A few years ago, I started having an annual tarot + wine gathering at my house around Halloween. I invite my circle of women friends, we share a meal, drink some wine (non-alcoholic is great too), and pull some cards.
This is a perfect time of year to gather as the season turns towards winter. It is said that around this time, the veils between the visible world and the invisible world are thin. This means that your intuitive guidance will be more accessible and clear.
Tarot is a practice that opens up the conversation around what matters and it helps us to make sense of things in an often chaotic world. In these gatherings, my friends and I have conversations about the things of our lives that we might otherwise not discuss. In sharing our stories, we learn more about ourselves and each other. We can see the invisible, woven threads that connect us to each other.
The whole evening feels like a magical ritual, as we fill ourselves up with the collective wisdom of the cards, and the women in the circle. We, once again, become enchanted with our lives, and we each leave feeling more whole and inspired.
A Brief Introduction to Tarot
The oldest known tarot deck is from Italy, and was created in the 1400s. However, the cards were most likely around in some form long before that. The modern version that most people use today is built around the 22 major arcana, and the 56 minor arcana. The major arcana are universal archetypes such as the sun, the moon, the wheel of fortune, etc. These cards point to the archetypal energies and persistent patterns of our lives. The minor arcana are made of the four suits; wands, pentacles, swords, and cups. These represent transient situations, relationships and feelings.
Each card holds multiple layers of symbolism and meaning, and they are meant to spark new connections. I view the cards as a tool for engaging with intuition, inner wisdom, and your natural creativity.
You don’t need to know much about tarot to use the cards. Each deck usually comes with a book that describes the meaning of each card. There is also a method of reading the cards through the visual imagery.
The Intuitive Method for Reading the Cards
Begin by creating a space, and setting an intention for the group. Light some candles, burn some sage, and pour some tea or wine for everyone in the circle. Do whatever creates a space of calm, groundedness and focus for you and your guests. Create a vibe!
Sit in a circle, and give the deck to whomever will go first.
Hold the deck in your hands, shuffle the cards, and ask a question. Or, think about a situation in their life that would benefit from guidance. Share the question to the circle.
Then, choose one card from the deck, and look at the image.
Don’t worry about what the card is supposed to mean, and definitely don’t look up the description yet!
Stay open and curious, and you will uncover exactly what you need!
Look at the image, and notice how you feel. Is it pleasing, scary, confronting, etc.?
What is the initial sense in your own body? Describe this out loud to the group.
Then, describe the details of the image. Imagine that you had to describe it to someone who couldn’t see it. Also, notice any symbols in the image. What do they mean to you?
Then, go back to the question you are asking. How does your description of the image and the meaning of the symbols relate to your question? Notice any connections between the words you are using to describe your card, and a possible answer to your question. As your friends are listening, they may also share connections that they notice.
As each guest pulls a card, asks a question, and goes through the process of “speaking” the image, you will begin to see patterns and connections that you may have not noticed before.
You get to know yourself, and your friends a little bit better, and you uncover hidden gems of wisdom that have been waiting just beneath the surface.
There are multiple ways to use tarot cards. There are many different “spreads” as well. A spread is a way of pulling multiple cards, laying them down in front of you, and reading them in relationship with each other. The most common spreads are the one card pull, or a three card pull. If you have a smaller group, you can have each woman pull three cards.
Here a few options for ways to make meaning out of the three card pull:
- Card 1-Start
- Card 2-Stop
- Card 3-Continue
- Card 1- Past
- Card 2-Present
- Card 3- Future
- Card 1- Situation
- Card 2-Task
- Card 3- Decision
When the whole circle is complete, you can spend a few moments reflecting on the wisdom and the vulnerability that was shared, and offer gratitude to each guest for being a part of this collective ritual.
In my Tarot parties, we end up talking (and laughing!) late into the night! Last year, after the group card pull, I handed everyone a small piece of paper to write down something they wanted to release: a habit, a relationship, or a mindset. Then, we went outside, and burned them over a bowl of water. It was a great way to end the night!
In our modern, fast paced world, where so much of our time is spent rushing from one activity to the next, this kind of gathering creates a space to slow down, get cozy with friends, and feel held in community. It will send ripples of magic throughout your life, as it re-enchants your relationship with the world.
Marni Sclaroff is a life coach, writer, artist and yoga teacher who brings a lifelong passion for living a creative and purposeful life to people all over the world. With more than 30 years of experience in the holistic, visual and movement arts, and a Master’s Degree in Art Education, she is well-versed in the languages of artistry and transformation. Find her on instagram.
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