Tarot Meditations Inspired by Creation Spirituality

I’m sure to many—especially Christians—it seems a bit strange that an ordained Christian minister would wriI’m sure to many—especially Christians—it seems a bit strange that an ordained Christian minister would write a book about tarot cards. And because these cards are often stereotyped as being inseparable linked with the occult, I’m sure that some Christians would even consider such an enterprise to border upon blasphemy. In spite of such fears, I have determined to do this, seeing no conflict between my faith and the use of these cards. In fact, I have found that working with these cards has actually enriched my spiritual experience. Those who would criticize such an endeavor would more than likely claim that their criticism was based upon the Bible—sighting such texts as Deuteronomy 18:10 which says that divination is an abomination, and so are those who practice it. Such an appeal to scripture however ignores the fact that whenever the ancient Israelite's consulted the “urim and the thummin”i or resorted to “casting lots” in making their decisions,ii they were in reality using a form of divination. That being said, though tarot cards are in most cases used as a tool for divination, I would like to suggest two other uses which I have found to be quite helpful, as well as more acceptable to Christians. One is using them as a catalyst for discussing various psychological issues in a way similar to how a psychologist or psychoanalyst might us the “Rorschach Ink Blots”--to see what the client sees in the cards, and then share with them the meaning in view of their interpretation of the cards. The other is using them for personal meditation in a way similar to how Catholics use the “station of the cross” or Lectio Divina as objects of meditation, and as Tibetan Buddhists use mandalas.te a book about tarot cards. And because these cards are often stereotyped as being inseparable linked with the occult, I’m sure that some Christians would even consider such an enterprise to border upon blasphemy. In spite of such fears, I have determined to do this, seeing no conflict between my faith and the use of these cards. In fact, I have found that working with these cards has actually enriched my spiritual experience. Those who would criticize such an endeavor would more than likely claim that their criticism was based upon the Bible—sighting such texts as Deuteronomy 18:10 which says that divination is an abomination, and so are those who practice it. Such an appeal to scripture however ignores the fact that whenever the ancient Israelite's consulted the “urim and the thummin”i or resorted to “casting lots” in making their decisions,ii they were in reality using a form of divination. That being said, though tarot cards are in most cases used as a tool for divination, I would like to suggest two other uses which I have found to be quite helpful, as well as more acceptable to Christians. One is using them as a catalyst for discussing various psychological issues in a way similar to how a psychologist or psychoanalyst might us the “Rorschach Ink Blots”--to see what the client sees in the cards, and then share with them the meaning in view of their interpretation of the cards. The other is using them for personal meditation in a way similar to how Catholics use the “station of the cross” or Lectio Divina as objects of meditation, and as Tibetan Buddhists use mandalas.