Art Journaling With Tarot Cards

I'm super excited to share an intuitive art journal page for this Tarot blog hop. The hop is hosted by Sharron of The Gypsy Arts School. I've been following Sharron on Instagram for some time, and like most people on Instagram, I find the accounts I love and follow them zealously. That's exactly what I did with Sharron's IG feed. I love the way her feed has a mix of nature, art, and tarot. I've been made aware of several amazing decks because of Sharron. 

The Autumn Equinox marks the balance between light and dark and is also known as Mabon by Pagans and Wiccans. To celebrate Autumn, several of us have banded together to support YOUR Equinox Journey, offering tarot and oracle card spreads; information on how to work with the Colors of Autumn; tips on working with your Inner Cauldron; new additions for your Art Journal; creative writing tips; working with Lilith; the journey of Persephone, Demeter and Hades, and much much more. 

I think I'm the only non-Tarot Reader in the hop and that feels pretty darn special so let's chat about how I create art journal pages inspired by Tarot. I've recorded a video for you as well, so make sure you click on the READ MORE link/button below. Since we are in the ninth month of the year, I selected the Hermit card -- IX -- and pulled it from my five favorite decks: 

From the Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti
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From the Margarete Petersen Tarot
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From the Wild Unknown Tarot
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From the Cosmos Tarot & Oracle Deck
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From the Vanessa Tarot Deck
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The Hermit card brings up so much for me all by itself. I've often called myself a hermit, not realizing the power it holds within the tarot system. What is conjured for me with this card starts with the word TRUTH. The lantern that is often depicted on this card is what I see as both the light to guide me to the truth and the light that comes once we embrace the truth. Sometimes, for me, the embracing is the hard part :-).

Other powerful representations from The Hermit card are:

• Withdrawal for silent reflection
• Soul-searching
• Inner guidance and balance (centering)
• Solitude
• Instinct and intuition
• Renewal and rebirth
• Meditation
• Self-awareness
• And maybe a less traditional way of thinking about the Hermit -- as the voice from the other side -- the ancestors -- the crone (as in Margarete Petersen's deck). 

Questions I might ask myself in relationship to the Hermit card are:

• What truth do I need to seek today? 
• Who are the guides in my life that I may not be acknowledging? 
• What things do I need to give careful thought today? 
• What answers already live inside me that I'm ignoring? 

When I use tarot cards as a part of my art journaling practice, I like to practice both intentional creation and intuitive creation. I start by looking at the obvious elements of the card -- color, images, mood, and surface meaning. 

Once I've got a solid start I look deeper and begin to ask questions. This is where my written journaling comes from. The questions often trigger something deeper inside me that I don't think I would have tapped into without the inspiration from the cards. 

I start with simple questions like: 

• What do I need to focus on today? 
• What do I most need to know today? 

I like sitting with the cards, my journal, and my fountain pen and seeing what comes up. I love that I can simply let go as I freewrite. Freewriting has been a practice since I was in middle school (although I didn't call it that then). Now, as I incorporate my art making, I find that the Tarot and Oracle cards I've been collecting over the years give me a gentle nudge towards a more intuitive way of journaling and making art -- and bringing the two together. 

Sometimes the process is so powerful that I go into a zone and I'm amazed at what comes forth. I don't often record my art journaling and card pulling experience, but I did for this blog hop because I hope it will inspire some of you to consider bringing the two together (your love of Tarot and Oracle cards + another creative passion). 

To gain access to the full length video, CLICK HERE. 

As you watch my creation process, I encourage you to have a pen in hand. Maybe something I say will spark something for you. Or maybe you will see a color or an image that jumps from the screen. Either way, I hope it will inspire you to create something beautiful today. 

In the video I mention two of my lovely community members: M. Ruth McCants and Monica Garcia. They are two women I adore and look to for intuitive strengthening. Check them out. 

To read the next article in the Fall Blog Hop, CLICK HERE. It's from the amazing Tiffany Wilson (@elemental.enchantment) and she's talking about the "Dark Goddess -- Lilith" -- it's a brave post with so much goodness. I know you're going to enjoy it and be inspired by Tiffany's words. 

Enjoy the hop and let me know what the Hermit card is saying to you.