Learning to Use Tarot Cards to Strengthen Your Intuition
© Polina Kuzovkova
Intuition is often described as a “gut feeling” or an inner knowing that guides you, even when logic and reason may not provide a clear answer. Strengthening your intuition allows you to trust yourself more deeply and make decisions with confidence. Tarot cards are a great tool to help you escape the inner dialogue of the ego and access messages from the universe and your higher self.
Tarot doesn’t so much tell the future, but it facilitates a path to reach it. Using your deck allows you to develop a deeper connection with your inner self. The cards are filled with rich archetypal images and cycles that activate your subconscious mind. As you look at the symbols, your mind begins to make connections, sparking intuitive insights. Over time, you’ll notice that your “gut feelings” grow stronger and more accurate, and your confidence in trusting your intuition expands.
Tarot also creates a space for quiet reflection, a necessary condition for hearing the whispers of your inner voice. In this sense, tarot readings are like mini meditations, helping you tune out external noise and focus on your inner world.
Tips for using tarot to strengthen your intuition:
Choose a deck that resonates with you.
Finding a deck with imagery that you connect with is a vital first step. Tarot decks come in many styles, from traditional Rider-Waite decks to themed decks and modern, artistic interpretations. Pay attention to the imagery that draws you in, as this will enhance your intuitive connection. Trust your instincts when choosing your deck—this process alone is great practice when it comes to listening to your inner guidance.
Develop a daily tarot ritual.
Consistency is key. Tarot cards are a tool for your intuition, but a tool is only helpful when you’re familiar with how to use it. Draw one card daily and sit with its imagery, colors, and symbols. Ask yourself:
- What did I feel as soon as I turned this card over?
- What do I sense this card is telling me today?
- How does this message connect to my current challenges or goals?
You can also use books like my new release The Practical Tarot Method to enhance and encourage your own personal interpretations and feelings over traditional card meanings. Don’t worry about memorizing. Intuition works best when you allow yourself to feel and interpret naturally. Write down your reflections in a tarot journal. Over time, patterns will emerge, and you’ll see how often your first “gut response” to a card was spot on.
Trust your first impressions.
When you draw a card, notice your initial reaction before looking up its meaning. Intuition often speaks first and fast, while doubt and overthinking come later. For example, you might feel a surge of hope, resistance, or unease when you see a card. Trust that first inner knowing. That is your message, regardless of what the traditional meaning might say in the guidebook.
Practice intuitive card spreads.
A tarot spread is simply the intention, or question, for each card. I share many spreads in my book, but here are a couple simple three-card spreads to try:
- Past — Present — Future
- Mind — Body — Spirit
Rather than focusing on traditional card meanings, see how the cards relate to each other. Allow them to tell you a story as they “talk” to each other. Is there a recurring symbol, like water, birds, or fire, across all three cards? Your intuition will pick up on these connections, offering you messages that go beyond logic or definitions in a guidebook.
You can also ask open-ended questions, like:
- What do I need to know today?
- Where should I focus my energy?
These kinds of questions are invitations for intuitive insight rather than yes or no answers.
Meditate with a card.
If a particular card speaks to you, meditate on it. For example, if you pulled the High Priestess, you could meditate on the question: How can I deepen my connection to the Divine? Each card can be an invitation to meditate on a different concept or aspect of your life to gain deeper understanding and wisdom.
Signs Your Intuition Is Getting Stronger
As you continue working with tarot, you’ll notice your intuitive abilities are expanding:
- You might experience “knowing” without logical explanation.
- You start to sense people’s emotions before they speak.
- You recognize synchronicities and signs more frequently.
- You trust your instincts and make decisions without second guessing yourself.
Final Thoughts
Learning to use tarot to strengthen your intuition is a journey, not a destination. Each card you pull is an opportunity to deepen your self-trust and spiritual awareness. By building a relationship with your deck and honoring your first impressions, you’ll strengthen the intuitive gifts that are already within you.
If you are still searching for a deck that resonates with you, I invite you to try my new Practical Tarot deck which offers a rich, diverse, and inclusive vision of personal development through metaphysical exploration.
Remember, you already have the answers. The tarot is just a tool to help you hear them.
