by Bambi Watson

Created on: April 06, 2009

The tarot is an excellent tool for personal growth, self-discovery, divination and meditation regardless of ones spiritual or religious beliefs. Tarot cards work because the symbolism in the illustrations on the cards speak to our sub-conscious minds. Tarot cards are an intuitive tool that transcends any one belief system.

There is a science to how the tarot works with ones sub-conscious mind. As with any visual stimulant, the brain re-acts to what it sees. The tarot works in just that way. The tarot card reader, sees a particular card and the visual image on that card stimulates the reader's brain. A tarot card reader must develop their intuitive abilities in order to interpret the tarot cards in an accurate manner.

Tarot cards have existed for hundreds of years and are not based on any one particular spiritual or non-spiritual belief system. The symbolism on tarot cards dates back as far as Syrian and Egyptian hieroglyphics or "secret writings". The symbols found on tarot cards stimulate ones sub-conscious mind and helps us get in tune with our own inner voice or intuitive self. Jung believed tarot cards opened our sub-conscious mind to our conscious mind. This unification of thought can be really helpful to us when we are trying to make positive changes in our lives or trying to overcome addictions or other obstacles in life.

Atheists as well as agnostics, pagans, Christians, Buddhist or anyone who adheres to any belief can get just as much value from the tarot as anyone else. One of the best uses for tarot cards is as a catalyst for personal growth and self discovery. Using the tarot as a meditation tool, one can meditate on the visual image of a different card each day. The image on that card will stimulate the brain through the symbolism in the illustration. This technique can help one get in touch with their own sub-conscious mind. Using the tarot cards in this manner can help one see their daily problems in a different light.

One of the reasons the tarot has been called "evil" and associated with paganism by many religious people, is because it does not conform to any one belief system. The tarot in truly non-denominational and just as effective no matter what a persons personal beliefs are. Thus the tarot is an excellent tool for atheists as well as any other person of any spiritual or non-spiritual beliefs.

Working with the tarot is a fun and effective way to get to know your inner self. Getting a tarot reading from someone else is always entertaining and illuminating, regardless of what your personal belief systems may be. The tarot appeals to and benefits all people, this is exactly why it has grown more in popularity every years, for hundreds of years, and will continue to do so.

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