Using the Tarot to Heal

The Llewellyn Tarot is making its debut. Anna-Marie Ferguson, creator of Legend: The Arthurian Tarot, developed this stunning deck especially for Llewellyn to honor the Welsh heritage of Llewellyn George, who founded the company in 1901.

In this signature seventy-eight-card deck, Ferguson weaves stories into the Major Arcana from the Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh myths. Painted in watercolor, each card has distinct art that brings these Welsh tales to life while remaining true to the traditional divinatory meanings of the tarot. Once you hold these beautiful cards and see them up close, you’ll find yourself magically transported into a mystical land with romantic characters who entice you to learn the stories of their dreams, desires and disappointments—all in a time before Camelot.

The Llewellyn Tarot, designed for both beauty and practicality, comes with a gold-beaded bag you can use to store the cards and a book that includes both time-honored interpretations of the tarot cards plus enchanting Welsh stories that further ornament the traditional meanings. Additionally, two new spreads are included with The Llewellyn Tarot: Llew’s Spread, used for bringing illumination to a situation, and the Red Dragon Spread, used for overcoming obstacles. Each spread is printed on its own card, making it easy to follow and interpret, without having to prop open a book. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced tarot reader, The Llewellyn Tarot will inspire your imagination, expand your insights, and enliven your readings. Some of my favorite cards in The Llewellyn Tarot are The Lovers, alternately titled The Dream of Macsen; The Hanged Man, named Enchantment of Dyfed; and The Moon, called Lake of Maidens.

The myths and stories conveyed in decks like The Llewellyn Tarot are meant to help us understand the joys and struggles of being human. Here we can explore the ways that tarot cards can facilitate this process. When working on sensitive issues either for yourself or others, make sure to select the right deck for the healing you’d like to bring about. Some people prefer subtle images in subdued colors to convey the message while others seek vivid images in bold hues to rejuvenate them. Although it is always a good idea to clear your deck regularly, it is especially important to do so before and after using a deck for healings. The methods for cleansing your cards are as varied and numerous as the decks out there. Some people smudge their decks with incense or sage bundles, others wrap them with special crystals or stones and place them in the light of the Full Moon, while others use chimes or a special tuning bowl to remove any energetic residue left behind from the reading. Whatever method you choose, incorporate it into your healing process by symbolically purifying yourself before and after the reading. Purify before the reading to open yourself up to possible ways the healing may come about, and purify after the reading to release any memories or beliefs that no longer serve you.

Two great books to get you started on your healing journey are Tarot Shadow Work by Christine Jette and Tarot Spells by Janina Renée. Jette’s book shows both how to release past hurts and how to accomplish the soul work involved in embracing the shadow and finding the light within. In Tarot Spells, there are a variety of meditations and spreads especially created for healing matters.

May all your readings be good ones!