Finding serenity in a chaotic world through tarot
Hold a deck of tarot cards, take a breath, and the noise of life—the endless to-dos and the swirl of uncertainty—slowly fade away. Tarot is a doorway to your inner world, where you are calm, serene, and confident.
Are you curious about how tarot can bring a sense of ease amid life’s chaos? You can use tarot to create a little island of tranquillity in the stormy emotional seas.
What is tarot exactly?
At its essence, tarot is a 78-card deck with a suite of trump cards. The tarot deck was created for a card game called Trionfi or Trumps or Tarocchi, and over hundreds of years, the deck has become more well known as a divination tool.
The trump cards are now known as the Major Arcana. When used for divination, the major Arcana often reveals things about big life themes, and the rest of the cards (now known as the Minor Arcana) are usually about day-to-day situations.
Think of the tarot deck as a mirror reflecting your inner world and a guide to help you sort through the messiness of life. The beauty of tarot lies in its ability to open up your intuition and provide insight without saying a single word aloud.
You can use tarot to tell your future, absolutely. But that is not always the path to serenity. Tarot also reveals patterns, uncovers hidden emotions, and helps you focus on spiritual growth, which is where abiding serenity lies. It’s like having a wise friend who always knows exactly what to say to get you back on track.
Why use tarot when life feels chaotic?
We all have moments in life that feel like pure chaos. Meetings stack up, relationships wobble, and the state of the world sometimes feels...well, pretty bloody grim. During times like this, tarot doesn’t solve all your problems, but it becomes a tool to find your footing. It brings stillness to the mind and clarity to the heart.
Here’s why tarot is so effective in times of chaos:
Grounding power: Shuffling cards and focusing on their imagery brings you to the present moment, pulling you out of the spiral of stress.
Self-reflection: The cards act as a safe space where you can explore your feelings, fears, and hopes.
Perspective: Sometimes, seeing a situation reflected in the cards can give you the “aha” moment that you need.
Stress relief: Sitting down with a deck is oddly meditative. It’s like telling the universe, “I’m taking 10 minutes for myself and no one else.”
It’s not about pretending chaos doesn't exist, but finding a moment of peace within it and gathering some insight in order to choose a direction.
How to use tarot for serenity amid chaos
If this sounds like your kind of vibe, grab your favorite deck (or buy your first one!) and give these simple practices a whirl.
Create a nice little space to read tarot
Find a space in your home where you can enjoy with your tarot deck undisturbed. It doesn’t have to be insta-worthy or sprinkled with fairy lights (unless that’s your jam)—just somewhere peaceful. Give it a sense of “this is my sacred little corner", even if it's just for 10 minutes.
Begin with a grounding moment
Before pulling any cards, take a moment to center your focus. Light a candle if you like, breathe deeply, and maybe say a simple affirmation like, "I am present, I am calm, I am ready to see clearly." This helps you shift from the busyness of life into a more reflective state of mind.
Start with simple tarot spreads
You don’t need to pull 10 cards and go straight into a Celtic Cross spread on day one. Start small. Here are three beginner-friendly spreads for serenity:
One-Card Pull: Ask, “What do I need to focus on with this situation?” Draw one card and reflect on its meaning. Notice where the card's symbolism pops up as you navigate what you asked about.
Three-Card Spread: Use past-present-future or situation-advice-outcome. Easy, effective, and insightful.
A Card of the Week: Choose a single card on a Sunday night and use it as a guiding theme for the week ahead.
Focus on imagery and intuition
Here’s the thing about tarot books—they’re useful, but they’re not the gospel. When you pull a card, look at the image first, and ask yourself what it stirs up for you. Maybe the swords remind you of conflict, or the presence of water feels like emotional release. Go with your gut before consulting the guidebook.
Keep a tarot journal
Honestly, I detest journaling. I love writing, but journaling bores me to tears. However! I did it for about a year, and for every card. It was really helpful for creating a more nuanced relationship between the cards and me.
A tarot journal is like a conversation between you and your deck. Each time you pull a card, jot down the card, the question you asked, and any insights or feelings that came up. Over time, you’ll notice themes emerging and perhaps even deepen your understanding of yourself.
Like wine connoisseurs scribble down their sensory impressions, why not do the same for your cards? Was a specific card warm, sharp, overwhelming, or soothing? Describing the “taste” of a card adds layers to your connection with the deck.
Some people like to connect an affirmation to a card if it comes to them. For example:
The Star: “Hope flows within me, even in challenging moments.”
Nine of Pentacles: “I am secure, and I choose abundance.”
This can help turn your reading into an empowering experience and help you to choose an action if you are a bit timid about it.
Finding serenity, one card at a time
Tarot is a beautiful tool that reminds us we’re not just passive observers of the chaos around us. We are capable of choosing happiness and serenity; of finding peace within the storm. Even if you're simply enjoying looking at the gorgeous imagery on the cards, tarot offers a safe harbor to reconnect with yourself.
If you’re curious to dive into the ocean of tarot, consider Tarot for Beginners.
