How meditation can help your tarot practice

I’ve been a long-time meditator. In fact, I began meditating as a child after reading an article about meditation techniques for falling asleep. I use those routines because my busy brain has a hard time shutting down at night.

Meditation is beneficial for many reasons. It’s excellent for reducing stress and lowering blood pressure. Did you know it’s also helpful for your tarot practice?

Here’s how: tarot reading is better when your mind is calm and focused. Rushing into a reading when you’re stressed tends to lead to a less coherent message. When your brain is chill, your intuition can do the work to piece together the story the cards want to tell. In other words, it gets you “in the mood” for clear, accurate readings.

My favorite technique to prep for readings is Opening the Chakras. Here’s how to do it (excerpt from Tarot: No Questions Asked – Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading):

Sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Begin to engage in abdominal breathing. Let your breath come and go with ease. When you feel calm, direct your attention to your tailbone. This is where your Root chakra resides. Visualize a bright red flower at the base of your spine. As you breathe in, see the flower opening its petals wide. Take a few more breaths and then move up to your Navel chakra, which is an inch or two below your navel. In your mind’s eye, see a brilliant orange flower and breathe into that flower, opening the petals all the way. When you feel ready to move on, direct your attention to your Solar Plexus area, which is right above your belly button. Here, find a sunny yellow flower and breathe into it. Once again, witness the petals opening up, revealing the different shades of yellow at the center of the flower. Bring your awareness to the Heart Chakra, located directly underneath your sternum. Visualize an emerald green flower and take a deep breath. As you exhale, watch the petals of the green flower opening up and spreading across your sternum. Rest here for a few breaths and then move on. At the Throat chakra, picture a vivid blue flower.

Breathe into it and watch the petals unfold. Take a moment and then move up to the Third Eye, which is right between the eyebrows. Take a few breaths here and then see an indigo flower, bright and luminous, and breathe into it. The petals open, revealing a center that looks like a sapphire. Rest here for a few breaths and then move to the Crown chakra, which is located at the top of the head. Breathe in and out for a moment, and then visualize a violet lotus flower at the top of your crown. As you breathe into it, a thousand petals spread wide open. Remain here for a few moments. When you feel ready, open your eyes.

You’re ready to connect with your inner guidance . . . and your tarot.

Once you’re done reading for the day, it’s time to Close the Chakras.

Once again, sit quietly with your eyes closed. Take a few slow, deep breaths. Then, bring your awareness to the Crown chakra. Breathe in and out for a moment, and then visualize the violet lotus flower closing its petals tightly. When you feel ready, move on to the Third Eye. Picture the indigo flower in your mind, and then slowly close the petals. Take your attention to the Throat chakra. Once again, visualize the blue flower at the throat. Take in a breath and then close the flower tightly. Next, move down to the Heart chakra. Breathe into the green flower and then shut the petals. Remain here for a few more breaths, and then move on. Rest your attention at the Solar Plexus chakra for a moment. Visualize the yellow flower and then gently shut the petals. Move your awareness down to the Navel chakra, where the orange flower rests. Take in a nice deep breath, and then close the orange flower until it’s nice and tight. Finally, move on to the Root chakra. Breathe in and out for a few moments. Then, close the red flower all the way until it’s securely shut. Once again, remain here for a few moments. When you feel centered and protected, open your eyes.

These simple meditations help ground, center, and release techniques vital for healthy, happy, and intuitive tarot readings.

In my book, Tarot: No Questions Asked, you can find more information about accessing your intuition and connecting with tarot. Another book I recommend is Meditation and Tarot: Connect with the Cards to Develop Your Inner Vision by Chandra Parkinson.

Happy om-ing,
Theresa

image from stock photography

@Theresa Reed | The Tarot Lady 2025