5 Ways to Use Tarot on your Altar to Create Sacred Space
Learn. Manifest. Align. Connect. Program.
“An altar serves as a visual representation of our spiritual beliefs, commitments, and intentions.”
When you formally dedicate a space to your spiritual beliefs and magical workings, you open a portal. You are creating energetic boundaries. Your intentions reserve that space for the energies you wish to call in. It’s like placing a “reserved card” on a restaurant table. No one else can sit there.
Why use Tarot at the Altar
Using Tarot (or Oracle Cards) on your altar is like placing a placeholder with a specific name! It reserves that space for a particular energy, letting the Universe (and your psyche) know you are prioritizing that vibration.
Tarot on your altar keeps that energy easy to access. You know what they say, “out of sight, out of mind.” If you are serious about connecting with and utilizing the power of Tarot, then make it visible.
Also, Tarot cards are pretty. They make for gorgeous and visually interesting decor. I believe a sacred place is a beautiful space. That doesn’t mean it’s all rainbows and positivity. Even the Death card and the Devil have their own beauty.
Ways to Use Tarot on the Altar
1. Learning: Tarot as Teacher
Are you pulling a daily Tarot card? This is the best way to learn the nuances of the Tarot, by connecting each card with events and memories from your life. When you pull a Tarot card for the day, treat it as a teacher. I don’t view the daily card as a prediction of what will happen. It is an invitation to be mindful and pay attention to the quality of the energy in the day. I often find there are one or two events that resonate with the energy of my daily card. These moments of connection will broaden your understanding of the language of Tarot (and energy).
I display my daily card on a stand on my main altar. I reference it throughout the day. And, in the evening I reflect on how that energy showed up during the day, before tucking the card back into the deck for the night.
2. Manifesting: Calling in an Energy
You can use Tarot in your manifestation work by connecting with the energy of card that resonate with the energy of what you are calling in. For example, when I was focusing on finding our “Grand Family Homestead,” I spent a lot of time working with the 10 of pentacles. If you are manifesting a romantic partner, you might work with the 2 of cups or the Lovers card. Display the card on your altar, and meditate on its energy. Visualize and feel the energy of the card as if it is happening in your life. You can bring it offerings, like herbs and candles, to activate strengthen it’s vibration in your life.
Abundance cards: 6 of Pentacles, 10 of Pentacles, King of Pentacles, Empress, The World
Love cards: 2 of cups, Lovers, 6 of cups, 10 of cups
Community/Friendship cards: 3 of Pentacles, Hierophant, Judgement, King of Pentacles
3. Alignment: Harmonize with a Vibration
I use this practice to align with moon phases, seasons, and deities. Choose a card that echoes the energy of what you are aligning with. For example at Summer Solstice, bring the Sun card to your altar. At the new moon, bring the Star card.
If you are working with Brigid, you might work with the Ace of Wands, or even Temperance (because she is both a fire and water Goddess). Creatives - you will benefit from working with cards that support your creativity and flow.
Set out your card on your altar, or a seasonal table. Similar to manifestation work, you will want to meditate on the quality of the card to help you align. I use this Tarot practice at Seasonal Celebrations and during Moon Rituals.
Cards for the Cycles of Energy: new = Star, waxing = Wheel of Fortune, full = Moon, waning = death
Creativity cards: Temperance, Knight of Wands, 2 of pentacles, 2 of wands, Emperor, Chariot, Page of Cups, Page of Swords, Queen of Swords, Queen of Wands
Connect with the Divine cards: The High Priestess, The Hierophant, any of the pages, any of the aces, The World, The Empress or Emperor (or both).
4. Connect: Communicate with Spirit / Deity / Ancestors
If you have multiple decks, you can dedicate a set of cards for communicating with a specific kind of energy. I have an ancestor altar where I use the Herb Crafter’s Tarot to connect with my beloved dead. The Herb Crafter’s Tarot is especially lovely in this ancestor work because my altar is in the kitchen. I have another deck over by my ‘apothecary’ where I keep all my healing herbs, salves, and oils. The Herbal Tarot sits on the shelf, ready to guide me whenever I want to talk to Spirit about herbal medicines. By separating spaces and decks, you can define their role in your sacred practices, bringing greater clarity and purpose to your Tarot pulls.
5. Program: Infuse a Bath with Healing Energy
Water is a powerful carrier of thoughts and emotions. Before submerging yourself in a bath full of water, program it with the energy you want to immerse yourself in. Surround the water with high-vibe objects like crystals, shells, statues, and Tarot. Be sure your cards don’t get wet! I place mine in a metal table card holder. Either choose a card with energy you want to call in, or randomly pull a card while asking Spirit, “What energy will help me feel restored?” Before stepping in the bath, use your hand to stir the water in a clockwise motion visualizing the energy infusing into the water molecules.
Self-Care cards: Try using any of the following cards : The High Priestess, The Empress, The Ace of Cups, Page of Cups, The Star, The Queen of Cups, The Queen of Pentacles, Strength, Temperance, or
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