Man, sometimes you just hit a wall, you know? Like, really hit a wall. Back when things were just a mess for me – personal stuff, work stuff, everything kinda blurring into one big headache – I was looking for anything, literally anything, to just grab onto and make sense of it all. I wasn’t into anything woo-woo, not really, but I was open. Desperate, even. That’s when I stumbled onto the whole tarot thing.
I remember seeing this deck online, the Mystic Mondays one. It wasn’t like those old, heavy, super traditional ones my grandma used to have with all the detailed, kinda spooky art. This one was bright. Modern. Bold colors, simple designs. It felt… approachable. Less like some ancient mystic ritual and more like a cool art project. I figured, what the heck, can’t hurt to try, right?
So I went and bought it. When it arrived, I ripped open that package pretty fast. First thing I did was just spread the cards out, face up, across my kitchen table. Just staring at them. The colors really pop, you know? Like, electric purples, vibrant blues, sharp yellows. It was visually stimulating, for sure. But then it hit me: “Okay, now what?” I mean, they looked cool, but I had no clue what any of it meant. Zero. Zilch.
My first attempts were a joke. I’d pull a card, look at it, and just… squint. The little guidebook that came with it was okay, gave you a basic idea, but it still felt kinda distant. Like someone else’s interpretation, not my feeling. I felt like I was fumbling in the dark, trying to connect dots that weren’t even close to each other. I’d pull “The Tower” and think, “Uh oh, is my house gonna fall down?” It was pretty literal, and not at all helpful for what I was actually dealing with in my head.
Figuring Out My Own Way In
I definitely didn’t just sit down and memorize all seventy-eight cards overnight. That’s not me. I’m more of a “learn by doing” kinda guy. What I started doing was super simple. Every morning, with my coffee, I’d pull just one card. Just one. I wouldn’t even really look up the “official” meaning right away. I’d just lay it there and stare at it while I sipped my coffee. I’d ask myself: “What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I see this picture?” “What color jumps out?” “Does it feel heavy or light?”
For example, if I pulled “The Sun,” I wouldn’t instantly go to “joy and happiness.” I’d just see that bright, bold circle, that happy little kid on the horse, and think, “Alright, today needs some light.” Or if it was “The Moon,” with all its wavy, mysterious vibes, I’d just feel that sense of something hidden, maybe a bit confusing, and think, “Okay, gotta pay attention to my gut today, things might not be what they seem.” It was all about the feeling the card gave me first.
Then, later in the day, or sometimes at night, I’d remember the card I pulled. I’d think about what happened during my day and if there was any weird connection. Did something feel bright and clear? Or was it all foggy and confusing? That’s where the insights started to spark. It wasn’t about a textbook definition; it was about my day being a mirror to the card’s energy.
The “Aha!” Moments Were Just… Clicking
The real breakthrough came when I stopped trying to force a meaning and just let the card speak to my experience. The Mystic Mondays deck, with its modern, almost abstract art, is actually perfect for this. It doesn’t have all those tiny, traditional symbols to get bogged down in. It’s more about the overall vibe.
- Like, “The Lovers” card in this deck isn’t some super complex scene. It’s two figures, almost intertwined, surrounded by this energetic swirl. When I pulled that, it wasn’t just about romance. It started showing up when I had a big decision to make, where two paths felt equally compelling. It clicked – it’s about choice, about aligning with what truly resonates, not just who you’re dating.
- Or “The Hermit.” Not some old guy with a lantern in a mountain. It’s a sole figure, very introspective, with this beam of light. I started seeing that card pop up when I really needed to pull back, turn off the noise, and just think things through on my own. It wasn’t about being lonely; it was about needing that quiet space to get clarity.
I started keeping a small notebook, just jotting down the card I pulled and then three quick bullet points about what I felt, what happened, and if there was any connection. Nothing fancy. Just raw, quick thoughts. This was huge. It built up my own personal dictionary of card meanings, based on my life, not just some dusty old book.
Using It When Things Get Messy
Now, I don’t really do “readings” in the traditional sense. It’s more like a check-in. When I’m feeling really muddled about something – a decision at work, a tricky family situation, or just feeling off-kilter – I’ll shuffle the deck and pull a few cards. Not a super complex spread, just maybe three: one for the root of the issue, one for what I need to focus on, and one for a potential outcome if I listen.
It’s not about predicting the future. It’s about getting a different angle, a fresh perspective. The cards act like a mirror, reflecting something I already know deep down but haven’t articulated. They give names to feelings or situations I couldn’t quite put my finger on. It’s like the card will flash up, and I’ll instantly think, “Oh, that’s what this feeling is!” or “Aha, that’s the energy I need to lean into right now.”
It’s really been a game-changer for just processing stuff. It helps me slow down, be more intentional. It’s not about complex interpretations; it’s about seeing myself and my life reflected in those bright, bold images. It makes unlocking those “hidden insights” surprisingly easy, because most of the time, they were never really hidden in the first place. They were just waiting for a cool, colorful deck to help me see them.
