Navigating the “new normal” has become a pastime for many of us these days, whether that’s willing or not. What choices do we make in this post-corona world? What do these choices even consist of? For many of us, our certainties have been upended and clarity is in short supply. It’s in these circumstances that tarot can serve as both map and compass, helping us to name what is not clear and assisting in outlining a path ahead.
Tarot can orient and help us check out several possible paths and their likely outcomes.
Thought to have originated in the Italian parlour game of il tarrochi (or in ancient Egypt, depending on sources) and to have been used for edification and self-discovery by such illustrious figures as psychiatrist Carl Jung and magician Aleister Crowley, the archetypes depicted in tarot still lend themselves to both psychological and magical interpretations today.
In fact, it is in this confluence of factors – understanding the psychological origins of a situation and exploring how to best manifest a positive outcome – that tarot holds its greatest power.
Even pre-pandemic, tarot was undergoing something of a revival in the US and UK, as modern-day taroistas addressed today’s dilemmas with these ancient cards. Having read for clients at triyoga since 2018, I have witnessed this tarot revival as articles appeared in The Times, The New York Times, and on social media, as well as an explosion of new tarot decks coming to market.
So as we hurtle into this “new normal,” both the ancient and modern roots of tarot can help us gain clarity.
We can ask the cards questions about career, new life direction, family, and love.
We can clarify what we are feeling ourselves or what someone else is likely to be feeling. We can explore possible outcomes of several paths and choose our actions accordingly.
A tarot reading can provide valuable information, elucidation of inklings just below the surface of consciousness, or clarify that our intuition is indeed correct. Tarot can also help clarify when ideas or plans need tweaking or further development, and help us hone in on timing of actions for maximum benefit.
And of course, when options are murky, asking the right questions of the tarot can define and clarify what our options actually are. As we head boldly into the “new normal,” the ancient art of tarot can help us navigate this uncharted personal and societal territory, providing modern clarity through the powerful archetypes of the cards.
Dana Mayer is a healing practitioner who has extensive knowledge of shamanic, energy healing, psychology and tarot. Dana has been working at the triyoga studios since 2018, if you would like to find out the questions that can be asked of the cards, see her full schedule at triyoga here.
