The Tarot serves as a marvelous compass for delving into the myriad facets of one’s self. For those who feel torn between various paths or grapple with identifying where to focus their energies, these mystical cards provide the clarity that one seeks. Passion is a term heavy with meaning, intricately connected to the core of our being. When the conversation drifts to discovering one's passion or embracing what one is destined to do, it often resembles a calling or vocation—something vital to one's essence. However, if you're uncertain about what ignites your soul, or if former passions seem to have lost their luster, it can evoke a sense of disconnection or falling behind. In today's world, where hobbies swiftly transform into profit-generating ventures and the urge to monetize talents looms large, distinguishing between what seems productive and what genuinely brings happiness can be challenging.
Living within capitalist frameworks often stifles passions, yet paradoxically it heightens the urgent need to prioritize joy, creativity, and pursuits that are solely for ourselves. Rather than viewing this spread as a tool to pinpoint "the one thing you are absolutely meant" to pursue, embrace this moment with the cards as a chance to delve into fresh possibilities, softly examining your innate creativity along with your yearnings and desires. Within each of us lies a universe of possibilities, and pressing yourself to pinpoint a single passion can muddle your journey to discovery. Instead of treating the cards as a definitive answer, let them initiate an internal dialogue. Pose questions to yourself that can reveal hidden paths within you, paths you might not have noticed before. Allow this reading to serve as the inception of a journey of inquiry, rather than a conclusive response to a single question.
Understanding the Tarot Framework
The Tarot is a deck of 78 cards, each with its own imagery, symbolism, and story. The 22 Major Arcana cards represent life's karmic and spiritual lessons. They represent a path to spiritual self-awareness and depict the various stages we encounter in our search for greater meaning and understanding. In this way, the Major Arcana cards hold deeply meaningful lessons on a soul level. The 56 Minor Arcana cards reflect the trials and tribulations that we experience on a daily basis. These Tarot cards highlight the more practical aspects of life and can refer to current issues that have a temporary or minor influence.
Within the Minor Arcana cards, there are 16 Tarot Court Cards representing 16 different personality characteristics we may choose to express at any given time. There are also the 40 numbered cards organized into 4 Suits – Cups, Pentacles, Swords, and Wands – each with 10 cards, representing various situations that we encounter day-to-day. Some may say that Tarot cards are simply ink on paper. However, what has been discovered from reading the Tarot cards daily for over twenty years is that Tarot is the storybook of our life, the mirror to our soul, and the key to our inner wisdom. Every spiritual lesson we meet in our lives can be found in the seventy-eight Tarot cards. And when we consult the Tarot, we will get shown the exact lessons we need to learn and master to live an inspired life.
The Suit of Wands and the Element of Fire
When embarking on a Tarot spread to explore passion, guidance suggests drawing cards while shuffling and channeling the essence of the Suit of Wands and the elemental force of Fire. This suit is traditionally associated with creativity, inspiration, and the spark of new beginnings. Inviting the cards to illuminate what ignites passion, fuels the inner flame, and stirs motivation, excitement, and curiosity is a central theme of this inquiry. The Suit of Wands speaks to the energy of action and the drive to pursue one's desires.
Fire is the element of transformation and passion. It represents the burning desire within the soul to create and to express. By focusing on this elemental force, the querent invites the cards to reveal where this energy is most potent in their life. It is not necessarily about a career or a specific hobby, but rather about the underlying current of enthusiasm that drives daily existence. The Wands encourage a look at what makes one feel alive and vibrant.
The Concept of "Passion Ignited"
A specific card referred to as "Passion Ignited" appears within the context of the Psychic Tarot deck by John Holland. This card invites a deep inquiry: What are you passionate about? Are you passionate about something, or maybe someone? What if we were passionate about ourselves? A lot of us despise vain people and therefore shun all personal qualities related to vanity. However, passion about one’s self is not about vanity. It is about living a good life and being of service to others.
If one feels good about oneself, one becomes a better source of positive energy for the world. Many suffer from low self-esteem, feeling they are not good enough or that others are better. But what if we were passionate about ourselves? How could that better enable us to be of service to others and be a source of positive energy? Accepting the fact that by being passionate about ourselves, we are actually being less vain is a crucial distinction. Vanity is superficial. Passion comes from our heart and soul. It is non-pretentious. It is divine. And how can anything divine be negative? Today, be passionate about yourself. You are a great person. You are here to do powerful work. The passion you feel for yourself will radiate out into the world as positive energy. Remember, being passionate about yourself is not being vain.
Tarot Spreads for Discovery
The Tarot spread designed for exploring passion is not merely a tool for divination but a method for self-reflection. As you use the cards to explore your own passions, give yourself plenty of room to wander, question, and listen to your intuition. In readings like this, the cards don’t always give us specific messages like "start painting again" or "go to culinary school," but they can help to open up possibilities that allow us to reach those conclusions on our own.
The reading involves asking the cards to help name what lights you up, feeds your sparks, and gets you motivated, excited, and curious. It is a process of investigating natural creativity and longings. The cards prompt questions such as: What does your life naturally revolve around? Which themes keep emerging, no matter where you are or what you are doing? We all contain multitudes, and putting pressure on yourself to figure out your one singular passion can make it even harder to identify it. Rather than serving as a be-all-end-all, the cards begin a new internal conversation, asking questions that can open up internal pathways that may not have realized existed.
Integrating Structure and Joy
A sample reading mentioned includes three court cards and one Major Arcana card. This combination creates a fascinating charge: to take chances, recognize internal strength, and not be afraid to get organized about those big goals. Passion doesn’t have to mean that there is no purpose. Even in experimenting and pursuing adventure, cards like the King and the Emperor remind the querent that there can be joy in intentionality as well as in play.
This suggests that while passion is often associated with wild, unbridled emotion, it can also be channeled into structured pursuits. The balance between the fiery energy of passion and the grounding energy of structure is essential. The cards encourage integrating natural passion into something with shape and form, something that can expand within you. This might mean setting aside time for creative pursuits, organizing a plan for a new venture, or simply acknowledging the themes that run through one's life and giving them space to grow.
The Role of Intuition
Intuition is a key component of Tarot reading. The cards act as a mirror to the soul, reflecting back the wisdom that already resides within. When exploring passion, it is vital to listen to that inner voice. What bubbles to the surface during the reading? What feelings arise when certain cards appear? The Tarot does not dictate; it suggests. It opens up possibilities. The querent is encouraged to trust their gut feelings and to follow the sparks of excitement that arise during the session.
The journey of discovering passion is deeply personal. It is not a race to a finish line but a continuous process of becoming. The Tarot provides a safe space to explore this process. It allows for the examination of desires without judgment. It validates the need for joy and creativity, even in a world that often prioritizes productivity over happiness.
Conclusion
The Tarot is a powerful tool for those seeking to understand their passions and purpose. It offers a way to navigate the complex inner landscape of the self. By focusing on the Suit of Wands and the element of Fire, one can ignite the inner flame of motivation. The concept of "Passion Ignited" teaches that self-passion is the foundation for serving others and radiating positive energy. Through thoughtful spreads and introspective inquiry, the cards help identify recurring themes and natural inclinations. They encourage a balance between adventure and structure, and they remind us that the journey of discovery is ongoing. Ultimately, the Tarot serves as a guide to living a more inspired and authentic life, driven by the true desires of the heart and soul.