card, how this card relates to you or your chosen question or situation may begin to reveal itself to you.  Again, keep track of these revelations in your journal.  On the other hand, nothing may come to you.  Why this card is in your hand at this moment may be a complete mystery to you.  If this is so, you may want to use your interpretation book now (one usually comes with the deck, or there are plenty to buy).  Most books give different or varying interpretations for whether the card was right side up or not, this is why you noted it before.

If, after reading the “classic” interpretations given in the book, you still are not understanding the card you have pulled and what it’s telling you, don’t worry and don’t try to “force”an answer.  Live with the card for the day, live with the mystery for awhile, and tomorrow, draw another card.  The answer may lie in the continued seeking.