Issue No. 5: Stressed Out!
Words - Haussier del Toro

Tarot became a part of my daily ritual during my first year of college. I was hours away from home, my closest friends were attending different universities, and I had settled on a major that seemed just interesting enough to complete a degree on. I quickly found myself hating what I was studying. I felt lost, directionless, and I began to question if I truly deserved to be in that space as a first-generation college student. After another excruciatingly long day, I found out that I had failed an exam for the very first time in my life. The counseling office was closed for the day, and in a desperate search for guidance, I turned to the tarot deck I had packed in my suitcase. 

I would be lying if I said tarot readings were the end-all solution to my anxiety, but they quickly became a part of my morning de-stressing routine. As an ancient form of divination, my tarot deck was the perfect tool to map out my day. The deck is made up of 78 cards with individual meanings: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana cards symbolize larger life lessons, and the Minor Arcana symbolize smaller temporary experiences or issues. Tarot readings are a very practical way to initiate inner dialogue regarding where you are in life and what you want out of it.

They are often viewed as a way to connect with ancestors, a higher being, or simply universal energy.

Therefore, they can be easily implemented into anyone’s lifestyle regardless of their spiritual beliefs.

Memorizing the meaning of 78 cards can be intimidating, but it is nothing to stress about when you are just beginning. The easiest way to begin your tarot journey is by meditating on one card daily. Begin by pulling a card from your deck and familiarize yourself with its meaning. Consider how this card relates to your current situation, what is causing you stress, and what direction you should take. This method may point you towards a way to resolve the issue at hand, or simply a way to have a productive day. This is also a great way to establish a connection with your cards and memorize their individual meanings. Another method to receive more specific answers is a three-card spread. Begin by pulling three cards from the deck. The first card symbolizes the issue causing you stress, the second card symbolizes the action you should avoid, and the third card symbolizes the action you should take. Familiarize yourself with the meaning of each card and follow your subconscious interpretation.

The tarot reading I did as a lost and terrified college student was mind-altering, and it is a reading I will never forget. This reading consisted of The Chariot, Two of Swords, and Seven of Pentacles. The Chariot, representing the issue at hand, symbolized internal conflict and personal struggles. Failing a test was a surface-level problem. It was a result of how dissatisfied I was with my chosen major. The Two of Swords, representing the action to avoid, symbolized a lack of movement. I felt stagnant in my studies and was not stimulated mentally or spiritually. The final card was the Seven of Pentacles, representing the action to take, which symbolized a difficult decision regarding risky opportunities. I was reluctant to study my true passion in college, because uncertainty caused my anxiety.

The major I chose initially promised a stable job after graduation, but I knew that success down the unpredictable route would be immensely fulfilling. Tarot helped me fully consider the situation I was in, what I wanted to achieve, and how I should go about doing so. Whether one believes in tarot or not, the internal dialogue that a tarot reading promotes is something that everyone can benefit from.