Experiencing Meaning and Silence

The reading of tarot cards is about the magic of the moment. As we saw, our experience of this magic is twofold. When we read the cards, we work creatively with chance, that is, the moment as an element of time. At the same time, this is about mindful perception; this is the present moment as impartial seeing.

A third level, a third strength of tarot, lies in the typical world of tarot images. A tarot deck consists of seventy-eight cards—twenty-two trump cards or major arcana (arcana being the Latin word for secrets) and fifty-six minor arcana. The latter are divided into the four suits of Wands, Cups, Swords, and Coins.

Like folktales, tarot images have developed within this structure over the centuries. And like the folktales, tarot images are a cultural heritage. The main section of this book is about this heritage and its modern-day meanings; here, each card is discussed individually.

Respond to Emotions Mindfully

Within the playful framework of reading the tarot cards, it is easier to react mindfully to emotional impressions as well. Here we can practice, even with topics we find personally shocking, not to be less attentive, but to pay more attention, so that we also learn to look at emotional and intimate issues calmly, and subsequently to act with full awareness.

A Different Way of Predicting the Future

One branch of brain research deals with predictive coding.* By that the scientists mean that the brain is constantly producing predictions: What’s going on? Where are we? How are we? What is likely to happen? In processing ongoing sensory impressions, the brain relies on previous experiences, tries to recognize patterns, and produces these relevant predictions.

This is a very economical process. In the brain, the wheel is not being reinvented every minute, so to speak. Instead, existing patterns are applied to the current situation and modified on the basis of current sensory impressions.

On the other hand, this also means that our brain is constantly producing predictions. An additional potential disadvantage of this is that when

the brain uses existing patterns, it may be less likely to optimally absorb new experiences.

In the interest of consciousness-raising, it is desirable that mindfulness should be increased and that more attention should be focused on our current perceptions. Then the odds are all the greater that we will sail through life with fresh energy rather than on the basis of outdated patterns. Thus, one objective of tarot (and of other intuitive arts as well) is to calm our streams of thought, insofar as they dwell on such perpetual inner predictions, and to create space for silence, calm, and emptiness.

“Happiness is having a talent for fate,” realized the poet Novalis.* It is this talent that we develop when reading tarot cards as we interpret the major and minor arcanas. We develop it through insight and understanding as well as through mindfulness and silence.

Practicing Mindfulness I

Take some time whenever you feel like it to practice mindfulness. How frequently you do it is more important than how much time you spend doing a particular exercise. The most important thing is that you get involved. As for calm and silence, you will find them within yourself—and outside, too, behind all the sounds.

• Breathe in and out deeply. Close your eyes and feel your breath. • Often we are obsessed with thoughts and feelings: “My neck hurts. I’ve got to call so-and-so. What shall I say to them?

It’s annoying that I haven’t heard from this person yet. How do I tackle the deadline afterwards?” • Let such thoughts come and go. Try to let them flow by you like a river. You can observe this stream, but don’t do anything else at the moment. Feel your breath. • If you notice that something is really preying on your mind, you can also postpone the meditation and first deal with the urgent matter. As soon as you’re done, go on meditating. For advanced practitioners: remain in the peace and mindfulness mode even if—and especially when—you have something urgent to take care of. • It may also be helpful to write down an important matter that you’ve been mulling over. That way you won’t forget it and can nevertheless let go of it for the moment without worrying about it. • Be calm and friendly to yourself. Concentrate on your breath. Let the thoughts come and go. Sense yourself, sense your body. Make a movement spontaneously and calmly and stay with it for a moment (for instance, raise your arms or put your head down, stand on one leg, pull your navel in toward the spine and up, or some other movement).