Tarot as Meditation Tool

I've recently returned to a practice of daily meditation. Every time I retreat to my room, my Tarot deck goes with me.

I hear a lot of people talk about using Tarot as a meditative tool, but not much talk about how they use Tarot as a meditation aid. Here are some quick insight's I've gained over the past few weeks:

- At the beginning of the session, draw a single card. While I get comfortable -- what I call "winding down" -- I look this card over and think about the themes, memories, and ideas it holds for me.

- During the first ten minutes of my meditation, I don't think about the card at all. During this period, I clear my mind, focus on my breathing, and shift gears, slowing down.

- After a good ten minutes of stillness, I bring one aspect or element of the card to mind. (If I've drawn the Fool, the element might be a snowy peak. If I've drawn the Six of Swords, the element might be a boat on the water.) In my head, I build as clear and detailed a mental image as possible.

- After my meditation period ends, I pick up the card, see it with new eyes, and consider how its most positive meaning could influence my actions for the better. During the day, I look for opportunities to put that positive energy to work.

Complicated? Nope. Difficult? Nope. Effective? Very. Pick your favorite deck, and give this approach a try today.