A technique that I sometimes use when I want to explore an individual card is known as free association. I would advise if you want to try these exercises for yourself, that you start a Tarot journal and record all of your experiences within.
The basic idea behind free association is to take a random card from your deck, look at it, then write down what comes into your mind.
Try not to control this process and don’t try and make what you write fit in with accepted meanings. Also, don’t be concerned when what you’ve written contradicts with a previous statement. It’s possible they’re both ‘true’. The real beauty behind this technique is that it allows you to build up your own vocabulary of the cards. I’ve found that it can really help build confidence.
The first thing to do then is pick a random card. Write down any thoughts, feelings or physical sensations (sound, smell and so on) that you associate with that card. Afterwords, imagine yourself communicating with the card itself. Write down these experiences. Finally, have fun using your new keywords in readings for yourself or others.
I’m going to be selecting a Tarot card every few days and jotting down what I associate with that card. Why not join me; it’s a great way to give your Tarot readings a boost.
Below are some examples of what happens when I use this technique. I will update this list when I do more.
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4 comments… Let's discuss
My main problem with free association is I tend to doubt myself…and yet the best readings seem to just “flow”….not looking up meanings are fumbling through notes….just me, the card, and my throughts.
It is interesting over time though to see how thoughts about a card change, broaden and deepen. I know its not a tarot deck…but my little Faeries Oracle deck is almost like my family…LOL…I did a free association…one word with them a while back…and that one little word that I remember about each one sort of opens the door during a reading….and I can use it to go in all sorts of directions.
Hi Ginger,
Thank you for sharing your experiences
I can relate to your feelings of ‘doubt’. Early on in my career I had a lot of doubt. Now, it’s very common for me to deal out some cards for a client and not really remember what any of the cards mean. In fact, this phenomena seems to have become greater the longer I read Tarot on a professional bases. I think this is a natural process – intuition, Elemental Dignities and free-association are what I use to help me ‘get into’ a reading.
Therefore, on the one hand, I am less clear about what individual Tarot cards mean (in a live reading), yet on the other hand, I’m more comfortable using my intuition.
Confidence is the key to being more comfortable with ‘saying what you see’ – perhaps this is something that just occurs with time.
I’m trying to apply free association with my journal too. I still look at the little white book but there’s something special when I use my imagination. I try to depict the emotion of the characters in the card then I try to find a way to connect with them in my reading.
What’s amazing is that every deck has a different feel. Right now I use the Deviant Moon and the Hanson-Roberts Deck. Although they’re both RWS-clone and they have the same divinatory meanings, the card from the other deck has a different story. It’s fun how you can actually put yourself in that image and be a part of it.
Hi AJ,
Sounds like you’ve been able to use this technique to great effect. The more you use it, the better your connection to the Tarot will become.
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